Welcome
Edward R. Murrow Award Winning Journalist and Author
Hot off the Press!
A HOLE IN THE APPLE
is a thrill ride ... a high suspense thriller ..
“…one of the best thrillers on terrorism yet.” Neil C. Livingstone
It had to happen again …
In this suspenseful debut thriller, John Boulder reenters the dark and secretive world of terrorism, in pursuit of the mastermind of an apocalyptic plot against New York City and the nation.
“… a gripping suspense novel that reveals the complexity of 21st century warfare and the multiple threats to contemporary America.” Dr. Jeffrey D. McCausland, Army Col. Ret.
Edward R. Murrow Award winning author, Harley Carnes weaves together a high octane adventure as Boulder comes face to face with the evil of Hassan al Rashid.
With intricate twists of plot, spanning intriguing locations, Boulder leads America’s best agents in an investigation of the criminal flooding of the Holland Tunnel, and the fast paced pursuit of the terrorist responsible.
“… takes off with a bang, and doesn’t let up very often…I can see it as a movie…” Amazon book review
Solving the mystery and stopping al-Rashid is the only way to save millions of lives, protect the city from its own self destruction, and the nation from economic ruin. Time is running out…
“…“Harley Carnes is a born storyteller, and his talents are on full display here. He weaves the plot threads deftly, drawing his characters with sure, bold strokes. The action is pulse-pounding and relentless, right from the opening page. It's not hype to say that once you start this novel you'll be hard-pressed to get anything else done until you've finished it.”
- Critical Eye
Please feel free to drop me a line through the Contact page, harley@harleycarnes.com. I'm interested in your thoughts about the books, about the web site, about the world at large.
Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Novels
Big News and Special Promotions
Big News and Special Promotions
My first literary agent had a sign in her office in Chicago that said, "Axiom Number One. Writers Write." It was hand written on card stock paper, affixed to a carpet covered support column. I saw that sign in 1979, and took it to heart. Been writing ever since.
It's time to get some of the "shelf" novels and the new ones, out there . I hope you like them. There are about six in the queue. Three are ready to go. A Hole In The Apple, is the first out of the gate.
Big News and Special Promotions
Big News and Special Promotions
Big News and Special Promotions
The Big News of the moment is that the next novel, Abraham's Knife, is in final edit, and book formatting stage.
Initial reviews will appear here on the website, soon.
Abraham's Knife will soon join A Hole in the Apple, as a Kindle e-book, and as a print book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other book sellers.
Costs about as much as a good cup of coffee, and lasts a lot longer !
I hope you will enjoy both, the novel and the coffee, and will drop me a line to let me know your thoughts.
Thank you.
Testimonials and Reviews
Big News and Special Promotions
Testimonials and Reviews
About "A Hole In The Apple
We are thrilled to announce receiving a Readers Favorite 5 Star award, after receiving three top reviews from their team of reviewers. I feel very honored by the positive response about the novel.
"A Hole In The Apple is a work of fiction set in the thriller and terrorism genres and was penned by author Harley Carnes. Focused on central character John Boulder, we find ourselves embedded in a tale with plenty of intense action, thrills, and deep intrigue right from the off. Set in the bustling micro-world of New York City, a plot is uncovered to bring about a kind of apocalypse that will raze the city to the ground, bit by bit. Following the trail of the devastation, Boulder realizes that the stakes are not only high for New York, but for the wider economy of the nation if he doesn’t put a stop to these heinous acts.
Author Harley Carnes weaves a masterful narrative that explores many different facets and fears that are common to the human condition about the terrorist threat. As well as being a high octane thriller with plenty of action, Carnes plays with our natural suspicions and xenophobia to create a twisting plot where disaster can and will rear its head at any turn, resulting in a book which becomes increasingly difficult to put down and move away from. In a survival tale and criminal mystery at heart, protagonist John Boulder is the rock on which we depend, clinging to his gusto and expertise throughout the tale. Overall, A Hole In The Apple is a superbly well-developed thriller and mystery tale that is certain to please fans who crave a fully rounded action and adventure thriller for the modern age. Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite 5 Stars
"...There are many thrillers written about terrorism, but there is something about A Hole in the Apple that just takes it to the next level. The action is intense from the moment the story begins; I got an adrenaline rush just by reading some action scenes. The suspense is thick and the plot thrives on it. The story is intensely woven; it’s intricate and allows John Boulder to truly try his hand at anything that will work against the adversary. I cannot stress how well-written the narrative is; it is just so seamlessly fluid. It had the drama and the action that had me interested from the moment the story began. Harley Carnes is a master storyteller and I hope the author shares more with us. Interesting and very entertaining.
Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite - 5 Stars
"A Hole in the Apple by Harley Carnes is a terrorist thriller that is pulsating, to say the least. A devious, criminal mind is determined to sink New York City, and this means doom, not only for the city but the economy of the country. His name is Hassan Al Rashid, and he has put into place a plan that is as complicated as it is strong, enough to cause far-reaching and deadly repercussions in the city. There is just one person who can stop al Rashid, but can John Boulder, with his group of hand-picked and well-trained agents, unravel the intricate plot and bring down the demon before he sinks one of the most powerful cities in the US? The clock ticks, and with every passing second, the imminent danger grows bigger.
I love it when an author crafts a good story and creates in it a hero that readers want to journey with. What Harley Carnes has done is impeccable: first, he creates a very complex problem, then a character who measures up to the danger. Boulder is not your run-of-the-mill character. He is intelligent, a gifted investigator, and a man who has his own flaws. The problem is that what is facing him and his team is nothing like anything he’s encountered in his career. The plot is ingenious; it is unpredictable, and it is spiced with unrelenting action. A Hole in the Apple moves fast, and the author creates a sense of urgency that fuels the conflict and helps to build tension in readers. The chances of success for Boulder are minimal, and that makes for an enjoyable read when the explosive conclusion happens. "
Reviewed By Ruffina Oserio for Readers’ Favorite 5 Stars
"Harley Carnes is a born storyteller, and his talents are on full display here. He weaves the plot threads deftly, drawing his characters with sure, bold strokes. the action is pulse pounding and relentless, right from the opening page."
Critical Eye review
"A Hole In The Apple is a gripping suspense novel that reveals the complexity of 21st century warfare and the multiple threats to contemporary America."
Dr. Jeffrey D. McCausland,
U.S. Army Col. Ret.
"Harley Carnes has written one of the best thrillers on terrorism yet."
Neil C. Livingstone
ON BROADCASTING
"...you are simply the BEST. Thank you for informing me daily for years. I know you're not done, but I will miss you every day on KNX. All the best! "
s. Truitt
"Good luck to you, my friend. You are an amazing talent. The quintessential anchor."
R. Walczewski
" You threw away the WCBS liner cards back in the day and injected humanity, humor, and clarity in your storytelling. I was a student every time I listened and every time I co-anchored with you. You brought a positive attitude and friendly warmth on and off the air. In other words, your legacy lives on every time we make a human connection over our radio. All the best old friend. "
Wayne Cabot
" It began in Chicago circa 1980. I was at WBBM listening to Mr. Carnes on WLS/ABC and thought "Wow, this guy is good". When I got to know him and work with him, my opinion changed a little. "Wow this guys is one of the greatest ever!"
Ed Crane
" Harley Carnes is the best. His newscasts are so natural - they sing! I had the honor of working with him at All News 880 in 2001. It was an honor to be around such a natural broadcaster."
Frank Cipolla
" We're going to miss your extraordinary writing, Harley! Have been a fan since your days in Chicago. "
Bernie Tafoya
Gratitude is a word spelled with just nine letters. It's too short to express the appreciation I have for supremely talented friends like these. And for fans, who occasionally say nice things, too. Thank You.
Aviation
Aviation
Testimonials and Reviews
My Uncle Zell once told me, "you can learn a lot about someone, if you find out what they do when they are not working." Hobbies and avocations tell us more, sometimes, about what gives the juice to life for someone.
For me - one of those pursuits is aviation. I've been flying since 1983, teaching since about '87, and still teach today.
The image above is out the front window of a 1946 Piper Cub, the greatest basic trainer ever created.
FAQ
Aviation
FAQ
Why do you write?
A - The easiest answer is because Mrs. Sapp, my junior high school English teacher believed I could, and told me so. She said, "you have a talent. Don't waste it." Praise is a powerful tonic. And it's a pleasure to publicly add "author" to the resume. The first novel (yet unpublished) was written in 1973. It's a dust collector on the shelf.
What are your thoughts about the current state of the news media?
A - The term "news media" barely applies these days. News is supposed to be unbiased. That does not mean devoid of personality, though it can be challenge to keep the two separate. The 24 hour news cycle of 'cable' news must shoulder the vast portion of blame for failing to be the steward of journalistic principles. As news consumers, we must absorb the 'news' from unbalanced purveyors of the information, and find our own balance. Sadly, we can no longer depend on any news operation to be as fair and balanced, without political flavoring, as we should be able to expect.
When is your next book coming out?
A - Almost immediately.
Do you make public appearances?
A- Sure. Sometimes they pay me, which is always nice.
What's more important, flying or writing?
A - Gee, that one's tough. What's more important to you - breathing or eating?
Are you a sports fan? Favorite teams?
A - New York Yankees, since I was 5 years old.
I love all sports, and I've lived long enough to become a fan of great players, great effort, and great performances - whether it's football, basketball, hockey or aerobatic competitions. So, I guess I'm a fan of Sports - more than a sports fan.