The Goliath Run

by Brad Smith

When a deranged loner kills twenty-six people in a Pennsylvania schoolyard, the country is stunned and devastated. Among those catatonic with grief is Jo Matheson, an organic farmer who has lost her goddaughter in the shooting. Sam Jackson, an egotistical right-wing TV talking head, has sliding ratings and faces imminent cancellation. He arrives in Pennsylvania and during a rant, he blames the parents of the dead children. He intends the tirade to be his last salvo but, incredibly, his ratings climb, while Jo watches from her farmhouse in upstate New York, incensed.Sam rides the wave, shouting that it's time to take the country back from the left-wing weaklings who don't have the courage to protect their children. When he is asked to run for Congress, he accepts and amplifies his message. Watching these developments in horror, Jo finally decides that there actually is something she can do.She kidnaps Sam's ten-year-old daughter.

304 pages, Hardcover

Published May 26, 2020

About the author

Brad Smith was born and raised in southern Ontario. He has worked as a farmer, signalman, insulator, truck driver, bartender, schoolteacher, maintenance mechanic, roofer, and carpenter. He lives in a eighty-year-old farmhouse near the north shore of Lake Erie. His novel, "One-Eyed Jacks" was nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize.

Some of his books that have been published include One-Eyed Jacks (2000), All Hat (2003), Busted Flush (2005), Big Man Coming Down The Road (2007), Red Means Run (January 2012) and Crow's Landing (August 2012).

Follow Brad on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/uQYcIw.

Reviews

[Brad Smith]

Outstanding!

[Bianca]

Such a brilliant book! I absolutely loved it. It should be on way more people’s radars!

[P.S.Wing · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2019 Smith won the coveted Spur Award of the Western Writers of America, joining previous winners and luminaries of the western novel such as Larry McMurtry, Louis L’Amour and Tony Hillerman. His previous novels have been described as country noir with good reason. Although now that I think of it, the fact that they are grounded in the crime genre doesn’t necessarily mean they employ the archetypes and tropes used by most contemporary crime writers. The authenticity of his dialogue, insightful characterizations, surprising plot twists and sometimes lyrical passages of unaffected sentiment make for a rewarding read.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading his past novels, all of which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, but The Goliath Run, his twelfth novel is on a whole different level. I don’t mean to say the quality of the writing surpasses his previous novels, more so, it’s the subject matter and political/social immediacy that distinguishes this book from the others. In The Goliath Run, Smith shifts gears and drills into the fractured political landscape of the United States of America, focusing on the ruthless, fear-mongering tactics that are employed by the worst of the right-wing media pundits.

Sam Jackson is one of those pundits, his spiralling TV career mired in mediocrity and plunging ratings. The writing is on the wall as the network prepares to cancel his flagging show, but he decides to go out in a blaze of glory when after a mass shooting occurs in a Pennsylvania schoolyard he delivers an incendiary commentary on camera. He blames not the deranged killer, but the parents of the murdered children for their progressive, cowardly and morally-corrupt beliefs and the resulting inability to protect their children. One would think his outrageous outburst, would be condemned across the board, but incredibly his ratings skyrocket. Before he knows it, he is recruited by two wealthy right-wing political power brokers to run for Congress.

Meanwhile Jo Matheson, owner of a small organic farm is in shock and overwhelmed with grief by the death of one of the children, her beloved god daughter Grace. She happens to see Sam Jackson’s despicable performance on tv and decides then and there that something has to be done. In retribution, she sets a series of events in motion with the aim of taking down Sam Jackson by exposing his true nature, that of a deceitful, duplicitous and power-mongering political opportunist.

Fast paced, engrossing and relevant, The Goliath Run will keep readers glued to the page. It’s also entertaining to guess which characters are fictional representations of the real media and political players who are intent on widening the gap of understanding between the political right and left. Brad Smith has written an extraordinary and courageous novel of our precarious times, and it’s not to be missed.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I wasn’t sure I was up for a book that involved a mass shooting, and a right wing radio host turned would-be politician. This book surprised me. It’s a quick, fast paced read with a satisfying ending. 👍🏼👍🏼

[Erika Robeznieks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting as it discussed the polarization in America with their political system. I was really rooting for Jo, even though what she did was wrong (oops.) I am excited to try reading more of Brad Smith's books.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy cow! How could I not know about this Canadian author? Fast paced. Kept me engaged and interested. Enjoyed the shorter chapters. Characters were fleshed out and realized. The relevance to the politics of today still stands (sadly). I will be reading more Brad Smith books.

[Kerry Craven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the sort of book I generally read, but I was definitely pulled into the story. Some strong, believable characters.

[Gillian Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read. The character development was amazing. The ending was unexpected. I enjoyed this book.

[Jack Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth

Mr. Smith has had a habit of telling truths since he first got published, and from a position of a real man knowing what is true and what false. Great stuff!

[Karen Kahansky]

2-2.5 stars. Found it boring and slow moving.