Off the Air by Christina Estes

 This debut novel by Christina Estes looks at how journalists put together a newsworthy story, from following up leads to putting "teasers" on social media to promote a story.

Jolene Garcia, a TV reporter in Phoenix, Arizona, is among the first to report on the sudden death of a controversial radio host. Hoping to outscoop the other journalists, she gets caught up in the investigation. Relying on tips from a friend in law enforcement, she proceeds to head up her research into the presumed murder. What follows is a look at the extent to which Jolene is willing to go to further her career.

While the story is intriguing, I found myself a bit disgusted at Jolene's tactics to try and stay ahead of the competition. She alienates colleagues, witnesses, and police contacts to further her career and, in my case, the reader. This is a fast-paced read and a good look at what goes on behind the scenes of broadcast news. I was expecting more of a cozy mystery, so I was slightly disappointed in what was more about broadcast journalists. I recommend the book; just go into it knowing what you'll get. 

3/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 26, 2024.

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Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

 

Well, this certainly is not an uplifting book—the dark subject matter combined with the writing style made for a difficult read.

In the near future, Ireland enacts the Emergency Powers Act for an unspecified "ongoing crisis facing the state." This has granted the power to the Garda National Services Bureau to detain so-called dissidents and restrict citizen freedoms. Eilish Stack's husband Larry, the deputy general secretary of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, is taken into custody and soon disappears into the system. Frantic and trying to protect her four children, Eilish tries to discover what happened to Larry. What follows is a portrayal of a country in decline as more citizens' rights are taken away in the name of national security. It is a frightening scenario.

I don't know what the author was attempting to do with this writing experiment, but it failed. There are few paragraphs, no breaks for dialogue, no quotation marks, just long paragraphs with thoughts, descriptions, and dialogue mixed together. Although the story is engaging and moves along rapidly, it is depressing to watch Ireland turn into a dictatorship. My opinions are in the minority, but I can't see why this book is so highly rated. 

2.5/5 stars.

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The Mind of a Murderer by Michael Wood

 I think Michael Wood is the master of psychological thrillers. His DI Matilda Darke series is excellent, and this start of a new series promises to be just as good.

Olivia Winter is not a profiler; she is a world-famous forensic psychologist who studies serial killers. The twist is that her father is a convicted serial killer who killed her mother and sister and attempted to kill nine-year-old Olivia before he was captured. Now he is in a London hospital after heart surgery, and he wants to see Olivia--this is just when a new killer is stalking women using a similar killing method as her father. Is there a connection? When the killer strikes close to home, Olivia agrees to help the police investigation despite dredging up painful memories and putting her own life in danger.

I found Olivia to be an engaging character with a strong personality despite her emotional baggage. The story is dark and twisty, just the way I like them. I'm looking forward to this new series. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and One More Chapter, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 28, 2024.

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How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

I admit it: the title grabbed me, but the story kept me engaged. Although the title could indicate a time travel book, instead, it is a cleverly plotted whodunit.

Frances, Rose, and Emily are best friends. In 1965, they were at a fair in the English hamlet of Castle Knoll when Frances has her fortune told--one that predicts she will be murdered. She spends the rest of her life trying to find out what happened to Emily, who disappeared soon after the fair and trying to prevent her own murder. Unfortunately, she fails at both.

Flash forward to the present day. Annie Adams, Frances's great-niece, is summoned to Castle Knoll because Frances has changed her will and named Annie the prime beneficiary, which is odd because they have never met. Upon arrival, Annie and others designated in Frances's will find Frances murdered at her country estate. In a letter from beyond the grave, Frances pits the three most interested parties to her vast estate against each other: whoever solves her murder gets it all.

This book was a page-turner for me. It is an imaginative, well-written story with twists and interesting characters, especially Annie and Frances. The subplot of Emily's disappearance moved the story along, and the past, as recounted in Frances's journal, made me wonder how the disappearance and murder were connected. It is apparent that the author is not finished with Annie and company, and I look forward to the next book in this new series. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dutton, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 26, 2024.

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The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

 I love books about writing and the world of books in general, so when I saw that the author of "The Woman in the Library" had written another book involving writing and publishing, I jumped at the chance to read it. I wasn't disappointed.

When Theodosia Benton decides she'd rather be a writer than a lawyer, she leaves university in Australia. She appears on her brother Gus's doorstep in Lawrence, Kansas, all set to begin a new life. She quickly falls in with a crowd of local writers, including the mysterious Dan Murdoch, who becomes her mentor and lover. When Murdoch is brutally murdered, Theo becomes the prime suspect. She also becomes the target of a conspiracy group and finds her own life in danger. Feeling her options are limited, and with the focus of the police investigation shifting to Gus, Theo decides to forfeit her ambitions and try and save her brother by confessing to a murder she didn't commit. But will her plan work?

This is an imaginatively plotted book with many subplots and red herrings. The reader is kept in the dark as to how Theo's plan of confessing to the murder will help find the killer, and with the slow reveals, I was kept guessing until the end. "The Mystery Writer" is a fast-paced murder mystery with a glimpse of the world of conspiracy theorists and doomsday preppers that is both a captivating and rewarding read. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 19, 2024.

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Jumpnauts by Hao Jingfang

I love a good science fiction book, and if it involves a first encounter, that's just icing on the cake. I was looking forward to this book from this award-winning Chinese writer whose story checked both boxes. I don't know if something got lost in translation, but this was less than a stellar introduction to this writer. The characters were one-dimensional, the writing was simplistic, and the dialogue clunky. 

Earth is now divided into two factions, the Pacific League of Nations and the Atlantic Division of Nations; war is imminent. Add to this, an alien race, thought to have visited in the past, is now trying to make contact. Two scientists and a wealthy playboy are trying to interfere with a potential military response and make first contact. The race is on.

As stated, the premise is intriguing, but the execution is lacking. 

1/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Saga Press, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 12, 2024.

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I Am Rome by Santiago Posteguillo

I like good historical fiction novels. I like the way they can make people and times come alive, and even though I may be familiar with the person and era, I always find I learn something. "I Am Rome" is an example of an excellent historical fiction novel. Even though I am familiar with Julius Caesar and his later life, I didn't know who or what influenced him when he was younger. This book fills in the blanks.

A somewhat naive twenty-three-year-old Julius Caesar is selected to prosecute a corrupt politician, and even though he knows the tribunal has been bought, he still thinks he can get justice for some of the people the politician has wronged. In a period when individuals are routinely assassinated for their political beliefs or actions, Caesar is putting his life in jeopardy by taking this case and going against the ruling faction of the Roman Empire. The story then uses a series of flashbacks to various periods in Caesar's life to illustrate how he came to believe he could take on the corruption running rampant at the time.

Author Santiago Posteguillo does an incredible job of depicting life in ancient Rome. This book has it all: villainous characters, epic battles, courtroom drama, and a gripping love story. All elements are woven together to reveal how Julius Caesar became, well, Julius Caesar. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 5, 2024.

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The Fury by Alex Michaelides

 

I liked Michaelides's two previous books, "The Silent Patient" and "The Maidens," and was set to be entertained by yet another twisty thriller--"The Fury" certainly lives up to that.

Elliott Chase had a rotten childhood, bullied by his peers and neglected by his parents; he escaped by falling in love with film star Lana Farrar. Years later, he met Lana at a party, and their friendship was cemented. When Lana invited Elliott and her best friend Kate to spend the Easter holiday with her, her husband, and her son on her private Greek island, he jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, a windstorm, known as the Fury, isolates them on the island, and when one of the group gets murdered, all are suspects. Will the killer strike again?

This was a fast read that was engrossing and kept me guessing. Most of the story is a first-person narration by Elliott that sometimes diverges from the storyline with asides and speculations that I felt didn't move the story along. This was a minor annoyance, but overall, this was a satisfying read. I think fans of his previous books will find this an excellent addition to Michaelides's works. 

3.5/5 stars.

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