"Microphones and Murder" The Podcasting Sisters Mystery By Erin Huss: Review/Giveaway

by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of this book, and a link to purchase it.

“A podcast is an episodic series of digital audio files that a user can download in order to listen. With the emphasis on audio and the spoken word, podcasting shares roots with traditional radio programming, but with a different distribution model, involving computer networks and stored files.”
Wikipedia “Podcasts”


Season One Missing or Murdered
Podcasting is all the rage used by various people from newscasters to left and right wing pundits, from artists to theologians, from experts to conspiracy theorists. As a mix-engineer, Liv Olsen worked for the Cold in America podcast, focusing on true crime, hosted by the “queen of podcasting,” but she had high hopes for advancement. After receiving files from the former detective-in-charge detailing the disappearance ten years ago of a twenty-something woman, she pitched an idea for a new spinoff podcast with herself at the microphone. “No.” Not one to shrink back into the “behind the scenes” shadow and determined to prove her “oomph,” Liv quits, buys all the necessary equipment, partners with her younger step-sister, and sets out to create, research, produce, and host her own podcast, Missing or Murdered, with season one focusing on Where’s Amelia Clark?

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Image Source Henery Press
Microphones and Murder earns 5/5 Microphones, of course...Totally Engaging!
Step-sisters Liv Olsen (nearing thirty) and Camry Lewis (a decade younger) have arrived in Santa Maria, California, at Camry’s Aunt Hazel’s lovely home where they will live, eat, and work for the next six months. Their first podcast episode premiers on the anniversary of Amelia Clark’s disappearance, so with two weeks to go, they have a lot to get done...starting with the video, dubbed “Aluminum Woman Goes Mad,” uploaded anonymously, sending Miss Clark’s embarrassment viral and mounting questions of Amelia’s state of mind. Then there’s taping of interviews, mapping out a timeline, getting a sense of her last days...hours, and presenting it in a thoughtful, fluid manner. But, opening the case and bringing it more publicity reveals Liv and Camry may be over the heads and need to enlist some friends and family, but still they’re plagued with limited cooperation, shocking secrets, roadblocks, and some perilous moments. From a viral embarrassment to a suspicious neighbor, from helpful to no comment, from minor injuries to may not survive the idea of finding the truth is admirable, but is it safe?

Testing! Testing! 1...2...Thrilling! Erin Huss has done well to combine a cold case investigation with podcasting labeling each chapter as an episode, adding a title (I like chapter titles), incorporating how the podcast is produced, and some tech language I found easily understood. Her writing style includes descriptive language to “world build” a fascinating environment and dialogue that does well to set up background facts and odd clues along with illustrating overt and guarded personalities. The drama was compelling and engaging; I am a big fan of cold cases being the center of the investigation with all the emotions resurfacing, missing or unreliable information, and all the questions arising. I was surprised at, yet loved, the ultimate conclusion. However, it’s the characters created that have strengthen my being a fan of this series.

Erin uses a first-person narrative from Liv’s perspective, highlighting her inner thoughts and showing her journey from self-deprecating and second guessing to recognizing her talents and gaining confidence...although her journey obviously will continue. Liv and Camry have a delightful sister dynamic, despite not being blood relatives. Camry’s a delight; almost Liv’s wishful alter ego: a playful, confident, and loudish personality with computer skills that may or may not be the reason she no longer attends Stanford. I also enjoyed Hazel’s grandson Oliver, hearing-impaired, with whom Liv can “sign” and...is there a spark? They’re not related...good to know. There’s Hazel ready with a buffet of hardy foods, Liv’s detective brother full of advice, and a plethora of good, bad, and quirky to round out the enjoyable experience. I loved it!

No bonus included. I’m not sure how to connect recipes with podcasting, but Aunt Hazel seems to be all about food and touts the “above the rest” BBQ found in Santa Maria...just saying. Although it in no way effected my enjoyment of the book, one recipe would have been great...Santa Maria Ribs?

Alert! Up Next, Murder, is “up next” and set to release on April 9, 2020 Preorder HERE. “Liv and Camry are ready to dive into the cold case of Brinkley Douglas. Twenty years after Brinkley Douglas supposedly walked home from her boyfriend's house, her body was found buried at the local park. It doesn't help that the court of public opinion long ago convicted Brinkley's boyfriend, Joel Zander, even if he had never officially been named a suspect by authorities.” Can’t wait!

Be a Big Erin Huss Fan!
Kindle bestselling author Erin Huss pens several entertaining series with something for everyone. In the five-book Lost Souls Lane Mysteries, paranormal lovers with enjoy Zoe Lane who see dead people struggling as a medium to find out how the dead ones met their end. In her four-book Cambria Clyne Mysteries, apartment manager Cambria has plenty to “manage” with the residents of an L.A. complex, including dead bodies. And now her new soon-to-be two-book Podcasting Sisters Mystery, has Liv and Camry exploring cold cases. Join in!

Facebook - Author Erin Huss
Website - Erin Huss

Check out other Henery Press mysteries on their website.

To enter to win a copy of Microphones and Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "microphones" or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 7, 2020 . U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. Be sure to include your mailing address if entering via email in case you win-we will delete emails after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. We delete all emails after the contest is over.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And speaking of podcasts, check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:





Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
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Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Comments

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