I went into The Story That Wouldn't Die without realizing it was the second in a series, and that definitely affected my experience. The writing is strong and atmospheric, and there were moments that pulled me in, but I found myself confused at times—like I was missing context or backstory that would’ve helped certain scenes land more powerfully.

There’s clearly a lot of depth to the world and characters, and I can see how fans of the first book would enjoy this continuation. For me, though, it was a bit hard to connect with the plot and emotional stakes without having read book one.

That said, the author’s style has promise, and I might go back and start from the beginning to fully appreciate what’s happening here.

Jolene Garcia was a news reporter for channel 4. Her boss usually gave her fluff pieces, but one day she met a man named Carlos Rios. He approached city council several times with bids for projects, but each time Kris Krueger would come in with a lower bid and Carlos would lose. Kris was a man that Carlos used to work for but he left to start his own business. One day, as Carlos was on his way home, his brakes went out and he got into a terrible accident that killed him. Jolene suspected foul play. She met his nana and told her that she was going to look into it. She learned that the cable to his brakes had been cut, and she suspected Kris. When Kris was killed, Jolene saw that as a dead end.

Zoe Patterson was a councilwoman that Jolene knew was dirty. At one point she suspected Zoe of having something to do with Carlos's death. Ace Logan was the mayor and Jolene had little regard for him. Faith Williams was his chief of staff. Reggie Logan was a mechanic who had his own business. He was also the mayor's brother. Jolene went to him to ask about the failed brakes at which point he informed her that he was the one that had cut them. She had him arrested.

As it turns out, Faith was hiding a huge secret. The story progresses and the person who was responsible for Carlos's death is the person you would least suspect. I really appreciated the author's telling of this story and I love a twist ending. This tale was really entertaining and it held my attention from start to finish. I gave it five stars.

As a former local TV news producer, I wanted to read this book because the main character, Jolene, is a reporter. The author (a reporter herself) does a fantastic job of taking us behind the scenes of the workings of a newsroom - the personalities (egos), the competitiveness, the thanklessness, and the push to find "sexy" stories that will hook viewers. Jolene is a strong character who wants to uncover the murderer and find justice for the victim. She is also a driven reporter who wants a story that will win her another Emmy (trust me, that's a BIG deal) and help her advance in her career. She has rough edges and can be pushy, making her a believable character. Overall, I thought the beginning of the book was slow and the mystery itself a bit hard to follow, but I thought it paid off in the end.

This is the second in a series that definitely gives me cozy mystery vibes. I don’t think that it’s necessary to read the first one first, although you could for some background on the characters. The story flowed well and it was enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this ARC! This will be out in August of 2025

Phoenix Arizona, channel 4 news reporter Jolene is set to bring a city’s corruption story to his boss’s attention. He is set to continue with the small mediocre news against her wishes.
After her previous case about the talk show host, Larry Lemmon, (portrayed in book #1) she seems to be on a roll to discover something more in Carlos Rios’s accident. His main competitor is Kris Kruger, he is also the one that always gets all the city’s contracts. Maybe he is not so innocent and found a way to erase his rival all together.
The author brings an inside look at the world of journalism applying her experience and view of the field. This story demonstrates that if we dig a little deeper, there’s a story beneath the story.
I enjoyed the journalist view of a mystery.

I was so excited to see Jolene Garcia return for another investigative thriller! One of the things I love about this series is how it humanizes the media. Jolene is far from perfect, but her desire to be valued, to find meaning in her work, and to excel are universally relatable. I admire her perseverance and ability to dig her teeth into a story!

The Story That Wouldn’t Die, like Off the Air, really highlights the work that happens behind-the-scenes in a newsroom. While viewers at home are enjoying hilarious clips like llamas on the loose, heartwarming stories like Thanksgiving Grandma, or more serious matters like corruption at city hall, journalists are constantly on the move to find their next break. This story also finds Jolene questioning her place in a newsroom more concerned with what’s “sexy” than the substantive stories she wants to pursue.

The plot is perfectly paced, with every scene moving towards an exciting climax. I enjoyed learning more about Jolene’s background, which continues to play a big role her development as a character. Although the investigations change, this is the thread connecting the series together. I’m eager to see what’s next for Jolene and what more we/her uncover!

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars. A little less cozy than the traditional cozy mystery but an entertaining read. Jolene Garcia is investigating the death of a beloved local man when she starts to connect it to other interesting events involving city hall. There is a nice little twist at the end that felt so I’m interested to see where that leads for book 3. I do hope the other characters/friends from the newsroom become more developed in future installments so it doesn’t feel like they are just one dimensional.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

I don’t know if this is being marketed as a cozy mystery but it definitely gave me cozy mystery vibes.

I didn’t read book 1 in this series but I don’t think it’s necessary to understand what’s going on in this one. I will be going back to read book 1 though because I did enjoy this one & id like to get more character development.

I liked Jolene’s tenacity in continuing to dig for more answers. I did not guess who the murderer was. There was some great humor in this book & it was easy to read. I’ll be looking for more from this author.

Book 2 of a series. I'll probably go back for book 1. Enjoyable read but nothing especially memorable. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Jolene Garcia, a TV reporter determined to make a name for herself in the Phoenix market, often finds herself one step behind JJ, the golden reporter from a rival station. When a local business owner dies in an accident, she is convinced this was no accident. After all, he was contesting the legitimacy of the bid process used by the city. Even though her boss and the local police tell her to drop it, she doggedly pursues her intuition, hoping to expose corruption at City Hall and maybe even win a second Emmy along the way.

This is the second in a series, but it does work as a standalone. In this story, Jolene’s chaos and blind determination despite the possible consequences grated on me a bit. But she is kind-hearted, and I give her credit for having made something of herself despite her horrendous early history.

There are colorful characters here, and the mystery will keep readers guessing. Author Estes is an award-winning reporter and demonstrates that she knows her way around this sometimes toxic field. It is interesting to learn the pressure that TV and other journalists are under in this social media-crazy world.

Those who enjoy a lighter mystery written with pathos and humor will enjoy this read.

Local news reporter Jolene Garcia is looking to acquire her second Emmy award for investigative journalism and she's got just the case which will get her one. Unfortunately, her boss wants "sexy" up-to-the-minute posts on social media about topics that don't interest Jolene. She wants to investigate the death of a beloved community leader who was asking questions about why his company's bids were never chosen for city jobs and another company always was awarded those contracts. Jolene knows that there's corruption at City Hall and she's going to find it and report on it even after she receives death threats.
The pacing of this story seemed off to me. We don't know enough about Jolene to understand why she's so driven and occasionally obnoxious--we just get hints about her being brought up in foster care. Supportive characters are not well defined except for one camera man. Rival reporter "JJ" is too much of a caricature of the spoiled, beautiful rich girl who nabs the story due to her looks. Jolene's final "scoop" seems rather contrived--it's hard to believe that politicians who are on the take would suddenly break down and confess their crimes when confronted by a reporter armed with a cell phone and recorder.

This was such a good book! While it wasn’t overly complicated,it kept me guessing until the end. Jolene is likable but flawed; she is easy to cheer for! This was a quick but entertaining read. I had planned to only read half before bed, but I couldn’t put it down until I finished. I recommend this book for those who like mysteries that are not overly complicated or dark. I really enjoyed it!

This is the second in Jolene's series. She is an investigative journalist, who is coming off the win of an Emmy from solving a murder in the last book. I did not read the first, but I don't feel like it really kept me from enjoying this one. Jolene has an interesting back story- a mom who was addicted to drugs and being involved in the foster care system. This book sets it up for a great story in the next book.

Jolene is not happy to be doing a fluff piece on whether or notlocal bakeries are producing gluten free cupcakes are actually gluten free. There was a bakery cameo from one of my favorite cozy mystery series. That made me smile more than it probably should have. When a beloved local man dies in a car accident, Jolene smells something fishy and starts to dig. The more she digs, the more corruption she exposes, and someone doesn't like it!

Overall, enjoyed this story and look forward to future ones. There were a lot of characters which was sometimes kind of confusing otherwise, good story line and mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed this read more than I thought I would. I was expecting a beachy romance with a journalist POV, but it was unexpectedly hilarious at times. It reminded me of the old movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, even though the plot wasn’t even remotely similar. Somehow—if this makes any sense at all—that was the vibe, and it hit me at a moment when I was in the mood for that kind of adventure.

“Is the story sexy?” This book addresses sensational journalism as a side plot to the main character dynamics. While the author didn’t focus on making the book political, I loved how she called out journalistic sensationalism without making it a central theme.

I’ve read quite a few “dragon magic” and “hockey/football bros” books lately, and having one that showcases journalism reminded me why I used to love Superman.

Jolene Garcia is a TV reporter in Phoenix. She believes in honest, credible journalism which conflicts with the station's emphasis on flash and social media. While investigating a story of interest, she meets a small business owner and his nana. Shortly thereafter, he is killed - and quite suspiciously too. As she pursues the story, she finds more intrigue and devious happenings, especially at city hall. Definitely holds the reader's interest, until the very end!!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC. The story starts out with an investigative reporter looking into a murder. The books takes many twists and turns with new suspects and continued surprises happening. Our main character wont stop looking into the case, even when she starts getting notes telling her to stop. It kept me guessing who the killer was throughout the entire book. I think this book would be a great read for someone thinking about getting started in the journalism field.

Christina Estes Book Review – The Story That Wouldn’t Die

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my ARC of The Story That Wouldn’t Die by Christina Estes. This is the second installment in her Jolene Garcia mystery series, and it pulls from her 20-year journalism career to create a sharp, layered story about power, truth, and the cost of chasing it. At the heart of it all is Jolene Garcia, a Phoenix-based reporter fresh off her first Emmy and not about to settle for cupcake segments when there’s real corruption bubbling under the surface of city hall.

The novel opens with a seemingly tragic car crash involving a beloved local business owner. Jolene smells something off almost immediately—Carlos Rios wasn’t just a guy with a successful shop, he was asking tough questions about city contracts and who kept winning them. His death doesn’t sit right with her, and she dives in despite repeated warnings from her boss and coworkers to leave it alone. The further she goes, the more tangled the story becomes—shady city contracts, political favors, dead ends, and people scared to talk. It’s not long before she realizes she might not just be risking her career but her life.

Jolene isn’t your typical heroine. She’s abrasive, driven, and doesn’t always make the right call. She talks to her Emmy like it’s a confidante and offloads her cupcake story onto her poor intern. She’ll bulldoze through grief-stricken sources if she thinks they’re holding back. But that messiness is what makes her believable. She’s human. Her flaws don’t make her less competent, just more complicated. Christina Estes gives her layers—raised in foster care, shaped by a rocky past, and now fighting for a future that makes sense on her own terms.

The story unfolds with a steady, almost methodical pace. Some may find that too slow, especially in a market saturated with twist-a-minute thrillers, but Estes uses the space to explore character, motivation, and the mechanics of newsrooms. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like inside a local TV station, this book nails it: the petty politics, the performance pressure, the scramble for stories that go viral even if they lack substance. Jolene is caught in that system, trying to honor the community with work that matters, while her boss—nicknamed “Sexy”—wants stories with sizzle, not substance.

Where the book shines is in its authenticity. You can tell Estes lived this life. From newsroom lingo to on-camera nerves, the details never feel forced. It grounds the story, even when the stakes rise. Phoenix isn’t just a backdrop—it breathes through the pages. Whether it’s carne asada fries, sweltering days, or references to local politics, the city feels lived-in and real. The mystery, too, feels plausible. This isn’t a thriller full of serial killers or private eyes. It’s a slow reveal of how money, power, and fear keep real stories from surfacing.

That said, the book isn’t without faults. The pacing lags in the middle, especially as Jolene bounces between sources and dead ends. There are also moments where the prose gets repetitive—Jolene’s frustration, her internal monologue about ethics, the endless references to food or newsroom chaos. At times, side plots—like Jolene’s unresolved feelings about her absentee mother—are introduced but not fully developed. You can tell Estes is planting seeds for future books, but here, they feel like narrative loose ends. And while the reveal is satisfying, Jolene doesn’t exactly outwit the villain; it’s more about being in the right place at the right time.

Still, these flaws don’t take away from what the book does well. Estes is building a series here, and this second entry shows growth. We learn more about Jolene’s vulnerabilities, and we see her begin to recognize her own limits—how her obsession with justice isolates her, how her refusal to play nice costs her allies. But that’s also why she keeps going. She’s not just after headlines. She’s after something that matters.

The Story That Wouldn’t Die is not a flashy, high-octane mystery. It’s a thoughtful, grounded, character-driven story about how hard it is to tell the truth in a world that rewards distractions. Estes doesn’t glamorize journalism. She shows its grind, its consequences, and why some stories—no matter how dangerous—refuse to be buried.

This book works as a standalone, but reading Off the Air first gives you more insight into who Jolene is and why she operates the way she does. That said, even if you jump in here, you’ll get a solid, satisfying mystery with real-world stakes, an imperfect but tenacious lead, and a finale that leaves just enough open to make you want book three.

I enjoyed this sequel. Jolene is a driven reporter who isn't afraid to go all in for a story. I did appreciate that there was more about Jolene's backstory in this book. It helps readers understand more about her and why she makes the choices she does. Overall, a good read!

This is second in the series and a fun one. The first one is Off the Air. You can tell the author is an Emmy Award reporter because it transcends in her novels.

Jolene Garcia is a Phoenix reporter covering news around her. She has an Emmy and is wanting to cover her community and things that matter to the citizens, but her bosses want sensationalized stories to grad immediate attention.

After a car crash of a well- loved local business owner died, she thinks there is more to the story and not an accident. Corruption runs deep and no one wants to talk. She has to be careful how she reports.
Her bosses want her to step back from this story, but she is determined. Can she get the story and keep her integrity or her life? Another story which you will not want to put down.

I hope there is more stories about Jolene. This book can be read as a stand-alone.

Thank you to St. Martin's press for providing me with an early eBooks copy of this book to read and review!

This book is number 2 in the series, and although I did not read the first book, I did not feel as though it affected my ability to follow along with the story. The first books theme and ending were mentioned briefly and it helped to understand the continuing storyline.

Personally, I do not like Jolene as a person but I DO enjoy that she isn't perfect. She doesn't make all the right decisions, and sometimes she doesn't follow protocol BUT she follows her heart and does what she feels needs to get done.

I enjoyed reading this book as my husband works in news! Some of the things talked about I have heard him and his coworkers saying and some were new to me. It was fun to read this book and feel like I was kind of in the know.

Thank you, again, to St. Martin's press!