Haven’t a had a chance to finish this and write a thorough review but I will come back to update it when I’ve finished. So far a solid 3 star rating and will make sure to come back to add more details

Eh. This wasn't really for me. I didn't like the main character, at all. She just reinforced the reason why many people, including me, have a hard time respecting or even liking reporters. Jolene was tolerable at best.

The story itself was just ok. I skimmed a lot because there was so much about journalism and political undertones that it took away from enjoying the book as a whole.

Thank you NetGalley for the review copy.

Pretty solid book. I appreciated the amount of detail in the book and that the author drew on her own experience for authenticity.

I had high hopes for this, and it didn't go so well. I liked the idea of hearing the journalist/reporter view of a story, but the reality of how the industry treats them and vice versa was hard to digest. I think there was so much behind the scenes given that the book didn't give me a chance to get pulled in.

Off the Air is a terrific solid mystery with authentic insights into the intriguing world of local TV journalism but always coupled with compassion and heart. Estes’s ear for dialogue and understanding of human nature makes this a must read and the perfect beginning for a series. A winner in every way!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Off the Air by Christina Estes in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Fun read that has the investigative journalist approach. Makes you realize that Christina has worked behind the scenes and knows what she is writing about. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by this author.

This book was just ok to me. I enjoyed that the author used her years of experience as an investigate report to write this book. I just couldn't get into the story and I didn't feel invested in any of the characters. Overall, it wasn't a terrible book, it just wasn't for me.

Off the Air had all the ingredients for a standout mystery—a gritty newsroom backdrop, a driven journalist protagonist, and a suspicious death with media frenzy baked in. Unfortunately, it just didn’t hit.

Jolene Garcia had potential as a lead character, but she never fully came to life for me. Her investigation felt more like checking boxes than uncovering real twists, and the pacing dragged in places that should have crackled with tension. For a story centered on a controversial murder and cutthroat journalism, the stakes felt oddly low.

The writing was competent, and there were glimpses of thoughtful commentary on the media industry, but overall, the mystery lacked urgency, and the emotional beats never quite landed. I wanted to be pulled in by the suspense, but instead, I found myself waiting for something—anything—to truly surprise me.

Promising premise, flat execution.

Thank you to netgalley and Minotaur books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I think the summary of this book was misleading. I read it thinking I was going in to a cozy mystery but that is not what this is. This story is most so focused on the experience on reporters and the politics of a news network. There were also multiple depictions of neighborhoods in Arizona in deep detail that didn’t se relevant? I was intrigued in the mystery and kept reading in order to figure it all out. But by the end I was so annoyed with Jolene. She became very cut throat and made questionable choices that turned me off from her.

I found this murder mystery cute, but the main character—a TV reporter—was frustratingly rude to almost everyone. However, I really enjoyed the glimpse into local TV life and investigative journalism. The supporting characters were engaging, and the MC’s reporting on the politically-biased victim highlighted how bias is inevitable in journalism, even when reporters try to stick to the facts. This was a timely reminder, especially in today’s climate! If you are looking for a fun, cozy mystery based in the news reporting industry.

This book was just okay for me. It had a great deal of politics and that is a big no go for me. I would like to try another book by this author.

This book is okay. I appreciated the look into what it takes to be an investigative journalist and get a story. I didn’t ever feel like I was on the edge of my seat or 100% entertained by this book.

DNF - I attempted to start this book and it just did not hold my interest. This may be a book I come back to in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

As a debut novel, Off the Air presents an intriguing premise, delving into the fast-paced world of journalism through the eyes of Jolene Garcia, a TV reporter in Phoenix. The insider’s perspective offers authenticity, likely drawn from the author’s own experience in the field. 

However, the narrative is frequently interrupted by extensive explanations of journalism terminology and processes. While informative, these sections can feel overdone and may slow down the pacing for readers already familiar with the industry.

Additionally, the frequent references to real-life politicians and current political events, though aiming to ground the story in reality, sometimes come across as forced. These elements may date the novel to a specific timeframe, potentially making it less relatable to future readers.

It’s evident that the transition from journalist to novelist is a work in progress for Estes. The foundation is solid, and there’s clear potential for compelling storytelling in future works. While this particular story didn’t fully resonate with me, I look forward to seeing how the author’s narrative style evolves in subsequent novels.

I have tried countless times to get through this book and I just cannot finish. Despite multiple attempts, I have not connected with even the main character. There is no depth to this book.

I started this and really liked it. I wanted to read it but ran out of time. So it kind of fell out of my brain. I'm eager to read it at some point though.

Well…I was really not a fan of this one. I’m always determined to keep my reviews honest, but I also like to highlight as many good qualities as I can. So I’ll start with the things I enjoyed.

I really enjoyed the overall plot of the story. There’s a homicide case, and a reporter tries to discover the truth behind it all and be the first to uncover it. The case is especially interesting because the victim is not a likeable person.

I also thought it was cool to see into the world of reporting and journalism. It’s a job I could never do, and this book only confirmed that for me.😅 It’s an intense career.

Unfortunately, I felt the author presented way too many details about the journalism aspect. There were many moments where it almost seemed like a memoir or something. The details didn’t add anything to the story and actually ended up significantly taking away from it. I also really didn’t like the MC, and I felt there was nothing to keep me invested in this read.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!

Thank you for an early edition of Off the Air. This was an interesting book with a unique point of view.

I thought this book was going to be a cozy kind of mystery, but I didn't get the vibe I wanted from it.

Jolene is a reporter who is trying to make a name for herself. When a radio personality is discovered dead, she jumps on the story, trying to track down all the details she can in order to break things first. The book follows as she pieces together what happened.

I ended up DNFing shortly after the halfway point. Jolene was reckless and single-minded in a way that didn't really work for me, and the mystery aspect of the story didn't keep me interested enough to keep going. I found myself thinking that I didn't care about the characters or the development of the story.

This one wasn't for me.

I don't have much to say about this one. Love a good murder mystery, but this one was a no.
It included too many facts about journalism (IRL) that it took me out of the story. I found myself skimming a lot. I also don't want a book to include a lot of politics, and this one did. I want a story that reels me in and keeps me hooked, and this one had too many things that made me remember I was reading (and that it was kind of a chore) so this wasn't my cup of tea.