The Feathery (Paperback)

~ Bill Flynn (Author)
Key Phrases: golf antiques, feathery golf ball, feathery ball, British Open, Sarah Covington, Saint Andrews (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Feathery plot centers around a unique type of golf ball used during a record match at St. Andrews, Scotland in 1849. The story is set in San Diego, London and New York, as well as in ancient and modern Scotland. The game of golf blends with mystery and suspense surrounding an obsession so strong by some to own this valuable antique feathery golf ball that they'll commit murder to satisfy it. A sub-plot involves an attempt by a gambling interest to fix the British Open when the leading player's caddie is abducted to force his withdrawal.

About the Author

Bill Flynn is a retired aerospace engineerwho lives in New Hampshire with his wife Barbara.His follow-on career was devoted to golf product exporting. Both careers took him to the places his book, The Feathery, is set. He has been fortunate to have played imperfect golf on many of the perfect golf courses of this planet. Bill's first novel, A Deadly Class Reunion is available on Amazon. His work in process is about the adventures of three boys set on Cape Cod in 1942 while German submarines lurk off shore. One sub launches two spies and the teenagers stumble in on their covert mission. The back story describes the life and love of a German U-Boat commander who is not as enthralled by the Nazi regime as some in his crew are.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (November 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419675710
• ISBN-13: 978-1419675713
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #191,109 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Golf, Murder, and Romance on the links., April 9, 2008

By	Mike Monahan (New York) - See all my reviews

Bill Flynn is a master at weaving a string of stories that intersect for a marvelous conclusion. The history of the feathery and the game of golf is well researched and told in a delightful manner. Throw in the suspense of murderous thugs, auctioneers, and millionaires who covet the feathery at any cost, and you have a seriously entertaining novel. The Feathery is an easy, entertaining read whether you are a golfer or just like a good whodunit. Well done Bill.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Feathery, November 11, 2008

By	Angela M. Hooper "Angela M. Hooper" (USA) - See all my reviews

I admit, I do not know much about the game of golf. However, I have goofed around playing it, but this book brought a whole new meaning to golf for me.

In this novel, we are taught about the history of the golf ball makings in St. Andrews, in 1849. Golf balls were made of feathers, who would have thought that? One ball in particular - The Feathery - holds a very high cost to the owner who inherits it, Scott Beckman.

This story is unique in itself. We learn about Scott at a young age, with his best friend, Matt. Both have lost their fathers and are headed in the wrong direction in life, a life of imprisonment. Both boys lost their fathers and are rebellious. They are caught one day trying to steal a golf club. Fortunately for them, a black officer decides to take them to "Sandy McNair." Sandy is a kind, old man who loves the game of golf and teaches golfing to young lads in trouble.

Sandy helps Scott and Matt both achieve a better life for themselves. Scott is in love with the game of golf. His father admired it and Scott wanted to follow along in his footsteps, granted that his mother despises the game.

Scott - with Sandy as his only means of a family, embarks on a golfing journey. Sandy suddenly passes away and Scott inherits "The Feathery." It is worth more money that Scott could imagine and this simple book about golf turns into a mystery, suspense, and thriller novel - along with a good story about a guy who loves golf. It is brilliantly put together.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Feathery - More like a 4 +, June 5, 2008

By	Rebecca Lerwill (Utah, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Don't let the cover keep you away from this read, because this one is definitely not just for golfers!
Right from the get-go I was into author Bill Flynn's story, because it woke up my patriotism due to the death of our protagonist's father while serving in Iraq. What follows is an interesting description of young Scott Beckman's struggle to find his way in society and his sport without his mother's support and his dead hero dad.
Soon, Scott and his buddy Matt are taken under the wing of a very special person who manages a golf course close to where the kids grow up.
As we jump a few years into the present time we find ourselves amongst Scott and Matt and how their talent and love for the sport of golf continues to grow until.... Scott's former teacher and mentor passes away and leaves him a very rare Feathery golf ball and a few other very valuable antique golf items.
With these treasures in his possession Scott's life soon turns upside down as he not just qualifies to play the `Masters' as a pro golfer, but also as his friend and caddie Matt goes missing - along side the Feathery ball.

Flynn weaves a clever cat and mouse chase and light romance with some die hard treasure hunters and we end up in a net of international crime, intrigue, and murder.
I very much enjoyed this plot, though I could have done with a little less of the sport's technicalities.
Overall, The Feathery is extremely enjoyable especially because this thriller/mystery is based on a real artifact which without a doubt, is admired by many collectors around the world.
I'll be certainly looking for more of Bill Flynn's future work.

Rebecca Lerwill, author of Relocating Mia

Relocating Mia