Rush for the Gold
John Feinstein’s Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics is the sixth book from the “Sports Beat” series. The story centers around two teenage sports reporters, Susan Carol Anderson and Stevie Thomas. In this installment, Susan Carol won the World Championships in the 200 butterfly and is now has her sights set on the Olympics. Her best friend (and boyfriend), Stevie is no longer working with her, but covering her. Before she can make it onto the American Olympics Team, she must swim in the Olympic trials and race for a place in the 100 and 200 butterfly. Owing to the fact that the title is called Mystery at the Olympics, anyone can come to the conclusion that she becomes an Olympic athlete. The Olympics is where the mystery takes place. While all this is going on, a contract with Lightning Fast has thrown her world into disarray.
I have not read the previous books in the series. I am not aware of Susan Carol’s or Stevie’s personalities and growths throughout the series. I do know that Stevie is a great reporter and is amazing at getting into and out of tough situations. He is amazing at getting information out of people and his instincts for detecting foul play are top notch. Susan Carol values her friendships over the all the many benefits that being an Olympic swimmer can bring. She is a strong young women and seems to grow stronger after each race. As the story progresses she discovers who she can trust and who will stab her in the back.
In all, Rush for the Gold is a great book. It is a beautifully written realistic fiction book, but not a very good mystery book. There was no mention of any kind of mystery until the book was more than halfway over. The first half of the book was all build up for the mystery. This part wasn't dull. It was full of problems with the media and her agents. It opens your eyes to the kind of drama some popular athletes have to deal with. It was a captivating build up, but the question I asked throughout the entire first half was, “Where's the mystery?” Other than that, the book was amazing. There were a few swimmer terms, but most of them are explained in the story. The book is full of tips for any swimmer competitively swimming butterfly. World famous swimmers like Michael Phelps received roles in the story too. The book can be a stand alone novel. I didn't know it was part of a series until I did some research on it for this review. This book 314 page was enthralling and I give it 4 stars.
I have not read the previous books in the series. I am not aware of Susan Carol’s or Stevie’s personalities and growths throughout the series. I do know that Stevie is a great reporter and is amazing at getting into and out of tough situations. He is amazing at getting information out of people and his instincts for detecting foul play are top notch. Susan Carol values her friendships over the all the many benefits that being an Olympic swimmer can bring. She is a strong young women and seems to grow stronger after each race. As the story progresses she discovers who she can trust and who will stab her in the back.
In all, Rush for the Gold is a great book. It is a beautifully written realistic fiction book, but not a very good mystery book. There was no mention of any kind of mystery until the book was more than halfway over. The first half of the book was all build up for the mystery. This part wasn't dull. It was full of problems with the media and her agents. It opens your eyes to the kind of drama some popular athletes have to deal with. It was a captivating build up, but the question I asked throughout the entire first half was, “Where's the mystery?” Other than that, the book was amazing. There were a few swimmer terms, but most of them are explained in the story. The book is full of tips for any swimmer competitively swimming butterfly. World famous swimmers like Michael Phelps received roles in the story too. The book can be a stand alone novel. I didn't know it was part of a series until I did some research on it for this review. This book 314 page was enthralling and I give it 4 stars.