First Prize [Mass Market Paperback]

EDWARD CLINE (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1989

A brilliant young novelist wins a literary award and disappears. Detective Chess Hanrahan turns up more than murder in this sharp-edged, provocative tale by the author of the popular Sparrowhawk novels. With a new preface by the author. "Exceptionally strong . . . firm characterizations. A striking tale." Allen J. Hubin, The Armchair Detective

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers of this workmanlike first detective novel will not be surprised to learn that Cline is working on the authorized Ayn Rand biography. Chess Hanrahan, wealthy New York private eye, is hired by the Granville Foundation to find Gregory Compton, a struggling novelist who has been awarded but hasn't claimed the $25,000 Granville Prize. Hanrahan is soon working his way through a pack of literary hyenas out to conquer "with boredom and despair and artful filth." The only redeeming features of the case, for Hanrahan, are rich, goddess-like Rhea, Compton's lover, and Compton's writings. The missing novelist's hero is the very model of a modern Objectivist: "He triumphed because for as long as he kept his vision, he had to triumph." When Compton is killed in a purported car accident, Hanrahan investigates even though he's been fired by the Foundation, and the plot plods to a not-surprising solution. The wooden characters and Cline's distaste for modern manners and our "welfare state" are only relieved by some wonderfully stilted dialogue: "You pose an interesting hypothesis, Sayres, I said. I mean, your character does." The heavies in publishing, foundations, universities and the media will probably survive this thinly veiled attack.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Edward Cline is the author of six widely acclaimed Sparrowhawk novels set in the period leading up to the American Revolution. His nonfiction has appeared in numerous magazines, web sites, and newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal. He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Mysterious Press (April 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0445407921
• ISBN-13: 978-0445407923
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,163,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Edward Cline (1946 -) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school (in which he learned nothing of value) and a stint in the Air Force, he pursued his ambition to become a novelist. His first detective novel, First Prize, was published in 1988 by Mysterious Press/Warner Books, and his first suspense novel, Whisper the Guns, was published in 1992 by The Atlantean Press. First Prize was republished in 2009 by Perfect Crime. The Sparrowhawk series of novels set in England and Virginia in the pre-Revolutionary period has garnered some critical acclaim (but not yet from the literary establishment) and universal appreciation from the reading public, including parents, teachers, students, scholars, and adult readers who believe that American history has been abandoned or is misrepresented by a government-dominated educational establishment. He writes regularly for such political and cultural blog sites as Rule of Reason and The Dougout. He is dedicated to Objectivism, or Ayn Rand's philosophy of reason in all matters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Philosophically consistent, hard-boiled detective story, February 3, 2002

By 

Johnny Lee - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Prize (Hardcover)

This is a fantastic story of a private detective who discovers the truth about a case that is anything but cut-and-dry. The protagonist is hired to find out where an author, the winner of an ostensibly prestigious award, has gone.

He meets this challenge, but then decides that the mystery is not quite resolved. By the time he's finished, all the loose ends are tied up, and the thrill of the hunt is with the reader throughout.

Cline can write a great mystery with a character that is driven by shameless pride in his work. It's nice to see such purposeful writing about such purposeful characters!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely woven mystery with great characters..., April 29, 2003

By 

J. Kane "AbleKane" (Balad, Iraq) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: First Prize (Hardcover)

Edward Cline has set down an easy to read, fast-paced glimpse into the everyday Objectivist's world at a ground-level view. This is not epic fiction where the fate of the world hangs on the choices of the character's decisions, but certainly it is a fine example of how people are the product of their philosophies... or lack thereof. And it's refreshing in that the ability of the main character to solve the mystery he is confronted with depends entirely upon his commitmant to his own values.

I think one of the more enjoyable things about this story is seeing a man of principle confront each step of the mystery with rationality and determination to learn the truth... wherever it may lead.

Kudos Mr. Cline!

5.0 out of 5 stars Tightly written page-turner!!!, October 3, 2010

By 

Michael Garrett - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: First Prize (Paperback)

The writing is clear, tight, and purposeful--just like the protagonist, Chess Hanrahan. I loved this novel, and am very much looking forward to reading more of Cline's work. I read this in a day and a half, and wish I hadn't been interrupted so often. :) I love a hero, and Chess Hanrahan fills the bill. I also love a good mystery, and First Prize is just that.