The List (Thorndike Core) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Steve Martini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997 | Series: Thorndike Core

Mystery Large Print EditionThe fiery finish and final revelations put Martinis new novel squarely in the commercial territory tracked by the list . . . a likely blockbuster in its own right. Publishers Weekly* A New York Times Bestseller* A Literary Guild Main Selection* A Doubleday Book Club Main Selection* A Mystery Guild Main SelectionA bold and successful scheme to outwit the most powerful players in the publishing and film industries animates this novel a suspenseful thriller in which the price of fame becomes terror. Gable Cooper has $6 million in rights offers for his novel and he doesnt even exist. The real writer, attorney Abby Chandlis, wants a stand-in for herself, thinking that a charismatic male face posing as the phantom author will clinch success for her novel. Abby makes a deal with the devil, and all the legal contortions in the world wont stop her from being trapped by her own creation . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Attorney-turned-novelist Martini (Undue Influence, LJ 6/15/94) writes about attorney-turned-novelist Abby Chandlis, who stretches the practice of ghost-writing to an extreme and perilous level. Fearful that glamour instead of grammar sells books in today's shallow publishing industry, Chandlis creates Gable Cooper, a strong, handsome, but definitely fictitious alter ego who as "author" of her new novel should assure its success. Possessed of these qualities, rugged Jack Jermaine seems ideal for the role. However, his spooky past and dangerous tendencies soon cause Abby to regret the entire scheme. This is a competent thriller, but many readers may find difficulty sympathizing with protagonist Chandlis. Recommended only for comprehensive suspense collections.?John Noel, Tennessee Tech Univ. Lib., Lebanon
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In a change of venue from his courtroom settings, Martini embeds his latest mystery in the cynical world of blockbuster-book publishing. The premise: Abby Chandlis discovers that literary agents, hitherto bored by her thriller, perk up when she hides her authorship and attributes it to a male writer. Apparently nothing sells better than a first novel from a hunk with face-by-Fabio. She must tell somebody about her scam, if only to protect her contracts and copyrights, so Abby chooses reliable Morgan Spencer from her Seattle law firm. She also confides in her pal Theresa. While Morgan handles the paperwork, Abby hires a low-IQ beefcake, who then passes on the poseur's role to his brother, Jack Jermaine, an ex^-special forces marine schooled in sabotage and deception. Ducks finally in a row, Abby and Jack go to New York and succesfully hoodwink the agent and the "Big-F" publishing company, who then showers Abby with millions and demands for an instant sequel. Abby repairs to St. Croix to work on it, but she becomes terrified by her discoveries about Jack's background and his possible presence at the suspicious murders of Theresa and her ex-husband. Martini deftly conceals the killer until the flaming finale. His satirical skewering of high-octane publishing only increases this book's "buzz," which the real publisher's all-fronts publicity offensive will strive to amplify--and justify--in a 400,000-copy press run. Gilbert Taylor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 650 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0783880898
• ISBN-13: 978-0783880891
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,657,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steve Martini was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area. An honors graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz, he holds a law degree from the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law.

Martini's first career was in journalism. He worked as a newspaper reporter in Los Angeles and as a correspondent at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, specializing in legal issues. In 1974 he entered private law practice in California, where he appeared in both state and federal courts. During his legal career, he worked as a legislative representative for the State Bar of California, served as special counsel to the California Victims of Violent Crimes Program, and was an administrative law judge and supervising hearing officer.

In 1984 Martini turned his talents to fiction, quickly earning positions on bestseller lists. All but his first book spent time on the New York Times Bestsellers list. To date, he has authored twelve novels, including eight featuring his popular lawyer alter ego, Paul Madriani.
In 1996 Undue Influence aired as a four-hour miniseries on CBS, followed by The Judge on NBC in 2001.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STEVE MEETS SIDNEY, September 6, 2003

By 

Michael Butts (Berkeley Springs, WV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The List (Mass Market Paperback)

It's somewhat hard to believe that the man who has written the outstanding Paul Madriani series is the same guy who pens this spiffy little "potboiler". It reminds me a lot of Sidney Sheldon's forays, but Martini's brisk pace and innate sense of plot and characterization propel this novel into higher ground. The plot revolves around an author/lawyer who after several misfires in writing finds she's written a hit---a big, money-making bestseller. Only problem is, she's an over-40 woman, not incredibly beautiful, and she knows her past flops will prevent any publisher from wanting the book no matter how good it is. She creates a pseudonymn, Gable Cooper, as the author and then sets out to find a handsome hunk to "play the role." In steps incredibly gorgeous hunk Jack Jermayne, a perfect fit to play the role. But, what have we here: murders of author's friend, ex-husband and her friends' vicious ex-husband start to point evidence that Jack may not be what he seems?? Hmm..in typical cinematic fashion, the author flees for her life to seek help from her long-time friend, Spencer.
The climax is appropriately suspenseful and the little "twist" at the end satisfying.
A fun, involving tour de force for Mr. Martini.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The List.....exhilorating!, January 21, 2000

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: The List (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first Steve Martini book I've ever read. Are all his books this good? I found myself intrigued by the storyline. Abby Chandlis is sick of her job, has been writing a book in her spare time, and decides to try her luck in getting it published. In a twisted and sorted way, she decides to hire a man to pose as the "writer" while she plays his lawyer. In walks Jack Jermaine. In the many twists and turns throughout the story, I found alot of mystery, humor, and yes! even romance, but not too much. This story was exhilorating, to say the least. If you're ready to try your hand at "whodunnit" and to go deep inside the literary world, hold on tight to your copy of "The List" and enjoy the ride! Three cheers for Martini on this well-written and highly entertaining book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Martini with a twist, August 18, 2002

By 

Paul Skinner (Manassas, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The List (Mass Market Paperback)

Steve Martini is the master of the thriller with the last minute plot twist. He weaves together a fascinating, yet believable tale of struggling authors, with seemingly unrelated events happening (death of friend, sinking of boat, etc.). Just as he traps you into thinking you know who the bad guy is - as you are trying to tell the hero's/heroine's to watch out - he throws a wicked curve ball into the plot that leaves your head spinning. And after you see it, you say, "wow, I should have seen that coming, but I got trapped just like the author intended." I found myself going back, re-reading sections where Martini left those clues I had skipped over. You beat me again, Mr Martini, touche'.