Deadly News

Jody Holford

Oct 2018 · A Britton Bay Mystery Book 1 · Lyrical Press

About this ebook

The new editor of a small-town newspaper gets a killer story in this cozy mystery series debut set on the Oregon coast.
 
Newspaper editor Molly Owens is eager to bring the struggling Britton Bay Bulletin up to speed. But pushing one of her reporters to dig deeper into a story seems to backfire when he winds up murdered. And since the middling journalist had a talent for making enemies, finding his killer won’t be easy. The lists of suspects includes his ex-wife, his own son, and even Molly’s boss. As Molly searches for answers, she finds herself targeted by mysterious threats—and the trouble is only beginning.
 
The one bright spot is Molly’s newfound flirtation with Sam Alderich. The sexy mechanic is used to taking things apart and piecing them back together, and between the two of them they just might be able to solve this deadly puzzle—if Molly can survive peaceful small-town life long enough . . .
 
“Deadly News will make you want to pack up and move to the seaside town of Britton Bay, Oregon. The characters are vividly brought to life, there’s a perfect touch of romance, and the mystery has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.”
—Sarah Fox, USA Today bestselling author

Ratings and reviews

Deadly News by Jody Hedlund is set in Britton Bay, Oregon. Molly Owens has moved from Lancaster, California to Britton Bay to become editor for the Britton Bay Bulletin. The Britton Bay Bulletin’s owner, Alan Benedict, is hoping Molly can revitalize the struggling paper to increase readership and revenue. Vernon East, a reporter for the paper, is antagonistic and resents Molly’s presence. She assigns Vernon to interview Vanessa Phillips on her family and two days later he is found dead in his home. The suspect list is long since Vernon was disagreeable, but Molly did spot a good clue at the crime scene. Molly works her way through the suspect list which includes an ex-wife, victim’s son, and her fellow employees. Someone feels Molly is getting too close to the truth and leaves her a threatening message. Molly is a reporter and not about to be dissuaded in her quest for the truth. When not out on the trail of a killer, Molly is settling into her new abode and making friends. She also finds an adorable bouncy puppy in need of an owner. Britton Bay will be a lovely home for Molly once she pinpoints Vernon’s killer. Deadly News is a cute new cozy mystery. The cover is adorable with the black and white puppy who Molly names Tigger (it suits him). Molly is a likeable main character. She is starting over after catching her boyfriend in flagrante delicto with his ex-girlfriend. Thanks to mechanic, Sam Alderich, she finds a charming carriage house to live in with a landlady who will become a good friend. I would have liked more backstory on Molly, but she is an interesting, friendly character. I did find it odd, though, when she spilled out case details. As a reporter, I expected her to keep details to herself (it seemed out of place). The pace alternates in Deadly News. It starts out brisk, then slows down through the middle (especially when Molly is thinking about the case) with it picking up towards the end of the book. The mystery has several suspects with subtle clues. Avid cozy mystery readers will find this whodunit a cinch to solve. I was surprised by the quick romance between Molly and Sam. The sparks fly right away between them and he jumps into to help her with the mystery. I prefer a romance that develops slowly and is not as prominent in the story (the mystery should be the focus). I am giving Deadly News 3.5 out of 5 stars. A Britton Bay Mystery series has potential, and I will pick up the next book in this new cozy mystery series.

Deadly News is first in the new Britton Bay Mystery series, and what a great start! The adorable pup on the cover with his little purple bear and the newspaper headline are what first attracted me to it. Each item is an important part of this clever, intriguing mystery, with very well-defined, realistic characters, and the beautiful Oregon coast setting. Molly Owens came to Britton Bay to become editor of their small newspaper. At least one person is seething that she is there. Vernon is an older man who doesn’t like most people and the feeling is mutual. Alan is third generation owner of the paper. Hannah, Alan’s niece and intern, and Elizabeth seem cooperative. Clay is the part time photographer and social media expert. Molly assigns tasks for a piece on the Phillips family, the local movers and shakers. That evening, she finds the air has been let from all her tires and stops at the service station. The good-looking mechanic who filled them told her where she could find a place to rent, a carriage house at the local B&B. She also met Calliope, owner of the best eatery in town, who knows almost everyone there. Vernon interviewed the matriarch of the Phillips family, who loaned him a box of family photos, journal pages, and newspaper articles. On Saturday he didn’t call or come in to work. Molly went to his home to see if he was okay and found him dead, with a heavy portable coffee cup with blood on the base nearby. Much later, when Molly prepared to leave the office, she heard a noise in the alley near the dumpster. She tracked it down to a little black and white puppy wrestling a stuffed purple bear from a pile of trash. With no collar or owner nearby, she put a sign in the window about the pup and took him home until the owner contacts the paper. She also came across a printed series of emails between Vernon and Elizabeth, blackmailing her and Alan if they did not stop their relationship. That could put a different spin on the murder investigation. This is a series that I am looking forward to seeing more of! I highly recommend Deadly News for several reasons. First is how well Molly is defined. Within a short time, I felt as if I had known her much longer than the length of the novel, and appreciate her personality, work ethic, career, her intelligence and willingness to find the truth. I like Hannah; she is an outstanding teen! She studies hard and excels as an intern. Katherine is a landlady and mother figure everyone would want. I loved the puppy from the start! This sweetheart has a special appeal. The sensitivity and dignity with which the author addressed a serious health concern is exemplary. The more we learn about it in this manner, the more sufferers and families may be freed. The plot is full of twists and turns that kept changing my suspect list. I had very briefly considered the real bad guy but couldn’t guess a motive. Yet, the rest of the suspects didn’t seem quite right, even with some of the evidence. I was completely surprised at the outcome, including the why behind the who. This is a must-read for those who enjoy journalism and well-written cozies! From a grateful heart: I received an e-Arc of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Deadly News by Jody Holford is the first in her new Britton Bay Mystery series. This is a sweet mystery romance. I enjoyed the book. I felt it moved a little slow at first; however, it soon picked up speed and I couldn’t put it down. I loved reading about the different characters in the small town of Britton Bay. Molly Owens has been hired as the new editor of the local paper. I enjoyed Molly’s character but I wished for more physical description of her. I especially liked the hero Sam Alderich. “The man walking toward her, wearing a pair of dark blue coveralls and wiping his hands on a grease rag, was tall, with wide shoulders, and thick, dark hair. His smile had more wattage than the sun setting behind him. Her stomach flip-flopped like it had no memory of just being wronged by this very gender!” I am looking forward to more books in this series. I was gifted a copy of this book.

About the author

Jody Holford is both a contemporary romance and cozy mystery author. She lives in British Columbia with her family. She's a huge fan of Rainbow Rowell, Nora Roberts, Carly Phillips, Lori Foster, Sarah Fox, & Agatha Frost. She's unintentionally funny and rarely on time for anything. She has an equal amount of love for writing and reading the sigh-worthy moments in a book.