LE MANS by Dakota Franklin: a superb review from Good Book Alert's J. A. Beard

[Andre Jute]

A proper bookman's review, a literary essay in its own right. Benjamin Pittman on Dakota Franklin's novel of Le Mans. http://coolmainpress.com/ajwriting/ar...
"The Fast Lane Just Got Faster!" 5 Stars out out 5
Or read it on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/MANS-novel-RUTH...

[Dakota]

And another five-star review here on Goodreads from Lynne (Tigger's Mum):

"I loved the book, a really fast paced read, literally. I could smell the petrol, it was so descriptive, the atmosphere and technical details were so accurate."

5.0 out of 5 stars

[Dakota]

I lifted "bookman's review" for my Kindle Boards page. Hope you don't mind. I also quoted some extracts from the big review on Amazon on my Kindle Boards page at http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php... It's the last post on the page. Hope Amazon doesn't mind.

[Sharon]

Great reviews, Dakota, and you are doing everything right!

Andre, you posted the link to the UK site, here's the US one: LE MANS a novel

[Andre Jute]

Thanks, Sharon. I've changed it, though there is of course no reason the British shouldn't belong to ROBUST -- and we do have some clearly British members.

Dakota, what Sharon said. Nobody cares about small stuff like that. Note though that Kindleboards has a definite rule about reprinting *whole* Amazon reviews, though no objection to printing extracts from reviews from anywhere complete with URL's to them. Amazon can't complain; that little falls under the fair use rules, and anyway it is standard industry practice for blurbs on books to use extracts from reviews without requesting permission. Besides, Kindleboards is an Amazon affiliate: sales attracted to Kindleboards by those extracts end up at Amazon.

The more times I see "bookman's review", especially now that others have picked it up, the more I'm struck by the essential rightness of a phrase thrown out in passing.

[Sharon]

For sure Andre, link to the UK should have been posted, just thought to add the US site.

I love my many UK friends, they have an endearing quirky view of things that sometimes puts us right...

[Dakota]

Another superb short review:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is terrific!
By John E. Entwistle "rational anarchy - I don't... (New York City)
Amazon Verified Purchase
LE MANS a novel (RUTHLESS TO WIN) (Kindle Edition)

I downloaded this book on a whim before a long flight, and couldn't put it down once I started reading it. A must for all car guys and a decent mystery too.

[J.A.]

My TBR is slowly moving this up to the top. Probably start on it in a few weeks.

I think the only book I ever read about racing before was a Harlequin NASCAR book (yes, they have a whole line of them). :p

[Andre Jute]

I wonder if I should add them to Dakota's reading list...

[Claudine]

HELL NO! We don't want the quality of her work to degrade Andre!

[Andre Jute]

LOL. Dakota has written a book set against NASCAR too, called "NASCAR First", and it's in the first tranche to be released. The heroine is a lesbian driver with a vivid turn of phrase.

Jeremy, there are quite a few good non-fiction books about racing, but when you come to fiction, people say things like, "Oh, there's The Green Helmet". That one's only half a century old. There are no writers in Dakota's class working in the field. Quite amazing, actually, considering that auto racing is the sport of preference of a large swathe of the educated middle classes, the same people who buy and read quality books.

[Sharon]

Yeah, and we are anxiously awaiting that book, Andre...

[Andre Jute]

Possess your soul in patience. There are several volumes of Dakota's series RUTHLESS TO WIN between LE MANS and NASCAR FIRST.

[Dakota]

Is it just me who's the last to know? Has anyone seen Jeremy Beard's review of LE MANS a novel? I thought he said he would publish it over the weekend, then I thought perhaps he meant the next weekend, and now it's almost a third weekend.

Or isn't the writer supposed to ask?

***

PS, the next book that some await "anxiously" is in final editorial stages and The Boss has sent me the blurb and the cover to test on you, see the thread "REQUIEM AT MONZA".

[Andre Jute]

I hope Jeremy's okay. I haven't seen him around much recently. Maybe his book has taken off and he's running around promoting it.

[Andre Jute]

J. A. Beard is "thoroughly seduced": "LE MANS is thrilling both on and off the track"

A superb review
LE MANS is thrilling both on and off the track
by Good Book Alert (J. A. Beard)
5.0 out of 5 stars
(extracts only)

Summary: American race car driver and engineer Mallory thinks her career is over after a bad crash. When an elite European racing organization offers her a job, she eagerly accepts. But in the high-stakes world of international racing, ethics and even the law mean little to those seeking an edge. Soon Mallory is thrust into a dangerous investigation that may cost her a lot more than her career.

Review: Before I started this book, I knew nothing about elite racing.

I mention this because I want to make it clear that driving, in general, just doesn't interest me much.

That's why it was so surprising to me that a book centered on auto racing so thoroughly seduced me. Heck, I hadn't even heard of the Le Mans race before, despite it being the oldest active auto endurance racing event.

Characterization forms the core strength of the novel. We're granted a clear and engaging POV via Mallory as she deals with her transition from being a broken down racing pariah to a valued member of an elite organization. She's a likable and proactive lead with just enough vulnerability to add appropriate weight to the more emotional parts of the narrative.

In addition Mallory is surrounded by a well-rounded and well-developed group of distinct and realistic personalities.

Although there are some departures to deal with Mallory's romantic interests, the primary plot focuses on a well-constructed and tension-filled mystery concerning a traitor among the racing organization staff. This plot, in turn, threads into an actual Le Mans endurance race.

I was able to experience the tension, excitement, and chess-like calculation involved in endurance racing. The book finally made me begin to understand what people see in auto racing, a triumph of both writing and accessibility. Even if you're all but completely ignorant about racing and/or cars (like myself), the narrative relates what you need to know without being intrusive.

No matter how you feel about racing, if you're looking for a fresh thriller, you should definitely check out this book.

Read the complete review.

[Dakota]

Great story keeps you riveted
By Christopher Wuestefeld (REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase
LE MANS a novel

This novel was excellent.

The pacing and characterization were both excellent. With two parallel story threads -- the growth of Mallory's career and a suspense mystery -- together with some foreshadowing, I was constantly eager to turn the next page, never wondering "when will this section end" as some books will do to you. Told from the first person, we see the vivid characterization of our protagonist, but also get a glimpse at other "real" characters as well.

Beyond that, the author is very knowledgeable about the thematic material. The portrayal of the art of race driving was very realistic, and the description of actual track features and historic personalities was well integrated, making a stronger book. All in all, it was a very well-told story.

— Extracts only. See the full review at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NUB1HC

[J.A.]

Very nice.

[Dakota]

REVIEW

Five Stars
*****
Fantastic!
by Sarah Dixon
Amazon Verified Purchase
LE MANS a novel (RUTHLESS TO WIN) (Kindle Edition)

I never thought I would be giving five stars to a book about racing!

I have just completed my first re-read and I loved it even more on reading it for pleasure. The story follows the main character, Mallory from her hospital bed following a pretty serious crash, to her first race at Le Mans. Along the way she solves the problem of who is selling the secrets of the team to the rivals. There is so much action in the story, I didn't feel like I stopped for breath. There was just enough technical racing information to keep me interested without feeling bored. I felt like I was racing alongside Mallory in the car at Le Mans. I loved her as a main character, she was strong and capable, even when her life is in danger, just the sort of person I would love to be!

The book would appeal to males and females alike and if, like me you have no interest in racing itself, you will love it if you are looking for a good mystery. By the time you get to the revelation of the guilty party, you will be hooked.

Le Mans is part of a series which follows different characters in the racing world. I will definitely be checking out the next books in the series.

(Extracts only from a review on Goodreads and Amazon UK.)

[J.A.]

Nice.

[Dakota]

Thanks, Jeremy. I'd better go to bed or I shall soon look like the mummy.

[Sharon]

Well done once again, Dakota.

[Andre Jute]

Interesting thing. Sarah, and Jeremy, and others who aren't necessarily into racing (indeed, hadn't thought it possible they could enjoy a book about racing), feel there is "just enough" technical information to help them understand why the technicalities are important, but "not enough to be boring". Your actual racing fans, on the other hand, wouldn't mind more of the same from an easily recognised expert. Indeed, the racing fans wouldn't mind more focus on the drivers, and on the races described from inside the car.

I mention it just as a matter of interest. I have no intention of advising Dakota to go in that direction. In the short term that may be one route to a shortlived popularity but in the longer term these novels must stand up as novels, not as reports of races. I think of Jon Cleary's The Green Helmet, a classic racing story which can be read with delight more than half a century after it appeared; the technology of the racing cars in it would be laughable to today's fan.

This is exactly the same consideration as was in our minds when Sharon and I earlier discussed whether Dakota's books should be constantly updated with the latest racing technology and rules in the various formulae described.

The other interesting thing is that Dakota, an engineer and therefore very likely sympathetic to the anoraks' demand for mo' techno, much mo' techno, got the balance so instinctively right.

[J.A.]

So, the hard-core racing fans wouldn't mind more, but weren't necessarily displeased, though, with the level already present?

[Andre Jute]

The sample of these remarks is pretty small, Jeremy, but I think they know Dakota gives them more than anyone else of what they crave. But I doubt we'll hear from the polite middle classes if they're dissatisfied -- they'll just stop buying Dakota's books. Perhaps we'll hear more from the fans of the next racing formula depicted in NASCAR FIRST, though that too has moved upmarket in recent years.

[Dakota]

You're sure to hear from the NASCAR fans when my lesbian driver hits the heartland of Southern manhood!