A New Cozy Author!
Jody Holford has finally hit the scene with her new cozy mystery Deadly News! I genuinely enjoyed this first book!

Molly Owen had recently accepted a job at the local paper in the seaside town of Britton. The paper had fallen on some hard times and Molly was hired to help turn it around. From her first day on the job she felt the antagonism of a long-time employee, Vernon. When Vernon ends up dead, she suddenly finds herself viewing each of her co-workers as suspects in the Murder. After deciding she needs to investigate, she finds herself as a target.

As I read through this book, I too couldn’t seem to figure out who the killer was . The story takes you on an adventure through the little seaside town as we follow Molly through her investigations. Is everything really as it seems, or is there a much more logical reason behind what is going on? I liked Molly as our protagonist and enjoyed my view of the town and local characters. I can’t wait for the next in the series to come out!

Deadly News
By: Jody Holford
Kensington Books – Lyrical Underground
4 Stars

Molly Owns moves to Britton Bay, Oregon to start a new life after a cheating boyfriend. She is hired as editor of the Britton Bay Bulletin. Her job is to help return the paper to its former glory. The paper has two writers on staff, Elizabeth and Vernon. While Elizabeth seems willing to accept Molly, Vernon takes an instant dislike to her. Molly butts heads with Vernon when she tells him to write a piece on a well-known local family. Two days after she orders him to finish his story, he fails to returns to work. Molly goes to his home and finds him dead. She feels guilty about his death because she is certain his death has something to do with the story he was supposed to be writing. The problem is that Vernon was simply not a nice person and so the list of possible suspects is long. Molly finds, though, that she can’t keep out of the investigation until she has some answers. Molly’s interference, however, leads to trouble for her. Maybe too much trouble.

Deadly News is a great start to the Britton Bay mystery series. The story takes place in a small, quiet town in coastal Oregon. I immediately like Molly’s character and liked that she wasn’t portrayed as a shrinking violet. She knows the steps that need to be taken to improve the paper and she immediately enacts changes even though she faces some opposition. The rest of the book is flushed out with a great cast of characters that I look forward to getting to know better. One person in particular catches Molly’s eye, Sam Aldrich. Although Molly has avowed herself of men, she can’t seem to suppress her attraction to Sam. Their budding romance provides a great subplot. The main plot is unpredictable and refreshing. I was kept guessing until the end. Cozy mystery readers should definitely add this series to their TBR pile. I know that I plan on following and reading this series.

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Press – Lyrical Underground for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #DeadlyNews

4.5 Stars - Top Pick

Molly Owens wants a new start and happily accepts a job as editor of Britton Bay’s failing newspaper. She is enthusiastic and has lots of ideas on how to expand the readership of the “Bulletin”. Molly gets a warm reception from most of the staff who are willing to give the new ways a try. However, Molly has a hard time getting along with one of the employees, the grouchy Vernon East. When Vernon is murdered after taking on a story forced on him by Molly, she feels responsible for his death. Even when Molly learns there were plenty of people who had reason to want Vernon dead, she still feels she owes it to Vernon to help find his killer.

Deadly News is the first of a new series taking place in Britton Bay, Oregon. I liked Molly’s upbeat attitude and competence in her job right from the beginning. It’s easy to see why she makes friends s0 easily and earns the respect of most of her new co-workers from the very first day. Even though she didn’t care for Vernon, Molly doesn’t believe he deserve what happened to him. I like how she decides to do whatever she can to get information on the case, even when it doesn’t endear her to local law enforcement.

Molly makes a fast connection with Sam Alderich who owns an automobile repair shop in town. Molly is often shy around Sam and their awkward moments getting to know each other are realistic and adorable. The author’s biography says she writes contemporary romances as well as cozy mysteries and that shows in this book. The story has the right combination of light mystery and sweet romance. I was just as interested in seeing how things would progress between Molly and Sam as I was in the solution to the mystery.

Molly has the same problem that other cozy mystery heroines have in that she has a tendency to jump headlong into action, based on incorrect conclusions. This sends her down a lot of false paths that could be avoided. However, the large number of suspects and possible motives for Vernon’s murder makes the investigation interesting and allows the reader to be surprised when the killer’s identity is revealed. The book is fast-paced and fun to read. The author does a great job of introducing the various side-characters in the book without being too overwhelming or bogging down the story. I am hoping this is only the beginning of Molly’s new life in Britton Bay and there are future books that show us what happens next in Molly’s life and let us get to know some of the supporting characters in the town a little better. Deadly News will appeal to fans of Lucy Arlington’s Novel Idea series.

~ Christine

I received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

I enjoyed this first book in a new series. The Oregon coast is a lovely setting and the characters are easy to like. The plot is well formed and the story well-written. I didn’t get the killer until the reveal at then end. Highly recommend.

When big-city newspaper editor Molly Owens walks into her apartment and finds her boyfriend in a compromising position with his ex, she decides it's time for a change. Molly is an army brat who has never put down roots anywhere. Britton Bay, a seaside town in Oregon is looking for a new editor for its local paper. Molly thinks this will be just the challenge and change she needs. The paper, though of long standing in the community, has been neglected by its owner and needs to be dragged into the 21st century. All of the small staff is welcoming, with the glaring exception of Vernon Wise, who makes it clear immediately that he is not interested in any of Molly's ideas or direction. The staff photographer, Clay, who turns out to be Vernon's son, is welcoming, but creepy. There are all sorts of undercurrents in the newsroom, especially between Alan Benedict, the owner, and his assistant, Elizabeth Grover.

Molly jumps right in with suggestions, backed fully by Alan, for a new direction for the paper. Her first order is to Vernon for an interview with the matriarch of Britton Bays' founding family, the Phillips. Vernon agrees, under protest and with ill grace. Molly thinks that Britton Bay is an excellent choice and quickly rents a charming carriage house, finds new friends, takes in an adorable stray puppy, and meets Sam Alderich, a dishy auto mechanic. The day after the interview with the Phillips matriarch, Vernon calls in sick and on the next day is a no-show. Molly finds him bludgeoned to death in his home, and in her mind, the interview and murder must be connected. She feels somewhat responsible, even as she uncovers blackmail and possible extramarital affairs in the mix at the newspaper.

I enjoyed the setting and found the mystery to be challenging. Molly herself is likable, even if overly responsible for events beyond her control and unmindful of her own safety. The instant romance with Sam was a little too easy, considering her previous experience with men. Deadly News is a fun, complete escape read and I look forward to another visit to Britton Bay.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

Deadly News

by Jody Holford

In Deadly News, the start of a new series by Jody Holford, Molly Owens accepts the editor’s job at the Britton Bay Bulletin. Owner Alan introduces her to the staff: old-timer Vernon with an insulting attitude and nothing good to say, reserved and polite Elizabeth, lecherous Clay, and enthusiastic intern Hannah. It is immediately obvious that it will take some time to fit in, but Molly is determined.

One of the staff members is murdered and Molly feels responsible. She also thinks it is important to follow up on that reporter’s last assignment. The waters get muddied quickly as Molly follows various leads, and someone in town makes it clear she is not welcome there.

The characters are interesting, and the mystery provides a challenging puzzle to solve. Romance is thrown into the mix in the form of Sam, whose dazzling smile attracts lots of attention. There is even a cute stray dog who plays an important role in directing Molly to a clue. Molly is likable and you’ll want to see her succeed in her job…and in staying alive.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Lyrical Underground (Kensington Press) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #1 in the Britton Bay Mystery Series

Publication: October 30, 2018—Kensington Press (Lyrical Underground)

Memorable Lines:

Word of mouth was the fastest form of communication in any place with less than a dozen stoplights.

Sam’s smile made her feel like she’d just snuggled into a warm jacket on a cold day.

“We should do something fun this weekend. Do you like to camp?” Molly scrunched her nose up. “Only when I’m pretending I can’t afford a night in a hotel.”

This is a new cozy series that is very enjoyable to read. The author has all the right elements for a good cozy mystery series. I hope the series will continue for many more books !
Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my review.

Molly is new to small town Britton Falls and is happily working as the new copy editor for the newspaper.
Molly has one co-worker who is very difficult and giving Molly a hard time.
When Molly discovers his body, she decides to dig deeper into his death herself with her investigative skills.
She proves to be a apt protagonist with her skills and soon is gaining on the suspect and reasons behind the death. She has the help of local townspeople and is soon making friends as she gains information for her case.
I enjoyed this new cozy set around a small town newspaper. It is fun to read, has a well crafted sleuth and great supporting charcters. I look forward to the next in series.. Molly is a perfect protagonist and has shown much promise in this book for solving future cases. Well done to the author.

Deadly News by Jody Holford is the 1st book in A Britton Bay Mystery series, and a good start. Molly Owens is ready to settle down in Britton Bay, Oregon, after growing up moving a lot. Molly has been hired as editor for the local newspaper, with the hope of improving the struggling newspaper. One of the reporters, Vernon, is not cooperating with her, and ends up murdered after she insist he interview a prominent local women. Molly wants to find out who killed him and starts her sleuthing. First of all, I love the book cover and the adorable dog on it. I also enjoyed the story. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. There are a lot of twists and turns that kept me reading. There is a wonderful mixture of mystery and humor, for a well-balanced story. If you love cozy mysteries, I recommend this book.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Deadly News by Jody Holford is the first book in the new cozy A Britton Bay Mystery series. California native Molly Owens finds herself moving to a small town just in time to solve a murder.

Molly has had experience as a journalist so when she’s offered the job as editor of the Britton Bay Bulletin she’s excited to take on the task. Molly’s goal is to help the small town paper end it’s struggling but while most of the employee’s welcome her she clashes with one in particular.

Vernon isn’t exactly welcoming to Molly from the moment they meet but when Molly pushes him to investigate a prominent local family she never expects to find him dead. Feeling guilty over Vernon’s death Molly decides she needs to use her investigative skills to find the murderer herself.

While Deadly News was a promising beginning to a new series I couldn’t say that I didn’t have a few issues with this first installment. One thing I wasn’t quite expecting was a bit of insta-love with the romance playing a big part of the book, normally any relationship is more background than this one was. While this one was spot on with the small town vibe I did miss the overly quirkiness I find in a lot of cozies too. And for me I found the mystery a bit easy in this first book so hopefully the next would surprise me.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Deadly News is first in the new Britton Bay Mystery series, and what a great start! The adorable pup on the cover with his little purple bear and the newspaper headline are what first attracted me to it. Each item is an important part of this clever, intriguing mystery, with very well-defined, realistic characters, and the beautiful Oregon coast setting.
Molly Owens came to Britton Bay to become editor of their small newspaper. At least one person is seething that she is there. Vernon is an older man who doesn’t like most people and the feeling is mutual. Alan is third generation owner of the paper. Hannah, Alan’s niece and intern, and Elizabeth seem cooperative. Clay is the part time photographer and social media expert.
Molly assigns tasks for a piece on the Phillips family, the local movers and shakers. That evening, she finds the air has been let from all her tires and stops at the service station. The good-looking mechanic who filled them told her where she could find a place to rent, a carriage house at the local B&B. She also met Calliope, owner of the best eatery in town, who knows almost everyone there.
Vernon interviewed the matriarch of the Phillips family, who loaned him a box of family photos, journal pages, and newspaper articles. On Saturday he didn’t call or come in to work. Molly went to his home to see if he was okay and found him dead, with a heavy portable coffee cup with blood on the base nearby.
Much later, when Molly prepared to leave the office, she heard a noise in the alley near the dumpster. She tracked it down to a little black and white puppy wrestling a stuffed purple bear from a pile of trash. With no collar or owner nearby, she put a sign in the window about the pup and took him home until the owner contacts the paper. She also came across a printed series of emails between Vernon and Elizabeth, blackmailing her and Alan if they did not stop their relationship. That could put a different spin on the murder investigation.
This is a series that I am looking forward to seeing more of! I highly recommend Deadly News for several reasons.
First is how well Molly is defined. Within a short time, I felt as if I had known her much longer than the length of the novel, and appreciate her personality, work ethic, career, her intelligence and willingness to find the truth. I like Hannah; she is an outstanding teen! She studies hard and excels as an intern. Katherine is a landlady and mother figure everyone would want. I loved the puppy from the start! This sweetheart has a special appeal.
The sensitivity and dignity with which the author addressed a serious health concern is exemplary. The more we learn about it in this manner, the more sufferers and families may be freed.
The plot is full of twists and turns that kept changing my suspect list. I had very briefly considered the real bad guy but couldn’t guess a motive. Yet, the rest of the suspects didn’t seem quite right, even with some of the evidence. I was completely surprised at the outcome, including the why behind the who.
This is a must-read for those who enjoy journalism and well-written cozies!
From a grateful heart: I received an e-Arc of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, LOVE the cover! Anything with pets immediately catches my eye and what a cutie too! Secondly, enough cannot be said about the ideal place that is Britton Bay (which reminds me so so much of Brindleton Bay for those Sims 4 fans out there!) a lot of detail went into describing the city and businesses and characters. And what characters they are! I enjoyed getting to know everyone, especially the setting and the mystery was very intriguing. I couldn't put it down! Instant favorite!

Molly has just moved to the small town of Britton Bay, to help the struggling newspaper. She is welcomed with open arms by most, but not Vernon. Vernon has a long list of people who he has wronged. When Molly checks up on him, she finds him dead in his home. With the help of Sam the local mechanic, can she figure who killed Vernon and why? This book had me intrigued from the beginning. I found myself rooting for Molly as she was picking up the pieces of her life and trying to put roots down for the first time in her life.

Thanks to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this first novel in a new cozy mystery series! DEADLY NEWS was engaging, entertaining, and really well-written, with a wonderful small town, seaside setting and excellent characters. The mystery was interesting and played out really well, and the obligatory cozy love interest felt natural and adorable, not at all forced or cheesy (and thankfully – no drama!) I really look forward to more in this series!

Molly Owens has just arrived in Britton Cove, Oregon, certain that a change of scenery and new job as editor of the local newspaper is exactly what she needs in her life. What she doesn’t need is finding one of her reporters – murdered! Molly is worried that the story she encouraged him to seek out is what caused his untimely death, so she’s determined to find the killer. Molly also doesn’t plan on meeting a man who makes her spine tingle – in a good way! But she also believes that things happen for a reason…

I highly recommend this one, and I’m already anxiously awaiting book #2!

Nice start to what I think will be a delightful series. A murder, a meet cute, a dog, and many interesting characters made this an intriguing story. I look forward to reading the next one.

This is a fantastic new series! More romance than is usually in a cozy, but in a good way;

Molly is new in town and makes an enemy in her new co-worker at the local newspaper. So, of course, she stumbles upon his dead body soon after arriving in Britton Bay. Not many people liked the victim, but who hated him enough to kill? Molly is ruffling feathers by following her inner reporter and trying to investigate the murder, which the police do not want her to do. As usual, I was shocked at the revelation of the murderer.

Good writing style, adorable puppy, cute mechanic, etc...all the makings of a good cozy. 4.7 stars.

I voluntarily reviewed this book on Netgalley. #netgalley #jodyholford #deadlynews

I will post to Amazon and Barnes & Noble when published.

Deadly News
A Britton Bay Mystery, Book #1
Jody Holford
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Former Army brat Molly Owens is ready to put down roots, and the picturesque seaside town of Britton Bay on the Oregon Coast seems like the perfect place for it. Especially when she lands a job as editor of the local paper. But she’s got one colleague who’s very bad news . . .

As an experienced journalist, Molly is eager to bring the struggling Britton Bay Bulletin up to speed. But when she pushes Vernon, one of her less welcoming reporters, to dig a little deeper into the story of a prominent local family, the man ends up dead. The fact that he wasn’t well-liked makes finding the killer extra complicated. The lists of suspects range from his ex-wife to his own son to Molly’s boss, who has a secret of his own. But when Molly’s attempts to sleuth out the truth result in her receiving frightening threats, the trouble is just beginning . . .

The one bright spot is Molly’s newfound flirtation with Sam Alderich. The sexy mechanic is used to taking things apart and piecing them back together, and between the two of them they just might be able to solve this deadly puzzle—if Molly can survive peaceful small-town life long enough . . . (Goodreads)


Review:

The writing style flows smoothly and it defined the characters very clearly by their action and words. I could imagine the newsroom and the town of Britton Bay through the author’s description and I wanted to stay for a visit.

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Molly is a smart, hardworking caring woman who is not afraid of change. Not only has she moved, she is starting a new job, which will be very challenging. When someone from the newsroom gets murder, she will have to use her detective skills to figure out who the culprit is.

The mystery was well plotted and carried on well throughout the entire book. There were plenty of suspects to consider and clues to sift through and the mystery was not easy to solve.

This book is the first in a new series and if I were editor of the paper my headline would be “It Is A Winner”. And I think the cover is adorable.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

A well written and entertaining start for a new series.
The book is engaging and fun to read, the cast of character is likeable and well developed.
I like the heroine and the setting.
The mystery was good, no plot hole, and kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading other instalment in this series.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC

3.75 stars

Molly Owens is young, but she is competent and strong, so she figures her new small town Oregon newspaper staff will adjust. But when her biggest detractor is found dead, Molly feels personally and professionally that she must find the murderer.

Molly is a well-drawn and appealing character and her surrounding cast is solid. Her transition to her new community and the personalities she meets make for good reading. I will definitely read on in this series after this worthwhile debut.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

Molly wants to spruce up the paper with better reporting and more info people will read. Most of her employees don't say much, but Vernon isn't going along with it and he says so...

Lyrical Underground and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published October 30th.

Molly forces him to go visit one of the town's prominent citizens to get a personal touch in the story. He takes a day off. The next day he doesn't show up. She goes to check on him and finds him dead...

She worries that her assignment got him killed, so she starts snooping at the murder. Her boyfriend starts to worry about her, the cops tell her to stop but she's still digging. Even when his son confesses to killing him, she doesn't believe it.

She finds the right person but inviting them to her home might not have been the smartest thing...

Had me at “Former Army brat” & “the picturesque seaside town of Britton Bay on the Oregon Coast seems like the perfect place”

I thought this a great, strong start to a new series. I anxiously await another book from this author.

Her characters are strong, personable and have a backbone. I liked the twists, turns and plot reveals. I kept turning the pages.