I received a complimentary electronic ARC of this excellent novel from Netgalley via publisher Oceanview Publishing and the author, R. G. Belsky. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Broadcast Blues of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend R. G. Belsky to friends and family. I found the protagonists appealing and the story intriguing.

This is the sixth in a series set in NYC, of which I have read only the fifth and sixth. I will backtrack, however, as the writing method and characters appealed to me. Clare Carlson is a go-getter newswoman with good instincts and moral turpitude. I think you will enjoy her, as well.

This is my first Clare Carlson mystery. I didn’t feel like I missed out on any of her backstory since Belsky provided concise summaries of her life throughout the narrative.
Although as a rule I do not like the media or journalists, I do like Clare. First, she’s my age, and we share the same bad track record with men. I liked her tenacity and spunk. I also did like her old school investigative journalism nose for news methods and tact because both are pretty much dead in modern media.
No one is who they are supposed to be in the book which kept the events interesting and me turning the pages to see who had slept with whom and who was the bigger slime ball.
The story line wrapped up nicely and although Carlson had made some unwise relationship decisions in the past, ultimately she finally starts to invoke better judgment into her fifth decade.

Broadcast Blues has an intriguing premise and could be an interesting read. However, it is filled with information dumping to the point where it becomes uninteresting. For example, all the details about Wendy’s murder could come out in a conversation between the main character, Carlson, and her assistant as they prepare for the evening broadcast. Allow the specifics to unfold slowly and don’t give away details that automatically point out possible perpetrators iso early in the story. The author sacrifices dramatic tension for paragraphs of what is essentially backstory.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this book, but I will not review the novel for public consumption as I cannot recommend it at this time. However, after a judicious rewrite, I would be willing to try it again.

This is the 6th book in the Clare Carlson series, but it reads well as a stand alone story, too.
Clare is a TV news editor, but also does investigative work and sometimes appears on camera to report her findings. When a former cop-turned-PI is murdered by a car bomb, Clare wants justice for her. The police report that they've solved the case, but Clare isn't satisfied. Soon other people of interest also turn up dead, and Clare decides to report her suspicions of police corruption on the air. It makes for a great story, but it also makes her the next target for the killer.

When an private investigator specialising in trapping unfaithful spouses, formerly a cop, gets blown up on her turf, reporter Clare Carlson already has a great scoop for her paper.

However, Carson comes to look for an even bigger scoop. Who was the murderer, and what was their motive? The victim, Wendy Kyle, had plenty of enemies........

Carson has angst beyond her day job: coming up for a milestone birthday, the possible takeover of her paper who have their own ideas about what her job description should entail, and her difficult immediate boss. That scoop could save her fortunes.

Then the murders start to stack up, and the question is why the stakes are so high for these cover-up killings to continue. Will it be Carson's turn to be taken out next?

Carson is a journalist, but it seems that journalists have a huge amount in common with sleuths: just like a bloodhound, Carson is not about to abandon the trail, no matter how dangerous it gets.

This works as a whodunit, so twists and unexpected developments abound, until the various reveals detonate. One of the main of these twists seemed just a little bit too contrived, though from an entertainment point of view the story should keep most readers awake unfil the small hours.

Clare Carlson, news director for Channel 10 News in New York City is experiencing a mid-life crisis. She’s about to turn fifty years old, three times married, and still looking for Mr. Right. Let’s also not forget that she is trying to repair a relationship with her adult daughter.

Added to that, the TV station is about to be sold to a media conglomerate, where ratings are king as opposed to responsible reporting. Clare has a close professional relationship with the current owner, who allows her to go after the big stories and appear on the news. She has a terrible relationship with her new boss, Susan Endicott, who backs up the new owners who believe that a news director should just do that—direct and stay out of the weeds.

When the car of a former NYPD officer turned private investigator, Wendy Kyle, is bombed, Clare wants to investigate. Wendy specialized in exposing cheating spouses, mostly high-profile individuals, so there are many who would want her dead. She also had enemies in the NYPD, including top brass, as she would carry on about department wrongdoing, coverups, and corruption.

There appears to be a coverup brewing in this murder case and Clare refuses to let it go. This could get dangerous, as it may not only involve those from the NYPD, and affluent individuals, but even a candidate for governor.

Broadcast Blues will take readers through a wild ride with so many twists and turns that you’ll be in complete suspense as to how the story will end. Add to that, the quirky supporting characters that add depth and humor to the story.  For instance, there are the married co-anchors who bring their personal lives to work and the female sports reporter who really doesn’t care for sports and instead politicizes her stories. Author R. G. Belsky reveals that the newsroom scenes are based on his years of experience working in New York City newsrooms.

This is the sixth installment in the series. Though I enjoyed Broadcast Blues, I don’t think that I’ll read the others. I have a personal preference for dark and gritty crime fiction. I can overlook that if I find myself truly invested in the protagonists, which I was not.

However, for those who don’t share my partialities, but still enjoy a strong plot, this series may just be what you’re looking for.

(This review will be posted on UnderratedReads on Jan. 2, 2024)

BROADCAST BLUES - R.G. Belsky

Getting the story becomes increasingly dangerous for Clare Carlson in RG Belsky's latest, tense mystery-thriller, Broadcast Blues. The trail she follows in her reporting on the horrific death of Wendy Kyle, a high-profile private investigator specializing in divorce cases, has a multitude of suspects who wouldn't mind seeing her dead. But it's the little clues, the things not said (or suppressed) that call out to Clare Carlson. Not only does she have to navigate among a group of suspects--any of whom might be the killer--but she remains at odds with her managing editor, and the TV station where she works is up for sale to a hedge-funded media/entertainment colossus that couldn't care less about news and the big stories that matter. The deeper Clare digs, the more she identifies with the dead PI, a conflicted, driven investigator.

A superbly human story about justice and corruption. 5-stars.

Another Clare Carlson investigative reporter story, Broadcast Blues (2024) by R. G. Belsky is the sixth book in the series. When a former New York police officer was killed in a car explosion, TV journalist Clare Carlson knew she had a big story on her hands. Clare is personally all in for the story as Wendy Kyle's diary page indicated a potential scandal and corruption news leading story. With the author’s knowledge of how newsrooms function and his dogged-feisty reporter, this is a consummate crime mystery. A pacy tension-building investigation with surprising twists that make for a four stars read rating. With thanks to Oceanview Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

In “Broadcast Blues” Clare Carlson faces a time of uncertainty. With her fiftieth birthday approaching and the pending sale of Channel 10, the TV station where she works as news director and on-air personality, Clare needs a distraction. Preferably a story big enough to keep her at the top of her game and to secure continued employment post-sale. She needs the “news gods” to come through for her.

When the gods deliver, it’s in the form of a car explosion which kills a former NYPD police officer turned sexual infidelity private investigator who worked high-profile, high dollar divorce cases. A big murder in the heart of Times Square, with revenge as a possible motive, what could be better? Scandals and homicides make great copy.

The first question for Clare is, who wanted Wendy Kyle dead? A disgruntled cop who crossed paths with Wendy during her controversial days with the NYPD? A disgruntled husband who fell into Wendy’s “Honey Trap”? With plenty of suspects and more questions than answers, she has her work cut out for her. But Clare, who has had great success over the years in ferreting out the closely held secrets of the rich and powerful, remains undaunted in her pursuit of the truth and justice for Wendy Kyle. She will stop at nothing to tell Wendy’s story, even if uncovering that truth puts her in harm’s way.

R.G. Belsky does it again with “Broadcast Blues,” Book Six in the Clare Carlson series. With engaging characters and an engrossing plot, the latest in the series is the perfect read for mystery fans. Many thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for the Advance Reader’s Copy for review purposes.

This is my first book from this author, and in the series. I didn't know it was the 6th book in Claire's story but it does read as a standalone. There are some references to past books like what happened to her daughter but nothing that deters from the story.

I liked Claire and her story. She's an investigative journalist struggling with the reality of turning 50. She puts herself into some bad situations, and I found myself thinking girl you need a weapon. The story was a little predictable. I did find the ending with the two thug shooters confessing everything to be a bit too convenient. No way they'd just spill their guts like that. But I get it, the details needed to come out somehow.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. I would be interested in going back and reading the first 5 books in this series.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for this arc.

Claire the lead character failed to endear herself to me and I think this probably soured the rest of the book. There is plenty of action and lots of questionable decisions made along the way but it being part of a series wasn’t important. There were some references to events that must have happened in some previous books in the series which made me mildly curious but not enough to read @another one…

I enjoyed this stylish mystery with punchy, action-packed short chapters, colorful characters, and a couple of good twists. I found the ending slightly disappointing; it seemed a bit rushed and there was too much explication in the dialogue—why did the villains spend so much time telling Clare all about their reasons for the crime and how they went about perpetrating it? They could have killed her much sooner!
Also, I realize that I was reading an advance copy, but in some instances, annoyingly garbled sentences with word misuse and/or grammatical errors really took me out of the story as I worked out the writer’s meaning. I really hope these are addressed before publication as they detract from an overall entertaining story!
All in all, though, I enjoyed the story and will look for the other novels in the series.

Broadcast Blues by R. G. Belsky #ninetysixthbookof2023 #arc

CW: death, murder, suicide, adultery, police corruption

Clare Carlson is a NYC reporter who’s gotten a big break on a story. Wendy Kyle is a former cop, now a PI, who investigates cheating spouses, and she’s just been killed. Clare thinks there is more to the story than the police are saying, and she determined to get to the bottom of it.

This is book six in a series that I have not read before. You can absolutely read this as a standalone because the narrative constantly talks about the history of the main character, over and over again. Informative is repeated mere paragraphs apart. Like, I get it. This is your ex-husband. Stop telling me that. And quit using full names to describe people throughout the entire book.

The main character Clare is kind of unlikable. I can’t tell if I didn’t like her first person point of view or if it was the author’s voice coming through. Clare is stuck on herself, almost narcissistic. She’s a news director and on screen talent for a news program, and she’s about to turn 50 and is obsessed with that fact. She’s described as Pulitzer Prize winning in her early career but most of her detective work in this book seems to be making guesses that just happen to pan out.

The story is fast paced, and I read it very quickly. It’s an interesting story, nothing groundbreaking, but I would probably read another in the series, but the constant repeating of information became a little annoying. I am a little curious to read the story of how Clare’s long lost daughter was found, which is the plot of one of the earlier installments, so I may check that out.

Thank you to @netgalley and @oceanviewpub for the advance copy. (Pub date 1/2/24)

Man this story dragged on and on through the unpleasant thoughts of an unpleasant main character. I wasn’t aware when I requested the book that it was part of a series. I don’t know how or why I missed that but I don’t think it would have stopped me. I don’t mind joining a series already in progress, but I cannot imagine slogging through more Clare.

I really enjoy reading Mr. Belsky's stories and Broadcast Blues was no different! Clare is fighting against her boss, against turning 50 years old, and wishing things would not change at Channel 10. She enjoys being the News Director but she cannot see herself without going after a good story that will make the ratings soar. The story is fast-paced and although at times it leads the reader to believe they kow the culprit, nothing could be further fro truth. A great mystery, with a lot of questioning regarding life, age, family, love, respect. Great entertainment!
I thank Mr. Belsky, his publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Unfortunately, this book slogged along for me. Clare Carlson, the main character, was an unappealing woman. I found the story to be very far fetched. I am sure the journalistic world is as depicted. Thank you Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Being a first time reader of R. G. Belsky I will definitely be reading more of his novels. A nice fast paced novel narrated from a reporter’s point of view. All the changes social media have produced in the ever evolving world of journalism are quite evident in Broadcast Blues. There’s something for everyone in this book- humour, murder mystery, and working relationships to name a few! I recommend giving this book a read.

Having read four other books in this series - this is the sixth - I almost feel like New York's Channel 10 News Director Clare Carlson is an old friend. It helps, I suppose, that many of my working years were in journalism also, albeit print and not broadcast. Despite her sometimes (make that frequent) abrasive manner, I've worked with a few who probably could eat her for lunch.

When private eye Wendy Kyle gets blown up along with her car, Clare smells a big story. Wendy, it seems, specialized in nailing cheating husbands and made a comfortable living plying her trade. Clare needs that big story because she's always at odds with her boss, the station is about to get new owners, her daughter Emily is in the midst of a personal crisis and - horror of horrors - she's about to turn 50 years old. Could the situation be any more dire?

The dead woman once was an NYPD officer, but run-ins with the powers-that-be forced her to quit. After a little digging, Clare finds a connection to a mega-wealthy billionaire who has a woman in every port, so to speak - and then to an up-and-coming politician who has ties to the NYPD but an up-to-now squeaky clean image. Clare's investigation brings her in contact with former husbands - she's had three so far - and sends her down some paths that twist and turn and lead nowhere but are intriguing to explore and others that are a clear and present danger.

The ending - which seemed a little out of character (and of which I'm not a huge fan, BTW) - could lead to an interesting next installment - and for sure, I'm looking forward to it. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. Well done once again!

3.5 Stars. This is the 6th book in the Clare Carlson Mystery series. I hadn't read the previous books, but this works as a stand-alone. Its author, R.G. Belsky, describes a newsroom from his experiences, and some of the workers' interactions were based on his observations. The story was fast-paced, witty, and straightforward, with no unnecessary fillers. It describes the pressure to capture high ratings for news broadcasts.

Reporter Clare Carlson is the news director and on-air presence at a TV station based in New York City. It is a stressful time in the work environment. The station is in the process of being sold, and the workers are concerned about their job security. Clare is relentless in her pursuit of the truth and her next big story. She regards her boss as harsh and worries she could be fired. Her work is of utmost importance to her and has had a negative effect on her personal life.

Clare is obsessed that her 50th birthday is approaching. She has been divorced three times but can approach her past husbands and lovers for help accessing news stories. She is desperate to find a new man and has no objections that they might be already married. She is bold, flippant, and outspoken and will go to extreme lengths to pursue a newsworthy story. Clare gave up a daughter at birth years ago and has recently connected with her now adult daughter and grandchild.

It seems her next big story has arrived. An exploding car bomb has killed a woman. The victim is private investigator Wendy Kyle, and Clare wants justice for the dead woman. Wendy had been dismissed from the police force after making allegations of sexual harassment and injuring her boss in an angry confrontation. She then set up a private business investigating cheating husbands. Clare discovers clues that some rich and powerful men are connected to Wendy's investigations. This included high-level corrupt police officers, a multi-billionaire, and the leading candidate for governor. These join the ranks of suspects who had reason to want Wendy murdered, along with the many husbands she caught cheating on their wives.

There are a couple more deaths. Clare is nowhere close to putting her news story together but has uncovered enough information to put her life in danger. She encounters a remarkable twist near the end of the book.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an early electronic copy of Broadcast Blues. I am now interested in reading some of the earlier books in this series. The publication date is January 2.

Clare Carlson #6

New York City has no shortage of crime, making a busy schedule for TV newswoman Clare Carlson. But, not all crimes are created equal, and when an explosive planted in a car detonates and kills a woman, Clare knows it will be a huge story for her. But it's not only about the story - Clare also wants justice for the victim, Wendy Kyle. Wendy had sparked controversy as an NYPD officer, ultimately getting into a physical altercation with her boss. Then she started a private investigation business, catering for women who suspected their husbands of cheating. Undoubtedly, Wendy had angered many people with her work, so the list of suspected murderers is seemingly endless.

Filled with twists, turns, and red herrings, I was quickly pulled into this story. There are clues to find along the way, and it has a great twist to round things off. The characters are well-developed. The more Clare investigates the death of Wendy Kyle, the more things don't add up. This is the first book in the series that I've read, but it does read well as a standalone,

I would like to thank #NetGalley #OceanviewPublishing and the author #RHBelsky for my ARC of #BroadcastBlues in exchange for an honest review.