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Nerve Endings
In the war for America's heart and mind, there will be one winner.
And no mercy.
A media colossus is about to be born, thanks to the pending merger between the powerful Lawrence/Sunshine Productions and MacGregor Communications, the even more awesome cable-TV empire. At the same time, a breathless cross-country pursuit, from Maine's rocky coast to Hollywood's glitter palaces, is soon to reach its climax. It will join James Whiting, a man already fighting for his life, with Jeanne Darrow, the young widow far too close to a secret that kills. And what it will uncover about the unholy union between two entertainment giants could save the soul of a nation-at the price of one final, unthinkable sacrifice.
From acclaimed novelist William Martin, this is 'Nerve Endings',the national bestseller that confirms his standing in the top ranks of today's storytellers.
And no mercy.
A media colossus is about to be born, thanks to the pending merger between the powerful Lawrence/Sunshine Productions and MacGregor Communications, the even more awesome cable-TV empire. At the same time, a breathless cross-country pursuit, from Maine's rocky coast to Hollywood's glitter palaces, is soon to reach its climax. It will join James Whiting, a man already fighting for his life, with Jeanne Darrow, the young widow far too close to a secret that kills. And what it will uncover about the unholy union between two entertainment giants could save the soul of a nation-at the price of one final, unthinkable sacrifice.
From acclaimed novelist William Martin, this is 'Nerve Endings',the national bestseller that confirms his standing in the top ranks of today's storytellers.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published August 1, 1996
29 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
William Martin
374 books392 followersMeet 'the king of the historical thriller' (Providence Journal). William Martin is a New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels, an award-winning PBS documentary, book reviews, magazine articles, and a cult classic horror movie, too. He is best known for his historical fiction, which has chronicled the lives of the great and the anonymous in American history while bringing to life legendary American locations, from Cape Cod to the Sierra foothills during the California Gold Rush. His latest, December '41, sweeps us across America in the weeks after Pearl Harbor and has been hailed as "propulsive," "cinematic,' and "riveting" by critics. He was the recipient of the prestigious 2005 New England Book Award, given to "an author whose body of work stands as a significant contribution to the culture of the region." And in 2015, the USS CONSTITUTION Museum gave him the Samuel Eliot Morison Award. He has three grown children and lives near Boston with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 17, 2020
As a long time fan of William Martin's work, I was pleased to discover one of his very first novels in a library sale. I snatched it up right away of course, and it moved right up to the top of my TBR list.
Published back in 1977, this is a contemporary (for the time) thriller novel that kept me glued to the pages right to the end. It's part medical thriller, part corporate warfare thriller, part election interference thriller, and much more. In fact, much of the plot seems to be predictive of what our world is going through today. But it's more than that as the main characters go through a sort of journey into their souls, taking a good look into their own country's (USA) evolution and tying that into where they themselves are headed. An intriguing read to be sure.
I encourage fans of William Martin's Peter Fallon series to give this one a try as well. It's not historical fiction but is further proof that he's a top notch writer.
Published back in 1977, this is a contemporary (for the time) thriller novel that kept me glued to the pages right to the end. It's part medical thriller, part corporate warfare thriller, part election interference thriller, and much more. In fact, much of the plot seems to be predictive of what our world is going through today. But it's more than that as the main characters go through a sort of journey into their souls, taking a good look into their own country's (USA) evolution and tying that into where they themselves are headed. An intriguing read to be sure.
I encourage fans of William Martin's Peter Fallon series to give this one a try as well. It's not historical fiction but is further proof that he's a top notch writer.
December 23, 2022
It was a phenomenal book from the first page to the last. What I enjoy most about Martin’s style is that he seems to write 2-3 books and intertwines them together into one. Plot twists abound here, and the book offers a journey through the pages that makes you feel like you are right alongside the characters for the ride. One day Martin will stop writing, and the world will have a new void. Until then, consume as much of his work as you can!
May 2, 2022
This book was the epitome of The Butterfly Effect theory. In Nerve Endings one action very literally effects every single character, the mass media, and the country. The way this books plot and web was casted is truly amazing. The levels and layers of plot and character development is really a feat. I loved every page of this book, if I had more time between work and traveling I would have finished it much sooner. My mom is the one who urged me to read this book and I’m glad she did. Be mindful while you’re reading; the book does take place and was written in the 80’s so there are some dated aspects. But this incredible story really cannot be beat, it will absolutely have any avid reader coming back for more. I also liked that this book is really for everyone. There is a touch of every single genre sprinkled throughout the story! If you’re ready for a fun undertaking that will keep you on the edge of your seat Nerve Endings is the book for you.
June 24, 2018
Terrific read! This one goes dates back to the early 80s, the dawn of multi-media. William Martin writes this tale around the issues of the day that include how cable media was going to revolutionize two-way communication between consumer and content provider (yes, it was to be cable, not some crazy thing called the Internet!). The electronic church evangelism was included with all this, and I remember what a buzz it was at the time. Anyone would enjoy this book, but I think it will resonate with those of us in our mid-50s or older.
September 8, 2018
I have always loved William Martins work and I never thought I would find this as it seemed to be out of print, however I was please to find the Kindle version. James Whiting and Jeanne Darrow are the heroes of the day in this one. However the story starts with Jeanne's husband Roger (television producer) setting out across America to examine the how we are alike and different as well as the effect of telecommunications on America. He suspects there is an upheaval in the industry involving his own partner and an elderly media mogul with tremendous power. At the end of his journey he is lost and confused and comes to a bad end or so you are lead to believe. James is led to believe that he has kidney transplant from Roger and he sets out to thank his widow for the gift of his life. After some time together they set out to follow Roger's trail to see what happened. Some of the ending I suspected from the start others were less obvious to me. As always I loved Mr. Martin's work.
September 3, 2021
For the first 50 pages or so, I was asking myself who wrote this book, because it was not even close to the prior William Martin Books I have read before. Most of which would be at the top of the list of some of the best books I have ever read.
However once the book found it's "footing" it became a really good read. I revolves around a man called Wright who has a Kidney transplant and he wants to thank the family of the man he gave it to him. Sounds simple but gets complicated pretty quickly with the widow and Wright crisscrossing the US using the same route the dead man did just before he died. All the way being chased by a group that are trying to stop and even kill them and nobody knows why..
They finally end up in Maine where The book has a fantastic ending with about as big a Gotcha that you never see coming.
I gave it four stars as though it's a good read it was still a long way from Martin's other books which again are about as good as they get.
However once the book found it's "footing" it became a really good read. I revolves around a man called Wright who has a Kidney transplant and he wants to thank the family of the man he gave it to him. Sounds simple but gets complicated pretty quickly with the widow and Wright crisscrossing the US using the same route the dead man did just before he died. All the way being chased by a group that are trying to stop and even kill them and nobody knows why..
They finally end up in Maine where The book has a fantastic ending with about as big a Gotcha that you never see coming.
I gave it four stars as though it's a good read it was still a long way from Martin's other books which again are about as good as they get.
January 19, 2020
Lo único q sé sobre esta novela es que la tengo como leída; pero la verdad es que no tengo idea de que iba la trama. Y obviamente ha sido tan poco memorable, que al googlear, no aparecen casi referencias.
Obviamente no me gustó, o la recordaría al menos. Pero nada.
Obviamente no me gustó, o la recordaría al menos. Pero nada.
July 10, 2025
good story, prose and dialog just ok, and too much luck for the protagonists to be believed.
July 30, 2011
This is actually a very nice thriller. I enjoyed the premise and the characters. Although a lot of the components are now dated, the writing was tight and held my interest. it was interesting to read an early effort by William Martin and see how he has grown over the years. He showed with this that he is not limited to the historical fiction or the historical/modern story composites in which he excels. It would be very interesting to see him try another in this genre now and see how he would handle it. I also like the swipes at the dangers of cable mega-moguls trying to deceive and manipulate the public. In this regard, this book was very prophetic and is interesting to read in light of the massive power of cable pseudo-news in hindering the honest attempts of normal citizens to determine truth from lies. i think we often mistake what is a blind grab for money and power for high minded political commitment. Crooks on cable are still crooks.
July 19, 2010
I liked this William Martin book. My sister just had a liver transplant, so it was eerie in that way to read it....fortunately too the book was written a while ago and I'd like to think that the statistics have changed since then. Nerve Endings involves a kidney transplant and the recipient's need to find the donor....which, you know, your not supposed to do. The book takes you across country from Maine to California and lots of stops in between...it involves the early stages of cable communication. It does have me on the edge of my seat at certain points.
October 30, 2014
what i like most about the book-Nerve Ending is the character Eddie Van der Hoof and his love for TV.
it was so thrilling how and when he killed Berth Mccall. I love the story and though the language devoid of sex is some thing unlike most American Writers.
it was so thrilling how and when he killed Berth Mccall. I love the story and though the language devoid of sex is some thing unlike most American Writers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews