Playing James [Paperback]

Sarah Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

Rules? What rules?

Plucky beat reporter Holly Colshannon has a flair for the dramatic, a nose for trouble, and the remarkable ability to smile through any indignity—though her latest assignment is about to test her mettle. Newly “promoted” to crime reporter for the Bristol Gazette, she must shadow the unsmiling (though undeniably delicious) Detective James Sabine through his action-packed days, and then capture all the danger and thrills of a cop’s life in a daily column for the rag.

Well, on the bright side, she gets her own byline. On the down side, delectable James is hardly overjoyed to have her around. But soon her columns are a hit with readers who can’t get enough of her personal adventures riding shotgun with the sexy crime stopper.

Who ever expected law and order to be so romantic? Certainly Holly’s rugby-playing boyfriend and James’s super-gorgeous fiancée are enough to keep any sparks of electricity in check? In the end, though, love always evens the score. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Holly Colshannon has led an unconventional life from her hectic childhood in Cornwall to her present job as a reporter for the Bristol Gazette. After writing about pet funerals, Holly gets a promotion, kind of, to crime reporter, the job no one wants. On the first day of her new assignment she's handed the opportunity of a lifetime when she's assigned to detective sergeant James Sabine. The only fly in the ointment is that James hates reporters, and his disdain for Holly is evident. But he ends up playing the straight man in Holly's comic world. James is very serious, and Holly is a disaster waiting to happen, constantly having pratfalls that make her a regular at the local emergency room. Despite James' being engaged and Holly's having a very desirable boyfriend, she seems to be falling for him, but how does our hero feel about Holly? This is a wonderfully entertaining English export that will have the reader rooting for Holly and rolling on the floor laughing. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

'Sarah Mason is a new writer whose first novel is a real breath of fresh air. PLAYING JAMES is something very different, providing a well-observed insight into the life of a rookie crime reporter on a provincial paper. There are plenty of laughs too - from the condom incident on page one! The supporting cast of friends and enemies add to a colourful debut that will keep you turning the pages long after you should have started the ironing! Brilliant.' CHRIS MANBY --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345469550
• ISBN-13: 978-0345469557
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a quick jump from the cemetary to the station..., December 8, 2004

By 

Kotori (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Playing James (Paperback)

Sarah Mason seems to have taken some cues from Janet Evananovich's light handling of the love interests in the Stephanie Plum adventures, and adopted a similarly light & whimsical touch.

It works very smoothly, easing us into the love story, whilst mostly being the story of one girls bumbling adventures.
And yes, also Bridget Jones overtones (Vol.1. not Vol 2!), as she is a bit clutzy and accident prone. But who doesn't do that, these days?

When reporter Holly Colshannon (!) gets an assignment to shadow a police detective, she goes to the job with a great deal of trepidation. It's a big chance for her to get some articles published, and leave off reporting pet deaths for the weekly column.

The supporting characters are all humorously drawn, and quite real, from her theatrical parents to her maritially inclined friend, Lizzie.

Holly's arch enemies were occasionally sketched in charcoal, not pencil (a little heavy handed) but for the most part, this book is a delight.

It was nice to get a little peak into the blues working day & I am partial to office scenes, particularly when they are as well written as this. Liked the jokes, liked the camaraderie.

The action moves along at a swift pace, preventing the reader from getting bored with the storylines or the characters, and Sarah Mason has a deft touch with the humour.

Of course, I didn't think so initially, one of the first "funny" drama's in the book relating to items lodged in a delicate spot - but the novel improves, drastically.

Being a gal who can never get her L's and R's straight, I was delighted to find a soulmate in Holly, who confesses to the same problemo! Now I wonder how she is with a compass?...

Kotori - [e-mail]

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky reporter tangles with gruff detective, May 20, 2005

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playing James (Paperback)

Klutzy and quirky reporter Holly gets an assignment to shadow a police detective for the Bristol Gazette. She enters into the assignment with ambivalence, as it is her first real reporting gig, and she does not want to muck it up.

Her subject, James Sabine has no use for reporters and is pissed that he is stuck with her. He is chosen because he is about to go on leave and marry his society girlfriend. The brass don't want him involved in any heavy investigations, so the timing is perfect. She is busy with her own paramour, a burly rugby player who is also a commitment phobe.

The two snipe at each other constantly and barely acknowledge one another, while the rest of the station is nice to her and treats her well, secretly relishing James' situation. Of course, this is a mask for the pent up feelings both seem to be having for each other, though neither is willing to admit or act on it.

The situations are hilarious - as Holly engages in many Lucy & Ethel moments and tries James' patience (and somehow manages to become his fiance's best new buddy, getting invited to everything related to the wedding including the hen night). She suddenly realizes that she does not want James to tie the knot. But is it too late?

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT READ!!, July 29, 2004

By 

Gigi "Novel Reader" (Dyer, IN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Playing James (Paperback)

Playing James is a hilarious, romantic and suspensful novel all wrapped into one. I have friends that are in law enforcement and I can see them with some reporter tagging along behind them. I can definately relate to this book and the storyline. Right from the get-go the book moved right along and described the caracters right down to a tee. Like all books, you know who is going to end up with each other and I was so anxious to finish the book and find out what happened to Robin. I thoroughly enjoyed Sarah Mason's first novel and will be looking for her next one!