I did not realize that this was book #2….so I guess that’s a good thing?!?!

Interesting story about a news reporter who won an Emmy, but then just kept getting ‘fluff’ pieces… and didn’t want that. She wanted to get out there and get the good stories!!

And then, when she finally got involved in some juicy pieces, that’s when she started getting threats!!

Interesting views on the world of a reporter, as well as the cut-throat business that it is! This really opened my eyes on multiple aspects of their world! And, interestingly, the author was actually a reporter who won an Emmy!l

Lots of moving parts in this one, as well as high profile characters… ones who do NOT want to get exposure, via the news, for some things they’ve done…

Happy that Jolene was able to finally get some good, solid pieces to report on…. Without much help from her higher ups!!

And, hoping that there will be more books in this series!

4 solid stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!

#TheStoryThatWouldntDie by @ChristinaEstes and narrated nicely by @DevonSorvari.

***** THIS HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET!!! LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON SHELVES STARTING 8/19/25!!! *****

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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📚 Book Title: The Story that Wouldn’t Die
👩🏾‍💻 Author: Christina Edes
🎧 Format: Audio
🗣️ Narrator: Devon Sorvari
⏱️ Length: 9h 35m

📖 Book Summary: Jolene Garcia thought winning her first Emmy would finally cement her place in Phoenix news, but instead she’s stuck chasing fluff pieces while her rivals break the big stories. When a local business owner dies in a car crash that feels anything but accidental, Jolene follows the thread—only to uncover layers of corruption, cover-ups, and danger that stretch far beyond her newsroom. In a city where power plays out in backrooms and broadcast scripts, Jolene must decide how far she’s willing to go for the truth—and whether telling the story will cost her more than her career.

😇 Quick Take: this book was very chaotic…not in a good way. I feel as if the story should’ve focused solely on one case instead of going back and forth and etc. I also understand that this story is from the POV of a journalist, so it kinda makes sense…It just need some cleaning up - plot wise.

💭 Vibe Check:

- 🌪️ Pacing: chaotic. too much going on at once…
- 🕵🏾‍♀️ Theme(s): power and corruption, media influence
- 📌 Trope(s): corrupted systems
- 🎯 Read If You Like:
- The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
- Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

🎙️ Audiobook Thoughts:
Narration was great! clean and crisp
Multi-cast? no
Would I re-listen? no

**⭐ Rating:**
- 📖 Plot: 2/5
- 💭 Vibes: 1/5
- 🔪 Chaos: 5/5 (but not the good kind)
- 🌀 Spiral Level: 1/5
- 📌 overall: 2/5

🏷️
#NetGalley #TSTWD #journalism #crime

*Remember to research trigger warning(s) before reading/listening. Happy Listening! 😊*

A very fast paced suspense thriller set in Phoenix.  Jolene Garcia is a television reporter always looking for her next big story. She is looking into a complaint regarding city contracts. As she is digging around, there is a suspicious death. Jolene is one determined journalists. Estes does an excellent job bringing Phoenix alive. A story full of heart and wit. I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you, NegGalley, for the audiobook.

Jolene the Journalist is Back! But now she's examining Phoenix City corruption: Kickbacks, collusion, bribes, and then the bodies start piling up.
And Jolene gets the scoop.
But I still have a question - is being a journalist seriously this scary? Jolene has to get out of a sticky and dangerous situation. Again!

But the last chapter - NO! I want Jolene to stay here in Arizona. How else can she uncover all the other shady Arizona stories if she moves?

This story was not what I was expecting but I still really enjoyed it. With the cover I was expecting a light hearted funny cosy mystery with the heroine bumbling along while trying to do her job. Instead I got a very capable news reporter that doesn't let threats or near misses stop her from doing her job, even her boss assigning her fluff pieces doesn't get in the way. I liked the characters, Jolene might be a tough reporter but she also has a softer side, especially for the under dogs. I also enjoyed the glimpse into running a newsroom, the pressures, the banter and competition, all paints a clear picture and makes it easy to imagine. The mystery took lots of turns as it unfolded and while I didn't know who the killer was I wasn't entirely surprised. This is evidently the second book in the series and it does work as a standalone but as the previous 'BIG STORY' is mentioned a number of times I think I might just have to go back to the start, while I wait for the next book because I will definitely be joining Jolene on her next investigation.

When the mayor gets stuck in an elevator, Jolene gets the assignment. While not the big hard hitting journalism she is hoping for she does get a tip, that has her looking into political corruption. A local beloved business man is making a complaint that government contracts for the city are all going to the same person, who is undercutting everybody else at the last minute. Before Jolene can sell her boss on the story the man is killed in a car accident and Jolene is told to look into cupcakes. Cupcakes is the last thing on Jolene's mind and she can't help but feel there is an even bigger story out there. Can Jolene uncover the story? Piping her rivals to the story would be the icing on the cake.
I liked the narrator. She helped make the story so easy to imagine and an enjoyable listen.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A sharp, fast-paced mystery with a smart and determined heroine you can’t help but root for. Jolene Garcia’s tenacity pulls you into a web of greed, corruption, and cover-ups, all set against the vivid backdrop of Phoenix. Christina Estes delivers a newsroom thriller that’s as much about integrity and courage as it is about solving the case.

I read the first Jolene Garcia mystery and while the context was helpful, this book could totally stand alone. Jolene's commitment to her journalism, and doing the right thing, keeps this story moving quick!

Thank you Christina Estes, Dreamscape, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

#TheStoryThatWouldntDie #NetGalley #NetGalleyARC #ARCReview #BookReview #WhatImReading #BookRecommendation #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #InstaBook #Bookish #AdvanceReaderCopy #ReviewCopyProvided #BookishThoughts #ReviewersOfInstagram

Thank you, Dreamscape Media & NetGalley, for providing me with an advanced readers copy of ‘The Story That Wouldn’t Die’. This book follows Jolene Garcia, a journalist reporting on a building dispute which led to a story that constantly kept evolving. Prior to applying for this ARC, I was not aware this was book two in a series. In my opinion, this book can be read without reading the first book, ‘Off the Air’, as I was not lost at any point throughout the novel. This book showed in detail what it’s like for journalists reporting on a story with all the ins and outs associated with determining a great report for the local news whilst also having stories not make the air. I really enjoyed the mystery and how the novel takes an unexpected turn in the last 10% of the book. My only downfall was the often cringeworthy nicknames the journalists provided people in their workplace, unbeknownst to them. The hardest nickname for me was ‘Sexy’, referring to their boss. Overall, I would highly recommend reading The Story That Wouldn’t End.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of The Story That Wouldn't Die by Christina Estes. This mystery follows journalist Jolene Garcia as she digs into a story that intertwines politics, greed, corruption, and even a dash of holiday spirit. I really enjoyed the fast-paced and engaging narrative, as well as the way the mystery kept unfolding in unexpected ways. The audio format worked beautifully, with a narration style that pulled me right into Jolene’s world. It was a fun and compelling listen, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys an investigative mystery with personality and heart.

Thank you netgalley and getredpr for the ARC of this novel for exchange of an honest review.
The Story That Wouldn’t Die will be published August 19th.


If you’re looking for a fast paced mystery, with a determined FMC, then this is the story for you.
Jolene loves her career in journalism. But is a little over covering cases that don’t hold a lot of substance.
When a mysterious circumstance is happening in the community, Jolene feels like there is more to the story and a connection she needs to chase.
However, there are many obstacles that get in her way. Even dangerous ones. But Jolene remains determined to get to the bottom of things.


I would recommend if you are looking for a fast paced mystery that has a pretty great twist at the end.