Shafted

by John Mahaffey

Trey McCall, an up-and-coming superstar on the golf circuit, staggered past a mirror and gasped at his reflection; horrified, he froze and stared at his pathetic image—sweating profusely through a torn and faded Bob Seger tee shirt, eyes blood red and glazed, hands shaking, mouth dry and scratchy as sandpaper. The disciplined essence of an athlete, a thing of the past—each intoxicated day mirrors the last and the next—lured from his principled sheltered life on The Circle M Ranch by unscrupulous forces in the real world.Suddenly fully aware—he must escape this highway to nowhere—to regain purpose in and for his life. The obstacles were infinite—four truths, his only He would need significant help to get there. He must own his past to have a future. Karma is real. Trust is earned.Lucky Richards, his nefarious business manager—a catalyst for disaster—vanishes, leaving in his wake an international trail of egregious felonies implicating McCall and his family. Survival becomes Trey’s primary concern, as golf takes a backseat.Find out who steps in to help set Trey straight. Can McCall reclaim his self-worth on his journey back from rock bottom and come out on top in the unfamiliar territory of organized crime investigation?

Genres: Ebooks

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2022

About the author

John Mahaffey is a ten-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the PGA Championship and the Players. After playing the Tour for over three decades, John enjoyed the role of announcer/analyst on Golf Channel; broadcasting live golf for the Champions Tour.

During his tenure as a commentator, Mahaffey wrote his first book, Hogan’s Boy—A Journey in Golf; an autobiography of stories and recollections of a career that spanned from the end of the Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Sam Snead era to the beginning of the Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson era—a time in which Mahaffey was fortunate enough to have Ben Hogan as a mentor. Shafted is John's first novel, the first of a series of cybercrime thrillers.

Reviews

[Shubham Lakhina · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Mahaffey’s *Shafted* is a thrilling and suspenseful novel that follows the rise, fall, and redemption of a talented athlete caught in a web of corruption, deceit, and personal struggles. The story centers around Trey McCall, a gifted golfer with immense potential, whose journey from a promising sports career to personal and professional turmoil is filled with twists and intense drama.

The novel delves into themes of ambition, betrayal, and resilience, painting a vivid picture of the challenges athletes face both on and off the field. McCall’s interactions with manipulative figures, including a shady business manager and personal demons, add layers of complexity to his character. His journey is not just about sports but about navigating the murky waters of fame, power, and personal relationships.

Mahaffey’s writing is engaging and filled with rich details, making the story feel authentic and immersive. The book successfully captures the pressures of professional sports, the allure of money and fame, and the personal sacrifices athletes often make. The pacing is well-balanced, keeping readers hooked with unexpected turns and intense moments.

**Final Verdict:** *Shafted* is a gripping read for fans of sports thrillers and stories about overcoming adversity. With its blend of suspense, drama, and a well-crafted protagonist, it offers a compelling look at the highs and lows of a life in the spotlight.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

As far as mystery and suspense novels go, this book took the cake. I was thoroughly surprised and engaged in the direction this story took. The character development of this book, especially the protagonist, which showcased his arc from up-and-coming popular pro golfer to disgraced athlete to head of a heroic company, was unique and creatively done. It showcased a more extraordinary world-building and mythos developed by the author for this series, which will instantly draw readers in.

The powerful themes running through this book, from the toxicity that can come from pursuing money and fame to the need for resilience in the face of failure and hardship, kept me as a reader invested in these characters. The balance the author found in really honing in on the struggles and temptations that those in professional athletics find themselves with, the mystery and suspense surrounding organized crime, and the formation of a force for good made this such a compelling novel.

The Verdict

Remarkable, highly creative, and thoroughly entertaining, author John Mahaffey’s “Shafted” is the grand opening narrative in the Nemesis series and a must-read mystery. The twists and turns in the story and the rich journey readers are treated to as the protagonist evolves and grows throughout the novel make the book feel both accessible and engaging.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shafted by John Mahaffey is an insider's guide to a male's world of golfing and the inner circle of associates. The beginning of this book took on a slow and biographical state. The novel was building up to something and I was not sure what until I got there. Trey's world is an interesting one for sure. A lot of firsts and mistakes were made. Soon, Trey will be fighting his way to make it out of his doomed era. Themes of sports, family, survival, and sex were all inside this entertaining novel. The book not only centered on Trey but also on the people in life such as his wife, Candy, his parents, and those of his friends and acquaintances. From hot luck to having the carpet pulled out from under his feet, Trey has a lot to learn fast. John Mahaffey's writing is different from what I usually read. It had my piqued for more of what was going to happen to Trey. I felt something big and boy was it big alright. I recommend this to all who love sports, some suspense, and a ton of drama.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.