Customer Reviews

Scoop (Occupational Hazards, Book 1)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Occupational Hazards series gets its name from the seven Hazard siblings, all homeschool students and veterans of their parents' family clown business. After their parents' untimely deaths, the family business is sold and the sheltered Hazards are each forced to make their own way in the world, sans the clown masks. Scoop picks up five years after the deaths of the Hazard parents and centers on daughter Hayden and her job as an assistant to Channel 7 News producer Hugo Talley. In a station filled with a stressed producer worried over sagging ratings and the state of his marriage, a control freak anchorwoman experimenting with Botox, and a weatherman focused more on his image than actual weather fronts, Hayden stands out as an island of calm in a sea of chaos. When the local sewage plant explodes, Ray - a reporter who struggles to balance his desire to report news that matters with the constant demand for sensationalism and "fluff" - has to juggle his undercover investigation with an increasingly undeniable attraction to Hayden.

For someone whose name lends itself to the series title, Hayden Hazard is characterized not so much by her actions and point of view, but by how she is perceived by others. This is at once the main strength and as well as weakness of the novel. The book works well because of the engaging, funny, and very real group of characters with which Gutteridge populates her fictional news station. However, while Hayden is the supposed "center" of the book, Gutteridge chooses to reveal the bulk of her character, feelings, and emotions through the perceptions of other characters. Hayden never really grows in this book; instead, she exists as a rather flat, but nice, touchstone the rest of the characters revolve around.

I started reading Scoop expecting a novel centered on one character and their experiences, similar to Gutteridge's previous release this year, the fabulous My Life as a Doormat. Instead, what I discovered, much to my surprise, was a quirky ensemble story that made me feel like I was reading about the characters that populated the newsroom of the Mary Tyler Moore show. On that front, Scoop succeeds splendidly as a fast-paced, engaging read full of Gutteridge's trademark dry humor and lovable characters. The only drawback is that Hayden has a tendency to come across as one-dimensional and cardboard, something of a caricature of a homeschool student that doesn't ring true and can be rather annoying. The book is saved by Gutteridge's strong plotting, snappy dialogue, sense of humor, and ability to create characters (Hayden aside) that are quirky and funny and feel genuine as well as relatable.

Rene Gutteridge's diverse writing talent continues to amaze me! Scoop, the first in her Occupational Hazard series, details the inner workings of a television news team struggling in the ratings and looking for the one big "scoop" that will boost their popularity.

With a stressed out producer, a young and dedicated reporter, an ageing news anchor and an ethically-challenged news director, Channel 7's 10 o'clock news is looking down the barrel of oblivion if the team doesn't find a story so the news director sees no problem trying to make the news instead of just reporting it. Into this mix comes Hayden Hazard, assistant to the producer, Hugo, home schooled with an honesty about her faith that is both endearing and confronting to her colleagues. When their news anchor disappears, it seems Channel 7 finally has a story that will be a ratings winner and save their futures.

Rene gives fascinating insight into the stressful and fast paced news environment and fills it with genuine and unique characters. As always her writing is injected with humour yet with an underlying depth that encourages the reader to think and contemplate their own workplace behaviour. My only niggle with the book was not hearing more of Hayden's own "voice". Hayden is portrayed through the thoughts of her work colleagues and no doubt while I imagine this was a deliberate choice by Rene, it would have been great to hear directly from this interesting character.

Scoop has left me highly anticipating Snitch (releasing in May, 2007 ) and Skid (releasing in 2008).

Scoop is a creative novel with a well-done plot, fantastic dialogue, and great characterization. The setting is superb and I truly felt like I worked in a television news station throughout the story. Scoop is highly entertaining with a strong theme tucked within it's pages regarding the power of a true Christian witness to nonbelievers we work with.

Scoop also contained several points of view. On the one hand, I enjoyed getting to know the cast, but as a result, I didn't feel like I had much time to get to know Hayden Hazard--the main character. I think that was the downside to this otherwise riveting novel. I suppose seeing Hayden through others' eyes did work for the book, but by story's end I wished I'd had a chance to know Hayden more, to discover the way her mind worked. I really enjoyed her philosophy of life and how well the author portrayed it through her actions. Sometimes her naive perspective was downright funny. I also thought the author did an amazing job showing the various character arcs. Well done!

Overall I'd say I enjoyed Scoop enough to recommend it. Though not "hilarious", in my opinion, it did bring me indescribable satisfaction as I perused its pages. Most importantly, I didn't experience a dull moment in this novel. Not once did Scoop feel like a chore to read. I'm looking forward to reading more about the Hazard family though future books in the Occupational Hazards series.

I took Scoop along with me on vacation. I am now a great Rene Gutteridge fan! What a sense of humor her writing has. I've bought and read books with labels on them claiming that my money would be returned if I didn't find them hilarious. I didn't find them funny, but I never returned the books for my money back. Those books were okay - just not as funny as claimed.

But Scoop is a different story. From the obituaries prior to chapter one (Yes, I said obituaries.) forward throughout the book, I laughed and laughed and laughed some more.

Rene's characters are so real I'd like to meet them. Ray Duffey, news reporter, could be your next door neighbor. Hayden Hazard might be your sister. Roarke Keegan will bring tears to your eyes as you suffer with him through his trials. Your sympathies will go out to Gilda Braun, aging news anchor, as she nears the end of her broadcast career.

Scoop takes you into the world of broadcast news during an all-important sweeps week. For a small broadcast station in competition with a couple of larger ones in town, coming up with a scoop to bring in viewers is vital. So the hunt is on for a high-profile breaking news story.

Hugo Talley, Channel 7 news producer, is determined to make his station come out on top this year. So he orders his news reporters to be on the lookout. He knows, if they work hard enough, they will find him a good story. But a series of disasters within his news staff threatens to bury his goal and even lose his job for him. Can he save the week and bring Channel 7 out on top anyway? Or will Hayden Hazard, his new assistant, destroy the station with her goody-two-shoes act instead of helping him solve the problems? What does she mean anyway bringing prayer into the work place?

If you love romantic comedy, you'll rush out and get a copy of Rene Gutteridge's Scoop as soon as you can. And then, I'll bet you'll be like me and search for anything more by Rene that you can find.

Channel 7 News Director Chad Arbus demands News Executive Producer Hugo Talley, already popping anti-anxiety pills like candy, to raise the ratings or he loses his job. He has few options so Hugo turns to his long time anchor Gilda Braun asking her to change her image in order to bring in many new younger viewers. Stunned and somewhat humiliated, Gilda hesitantly agrees to "youthenize" herself starting with Botox treatment to smooth out the wrinkles.

However, a side effect of the treatment is a permanent smile that looks ghastly when the news is bad or serious. Humiliated, Gilda flees town, leaving Hugo in the lurch for a fast replacement. With no candidates, Hugo turns to his upbeat assistant Hayden Hazard though he has concerns with her lack of experience and her evangelical beliefs. Shockingly, Hayden is a major success with viewers.

Reporter Ray Duffey is attracted to her and shares her religious beliefs, but hides his conviction from the station managers and his peers unlike Hayden who prays out in the open. However, during an interview, a guest verbally attacks Ray on the air, who investigates his accuser learning the man has ties to a wastewater treatment plant explosion, subsequent cover-up, and though somewhat nebulously the missing Gilda.

The first Hazard sibling tale is a terrific inspirational story that lampoons its heroine when she comes out in taboo social settings with what seems like platitudes in spite of her truly believing. Hayden makes the story line work as her beliefs begin to impact those around her especially Ray and Hugo yet Rene Gutteridge also spoofs her message. This technique actually has the intended impact of strengthening the message that it is nothing to be ashamed of by displaying your religious beliefs in public. Readers will enjoy the opening of the Hazard brood with a bit of craziness inside a fine pleasant suspense.

Harriet Klausner

and this was no exception! I first read "My Life as a Doormat" and really enjoyed it. Then I read the entire Boo series, including the recent release of "Boo, Humbug!" I thought the Boo series were my favorite, until I read "Snitch", the sequel to Scoop. I usually don't read books out of order within their series, but it just happened. When I saw "Scoop" for sale at my Christian bookstore last week, I had to get it - and wasn't disappointed! Rene is hilarous and fun and so are her characters. They're all so unique, yet at the same time, incredibly realistic. I can relate in some way to every single one of them. I don't know how this chick doesn't run out of material, but every book is funnier than the last. Kudos, Rene! I'm recommending this one to everyone I know. =)

I saw in a previous review by another poster about the homeschooling aspect of this book, and they sounded a little offended. Well, I was homeschooled off and on growing up, and I wasn't offended in the least. Homeschoolers ARE generally more sheltered and naive to things in life, though of course there are exceptions. My sister and I were very active in our church youth group and had a ton of friends. I don't think we were "Weird" at all - though maybe that's up for debate =) I'm appreciative of my parents for homeschooling me, and do not feel that I missed out on anything in my life. If anything, I feel I have gained more because I had less of the world's negative influence.

So please don't be offended by the homeschooled character's portayal - I wasn't in the least. She was a fun character, a sweet girl, with talent and beauty. Who cares if she was naive or sometimes overly exerted her faith? She's an inspiration to luke-warm Christians who hold back from fear or doubt, and I think we could all learn from the character of Hayden Hazard - homeschooled, old schooled, or whatever else =)

Please read this story, and Snitch, #2 in the series. You won't regret it!!

This was the first book I've read by Rene Gutteridge. The back cover copy was intriguing enough for me to pick it up, and let me say that I was very pleasantly surprised by the great read.

This is the start of her Occupational Hazards series, following a family of homeschooled kids who helped their parents run a clown business until the parents' untimely death in a hot tub related accident. The adult children go off to find their way in this wacky world.

This book focuses on Hayden Hazard, who is unsure of what her place is, but is happily working at Channel 7 News as a temp for producer Hugo Talley. The story that Hugo is looking for to strike it big quickly becomes that of his own studio, as his aging anchorwoman has a Botox accident, his conscientious reporter is attacked on camera, and his designer weatherman...doesn't help very much. Will Hayden's determination and simple faith keep the place from falling apart, or expidite the process?

Gutteridge uses a very interesting technique of having Hayden be the point of view (POV) character only for the first and last chapters. Otherwise, other characters are the viewpoint for the book, and we get to know Hayden from their impressions from her, rather than getting in Hayden's head. I've noted other reviewers weren't sure of this technique, but I found it very enjoyable. It requires a lot of skill to pull this off and get to know Hayden, and I think it works very well with her talented pen.

What category is this book? HUMOR. This was one of the funniest books I've ever read. Gutteridge has a great way of keeping the unexpected flying at Channel 7, and the surprises keep you grinning throughout. The plot keeps you moving, but it is the characters and their interaction that makes this book a delight to read.

Overall it was the best book I've read in 2006 (and I read a lot of books!). Original, funny, and a great way to spend some time. I also really enjoyed the next book in the series, Snitch . You can see my blog review and interview with Rene Gutteridge at www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com (see November 2006 archives).

Scoop by Rene Gutteridge is the first book in the Occupational Hazards series. Book 1 introduces the Hazard family briefly, then jumps into the chaotic, entertaining world of a struggling, last place news operation. Hugo Talley is the executive producer totally devoted to his job and needing a little blue pill to take the edge off the stressful day. The staff is full of great characters: Brenda, the aging icon, Tate, the hansome anchor with one too many quirks, Ray, the quiet Christian, Roarke, the news desk man with the secret crush, and Hayden Hazard, the cute intern.

The novel jumps from scene to scene, capturing the craziness of a network news show during sweeps week. Many things go wrong, and Hugo Talley finds himself without an anchor while a big story is developing, a story that may just involve some of the employees at his station. The plot develops rapidly and personalities clash, and characters turn to the vain selfishness that dominates the news industry, or turn to the good that Hayden brings to the station.

Hayden Hazard, the focus of the series, grew up in a conservative home and was homeschooled. She seems out of place as she shares her faith with anyone that will listen. As a main character of the series, I feel she was somewhat underdeveloped. We really don't get to know much about her. For me, Gutteridge's strongest characters were the men, Ray Duffy, the hardnosed reporter, and Hugo Talley, the desperate producer.

This isn't a genre a usually read, but I enjoyed the novel very much. It is fun, fast paced, even suspenseful. The characters grow on you after awhile. I look forward to Snitch, the next book in the series, featuring Hayden's older sister Mack as an undercover police officer.

Scoop by Rene Gutteridge was on my to read list as soon as I heard about it. Rene is a terrific writer as evidenced by her Boo series. Her books are filled with quirky characters who you want to know or already know. Scoop is no exception to the rule. Hayden Hazard has left the family clown business and is trying to make it on her own in the high-pressure business of TV journalism. She's working at Channel 7, the perpetual loser in the ratings game. During sweeps week, the anchorwoman disappears, the sewage plant explodes, and a reporter is injured while investigating a pig farm. All Hayden can do is cling to her faith and try to help others find theirs. Hayden is a terrific character; she's who we all want our daughters to grow up to be. Gutteridge never writes stereotypes. The aging anchorwoman has dignity and intelligence. The harried director loves his family and is trying to do his best for everyone. Hayden touches everyone with her simple faith and sweetness. Gutteridge manages to insert clever humor throughout the book, not quite in the over-the-top manner of the Boo books, but in a more realistic, true to life way. This is the first book in the Occupational Hazards series, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading about the rest of the family.

Hayden Hazard is the new assistant to the Executive Producer at Channel 7. A former homeschooler, no one quite knows how to handle her upbeat outlook and faith that invades every aspect of her life.I cringed when I first saw she had been homeschooled. I ducked and waited for all the tired, old stereotypes to fly. Rene didn't rely on them. Instead, she painted Hayden as a young woman who was comfortable in her own skin, had a gut-level faith that flowed from her naturally (even as it made her colleagues uncomfortable), and had a basic level of common sense and wisdom that much of the world misses these days.

Hayden is the focal character, but only the first and last chapters are in her point of view. The rest were told from various colleagues points of view. There's Gilda, the slightly long in the tooth anchor; Ray, the agressive, hiding his light Christian reporter; Hugo, the pill popping executive producer; you get the idea. The story picks up as sweeps week descends on the station with Gilda mysteriously AWOL, Hayden suddenly sitting in her chair, a sewage plant exploding, and someone a viewer attacking Ray. Add Ray's desire to date Hayden and it makes for quite a mix.

If you're looking for a funny read, I think you'll enjoy this book by Rene. If you're looking for suspense, ala her Storm series, this one isn't for you.