The Full Scoop

April 27, 2020
In Orr’s amiable fourth mystery featuring Tuttle Corner, Va., investigative reporter Riley Ellison (after 2019’s The Ugly Truth), Riley is convinced that colleague Hal Flick’s recent vehicular death was no accident and that it’s somehow connected to the suspicious death of her grandfather, Albert Ellison, seven years earlier. Riley examines Hal’s research into five members of the Miller family who died in a plane crash in 1959. Disgraced former sheriff Joe Tackett, recently imprisoned after pleading guilty to corruption charges, then claims to have evidence that Albert was, indeed, murdered. He’s willing to trade the information for a transfer or reduced sentence, but Riley’s ex-boyfriend, federal agent Jay Burman, seeks to block the county prosecutor from cutting a deal with Tackett. Defying Burman, Riley seeks to bring Tackett’s evidence to light as she pursues the startling truth about the Miller family. A subplot involving an online astrology service doesn’t mar the pace or weaken the suspense. Readers will hope to see a lot more of the intrepid Riley. Agents: Emma Sweeney and Margaret Sutherland Brown, Emma Sweeney Agency.

March 15, 2020
Getting to the roots of her grandfather's death completes a multivolume arc for a small-town news reporter. In the month following Hal Flick's death during his investigation of her grandfather's apparent suicide long ago, Riley Ellison has made no progress in pinning down the person or persons unknown responsible for either of the deaths. So when disgraced and incarcerated former Tuttle Corner Sheriff Joe Tackett claims to have some info on the case, Riley's desperate to get him some sort of deal in exchange for what he knows. After all, Flick is the only one who believed that Albert Ellison's death was murder, and Riley's pretty sure that someone offed Flick because he was too close to the truth. What if the information Tackett has explains both Flick's and Albert's deaths? Even Will Holman, Riley's cerebral partner in investigations and thus the more cautious of the pair, is in favor of striking a bargain with the ex-lawman. But things fall through when Riley's ex, federal agent Jay Burman, quashes the deal. Instead of believing that Jay has at least the interests of justice at heart, maybe even her own interests, Riley resolves to work around his objections. After all, if Jay wanted to be involved with the investigation, he never should have left town (and her) for job opportunities in D.C. And Riley's new quasi-boyfriend Ash Campbell is far more accommodating, though it's not clear whether it's because he cares or because he just isn't paying attention. Perhaps the horoscope service Riley's overly involved mother has subscribed her in will have the insight Riley doesn't, though like the unveiling of the whodunit and whydunit of Flick's and Albert's deaths, it may just provide more fanfare without any underpinning. A shift in tone produces something a little more murderous but a little less fun.

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May 1, 2020

Journalist Riley Ellison never believed her grandfather committed suicide. Now, the only person who ever believed her, another journalist, is dead following a car accident. Despite her grief, Riley is determined to find answers. Then, a former sheriff offers a bargain. He'll reveal what really happened to Riley's grandfather, along with proof, if the prosecutor will move him from the prison where he feels endangered. Riley is eager, but the feds won't deal. They want the man's testimony against a drug cartel. Riley only has a couple clues left behind by the dead men, but they lead her on a dangerous search. Another violent death and threats against the people Riley loves may trap her. She knows who the killer is, but if she comes forward she might jeopardize the lives of others. VERDICT While the first Riley Ellison mystery, The Good Byline, earned a comparison to Janet Evanovich, by this book, the tone has turned dark. The author completes the four-book arc about the quest for truth about the death of Riley's grandfather, but only dedicated readers of the series will care.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

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