Mike’s dedication paid off with a scholarship to Catholic University, once a basketball powerhouse under the able coaching of Big Eddie Cantrell. Unfortunately, by the time Mike arrived at CU, the glory days for basketball were just a memory. Big Eddie’s single minded devotion to the game, and away game one night flings had driven Eddie’s wife to seek a divorce. Eddie had drowned his sorrows in drink, to the misfortune of the team.

With Mike’s arrival, Eddie was aware of a chance to regain his team’s former status, and, in this, Mike’s senior year, a shot at the NCAA Championship has become a real possibility. Big Eddie has recruited a big seven footer from Mexico with a lot of talent but very little experience. Eddie figures, with Mike’s assistance, Carlos will make a great center and solidify the team.

Meanwhile, the management at the World Broadcasting Company has secured the contract to broadcast the NCAA Tournament this year. In the past several years revenues have slipped, which makes the top bosses at WBC a little nervous. Financially, they need a profitable tournament for them to stay competitive with the other networks, so they are looking for a way to insure a large viewing audience. A conference is held and it is suggested that if Notre Dame, UCLA, St. John’s, and North Carolina are the teams that survive until the Final Four, viewer interest will be maintained, and their audience will be huge.

Unfortunately, one attendee at the conference takes this to heart and does the only thing he can think of to make it a reality. He contacts the Mafia, who recognize a profitable deal when they see it, and take matters into their own hands.

The Fix, a first novel by Jeff Schneider, is an enjoyable read. Mr. Schneider’s knowledge of college basketball is extensive, and he treats the reader to a down to earth look into the players’ lives as they progress through the season. The physical and emotional demands made on the players are graphically described. Of particular interest are the varied responses of the players to the pressures of the competition, and the bonding that takes place between them to produce a winning team. The spirit and camaraderie show through clearly.

There are no great surprises in the plot or clever word play. Every character acts predictably, which can be both a compliment and a curse. If a given character does something that does not fit with his personality, the book would have been less believable. But when the reader can anticipate what will happen next, the excitement is lost. In The Fix, the good guys are always very good, and the bad guys very evil. There are a few characters with a distinct character flaw, as Eddie’s penchant for alcohol, but these folks manage to overcome their difficulties with the assistance of their friends and colleagues. The result is a fairy tale like ending.

However, if one is not drawn to dysfunctional individuals who are forever making poor choices, and struggling against insurmountable odds, The Fix should provide a pleasant diversion for a few summer hours.

--Andy Plonka