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Booker Johnson #1
The Exclusive
A gruesome discovery leads to a deadly conspiracy. Booker Johnson, an Emmy-winning TV reporter on the brink of losing everything, stumbles upon a horrific crime scene in South Florida. Teaming up with no-nonsense police detective Brielle Jensen, they dive into the case, unraveling a web of deception, manipulation, and murder that reaches the highest echelons of power. As Booker uncovers the sinister truth behind a mysterious group pulling the strings, he finds his own life in jeopardy. With personal troubles brewing and powerful forces trying to silence him, he must risk it all to expose the truth. As the stakes continue to rise, can Booker bring the mastermind to justice and reveal their dark secrets to the world? Will the truth set him free, or will it be his final broadcast? Embark on a thrilling journey in this crime fiction novel by Emmy Award-winning reporter Mel Taylor and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brian Shea. Packed with authentic detail and exhilarating suspense, The Exclusive is an explosive read that's perfect for fans of Michael Connelly and Harlan Coben.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2024
288 people are currently reading
1476 people want to read
About the author
Mel Taylor
12 books56 followersMel Taylor uses his experiences in life to shape his work and his characters, along with his many years in television news where he has won an Emmy Award. Mel's latest book is The Exclusive, from Severn River Publishing. This is book one in the series, featuring TV reporter Booker Johnson.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 31, 2024
I rarely start a book without finishing it but this one joined that club. Terrible. Shitty short sentences (like this). Slow moving. I could feel my enjoyment of reading leave my body with every page.
March 11, 2024
The concept of this book is interesting. We follow Booker Johnson, a television journalist, as he investigates a local murder. His investigation uncovers, drugs, greed, manipulation and blackmail. He races to find who is behind it all and get his news station the exclusive before anyone else dies. On the whole I think the book told a good story, but at times I just wanted more - more background information, more details, more indepth explanations. I found myself occasionally feeling confused about where exactly the story was going because there were things that didn’t seem to tie into the overall plot as described in the blurb. The series has potential, but I personally was left feeling somewhat dissatisfied and disappointed with this installment.
April 25, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
In "The Exclusive" , Emmy-winning TV reporter Booker Johnson finds himself on the brink of losing everything. When he stumbles upon a gruesome crime scene in South Florida, he teams up with no-nonsense police detective Brielle Jensen to unravel a web of deception, manipulation, and murder. As they dig deeper, they discover a conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of power.
Mel Taylor and Brian Shea have crafted a gripping crime fiction novel that keeps you reading.
Here's what makes "The Exclusive" a must-read for mystery fans;
Authentic Detail: The authors draw from their own experiences to create a vivid and authentic world. From the newsroom to the crime scenes, every detail feels genuine.
Exhilarating Suspense: The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that keep you guessing. Just when you think you've figured it out, another layer of intrigue is revealed.
Compelling Characters: Booker Johnson is a flawed but determined protagonist. His personal troubles add depth to his character, making him relatable. Brielle Jensen is equally compelling—a no-nonsense detective with her own secrets.
High-Stakes Plot: The stakes couldn't be higher. As Booker uncovers the sinister truth, he puts his own life in jeopardy. The mastermind behind it all remains elusive, and powerful forces try to silence him.
Perfect for Fans of Connelly and Coben: If you enjoy Michael Connelly's gritty mysteries or Harlan Coben's suspenseful thrillers, you'll love *The Exclusive*. It's a rollercoaster ride of suspense, intrigue, and danger.
"The Exclusive" is a promising start to the Booker Johnson Thrillers series. Mel Taylor and Brian Shea have created a world where truth is a dangerous commodity, and justice comes at a cost. Buckle up—it's going to be a wild ride! 🕵️♂️🔍🔥
In "The Exclusive" , Emmy-winning TV reporter Booker Johnson finds himself on the brink of losing everything. When he stumbles upon a gruesome crime scene in South Florida, he teams up with no-nonsense police detective Brielle Jensen to unravel a web of deception, manipulation, and murder. As they dig deeper, they discover a conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of power.
Mel Taylor and Brian Shea have crafted a gripping crime fiction novel that keeps you reading.
Here's what makes "The Exclusive" a must-read for mystery fans;
Authentic Detail: The authors draw from their own experiences to create a vivid and authentic world. From the newsroom to the crime scenes, every detail feels genuine.
Exhilarating Suspense: The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that keep you guessing. Just when you think you've figured it out, another layer of intrigue is revealed.
Compelling Characters: Booker Johnson is a flawed but determined protagonist. His personal troubles add depth to his character, making him relatable. Brielle Jensen is equally compelling—a no-nonsense detective with her own secrets.
High-Stakes Plot: The stakes couldn't be higher. As Booker uncovers the sinister truth, he puts his own life in jeopardy. The mastermind behind it all remains elusive, and powerful forces try to silence him.
Perfect for Fans of Connelly and Coben: If you enjoy Michael Connelly's gritty mysteries or Harlan Coben's suspenseful thrillers, you'll love *The Exclusive*. It's a rollercoaster ride of suspense, intrigue, and danger.
"The Exclusive" is a promising start to the Booker Johnson Thrillers series. Mel Taylor and Brian Shea have created a world where truth is a dangerous commodity, and justice comes at a cost. Buckle up—it's going to be a wild ride! 🕵️♂️🔍🔥
March 5, 2024
I received an ARC through "Severn Publishing" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story is about Booker, a reporter for Channel 7 news who is now had his role changed. He has been told that he would be working alone with no photographer, a demotion. Booker on his rounds has come to a park where he discovered a obnoxious odor. He discovered later what it was and the discovery changed his fortune.
As he pursued what happened at the park, he received via a mystery caller an envelope that gave him information that eventually led to his crusade to identify the party responsible. In assition to this, he discovered he had a half-brother who was staying with him and who hadn't been around for a few days. This relayionship will play a role later on.
Booker was given a photographer to work with and told to run with the story he was developing. A 2nd killing was later discovered and Booker went to the scene. He remained there after all the other news crews left believing that something major would happen. He was right and he was able to scoop yhe other news channels.
With his keen sense, he broke a najor story which related to the killings and exposed a scheme that had been going on for a while. Follow Booker and he sniffs out clues which leads to him risking danger to put this all to bed.
The ending is great and his depiction of the various characyers is well done.
You need to read this book; you won't be disappointed.
This story is about Booker, a reporter for Channel 7 news who is now had his role changed. He has been told that he would be working alone with no photographer, a demotion. Booker on his rounds has come to a park where he discovered a obnoxious odor. He discovered later what it was and the discovery changed his fortune.
As he pursued what happened at the park, he received via a mystery caller an envelope that gave him information that eventually led to his crusade to identify the party responsible. In assition to this, he discovered he had a half-brother who was staying with him and who hadn't been around for a few days. This relayionship will play a role later on.
Booker was given a photographer to work with and told to run with the story he was developing. A 2nd killing was later discovered and Booker went to the scene. He remained there after all the other news crews left believing that something major would happen. He was right and he was able to scoop yhe other news channels.
With his keen sense, he broke a najor story which related to the killings and exposed a scheme that had been going on for a while. Follow Booker and he sniffs out clues which leads to him risking danger to put this all to bed.
The ending is great and his depiction of the various characyers is well done.
You need to read this book; you won't be disappointed.
August 31, 2023
The first in what I hope is a long series of thrillers.
While I wasn’t familiar with Mel Taylor’s writing, when I saw it was a collaboration with Brian Shea, I knew I needed to read The Exclusive. This is one of those times I’m thrilled to have been right, this story is a homerun for the authors. They have created a couple of characters who I hope we get to follow over several stories. Telling a story from a news reporter’s point of view was an excellent departure for me, and following Booker through his investigation of the various stories was highly entertaining. Additionally, the backstory on Booker’s interactions with Detective Brielle Johnson provided an excellent foundation for their non-relationship/relationship.
If you enjoy well developed stories with believable characters who have no superpowers, and plenty of personal baggage, you might give The Exclusive a shot. I’m betting you’ll find yourself so involved you will look up and realize several hours have past and all you want to do is finish the story. And what an ending this story has!!!! I received an Advance Reader Copy of The Exclusive from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
While I wasn’t familiar with Mel Taylor’s writing, when I saw it was a collaboration with Brian Shea, I knew I needed to read The Exclusive. This is one of those times I’m thrilled to have been right, this story is a homerun for the authors. They have created a couple of characters who I hope we get to follow over several stories. Telling a story from a news reporter’s point of view was an excellent departure for me, and following Booker through his investigation of the various stories was highly entertaining. Additionally, the backstory on Booker’s interactions with Detective Brielle Johnson provided an excellent foundation for their non-relationship/relationship.
If you enjoy well developed stories with believable characters who have no superpowers, and plenty of personal baggage, you might give The Exclusive a shot. I’m betting you’ll find yourself so involved you will look up and realize several hours have past and all you want to do is finish the story. And what an ending this story has!!!! I received an Advance Reader Copy of The Exclusive from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
March 14, 2024
Booker is a relentless and intrepid reporter faced with ups and downs in his career when he stumbles on a crime scene that will unravel a major conspiracy involving all sorts of people. On the personal side, he has to deal with a new-found half-brother who is now living with him, a distant mother, and an even more distant girlfriend whom he misses too much. His brother has a dark side and dealings with people he does not approve of and worries about. The Exclusive is one of those books that you read in one go, it has action, it's fast-paced, and has a great plot.
I thank Messrs. Taylor and Shea and their publisher for this ARC.
I thank Messrs. Taylor and Shea and their publisher for this ARC.
March 14, 2024
OK – this one had me page turning like mad … excellent introduction to the Booker Johnson
Booker Johnson, reporter at Channel 7, is being demoted to a one-man crew. Trying to make the best of it, he is called to scene where there is strong stench of death but no body. Reporters come and go, there is no body, nothing to see. Booker has a hunch and stays, even when his boss tells him to move on. His hunch pays off and sets him off the investigate a world of deception, greed, power …. And ultimately, he gets too close and he is on the brink of losing everything, including his life.
Excellent – looking forward to book 2
Booker Johnson, reporter at Channel 7, is being demoted to a one-man crew. Trying to make the best of it, he is called to scene where there is strong stench of death but no body. Reporters come and go, there is no body, nothing to see. Booker has a hunch and stays, even when his boss tells him to move on. His hunch pays off and sets him off the investigate a world of deception, greed, power …. And ultimately, he gets too close and he is on the brink of losing everything, including his life.
Excellent – looking forward to book 2
January 15, 2026
Quite an interesting book about an investigative reporter that digs deep, at times as you’d expect a detective. I liked learning about the TV news and what happens in the background, but this alone won’t make me read book two.
I’d give this 3.5 stars if I could, but felt the writing deserved a bump up to 4 stars rather then downwards.
It was an easy read, although I wasn’t really captivated in the story as I think the bad guys weren’t really fleshed out or explored enough.
I feel like the story was almost there, but then also finished a little too easily.
Also I was kind of expecting a twist to compensate for the straight forward story, but nothing.
I’d give this 3.5 stars if I could, but felt the writing deserved a bump up to 4 stars rather then downwards.
It was an easy read, although I wasn’t really captivated in the story as I think the bad guys weren’t really fleshed out or explored enough.
I feel like the story was almost there, but then also finished a little too easily.
Also I was kind of expecting a twist to compensate for the straight forward story, but nothing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
Deadly intimidation
Booker Johnson is an award winning reporter. A man is brutally mutilated and killed. Then people with high profile jobs are blackmailed into relinquishing their lucrative positions to others who can be manipulated to comply with orders from a sinister gang. Booker's investigation puts his life on the line. A page turner with jaw dropping suspense and surprising twists. I like the colorful cover and the portrayal of the characters.
Booker Johnson is an award winning reporter. A man is brutally mutilated and killed. Then people with high profile jobs are blackmailed into relinquishing their lucrative positions to others who can be manipulated to comply with orders from a sinister gang. Booker's investigation puts his life on the line. A page turner with jaw dropping suspense and surprising twists. I like the colorful cover and the portrayal of the characters.
March 19, 2024
The Exclusive (Booker Johnson Thrillers Book 1), my second read from author Mel Taylor and the first co-written with author Brian Shea. A good page-turning TV reporter mystery, that I read in one sitting. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." I look forward to reading more from this author! The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
August 27, 2024
Began to think I had read book 2 first due to the mentioning of the ex girlfriend, it felt initially like we the readers should know what had happened. Became clearer as the book continued.
A lot of characters to meet.
Didn't guess who the kingpin was, which makes a change.
Not giving anything away as I do hate reviews which tell me tha whole darn story line.
Was miffed I didn't have 2nd book already down loaded. Will definitely continue with the series.
A lot of characters to meet.
Didn't guess who the kingpin was, which makes a change.
Not giving anything away as I do hate reviews which tell me tha whole darn story line.
Was miffed I didn't have 2nd book already down loaded. Will definitely continue with the series.
January 31, 2024
A stomach-churning opening chapter. Not only do we get great information on how T.V. news is produced, but we have this amazing story of greed, murder, and really horrible people to keep us mesmerized throughout. An "Exclusive" you won't want to miss. Highly Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
February 19, 2024
What a good book! Booker will hopefully have future stories. I enjoyed seeing a reporter's view rather than the Detective involved. Crimes and adventures kept my interest and I flew through this one.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
March 15, 2024
What a story, had to binge read. Booker is an outstanding TV Reporter, with everything to lose. Discovering a horrible murder, there’s danger all around. Will he be able to find out the truth before it’s too late. Don’t miss out
March 26, 2024
Wonderful read
Booker is authentic and realistic, not another former special forces guy who weighs 250 and can withstand any form of punishment. He reminds me of Ben Porter, in his series. Read those also and tell me what you think.
Booker is authentic and realistic, not another former special forces guy who weighs 250 and can withstand any form of punishment. He reminds me of Ben Porter, in his series. Read those also and tell me what you think.
April 9, 2025
More in this series
I thought this book was good! I liked Booker and his no nonsense attitude toward finding the story and getting to the end of it. I would like to read more in this series.
I thought this book was good! I liked Booker and his no nonsense attitude toward finding the story and getting to the end of it. I would like to read more in this series.
May 7, 2025
Book 1
I just finished the first Booker Johnson thriller. I like that it has a complete story line of its own, but with just enough loose ends to make me want to see what direction book 2 takes.
I just finished the first Booker Johnson thriller. I like that it has a complete story line of its own, but with just enough loose ends to make me want to see what direction book 2 takes.
June 24, 2024
As Lowell Davis says in his review dated March 31 ,2024
DNF and didn't want to.
DNF and didn't want to.
July 11, 2024
The Exclusive
This is such a mystery that is very hard for you to unravel. Very entertaining. I have not read the Booker Johnson series. I will read more.
This is such a mystery that is very hard for you to unravel. Very entertaining. I have not read the Booker Johnson series. I will read more.
June 2, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars! Booker is a news reporter who just got demoted and now has to work on his own and he is no longer called to work on the major stories. For his next lead, his boss tells him to go to a location where there has been a horrible odor that they want him to check out. He goes to the location and finds out that the odor was actually someone that was killed. This is the lead that he needed in order to hopefully get his old role back.
There is much more to this story than meets the eye and Booker has to figure out who killed this person, why were they killed and are there more bodies than just this one. There are so many characters and stories about each one of them in the book, and we find out if they are all related, including Booker’s story. This was such a great, fast-paced thriller that had a lot going on and I enjoyed all of it!
There is much more to this story than meets the eye and Booker has to figure out who killed this person, why were they killed and are there more bodies than just this one. There are so many characters and stories about each one of them in the book, and we find out if they are all related, including Booker’s story. This was such a great, fast-paced thriller that had a lot going on and I enjoyed all of it!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews