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Local Rag
Do you believe everything you read in the newspapers?
Jim Mitchell doesn't.
He's a journalist and the publisher and editor of a community newspaper, The Sentinel.
He gave up a career with big media because he couldn't justify their choice of what to cover, couldn't tolerate the way they edited his stories and would not be implicit in misleading the public to benefit some hidden corporate agenda.
When he bought The Sentinel he thought all that would end. Being owner of "the local rag" he could select the stories, edit the copy and make sure the interests of the community were served.
He would print the truth - no slant, no bias, no spin, and he'd make a living doing it.
He was wrong.
Right from the beginning Jim's brand of reportage rankles some powerful people, people who pay his bills. Then there's the new competitor, a multinational media conglomerate that's expanding its generic community newspaper format into The Sentinel's market area.
Soon it's a struggle for The Sentinel to make a profit and for Jim to keep true to his uncompromising ethic.
When his best friend, Anthony Bravaro decides to run for mayor Jim's hopeful he'll be an honest politician.
Hope turns to dismay as Jim watches the quest for power turn a good man bad. Tony's campaign tests Jim's professional objectivity and personal integrity.
When Jim confronts his friend with damaging information that could end his run for public office he finds out how far Tony's prepared to go to win the mayor's seat - farther than he could ever have imagined.
Jim Mitchell doesn't.
He's a journalist and the publisher and editor of a community newspaper, The Sentinel.
He gave up a career with big media because he couldn't justify their choice of what to cover, couldn't tolerate the way they edited his stories and would not be implicit in misleading the public to benefit some hidden corporate agenda.
When he bought The Sentinel he thought all that would end. Being owner of "the local rag" he could select the stories, edit the copy and make sure the interests of the community were served.
He would print the truth - no slant, no bias, no spin, and he'd make a living doing it.
He was wrong.
Right from the beginning Jim's brand of reportage rankles some powerful people, people who pay his bills. Then there's the new competitor, a multinational media conglomerate that's expanding its generic community newspaper format into The Sentinel's market area.
Soon it's a struggle for The Sentinel to make a profit and for Jim to keep true to his uncompromising ethic.
When his best friend, Anthony Bravaro decides to run for mayor Jim's hopeful he'll be an honest politician.
Hope turns to dismay as Jim watches the quest for power turn a good man bad. Tony's campaign tests Jim's professional objectivity and personal integrity.
When Jim confronts his friend with damaging information that could end his run for public office he finds out how far Tony's prepared to go to win the mayor's seat - farther than he could ever have imagined.
ebook
Published January 8, 2017
261 people want to read
About the author
Rod Raglin
34 books28 followersRod Raglin is a Canadian writer/journalist/photographer, the author of fourteen novels, two plays, and a collection of short stories.
Much of his work, considered literary/commercial, combines romance and action with environmental themes for an entertaining and exciting exploration of contemporary culture.
Much of his work, considered literary/commercial, combines romance and action with environmental themes for an entertaining and exciting exploration of contemporary culture.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 24, 2020
A local rag challenges the powerful; corpses start piling. Five well deserved stars.
After the index, the book displays a famous quote about truth and opinions from Marcus Aurelius—stoic philosopher and Roman emperor of the second century AD—, not quite a John Doe.
But Jim Mitchell, journalist owner of a local rag in Vancouver, carries a very different creed.
He believes in the presence and relevance of truth and is fully committed to the deontological ethics of news journalism. Check the facts before publishing, then tell the truth without warping it anyhow. The existence of a unique, accessible truth is here an unquestionable axiom.
Moreover, “Jim considered unbiased, in-depth news coverage essential in a functioning democracy.” Which, depending on the definition of democracy, may contradict the premises.
To his bad luck, Jim must soon realize that the mission of bringing all that irksome theory to reality seriously conflicts with the laws of profit, and with the legitimate aspiration to an ordinary, happy life.
In a particular way if this comprises a marriage with a sexy, rich, vain woman, daughter to a billionaire—owner of a giant multimedia company—and an interiors decorator driving a Porsche Boxster.
But this is nothing, just a detail in the indecipherable, garbled puzzle of Jim’s life.
Jim is part of a trio of close friends, a sort of childhood soulmates club. The other two members are Frances, daughter to Chinese immigrants, and Tony from an Italian family. Jim, on his turn, though a native Canadian, had to bear another even bitter stigma, as the son of an alcohol-addicted father, and grown-up in dire poverty.
The three friends, marginal individuals in the community of schoolboys, almost outcasts, help each other to overcome their condition of social seclusion. Growing up, they conceive the dream of reforming the society into a more accessible and inclusive one. In their ideal society, everybody, not only the natives and the millionaires, may aim to a political career and even become a leader.
At the time of the facts, Frances, the inspirational soul and moral guide to the group, is a successful lawyer and is supporting Tony—already a town’s counselor—in his electoral campaign for the post of Mayor.
The story goes that Frances, despite the friendship and loyalty to Tony has turned to a secret intimate relationship—Tony is already married—investigates his campaign supporters and discovers wrongdoing.
Frances collects evidence and calls on Jim, in the hope he may pressure Tony to take distance from his principal supporter, a notable member of the local Indian community.
The man, called Brar, behind the mask of a successful entrepreneur, is a real thug involved in fraudulent real estate projects, international drug smuggling, as well as human trafficking.
In a confrontation that goes physical, Tony tells Jim plainly that Brar is the only one who can grant him enough preferences to win the Mayoralty race, and that he doesn’t mean to drop his dream of a life. He’s ready to prosecute it whatever it may cost, with genuine Machiavelli’s tactics.
The premises for the frontal clash are set up.
Jim, covertly sustained by Frances, threatens Tony to publish the evidence of Brar’s wrongdoings on his local magazine and to expose the advantages that the thug plans to gather from Tony’s election to Mayor.
After that, the killing begins.
First, a witness of Brar’s drug smuggling disappears and is then found dead on the city river’s banks.
Then the same Frances, who holds an affidavit from the murdered witness, disappears from her flat, which seems the theater of a butchery.
Jim is sure that Tony has personally killed Fran. There are clues and circumstantial evidence in that direction, even though no conclusive proof. To make things worse, Frances’ body, as well as the incriminating affidavit, are nowhere to be found.
Jim swears he won’t let Tony go away with what he’s done. He’ll use his only weapon, his local rag, putting himself on the line of fire.
I won't say more to avoid spoilers.
I only add that, in the end, Local Rag should appear to the careful reader much more than a well-designed, masterly written, and realistic murder mystery.
Local Rag is, in my opinion, a philosophical parable on the ultimate meaning of truth in our earthly lives. The last pages will clarify the individual relevance of the initial Aurelian quote in this story.
By the way, the closing scene of the book is a powerful visual allegory about where humanity as a whole is heading fast, if not for a sharp change of route.
Just don't jump to the end of the book to decipher these allusions. You'd remain baffled. The only way is to follow the characters all along their troubling adventure.
After the index, the book displays a famous quote about truth and opinions from Marcus Aurelius—stoic philosopher and Roman emperor of the second century AD—, not quite a John Doe.
But Jim Mitchell, journalist owner of a local rag in Vancouver, carries a very different creed.
He believes in the presence and relevance of truth and is fully committed to the deontological ethics of news journalism. Check the facts before publishing, then tell the truth without warping it anyhow. The existence of a unique, accessible truth is here an unquestionable axiom.
Moreover, “Jim considered unbiased, in-depth news coverage essential in a functioning democracy.” Which, depending on the definition of democracy, may contradict the premises.
To his bad luck, Jim must soon realize that the mission of bringing all that irksome theory to reality seriously conflicts with the laws of profit, and with the legitimate aspiration to an ordinary, happy life.
In a particular way if this comprises a marriage with a sexy, rich, vain woman, daughter to a billionaire—owner of a giant multimedia company—and an interiors decorator driving a Porsche Boxster.
But this is nothing, just a detail in the indecipherable, garbled puzzle of Jim’s life.
Jim is part of a trio of close friends, a sort of childhood soulmates club. The other two members are Frances, daughter to Chinese immigrants, and Tony from an Italian family. Jim, on his turn, though a native Canadian, had to bear another even bitter stigma, as the son of an alcohol-addicted father, and grown-up in dire poverty.
The three friends, marginal individuals in the community of schoolboys, almost outcasts, help each other to overcome their condition of social seclusion. Growing up, they conceive the dream of reforming the society into a more accessible and inclusive one. In their ideal society, everybody, not only the natives and the millionaires, may aim to a political career and even become a leader.
At the time of the facts, Frances, the inspirational soul and moral guide to the group, is a successful lawyer and is supporting Tony—already a town’s counselor—in his electoral campaign for the post of Mayor.
The story goes that Frances, despite the friendship and loyalty to Tony has turned to a secret intimate relationship—Tony is already married—investigates his campaign supporters and discovers wrongdoing.
Frances collects evidence and calls on Jim, in the hope he may pressure Tony to take distance from his principal supporter, a notable member of the local Indian community.
The man, called Brar, behind the mask of a successful entrepreneur, is a real thug involved in fraudulent real estate projects, international drug smuggling, as well as human trafficking.
In a confrontation that goes physical, Tony tells Jim plainly that Brar is the only one who can grant him enough preferences to win the Mayoralty race, and that he doesn’t mean to drop his dream of a life. He’s ready to prosecute it whatever it may cost, with genuine Machiavelli’s tactics.
The premises for the frontal clash are set up.
Jim, covertly sustained by Frances, threatens Tony to publish the evidence of Brar’s wrongdoings on his local magazine and to expose the advantages that the thug plans to gather from Tony’s election to Mayor.
After that, the killing begins.
First, a witness of Brar’s drug smuggling disappears and is then found dead on the city river’s banks.
Then the same Frances, who holds an affidavit from the murdered witness, disappears from her flat, which seems the theater of a butchery.
Jim is sure that Tony has personally killed Fran. There are clues and circumstantial evidence in that direction, even though no conclusive proof. To make things worse, Frances’ body, as well as the incriminating affidavit, are nowhere to be found.
Jim swears he won’t let Tony go away with what he’s done. He’ll use his only weapon, his local rag, putting himself on the line of fire.
I won't say more to avoid spoilers.
I only add that, in the end, Local Rag should appear to the careful reader much more than a well-designed, masterly written, and realistic murder mystery.
Local Rag is, in my opinion, a philosophical parable on the ultimate meaning of truth in our earthly lives. The last pages will clarify the individual relevance of the initial Aurelian quote in this story.
By the way, the closing scene of the book is a powerful visual allegory about where humanity as a whole is heading fast, if not for a sharp change of route.
Just don't jump to the end of the book to decipher these allusions. You'd remain baffled. The only way is to follow the characters all along their troubling adventure.
September 6, 2021
A tale about journalism must include facts about the day-today running of a newspaper.
Local Rag does this. The reader knows immediately that the writer is speaking from an ‘upper-level’ discourse community – the people who work there. Local rag has all the elements of action, thriller and adventure in the Raymond Chandler tradition.
To what extent is a journalist confronted with compromise concerning their own insights into a story and the demands of money-backed consumer journalism? Must they “mortgage their principles”? In Local Rag, Jim is confronted with this problem and leverage from his own wife. Things get worse when our editor decides he won’t help put someone in a mayor’s chair “who has to answer to a drug-smuggling snakehead”. Is Jim being morally sanctimonious when he is told to “Minimize the controversy, maximise the advertising”? There are certain points where the book is unputdownable, as when things heat up, in Chapter Sixteen, when a blood-soaked apartment reveals a murder has taken place.
Combined with an up-to-date account of the newspaper business, from a journalist’s point of view, the story offers crime fiction suspense with tight scenes of gunfire and evasions by those targeted. In the background, there is the constant struggle between ethics and expediency, especially when accurate and fair reporting conflicts with power and influence, overseen by a sexually attractive wife of the wealthy; in the case of Local Rag, one in contact with a criminal element---all for misleading the public to benefit a hidden corporate agenda.
The great thing about Local Rag is it is derived from the author’s own experiences as a hazard-prone employee inside the media sector. (You’ll be glad you never took a degree in journalism.)
Local Rag does this. The reader knows immediately that the writer is speaking from an ‘upper-level’ discourse community – the people who work there. Local rag has all the elements of action, thriller and adventure in the Raymond Chandler tradition.
To what extent is a journalist confronted with compromise concerning their own insights into a story and the demands of money-backed consumer journalism? Must they “mortgage their principles”? In Local Rag, Jim is confronted with this problem and leverage from his own wife. Things get worse when our editor decides he won’t help put someone in a mayor’s chair “who has to answer to a drug-smuggling snakehead”. Is Jim being morally sanctimonious when he is told to “Minimize the controversy, maximise the advertising”? There are certain points where the book is unputdownable, as when things heat up, in Chapter Sixteen, when a blood-soaked apartment reveals a murder has taken place.
Combined with an up-to-date account of the newspaper business, from a journalist’s point of view, the story offers crime fiction suspense with tight scenes of gunfire and evasions by those targeted. In the background, there is the constant struggle between ethics and expediency, especially when accurate and fair reporting conflicts with power and influence, overseen by a sexually attractive wife of the wealthy; in the case of Local Rag, one in contact with a criminal element---all for misleading the public to benefit a hidden corporate agenda.
The great thing about Local Rag is it is derived from the author’s own experiences as a hazard-prone employee inside the media sector. (You’ll be glad you never took a degree in journalism.)
August 26, 2017
Slow and cluttered at the beginning, better towards the middle, overly long ending.
Full review: https://nouw.com/cwidmann/rod-raglin-...
Full review: https://nouw.com/cwidmann/rod-raglin-...
September 24, 2018
2.5 stars
Promising start but . . .
Promising start but . . .
October 27, 2016
Vancouver, Canada. Talking to himself Jim “Jimmy” Robert Mitchell (Journalist, editor/publisher, aka filthy rag, The Sentinel, U of British Columbia) commnets he would have a hard time explainging to Ashley Mitchell (wife, nee Aird, interior decorator) why he cannot take her to this yrs. Gala Civic Ball.
Mayor Sheldon Worseley does not take kindly to Jim’s poltical views of him.
Ms. Hathaway (editor, bookkeeper, The Sentinel), was also appalled at Jim’s unintentional remarks.
Charles Fulbrook is the editor, Kathy Schroeder is the FT reporter & Fred Munro is the advertising manager for The Sentinel.
Mr. Nat Wasserman (president Lion's Club, founder Fraser Street Business Ass.) called to really rant/rave about his comments about his son Sheldon Wasserman sexual misbehavior.
Jim has until tomorrow morning’s edition to appoligize, or he will be sued & put out of business. Plus Nat would take his Wasserman's Furniture's Anniversary Sale weekly ads to the MetroGroup.
Paul Genier (lead counsel) for the Consumer & Corporate Affairs, Ottawa, Canada) called to pre-worn Jim a subpoena is on the way for him to testify Tuesday at the Parliamentary Commission on the Concentration of Media Ownership investigation.
They were bringing suit against his father-in-law Robert Aird (Ashley’s dad, CEO/owner MetroGroup media empire).
Jim & Frances “Fran” Wong (Chinese, Frannie, Tony’s BFF/Jim’s ex-GF, corporate lawyer) were having lunch at Maureen's Café?
The 2 were discussing Councilor Anthony “Tony” Bravaro Jr. (Italian, husband/father, Jim/Fran’s BMF, clothing business) running for Mayor.
Why did Fran go see Joginder Dhaliwal (prisoner, drug dealer) at the Haney Correctional Institute?
Councilor Bravaro poltical team consists of: Jagdeep Singh Brar (fund mgr., Vice-Chair, Vancouver Police Board), Garry Rollins (campaign strategist/media liaison), Michael Becker (attorney), & Sushma “Suzi” Bopari (executive asst).
What happened to Joginder & then later Frances?
What did Agent Timchuk (Canadian Border Services Agency CBSA) speak to Jim about?
& what did Hilary Aird (2nd. Wife, stepmother, mother-in-law) want to talk with Jim about?
How will Jim Mitchell & Anthony future turn out?
PS was 1 of my many undergrad degrees. Worldwide politics, journalism, news media & illicit affairs, are my favorite things to read about & discuss.
What a cool book to read for 2016 election yr.
Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written media/poltical thirller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great poltical thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Istina Group DBA; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Mayor Sheldon Worseley does not take kindly to Jim’s poltical views of him.
Ms. Hathaway (editor, bookkeeper, The Sentinel), was also appalled at Jim’s unintentional remarks.
Charles Fulbrook is the editor, Kathy Schroeder is the FT reporter & Fred Munro is the advertising manager for The Sentinel.
Mr. Nat Wasserman (president Lion's Club, founder Fraser Street Business Ass.) called to really rant/rave about his comments about his son Sheldon Wasserman sexual misbehavior.
Jim has until tomorrow morning’s edition to appoligize, or he will be sued & put out of business. Plus Nat would take his Wasserman's Furniture's Anniversary Sale weekly ads to the MetroGroup.
Paul Genier (lead counsel) for the Consumer & Corporate Affairs, Ottawa, Canada) called to pre-worn Jim a subpoena is on the way for him to testify Tuesday at the Parliamentary Commission on the Concentration of Media Ownership investigation.
They were bringing suit against his father-in-law Robert Aird (Ashley’s dad, CEO/owner MetroGroup media empire).
Jim & Frances “Fran” Wong (Chinese, Frannie, Tony’s BFF/Jim’s ex-GF, corporate lawyer) were having lunch at Maureen's Café?
The 2 were discussing Councilor Anthony “Tony” Bravaro Jr. (Italian, husband/father, Jim/Fran’s BMF, clothing business) running for Mayor.
Why did Fran go see Joginder Dhaliwal (prisoner, drug dealer) at the Haney Correctional Institute?
Councilor Bravaro poltical team consists of: Jagdeep Singh Brar (fund mgr., Vice-Chair, Vancouver Police Board), Garry Rollins (campaign strategist/media liaison), Michael Becker (attorney), & Sushma “Suzi” Bopari (executive asst).
What happened to Joginder & then later Frances?
What did Agent Timchuk (Canadian Border Services Agency CBSA) speak to Jim about?
& what did Hilary Aird (2nd. Wife, stepmother, mother-in-law) want to talk with Jim about?
How will Jim Mitchell & Anthony future turn out?
PS was 1 of my many undergrad degrees. Worldwide politics, journalism, news media & illicit affairs, are my favorite things to read about & discuss.
What a cool book to read for 2016 election yr.
Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written media/poltical thirller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great poltical thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Istina Group DBA; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
December 13, 2016
Jim Mitchell is the publisher of a community newspaper, The Sentinel, and his altruistic about publishing the truth, regardless of what it might be, or its consequences is quite commendable.
He doesn’t seem to mind that he’s about to be loss the advertising business from a powerful community business leader for having the gumption to print a story about the sexual mischievous perpetrated by his son. Nor that the mayor dislikes the political accurateness of his opinions or his inadvertent side remarks. In fact, when his best friend decides to run for Mayor Jim threatens him information that could become detrimental to the political aspiration he desires to achieve.
Everyone seems to want Jim for one reason or another, including a subpoena from the government to testify against his own father-in-law whose company is out to grab control of the media.
Having written items for a community newspaper where at times I might have ruffled someone’s feathers myself, I noticed a distinct journalistic quality in the author’s writing for this book. While I usually find this a distraction as I read a work of fiction, here it adds an air of authenticity to the overall reading experience. But be warned, at times I felt that the language used in this book at times had been quite appropriately crude and abrasive.
For having given his readers a story which pits an individual trying to do what’s right when it comes to reporting the news against those who would rather keep the status quo in keeping what happens somewhere stays there, I’ve given Mr. Ragin 5 STARS for his endeavor here.
I received a mobi.file copy of this book from the author from a giveaway he had on LibraryThing, and the above has been my honest opinion.
He doesn’t seem to mind that he’s about to be loss the advertising business from a powerful community business leader for having the gumption to print a story about the sexual mischievous perpetrated by his son. Nor that the mayor dislikes the political accurateness of his opinions or his inadvertent side remarks. In fact, when his best friend decides to run for Mayor Jim threatens him information that could become detrimental to the political aspiration he desires to achieve.
Everyone seems to want Jim for one reason or another, including a subpoena from the government to testify against his own father-in-law whose company is out to grab control of the media.
Having written items for a community newspaper where at times I might have ruffled someone’s feathers myself, I noticed a distinct journalistic quality in the author’s writing for this book. While I usually find this a distraction as I read a work of fiction, here it adds an air of authenticity to the overall reading experience. But be warned, at times I felt that the language used in this book at times had been quite appropriately crude and abrasive.
For having given his readers a story which pits an individual trying to do what’s right when it comes to reporting the news against those who would rather keep the status quo in keeping what happens somewhere stays there, I’ve given Mr. Ragin 5 STARS for his endeavor here.
I received a mobi.file copy of this book from the author from a giveaway he had on LibraryThing, and the above has been my honest opinion.
October 26, 2016
The Local Rag, a novel by Rod Raglin, is the well told story of a man with a moral compass. Jim Mitchell is trying to keep alive the local newspaper he bought. He encounters both professional and personal obstacles. His quest for answers as to the disappearance of his best friend puts his life in danger. Even as his life begins to implode, he remains introspective. How far will he go to learn the truth?
I found this to be an engrossing and exciting story that moves quickly. The narrative comes alive because the characters are three dimensional. This is a novel well worth reading. Highly recommended.
I received a ARC copy of this book for free and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I found this to be an engrossing and exciting story that moves quickly. The narrative comes alive because the characters are three dimensional. This is a novel well worth reading. Highly recommended.
I received a ARC copy of this book for free and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 16, 2016
Interesting plot, fast-moving story, well-developed characters. Not only well presented but also very realistic. A whole range of characters, with all their good and bad sides. Many twists and turns, not always with a happy ending. Rod Raglin is definitely good at writing and gripping the readers' attention from the very first page. He managed to put so many levels in this book - corruption, drugs, murder, threats, politics. Yet, there is also place for love and friendship. He not only presents his story, he challenges his readers to get actively involved, to start asking questions and reconsidering their own life decisions.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews