Control

Political columnist Anderson makes a bravo debut in his first novel, a thriller with ominous implications. Newspaper magnate Thad Catlett wants to expand his empire into television. It will cost millions to ``raid'' the stations, but Catlett has unlimited credit with his partnersa consortium of German, Korean and Japanese businessmen. Foreigners aren't allowed to own U.S. TV stations, and Wall Street Journal reporter Bert Stouffer wants to know who's paying for Catlett's nine-figure buyouts. The FCC, Congress and the Christian Right also take off after Catlett, but he's got a tougher problem: finding out what the Consortium really wants, especially when its leader is murdered, Stouffer is attacked and set-up sexual trysts are filmed. Meanwhile, the Consortium throws its weight around, demanding ``the right spin'' for the editorials in Catlett's newspapers. Control is fast-paced and all-too-real, suggesting that America's fourth estate is being ``raided'' while we remain unaware. $75,000 ad/promo; author tour. (October)