The Storykiller

Wow. These politicians are right up there with the protagonists in House of Cards...the British version in this case. The author successfully lures the reader in with hints and just enough information to keep anyone glued to the page. Unsavory characters abound, and I did not truly care for any of them; however, I could not look away. A former newspaperman is now in the business of killing stories and the action is non-stop until the very last paragraph. Just like Kerry Washington's machinations on Scandal, Jack Winter twists and turns without much regard for morality. This is a vey good read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was an extremely interesting read with multiple complexities; plot and characters. The writing was also enjoyable, with descriptions and commentaries that felt true to the main character. The political corruption and complete lack of morals displayed by "the bad guy" characters in this book constantly shock you. Though the mystery element wasn't massively impactful (the bad guys are for the most part guessable from the beginning), the thrill certainly was as each discovery led into a burst of action and even more corruption. This book comments on the current flawed political systems and figures of todays society and presents us with many flawed and morally ambiguous characters that we can relate to and/or sympathise with, despite not always being strikingly likable. I applauded and respect the author for being able to weave and intertwine each characters story with the next and link every factor and clue. As with any thriller or mystery, it's this that keeps us as readers amazed.

I enjoyed this book and read a copy off NetGalley. Throughout the book you learn more and more about the different characters and what they are willing to do for different things. I was entertained to the very end. I will admit at times I was a little bored because it seemed repetitive at times but in a whole the story line was great and interesting. I really enjoyed how the story was told through a story killer a job I don't really think of often making a nice twist. In the end if you want a story with a lot of action, backstabbing, and twists all the way till the end, this will be a book you will enjoy!

This story had me turning the pages pretty darn fast!! I never heard of this author, so this is first book I've read of his. It's an intense thriller/mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed because it had some real qualities that it could potentially happen in real life, or twisted in other directions to be a story that could happen

Jack was the type of journalist that really called it out like it was, but he stopped since he felt partly to blame for a murder
Jack then goes back to writing, but to set it straight amongst the wealthy & celebrity types. This time his writings are more helpful,M than destructive, which tends to get in his way now as he's trying to help with the latest, but is finding troubles doing so

I was on edge of the seat for mostly whole book. Keeps reader captured into wondering....how will this turn out!

Thank you to Silver publishers for allowing me this book. I'll be looking forward to reading more from this author as I feel there's great potential here for more

Impressive first book - may be the author's debut but it was written like a pro. The story was engaging and characters were well developed - all except Zoe - sorry I just can't buy the perfect young woman but emotionally a mess falling for the older guy once again. But that said - it is my only negative comment. The story line pulled me along as I was supposed to read three other books over this past long weekend - and basically concentrated on this one. I really wanted to find out where the story and Jack were going. Looking forward to the next Jack Winter adventure. Thanks for an enjoyable read.

This book was a wonderful surprise. I wasn't sure about the title, and I had never heard of a storykiller before. The way the media is so often manipulated was never really clear to me, and it is frightening. Every out there has an agenda....
The writing is very good, and the story moves along quickly. The main character is an interesting guy, a little stubborn and unsure at the same time. When we figure out who the bad guys really are, some major questions remain.
I look forward to the further adventures.

I was blessed enough to be able to download this book for free from NetGally in exchange for my honest review which is as follows:

In my personal opinion the first half of the book is very hard to understand/follow mostly due to the jumps into different time frames however the middle and ending of the book had me hooked. If you like political thrillers I think you're getting to enjoy this book, Overall I personally rate this book an 8/10.

Not what I thought it would be but oh, so much better. I highly recommend this book for all journalist, public relations specialists, and media consultants. It details how and when of unreported dirty deeds. Murder, rape, and slimy business deals are all money makers for the Storykiller. I encourage all journalism majors to intern in businesses and media organizations to know the backstory of front page news (or the ones that DID get killed).
You are in for a killer roll coaster ride!

A good story line as we follow "jaded Jack" as he realizes you get what you pay for and sometimes a while lot more. Give this one a try

Three years ago, Jack Winter was an up and coming reporter for The Legend, a notable London daily. He was hot on a story about a schoolgirl who was killed on her way home from school by a hit and run driver. In his digging, he turned up a valuable source in one of the teachers at the girl's school. For weeks, Jack peeled back the onion that was the school. When he thought he'd mined that source for all he could get, he dropped the guy. A week later, the teacher went into the police and confessed. Jack went into a funk because he failed at getting justice for the little girl. When the connection was made public, the girl's mother tracked down Jack and stabbed him repeatedly putting him in the hospital for weeks.

Despite earlier successes, Jack left journalism and became a bit of a public relations guy specializing in getting stories due to hit the press effectively killed, saving his clients considerable embarrassment. Jack gets a call from an Edward Valentine. One of those stiff upper lip Brits with a ton of 'old' money in his pocket. He hires Jack to get a story killed. Seems a protege of Valentine, Adam Pryor is an MP, a minister within the current PM's cabinet. One of those politicians to watch. Came up from nothing to become the #2 in an office that controls British international development. Well liked by both sides of the aisle, the public, and the press. Fast track to become Prime Minister one day. Pryor accepted an invitation to speak at Oxford. After his speech, he retires to a local pub where 2 students throw themselves at him. Prior beds one and forgets to tell he that he is married until the next morning. She ain't happy and threatens to go to the papers. That's were Jack comes in. Convince the girl that's not a good idea.

Hunter's 1st novel opens the curtains that hide the underbelly of politics by pulling them back so we see the extremes that people will go to gain power and the extremes that those who pull the strings of politicians will go to influence policy and line their pockets. While this is a British tale, it's not much of a jump to see Valentine as the George Soros for the Democrats or as the Koch brothers for the Republicans. Or it that's too realistic, just think about House or Cards. If even 1/10th of what's presented here actually occurs in our political system, then we are is some serious trouble.

If your cup of tea is dogged journalists or political intrigue, The Storykiller needs to be on your must-read list.

available September 29, 2016

East Coast Don