Book Review: The Webster Chronicle

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Webster Chronicle     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Daniel Akst
Class/Genre:   Fiction
Blue Hen, Oct 2001, @$24.95, 320 pp.

Terry and Abigail Mathers are the owners of the town's weekly newspaper THE WEBSTER CHRONICLE. Even though the couple is separated and have significant others, they still care about each other and have the paper and a child tying them together. Terry has always lived in his father's shadow, a Walter Cronkite type figure who is a top gun on television. While he can't beat his father on the national level, he hopes his hometown will have a hot story that will make his name a household word too.

Terry's chance comes when the owners of the Alphabet School pre-school and their employees are accused by two of the townsfolk of child abuse and molestation. The gossip spreads like wildfire and more parents who have placed their children in the preschool come forth with tales that their children have told them. Terry starts out by being an objective journalist but as he plunges deeper into the story, he crosses the line that separates the watcher from the participant.

THE WEBSTER CHRONICLE is a fabulous work that demonstrates how rumors, innuendoes, and accusations quickly can turn into a very ugly witch hunt. Daniel Akst has written a credible yet frightening story that spotlights the role the media has on the justice system. This insightful work is worthy of award nominations.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner