New Porsche Novel from Pelicanite

[nkgosselin]

I have just had published by Demontreville Press my first novel titled Hunt for 901.

This was a huge process and the end result of five years of work that I hope the Porsche community can enjoy. Since there is no Porsche fiction outside of the classifieds at least

Hunt for 901 follows Faston Hanks, automotive adventurer, as he finds missing cars that others can't, in this case a Porsche 901 prototype.

If you like reading Clive Cussler, Peter Mayle, Jasper Fforde or mysteries I think you will enjoy this book. And it should appeal to any automotive enthusiast, not just Porsche readers, because don't we all want to find that special missing car?

Total 911 is even running an excerpt of the novel in this months issue, so those of you in the UK can get a sneak peek at it.

The Pelican community has been a nonstop source of inspiration, entertainment and research over the years and I wanted to announce the book here first.

You can find, and order of course, the book from:

Amazon.com
Barnesandnoble.com
demontrevillepress.com(where I make more money because the above have special discount rates)
Total911.co.uk

You can read more of my auto writing and ramblings or ask me questions at:
Kevingosselin.blogspot.com

And if you get so into it you can meet me at the Velocity The art of motion show in Hopkins, MN on July 26th or at the Rolex Fall Festival at Lime Rock over Labor Day weekend.

I hope anyone who picks up a copy enjoys the read. And that everyone can understand promoting a first time novel is a grassroots affair, so getting the word out in forums like this is truly helpful.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by nkgosselin

Since there is no Porsche fiction outside of the classifieds at least

Funny one.

So this is like Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code) meets Porsche?

Sorry, I don't know the other books and authors referenced.

[nkgosselin]

Sorry took so long to reply. But you could say it is like a Da Vinci code. A guy is looking for a missing object and uses clues and people he meets to find the object. Although it must be said it is far more lighthearted than a search for the Holy Grail. There is time for a lunch break or two on this hunt.

[1911Guy]

I am half way through this book. It is a good read.

Thanks for writing it and it has now found it's place in my automotive library.

[fbarrett]

Friends:

We also have the book in stock at www.toadhallbook.com, along with the new limited-to-500-copy Ferdinand Porsche, Genesis of Genius. Written by Karl Ludvigsen, with the help of the Piech family, this amazing book contains hundreds of never-before-seen photos and describes Porsche's early days at Lohner, Wanderer, Mercedes-Benz, etc. Very few book retailers are stocking this title.

Frank
Toad Hall Motorbooks

[Isabo]

I've read it and enjoyed it, but as you've had my money for it and you promoted it on my favourite website I feel entitled to comment!
*It is said that any book would benefit by being cut by 10%. This one has the opposite problem, it could be augmented by about 30%!
*The food and cookery bits are interesting but dominate the book, I would not reduce them but I would add more about the cars and driving. Faston comes across as a bit of a food elitist who is still learning, I am surprised he met so many gourmands in his search but it made the foody bits more plausible, fun that they kept feeding him! I may have misread but I would have expected a gourmet like Faston to start eating the paté from the cheese platter, then the maredsous and finishing with the remedous i.e. starting with the mildest flavour and finishing with the strongest in the Brugs Beertje.
*I do not understand the scene in the cinema with Charles and Kent or why the girl bashed the clerk with the statuette.
*More explanation of how Patrick stayed on the trail would have been good.
*Charles came across as a two dimensional, comic caricature, dirty old man, he could have been developed a lot more. Value judgement a Triumph TR6? Please! A TR4A or a TR5 would have been more appropriate, or an Austin Healey or an MGA/B/C.
*Faston seems to find the car with a lot of luck and travelling and minimal detective work in a very short space of time. MORE was needed for the search.
*Characters like the Austrian tax inspector were a little larger than life and kept popping up like sore thumbs. No European business man I have ever met would be intimidated so easily by a tax inspector, regardless of what he had to hide.
The dropping of brand names reminds me of Ian Fleming's Bond books but in a more heavy handed way. Trevanian's Eiger sanction also comes to mind, as does Leasor's Dr Jason Love. A good study of the Da Vinci code as a detective novel would highlight what is wrong with the trail Faston followed - It was way too easy, especially for the time available too him.
*The ending was just dropped there with yet another two "big" characters that I wanted to learn more about. The final fate in the book of 901 was just a little too trite and "prepared"
Ultimately I think this was a great idea that needed a little more attention, more work to develop the trail, more work on the story line and better editing. It could have been an excellent first book.
I am sorry if my comments are cruel, they are not intended to be, I hope you continue writing novels about food and classic cars. I wish I was able to write a novel instead of just criticising the efforts of others

[Milu]

I borrowed Isa's copy.

Every paragraph was good.

Every page was good.

Unfortunately it didn't add up to a good book. It just misses it and that is very sad. Also sad is that the author no longer seems to be visiting Pelican.

[nkgosselin]

Oh, I'm still here. Just been working on my new track car project and taking a bit of time writing articles. I am much more active on rennlist because of the good 944 board there.

I appreciate any critique that is well worded and specific, like Isabo's.

A first novel is hard. I would four years later now go back and rewrite much. But, oh well. As an advertising professional I am used to people critiquing my work.

I am writing another Faston Hanks novel that has much of feedback above already incorporated. More car history. A more detailed chase. Much more pacing and less food.

In between I've written another novel that is not car related and as they say, the more you write the better you get at it.

Regards, and anyone interested can see what I'm up to at kevingosselin.blogspot.com