Field of Schemes

by John Billheimer

When a hotshot minor league outfielder asks his trainer, Dale Loren, for steroids, Loren supplies a harmless mixture of cold cream and lemon juice, telling him it's a brand-new steroid that can't be detected by baseball's drug testing regimen. Believing the mixture gives him an illegal edge, the outfielder goes on a hitting spree and is called up to the majors where, cut off from his supply of "steroids," he falls into a deep slump. Then he tests positive for drugs and names Loren as his supplier. Loren is fired and, shortly afterward, the outfielder is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Local sportswriter Lloyd Keaton --who lost his money, marriage and a major-market career to a gambling addiction --sets out to clear Loren's name. In the process he is threatened by mobsters, shot at, and learns his teenage son is hooked on steroids. Keaton soon discovers that the highest stakes are off the field and he'll risk more than he ever imagined to protect his family and find the truth.

Genres: Mystery

380 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2012

Reviews

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Billheimer is a very under rated author, if anyone is looking for a pleasant little surprise they should read his Owen Allison series. This book is an equally interesting read, especially if you are a baseball fan.

[SWC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book I picked up at a book sale run by my local library. I did appreciate the sportswriter's column which introduced each chapter. I still wonder whether Tess turned out for the next basketball season. In the 7th inning break Keaton shouted, "All right you fans, Everybody up!".

[Mark]

I was kind of hoping for something like the 5 Duffy House books by Crabbe Evers...a pseudonym for the writing team of William Brashler and Reinder Van Til...Billheimer's Lloyd Keaton IS Duffy House-ish in that he's a sportswriter & delves into mysteries tied to baseball...So, in that way I'm satisfied...The mystery involves murder, attempted murder, gambling & steroids in sports...How's that for an opening number...decent page-turner, though I AM missing those Duffy House mysteries!

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. It has a lot of different elements to keep it very interesting, baseball, sports writing, gambling, steroids, congressional hearings, did I say baseball? Introduces baseball writer Lloyd Keaton who has a lot of bouncing balls going on in his life. Billheimer's second Lloyd Keaton mystery entitled, " A player to be maimed later" debuts September 11 and will be on my to read list.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice mystery, surrounded by a lot of information on seroids and gambling. I enjoyed the format, with each chapter beginning with the protagonist's newspaper column. I am off to find more of this series.

[Mary Hauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good solid read, with some good points made about steroid use

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good start. Got too wordy, had some trouble following the crimes. Lloyd and all characters are somewhat flat. However, wonderful baseball lore, will read #2.

[Carolyn Bergkuist · Rating 3 out of 5]

very baseball oriented. A bit contrived