Mr Haugland, is a highly respected and well known TV personality
who anchored Montreal's "Pulse News". Now in retirement he is using
his past experiences as a reporter and TV news writer to produce
his first novel. Although, a fiction it is derived from many events
he witnessed during the 60's. Montrealers will easily recognize the
people and scenes described in this narrative.
Not surprisingly, "Mobile 9" is a tale of a television news
reporter, told in the 3rd person in a very cinematic way. Mr
Haugland has captured and masterfully delivered a story of a
television news cameraman embroiled in a mystery, accused of an
assault he did not commit. Events that occurred: such as the FLQ
bombing of the mayor's home (Jean Drapeau), the rise of separatism
and the mafia investigations all play a part in this story.
I found the book commendable; it captured effectively the
linguistic and political atmosphere, not forgetting the tensions of
the professional and personal life of the media. Some may say Mr
Haugland's enthusiasm describing a Grey Cup game was distracting, I
found it was very well done and expertly conveys the atmosphere of
the time. His great skill as a writer has given us a splendid tale
with a wonderful ending, a concise wrap up that I have only seen in
some movies…
I loved the intrepid reporter Ty Davis and all the rest of the
cast. It will be nice to see them back in a subsequent novel. Well
done Mr Haugland