I originally started reading this book a couple of months ago but I couldn't get into it so I gave it another try. Although I really liked that it was set in Phoenix and it actually talked about specific places that I frequent, I feel like the main character just came off as desperate to the point where it was just annoying. There were times where I was confused on what my setting was because it switched from one to another without really explaining?

I feel like Oliver and Rosie's characters were supposed to be red herrings, they just had absolutely no significance to the overall story, it would have made more sense if they added something to it. Lastly, the obsession with being better than JJ was too much, like girl, get it together and worry about yourself. At the end, I didn't even care who killed Larry or why.

In Off the Air, Jolene is a news reporter and is trying to get the scoop on a radio host that randomly died. She consistently tries to call in favors from her 'source' who is a cop but she is not having any luck getting to new information first so she runs around town trying to figure something out. By the end everyone is annoyed with her for either asking so much or acting out of impulse from desperation.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Off the Air was generally interesting and compelling with many memorable characters and a cozy mystery vibe. It was a cute mystery and I enjoyed it.

One of my new favorite fictions reads. This book got me out of one of the longest books slumps I was in. The story and characters were remarkably well written and the storyline drew me in from the first few chapters. It got slower toward the middle parts but the ending really wrapped it up in great way.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I will start by saying the premise was interesting, a controversial TV host found dead, and the main character trying to break the case and make a name for herself.

I tried to get into this one and after multiple attempts, no success.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this debut novel! I enjoyed the premise of a news station covering a mysterious death of a talk show host. The scramble to find out how he died is intense! There's a lot of digging in the middle, perhaps a bit much but nevertheless, entertaining. A good spin to find the person responsible for the mysterious death and a happy ending for the news reporter!

Loved this book. So glad I read it and I can’t wait to see what future books will come from this author.

This is a very niche sort of read. You’ll enjoy this if you’re interested in a sort of investigative journalist vibe. It shows good insight into the world of journalism and the way it’s evolved over the years, but almost too much so. It felt very educational, which to me, I’m not looking for when I pick up a work of fiction.

It really depends on what you’re looking for if I would recommend the read. A story focused heavily on the specific job of journalism? Yes, go for it. A mystery that’ll keep you on your toes? Well… maybe pass.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted (free) ARC

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book intrigued me… A radio celebrity is murdered and Jolene, an up and coming journalist for a local news station is assigned the chance of a lifetime to find the murderer before the competition.

The problem is, Jolene isn’t likeable. In fact, no one really is. She has rude nick names for everyone and she is overall annoying and the perpetual mention of her fear of dogs is overkill.

I was so close to not finishing this book but I had to know if I could change my whole viewpoint of the boring diatribe about scummy news journalists. Unfortunately, it is my belief that a real mystery has to have woven threads throughout the story so you’re either surprised or relieved. I was neither. The killer is probably the most likeable character, in a weird way.

Ultimately this books didn’t align with my interests or keep me interested.

The set-up for this book sounded like it would be perfect for me. I was so excited to dig in. I did learn a lot about TV journalism, the challenges that technology has introduced to that entire industry, and some of the behind the scenes details about putting a news show together. But I could not get past the very unlikable protagonist. Jolene is a self-serving, selfish, heartless individual who would do just about anything to get an “exclusive.” Perhaps I’m naïve, but I cannot imagine living like that every day. The only character I found likable was her cameraman Nate. And he got tired of her quickly too. I don’t mind a controversial protagonist, or one that stretches the limits. I just couldn’t find anything about Jolene to root for. And I know that affected my reading experience.

Thanks to NetGalley for a an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book!

Jolene is a TV reporter who is bound and determined to solve the case of who killed the very controversial talk show host. You get an inside look at what journalism is really like and the ethics of investigative journalism. Is it ethical, or is it just for the story?

For a first novel, this is a home run!

Overall, let me say I did enjoy this read! That being said I found the reporter and news lingo a little hard to follow but still enjoyed the read!

Jolene, a TV reporter, is determined to find out who killed a controversial talk show host. Meanwhile, her TV station is determined to expand into social media.

Off the Air was a real struggle for me and ultimately ended up as a do not finish after about a third of the way there. There are police procedurals and this novel is unique in it could be described as a news reporting procedural with a whole lot of information about the news industry. Unfortunately I find most of that information boring. A local, controversial celebrity is found dead and local news reporter, Jolene wants to make her name with this news reporting but the news world is very cut throat and competitive. The actual mystery that I am interested in takes a backseat to all the news jumble. I just got bored but people interested in the actual news making process would probably really enjoy this book. This book did not turn me off from this author and I would try another book that has a different basis but this book is not my cup of tea. My voluntary, unbiased, and non mandatory review is based upon a free review copy from NetGalley.

Jolene Garcia is a TV reporter trying to make a name for herself in the Phoenix market. Somewhat hapless, she always seems to be one step behind JJ, the golden reporter from a rival station. When a local contentious radio host is found dead by poison, Jolene has the advantage of having been the last person to interview him. That advantage soon fades and once again she is playing catch up. When she gets a tip that may lead her to the murderer, will she solve the case, will she avoid endangering her life and will she finally win an Emmy?

Debut author Estes was an award winning reporter and demonstrates she knows her way around this sometimes toxic field. There is a fast paced plot, written with humor and characters that were endearing even when they were annoying. This was a refreshing break from some of the dark thrillers I have read recently and I enjoyed the emphasis on the pressure that TV and other journalists are under in this social media crazy world. Estes even manages to squeeze in some geography and history lessons without being pedantic or preachy.

I wonder, is this the beginning of a new cozy mystery series? It would be fun to read more about Jolene’s adventures.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one was less thriller and more so a murder mystery type of book. I wanted to like this one and I love how the author added her personal experience to the story of being a reporter for a station. This one just wasn't the one for me. I was frustrated at how the main character allowed herself to get pushed over and treated like crap. I LOVE a good strong female character and I didn't get that from this. The murder aspect was decent, the main murder is about Larry who just drops dead while in his station. It's Jolene's responsibility as a news reporter to figure out the deets, who did it, and the motive to report to local television. She's getting the information, but yet she's not able to reveal her sources to report it live *HOW FRUSTRATING* I would NOT be able to do this job and props to anyone who has and is currently.

Overall, a good read but not up my alley of just because of the lack of mystery and the main character.

3 hold the press stars

Jolene Garcia is a Phoenix TV reporter looking for her big break; she’s tired of chasing rival fellow reporter JJ, who always seems to get the scoop first. When news breaks about a death at the building where a controversial radio station is housed, everyone wonders if it could be Larry Lemmon. He’s known for his talk show, and he’s got a host of enemies.

At first, it seemed that Jolene had the upper hand, as she had recently interviewed Lemmon. However, JJ got a scoop, and Jolene’s source refused to let her publish details about the case.
Risking her personal safety for the story, Jolene gets deeper into the mystery surrounding Lemmon’s death.

While this was an interesting premise, this definitely felt like a debut novel to me. The writing got too deep into politics for me and shared so many details about how reporting has changed. I was rooting for some redemption for Jolene and her shifty strategies to get the story, but that never materialized.

I thought this was a great debut novel for this author. I love reporters being the center of the story in a mystery/thriller so I knew I wanted to read this right away. For this book alone, I can't wait to see what else the author does. The tension in this book will have you on the edge of your seat wanting to know how it ends.

I really wanted to like this book. The premise seemed to be something a little different than most books I have read. Unfortunately the execution did not deliver for me. I really struggled with the lack of depth of the characters and would typically read a book in a few days but this one took me a week.
This writing style was also not for me. I often felt like I got whiplash when reading and suddenly the plot went from where they were going to get a story to a history lesson about the neighborhood. It felt very disjointed and out of place.

I appreciate the opportunity given to me by netgalley and Minotaur books to read an early copy of this book and provide my honest review.

This was unfortunately a DNF for me. I made it through about 25%.
I do not know how accurate the depiction of the behind the scenes of a breaking news story is. If it's anything like what was portrayed in the portion of this book that I read, is it ever a cut throat profession!
I can appreciate the inspiration of this book and I do think this is has a good storyline for the right audience. It just wasn't the right fit for me. I would like to sincerely thank the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to explore this novel.

Talk about getting the scoop, well this story even has the national news looking to take over.
When a local radio controversial talk show host dies under mysterious circumstances everyone wants to know what happened!
We journey for answers and with that comes danger to a local reporter, but Jolene is determined.
With suspense comes danger and threats, and yet, she is determined to be the first with answers. Is her career on line?
There are surprises, and yet, Jolene is putting herself out there, but will it cost her her life? Will she get the story she desires or become the headline herself? Page turning will answer your questions!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St. Martin's Press, and was not required to give a positive review.