Take Two, a Smart-Ass Mystery

A novel of deceit, murder, radio and wisecracks, not necessarily in that order.

Bernie Gaston is a small-time, big-city radio reporter, cozy in his middle-class muddle, until an FBI probe of his crooked boss and the high-profile murder of an in-law threaten his family, his career and even his life. Scrambling to stay one step ahead of disaster including arson, homicide, and reckless, relentless pursuit by a badge-toting maniac, he finds that being in the news is a lot less fun than being on it. Yet Bernie views the world through a cracked lens and can't stop himself from sharing. You'll laugh. You'll cry. It'll become a part of you. (Your results may vary.)

John Ostapkovich has never held a real job. Since college, he's worked solely in TV and radio news and sports. From a gig as a network sportscaster to decades of covering every aspect of Philadelphia for its premier radio news station, he has now found an outlet for his devious mind and snarky humor. He is married to a medical researcher and has two adult children.