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The Murder Show
7 hours, 47 minutes
The Murder Show is a pulse-racing novel about secrets, old friends, and how the past never leaves us by New York Times bestselling and Emmy Award winning author Matt Goldman!
Showrunner Ethan Harris had a hit with The Murder Show, a television crime drama that features a private detective who solves cases the police can’t. But after his pitch for the fourth season is rejected by the network, he returns home to Minnesota looking for inspiration.
His timing is fortunate — his former classmate Ro Greeman is now a local police officer, and she's uncovered new information about the devastating hit and run that killed their mutual friend Ricky the summer after high school. She asks Ethan to help her investigate and thinks that if he portrays the killing on The Murder Show, the publicity may bring Ricky's killer to justice.
Ethan is skeptical that Ricky's death was anything but a horrible accident, but with the clock running out on his career, he's willing to try anything. It doesn't take long for them to realize they've dug up more than they bargained for. Someone is dead set on stopping Ethan and Ro from looking too closely into Ricky’s death — even if keeping them quiet means killing again...
The Murder Show is a pulse-racing novel about secrets, old friends, and how the past never leaves us by New York Times bestselling and Emmy Award winning author Matt Goldman!
The Murder Show is a pulse-racing novel about secrets, old friends, and how the past never leaves us by New York Times bestselling and Emmy Award winning author Matt Goldman!
Showrunner Ethan Harris had a hit with The Murder Show, a television crime drama that features a private detective who solves cases the police can’t. But after his pitch for the fourth season is rejected by the network, he returns home to Minnesota looking for inspiration.
His timing is fortunate — his former classmate Ro Greeman is now a local police officer, and she's uncovered new information about the devastating hit and run that killed their mutual friend Ricky the summer after high school. She asks Ethan to help her investigate and thinks that if he portrays the killing on The Murder Show, the publicity may bring Ricky's killer to justice.
Ethan is skeptical that Ricky's death was anything but a horrible accident, but with the clock running out on his career, he's willing to try anything. It doesn't take long for them to realize they've dug up more than they bargained for. Someone is dead set on stopping Ethan and Ro from looking too closely into Ricky’s death — even if keeping them quiet means killing again...
The Murder Show is a pulse-racing novel about secrets, old friends, and how the past never leaves us by New York Times bestselling and Emmy Award winning author Matt Goldman!
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First published April 15, 2025
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March 13, 2025
There’s no place like home.
A crime writer for the series called The Murder Show, Ethan Harris returns home to Minnesota from the Big Apple. Now, with the next season on hiatus, Ethan is looking for new ideas to pitch.
Well Ethan, you came to the right place!
While home, he reconnects with his long-time friend Ro, now a police officer. And Ro has a proposal for him. She wants to dive into the mystery surrounding the hit and run death of their childhood friend. A cold case which, if they can solve, may turn into a great storyline for his show!
This was an entertaining, (yet somewhat overdone) premise of returning home to solve a mystery that the police have never been able to close. But Matt Goldman included plenty of interesting characters and a storyline that held me.
Overall an enjoyable book/audio. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
🎧: audio narration provided by Dan Bittner who did a great job with the characters though a tad overly dramatic at times. (Perhaps that’s just me?)💁🏻♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio
A crime writer for the series called The Murder Show, Ethan Harris returns home to Minnesota from the Big Apple. Now, with the next season on hiatus, Ethan is looking for new ideas to pitch.
Well Ethan, you came to the right place!
While home, he reconnects with his long-time friend Ro, now a police officer. And Ro has a proposal for him. She wants to dive into the mystery surrounding the hit and run death of their childhood friend. A cold case which, if they can solve, may turn into a great storyline for his show!
This was an entertaining, (yet somewhat overdone) premise of returning home to solve a mystery that the police have never been able to close. But Matt Goldman included plenty of interesting characters and a storyline that held me.
Overall an enjoyable book/audio. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
🎧: audio narration provided by Dan Bittner who did a great job with the characters though a tad overly dramatic at times. (Perhaps that’s just me?)💁🏻♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio
June 8, 2025
What a truly special novel. From the very start, I fell into the words of The Murder Show’s poignant, fast-paced vibe. Immersive, cunning, and utterly transfixing, the multilayered plot, evocative setting, and compelling characters had me swept up in what was a finely tuned rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. A standalone novel loosely tied to the Nils Shapiro series, Goldman hit the trifecta with this newest addition. I’m not exaggerating in the slightest as the action-packed storyline of this captivating crime thriller had me completely bamboozled in the best possible way. You see, not once was I able to guess a thing in this head-spinning tale.
While the twists were truly epic and the plot kept me riveted, the characters were easily the shining star for this thriller lover. Realistic and and perfectly drawn, the interplay between them all was pure, shining gold. From the potentially revitalized teenage love interest to a pair of aging parents, the giggle-worthy dialogue and eccentric personalities had me eating out of their hands. Memorable in the extreme, I won’t be forgetting Linda and Solly or the cute four-year-old toddler anytime soon. For that reason alone, I’ll be rushing out to get ahold of the entire Nils Shapiro series ASAP so that I can binge read what is sure to be yet another set of page-turning stunners.
All said and done, I was beyond impressed by this quick, easy read. At just under 300 pages, the originally scripted multiple POVs and propulsive, edge-of-your-seat plot combined to create an addictive, unputdownable thriller. I mean, the very fact that it was packed to the gills with red herrings and believable suspects meant that I read “just one more chapter” more times than I can recall. But it was the explosive crescendo and soul-satisfying conclusion that made my love for this novel a sure thing. After all, I not only got a nice, pretty, little bow but also an open-ended, question mark of a finale that made me smile with glee as I flipped the last page. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Showrunner Ethan Harris had a hit with The Murder Show, a television crime drama that features a private detective who solves cases the police can’t. But after his pitch for the fourth season is rejected by the network, he returns home to Minnesota looking for inspiration.
His timing is fortunate—his former classmate Ro Greeman is now a local police officer, and she's uncovered new information about the devastating hit and run that killed their mutual friend Ricky the summer after high school. She asks Ethan to help her investigate and thinks that if he portrays the killing on The Murder Show, the publicity may bring Ricky's killer to justice.
Ethan is skeptical that Ricky's death was anything but a horrible accident, but with the clock running out on his career, he's willing to try anything. It doesn't take long for them to realize they've dug up more than they bargained for. Someone is dead set on stopping Ethan and Ro from looking too closely into Ricky’s death—even if keeping them quiet means killing again...
Thank you to Matt Goldman and Forge Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 15, 2025
Content warning: fatal hit-and-run, drug dealing, gun violence
While the twists were truly epic and the plot kept me riveted, the characters were easily the shining star for this thriller lover. Realistic and and perfectly drawn, the interplay between them all was pure, shining gold. From the potentially revitalized teenage love interest to a pair of aging parents, the giggle-worthy dialogue and eccentric personalities had me eating out of their hands. Memorable in the extreme, I won’t be forgetting Linda and Solly or the cute four-year-old toddler anytime soon. For that reason alone, I’ll be rushing out to get ahold of the entire Nils Shapiro series ASAP so that I can binge read what is sure to be yet another set of page-turning stunners.
All said and done, I was beyond impressed by this quick, easy read. At just under 300 pages, the originally scripted multiple POVs and propulsive, edge-of-your-seat plot combined to create an addictive, unputdownable thriller. I mean, the very fact that it was packed to the gills with red herrings and believable suspects meant that I read “just one more chapter” more times than I can recall. But it was the explosive crescendo and soul-satisfying conclusion that made my love for this novel a sure thing. After all, I not only got a nice, pretty, little bow but also an open-ended, question mark of a finale that made me smile with glee as I flipped the last page. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Showrunner Ethan Harris had a hit with The Murder Show, a television crime drama that features a private detective who solves cases the police can’t. But after his pitch for the fourth season is rejected by the network, he returns home to Minnesota looking for inspiration.
His timing is fortunate—his former classmate Ro Greeman is now a local police officer, and she's uncovered new information about the devastating hit and run that killed their mutual friend Ricky the summer after high school. She asks Ethan to help her investigate and thinks that if he portrays the killing on The Murder Show, the publicity may bring Ricky's killer to justice.
Ethan is skeptical that Ricky's death was anything but a horrible accident, but with the clock running out on his career, he's willing to try anything. It doesn't take long for them to realize they've dug up more than they bargained for. Someone is dead set on stopping Ethan and Ro from looking too closely into Ricky’s death—even if keeping them quiet means killing again...
Thank you to Matt Goldman and Forge Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 15, 2025
Content warning: fatal hit-and-run, drug dealing, gun violence
May 20, 2025
✰ 3 stars ✰
Ethan may have returned home in the hopeful search for inspiration to pitch the producers an engaging premise for the shot of renewing The Murder Show for a fourth season, but he certainly walked away with a lot more than he bargained for, and hopefully, for the better. 🙏🏻
Ethan's frustration was palpable on numerous occasions that I empathized with wholeheartedly; Ro, on the other hand, was a bit harder to care for, because she always appeared to have an ulterior motive up her sleeve, which even Ethan started to pick up on, when he removed the visors of twenty years of holding a candle to her - a dream he’s not worthy of realizing - which sadly blew out one tragic night that served as the uporse of them reuniting in the first place. 😢 Their dynamic, while nostalgic, was also one built on expectation that because of their past friendship and relationship, they would be there for each other in times of crisis.
“So basically,” says Ethan, “you want me to tell a lie in the hope that someone will come forward with the truth.”
The short-clipped sentences felt a bit off at times, like it was dictating the narrative to explain the feelings of the characters. Considering the author is a prolific screenwriter, I was glad that the writing did not that much read like a screenplay; yes, there was the casual tongue-in-cheek, and even certain inclusions of thoughts that felt so random and off that I inwardly groaned. 🤦🏻♀️ Still, forty-year-old Ethan played a convincing role of one thrown into a dilemma he was not quite expecting, and yet, still remained level-headed and attempt sound judgment despite his doubts, when he knows one thing for sure and that’s that he doesn’t know what he’s doing.' 🥺
The ending kinda just leaves you there; it does give closure a bit for their hearts to heal, but I did not feel that considering Ro is a police officer - justice was rightfully served. 🙎🏻♀️ I was not surprised by the reveals in particular, and the pacing of the suspense and action was light in moderation. The history and the mystery surrounding two past and present cases resolved in an unfulfilling manner, as we did not see characters apprehended, we saw no real retribution, which I know, one would argue that giving peace to an unsettled heart should be enough, but I did not feel resolved. 😕
“... they’re long past the guilt-is-eating-them-alive stage. They’ll just keep their head down and live out their life and hope there’s no such thing as hell.”
I do commend the author for shedding light on a crime that was painful to read about in how these victims did not deserve to die the way they did. Ethan and Ro's grief and guilt over their friend's death was believable, so I do understand why Ro was so determined to set things right, even at the expense of Ethan's naivete. The circumstances truly were heartbreaking and unfair, and I can only hope that knowing that innocent lives can be targeted so easily on a whim, can prevent these crimes from going on longer than they already have. 😔
“The summer after Ro and I graduated high school, a friend of ours was killed in a hit and run.”
Ethan may have returned home in the hopeful search for inspiration to pitch the producers an engaging premise for the shot of renewing The Murder Show for a fourth season, but he certainly walked away with a lot more than he bargained for, and hopefully, for the better. 🙏🏻
Ethan's frustration was palpable on numerous occasions that I empathized with wholeheartedly; Ro, on the other hand, was a bit harder to care for, because she always appeared to have an ulterior motive up her sleeve, which even Ethan started to pick up on, when he removed the visors of twenty years of holding a candle to her - a dream he’s not worthy of realizing - which sadly blew out one tragic night that served as the uporse of them reuniting in the first place. 😢 Their dynamic, while nostalgic, was also one built on expectation that because of their past friendship and relationship, they would be there for each other in times of crisis.
“So basically,” says Ethan, “you want me to tell a lie in the hope that someone will come forward with the truth.”
The short-clipped sentences felt a bit off at times, like it was dictating the narrative to explain the feelings of the characters. Considering the author is a prolific screenwriter, I was glad that the writing did not that much read like a screenplay; yes, there was the casual tongue-in-cheek, and even certain inclusions of thoughts that felt so random and off that I inwardly groaned. 🤦🏻♀️ Still, forty-year-old Ethan played a convincing role of one thrown into a dilemma he was not quite expecting, and yet, still remained level-headed and attempt sound judgment despite his doubts, when he knows one thing for sure and that’s that he doesn’t know what he’s doing.' 🥺
The ending kinda just leaves you there; it does give closure a bit for their hearts to heal, but I did not feel that considering Ro is a police officer - justice was rightfully served. 🙎🏻♀️ I was not surprised by the reveals in particular, and the pacing of the suspense and action was light in moderation. The history and the mystery surrounding two past and present cases resolved in an unfulfilling manner, as we did not see characters apprehended, we saw no real retribution, which I know, one would argue that giving peace to an unsettled heart should be enough, but I did not feel resolved. 😕
“... they’re long past the guilt-is-eating-them-alive stage. They’ll just keep their head down and live out their life and hope there’s no such thing as hell.”
I do commend the author for shedding light on a crime that was painful to read about in how these victims did not deserve to die the way they did. Ethan and Ro's grief and guilt over their friend's death was believable, so I do understand why Ro was so determined to set things right, even at the expense of Ethan's naivete. The circumstances truly were heartbreaking and unfair, and I can only hope that knowing that innocent lives can be targeted so easily on a whim, can prevent these crimes from going on longer than they already have. 😔
March 5, 2025
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Matt Goldman, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to experiment with new authors (to me), I turned to this book by Matt Goldman. A unique perspective to a thriller Goldman targets his story through the eyes of a television writer. The story spans a few decades and it is only when a writer's strike paralyses production that Ethan Harris looks for something to impress. A murder from his youth with an eerie connection to a present-day crime and provides Ethan with a thread to follow and hopefully solve before too long. Yet, someone has other ideas as they hope to keep things under wraps. A great story that kept me intrigued as I tried to learn a little more about Matt Goldman and his writing.
Ethan Harris has found success with his television program, The Murder Show. As its showrunner, everyone is sure he's full of great ideas. However, his concept for a fourth season is rejected by the network, just as a writer's strike cripples the industry. Needing some inspiration, Ethan returns to his childhood home in Minneapolis. It's there that a potential idea begins to percolate.
When he sees his childhood friend, Ro Greenman, Ethan lucks into something. Now a police officer, Ro has come upon some new evidence in the case of their high school friend, Ricky. In what was long thought to have been a hit and run accident appears as though it could have a more sinister side to it. Ethan is intrigued and wonders if this could be a good jumpstart to a new fourth season idea. Ro seeks Ethan's help investigating the death and they begin putting clues together to see what might ave happened to Ricky that summer after high school.
While Ethan is not yet ready to admit that there was anything criminal with Ricky's death, he must remain open-minded. Soon, Ro finds a connection with Ricky's death to a more recent event involbing another teenager. It's been over two decades, but Ethan cannot shake the feeling that the two bodies might be connected in some manner. What follows is a race to get the evidence needed to solve Ricky's death and see how things will come together. Ro my have the Minneapolis behind her, but someone is pushing back, seeking to keep things under wraps. Ethan, always one to pen a thriller, realises that real-life crimes are much more troubling than a piece of television pizzazz. The truth is out there, but Ethan and Ro will have to act carefully or they might become the latest victims in a crime spree. Goldman offers readers a great story and thrilling chase in this publication.
There's nothing like a strong crime thriller that takes on a unique perspective. Matt Goldman lures the reader into the middle of the action and holds their attention until the final pages. A solid narrative provides a roadmap for success, while offering key thrills for the attentive reader. The momentum kicks up and ensures the reader delves deeper into the larger story points. Characters serve their purpose and offer up a great balance to the storytelling. Plot points help bridge ideas and provide moments of surprise to keep things on point. I am eager to explore more by Matt Goldman when I have time in my reading journey.
Kudos, Mr. Goldman, for a strong story and unique perspective.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always eager to experiment with new authors (to me), I turned to this book by Matt Goldman. A unique perspective to a thriller Goldman targets his story through the eyes of a television writer. The story spans a few decades and it is only when a writer's strike paralyses production that Ethan Harris looks for something to impress. A murder from his youth with an eerie connection to a present-day crime and provides Ethan with a thread to follow and hopefully solve before too long. Yet, someone has other ideas as they hope to keep things under wraps. A great story that kept me intrigued as I tried to learn a little more about Matt Goldman and his writing.
Ethan Harris has found success with his television program, The Murder Show. As its showrunner, everyone is sure he's full of great ideas. However, his concept for a fourth season is rejected by the network, just as a writer's strike cripples the industry. Needing some inspiration, Ethan returns to his childhood home in Minneapolis. It's there that a potential idea begins to percolate.
When he sees his childhood friend, Ro Greenman, Ethan lucks into something. Now a police officer, Ro has come upon some new evidence in the case of their high school friend, Ricky. In what was long thought to have been a hit and run accident appears as though it could have a more sinister side to it. Ethan is intrigued and wonders if this could be a good jumpstart to a new fourth season idea. Ro seeks Ethan's help investigating the death and they begin putting clues together to see what might ave happened to Ricky that summer after high school.
While Ethan is not yet ready to admit that there was anything criminal with Ricky's death, he must remain open-minded. Soon, Ro finds a connection with Ricky's death to a more recent event involbing another teenager. It's been over two decades, but Ethan cannot shake the feeling that the two bodies might be connected in some manner. What follows is a race to get the evidence needed to solve Ricky's death and see how things will come together. Ro my have the Minneapolis behind her, but someone is pushing back, seeking to keep things under wraps. Ethan, always one to pen a thriller, realises that real-life crimes are much more troubling than a piece of television pizzazz. The truth is out there, but Ethan and Ro will have to act carefully or they might become the latest victims in a crime spree. Goldman offers readers a great story and thrilling chase in this publication.
There's nothing like a strong crime thriller that takes on a unique perspective. Matt Goldman lures the reader into the middle of the action and holds their attention until the final pages. A solid narrative provides a roadmap for success, while offering key thrills for the attentive reader. The momentum kicks up and ensures the reader delves deeper into the larger story points. Characters serve their purpose and offer up a great balance to the storytelling. Plot points help bridge ideas and provide moments of surprise to keep things on point. I am eager to explore more by Matt Goldman when I have time in my reading journey.
Kudos, Mr. Goldman, for a strong story and unique perspective.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
April 20, 2025
Ethan didn’t expect to find what he found when he came back home to wait out the writer's strike.
Ethan found his old flame Ro who is now on the police force and a renewed interest for both of them in finding out what really happened to their childhood friend Ricky who was a victim of a hit and run.
But....was it a hit and run or murder?
Questions arise after twenty years when Ethan decides to use Ricky's death for one of his shows.
Was that really a good idea?
Seems like it wasn't, and he should take the advice of another friend that suggested that he go back to New York and leave the investigation alone.
Ethan and Ro believe someone is trying to stop them from finding out what really happened.
They get into a few dangerous situations.
Find out the answers and how everything turns out in this page-turning read
This is my first book by this author, and it held my interest. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Ethan found his old flame Ro who is now on the police force and a renewed interest for both of them in finding out what really happened to their childhood friend Ricky who was a victim of a hit and run.
But....was it a hit and run or murder?
Questions arise after twenty years when Ethan decides to use Ricky's death for one of his shows.
Was that really a good idea?
Seems like it wasn't, and he should take the advice of another friend that suggested that he go back to New York and leave the investigation alone.
Ethan and Ro believe someone is trying to stop them from finding out what really happened.
They get into a few dangerous situations.
Find out the answers and how everything turns out in this page-turning read
This is my first book by this author, and it held my interest. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
April 19, 2025
The Murder Show is easy to pick up and impossible to put down, with short scenes and sharp dialogue. While I found the plot a bit transparent overall, I still had fun with this book from beginning to end.
When TV writer Ethan Harris returns to small‑town Minnesota while waiting out a writer strike, he’s roped into revisiting the long‑cold hit‑and‑run that killed his high‑school friend Ricky. Teamed up with his former classmate, who now wears a badge as Officer Ro Greeman, Ethan hopes that dramatizing the case on his struggling TV series might finally flush out the driver. But the deeper they dig, the clearer it becomes that someone will kill to keep the past buried.
While seasoned thriller readers may spot the culprit early in the book, Goldman still manages to keep the plot entertaining even when I thought I knew where it was headed. The audiobook elevates the experience: Dan Bittner delivered a solid performance and Macmillan Audio’s clean audiobok production kept distractions at bay. Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Matt Goldman for the advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review. 3.75 stars rounded up.
When TV writer Ethan Harris returns to small‑town Minnesota while waiting out a writer strike, he’s roped into revisiting the long‑cold hit‑and‑run that killed his high‑school friend Ricky. Teamed up with his former classmate, who now wears a badge as Officer Ro Greeman, Ethan hopes that dramatizing the case on his struggling TV series might finally flush out the driver. But the deeper they dig, the clearer it becomes that someone will kill to keep the past buried.
While seasoned thriller readers may spot the culprit early in the book, Goldman still manages to keep the plot entertaining even when I thought I knew where it was headed. The audiobook elevates the experience: Dan Bittner delivered a solid performance and Macmillan Audio’s clean audiobok production kept distractions at bay. Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Matt Goldman for the advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review. 3.75 stars rounded up.
March 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this book by screenwriter Matt Goldman. I was hooked from the started and listened to this in less than a day. You could really see his expertise in the TV world shine through, with the main character being a show runner for a show called The Murder Show. The narrator was fantastic, really brought the story to life and made all the characters unique.
Ethan is a writer on strike so decides to return to his family home in Minnesota. He is stuck for an idea for season 4 of his show and is looking for inspiration. His former neighbour Ro is now a cop, and the pair of them set out to find out what really happened to their high school friend Ricky, who died in a hit and run when they were teenagers. They believe there is something more to it and set out to prove it. It turns into a dangerous situation and they have no idea what they are getting themselves into.
A fast paced story full of action and suspense. Highly entertaining
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy on NetGalley to listen to. Out on April 15th.
Ethan is a writer on strike so decides to return to his family home in Minnesota. He is stuck for an idea for season 4 of his show and is looking for inspiration. His former neighbour Ro is now a cop, and the pair of them set out to find out what really happened to their high school friend Ricky, who died in a hit and run when they were teenagers. They believe there is something more to it and set out to prove it. It turns into a dangerous situation and they have no idea what they are getting themselves into.
A fast paced story full of action and suspense. Highly entertaining
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy on NetGalley to listen to. Out on April 15th.
April 8, 2025
When this book begins, Hollywood is once again in a writer’s strike, so television writer Ethan Harris left his home in New York and went back to Minnesota to visit his parents. A writer for a loosely-based-on-true-crime show, he has an idea on how to turn this time into opportunity. If he doesn’t come up with a good plot line for the fourth season, “The Murder Show” will be cancelled and he’ll have to start his career over again.
After getting to his parent’s house, he is looking out of the window and sees his old friend in her parent’s house - and she’s not alone. She’s arguing with a man, and the argument seems to be escalating. Though they haven’t seen each other in about 20 years, Ethan runs over to make sure everything is okay. Ro is shocked to see him at the door, and after the man leaves, she fills Ethan in on her life. She is now an officer for the Minneapolis Police Department, and the man she was arguing with was another officer who doesn’t like what she’s getting into.
When they were in high school, their friend Ricky was killed in a hit-and-run accident while walking down a country road. Ethan and Ro were both there, and it’s clear that the memory still eats at them. Ro has decided to start investigating the cold case, as she never thought it was just an accident. As she’s talking, Ethan gets his idea for the fourth season of his show. He’ll write a fictional narrative surrounding Ricky’s case, with the hopes that someone will see the similarities and come forward with new information.
For his career, this may have been a good idea, but for his safety, it definitely wasn’t. When he’s shot at the first time, he wonders what he’s doing…but the lure of a good story makes him keep going. Soon, he and Ro are in the middle of something they may not be able to get out of, which made for quite a suspenseful book. This was definitely full of action, and it was a quick and easy read. The ending was rather abrupt and action thrillers aren’t my favorite genre, but this was an entertaining read! Four stars.
(Thank you to Forge Books, Matt Goldman and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 15, 2025.)
After getting to his parent’s house, he is looking out of the window and sees his old friend in her parent’s house - and she’s not alone. She’s arguing with a man, and the argument seems to be escalating. Though they haven’t seen each other in about 20 years, Ethan runs over to make sure everything is okay. Ro is shocked to see him at the door, and after the man leaves, she fills Ethan in on her life. She is now an officer for the Minneapolis Police Department, and the man she was arguing with was another officer who doesn’t like what she’s getting into.
When they were in high school, their friend Ricky was killed in a hit-and-run accident while walking down a country road. Ethan and Ro were both there, and it’s clear that the memory still eats at them. Ro has decided to start investigating the cold case, as she never thought it was just an accident. As she’s talking, Ethan gets his idea for the fourth season of his show. He’ll write a fictional narrative surrounding Ricky’s case, with the hopes that someone will see the similarities and come forward with new information.
For his career, this may have been a good idea, but for his safety, it definitely wasn’t. When he’s shot at the first time, he wonders what he’s doing…but the lure of a good story makes him keep going. Soon, he and Ro are in the middle of something they may not be able to get out of, which made for quite a suspenseful book. This was definitely full of action, and it was a quick and easy read. The ending was rather abrupt and action thrillers aren’t my favorite genre, but this was an entertaining read! Four stars.
(Thank you to Forge Books, Matt Goldman and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on April 15, 2025.)
April 29, 2025
I was originally drawn to the concept of "The Murder Show" and liked the idea of real life crossing over into entertainment, but it wasn't for me. Respectfully, it was a bit of a slog for me, and I barely finished it.
The main characters (Ethan and Ro) have zero chemistry, whether romantic or platonic; they don't vibe together. Additionally, I thought the TV show and real life would intersect more, but the action occurs while the TV show is on hiatus during a strike. So the TV show feels mildly irrelevant at times, and it's more about discovering what happened to a kid they went to high school with than anything else.
Also, this is a feeling more than anything, and I don't know how to describe it further, but the story felt dated. I wish I could elaborate further but that's all I got.
In terms of the audio version, that may have been part of the problem for me personally. It was grating to hear the narrator attempt female voices, and his standard voice felt mismatched with the content and tone of the story.
Unfortunately, I did not connect with the characters or the story but I bet it would resonate with someone else!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my authentic review.
The main characters (Ethan and Ro) have zero chemistry, whether romantic or platonic; they don't vibe together. Additionally, I thought the TV show and real life would intersect more, but the action occurs while the TV show is on hiatus during a strike. So the TV show feels mildly irrelevant at times, and it's more about discovering what happened to a kid they went to high school with than anything else.
Also, this is a feeling more than anything, and I don't know how to describe it further, but the story felt dated. I wish I could elaborate further but that's all I got.
In terms of the audio version, that may have been part of the problem for me personally. It was grating to hear the narrator attempt female voices, and his standard voice felt mismatched with the content and tone of the story.
Unfortunately, I did not connect with the characters or the story but I bet it would resonate with someone else!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my authentic review.
April 1, 2025
I am a fan of the Nils Shapiro series by Matt Goldman so I was looking forward to starting this one on audio and thought both the cover and title were solid. Another sans-synopsis book for me which is always fun to just let the chapters unfurl. I was hoping for another book set in or near Minnesota which is one of my favorite places to visit so no disappointment there.
I don’t feel that I really liked any of the characters in this book. The majority were bold and not very trustworthy for me. Whether the author meant for that to be the case, I commend him for making me feel that way about nearly all of them for the majority of the book. I felt one character played a little too much hero for their vocation but hey it was fiction.
For me, the story was somewhat slower paced for more than half the book but I really felt it went someplace in the back half that provided a lot of listening enjoyment to get to the end which I pretty much had pegged which I guess was a win for me.
From a pet peeve standpoint, I didn’t like the voice of the character that appears in this book from his other books and the name pronunciation was totally different from what I recall. Different narrators probably causing it but I preferred the former books than this one on that point. This narrator was good but I liked the primary one from the other books a little bit more.
Overall impressed with this one and could totally see it becoming a streaming show with a lot of potential.
I don’t feel that I really liked any of the characters in this book. The majority were bold and not very trustworthy for me. Whether the author meant for that to be the case, I commend him for making me feel that way about nearly all of them for the majority of the book. I felt one character played a little too much hero for their vocation but hey it was fiction.
For me, the story was somewhat slower paced for more than half the book but I really felt it went someplace in the back half that provided a lot of listening enjoyment to get to the end which I pretty much had pegged which I guess was a win for me.
From a pet peeve standpoint, I didn’t like the voice of the character that appears in this book from his other books and the name pronunciation was totally different from what I recall. Different narrators probably causing it but I preferred the former books than this one on that point. This narrator was good but I liked the primary one from the other books a little bit more.
Overall impressed with this one and could totally see it becoming a streaming show with a lot of potential.
December 21, 2024
I am a big fan of Matt Goldman. Certainly, part of my attraction to his novels (The Murder Show is his eighth book) is that they are almost all set in the Minneapolis area where I live. It is fun to recognize the streets his characters drive down or the restaurants, the lakes, the neighborhoods. But also, Goldman writes like I want my mystery authors to write – with well-drawn out characters, complex plots and a dash of humor. The older I get the less I like the dark, evil-spewing mysteries, especially those which feature serial killers and books told from the point of view of a psychotic.
The Murder Show is Goldman’s latest stand-alone after three others and four in the Nils Shapiro (a Jewish, Minneapolis PI) series. All grab you on page one and keep you happy until the novel ends. Goldman is from Minnesota so his settings shine. A trifecta of setting, plot and characterization.
The Murder Show tells the tale of a showrunner (Ethan Harris) of a hit television crime series who is on a writer’s strike and comes back to Minneapolis to visit his parents and come up with ideas for the series next season. Ethan rediscovers his high school friend, Ro, now a Minneapolis police detective. The two of them decide to look into an old case where their mutual friend was tragically killed in a hit-and-run shortly after graduation. But of course, someone does not want Ethan and Ro to open the old wound or discover old secrets. Not only are the duo followed and threatened but new murders bring the case to the attention of the MPD. Fans of the Nils Shapiro series will enjoy the fact that Nils shows up in a minor role!
Matt Goldman is himself a playwright and writer for shows such as Seinfeld and Ellen who left the Twin Cities for Los Angeles to write full-time after attending the University of MN. He won the 2018 Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel with Gone to Dust and then again in 2020 for Best PI Novel for The Shallows. Both in the Nils Shapiro series.
I recommend my Minnesota friends rush out and get this fun romp through local neighborhoods. But for those of you outside the area, you need to discover Goldman’s action-packed, fun reads, if you have not already done so, for the excellent mysteries they are. Read the Nils Shapiro series in order but the four stand-alones are all unique. Happy Reading!
My rating: 5 of 5
This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review. The Murder Show will be published on April 15, 2025.
The Murder Show is Goldman’s latest stand-alone after three others and four in the Nils Shapiro (a Jewish, Minneapolis PI) series. All grab you on page one and keep you happy until the novel ends. Goldman is from Minnesota so his settings shine. A trifecta of setting, plot and characterization.
The Murder Show tells the tale of a showrunner (Ethan Harris) of a hit television crime series who is on a writer’s strike and comes back to Minneapolis to visit his parents and come up with ideas for the series next season. Ethan rediscovers his high school friend, Ro, now a Minneapolis police detective. The two of them decide to look into an old case where their mutual friend was tragically killed in a hit-and-run shortly after graduation. But of course, someone does not want Ethan and Ro to open the old wound or discover old secrets. Not only are the duo followed and threatened but new murders bring the case to the attention of the MPD. Fans of the Nils Shapiro series will enjoy the fact that Nils shows up in a minor role!
Matt Goldman is himself a playwright and writer for shows such as Seinfeld and Ellen who left the Twin Cities for Los Angeles to write full-time after attending the University of MN. He won the 2018 Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel with Gone to Dust and then again in 2020 for Best PI Novel for The Shallows. Both in the Nils Shapiro series.
I recommend my Minnesota friends rush out and get this fun romp through local neighborhoods. But for those of you outside the area, you need to discover Goldman’s action-packed, fun reads, if you have not already done so, for the excellent mysteries they are. Read the Nils Shapiro series in order but the four stand-alones are all unique. Happy Reading!
My rating: 5 of 5
This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review. The Murder Show will be published on April 15, 2025.
April 28, 2025
“Twenty-two years after Ethan Harris heard Ricky O’Shea‘s blood, yes heard Ricky‘s blood as it dripped from his body and splattered on the soft ground below, Ethan wheels his carry-on bag into his childhood home.”
Though this isn't what I'd call fast paced but it isn't slow either and I couldn't put it down. Character driven for sure, it also had moments of action and suspense along with a subtle mystery.
Easily the best part was Ethan's sarcastic and sardonic humor in the way he approaches life, including warm and lighthearted moments with his parents and their Jewish heritage. After returning home hoping to be inspired with a writing idea for the next season of his TV show, he reconnects with the literal girl next door, Ro. I could relate to the musings of both Ethan and Ro as they wondered what might have been if not for past events. Those past events are slowly revealed and long kept secrets emerge. Did a friend of theirs really die in an accidental hit and run, or was it something else?
It took me a bit to get used to Matt Goldman's writing style, which in some ways felt a little like a script due to the change in character perspective from one paragraph to the next. The nice part about that was knowing each person's thoughts about the same situation, which I always love.
The audiobook was done well, with narrator Dan Bittner having distinct voices for most of the characters. However, the voices for Ethan and Ro were not different enough for me especially given the writing style. Sometimes I had trouble following whose thoughts were being conveyed. That being said, Bittner's delivery of Ethan's humor was spot on!
THE MURDER SHOW is a compelling mystery, and an exploration of first love, family, and revisiting the past. There's a dark hidden underbelly to this tale but there's also a redemptive satisfying feeling of coming full circle. If you enjoy an investigative duo, witty banter and thought provoking moments, definitely grab this one!
____
Thank you Kaye Publicity, Forge Books and Macmillan Audio for my free copies. All thoughts are mine.
Though this isn't what I'd call fast paced but it isn't slow either and I couldn't put it down. Character driven for sure, it also had moments of action and suspense along with a subtle mystery.
Easily the best part was Ethan's sarcastic and sardonic humor in the way he approaches life, including warm and lighthearted moments with his parents and their Jewish heritage. After returning home hoping to be inspired with a writing idea for the next season of his TV show, he reconnects with the literal girl next door, Ro. I could relate to the musings of both Ethan and Ro as they wondered what might have been if not for past events. Those past events are slowly revealed and long kept secrets emerge. Did a friend of theirs really die in an accidental hit and run, or was it something else?
It took me a bit to get used to Matt Goldman's writing style, which in some ways felt a little like a script due to the change in character perspective from one paragraph to the next. The nice part about that was knowing each person's thoughts about the same situation, which I always love.
The audiobook was done well, with narrator Dan Bittner having distinct voices for most of the characters. However, the voices for Ethan and Ro were not different enough for me especially given the writing style. Sometimes I had trouble following whose thoughts were being conveyed. That being said, Bittner's delivery of Ethan's humor was spot on!
THE MURDER SHOW is a compelling mystery, and an exploration of first love, family, and revisiting the past. There's a dark hidden underbelly to this tale but there's also a redemptive satisfying feeling of coming full circle. If you enjoy an investigative duo, witty banter and thought provoking moments, definitely grab this one!
____
Thank you Kaye Publicity, Forge Books and Macmillan Audio for my free copies. All thoughts are mine.
May 1, 2025
Ethan Harris has his own popular television show, The Murder Show. His fourth season has hit a slump and he’s run out of ideas.
When he returns home, his old neighbor and classmate, Ro Greeman is in the same very house she lived in so long ago.
Ro is now bleeding blue… on the local police force. Why? She felt the need to investigate a long lost memory. Ricky O’Shea, their buddy from high school was murdered by a hit a run. They never found a suspect. Nada.
She approaches Ethan with the idea of Ricky being the victim and focus of his fourth season. But, this one is so close to home. Will it be a hit? Or will it be more murder?
An entertaining read full of lies, action and hidden secrets. Bad people doing really bad things. Who doesn’t love small town— true crime?
Out Now
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 5, 2025
The Murder Show is now the third thriller I've read by Matt Goldman, and I was again reminded just how cinematic his stories are!
Ethan Harris returns to his hometown after his season four pitch of The Murder Show is rejected and becomes re-united with his former classmate, Ro Greeman. Now, a local police officer, Ro, is investigating an unsolved crime, and Ethan hopes that by helping her, he will get some inspiration for his next TV script. As both Ethan and Ro were on the outskirts of their friend Ricky's death, they're seeking justice to find out if he was actually murdered or if his death was just a horrible accident.
Always succinct and never letting his descriptions overpower the story, Goldman captures readers' attention and instantly pulls them in. Goldman has a way of writing that paints such vivid imagery, creating scenes that would translate well to the big screen (which is his background). Managing again to write a little "will they, won't they" action within this story adds another real-life aspect of two high school flames reuniting. Goldman throws in a couple morally gray characters, although this time they're not as front and center as in his other books.
Dan Bittner was a fantastic choice to narrate this audiobook! His voice translated well throughout the many characters with this third-person omniscient viewpoint that Goldman does so well. Bittner is never once dramatic, which truly lets the story unfold as intended.
I can see this book being a hit with crime show TV watchers!
Thank you NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, Forge Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.
Ethan Harris returns to his hometown after his season four pitch of The Murder Show is rejected and becomes re-united with his former classmate, Ro Greeman. Now, a local police officer, Ro, is investigating an unsolved crime, and Ethan hopes that by helping her, he will get some inspiration for his next TV script. As both Ethan and Ro were on the outskirts of their friend Ricky's death, they're seeking justice to find out if he was actually murdered or if his death was just a horrible accident.
Always succinct and never letting his descriptions overpower the story, Goldman captures readers' attention and instantly pulls them in. Goldman has a way of writing that paints such vivid imagery, creating scenes that would translate well to the big screen (which is his background). Managing again to write a little "will they, won't they" action within this story adds another real-life aspect of two high school flames reuniting. Goldman throws in a couple morally gray characters, although this time they're not as front and center as in his other books.
Dan Bittner was a fantastic choice to narrate this audiobook! His voice translated well throughout the many characters with this third-person omniscient viewpoint that Goldman does so well. Bittner is never once dramatic, which truly lets the story unfold as intended.
I can see this book being a hit with crime show TV watchers!
Thank you NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, Forge Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.
May 17, 2025
Can anyone ever go home again?
Definitely, yes, especially if your family and friends are still there.
This book was fast paced, well written and took some interesting turns.
I enjoyed The Murder Show.
I recommend this quick read!
I even passed my copy onto the steward
on my airplane flight.
He was grateful and I brought a big smile to his face 😁.
Definitely, yes, especially if your family and friends are still there.
This book was fast paced, well written and took some interesting turns.
I enjoyed The Murder Show.
I recommend this quick read!
I even passed my copy onto the steward
on my airplane flight.
He was grateful and I brought a big smile to his face 😁.
August 12, 2025
I really liked the idea behind The Murder Show. The story following a TV crime drama creator investigating a real cold case has so much potential, especially with the twist of possibly turning it into part of his show. The small-town setting, the rekindled connection between Ethan and Ro, and digging into Ricky’s mysterious death all worked well for me.
The audiobook narration was very easy to follow, but where it fell a bit flat for me was in actually bringing the “show” aspect to life. I wanted more behind-the-scenes drama or a seamless blending of fiction and reality, but it never fully delivered on that angle. It did have some really good twisted thrown in though!
The audiobook narration was very easy to follow, but where it fell a bit flat for me was in actually bringing the “show” aspect to life. I wanted more behind-the-scenes drama or a seamless blending of fiction and reality, but it never fully delivered on that angle. It did have some really good twisted thrown in though!
April 10, 2025
Thank you @kayepublicity for inviting me to read and review THE MURDER SHOW and for my #gifted copy!
Ethan Harris is a writer for a TV crime drama called The Murder Show. It’s during the writer’s strike and he has returned to his hometown in Minneapolis, hoping the change in scenery will help him come up with an idea for the fourth season otherwise the show will be canceled. He is happy to find out his former neighbor Ro is now living in her childhood home. Ro is now a local police officer and asks for Ethan’s help in solving a hit and run that killed their friend Ricky the summer after high school. Soon they realize that someone does not want them to solve the cold case, and they find themselves in danger.
I enjoyed The Murder Show so much! The author was a television writer for Seinfeld, Ellen and other shows and I like how he incorporated his knowledge of television writing throughout the story. Ethan and Ro once explored having a relationship in their teenage years, but it never materialized. The chemistry between them was 🔥. There were plenty of shocking and twisty moments and I had a hard time putting my book down when it was time for bed. Overall, this was a fast-paced solid police procedural, and I have no problem recommending THE MURDER SHOW to mystery fans! I am keeping my fingers crossed for more books featuring Ethan and Ro!
I read the author’s Acknowledgments and was pleasantly surprised to read his father grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! My husband’s family were born and raised in Ishpeming and other surrounding areas and most still live there! It's not common for me hear about other "Yoopers" so that was fun!
Ethan Harris is a writer for a TV crime drama called The Murder Show. It’s during the writer’s strike and he has returned to his hometown in Minneapolis, hoping the change in scenery will help him come up with an idea for the fourth season otherwise the show will be canceled. He is happy to find out his former neighbor Ro is now living in her childhood home. Ro is now a local police officer and asks for Ethan’s help in solving a hit and run that killed their friend Ricky the summer after high school. Soon they realize that someone does not want them to solve the cold case, and they find themselves in danger.
I enjoyed The Murder Show so much! The author was a television writer for Seinfeld, Ellen and other shows and I like how he incorporated his knowledge of television writing throughout the story. Ethan and Ro once explored having a relationship in their teenage years, but it never materialized. The chemistry between them was 🔥. There were plenty of shocking and twisty moments and I had a hard time putting my book down when it was time for bed. Overall, this was a fast-paced solid police procedural, and I have no problem recommending THE MURDER SHOW to mystery fans! I am keeping my fingers crossed for more books featuring Ethan and Ro!
I read the author’s Acknowledgments and was pleasantly surprised to read his father grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! My husband’s family were born and raised in Ishpeming and other surrounding areas and most still live there! It's not common for me hear about other "Yoopers" so that was fun!
March 30, 2025
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC audiobook.
Great book and excellent narration!
Highly recommended!
Great book and excellent narration!
Highly recommended!
March 16, 2025
Phenomenal book! There was a lot of care put into this story and it is easy to see. I loved the details that Goldman included to bring the story to life, like being able to hear the blood dripping from the tree. This story came together as a cold case and spiraled into a massive multi-state manhunt but never felt goofy or unrealistic. The narrator brought the story to life well; kudos to them. I was drawn in by the title, but the story proved to be so much more than just one show runner trying to make another season of true crime.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Matt Goldman, and Macmillan audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Matt Goldman, and Macmillan audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.
May 4, 2025
Couldn’t put this one down! Another great mystery from Matt Goldman mostly set in one of my favorite Minneapolis neighborhoods, Linden Hills. Definitely pick this one up and follow Ethan and Ro as they investigate a high school friend’s death. Loved the twists and turns and see if you can guess the criminal mastermind. I didn’t!
September 25, 2024
Fantastic, seat of your pants roller coaster ride. And it didn't let up until the very end.
April 10, 2025
The Murder Show written by Matt Goldman and narrated by Dan Bitner, is a fast exciting read about Eathan Harris who goes back to his hometown in Minnesota when the writers go on strike. to make matters worse his pitch for the fourth season of his popular show was denied and he is scrambling to come up with a new plot line. When he arrives home he reconnects with Roe greenmen, his teenage crush and backyard neighbor. she’s now a detective in their small town and tells Eathan they should investigate the accident that killed their high school friend Ricky because it’s something that still haunts her. At first he says no as he is only home to visit his parents and wait for the writer strike to be over but just like when they were kids she talks him into it. They will find out many strange things about the case but the first twist is that Ricky wasn’t the only Minnesota teenager to be struck down on side of the highway but it seems the closer they get to the answer the more people that are killed. Eathan knows he’s bitten off more than he can chew but every time he tries to bow out Roe comes up with a reason for him to stay just a little longer. I really enjoyed this book it was a fast awesome read but really thought it could’ve done without all the potential romantic things between Eathan and Roe, for some reason I just didn’t buy a romance between them I thought he was better suited to Anna but alas that wasn’t to be either. All in all this was a really great book and if you love good murder mysteries with very likable characters to root for then you will definitely love this book. I listened to the audio version and thought it was awesome the narrator Dan Bittner did such a great job with character distinction setting an awesome tone and just giving a great performance. #NetGalley, #McMillanAudio, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,#MattGoldman, #TheMurderShow, #DanBittner,
August 15, 2025
I've never read the author before so I went into
The Murder Book
with an open mind.
The familiar trope of a main character returning home after a long absence is popular and in every other thriller/suspense book I've read since I began reading the genre.
My biggest issue is how generic and banal the characters are, especially Ethan and Ro.
They have no chemistry whatsoever, neither platonic or sexual.
Ethan was so dull; it was hard to imagine him as a creative.
I thought the true crime show he wrote for would be more relevant to his friend's mysterious death but the narrative focused mostly on how Ethan was lovesick and heartsick over Ro, who was pushy and annoying. But I guess you have to be to work in the police force in a small town.
Also, I'm really tired of podcast-themed novels.
Then, we get a lot of minor and supporting characters in the form of former childhood friends.
I get it, its nostalgic and bittersweet to see your friends twenty years later with gray hair and creases in their faces.
Old friends carry a meaningful place in your heart.
You have shared experiences at a tender and sensitive age that no one else can understand but it's so phony how the characters immediately start hanging out and sharing confidences.
The mystery wasn't shocking, maybe in a small town way, and the ending was rushed and the big bad was...hard to suspend disbelief for.
The narrative and characters were forgettable, but I liked the author's writing style.
The familiar trope of a main character returning home after a long absence is popular and in every other thriller/suspense book I've read since I began reading the genre.
My biggest issue is how generic and banal the characters are, especially Ethan and Ro.
They have no chemistry whatsoever, neither platonic or sexual.
Ethan was so dull; it was hard to imagine him as a creative.
I thought the true crime show he wrote for would be more relevant to his friend's mysterious death but the narrative focused mostly on how Ethan was lovesick and heartsick over Ro, who was pushy and annoying. But I guess you have to be to work in the police force in a small town.
Also, I'm really tired of podcast-themed novels.
Then, we get a lot of minor and supporting characters in the form of former childhood friends.
I get it, its nostalgic and bittersweet to see your friends twenty years later with gray hair and creases in their faces.
Old friends carry a meaningful place in your heart.
You have shared experiences at a tender and sensitive age that no one else can understand but it's so phony how the characters immediately start hanging out and sharing confidences.
The mystery wasn't shocking, maybe in a small town way, and the ending was rushed and the big bad was...hard to suspend disbelief for.
The narrative and characters were forgettable, but I liked the author's writing style.
April 19, 2025
Thank you, Macmillan Audio for the gifted advanced listening copy of this fun mystery novel!
Ethan Harris has headed home to Minnesota while the writers strike is happening. He’s the showrunner of the once-popular The Murder Show, which recently finished its third season but unless Ethan comes up with a fantastic storyline for, it will also be the show’s last. When his childhood neighbor, Ro Greeman (now a police officer), recommends Ethan use the mysterious death of their friend Ricky as inspiration, the two of them embark on a project to research the events of over 20 years ago. But the more they dig, the more trouble them seem to get into - and this cold case may not be so cold after all.
There was a ton to enjoy in this story. I was hooked by the evolving dynamic between Ro and Ethan. Their friendship felt authentic—full of history, warmth, and that instant ease you only find with the people who knew you way back when. The mystery itself strikes a great balance: part classic puzzle, part emotional reckoning. While I found myself wanting a bit more from the resolution, the journey was absorbing and entertaining throughout.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts 🎧 Dan Bittner does a lovely job in this solo narration - his narration captures all of the characters perfectly throughout the 7 hrs and 47 mins of the performance.
Ethan Harris has headed home to Minnesota while the writers strike is happening. He’s the showrunner of the once-popular The Murder Show, which recently finished its third season but unless Ethan comes up with a fantastic storyline for, it will also be the show’s last. When his childhood neighbor, Ro Greeman (now a police officer), recommends Ethan use the mysterious death of their friend Ricky as inspiration, the two of them embark on a project to research the events of over 20 years ago. But the more they dig, the more trouble them seem to get into - and this cold case may not be so cold after all.
There was a ton to enjoy in this story. I was hooked by the evolving dynamic between Ro and Ethan. Their friendship felt authentic—full of history, warmth, and that instant ease you only find with the people who knew you way back when. The mystery itself strikes a great balance: part classic puzzle, part emotional reckoning. While I found myself wanting a bit more from the resolution, the journey was absorbing and entertaining throughout.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts 🎧 Dan Bittner does a lovely job in this solo narration - his narration captures all of the characters perfectly throughout the 7 hrs and 47 mins of the performance.
August 26, 2025
3 stars. I really liked his last book but this one felt muddled and I never connected with any of the characters. The POV jumps constantly and across the most random assortment of characters. There are times I’d finish a POV and just be confused why it was included. The mystery could have been interesting but there’s no real explanation at rhetorical end for why their friend had to die
Ethan heads back to his hometown when the writers strike starts and his show is paused. He needs a new mystery for his next season and when his childhood friend now cop, Ro, reaches out asking for his help he is intrigued. Soon the two are trying to piece together an old murder of one of their friends and someone is very unhappy about it.
At the end it really felt like they took all the characters who were potential red herrings and were like YOU’RE ON A SECRET TASK FORCE because there was no logical way to explain any of their behavior. It was messy and didn’t feel satisfying and the villain was obvious from the start.
Ethan heads back to his hometown when the writers strike starts and his show is paused. He needs a new mystery for his next season and when his childhood friend now cop, Ro, reaches out asking for his help he is intrigued. Soon the two are trying to piece together an old murder of one of their friends and someone is very unhappy about it.
At the end it really felt like they took all the characters who were potential red herrings and were like YOU’RE ON A SECRET TASK FORCE because there was no logical way to explain any of their behavior. It was messy and didn’t feel satisfying and the villain was obvious from the start.
April 6, 2025
Who knew being a writer for a TV should could be so dangerous?
I really enjoyed this one. There was so much betrayal, bloodshed, and entangled emotions. I was really hoping something would happen between the two main characters, but there was so much going on and I understand you can't exactly get it on when someone's actively trying to kill you for trying to uncover the truth.
I really enjoyed this one. There was so much betrayal, bloodshed, and entangled emotions. I was really hoping something would happen between the two main characters, but there was so much going on and I understand you can't exactly get it on when someone's actively trying to kill you for trying to uncover the truth.
July 16, 2025
62% DNF - just don’t care about these characters or “mystery”. Other books I’m looking forward to are on my shelf.
June 23, 2025
Matt Goldman does it again! He captures the spirit of Minneapolis perfectly and what a treat that he joined us at book club!
May 8, 2025
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I went into this book with a certain expectation and that's where I went wrong. Going into books with expectations just sets you up for failure.
I didn't find a redeeming character in the book. I couldn't connect with any of them, couldn't care less about them, and their "quirks" felt way too try hard.
The whole "long lost friends from high school reconnecting" trope really just bothers me. Like, you were friends once, 22 years ago. Why does that grant you some undying loyalty? Idk. Maybe it's a me thing. Maybe I need therapy.
I found Ro to be pushy and insensitive, literally unable to take no for an answer, and in turn putting one of her oldest friends in danger.
Ethan was an annoying, inauthentic try hard who never got over being the nerdy kid so he just victimized himself in everything, yet liked to puff his chest out in false bravado.
He was in his hometown under the pretense of Jewish holidays, but never went to a single service. I felt that that being the reason he was home was rather superfluous. I know more about his parents and their overbearing (and irritating) ways than I know the characters.
The twist felt rushed and lazy and, for the life of me, I could not care less about Ethan's romantic feelings toward anyone. Honestly, the more I think about this book, the more I dislike it. It went from 2 stars to 1 in the period of me writing this review lol.
For all of my reviews in one place, visit my blog!
https://www.thewillowbranchbooks.com/...
I didn't find a redeeming character in the book. I couldn't connect with any of them, couldn't care less about them, and their "quirks" felt way too try hard.
The whole "long lost friends from high school reconnecting" trope really just bothers me. Like, you were friends once, 22 years ago. Why does that grant you some undying loyalty? Idk. Maybe it's a me thing. Maybe I need therapy.
I found Ro to be pushy and insensitive, literally unable to take no for an answer, and in turn putting one of her oldest friends in danger.
Ethan was an annoying, inauthentic try hard who never got over being the nerdy kid so he just victimized himself in everything, yet liked to puff his chest out in false bravado.
He was in his hometown under the pretense of Jewish holidays, but never went to a single service. I felt that that being the reason he was home was rather superfluous. I know more about his parents and their overbearing (and irritating) ways than I know the characters.
The twist felt rushed and lazy and, for the life of me, I could not care less about Ethan's romantic feelings toward anyone. Honestly, the more I think about this book, the more I dislike it. It went from 2 stars to 1 in the period of me writing this review lol.
For all of my reviews in one place, visit my blog!
https://www.thewillowbranchbooks.com/...
March 3, 2025
What? What? You think you know what's happening but you have no clue what's going on at all. This book pulls you in and didn't let go until very end! I thought i knew one thing and was rather upset that i was wrong! It was one of those books that was a true rollercoaster! Loved ever minute of this book
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