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Charlotte McNally #1
Prime Time
In the cutthroat world of television journalism, seasoned reporter Charlotte McNally knows that she'd better pull out all the stops or kiss her job goodbye. But it's her life that might be on the line when she learns that an innocent-looking e-mail offer resulted in murder, mayhem and a multimillion-dollar fraud ring. All too soon her investigation leads her straight to Josh Gelston, who is a little too helpful and a lot too handsome. Charlie might have a nose for news, but men are a whole other matter. Now she has to decide whether she can trust Josh…before she ends up as the next lead story.
280 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2007
47 people are currently reading
1420 people want to read
About the author
Hank Phillippi Ryan
47 books2,914 followersHank Phillippi Ryan is the USA Today bestselling author of sixteen award winning novels of suspense. National reviews have called her a "master at crafting suspenseful mysteries" and "a superb and gifted storyteller." SHe is also an investigative reporter for WHDH-TV, winning 37 Emmys for her true crime stories.
Her newest is ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS--an INSTANT USA TODAY bestseller.
Is a debut author’s blockbuster bestseller about to ruin her life? A glamorous book tour becomes a deadly cat-and-mouse chase in this new and captivating thriller!
(Freida McFadden says: "Engrossing! With a main character that I loved, and a twist the left me reeling!" And Jeneva Rose says: I absolutely loved it! This is Hank Phillippi Ryan at her best!”)
Don't miss ONE WRONG WORD, now in paperback. BA Paris says: "A gripping rollercoaster of a read!"
Her 2021 thriller THE HOUSE GUEST (Gaslight meets Thelma & Louise) now in a second printing!
Hank is also an award-winning investigative reporter at Boston's WHDH-TV. In addition to 37 EMMYs and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards, Hank's won dozens of other honors
for her ground-breaking journalism.
She is co-host and co-founder of The Back Room, co-host of First Chapter Fun, and host of CRIME TIME on A Mighty Blaze.
Her previous thriller, HER PERFECT LIFE, received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, calling it "Stellar."
Her earlier psychological thrillers include,THE FIRST TO LIE (with several starred reviews) an Agatha Award and Mary HIggins CLark award nomination) and THE MURDER LIST, which won the Anthony Award for Best Novel of the year, and was ]an Agatha, Macavity and Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee, a number one legal thriller on Amazon, and a USA Today Bestseller.
Her first psychological standalone, TRUST ME (now in paperback) , is an Agatha Award nominee, and was named BEST of 2018 by the New York Post, Real Simple Magazine, BookBub, Crime Reads, and PopSugar. Mary Kubica says: "Dazzling!" and Lisa Gardner says "Mesmerizing!"
The Booklist *starred review says "...it's a knockout. First-rate psychological suspense."
Her thriller SAY NO MORE, is a Library Journal BEST OF 2016. And this just in: it's a nominee for the AGATHA AWARD and the MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD! And now, breaking news, it is also a DAPHNE AWARD nominee! Associated Press calls it "stellar" and Publishers Weekly calls it "thrilling" "unflinching" and "gratifying."
Her 2015 book, WHAT YOU SEE, is a Library Journal BEST of 2015, an ANTHONY and AGATHA Award nominee, and a Top Pick!, dubbed "exceptional suspense." It received a starred review from Library Journal which says: "Readers will find themselves racing to the finish!"
Her 2014 book, TRUTH BE TOLD, won the AGATHA Award for best mystery, and is a Library Journal Best of 2014. It received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, which says, "Drop everything and binge read!"
THE WRONG GIRL won the Agatha Award and the Daphne Award, and is a seven-week Boston Globe bestseller and Anthony Award nominee.
THE OTHER WOMAN won the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was listed as a Best Book of 2012 by the Kansas City Star, the Sacramento Bee, Suspense Magazine, and The Boston Globe, won the prestigious Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was the only novel nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, Shamus and Daphne awards for Best Novel of 2012.
Her first four mysteries, beginning with the Agatha Award-winning PRIME TIME, feature Charlotte McNally, a Boston television reporter. FACE TIME was a BookSense Notable Book, and AIR TIME and DRIVE TIME were both Anthony and Agatha Award nominees for best novel of 2009 and 2010. They are now available in all new editions.
Her journalism work work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in refunds and restitution for victims and consumers. She's been a radio reporter, a legislati
Her newest is ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS--an INSTANT USA TODAY bestseller.
Is a debut author’s blockbuster bestseller about to ruin her life? A glamorous book tour becomes a deadly cat-and-mouse chase in this new and captivating thriller!
(Freida McFadden says: "Engrossing! With a main character that I loved, and a twist the left me reeling!" And Jeneva Rose says: I absolutely loved it! This is Hank Phillippi Ryan at her best!”)
Don't miss ONE WRONG WORD, now in paperback. BA Paris says: "A gripping rollercoaster of a read!"
Her 2021 thriller THE HOUSE GUEST (Gaslight meets Thelma & Louise) now in a second printing!
Hank is also an award-winning investigative reporter at Boston's WHDH-TV. In addition to 37 EMMYs and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards, Hank's won dozens of other honors
for her ground-breaking journalism.
She is co-host and co-founder of The Back Room, co-host of First Chapter Fun, and host of CRIME TIME on A Mighty Blaze.
Her previous thriller, HER PERFECT LIFE, received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, calling it "Stellar."
Her earlier psychological thrillers include,THE FIRST TO LIE (with several starred reviews) an Agatha Award and Mary HIggins CLark award nomination) and THE MURDER LIST, which won the Anthony Award for Best Novel of the year, and was ]an Agatha, Macavity and Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee, a number one legal thriller on Amazon, and a USA Today Bestseller.
Her first psychological standalone, TRUST ME (now in paperback) , is an Agatha Award nominee, and was named BEST of 2018 by the New York Post, Real Simple Magazine, BookBub, Crime Reads, and PopSugar. Mary Kubica says: "Dazzling!" and Lisa Gardner says "Mesmerizing!"
The Booklist *starred review says "...it's a knockout. First-rate psychological suspense."
Her thriller SAY NO MORE, is a Library Journal BEST OF 2016. And this just in: it's a nominee for the AGATHA AWARD and the MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD! And now, breaking news, it is also a DAPHNE AWARD nominee! Associated Press calls it "stellar" and Publishers Weekly calls it "thrilling" "unflinching" and "gratifying."
Her 2015 book, WHAT YOU SEE, is a Library Journal BEST of 2015, an ANTHONY and AGATHA Award nominee, and a Top Pick!, dubbed "exceptional suspense." It received a starred review from Library Journal which says: "Readers will find themselves racing to the finish!"
Her 2014 book, TRUTH BE TOLD, won the AGATHA Award for best mystery, and is a Library Journal Best of 2014. It received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, which says, "Drop everything and binge read!"
THE WRONG GIRL won the Agatha Award and the Daphne Award, and is a seven-week Boston Globe bestseller and Anthony Award nominee.
THE OTHER WOMAN won the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was listed as a Best Book of 2012 by the Kansas City Star, the Sacramento Bee, Suspense Magazine, and The Boston Globe, won the prestigious Mary Higgins Clark Award, and was the only novel nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, Shamus and Daphne awards for Best Novel of 2012.
Her first four mysteries, beginning with the Agatha Award-winning PRIME TIME, feature Charlotte McNally, a Boston television reporter. FACE TIME was a BookSense Notable Book, and AIR TIME and DRIVE TIME were both Anthony and Agatha Award nominees for best novel of 2009 and 2010. They are now available in all new editions.
Her journalism work work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in refunds and restitution for victims and consumers. She's been a radio reporter, a legislati
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
July 12, 2010
If you jump for joy every time a white-collar crook like Bernie Madoff lands in the slammer, you'll cheer for Ms. Ryan's fictional TV journalist, Charlie McNally, who's assigned to cover the "accidental" death of a middle manager from Big Pharma but finds herself in the thick of murder, fraud, and greedy CEOs. I've always had trouble sticking with stories written in the present tense, but in Ms. Ryan's hands, present tense conveys the "I want it now!" environment of a journalist's double-espresso-zero-sleep world. Charlie has a bouyant sense of humor, just the right amount of snark and sophistication to make you laugh aloud. In her mid-40s and perimenopausal, she's a refreshing break from the ovulating hotties who populate so many (too many) novels. Her equally three-dimensional sidekick, Franklin, is her producer, ally, and dose of common sense. They make an invincible team for a pageturner. And don't believe the "romance" label attached to this mystery. Sure, there's the start of a romance in it -- no, not between Charlie and Franklin -- but sexual tension doesn't power the plot in this book. It's whodunit and suspense and wonderful escape.
August 21, 2017
Award-winning investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan is on the air at Boston’s NBC affiliate. Her work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure and millions of dollars in restitution. Along with her twenty-six Emmy and ten Edward R. Murrow Awards, Hank has won dozens of other regional, national and international journalism honors for her hard-hitting investigations. Hank began her television career reporting and anchoring the news in Indianapolis and Atlanta. She’s also worked as a proofreader, a radio reporter, a legislative aide in the United States Senate and—in a two-year stint as editorial assistant at Rolling Stone magazine—helped organize presidential campaign coverage for Hunter S. Thompson. She and her husband live just outside Boston.
In the cutthroat world of television journalism, seasoned reporter Charlotte McNally knows that she'd better pull out all the stops or kiss her job goodbye. But it's her life that might be on the line when she learns that an innocent-looking e-mail offer resulted in murder, mayhem and a multimillion-dollar fraud ring.
All too soon her investigation leads her straight to Josh Gelston, who is a little too helpful and a lot too handsome. Charlie might have a nose for news, but men are a whole other matter. Now she has to decide whether she can trust Josh…before she ends up as the next lead story.
“...you’re only as good as your last story.” Investigative reporter Charlotte McNally, better known as “Charlie”, is forty-something now and in order to keep her job, she has to stay on top of the younger generation clamoring for her position. With sweeps coming up, she needs something big and isn’t too happy about being sent to interview a widow (where’s the story in that?) by her manager, who has made it clear if she doesn’t make a stand, this might be her last year with them. Charlie knows she’s good at her job and she wants to keep it that way.
But then the interview with the widow takes an unexpected twist. Brad Foreman’s car accident may not have been an “accident” after all! Apparently he had been sending Charlie emails and his widow wanted to know why she never returned any of his messages. With Brad’s recent spotlight and then his sudden death, combined with the messages he had sent Charlie, this all combined sent out an alarm to Charlie’s experienced gut instincts, so she checks out her emails. What she uncovers winds up being a scam—and it was also now possible that Brad Foreman’s so-called “accident”... might really have been a murder!
Charlie and her producer, Franklin (loved his character!) are on the brink of something really big. They’re sure of it! The investigation leads Charlie to Josh Gelston. But Charlie is not sure if she can trust him and to make things worse, she also can’t deny her attraction to the man.
Hank Phillippi Ryan delivers mystery, murder, romance and knowledge in the field with humor, and her familiarity of Boston makes Prime Time a riveting, first-person POV (usually a pet-peeve of mine) and I look forward to more books from this author. She’s dynamic in real life and it reflects in the dialogue and plotting of her writing as well.
A real page turner from a promising new author!
In the cutthroat world of television journalism, seasoned reporter Charlotte McNally knows that she'd better pull out all the stops or kiss her job goodbye. But it's her life that might be on the line when she learns that an innocent-looking e-mail offer resulted in murder, mayhem and a multimillion-dollar fraud ring.
All too soon her investigation leads her straight to Josh Gelston, who is a little too helpful and a lot too handsome. Charlie might have a nose for news, but men are a whole other matter. Now she has to decide whether she can trust Josh…before she ends up as the next lead story.
“...you’re only as good as your last story.” Investigative reporter Charlotte McNally, better known as “Charlie”, is forty-something now and in order to keep her job, she has to stay on top of the younger generation clamoring for her position. With sweeps coming up, she needs something big and isn’t too happy about being sent to interview a widow (where’s the story in that?) by her manager, who has made it clear if she doesn’t make a stand, this might be her last year with them. Charlie knows she’s good at her job and she wants to keep it that way.
But then the interview with the widow takes an unexpected twist. Brad Foreman’s car accident may not have been an “accident” after all! Apparently he had been sending Charlie emails and his widow wanted to know why she never returned any of his messages. With Brad’s recent spotlight and then his sudden death, combined with the messages he had sent Charlie, this all combined sent out an alarm to Charlie’s experienced gut instincts, so she checks out her emails. What she uncovers winds up being a scam—and it was also now possible that Brad Foreman’s so-called “accident”... might really have been a murder!
Charlie and her producer, Franklin (loved his character!) are on the brink of something really big. They’re sure of it! The investigation leads Charlie to Josh Gelston. But Charlie is not sure if she can trust him and to make things worse, she also can’t deny her attraction to the man.
Hank Phillippi Ryan delivers mystery, murder, romance and knowledge in the field with humor, and her familiarity of Boston makes Prime Time a riveting, first-person POV (usually a pet-peeve of mine) and I look forward to more books from this author. She’s dynamic in real life and it reflects in the dialogue and plotting of her writing as well.
A real page turner from a promising new author!
July 30, 2012
I have to admit it was nice to read a thriller with a protagonist who wasn't either just out of college or already retired for many years. Not that I don't enjoy stories with characters in all age ranges, and the closer I get, myself, to retirement, the more I like the older characters. But, it was nice to find one in the middle range.
This is the first in Ryan's series of mysteries featuring Charlotte McNally and it brings to life the work of journalism in a very realistic, yet witty, way. You could tell that the author has experience in this area as it creates a very gripping and real feel to the story--you feel like she knows whereof she speaks.
When the story starts, Charlotte is searching for a big story for the "November sweeps" and hoping to find that big story that proves experience and skill still make her competitive with the younger/prettier talent getting restive in the wings. Her boss, Angela, was not exactly the nicest person in the room, either, which puts a bit more pressure on poor Charlotte.
An email from a dead man and an interview with his wife toss a curve ball at her and the game is afoot!
I won't go into too many plot details. Suffice it to say that Ryan's writing is well executed and she draws you into the story with every deft pen stroke. Charlotte is an interesting character and this series is sure to develop well and delight readers who like complex, fun mysteries.
This is the first in Ryan's series of mysteries featuring Charlotte McNally and it brings to life the work of journalism in a very realistic, yet witty, way. You could tell that the author has experience in this area as it creates a very gripping and real feel to the story--you feel like she knows whereof she speaks.
When the story starts, Charlotte is searching for a big story for the "November sweeps" and hoping to find that big story that proves experience and skill still make her competitive with the younger/prettier talent getting restive in the wings. Her boss, Angela, was not exactly the nicest person in the room, either, which puts a bit more pressure on poor Charlotte.
An email from a dead man and an interview with his wife toss a curve ball at her and the game is afoot!
I won't go into too many plot details. Suffice it to say that Ryan's writing is well executed and she draws you into the story with every deft pen stroke. Charlotte is an interesting character and this series is sure to develop well and delight readers who like complex, fun mysteries.
Read
August 25, 2012Prime Time, by Hank Phillippi Ryan, b-plus, Narrated by Margaret Baly, Produced by Harlequin Enterprises, downloaded from audible.com.
This is the first in the Charlie McMally series. Charlotte, (Charlie) is a 46-year-old investigative reporter on fictional Channel 3, Boston. She’s seeing signs from others that they may think she’s getting too old for this spot on t.v., even though she still does good enough reporting to win the station an Emmy each year. But this might be the year that doesn’t happen as she has very few weeks or days to find the story that will win them the prize this year. The first in the Charlie McMally series. Charlie is sent, because no other reporters are available, on the “vulture patrol” to get a comment from the widow of someone who just died in an accident. But the innocent-looking widow is interested in whether or not Charlie had gotten, or replied to, an e-mail from her husband about whistle-blowing for his company. Charlie becomes involved in a plot of possible insider trading and other dangerous pursuits that almost gets her killed and finds her a romantic interest after all these years as well. A more light-hearted cozy than I usually read, but it was entertaining and constructive regarding women in television reporting.
This is the first in the Charlie McMally series. Charlotte, (Charlie) is a 46-year-old investigative reporter on fictional Channel 3, Boston. She’s seeing signs from others that they may think she’s getting too old for this spot on t.v., even though she still does good enough reporting to win the station an Emmy each year. But this might be the year that doesn’t happen as she has very few weeks or days to find the story that will win them the prize this year. The first in the Charlie McMally series. Charlie is sent, because no other reporters are available, on the “vulture patrol” to get a comment from the widow of someone who just died in an accident. But the innocent-looking widow is interested in whether or not Charlie had gotten, or replied to, an e-mail from her husband about whistle-blowing for his company. Charlie becomes involved in a plot of possible insider trading and other dangerous pursuits that almost gets her killed and finds her a romantic interest after all these years as well. A more light-hearted cozy than I usually read, but it was entertaining and constructive regarding women in television reporting.
April 23, 2022
Great storyline. This is Hank Phillippi Ryan’s first published book. I didn’t want to put it down.
I have read newer books by Hank Phillippi Ryan and I see that she’s matured as a writer since Prime Time was published. Still, it’s an exciting and exciting story to read.
I highly recommend all of the books written by Hank Phillippi Ryan.
I have read newer books by Hank Phillippi Ryan and I see that she’s matured as a writer since Prime Time was published. Still, it’s an exciting and exciting story to read.
I highly recommend all of the books written by Hank Phillippi Ryan.
March 18, 2019
Prime Time
Hank Phillippi Ryan
I have just finished reading Prime Time. I know, it’s about time I got around to it. This is the first of the Charlotte McNally novels. Award winning investigative reporter Charlotte “Charlie” McNally goes to interview the widow of a Brad Foreman who died in a recent car crash only to learn that he had sent Charlie an email shortly before he died. She tracks down the email. It is cryptic at best, but Charlie is all about finding answers. Charlie is under pressure from her television station to come up with a good story for the November ratings crunch, and this could be it or it could just be a wild goose chase.
The chase leads her to a dreamy high school teacher named Josh, the funeral of a recently deceased former SEC chairman who had also been contacted by Brad (and who seems to have suspiciously died in the same manner as Brad), some tough goons who beat up her producer, some tough goons who try to kill her, several boxes of mysterious files, and an annoying and bitchy (can I say that?) boss.
As she digs deeper and deeper the story keeps changing. Is this about price fixing in the pharmaceutical industry? Insider trading? Refinancing scam? Murder? As Charlie gets closer and closer to the truth, she and those around her are in increasing danger. And what about this Josh? Is romance on the horizon for a lonely reporter?
This book was a joy to read. The protagonists are likeable and seem to have realistic problems and concerns. The story is well crafted, Charlie’s various false starts in figuring out what is going on seem quite reasonable. As this is a first-person narrative, we know exactly what’s going on in Charlie’s mind and it seems pretty realistic (to me, but I’m a guy.) The actual scheme that Charlie finally uncovers is quite clever.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery. The writing is clean, the dialog realistic, and the plot is compelling.
Hank Phillippi Ryan
I have just finished reading Prime Time. I know, it’s about time I got around to it. This is the first of the Charlotte McNally novels. Award winning investigative reporter Charlotte “Charlie” McNally goes to interview the widow of a Brad Foreman who died in a recent car crash only to learn that he had sent Charlie an email shortly before he died. She tracks down the email. It is cryptic at best, but Charlie is all about finding answers. Charlie is under pressure from her television station to come up with a good story for the November ratings crunch, and this could be it or it could just be a wild goose chase.
The chase leads her to a dreamy high school teacher named Josh, the funeral of a recently deceased former SEC chairman who had also been contacted by Brad (and who seems to have suspiciously died in the same manner as Brad), some tough goons who beat up her producer, some tough goons who try to kill her, several boxes of mysterious files, and an annoying and bitchy (can I say that?) boss.
As she digs deeper and deeper the story keeps changing. Is this about price fixing in the pharmaceutical industry? Insider trading? Refinancing scam? Murder? As Charlie gets closer and closer to the truth, she and those around her are in increasing danger. And what about this Josh? Is romance on the horizon for a lonely reporter?
This book was a joy to read. The protagonists are likeable and seem to have realistic problems and concerns. The story is well crafted, Charlie’s various false starts in figuring out what is going on seem quite reasonable. As this is a first-person narrative, we know exactly what’s going on in Charlie’s mind and it seems pretty realistic (to me, but I’m a guy.) The actual scheme that Charlie finally uncovers is quite clever.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery. The writing is clean, the dialog realistic, and the plot is compelling.
May 2, 2020
Charlie McNally is one tough journalist who doesn’t stop for anything when following a story. This book, first time reading this author, is a story of how a journalist does investigative work to get to the bottom of her story.
When Charlie uncovers an encoded email that eventually reveals some inside trading, she doesn’t stop until she gets her answers. I like the basic story but found some parts a bit draggy. I was surprised at who was behind the fraud ring. Thanks to #Goodreads for this #giveaway.
When Charlie uncovers an encoded email that eventually reveals some inside trading, she doesn’t stop until she gets her answers. I like the basic story but found some parts a bit draggy. I was surprised at who was behind the fraud ring. Thanks to #Goodreads for this #giveaway.
June 7, 2020
I chose this series because I really like this author and another series that she has written is quite good. I've already downloaded the second book to listen to in this series so I will eventually give it a shot, but I sure hope the main character improves a lot. I really liked the other characters in the book, even the villains were well developed and believable, but the main character is a middle aged, insecure, whiney, conclusion jumping crazed chic who is supposed to also be soft hearted, eager, intelligent and quick thinking....it doesn't fly. The plot was quite good and as I said the supporting cast of characters were quite excellent. I will definitely give the second book a go as I do like this author a lot, but fingers crossed the main character is much improved. Hopefully the insertion of the love interest from this book will settle her the down and ground her more in future books.
October 15, 2016
As always, Hank Phillippi Ryan wrote a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I will be reading the next one!
August 10, 2017
I'm not sure why but for some reason every time I picked this book up to read it something made me not want to. It was a pleasant little book and definitely not your typical Harlequin. The action and mystery portion of the plot was very interesting and well written but how it started didn't make the most sense...it was too random I guess to be believable. Our heroine was very realistic and a good character but not terribly likable most of the time-switching between overly vain and overly paranoid. The romance portion wasn't bad but it felt like an afterthought like the author was just fulfilling the bare minimum to make this a Harlequin. Thankfully the book wasn't the ott sappy that many Harlequins are, it was well written and I did like the plot. I liked that the author wrote a character that was a little older but I wish it would've been one that was aging gracefully rather than whining about aging all the time.
Bottom line: a decent couple hour read if it shows up on your shelf but probably not worth buying since once you've cracked the story a reread wouldn't be very interesting.
Bottom line: a decent couple hour read if it shows up on your shelf but probably not worth buying since once you've cracked the story a reread wouldn't be very interesting.
July 21, 2019
You can count on Hank Phillippi Ryan to write a good novel. I believe Prime Time is her first book!
Originally written in 2007 my e-copy was from a 2012 re-release.
First in the Charlotte (Charlie) McNally, investigative reporter for Channel 3 news series.
Excellent characters include her producer, Franklin Brooks, the villains and her new romance.
Assigned to interview widow Melanie Foreman hours after an auto accident killed her husband Brad, Charlie & Franklin find themselves with a box of files that seem to point to financial irregularities at Brad's employer, Aztratech. When a scheme points to other company CEOs participating too, Charlie finds herself visiting Franklin after a mugging and then she is the target.
Fast paced, lots of twists with constantly changing suspects have me looking for the next book in this series.
Originally written in 2007 my e-copy was from a 2012 re-release.
First in the Charlotte (Charlie) McNally, investigative reporter for Channel 3 news series.
Excellent characters include her producer, Franklin Brooks, the villains and her new romance.
Assigned to interview widow Melanie Foreman hours after an auto accident killed her husband Brad, Charlie & Franklin find themselves with a box of files that seem to point to financial irregularities at Brad's employer, Aztratech. When a scheme points to other company CEOs participating too, Charlie finds herself visiting Franklin after a mugging and then she is the target.
Fast paced, lots of twists with constantly changing suspects have me looking for the next book in this series.
September 16, 2019
I just love Hank!
Her stories are do addicting and I’m never disappointed!
Favorite quote from Prime Time.. “I always thought I could better tomorrow. Now it’s tomorrow and I forgot to be happy.”
Her stories are do addicting and I’m never disappointed!
Favorite quote from Prime Time.. “I always thought I could better tomorrow. Now it’s tomorrow and I forgot to be happy.”
December 29, 2020
This was a really fun mystery to read! Charlotte - "Charlie" - was bright and witty and intelligent and I loved reading about her, her coworkers/friends, and their world of investigative journalism. I'm a fan of Hank’s!
June 30, 2009
Author Hank Phillippi Ryan is an award-winning investigative reporter at Boston’s NBC affiliate. She has twenty-six Emmy’s and ten Edward R. Murrow Awards, along with dozens of other national and international journalism honors. Her work has resulted in new laws, homes removed from foreclosure, criminals sent to prison, and millions of dollars in restitution. Before her reporting career, she was a proofreader, a radio reporter, an Editorial Assistant at Rolling Stone, and a legislative aide in the US Senate. Other titles include: Face Time (coming August 2009) and Air Time (coming September 2009.) She resides just outside of Boston, MA, with her husband.
Charlotte McNally knows that in the ruthless world of television journalism, you’re only as good as your last story, and her latest one very well may be. In her forties, she also knows it is all too easy to get scooped and replaced. With the November sweeps coming quick, she needs to pull out all the stops or kiss her career goodbye. When an innocent-looking email offer turns into a multimillion-dollar fraud ring and murder, it’s not just her job on the line, it’s her life. Her investigation soon leads to Josh Gelston, a professor who is just a tad too helpful and way too handsome. The sparks between them fly, but can Charlotte trust him, or is he part of this diabolical plot? As tension mounts and more questions arise, she better figure this puzzle out, or she’ll be the next headline.
Told in first-person point-of-view, this wasn’t one of those dark, suspenseful reads, but rather more light-hearted and humorous, and I found it captivating. Between the emails, the secondary characters, the suspects, and the mystery to figure out- You’ll keep reading until the end and wanting more. Charlie’s producer, Franklin, was a phenomenal add to the story-line and I rather enjoyed him. The emails were neat to watch unfold, and quite immensely clever. This was a very well-paced book, too. The setting drew you in, and I liked learning more about Boston. The reader will learn a great deal about television journalism without realizing it, and be sure to keep your eye out for the What they don’t teach you in J-school, entries…Hilarious! Typically, first-person isn’t my favorite, but this goes to show what good writing and a great sense of humor can do for a book.
Prime Time, by Hank Phillippi Ryan is a fascinating glimpse into journalism, an intriguing mystery, and a sweet romance, with sassy, but loveable characters, amidst a laugh-out-loud dialog to liven any mood.
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
Charlotte McNally knows that in the ruthless world of television journalism, you’re only as good as your last story, and her latest one very well may be. In her forties, she also knows it is all too easy to get scooped and replaced. With the November sweeps coming quick, she needs to pull out all the stops or kiss her career goodbye. When an innocent-looking email offer turns into a multimillion-dollar fraud ring and murder, it’s not just her job on the line, it’s her life. Her investigation soon leads to Josh Gelston, a professor who is just a tad too helpful and way too handsome. The sparks between them fly, but can Charlotte trust him, or is he part of this diabolical plot? As tension mounts and more questions arise, she better figure this puzzle out, or she’ll be the next headline.
Told in first-person point-of-view, this wasn’t one of those dark, suspenseful reads, but rather more light-hearted and humorous, and I found it captivating. Between the emails, the secondary characters, the suspects, and the mystery to figure out- You’ll keep reading until the end and wanting more. Charlie’s producer, Franklin, was a phenomenal add to the story-line and I rather enjoyed him. The emails were neat to watch unfold, and quite immensely clever. This was a very well-paced book, too. The setting drew you in, and I liked learning more about Boston. The reader will learn a great deal about television journalism without realizing it, and be sure to keep your eye out for the What they don’t teach you in J-school, entries…Hilarious! Typically, first-person isn’t my favorite, but this goes to show what good writing and a great sense of humor can do for a book.
Prime Time, by Hank Phillippi Ryan is a fascinating glimpse into journalism, an intriguing mystery, and a sweet romance, with sassy, but loveable characters, amidst a laugh-out-loud dialog to liven any mood.
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
April 6, 2016
Prime Time is the first book in the Charlie McNally series that has been updated and will be re-released during 2016. Ms. Ryan is a new author for me but after totally enjoying Prime Time, I am anxious to read the rest of the books in this series and read her other books, too.
Charlotte "Charlie" McNally is an investigative reporter for a TV station in Boston. At 46, she is worried that she will soon be replaced by a younger news reporter. Sweeps week is coming up and she's being pressured to come up with a big story. Even though she has Emmy Awards and has had a successful career, she knows that the next story is always the most important. Her reporter instincts lead her to a story that may be the best story of her life if she is successful or it may cause her to lose her life if she isn't. It's a definite mystery and the ending was a real surprise to me.
What I liked most about this novel was the main character of 'Charlie'. It's so nice to read a book with an older female main character who has flaws and questions herself and her abilities like Charlie does. There are other good characters in the book but Charlie was the one that was the most real to me. I can't wait to see what happens to her in the next book in the series Face a Time that will be available in April. Air Time will be available in June and Drive Time in August.
Note: Prime Time won the Agatha Award for First Novel and the Romantic times Reviewers Choice Award.
(Prime Time was given to me by Tor/Force Publishing for a fair and honest review.)
Charlotte "Charlie" McNally is an investigative reporter for a TV station in Boston. At 46, she is worried that she will soon be replaced by a younger news reporter. Sweeps week is coming up and she's being pressured to come up with a big story. Even though she has Emmy Awards and has had a successful career, she knows that the next story is always the most important. Her reporter instincts lead her to a story that may be the best story of her life if she is successful or it may cause her to lose her life if she isn't. It's a definite mystery and the ending was a real surprise to me.
What I liked most about this novel was the main character of 'Charlie'. It's so nice to read a book with an older female main character who has flaws and questions herself and her abilities like Charlie does. There are other good characters in the book but Charlie was the one that was the most real to me. I can't wait to see what happens to her in the next book in the series Face a Time that will be available in April. Air Time will be available in June and Drive Time in August.
Note: Prime Time won the Agatha Award for First Novel and the Romantic times Reviewers Choice Award.
(Prime Time was given to me by Tor/Force Publishing for a fair and honest review.)
March 14, 2016
Review to come later.
Quick thoughts: Being a HUGE fan of HPR's Jane Ryland series, I was curious to try her previous series ( now recently re-released by Tor/Forge!)
While the story was enjoyable and the writing was good, I just didn't care for Charli like I do Jane. I'll give the next book in series a try to see if Charli grows on me.
Bottom line: worth a read and an interesting plot.
Quick thoughts: Being a HUGE fan of HPR's Jane Ryland series, I was curious to try her previous series ( now recently re-released by Tor/Forge!)
While the story was enjoyable and the writing was good, I just didn't care for Charli like I do Jane. I'll give the next book in series a try to see if Charli grows on me.
Bottom line: worth a read and an interesting plot.
January 19, 2010
Fun new mystery series starring an emmy-winning investigative reporter who's facing middle age. Rings true -- probably because the author is an emmy-winning investigative reporter. I always enjoy books set in Boston.
March 19, 2010
Wonderful characters who feel real to me, and an engaging setting--written as only someone on the inside can write it.
Note: First person, present tense. For some readers, this is going to matter.
Note: First person, present tense. For some readers, this is going to matter.
October 27, 2016
Face paced fun mystery. At times she uses that first person present tense which I'm not a fan of. It makes for a disruptive read for me, especially when it's not consistent. Love Toxie the kitty (of course). And there's some solid suspects.
March 10, 2016
Charlie McNally is an incredibly likable character. This is a very fun read!
July 9, 2020
It is rare that I do not finish a book. I started listening to this, got to chapter 14 and stopped. It was awhile ago. I didn't even remember it, but itunes did. So I began again. Lo and behold, I am at chapter 14 and give up. The heroine is supposed to be a 46 year old award winning investigative journalist. She has absolutely no instincts. She jumps to conclusions with no facts, and takes forever to come to logical conclusions. Case in point...man #1 emails her and dies the next day in a car accident, one car crash, lone passenger. Suspicious, but not conclusive. Then she is contacted by man #2. He then dies in a car accident, one car crash, lone passenger. She thinks its suspicious, but then thinks maybe #1 was a scam artist desperate for money and really did kill himself. Really?? And she reacts this way in her personal life as well. She is 46 and never married, and I can see why. She has one date with Josh, a very nice man. He doesn't call her right after (later explains he knows she is in the middle of sweeps so he didn't want to push). She starts accusing him of all kinds of things. He leaves. I assume they make up and live happily ever after, but I just can't make myself take the journey. I will not be in a rush to read another of her books. I guess just not for me.
July 25, 2020
𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐻𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑃ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖 𝑅𝑦𝑎𝑛
𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 266
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝑀𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑆𝑢𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 2007
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 📕📕📕📕📕
•
This is the debut novel of Hank Phillippi Ryan. I love the cover depicting a beautiful city skyline.
𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: We follow seasoned investigative reporter Charlotte McNally working at Channel 3 news station who uncovers a mega story that as a 46yr old reporter in a cutthroat line of work can propel her into the ranks and help to solidify her job. I thought this book was fantastic. I love the way this book flowed from start to finish. Being a person who loves watching crime television, I loved how the details unfolded in this book. Hank's writing made me feel like an actual character in the story. It's not often to see a person taking their expertise in their line of work and being able to incorporate it into a story, but Hank was able to do this with impeccable precision. This is the second book I have read from her, and will certainly not be the last. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fantastic crime novel with some thriller vibes included.
•
𝙌𝙊𝙏𝘿: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥?
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐻𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑃ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖 𝑅𝑦𝑎𝑛
𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 266
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝑀𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑆𝑢𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 2007
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 📕📕📕📕📕
•
This is the debut novel of Hank Phillippi Ryan. I love the cover depicting a beautiful city skyline.
𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: We follow seasoned investigative reporter Charlotte McNally working at Channel 3 news station who uncovers a mega story that as a 46yr old reporter in a cutthroat line of work can propel her into the ranks and help to solidify her job. I thought this book was fantastic. I love the way this book flowed from start to finish. Being a person who loves watching crime television, I loved how the details unfolded in this book. Hank's writing made me feel like an actual character in the story. It's not often to see a person taking their expertise in their line of work and being able to incorporate it into a story, but Hank was able to do this with impeccable precision. This is the second book I have read from her, and will certainly not be the last. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fantastic crime novel with some thriller vibes included.
•
𝙌𝙊𝙏𝘿: 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥?
June 17, 2017
Tjis is the book I have read by Hank Phillipe Ryan and I loved it.
Charlie McNally is a 46yo journalist who is worried that her career is about to end. Always worried about the sweeps rating in November and the big story.
Charlie fills in on a news brief and her mind starts yo think about the stories she just talked about on air. One story is about a man who was missing but found a few days later and has committed suicide. Charlie let's her imagination run wild about this. Charlie gets an interview with the widow who is wonderi bf why she never replied to an email the deceased sent her.
Charlie looks into this and uncovers what she thinks can be a huge cover up and a big story.
The story line was great, never slowed downed and made it almost impossible yo put down at times. The characters made me laugh at times like Charlie describing herself. It never dragged or was a bore.
I can not want to read the next in the series as I have found a favorite author.
Charlie McNally is a 46yo journalist who is worried that her career is about to end. Always worried about the sweeps rating in November and the big story.
Charlie fills in on a news brief and her mind starts yo think about the stories she just talked about on air. One story is about a man who was missing but found a few days later and has committed suicide. Charlie let's her imagination run wild about this. Charlie gets an interview with the widow who is wonderi bf why she never replied to an email the deceased sent her.
Charlie looks into this and uncovers what she thinks can be a huge cover up and a big story.
The story line was great, never slowed downed and made it almost impossible yo put down at times. The characters made me laugh at times like Charlie describing herself. It never dragged or was a bore.
I can not want to read the next in the series as I have found a favorite author.
September 7, 2018
I really liked this book. I loved the protagonist, Charlotte McNally, the seasoned television journalist looking for a big story for the ratings sweep in November, which sets how much the television station can charge advertisers. (It's all about money but no pressure, Charlie. It's only your job on the line). If you're a woman of a certain age, as I am, you'll love Charlie's self-deprecating humor as she worries that she's aging out of her job even though she wins Emmy's for her station year after year. The station wants to put younger reporters on the air. Charlie follows her gut feelings as she and her producer Franklin, work to solve the next big story, which puts her and Franklin's life in jeopardy. The characters seem real. The setting in TV news feels real as the author knows her stuff as a TV journalist herself. An entertaining read.
October 9, 2021
The first novel from Ryan, an award winning investigative reporter, was inspired by a spam email she received one day at work. The novel won the Agatha for Best First Novel and Ryan's books have been awards magnets ever since.
Like Ryan, Charlotte "Charlie" McNally is an award-winning investigative reporter for a Boston TV station. While looking for a big story for November sweeps, she gets drawn into a mystery concerning a possible whistleblower for a pharmaceuticals company who had sent Charlie an odd email the day before his mysterious death.
Ryan knows the world of investigative journalism inside out and she's deft at explaining that world with a great deal of simplistic clarity, while never talking down to the reader.
Like Ryan, Charlotte "Charlie" McNally is an award-winning investigative reporter for a Boston TV station. While looking for a big story for November sweeps, she gets drawn into a mystery concerning a possible whistleblower for a pharmaceuticals company who had sent Charlie an odd email the day before his mysterious death.
Ryan knows the world of investigative journalism inside out and she's deft at explaining that world with a great deal of simplistic clarity, while never talking down to the reader.
November 16, 2019
My first Charlotte McNally novel, and I know it won’t be my last! Even if you know nothing about how the news gets on the tv, you won’t feel out of the loop. Technical issues are explained without being pedantic and you grow to feel the excitement and adrenaline rush of chasing the big story.
You won’t be sorry you ventured into Channel 3 and the world of Charlie McNally. Fast-paced and driving to the very last page.
You won’t be sorry you ventured into Channel 3 and the world of Charlie McNally. Fast-paced and driving to the very last page.
May 16, 2021
Hank Phillippi Ryan is an investigative Reporter in Boston and has won 37 Emmys along with many other awards for her groundbreaking journalism. Her journalism knowledge and experience definitely comes through in her writing. The characters were entertaining and well-developed. The suspenseful mystery will keep you turning the pages as you try to solve the clues. This is her first of 12 award-winning books.
July 15, 2017
I received this book free from Goodreads. It was a great crime/investigative novel.
I love Charlie and Franklin the two main characters. This book presented many unexpected twists. I was interested the entire novel. I loved Charlie's manic nature and Franklin had a big heart. I enjoyed the ending and I do recommend others that like detective, conspiracy novels they will love this!
I love Charlie and Franklin the two main characters. This book presented many unexpected twists. I was interested the entire novel. I loved Charlie's manic nature and Franklin had a big heart. I enjoyed the ending and I do recommend others that like detective, conspiracy novels they will love this!
April 15, 2021
Surprised this was her debut novel, but it was very good and enjoyed the barbs in the newsoom. Her experience shown through as a tv investigative reporter! Surprise ending. A little convoluted in the spam e-mail workings, but definitely a good read! Who would have thought the perpetrator was who it was.
September 22, 2021
This is the first book in the Charlie McNally series. She a middle aged TV investigative reporter. She can be engaging, but her self-doubts were over the top and got tiresome. Also, for a star reporter, she got a lot wrong. I’ll try the next in the series to see if her character evolves. The supporting characters are better drawn.
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