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LOCAL RAG - News to Die For
June 16-20
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Jim Mitchell is a journalist and the publisher and editor of a community newspaper, The Sentinel.
He gave up a career with big media because he couldn't justify their choice of what to cover, couldn't tolerate the way they edited his stories and would not be implicit in misleading the public to benefit some hidden corporate agenda.
When he bought The Sentinel, he thought all that would end. Being the owner of "the local rag," he could select the stories, edit the copy and make sure the interests of the community were served.
He would print the truth - no slant, no bias, no spin, and he'd make a living doing it.
He was wrong.
Right from the beginning, Jim's brand of reportage rankles some powerful people, people who pay his bills. Then there's the new competitor, a multinational media conglomerate that's expanding its generic community newspaper format into The Sentinel's market area.
Soon it's a struggle for The Sentinel to make a profit and for Jim to keep true to his uncompromising ethics.
When his best friend, Anthony Bravaro decides to run for mayor Jim hopes he'll be an honest politician.
Hope turns to dismay as Jim watches the quest for power turn a good man bad. Tony's campaign tests Jim's professional objectivity and personal integrity.
When Jim confronts his friend with damaging information that could end his run for public office, he finds out how far Tony's prepared to go to win the mayor's seat - farther than he could ever have imagined.
“5 STARS for having given his readers a story which pits an individual trying to do what’s right when it comes to reporting the news against those who would rather keep the status quo in keeping what happens somewhere stays there.”
“... a dose of reality not seen on most major media. His story highlights the control over the minds of the public by special money factions. Readers have only to see similarities with today.”
“... engrossing and exciting story that moves quickly. The narrative comes alive because the characters are three dimensional. This is a novel well worth reading. Highly recommended.”
“Raglin ... grips the readers' attention from the very first page. He managed to put so many levels in this book - corruption, drugs, murder, threats, politics. Yet, there is also place for love and friendship ... he challenges his readers to get actively involved, to start asking questions and reconsidering their own life decisions”.
... this is the type of hard-hitting believability so often lacking in dramas nowadays.... presented at a crisp, fast-moving pace reminiscent of the best newspaper copy. The story moves along with realistic drama and life-threatening action as the hero…this is the type of hard-hitting believability so often lacking in dramas nowadays. I enjoyed this book immensely.”
- Keith Julius for Readers' Favorite Book Reviews - 5 STARS
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..a well-designed, masterly written, and realistic murder mystery. (5 STARS)"
"Local Rag should appear to the careful reader much more than a well-designed, masterly written, and realistic murder mystery.
Local Rag is, in my opinion, a philosophical parable on the ultimate meaning of truth in our earthly lives. The last pages will clarify the individual relevance of the initial Aurelian quote in this story.
By the way, the closing image of the book is a powerful visual allegory about where humanity as a whole is heading fast, if not for a sharp change of route."
- Thomas Dalcolle, Author of Five Urban Stories - And Something Better
