Running Mates [Hardcover]

John Feinstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 1992

In search of the big story, newspaper man Bobby Kelleher finds it when the governor of Maryland is assassinated, and soon he is caught up with jealous rival reporters, a six-foot-tall feminist, and the ex-head of the local KKK.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this entertaining fiction debut, journalist Feinstein ( Hard Courts ) displays a gritty knowledge of the political scene. When Washington Herald reporter Bobby Kelleher investigates the assassination of Maryland governor Barney Paulsen, he initially wonders whether Jamelle Touretta, leader of the radical Females for Freedom, may have engineered the murder so that a woman, Lt. Gov. Meredith Gordy, could take power. But then Kelleher discovers that right-wing whacko Jimmy Dumont was also present at the scene of the shooting. Kelleher locates Dumont, whom he had known during their college days, but is nearly killed in the confrontation. Soon after, Dumont, who is connected to an extreme pro-life group, is reported dead. Urged by his publishers to keep ahead of the competition, Kelleher is aided by his young partner Maureen McGuire and by Gordy, who is worried by her top aide's friendship with Touretta. Kelleher finally links the feminist leader with Dumont, although ferreting out proof of the alliance of feminists and pro-lifers often puts him in mortal danger. A strong, surprising resolution caps this thriller that delivers on its promise despite its protagonist's occasionally larger-than-life heroism and incredible luck.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Strangely plotted but captivating political thriller--the first in a series--by the best-selling nonfiction author of A Season on the Brink (1987), A Season Inside (1988), etc. Feinstein, a reporter for The Washington Post, spent two years covering the State House scene in Annapolis, and his love for that town comes through strongly here. For three years, Bobby Kelleher, a political reporter for the Washington Herald, has split his Maryland State House coverage with Maureen McGuire. She's a craftsmanly reporter and slated for the paper's national section next year. If Bobby doesn't get a big hit of a story before then, he'll be stuck in local news and may even have to resign to save face. Then the story hits, and Bobby's shirt gets covered with blood when Governor Barney Paulsen is shot by three gunmen in the State House while giving his state-of-the-state-speech. Part of the story's enjoyment is in watching rival reporters measure each other's leads as each paper tries to keep ahead of the other in solving the murder. What's strange about the plot is that the heavies who appear early are not red herrings. Well, there are some surprise heavies behind the nastier heavies. Is the amazonian Jamelle Touretta, a six-foot redhead who presses 250 pounds daily and is the head of FFF (the pro-choice Females for Freedom), really behind the assassination? It doesn't make sense: the late governor himself was pro-choice, as is Lieutenant Governor Meredith Gordy, who is now governor. What role does the anti-abortionist Love of Life group play? And how about Jimmy Dumount, a local Ku Klux Klan leader who was seen in the State House just before the governor was shot? Much fun while Bobby avoids sure death three times and meets deadlines but agonizes over having broken the commandment ``thou shalt not go to bed with a news source.'' -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: Villard; 1st edition (March 24, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679412204
• ISBN-13: 978-0679412205
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,721,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Feinstein spent years on the staff at the Washington Post, as well as writing for Sports Illustrated and the National Sports Daily. He is a commentator on NPRs "Morning Edition," a regular on ESPNs "The Sports Reporters" and a visiting professor of journalism at Duke University.His first book, A Season on the Brink, is the bestselling sports book of all time. His first book for younger readers, Last Shot, was a bestseller.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Running Mates Tells Wild Tale of Reporters and Politicians, July 21, 2005

By 

Amy Senk "Read it, Loved it" (Orange County, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Running Mates (Hardcover)

Running Mates tells the story of reporter Bobby Kelleher, a political beat writer whose ordinary day in the Maryland capitol is shattered when assasins attack the governor during a speech. Kelleher and his colleague, Maureen McGuire, chase the story over the next few days as it twists and turns and ends in a dramatic climax.

Kelleher is a likeable reporter, and Feinstein nails the dynamics of newspaper politics. Editors, publishers and assorted staffers are described perfectly, and he gives a real sense of competition among daily papers and the reporters out digging for new leads. Some elements of the plot strain the reader's credulity, however, and the various conspiracies take a lot of concentration to track. Nonetheless, it's an interesting and fast-paced thriller.

At times the writing seems a bit awkward, with maybe too many inane details and sexual situations. But overall, it's a great first work of fiction from a talented writer. A sequel would be interesting, now that Kelleher's character is established. It would be fascinating to see what he covers next, and how long his editors' happiness with him lasts.