Customer Reviews

First Prize

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4 star:		(1)
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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!

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!

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.

Ed Cline does a masterful job of examining the publishing industry, what makes a great writer great, and the psychology of those who would destroy such a writer. Why would a brilliant young novelist with limited success suddenly win the most prestigious literary award available? Why would he not want the award? And why would he disappear and possibly be murdered?

This book has less taut action than Cline's other Hanrahan mystery, "Presence of Mind" -- it's more psychological -- but it is nevertheless a gripping tale I couldn't put down.

I find the Publishers Weekly review above to be laughable. Anyone who has seen negative reviews of Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" has seen the same tired complaints. "Wooden characters" and "stilted dialogue". . .it's like postmodern code for someone who simply can't fathom a pro-reason, pro-individual rights writer and lashes out.

If you read Rand's novels and are looking for more heroes to admire in fiction, pick up this book. And afterwards, don't miss Cline's Sparrowhawk series.

Has the same feel and flavor as Ayn Rand's "The Night of January Sixteenth" stageplay. It also share's Rand's philosophical principles -- which is fine with me. Unfortunately, it also shares Rand's humorlessness, and isn't really in the same league, as far as plot goes. Still, it's a decent effort, and it's refreshing to see some unapologetic moral certainty. If you haven't read Rand's books, this review won't mean much to you -- and in that case, I suggest you read some of her novels first (they're all great.) If you like Rand, then come back and look at Mr. Cline's book ... without that introduction, I suspect you'll find his detective's motivations inexplicable.

Absolutely loved this mystery. Did not want to put it down.

First Prize was written in 1988 by Edward Cline, aka of the excellent Revolutionary War epic Sparrowhawk. Chess Hanrahan is an ex-cop/detective in the style of Marlowe, who winds his way through the publishing world when author Gregory Compton goes missing after receiving a prestigious award for writing. Of course murder insues,the reader is walking right along with Chess it is described so well, integrity and character win out over greed and corruption, an old fashion detective story you will enjoy reading over and over. jk