Rene Gutteridge, Scoop

Scoop

Rene Gutteridge

WaterBrook, Oct 2006, $12.99

ISBN: 1400071577

Channel 7 News Director Chad Arbus demands News Executive Producer Hugo Talley, already popping anti-anxiety pills like candy, to raise the ratings or he loses his job. He has few options so Hugo turns to his long time anchor Gilda Braun asking her to change her image in order to bring in many new younger viewers. Stunned and somewhat humiliated, Gilda hesitantly agrees to "youthenize" herself starting with Botox treatment to smooth out the wrinkles.

However, a side effect of the treatment is a permanent smile that looks ghastly when the news is bad or serious. Humiliated, Gilda flees town, leaving Hugo in the lurch for a fast replacement. With no candidates, Hugo turns to his upbeat assistant Hayden Hazard though he has concerns with her lack of experience and her evangelical beliefs. Shockingly, Hayden is a major success with viewers.

Reporter Ray Duffey is attracted to her and shares her religious beliefs, but hides his conviction from the station managers and his peers unlike Hayden who prays out in the open. However, during an interview, a guest verbally attacks Ray on the air, who investigates his accuser learning the man has ties to a wastewater treatment plant explosion, subsequent cover-up, and though somewhat nebulously the missing Gilda.

The first Hazard sibling tale is a terrific inspirational story that lampoons its heroine when she comes out in taboo social settings with what seems like platitudes in spite of her truly believing. Hayden makes the storyline work as her beliefs begin to impact those around her especially Ray and Hugo yet Rene Gutteridge also spoofs her message. This technique actually has the intended impact of strengthening the message that it is nothing to be ashamed of by displaying your religious beliefs in public. Readers will enjoy the opening of the Hazard brood with a bit of craziness inside a fine pleasant suspense.

Harriet Klausner