Among her many techniques in Chartbreaker, Cross employs flashback to striking effect. The narrative consists primarily of the first-person reflections of a lead rock singer who describes the rise of her stunning career. The tale is told in a vivid, trueconfession style that invites immediate reader identification. There is an edgy tone in the narrative as well, suitable to the highly charged, rockmusic subject matter. Major characters are intriguing, sharply drawn, and clearly differentiated. A one-page personal statement by the star opens the novel in an intriguing way, as it quickly introduces the major character in the context of her success. The subsequent narrative which explains the history of that success is both paced and plotted well.

The device of breaking up narrative is employed every several chapters to convey a show-business atmosphere and supply different perspectives. A newspaper clipping, for example, is headed "A Day...