News Director for New York City's Channel 10 has to deal with a new boss and a complex mystery in her fifth adventure.

The television station's owner has hired a new executive producer for the news division. Susan Endicott has come in to boost the station's ratings - not to make friends. She and Clare are in conflict immediately. Clare is more interested in the news than the ratings.

When an attractive blonde co-ed named Riley Hunt is murdered just feet away from her dorm at Easton College, all the elements are there for a big news story. As Clare begins to investigate, she finds lots of questions. Who is Riley Hunt? Is she the bright, bubbly, friendly person everyone says she is? What about her fiancé who's the son of the deputy police commissioner who takes over the case? What about her possible relationship with the son of a local crime boss? Why is she pictured on a website the bills itself as a dating app but is charging fees for the girls to go on "dates"? And, what about her strange relationship with her mother? Then there's the odd reactions of her roommate, a Wanna-Be actress.

Clare is deep into her investigation when a homeless Afghanistan war vet is arrested for the crime. He had her cellphone and her blood on it and some of his clothes. But he is so mentally and emotionally damaged that he doesn't remember committing the crime. Clare is skeptical that he is the killer, and when he supposedly commits suicide in jail, she's even more skeptical.

Clare keeps investigating while juggling her new boss's attempts to shake things up in the newsroom. And three-times divorced Clare meets a new man - a professor at Princeton - who is also taking up some of time.

I really enjoyed this episode in the series. Clare is a great character who is excellent at her job but who has a train-wreck of a personal life. I like that she's witty, even though her boss doesn't appreciate her sense of humor any more than Clare's suspects do.

Fans of mysteries with strong, but flawed, female characters will enjoy this story.

an entertaining, humorous tale about a tv journalist determined to solve the case of a young white woman murdered in NY. Lots of suspects going back to what happened before the woman was born. Of course the journalist gets in trouble, is saved and solves the case but it is enjoyable all the way

I enjoyed reading my physical review copy of It's News to Me. Clare is a great character.
Thanks Faith of Oceanview Publishing.

R. G. Belsky’s fifth Clare Carlson novel offers a well-developed story chronicling a journalist’s investigation into the murder of a young college coed. The author’s background as a working journalist comes through in the authenticity he provides for Clare and her work as a reporter and editor.

There are a couple of unexpected developments in this book – Clare gets a new boss super focused on ratings and income. The latest development also requires Clare to add back on-air reporting to her news editor responsibilities. Clare balances the added newsroom duties with challenges from her investigative techniques creating the suspense and pace typical of Mr. Belsky’s storytelling. It’s News to Me is another strong chapter in Clare Carlson’s career at Channel 10.

Another great read.

Due to medical issues, a full review will be sent in the near future. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Sincerely,
Cheryl Masciarelli

Just a step above a cozy mystery. The story is succinct and easy to follow. The investigative reporter is smarter than all the homicide detectives, of course, but she’s likable and tenacious. It was a fun, easy read.

First read by this author but won't be the last. This is book five of a series. I will go back to read earlier stories. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Think this is just how it is today! Anything for a story! Man eat man no feeling no heart! Wish harm to your neighbor do the deed

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I liked this book a lot - I now need to go back and read the first four books in the series!

I didn’t realize that this book was part of a series however, it worked as a stand-alone too. I enjoyed reading it but didn’t feel like it would be one of my “favorites.” It had a little bit of everything which was great and one of the reasons I give it 4 stars.

I was so excited to read this one. The summary of this book sounded really good. However, this thriller is like a lot of others that I have read. While I did like the overall story nothing really stood out to me. I do think it is good. But it is just not one that I would read again.

This book was so good! I want to see more from this author in the future!! I couldn't put this book down. What a page turner!!!

Going into this book, I had no idea it was a part of a series. Once I found out I was a bit nervous that I’d miss out on a lot of backstory but I was gladly wrong.

Clare is a news reporter at Channel 10 in New York City. As any other reporter trying to stay relevant, Clare is constantly looking for her next big break, and when a murder of a young college women, Riley Hunt, happens, Clare is determined to make this story her big break. When someone gets arrested for Riley’s murder, Clare ends up confused. There are too many things that simply don’t add up. Who really killed Riley?

The way Belsky described New York really did make me feel like I was there, and the way he portrayed Clare made me feel like she was a real person. It was a bit cheesy at times but I never found myself getting bored. I genuinely enjoyed reading this and am definitely glad I stuck to it!

Reading R. G. Belsky’s fast paced novel, IT’S NEWS TO ME, totally kept my attention to the end. The key character, Clare Carlson, has a difficult personality, but really tries to keep true journalism in news reporting, which is admirable. While Clare’s strong interview and investigative skills and gut instincts lead her to the murderer in this story before the police, she totally misses an obvious problematic relationship clue. The description of the different on-screen personalities and station staff was quite amusing. Don’t miss the Author’s Note at the end that gives insight into characters and locations in the novel. I was delighted to learn IT’S NEWS TO ME is the fifth Clare Carlson mystery. Not only did I find a new to me novelist, I know there are four more books by this author that I will enjoy.

When Riley Hunt—a popular student at Manhattan’s Easton College—is brutally murdered, it becomes a big story for TV newswoman Clare Carlson. A troubled Afghanistan war veteran is arrested as a suspect. But Clare believes this is more than a simple murder case—and fears more lives, including her own, remain in danger.
This intriguing and thought-provoking thriller is a profound exploration of how far some are willing to go……..

I liked this book…I really liked this book…journalism…news…mystery…intrigue…love and romance…friendship…themes running throughout this book with red herrings to throw the reader off…mystery and intrigue…the characters are likable-most of them…the timeline is conducive to easy, pleasurable reading…not written in all the voices that authors seen to favor now…just a streamlined book…the setting of New York City is fascinating…I cannot say enough good things about this novel…it was sent to me electronically for review by Netgalley…I am excited for its release.

BIG thanks to Oceanview Publishing, as well as to NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of It's News to Me!! I did my happy dance!

I. Love. This. Series. By now Clare, her irreverent humor, her troubled relationships, and her tenacious journalistic skills make her feel like family! This time around, Clare is convinced that Riley Hunt’s death is more than just a simple murder case—and that more lives, including her own, are now in danger until she uncovers the true story. It's not going to be easy with the ruthless executive who has just been placed over her.

As always, I found It's News to Me to be a fast-paced read. I'm not sure the plot was completely believable but I didn't care. Spending a day or two reading losing myself in a book from the Clare Carlson series is my idea of being entertained! I totally recommend this book (and the entire series) to anyone who loves reading about journalism, TV news, and/or criminal investigations.

I will read the books in this series for as long as they are written!!

This is the fifth book in the Clare Carlson series, but the first one I’ve read. Riley Hunt is a college student who is murdered near the Easton College campus in New York City. Within days, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan is arrested after police say he confessed to the murder, but intrepid TV reporter Clare Carlson believes there is more to the story and launches her own investigation to find out the truth.. The characters are believable, although I found Clare somewhat hard to like. The plot is well-paced. I had expected the book to be similar to Hank Philippi Ryan’s novels and was a bit disappointed that it was more hard-boiled. Still, I enjoyed reading it and would be open to reading another book in the series.

This book wasn’t for me but for someone else it may be just what they are looking for, I did persist and read it all to the end ….

This is the latest novel from Belsky featuring Clare Carlson, once crack newspaper reporter now TV news reporter and executive. I have followed her amateur sleuthing through several novels, liking every one.

Clare has two tasks in this novel. One is to survive the ruthless executive placed over her. Endicott has only ratings in mind, no matter who is harmed. That goes against Clare's personality and the sparks fly. Clare must also find out who brutally murdered a college student and why. Clare is tenacious, going after unanswered questions even when the police think they have the murderer behind bars.

Belsky provides a good balance of mystery and personal life. Clare's a brave and savvy amateur sleuth. She also has a tough time living a successful personal life. She's a flawed character having made some very stupid personal decisions. Yet I still get the impression she has a good heart, often following it to relationship disaster. Her character provides some snappy relationship dialogue and thoughts. “When the going gets tough, the tough go eat.” (2504/3089)

Belsky was in the news profession and it shows. I like how he relates the tension in the news room, contrasting the pressure for ratings with compassion for the victims and their families. Belsky also lives in New York and he does a great job creating the setting for us. His writing style is good and I like how he portrays Clare's quick wit, troubled relationships and tenacious investigation.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.