The entertaining world of local news!

I loved everything about this one. It’s full of competition, drama, and more humor than I thought it would have. There’s plenty of entertaining suspects to keep this murder mystery moving along. I did feel like it was obvious who did it, but I still couldn’t stop myself from reading this in one sitting,

I had to stop myself from cringing over the political moments because I typically stay away from it in books. I liked that the views were shared without going back and forth on anything - it was just part of the characters. It may not be for everyone, but thankfully it was for me!

Thank you, NetGalley, Christina Estes, and Minotaur books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! It’s definitely one I’ll be recommending next year and I can’t wait to see what Christina comes up with next!

This book was so fun to read and I loved every part of it. I cannot wait to read what the other comes out with next.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Minotaur Books Imprint of St. Marin’s Publishing Group and Christina Estes for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Off the Air, to be published 26 March 2024. 4/5 Stars for this detail-oriented mystery about a journalist who lives and works in Phoenix. Since I usually read psychological thrillers, this novel was delightfully different. It made me glad I did not follow one of my dreams — to become an investigative reporter! The competition is brutal as outlined in this narrative. I especially enjoyed the descriptions and historical comments as well as cultural events because I live near Phoenix, in the Sonoran Desert, so it felt comfortable to read about my homeland. This novel would be lapped up by anyone interested in journalism. Highly recommended. #NetGalley #ChristinaEstes #MinotaurBooksImprintofSt.Martin’sPublishing Group #OfftheAir

Jolene is a very determined news reporter in Phoenix, Arizona. When a well known and controversial radio host is found dead at his studio, Jolene rushes to the scene. Having done his last interview she wants to be first with the story. However, the competition is fierce and the stakes are high. This book was wonderful! It was fast paced, descriptive and filled with quick dialogue. There were many characters yet all were well defined; they were so realistic they jumped off the page. The author is clearly experienced and knowledgeable in news reporting and created a fictional yet very real atmosphere in which to immerse the reader. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it! With thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. My opinions are my own. susanh_bookreviews

“Off the Air” is a debut novel by Christina Estes. For a debut novel with a mystery twist, I found this book’s overall storyline a good one. It held my attention and I managed to carve out a few hours in which to read the entire book. The author notes in the beginning that there are trigger warnings so one may wish to flip to the back of the book to see the list. I found the sections relating to journalism/reporting to be the most realistic -which is great since they were built upon the author’s past experience in that field. I could feel the love/hate instances of social media in this book - and the “rush to be first” sometimes does overweigh the “rush to be accurate” in our modern times. Where I found this book lacking was that I really didn’t like the main character - she whines a lot. She also seems to have a lack of a social radar - confronting someone at a funeral is not a good move (reporting or not). I also found her constant complaints about her rival to be annoying - prove it, do something - and why Jim continues to support her (bless him!) I found a bit bewildering. Ms. Estes creates a back-story for the main character that I felt was a set-up for a follow-up book - I’m not sure it added much to the story. And while I’m one who likes little tidbits of history thrown into books, I did wonder why there were so many of those asides - and, again, I’m not sure it added anything to the overall story (for instance, a discussion about Native American schools was interesting, but the story came to a complete halt during those two pages). Again, this wasn’t a bad story - but I feel it could’ve been much tighter with a lot of editing. Overall story - 4 stars. Issues - 3 stars - so 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Oh my gosh, this is such a captivating book. I had no idea how fast paced and cutthroat the world of reporting is!! I love that Christina Estes was inspired to write, Off The Air, by her many years as a professional reporter. It made me feel like I was behind the scenes watching it all happen.

At the beginning of the book, when a murder is announced it seemed like Jolene, the main character would easily be the first to report the story. I was amazed at how easily the story slipped away from her. All the reporters were trying to be the first to get an interview from a witness or anyone who had a clue to who the murderer was. It was like a room full of squirrels fighting for one nut!!

Jolene is a tough character though and she relentlessly chases her story. That was one of the most interesting parts of the book, all of the different ways that Jolene would go about trying to get new information before anyone else could. She is pretty creative and daring.

Throughout the whole story I could not guess who the murderer was, and I was very surprised at the ending which is always nice.

This is a fun, quick book.

There is a content advisory in the back of the book which lists references to abandonment, ageism animal cruelty, child neglect, classism, homelessness, racism, sexism, sexual coercion, and substance abuse. They are referenced , but none in detail.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Christina Estes for the free arc provided by NetGalley!

I really enjoyed this novel! I don't know the first thing about reporting or the news cycle so this was a lot of great information for me without it being too much. I feel like I actually learned something which is not what I was anticipating. I love a fun whodunit novel. It was super quick, easy, and just overall a great time. I can't believe this is a debut novel!

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I appreciated the author's knowledge about the local TV news business -- I grew up with my father as an anchorman. However, I really, really, really didn't like Jolene - she was snarky (without being funny), unprofessional, and showed huge lapses in judgement. I didn't grow to like her either as the book went on - I continued not to like her.

The descriptions of Phoenix and Arizona were very interesting, and I appreciated the historical info about different areas and neighborhoods.

All in all this was a pretty successful novel. I don't need to like a character to enjoy the story. Well done.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Have you ever wondered what a reporter does? If you have, this story ("Off the Air"} follows Jolene Garcia who is a TV reporter in Phoenix, AZ. She is assigned many different types of stories but, like many of her colleagues, is always looking for the "big" story to help make her career truly outstanding.

The sudden death of a conservative radio talk host brings a swarm of reporters sniffing for the story of whether it was just an untimely death or worse, a murder. Jolene is fortunate in that she had previously gotten a scoop in having what may become the last interview with Larry Lemmon, the deceased radio host. This leg-up should give her an edge in the scrum of reporters including network-types -- note the word "SHOULD"! Jolene's nemesis is one of those types that has a sneaky, often underhanded, way of getting inside any investigation or story and reporting on it first. This woman also flaunts her femininity to the greatest degree. She definitely dresses the part!

The competition for facts and research is fierce and Jolene knows this story could maker or break her career. She seems to be getting scooped with regularity and is becoming frustrated. Will she solve the mystery of death/suicide; will she out maneuver the competition; or will she stay true to real journalism? All these questions swirl through the story and make for a very entertaining read, especially if you like a lot of twists and turns.

A perfectly fine book, but it just didn't work for me and I can't put my finger on why. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

This book was very entertaining. The story of a reporter who tries to outwit her nemesis. Of course a comedy of errors while trying to figure out "who dun it".

This was a little slow for me. I don’t typically read books like this but I’m glad I did. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book early!

I really liked this book. It’s not your typical journalist book. I liked Jolene a lot. It’s more a mystery type book. There’s a mix of characters. Some come off goofy, some you just don’t like, others are just doing the best they can. Just like in any profession. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

"Off the Air" by Christina Estes is an enthralling and captivating debut novel that seamlessly blends thought-provoking elements with a thrilling narrative. This Tony Hillerman Prize-winning book introduces readers to Jolene Garcia, a local TV reporter in Phoenix, Arizona, who finds herself at the heart of a murder investigation that could make or break her career.

Estes skillfully draws readers into Jolene's world, where she expertly navigates between covering general assignments and investing time into special projects. Jolene's determination and tenacity practically leap off the pages, propelling the story forward as she seeks to uncover the truth behind the suspicious death of Larry Lemmon, a controversial talk show host. The fact that Jolene conducted his final interview adds an intriguing and personal aspect to the investigation, further intensifying the stakes.

One of the standout aspects of "Off the Air" is its portrayal of the cutthroat nature of the journalism industry. Estes captures the ruthless competition and pressures faced by reporters vying to break news first, giving readers an authentic glimpse into the challenges that arise in the pursuit of truth. This element adds an extra layer of urgency and excitement to the narrative, keeping readers hooked as Jolene encounters obstacles and unforeseen twists along the way.

Estes' writing style is engaging and polished, weaving together the intricacies of the murder investigation and Jolene's personal and professional struggles seamlessly. The pacing is well-managed, ensuring a steady flow of suspense and surprises that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages. Furthermore, the author's background as an Emmy Award-winning reporter shines through, lending an air of authenticity and credibility to the journalism aspects within the story.

While "Off the Air" provides an exhilarating reading experience, there are moments where further exploration and depth could enhance certain elements. Some plot threads or character relationships may have benefited from additional attention, adding even more nuance and satisfaction to the overall story.

I loved this cozy mystery and it made me want to read more cozy mysteries moving forward. I loved the delightful characters and the low-stakes nature of the plot. An easy yes from me!

Off The Air is more than just a murder mystery, it's also a look into the behind the scenes life of a TV journalist trying to do a responsible job in a cutthroat competitive business. I kept reading because I was as frustrated as Jolene by the corporate insistence on ratings before reliable fact. This debut gets a 4 star because the Phoenix trivia while interesting, is more Wikipedia footnote than organic to the story. Thank you NatGalley and Minaotaur for the ARC.

I couldn't get into the main character or the writing style and DNF'd halfway through. I liked the premise and the book blurb, but the pacing plodded along and the dialogue was stilted. At times, near the midway mark, it read like a book report with we did this, then this, etc. I wasn't drawn in as much as I expected, and I didn't care about the main character. The dialogue didn't sound real. Great premise and blurb though.

4 stars for Phoenix local news person Christina Estes" debut novel "Off the Air"!! It's a breath of fresh air (see what I did there? LOL). As a southwesterner, I really appreciated this tale of a Phoenix reporter, Jolene, who gets more than she bargained for while reporting & investigating a local celebrity's murder. Refreshing, engaging & often fun, I can see why it won the Tony Hillerman award. Recommend to all mystery fans. My sincere thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the complimentary DRC, my sincere pleasure to review it.

Jolene is a local TV reporter living in Phoenix who is tired of being assigned mundane news stories. When Larry Lemmon, a controversial talk show host, is found dead Jolene has a chance at a breaking story. She is determined to beat her competition and takes on the task of trying to solve the murder for a chance at getting the story of a lifetime.

I really enjoyed reading this one! I live in Phoenix and this book initially caught my attention because it's set in Phoenix. I appreciated the facts about the city that were intertwined into this fictional story. I actually learned a few things about the history of Phoenix. I was beyond excited that my neighborhood of Laveen was mentioned and incorporated into the story. You can tell that the author is very knowledgable about the area. I enjoyed the plot and the behind the scenes look at local TV news. There were not many twists to this story, I would classify it more as a mystery rather than thriller although the ending is quite suspenseful. I highly recommend picking this one up!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for a digital ARC one exchange for my honest review.