A very good, fast-paced mystery that grabbed my attention from the very beginning and didn't let go. Writer Joss Jax attends a book signing for fellow writer Alexandra Weston, who is later found murdered in the bookstore bathroom. Joss decides to investigate her death to find out who woukd do this and why. There are quite a few theories and suspects. There are enough twists to keep you guessing throughout.

I had not previously read anything by this author, although have the first few of her Sloane Monroe series, that I received through Bookbub. This probably started as a standalone, but the GR entry suggests it is now the beginning of another series. It has a lot of high ratings here, and while I'm not quite as enthusiastic, I did enjoy it, and once I got into it, finished it quite quickly.

Alexandra Weston is a true-crime writer who is found dead in a bathroom after a book signing. Years ago, she wrote a best seller about Elias Pratt, a charming young psychopath who was sentenced to death for a series of murders committed during robberies that he apparently did just for kicks. Joss Jax is a younger writer who hosts a TV series about murders, and while visiting New Orleans on a break with her loyal bodyguard, Finch, she drops in to the book signing to meet Alexandra for the first time. Unimpressed with the police investigation, she begins to look into Alexandra's life and finds a range of potential suspects, each with secrets that they might kill to protect.
With flashbacks to both Elias and Alexandra's past, we are shown a different view of each character, and how events back then have led directly to her murder now.

This was a fairly standard murder mystery, and while the plot was nothing special, the book within a book format differentiated it a little. I've probably read too many thrillers for this to stand out. I have a possibly unreasonable antipathy towards journalists in fiction (I don't know any IRL) and put true crime writers in the same basket - the idea that it's OK to ruin lives, break laws, hide things from the police and violate all ethical rules in the pursuit of a story (never mind the truth...) offends me, and Joss is no different. She has a tragic backstory, but this doesn't excuse her behaviour. I liked Finch, and would give her another go, now that she has hopefully dealt with her "poor me" issues.

Overall, this was a competently written light murder mystery, with the conventional reveal in the Agatha Christie style. It's a quick read, not overly drawn out, and while a bit melodramatic towards the end, is satisfying enough. 3.5 rounded up for the perpetrator not being completely obvious too early, and the characters not being all good or all bad. Other readers have rated it positively and I would not let my just above lukewarm review put you off if you like this kind of mystery.

This was published last year, I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thoroughly enjoyable read. Interesting,complex characters and a very twisted storyline. There will be hopefully more stories featuring Joss and Finch.

This is my first Cheryl Bradshaw novel and I enjoyed it! It is about a true crime writer on her last book tour. When she is found dead in the bathroom during her last book signing, a fellow writer jumps in to help find out what happened. Does Joss solve the mystery of the murder?

True-crime writer Alexandra Weston is relieved that she is at the final stop of her book tour. But then, she is found murdered in the rest room. Her latest book is her rewrite about the life and death of serial killer Elias Pratt, twenty-five years later. It was a rewrite that she did not want to do. If she didn’t agree to the rewrite, the publishers were going to use fellow writer Joss Jax, and Alexandra did not want that either. So, she wrote the book.

Joss is also a television host and her show is on hiatus. So she is visiting New Orleans and also attends the book signing. Joss needs to know why Alexandra is murdered and sets out to investigate. While doing so, Joss is fighting her own demons. Something happened five years ago. She comes close to telling bodyguard and friend Finch, but decides against it and forges ahead with her investigation.

Who really was Elias Pratt, the serial killer that was the subject of these books, as well as the rewrite? What did publishing this new book have to do with Alexandra's murder? Joss is led in several different directions, sometimes wondering which has the most priority. As it seems, everything is leading to secrets. And really, wow! What secrets!

What an excellent read by Cheryl Bradshaw! The suspense is stellar and there is a surprising twist that changes everything. More than one, actually, which leads to a shocking conclusion. I recently became familiar with this talented author and will continue to read her great books.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kobo Writing Life for this review copy.

This story is really a story within a story. Alexandra Weston is a famous true crime book writer. She is just finishing the last few minutes of her book signing tour, then going home. That is when a weird person comes up and acts rather strangely. He doesn't leave when asked and the security guard at the store does nothing. In steps Joss Jax, she moves the man along. Joss is a fan of Alexandra and notices her very shaky after the man assaults her. Alexandra goes in the bathroom, and never leaves. She is found the next morning dead. Joss decides she needs to find out what happened to her idol. This leads her on many trails that have many other trails to go on. Can Joss figure out who killed Alexandra and why? Why did they kill her agent also? What is the person trying to keep hidden? Read the book to find out. You won't be disappointed.

This book is a compelling read. Part thriller, part mystery. Alexandra, a well-know crime novelist, is murdered and her fellow writer Joss Jax is determined to solve her murder. This book switches between the past to the present with the two being very connected. The investigation is thorough and the ending is a surprise but also makes sense. I enjoyed it very much.

I believe Joss had a very traumatic past that scarred her for life, it matters not what she did or achieved, it’s a memory that would never die. With her sister getting married to her former brother-in-law, she knows without a doubt that her ex would be at the wedding, so she was very indecisive about attending. It was hard for her when she remembered what she had lost all due to his cheating with her best friend. She was excited about finally meeting one of her favorite authors, whom she idolized by attending her book tour. This help to take her mind off the wedding for a bit, but her excitement became dim when she found out the following morning she was murdered, with a little aid from Alexandra’s agent, who also became victim number two, she began following a trail one that almost got her and her bodyguard/friend Finch killed. A mystery that had it all Love, deceit, revenge, hatred petty vindictiveness and a lot more. A gripping, intriguing, interesting and entertaining book.

THE DEVIL DIED AT MIDNIGHT by Cheryl Bradshaw this was very different from her Sloane series which I loved. This had a plot within a plot, how she tied it all together was very unique. Makes one ponder if there were traits in the family that came out. Also showed how far a person will go to get a story, being manipulative. The downside was the chapters of conversation with the guy in prison, too many. If this was to become a series, doubt if I would continue, for a darker side to mystery. Overall she did a great job. Given by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

5 stars

Alexandra Weston is at a book signing for her latest release, a follow-up to her bestseller about serial killer Elias Pratt. She is accosted by a rabid “fan.” When the security guard is slow to respond, the woman behind him in the queue wrestles with him while a store employee calls the police. When the ordeal is over, her rescuer notices that Alexandra’s hands are shaking. Her rescuer is television personality and fellow author Joss Jax.

Repairing to the restroom, Alexandra notices that she really doesn’t feel well at all. Threatened by another man with a knife and an altered voice in the restroom, Alexandra suddenly realizes that she has been poisoned.

When visited in her hotel room by two police officers, the feisty Joss gives perfectly reasonable answers to their question, but the lead officer, Officer Blunt, is rude and condescending. Joss’ bodyguard Finch is also there.

Throughout the book, there are inserted flashbacks of Alexandra Weston and Elias Pratt. They describe Elias’ killings of several people and Alexandra’s covering of his trial and execution. Elias was just twenty-two when he was sentenced to death. Through these vignettes, the reader gets an interesting view of Alexandra’s personality and what drives her.

The identity of the killer turns out to be a surprise. The reason behind the killing, well, I suppose one could understand it, but it is a little out there.

This book is extremely well written and plotted. It kept me guessing throughout. The tension in the story was just right, not too much and not too little. I really liked the characters of Joss and Finch. Sufficient information was given about them to paint a good picture of their actions and motivations, but not so much that it intruded on the story. It only added to the richness of the script. Detective Murphy was no slouch, either. I grew to dislike Alexandra and saw her as a conniving person who would do anything to get her story. Oddly enough, this was my first Cheryl Bradshaw mystery, and I am sure I will be reading more of her work. I immediately went to Amazon to look for others of her books.

I want to thank NetGalley and Kobo Writing Life for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read and enjoy.