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| The Feathery | 
 enlarge | Author: Bill Flynn
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Category: Book
Buy New: $15.99
New (4) from $15.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 87803
Media: Paperback
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 0.7
ISBN: 1419675710
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9781419675713
ASIN: 1419675710
Publication Date: November 2, 2007
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
The Feathery plot centers around a unique type of golf ball used during a record match at St. Andrews, Scotland in 1849. The story is set in San Diego, London and New York, as well as in ancient and modern Scotland. The game of golf blends with mystery and suspense surrounding an obsession so strong by some to own this valuable antique feathery golf ball that they'll commit murder to satisfy it. A sub-plot involves an attempt by a gambling interest to fix the British Open when the leading player's caddie is abducted to force his withdrawal.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 The Feathery November 11, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I admit, I do not know much about the game of golf. However, I have goofed around playing it, but this book brought a whole new meaning to golf for me.
In this novel, we are taught about the history of the golf ball makings in St. Andrews, in 1849. Golf balls were made of feathers, who would have thought that? One ball in particular - The Feathery - holds a very high cost to the owner who inherits it, Scott Beckman.
This story is unique in itself. We learn about Scott at a young age, with his best friend, Matt. Both have lost their fathers and are headed in the wrong direction in life, a life of imprisonment. Both boys lost their fathers and are rebellious. They are caught one day trying to steal a golf club. Fortunately for them, a black officer decides to take them to "Sandy McNair." Sandy is a kind, old man who loves the game of golf and teaches golfing to young lads in trouble.
Sandy helps Scott and Matt both achieve a better life for themselves. Scott is in love with the game of golf. His father admired it and Scott wanted to follow along in his footsteps, granted that his mother despises the game.
Scott - with Sandy as his only means of a family, embarks on a golfing journey. Sandy suddenly passes away and Scott inherits "The Feathery." It is worth more money that Scott could imagine and this simple book about golf turns into a mystery, suspense, and thriller novel - along with a good story about a guy who loves golf. It is brilliantly put together.
 An unforgetable story! September 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have been very spoiled lately. I have discovered some of the best authors on the internet. Case in point is Mr. Flynn.
When I first sat down and read about this novel. I'll admit it, I didn't see murder and golf as a typical mixture. So many genre bending novels fall. That however, is not the case in point.
We are granted an access pass to the world, Chicago, London and other places, all with strong character building. His gift for character creation is amazing, even his minor characters breathe their words into your ears, as if you were talking to a friend you have always known.
Great plot twists, and fantastic storytelling by a future master.
This will be on my Christmas list for the mystery lovers and Golf fans in my life!
Love golf? Read The Feathery! September 1, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Mix together some golf and its history, throw in some guns and knives, add a little gambling and romance and what do you get? The makings of a great novel. Bill Flynn's The Feathery is a must read for anyone who even knows what a putter is. Weather you're a golf aficionado who enjoys playing the dastardly game or are simply a fan of it, this book is for you. Get lost in yesteryears golfing world filled with feather-stuffed leather golf balls and hickory shafted Spoons and Mashies. Then fast forward to current times at the British Open as you follow Scott Beckman as he climbs from a childhood of trouble to making his dreams come true on the PGA tour while dodging a growing list of people who will stop at nothing to obtain possession of precious golf artifacts Scott has had bequeathed to him.
The Feathery is a well paced enjoyable read with a good mix of likeable and devious characters. The scenes described made me want more than ever to travel and visit the true home of golf. The Feathery is a fun read written by someone who obviously knows his subject.
If you like golf, you'll enjoy this book. If you know someone else who enjoys golf, The Feathery will make a great gift.
Michael Balkind
Author of Sudden Death and the Deadly Sports Mysteries
Courtesy of Teens Read Too August 12, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
THE FEATHERY is a sprawling adventure that sweeps over historical fiction, lingers over mystery, and flirts with romance as it spans a timeline of more than 150 years. Though the narration briefly touches down in 1849 and 2004, the bulk of the action begins in 2009, when Scott Beckman, an up-and-coming golfer, inherits an antique golf ball from his deceased mentor, Sandy McNair. When Scott gets the golf ball appraised, he discovers that not only is it a rare type of golf ball known as a feathery, but also that this particular feathery was used by golf legend Hugh McNair to set a course record at the St. Andrews course in 1849.
Though Scott is talented, a string of bad luck on the courses forces him to consider auctioning the feathery, and when he puts it up for auction, the bidding quickly rises to well over $1,000,000. However, shortly thereafter, his tour earnings rise enough that he decides to withdraw the feathery from auction. This move sparks violence from those so obsessed with this priceless feathery that they will rob and murder to get it. Scott survives this conflict, only to find more danger on the golf course when he enters the British Open as a long shot - and, much to the chagrin of those in control of the betting odds, appears to be in contention for the trophy.
The premise of THE FEATHERY is original and interesting; I was surprised to find myself completely caught up in the history of golf shared in this book, as I am not generally very interested in golf. Unfortunately, delivery in this novel is somewhat lacking. The prose is sometimes choppy, the dialogue unrealistic, and the wrenchingly emotional conflicts of the main characters are not given the time and depth that they deserve. For all its faults, though, THE FEATHERY remains engaging because of its unique subject and treatment. It is obvious that the author knows his subject, and his enthusiasm spreads easily to the reader.
Reviewed by: Rebecca Wells
Excellent look into golfing - past and present and so much more July 12, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
We all know that golf is more than a sport in the UK - For a golfer aficionados, a pilgrimage to St. Andrews to play golf is a dream. For those of us who will never probably make it to St. Andrews, we live vicariously by watching the British Open.
Bill Flynn's excellent The Feathery deals with a wonderful piece of golf history - golf balls were created with packed feathers encased by leather and sewn tightly. The clubs were hand crafted and without the benefit of computer technology, were amazingly accurate.
The Feathery showcases a golf ball 'feathery' that was made in 1849 when Hugh McNair won the Open with a record breaking 78, which in modern terms would be a profession player making a score in the 50's - quite an accomplishment for a leather ball stuffed with feathers!
Needless to say, memorabilia from the early days is something grabbed up by collectors.
Except for the record breaking feathery that Hugh McNair used.
Scott Beckman always loved the game of golf. His best friend, Matt Kemp, also has the same passion. Scott's mother resented the game because it took her husband away playing golf while she wanted the family to play a more 'civilized' game of tennis - When her husband dies in Iraq, Scott and Matt start getting in trouble. A nice cop takes them to a man, Sandy McNair, (does McNair sound familiar?) who has mentored young boys who had wavered off the path and helped them with discipline and golf. Both boys mature and they become fine golfers and professionals.
When Sandy dies he bequeaths to Scott all of his golf memorabilia - including a rare golf statue and the famous feathery that Sandy's greatgrandfather used to smash the record at St. Andrews! It is literally priceless!
So starts the intrigue when Scott, a struggling pro player decides to auction the memorabilia off so he can have money to survive the pro curcuit until he gets his 'pro legs' and makes money. Scott changes his mind about the feathery and the statue and this starts the action that deal with attempts to steal the feathery, murder and kidnapping.
It also features exciting play details about the British Open and the Masters. You'll feel you are playing next to Scott right there amid the wind and rain St. Andrews is famous for -
Flynn's writing is fluid, crisp and fun. If you weren't a golf fan before, you will be after reading this book.
If you are a terrible golfer like me, you may find yourself mentally playing and being part of the action.
A fun read for all readers.
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