Screwball

by David Ferrell

Could the curse of the Bambino be over? For too many miserable seasons, the Boston Red Sox have endured nothing but defeatand heartbreak. Finally, there is hope in the sensational Ron Kane, a strapping rookie pitcher whose fastball scorches the radar gun at an ungodly 110 miles per hour. He can also handle the bat. And play the outfield. With Kane dazzling sellout crowds, the Red Sox are suddenly a juggernaut. The only fly in the ointment is the fact that murder seems to be stalking the club. Wherever the Sox play, a killer strikes, marking his victims with strange ritualistic symbols. Is a fan responsible for the carnage as he follows the team from town to town? Or could it be that the madman wears a Red Sox uniform? Screwball is not just a savage morality tale; it is a hard-hitting, laugh-out-loud look at the greatest battle in modern-day the struggle for sanity.

Genres: Baseball, Fiction, Sports

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is now 15 years old, but it is very dated. The timing of writing this was unfortunate since it was a fictional story focusing on the Red Sox who haven't won a World Series in 80 something years (and they've had 4 WS wins since). It's a bit hard to get past this, but hey it's fiction. But then they introduce a phenom player that can routinely and accurately throw 110 MPH (5 past the highest recorded ever). In describing the feats of this player, they really should have taken him down more than a few notches. I found myself just shaking my head in disbelief rather than following along in the story. The actions of the owners were a little bit over the top as well. I did enjoy the attempts to describe the behind the scenes life of the manager and some of the interactions with the owners. It was a fun read despite it's quirks. I was just a bit disappointed because it could have been much better.

[Mhowell492]

Screwball, a novel by David Farrell, utterly astounded me. Well-written, entertaining, and exciting.

The entire plot hinges on a simple idea: What if a ball club has a murderer on the squad? And what if that ball club has been hexed by a generation-old belief that they will never win the World Series again.
And what if that ball club finds an outstanding pitcher who not only easily strikes out batters but hits as well.

Having played sports as a youngster helped to understand the lingo and metaphors David Farrell incorporates throughout this murder mystery. My comments will never end up on the back of a book jacket, however, I would summarize by saying, "Kept me turning the pages to find out which one of the many zany characters has committed the crime. I can't wait for the movie version."

[Suzy Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like three and a half stars... The baseball aspect was great, from the characters to the strategy to the humor. Would have enjoyed more of a twist to the thriller part.... Ferrell's not quite Carl Hiaassen, but then, who is?

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this. The narrator was perfect. My only complaint is that it was too short.

[Joseph Hilden · Rating 1 out of 5]

horrible

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Screwball" is David Ferrell's first fiction novel. He's a Pulitzer Prize-winning news writer, and just by reading this book you can tell that he was a sports reporter. The book is based on the Boston Red Sox who are going through a terrible losing streak, until 110mph pitcher Ron Kane joins their team. Anyone who knows baseball knows that a pitcher that can throw 110mph is unheard of, and anyone with a player of that caliber has a shot at winning a championship. Only problem is, Kane is a serial killer who likes to decapitate fans. So the Red Sox management doesn't know whether they should turn him in, or keep it quiet till after the season is over to increase their chances at winning a title. The plot is great, but I will admit, the characterization is kind of weak. "Screwball" isn't bad though, and I would definitely recommend it to any sports fans out there.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked (not loved) this book. I tend to enjoy sports fiction, particularly baseball, so when I saw the cover of this book, I picked it up. The blurb on the back basically gave away the twist, but it was still fun.

At its core, this book is a satire of America's obsession with winning at all costs. At times hilarious, at times maddening, Screwball does a good job of portraying the ruthless immorality of sports executives.

This book is an easy read and made me laugh out loud. I was done with it in three days.

[Jim Leckband · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been bad. The scouting report on the author didn't give much of a track record, an unknown quantity in fiction. Sure he could throw fastballs in non-fiction, but discerning readers of fiction can clobber those pitches if they are so obviously over the plate. Ferrell combines one national pastime with another (baseball/serial murder) and throws in a satirical over-the-top humor on top. I actually enjoyed it and wouldn't mind if he makes it a double-header (pun intended for those who read the book).

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: this book was written before the BoSox really did win the Series.

The Boston Red Sox have not won a World Series in 85 years, The owner, manager, coaches, players live with "the Curse of the Bambino" every day. In Ferrell's black comedy, the Bosox sign a new player from Texas named Kane. He's got a 108mph fastball, he can hit, and he can field. Everyone believes that he's the answer to their prayers. There's just one hitch: Kane is a serial killer. How far would you go to win it all?

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of a serial killer killing when a baseball team was in town was an interesting one, as were the questions it raised about how serious we should take winning and how well we know our favorite players or the latest sensation.

The characters never seemed real to me and the action seemed ripped from a soap opera. I would have been happy with fewer twists and turns and more character development.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really fun book about a all-star Boston Red Sox pitcher who has a secret and just how far the Red Sox staff will go to hide it so they can finally win the world series again. Obviously this was written before the Sox actually won one in '04.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about a serial killer following the Red Sox around from town-to-town. I'd call it an uncomfortable sorta guilty pleasure, cuz it makes ya laugh at how crazy some of these managers are, and the extremes they'll go to.

Would make a good movie.

[Gsandoval2 sandoval · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm about half way done with this book. I'm a huge baseball fan so this is a good novel that involves baseball and murder and the Boston Red Sox. So far it's a good recommendation for sports/who done it lovers.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book over a year ago. Set it down because it took ages to get into. The beginning seemed very confusing. The last quarter of the book was quite a bit better where everything ties together and begins to make sense. Glad I finished it.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

hovered between 2 & 3 stars. black comedy is not my usual thing, it's too cynical. this was good for the genre. i like baseball as mythos.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read. The curse of the bambino seems finally to have ended for the hated Bosox when their pitching phenom becomes the prime suspect in a serial murder case. A whacky and wonderful novel.

[Shannon P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit predictable, but interesting and suspenseful nonetheless.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

How far would you go to win?

[Kevin Murin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many unneeded side plots that had nothing to do with the main plot.

[Diane]

A serial murder mystery set within the Red Sox baseball team. A fast paced mystery loaded with a great baseball behind the scenes atmosphere.