Helpful Score: 1
This book is well done all the way through. The mystery is built around the inside workings of the news business. I liked the main character, Riley, because she comes across as very human and has a quick wit despite some painful events she is trying to overcome. The story was pretty fast paced and had some unexpected twists and turns. Very enjoyable reading.
#1 Riley Spartz mystery. Riley is a television reporter in the Twin Cities, MN area--until recently, a top-notch investigative reporter. Her star has fallen considerably over the past year, however, as she struggled to put her life back together after the very public death of her husband Hugh Boyer, a former cop who had been working as chief security for the Governor of Minnesota when a firebomb intended for the Governor killed him while cameras were rolling.
So Riley is intrigued when a long-time police source (now retired) throws her a lead about a couple of murders that happened exactly one year apart, both featuring women named Susan. There were other similarities that weren't revealed to the public, but no other connection besides the name could be found. Upon investigation, Riley finds several other Susans who died on November 19, some more than a decade ago and not in the Twin Cities area, and not all were classified as murder. Between that case--which was a hard sell to her manager--and the pet cremation fraud that her boss has her working on, Riley doesn't have much time to be mooning around any longer. The pet scandal actually turns into a real ratings booster, and when someone begins following her around and leaving dead flowers for her, Riley's not sure if it's someone associated with the vet's office or from her Susan investigation. As Nov. 19 approaches, Riley's anticipation rises, but her world collapses when her friend who was the source is arrested for the murder of another Susan on that night.
I really enjoyed this book--I actually picked it up randomly from the community bookshelf in the break room at work when I finished my regular book and hadn't brought a backup with me. The bright yellow cover drew me to it and when I read the flyleaf and realized it was set locally and written by a local author (Minneapolis) I opened it up...and had a hard time putting it down.
Although I've never been a fan of "the news" (which, IMO, is mostly NOT news and a load of horse puckey! LOL) the story was intriguing from the beginning and I learned a few things along the way. It's well-written with an easy-to-read style, the main character was interesting and appealing, the local flavor is excellent, and there's a good balance of action and introspection. Although I had one of those 'gut feelings' about the bad guy fairly early on, I wasn't sure of the motive or how the crimes were actually committed. It's been awhile since I read a real page-turner, but this was definitely one of those. Won't be long til I read the next in series.
So Riley is intrigued when a long-time police source (now retired) throws her a lead about a couple of murders that happened exactly one year apart, both featuring women named Susan. There were other similarities that weren't revealed to the public, but no other connection besides the name could be found. Upon investigation, Riley finds several other Susans who died on November 19, some more than a decade ago and not in the Twin Cities area, and not all were classified as murder. Between that case--which was a hard sell to her manager--and the pet cremation fraud that her boss has her working on, Riley doesn't have much time to be mooning around any longer. The pet scandal actually turns into a real ratings booster, and when someone begins following her around and leaving dead flowers for her, Riley's not sure if it's someone associated with the vet's office or from her Susan investigation. As Nov. 19 approaches, Riley's anticipation rises, but her world collapses when her friend who was the source is arrested for the murder of another Susan on that night.
I really enjoyed this book--I actually picked it up randomly from the community bookshelf in the break room at work when I finished my regular book and hadn't brought a backup with me. The bright yellow cover drew me to it and when I read the flyleaf and realized it was set locally and written by a local author (Minneapolis) I opened it up...and had a hard time putting it down.
Although I've never been a fan of "the news" (which, IMO, is mostly NOT news and a load of horse puckey! LOL) the story was intriguing from the beginning and I learned a few things along the way. It's well-written with an easy-to-read style, the main character was interesting and appealing, the local flavor is excellent, and there's a good balance of action and introspection. Although I had one of those 'gut feelings' about the bad guy fairly early on, I wasn't sure of the motive or how the crimes were actually committed. It's been awhile since I read a real page-turner, but this was definitely one of those. Won't be long til I read the next in series.
I really liked this book, and had a hard time putting it down. The author has an extensive background in TV news, and the behind the scenes stuff in the book is great. The lead character, Riley, is funny and smart. The book is fast paced and keeps you guessing until the last chapter.
Television reporter Riley Spartz is recovering from a heartbreaking, headline making catastrophe of her own when a longtime police source drops two homicide files in her lap in the back of a dark movie theater. Both cold cases involve women named Susan strangled on the same day, one year apart. Last seen alive in one of Minneapolis's poorest neighborhoods, their bodies are each dumped in one of the city's wealthiest areas. Riley senses a pattern between those murders and others pulled from a computer database of old death records. She must broadcast a warning soon, especially to viewers named Susan, because the deadly anniversary is approaching.
But not just lives are at stake - so are careers.
November is television sweeps month, and every rating point counts at Channel 3. Riley must go up against a news director who cares more about dead dogs than dead women, a politician who fears negative stories about serial killers will hurt the city's convention business, and the very real possibility that her source knows more about the murders than he is letting on.
When Riley suspects the killer has moved personal items from one victim to the next as part of an elaborate ritual, she stages a bold on-air stunt to draw him out and uncovers a motive that will leave readers breathless.
But not just lives are at stake - so are careers.
November is television sweeps month, and every rating point counts at Channel 3. Riley must go up against a news director who cares more about dead dogs than dead women, a politician who fears negative stories about serial killers will hurt the city's convention business, and the very real possibility that her source knows more about the murders than he is letting on.
When Riley suspects the killer has moved personal items from one victim to the next as part of an elaborate ritual, she stages a bold on-air stunt to draw him out and uncovers a motive that will leave readers breathless.
