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The Journalist
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jan 35For readers who devour Laura Lippman’s Tess Monaghan series and Jan Burke’s Irene Kelly series comes a new standalone novel of crime and journalism from Dan Newman, who “keeps the lines of suspense tense and razor-sharp.” (Laura Benedict, author of Isabella Moon and Devil’s Oven .)
In the middle of the night, in war-torn Rwanda, journalist Roland Keene leaves his hotel to find armed rebels to interview. Some would call it a suicide mission. Roland would agree.
Keene has started at the bottom, living paycheck to paycheck, running from the bookie to whom he owes this and next month’s rent, and trying to make his mark at one of his shining city’s great papers. With no big breaks coming his way, though, Keene decides to make his own. He orchestrates a robbery―one designed to cast himself as the hero―but it goes all wrong and turns into a high-profile murder.
Despite everything, Keene’s role as a “white knight” gets him favor with the victim’s father, and a foot in the door of the newsroom. Immersed in the cutthroat world of investigative journalism, he breaks another story―this one of citywide corruption―but also starts accumulating powerful enemies among his colleagues.
Though Keene’s work as a foreign correspondent keeps him on the road―and at arm’s length from his problems―it doesn’t stop him from being hounded by the people he betrayed on his way to the front page. What will happen to the great Roland Keene if his crimes are revealed, and to what lengths will he go to ensure his secrets never see the light of day?
In the middle of the night, in war-torn Rwanda, journalist Roland Keene leaves his hotel to find armed rebels to interview. Some would call it a suicide mission. Roland would agree.
Keene has started at the bottom, living paycheck to paycheck, running from the bookie to whom he owes this and next month’s rent, and trying to make his mark at one of his shining city’s great papers. With no big breaks coming his way, though, Keene decides to make his own. He orchestrates a robbery―one designed to cast himself as the hero―but it goes all wrong and turns into a high-profile murder.
Despite everything, Keene’s role as a “white knight” gets him favor with the victim’s father, and a foot in the door of the newsroom. Immersed in the cutthroat world of investigative journalism, he breaks another story―this one of citywide corruption―but also starts accumulating powerful enemies among his colleagues.
Though Keene’s work as a foreign correspondent keeps him on the road―and at arm’s length from his problems―it doesn’t stop him from being hounded by the people he betrayed on his way to the front page. What will happen to the great Roland Keene if his crimes are revealed, and to what lengths will he go to ensure his secrets never see the light of day?
- GenresFiction
Mass Market Paperback
First published September 30, 2014
475 people want to read
About the author
Dan Newman
4 books14 followersAuthor of The Clearing, but really just a guy who loves a good read and dreams of living somewhere warmer...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 13, 2017
Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
About sixteen months ago I reviewed Dan Newman’s previous book The Clearing. I gave that book five stars so I was looking forward to this book. Could he repeat that high standard?
Both books draw on the author’s journalist background and his nomadic childhood. On this occasion Newman uses his knowledge of southern Africa to give us an insight on the local people and how they are manipulated by the richer parts of the world.
The two books differ in that The Clearing was a dark mystery whereas The Journalist is the study of one particular character. The entire story is written from the perspective of Roland Keene who is young, ambitious and with little to lose. He is determined to be the best and he will use every opportunity to get there.
As one would expect from a trained journalist, Newman writes in a good descriptive style. Whether he is describing a millionaire’s mansion, a student bedsit or a mud-floored shanty home you feel you are there. The support characters are also interesting and believable. I particularly enjoyed hearing about Rhona, Professor Bowman and my favourite, Trots who despite his nefarious nature had his own very clear principles.
However as good as the descriptions and the side characters are, the strength of this story is in the character of Keene. You may admire him, you may be frustrated by him, you may well have worked alongside a version of him but whether you love or loathe him you will be drawn into the character.
With two excellent books behind him Dan Newman deserves success. I look forward to more from him and award The Journalist five stars.
About sixteen months ago I reviewed Dan Newman’s previous book The Clearing. I gave that book five stars so I was looking forward to this book. Could he repeat that high standard?
Both books draw on the author’s journalist background and his nomadic childhood. On this occasion Newman uses his knowledge of southern Africa to give us an insight on the local people and how they are manipulated by the richer parts of the world.
The two books differ in that The Clearing was a dark mystery whereas The Journalist is the study of one particular character. The entire story is written from the perspective of Roland Keene who is young, ambitious and with little to lose. He is determined to be the best and he will use every opportunity to get there.
As one would expect from a trained journalist, Newman writes in a good descriptive style. Whether he is describing a millionaire’s mansion, a student bedsit or a mud-floored shanty home you feel you are there. The support characters are also interesting and believable. I particularly enjoyed hearing about Rhona, Professor Bowman and my favourite, Trots who despite his nefarious nature had his own very clear principles.
However as good as the descriptions and the side characters are, the strength of this story is in the character of Keene. You may admire him, you may be frustrated by him, you may well have worked alongside a version of him but whether you love or loathe him you will be drawn into the character.
With two excellent books behind him Dan Newman deserves success. I look forward to more from him and award The Journalist five stars.
January 15, 2022
I've never read a book where the main character of a mystery is such a phony, dull personality. I found it to be a unique experience. Slow beginning but maybe 1/3 or 1/2 way though was when things got wild. I hate this book but I give it 4 stars because it's a different kind of hate. Recommended if you want to spice up your reading experience.
Also... The ending is morbidly satisfying. I'm a sucker for out-of-the-ordinary endings.
Also... The ending is morbidly satisfying. I'm a sucker for out-of-the-ordinary endings.
December 14, 2017
Journalist Roland Keene is in war-torn Rwanda and wants to find his "big break," so he helps create a situation in which he is the "white knight hero" - and it unfortunately backfires, to the point of a murder.
Keene is not a warm & fuzzy sort of guy; he has questionable morals, has betrayed people, and is not close to many. I found the book very slow to really get going, but about 1/3 of the way through, all heck breaks loose. The book is well-written and thought-provoking, and the ending caught me by surprise.
Not for the faint of heart, but well worth a read.
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It did not affect my review.
Keene is not a warm & fuzzy sort of guy; he has questionable morals, has betrayed people, and is not close to many. I found the book very slow to really get going, but about 1/3 of the way through, all heck breaks loose. The book is well-written and thought-provoking, and the ending caught me by surprise.
Not for the faint of heart, but well worth a read.
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It did not affect my review.
November 6, 2017
A very well written, first person story about a thoroughly unlikeable character with no redeeming qualities whatsoever who lies, cheats and cons his way into a successful career in journalism over the bodies of friends and acquaintances. I hated the character, even at the end, but the writing kept me turning pages all the way through. If journalism and the media are as accurately portrayed as I suspect they are, I'm glad I never chose it for a career. A worthwhile read, but don't expect to like Roland Keene.
September 11, 2017
The Journalist tells the story of Roland Keene's quest to be a professional journalist. I found the novel well written and entertaining, even if I wasn't particularly fond of Roly himself and the lengths that he went to to get ahead.
I received a free review copy of The Journalist through Goodreads Giveaways.
I received a free review copy of The Journalist through Goodreads Giveaways.
November 25, 2017
A first-person dialogue driven story about a journalist living pay-stub to pay-stub who decides to make his own headlines. What can go wrong eventually does. The strong dialogue is supported by an edgy sense of place, action that drives the pace and turns The Journalist into a page turner with an ending that will stick with you for some time.
September 3, 2017
A favorable and satisfying ending to this story.
April 21, 2018
its a good story, a one time read
June 23, 2024
An interesting story with cinematic potential.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews