The Cleaner Hits Bookstores!

Today is a fine shopping day for spy novel lovers everywhere—my friend Brett Battles' new book, THE CLEANER, hits the bookstores!

Almost a year ago, Brett shyly e-mailed me his manuscript. I printed it out, all 400-some-odd-pages—and then barely breathed, never mind slept, for the next 24 hours. I simply couldn't stop reading.

It's especially fascinating that everyone has a different opinion on THE CLEANER's origins. Some say it's reminiscent of Robert Ludlum, others say Lee Childs or Clive Cussler. In my opinion, THE CLEANER is it's own style, and in ten years, people will be saying this new author or that new author writes like Brett Battles—because THE CLEANER is a true classic.

Nonetheless, just like all the other reviewers, I can't help but compare THE CLEANER to my own favorites: John LeCarre, Humphrey Bogart movies and the best of espionage classics like THE DAY OF THE JACKAL and HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER. Brett's writing style is well-crafted and tight—there's not a stray preposition or excessive adverbial in sight. And the breathless plot crosses the globe from Vietnam to L.A. to Berlin—places Brett has explored and writes about in loving detail. And I loved, loved, LOVED the leading female character. No delicate flower/hero girlfriend here—this lady is tough, smart and bitchy.

Here's what others say:

"Battles' debut novel is a page-turner that may remind some readers of the cult TV spy series Alias. Admirers of quality espionage fiction can look forward to a new series worth following." Publisher's Weekly

“A tense tale of betrayal and revenge.” San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Cleaner is a tightly written page-turner, filled with tradecraft and offering as much action as a James Bond film." Booklist

"A brilliant and heart-pounding thriller." Jeffery Deaver, author of SLEEPING DOLL and THE BONE COLLECTOR

"An unputdownable spy novel. The Cleaner has it all: exotic locales, James Bondian derring-do, and ingenious plot twists that will keep you sweating all the way till the end." Tess Gerritsen, author of THE MEPHISTO CLUB

The best part? THE CLEANER is the first in a series. Don't wait for this one to come out in paperback, because by that time you should be buying Brett's second book!

The Teenager Graduates from High School

That handsome gent on the far right is my dad. Hmmm....wonder wehre the Teenager got his nose?

And the handsome gent on the left is, who else, Dad-Who-Would-Be-Outlaw. Hmm…wonder where the Teenager got his personality?

~~~~~~~~~~

My friends knew that, as a single mom of an only son, the Teenager's graduation ceremony would be an emotional experience. The next day, they all asked me questions like, "Are you ok?" and, "Did your mascara hold up?"

In truth, although I cried plenty, I didn't shed a single tear over my son. Nor will I.

Two weeks before the 2007 graduating class of Chaparral High School walked down the aisle to accept their diplomas, one of their classmates, Phillip Vogel died. A popular kid, Phillip went to our church, played hockey, enjoyed rock climbing, and hung out with the same group of kids as my son.

The teenager and I talked about Phillip's death--particularly in light of its cause, street racing. Our pastor discussed the community's loss and the family's sadness at our Sunday evening teen Mass. There was a memorial service. We contributed to an account set up for charitable donations.

We thought we had moved on.

Then came the graduation ceremony.

It began with a eulogy for Phillip. One of Phillip's teachers gave a heart-wrenching speech about living for the moment because we really never know what will happen next. One of his hockey club teammates spoke about how Phillip said he wouldn't change a single thing about his life. It was the longest speech of the night in a stadium filled with 3,000 people, and yet you could have heard a pin drop.

Then, Phillip's parents calmly walked up to the stage and accepted his diploma posthumously.

After that, all any of us could do was honor Phillip's memory and his parent's grace by feeling nothing but happiness and gratitude for all the graduates of Chaparral High.

If Phillip's objective in life was to remind as many people as possible to fully embrace each and every moment, he most certainly achieved it. And I can't help but think that Phillip was looking down and smiling his great big toothy grin someplace in the sky above us. So, for Phillip: Congratulations to the Class of 2007!!


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