Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

#readandsiprecommends to read if you like:
•a powerful AF female lead
•a story that explores challenging topics like race and class inequality
•following a big news story

Review: As the Wicked Watch highlights race and class inequalities in such a nuanced way - both through the lens of what it’s like to be black female reporter in a male-dominated industry and how the murder of a young black girl is investigated.

The media doesn’t want to give this murder investigation much air time and police write her off as a runaway, but reporter Jordan Manning knows there is more to the story. She takes investigative matters into her own hands and won’t stop till the victim Masey James has justice.

Parts of this book felt a bit slow and dragged, would have loved a bit more thrill and less procedural details. Though I do feel Hall was laying some groundwork and background to set up the series.

I really enjoyed Jordan’s character, I found her so raw and real. While I loved her investigative vigor I felt she took too many big risks on her path that felt a bit unrealistic.

I’m definitely interested to see how this series develops and will likely pick up the second book as well.

I really liked this book. I thought the story line flowed well until the end. The ending seemed rushed, and I felt there were still loose ends. I do believe that this story could happen anywhere at any time and would play out just like it did in the book. We are made aware of criminal cases that fall through the cracks and maybe this book sheds light on the fact that it is just an important for people in media to report the truth and find justice for all. Thank you to Scene of the Crine and Net Galley for an advanced copy of the book. This is my honest review.

A good start to Tamron’s fiction debut. The story follows Texas native Jordan Manning. Jordan’s an ambitious tv journalist who is compassionate, driven and embedded in solving the murder of Massy James. Sadly the story of Masey Jones, a black teenager who has been missing for a few weeks is the focus story for Jordan.

I enjoyed the crime mystery mixed with journalism. I like the behind the scenes as the story follows Jordan investigative journalism. She is set on exposing the injustice for victims as well as for the Black community. Many times she is so focus on getting the story that she forgoes eating.


A few things that I didn't like about the writing is the very detailed backstory for each character mentioned. There were times in the book that were over detailed on unimportant situations and characters. Jordan has a lot of friends and in their introduction the story goes on long-winded tangents which overwhelmed the storyline with details that were not needed.

I admire Jordan’s strength, creative tactics and realness. She has a great and close relationship with her mother. She has a good circle of sister friends and reliable work associates. She is single but well aware that her lifestyle isn't conducive to maintaining a healthy relationship. A late suggestion, if this is going to be a series saving some of the details of her friendships and her relationship with Thomas for a later book. This first book revealed everything about Jordan. As a reader I would have liked for the first book to focus on the storyline and provide some details about Jordan but leave a little mystery about her that'll make me want to read the next installment of the series.

Jordan has a sense that something more is going on than anyone else realized. Another characteristic that I like about Jordan is that she is willing to put herself where needed and she’s open to asking the hard questions to get the details of the story to the public. I am impressed with Jordan’s unique qualifications in having a degree in forensic science but at times she seems to cross the line in doing a detective’s job. This leads me to believe that no one on the police force is capable of solving the case. Originally, the police wrote Masey off as a runaway. As the story intensifies the police are now under pressure to solve the case which leads to a questionable arrest per Jordan.

This is a 396 page book. I lost interest as the story went along. My interest started to dwindle after the questionable arrest. There were so many people being introduced I didn't care who the killer was I just wanted to be finished because I knew it wouldn’t be anyone that I remember being mentioned. There may be some emotional triggers for some readers as this story does center around a missing 15 year old girl (not disclosing specific triggers due to spoiler for potential readers), along with the mistreatment of the falsely accused.

Overall I enjoyed the storyline despite the dislikes stated previously. This was an entertaining read observing Jordan as she went from scene to scene, following sources as she gathered details on the story while the wicked watched.

I was really excited to read this as I am fan of Tamron's journalism. It was slow. It took a long time to read as it did not pull me and want to continue reading.

The story revolves around the murder of a young girl in Chicago. The culture and understanding of Chicago, for those who may not be familiar, was good. The close-tied network that works in communities who are discriminated against is a highlight of the story. The police ignored clues and arrested the first, yet wrong suspects. Without the dogged determination of the main character the murder would not have been solved.

I would give another book a chance, as this was a debut.

Jordan Manning is an Investigative Reporter who has taken an interest in the case of Masey James. Jordan has become close to Masey’s mom and she is irritated by the lack of coverage Masey’s case is receiving. Masey is an intelligent , honor student who wouldn’t just disappear. When Masey’s body is found in an abandoned lot, Jordan is determined to find out what happened to her. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Was Masey involved in more than it seemed? Jordan will do all she can to get to the bottom of what happened to Masey, but her relationship with Masey’s mother Pam may get in the way. Jordan wants to advance her career, but at what cost?
This book was relatable because we have seen how Black girls are often not given the media attention or resources that white victims are given. I really liked that Tamron Hall wrote this as she gave credibility to Jordan’s character as an Investigative journalist herself.

Thanks you Scene of the Crime and William Morrow Books for the ARC

Television journalist, now talk show host Tamron Hall begins what appears to be a new crime thriller series featuring reporter Jordan Manning. It's refreshing to see more authors of color entering the ranks of crime fiction writers, and especially showcasing stories that have been too long neglected. Here, Hall probes into the negligence displayed around missing Black girls and women. In a world where a Gabby Petito can generate national headline news around her disappearance and subsequent murder, we obviously have quite a ways to go to achieve justice for all the women of color whose disappearance creates hardly a ripple.

Hall has a promising future in her new career direction, but I was put off by the particular plot construction in this novel. I do my best to avoid spoilers, so let's just say the coherence and likelihood of the resolution to the novel's crime left a huge credibility gap for me. Reality will rarely be able to match the tidy wrapping up of the plot in a crime fiction novel, but with a subject this serious, I tend to hope for more realism. In any case, I look forward to the next installment.

As the Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall follows Jordan Manning, a tough news reporter in the Windy City of Chicago. A young girl is missing. She is bright, has a promising future ahead, and there is no way she ran away. Her mom won't entertain that idea. Jordan takes a special interest in this case and isn't going to stop until she is found. But then the girl is found brutally murdered and Jordan dives into her investigative reporting to find the killer.
This is the first fictional novel in a new series by Tamron Hall, who is a journalist herself. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down. Tamron proves herself as a promising writer not just a journalist/ talk show host. Normally, I find this doesn't always cross over well for some. But it works for Hall. I will be recommending As the Wicked Watch to others and will be looking for the next installments in this series. Special Thanks to NetGalley, Tamron Hall, and William Morrow- Custom House Publishing for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
#AstheWickedWatch #NetGalley

Wow this book was so good. I could barely put it down. I am so excited for a new series about a badass woman like Jordan. I look forward to all her adventures.

Tamron Hall wrote a fantastic crime novel from the viewpoint of a reporter. Jordan is a reporter that acts more like a detective. She is following the disappearance which turned out to be the murder of a young black girl. Even though the girl was an honor student and was never in trouble the police treated her disappearance as a run away which cost them time and made it more difficult to solve. As we discover what happened to her we find out the secrets of the community and the ties that everyone has. A strong female lead that will stop at nothing to find the truth.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This was not a hit for me.. I’ve been a big fan of Tamron Hall’s but something about this book did not click with me. I couldn’t get through it and unfortunately decided to not finish. I’m sure there are people that enjoyed this book but it was not for me.

Well, I love Tamron Hall, but this book was not for me!

I must preface my review by stating I am not into journalism. Tamron is clearly an expert in this field, but I found the details a little monotonous and boring. I struggled to make progress in the book because the level of detail was overkill. I didn't need to know about the designer shoe brands and clothing sizes...it was just too much information for me that took away from the story itself.

The plot idea was interesting to me and I think Tamron Hall has the talent. I'm looking forward to trying another book from her. I think she has the creative skill and will execute better on the next book.

Overall, slow paced and a little flat for me when it comes to a thriller, but I do appreciate the author's dedication to a story.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. As the Wicked Watch is about a black 15 year old honors student who winds up dead. A black reporter ends up reporting on the story and also begins investigating the crime on her own. It was an interesting reminder that some crimes may not all be treated equal. I really ended up appreciating the reporter and her persistence for justice in this case.

This was a great read. I spotlighted it as book of the day on my social media platforms, and I included it in a monthly roundup of new releases on my Black Fiction Addiction blog.

I love Tamron Hall, but, unfortunately, could not get into this book. Too much focus on fluff (clothing, shoes, etc.). I really wanted to like it, but DNF.

This was so well written. I was engrossed from the first page and it ticked all the boxes of my expectations. I would definitely recommend to others.

AS THE WICKED WATCH was high on my tbr -- "the first in a thrilling new series!" Plus, a reporter writing about a reporter. And not only that, but a journalist who feels passionately about doing "everything she can to give the story the coverage it desperately requires, and that a missing Black child would so rarely get."

But I'm afraid the writing style didn't quite work for me. There were so many extraneous details. And, sadly, not the kind that really make characters and a story come alive -- but the kind that make what could have been a taut, quick page-turner instead a book that drags. Information that could have been delivered in a cool two sentences instead stretches into four paragraphs.

Largely because of that, I put this one down for awhile after getting about a quarter of the way through. I switched to audio for most of the rest and found that a much better way to follow broadcast journalist Jordan Manning around Chicago.

This wasn't a standout read, but I do appreciate Tamron Hall's efforts to shine a light on how law enforcement, the media, and the public react (or neglect to react) to a missing Black girl, as well as the challenges of a Black woman working in broadcast journalism.

I loved this one! Jordan's ability to solve crimes as a reporter sucked me in as she played both roles, investigator and reporter. She is a strong black woman that never backs down and fights for what she believes in. To me, that is a character that I want to know more about. The case that she fights for in this novel is devastating and gruesome, and I just spent the entire book rooting for her to find justice! I highly recommend this book to my mystery loving friends!

📽🕵🏾‍♀️𝐀𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡🕵🏾‍♀️📽

Oh boy was this book a breath of fresh air. If crime scene, procedural, who-dun-it’s are your thing, PICK THIS ONE UP!!

🔪𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: crime mystery
🔪𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞: who-dun-it
🔪𝐏𝐮𝐛. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Oct. 26th, 2021
🔪𝐌𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5 stars
🔪𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.67 (which I’m pretty shocked by because this book rocked)

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Jordan is smart, uncompromising, and often the only woman of color in the newsroom. As a crime reporter with a graduate degree in forensic science, she moves to Chicago to take a coveted anchor job on a national network. She is normally called to cover murders of black females (and to shed light on how often these women are publically forgotten), but none of her prior work has prepared her for the death of Masey James. Masey James was a fifteen-year-old girl whose body was found in an abandoned lot, beaten, sexually assaulted, and lit on fire. As Jordan ruthlessly searches Chicago for clues and trails, a serial killer is on the loose. And most likely, in plain sight.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

Oh my gosh I loved this one. Completely devoured it, it’s a procedural page turner. As the Wicked Watch also reveals a need for change in modern day journalism. It’s a powerful, twisty, crime mystery novel. The strongest part of this novel though, in my opinion, was it’s portrayal of issues surrounding equality in the criminal justice system with regards to victims and victims families. Tamron Hall does a beautiful job intertwining social commentary with a page turning plot (also this is her debut novel and its phenomenal- cannot wait to see what else she goes on to write!!).

There are rare occasions when a compelling novel can subtly expose the reader to a specific cause or examine social ills while avoiding being too didactic. Together they seamlessly combine so the effect appears natural, and the plot does not become just a mechanism to deliver the social commentary. It is difficult to maintain balance and focus when the novel itself does not seem to have a strong objective. As the Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall attempts to address too many issues with a plot that meanders away wherever her lectures are forcibly inserted. The main character is Jordan Manning, a newly transplanted, ambitious tv journalist who is driven to work harder as a woman and a person of color. When a murder occurs involving a young black girl, Jordan wants to ensure that the case is given equal attention by press and authorities. She becomes deeply embedded in the community and transgresses into potential ethics violations due to her obsession with the story. The premise is interesting and Hall provides a perspective that is often underrepresented. The protagonist is hindered by the heavy load of causes Hall places upon her. Misogyny and degradation, lack of social system support, police ineptitude, racial discrimination and exploitation of victim’s families are just a few of the issues Jordan is tasked to represent. Jordan has a plethora of convenient credentials and special skills to not only cover—but also solve—the case. Most of the action involves following the journalist as she runs between scenes and sources, commenting on the frustration and roadblocks she encounters. Far from integrating, the switch from plot progression to soap box is obvious and jarring. With As the Wicked Watch, Hall has too much to express and she interrupts herself while relaying her many messages.

Thanks to the author, William Morris and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

As the Wicked Watch is a great thriller with a fierce crime reporter who gives a voice to the voiceless. Tamron Hall writes a mysterious and engaging book that takes readers on a journey of solving a crime alongside the main character.

Jordan is a crime reporter that is rare. She is a black woman and sadly the only one in her department. In Chicago, if a crime happens and the victim isn't white, it sadly doesn't get the air time and resources it deserves. But Jordan always wants to give a voice to the voiceless and makes it her mission to always put these crimes on notice. When she comes across a murder of a 15-year-old black girl, she knows she has to find the killer. The victim's name was Masey and the way she was found is just so heartbreaking and lights a fire in Jordan. When the local PD aren't as eager to find evidence, Jordan takes initiative and starts investigating herself. Her persistence is fierce and effective yet she has an approachable personality so it makes it easy for people to come forward and speak the truth with her.

As the story goes on and Jordan gets deeper into this mess, another victim is found. Another young black girl and Jordan won't stop until she finds the killer. It's dangerous and scary but giving the families closure will be worth it.

I am a fan of Tamron's and now I can be a fan of the author side of her. Her writing is so effective and emotive. She wrote about a hard truth and to see a behind-the-scenes look of a reporter through Jordan reminds me that there are people who are meant to serve and find justice.

I give As the Wicked Watch 4 stars. It's a great thriller with danger, crime, and mystery. It kept me on the edge of my seat and loved being able to put on my detective hat along the way. I sure hope there are more books like this from Tamron Hall.