“Prime Time” by Hank Phillippi Ryan
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Hank Phillippi Ryan's Books
Genre
- Thriller
- Romance
Category
- Murder
I wrote this review shortly after PRIME TIME was first published, but it still applies even after the release of three more books in this fantastic (and award-winning) series:
An exciting new mystery series debuted recently, with Hank Phillippi Ryan’s first novel PRIME TIME. The writing is compelling, as the reader is instantly drawn into the world of TV investigative reporter Charlotte “Charlie” McNally. Charlie is a stylish, divorced, forty-ish, Emmy-winning reporter with a wry sense of humor and an overwhelming dedication to getting the story. When the widow of a man killed in a car accident contacts Charlie and asks why she never returned her now-deceased husband’s email, Charlie’s antennae stand right up. After just a few inquiries, she and her loyal producer Franklin become convinced that they have not only uncovered a suspicious series of email messages, but that they may also have tripped over a murder. The book is full of twists and turns, as one moment the case looks clear-cut and the identity of the killer appears obvious, and the next the reader is wondering exactly who Charlie can trust (as does Charlie herself). Author Hank Phillippi Ryan is a much-admired investigative reporter in the Boston area, and her expertise shows in every line of the book. From scooping rivals to dealing with the police, Charlie is a believable and magnetic figure. Her frequent observations about her profession (“Courses they don’t teach in Journalism School: Future Shock: The Choice of Fame or Family”) mesh well with her concerns over the precarious nature of her job. But Charlie’s no whiner – when it comes to getting the facts, she’s willing to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty. Unfortunately, the other side is just as willing to dirty its own hands – to keep the story from reaching PRIME TIME.
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