The Bad Beat

Burn Notice #5

by Tod Goldberg

BASED ON THE HIT USA NETWORK TV SERIES

Michael Westen is still in Miami, trying to survive as a spy without a country. Brent Grayson is a nineteen-year-old college kid who claims to own a company that doesn't really exist.

And Michael has to save Brent's father from loan sharks and fend off sinister Russian businessmen who see every takeover as an opportunity to be hostile.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Espionage, Ebooks, Media Tie In, Action

276 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

About the author

Tod Goldberg is the New York Times bestselling author of sixteen books of fiction, notably the acclaimed Gangsterland quartet: Gangsterland, a finalist for the Hammett Prize; Gangster Nation; The Low Desert, a Southwest Book of the Year; and Gangsters Don’t Die, an Amazon Best Book of 2023 as well as a Southwest Book of the Year. Other works include The House of Secrets, which he co-authored with Brad Meltzer, and Living Dead Girl, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His short fiction and essays have been anthologized widely, including in Best American Mystery & Suspense and Best American Essays, and appear regularly in the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and Alta. Tod Goldberg is a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside, where founded and directs the Low Residency MFA program in Creative Writing & Writing for the Performing Arts. His next novel, Only Way Out, will be released this fall from Thomas & Mercer.

Reviews

[audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly readable and very, very in-character for the main leads. A little confusing with the POV-switches (p.43, meet Sam's brain! p.99, suddenly we're Fiona!) but very snappy dialog and clean, polished writing, tons of Miami placeporn and exactly zero input required from my brain, which needed a quiet lie-down.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since this written series is based on the TV series the characters and plot lines are similar. This book features the same irreverent light hearted bantering, philosophy a la spy and rascally heroes as the show. A light but very entertaining read should you fancy our society's absurdity.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I’m not a big TV watcher, but I really loved Burn Notice - the explosions, the interplay between the cast, the humor, and the overarching story interspersed with Michael’s client of the week.

The book did a really good job with Michael’s voiceover, but Sam and Fiona didn’t sound like themselves. Some of the dialogue and things that were said didn’t fit with their personality on the show.

The story was interesting, and it’s always fun to see Michael save the day. I love Michael Westen.

[Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good 'Burn Notice' book and this one in a few short lines here and there did one thing the actual show hasn't been able to do, and that's give me a reason as to why Michael's so keen on figuring out who burned him and going back to being a spy. I've always kind of agreed with Fiona when she questioned why he was so keen on pursuing his quest and this book finally gave some insight that made sense to me.
Plus this book has Sugar in it. Then, about 3/4 of the way through, brought in Barry too! Double score. =D

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun, solid entry in the series. The story is a little weak, but, except for being a little too political, Goldberg absolutely nails the feel of the show and the voices of the characters. His writing is far better and much more clever than what you generally expect from TV show tie-in novels, and Goldberg apparently realizes that--which is possibly why this book is his Burn Notice swan song. Too bad. I would have liked to see him continue for as long as possible.

[ladywallingford · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not bad...for the most part, I even think the author got the characterizations right on par with the series. However, it's hard novelizing some of the aspects of the show in my opinion and it shows. I would definitely read more though.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and I think the author did a great job portraying the characters. I like how Fiona and Sam were written in third person pov, but Michael was written in first person pov. It really made it seem like it was a lost episode of the show, but in written form. I am a huge fan of the TV show so I really loved this book.

[George Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not seen the TV series and just happened across this, after reading a section from Tod Goldberg's new short story collection. The dialogue is SNAPPY, the narrative fluid, the pacing fast, the plot at least okay. A very entertaining diversion.

[Mike nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding work!

The books were as good as the TV show for sure! Please keep going…..im sure im not the only one who would love to see what life past the show is like .

[Giovanni Gelati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure to interview Tod Goldberg yesterday on my blogtalk radio show The G-ZONE; he was a blast! I will put the link a little further below. Now that being said, I had finished the novel a little bit ago but wanted to wait until I got a chance to listen to him before I put this out. For those of us that have enjoyed this series of novels thus far, I want to say thanks to Tod Goldberg for 5 fun reads. Sadly “The Bad Beat” is his swan song as he moves on to other projects we can look forward to in the future. My take on the novel is pure glee; I just love the series. They are great bursts of insight into the characters that we can’t get from the show, getting an inside glimpse at what goes on between the ears of Michael, Sam and Fiona. Goldberg is fortunate to get scripts from the show so he doesn’t replicate scenes that have appeared in the show. He has an uncanny way with words and a gift of edgy humor that puts his stamp on the characters and the series. I for one feel fortunate to have read all five and can say without a doubt if you have not read any of them, you should pick one up, it doesn’t matter which one; they are all fine to read out of order. Go for the ride with Michael Weston and friends, you will not be burned.
Here is the link to yesterday’s show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatiss...
“ Michael Westen is still in Miami, trying to survive as a spy without a country. Brent Grayson is a nineteen-year-old college kid who claims to own a company that doesn't really exist. And Michael has to save Brent's father from loan sharks and fend off sinister Russian businessman who see every takeover as an opportunity to be hostile.”
Tod Goldberg
“Tod Goldberg is the author of the novels Living Dead Girl, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Fake Liar Cheat & Burn Notice: The Fix, as well as the short story collection Simplify, winner of the Other Voices Short Story Collection Prize and a finalist for the SCBA Award in Fiction.”
New from Trestle Press authors this week: Chantal Boudreau “Weighing Fate”, Mark Cooper “How I met Your Mother”, Darren Sant “A Good Day”, Mark Miller “Daniel’s Lot” & “Meant to Be”, Wenona Hulsey “Burden of Blood”, Joan Meijer “The Rescue”, Robert Ford “The Curse of The Translucent Monster”, Laurie Bowler “Fangs, Inc. The Tortured Revelations”, Michelle Vasquez “Second Hand Bookstore”, Ed & Eunice Vought “Best Friends #4”

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tod Goldberg has written a fun fanfiction - er, sorry, novel - about the characters in the USA station's Burn Notice. It has pretty much everyone in the novel, including minor characters, Sugar, the drug dealer, and Barry, the money launderer.

In this particular story, Sam gets Michael (and Fiona and Maddy) involved when Sugar contacts Sam regarding a friend/client of his, Brent, and Brent's need for help with some Russians. Sugar led Sam to believe this would be an in and out proposition, but Brent's in far more dire trouble than just a couple of strong-arms; he's in debt to not only Yuri Drubich, who has been giving Brent money in hopes of sealing a deal regarding wind technology that just doesn't exist, but Brent's dad, Harry, is even more in debt to Big Lumpy, who is the boss in gambling, not just in Miami, but with a reach all the way to Las Vegas and possibly beyond.

It's up to Michael to broker a deal that will let Yuri get captured - and deported - by the government, while also keeping Brent and Harry alive through Big Lumpy's graces. The fact that Big Lumpy has side plans of his own throw spanners in the mix, and Michael's got enough going on that he might make a misstep if he's not careful.

A fun, quick read for fans of the television series. Don't be looking for any new insights on the characters, though.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite of the series of Burn Notice books. This one seemed shorter to me. I enjoyed the twists, even though they were somewhat predictable and I loved that I could hear Michael, Fi and Sam in my head while I read their parts. What I didn't like was how the Brent character was simply too much of a "stupid teenager" to be believable to me. I think the author went too far with that. Also, in this book the author decided to make the cast all hardcore liberal Democrats, blasting Republicans and conservative thought as obviously wrong. This is a probably deal-breaker for me. If that trend continues, I'm out. Please don't politicize my favorite characters like that. I don't want them to be hardcore Republicans or Democrats. Leave politics and religion out of this entire story line. Lastly, although the author is usually pretty good at referencing current technology, he lost credibility when the characters used "zip drives full of data". LOL, what is that, like 120MB? Zip drives went out of favor like 10 years ago. I don't even think they're sold anymore.

[Martin White · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in which I thought the author managed to get the tone of the characters and series throughout his book. the plot took twists and turns you didn't see coming, in part because I'm still not sure they made a lot of sense. I think the overall plot of book #3 was better, but he didn't do as good a job bringing it through the Burn Notice viewpoint as he did this one. I felt like Mike and Sam had some sense of their TV show humor about them, and Fiona was FINALLY more than just a female prop who like to blow things up. Where in the show she would often be sarcastic with her "we could just shoot them" type lines, far too often in the books she really meant it when it made no sense, or would just be outright stupid. The fact that this is Tod's last book is mildly disappointing, because he just now seems to have got things right with the tone and characters. The fact that the other books just aren't all that good makes it only a mild disappointment though.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't - in the past - been awfully fond of books based on tv series. This particular book is noticeably different.

Mr. Goldberg captured the characters perfectly! I have been a fan of the Burn Notice series on tv since the very first episode. As I read this book (available from the library for my Nook) I could just hear the characters' voices in my head. The dialogue, the plot and the execution of the whole was absolutely spot-on. I felt like I was watching the program in my head, it was so accurate.

I was disappointed that there had to be the seemingly required (but to my mind unnecessary and unwelcome) language. It so demeans the writing and the characters. And I don't enjoy reading or hearing it.

I plan to read the other books in the series - this one makes them "must reads."

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This Burn Notice book covers a adventure not covered by the tv series. Michael is brought in by his former drug dealing neighbor Sugar to help one of his clients who is being threatened by loan sharks attempting to collect gambling debts owned by his father and the Russian Mafia who is after a fake technological advancement that he created for a school project and used to embezzle money from them. Ok read

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Sam and Michael think is a simple job of helping out a guy hounded by loan sharks becomes much more complex when they find Russian mobsters are also after the guy. While the climax felt weak, overall the book was still good.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so amazed when I read books based on TV series by writers that don't write for the show but absolutely nail the characters' voices and actions one-hundred percent. The plots here was equally well woven. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on a Burn Notice kick, so of course I enjoyed this book. It's a super quick read, and if you like the show, you'll love the books. You can hear Jeffrey Donovan's voice when you read the spy tips, and the characters are very true to the ones on the show. Fast and fun.

[Helaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of the TV show so thought I would give this a try as "airport reading." Goldberg didn't disappoint--toed the TV line well. A quick read among terminal distractions.

[Amanda Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a writing class from the author a few years ago and finally made a point to read one of his books. I enjoyed it!

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tod Goldberg writes all the characters so well that I can hear Michael, Fiona and Sam in my head!

[Starfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. Silly. Everything I expect from a Burn Notice book. Next!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these books, I feel like I'm watching an episode of the show. Only with a touch more introspection into Michael, Sam, and Fiona's thoughts.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing follows the same style as the show. I can hear Michael's voice as I read. It's a quick read.

[Hazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good companion to the TV series. The character voices are spot on and I like getting a little extra insight into the characters.

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like the show, you will like the book. Easy read.

[Joel Gomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as a two part episode, only it lasts longer. Excellent tie-in. Michael, Sam, Fionna and all the other character are as vivid on ink as they are on the screen. Goldberg truly delivers.

[Phyllis Swain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I really enjoyed the show and reading all 4 of the books!

[Monica Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were more in the series. Enjoyable to read.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting web of people, with an odder ending than usual.