In 1935 Betsy Throckmorton's father lures her from a New York job with Time magazine back to Claybelle, Texas, with the promise that she can be the editor of his Claybelle Standard-Times. Betsy brings along her husband, Ted Winton, an easterner and Yale graduate to whom she is constantly explaining Texas. Ted will run Ben Throckmorton's radio station, KVAT, where Booty and Them Others sing in rivalry with the better known WBAP Light Crust Doughboys. In Texas, it's the middle of the Depression and the Drought. And Prohibition is barely over, liquor still a controversy. Every city has its hobo camp, and Claybelle has the Star of Hope Mission. But it is also the time of new oil money, high living, infidelity, and tangled love triangles. Betsy and Ted chain-smoke and drink often and long, they wouldn't miss a Paschal High School or TCU football game, they party at the Casino on Jacksboro Highway, and dine at Claybelle's Shadylawn Country Club. Betsy is a serious journalist though, and she sets out to change the paper, clashing with the managing editor when she claims international not state news belongs on page one. She clashes with the columnists when she tries to sharpen their leads. The Texas Murder Machine becomes her big story, when she suspects that Texas Rangers may be killing innocent young men to collect rewards offered by the Texas Bankers Association. Betsy's journalistic determination leads to a personal tragedy that changes her life forever-and makes her a determined, relentless newswoman.
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"By far the best Dan Jenkins novel ever.I want to be Betsy Throckmorton when I grow up.You know, whenever that might be. "
— Robin (5 out of 5 stars)
" This was different than my usual reading and I enjoyed it. "
— Paige, 2/14/2013" Fast Copy will keep you glued to your seat.Great history of this part of Texas, by an author who was fully immersed in the story. "
— Tom, 4/16/2012" Newshens, texas oilmen, and college football in the '30s in Fort Worth, Texas. Very funny. "
— Craig, 1/20/2012" This was different than my usual reading and I enjoyed it. "
— Paige, 11/15/2010" Newshens, texas oilmen, and college football in the '30s in Fort Worth, Texas. Very funny. "
— Craig, 1/31/2008Dan Jenkins is the author of several novels and nonfiction books, including Rude Behavior, Semi-Tough, and Fairways and Greens. He is the sponsor of his own charity golf tournament, the Dan Jenkins Goat Hills Partnership, which attracts players from around the world. His column in Golf Digest remains its most popular feature. He divides his time between Fort Worth, Texas, and New York City.
Richard Poe, a professional actor for more than thirty years, has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including 1776 and M. Butterfly. On television he has had recurring roles on Star Trek and Frasier. His films include Born on the Fourth of July and Presumed Innocent. Poe is a well-known and prolific audiobook performer and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.