Prime Time Mystery

The tag line for this novel is "You're only as good as your last story".  Well, if that's the case then author Hank Phillippi Ryan is very, very good indeed.  But I already knew that, because this is not the first in the Charlotte McNally mystery series that I've read. 

Charlotte, actually Charlie, is such an engaging character.  I just love reading along in her stream of consciousness.  It's really fun writing.  Charlie is a seasoned television journalist looking for a high ratings story during sweeps.  Well, one finds her.  In this book in the series, the murder mystery plot is around high finance.  The clues are all there for the reader.  I admit, I was positive I'd solved who the murderer was, but I was wrong.  Although I was firmly convinced of the guilt of my suspect up to the very last few pages.  Great mystery!

Can high finance success be found by email?  Electronic trades and files?  And how do you follow the paper trail to the source when it's all electronic, without getting spammed?  An intrepid journalist will find the way.

In her career Charlie works with a smart Producer, and a somewhat terrifying boss.  Charlie has been a workaholic.  But is "smarts" enough in the competitive television field when the camera doesn't love your older/experienced self the way it used to love the younger reporter?  Struggles continue striving to be wholly fulfilled in both career and also in personal life.  Charlie designs and dreams of the perfect relationship. Well, an interesting relationship finds her.

Here's an example of the wonderful writing - "Here I am, uncovering the biggest story of my life, and someone else is going to write it.  I've got no notebook, no tape recorder, no camera, and it's looking more and more like the only eyewitness to what's apparently planned to be a fatal shooting, one Charlotte Ann McNally, is not going to be around for the big interview.  Because Charlotte Ann McNally is also going to be the victim.  And dead.  I guess this is what my sixth-grade English teacher meant by irony."

Hank Phillippi Ryan is well qualified to spin this tale.  She is on the air at Boston's NBC affiliate.  She's won 26 Emmy awards and 10 Edward R. Murrow awards, plus additional honors.  This book is an Agatha Award winner.

You will really be entertained by this fun mystery.

Happy sleuthing!