Great Debut Novel From 'Breaking Bad' Writer

**AvidReader888** · March 15th, 2009

I discovered a great new novel written by George Mastras, one of the writers of "Breaking Bad" -- the drama that Stephen recently called the best written show on television. (Stephen wrote about Mastras' episode of Breaking Bad that "it's like watching No Country for Old Men crossbred with the malevolent spirit of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre").

Stephen King: Why I love Breaking Bad link: ew.com/ew/article/0,,20263453_2,00.html

The novel is called "Fidali's Way," about an American who is wrongfully arrested for murder in Pakistan, and escapes over the Himalayas on foot into Kashmir, where he falls for a woman doctor and becomes caught up in the brutal conflict there. It reminded me of "Razor's Edge" and, in parts, "Midnight Express." Great adventure story and love story filled with insight into a topical and dangerous part of the world. Also breathtakingly suspenseful. A great read!

Thought I'd pass on the good word.

**Dani~** · March 16th, 2009

Great show, watched it last night and saw for the first time that Stephen blurbed it. High praise indeed!

**AvidReader888** · March 16th, 2009

Hi John, I just saw the second episode last night. WOW!! That is all I can say, what a cliffhanger at the end and makes me anxiously waiting for next sunday night's show.!!!

Having read "Fidali's Way" I have to say that this seems typical George Mastras' style, a thorough character building letting the reader/viewer to get the characters intimately and then takes the plot to a totally unexpected drama, leaving the reader/viewer for more.

Now being addicted to more from this writer, I did a search on google and found that he has a site for fidali's way.

Can't wait to see what happens to Walter next week.

what did you enjoy about the show?

**liberallady** · March 16th, 2009

Got to watch past episodes on line, great show! Stephen has never stirred me wrong on books or movies...

**tillyn** · March 16th, 2009

I really loved Midnight Express so i'll have to put your book on my list.

**Leigh** · March 23rd, 2009

Great episode last night, too! Couldn't wait to see how Walt and Jesse were going to get out of their outrageous predicament -- gone missing for days, stuck in the desert with psychotic Tuco and his weird, stroke-impaired uncle Tio, the DEA hot on their trail -- and it didn't disappoint. Each episode is more like an indie movie than television. And so far it's never taken a predictable story line.

I too picked up "Fidali's Way" because I saw the author wrote for Breaking Bad. I really loved that book on so many levels. It's not only a thought provoking page-turner about an American who gets arrested for murder in present day Pakistan, but like George Mastras' recent episode of Breaking Bad, it's filled with breathtaking suspense, and beautiful writing to boot. I also felt like I learned a LOT about the conflicts going on in that region of Pakistan/Afghanistan, a war that we are escalating as we speak. The novel is also filled with mystery, adventure (the hero escapes the police by crossing the Himalayas into India on foot), and romance to boot -- all the workings of a great and timely epic novel. Even if you've never heard of Breaking Bad, I'd strongly recommend Fidali's Way.