Sequoia Chronicles • A Novel by Jim Moll

Mark Keating is a radio newsman. Popular music a big part of his life. Lyrics, song titles, artists and themes are constantly running through his head.

In his spare time, he is writing a novel. He conjures up an assassination plot that takes place during an actual presidential goodwill tour. His local reporting, mean- while, has him in the cross hairs of fraudulent land developers and a motorcycle gang.

Perhaps Mark’s real life has merged with the fictional narrative of his novel. By book’s end the reader may also wonder: what was real and what was just a story?

It is December, 1978, in a rural Northern California campground. Mark Keating is a radio newsman and has spent most of his life alone.

Today, alone again, Keating believes this is the last weekend of his life. The events of the past year included the murder of his best friend and the loss of everything he cherished.

As the story unfolds, SEQUOIA CHRONICLES delves into the history of California wildfires, historic floods, droughts as well as the development and construction of the state’s major water projects.

The book follows the evolution of commercial aircraft and the era of Presidential air travel, drawing extensively from the papers and records of President Jimmy Carter’s library in Atlanta, Georgia.

The book's narrative is filled with fascinating information about gold mining, land fraud and illicit drug trafficking. It’s all woven into an engaging and fact filled story, taking the reader on a fast paced journey from Northern California to India.

And, of course, there’s a romantic element, too. Music lyrics from 60s and 70s are sprinkled throughout the book and help move the story along. Then, there’s the ending guaranteed to catch you by surprise.

Please download the first chapter and see what we mean »

Jim Moll grew up in San Mateo, California, attended St. Matthew’s Catholic School, Serra High School and the College of San Mateo before completing his education at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications in 1972.

He pursued a professional broadcasting career at KNDO-TV in Yakima, Washington. He also worked for a broadcast computer installation firm, IGM (International Good Music), in Bellingham, Washington. Returning to broadcasting, he worked at WRMN and WJKL in Elgin, Illinois, before moving to Oroville, California, in 1974 to work as News Director KORV-AM. He moved into Sales and Management in 1979 and assisted in putting KORV’s sister station, KEWE-FM on the air.

Jim is active in community activities, serving as past president of the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce and Northwest SPCA. He is on the Board of Directors of Oroville Hospital, and is involved in the preservation efforts of Oroville’s historic State Theatre. He is also known as “The Voice of Oroville” for his many duties as emcee. Jim began a career in financial services in 1985. He is currently an investment professional with Stifel Financial. This is his first novel. He worked as a monthly guest columnist for the Chico Enterprise-Record and the Oroville Mercury-Register during 2018. He is a member of the North State Writers Club and California Writers Club. Jim and his wife, Claudia, have been married 42 years and make their home in Oroville.