The Gym

by Kevin Cowherd

Jack Doherty is a walking mid-life crisis. Overweight and lonely, newly-divorced after a spectacular act of infidelity on the part of his wife and close to losing his job as a hotshot newspaper columnist, he joins a gym hoping for an existential do-over, if not washboard abs and bulging biceps. Another shot at romance wouldn’t hurt, either. One day a mysterious new member shows an incredibly-fit octogenarian who seemingly defies the ravages of age. Anthony Maldon does grueling one-handed chin-ups, withering jump-rope routines, amazing cartwheels and backflips -- all without breaking a sweat. No one has ever seen anything like this geezer phenom. But Jack and his new workout buddies soon learn that Tony Maldon harbors a dark 30 years earlier, he committed a horrific crime that earned him national notoriety, a long stretch in the slammer and the singular nickname “Oven Mitts.” Like Jack, “Oven Mitts” seeks his own form of redemption in this darkly-comic tale. And when the two are thrown together in a high-stakes fitness competition, an unlikely bond forms between the enigmatic ex-con and the struggling journalist, who just might walk away with the biggest story of his career.

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2023

About the author

Kevin Cowherd has been a writer for the Baltimore Sun since 1987, is nationally syndicated by the Los Angeles Time - Washington Post news service, and is the author of Last Call at the 7-Eleven, a book of selected writings published by Bancroft Press.

In 1990 he was honored by the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors for excellence in feature writing. He currently writes a sports column and blog for the Baltimore Sun.

He is also a humorist, and an experienced Little League coach. He lives with his wife and three children near Baltimore.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A humorous look at the different characters that frequent gyms; there were similarities to people I have encountered on my visits when I was a frequent gym-goer so it’s easy to relate to and laugh at others (and yourself) as they are portrayed. There are a lot of other issues covered here that are also easy to relate to but the story starts slowly and while it held my interest, I also found it easy to put down and not rush to pick it back up again. I did love learning about Oven Mitts and seeing how he atones for his mistakes. I just couldn’t connect to the story, as it worked back and forth between Jack’s gym time, work life, and issues with his wife.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Robbie Newell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very deceptive book- it looks like it's going to be light and fluffy like a cosy murder mystery, but it is so so so much more then that.

It's hard to define exactly what genre The Gym falls into but this is a great thing- it combines soo many elements of various genres that it starts of as a gang trying to solve a mystery, but it evolves into a comedy and feel good novel.

The Gym starts of a bit slow, but it soon turns into a ripping yarn with characters that will make you laugh and cry, scream at them, and before you know it, you've fallen in love with them (well most of them, the others you want to slap around a few times!)

Where this novel shines is that it will make you ponder things such as the futility of relationships, the ability for people to atone for their sins, as well as making you laugh out loud- and while you're laughing you'll go "huh" as you've just realised that the author has made you ponder something that has come out of left field!

This was a great read and I highly recommend it

[J. Wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who makes a habit of avoiding gyms, I must admit I had fun and more than a few laughs at the gym in Kevin Cowherd’s new novel. When Jack Doherty — a discontented newspaper columnist and recently divorced dad — wanders into the rundown “Ripped!” gym, he has no idea he’ll wind up paired with a notorious octogenarian ex-felon in a competition against a rich, pretentious gym nearby. But Jack doesn’t just lose pounds and gain muscles at “Ripped!”, he also gains a new group of friends and a love interest. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or if, like me, your idea of exercise is reading a book, you’ll have a good time at “The Gym,” without breaking a sweat.

[Doug Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick, entertaining book in which the plot is really just an excuse to make some interesting observations and share humorous anecdotes about gym life. It was an espresso appropriate story to read at the start of the year when “get back into shape” resolutions abound. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and volunteers provided an honest review.

[Lydia36writes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely hysterical! If you’ve ever been to an old, outdated gym, this hits even more. Truly a fun read