Book Jacket

 

rank 1195
word count 135730
date submitted 01.07.2009
date updated 19.09.2010
genres: Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult, Pop...
classification: universal
complete

Within Grasp

David Wright

A judge, a college student and a cabbie clash in a struggle to seize ownership of an unsigned lottery ticket worth millions. Who will prevail?



 

Judge Philip Driscoll has less than a day to come up with over a million dollars to set a botched land deal right. Failure to do so will result in disbarment and prison.

Terrified at the prospect of utter ruin, the judge exploits the authority and influence of his position in an attempt to confiscate a mislaid lottery ticket.

Driscoll’s quest to cash in on millions is fraught by stunning setbacks when he underestimates the tenacity of his wife, a college student and a cabbie who conspire to put a stop to his plans.

Perhaps the judge’s most serious miscalculation is his disregard for a deranged right wing extremist who has arrived in Massachusetts intent on silencing the “liberal activist judiciary.”



Excerpt….. D’Arcy Rohmer crept low within a deep ravine. He removed several branches and some dry leaves camouflaging a Barrett M98 semi-automatic sniper purchased easily two months earlier at a gun show in Arkansas.

The televangelists and the conservative talk show hosts were unequivocal. The judges had taken God from the classroom and from the Public Square. It was time that they were sent a message. America must return to some basic family values…...

 
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tags

college student, commercial fiction, corrupt judge, crime, fiction, human drama, mainstream page turner, popular culture, sniper, suspense, twists and...

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142 comments

 

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Romilla wrote 647 days ago

David Wright: Within Grasp

Dear David,

What a read! Fancy using the lottery ticket as the tease for promulgating the most hideous sentiments of mankind yet! Your characters are imbibed with the look and feel of the everyday people we meet on the street, people who plod through the motions of life in the most ordinary way. Yet, the blend of characters eventually digresses from acceptable social norms to latch onto the most troublesome and deadly forms of social behavior. I haven’t read the whole story but the stage settings sounded through the first 3 chapters are very interesting and the plot promises aplenty with good writing, a nice cast of characters and a theme that will always rack the human mind with curiosity. After all, whoever would dispense the thought of throwing millions of dollars so easily huh?

Best of luck with this book David!

Romilla
Forgetting Sally

delhui wrote 688 days ago

Dear David --

You've added a new twist to the lottery win scenario, and we're pleased to see the intricacies that you've woven through your story, from the right wing extremist to the PI cabbie -- this is not a romp, but a real read, with a nod to some very complex and relevant questions that haunt our times. We shouldn't like Philip at all -- he's corrupt, no two ways about it -- and yet we found ourselves sympathetic to his plight. Not easy for you to have accomplished, and you've done it well. It's our pleasure to back Within Grasp -- which is also a great title. -- Delhui, The Long Black Veil

Simon Swift wrote 911 days ago

I have to say David, this does not let you go easily! I was gonna just take a quick peek and save it away on the watchlist for later! Couldnt do it buddy and in fact I am going back to read more right after this message! Compelling and incredible stuff! Going going fella, if this doesnt get published I will be mightily surprised! Backed!
Simon

happypetronella wrote 961 days ago

Once I started reading I couldn't stop until I got to the end. This is one good, suspenseful story, which I much enjoyed. Shelved.

Nigel Fields wrote 379 days ago

David,
Your writing has an intensity--in addition to the actual story, which is gripping--that reins in even a passive reader. Excellent work, this. Vivid, believable, shocking (from the getgo, blood spraying, bits of brains flying, hm, hm, hm). Great premise. I've read a handful of chapters and, being duly impressed, am casting a handful of stars your way.
Best to you,
John B Campbell

Walden Carrington wrote 498 days ago

David,
I see I already commented on your thrilling novel 147 days ago, but came back today to rate it with six stars.

Walden Carrington
Titanic: Rose Dawson's Story

cicuta wrote 518 days ago

Dear David, a contemporary twist on a popular subject. I have to applaud your premise, for producing such a worthwhile read. It was recherche and hardly resistible! As a reader, I couldn't help but turn the next page. There is a persistence in your parables, that helped set the mood, for what would be a mysterious journey, generous in its plot and perfect for continual reading. I have no claims as a critic, but as I have said all day. I am a keen collector and reader of such fine Literature; that I'm glad to say! That yours wouldn't be so forsaken alongside of. Good luck and please look out for my backing. This site is a beast for trying to be what it promises. Take care and Best wishes, Cicuta, [ Carl, Arcane ].

A. Zoomer wrote 616 days ago

WITHIN my GRASP

DAVID,
This book has everything I want in a book that I purchase to read.
If there is justice in this world, I will grasp this published book within a year.
Well written, well executed story.
A zoomer

CarolinaAl wrote 645 days ago

A clever, compelling story with well developed characters. Vivid settings. Lively dialogue. Tight writing. Complex, throught provoking storyline. Backed.

Walden Carrington wrote 646 days ago

David,
Within Grasp has an incredible plot and the prose is thrilling. An enthralling novel filled with suspense. Backed.

Romilla wrote 647 days ago

David Wright: Within Grasp

Dear David,

What a read! Fancy using the lottery ticket as the tease for promulgating the most hideous sentiments of mankind yet! Your characters are imbibed with the look and feel of the everyday people we meet on the street, people who plod through the motions of life in the most ordinary way. Yet, the blend of characters eventually digresses from acceptable social norms to latch onto the most troublesome and deadly forms of social behavior. I haven’t read the whole story but the stage settings sounded through the first 3 chapters are very interesting and the plot promises aplenty with good writing, a nice cast of characters and a theme that will always rack the human mind with curiosity. After all, whoever would dispense the thought of throwing millions of dollars so easily huh?

Best of luck with this book David!

Romilla
Forgetting Sally

nsllee wrote 652 days ago

Hi David

Great thriller setup and effective opening. The prose serves the narrative well and the dialogue is believable and helps to create a convincing milieu. Backed.

Nicole
Chosen

Cat091971 wrote 670 days ago

Interesting read. A lot of twists. Backed.

Cat
"Twisted"

Johanna Kern wrote 676 days ago

A very well crafted story, beautiful writing - a true page turner!

I hope to see it in all the bookstores soon.

Backed with great pleasure.

Johanna Kern
Master and the Green-Eyed Hope

Laurel Lamperd wrote 677 days ago

Excellent writing, David. I can't fault it. The story moves along at a fast rate. It's frightening going into the mind of the killer. I doubt whether you change people who think like this.
I'll back your book.
thank you for backing mine.
laurel
www.authorsden.com/laurellamperd

Andrew Foley Jones wrote 678 days ago

An intelligent commentary weaves through this tale through the myriad of complexities that plague modern times. You manage to achieve this without patronisation or preaching. And the story itself is a clever one and makes an immediate impact in the opening chapter. Shelved.

Eveleen wrote 681 days ago

Within grasp
The story flows well, and it's written well, too
Backed
Eveleen
(Turning a new leaf)

Ransom Heart wrote 683 days ago

Thanks for the fun, absorbing, escapist, and yet challenging read! Best of luck with this. Marianne (Saint Paddy and the Sundial)

Niobrara Kardnova wrote 683 days ago

David,
Read through the first five chapters of your book and thought I would pause to back it. I love the plot line--simple but with lots of twists you can work. The introduction of characters, Manny, Ian, Philip and his family, in the opening chapters gives enough detail to engage the reader but still moves at a brisk pace--reminds me of Steven King's better works in this regard. Rohmer's presentation in the prologue was realistic and chilling, though I don't know if I'd introduce him here when presenting the book to an editor. I'd save him for later. On a quick-read, quick-appraisal site like this, however, I think it was smart to work him in at the beginning. No criticisms come to mind. I don't yet know how the lottery-ticket scheme will be arranged, but you've already provided two tickets and the way you've handled Philip's real estate dilemma gives me confidence that all will proceed credibly and in a natural way. Great job!
Niobrara Kardnova (TheTrouble with Wives)

Jim Darcy wrote 683 days ago

Read chapter 50 to end. Riveting stuff, really kept me interested. procedures, back ground all seem authentic. characterts convince and dialogue is certainly smooth and flowing. with a name like D'Arcy in it, how could I resist?
Jim Darcy (not an assassin, except of poor spelling!)
The Firelord's Crown

Lara wrote 683 days ago

This is a polished, finished book, competently written with good pace and hooks. Corruption is so easily understood, grips the reader. Well done, in all senses. Worthy backing
Lara
Good for Him

MeliMel4 wrote 683 days ago

Just finished Chapter Three and I can hardly wait to see what happens next. Great thriller! Happily backed. :)

-Melissa
THE SEVENTH BLESSING

name falied moderation wrote 685 days ago

Dear David,
amazing read though I have not read it all yet. Colorful characters that love to play in my head. Book cover that just grabbed me by the throat and said read me. Well crafted pitches. what else could one want with their book other than a publisher which I feel sure will come along. CONGRATS on this book BACKED BY ME FOR SURE.
I would love you to review my book, different genre but like me cross over and comment on the craft or skill . and please comment and if you feel back my work.
again thank you for a good read best of luck
Denise
The Letter

Jayne Lind wrote 685 days ago

David - Very, very good writing and intriguing plot - one I'm in sympathy with politically. Having lived in England for a long time, where no guns are allowed and health care is excellent and free, I am having trouble adjusting to the U.S. again - even though I live in Massachusetts! Great and timely plot - I am certain this book will get picked up by a mainstream publisher and make you rich! Hope to have time to read it all sometime. Jayne

Su Dan wrote 685 days ago

well structured piece of work, well written, and paced well...on watchlist,,,
read SEASONS...

zan wrote 685 days ago

Within Grasp
David Wright

David,
I was happy to place yours on my shelf a few days ago.
However, I am not doing in-depth or lengthy reviews anymore as a rule. If you look at my early comments on books I reviewed on the site, you will see that I used to read at least three chapters of every book reviewed, sometimes more, and write a fairly long, sometimes essay-style critique. I have been on the site for about a year now and have read many chapters from about 600 books or more. My eyesight has been affected by continuous electronic reading and with so many books on the site now and that insane pressure to constantly be reading and commenting and backing to keep arrows green, this is putting a strain on my life. I have a family with young children and resulting domestic responsibilities, career-related projects I am working on, as well as eight books on Authonomy to continuously edit and refine and the present modus operandi is no longer conducive to my reading and writing extensive comments.

I DO NOT DO BLIND BACKINGS. I have backed your book ONLY AFTER reading your pitches AND first HC chapter or prologue upload. My backing means I was impressed by your piece and believe your book has potential and deserves an HC review. I hope you will pay me the courtesy of looking at mine and if you think it has potential, back it if you feel like. It’s up to you and your assessment, and of course, your conscience.

If however you leave me a comment on the Somnambulist which clearly indicates you have read it or parts of it, AND the comment is helpful and/or substantive, I will make the time and take the effort to leave you an indepth comment on yours as well.

In the meantime, I was honoured to have given your book a spin on my shelf, genuinely believe it has potential and I wish you the best in finding a publisher.
Zan

mvw888 wrote 685 days ago

Brain matter splattered through the rose garden...what an image and not a good day for our good judge. Your Rohmer is clear-headed in a psychotic way, definitely a creepy and well-imagined character. Your prose has a breakneck pace, perfect for this genre, and you plant the seeds of this story with great patience, always keeping the reader interested. And it address some current social ills and issues too. Great job.

---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

andrew skaife wrote 686 days ago

Hi David. I have read the first parts and dipped a few. It seems I have been leaving my WL for too long so I am letting all those whose work deserves it know that I am BACKING you now and will return with detailed notes in a day or two. Good luck. Cheers.

SusieGulick wrote 686 days ago

You are totally fantastic, David! :) How can I ever thank you enough for backing my 2 memoir books? :)
God bless you. :) Love, Susie :)

love2write2 wrote 687 days ago

I really enjoyed this novel. I loved the characterization you use to create your characters and your writing is very easy to read. Well done!
Sofia (The Lost Inheritance)

Barry Wenlock wrote 687 days ago

Hi David,
This has a tremendous start -- the crazy right winger out to send those liberal Massachuset judges a lesson by means of his Barrett M98 and a couple of hand guns. The phrase serious and weekend sniping' is very sinister. The death of the judge Collins in the garden is suitably gory. One down, 6 to go. Good writing, backed with pleasure,
Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

eloraine wrote 688 days ago

Wow, this pitch gave this book a lot to live up to and it did. Good luck with it. E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one

Andrew Foley Jones wrote 688 days ago

wonderful contemporary commentary on our modern times
shelved

delhui wrote 688 days ago

Dear David --

You've added a new twist to the lottery win scenario, and we're pleased to see the intricacies that you've woven through your story, from the right wing extremist to the PI cabbie -- this is not a romp, but a real read, with a nod to some very complex and relevant questions that haunt our times. We shouldn't like Philip at all -- he's corrupt, no two ways about it -- and yet we found ourselves sympathetic to his plight. Not easy for you to have accomplished, and you've done it well. It's our pleasure to back Within Grasp -- which is also a great title. -- Delhui, The Long Black Veil

A Knight wrote 689 days ago

Excellent "of the moment" issues covered with skill and credibility. This is very compelling work, and hte reader is driven on and on.

Great work!
Abi xxx

Andrew Burans wrote 690 days ago

Taking out an activist judge in the first chapter by a deranged killer certainly grabed my attention and kept me reading. Your work is character rich and your descriptive writing makes your crime thriller a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning


Despinas1 wrote 692 days ago

Brilliant. Backed
Helen
The Last Dream

yasmin esack wrote 695 days ago

WITHIN GRASP

david,

i found this compelling and riveting. Well writtten page turner.


backed

THETHIRD EYE

SusieGulick wrote 695 days ago

Dear David, I got so excited when I saw that you had backed, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not." :) Thanks so very much. :) Since I have already backed your book, I will put your book on my watchlist. Could you please take a moment to back my completed unedited memoir version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which at the end tells of my illness now & 6th abusive marriage. I'd be ever so grateful. :) Thank you. :) Love, Susie :)
authonomy quotes: "Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs.
When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved...authonomy

SusieGulick wrote 697 days ago

Dear David, I love your amazing story with all of its characters & twists - what a ride - great writing! :) Your pitch is excellent, so set the hook for me to read your book. :) When you use short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, it makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing your book. :)
Could you please take a moment to back my TWO memoir books? Thanks, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"...authonomy quote.
"Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs.

Famlavan wrote 702 days ago

You captured me in the first paragraph, and it became a ‘must read’ with the second (a true orgy for gun lovers). Got to Ian’s ride to Ashbury and had to stop. One I was engrossed in the story and two this book is that good I could easily loose a day just reading it. I always pick up on a point for something good to say about a book, so here it is, everything about this makes for a damned good read!!!!!

toussaint wrote 711 days ago

Within Grasp

Now I do like the way you did that. It’s a nicely woven plot. Well, as far as the end of chapter seven. Great opening, there’s a deranged maniac intent on wiping out the Mass. Judiciary. I assume this is set after what follows, as there’s no mention of Philip having had a colleague recently murdered. Then you do a really expert job of setting the story in motion. By the time I get to 7, the lottery ticket is in Ian’s wallet, he’s (obviously) going to be dating Heather at Uni. Her father wants out of his marriage and is trying to do a dodgy land deal to become independent. But to do so he needs capital he doesn’t have. But then the absolute masterstroke—the cabbie moonlighting as a PI who lost the ticket is hired by Philip’s wife to get evidence so she can divorce him. Inspired! And I thought this was going to be another derivative lost lottery ticket romp. How wrong can I be? This is fantastic story-telling.

I’m backing it, and I’d be really grateful if you can find the time to take a look at Bokassa’s Last Apostle in return.

Barry Wenlock wrote 799 days ago

Hi -- good stuff. You have real writing talent. Backed.
Best wishes, Barry
(Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys)

Burgio wrote 803 days ago

This is a great basis for a story: a fight over a lottery ticket. You've created very believable characters. Your writing style makes this move at a rapd pace. BAcked.

lizjrnm wrote 805 days ago

This is exactlythe sort of book I love to read! I love all the action in chapter one not to mention that you have a great writing style and polished prose! Why not get this ranked in Young Adult as well! I think 20 somethings would really go fo rthis - it has all the elements of a thriller! I will come back to this leter today but for now BACKED!

Liz
The Cheech Room

JoeTheAuthor wrote 807 days ago

Just a small nit. I believe you meant to say "Barretta" in your little excerpt, and not "Barrett." If I'm wrong, sue me! Looks like a real winner, otherwise...

Bob Steele wrote 815 days ago

Within Grasp has the feel of a well edited and polished work, and you grabbed my attention straight away in C1 with the sniper. C2 is not for the squeamish when Ian finds the lottery ticket - he's a braver man than me to pick up a wet ticket in the mensroom! Overall I like your fluent writing style and the idiom seems appropriate to the pop culture genre you have chosen. My only nitpick is that you make liberal use of the word 'had' - I noticed it especially in C3 - which pushes me into the past and slows the narrative down. I reckon most of them can just be deleted without losing the sense, and I think this would tighten things up nicely. Overall a fine read, and I'll be happy to back this.

ellen911 wrote 817 days ago

Excellent opening. This is not my typical genre, but I'm hooked. I'm not sure how you've done this, but I feel like this shooter is human. I think it's the moment when he "waited until the dog was safely out of view" before blowing away a priest.
Your attention to the scenery reflects care. That somehow finds its way into focus and keeps our attention from obsessing on the judgment and violence.
Backed for well-written text.
Ellen
(Thoughts of a Teenage Girl)

Raymond Nickford wrote 817 days ago

D'Arcy Rhomer certainly has his own agenda - and the hardware to implement it.
Your first chapter moves at a pace in easily readable prose and you don't waste time before we know we are in the presence of a disturbed man, who thinks that 'spraying blood, brain tissue and skull matter throughout the rose garden' is a more enlightened philosophy than that of the judge or politicians. I'm only sad for the roses.
Chapter 2 carries the same hallmark of fluous prose, very visual description and a sense of immediacy to give plausibility to your setting before we learn that Manny is involved in surveillance work.
Ian certainly doesn't choose the most salubrious venue [beside the urinals of a public convenience] to discover the lottery ticket but then it's really the ticket that's discovered him.
I think your greatest strength is your facility for a solid build up of familiar detail of setting and then, just when everything seems incredibly normal, you know exactly when you want to drop in the twist. This is storytelling at its best. Backed.
Ray
(A Child from the Wishing Well)

lionel25 wrote 834 days ago

Wow! David, your first chapter is intense. Good job. I don't really want to nitpick, but I would simplify a couple things.

"The President himself recently declared that (the) activist judges...." (The) is not necessary.

"A prominent evangelist believed (that) the militant judges..." (That) is not necessary.

Shelved!

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

Margaret Anthony wrote 848 days ago

This is such easy reading that the pages fly, obviously not on a screen! No wasted writing so it flows without a hitch. Tense opening that gives sufficient for the reader to orient themselves then a great hook. Reading on you dangle several tantalizing characters and of course, the lottery ticket.
Your talent for story telling is clear and I should like to read more to see how things resolve. Until then, shelved. Margaret.

Telegraph wrote 851 days ago

i read the first page and couldn't stop. This is a faninating work. Compelling as the story unfolds and the sespese within is tightly written. C W

AlanMarling wrote 873 days ago

Dear David Wright,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. You have a catching premise here because your main character has so much at stake and complication upon complication conspire against him. After a firm nod of approval for the first paragraph, I skipped to chapter seven to cover new ground and was rewarded by the tale of a woman who sacrificed her aspirations for an early marriage that turned to dust. Now she’s a desperate housewife who feels paralyzed into the union for the sake of her kids. She struggles with alcoholism but instead decides to take control of her life by filing for divorce. You allow the reader to experience her anguish. I sympathize with her against Philip, and I want her to succeed in fleeing the marriage.

In my fallible opinion, you do too good a job building sympathy for Jean. As I understand it, Philip is your main character, and the reader should sympathize with him. This poignant chapter from the perspective of his wife would undermine the desire to root for him. I believe you had an earnest desire to create a flesh-and-blood character with her own motivations. In that you’ve succeeded. I believe in her, and she seems real to me. Unfortunately, it comes at too great a cost to your story as a whole. Luckily, any changes you choose to make wouldn’t need to extend past this chapter. To restore sympathy to Philip, make Jean intolerable, perhaps a cheater herself, and she’s greedy for a divorce settlement.

I enjoyed your story, and I think you’re a great writer. I was sorry to have to report a possible problem but felt I would’ve done your great story a disservice to ignore it.

Bravo! Backed.

Best wishes,
Alan Marling

AlanMarling wrote 873 days ago

Dear David Wright,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. You have a catching premise here because your main character has so much at stake and complication upon complication conspire against him. After a firm nod of approval for the first paragraph, I skipped to chapter seven to cover new ground and was rewarded by the tale of a woman who sacrificed her aspirations for an early marriage that turned to dust. Now she’s a desperate housewife who feels paralyzed into the union for the sake of her kids. She struggles with alcoholism but instead decides to take control of her life by filing for divorce. You allow the reader to experience her anguish. I sympathize with her against Philip, and I want her to succeed in fleeing the marriage.

In my fallible opinion, you do too good a job building sympathy for Jean. As I understand it, Philip is your main character, and the reader should sympathize with him. This poignant chapter from the perspective of his wife would undermine the desire to root for him. I believe you had an earnest desire to create a flesh-and-blood character with her own motivations. In that you’ve succeeded. I believe in her, and she seems real to me. Unfortunately, it comes at too great a cost to your story as a whole. Luckily, any changes you choose to make wouldn’t need to extend past this chapter. To restore sympathy to Philip, make Jean intolerable, perhaps a cheater herself, and she’s greedy for a divorce settlement.

I enjoyed your story, and I think you’re a great writer. I was sorry to have to report a possible problem but felt I would’ve done your great story a disservice to ignore it.

Bravo! Backed.

Best wishes,
Alan Marling

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