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mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
I won a copy of this book thanks to a contest in the author's newsletter (thank you,[a:Hank Phillippi Ryan|526376|Hank Phillippi Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1335745244p2/526376.jpg]!) and enjoyed getting to know Charlotte ("Charlie") McNally in the first book in the series featuring her. I have read and enjoyed all of the books in the author's Jane Ryland series, and have been eager to check out this earlier series. I was so excited to receive the email informing that I'd won a copy and even more excited the day it arrived :)
The main character, Charlie, is a seasoned investigative journalist who is in her 40's and knows what it takes to survive in the cutthroat world of television journalism, despite the constant threat of someone younger and prettier replacing you at anytime. Charlie smells a potential story when a grieving widow demands to know why Charlie never responded to her late husband's email. The deceased, Brad Foreman, worked as an accountant for a pharmaceutical company and died in a car accident (or...was it an accident???). Charlie, who never received the email, is puzzled why Foreman would have contacted her. As she searches for the missing email, she finds an innocent-looking email in her spam folder that may turn out to be one of the biggest stories of her career. Charlie's investigation leads her to a charming and handsome friend of Foreman, professor Josh Gelston, who may be too good to be true. As Charlie and her faithful producer Franklin go deeper with this story, it soon becomes clear that the multimillion-dollar fraud ring with murder in its arsenal could make Charlie the next lead story.
I enjoyed getting to know Charlie and plan to read more about Charlie's adventures based on this fine first offering. As is the case with the Jane Ryland series, the author's own work as an investigative journalist in Boston brings an authenticity to the characters and provides insights to the world of journalism. Thanks so much to the always gracious and lovely author for sending me a personalized copy of the book and several bookmarks! :) This edition contained an updated acknowledgement page, as well as the first chapters of [b:The Other Woman|13538878|The Other Woman (Jane Ryland, #1)|Hank Phillippi Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1333995087s/13538878.jpg|21470090] (the first in the Jane Ryland series) and [b:Face Time: A Charlotte McNally Novel|25663607|Face Time A Charlotte McNally Novel|Hank Phillippi Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442839082s/25663607.jpg|21470087] (the second in the Charlotte McNally series).
I used this book for the 2017 PopSugar Reading Challenge prompt "the first book in a series you haven't read before" (swapped for [b:Artifact|18187398|Artifact (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, #1)|Gigi Pandian|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1373510995s/18187398.jpg|19171461], which I moved to this prompt: "a book where the main character is a different ethnicity than you").
The main character, Charlie, is a seasoned investigative journalist who is in her 40's and knows what it takes to survive in the cutthroat world of television journalism, despite the constant threat of someone younger and prettier replacing you at anytime. Charlie smells a potential story when a grieving widow demands to know why Charlie never responded to her late husband's email. The deceased, Brad Foreman, worked as an accountant for a pharmaceutical company and died in a car accident (or...was it an accident???). Charlie, who never received the email, is puzzled why Foreman would have contacted her. As she searches for the missing email, she finds an innocent-looking email in her spam folder that may turn out to be one of the biggest stories of her career. Charlie's investigation leads her to a charming and handsome friend of Foreman, professor Josh Gelston, who may be too good to be true. As Charlie and her faithful producer Franklin go deeper with this story, it soon becomes clear that the multimillion-dollar fraud ring with murder in its arsenal could make Charlie the next lead story.
I enjoyed getting to know Charlie and plan to read more about Charlie's adventures based on this fine first offering. As is the case with the Jane Ryland series, the author's own work as an investigative journalist in Boston brings an authenticity to the characters and provides insights to the world of journalism. Thanks so much to the always gracious and lovely author for sending me a personalized copy of the book and several bookmarks! :) This edition contained an updated acknowledgement page, as well as the first chapters of [b:The Other Woman|13538878|The Other Woman (Jane Ryland, #1)|Hank Phillippi Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1333995087s/13538878.jpg|21470090] (the first in the Jane Ryland series) and [b:Face Time: A Charlotte McNally Novel|25663607|Face Time A Charlotte McNally Novel|Hank Phillippi Ryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442839082s/25663607.jpg|21470087] (the second in the Charlotte McNally series).
I used this book for the 2017 PopSugar Reading Challenge prompt "the first book in a series you haven't read before" (swapped for [b:Artifact|18187398|Artifact (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, #1)|Gigi Pandian|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1373510995s/18187398.jpg|19171461], which I moved to this prompt: "a book where the main character is a different ethnicity than you").
hoadjie's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Found this book very slow, didn't speed up or get exciting until like page 200
didn't like the main character, don't enjoy reading stories when the female character is always concern about how she is looking.
didn't like the main character, don't enjoy reading stories when the female character is always concern about how she is looking.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
Hank Phillippi Ryan wrote Prime Time and Face Time both in 2007. Both these books were re-released with new book covers along with Air Time, the third Charlotte McNally novel. Just like Hank, Charlotte McNally is a television reporter for Channel 3. She always gets the top stories but being number one comes with a price. Charlotte finds herself not only reporting the news but being the news as well.
Channel 3 has been reporting the story of the missing disappearance of Bradley Foreman who worked at Aztratech Pharmaceuticals. A new development has caused this story to have a sad ending. Mr. Foreman’s car was found. He had run off the side of the road. The authorities have categorized his death as a suicide. Charlotte does not by the suicide story, especially since she received an email from Mr. Foreman before his death. He was trying to tell her something about Aztratech Pharmaceuticals but what?
These books can be read separately. In fact I started with Air Time and am now working my way backwards. Charlotte is quick on her feet and sharp as a whip. She calls the shots. Beware if you follow in her footsteps as she stirs up trouble everywhere she goes. As much as I like this book, there is something that about these books where I never really got up to full speed with the intensity levels. Whether it be from a lack of ok characters or an alright storyline. I don’t know but either way I still do plan to read Face Time.
Channel 3 has been reporting the story of the missing disappearance of Bradley Foreman who worked at Aztratech Pharmaceuticals. A new development has caused this story to have a sad ending. Mr. Foreman’s car was found. He had run off the side of the road. The authorities have categorized his death as a suicide. Charlotte does not by the suicide story, especially since she received an email from Mr. Foreman before his death. He was trying to tell her something about Aztratech Pharmaceuticals but what?
These books can be read separately. In fact I started with Air Time and am now working my way backwards. Charlotte is quick on her feet and sharp as a whip. She calls the shots. Beware if you follow in her footsteps as she stirs up trouble everywhere she goes. As much as I like this book, there is something that about these books where I never really got up to full speed with the intensity levels. Whether it be from a lack of ok characters or an alright storyline. I don’t know but either way I still do plan to read Face Time.
marlynb's review against another edition
4.0
Prime Time introduces us to Charlotte "Charlie" McNally, an award-winning investigative reporter for Boston's (fictitious) Channel 3 news. In her mid-forties, Charlie worries that she's too old to be on camera and expects to be replaced by the Latest Young Thing at any moment, and goes to the office early to try to come up with a big story.
However, when the LYT doesn't appear to read a morning newsbreak, Charlie is asked to fill in, and one of the stories she teases captures her attention. The story is about a man named Bradley Foreman who was killed an a car accident. Foreman worked for a company called Aztratech, which is what alerts Charlie, and she considers it good luck when she is required to interview Foreman's widow in place of the missing LYT.
The widow, Melanie Foreman, tells Charlie about an email that her late husband had supposedly sent the reporter before his death. Charlie's pretty sure she didn't receive it, but checks again when she gets back to her desk, and finds one that was sent anonymously but had to be from Foreman.
Digging into the questions raised by the email provides Charlie with the Big Story she's been looking for, and her investigation leads her to an attractive professor named Josh Gelston, who immediately invites her to one of his drama class productions. At first Charlie is smitten, but some incidents occur that her suspicious self thinks are curious, and she backs off, while still hoping that he is genuine.
However, when the LYT doesn't appear to read a morning newsbreak, Charlie is asked to fill in, and one of the stories she teases captures her attention. The story is about a man named Bradley Foreman who was killed an a car accident. Foreman worked for a company called Aztratech, which is what alerts Charlie, and she considers it good luck when she is required to interview Foreman's widow in place of the missing LYT.
The widow, Melanie Foreman, tells Charlie about an email that her late husband had supposedly sent the reporter before his death. Charlie's pretty sure she didn't receive it, but checks again when she gets back to her desk, and finds one that was sent anonymously but had to be from Foreman.
Digging into the questions raised by the email provides Charlie with the Big Story she's been looking for, and her investigation leads her to an attractive professor named Josh Gelston, who immediately invites her to one of his drama class productions. At first Charlie is smitten, but some incidents occur that her suspicious self thinks are curious, and she backs off, while still hoping that he is genuine.
jmgio29's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a great beach read! The blurb on the back of the book doesn't do it justice. I enjoyed the characters and frequently found myself laughing out loud over something the main character said or thought. If you're looking for a light mystery this one is perfect for you. Don't miss Face Time, same author. Hank Phillippi Ryan did two signings at Willow Books and Cafe while I was the events coordinator-- she is wonderful! You should read her books.
cnorbury's review against another edition
4.0
I see why this book won the Agatha Award. Couldn't find a fault in it other than I don't identify particularly well with 40-something female TV reporters. More the Mars-Venus dichotomy.
Writing and style are superb. Plot moved very well. Characters were unique and believable. Dialogue felt spot-on.
Writing and style are superb. Plot moved very well. Characters were unique and believable. Dialogue felt spot-on.
kimmerthebooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
I just love Hank!
Her stories are do addicting and I’m never disappointed!
Favorite quote from Prime Time.. “I always thought I could better tomorrow. Now it’s tomorrow and I forgot to be happy.”
Her stories are do addicting and I’m never disappointed!
Favorite quote from Prime Time.. “I always thought I could better tomorrow. Now it’s tomorrow and I forgot to be happy.”
nutti72's review against another edition
4.0
Charlie is a TV journalist who wonders if she's getting too old. When she stumbles across the story of a lifetime. The book reminded me of why I majored in journalism early on in my college career. The battle between good & evil. Looking forward to the rest of the series
charle's review against another edition
3.0
Met this author at UMass Dartmouth also...great personality. She has been an investigative reporter for Channel 7 Boston for many years...so comfortable in front of people or a camera. Good mystery - this is her first in a series of three. She kept me in the story through to the end so I will read the next one.
cindyhatok's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked this book a lot! I was hard to put down! I don't want to leave any spoilers, dislike that a lot, but it's a great thriller!