Book Review: Deadline Man by Jon Talton

Why does a prominent hedge fund king commit suicide by jumping off his office balcony? That’s what The Columnist wants to know. Especially since moments earlier the man was a reliable source and now he’s splayed on the sidewalk. The phrase ‘eleven/eleven’ and Olympic International seem to be at the middle of a growing web of mystery and murder. The implications might just reach beyond rainy Seattle and touch on national security. With his back up against a never ending deadline, The Columnist starts digging for the truth. It might get him killed in the end but he’s determined to get the story first.



In Deadline Man written by Jon Talton we meet the main character, only known as The Columnist, a hard boiled financial writer who has been in the business long enough to spot the sinking ship that his newspaper has become. While The Columnist’s personal morals, he often has three lovers at a time, leave a little to be desired, I immensely enjoyed the character. He is no nonsense and not afraid to find the story no matter what it might cost him personally.


The last third of the book packs plenty of action keeping the reader on edge, turning pages and wanting to know more. It felt almost like too much happened all at the same time though and I had a harder time connecting all the dots. Despite this minimal issue, the book has a very plausible story with a terrorist and black ops twist that will leave the reader wondering just how much could actually be true in today’s world. The book is woven with plenty of suspense and whodunit and kept me turning pages into the night. Talton places plenty of behind the scenes newspaper knowledge into the story giving the reader a look at the life of a reporter and the dying print industry itself.


Deadline Man is a wonderful first thriller for Jon Talton whose fast pace style and likeable but flawed characters keep the reader wondering what else is peeking around the corner.


Deadline Man is available online now at major retailers and through the publisher’s website, Poisoned Pen Press.

I was provided with an online galley of this book for free by the publisher at NetGalley in order to complete my review. All opinions are solely my own without regard to compensation.

Just your average Thursday. Umm, I mean Tuesday.

Yes, that is a squirrel inside the bird feeder.  No, that's not the first time it happened either.  I'm having sadistic thoughts of locking the little bugger in there.  Or investing in a BB Gun.

I can't believe no one got my title quote on RTT last week.  No one even guessed.  Harry Potter number 5. Hermione Granger to Ron in the Gryffindor common room.  After Harry kisses Cho. No one really knew that?  It's even in the book, #5 Order of the Phoenix, P. 459 third paragraph from the bottom.
(I think I just proved my HP dorkiness.)

I bet you know this one though.  Raise your mouse if you know what this symbol means?




Ahh, you guys are so smart I don't even have to tell you what to do anymore.

Yes the spacing is all kinds of messed up today.  No matter what I do it won't resolve itself.  So we all just get to deal with four inches of white between paragraphs.  Goody.

I spent gobs of hours over the weekend reading this little gem, Deadline Man by Jon Talton. Oh My. I'm excited to review adult fiction for a nice change of pace. Review coming up very soon. You are gonna love it.


Chick's birthday was Friday (yes, I am sure I have the day right this time, unlike last week). I may or may not have gone overboard with the Buzz Lightyear stuff. T-shirt, plush toy, RC and Woody Shake and Drive Car, book, movie and gift bag. Plus candle and cake decor. No, she doesn't like Buzz-Buzz at all.
We went to the Reds game last night. It was fun (other than playing pass the Chick) but nowhere near the energy of a Phillies game. I wore my Phillies hat though so they were there in spirit. The best thing were the seats. They. Rocked. In the 100 level right off first base. I could see the players expressions. I love it when free tickets from CP's work (courtesy of the Reds) also involves great seats.

Apparently Thor has an imaginary friend, a girl. But boy was he ticked when his real life friend told me about his imaginary friend. Dude, they are imaginary for a reason and it usually means Don't Ever Tell My Mom I Have One.
The exterminator came on Thursday. Hallelujah! No more ants. The guy's going on and on about the colony and mega colonies and how they will make separate colonies outside of the queen and can go for 2 miles to get back to the colony. I just wanted to make him shut up. I don't really want to know that underneath my patio is the 'best breeding ground' he's seen in months! Just kill the little bastards, please.


In case you didn't catch that. I don't like bugs. In my house. Ever.

The poor little girl across the street comes over almost every night at about 7 or 7:30 to ask if Thor can play. I hate telling her no every time. It's not that she isn't a sweet girl or that he doesn't want to play, she just always asks when he has to take a bath, or it's too late to play outside. Pretty soon I think she's going to give him up as a lost cause.


I wish there was a mute button on the wii remotes. Whenever Thor plays Star Wars Lego even though the volume on the tv is off the remotes continue to make all sorts of random annoying sounds. Loudly.

I got this card in the mail the other day from the USO:  "Please sign and return this "Thank You" message.  We'll deliver it, along with a pre-paid phone card, to a lonely GI."

I just found that one funny.  I'm not entirely sure why.

What do you eat for breakfast?  I can not find anything that works for me.  I can't eat cereal because I"m lactose intolerant and milk, especially in the morning, really leaches the life out of me.  So then there's the toast option.  Except I like raspberry jam on toast. And raspberry jam and coffee just don't mix for me.  It totally kills the taste.  I can't do just butter on toast unless I'm sick.  Then there are the Nutrigrain bars.  Retch.  I think it's because I attempted them when I was pregnant (and subsequently vomited for 9 months) so just the thought of one of those going anywhere near my lips makes funny not-good things happen to my tummy.  What normally ends up happening is coffee and then a cheese stick.  Great breakfast!

Did I tell you all I found a swimsuit?  And on a big sale too?  Like $40!  From Athleta!  I don't think I've paid so little for a swimsuit since....ever.  Why is it that so little fabric costs so dang much?  I only bought  a new one because my old one didn't cover my tattoo.

Oh yeah, I got a tattoo.  Last summer.  Karma tells me today will be the day my mom will remember my blog address and stop by.  Hi Mom!  Don't freak, I'm still normal.  (Normal being relative and all.)

Busy busy week.  Doctors, dentists, a new dishwasher (yahoo!) and our first house guests.  And it's my birthday this week.  Goodbye 32, I did so love being you.  Maybe we can go back and reclaim 30 someday.

If you or someone you love needs help with Random, go see Keely at The UnMom.

Where I make up a bunch of stuff to keep you interested

The picture has nothing to do with the post but details what Saturday afternoon after the Autism Speaks walk was like.  Only ONE of those pairs of shoes actually belong to my kids.  Thor had five friends over.  The noise level would have bust eardrums if they had been anywhere but the basement.

I've broken my blog break.  Though I intended for it to last quite possibly through the summer, it seems that isn't a very good choice if I want to do certain things.  In the past I've written reviews for various books, mostly from the same publisher.  I recently signed up to use NetGalley to read upcoming releases and do reviews for other publishers as well.  The catch is the publisher has to approve you to read the galley first.

I was turned down on my first request. 

Ouch.  I actually had permission from the author herself to read it because I'd emailed her a courtesy review request.  But not wanting to humiliate myself after the fact, I did not send her a second email to let her know that the publisher told me no to reviewing it.  My copy I bought of her book arrived Friday and I've already finished it.  It's going to take me a few days to get to a point where I am okay with the authors choices for the characters though.  I hate it when authors make the characters do things I wouldn't have had them do.  Couldn't she have at least checked with me first?  Geesh, what is she a bestselling author?

I applied for another galley and was approved without a problem (yea me) so soon you'll be hearing my review of Deadline Man by Jon Talton which is out now.  Poisoned Pen Press apparently likes me.

The wonderful thing about using NetGalley is 'supposedly' I can have the galley delivered to my Kindle, that marvelous device of wonders.  I have yet to actually get that to work but it's a great theory anyway.  For now I'm just reading it in PDF form on the computer (which sucks because pdf doesn't remember where I left off so I have a sticky note with a running tally of the last page I read.  Kindle remembers that info for me.)

Getting back to the original point, it seems the blog needs to be a bit more active.  In order to keep my lovely, non-paying, yet rewarding reviewer job, I need to write here more often.  I'm lost for topics so I hope all of you can throw some out there.  What would you love to hear me wax on about at length?  Squirrels in the bird feeder?  Kentucky life?  The ways that planning a vacation sucks the fun out of life?  Would you liketo read more writing related stuff?  What do you do when your well of ideas runs dry?

Throw me some topics!  Please!

Celebrating the Chick

Four years old seems like an awesome number to be this year.  But first we have to delve into the past two birthdays she has celebrated with us.

I can't believe how bald she was.  I can't believe how bald she still was a year later.

And now here she is.  With slightly more hair,a whole year later.

Happy Birthday Little One!  You were already the Diva at Three so I can't wait to see what Four will bring!

RTT: Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon

...doesn't mean you can't be a part of Random Tuesday Thoughts with Keely at The UnMom.  If you can name the movie my title is from, you are awesome.



I went out for bar-b-que with CP two weeks ago and now I can't stop my stomach from growling everytime I drive by the place.  Why does Famous Dave's have to be next to Target?  Why??

Yesterday I pacified myself with some Summer Sausage and sharp cheddar cheese.  It's no awesome b-b-que sauce and shredded pork but...

Chick's Ky preschool teacher is a dead ringer for her old WC preschool teacher.  They look so much alike it is Freaky.  I accidently call her Katie all the time.

I made dentist appointments for everyone for next week.  Not only does Chick have her four year old check-up (including a shot) on Tuesday she also gets to go to the dentist on the same day.  Am I a superstar mean mom or what?

I get to go to the dentist on my birthday.  Karma won that round I think.

I was driving around yesterday and I got lost in this huge housing development.  Every street is named after a racehorse.  It's a nightmare trying to find your way out.  Do I turn down Seattle Slew or Count Fleet or Sir Barton to get to Frogtown Rd?  Umm..damned if I know.

It's Chick's birthday on Thursday  umm yep FRIDAY.  Since we started moving towards dye free foods for the kids I hunted down some Duncan Hines white cake mix.  (Thank you Casey for the dye free food tips.)  But do you think I can find a single frosting that doesn't have dye in it (even the chocolate has dye!)?  Noooo.  I live in Betty Crocker land where everything is involved in some sort of dye conspiracy.

I've hit 55,960 words on my project I ditched blogging for, which is to say just over half way finished.  And I've just decided to completely change where the book takes place.  So I don't, you know, misrepresent a place I've never been to?  I know that total makes sense to redo everything.  So what if I only have to revise 217 pages?  Pfft.  I might as well throw in some new characters and completely change the plot while I'm at it.  The genre changing how's and why's are over at The Literary Side.

I still have a review to write and I can't for the life of me force myself to finish the book.  It's got so much six year old sugary goodness all I want to do is eat gummy bears and chocolate while I'm reading it.  I wonder if the six to nine year old age group it's aimed at will feel the same way...

A month ago I got caught by the local flag twirler/dance group from the high school to buy some pizzas. They haven't shown up my my door with the pizza yet though.  I haven't paid yet either so maybe that's related.  If only they could show up on the one night I'm clawing my way through the freezer wondering if ice, key limes and cheese sticks can count as dinner.  Then, life would be good.

Last night I was reading about the whole Pampers scandal in the WSJ and they mentioned that P&G is headquartered in Cincy.  Then I remembered that one of the women I used to know four years ago when we lived in Germany (our kids were in the class at school) moved to this area because her dh worked for P&G and they were from here.  They were getting ready to leave Bonn as we arrived.  I found her email and sent her a note asking if they were still in the area.  Of course, not able to leave it at that, I searched the phone book and found someone of the same name 4 miles from us.  It would be a total freak-out if it turns out to be her.  I mean, what are the chances?*

Do you have a Random affliction?  Then go see Keely.  She's waiting.

*This is the circular way my mind works.  If you think it's confusing try living it.

Reasons to go missing this week

I haven't touched a computer since Monday (if I even did then I can't remember).  My laptop hasn't been turned all week either.  For all I know it may not turn on because it's gone into shock.  But it's been another week of weeks.  Let's take stock random style:

I caved.  My kids got me this for mother's day and I can't seem to put it down.

Despite what I said back here, I really am okay with my reaching into the new book technology.  I will still love my paper books till the day I die though.

The Chick and CP also gave me this:

A Cold


Can't thank them enough for that.  It's kind of been hard to top last week's week (field trip freak out, Invading Demon Ants and yes, getting rear-ended for the second time in two months).  But hey, I'm trying.

I also attended my first Writers/Critique group at the local library.  There is one 17 year old that really, really is going to make an agent happy when he finishes his book.  It's such a shame I don't write sci-fi cause I would have stole* his piece in a heartbeat.  It really was that good.  Some people though just don't know how to applaud others for something good.  Critique constructively, yes.  Rip to shreds, no.  Even 50 year olds should know that by now.  Maybe Mr. 50's just really sucked and he was insanely jealous of a kid.

It could happen.

I like the group, even though its a bit of an interesting mix of people.  In order to get critiqued you have to sign up and submit ten pages or about 20 minutes of reading.  And then read it to the group.  I was good until that Read it to the Group thing.  You can share anything, any genre, short story or long piece. My options of pieces to read start with a woman preparing to jump off the edge of a building, and an argument where language may be an issue (I can write it just don't make me say it to people I don't know).

Or I can read about a murder, a car chase and a woman with amnesia.

I think either way I go I really don't want to have to read it.  Reading a piece for an audience who already owns your book is one thing.  Reading it to people, like Mr 50, is another.  Anyone want to volunteer to come and read it for me?

How was your week?  Are you planning to hide away from your family this weekend like me?

*Obviously I am SO kidding about stealing.  But this kid had talent in spades.

Toy Industry Foundation’s Virtual Stuff-A-Thon

Did you know that May is National Foster Care Month?  Sadly, more than 300,000 children across America must be rescued each year from dangerous home environments. That’s over 34 children per hour! Traumatized by the events leading to their rescue, these children often arrive without any of their own belongings: no favorite stuffed animal, no special “blankie.” They are afraid and need something to hold onto.   

The entire toy industry, along with the Toy industry Foundation and the My Stuff Bags Foundation, have been working together to support these children and their foster care families.  For example, the Toy Industry Foundation has pledged to My Stuff Bags a contribution of $400,000 and 50,000 new toys over two years.  

Now you can help too. 

How?  By participating in the Toy Industry Foundation’s Virtual Do Good Stuff-a-Thon.  For the entire month of May, and by conveniently using your debit or credit card, you can help virtually stuff many more bags, with items such as new outfits, blankets, books, toiletries, and toys for these grateful children.  You can shop directly for any of these items here: http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=3809.

For more information, go to http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=TIF_Virtual_Stuff_a_thon.  All donations are 100% tax deductible, and will support the TIF’s grant to the My Stuff Bags Foundation allowing them to serve more children than ever before.  Thank you so much for your help.

The event is going on through May 31st so there is still plenty of time to get involved and make a difference in the life of a child!

The sad state of American education

There are few things that make me want to rant like the state of what my son is learning at school.  Or rather what he is not learning.  We had a fantastic school in West Chester.  Despite my initial burp with the teacher, I was pleased with the education Thor was receiving.

When we moved to our new town we were told we were in the best school district in the area.  The Best.  So you can imagine my dismay when I found out Thor only has gym class every six days.  One physical fitness class every six school days.  And we wonder why the kids of the generation are fat?

Today, I questioned Thor if he ever has language arts homework (because all he ever brings home is spelling and math and those only once a week if that.)  He said they don't have language arts at school.  He does know what LA is.  He used to have it in his old school(s).

What is wrong with the state of education when our kids don't learn things like grammer?  Social studies?  Science?  Sara @ Domestically Challenged, a 4th grade teacher responded to my Tweet about this sad state by saying this:

@BlogMamaAndrea Reading and Math. Seriously. That is all we teach anymore, because that is all we are tested on.

Are you kidding me?  Next week Thor is having the state testing on...math...and...reading.  Fabulous!  I'm so happy my tax dollars pay for him to get such a well rounded education. 

This is the reason I adore private schools.  Can I afford private schools?  No.  I will be looking into homeschool (I've done it before) because this is ridiculous. There's no way he's getting the proper curriculum if no child receives language arts at 8 years old!

What happens in your school district?  What about your children's curriculum?  Or is mine the only sucktastic one around?

*The state of American education has brought out of blog lockdown.