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Vermont Radio Mystery #1
Live, Local, and Dead
Death waits for snowman in Nikki Knight’s new Vermont-based cozy series, perfect for fans of Connie Archer and Mary Kennedy.
In a fit of anger, radio DJ Jaye Jordan blows a snowman’s head off with a Revolutionary War-style musket. But the corpse that tumbles out is all too human. Jaye thought life would be quieter when she left New York City and bought a tiny Vermont radio station. But now, Edwin Anger—the ranting and raving radio talk show host who Jaye recently fired—lies dead in the snow. And the Edwin Anger fans who protested his dismissal are sure she killed him.
To clear her name, Jaye must find the real killer, as if she doesn’t have her hands full running the radio station, DJing her all-request love song show, and shuttling tween daughter Ryan to and from school. It doesn’t make matters easier that the governor—Jaye’s old crush—arrived on the scene before the musket smoke cleared. Fortunately, Jaye has allies…if you count the flatulent moose that lives in the transmitter shack, and Neptune, the giant gray cat that lives at the station.
If Jaye can turn the tables on the devious killer, she and the governor may get to make some sweet, sweet music together. But if she can’t, she’ll be off the air…permanently.
In a fit of anger, radio DJ Jaye Jordan blows a snowman’s head off with a Revolutionary War-style musket. But the corpse that tumbles out is all too human. Jaye thought life would be quieter when she left New York City and bought a tiny Vermont radio station. But now, Edwin Anger—the ranting and raving radio talk show host who Jaye recently fired—lies dead in the snow. And the Edwin Anger fans who protested his dismissal are sure she killed him.
To clear her name, Jaye must find the real killer, as if she doesn’t have her hands full running the radio station, DJing her all-request love song show, and shuttling tween daughter Ryan to and from school. It doesn’t make matters easier that the governor—Jaye’s old crush—arrived on the scene before the musket smoke cleared. Fortunately, Jaye has allies…if you count the flatulent moose that lives in the transmitter shack, and Neptune, the giant gray cat that lives at the station.
If Jaye can turn the tables on the devious killer, she and the governor may get to make some sweet, sweet music together. But if she can’t, she’ll be off the air…permanently.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 8, 2022
38 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
January 7, 2022
I was really excited to read this book. I thought the setting of a radio station would be an interesting change to the bake shops and libraries of cozy mysteries and while the setting was different, this was definitely not a cozy mystery. Yes, a murder occurs but Jaye doesn't investigate; she just continues on at her job. The police solve the murder and do not really include Jaye in it so we don't get much information about it. Which then leaves us with a book with way too much politics for my taste. Demonizing the right is way too common a theme and it's not even well done, with so many stereotypes and bad caricatures. So what we're left with is the romance and that wasn't enough to carry the book. I did really like the relationship Jaye has with her daughter but not much else. I will not be continuing with this series.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2022
Jaye Jordan is making a go of it at the local Vermont radio station she has bought. However, some of the changes she has made haven’t been hits with all her neighbors. When she finally has enough with two of them protesting outside her station, she takes their gun and fires it into a snowman. Unfortunately, the snowman was hiding the dead body of Edwin Anger, a conservative talk show host whose syndicated show Jaye had just taken off her station. How did he get there?
A body in a snowman is an intriguing premise, so I went into this book with high hopes. Sadly, it was obvious fairly early on the book wasn’t going to deliver on them. The problem starts with the characters. While Jaye and the rest of the obvious series regulars are fun characters, the cast is filled with conservative stereotypes that are the worst examples of liberal views of conservatives. Meanwhile the main characters said some things that made me roll my eyes. The plot was a series of events with hardly any investigation at all. More specific complaints would get into spoiler territory. There was quite a bit of (mostly mild) foul language as well. While the book does have some genuinely funny moments, they felt at odds with some of the things that were going on in the story. I kept reading, hoping the author had something up her sleeve that would redeem the book, but it never happened. I recommend you avoid this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
A body in a snowman is an intriguing premise, so I went into this book with high hopes. Sadly, it was obvious fairly early on the book wasn’t going to deliver on them. The problem starts with the characters. While Jaye and the rest of the obvious series regulars are fun characters, the cast is filled with conservative stereotypes that are the worst examples of liberal views of conservatives. Meanwhile the main characters said some things that made me roll my eyes. The plot was a series of events with hardly any investigation at all. More specific complaints would get into spoiler territory. There was quite a bit of (mostly mild) foul language as well. While the book does have some genuinely funny moments, they felt at odds with some of the things that were going on in the story. I kept reading, hoping the author had something up her sleeve that would redeem the book, but it never happened. I recommend you avoid this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 11, 2022
⭐⭐
Unfortunately, this one just wasn't that great for me. The setting was super unique, and that earned this a bonus star. Other than that, I didn't like much else. It honestly didn't even feel like a cozy mystery. 🤷🏻♀️ Jayne is never involved in investigating the murder, which is just straight up weird for a cozy mystery. There was too much romance, and I felt like I was being beaten over the head with politics. Definitely a miss...
**ARC Via NetGalley**
Unfortunately, this one just wasn't that great for me. The setting was super unique, and that earned this a bonus star. Other than that, I didn't like much else. It honestly didn't even feel like a cozy mystery. 🤷🏻♀️ Jayne is never involved in investigating the murder, which is just straight up weird for a cozy mystery. There was too much romance, and I felt like I was being beaten over the head with politics. Definitely a miss...
**ARC Via NetGalley**
February 7, 2022
Live, Local, and Dead by Nikki Knight is the debut of A Vermont Radio Mystery series. I liked the idea of a main character owning a radio station in a small Vermont town. I had a challenging time, though, reading Live, Local, and Dead. The writing style made it difficult to get into the story. The author dived into the story introducing us to a variety of people including the governor who just happened to be walking by when Jaye shot the head off a snowman. There are a number of quirky characters. I felt like I was missing a novella that had introduced us to Jaye and her daughter, Ryan. The characters felt flat since we do not get background information on most of them. The story is told in the first person in a rambling style. The sentences all seemed to run together (Jaye starts talking and just keeps going). It is hard to know what Jaye is talking about half the time (I re-read some sections multiple times trying to figure out what was going on). The topics change quickly. Jaye will mention a townsperson by name, and I would wonder who they were (she would just name drop and go on to the next topic). There was a lot of politics in this book. It was too much for a cozy mystery along with the significant amount of foul language. There is at least one bad word per page (I find it offensive and off putting). The mystery has a body being found inside the snowman (clever idea) and it happens to be the radio host that Jaye discontinued using at the station. Jaye becomes a suspect especially since she shot the head off the snowman. I thought Jaye would dive into the investigation, but she seemed more concerned with romance. The crime is solved with little help (I mean very, very little) from our DJ. I wanted to like Live, Local, and Dead but it is not a good fit for me. I did not like all the political insults, the foul language, and the focus on romance instead of the mystery. I also could not relate to the main character (nor did I like her), and I was not a fan of her musical selections. I could not believe Jaye fend candy to a wild moose (I know it is fiction, but she could have fed the moose something normal). Another negative was Jaye shooting the gun in the middle of the town (she picked up the gun not knowing if it was loaded or not). It was just the start of the silliness. This book was all over the place (lacked focus). I even wonder if it fits into the cozy category since Jaye does not investigate. Jaye would rather focus on restarting her life after her divorce (and she has the hots for a certain guy). Live, Local, and Dead was not a good fit for me, but it may be right up your alley. I suggest you obtain a sample to judge for yourself. Live, Local, and Dead is an offbeat cozy mystery with a moose with a sweet tooth, a headless snowman, a cold corpse, a gregarious governor, and a divorced DJ.
August 8, 2021
Live, Local and Dead is the debut of the Vermont Radio Mystery series set in small town Southern Vermont and featuring radio DJ Jaye Jordan. Recently divorced from husband David, Jaye has taken over a small radio station in VT just across the river from where her cancer survivor ex lives in NH. She is settling in to her new home which also houses the radio station, splitting custody of her young daughter Ryan, and beginning to blend into the community.
The book starts off with a bang - literally! Jaye is fed up with the protestors who keep appearing outside the station, upset that their favorite talk show, the Edwin Anger show has been taken off the air and they are blaming Jaye. Jaye picks up a muzzleloader, heads outside and blows a hole in a nearby snowman in order to scare the protestors off. I should have put the book down and deleted it from my library within those first few pages, but I chose to soldier on.
As a resident of a small town in Vermont and a responsible gun owner (and hunter), how the author could even include the description of the town square with folks ambling around or sitting in their cars, mention that Jaye had no idea if the gun was even loaded or not and then have her march outside and fire off the weapon is beyond me. Completely irresponsible writing.
While the plot surrounding a body stuffed inside a snowman had potential, there was just something off putting to me about the entire book. I couldn't relate to the main character (or her musical selections) at all, and don't get me started on the idea of hand feeding candy to a wild moose. I know, I know - it's a fictional cozy mystery. Sadly, I won't be "tuning" in to this particular series again, but that's just me.
I received an advanced copy of Live, Local and Dead from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
The book starts off with a bang - literally! Jaye is fed up with the protestors who keep appearing outside the station, upset that their favorite talk show, the Edwin Anger show has been taken off the air and they are blaming Jaye. Jaye picks up a muzzleloader, heads outside and blows a hole in a nearby snowman in order to scare the protestors off. I should have put the book down and deleted it from my library within those first few pages, but I chose to soldier on.
As a resident of a small town in Vermont and a responsible gun owner (and hunter), how the author could even include the description of the town square with folks ambling around or sitting in their cars, mention that Jaye had no idea if the gun was even loaded or not and then have her march outside and fire off the weapon is beyond me. Completely irresponsible writing.
While the plot surrounding a body stuffed inside a snowman had potential, there was just something off putting to me about the entire book. I couldn't relate to the main character (or her musical selections) at all, and don't get me started on the idea of hand feeding candy to a wild moose. I know, I know - it's a fictional cozy mystery. Sadly, I won't be "tuning" in to this particular series again, but that's just me.
I received an advanced copy of Live, Local and Dead from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
August 30, 2021
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Live, Local and Dead is the first book in a new series called Vermont Radio Mystery. Our protagonist is radio DJ Jaye Jordan who is recently divorced from husband David. She also has a young daughter Ryan.
The book starts of big, big and loud, loud as with a bang. Jaye is tired of the protestors and shoots the head off a snowman. Protestors who are angry that the previous DJ had been taken off the air for Jaye. I had already seen some reviews but I always try to go in with an open mind, but honestly..... I feel I should have left it there. Because inside the snowman is a dead person.... Which they first find at the end of Chapter 2 even though Jaye shoots the snowman's head off in the very first sentence of the book.... So you would say they would find it then and there....
I also could not get a connection with the characters, the book felt a little all over the place, I could not really focus on it. While the plot surrounding a body stuffed inside a snowman seemed very cool to me and a new idea which could have worked out great, I didn't feel this book. I also felt it wasn't really a Cozy Cozy as we know. The protagonist didn't do any sleuthing, an the police really did all the work which you don't even read about. So due to that I would not classify this as a Cozy Mystery, not a Mystery at all, but more a novel of a woman trying to get her life up and running again.
If you are a Cozy Mystery and Mystery lover.... I don't think you will like it. I personally would not recommend it to readers of this genre which is a shame because there was potential. I would have given 2,5 stars but I can only go for 2 or 3, so it's a 2 for me.....
Live, Local and Dead is the first book in a new series called Vermont Radio Mystery. Our protagonist is radio DJ Jaye Jordan who is recently divorced from husband David. She also has a young daughter Ryan.
The book starts of big, big and loud, loud as with a bang. Jaye is tired of the protestors and shoots the head off a snowman. Protestors who are angry that the previous DJ had been taken off the air for Jaye. I had already seen some reviews but I always try to go in with an open mind, but honestly..... I feel I should have left it there. Because inside the snowman is a dead person.... Which they first find at the end of Chapter 2 even though Jaye shoots the snowman's head off in the very first sentence of the book.... So you would say they would find it then and there....
I also could not get a connection with the characters, the book felt a little all over the place, I could not really focus on it. While the plot surrounding a body stuffed inside a snowman seemed very cool to me and a new idea which could have worked out great, I didn't feel this book. I also felt it wasn't really a Cozy Cozy as we know. The protagonist didn't do any sleuthing, an the police really did all the work which you don't even read about. So due to that I would not classify this as a Cozy Mystery, not a Mystery at all, but more a novel of a woman trying to get her life up and running again.
If you are a Cozy Mystery and Mystery lover.... I don't think you will like it. I personally would not recommend it to readers of this genre which is a shame because there was potential. I would have given 2,5 stars but I can only go for 2 or 3, so it's a 2 for me.....
January 17, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I love the diversity of the cast when it comes to race, religion, sexuality, and gender! I love the feel of family and community in this. I absolutely loved that. This was a different take on a starting over chapter where our main character is moving and starting her own radio station with her daughter. I love the fact that it touches on some of the hard things that come with life. And it was just an absolute delight to listen to on audiobook. I highly recommend this book, and I will be continuing this series!
February 7, 2022
It sounds amazing and could be really interesting but it was really hard to get into the story or the characters
February 3, 2022
A delightful mystery with a bit more meat on the bone than your standard cozy mystery! This story is well plotted with multiple story lines overlaying to make one phenomenal plot that will keep you entertained and listening for hours. The narrator does an outstanding job of helping bring wonderfully well fleshed out characters to life and enhancing the emotions being portrayed by the author. After buying the radio station that gave her a great start in the field of being a radio DJ, Jaye Jordan finds herself the target of a hate group. However, is she really the target or is she the red herring to throw everyone off? You'll have to read or listen to find out! I am definitely hooked on these characters and really hope this is the start of a fabulous new series!
February 2, 2022
Copy received via netgalley for an honest review
Nikki Knight is a new to me author, and I was curious about Live, Local and Dead. I am a huge fan of cozies, and I liked that out leading lady runs a radio station instead of owning a bakery or a bookshop.
And usually in my cozies, the leading lady is involved in solving the mystery, but here Jaye is targeted and not involved, so we miss out on a lot of the workings of that.
And, now this is just my thing, it felt a bit too political for me. This probably won't bother anyone else, but for me it was just, nope, not something I needed in there. We get enough of that baloney n real life - sorry Ms Knight,
This was the first in this series, so I probaby will read more (just hoping less politics haha)
a>
Nikki Knight is a new to me author, and I was curious about Live, Local and Dead. I am a huge fan of cozies, and I liked that out leading lady runs a radio station instead of owning a bakery or a bookshop.
And usually in my cozies, the leading lady is involved in solving the mystery, but here Jaye is targeted and not involved, so we miss out on a lot of the workings of that.
And, now this is just my thing, it felt a bit too political for me. This probably won't bother anyone else, but for me it was just, nope, not something I needed in there. We get enough of that baloney n real life - sorry Ms Knight,
This was the first in this series, so I probaby will read more (just hoping less politics haha)
a>
July 22, 2021
You'd think a story (mainly) about a woman who always puts family first, was divorced because her cancer survivor husband needed to do that, ran a historical radio station, was dangerously targeted by right wingers (and not because she chose to convert to Judaism when she married), and was developing a connection to the governor would be mess of a downer. But YOU'D BE WRONG. In fact, it turned out to be a great whodunit with more red herrings and amazing plot twists, and that doesn't even take into account the moose farts! This was great!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
November 12, 2025
Live, Local, and Dead follows the adventures of Jacqueline ‘Jaye’ Jordan, a radio DJ who moves to Vermont with her daughter after divorcing her husband. Some people like her; some don’t, because another radio show gets canceled after her arrival. When a dead body shows up, things get even more complicated.
February 9, 2022
I listened to 25% and quit. If I wanted to be annoyed by politics, I would turn on the news or listen to idiots on Facebook. All the anti-Republican crap became so incredibly old. Otherwise the story was cute. Too bad it was bogged down by the author's opinions.
My first DNR on a Netgalley advance reading copy.
My first DNR on a Netgalley advance reading copy.
February 26, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Jaye Jordan has come home to take over the radio station where she got her start after a very tumultuous time. She and her husband have divorced following the survival of his cancer treatments. Their daughter Ryan spends the weekdays with Jaye and weekends with her dad, David.
Jaye has taken the station away from its talk format back to music and some of her listeners are not having it. In fact, they are staging a protest at the station. At the end of her rope, Jaye heads outside, grabs a Revolutionary style musket from one of the protesters, and turns and fires blowing the head off a 10-foot high snowman left over from the winter festival. As the rest of the snowman falls apart a body is discovered. Edwin Anger was a right-wing talk show host that had been fired by Jaye due to the new format and now people think she killed him and hid his body inside the snowman. She wants to clear her name but people convince her to leave the matter to the police.
As the police investigate someone turns up the dial and threatens Jaye and her daughter with everything from horrific graffiti to a pipe bomb. To bide her time Jaye spends more time rekindling a relationship with a man she had a huge crush on years ago. But the killer is not giving up and Jaye may find herself and her station down the tubes forever.
First, I am so thankful my cancer diagnosis and treatment did not destroy my marriage. My family was my rock. I was sad to see how easily Jaye and David’s marriage fell apart and how easily they just got on with their lives. I think this is the reason I had a hard time connecting with these characters. I wish we would have had more of a backstory with them because I hope there was more drama and feelings that led up to what to me would be a major event but came off as a minor one in this story, especially because she converted to Judaism for this man.
Next, the writing style/dialogues gave me some issues. Jaye just seemed all over the place. Her station is her focus along with her daughter. Then you throw in her budding relationship with the governor, and spending time with her friends next door and sometimes this all seems to happen within one page of the story. In a normal cozy mystery, finding a killer would be in the mix too but Jaye seems to have a real lackadaisical attitude about the murder even when trouble comes knocking right at her door.
What I did like about the book was the strong relationship Jaye and David have with their daughter. They come together each Friday evening for the ritual of Shabbat. They have moved to be far enough apart to have their own lives but close enough to be available to her for anything that comes up. And they have good honest conversations with her about anything she asks. Jaye and David have a great co-parenting system and they are going to need it as this series continues and the murder drama ensues.
I do wish Jaye would have had a more active part in the murder investigation and the mystery would have been harder to solve. A complex mystery is always hard in the first book of a series because it takes pages to introduce the characters and the setting leaving less room to develop a complicated plotline. Vermont is a fabulous place for a cozy mystery to take place. And we do meet some unique characters in this story including a wonderful wild moose with a sweet tooth but I feel the characters could have been more fleshed out in this book to start the series. It is clear the author knows the radio business and it has been an important part of her life but I need her protagonist to be a more well-rounded character with a more serious nature when called for.
I do love the radio station theme and Live, Local, and Dead has good bones. I think it just needs a little tweaking going forward with the series. Ms. Knight has the humor and small-town setting right for a cozy mystery series. I do think the romantic scenes played too big of a part in the story taking over where the mystery should have played the leading role. I hope to see more character development and a more complicated mystery with the main character more involved as the series continues. This story does have a political slant due to the victim and the governor being involved and that may be off-putting to some readers as would the explicit language used. All in all, I am holding out hope that the second book in the series will fall more into the cozy realm I am used to because I do want to give these characters another chance. I am rounding up to 4 stars.
Jaye Jordan has come home to take over the radio station where she got her start after a very tumultuous time. She and her husband have divorced following the survival of his cancer treatments. Their daughter Ryan spends the weekdays with Jaye and weekends with her dad, David.
Jaye has taken the station away from its talk format back to music and some of her listeners are not having it. In fact, they are staging a protest at the station. At the end of her rope, Jaye heads outside, grabs a Revolutionary style musket from one of the protesters, and turns and fires blowing the head off a 10-foot high snowman left over from the winter festival. As the rest of the snowman falls apart a body is discovered. Edwin Anger was a right-wing talk show host that had been fired by Jaye due to the new format and now people think she killed him and hid his body inside the snowman. She wants to clear her name but people convince her to leave the matter to the police.
As the police investigate someone turns up the dial and threatens Jaye and her daughter with everything from horrific graffiti to a pipe bomb. To bide her time Jaye spends more time rekindling a relationship with a man she had a huge crush on years ago. But the killer is not giving up and Jaye may find herself and her station down the tubes forever.
First, I am so thankful my cancer diagnosis and treatment did not destroy my marriage. My family was my rock. I was sad to see how easily Jaye and David’s marriage fell apart and how easily they just got on with their lives. I think this is the reason I had a hard time connecting with these characters. I wish we would have had more of a backstory with them because I hope there was more drama and feelings that led up to what to me would be a major event but came off as a minor one in this story, especially because she converted to Judaism for this man.
Next, the writing style/dialogues gave me some issues. Jaye just seemed all over the place. Her station is her focus along with her daughter. Then you throw in her budding relationship with the governor, and spending time with her friends next door and sometimes this all seems to happen within one page of the story. In a normal cozy mystery, finding a killer would be in the mix too but Jaye seems to have a real lackadaisical attitude about the murder even when trouble comes knocking right at her door.
What I did like about the book was the strong relationship Jaye and David have with their daughter. They come together each Friday evening for the ritual of Shabbat. They have moved to be far enough apart to have their own lives but close enough to be available to her for anything that comes up. And they have good honest conversations with her about anything she asks. Jaye and David have a great co-parenting system and they are going to need it as this series continues and the murder drama ensues.
I do wish Jaye would have had a more active part in the murder investigation and the mystery would have been harder to solve. A complex mystery is always hard in the first book of a series because it takes pages to introduce the characters and the setting leaving less room to develop a complicated plotline. Vermont is a fabulous place for a cozy mystery to take place. And we do meet some unique characters in this story including a wonderful wild moose with a sweet tooth but I feel the characters could have been more fleshed out in this book to start the series. It is clear the author knows the radio business and it has been an important part of her life but I need her protagonist to be a more well-rounded character with a more serious nature when called for.
I do love the radio station theme and Live, Local, and Dead has good bones. I think it just needs a little tweaking going forward with the series. Ms. Knight has the humor and small-town setting right for a cozy mystery series. I do think the romantic scenes played too big of a part in the story taking over where the mystery should have played the leading role. I hope to see more character development and a more complicated mystery with the main character more involved as the series continues. This story does have a political slant due to the victim and the governor being involved and that may be off-putting to some readers as would the explicit language used. All in all, I am holding out hope that the second book in the series will fall more into the cozy realm I am used to because I do want to give these characters another chance. I am rounding up to 4 stars.
Read
October 30, 2023DNF 20%
I really struggled to follow this story. The writing is very stream-of-consciousness, like you're dropped into the middle of a conversation and you're not sure what they’re talking about. I could never get caught up. Characters aren't adequately introduced for me to understand, for example they’re drinking whiskey and the main character pops in with Niall doesn’t like his poteen. I didn't know who Niall was or what poteen is. It’s also super political, which I don't care for in a cozy.
I did think the setting was nice and I loved the idea of the radio station as the backdrop.
NetGalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really struggled to follow this story. The writing is very stream-of-consciousness, like you're dropped into the middle of a conversation and you're not sure what they’re talking about. I could never get caught up. Characters aren't adequately introduced for me to understand, for example they’re drinking whiskey and the main character pops in with Niall doesn’t like his poteen. I didn't know who Niall was or what poteen is. It’s also super political, which I don't care for in a cozy.
I did think the setting was nice and I loved the idea of the radio station as the backdrop.
NetGalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2022
This debut has a lot of potential... interesting setting and relatable characters. For that reason I am rounding up from 3 and a half stars. The mystery is easy to guess and the heroine doesn't really do anything to help solve it. Jaye Jordan buys out of her DJ role in NYC and uses the cash to buy a tiny rural radio station switching it from talk radio to all music and locally produced. Fans of one hate-filled on air host are not pleased and go after her with protests, mail campaigns and more. Good debut and I predict the next book will smooth out the rough edges. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2022
DNF. I don't want politics in my leisure reading.
March 21, 2022
Live, Local, and Dead Earns 5/5 Radio Dials…Entertaining with an Edge!
Nikki Knight has “tuned” us into an exciting first book in her Vermont Radio Mystery series by adding a bit more of an edge. Her charismatic DJ, divorcée, and single mother Jaye Jordon left New York City behind and bought a radio station in a small Vermont town. Wishes to bring a more pleasant tone to the station, she fires shock jock Edgar Anger. But, it isn’t all spinning the vinyl of the top love songs, she’s forced to deal with a pair of armed protestors spurred on by Edwin Anger’s anger about being fired. In a fit of frustration, Jaye rips the musket out a the protestor’s hands and fires a shot killing…a snowman. Someone else, however, was angry, too, and had hidden Anger inside the snowman, so now more are calling for Jaye’s arrest on charges of murder. With an exciting start, the murder mystery continues with more angst, more accusations, and more “anger” in a clever and engaging mystery. Jaye has a delightful relationship with her pre-teen daughter, her ex, and her parents who now live in Florida, but it’s the former crush, now governor, who adds a lot more spice to the story. Knight’s writing style is compelling and offers some contemporary commentary that would liven up any book club discussion. A thrilling read with a nice edge to the humor and the romance.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Crocked Lane publishers thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Nikki Knight has “tuned” us into an exciting first book in her Vermont Radio Mystery series by adding a bit more of an edge. Her charismatic DJ, divorcée, and single mother Jaye Jordon left New York City behind and bought a radio station in a small Vermont town. Wishes to bring a more pleasant tone to the station, she fires shock jock Edgar Anger. But, it isn’t all spinning the vinyl of the top love songs, she’s forced to deal with a pair of armed protestors spurred on by Edwin Anger’s anger about being fired. In a fit of frustration, Jaye rips the musket out a the protestor’s hands and fires a shot killing…a snowman. Someone else, however, was angry, too, and had hidden Anger inside the snowman, so now more are calling for Jaye’s arrest on charges of murder. With an exciting start, the murder mystery continues with more angst, more accusations, and more “anger” in a clever and engaging mystery. Jaye has a delightful relationship with her pre-teen daughter, her ex, and her parents who now live in Florida, but it’s the former crush, now governor, who adds a lot more spice to the story. Knight’s writing style is compelling and offers some contemporary commentary that would liven up any book club discussion. A thrilling read with a nice edge to the humor and the romance.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Crocked Lane publishers thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
January 23, 2022
To be clear, my rating is not due to an entire dislike of this book. Live, Local, And Dead is entertaining, action-filled, and fun to read. This is a new series, “A Vermont Radio Mystery,” from author Kathleen Marple Kalb (Nikki Knight), and it is not your run-of-the-mill cozy. DJ and radio station owner Jaye is putting her life back together after a devastating divorce and the end of her big-time career. Starting fresh back in the town she grew up in, taking care of her daughter, and rebuilding a radio station isn’t easy, but she has the help of a loving family, namely her ex’s family and her friends. The townspeople love her and what she is doing; maybe she can make a go of it on her own and have a happy life. All is going well until she loses her temper one morning, and a body shows up later.
Blowing the head off a snowman outside the radio station, which is also her home, seemed harmless enough, and it got her point across to some loud protesters. When the body of a radio talk show host, Edwin Anger, ends up inside the snowman, Jaye wonders if losing her temper was a smart move. The controversial radio hosts fans start accusing Jaye of killing the man, so she takes steps to prove to them and everyone else that she is a mother first, a DJ, and a business owner, not a killer. It doesn’t take long to find suspects, the man upset a lot of people, and the evidence shows that all of the suspects had an excellent reason to kill Edwin, some more than others. For Jaye, she has no doubt about who the killer is, but proving it puts her and her daughter in peril. Things go from bad to worse as the investigation progresses, but in the end, Jaye helps capture the killer and puts her radio station on the map.
The characters in Live, Local, And Dead are energetic, compassionate, amusing, and filled with purpose. They are passionate about their state, maybe a little too much, but it’s refreshing to watch as they come together to protect and take care of one of their own. I adore the Moose; he is magnificent. And Jaye’s daughter is a real treat. However, I was not a big fan of Jaye; she needs a spine and less dependent on a man for her happiness. But more than anything, she needs to speak like a real person and not a DJ all the time. I love the radio station and that it is also her home. The romance with the governor I found a bit unbelievable. She is still upset about her divorce, and suddenly she is having a physical relationship with a man she barely knows? The killer was instantly recognizable; I did not feel there was any real mystery to uncover.
All of this said, I was entertained by the story. The radio station, Jaye as a single mother and a DJ, was fun and original; I love her music selections. I know there will be growth as the series progresses, and I hope we get a better understanding of who the recurring characters are and what Jaye’s plans are for the radio station’s future, her relationship with her ex, his family, and the governor. A few tweaks, and this will be a wonderful series for readers to curl up with.
Blowing the head off a snowman outside the radio station, which is also her home, seemed harmless enough, and it got her point across to some loud protesters. When the body of a radio talk show host, Edwin Anger, ends up inside the snowman, Jaye wonders if losing her temper was a smart move. The controversial radio hosts fans start accusing Jaye of killing the man, so she takes steps to prove to them and everyone else that she is a mother first, a DJ, and a business owner, not a killer. It doesn’t take long to find suspects, the man upset a lot of people, and the evidence shows that all of the suspects had an excellent reason to kill Edwin, some more than others. For Jaye, she has no doubt about who the killer is, but proving it puts her and her daughter in peril. Things go from bad to worse as the investigation progresses, but in the end, Jaye helps capture the killer and puts her radio station on the map.
The characters in Live, Local, And Dead are energetic, compassionate, amusing, and filled with purpose. They are passionate about their state, maybe a little too much, but it’s refreshing to watch as they come together to protect and take care of one of their own. I adore the Moose; he is magnificent. And Jaye’s daughter is a real treat. However, I was not a big fan of Jaye; she needs a spine and less dependent on a man for her happiness. But more than anything, she needs to speak like a real person and not a DJ all the time. I love the radio station and that it is also her home. The romance with the governor I found a bit unbelievable. She is still upset about her divorce, and suddenly she is having a physical relationship with a man she barely knows? The killer was instantly recognizable; I did not feel there was any real mystery to uncover.
All of this said, I was entertained by the story. The radio station, Jaye as a single mother and a DJ, was fun and original; I love her music selections. I know there will be growth as the series progresses, and I hope we get a better understanding of who the recurring characters are and what Jaye’s plans are for the radio station’s future, her relationship with her ex, his family, and the governor. A few tweaks, and this will be a wonderful series for readers to curl up with.
January 26, 2022
One thing I really enjoyed about this cozy is that it isn't afraid to be as liberal as it wants to be. I feel like that's a bit rare in the genre. Like, there is an idea that cozy readers are typically more conservative and probably religious so that even if you can tell that the author actually leans left, the world within the the cozy doesn't engage as much with the politics of the world. Things are small town, with the stereotypes of family values and religion underpinning everything even if it is unspoken... And sure, maybe we get a queer character (who probably is into art or fashion or theater) who may have the hint of an off stage love life. And maybe there is a non-white character who pops up here and there, but probably the deepest exploration of diversity only goes so far as to have the middle class white female protagonist realize that the young gothy, geeky, or skater side character is actually a pretty decent person after all!
Now, don't get me wrong. I enjoy plenty of those cozies. I don't indulge in my cozy love for politics. I'm there for the clever mystery, the character development, the whacky cast of characters to grow to love, the humor, the approachableness... But Live, Local, and Dead has ALL of that AND a main character who is divorced, a Jewish convert, fond of wearing pride shirts, and doesn't have any problem calling out racism, misogyny, or stupidity. I consider that a surprise bonus to my cozy.
And it's not like this is some kind of "filthy" book because it's acknowledged that people have sex lives (it's all fade to black or even less implied than that!) or that because she isn't Christian there won't be good morals. She believes in Judaism and has a very strong moral code. And one of her strongest beliefs is that being a good parent is of vital importance -- meaning that she has a good relationship with her ex-husband. This novel is incredibly wholesome while still having an accepting, leftist viewpoint main character and I also appreciated the diversity found in this small Vermont town.
This is more a 4.5 star read for me, because I was a bit bummed that the villains of the story tended to be unattractive, which is a stereotype I hate. I can deal with their voices being awful, since a radio host might be more biased that way.
I am more bummed that many of the reviews so far are complaining about the politics more than the story with their criticisms despite the fact that the book is actually grounded in how relationships can mean so much more than politics.
Now, don't get me wrong. I enjoy plenty of those cozies. I don't indulge in my cozy love for politics. I'm there for the clever mystery, the character development, the whacky cast of characters to grow to love, the humor, the approachableness... But Live, Local, and Dead has ALL of that AND a main character who is divorced, a Jewish convert, fond of wearing pride shirts, and doesn't have any problem calling out racism, misogyny, or stupidity. I consider that a surprise bonus to my cozy.
And it's not like this is some kind of "filthy" book because it's acknowledged that people have sex lives (it's all fade to black or even less implied than that!) or that because she isn't Christian there won't be good morals. She believes in Judaism and has a very strong moral code. And one of her strongest beliefs is that being a good parent is of vital importance -- meaning that she has a good relationship with her ex-husband. This novel is incredibly wholesome while still having an accepting, leftist viewpoint main character and I also appreciated the diversity found in this small Vermont town.
This is more a 4.5 star read for me, because I was a bit bummed that the villains of the story tended to be unattractive, which is a stereotype I hate. I can deal with their voices being awful, since a radio host might be more biased that way.
I am more bummed that many of the reviews so far are complaining about the politics more than the story with their criticisms despite the fact that the book is actually grounded in how relationships can mean so much more than politics.
July 3, 2023
DJ Jaye Jordan expected a quieter life after moving to Vermont and taking over a local radio station. However, after axing political commentator Edwin Anger's show, she faces a loud group of protestors. And while her late-night show leans heavily on love songs, her daytime antics are a bit more ... explosive. Thinking she'll teach them a lesson, she grabs a musket, shoots a snowman, and watches as both the body of Edwin Anger and a mystery come tumbling out.
Nikki Knight's debut novel is marketed as a cozy and any brief synopsis would show it has all the hallmarks of the genre: a small community, a fun niche, and a murder needing solved. However, Live, Local, and Dead deviates from the norm a bit, going lighter on the actual investigation.
This isn't a bad thing.
Jaye has the makings of an amateur sleuth who's fun to follow. Really, she's so likable the locals can't even really believe she had anything to do with Anger's death. She's funny, fiercely loyal to her family and friends, and a bit unpredictable. After all, this is the type of woman who has no problem opening fire on a snowman. You can practically hear Knight reveling in the impulsive situations Jaye finds herself in. Yet this mentality barely extends to the murder investigation, with Jaye more looking to police for answers.
Yet, even without the traditional sleuthing, Knight sprinkles in just enough searching and hijinks that everything still feels cozy. Maybe it's the snowy Vermont backdrop. Maybe it's the blossoming romance between Jaye and a state politician. Maybe it's the hints of danger Knight weaves into the murder's aftermath.
Or maybe it's all of the above. Ultimately, Live, Local, and Dead might be a little nontraditional, but it's also a lot of fun.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
Nikki Knight's debut novel is marketed as a cozy and any brief synopsis would show it has all the hallmarks of the genre: a small community, a fun niche, and a murder needing solved. However, Live, Local, and Dead deviates from the norm a bit, going lighter on the actual investigation.
This isn't a bad thing.
Jaye has the makings of an amateur sleuth who's fun to follow. Really, she's so likable the locals can't even really believe she had anything to do with Anger's death. She's funny, fiercely loyal to her family and friends, and a bit unpredictable. After all, this is the type of woman who has no problem opening fire on a snowman. You can practically hear Knight reveling in the impulsive situations Jaye finds herself in. Yet this mentality barely extends to the murder investigation, with Jaye more looking to police for answers.
Yet, even without the traditional sleuthing, Knight sprinkles in just enough searching and hijinks that everything still feels cozy. Maybe it's the snowy Vermont backdrop. Maybe it's the blossoming romance between Jaye and a state politician. Maybe it's the hints of danger Knight weaves into the murder's aftermath.
Or maybe it's all of the above. Ultimately, Live, Local, and Dead might be a little nontraditional, but it's also a lot of fun.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
May 5, 2022
LIVE LOCAL AND DEAD by Nikki Knight is the first in a new cozy series, Vermont Radio Mysteries. While I adore all of the bookshop and bakery mysteries, it was a delight to read one with such a unique setting - a small, indie radio station in a small Vermont town.
DJ Jaye Jordan, recently divorced, single mom took a buyout offer from an NYC station and buys the aforementioned station, ready to start over. This is going well until in a fit of pique when two ultra-conservatives are protesting the station, she takes one of their muskets and fires it at a snowman revealing the corpse of a national hate-mongering radio show host. Oops.
This sets off a stream of events with Jaye being harassed by the dead host’s fans. It also leads to her reconnecting her crush from years ago. Who just happens to be the governor.
This is a fun, cozy mystery - Jaye’s relatable as a small biz owner, single mom co-parenting her daughter, navigating a new relationship.
🔍Amateur sleuth
🔍Small town setting
🔍Quirky secondary characters
🔍Great friends group
🔍Animal sidekick
🔍Jewish rep
🔍Queer rep
🔍All of the liberal political views you could want
🔍Twisty mystery
This one kept me guessing until the end which I really appreciated. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcvGR4brl6l/
DJ Jaye Jordan, recently divorced, single mom took a buyout offer from an NYC station and buys the aforementioned station, ready to start over. This is going well until in a fit of pique when two ultra-conservatives are protesting the station, she takes one of their muskets and fires it at a snowman revealing the corpse of a national hate-mongering radio show host. Oops.
This sets off a stream of events with Jaye being harassed by the dead host’s fans. It also leads to her reconnecting her crush from years ago. Who just happens to be the governor.
This is a fun, cozy mystery - Jaye’s relatable as a small biz owner, single mom co-parenting her daughter, navigating a new relationship.
🔍Amateur sleuth
🔍Small town setting
🔍Quirky secondary characters
🔍Great friends group
🔍Animal sidekick
🔍Jewish rep
🔍Queer rep
🔍All of the liberal political views you could want
🔍Twisty mystery
This one kept me guessing until the end which I really appreciated. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcvGR4brl6l/
November 18, 2021
If you have never worked in broadcasting you will love this book. If you have never lived in a small town you will also love this book. I oughta know, I've done both and this is a wonderfully good read. The characters are sharp, smart and believable and well thought out. Back in the 60's Abbie Hoffman suggested you "steal this book." My suggestion is you buy it and enjoy it. This is a decade long "love of writing" book from the author. Full disclosure, I wake up almost every morning to the author of this book but there is not enough money on this earth or anything else to get me to write a good review if I didn't believe every word I have said. Enjoy.
August 15, 2021
This was not a favorite of mine. I found the story to be more straight fiction than mystery. The main character is hard to connect with and at times irritating. I found some of the comments and rants to be targeted towards a different audience. It reads like an author's first attempt.I just really had a hard time getting into the story or really even caring about what happened.
February 5, 2022
DNFing this one at chapter 10. I don't like the main character, the mystery isn't holding my attention and I just overall am not enjoying this one. Moving on.
February 8, 2022
This is a really different cozy mystery. In fact, I'm not sure I'd identify it as a mystery at all. We do have a murdered fellow shortly after the beginning but then the novel turns to Jaye's relationships and profession. A single mom, she is not adverse to a male sleepover when her daughter is staying the weekend with her dad, Jaye's ex.
Jaye bought a small town radio station. There is quite a bit of text dedicated to Jaye discontinuing a conservative talk show and the animosity she receives because of it. Granted, the setting is Vermont so one would expect a more liberal audience for the station. There did seem to be more political statements and opinions than one would expect to find in a novel in this genre.
Probably what I missed the most was an amateur sleuth. While Jaye is a strong woman, especially when defending her radio station, she does nothing to solve the murder except make a suggestion to the local chief of police. She does figure out another murder attempt but because of her daughter and not because she is investigating.
There are some interesting issues explored in the plot, such as community support and radio personalities that claim the right to say anything, true or not, because it's a show, not a truthful news broadcast. There is information about Jewish religious practices, how a radio station operates, and a good dose of Vermont culture.
I did enjoy the novel although it was not the typical cozy mystery I expected.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Jaye bought a small town radio station. There is quite a bit of text dedicated to Jaye discontinuing a conservative talk show and the animosity she receives because of it. Granted, the setting is Vermont so one would expect a more liberal audience for the station. There did seem to be more political statements and opinions than one would expect to find in a novel in this genre.
Probably what I missed the most was an amateur sleuth. While Jaye is a strong woman, especially when defending her radio station, she does nothing to solve the murder except make a suggestion to the local chief of police. She does figure out another murder attempt but because of her daughter and not because she is investigating.
There are some interesting issues explored in the plot, such as community support and radio personalities that claim the right to say anything, true or not, because it's a show, not a truthful news broadcast. There is information about Jewish religious practices, how a radio station operates, and a good dose of Vermont culture.
I did enjoy the novel although it was not the typical cozy mystery I expected.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
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January 19, 2022Live, Local, and Dead = Fun, Flirty, and Cool.
This is what I call a "cozy mystery plus" or a "cozy mystery and." What I mean by that is it has the tried-and-true formula of a cozy, with a little extra -- extra depth, extra plot, etc. It's always nice to see a main character who has something else going on in life besides work and a man. Jacqueline has friends, a daughter, authentic nervousness after her marriage ended and authentic uncertainty.
Sometimes romances can feel a little formulaic or exaggerated in fiction - this felt very authentic and real.
No complaints with the narration - solid reading and fun to hear the occasional voiceover magic. The mystery was a little weird. At times surreal and a little hard to believe, but I'm OK with that. I can suspend disbelief, especially when it comes to cozies and creativity.
Now, let me bring up the elephant in the room... er, the moose... He added whimsy to the story, but are we sure we should be feeding candy to a moose? I googled it and found a lot of "If You Give a Moose a Muffin," but that wasn't any help! At any rate, I caution everyone against it, flatulence notwithstanding... moose are BIG and like all animals, can be unpredictable. Am I being a wet blanket? Ah well, just call me the Moose Monitor!
Solid four stars and I'm excited to see what happens next in the lives of the characters!
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media, for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.
This is what I call a "cozy mystery plus" or a "cozy mystery and." What I mean by that is it has the tried-and-true formula of a cozy, with a little extra -- extra depth, extra plot, etc. It's always nice to see a main character who has something else going on in life besides work and a man. Jacqueline has friends, a daughter, authentic nervousness after her marriage ended and authentic uncertainty.
Sometimes romances can feel a little formulaic or exaggerated in fiction - this felt very authentic and real.
No complaints with the narration - solid reading and fun to hear the occasional voiceover magic. The mystery was a little weird. At times surreal and a little hard to believe, but I'm OK with that. I can suspend disbelief, especially when it comes to cozies and creativity.
Now, let me bring up the elephant in the room... er, the moose... He added whimsy to the story, but are we sure we should be feeding candy to a moose? I googled it and found a lot of "If You Give a Moose a Muffin," but that wasn't any help! At any rate, I caution everyone against it, flatulence notwithstanding... moose are BIG and like all animals, can be unpredictable. Am I being a wet blanket? Ah well, just call me the Moose Monitor!
Solid four stars and I'm excited to see what happens next in the lives of the characters!
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media, for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.
February 8, 2022
I absolutely loved this “first in a new series” mystery! Jaye Jordan is a multi-faceted protagonist—relatable, smart, and a tad sassy, she’s passionately devoted to her family and friends and will do everything in her power to protect them. Her romance with the governor simmers at just the right temperature (although I’m hoping they turn up the burner in the second installment). Speckled with the perfect touch of broadcasting lingo, the spirited dialog had me soaring though the pages. The conclusion left me chortling with delight, and I’m hoping the next installment in this fresh new series will be along very soon.
February 14, 2022
Live, Local, and Dead by Nikki Knight is the first book in a fast-paced cozy mystery. I got to meet Jaye Jordan, a radio DJ who has moved to back to Vermont with her ten-year-old daughter, Ryan after leaving New York City, and taking over the local radio station.
Jaye DJ's from a transmitter shack and Neptune, a giant, part Russian blue, grey cat, that acts like a dog, lives at the station. Jaye and Ryan live in the flat above. I liked Jaye, finding her to be strong-willed and sassy. Jaye's family and friends were a good crowd and this initial instalment introduces the reader to everyone. There is the potential here for this to become a terrifically good mystery series. I am eager for Jaye's next adventure in book #2.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
Jaye DJ's from a transmitter shack and Neptune, a giant, part Russian blue, grey cat, that acts like a dog, lives at the station. Jaye and Ryan live in the flat above. I liked Jaye, finding her to be strong-willed and sassy. Jaye's family and friends were a good crowd and this initial instalment introduces the reader to everyone. There is the potential here for this to become a terrifically good mystery series. I am eager for Jaye's next adventure in book #2.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
August 2, 2023
A great first book and am looking forward to seeing how the series continues.
Live, Local, and Dead is a story that immediately captures your attention with a body hidden inside a snowman. From there, the plot unravels as we meet Deejay Jaye, a newly divorced single mother who’s recently taken over the local radio station (much to the horror of some).
As the mystery unravels, we’re introduced to a warm cast of characters, a romance, and a great twist. I loved how Jaye stood up for what she believed in, her love of coffee, and her sassy t-shirts. A great first book and am looking forward to seeing how the series continues.
Live, Local, and Dead is a story that immediately captures your attention with a body hidden inside a snowman. From there, the plot unravels as we meet Deejay Jaye, a newly divorced single mother who’s recently taken over the local radio station (much to the horror of some).
As the mystery unravels, we’re introduced to a warm cast of characters, a romance, and a great twist. I loved how Jaye stood up for what she believed in, her love of coffee, and her sassy t-shirts. A great first book and am looking forward to seeing how the series continues.
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