Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

"Killing the Story" is an eye opening piece of narrative nonfiction that deserves our full attention. Writing and investigating this piece was a risk to the own author's life and those of his family and subjects. While we see evidence of corruption in our own political and media communities here in the U.S., the corruption in Mexico is truly out of control! The true accounts of violence against journalists (and citizens) told here are terrifying and heartbreaking. I happen to read "Killing the Story" directly after reading Jeanine Cummins' "American Dirt" which served as a nice complement to that story also involving violence against Cental American journalists and their families. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of Grecko's bold piece of journalism.

What I liked

This book was eye-opening to me. I've certainly heard about the violence in Mexico before, but never before had I read something that followed the stories of so many people and tied the events in so well with the political climate at the time. It read like a detailed history, only the events were in some cases things that happened just last year. It's very much a book about current events, even though it feels historical.

I liked the way the author took care to mention several organizations that had been helpful to journalists facing death threats and other issues in Mexico. The details included make it easy to go on and do further research if you are so inclined, or know from a journalist's perspective which organizations to support if you are moved to do so.

What I didn't like

As I mentioned, the book really did feel like a historical non-fiction for most of it rather than current events. While it's clear that the author had a personal relationship to many of the people talked about in the book, the emotion fails to come through in many places, and perhaps it was for this reason that I felt the writing was not very engaging. This was especially true in the first half of the book, though I did read the second half in a single sitting.

Overall

I'd recommend this book to anyone who seeks to understand how and why journalists fight for the right to do their jobs, or anyone who is interested in Mexico and that nation's current events. However, I would have to skip a more general recommendation this time around because I feel the engagement factor is just not there.

Thanks @netgalley @thenewpress for a digital copy of Killing The Story: Journalists Risking Their Lives To Uncover The Truth In Mexico. This book was very well written, but nonetheless, it was very draining and disturbing. Témores Grecko did not hold back any details in his descriptions of death and torture. Some might say that it is too much, so there needs to be a trigger warning, but I would say it’s necessary to display the full monstrosities of what is happening in Mexico to journalists. Mexico is now in the top 5 for most dangerous places to live for journalists and in 2017, it edged out Iraq and Syria as the deadliest. The corruption, exploitation, and murder taking place is unsettling and it will only spread the longer people accept that it is okay. It’s a book that really centers the need for free speech and should hopefully light a fire under people who think “This could never happen here.” It really makes you grateful for people who risk their lives and their families lives to break stories on pedophiles, sexual predators, corrupt politicians, and corporate greed. The day our press is completely bought is the day democracy dies. Would highly recommend if you are interested in world news that doesn’t only star America, journalism, true crime, and politics. There’s a lot of names and places in this book, but don’t let it overwhelm or deter you. Take it as an opportunity to learn, I know I did.

This is a must read for everyone. An area of the world that is often overlooked, this book shows and examines the true stories and issues here which deserves the worlds attention.

"You don't see the warning signs because you get carried away by this dynamic, this cycle of information and violence." -- Killing the Story (Témoris Grecko)

Police without uniform, abducting and attacking peaceful protestors and members of the press. Criminal punishment for those who confess (falsely) under duress. An epidemic that politicians refuse to acknowledge as a threat because it'll hurt the country's economy. Is this story about life in the USA today? No, it's about Mexico only six years ago.

You will enjoy this book if...

* You are an American who is waiting for "the warning sign" before you start worrying 'too much'
* You are a firm believer in free speech
* You have an interest in the political climate of Mexico
and/or
* You enjoy stories of journalism

This book may be dense at times but is an incredibly important and relevant read for my American friends. This has changed the way I view how I spend my money with businesses, how I vote, and what I'm willing to do to keep my freedom of speech.

An informative and sometimes harsh read about the corruption and lawlessness that exists in some of the cities in Mexico. Most importantly, it is a book about the journalists who have a passion to investigate and inform their readers about the unfairness and brutality that exists around them.

The author is a filmmaker and journalist himself who writes about the high-profile journalists and reporters he knew and looked up to and how their experiences in writing the truth got them killed or kidnapped. Mexican journalists often put their lives at risk, at least the ones who spoke against the corrupt governments and police. Their work, their families and their lives were affected in one way or another, often without any justice.

Living in Honduras, I am acquainted with what happens to journalists who have gotten too close to the truth about corrupt businessmen and/or government officials. Killing the Story has given a true, compassionate and honest voice to those reporters and journalists who lost their lives too soon all in the name of writing the truth.

Thank you Netgalley and The New Press for providing the ARC of Killing the Story. This is an anger-inducing recounting of journalist deaths in Mexico and will highly frustrate and sadden anyone who believes in the power of a free press. It’s not altogether unhopeful although it’s difficult to predict if things will ever change in Mexico or other areas of the world where reporters are suppressed, kidnapped, tortured, killed. I recommend this title.