Riley Spartz's career thrives on facts. As an
investigative TV reporter, it is imperative to report the
truth, so she has little patience for Sam Pierce, the local
gossip columnist, who likes to spread vicious lies. When
Sam casually drops hints about her new colleague, Clay
Burrell, she figures that she should give Clay fair warning
about appearing in Sam's column. However, top news stories
send them in different directions, with Clay getting a lead
on a murder and she getting stuck reporting on the
mysterious bombing of a wind turbine. Unfortunately, Riley
soon finds her name in the gossip column. Could her day
get any worse?
Riley plans to steal the murder story from Clay, but she
did not foresee herself being featured in another murder
case. Someone has killed Sam Pierce, and Riley has become
the prime suspect especially since her public disagreements
with him in and out of a courtroom. Now she not only has
to fight for her job, but she also has to fight to clear
her name. She knows the true killer lurks in the shadows
and she will not stop until she uncovers the truth. Who
would want to frame her for murder? In all the hustle and
bustle, will she manage to stay afloat?
Julie Kramer engrosses readers with an action packed
thriller that will keep them on the edge of their seats.
She brilliantly layers multiple story lines that converge
in an ultimate no holds barred confrontation. Riley Spartz
makes an intriguing do or die heroine who does not know the
meaning of surrender. With a tenacious spirit and a never
give up attitude, Riley will exhaust all resources to get
to the bottom of her story. My interest was captured at
the beginning with a slightly veiled threat, remained
attuned during escalating news stories, and peaked with an
astonishing ending. Ms. Kramer certainly writes an amazing
thriller. SILENCING SAM will keep you wondering who really
silenced Sam for good. I immensely enjoyed this mystery
and wonder where Riley Spartz's investigations will lead
her next time.
IN THIS TOWN, GOSSIP KILLS . . .When a widely despised
gossip columnist is found shot to death, Riley Spartz must
secretly investigate a case in which she becomes the prime
suspect. In the wake of the brutal murder, our heroine
discovers that news and gossip have more in common than she
ever imagined. Trouble begins when Riley publicly clashes
with newspaper gossip writer Sam Pierce, throwing a drink in
his face after he implies in his popular column that she
cheated on her husband. When clues to the homicide lead to
her, Riley is charged with the crime. The police seem
unwilling to look any further for perpetrators, although
numerous local news- makers have reason for revenge—even a
motive for killing. Meanwhile, competition in the Channel 3
newsroom is just as murderous. While Riley struggles to
interest her boss in a story about rural wind farm bombings
and dead bats, a new reporter spikes the station ratings
with exclusive stories about the headless homicide of an
unknown woman whose decapitated body is found in a city
park. Maybe murder isn’t such a bad idea after all? Riley
must fight to stay out of jail, ahead in the ratings, and
even alive in a killer showdown not fit for television
audiences.