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I loved April Smith's North of Montana and, like many readers, eagerly awaited her next book. We had a long wait (6 years), but it was worth it. Be the One, although not a sequel, has much of the same flavor and style as Smith's first book, but with enough differences in theme and story to prove that Smith is no one-trick pony. Protagonist Cassidy Sanderson is a scout for baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. As the only female scout in the major leagues, Cassidy works hard at being tough, being strong, being independent. It's for all those reasons that she heads to the Dominican Republic when she gets a tip that there's a stellar young player there. Neither lack of permission from the Dodger's front office nor an approaching hurricane are going to keep her from snagging this potential new baseball star. Cassidy returns from the Dominican Republic with the young player and some additional baggage she hadn't planned on -- a new lover and the seeds of trouble planted through her unwitting involvement in a crime. The player, the lover, and the trouble soon combine to complicate Cassidy's already less-than-tranquil life, endangering her career, her sense of self, and her life. Be the One is a dense, literary novel. The story is not linear -- it contains many flashbacks as Cassidy recalls events of the past in light of current events. The reader learns the details of beyond-the-scenes machinations in modern baseball recruitment, but even non-sports fans won't be bored or bogged down by this. Be the One is dark and violent, but never goes over the top. As with North of Montana, there are echoes of Carol O'Connell's Mallory series in both style and protagonist. This complicated story is not "beach reading," but is perfect for anyone looking for something more than a "quick read."
Reviewed by Susan Anderson, August 2001
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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