Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery (Final Four Mysteries (Paperback)) 
asked by benzdrives on November 5, 2006 6:11 PM
Steven Thomas is one of two lucky winners of the U.S. Basketball Writer’s Association’s contest for aspiring journalists. His prize? A trip to New Orleans and a coveted press pass for the Final Four. It’s a basketball junkie’s dream come true!
But the games going on behind the scenes between the coaches, the players, the media, the money-men, and the fans turn out to be even more fiercely competitive than those on the court. Steven and his fellow winner, Susan Carol Anderson, are nosing around the Superdome and overhear what sounds like a threat to throw the championship game. Now they have just 48 hours to figure out who is blackmailing one of MSU’s star players . . . and why.
Praise for John Feinstein:
“The best writer of sports books in America today.”—The Boston Globe
“Feinstein’s beat, it turns out, isn’t sports; it’s human nature.”—People on A March to Madness
“A basketball junkie’s nirvana.”—Sports Illustrated on A March to Madness
“One of the best sportswriters alive!”—Larry King, USA Today on A Good Walk Spoiled
From the Hardcover edition.
But the games going on behind the scenes between the coaches, the players, the media, the money-men, and the fans turn out to be even more fiercely competitive than those on the court. Steven and his fellow winner, Susan Carol Anderson, are nosing around the Superdome and overhear what sounds like a threat to throw the championship game. Now they have just 48 hours to figure out who is blackmailing one of MSU’s star players . . . and why.
Praise for John Feinstein:
“The best writer of sports books in America today.”—The Boston Globe
“Feinstein’s beat, it turns out, isn’t sports; it’s human nature.”—People on A March to Madness
“A basketball junkie’s nirvana.”—Sports Illustrated on A March to Madness
“One of the best sportswriters alive!”—Larry King, USA Today on A Good Walk Spoiled
From the Hardcover edition.
Reviews
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John Feinstein's Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery is a fantastic novel. The main characters, Steven and Susan Carol, win a writing contest and get the chance of a lifetime. They attend The 2005 Final Four as press reporters.
The two 8th graders go to the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. They have all-access passes to let them roam the ginormous building to get some headlines form a formal paper on. During their visit, they come across some serious trouble. They overhear a conversation between The Pac10's best player Chip Graber and a man in a grey sweatsuit.
The man was threatening to fire Chip's father if he didn't blow the game against the Duke Bluedevils. When they realized that the man was planning to blackmail Graber they knew that they were the only ones who should know about it. They also knew that they were the only ones who could do something about it.
Susan Carol and Steven had to think of something. When the ghost was clear they searched the building for Chip Graber. They explained to him how they knew what was going on and I tihnk he was actually glad that they eavesdropped the conversation. They were planing on finding a way for Chip to win the game and get the blackmailer locked up.
Chip had an idea. He contacted one of the labels who wanted to sign him to a shoe deal. He wanted to get a car within 20 minutes so he, Steven, and Susan Carol could get across town in under an hour.
After the little arrand they headed back across the town to the Superdome. Steven went to go find some security guards. Susan Carol sat on the bleachers while Chip warmed up for the game.
At the start of the game Chip missed wide open layups. Not because he was trying to blow the game, he was just very nervous because it was his first Final Four experience. At the late stages of the game Chip Graber was starting to purposely turn the ball over. He made the passes so easy for the defense to get to, it was almost like he was on the other team.
In the final seconds of the game, Chip was at the line shooting the last couple of free thows that would either win or lose the game for MSU. He made the first. He shoots the second and it bounces on the rim before it calmly dropped through the net.The game was over! Chip Graber had won the game for MSU!
At the end of the game Steven ran onto to the court with the security guards and secret agents following close behind. The blackmailer was arrested and MSU had won the game. It was a win-win situation.
Written by,
DeLarry Carter
The two 8th graders go to the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. They have all-access passes to let them roam the ginormous building to get some headlines form a formal paper on. During their visit, they come across some serious trouble. They overhear a conversation between The Pac10's best player Chip Graber and a man in a grey sweatsuit.
The man was threatening to fire Chip's father if he didn't blow the game against the Duke Bluedevils. When they realized that the man was planning to blackmail Graber they knew that they were the only ones who should know about it. They also knew that they were the only ones who could do something about it.
Susan Carol and Steven had to think of something. When the ghost was clear they searched the building for Chip Graber. They explained to him how they knew what was going on and I tihnk he was actually glad that they eavesdropped the conversation. They were planing on finding a way for Chip to win the game and get the blackmailer locked up.
Chip had an idea. He contacted one of the labels who wanted to sign him to a shoe deal. He wanted to get a car within 20 minutes so he, Steven, and Susan Carol could get across town in under an hour.
After the little arrand they headed back across the town to the Superdome. Steven went to go find some security guards. Susan Carol sat on the bleachers while Chip warmed up for the game.
At the start of the game Chip missed wide open layups. Not because he was trying to blow the game, he was just very nervous because it was his first Final Four experience. At the late stages of the game Chip Graber was starting to purposely turn the ball over. He made the passes so easy for the defense to get to, it was almost like he was on the other team.
In the final seconds of the game, Chip was at the line shooting the last couple of free thows that would either win or lose the game for MSU. He made the first. He shoots the second and it bounces on the rim before it calmly dropped through the net.The game was over! Chip Graber had won the game for MSU!
At the end of the game Steven ran onto to the court with the security guards and secret agents following close behind. The blackmailer was arrested and MSU had won the game. It was a win-win situation.
Written by,
DeLarry Carter
reviewed by perfectjen on November 20, 2006 4:21 PM
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John Feinstein's Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery is a fantastic novel. The main characters, Steven and Susan Carol, win a writing contest and get the chance of a lifetime. They attend The 2005 Final Four as press reporters.
The two 8th graders go to the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. They have all-access passes to let them roam the ginormous building to get some headlines form a formal paper on. During their visit, they come across some serious trouble. They overhear a conversation between The Pac10's best player Chip Graber and a man in a grey sweatsuit.
The man was threatening to fire Chip's father if he didn't blow the game against the Duke Bluedevils. When they realized that the man was planning to blackmail Graber they knew that they were the only ones who should know about it. They also knew that they were the only ones who could do something about it.
Susan Carol and Steven had to think of something. When the ghost was clear they searched the building for Chip Graber. They explained to him how they knew what was going on and I tihnk he was actually glad that they eavesdropped the conversation. They were planing on finding a way for Chip to win the game and get the blackmailer locked up.
Chip had an idea. He contacted one of the labels who wanted to sign him to a shoe deal. He wanted to get a car within 20 minutes so he, Steven, and Susan Carol could get across town in under an hour.
After the little arrand they headed back across the town to the Superdome. Steven went to go find some security guards. Susan Carol sat on the bleachers while Chip warmed up for the game.
At the start of the game Chip missed wide open layups. Not because he was trying to blow the game, he was just very nervous because it was his first Final Four experience. At the late stages of the game Chip Graber was starting to purposely turn the ball over. He made the passes so easy for the defense to get to, it was almost like he was on the other team.
In the final seconds of the game, Chip was at the line shooting the last couple of free thows that would either win or lose the game for MSU. He made the first. He shoots the second and it bounces on the rim before it calmly dropped through the net.The game was over! Chip Graber had won the game for MSU!
At the end of the game Steven ran onto to the court with the security guards and secret agents following close behind. The blackmailer was arrested and MSU had won the game. It was a win-win situation.
The two 8th graders go to the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. They have all-access passes to let them roam the ginormous building to get some headlines form a formal paper on. During their visit, they come across some serious trouble. They overhear a conversation between The Pac10's best player Chip Graber and a man in a grey sweatsuit.
The man was threatening to fire Chip's father if he didn't blow the game against the Duke Bluedevils. When they realized that the man was planning to blackmail Graber they knew that they were the only ones who should know about it. They also knew that they were the only ones who could do something about it.
Susan Carol and Steven had to think of something. When the ghost was clear they searched the building for Chip Graber. They explained to him how they knew what was going on and I tihnk he was actually glad that they eavesdropped the conversation. They were planing on finding a way for Chip to win the game and get the blackmailer locked up.
Chip had an idea. He contacted one of the labels who wanted to sign him to a shoe deal. He wanted to get a car within 20 minutes so he, Steven, and Susan Carol could get across town in under an hour.
After the little arrand they headed back across the town to the Superdome. Steven went to go find some security guards. Susan Carol sat on the bleachers while Chip warmed up for the game.
At the start of the game Chip missed wide open layups. Not because he was trying to blow the game, he was just very nervous because it was his first Final Four experience. At the late stages of the game Chip Graber was starting to purposely turn the ball over. He made the passes so easy for the defense to get to, it was almost like he was on the other team.
In the final seconds of the game, Chip was at the line shooting the last couple of free thows that would either win or lose the game for MSU. He made the first. He shoots the second and it bounces on the rim before it calmly dropped through the net.The game was over! Chip Graber had won the game for MSU!
At the end of the game Steven ran onto to the court with the security guards and secret agents following close behind. The blackmailer was arrested and MSU had won the game. It was a win-win situation.
reviewed by officefan on November 20, 2006 10:03 PM
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Last Shot
by John Feinstein
This sports mystery will blow your mind! This mystery takes place during the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four Tournament. There are two teenagers named Susan Carol Anderson and Steven Thomas who win the USBWA writing contest. They were sent letters in the mail, letting them know that they had won the writing contest and would be sent to New Orleans to be a part of the media reporters covering the Final Four. While at the Final Four, the teenagers over hear Chip Graber, an amazing / talented basketball player for Minnesota State University, talking to Professor Thomas R. Whiting. Professor Whiting is also one of the Minnesota State University student athlete administrators. Professor Whiting tells Chip that he must win the first game over St. Joes College, or Alan Graber, the Minnesota State University basketball coach and also Chip's dad, would be fired. In addition, if Minnesota State University did indeed beat St. Joes College, Professor Whiting also tells Chip that he must loose the championship game against Duke University. If Chip did not agree to help his team lose the championship game, Professor Whiting will publicly announce that Chip was ineligible to play basketball because he had failed two college courses during the last two semesters. Somehow, Professor Whiting had managed to get into the college's computer system and change Chip's passing grades to failing grades. If this happened, Minnesota State University would have to forfeit all of the games that they had won and Chip's dad would lose his job. Susan Carol and Steven would now take it into their own hands to help Chip solve this Final Four mystery. Last Shot is a great book. It keeps you on wondering what is going to happen next. This book should be read by every teenage basketball fan who loves a taste of suspense, action, and excitement.
Last Shot is an outstanding book because it keeps you on your toes and is very suspenseful. For example, Dean Wojenski is one of Chip's retired Minnesota State University professors. Chip Susan Carol, and Steven go to Dean Wojenski for help. Chip is hoping that Dean Wojenski has records of his passing grades at home on his computer. Dean Wojenski pretends like he wants to help Chip and makes it seem as though he has nothing to do with the blackmail scheme. In reality, Dean Wojenski turns out to be a part of the blackmail scheme against Chip the whole time. Also, when Susan Carol and Steven are being held hostage in a hotel room by Professor Whiting, Chip has to make a choice between playing his best to win the Final Four Championship Game or help his team lose the game so that he can save Susan Carol and Steven. I had no idea that the police were going to come to the hotel room in time and arrest the people that are holding Steven and Susan Carol hostage. It was amazing! In addition, when Steven and Susan Carol go to the hotel where the MSU team is staying, I honestly didn't think that they were going to able to get past security simply by telling them that they were related to Chip Graber. Susan Carol and Steven are clever and get past the hotel security guards. I just knew that they would get caught. Chip also lets them into his room and is puzzled about their unexpected visit.
In fact, another reason why I liked this book is because it was very adventurous and many events took place throughout the story. For example, Susan Carol and Steven take someone else's hotel key. They go down the elevator to the hotel lobby to get a copy of the key made and then go back up the elevator to the same person's room so they can find the rooms where the MSU basketball team is staying in order to locate Chip Graber. They were able to eventually locate Chip's hotel room even though when they started they didn't have hardly any information. Also, near the end of the book when the police rescue the teens being held hostage by Professor Whiting and his gang, Susan Carol and Chip are driven to the Final Four arena and arrive shortly after the start of the second half of the basketball game. They get there in time to tell Chip that they are O.K. and that the blackmail scheme was over. In addition, Steven and Susan Carol receive their acceptance letters for the USBWA writing contest, arrive in New Orleans for the Final Four games, write their news articles about the games, meet Coach K. from the Duke Blue Devils, and luckily over hear Professor Whiting trying to blackmail Chip Graber into winning the semi final game, and losing the Championship game. Steven and Susan Carol went through lots of trouble to find out who was behind one of the biggest secrets of the year.
Finally, the book is great because it explains the importance of team work. For example, when Susan Carol and Steven find out that Chip Graber is being blackmailed, they decided to take it into their own hands to solve the mystery as a team. In addition, the teens go up to Chip's apartment and they all put their heads together to make a plan to find out who is behind the whole blackmailing deal. Last but not least, Chip starts to blow the Championship game in order to save his father's career, his social life, and Steven and Susan Carol's life, until they arrive at the arena and let Chip know that he can play the best game of his life.
Last Shot is a fantastic book that should be read by every person who loves the game of basketball and a nice mixture of suspense and mystery. It teaches you good life lessons and gives you lots of events that you might be able to relate to in this time period. It is real and has real events that you can imagine doing yourself. Go pick it up and read it today.
by John Feinstein
This sports mystery will blow your mind! This mystery takes place during the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four Tournament. There are two teenagers named Susan Carol Anderson and Steven Thomas who win the USBWA writing contest. They were sent letters in the mail, letting them know that they had won the writing contest and would be sent to New Orleans to be a part of the media reporters covering the Final Four. While at the Final Four, the teenagers over hear Chip Graber, an amazing / talented basketball player for Minnesota State University, talking to Professor Thomas R. Whiting. Professor Whiting is also one of the Minnesota State University student athlete administrators. Professor Whiting tells Chip that he must win the first game over St. Joes College, or Alan Graber, the Minnesota State University basketball coach and also Chip's dad, would be fired. In addition, if Minnesota State University did indeed beat St. Joes College, Professor Whiting also tells Chip that he must loose the championship game against Duke University. If Chip did not agree to help his team lose the championship game, Professor Whiting will publicly announce that Chip was ineligible to play basketball because he had failed two college courses during the last two semesters. Somehow, Professor Whiting had managed to get into the college's computer system and change Chip's passing grades to failing grades. If this happened, Minnesota State University would have to forfeit all of the games that they had won and Chip's dad would lose his job. Susan Carol and Steven would now take it into their own hands to help Chip solve this Final Four mystery. Last Shot is a great book. It keeps you on wondering what is going to happen next. This book should be read by every teenage basketball fan who loves a taste of suspense, action, and excitement.
Last Shot is an outstanding book because it keeps you on your toes and is very suspenseful. For example, Dean Wojenski is one of Chip's retired Minnesota State University professors. Chip Susan Carol, and Steven go to Dean Wojenski for help. Chip is hoping that Dean Wojenski has records of his passing grades at home on his computer. Dean Wojenski pretends like he wants to help Chip and makes it seem as though he has nothing to do with the blackmail scheme. In reality, Dean Wojenski turns out to be a part of the blackmail scheme against Chip the whole time. Also, when Susan Carol and Steven are being held hostage in a hotel room by Professor Whiting, Chip has to make a choice between playing his best to win the Final Four Championship Game or help his team lose the game so that he can save Susan Carol and Steven. I had no idea that the police were going to come to the hotel room in time and arrest the people that are holding Steven and Susan Carol hostage. It was amazing! In addition, when Steven and Susan Carol go to the hotel where the MSU team is staying, I honestly didn't think that they were going to able to get past security simply by telling them that they were related to Chip Graber. Susan Carol and Steven are clever and get past the hotel security guards. I just knew that they would get caught. Chip also lets them into his room and is puzzled about their unexpected visit.
In fact, another reason why I liked this book is because it was very adventurous and many events took place throughout the story. For example, Susan Carol and Steven take someone else's hotel key. They go down the elevator to the hotel lobby to get a copy of the key made and then go back up the elevator to the same person's room so they can find the rooms where the MSU basketball team is staying in order to locate Chip Graber. They were able to eventually locate Chip's hotel room even though when they started they didn't have hardly any information. Also, near the end of the book when the police rescue the teens being held hostage by Professor Whiting and his gang, Susan Carol and Chip are driven to the Final Four arena and arrive shortly after the start of the second half of the basketball game. They get there in time to tell Chip that they are O.K. and that the blackmail scheme was over. In addition, Steven and Susan Carol receive their acceptance letters for the USBWA writing contest, arrive in New Orleans for the Final Four games, write their news articles about the games, meet Coach K. from the Duke Blue Devils, and luckily over hear Professor Whiting trying to blackmail Chip Graber into winning the semi final game, and losing the Championship game. Steven and Susan Carol went through lots of trouble to find out who was behind one of the biggest secrets of the year.
Finally, the book is great because it explains the importance of team work. For example, when Susan Carol and Steven find out that Chip Graber is being blackmailed, they decided to take it into their own hands to solve the mystery as a team. In addition, the teens go up to Chip's apartment and they all put their heads together to make a plan to find out who is behind the whole blackmailing deal. Last but not least, Chip starts to blow the Championship game in order to save his father's career, his social life, and Steven and Susan Carol's life, until they arrive at the arena and let Chip know that he can play the best game of his life.
Last Shot is a fantastic book that should be read by every person who loves the game of basketball and a nice mixture of suspense and mystery. It teaches you good life lessons and gives you lots of events that you might be able to relate to in this time period. It is real and has real events that you can imagine doing yourself. Go pick it up and read it today.
reviewed by markymark on November 25, 2006 12:05 PM
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Stevie Thomas has just won a writing contest and now he gets to go to the Final Four as a reporter.As he arrives, he meets the other contest winner, Susan. The next day, Stevie and Susan are walking in the press area when they overhear a conversation between Chip Graber and Professor Whiting. While listening to the conversation, they learn that the championship game of the Final Four is being fixed.They decide that they need to do something to help Chip.They manage to get past all the guards except for one.They lie telling him that Stevie is Chip's cousin.The guard takes them to Chip's room and Chip oes along with the story even though it's a lie.When the guard leaves, Chip tells them they better have a really good story for why they were up there.They tell Chip that they overheard his and Professor's conversation. Chip tells them what is going on.They end up contacting the Dean of MSU when the grades Chip needed to prove wrong were given out.He tells them that the grades aren't at his house, but he gets them meeting with Mr. Jurgensen, who they originally thought was behind the whole thing.When they got to the meeting Jurgensen wasn't there.Instead it was the Dean,Professor,and other people.One of them ties Stevie and Susan to chairs and stays with them while the Dean,Professor,and the other guys take Chip to the championship game.Chip does very bad in the first half of the game.While the team is in the locker room before the second half of the game starts, there was a knock at Stevie, Susan, and the other man's hotel room door.The man opens the door and the person on the other side knocks him out.It turns out to be Jurgensen.He unties Stevie and Susan, who were in utter shock. He takes them to the game and they show Chip that they are ok. Chip sees them and knows that he can play without having to worry about if he wins.MSU does end up winning and the Professor and the other men are arrested by the FBI, but the Dean manages to get away.This book is full of suspense,mystery,and darkness.
There is plenty of suspense in this book.It is suspenseful when they overhear Chip and the Professor's conversation because it's so shocking that the game is being fixed to this level and Stevie and Susan don't know what to do.It is suspenseful when Chip, Stevie, and Susan get to the meeting and find the others there because the reader doesn't know what's going to happen.It is also suspenseful when Chip takes that last shot of the game and you don't know if he's going to make it or not.
There is a lot of mystery in this book.You don't really know what's going to happen next.When they go to the "meeting" I don't think anyone could have expected that to happen.
There is some darkness to the book Last Shot.This probably happens in real life and isn't fiction.Some people who read this book and don't know about sports probably would think this was going on.Plus the part where they could have been killed.
Suspense,mystery,and darkness are all in this book.There seems to be suspense all around.Most of the suspense in the story has to do with the fixed game.Most of the mystery has to do with simply not knowing what's going to happen.I'm not really a big fan of sports but I would definitely recommend this book if you're a fan.Or you don't even have to be a fan.If you like mysteries that have to do with sports or if you just like mysteries then you should check out The Last Shot.
V. Jarvis
There is plenty of suspense in this book.It is suspenseful when they overhear Chip and the Professor's conversation because it's so shocking that the game is being fixed to this level and Stevie and Susan don't know what to do.It is suspenseful when Chip, Stevie, and Susan get to the meeting and find the others there because the reader doesn't know what's going to happen.It is also suspenseful when Chip takes that last shot of the game and you don't know if he's going to make it or not.
There is a lot of mystery in this book.You don't really know what's going to happen next.When they go to the "meeting" I don't think anyone could have expected that to happen.
There is some darkness to the book Last Shot.This probably happens in real life and isn't fiction.Some people who read this book and don't know about sports probably would think this was going on.Plus the part where they could have been killed.
Suspense,mystery,and darkness are all in this book.There seems to be suspense all around.Most of the suspense in the story has to do with the fixed game.Most of the mystery has to do with simply not knowing what's going to happen.I'm not really a big fan of sports but I would definitely recommend this book if you're a fan.Or you don't even have to be a fan.If you like mysteries that have to do with sports or if you just like mysteries then you should check out The Last Shot.
V. Jarvis
reviewed by caramel on November 28, 2006 11:40 AM