Bibliography

Plot Summary: Riley Spartz, television news reporter  in Minneapolis, just knows she has  a ratings winner when a former homicide detective hands her two cold case files–two women named Susan murdered on the same day but different years.  Riley knows they are connected and thinks perhaps there might be more, but how to prove it?  Her boss wants her to focus on a fraud investigation featuring cremated pets, a local city politician thinks she is only out for ratings, and could her source be hiding information about the crimes?

Critical Analysis:  I picked up this book at the public library because I had won a copy of the second in the series, Missing Mark, from the publisher.   I am one of those readers who prefers for the most part, to read series in order.  I like to see how the characters and relationships develop from the start.

I really enjoyed this title, and I would be lying if I didn’t tell you it was in part because my name is Susan, and it is not the most common name in the world, so that fact that the author choose it to be the center of this mystery appealed to me.  (Not because I want to be murdered or anything, I just appreciated it, is all).

Riley Spartz is a great character, someone you’d like to go to lunch or shopping with, or to a movie, except you’d have to worry about whether you were off the record or not, or whether she might be secretly filming that same resturant or shopping mall or movie theater for a future story.  Throughout the story, Kramer gives us just enough information about Riley’s past to explain some of her current outlook on work, life and love.

The main mystery is handled well, with twists, turns, and red herrings to keep things interesting.  I didn’t see the end coming but wasn’t surprised by the reveal either, a sign of a job well done in my book.  I also really enjoyed the secondary story line about the fraud investigation into pet cremation, as much because of how serious a story it turned out to be as because of all the details of how a news story like that works.  (And the sanctification when the villain gets what is coming to him.)  I think that is one of the strengths of this book, that all the details around the mystery are so well done.  I now know a little more about the local news scene, and was glad that both Malik the camera man and Toby the pet lover and a few of his dogs make appearances in the second book.

Readalikes:  While not a match in tone or appeal, I was reminded of Chelsea Cain’s series about a serial killer that features Susan Ward as a newspaper reporter for the local paper.  The series gives glimpses into how a larger newspaper really runs.  The first book in the series is Heartsick.

Review Excerpts:   “Kramer writes with heart and pizzazz, and her believable heroine makes the well-worn concept feel fresh. Kramer’s past as a TV producer lends authority to an entertaining story.”–Kirkus Reviews

“…a fast-paced and nicely characterized debut that will appeal to fans of Linda Fairstein and Laura Lippman.”–Library Journal

“Readers will look forward to seeing a lot more of the appealing Riley, who cares about justice as much as snagging at least a 40 audience share.”–Publisher’s Weekly

Reviewed from public library audio book copy. Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.