“Off the Air” is a well-written and fast-paced murder mystery that manages to suck you in and keep on reading! This book offers us a fascinating glimpse into the news reporting world. Estes did an amazing job with this debut novel. I can’t wait to read her next book.


Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I do not relish writing reviews in which I did not enjoy the book... but I DID NOT enjoy this book. It was long-winded, slow-paced, boring as all heck. I could not wait to be done with it. So many back stories about things that did not aid the plot or storyline and was just a waste of time to read. The main character was truly unlikeable with almost no redeeming qualities and yet, we are supposed to care about her... I did not. There were at least 10 instances of the main character "chewing on her thumbnail"... One or two times was annoying enough, but really 10 times?! Did she also "let out a breath that she didn't realize she was holding"? C'mon.
I realize the author comes from the world of TV journalism and that's why it was so detailed, but readers (or at least this reader) truly do not care. It is my worst read of 2023 and I've read some doozies this year.
Despite the fact that I did not enjoy this read, I thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my review. This book is coming out March 26, 2024 if for some reason you still want to read it despite this review.

Not what I was expecting, but so much better. Fun story to really give the inside of what the shoe journalism world is like. I would highly recommend.

I liked the premise of the story and overall it was a good read . It fell flat in some areas but it was engaging enough to keep you reading.

"Off the Air" follows Jolene, a local Phoenix reporter who is fighting for her big break, and believes she's found it when a controversial radio talk show host is suddenly murdered. I love a mystery, and this one had a fun twist of providing a lot of insider info on how news stations are run, as well as the competitiveness between stations and the driving need to be first.
Overall, I liked this story, but the characters fell flat for me, all of them managed to be summarized with a short backstory and I felt like they were all very one-dimensional. Additionally, there was a lot of explaining in this book, including lots of irrelevant explanations that felt like it was almost talking down to the reader. This is a very enjoyable novel, just not the best fit for me as a reader.

Jolene Garcia is a local news reporter in Phoenix, Arizona who jumps on a breaking news story that famous and controversial radio talkshow host Larry Lemmon has been found dead. The book is a fast paced, inside baseball look from the moment a story breaks throughout reporting until it slows down (it’s never really over…), showing what the audience sees but also the many many things that audiences don’t.

The behind-the-scenes of news journalism was incredibly interesting. In particular, understanding the fluidity of teams in the field and having clarity into the hierarchy of who decides what gets airtime was fun to learn about.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get over the heavy handedness of the novel; there were many occasions where concepts were explained to the reader in what felt like a very elementary-school, unnecessary way. And many of the characters were so exaggerated with such heavy handed stereotypes that it was sometimes hard to tell whether we were intended to take them seriously or treat them as a farce.

The pacing of the book was excellent and I finished it in just over a day, so certainly worthwhile for a speedy read!

Jolene Garcia is an Arizona reporter who investigates the death of a ‘famous’ talk show host Larry Lemmon. Jolene is also the last person to have had an in person interview with Larry. This was mentioned multiple times in the book, yet we never really heard what the interview was about.

The story line was unique, and it was interesting to read about the world of local news but the book fell flat for me.

I wasn’t able to connect with Jolene. She had so many people who cared and looked out for her, and yet all she had was a poor me attitude.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

Overall I enjoyed this book. Throughout reading, I found myself eager to continue to find out what was going to happen next in Jolene’s quest in getting the scoop first. However, I do think the beginning dragged a bit. Jolene was finding herself in the same position of having obtained this information for her story from her police source after having an agreement with him but wasn’t able to use it until she could find a way to have another source confirm what she knows. This occurred multiple times and instead of Jolene really digging deep to find another way she was continuously beat out on the scoop. I personally was still intrigued about the story but I also felt that there was a lot of filler points and going in depth on certain things that maybe we, the reader, did not need all that information. One instance I can recall is towards the end of the book when older Native American school systems were discussed and dissected and I found that it had no correlation to what was happening at that point in the story. The author shows they are extremely knowledgable in not only this but in news reporting as well, being a former reporter, but I found myself skimming when certain aspects were over elaborated on in the work place. Additionally, the side plot with the new neighbor I think could’ve been left out of the book entirely. I don’t think it served any real purpose in supporting the plot.

The last 100 or so pages were probably my favorite part. Of course, we got all our answers we have been dying for but I really liked how everything unfolded and felt that it all tied together quite nicely and although Jolene made some decisions that might have been questionable, I do believe that many reporters would have more than likely done the same thing she did especially in that spotlight and under the amount of pressure as she was.

In the novel “Off the Air,” Larry Lemmon, the controversial host of a Phoenix radio program dies suddenly at his studio. Jolene Garcia, a reporter for a local newspaper tries to chase leads to get the scoop on how Larry died, and if he was murdered, who wanted Larry dead and why. The suspects are limitless since Larry angered a lot of people with his obnoxious personality and very vocal conservative “pro border wall” and anti-immigration stances. While seeking interviews from reluctant witnesses and suspects, Jolene has to remind herself of her own humanity while she uses whatever opportunity she can get to corner defensive interviewees.

While the reporter as criminal investigator provided a unique perspective on the murder mystery genre, the book mostly depicted the day to day activities of a news reporter which could become somewhat boring at times. However, the characters’ personalities were vividly drawn, the dialog was entertaining and the descriptions of various locations in Phoenix were interesting. In addition, the book had an exciting conclusion, which made up for the otherwise slow burn aspects of the book. I recommend the book to anyone looking for a unique take on the murder mystery genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Phoenix TV reporter Jolene Garcia knows that reporting is more about getting social media attention than actual facts. So when a controversial radio talk show host she just interviewed dies suddenly, Jolene sees it as her big chance to scoop the other stations by finding his killer.
But will she be able to beat the national networks and local backstabbing reporters?

This first novel mystery won the Tony Hillerman Award and offers a candid look at media manipulation for ratings as well a solid mystery.

“No one cares about covering issues that impact the community. It’s just a memory for us old-timers to cherish. Now, it’s all about posting cat videos or whatever the hell the digital department thinks will generate clicks.”

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a debut murder mystery. I overall enjoyed this book. It gives cozy (almost) mystery vibes. I am not sure if this will be a series, but I felt as so. Jolene Garcia is a reporter who gets word of a murder at a local radio station. The victim turns out to be a very controversial host. Turns out Garcia was the last to interview the victim. She is determined to solve this mystery, but it will not be easy. This was a fun time, and great introduction to our main character.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, in exchange for a honest review.

This was a new author to me. I enjoyed the characters and the story line. Glad i was given the chance to read this and will definitely recommend

"Off the Air" by Christina Estes is a poignant and timely exploration of the complexities of mental health. Through the lens of protagonist Lucy Stanton, a radio talk show host, Estes skillfully addresses the challenges of navigating the emotional landscape in the public eye. The narrative unfolds with authenticity and empathy, shedding light on the impact of societal expectations and personal struggles. Estes' prose is evocative, capturing the nuances of human emotions with grace. "Off the Air" is a compelling journey that tackles the stigma surrounding mental health, offering readers a thought-provoking and compassionate perspective on the importance of self-discovery and understanding.

This is the debut novel from Christina Estes and I’m looking forward to reading more of her novels in the future!

Off the Air follows Jolene Garcia who is a reporter in Phoenix, AZ. Jolene covers a vast variety of assignments. Jolene is persistent and likes to have all the facts verified before she reports.

When a controversial radio station host, Larry Lemmon dies under suspicious circumstances, local reporters, such as JJ, swarm to the scene to be the first to deliver the news. Jolene is determined to find out what happened and to be the first reporter to do so, no matter what the consequences.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and it was a quick read. The novel was action-packed and suspenseful. Every chapter kept me wanting more .You could tell this book was inspired by Estes’ experience working as a journalist. I was unaware of the rapid pace and intense competitiveness within the realm of journalism. I also appreciated how the author included content warnings for the book.

A massive thank you to Christina Estes, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings include abandonment, ageism animal cruelty, child neglect, classism, homelessness, racism, sexism, sexual coercion, and substance abuse.

Be sure to pick up this book when it is published on 3/26/2024!

What a fun group of folks. I love that it is set in a City I once lived in. Jolene, a news reporter, seems to be struggling to get a break for getting to air the "first" on the death of a TV personality. A personality that a lot of folks didn't like much so there are a number of possible murders. The story kept me going and the end had the right amount of twists for me. I hope that there will be more of these characters in future books.

Well, well, well! A debut author catapults readers into the highly competitive and morally charged universe of reporters in this heart-pounding, race-against-time novel. The story unfolds in a realistic fiction setting reminiscent of iconic works like Newsroom meets Morning Show, centering around the mysterious death of controversial talk show host Larry Lemmon. Enter the ambitious reporter, Jolene Garcia, determined to uncover the truth behind Lemmon's demise and secure the coveted Emmy she dreams of.

From the get-go, the narrative maintains a high tempo, building pressure, and delivering ongoing action that immerses readers in the thrilling world of television reporting. The author skillfully portrays the evolving landscape of news reporting, where objectivity gives way to social media voyeurism and unabashed subjectivity under the guise of free speech. This transformation poses a challenge, blurring the lines between news delivery and manipulation, a dangerous road explored within the pages of this engaging mystery.

The debut is a testament to the author's writing prowess, executing the characters' moral dilemmas as they navigate the cutthroat world of journalism. The tension-filled whodunnit mystery will keep readers on the edge of their seats, ensuring an exciting and immersive experience.

The outcome is thoroughly satisfying, marking the arrival of a brilliant new voice in the literary world. I eagerly anticipate delving into the author's future works, as this debut promises a captivating storytelling journey. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with this captivating and thought-provoking read in exchange for my honest review and for introducing Christina Estes as a promising new author.

This book follows an ego-driven reporter to investigate storylines following the murder of a controversial radio show host. I struggled to find the plot moving forward for most of the book, but ultimately did appreciate the solid ending. Not a lot, if any, character growth which was a missed opportunity!

Thanks to the NetGalley team for the ARC.

This book is very safe. It’s a cozy mystery with minimal action and well written. Boring for me but I know others who enjoy this genre will love it. I don’t really have much to say about it. It’s a solid book, very straightforward with no side plots, just isn’t for me.

Jolene is a local news reporter who is covering a the murder of a prominent right wing talk show host. She chases leads and is let down many times. Will she ever catch a break and solve this mystery? This book dives very deep into the the world of news reporting. I liked the close knit community vibe and the gossip that came about as Jolene was investigating the story.

If you like cozy mysteries you’ll love this. If you’re looking for something dark or action packed this isn’t for you.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an invitation to read this amazing book!

How excited was I that this is set in my current hometown?! How fun to read about familiar places. I really enjoyed this story! As someone who is not familiar with the inner workings of the news sector, this book was super informative while still telling an interesting fictional story.. also a very relatable story! The main character is down to earth and loveable. There was just enough suspense in this book to keep the pages turning! 4⭐️, a solid read!

Off the Air is soooo cute/good! I really enjoyed this one. Won't surprise me at all to see it be very very popular with book clubs.