Paxson (A Golden Trail of Murder) explores the blurring line between noteworthy events and media sensationalism in his third novel, an intriguing but undisciplined book that begins when a TV station in Texas tries to boost ratings by using a computer-generated Elvis to host a late-night talk show. Nick Upton is the veteran newsroom director who suddenly finds himself with a hit on his hands, but success quickly gets the best of his boss, power-hungry businessman Clare Leese, when the show gets picked up for national syndication. Leese can't resist using Elvis's renewed popularity to generate a series of news incidents that have tragic consequences, particularly when a child rape victim is identified on the air. Upton tries to rein in his boss's power play, but his one valiant attempt to sabotage Leese makes him realize that he is little more than a pawn in a media chess game. Paxson's narrative shows plenty of quirky charm in the early going, particularly in the chapters describing the creation of the talk show and its unlikely success. But he goes over the top in plotting the faked and embellished news stories, so much so that the book degenerates into parody. Paxson, who is the London Bureau Chief for CBS News, is a solid writer who pushes all the right buttons in setting up his promising conceit, but his inability to control his plot ultimately becomes his Achilles heel here. Agent, Katharine Kidde. (Sept.)
