Echo Ellis: Adventures of a Girl Reporter

by Suzi Parker

Trouble always finds Echo Ellis. Constantly on the hunt for the next big scoop, Echo is a savvy journalist who does whatever it takes to land the story – whether sashaying into a club like a fashionista or skulking across muddy fields in her Wellies. With an enigmatic pedigree and a well-stamped passport, Echo learned at an early age that a seedy underbelly usually lurks right under a glossy surface. With that in mind, she often finds herself in dangerous, yet thrilling situations, as she strives to seek the truth in a snare of lies. One night at an art show, Echo meets Dash Oxford, a handsome doctor with a roving eye. Her reporter instinct kicks in – as does her attraction to this mysterious man – and Echo soon finds herself unraveling a Southern Gothic mystery in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. With her dry humor and penchant for irony, Echo matches wits with everyone from Southern pastors to corrupt politicians as she uncovers the big story while trying to stay alive.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 27, 2014

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzi Parker's Echo Ellis: Adventures of a Girl Reporter is a riveting yarn about Echo Ellis, a savvy Little Rock-based freelancer who does what it takes to get the story -- whether that means rolling full fashionista in her vintage Karmann Ghia or skulking across muddy fields in her Wellies. A fast-paced mystery unfolds as her seasoned reporter's intuition leads Echo through a trail of intrigue that stretches across Arkansas from the mountains to the delta. All the while, the story crackles with humor and irony as Echo matches wits with everyone from Southern pastors to sleazy politicians.

Parker's complex, sometimes morally ambiguous, characters add depth to the story -- the reader is never sure when someone might (or might not) change course and move the plot in an entirely new direction. Even Echo herself, despite being down-to-earth and smart as hell, is unconventional enough to keep the reader guessing. In fact, anticipating Echo's next move is as much fun as trying to figure out where the larger mystery is going.

First-time novelist Parker crafts a tight story that keeps the reader engaged to the last. The ending is especially satisfying, wrapping up the plot effectively without breaking the tone of the rest of the book or rushing through the pay-offs. Best of all, Parker seems to set up the characters for a sequel -- a welcome proposal.

[karen lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic adventures with Echo Ellis, girl reporter!

Fast paced and well written detective story. Echo Ellis is the unique and interesting hero and her clandestine adventures keep you enthralled and eager to follow her trail.
Always on a quest for a good story and with a knack for finding trouble, this reporter is an interesting character. Throw in a lust for life and love to spice it up just right, and you have an excellent heroine to admire and learn more about. I look forward to her next adventure.

[John Senner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Echo Ellis is attracted to Dash Oxford, handsome, wealthy doctor. But there are things that need investigation. She ends up exposing an international organ harvesting scheme. Lots of Arkansas local color. OK, OK, this is fiction: but there is no crematory in Arkansas City, and the Medical Examiner, by law, autopsies all deaths of prisoners.

Ms Parker has a future in the genre.