Investigating an airline disaster in which a new plane's engine disintegrated, reporter Steve Pace uncovers a dangerous high-level conspiracy involving the government and industrial leaders. A first novel. 30,000 first printing. National ad/promo.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The new Sexton 811 aircraft, fast and fresh and filled with passengers, tumbles off the runway at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., killing more than 300 people and getting this deftly written, suspenseful first novel off to a stomach-churning start. As the various agencies gather to determine the accident's causes, ace aviation reporter Steve Pace quickly discovers the possibility that evidence is being concealed. Was the cause pilot error, a bird sucked into the engines or faulty design? Are the investigators thorough and unbiased, or are they involved in a cover-up? And who are the thugs in the blue van? While Pace works phones and friendships to unearth the truth, potential sources are being bought off or killed and it is soon clear that the reporter's own reputation--and even his life--are in danger. Heller, who has won the Polk Award for her investigative journalism, offers an accurate insider's view of news reporting, the aviation industry and the seamier sides of corporate and political manipulation. Her management of a large cast of characters is deft and she keeps readers guessing until the stunning final surprises. Her debut is as vivid and exciting as a bolt of summer lightning.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
A Pulitzer-winning aviation reporter for a Washington, D.C., daily sticks with the story of a downed jumbo jet and uncovers a sinister web of political, bureaucratic, and industrial corruption without the help of Carl Bernstein--in a first novel from a celebrated investigative reporter. The Consolidated Pacific jetliner that went down at Washington's Dulles airport was carrying, in addition to hundreds of doomed passengers, the reputation of an Ohio engine manufacturer hoping to crack the world jet market. How unfortunate, then, that it was one of those Buckeye engines that caused the crash. Or was it? In the confusion of the aftermath, acting on orders from somebody with a Great Deal of Money, a member of the NTSB investigative team plants a big squished bird in the engine, steering inquiry away from the possibility of defective parts. But there's a witness, and the witness threatens to squeal. There's also pressure from a nasty Ohio senator to wrap up the investigation quickly and without any suggestion of Buckeye culpability. The single bird theory is close to acceptance until Washington Chronicle reporter Steve Pace, who persists in his investigation despite the threat of a couple of hired Baltimore goons, gets to the bottom of things. In the process, Pace loses a friend, regains a lost love, and has a nice visit from his daughter. Populated with faceless, unlovable bureaucratic dweebs, drowning in journalistic detail, and much too long. The only twist to the plot comes too late for anyone to care. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
If you can find it - buy it!,
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This review is from: Maximum Impact (Paperback)
I started this novel on an airline flight...which either shows my confidence in the industry or the fact that I love stories about planes and such. This book has been on my "books to read table" for some time and for reasons I am unable to fathom it took me a few years to get to it. The story starts with a horrendous airline disaster which occurs on take off as the #3 engine of the plane in question destroys itself and everyone on the flight. From that simple premise the author takes us through the investigation of such a tragedy, but it is the investigation and the manner in which it is being conducted which is quickly the focus of the piece. The NTSB investigation is flawed..not by incompetance but by corruption. The uncovering of the corruption by an investigative reporter is the peeling of the onion which exposes shortcomings in all of the professions it explores. The book which I read is the paper back version and it is a bit longer than necessary, but it is nevertheless an entertaining and informative read which is about all we ever look for in a novel these days. The book is apparently out of print at the moment, but the effort by the author deserves a review ....
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