This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Prime Time

Summary from Goodreads:

Seasoned investigative reporter Charlotte McNally knows that in the cutthroat world of television journalism, every story could be your last. There’s always someone younger and prettier to take your place, always a story more sensational to drive ratings through the roof.

When Brad Foreman’s widow demands to know why Charlie never answered his email, Charlie is confused. She never received his message. What did Brad, an accountant at a pharmaceutical company, want to tell her? As she searches through her computer, she finds an innocent-looking email in her junk mail folder that may turn out to be the biggest story of her career.

Is the encoded email–and the ones that follow–linked to Brad’s “accidental” death? Charlie’s investigation leads her to Brad’s friend, professor Josh Gelston, who is charming and exceedingly helpful–perhaps suspiciously so.

Charlie must decide if she can trust Josh…before a multimillion-dollar fraud ring with murder in its arsenal makes her the next lead story.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I’m a huge fan of Hank Phillippi Ryan and eagerly anticipate the next Jane Ryland book like a kid waiting for Santa Claus. I knew, although had not read, that Hank had another series. When an email arrived asking me if I’d like to consider reviewing the Charlotte McNally books (they are being re-released from Tor/Forge), I immediately said yes.

Prime Time arrived a few days later and a few days after that, I started reading the book.

Here are quick thoughts:

• Loved the plot. A mystery embedded in spam emails?! Yep, that’s intriguing (and now has me curious about spam!
• The cover. I like the city skyline!

However, I didn’t love Charlie. I love Jane because she’s strong, independent and kick butt. I saw shades of that in Charlie, but I also saw a women very concerned with societal perceptions ( her looks!) I understand why HPR chose for this to be an issue for Charlie. Women are judged for their looks all the time- and for people who work in TV, ageism is brutal. I even think that HPR was making broader statements about glass ceiling ways. But, I just don’t know. Maybe Charlie will grow on me in future books.

Bottom line:

I thought the story was good. I liked the mystery, and I’m willing to give the series more chances- because I love Hank’s writing style.

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

 

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T