When a pro golfer finds himself facing a series of ever-escalating threats on his life, he struggles to keep his mind on his career, new love, and an ever-increasing cast of characters around him, trying to keep him safe. Michael Balkind's novel Sudden Death is a mystery set in the world of the PGA. From ruthless competitors to greedy sponsors, the world of golf has never been this colorful.
Reid Clark is a PGA pro, gearing up to win the Masters Golf Tournament. A former hothead, Reid is working on changing his image to satisfy a multi-million dollar endorsement deal. As things start to go right in his professional life, he receives a threat from an unknown stalker, threatening to kill him if he wins the tournament at Augusta. He hires a contingent of security people to help him out, keeping him safe through his golfing while circling in on the would-be killer.
The characters, even smaller supporting ones like Reid's agent and mother, are fleshed out enough to give them a role in the story rather than as placeholders for scenes. The dialogue is fresh, especially in dealing with Reid's state of mind as the date of his supposed demise approaches.
The big letdown is the actual unveiling of the criminal. The mystery builds up but never delivers in the way that satisfies the build-up. Frankly, the book is better without it. The story of Reid's rise above his past, and the coming together of his personal life and career, is far more interesting and makes this book a good read. For any avid golfer, or even the casual weekend slicer, the book certainly holds appeal.
Sudden Death is not the most pulse-pounding thriller, nor the most perplexing mystery, but it is an interesting detour into a pro-sports world rarely captured in fiction.
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