Spike It

By Charles Niles

Book Overview

Facing the possible loss of his job within hours of stumbling upon the story that may save his career, alcoholic radio reporter Sam Ridley accepts an offer from a mysterious informer who calls himself Shark. Original.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425165655
• ISBN13: 9780425165652
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.1" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Excellent debut novel

Reporter Sam Ridley works for the London station City Radio. After accidentally uttering the f-word on a news broadcast he's demoted to working on the station's daily women's programme, Female AM. But that does not deter Sam from following up the case when the battered body of a woman is discovered near his home in Ladbroke Grove. Although pressured by his new boss, the dreaded Felicia, to work on subjects such as cosmetic surgery for children, sex for septuagenarians, aromatherapy, and infertility, Sam manages to suggest the topic of women's attitude to violent crime, and uses that as the excuse to pursue the murderer, encountering many varied strands of London low-life in the process. This is the first novel from New Zealander Chris Niles. She has previously worked as a television and radio journalist around the world, and is currently with CNN in London, which probably explains how she is able to make life at City Radio so believable. The novel is fast-moving, with much humour, good plotting and a strong, hard-boiled approach that should endear her work to many readers. An excellent debut, with hopefully more in a similar vein to follow.

absorbing and realistic; a must-read

Sam Ridley is a tough new breed of hero: fallible, human, and completely likable. the writing is tight, the plot is spare and the characters are lean, nothing extra to detract from this really good novel. The ending is almost abrupt, and my only complaint is that it came a little too soon.

This book was brilliant, I would recommend it to anyone

What can I say about this book except that it was the most enjoyable book that I have read in ages.Although the final outcome didn't exactly click together with the rest of the story, the characters were believable and the story line remained strong through out. I think what I appreciated the most about this story was the main character's witty sense of humour and his ability to rise to the occassion. I wish that I knew someone like Sam Ridley in real life.I am looking forward to reading the next Sam Ridley mystery novel.

Readers who like a noir mystery have to try this one

In London, radio reporter Sam Ridley is a social drunk, meaning he seems to always be inebriated at his neighborhood pub, but manages to do his job. Late one night after an evening of extended binging on scotch, Sam returns to his flat. As he is entering his apartment, he receives a call from the radio station, informing him that a murder was committed near where Sam lives. Unable to explain that he is too drunk to investigate, Sam agrees to make inquiries. In spite of his tipsy body and hazy brain, Sam soon learns that the victim is Elaine Yorke and her baby is missing. The next morning, Sam does his newscast and runs into technical problems. Thinking that he is off the air, the hung over reporter inadvertently utters the F-word on live radio. Sam is immediately placed on probation and assigned to conduct research for the daily women's programming. Meanwhile, the killer is ready to talk on the air and Sam is ready to listen. It has been a long time since London swings like it has in SPIKE IT. The captivating story line is witty as it provides readers a glimpse into the life of a hard boiled reporter, whose exile is a form of a personal hell. Chris Niles shows talent for scribing an insolent, hip and brazen novel that is sure to bring him many fans, who will clamor for more Ridley tales.Harriet Klausner

If you like noir, buy this

In London, radio reporter Sam Ridley is a social drunk, meaning he seems to always be inebriated at his neighborhood pub, but manages to do his job. Late one night after an evening of extended binging on scotch, Sam returns to his flat. As he is entering his apartment, he receives a call from the radio station, informing him that a murder was committed near where Sam lives. Unable to explain that he is too drunk to investigate, Sam agrees to make inquiries. In spite of his tipsy body and hazy brain, Sam soon learns that the victim is Elaine Yorke and her baby is missing. The next morning, Sam does his newscast and runs into technical problems. Thinking that he is off the air, the hung over reporter inadvertently utters the F-word on live radio. Sam is immediately placed on probation and assigned to conduct research for the daily women's programming. Meanwhile, the killer is ready to talk on the air and Sam is ready to listen. It has been a long time since London swings like it has in SPIKE IT. The captivating story line is witty as it provides readers a glimpse into the life of a hard boiled reporter, whose exile is a form of a personal hell. Chris Niles shows talent for scribing an insolent, hip and brazen novel that is sure to bring him many fans, who will clamor for more Ridley tales.Harriet Klausner