Wreck and Return: An EMT’s journey into and out of darkness

by Tom Kranz

Griffin Ambrose finds out the hard way that it's never too late to grow up.His super stressful life as a news manager at a New York television station and a volunteer EMT in his New Jersey town makes for full days and nights for the 62-year-old. After 20 years as an EMT, he’s been in enough people’s living rooms, bedrooms and crashed cars to be recognized from time to time onthe streets of Forston, NJ.There is a third party to his life as a newsman and first responder and his descent into the abyss is laid bare while on a conference call about a big story where his demeanor leaves no doubt among his coworkers and bosses that he is not himself. His crisis reaches rock bottom during an ambulance transport that ends in disaster.What follows is a reckoning for Griffin and his wife and alienation from everyone else. But the path to redemption is slowly revealed as former patients and an ex-partner remind the world of the good he did. Will it be enough to heal his crisis of the soul?

242 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2024

About the author

Tom is a Philadelphia native whose 40-year journalism expertise includes radio, television, print and online. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Temple University. He was a New Jersey certified EMT from 1999 to 2021 and served as a volunteer EMT on his local rescue squad in New Jersey. He is still a certified CPR instructor and a life member of the rescue squad.

He worked in Philadelphia radio and television from the mid 1970s until 1991. From 1992 to 2007 he was a producer and senior producer at CBS News. After retiring from the TV news business in 2007, he spent 12 years as director of communications for Chelsea Senior Living and two years as public information officer for the borough of Fanwood, New Jersey.

Tom has written seven books. His single non-fiction book, Liveshot, details his on-scene assignment as a producer for WCAU-TV in West Philadelphia during the ill-fated 1985 MOVE confrontation. During this event, the city attempted to evict the MOVE group from a rowhome but succeeded instead in burning down the house, the entire city block and killing all 11 people inside.

His other six books are novels. Three focus on a married couple, the Bud & Maggie Series, and their struggles with Bud’s sublimated anger and Maggie’s ambition. Two are science fiction stories with climate change as the backdrop, the Earth-Moon Series. His latest work, Wreck and Return, is the story of Griffin Ambrose, a volunteer EMT whose volunteer life and professional life in the TV news business lead to stress, self-medication and a disastrous turn of events that result in a death, injured colleagues, jail and Griffin's exile from EMS. He finds a path to redemption, however, as patients who he helped in his 20 years as an EMT wonder if all the good he did should be erased by one mistake?

Tom resides in New Jersey where he hosts a podcast on creativity and does freelance communications work.

Reviews

[Renee Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wreck & Return an EMT’s journey into and out of darkness is a true reminder that we are all human, we all make mistakes, and sometimes by the time we realize it, it is to late. Griffin, has two very stressful jobs, although he is very good at being a news manager at a New York TV station and a long time volunteer EMT. He has seen more people die and more devastation than anyone should see in a lifetime. But then there are the times that being there makes all the difference. As the years go by, it is becoming more and more apparent that while always helping others, that Griffin has issues that he needs to address and put himself before anyone else. His actions will be forever a life changing decision. This book was very well written and portrays the real issues that are faced on a daily basis, and it made me even more thankful for the service of these heroes.

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the news industry, those employed are exposed to the worst of what’s happening.  From the mass shootings to the horrible people that walk this earth, you’re forced to focus on and report constant negativity.  Similarly, as an EMT, one is exposed to the devastating effects of bad choices, drugs, alcohol, and even previously undiagnosed health issues or sudden falls.  Thus, it’s unsurprising that Griffin Ambrose is having trouble coping.  After working a long day reporting the news, Griffin finds purpose in his work as a volunteer EMT.  Responding to calls at all hours of the day and night within his community, the pain, suffering, and struggles seem never-ending

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down. I'm glad everything ended so well.

[Christina Matheis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. There were times where emotions ran high. But I’m glad it all ended well.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can*]

Win via goodreads giveaways, all my opinions are my own.
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[Jackie Martello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok. Not bad. Not great.