One of the joys of this reading-reviewing-and-interviewing hobby of mine is that in addition to speaking to some of my favorite writers, such as Robert Parker earlier in the week, I am also introduced to new writers, including Tim Green.

Green has written 11 other novels, as well as two non-fiction books. After playing eight years for the NFL and becoming a lawyer, he then worked as a featured commentator on A Current Affair, Good Morning America, NPR and FOX Sports.

American Outrage is read aloud by Scott Brick, who does an excellent job. Green's next book, described below, also sounds good.

Scott Butki: What was your intention with this story? Did you accomplish that?

Tim Green: My intent was to combine some of the themes I explored in a memoir I wrote titled A Man and his Mother, which was about the search for my own biological mother, along with my experiences working in tabloid TV, with an extremely ruthless and dangerous antagonist who could add a full measure of excitement to the story. I think the result is even better than I hoped for. I feel like the book moves fast and furiously and pulls all those elements together seamlessly. But, after all, I'm a little prejudiced.

Scott: How would you summarize this book for those unfamiliar with it?

Tim: The story is about Jake Carlson, an investigative journalist for the TV news magazine American Outrage. Jake's career is flagging when his adopted 13-year-old son, Sam, asks Jake to use his skills to dig up the identity of Sam's biological mom. Jake combines a career-saving story with the search for his son, only to uncover a story that includes him and his son as the main characters. Sam's adoption evolved out of an Albanian crime syndicate with an international human trafficking operation. When he unearths the Albanians, they are bent on killing Jake and his son to cover a crime that includes the corrupt US Congressman who is also the patriarch of an old wealthy New York family. With the cameras focused on him and his son, Jake has to run for his life and he soon learns that some secrets are best left undiscovered.

Scott: Did you ever work for a program as, well, sleazy as American Outrage?

Tim: I hosted A Current Affair, which I like to think wasn't as sleazy as American Outrage, but some of the ridiculous nature of what the show considered to be news is evident in the book. I, like Jake Carlson, found myself biting my tongue and rolling my eyes quite often.

Scott: This is the first book of yours I've read. (Well, listened to on audio.)
Are there any recurring characters? How does this novel match up against
your others?