Man in the Middle

by Kenneth M. Morris

Charmain Burns, Hollywood’s sexiest, most talked-about TV actress, wills top at nothing to rise to the top of Hollywood’s A-movie list. So when the cutting-edge tabloid, The National Revealer, begins to uncover shocking information about her scandalous past, and threatens to expose her violent, narcissistic present, she directs a powerful third party to physically intimidate the newspaper from running the story. But, in an odd and undesired twist, Charmain’s vicious, brazen action triggers the accidental death of Revealer reporter Steve Bellini, and the raven-haired, voluptuous actress must move swiftly into cover-up mode, which only compounds her problems.Enter Cameron Tull, the Revealer’s striking, intelligent star reporter, who’s determined to flesh out the cause of his young colleague’s murder. Also enter a mysterious stalker who holds the dark compulsion that Charmain is the key to survival for millions of people. And re-enter Charmain, who’s obsessed with one driving She’s competing against every star actress in Hollywood for the coveted title role in Medusa, a new, high-profile film about an actress who'd literally kill for a part. As Tull pursues the truth about the murder―and all paths seem to lead directly to Charmain-the stalker sets a diabolical trap for her that ends in an extraordinary, explosive climax.With episodes of sadistic worship and ritual sex, plus the brutal story of Charmain’s turbulent Southern childhood, National Enquirer gossip guru Mike Walker offers readers an intense, shocking, thoroughly entertaining inside-Hollywood escape to a hot, exhilarating world―a novel that feeds curiosity like alcohol feeds a hangover.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2003

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this book by Ken Morris, author of Blind Allegiance to Sarah Palin: A Memoir of Our Tumultuous Years, when I read that he also wrote fiction. I thought the Palin book showed a sense of style and pacing that I thought would translate well to a thriller. Also I found out that Morris had to spend several thousand dollars of his own money on legal fees getting Blind Allegiance ready for publication, so I wanted to send a little cash his way.

Kindle ebooks are an excellent way to do that.

This is a book about murder, corporate greed and high finance.

It's been a bad week for young, idealistic Peter Neil. First his mother dies in a car accident, then he gets fired from his job. A family friend offers him a entry level job in powerful San Diego finance firm.

It's not long before Peter finds he has a talent for making money and is wooed by the good life of a high stakes deal maker. But there are signs that his bosses are partners with some shady characters, drug lords whose enemies have a tendency to die horrible deaths.

It's fast paced thriller and you do end up learning a bit about the ins and outs of financial deals. It was definitely a good airplane read.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A financial thriller along the lines of early John Grisham but with the financial markets as a backdrop rather than law. Characters are nicely developed, the story keeps you riveted and it is short enough (280 pages) to finish in one day should you have that luxury! A fun ride and nicely deceptive.