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Marshall Connors #1
Game 7: Dead Ball
Secrets, lies, and revenge provide the sparks that ignite a fiery collision between past and present…A puzzle takes shape as baseball’s World Series unfolds, but the pieces don’t a string of missing women, strange threats, gambling problems, kidnappings, and relationships long dormant are all somehow connected, but Marshall Connors--major league umpire--may run out of time before he can solve the mystery.Marshall’s season has ended and he is looking forward to post-season plans that include time in Florida, first helping his mentor teach an umpire training class, followed by a lot of sun. Those plans are cut short when Marshall is given a surprise assignment to work the World Series as crew chief, but the real reason is not discovered until he is neck-deep in trouble.The sudden change in plans rekindles a relationship with the O’Hara family--Terry, major league pitcher and Game 1 starter in the Series, Michael, Terry’s father and former major leaguer, and Samantha, Terry’s mother and Michael's ex-wife--but Marshall quickly realizes some things truly are better left alone.As the Series plays out, so does the truth behind long-buried O’Hara family secrets and Marshall is caught in a storm that threatens to destroy him and those he loves. With the help of his best friend, Thomas Hillsborough--ex-CIA spy--Marshall fights to solve the puzzle before the Series reaches its climax in GAME 7: DEAD BALL, the ultimate contest of survival.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2011
11 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Allen Schatz
4 books32 followersI run, I write, I make spreadsheets. The first two keep my head straight. The last one pays the bills. All things being equal, I'd rather only be doing the first two.
I wrote these books a few years ago, hoping for the "classic" outcome of a book deal and career in writing. Things didn't quite work out for that (yet), so I did the self-publish thing.
Most readers get it and enjoy my words. A few don't. That's OK. Judge for yourself.
Thanks for reading.
I wrote these books a few years ago, hoping for the "classic" outcome of a book deal and career in writing. Things didn't quite work out for that (yet), so I did the self-publish thing.
Most readers get it and enjoy my words. A few don't. That's OK. Judge for yourself.
Thanks for reading.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 5, 2013
I'm a lover of Baseball but not a fanatic like some people. I also love good mystery books. This story combined two of my loves.
Marshall Connors is an umpire who worked his way up through the ranks. So when his mentor taps him for the position of Chief Umpire for the World Series he is stunned and honored. What happens after that puts him and others in a tail spin.
The story seemed to alternate between omniscient and first person. When you take into consideration that this is a mystery and the other elements are necessary to the overall story it works well together.
I have put the other two books in this series on my wish to read list. If you love mysteries and baseball this is a winning combination that I highly recommend.
Marshall Connors is an umpire who worked his way up through the ranks. So when his mentor taps him for the position of Chief Umpire for the World Series he is stunned and honored. What happens after that puts him and others in a tail spin.
The story seemed to alternate between omniscient and first person. When you take into consideration that this is a mystery and the other elements are necessary to the overall story it works well together.
I have put the other two books in this series on my wish to read list. If you love mysteries and baseball this is a winning combination that I highly recommend.
May 5, 2012
As a baseball fan, I'm pretty much a sucker for anything to do with my favorite sport. But at the same time, I'm also very critical.
Game 7: Deadball by Allen Schatz is a mystery thriller with the 2008 World Series as a backdrop. For the record, I was at that World Series, so it was interesting to see how certain things would be incorporated into an event I attended.
The first thing I noticed was how well the book was written. As an indie author, Schatz's writing is very polished. It was a refreshing start because it meant there would be no cringing throughout the book from poor grammar or something else that a good editor could have helped.
It allowed me to just enjoy the book, which I did.
Marshall Connors, a Major League Baseball umpire, is at the center of the book. Connors has to cut his vacation short as he's asked to become crew chief for the 2008 World Series. Not a bad gig, but mysterious and dangerous messages start popping up around Connors until he realizes he's in the middle of a large revenge scheme.
There are a number of characters to track in the book – and at times it felt as though there were too many. During certain passages when there was a mention of a lesser character, I had to go back and remind myself of whom Schatz was writing about.
The difference with Connors and the rest was Schatz's characters was the use of perspective. Connors' passages were written in first person while the others were written in third person. It took some getting used, but I found it interesting.
When I asked Schatz about it he said it was a way for him to incorporate a bit of himself into the character. He wanted the focus to be on Connors although I found myself intrigued by another character, CIA agent Thomas (Suggestion: maybe a book on Thomas' adventure and how he became the person he is).
The book was quick with short sections and chapters only hitting on important moments for each character. There were no long poetic passes. Just action.
It was an enjoyable read and Schatz did a good job of building suspense.
There are two more books currently in the series and I intend to check them out as well.
Game 7: Deadball by Allen Schatz is a mystery thriller with the 2008 World Series as a backdrop. For the record, I was at that World Series, so it was interesting to see how certain things would be incorporated into an event I attended.
The first thing I noticed was how well the book was written. As an indie author, Schatz's writing is very polished. It was a refreshing start because it meant there would be no cringing throughout the book from poor grammar or something else that a good editor could have helped.
It allowed me to just enjoy the book, which I did.
Marshall Connors, a Major League Baseball umpire, is at the center of the book. Connors has to cut his vacation short as he's asked to become crew chief for the 2008 World Series. Not a bad gig, but mysterious and dangerous messages start popping up around Connors until he realizes he's in the middle of a large revenge scheme.
There are a number of characters to track in the book – and at times it felt as though there were too many. During certain passages when there was a mention of a lesser character, I had to go back and remind myself of whom Schatz was writing about.
The difference with Connors and the rest was Schatz's characters was the use of perspective. Connors' passages were written in first person while the others were written in third person. It took some getting used, but I found it interesting.
When I asked Schatz about it he said it was a way for him to incorporate a bit of himself into the character. He wanted the focus to be on Connors although I found myself intrigued by another character, CIA agent Thomas (Suggestion: maybe a book on Thomas' adventure and how he became the person he is).
The book was quick with short sections and chapters only hitting on important moments for each character. There were no long poetic passes. Just action.
It was an enjoyable read and Schatz did a good job of building suspense.
There are two more books currently in the series and I intend to check them out as well.
November 19, 2011
Allen Schatz has crafted a winner with his novel, Game 7: Dead Ball, book one of his Marshall Connors series of contemporary thrillers. Marshall Connors is a Major League umpire, and when he is inexplicably tabbed to be crew chief for the World Series, people in the know wonder why. Connor’s elevation is a result of actions by shady characters, who have only begun their mayhem. While baseball can be seen as a character, and fans of baseball will find the backdrop of the World Series adds to their enjoyment, one need not be a baseball geek to enjoy this book.
Marshall Connors, while likeable and smart, is not a protagonist in the conventional sense. He has major responsibilities related to his umpiring job and though he is connected to events, he has little ability to control or influence them. Connor’s friend Thomas and an assortment of FBI agents and MLB security types do the heavy lifting in solving a kidnapping and dealing with the bad guy(s). While Connors may not be a typical protagonist, the antagonist is an extremely cunning, dangerous and scary bad guy.
The cast is extensive and the plot intricate. When I set the book down a quarter through to concentrate on more pressing projects, I felt I needed to start again at the beginning in order to get current. However, once back into the book, it was a sharp page turner. I liked the fact that the characters and situations all seemed authentic and required no suspension of belief on the reader’s part.
Allen Schatz tells the story in an unconventional, but effective manner. He lets Connors narrate his part of story in 1st person, but deftly shifts to a 3rd person point of view for the bulk of the story. Such techniques are above the skill level of most inexperienced writers, and I was surprised to learn Dead Ball was his first novel. I look forward to the rest of the Marshall Connors series, and likely anything else that comes from the ordered but creative mind of Allen Schatz.
Marshall Connors, while likeable and smart, is not a protagonist in the conventional sense. He has major responsibilities related to his umpiring job and though he is connected to events, he has little ability to control or influence them. Connor’s friend Thomas and an assortment of FBI agents and MLB security types do the heavy lifting in solving a kidnapping and dealing with the bad guy(s). While Connors may not be a typical protagonist, the antagonist is an extremely cunning, dangerous and scary bad guy.
The cast is extensive and the plot intricate. When I set the book down a quarter through to concentrate on more pressing projects, I felt I needed to start again at the beginning in order to get current. However, once back into the book, it was a sharp page turner. I liked the fact that the characters and situations all seemed authentic and required no suspension of belief on the reader’s part.
Allen Schatz tells the story in an unconventional, but effective manner. He lets Connors narrate his part of story in 1st person, but deftly shifts to a 3rd person point of view for the bulk of the story. Such techniques are above the skill level of most inexperienced writers, and I was surprised to learn Dead Ball was his first novel. I look forward to the rest of the Marshall Connors series, and likely anything else that comes from the ordered but creative mind of Allen Schatz.
February 16, 2012
He Even Made Me Read the Baseball Parts!
My dad coached little league. I had a boyfriend who came to visit from out of town and dragged me to the Baseball Hall of Fame, fifty miles from where I grew up. Bronzed gloves? Are you kidding? Nothing could make me like baseball.
And yet, I couldn't even skip the baseball parts in this book. It's not that they were essential to understanding the plot, or the conflict, or anything about the story. It was just that seamless, that well-woven together, that the author made you like all of it. At first I had a little trouble with the jumps from past to "present" (the story takes place around the 2008 World Series but involves past crimes and serious misconduct) and the complicated cast of characters. But he worked that out too, and made me like many of them as well. Thomas! I want Thomas to be my best friend!
The mystery is in notes and text messages and whispered warnings. "She dies if you don't." Who dies? Why? How many "shes" have already died, or will die? When you figure out the she, and you realize the where, and that even the outcome of the World Series may hang on digging up the past, you're not even close to figuring it out. Sandy and Thomas do that. The book is also about dealing with the consequences of betrayal and rage and the difference between acting tough and being tough. It's partly about paying debts, having limits and doing the right thing, too.
The book contains a heavy sprinkling of profanity even though the author makes the point that saying the f-word can get you ejected from a game. It also contains nudity and some sexual references but nothing graphic. There is violence but it isn't lurid.
My dad coached little league. I had a boyfriend who came to visit from out of town and dragged me to the Baseball Hall of Fame, fifty miles from where I grew up. Bronzed gloves? Are you kidding? Nothing could make me like baseball.
And yet, I couldn't even skip the baseball parts in this book. It's not that they were essential to understanding the plot, or the conflict, or anything about the story. It was just that seamless, that well-woven together, that the author made you like all of it. At first I had a little trouble with the jumps from past to "present" (the story takes place around the 2008 World Series but involves past crimes and serious misconduct) and the complicated cast of characters. But he worked that out too, and made me like many of them as well. Thomas! I want Thomas to be my best friend!
The mystery is in notes and text messages and whispered warnings. "She dies if you don't." Who dies? Why? How many "shes" have already died, or will die? When you figure out the she, and you realize the where, and that even the outcome of the World Series may hang on digging up the past, you're not even close to figuring it out. Sandy and Thomas do that. The book is also about dealing with the consequences of betrayal and rage and the difference between acting tough and being tough. It's partly about paying debts, having limits and doing the right thing, too.
The book contains a heavy sprinkling of profanity even though the author makes the point that saying the f-word can get you ejected from a game. It also contains nudity and some sexual references but nothing graphic. There is violence but it isn't lurid.
August 30, 2011
This is a fast-paced mystery suspense set in the milieu of Major League Baseball--the World Series, to be specific. The main character is an umpire. There's also an ex-ball player with a gambling habit, his world series pitcher son, an old friend who's also catcher for the other team in the world series, an ex-wife (the pitcher's mom), and lots of secrets from the past. The umpire's story is told in 1st person, everybody else gets 3rd person. The story revolves around a kidnapping and extortion plot that has developed from all those secrets. I enjoyed reading it, though I did think the bad guy's reasons for involving the umpire were a little weak, and it did seem awfully convenient that his best friend from way back was a super-secret secret agent with nearly super powers. Still, the writing was clean and straightforward, and the story was enjoyable. I liked it. If you like good, fast-paced mysteries, you'll probably enjoy this one. (See, when I said "fast paced"--right there, y'all knew I would like it, right?)
May 21, 2013
I should love this book, it is a mystery and is set in baseball. But it drove me crazy. The author switched his point of view constantly, sometimes every few paragraphs. It made it difficult for me to keep the characters and their roles straight. To be honest, I am still not sure why one of the investigators was there other than his friendship with the umpire. The author clearly knows how to write, had a story laid out in his mind, and connected most of the dots as the story moved through. It was compelling enough that I finished the book. I just got frustrated having to try to re-read sections to keep relationships straight, characters straight, actions straight that might have made more sense if the story were in longer bites.
June 6, 2011
This is a book about baseball, but it is so much more than that. A thriller set in the world of baseball may not be everyone's cup of tea but it had me hooked from about chapter 3 (and they are very short chapters!). There is enough murder, intrigue, revenge, kidnapping and even some gambling debts plus some love interest to keep everyone interested.
The plot is quite complicated and it a took me a little while to tie in all the different elements, but it is not so complicated as to ruin the storyline.
I thoroughly enjoyed this although I feely admit to not being into baseball, I can't wait to read the next in the series.
The plot is quite complicated and it a took me a little while to tie in all the different elements, but it is not so complicated as to ruin the storyline.
I thoroughly enjoyed this although I feely admit to not being into baseball, I can't wait to read the next in the series.
May 25, 2012
I spent at least 2 nights up late way past my bedtime as I just couldn't stop reading this. I don't know anything about baseball or the environment, but the story was so good and compelling that didn't matter. The main characters are well articulated, and the relationships between them believable. There are enough characters that the situations seem genuine, although the reader needs to concentrate a little to keep things straight. A little imagination is needed to run with the scenario if you are not a baseball fan, but that is not a problem with this book as you find yourself drawn in by tight plotting. Definitely worth a read even if you don't like the game!
February 26, 2013
I was up very late reading this book because I could not put it down. It was as exciting as the actual World Series, with all the plot twists and turns and characters involved. I am a huge baseball fan, but my fave team is the Cincinnati Reds (however, I do like the name of one of the Phillie relief pitchers -- Antonio Bastardo -- LOL). You don't have to like baseball to love this book, though. It reminded me of Michael Connelley's writing. I loved the descriptions of the ball parks in Philadelphia and Tampa -- I really felt like I was at those games.
I'm anxious to read the other two books in the series, but I have the feeling I won't be getting much sleep when I do.
I'm anxious to read the other two books in the series, but I have the feeling I won't be getting much sleep when I do.
June 5, 2013
not sure how I stumbled onto this book. But I am a huge baseball fan, a big mystery fan and in fact a carded umpire. How could I go wrong.
This one was good. A 3.5 but of course half stars are forbidden on Goodreads.
An interesting story wrapped around the World Series. Not a chance in the world of actually happening in my opinion. Not at a world series anyway but it did leave me thinking, well maybe.
Some compelling characters develop throughout the story and develop nicely for so short a time frame.
I have never heard of this author before but I think I will go on a hunt to see if there is anything else out there.
If you like mystery give this one a try.
This one was good. A 3.5 but of course half stars are forbidden on Goodreads.
An interesting story wrapped around the World Series. Not a chance in the world of actually happening in my opinion. Not at a world series anyway but it did leave me thinking, well maybe.
Some compelling characters develop throughout the story and develop nicely for so short a time frame.
I have never heard of this author before but I think I will go on a hunt to see if there is anything else out there.
If you like mystery give this one a try.
March 11, 2011
You don't even have to like baseball to enjoy this book. It surrounds the players lives with murder, mystery, kidnapping, and gambling debts! Marshall an umpire, his best friend Thomas an ex cia spy, Terry a player with Dad Michael an ex player are connected in this thriller! It all comes to a head during the World Series game. Can't wait for the next in the series to see what Marshall and Thomas deal with!
May 16, 2011
It reads like a crime noir, but it's really a stylized murder mystery. It's set during the 2008 World Series, and as a crime novel which is set around baseball and the Phillies - this was a no brainer for me. Simple and fun. Good beach read for crime novel fans. If you like Victor Gischler's work like Pistol Poet's, then you'll be entertained by this.
November 28, 2011
I'm not a fan of baseball, or sports, for that matter. In Game 7: Deadball, it's pretty obvious which sport gets highlighted. While the theme is baseball, I found there was just enough about the sport to keep you in the loop with the primary story, which is of a murder and intrigue. Allen Schatz delivers a fast-paced suspense story, multiple characters with interesting personalities, and an in-depth knowledge of baseball.
December 1, 2011
Why are so many mysteries/detective type books written in first person? I don't like it. This book really sounded intriguing -- an umpire murder investigator, set in the world of baseball. But thankfully I downloaded a sample for my kindle before buying the book. I generally won't read fiction written in the first person (with some exceptions), and nothing in the first few pages persuaded me otherwise.
July 31, 2014
I liked the story enough to finish the book, but overall it was just ok. To be honest I felt like I never clicked with the author and his writing style failed to absorb me into the story completely. I don't think I will read any of his other books of the Marshall Connors series even though I really like baseball-related stories.
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February 8, 2014Good book until....
Great read until Hudson was killed. The good guys could not have dumbed up that much. Ruined the while book to the point of a 5 to a 2. Wish I had not begin this read.
Great read until Hudson was killed. The good guys could not have dumbed up that much. Ruined the while book to the point of a 5 to a 2. Wish I had not begin this read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2011
Wow! This one kept me guessing and reading! Great characters and an even better storyline!
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July 12, 2013abandoned.
February 13, 2014
was a very good sports book, the idea of someone getting revenge and the step they would take to do it is something else!!!
characters where easily likeable...and people you wanted to root for!!!
characters where easily likeable...and people you wanted to root for!!!
June 15, 2014
a baseball mystery. good story. hard to follow at first as the story jumps around.
i will look up the other books in the series.
i will look up the other books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews