Black and White and Dead All Over

Although the plot line is clever & the suspense builds throughout this book, those aren't the only reasons I raced through it. Also because it's funny, especially some of the names--if you're half-way to being a journalist, you know that "Moloch" is le nom juste for a character based on Rupert Murdoch. Also if you're a New Yorker, you know this book is all about the New York Times, and the way things are for it right now, which is not pretty (in economic terms, I mean: nobody is actually getting murdered). John Darnton is a brave man,willing to stand on the brink of a precipice and gaze down into the abyss. As a result, he has given us a book that has a tragic dimension, as well as a feel-good ending & a lot of heart.

"It was a lifeless body, and not just any body. It was Ratnoff." When Ratnoff's secretary, Ellen Butterby, discovers his body in the New York Globe's newsroom, the newspaper's future is thrown into chaos. Senior editors grapple with the fact that one of their own has been brutally murdered in their hallowed workplace. An editor's spike, a symbol used to kill stories in old-time publishing days, has been driven into Ratnoff's chest. Affixed to the spike is a note, written in purple ink, Ratnoff's trademark color. It says, "Nice. Who?" --- Ratnoff's tell-tale query as to the authorship of a story. Executive Editor Skeeter Diamond, publisher Elisha Hagenbuckle and Metro Editor Bernie Grabble confer and assign investigative reporter Jude Hurley to cover the story. Known as a loose cannon, Hurley is a digger who will find out what happened. A 35-year-old with a passion for his job, Hurley finds himself deep in scandal, hearsay and ambitious backstabbing at the Globe. He is a suspect and forced to work with a female detective assigned to the case. In addition, a second murder complicates the scene. Ratnoff's paramour, gossip columnist Peregrin Whibbleby, is discovered dead near the lobby stairs. A newspaper bundling machine has encased Whibbleby's body in the form of a statue holding a copy of the National Enquirer, resembling a wire mummy. Hurley's rollercoaster investigation teams him with detective Priscilla Bollingsworth to solve the crimes. Newsmen become paranoid, publishers and editors seek answers without success, and Hurley second-guesses the loyalty of those he deemed friends. An intriguing subplot reveals ugly truths about the Globe's Greek founder, Hagenbuckle's father-in-law. While Hurley bull-dogs the facts closer to solving the hideous crimes, his personal life dives into a shambles. When his love interest, Rachel, seeks a more stable lifestyle, his job intensifies. Increasing hours spent with Bollingsworth is not unpleasant. John Darnton's skill as a reporter and editor is evident in BLACK & WHITE AND DEAD ALL OVER. The newspaper jargon he writes hails from his experience. An avid journalist can learn tidbits from the publishing world's past. Darnton exploits methods long out of use to deploy his intricate plot, and the devices used for murder are deliciously utilized in graphic detail. Darnton names his characters with style as well. Pronunciation whets the tongue with the bizarre handles he uses. Ellen Butterby, Peregrin Whibbleby, Elisha Hagenbuckle, Skeeter Diamond, Jude Hurley, Outsalot, Hickory Bosch --- monikers with eclectic flavor --- make for a humorous read. The comic witticisms interspersed throughout the novel give testimony to his sense of humor. The death notes, written to taunt and reveal motive, cleverly insert poetic justice into the story. The diabolical methods of torture before death expose a twisted but ingenious personality. BLACK & WHITE AND DEAD ALL OVER brims with metaphors and similes to satisfy rea

The author, John Darnton, long identified as a life long journalist, foreign correspondent and editor has departed from the scientifically based style of his former novels (NeanderthalThe Darwin Conspiracyto write a first class murder mystery that takes place at a modern, big city newspaper. The main characters are so likeable that you hope they will return in later novels. The setting permits the author to provide incredible insight into the daily miracle of turning out a newspaper. One is struck with the idea that anyone interested in a career in journalish should be required to read this book. The book is a real page turner that will leave you wanting a sequel.

I have read several books about newspapers but none have given me the inside feeling of the paper in operation as Black & White has done. One sees the stereotypes of the reporters and management. The portrayals are entertaining and very funny. That would have been enough for a great read. Fortunately, Mr. Darnton has added to this a really good mystery that kept my interest. It is an old fashion mystery when many have a motive. Even the ancillary characters have a great story. In short this book is a treat.

I just finished reading John Darnton's latest novel, "Black and White and Dead All Over", and I can't get the smile off of my face. This satire/allegory is completely unlike Darnton's other books - all sci-fi adventures. In this one Darnton shares his intimate knowledge of newspapers -- gleaned from 40 years of experience as a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter for the New York Times - to create a hysterical murder mystery set in a big city newspaper. (Could it, in fact, be the Times?) Darnton clearly knows where all the bodies are buried in the news business. No one escapes his knife; from news editors to reporters to headline writers to bloggers. In the end Darnton does to newspapers what Carl Hiassen does to the State of Florida. On many occasions I laughed out loud. The book moves like wildfire and is a joy to read.