This book took everything I had for me to finish. I found it very repetitive. Maybe this person is the killer! I figured it out! The main character was absolutely insufferable. The story was choppy and just…not enjoyable for me.

I loved this book as it deals with so many relevant issues: podcasts, social media, the #MeToo movement, and college life that is almost always complicated! Petra is a journalist about to be fired due to cutbacks and she is determined to keep her job; this prompts her to follow up on a friend's murder years ago (that was apparently solved) but she's not so sure. The novel deals with her personal life, her work life, her friendships, and the complications of modern journalism. It kept me flying through the pages!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

In Killer Story we meet Petra Kovach, a young reporter desperately trying to make her way in the newspaper world. On the verge of being fired again, Petra hooks into a story: the unsolved murder of her 'friend' Olivia, an alt-right YouTuber. Attempting to solve the murder and save her career, Petra aims to make a true-crime podcast of the case.

I am so torn about this book. I'd absolutely loved Matt Witten's The Necklace, and the premise of this one sounded particularly promising. But, ouch.. All in all, I think Killer Story is a fast paced and easy read. I also believe it does a fine job of making us wonder what the role of media, particularly also social media and the search for fame, is in our society. What are we to believe is 'real'? How far are we willing to go for a few more clicks?

However, I am sorry to say that I found the main character to be insufferable and many of the actions taken in the book to be unbelievable, far-fetched and just plain wrong. One might say that the whole point is to find out how far Petra is willing to go, but honestly, just no. The side-characters were rather flat and one-dimensional. So much so, that it hindered my enjoyment of the overall story. I'm afraid Killer Story missed the mark for me.

Killer Story by Matt Witten is both a fast-paced thriller and a commentary on modern-day media. And it was a heck of a wild ride!

Petra Kovach is a young journalist trying to make it in the modern media landscape, where newspapers struggle to survive, and she's been let go from media jobs three times. She's also still dealing with the highly publicized death of an alt-right media star and young woman for whom she had been a camp counselor and befriended long-term, despite their political differences. When faced with losing another reporting job, Petra comes up with the idea to start a true-crime podcast for this unsolved murder of her friend but becomes entirely obsessed and loses herself in the process.

Petra is a morally gray character with an extreme sense of self-preservation who crosses multiple ethical lines in pursuit of justice for her friend and to make a name for herself. Witten takes his interesting premise, packs the story with dramatic tension and several twists, and uses these events to raise questions about ethics in reporting and the modern media. Do the ends justify even ruthless means if justice is served? Is it ok to burn sources, withhold information or release private details about people if it leads to catching a killer? How much of what we see in the media/social media has been distorted, and how far will someone go to get clicks, particularly when they become more well-known? Will Petra actually uncover the killer, or will her actions in pursuit of all her goals disastrously affect her life? She's not an easy character, but she had me turning the pages and dropping my jaw to see what she would do next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Oceanview Publishing, and author Matt Witten for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Author and screenwriter, Matt Witten’s Killer Story is a standalone thriller mystery. A young reporter, Petra Kovach finds herself yet again facing termination, so she offers to make a true crime podcast of an unsolved murder. The sensational killing of an alt-right blogger in her Harvard dorm room years ago, was also a former camp counsellor of Petra’s. As Petra investigates and searches for justice, her behaviour is often unethical, ignoring moral boundaries and treating friends and sources despicably. The effort to place the theme of modern journalism in a crime mystery context means that neither one is credibly portrayed. So overall, whilst a promising premise, it makes for a three stars read rating. With thanks to Oceanview Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.

Killer story - Matt Witten

Read a couple of Matt’s books now and his writing is praiseworthy. Thank you for another great read and I hope to read many more.

I'm kind of torn on how to review this. While I think it relied too heavily on shock value and things you hear about only on Twitter, it is interesting how someone so likable in person can get online and sound like a straight up lunatic. We live in strange times. So it was clever but the main character was annoying and made all the things about herself, as if she alone could have changed anything.

I think this might be for a more politically charged person or perhaps a younger audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review. It is an interesting concept.

The case is closed. Two years ago, Olivia, a young college YouTube star was murdered by professor. Everyone was certain that he did kill her.

Petra Kovach, a journalist who almost got fired from work, decided to investigate on this case just to save her job. Petra not just lies about having leads to the case but promised a podcast to solve the mystery.

Little did Petra know that her investigation will land her in dangerous places. From the get go, Petra is one of the not so likeable characters but will surely keep you on the edge.

Petra confidently starts recording the podcasts

Episode 1: Starts with a new suspect, a new story and a totally legit motive.

Episode 2: Another suspect, an untold story and an even bigger motive.

Another podcast episode, another suspect. This case starts getting off the limits. Death threats, changing suspects, unusual evidence, unknown alibis. One minute the case seems solved, but then something changes the entire story.

With all most everything backfiring at Petra, there’s only one way to safe both her life and job - get the damn murder mystery solved. But can she come out of the hole she dug for herself or will it be too late ?

Surely a mystery that would keep you believing you know the murderer but can you solve this case before Petra does?

I really struggled to get into this story. The main character, Petra came across as beyond desperate and a bit annoying. The story was starting to drag for me, so I didn't finish the book. I did enjoy the premise, so I will try to pick it up again another time to see if I feel differently.

How far will one reporter go to solve a crime?

Petra Kovach is a struggling journalist with a sad past. When her opinionated activist friend is murdered she becomes obsessed with the man accused and finding the true killer.

When Petra is about to be fired again she comes up with the idea to create true crime podcast in an effort to solve the crime and save her job at the same time.

Many questionable journalist actions and multiple suspects follow with a spiraling effect making me question the media and need for social fame.

Petra was a very unlikable main character who frustrated me.

I would definitely read more from author as I think he has story telling talent.
I didn’t love this read as much as authors book The Necklace. I wanted to love to love this one but sadly it fell flat for me.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Killer Story.
A young woman desperately needs a story. She’s lost too many jobs and she’s about to lose another one unless she gets a killer of a story.
And she does. A friend of hers was killed and the killer is more than likely out there
Can she find the person who killed her friend or will she be in danger and be the headliner of a killer story

3 stars. Fair and the lead character is very annoying.

What happens when a reporter, who’s walking a fine line of losing her job, loses herself for a story? That’s what we explore in Killer Story with Petra Kovich. After losing four reporting jobs, she’s learned she’s about to lose her 5th. So when she pitches a podcast at the last minute to save her job and finally solve her friend’s murder, it seems perfect. But Petra might lose herself in the process.

This was a near-perfect, 5-star read for me. But those that know me, know I’m not a fan of using PTSD in a storyline when it’s thrown in for shock. Listen Petra, you don’t have PTSD from getting fired a lot. Those of us with PTSD are living with flashbacks, night terrors, hypervigilance, anxiety, and so much more. So it hurts when people use it as a buzzword, saying things like, “This is just my PTSD from getting fired.” No, no, it’s not. I get it, it sucks, but it’s not PTSD.

I read a few reviews before writing this, and I totally get people not liking Petra because she’s so desperate that she’s going to unimaginable lengths to get this story out there. She can’t handle getting fired again, so she wants this to be the best. Plus, she has to deal with her coworker Natalie, who’s shady and conniving. But people are getting burned in Petra’s wake. The dumpster fire she’s become is what keeps the reader engaged, flipping pages to get more of the drama. It’s so dramatic you can’t help but keep reading. You don’t have to love her to appreciate the dramatic storyline.

My dislike of misusing PTSD is minor in the grand scheme of the book and doesn’t deter my enjoyment of it overall. I absolutely loved this one. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to put the book down. It was dramatic and intense and everything you want in a thriller.

💭What I thought would happen:

I loooved The Necklace! It was exciting to the last page. I was pretty stoked to see what the author wrote next….

📖What actually happens:

There’s a journalist who attempts a podcast and somehow all the women/victims are massive assholes in this story.

🗯Thoughts:

Yikes.

At no point did any of the Characters know how to act, speak or text like real persons…

The author needs some sensitivity training before attempting to write from any perspective that is not a white male. I had issues immediately when i realized he was attempting to write as an immigrant female…it’s 2022. Get a Damn clue.

Honestly the ending had me so angry. A) it had no shock b) it was far too convenient c) it was the equivalent of a wet fart.

Every woman in this was quite hateful, cruel and insensitive. I’m wondering if the author even likes women. Petra and her colleague, Natalie were atrocious to one another. AGAIN, it is 2022. Why is there petty workplace drama between 2 of the few females in the office….and you know this girl loves her drama but these 2 hated each other so much that it took away from story itself (not saying much there) and jeopardized their careers and ethics at the same time..nooo nope nooo

Don’t even get me started on the treatment of outing someone who may or may not be gay due to no evidence except click bate. The writing was so unbearably cringe that I’m
shocked I even continued.

And finally going after a rape victim and then saying she has anger issues. Oh fuck no. Get the hell out of here. Honestly, Petra could have died and I would have felt some solace

The one positive is that it was easily bingeable.

Thank goodness I read this with a group of women who all either DNF’d or tore the book a new one.

Just how far would some young reporters and their editor go for more clicks, downloads and to keep their jobs? In Killer Story, they go as low as you could imagine and then some! There are some trigger warnings to be aware of in addition to shameful reporting: incest, rape, murder and extreme alt-right views. The review copy of this book that I received had some flaws which ought not be present in the final product. The main characters are pretty damn unlikeable overall. But I gotta admit, I kept reading Killer Story and it has kind of hung around with me afterwards because we all know Fake News isn’t a complete myth, some reporting is flawed, to say the least. Okay, the story is about Petra Kovach, a young journo about to be laid off from her third newspaper job in a row. A last-minute pitch to her editor to launch an investigation into the murder of a young woman buys her time. Now Petra must deliver the story of her life and a true crime podcast, the latter being completely new to her. And it’s personal because the dead woman was like a little sister to her. So, pretty much what won’t she do to save her job, solve the murder, and see justice served? And will she manage all or none of those goals? Recommended read for those who like very flawed characters and a moral dilemma in a fictional, investigative crime story.

This book stressed me out but in a good way. I appreciated the reader getting to experience rooting for Petra only to see her slowly get sucked into making worse and worse unethical decisions. I do think the transition maybe happened a little too quickly for my liking but it was still interesting to read about

This had such promise with a unique and compelling premise. However this really fell flat with the choppy, abrupt and stutter stop type writing. It never flowed. It was hard to follow and choppy. The cringey dialogue. It was like “I should write this in a setting with police”. Very cliche if you will. Just not for me.

I loved this a lot more than I thought I would. It’s a well told story. I really like the writing and the chapters seem short, which I love. It’s fun from beginning to end.

The premise of this book had a lot of potential, but unfortunately fell a bit flat for me. It started off good and I was interested to see how the mystery unfolded. As time went on the MC became increasingly irritating. I think the quote from the book that sums her up best is “You have the self awareness of a f***king flea.” There weren’t really any likable characters to be honest. I also wasn’t much of a fan of the writing style. There was tons of cringey, unrealistic dialogue. Overall Killer Story just did not hit the mark.

Livvy is dead, she was killed by an older man who was supposed to protect her. However, this professor claims he didn't do it. Petra, a journalist, realizes that perhaps this professor may be right and feels that she must find out who killed Livvy, her once close and dear friend. Petra embarks on a very dangerous journey that leads her to many potential killers who all had motives to kill Livvy and who may even want to kill Petra to silence her. Once you start this book you won't want to stop until you find out who killed Livvy and why.

This was a very interesting take on the podcast theme that has become popular in recent years. I like that Petra started a podcast in this novel in order to keep her job and was not part of an already established podcast. The plot twists definitely kept me guessing just as it did with Petra.

I enjoy Mitt Witten’s writing style and will continue to look out for more of his work.