by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Reason to Doubt, and a link to purchase it from Amazon, and an indie bookstore where a portion of the sale goes to help support KRL. You can also listen to a podcast episode of Mysteryrat’s Maze podcast that features a mystery short story by Nancy Cole Silverman.

As an investigative reporter for Los Angeles talk radio station KTLK, Carol Childs is at the forefront of the investigation in the Model Slayer murders. While she would normally love to receive the hot tip that a suspect in the murders of three fashion models has been arrested, Carol is stunned that the witness with firsthand knowledge is her pre-med daughter. Cate’s photographer boyfriend Pete Pompidou was taken by the LAPD while they were in his Venice apartment, and she is frantically calling her mother for help. Torn between being a supportive mother and a reporter, Carol manages to question the police while also arranging for Pete to be assisted by the station’s attorney and an investigator. The latter’s involvement is a little problematic, as Carol has never exactly defined her relationship with Gerhardt “Chase” Chasen, and she definitely doesn’t plan to do so in front of her daughter.

Pressured by Cate to prove Pete’s innocence and by her news director to cover the story, Carol begins tracking down the connections between the young women and the photographer. Carol gets a head start when the station’s morning talk show receives a call from a cocktail waitress claiming that Pete couldn’t be guilty; she just ran over the actual killer. The problem arises when the stripclub-working woman refuses to talk to the police, asking Carol to speak to them on her behalf. When the LAPD demands that Carol give up her source for there to be any credibility, she is forced to choose between upholding her professional ethics and possible imprisonment. Pleas from her daughter only adds to Carol’s guilt, with the only choice being to come up with the identity of the real killer before she herself lands in jail for obstruction and defying a judge.

This is a compelling novel that highlights the complicated legal issues regarding a reporter’s ethics and law enforcement. The California Shield law can be overridden by a judge’s direct order, but that doesn’t compare to a mother’s need to help her child. Carol does her best to trust her daughter’s belief in her boyfriend’s innocence, which is why she finds herself investigating strip bars and spending a little too much – or maybe not enough – time with investigator Chase. Their push-pull relationship is as confusing for Chase as it is for her, but the sparks that fly between them is undeniable. The perspective from an investigative reporter continues to be fascinating, and the added complication of having her daughter involved only adds to the complexity. As the mystery kicks into high gear, readers will be unable to resist reading long through the night to its final Breaking News bulletin. Carol is a heroine as relatable as she is admirable, and one can’t help but cheer for her as she strives for personal and professional success.

To enter to win a copy of Reason to Doubt, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “reason,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 22, 2018. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address (so if you win we can get the book sent right out to you), and if via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on iTunes and Google Play. The newest episode is set at Christmas time.

Check out a mystery short story written by Nancy Cole Silverman which was one of our podcast episodes read by Cyndle Cee:

Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Reason to Doubt (Carol Childs Mystery #5)

You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.