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Dead Ball: A Novel of Murder and Passion
5 stars - "Dead A Novel of Murder and Passion by GP Hutchinson has it all - baseball, romance, murder, suspense, and history ... if [it] were to be made into a movie, it would skyrocket to the top." --Trudi LoPreto for Readers' FavoriteThe year is 1912--the height of a period that would come to be known as baseball's Deadball Era. Trick pitches and grimy, spit-stained, scuffed-up baseballs are the order of the day, as is aggressive base running where cleats are too often employed for more than simple traction.In a meaningless late-season game between two bottom-of-the-pack National League teams, talented rookie pitcher Hal Gerecke throws a fastball he'll regret as long as he lives. Rube Wannamaker, the popular plate-crowding batter Hal is facing, apparently never catches sight of the incoming pitch and winds up on the ground, unresponsive and bleeding profusely. When Hal refuses to finish the game, his budding Big League career comes to an abrupt end.Tragic news of the crippling outcome of Hal's pitch breaks quickly, and Hal immediately becomes the target of the vindictive aims of Rube Wannamaker's teammates, friends, and fans. In spite of the threats, it's Hal's concern for the wellbeing of Rube's young wife, not fear, that prompts him to forget baseball and return to the menial job he held before making it as a pro.But not everyone forgets Hal. When a new league--out to correct the more egregious ills of organized baseball--is established a year later, the new league's management eagerly seeks to sign Hal to play.With mixed feelings, he signs. When he returns to the diamond, however, he discovers all too soon the lengths to which his unrelenting enemies will go to ruin him or to see him dead.Each of the books in the America's Pastime Series is a standalone novel, and the series can be read in any order. So, if you've not yet read Over the Right Field Wall or Pickoff, you can jump right in with whichever era strikes your fancy--the 1890s, the 1910s, or the 1920s.
- GenresBaseball
447 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2020
54 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
G.P. Hutchinson
31 books51 followersThree-Time Winner, Readers' Favorite International Book Awards
"GP Hutchinson has the gift to tell a compelling tale, enlighten you without preaching and keep you on the edge of your seat. He takes you on unexpected trails populated by flesh and blood characters of depth and substance," says Western TV & movie star Alex Cord. Nick Wale of Novel Ideas says, "With great mastery GP Hutchinson paints a West I can see, feel and smell. [He] knows how to write, and he knows instinctively."
Hutchinson's first Western novel, "Strong Convictions," won the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best First Western of 2015, as well as a gold medal from the National Indie Excellence Awards. "Strong Suspicions," the second volume in the Emmett Strong Western series, garnered a gold medal in the 2016 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards. And "Strong Ambitions" took silver in the 2017 Readers' Favorite Awards.
In addition to his interest in the Old West, GP Hutchinson has been a longtime enthusiast of baseball, America's first true national pastime, a game played from coast to coast by the late 1800s. While he enjoys the game as it is played today, his most recent novels are tales of players caught up in life-and-death struggles during the early years of professional baseball. Steeped in the actual history of the game, as well as societal realities of the times, these stories feature both fictional and actual characters, teams, and leagues.
A graduate of Louisiana State University and Dallas Theological Seminary, Hutchinson has lived in Costa Rica and Spain. He currently resides in upstate South Carolina with his wife, Carolyn. Besides writing, he enjoys spending time in the mountains and horseback riding whenever the opportunity arises.
"GP Hutchinson has the gift to tell a compelling tale, enlighten you without preaching and keep you on the edge of your seat. He takes you on unexpected trails populated by flesh and blood characters of depth and substance," says Western TV & movie star Alex Cord. Nick Wale of Novel Ideas says, "With great mastery GP Hutchinson paints a West I can see, feel and smell. [He] knows how to write, and he knows instinctively."
Hutchinson's first Western novel, "Strong Convictions," won the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best First Western of 2015, as well as a gold medal from the National Indie Excellence Awards. "Strong Suspicions," the second volume in the Emmett Strong Western series, garnered a gold medal in the 2016 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards. And "Strong Ambitions" took silver in the 2017 Readers' Favorite Awards.
In addition to his interest in the Old West, GP Hutchinson has been a longtime enthusiast of baseball, America's first true national pastime, a game played from coast to coast by the late 1800s. While he enjoys the game as it is played today, his most recent novels are tales of players caught up in life-and-death struggles during the early years of professional baseball. Steeped in the actual history of the game, as well as societal realities of the times, these stories feature both fictional and actual characters, teams, and leagues.
A graduate of Louisiana State University and Dallas Theological Seminary, Hutchinson has lived in Costa Rica and Spain. He currently resides in upstate South Carolina with his wife, Carolyn. Besides writing, he enjoys spending time in the mountains and horseback riding whenever the opportunity arises.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 14, 2020
Wow, wrapped in a story of baseball it is a very wonderful tale of virtue and character. While it is about baseball, it isn't. Nobody is perfect but the author pulls you in to see the heart behind all the characters. He writes with a rich and mature understanding of the world. Christmas is coming and I can think of two people that this would be perfect for.
September 23, 2020
Murder, Mayhem and Baseball!
Being familiar with this author's dedication to historical fine writing, I was looking forward to receiving this free copy to read for review.
As a history buff and long-time baseball lover, no less a mystery fan I was hooked from beginning to end by this story. From Hutchinson's brief history of baseball's beginnings to the exciting conclusion of the story, this tale moves briskly. For anyone who has ever sat in the bleachers, the detailed play-by-play evokes the reminisce of popcorn and cracker jacks to the tune of bat and glove meeting baseball.
I am looking forward to further additions to this series.
Being familiar with this author's dedication to historical fine writing, I was looking forward to receiving this free copy to read for review.
As a history buff and long-time baseball lover, no less a mystery fan I was hooked from beginning to end by this story. From Hutchinson's brief history of baseball's beginnings to the exciting conclusion of the story, this tale moves briskly. For anyone who has ever sat in the bleachers, the detailed play-by-play evokes the reminisce of popcorn and cracker jacks to the tune of bat and glove meeting baseball.
I am looking forward to further additions to this series.
November 8, 2020
Good solid story and I enjoyed the historical aspect of baseball. I was rooting for Hal and Gracie the whole way. One pitch affected so many lives.
January 14, 2021
Outstanding Book!
First, I am baseball history buff and this book's accuracy was spot on. In fact, I was reading it with an eye to find mistake--I found none! Very impressive! Great research.
It's accuracy alone would have been enough to give it the highest marks. However,. The plot was fast paced, had lots of twists and turns and kept me wanting more. A great mystery.
A great read that I highly recommend to all, especially baseball buffs.
Although this book's plot stands on it's own, I want to find volume 1.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First, I am baseball history buff and this book's accuracy was spot on. In fact, I was reading it with an eye to find mistake--I found none! Very impressive! Great research.
It's accuracy alone would have been enough to give it the highest marks. However,. The plot was fast paced, had lots of twists and turns and kept me wanting more. A great mystery.
A great read that I highly recommend to all, especially baseball buffs.
Although this book's plot stands on it's own, I want to find volume 1.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 9, 2021
If you are a fan of baseball and you like suspense, Dead Ball: A Novel of Murder and Passion (America's Pastime Book 2) by GP Hutchinson is the perfect blend of both. This is the first book I have read by GP Hutchinson, and it did not disappoint. As a fan of baseball as well as a good book, I was pleased when this story pulled me in from the first chapter and never lost my interest. It is full of suspense, thrill and intrigue till the end. There is even a bit of sweet (not smutty) romance. But even if you are not a fan of baseball, please do not shy away from reading this one. Even those who do not watch the game will enjoy this thrilling and suspenseful story.
Who would have thought a dirty, scuffed-up baseball could change the trajectory of so many lives? Such thoughts certainly are not on Hal Gerecke’s mind as he pitches against a formidable fan favorite, Rube Wannamaker. Set in the Dead Ball Era of baseball, Gereke throws a pitch that injures and alters Wannamaker’s life forever. And so begins a spiral of suspenseful, unpredictable events.
Dead Ball: A Novel of Murder and Passion is packed full of good reading. I do not want to give the storyline away, but suffice it to say that this book has it all - history, suspense, romance, murder, surprise, revenge, perserverence.
This is a well-written novel with interesting characters, captivating storylines, and suspenseful twist upon suspenseful twist. It captivated me and kept my attention from the first chapter to the final sentence. I think I will have to check out other books written by the very talented GP Hutchinson.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Who would have thought a dirty, scuffed-up baseball could change the trajectory of so many lives? Such thoughts certainly are not on Hal Gerecke’s mind as he pitches against a formidable fan favorite, Rube Wannamaker. Set in the Dead Ball Era of baseball, Gereke throws a pitch that injures and alters Wannamaker’s life forever. And so begins a spiral of suspenseful, unpredictable events.
Dead Ball: A Novel of Murder and Passion is packed full of good reading. I do not want to give the storyline away, but suffice it to say that this book has it all - history, suspense, romance, murder, surprise, revenge, perserverence.
This is a well-written novel with interesting characters, captivating storylines, and suspenseful twist upon suspenseful twist. It captivated me and kept my attention from the first chapter to the final sentence. I think I will have to check out other books written by the very talented GP Hutchinson.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 12, 2020
By way of admission, I love baseball but I am generally not a mystery fan. So, I chose this book based on the connection to the “dead ball” era and not for the mystery aspect.
I was not disappointed. This is a fine baseball book. Even if you don’t like mysteries, I highly recommend it.
The story of pitcher Hal Gerecke is basically the story of Ray Chapman, the Cleveland Indians shortstop who was killed by a pitch (making him the only ball player ever killed playing in the major leagues). Unlike as was the case of pitcher Carl Mays of the Yankees (who threw the pitch that beaned and killed Chapman), Gerecke is a genuinely good guy and the beaning is an accident. The novel centers on the tension which develops between Gerecke and the brother of the player Gerecke accidently killed.
This book features excellent characters, a solid plot, and just enough 1910 flavor to feel historical without going over the top.
Not being a mystery fan, I don’t feel qualified to comment on that aspect. Also, while I think you could enjoy this book even if you were not a baseball fan, if you have no interest in sports, this probably would not be an ideal read. Baseball infuses this novel from start to finish, and if you don’t like the game, it probably won’t be the “right” book for you.
Five stars. Highly recommended.
I was not disappointed. This is a fine baseball book. Even if you don’t like mysteries, I highly recommend it.
The story of pitcher Hal Gerecke is basically the story of Ray Chapman, the Cleveland Indians shortstop who was killed by a pitch (making him the only ball player ever killed playing in the major leagues). Unlike as was the case of pitcher Carl Mays of the Yankees (who threw the pitch that beaned and killed Chapman), Gerecke is a genuinely good guy and the beaning is an accident. The novel centers on the tension which develops between Gerecke and the brother of the player Gerecke accidently killed.
This book features excellent characters, a solid plot, and just enough 1910 flavor to feel historical without going over the top.
Not being a mystery fan, I don’t feel qualified to comment on that aspect. Also, while I think you could enjoy this book even if you were not a baseball fan, if you have no interest in sports, this probably would not be an ideal read. Baseball infuses this novel from start to finish, and if you don’t like the game, it probably won’t be the “right” book for you.
Five stars. Highly recommended.
December 18, 2020
I really enjoyed "Dead Ball." I'm more of a straight historical fiction fan versus a fan of the subgenres of historical fiction, but I love a good baseball book, and this was a very good baseball book. As an Indians fan (I guess I can keep calling them that for awhile longer...), Rube's story obviously brought to mind the story of Ray Chapman, although having read a non-fiction book on the death of Chapman, there are significant differences, especially starting with Hal who is wholly likable and sympathetic. Hal and Gracie are excellent characters, and there was plenty of baseball, murder, and action to keep me turning the pages. The only thing that kept the book from being five-stars was the ending felt a little rushed; even though this was a somewhat long book, I would have liked to have spent a little more time with Hal and Gracie at the end. That being said, this was absolutely a well-written book and a very solid four-star read. I would definitely read another novel by the author without hesitation and have put his first novel in this series on my "want to read list." I've also recommended this book to a hardcore baseball fan who I think would really enjoy this story.
I received a review copy of this novel through BookSirens but this review is based on my honest opinion of the book.
I received a review copy of this novel through BookSirens but this review is based on my honest opinion of the book.
May 9, 2021
I became interested in this story because of the blurb. It offered some things I typically enjoy: baseball; historical fiction; and a tale of revenge. I give the author credit for doing a very good job of weaving these elements into a tale I found engrossing.
The amount of research into professional baseball at the turn of the 20th century was obvious. I enjoyed the focus on baseball other than the American and National Leagues.
The revenge portion surrounds the main character, Hal Gerecke, a pitcher who hit a batter, ending that player’s career, and permanently disabling him. Hal leaves baseball, but is lured back to baseball by a new league. There are other players and fans who believe that Hal should have received more severe consequences for that one pitch, and Hal spends the rest of the story facing various attempts to get that revenge, both on and off the field.
While the cover described this as a novel of murder and passion, I mostly felt after finishing as if I had read a cozy mystery.
I did receive a free copy of this story through BookSirens for an honest review.
The amount of research into professional baseball at the turn of the 20th century was obvious. I enjoyed the focus on baseball other than the American and National Leagues.
The revenge portion surrounds the main character, Hal Gerecke, a pitcher who hit a batter, ending that player’s career, and permanently disabling him. Hal leaves baseball, but is lured back to baseball by a new league. There are other players and fans who believe that Hal should have received more severe consequences for that one pitch, and Hal spends the rest of the story facing various attempts to get that revenge, both on and off the field.
While the cover described this as a novel of murder and passion, I mostly felt after finishing as if I had read a cozy mystery.
I did receive a free copy of this story through BookSirens for an honest review.
October 10, 2020
Old baseball fan's opinion
I started reading baseball novels at six or seven. At that age, they were largely John R. Tunis books about his Blue Sox major league who had the veteran pitcher Razzle Nugent and various rookies such as Vic Scales, a young third baseman from the wrong side of the tracks. Showboat Slot was a rookie who was sure he only needed his heater to succeed. This book is one that will stick in the mind of this 72 year old lifetime baseball fan as well as all those Blue Sox books from my childhood. Thank you for writing it.
I started reading baseball novels at six or seven. At that age, they were largely John R. Tunis books about his Blue Sox major league who had the veteran pitcher Razzle Nugent and various rookies such as Vic Scales, a young third baseman from the wrong side of the tracks. Showboat Slot was a rookie who was sure he only needed his heater to succeed. This book is one that will stick in the mind of this 72 year old lifetime baseball fan as well as all those Blue Sox books from my childhood. Thank you for writing it.
November 10, 2020
This is a book about the early days of baseball. The rules of the game were different than today. People played baseball with no lighted fields, they sometimes got hurt, and tried to increase the audience for America's game.
This book is an excellent read. It is interesting to read about the time period and how the game was played. Even if you have no interest in baseball you will enjoy this book. Baseball fans will also really enjoy this story. I would recommend this book.
Thank you to #goodreads,the The Hutchinson Group and the author.
This book is an excellent read. It is interesting to read about the time period and how the game was played. Even if you have no interest in baseball you will enjoy this book. Baseball fans will also really enjoy this story. I would recommend this book.
Thank you to #goodreads,the The Hutchinson Group and the author.
December 21, 2020
Decent characters. Decent plot. Great premise based on early baseball. What took this book down was incredible verbosity. If the book was 100-125 pages shorter, it would have been great. So much cogitation that didn't move the book whit, the novel cried out for an editor with a pair of scissors. Too bad. The story had great potential.
May 12, 2021
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this fascinating book!
I am a huge fan of baseball, yet I had never heard of the one time a player died after being hit by a pitched ball.
This book is fiction based on that incident, and it was riveting. I could not put it down. Anyone interested in baseball, who might be looking for a gripping story about romance, murder, and revenge should read this book.
I am a huge fan of baseball, yet I had never heard of the one time a player died after being hit by a pitched ball.
This book is fiction based on that incident, and it was riveting. I could not put it down. Anyone interested in baseball, who might be looking for a gripping story about romance, murder, and revenge should read this book.
December 8, 2020
this was a unique read in the mystery novels, I liked the use of baseball and enjoyed trying to figure out who did it. The characters were great and it was a fun mystery.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 26, 2020
Historical fiction, mystery, baseball all wound into one book. An entertaining story, with interesting characters. Some nice research into the early days of baseball. I think Gracie could have used a little more development.
October 6, 2020
Baseball and historical mystery, really great. Interesting locales in the early part of the 20th century
December 9, 2021
Good Characters and Good Baseball. Baseball played in it's days of GLORY.
Downloaded Books 1 & 3 early this morning.
Downloaded Books 1 & 3 early this morning.
December 8, 2021
The baseball was nearly black, incredibly hard to see by the later innings of a game being played in 1912. Popular Rube Wannamaker crowded the plate as usual and did not flinch, did not even see the fastball barreling down the plate. Pitcher Hal Gerecke had no intention of hitting Wannamaker-- the ball was actually a strike-- but Wannamaker was nearly killed by the force of the ball crushing his skull.
In "Dead Ball" GP Hutchinson tells how Gerecke rebuilds his life after dealing with the backlash from fans, teammates, and the family of the injured player. He initially drops out of baseball and tries to blend back into the world away from the spotlight, but a return to baseball beckons with the new Mutual League starting up. Threats are made against him and his girl as he re-emerges, culminating in an attempt made on his life by a suspect who will not give up.
While "Dead Ball" is a work of fiction, the setting is authentic and conveys the feeling of old time baseball, an era otherwise hard to get a feel for based on old photos and statistics. As the main character Gerecke is sympathetic, even if he seems a little too perfect-- the projected Steve Garvey all-American good guy image to a fault.
I was prompted to read up on the old Federal League and see how history comes to life with a little added background."Dead Ball" is an easy, fun read and highly entertaining. I will be looking out for more from GP Hutchinson.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In "Dead Ball" GP Hutchinson tells how Gerecke rebuilds his life after dealing with the backlash from fans, teammates, and the family of the injured player. He initially drops out of baseball and tries to blend back into the world away from the spotlight, but a return to baseball beckons with the new Mutual League starting up. Threats are made against him and his girl as he re-emerges, culminating in an attempt made on his life by a suspect who will not give up.
While "Dead Ball" is a work of fiction, the setting is authentic and conveys the feeling of old time baseball, an era otherwise hard to get a feel for based on old photos and statistics. As the main character Gerecke is sympathetic, even if he seems a little too perfect-- the projected Steve Garvey all-American good guy image to a fault.
I was prompted to read up on the old Federal League and see how history comes to life with a little added background."Dead Ball" is an easy, fun read and highly entertaining. I will be looking out for more from GP Hutchinson.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews