... a singular thriller that brings the vulnerability and systemic neglect of Black girls as victims of violent crime into vivid relief ... That's an ambitious agenda, and fiction is a distinctly different mode of storytelling from news reporting, even if taking big issues and making them personal is second nature for the Emmy Award-winner. But the novel's storyline proves perfectly tailored to Hall's experience and skill set ... Though Jordan's musings sometimes slow the action, Hall's story makes up in verisimilitude and insight what it lacks in pacing ... Along with larger social forces, she deftly illuminates the individual and group agendas that can surround a case like this — the police, politicians, the family, lawyers, spokespersons, community activists and justice advocates. The cohesiveness and sheer scope of the narrative Hall has woven together is impressive ... Hall has a knack for showing how different people think and how human behavior works in a wide variety of circumstances ... an impressive debut — a moving take on familiar but urgent problems and society's indifference.
... a mysterious and thrilling crime novel that is also rich with social commentary and calls to take action against significant social justice issues ... Hall has created an undeniably likable, tenacious female protagonist in Jordan ... begins as a slow burn and really picks up the base about halfway through. It is a quick read, both easy to fall into and one which will leave readers reflecting upon the real-life parallels and meaning long after reading ... Bring on the next book in the series, I say!
... a compellingly realistic and timely first entry in Tamron Hall’s new mystery series starring the ambitious and fabulous Jordan, a woman not unlike her creator ... Her fiction takes on racism, sexism, media ethics and institutional bias, offering a fascinating inside look at the intricate ballet that is a live newscast ... a promising start to a series sure to appeal to fans of badass women with mysteries to solve and something to prove.
... brand extension is all it is ... The ingredients for a strong crime novel are all here ... Manning investigates with pluck and smarts, but the narrative is littered with expository potholes as well as clunky paragraphs and sentences ... This may be because Hall’s bylined co-writer, T. Shawn Taylor, has no known experience with crime fiction. The next Jordan Manning novel would benefit from a partnership between Hall and a writer better versed in the mechanics of the genre.
... street-smart ... From the start, readers will be intrigued by the myriad skills that go into street reporting, from figuring out which calls to the TV station’s tip line are credible to how to develop sources, how to set up shots and interview difficult or traumatized subjects on-air, and how to avoid being manipulated by sources with agendas. Manning’s determination to find the killer behind eight unsolved homicides leads her down increasingly dangerous paths. A pulse-pounding story that also provides a fascinating and important look into the difficulties of reporting on and finding justice for Black victims.
I always enjoy seeing the role of the press in the media and how it plays out in works of both fiction and nonfiction. Tamron Hall definitely leans on her own experience to give us an up-close and personal depiction of the TV journalist and the incredibly fast pace with which they must work on a daily basis. She is off to a good start here.
Journalist Hall bursts onto the mystery landscape with the first in an exciting new series featuring Chicago crime reporter Jordan Manning, who prides herself on always being the first on the scene ... ordan is an exciting lead for this series. She is tireless in her search for answers, isn’t afraid to be the smartest in the room, and is determined to shine light on the missing and murdered Black girls that no one else seems to care about. Her perseverance leads to a heart-pounding and unexpected climax ... Hall’s decades of field experience lend a lot of credibility to the story and provide a strong footing for an intriguing new crime series.
... outstanding ... Hall brings insight and nuance to such matters as journalism ethics, police treatment of murder cases involving Black women, and competition among journalists and their reliance on those behind the scenes. Readers will want to see a lot more of intelligent, ambitious, and assertive Jordan.
