GAME 7:Dead Ball is my debut novel!
Secrets, lies, and revenge provide the sparks that ignite a fiery collision between past and present...
A puzzle takes shape as baseball’s World Series unfolds, but the pieces don’t seem to fit: missing women, strange threats, gambling problems, kidnappings, and relationships long dormant are all somehow connected, but major league umpire Marshall Connors may run out of time before he can solve the mystery...
Marshall’s post-season plans were to spend a week in Florida, helping his mentor teach a training class followed by a lot of sun. The vacation is cut short when Marshall gets assigned to work the World Series as crew chief, but the real reason is not discovered until he is neck-deep in trouble...
The surprise assignment rekindles a relationship with the O’Hara family and Marshall realizes some things truly are better left alone. As the games play out, so does the truth behind long-buried O’Hara family secrets and Marshall is caught in a storm that threatens to destroy him and those he loves...
With the help of his best friend, Thomas Hillsborough--ex-CIA spy--Marshall fights to solve the puzzle before the Series reaches its climax in GAME 7, the ultimate contest of survival.
Why I wrote it...
The story idea came out of my favorite thing -- baseball -- but I wanted to do something different. That led to having an umpire as the lead character. I also wanted to keep it close to "home" so the settings are familiar and dear to me.
Where it fits in the marketplace...
GAME 7:Dead Ball is a "mystery/suspense" novel, but there is a crafty plot and plenty of romance, action, and sports to hold the interest of both male and female readers. Baseball is the canvas, but you don't have to be a sports nut to enjoy it.What readers are saying...
Timothy Loranger, Jr. (Screenwriter, Philadelphia , Pa): "I was in awe. Brilliant. This book [has] universal appeal. There's suspense, mystery, love, drama, FEDS, crooks, etc. Best of all the backdrop is America's favorite past time: Baseball. Batter up! YA GOTTA READ THIS!"
Jay Gissen (Magazine Executive, New York, NY): "For a casual mystery reader and an avid baseball fan, the book was a fun ride, good read. I don't know what really turns on mystery fanatics, but [Allen] seems to have put in everything they could possibly want!"
Cindy Bradehoft (Retired, Mom, Philadelphia, PA): "A captivating read! Enjoyed the accurate details of Center City where I currently live. Readers would never guess this is (Allen's) first - it has an edgy Grisham-like quality to it. Nicely done. Looking forward to (his) next work."
Terry O'Hara (Philadelphia, PA): "I was very pleasantly surprised. A compelling story with multiple twists that moves at a quick pace. It kept me highly interested from cover to cover. Writing a novel of this magnitude is a huge, and Allen seemed to work the story like a veteran. I was very impressed and would highly recommend this book."
Mark Rosenbaum (Hollywood, CA): "You must read his book! Allen did a terrific job as a first time writer. The story carried me along with its many layers and twists and turns. . . my sleep definitely suffered until I finished the book. It was fast paced, well researched, sharply written and a lot of fun having MLB as the backdrop. I highly recommend it."
Rebel J. Morris (Las Vegas, NV): "Game 7 grabbed my attention quickly -- that's not easy to do! This book is a must buy when it hits stores!"