No News is Bad News

by Maureen Milliken

A grisly discovery in the woods of Redimere, Maine, resurrects Police Chief Pete Novotny’s old case of a missing boy—just one of the ghosts that haunts the town in the second of the Bernie O’Dea mystery series. As Pete struggles with demons both old and new, newspaper editor Bernadette “Bernie” O’Dea’s life is complicated by the sudden appearance of her brother, who has secrets of his own. Everyone in Redimere was hoping things would quiet down after the tragic summer of Bernie's debut in Cold Hard News, but as late fall fades into winter, Bernie, Pete and the town are once again pulled into a deadly web of deceit and terror.

330 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2016

About the author

Maureen Milliken is an award-winning Maine mystery writer. She was a long-time journalist who worked for daily newspapers in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Her book "Dying For News," the fourth in the Bernadette "Bernie" O'Dea mystery series, was named 2025 Maine Literary Award winner for crime fiction.
She’s a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, and blogs with other Maine crime writers at Mainecrimewriters.com.
She also co-hosts a true-crime podcast, Crime & Stuff, with her sister, Maine artist Rebecca Milliken. She lives in central Maine.

Reviews

[J.D. Enright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summer read

Disclaimer: Maureen is a former colleague and friend. It'd still be four stars if I didn't know her. She's a good writer and great storyteller.

In her second book featuring her heroine, Bernie O'Dea, Bernie finds herself wrapped up in a web of illegal prescription drug sales, a gruesome murder, and a mysterious case that has followed Police Chief Pete Novotny from Philadelphia to the Maine woods. Add to the mix the on-again, off-again romance between Bernie and Pete, the sudden appearance of her brother on her couch, a couple of supporting characters you can't help but root for (and one or two you hope might be the next victim), and you get a few hours well spent in Redimere, Maine.

[Marie Mcmanus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like her last book, Maureen Milliken does not disappoint. Lovers of mystery books will enjoy this one about prescription drug abuse, murder, love interest, newspaper writing, beautiful Maine and other mayhem. I babysat Maureen when she and I were much younger. Regardless, I would give the same rating.

[Martha Fiorentini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is terrific at setting the mood and in having relatable characters that seem all too human.
I love that these stories are set in Maine, so serene but apparently deadly!
The plot moved along and was believable.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this author's series!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this second of the series. It was a bit confusing, lots of characters and had to pay attention to times. Also my copy had quite a few typos which was distracting, Bernie wouldn't be happy. I do like her character and place in Maine, look forward to the next one.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - fine mystery & sequel to "Cold Hard News". Some outlandish elements and annoying behaviors from characters, but overall a quick read.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

More fun from Maureen Milliken.

[Tim Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 -1/2 stars really because I liked it even more than her first one of the series. everything was just an incremental step better.

[Wendy Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Great book. Can’t wait to read the third installment in this series! Great writing and really love getting to know all of the characters more in each book.