Book recommendation: Front Page Fatality by LynDee Walker

To sum this whole thing up: Front Page Fatality is a wonderful novel.

I can’t remember exactly how I first found the book, but I know I bought it because the summary struck me. The protagonist of the novel is a crime reporter, and I couldn’t help being curious about her. I think this was especially true because of my own journalism background. So that, plus the description of the story, had me instantly wanting to download the book, even though I knew I wouldn’t have to chance to read it right away.

Well. I’m definitely glad that I bought it. This was one of the best mystery novels I’ve read in a while.

First of all, the writing was great. Nichelle Clark, the main character, has a wonderful, really well-developed voice. I particularly love her sarcastic moments, and a few of the little nicknames she comes up with for some of the other characters.

Speaking of characters, the author, LynDee Walker, had me wanting to know more about some of them. Not that they weren’t developed enough – quite the contrary. I’m curious to know what happens next. In particular, there seems to be some set-up for three possible romances in the future, and I’m curious about which will play out.

But most of all, I liked the twist at the end. I thought I knew who the culprit was going to be, but I ended up being a fair ways off base. And I’m so very glad that I was.

The second novel in the series, Buried Leads, came out in October. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s definitely going on my list.

Goodreads summary

Crime reporter Nichelle Clarke’s days can flip from macabre to comical with a beep of her police scanner. Then an ordinary accident story turns extraordinary when evidence goes missing, a prosecutor vanishes, and a sexy Mafia boss shows up with the headline tip of a lifetime. As Nichelle gets closer to the truth, her story gets more dangerous. Armed with a notebook, a hunch, and her favorite stilettos, Nichelle races to splash these shady dealings across the front page before this deadline becomes her last.