Big thanks to both Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Broadcast Blues, by R. G. Belsky. This is book #6 in the Clare Carlson series and is expected to be published on January 2, 2024.

Wendy Kyle took secrets to her grave—now, Clare Carlson is digging them up.
(Who doesn't love a great tagline??)

Clare Carlson is the news director at Ch. 10 News and New York City is her stomping ground. She's as smart as she is feisty! This time around Clare is covering the murder of a former NYPD officer. Wendy Kyle had moved on to become a private investigator ... right up until she was killed by a bomb placed in her car. Clare has tenaciously attached herself to the case.

I've been a fan of this series since discovering book #3: The Last Scoop. Clare's personal life felt a wee bit less of a train wreck in Broadcast Blues, which is a good thing. The twists and turns of the case definitely kept me on my toes! It seemed like there was less humor in this one but the case was so intriguing that it made up for it!

You've got to love a character like Clare, but don't get fooled by the light storytelling, as there is a really good plot here. It may also be nice that the author stays in character by using journalistic language like "buying a hot dog from a vendor covered in sauerkraut" and the pistol was a "9mm Lugar"?

The writing is tight, evocative of Chandler at his best (sans L.A.), and the twists and turns in the mystery are deftly done, with a fast pace. I liked the idea of Clare Carlson more than I liked the character; a tough news investigative journalist, also anchor for a news show, Clare is determined to speak truth in her news stories, in spite of a toxic, antagonistic boss, and a trash fire of a life behind her, with three divorces.

My problem with the book I think was me as a reader, having more expectation of not only justice, but some kind of growth, or at least a sense of a fulfilled life. In this book everybody is divorced, not just once but multiple times, conveying a wearying sense of what's the use? Not a fan of that weary cynicism. If that's your thing, this book ought to strongly appeal.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book prerelease. I have not read any of the other series but it didn't matter. From the minute I picked up the book I was hooked, it was an exciting read and I couldn't put it down! Lots of different facets of her personal and public life causing her turmoil. Lots of investigative red herrings that totally shocked me. And Lots of endings!!! A highly recommended read...be warned if you haven't read the series, you'll want to after this book👍

This book is the sixth in a mystery series with Clare Carlson, a TV news journalist. Set in NYC, the book opens with the murder of Wendy Kyle, a former NYC police officer, now private investigator. She has had a very complicated past as a policewoman and has angered many of the wrong people. Her murderer may be one of several high profile suspects.

Clare is a dogged journalist who has a lot going on personally. But that doesn’t keep her from wanting to find Wendy’s murderer, regardless of risk. Her direct boss is not a fan and Clare knows she would fire her in a heartbeat, the station is in the process of being sold to a large conglomerate that cares more about the bottom line than any news investigations. She has been married three times and still uses her ex-husbands and lovers as news sources with mixed results. She has recently found her birth daughter that had been adopted and is trying to develop a relationship with her. Coincidentally, it is at a time when her newfound daughter needs her most. And she is having a hard time with her fast approaching fiftieth birthday.

But Clare is nothing if not an excellent investigator and when Wendy’s murder is neatly solved, Clare is determined to find the real killer. This means tangling with possibly unscrupulous characters in positions of power.

This is a fast paced read with many twists and turns in the story. I gave it three stars for that. I found Clare to be too one note. Her consistent I can figure anything out, fearless, smart mouthed character, became annoying. There was a lot of repetition as well. I think it would make a good TV show with some reworking.

Many thanks to Oceanview Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the ARC.

I was excited to read this book because I enjoyed it the previous #5 in the series It's News to Me. Unfortunately #6 pales in comparison. The protagonist is annoying and there is just name after name of Uber rich suspects.

This is my second dip into a highly enjoyable series starring TV newswoman Clare Carlson. There is no need to have read any of the other instalments as each read well as standalones, but it is book six, so if you like to follow a series, there is plenty more available for you. In Broadcast Blues, unhappily single Clare is facing her fiftieth birthday and major changes in her workplace. Perhaps more than ever, she needs to break a big story. And it’s never just a story for her, it’s always about finding the truth. And when Wendy Kyle, an ex-NYPD officer and controversial private investigator is killed by a car bomb, Clare has her story. But nothing comes easily. She has to fight her bosses and comes under the radar of rich, powerful, unscrupulous people who intend for their secrets to stay buried with Wendy.
Broadcast Blues is a solid instalment in the Clare Carlson series. Highly recommended for fans of the Stephanie Plum and Kinsey Millhone books and those readers who enjoy (fictional) insights into the world of journalism.

I received an advance copy of this book for my honest opinion...

This was the first book I read by this author and was glad to know that she has 5 other books that are standalone books with Clare Carlson, Reporter.

Clare is a journalist by nature, she lives and breathes every story she covers. Her passion can sometimes put her in unfavorable situations; I think this is what makes her stories so interesting. The author does not have this picture perfect main character. She has flaws that makes the story even more exciting.

I will definitely be reading more from this author.

I really enjoyed this novel.

Loved this book! Very good read! Love the way the author writes. I was interested from
Start to finish. Can not wait to read more
By this writer!!

“Broadcast Blues” written by R. G. Belsky is a clever, fast paced mystery. It is Sixth in a series which follows TV News journalist Clare Carlson while she investigates the murder of a female NYPD officer turned Private investigator. I haven’t read any of the other books and didn’t feel for one moment that I missed out on anything, This book stands up beautifully on its own.

The novel makes you feel as though you are part of the TV newsroom and gives insight into their crazy need to get the headline out to the public as fast as possible. It has many unexpected twists, while tackling some very timely issues of TV News integrity and Police ethics. Once you start you won’t put it down!

Thank you NetGalley, Oceanview Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

mystery, thriller, TV personality, news-media, series, NYC, investigative-journalist, investigations, law-enforcement, crime-thriller, suspense, secrets, lies, murder, murder-investigation, journalism, integrity, witty*****

Snappy dialog and a fast moving plot make this a great read and fully capable of standing alone (I haven't read any others in series). We closely follow professional newshound Clare Carlson as she gets into the investigation of the murder by car bomb of a high profile ex-cop/private investigator and all the intrigue that goes along with it. The details are clear, the characters lively, and the whole thing kept me on track right to the end. Great!
I requested and received an EARC from Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley.

Excellent!!! This kept me on my toes until the very end!
Very strong characters and a fast moving thriller.
5 stars!

"Broadcast Blues" is the first Clare Carlson book I have read. I like that it can standalone or read as part of the series.

The plot of this book grabbed me from the beginning as it gives readers a peek into the newsroom as Clare searches for her next big story, unraveling the web little by little. Belsky gives readers small clues along the way but not enough to take away from the big twists at the end that keep you turning the pages.

While Clare does excellent work in her job, I found myself questioning her integrity in her personal life. I respected how the author wrapped up that aspect of the story.

If you enjoy mysteries & thrillers, grab a copy of "Broadcast Blues". Also, this book does include Book Club Discussion Questions at the end which is a great addition! I wish more did this.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, bad cops, good cops, a great who done it, some great news worthy digging, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

"Broadcast Blues" by R.G. Belsky is a fast-paced mystery thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Set in the frantic world of broadcast journalism, the novel follows protagonist Clare Carlson, a seasoned news director who finds herself entwined in a complex and dangerous investigation.

The book is expertly plotted, with twists and turns that will leave readers guessing until the very end. Belsky's writing is crisp and well-paced, with fully realized characters and clever dialogue that make the novel all the more engaging.

The novel also tackles some timely and important themes, such as journalistic integrity and ethics, and the tension between ratings and truth. This elevates "Broadcast Blues" beyond your average mystery novel, providing some depth and complexity to the narrative.

Overall, "Broadcast Blues" is a well-crafted and engaging read that will keep fans of the genre hooked until the very end. With a strong protagonist and a timely storyline, this novel is sure to resonate with readers who enjoy both mystery and thrillers. 4 stars.