Changing Lanes: An Automotive Mystery is a who-dunit, techno-thriller set in the Motor City's automobile industry.
In the fast-paced, high stakes world of Detroit's Big Three, it's all about the product - sleek, well-engineered vehicles incorporating cutting edge technology. A company's success or failure hinges upon delivering cars that are reliable, affordable, and, above all, safe. The distinguished AutoMotors Corporation has always led the field in innovation, but is now threatened by a crisis of epic proportions. Its technology has somehow turned lethal and countless drivers of AM vehicles are dying in horrifying high-profile crashes. Fatalities are increasing daily, billion-dollar lawsuits are being filed, and the media are circling like vultures, waiting for the inevitable announcement that the iconic company is going under.
Recently retired AM employee Tom Greenlea is the first to suspect that the malfunctions may be due to something more sinister than faulty technology. But all is not as it seems within the insular walls of the legacy company, and soon Tom is in over his head. Who, from among his team of long-time coworkers, can he trust? Can he unravel the tangled threads of deceit before the cunning saboteur destroys the evidence - or targets him for death?
Excerpt
From the Author's Note:
Having fallen in and out of love, several times, with the world of automotives, I write for you readers..., to cite the excitement, uniqueness, intrigue, and the economic importance of arguably the greatest commerce of our land - the business of personal transportation - the automobile business.
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Reviews for "Changing Lanes: An Automotive Mystery"
Grant Mobielle's "Changing Lanes" tells the story of how Tom Greenlea, a barely-retired automotive industry middle manager, helps uncover and prevent a conglomerate of scheming Asian carmakers from taking down his company.
The schemers have a long-range plan: convince some company insiders to plant defective and lethal computer modules into a bunch of the cars, and then sit back and watch the company crumble under the ensuing lawsuits. Mobielle lets us follow Greenlea as he plods through his investigation of how the crime happened, and who the guilty parties are.
I found "Changing Lanes" to be a well-edited, easy to read story. A few red herrings let me to some early false conclusions, and I was kept guessing as to who the company insiders were.
I also found "Changing Lanes" to be educational: Mobielle treats us to a glimpse of the layers upon layers of safety testing and controls that go into the automotive design process. Mixing this in with an engaging story is a great way to learn!
While working on the set of a Hollywood horror movie, a simulated murder turns into a real homocide. Special effects artist Harri Lewis (aka Agent Proteus) steps in to try to solve the murder
