Jordan Manning is a reporter for one of Chicago’s top newsrooms. Determined to keep her position on the investigative crime beat she puts all she has into her reports. When a Black girl goes missing and is written off as a runaway, she wonders if the color of the victims’ skin makes her seem less important. As the story unfolds, Jordan will stop at nothing to expose the truth. She just hopes she can complete the task, as the closer she gets to the answers, the more danger she finds.

Tamron Hall takes the reader behind the scenes of an investigative reporter in her book "As the Wicked Watch". Stressing how a news broadcast is a quick glimpse of the whole story, she expresses the daunting tasks of a journalist. Yet, she also ensures it is all worth it in the end.

However, between the slow-moving plot, inconsistencies between characters and locations, as well as the influx of profanity, this novel was a struggle to finish. The mystery and thrill seemed to be lost with an abundance of unnecessary rambling. Therefore, a rating of 3 out of 5 stars is awarded.

None the less, this a good read for someone wanting a front row seat into the world of journalism.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #SceneOfTheCrime, and #WilliamMorrow for the free advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

This debut mystery novel featuring a Black television reporter with a forensic education set in 2007 Chicago was well-paced and entertaining. Comments on what it's like to be a Black woman (or any woman or Person of Color) in journalism were frequent and pointed. I would certainly read another mystery featuring Jordan Manning.

Jordan Manning is a force of nature... and Tamron Hall has a hit series on her hands! There's a lot of back story, relationships, and character in this book - each word carefully chosen, and the story specifically told. Set in Chicago, Ms. Hall stays true to the neighborhoods, residents, and yes, even the politicians! It's a fantastic mystery that will resonate strongly with readers. I'm looking forward to the next Jordan Manning adventure.

A reporter, an on air personality, is determined to find out who murdered a teenage African American girl. She was a likeable heroine, but the book was trying to do too many things and at times it felt like it was educating people about racism and sexism in a way that took from the story. Meaning the same issues could be shown, felt vs giving an education. It also suffered from having too many characters and some with similar names, and too many details, which both got confusing and made the book feel too slow. Overall it was a decent read but could have been a lot more powerful

After a quick review, this is exactly the sort of story we want to put into our readers' hands. Thank you for the ARC!

An outstanding debut by the author Tamron Hall. It’s always been said the guilty watch closely around the crime scene, so the title fits As the Wicked Watch.

The book shapes into unethical police work to solve a crime in the underprivileged, inner city Chicago. When a young black woman Masey James is found brutally raped, murdered and partially burned in an abandoned park, the town chooses sides. Political activists and the local community members rallied and warned police the park was in need of repair to evade crime while the police are in search for quick answers and arrest young middle school students for the crime.

Jordan Manning, a young black, female reporter searches for the truth while losing the police chief’s trust as she disgruntles their satisfaction of their catch. She is attacked as she closes in to the real killer. Gathering trust and Justice for the family does not come easily as she weaves in and out of shady neighborhoods sending deep messages in honor of those living the bias and portrayal due to their color, living facilities and income.

A different light is shed on the premises of this mystery thriller. Mixed messages and the hunt for the truth are scattered throughout revealing a need for change in journalism and the people great and small …justice is justice.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

I approached this book warily, but not due to concerns about things that go bump in the night. Contemporary reality is far more disturbing than anything fiction can cook up. Thus I was glad to discover that this was more of a murder mystery than a ghost story. And it's excellent, too.

I was pretty excited when I was approved to read As The Wicked Watch, prior to its release date and I was blown away but the character development and felt as though I knew them all personally . The chapter were fluid and made reading even more captivating . The conclusion is one you won’t see coming . I highly recommend

From as early as the dedication, Tamron Hall makes her intentions clear for As the Wicked Watch – she’s here to give you a twisty crime mystery, sure, but she’s also got some statements to make along the way.

Journalist Jordan Manning works the crime beat in Chicago, bringing a blend of femininity, empathy, and a healthy dose of journalistic instincts, which have served her well and helped her to rise steadily through the ranks. But when teenager Masey James goes missing, Jordan starts to realize that she may have let herself get too close to this one.

This is Tamron Hall’s fiction debut, and it’s a great start. They say to write what you know, and it’s clear the author knows the world of journalism and crime like the back of her hand; the details are right, but aren’t allowed to intrude on keeping this novel entertaining for the reader. The Chicago setting is used to best advantage, and as someone completely unfamiliar with the city, I was easily still able to keep track of the action. Jordan Manning is a smart protagonist it’s easy to like – she’s ethical but able to push the hard questions when she has to.

The strongest part of the novel, though, was the sharp and honest portrayal of the issues surrounding equality when it comes to crime victims and their families. Poor victims, victims of color, anyone who can be assigned to a class that somehow strips them of their right to better treatment; they all too frequently don’t get a fair shake from the criminal justice system or the media. Tamron Hall again keeps this balanced against allowing her narrative room to flow, but it’s an issue she clearly feels strongly about; as should we all.

As the Wicked Watch is a very strong debut from an author with a voice that I’m very much looking forward to hearing more from.

Thank you William Morrow and Custom House and NetGalley for this advanced ebook copy!

As the Wicked Watch was one of the best books I've read in some time.
I thought this was a fabulous debut novel.
It's a twisty-turny, page turning, high-octane adrenaline rush of a read and showcases established thriller writer Hall at her devious and twisted best.
The pages just flew by, like that. Pacing does a lot for me, so I was thrilled when not only the denouement is presented with a bow tied to it, but the way we reached the end is breathtaking!

Again thank you for the opportunity to read this interesting, intriguing story!

“I know from the many stories that I’ve covered that the wicked watch, and they strike when they think nobody’s looking…”

Jordan Manning is an Investigative Journalist for Channel 8 news in Chicago. She’s seen her fair share of crime while rising through the ranks, starting her career in Texas. She’s at a good place professionally, but might just be on the brink of the story of a lifetime.

In the Bronzeville neighborhood, a teenager named Masey James is found dead in an abandoned/neglected park. She was a star student, a young woman who loved her family, and Black...which is why many suspect the police wasted precious time declaring her a runaway even though no one who knew Masey believed that.

Jordan herself, a smart and successful Black woman, is on the case. She can’t help but get close to the situation...and Masey’s family. She will not let this young woman be forgotten, and vows to to do whatever it takes to find and expose Masey’s killer...even if she breaks one of her 4-inch heels.

Eventually a few individuals are charged with the murder, but Jordan knows the police are rushing to wrap it up and move on. She can’t let that happen when intuition tells her the real killer is still out there...haunting the streets of Chicago.

This is journalist Tamron Hall’s debut novel, and you can color me impressed! While I don’t think she IS Jordan, I have no doubt she dug into her own repertoire to write the character. Hall, similarly, started out in Texas before heading to Chi-Town (and is now in NY). She gives the reader a fly on the wall view of investigative journalism (the high points - feelings of success, hard work that pays off...and the low points - the job is the #1 priority, hard to make time for other people, the constant stress).

As for the character of Jordan: Total badass! She is extremely smart, justifiably sassy, and fully dimensional. She’s not afraid to fight for justice. She earned a certification in crime scene investigation years ago, and that helps her do a lot more than her peers can do. Beneath her powerful exterior, she is all about heart and integrity. You’ll see that as she interacts with her friends, family, families of victims, and members of the public.

There were a few clunky moments, but that’s small change. Jordan goes off on tangents here and there, whether it be how hungry (hangry) she is as she makes a quest to grab a candy bar in between filming segments, or lamenting on her personal life. I can imagine some readers having issues with these parts, but I really enjoyed them. I felt like I was in the head of a non-stop busy investigative journalist...and they need to eat and feel love too! #justiceforgoodjournalists

Overall, this is a faboosh debut, and I am happy the plan is to turn this into a Jordan Manning series! If you’re looking for a fresh angle in the thriller department, look no further! Hall does wonders writing a dark story that could’ve been ripped from the headlines, while balancing it out with some fun/light nuggets via Jordan. Examples: her acute wisdom, her love for fashion, and - most importantly- her heart of gold..personally and professionally. I want to be friends with Jordan (and Tamron), and anyone would be lucky to have her in their corner!

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 10/26/21.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

As The Wicked Watch is a must read debut novel authored by famous journalist and daytime talk show host Tamron Hall. It is a chilling mystery about the disturbing disappearance and death of Masey James, a fifteen-year-old gifted Black girl.

Jordan Manning, the very likeable main character is an ingenious Black reporter who not only gives a voice to the victim but also looks for compelling clues to find the killer. She reports breaking news live in rain or shine in designer stilettos!

The author keeps the book intriguing and insightfully portrays the behind-the-scenes politics of how the police, media and the community intersect to react to such a ghastly crime.

This book serves as a reminder that we as parents do not know the lives of our teenagers as well as we should. There is evil among us, and we should be watchful and wary.

A timely thriller that will have readers' hearts in their throats from the very beginning.

Crime reporter Jordan Manning has a reputation for being the first reporter on the scene and doing it in designer stilettos. She's also famous for cracking cases and being incredibly smart, not to mention the only of woman of color usually in the newsroom. But when a serial killer seems to be targeting Black girls in the Chicago area, catching a killer isn't just business for Jordan, it's personal. Can Jordan put an end to a killers reign of terror without risking her own life in the process?

Masterfully written and brilliantly paced, As the Wicked Watch had me utterly captivated, at times heartbroken, and entirely entertained. This one's a winner!

Jordan Manning, the protagonist, is an ethical journalist with the crime beat of a Chicgo station.
In this novel I was somewhat dissappointed. I was not interested in what size Jordon and friends wore, their personal apperance or alchol preference. I expected a novel with more substance on the issues of equality and social injustice.

What happens when you don't believe the girl found murdered was a runaway? Is there a killer at large in the community targeting young girls? I really like this one from Tamron Hall. The main character is plucky and wants to get to the bottom of the mystery. By using her journalistic and forensic skills, she is able to help solve the mystery. The ending kept it open for a sequal. Definately recommended.

This was SO good. Eerie, exciting, and with a twist I never saw coming. This will be an easy sell. Highly recommend