
Member Reviews

2.5 rounded up
I didn’t love the main character, Jolene, mostly because she was more focused on her career and being the first to air the news than she was actually curious to discover the perpetrator and motive.
I don’t know if the character in general annoyed me or if my distaste is rooted in her priorities. She was just obsessed with wanting to win an Emmy and even went into detail about how the Emmy trophies are all individually made.
I also found the quasi-political commentary to be an interesting decision. I understand it makes the victim more dividing, but it also felt like an odd choice since it’s such a charged topic in America right now. (Maybe that’s why I didn’t like it though?)
Something new I am trying is rating the title separately in relation to how well it reflects the book.
Title rating: C-
Rationale: “off the air” felt misleading because as mentioned earlier, Jolene was always gunning for an Emmy and how she could get *on* air.

I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look into television reporting and how hard reporters work to get a story. I found Jolene likeable but didn’t really feel like I got to know here as the emphasis seemed to be on getting the story and not so much the character development. This would be a promising start to a cozy mystery series but I don’t think that was the intention. I would read a next in the series if there as one as I would like to learn more about Jolene, the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, and the TV journalism profession.

4 stars
For this being a debut book it was fantastic. It wasn't a typical "thriller," and I would categorize it more as a cozy mystery. It was fun to see the other side of things with reporters and how fast cut throat it is. It was a lot of fun to listen to. Marcella Black did such a good job with the narration. She had that young enthusiasm and hunger which fit Jolene perfectly.
if you're looking for a quick whodunnit that allows you to watch it all unfold from a bystander view (instead of the person actually investigating) then this is for you. I'm really interested to see what the next book by Christina Estes brings if this is the debut she's providing us with.
Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. This is my honest opinion.

2.5 stars
The author sure knows her stuff when it comes to journalism! This was more like a book about journalism with a murder thrown in. I found some details/backstories to be overexplained and unnecessarily long, which made parts of it a slow read. I also didn’t really love our main character, Jolene, until the end, which I really enjoyed.
I both read and listened to this book, and preferred the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute book and a good look into the news business and how it's changing. I love that Jolene was not going to back down or take anyone's crap! This was my 1st book by Christina Estes but will not be my last, I am adding all of her books to my TBR!
#OfftheAir
#NetGalley

I was not a big fan of this one. Everything felt forced and the FMC rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sure others will enjoy this, but it wasn't for me.

If you’re someone who says “politics don’t belong in books” then Off The Air is not for you. Me, though? I liked it. Jolene was a clumsy sleuth, but her knowledge of news media was really interesting and wove well into the details of this murder mystery. This definitely feels like it’s the setup for a series that I’d certainly follow. I enjoyed the politics and the deep dive into Arizona and the newsroom cast of characters. I didn’t love the animals cruelty and there’s DEFINITELY a lot of controversial political takes (though the overall book leans liberal, so be warned). It’s not for everyone, but it’s well done.
The audio narration is really well done as well. I’d read more if this became a series.

A journalist reporting on a high profile murder gets involved in investigating the murder in order to get a scoop on the story. I liked the little bit of background info on broadcast journalism that I know nothing about – it adds a little bit of interest. But I was not invested in any of the characters; didn’t love them, but didn’t hate them. I did keep going because I wanted to find out how the guy died, but at 90% the story revealed something I was NOT expecting and though it made sense as a catalyst, (POTENTIAL SPOILER) my dog loving heart broke and it really just turned me off. I enjoyed the narration and the FMC. I also appreciated that there wasn’t a romance hidden in the story; just a hard working woman making a name for herself.

This is an interesting cozy mystery. It was fun to peek into the worlds of local news and radio. As a Midwesterner currently living in Arizona, I liked reading about all the little tidbits about Phoenix. I feel like I learned a lot about a lot of random things. The mystery itself was interesting and engaging.
The audiobook was narrated by Marcella Black. She did a good job, but I had trouble believing that Jolene was a professional reporter. I think it was because the narration mostly came across as quiet and a little timid. I also wish there had been some sort of TV news- esque intro/outro music to set the tone.

"Off the Air" is the debut novel by experienced TV reporter Christina Estes. It is listed as a mystery, but it is more of a crime drama and police procedural except with journalists, not cops. The story follows reporter Jolene step by step as she tries to get a big news scoop about the death and possible murder of a controversial and conservative radio talk show host, Larry Lemon.
I find Jolene to be very unlikable as she pursues this news story. She gets more and more pushy and unscrupulous, turning off her friends and coworkers and seeming to not even care. It is a high stakes and cut-throat career. I bet the author could write a fantastic memoir.
If it was supposed to be a cozy mystery, any attempted humor missed the mark for me. Also, there is rather a lot of political content, which some people love, but it isn't my thing.
Marcella Black is the narrator of the audiobook. She does well, although some of the voices are hard to distinguish from others. There are a lot of characters to keep straight.
Characters - 3/5
Writing - 3/5
Plot - 4/5
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 1/5
Enjoyment - 1/5
Narration 4/5
Cover - 3/5
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with this ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 3/5 Stars
•
I saw this one all over booksta, figured I should give it a shot, I do love a good cozy mystery every now and then but this one just did not hit that mark for me unfortunately.
•
Jolene is a reporter covering the story of the death of a controversial radio talk show host. In this fast paced cozy Jolene will stop at nothing to get this story and finally step into the spotlight.
•
In my little synopsis there are key words that are the reason this one didn’t work for me. First one - controversial radio talk show host. I had absolutely no idea that this book was going to be so heavily imbedded in politics. Now, I know that Estes was a reporter - but it felt like she wrote this book to just talk politics. I hate that, I usually refuse to read any books that talk politics because I use books as an escape and to be honest, I don’t discuss my political beliefs and dont care to hear anyone else’s. Second stop at nothing to get in the spotlight. While I did like Jolene, I actually found her a bit annoying in how she was literally not going to stop at anything to “get this exclusive” even if it meant hurt those around her. It was pretty tiresome to constantly have to listen to. I like where the mystery went and the reasoning behind the killing and enjoyed how fast paced it was.
•
I listened to this one via audiobook and Marcella Black did a great job with the narration. If I weren’t for the audiobook I cant say that I would have finished this one.
•
Overall, this wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea but I think that people are going to enjoy this one. Off The Air releases on 3/26, be sure to check it out. Huge Thank You to NetGalley, Christina Estes and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This one wasn’t for me. I was intrigued by the premise but after 20 percent I could not get into the book.

🔲🎧OFF THE AIR by Christina Estes is narrated by Marcella Black.
Jolene is a reporter who is out to prove herself when a man whom many dislike as a provocateur is found dead. This story is her chance to outshine the competition, especially since she gave his last interview, but she may get too close and risk more than just breaking the headline.
I thought this was a decent murder mystery with many possible assailants. I didn't guess the murderer at all! There was a fair amount of political undercurrent and a fascinating look at the lines made or crossed in journalism. I will admit I hoped for a bit more from this one, but it may have hit me at a wrong mood. I had a difficult time connecting with Jolene and I am not sure if it was purposely done, but I was a bit put off by her journalistic decisions. That said, it was clearly a look into the pressures journalists must feel in our "like-centered" culture as opposed to deeper, longer form journalism. On that point, it was clear the author knew her stuff.
The narration of the audio was done really well and it made this story a smooth listen in-between the digital read. I really enjoy having both options to swap depending on my activities.
Thank you to @NetGalley @minotaur_books & @dreamscape_media for an interesting story that shed light into a world in which I am unfamiliar. This comes out on March 26th and is definitely worth a try!

The narrator for this book did an excellent job! I enjoyed the narration and I am glad I listened to this as an audiobook! I haven't read a lot of books that take place in a newsroom, or are about getting the next big story, so I enjoyed this. There is an underlying mystery about how the news anchor died which I liked to. I didn't love all parts of this book through, there are unlikeable characters that I normally am ok with , but a lot of these characters just didn't work for me (including Jolene's boss and some of her coworkers) There are bits of humor, and I like Jolene's skills as an investigator but I take ownership that this book just didn't quite work for me!

Solid debut novell, with good narration. You could tell the author has background/experience in local TV reporting! The book was a bit unbalanced as it was very detail heavy with info dumps on any and every aspect. It felt like a non-fiction environment would have been more natural for the author. Our main character, Jolene is desperate to make a career for herself in a cutthroat environment when a conservative conspiracy talk show host is poisoned and the hunt is on for the killer. She sees herself as doing what it takes to get the scoop, but often crosses a line. I didn’t like how her male coworkers were constantly judging her— it would have felt more natural for her to have her own crisis of conscience instead of it feeling like she was a hot mess and needed the men in her orbit to shape her decisions. That said, I’ll likely still keep tabs on the authors next works.
*Thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and St Martin’s Press

Thank you to NetGalley and to Dreamscape Media for the ARC of Off the Air by Christina Estes.
I feel a little bit conflicted about this story. On the one hand, it's a great look at how messed up it is to work in journalism today and how much we let social media influence us instead of facts. On the other hand, it's billed as a cozy murder mystery, but the main character, Jolene, doesn't actually have any impetus to solve the murder so it all feels very forced while we then watch her disgust all her colleagues and people she interviews by trying to get the scoop for an unknown career objective. Jolene starts the book by wanting to do serious reporting, but within 72 hours seems to completely succumb to trying to threaten and push people into giving her a story - it makes her so incredibly unlikable. There is no big prize waiting for her if she solves the murder but she consistently pushes cops and witnesses to tell her what she wants as if it is life or death for her. She is receiving mysterious notes and information, but those seemed to just be placed for easy plot continuance, not because she is somehow the reporter who must take this case -- it actually doesn't make sense why anyone pinpoints her for that in the first place. She also has no emotional reaction to any of the potential danger she places herself in and that is overwhelmingly spotlighted in the final chapters when she takes no reflection on her actions (vague to prevent spoilers). She doesn't need to be having a massive breakdown, but she glosses over everything like its normal when the people she knows and trusts are all shocked by how quickly she gives up her morals and her safety. We never see what is actually driving her (if it is just winning a local journalism annual prize that is so flimsy) so everything she does just makes her seem like a terrible, selfish person. Just the issues with the man her neighbor is trying to set her up with and the fears of being in a patio level apartment when you feel endangered would be enough to turn me incredibly cautious - but while we see brief glimpses of this from Jolene, she seems to shrug everything off for a murder she has no role in.
In listening to the audiobook, it felt like the characterization of Jolene's few work friends were meant solely for comedic relief or conversation by minority women characters. The photographers Jolene works with had more in-depth backgrounds and actual conversation than her two friends who were a bit cardboard with an emphasis on being emotional caregivers to Jolene. As related to the above paragraph, I think all the characters needed more depth to be understood and a stronger plot line to be relevant.
As a debut novel the story has bones but I think the execution just needs a bit more work.

This story is told from alternative points of time, the past when Louise is a student at the academy and the present.

2.5⭐️
The blurb describes this book as “equal parts thought-provoking and entertaining,” and I guess technically that is accurate- in that it is every bit as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Unfortunately, I found it to be not very much of either. I started reading “Off the Air” eager to dive in, but I ended up limping through this not terrible but not terribly eventful or memorable tale.
Marcella Black narrated the audiobook clearly, but I found her voice distractingly young-sounding. I hoped I would get used to it as the story progressed, but I did not.
Thank you Christina Estes, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Although impressed that this is a debut this book was just not for me. It touches on quite a few politically charged current issues and I read to escape. I don’t want read a book that is no different fan just turning on the news.
The author is a reporter herself and that comes through in her writing. She clearly has a love for her profession and that aspect shines in the story.
I did think that the audiobook narration was done well, even if the story itself struggled to hold my interest.
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the ALC and ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the early review copies of the e-book and audiobook via NetGalley. (Available 26 Mar 24)
“In this Tony Hillerman Prize-winning debut, Off the Air introduces us to Jolene Garcia, a local TV reporter in Phoenix, Arizona, who splits her time between covering general assignments—anything from a monsoon storm to a newborn giraffe at the zoo—and special projects. When word gets out about a death at a radio station, Jolene and other journalists swarm the scene, intent on reporting the facts first. The body is soon identified as Larry Lemmon, a controversial talk show host, who died under suspicious circumstances. Jolene conducted his final interview, giving her and her station an advantage. But not for long.”
The narrative takes on a documentary-like quality, immersing the reader in the life of a local news reporter in Phoenix, constantly battling to stay ahead of the competition. The story is peppered with historical nuggets, such as the origin of the phrase “drinking the Kool-Aid” (linked to the 1978 Jonestown mass murder) and the reason behind tamper-resistant packaging in medicine (stemming from the 1982 Tylenol poisoning). The writing is solid, and the plot is engaging, but the characters could use a bit more depth.
Phoenix locals would enjoy the many real Phoenix businesses, locations, and references.