What do you think?
Rate this book
A Carol Childs Mystery #5
Reason to Doubt
PHOTOS TO DIE FOR
Carol Childs is in the middle of one of the biggest stories of her life. Her daughter Cate has returned from college with a boyfriend in tow. A photographer who police suspect to be The Model Slayer, responsible for the murder of three young women. Not since the Hillside Strangler has Los Angeles been so on edge. And when the police arrest Cate’s boyfriend, Carol’s personal life and professional worlds collide. A tattooed cocktail waitress calls the radio station and asks to speak with Carol off the record. She knows the true identity of the real Model Slayer because she says she killed him.
Tensions mount as the clock ticks. The police are convinced they have the right man. Mother and daughter aren’t talking. Carol can’t reveal to investigators all she knows, and unless Carol can find the real killer before the trial begins, an innocent man may spend the rest of his life in prison or be executed for a crime he didn’t commit.
Carol Childs is in the middle of one of the biggest stories of her life. Her daughter Cate has returned from college with a boyfriend in tow. A photographer who police suspect to be The Model Slayer, responsible for the murder of three young women. Not since the Hillside Strangler has Los Angeles been so on edge. And when the police arrest Cate’s boyfriend, Carol’s personal life and professional worlds collide. A tattooed cocktail waitress calls the radio station and asks to speak with Carol off the record. She knows the true identity of the real Model Slayer because she says she killed him.
Tensions mount as the clock ticks. The police are convinced they have the right man. Mother and daughter aren’t talking. Carol can’t reveal to investigators all she knows, and unless Carol can find the real killer before the trial begins, an innocent man may spend the rest of his life in prison or be executed for a crime he didn’t commit.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
252 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2018
6 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Cole Silverman
34 books364 followersNancy Cole Silverman spent nearly twenty-five in Los Angeles Talk Radio, beginning her career on the talent side as one of the first female voices on the air. Later, on the business side, she rose through the ranks and became one of two female general managers in the nation’s second-largest radio market. After a successful career in the radio industry, Silverman retired to write fiction. Her crime-focused novels and short stories have attracted readers throughout America. Her Carol Childs Mysteries series features a single mom whose day job as a reporter at a busy Los Angeles radio station often leads to long nights as a crime-solver. Her Misty Dawn Series is centered on an aging Hollywood Psychic to the Stars, who supplements her day-to-day activities as a consultant to the LAPD and the FBI. Silverman’s newest series, The Kat Lawson Mysteries, is centered on a disgraced investigative reporter who finds herself working for an international travel publication as an undercover operative for the FBI. Silverman lives in Los Angeles with her husband and thoroughly pampered standard poodle.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 11, 2018
The Carol Childs Mystery series written by Nancy Cole Silverman features Carol, who is a forty-year-old investigative reporter for a talk radio station in Los Angles. The radio part is what first drew me to this series, as I'm a fan of radio programs, including news programs and dramas. Carol takes her job seriously as a narrator of events in the fast-moving world of LA. Her determination to be thorough and fair wins her admiration, but in Reason to Doubt, it causes her daughter to accuse her mother of choosing her job over her.
For the past seven months, Carol has been involved in the investigation and reporting of the murders of three young models in the LA area. Carol discovered the body of the first victim and was on the scene of the second victim before any other reporters, so she has had an edge over other reporters on this case. She knew that the police were dealing with a serial murderer after the second murder, and the murderer has come to be known as the Model Slayer. The theory is that the Model Slayer is using a photographic session as a lure to get the girls alone and kill them, as photos of them were left scattered at the girls' feet.
As fate would have it, Carol's daughter Cate is dating a photographer who happens to have photographed a couple of the girls for their portfolios. The police think he did a final session where he killed the models, and arrest Pete Pompidou on suspicion of murder. Carol's boss, Tyler Hunt, presses her to get the story and bring it to KTLK ahead of the pack. This places Carol in a precarious position with her daughter, but Carol doesn't waiver in her duty to report the news without prejudice. Of course, Cate sees it differently and thinks her mother cares more about her job than her daughter's heartache. Carol can't tell Cate that a confidential source has contacted her, which has led to Carol doubting Pete's guilt, and with Carol's strong instinct for justice and truth, she is pursuing leads that will hopefully exonerate Pete.
Carol's source goes by the stage name, her pole-dancing name, of Xstacy, and claims that the Model Slayer is dead, since she ran over him with her van, on purpose. Xstacy swears Carol to silence on the confession that it was an intentional act. The police think it was an accident and haven't connected the dead man with the killings, as Xstacy killed him before they had any reason to suspect him. She, however, heard him talk about the killings and leaving the photographs at the scene, something the police hadn't let out to the public yet. Also in the loop about the demise of the man is a college girl with the stage name of Jewels who is a friend of Xstacy and helped set up the "accident." Carol certainly has her work cut out for her to prove that the dead man, Ely Wade, was the killer and not Pete, while keeping the identities of her sources secret and safe.
Pete is released, but the police still consider him their number one suspect, and when another murder like the Model Slayer's occurs almost right outside his door, the police are sure they have their man, although they think he had an accomplice. Carol is desperate to protect her daughter from the publicity surrounding Pete's re-arrest, and to convince the police they have the wrong man. However, the police are demanding that Carol turn over her confidential informants and all the information given to her. The ability of the press to keep their sources confidential when requested or when revelation might endanger them is crucial to a reporter's job, and Carol is adamant about keeping her word. Again, her resolve causes friction with Cate, but a life definitely depends on Carol's silence. Before the truth is complete, more than one life will depend on Carol putting the right pieces together.
Along with Cate, several other people are involved in this complex race to ensure the guilty are caught and the innocent are freed. A recent and brief romantic connection of Carol's, Chase, or Gerhardt Chasen, is called in by Carol's boss, as Chase is a private investigator and could be helpful to Carol's investigations. Carol is aware just how helpful Chase can be, but involved he does become, which proves to be useful. On the opposite side of Carol's pursuits is ex-boyfriend Eric, FBI agent on the case, working for the prosecution and against Pete. Then, there is the delightful Misty Dawn, Carol's psychic housekeeper, who has some reliable insights and is protective of Carol when she senses her friend is in danger. And, of course, there is Carol's best friend Sheri, who has the outfit for any and every occasion, even a trip to the Skylight Bar, where pole-dancing is the preferred choice of entertainment. Silverman has created an engaging and individually interesting cast of characters in this series, and Reason to Doubt showcases all their carefully developed, engaging personalities.
Besides great characters, the author keeps the story moving along through clever dialogue, including Carol's silent dialogue that she must keep to herself. The writing never becomes bogged down in unnecessary detail, and yet the reader will feel as if the scenery is familiar and the characters are old acquaintances. It's quite a coup that Silverman pulls off in relaying how gruesome the murders are without being graphic. She knows how to use her words to convey the message without being messy. The suspense will keep readers on point until the final reveal, which will be surprising but not deceiving. Reason to Doubt is the complete package and will entertain and thrill readers to the end.
In full disclosure, I received a copy of this book from the author. I guarantee that my review is an honest and complete one.
For the past seven months, Carol has been involved in the investigation and reporting of the murders of three young models in the LA area. Carol discovered the body of the first victim and was on the scene of the second victim before any other reporters, so she has had an edge over other reporters on this case. She knew that the police were dealing with a serial murderer after the second murder, and the murderer has come to be known as the Model Slayer. The theory is that the Model Slayer is using a photographic session as a lure to get the girls alone and kill them, as photos of them were left scattered at the girls' feet.
As fate would have it, Carol's daughter Cate is dating a photographer who happens to have photographed a couple of the girls for their portfolios. The police think he did a final session where he killed the models, and arrest Pete Pompidou on suspicion of murder. Carol's boss, Tyler Hunt, presses her to get the story and bring it to KTLK ahead of the pack. This places Carol in a precarious position with her daughter, but Carol doesn't waiver in her duty to report the news without prejudice. Of course, Cate sees it differently and thinks her mother cares more about her job than her daughter's heartache. Carol can't tell Cate that a confidential source has contacted her, which has led to Carol doubting Pete's guilt, and with Carol's strong instinct for justice and truth, she is pursuing leads that will hopefully exonerate Pete.
Carol's source goes by the stage name, her pole-dancing name, of Xstacy, and claims that the Model Slayer is dead, since she ran over him with her van, on purpose. Xstacy swears Carol to silence on the confession that it was an intentional act. The police think it was an accident and haven't connected the dead man with the killings, as Xstacy killed him before they had any reason to suspect him. She, however, heard him talk about the killings and leaving the photographs at the scene, something the police hadn't let out to the public yet. Also in the loop about the demise of the man is a college girl with the stage name of Jewels who is a friend of Xstacy and helped set up the "accident." Carol certainly has her work cut out for her to prove that the dead man, Ely Wade, was the killer and not Pete, while keeping the identities of her sources secret and safe.
Pete is released, but the police still consider him their number one suspect, and when another murder like the Model Slayer's occurs almost right outside his door, the police are sure they have their man, although they think he had an accomplice. Carol is desperate to protect her daughter from the publicity surrounding Pete's re-arrest, and to convince the police they have the wrong man. However, the police are demanding that Carol turn over her confidential informants and all the information given to her. The ability of the press to keep their sources confidential when requested or when revelation might endanger them is crucial to a reporter's job, and Carol is adamant about keeping her word. Again, her resolve causes friction with Cate, but a life definitely depends on Carol's silence. Before the truth is complete, more than one life will depend on Carol putting the right pieces together.
Along with Cate, several other people are involved in this complex race to ensure the guilty are caught and the innocent are freed. A recent and brief romantic connection of Carol's, Chase, or Gerhardt Chasen, is called in by Carol's boss, as Chase is a private investigator and could be helpful to Carol's investigations. Carol is aware just how helpful Chase can be, but involved he does become, which proves to be useful. On the opposite side of Carol's pursuits is ex-boyfriend Eric, FBI agent on the case, working for the prosecution and against Pete. Then, there is the delightful Misty Dawn, Carol's psychic housekeeper, who has some reliable insights and is protective of Carol when she senses her friend is in danger. And, of course, there is Carol's best friend Sheri, who has the outfit for any and every occasion, even a trip to the Skylight Bar, where pole-dancing is the preferred choice of entertainment. Silverman has created an engaging and individually interesting cast of characters in this series, and Reason to Doubt showcases all their carefully developed, engaging personalities.
Besides great characters, the author keeps the story moving along through clever dialogue, including Carol's silent dialogue that she must keep to herself. The writing never becomes bogged down in unnecessary detail, and yet the reader will feel as if the scenery is familiar and the characters are old acquaintances. It's quite a coup that Silverman pulls off in relaying how gruesome the murders are without being graphic. She knows how to use her words to convey the message without being messy. The suspense will keep readers on point until the final reveal, which will be surprising but not deceiving. Reason to Doubt is the complete package and will entertain and thrill readers to the end.
In full disclosure, I received a copy of this book from the author. I guarantee that my review is an honest and complete one.
November 14, 2018
Radio reporter Carol Childs's daughter, Cate, is home for the summer, and she's brought a boyfriend with her. Pete makes his living as a photographer, and the police begin to suspect him of being the Model Slayer, a serial killer who has been claiming victims in the Los Angeles area for the past several months. Cate insists that Pete is innocent, and Carol doesn't find him a compelling suspect either, but then a phone call at the station sheds new light on the case. Is Pete innocent? Can Carol figure out who the killer really is?
The premise of this entry in the series intrigued me, and it didn't disappoint at all. This case becomes very personal for Carol for a couple of reasons, and that helped drive the plot. We got plenty of twists before reaching a page turning climax. The plot also brings out a different side of Carol, which I enjoyed seeing. The characters are all strong, and I loved seeing how Carol's love life progressed. The series straddles the line between cozy and traditional, and the subject matter here makes this book no exception. Just know that going in, and you'll be fine. Once you start, you'll definitely be hooked and turning pages as quickly as you can.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
The premise of this entry in the series intrigued me, and it didn't disappoint at all. This case becomes very personal for Carol for a couple of reasons, and that helped drive the plot. We got plenty of twists before reaching a page turning climax. The plot also brings out a different side of Carol, which I enjoyed seeing. The characters are all strong, and I loved seeing how Carol's love life progressed. The series straddles the line between cozy and traditional, and the subject matter here makes this book no exception. Just know that going in, and you'll be fine. Once you start, you'll definitely be hooked and turning pages as quickly as you can.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 3, 2018
I like this series very much as each story touches on a major issue. This question within this book is if a reporter must reveal her source to aid the police to `solve a case.
Carol Child's is a radio reporter for a Los Angles talk show. She has been in the forefront of each victim of the model slayer. Her daughter, Cate is in town and when the police arrested Cafe's boyfriend as the killer. Carol received a call from a person she knows that my friend is not guilty as she killed the man. Additional victims have been found. Carol received pressure to inform the police about the call. Cate feels her Mother is not supporting her. Will Carol go to jail to protect her source.? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Edelweiss and Henery Press for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
Carol Child's is a radio reporter for a Los Angles talk show. She has been in the forefront of each victim of the model slayer. Her daughter, Cate is in town and when the police arrested Cafe's boyfriend as the killer. Carol received a call from a person she knows that my friend is not guilty as she killed the man. Additional victims have been found. Carol received pressure to inform the police about the call. Cate feels her Mother is not supporting her. Will Carol go to jail to protect her source.? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Edelweiss and Henery Press for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 19, 2018
Each book in this series seems to top the previous one and I'm not sure how! This series keeps me engaged and on the edge of my seat wondering what the characters will uncover next. Plus each character seems like someone you might know or could possibly meet in your everyday life. She also brings to life some careers that many of us would not consider (exotic dance) and puts a different spin on that career field that might at least make you understand why someone might perform these jobs.
Carol always manages to be in the right place at the right time, or in this case, almost the wrong place based on a sequence of events that has her in front of a judge wanting to know more about what she knows to help solve a crime. In this case, it is a continuation of an unsolved crime - the Model Slayer. Carol has uncovered several bodies and it isn't until this book that the murderer is uncovered. But it takes some doing and not without misdirection and Carol's daughter, Cate, getting caught up in everything since it is her boyfriend that is accused of being the killer. Let's just say when it is all revealed you will be quite surprised to learn who the killer is because it is definitely not someone that ever piqued an interest in my mind.
This story also has some romance between Carol and Chase. But there is also Eric, a former/past interest for Carol and he seems to pop up quite a bit in this book since he is working on the case to uncover the killer.
I'm looking forward to what Carol is up to in the next installment and we give this book 5 paws up.
Carol always manages to be in the right place at the right time, or in this case, almost the wrong place based on a sequence of events that has her in front of a judge wanting to know more about what she knows to help solve a crime. In this case, it is a continuation of an unsolved crime - the Model Slayer. Carol has uncovered several bodies and it isn't until this book that the murderer is uncovered. But it takes some doing and not without misdirection and Carol's daughter, Cate, getting caught up in everything since it is her boyfriend that is accused of being the killer. Let's just say when it is all revealed you will be quite surprised to learn who the killer is because it is definitely not someone that ever piqued an interest in my mind.
This story also has some romance between Carol and Chase. But there is also Eric, a former/past interest for Carol and he seems to pop up quite a bit in this book since he is working on the case to uncover the killer.
I'm looking forward to what Carol is up to in the next installment and we give this book 5 paws up.
November 10, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Los Angeles has a killer on the loose, The Model Slayer, and radio reporter Carol Childs either finds the bodies or is one of the first people to arrive on the scene. Great for her station to get the scoop but not great for her family especially when she learns her daughter’s boyfriend’s been arrested as the murderer, his apartment has been searched and her daughter was there. Then Carol gets a confidential call from a cocktail waitress that gives the case a whole new spin. Can Carol find the proof to save her daughter’s boyfriend? or will she end up behind bars to protect her source?
Carol Childs is a wonderful protagonist. Her job has her on the streets chasing down stories and when those stories are murders she just can’t resist the need to find the truth. She always finds a way to get people to confide in her. Again, the police feel they have their man but the evidence is clearly circumstantial. Adding her daughter into the mix makes the mystery personal. All the characters in the story ring true, their relationships are fleshed out and their dialogues are believable.
The author has written a story with a ripped from the headlines feel. I could easily see this story as an episode on a television crime drama. Well-plotted, the reader is hooked from beginning to end. The pace is brisk and my Kindle pages were flying. I had a great time following Carol on this journey.
This is the 5th book in this series and each one has been excellent. I highly recommend them all and believe they should be read in order to get to know the characters and enjoy their growth. That being said, new readers can enjoy this story on its own. No “Doubt” about it, this story is a must read.
Los Angeles has a killer on the loose, The Model Slayer, and radio reporter Carol Childs either finds the bodies or is one of the first people to arrive on the scene. Great for her station to get the scoop but not great for her family especially when she learns her daughter’s boyfriend’s been arrested as the murderer, his apartment has been searched and her daughter was there. Then Carol gets a confidential call from a cocktail waitress that gives the case a whole new spin. Can Carol find the proof to save her daughter’s boyfriend? or will she end up behind bars to protect her source?
Carol Childs is a wonderful protagonist. Her job has her on the streets chasing down stories and when those stories are murders she just can’t resist the need to find the truth. She always finds a way to get people to confide in her. Again, the police feel they have their man but the evidence is clearly circumstantial. Adding her daughter into the mix makes the mystery personal. All the characters in the story ring true, their relationships are fleshed out and their dialogues are believable.
The author has written a story with a ripped from the headlines feel. I could easily see this story as an episode on a television crime drama. Well-plotted, the reader is hooked from beginning to end. The pace is brisk and my Kindle pages were flying. I had a great time following Carol on this journey.
This is the 5th book in this series and each one has been excellent. I highly recommend them all and believe they should be read in order to get to know the characters and enjoy their growth. That being said, new readers can enjoy this story on its own. No “Doubt” about it, this story is a must read.
November 9, 2018
“Reason to Doubt” Nancy Cole Silverman is book five in the “Carol Childs Mystery” series. The main characters continue from previous books, and background information is integrated seamlessly into the current storyline, so it is not necessary to have read the other books to enjoy this one.
Carol Childs is a radio reporter in Los Angeles. Her daughter Cate has a new boyfriend, Pete, an ambitious fashion photographer. In a plot so current that it could be read in today’s newspaper, police are diligently searching for “The Model Slayer” a photographer responsible for the deaths of three young women, and they thing they have found the murderer, Pete. Child’s personal life collides with her professional career. Her relationship with her daughter deteriorates, and her job as an investigative reporter leads her to critical information about the crime.
Silverman’s pacing is appropriate, and the plot moves along nicely without getting bogged down. The characters are believable and multi-dimensional. They are real people with real jobs and real problems. The situations accurately reflect real life struggles and conflicts. (Certainly many parents have been surprised when a child suddenly introduces that special friend.)
The strength of the Carol Childs series is that each novel deals with an intricate social problem, and the result is a novel rich in complexity and moral challenges. In this book Childs, an investigative reporter, must balance her professional responsibility to protect the confidentiality of a source against a moral obligation to reveal information that will assist the police in solving the terrible murders, The consequence of that decision, either way, is something “real-life” reporters face constantly.
I received a copy of “Reason to Doubt” from Nancy Cole Silverman, Henery Press, and Edelweiss. “Reason to Doubt” is an easy to read book containing both mystery and murder. It has sufficient suspense and tension to keep readers turning the pages without too much blood and gore. It is entertaining, thought provoking, and satisfying at the end. The previous books are just as enjoyable, so if this is your first in the Carol Childs series, there are four more great books to read.
Carol Childs is a radio reporter in Los Angeles. Her daughter Cate has a new boyfriend, Pete, an ambitious fashion photographer. In a plot so current that it could be read in today’s newspaper, police are diligently searching for “The Model Slayer” a photographer responsible for the deaths of three young women, and they thing they have found the murderer, Pete. Child’s personal life collides with her professional career. Her relationship with her daughter deteriorates, and her job as an investigative reporter leads her to critical information about the crime.
Silverman’s pacing is appropriate, and the plot moves along nicely without getting bogged down. The characters are believable and multi-dimensional. They are real people with real jobs and real problems. The situations accurately reflect real life struggles and conflicts. (Certainly many parents have been surprised when a child suddenly introduces that special friend.)
The strength of the Carol Childs series is that each novel deals with an intricate social problem, and the result is a novel rich in complexity and moral challenges. In this book Childs, an investigative reporter, must balance her professional responsibility to protect the confidentiality of a source against a moral obligation to reveal information that will assist the police in solving the terrible murders, The consequence of that decision, either way, is something “real-life” reporters face constantly.
I received a copy of “Reason to Doubt” from Nancy Cole Silverman, Henery Press, and Edelweiss. “Reason to Doubt” is an easy to read book containing both mystery and murder. It has sufficient suspense and tension to keep readers turning the pages without too much blood and gore. It is entertaining, thought provoking, and satisfying at the end. The previous books are just as enjoyable, so if this is your first in the Carol Childs series, there are four more great books to read.
August 28, 2018
Fierce, quick-witted Carol Childs is a spirited, driven reporter for a major Los Angeles radio station. Cool-headed but compassionate, Carol finds herself caught between her big story and her need to protect her own daughter. She’s a creative and endearing heroine. The tight plotting and brisk pace draw you in from page one and won’t let you go until you reach the satisfying end. This is a top-flight series. Readers will be hungry for more from Nancy Cole Silverman, a writer whose books should be on every crime fiction reader’s bedside table.
September 3, 2019
Once again, investigative reporter Carol Childs is on the case, but this time, it’s personal. Not only did she discover the first victim of a serial killer dubbed the Model Slayer; now her daughter’s boyfriend is the prime suspect. Carol takes it on herself to find the real killer and prove the boyfriend’s innocence … even though she doesn’t know him well enough to be sure. A caller to the radio station claims to know the real killer’s identity because she ran him down with her car. She and a friend fear the murderer’s partner is out for revenge. Carol promises to keep her source and the confession a secret, even if it means going to jail herself.
While I wasn’t able to follow all of Carol’s logical leaps, she is an enjoyable and competent companion when a mystery is afoot. There’s plenty of domestic tension, too. Carol’s daughter Cate is home after her first year of college and wants to be treated as an adult. Carol is both exasperating and relatable in her protective Mama Bear role to her teenage children who don’t want to be protected. The case also puts Carol back in the orbit of handsome PI Chase, with whom she had a dalliance she enjoyed but regrets; and her FBI agent ex, for whom she still has feelings. It’s not a romance, but sparks of interest and attraction fly. In addition to the mystery elements, the story is liberally sprinkled with tidbits about radio production, journalistic ethics, and issues such as pedestrian deaths and college girls working as exotic dancers to pay for room and board. Fan’s of Carol’s friend Sheri (and Sheri’s legendary closet) will not be disappointed.
While I wasn’t able to follow all of Carol’s logical leaps, she is an enjoyable and competent companion when a mystery is afoot. There’s plenty of domestic tension, too. Carol’s daughter Cate is home after her first year of college and wants to be treated as an adult. Carol is both exasperating and relatable in her protective Mama Bear role to her teenage children who don’t want to be protected. The case also puts Carol back in the orbit of handsome PI Chase, with whom she had a dalliance she enjoyed but regrets; and her FBI agent ex, for whom she still has feelings. It’s not a romance, but sparks of interest and attraction fly. In addition to the mystery elements, the story is liberally sprinkled with tidbits about radio production, journalistic ethics, and issues such as pedestrian deaths and college girls working as exotic dancers to pay for room and board. Fan’s of Carol’s friend Sheri (and Sheri’s legendary closet) will not be disappointed.
September 25, 2018
# 5 in this series.
Carol's investigative reporting job comes up against family obligations when her daughter Cate's boyfriend, Pete, is arrested as the Model Serial Killer. Trying to steer clear of P.I. Chase, is working for Carol until her boss, Tyler Hunt, and the station's lawyer hire him to help the investigation and protect Carol.
Grim death scenes are not over-detailed nor gruesome, yet not cozy level.
Another well written Carol Childs Mystery that I volunteered to read from Henery Press through Edeweiss.
Release date is November 6 2018.
Carol's investigative reporting job comes up against family obligations when her daughter Cate's boyfriend, Pete, is arrested as the Model Serial Killer. Trying to steer clear of P.I. Chase, is working for Carol until her boss, Tyler Hunt, and the station's lawyer hire him to help the investigation and protect Carol.
Grim death scenes are not over-detailed nor gruesome, yet not cozy level.
Another well written Carol Childs Mystery that I volunteered to read from Henery Press through Edeweiss.
Release date is November 6 2018.
August 4, 2018
Another excellent adventure for reporter Carol Childs. Her college-aged daughter Cate returns home with an aspiring fashion photographer named Pete Pompidou, but because Carol has been investigating the deaths of three young models, she has deep concerns about Pete. When he is arrested, she tries to keep her daughter safe in case he is the killer. Incriminating photos of the women were found in his apartment, but Cate is convinced he is innocent. This sends Carol on a daring quest to find the killer and prove that her daughter's instincts for her boyfriend are right.
December 30, 2018
Reason to Doubt is the first book I've read by this author and I'm hooked! Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Reason To Doubt is the fifth book in the Carol Childs Mystery series. A very well written mystery that will pull you in. Definitely a must read!!
October 11, 2018
Carol Childs works for a radio station in Los Angeles as a reporter. She's just met her daughter's boyfriend Pete, who's an aspiring photographer, and she thinks he's nice enough, but still worries that Cate is too young to be seriously involved with anyone. Suddenly both her life and that of Cate's is upended. Her daughter calls in a panic and says the police have arrested Pete as the Model Slayer - a man who has been randomly killing women and posing them around the valley. Cate insists there's no way Pete could be the killer, but Carol doesn't know him well enough to decide.
Then she gets a telephone call and a woman tells her that Pete couldn't be the killer, because she'd already killed him. When Carol meets with her, the young woman calling herself Xstacy explains what happened and how she knows Pete's not guilty - giving Carol information only the police know which strengthens her story.
Even though she's close to the situation because of Cate, she insists she's given the story by her boss and when she investigates further, she discovers that while Pete may not be guilty, there's an awful lot of evidence pointing to the fact that he is. Will Carol be able to prove his innocence or will he go down for crimes he knew nothing about? She now not only has to help her daughter, she has to protect her sources from both the police and a killer or lose everything...
I thoroughly enjoyed this fifth book in the Carol Childs Mysteries. The writing is crisp, the story line original, and the characterizations of people and places fully dimensional. You can almost sense Carol's angst against having to protect her sources against helping her daughter; while Cate doesn't truly understand what her mother is going through, she only knows that she loves Pete and wants him out of jail at any cost - and that brings the tension between them front and center.
We also have the return of Chase, a private investigator with a recent past with Carol, who's been hired to help any way he can, all the while still intimating that he'd like to continue where they left off. The romance in the story is by no means overshadowing the mystery which is a good thing, but it is there nonetheless, and you can tell Carol is trying to keep him at arms' length while also trying to sort out her feelings for him and for her ex-boyfriend, an FBI agent who has temporarily entered her life - but on the other side for the prosecution.
The story moved along quickly, and while the descriptions weren't graphic of the dead women you still managed to imagine the horror in your mind, thinking of what they must have gone through before they were killed. When there's another murder that hits close to home, Carol is even more desperate to find the killer before he finds her source and kills again, and it is in the last few chapters that it all comes to a head.
When the book is over and the killer is revealed it comes as a complete surprise; there were plenty of twists in the story and enough red herrings to keep one looking in more than one direction. Ms. Silverman is a talented story teller who is able to grab one at the very beginning of a book and keep you on the edge of your seat right through the last page. I have enjoyed each and every one of these books, and they are on my shelf as 'keepers.' Highly recommended.
Then she gets a telephone call and a woman tells her that Pete couldn't be the killer, because she'd already killed him. When Carol meets with her, the young woman calling herself Xstacy explains what happened and how she knows Pete's not guilty - giving Carol information only the police know which strengthens her story.
Even though she's close to the situation because of Cate, she insists she's given the story by her boss and when she investigates further, she discovers that while Pete may not be guilty, there's an awful lot of evidence pointing to the fact that he is. Will Carol be able to prove his innocence or will he go down for crimes he knew nothing about? She now not only has to help her daughter, she has to protect her sources from both the police and a killer or lose everything...
I thoroughly enjoyed this fifth book in the Carol Childs Mysteries. The writing is crisp, the story line original, and the characterizations of people and places fully dimensional. You can almost sense Carol's angst against having to protect her sources against helping her daughter; while Cate doesn't truly understand what her mother is going through, she only knows that she loves Pete and wants him out of jail at any cost - and that brings the tension between them front and center.
We also have the return of Chase, a private investigator with a recent past with Carol, who's been hired to help any way he can, all the while still intimating that he'd like to continue where they left off. The romance in the story is by no means overshadowing the mystery which is a good thing, but it is there nonetheless, and you can tell Carol is trying to keep him at arms' length while also trying to sort out her feelings for him and for her ex-boyfriend, an FBI agent who has temporarily entered her life - but on the other side for the prosecution.
The story moved along quickly, and while the descriptions weren't graphic of the dead women you still managed to imagine the horror in your mind, thinking of what they must have gone through before they were killed. When there's another murder that hits close to home, Carol is even more desperate to find the killer before he finds her source and kills again, and it is in the last few chapters that it all comes to a head.
When the book is over and the killer is revealed it comes as a complete surprise; there were plenty of twists in the story and enough red herrings to keep one looking in more than one direction. Ms. Silverman is a talented story teller who is able to grab one at the very beginning of a book and keep you on the edge of your seat right through the last page. I have enjoyed each and every one of these books, and they are on my shelf as 'keepers.' Highly recommended.
March 19, 2019
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 5.0 of 5
Nancy Cole Silverman's Carol Childs Mystery series just keeps getting better and better. In Reason to Doubt, Carol faces a parenting nightmare when her daughter's boyfriend - an apparently serious, staying-overnight boyfriend - is accused of some grisly co-ed murders. Carol gets a look at some of the preliminary evidence and it definitely points to the boyfriend. But her daughter doesn't believe it and asks Carol to prove him innocent.
Silverman brings us into the story by making it personal. Almost any parent can recognize the desire to protect a child - to keep a child safe from danger ... even an adult child. But at the same time, trying to find that balance between protecting and being over-bearing. It seems even more difficult when your job brings you closer to the story. Carol Childs has to balance not only her concern for her daughter, but her objectivity with her job as well. How does she report about the girlfriend of the prime suspect when that person is her daughter?
The mystery is well put-together - as we have come to expect from Silverman. The evidence does seem overwhelming against the boyfriend and it's only Childs' determination to help her daughter that keeps her poking in to other leads when the police and DA are sure they've got their man.
A side plot (more than just a sub-plot) has a couple of female witnesses, who want to stay out of the police light, give Childs some clues, but a mystery around them seems almost as intense. And of course it all comes together.
I'm enjoying this series. What at first started out as a pretty light mystery read has developed into some strong, heavy mysteries. Fans of the mystery genre should definitely get in on this. I would consider this border-line 'cozy' with some intensity.
Looking for a good book? Reason to Doubt is a strong showing in the Carol Childs Mystery series by Nancy Cole Silverman.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
Nancy Cole Silverman's Carol Childs Mystery series just keeps getting better and better. In Reason to Doubt, Carol faces a parenting nightmare when her daughter's boyfriend - an apparently serious, staying-overnight boyfriend - is accused of some grisly co-ed murders. Carol gets a look at some of the preliminary evidence and it definitely points to the boyfriend. But her daughter doesn't believe it and asks Carol to prove him innocent.
Silverman brings us into the story by making it personal. Almost any parent can recognize the desire to protect a child - to keep a child safe from danger ... even an adult child. But at the same time, trying to find that balance between protecting and being over-bearing. It seems even more difficult when your job brings you closer to the story. Carol Childs has to balance not only her concern for her daughter, but her objectivity with her job as well. How does she report about the girlfriend of the prime suspect when that person is her daughter?
The mystery is well put-together - as we have come to expect from Silverman. The evidence does seem overwhelming against the boyfriend and it's only Childs' determination to help her daughter that keeps her poking in to other leads when the police and DA are sure they've got their man.
A side plot (more than just a sub-plot) has a couple of female witnesses, who want to stay out of the police light, give Childs some clues, but a mystery around them seems almost as intense. And of course it all comes together.
I'm enjoying this series. What at first started out as a pretty light mystery read has developed into some strong, heavy mysteries. Fans of the mystery genre should definitely get in on this. I would consider this border-line 'cozy' with some intensity.
Looking for a good book? Reason to Doubt is a strong showing in the Carol Childs Mystery series by Nancy Cole Silverman.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2018
In Reason to Doubt, Carol Childs, a forty year old divorced mother of two works as an investigative reporter for a small southern CA talk radio station. She is currently involved in trying to find the serial killer known as Model Slayer because of his choice of victims and his trademarks at the crime scene. This investigation takes Carol into some seedy places and dangerous situations. It also puts her in direct conflict with her daughter Cate at the same time she is trying to prove Cate’s boyfriend’s innocence. She finds herself in conflict with the official investigation as she protects her confidential sources.
The plot is complicated and although the crimes are solved, the psychological motivation is hinted at but not specified. At times it feels like the investigation is circular, not really going anywhere. Cate is a major driver of the storyline, but she is not well developed. What I knew of her, I didn’t like; she is immature and selfish. On the positive side, she does stand up for the person she believed in, but she could be a poster child for a “love is blind” movement. The ending is a surprise because it is not a conclusion you would expect from Carol’s research, but I had my suspicions about that character from the time of his introduction into the plot. Despite those criticisms, I did like the book and would recommend it.
I would like to extend my thanks to Edelweiss and to Henery Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The plot is complicated and although the crimes are solved, the psychological motivation is hinted at but not specified. At times it feels like the investigation is circular, not really going anywhere. Cate is a major driver of the storyline, but she is not well developed. What I knew of her, I didn’t like; she is immature and selfish. On the positive side, she does stand up for the person she believed in, but she could be a poster child for a “love is blind” movement. The ending is a surprise because it is not a conclusion you would expect from Carol’s research, but I had my suspicions about that character from the time of his introduction into the plot. Despite those criticisms, I did like the book and would recommend it.
I would like to extend my thanks to Edelweiss and to Henery Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2018
If you like interesting characters, twisting plot development, learning about odd things, areas and history of Los Angeles I doubt that you know anything about--this book is for you.
The Carol Childs books are always a fun and fascinating read. To her credit, Nancy has grown as a writer and the characters, situations and relationships have become richer and more comfortable for me as a reader. Reason to Doubt is one of her best, if not the best of the series. I was drawn into the lives of the characters and could feel, relate to, their reactions.
Carol's superb work and intuition and ability to get people to trust her have led her to the middle of a race to catch a serial killer. This time she must balance her relationship with her daughter with her responsibilities as an investigative reporter. In the process, her relationship with her young boss/sometimes nemesis, Tyler, rises to a new level, one I very much enjoyed.
Best of all, it was an excellent story, well told.
The Carol Childs books are always a fun and fascinating read. To her credit, Nancy has grown as a writer and the characters, situations and relationships have become richer and more comfortable for me as a reader. Reason to Doubt is one of her best, if not the best of the series. I was drawn into the lives of the characters and could feel, relate to, their reactions.
Carol's superb work and intuition and ability to get people to trust her have led her to the middle of a race to catch a serial killer. This time she must balance her relationship with her daughter with her responsibilities as an investigative reporter. In the process, her relationship with her young boss/sometimes nemesis, Tyler, rises to a new level, one I very much enjoyed.
Best of all, it was an excellent story, well told.
September 25, 2018
When the prime suspect in the serial murders of models hits close to home, Carol Childs must choose between family and her career. Time is running out for Carol to help solve the murders of three models where she happens to be one of the first reporters on site when the bodies are found. Her daughter is dating the prime suspect. A witness has entrusted Carol with all that she knows in an effort to help stop the killing. When that woman is found murdered and posed in the same way as the other victims, the police want Carol to break the confidentiality code, but that could lead to another murder. Carol wrestles with the decision she needs to make, while trying to find the real killer and mend fences with her daughter.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy from the author. Whether you are a fan of Nancy Cole Silverman's Carol Childs or a newcomer, you will be drawn in to this book from the beginning.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy from the author. Whether you are a fan of Nancy Cole Silverman's Carol Childs or a newcomer, you will be drawn in to this book from the beginning.
November 14, 2018
REASON TO DOUBT is #5 of Nancy Cole Silverman's engaging Carol Childs Mysteries Series. Carol is a talk-radio journalist, a single mom of a college-age daughter, and a woman with a passion for discovering and reporting the truth. When her daughter, temporarily home from her pre-med university experience, calls Carol in panic because her new boyfriend has just been arrested on suspicion of being a serial killer, Carol convinces her boss she is the reporter for the job and throws herself into the investigation. Simultaneously she is trying to keep her rocky relationship with her daughter on an even keel (next to impossible, it seems) and keep an attractive friend/colleague, a local private investigator, at arms' length (despite their former brief encounter). Carol is a really likable character and I found it very easy to empathise with her, and her struggles to balance all the needs and responsibilities in her life.
November 7, 2018
Carol's daughter's boyfriend is a suspect in The Model Slayer killings. Cate is fighting with Carol and thinks she has betrayed her and her boyfriend. Carol has some important information about the killings but has promised her source that she would not tell who the source is. Besides, doing so could either land her in jail or get her fired from her job and out of work. What is a mother to do? You will have to read the book to find out how Carol handles this. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Edelweiss+.
December 13, 2018
The Carol Childs Mystery series is still going strong. This is the fifth book and Nancy Cole Silverman continues to provide her readers with another great read. The storyline in this one hits really close to home for Carol. I love the plot twists and turns. Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting it down. Carol is determined to use her journalism and deduction skills to figure out who the murderer is. At the end, all is worked out and things seem to be getting interesting in her relationship with Chase. Definitely looking forward to another one.
November 8, 2018
This is a fast paced and engaging book. I classified it as soft boiled versus cozy because of some adult themes surrounding the murder, but no language or violence takes place that this cozy mystery fan objected to. The book kept me hooked from beginning to end. Carol Childs is a strong and vibrant protagonist you can’t help but root for.
Complete review can be found here:
https://cozyexperience.com/reason-to-...
Complete review can be found here:
https://cozyexperience.com/reason-to-...
November 5, 2018
Exciting page turner. A smidgeon of romance, friends and family issues. legal problems, and so much more all add up to an entertaining adventure. A good series and I am looking forward to reading the next one. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via Edelweiss.
November 20, 2018
Nancy's books are well-crafted and move right along. Each can stand alone, but I think that reading them in order is more fun!
January 26, 2019
Good reading experience. Most of the characters are well developed. Good mystery setup.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews