Murder Off Mike: A Talk Radio Mystery (Talk-Radio Mysteries) Mass Market Paperback – Import, 16 May 2004

It's a typical afternoon on the Shauna J. Bogart show until Rudy from West Sacramento calls in. He claims to have seen someone carrying out the body of fellow talk show host Dr. Hipster. Since he is Shauna's best friend and mentor, Shauna doesn't find the call at all funny. Just in case, she sends Glory Lou, the station news force, to check it out. She's devastated to learn that it is indeed true. Even more disturbing is the fact that the police are calling it a suicide, and the suicide note makes it seem that Shauna is to blame. Knowing that can't be the case, she starts to investigate, starting with the show that Dr. Hipster had planned for that night. It seems to be a standard show with information about the current governor's race in California. What had Dr. Hipster learned that lead to his death? With constant clues coming in that don't make any sense, Shauna may be facing more then she bargained for.When I learned that this book was a St. Martin's Press winner, I had to give it a try. And I wasn't disappointed. The clues come fast and furious, but just lead me around in circles. I was so hooked I stayed up way too late two nights in a row to get "just a little further." Shauna and her friends are fun characters. I enjoyed getting to know them and hope the entire gang is around for the sequel. And the setting, a local talk radio station, is interesting. The author's many years in the business are evident as facts are put in smoothly to bring the story more vividly to life. I will add that the first couple of chapters seem a little rough, but once I got past those, everything smoothed out and I never looked back.I do have two serious complaints about this book. First, I didn't read it sooner. Second, I don't see how the author will ever top this fun, intriguing first effort. I won't be too surprised if this wins the Agatha award this year and will be shocked if it's not at least nominated for best first novel. It certainly deserves it.

Scene 1: Rudy from West Sacramento calls into Shauna J. Bogart’s radio show and claims he saw the lifeless body of fellow talk show host Dr. Hipster who is scheduled to go on the air in a few hours. Initially, Shauna J. doesn’t believe the mysterious caller. Soon, though, the death is confirmed by the police who declare it a suicide. Dr. Hipster even left a note—and his motive appears to be unrequited love for Shauna J. Too many things don’t add up for Shauna who is concludes that her best friend and mentor was murdered. It takes the rest of the book to unravel and prove whodunit.The characters are an endearing bunch. I enjoyed the down-to-earth Shauna J. and the hilarious Gloria Louise, aka Glory Lou, who dresses and talks like a southern belle in spite of the fact she doesn’t look anything like the stereotype. Shauna’s trusty intern Josh is a classic loveable nerd. In typical mystery-genre fashion, author Joyce Krieg drops hints about her characters’ motives that leave the reader thinking may he’s guilty—and on the next page—maybe he’s not.Although the electronic version of "Murder Off Mike" was just released, the novel was originally published in 2003. As such, some of the technology used is noticeably dated. Looking past that, the story is fun and entertaining. I started the book at the beginning of a long flight and finished it on the return. Shauna J. makes a great a travel companion!

Shauna J. Bogart is a radio talk host who gets concerned when one of her fellow hosts, Dr. Hipster is found dead. The police think it's suicide by Shauna knows better. The mystery is clever but the behind the scenes radio detail is GREAT. Plus it's fun to read about downtown Sacramento (Temperature 100 plus) without having to be there. I don't care if it is a dry heat; it is still hot.

California eco-politics, the changing world of corporate Radio and one of the world's largest music festivals are the backdrops for this tightly wound thriller from Joyce Krieg. The story's voice is Shauna J. Bogart, a top rated host on Sacramento's leading Talk Radio station. We follow Bogart on her quest to find the truth behind the suspicious death of a long time friend, and radio mentor, Dr. Hipster. Krieg's knowledge of the inner workings of radio made the readng particular fun for me. I also liked the way Krieg weaved tidbits of Sacramento history and subtle detail into the story.Very skillful storytelling from a writer with enormous potential. When's the next one coming out?