Mobile 9: A Novel

by Bill Haugland

Set amid Montreal’s police strike and the political turmoil of 1969, this gripping mystery follows Ty Davis, a young television reporter, as he is drawn into an underworld of violence and chaos following an explosion at the home of the mayor. While an innocent colleague is accused of the crime, Davis and his family are caught in a web of drug smuggling and murder—a fascinating story of Montreal’s seedier side during a time of great change.

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2009

Reviews

[B K · Rating 3 out of 5]

In his first reality-fiction crime novel, Bill Haugland demonstrates his extensive knowledge of Montreal, police covert-ops and Mafia power struggle on a backdrop of political tensions in Quebec from the 1960s onwards.

Similarities between CKCF (CFCF) and Flash (Pulse) will bring up fond memories of "good-old days" to the nostalgic.

Excellent character evolution. Can't wait for more!

[Tarah Jakubiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for any Montrealer. It takes you back through the underworld of Montreal's seedy side.

[Alison C · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bill Haugland was the anchorperson for the largest English-language television news station here in Montreal for decades, until his retirement a few years ago. His first novel, Mobile 9, was published shortly after his retirement, and I picked it up out of a sense of curiosity more than anything else. Set in 1969 Montreal, the story deals with the changes in structure that took place in the so-called Montreal Mafia at that time. When cameraman Greg Peterson is suspended from his job after being accused by a high-profile female lawyer of beating her up in the streets one night, reporter Ty Davis and his colleagues are determined to find the real story, and it doesn't take them long to learn that the woman works primarily as the personal lawyer for a number of the most important Mafia figures in the region. But why she wants to destroy Greg's life, and why the Montreal police aren't in any hurry to clear his name, continue to be mysteries to our heroes....There's some interest in this book, a few well-turned phrases here and there, but unless you live in Montreal and recognize various locations, it probably won't keep your attention for very long. Unfortunately, Haugland, like many first-time authors, wants to cram everything he knows into the book, so we get prize-fighting and CFL football and photography studios, among other things, thrown into the mix for no particular reason. Even more unfortunately, there are a lot of anachronisms in this novel - I'm pretty sure nobody used the term "wannabe" in 1969, and while no doubt there were many young North Americans wandering the Himalayas with magic mushrooms in their pockets in the 1960s, I doubt that they were there in the early '60's and most certainly they would not have been called "hippies" at that time. And extremely high-powered lawyers exist in every age, but female ones in 1969? I don't think so. Generally, a let-down.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Haugland, is a highly respected and well known TV personality who anchored Montreal's "Pulse News". Now in retirement he is using his past experiences as a reporter and TV news writer to produce his first novel. Although, a fiction it is derived from many events he witnessed during the 60's. Montrealers will easily recognize the people and scenes described in this narrative.

Not surprisingly, "Mobile 9" is a tale of a television news reporter, told in the 3rd person in a very cinematic way. Mr Haugland has captured and masterfully delivered a story of a television news cameraman embroiled in a mystery, accused of an assault he did not commit. Events that occurred: such as the FLQ bombing of the mayor's home (Jean Drapeau), the rise of separatism and the mafia investigations all play a part in this story.

I found the book commendable; it captured effectively the linguistic and political atmosphere, not forgetting the tensions of the professional and personal life of the media. Some may say Mr Haugland's enthusiasm describing a Grey Cup game was distracting, I found it was very well done and expertly conveys the atmosphere of the time. His great skill as a writer has given us a splendid tale with a wonderful ending, a concise wrap up that I have only seen in some movies.

I loved the intrepid reporter Ty Davis and all the rest of the cast. It will be nice to see them back in a subsequent novel. Well done Mr Haugland

[J-Elfasy (Montreal) · Rating 2 out of 5]

When an aggressive crime is wrongly pinned on one of their own, TV journalists from CKCF Television decide to undertake their own investigation. They quickly discover the Mafia’s involvement, police corruption, anti-Anglophone sentiment, and odd behavior among their own co-workers.

After 29 years in the news business as an anchor for Montreal’s largest English language television station, Bill Haugland pays homage to his professional past in this first novel. The book is not at all autobiographical; rather, it is informed by an insider’s view of the media in Montreal in the late sixties and early seventies.

The truth is, there’s something remarkably ordinary about Mobile 9. The main characters, Ty and Jason, are basically regular guys. Haugland’s storytelling skills are good enough to keep you in the story, but they don’t leave you asking for more. The TV journalists in Mobile 9 are good at what they do, but what they are good at is finding a catchy headline and editing newsreel; it doesn’t come across as very glamorous or fascinating.