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Twenty-Five Years Ago Today:
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Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence. Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling "25 Years Ago Today" items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology. Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana's suspicious nephew, Eric Soares - until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday's headline is tomorrow's danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris's present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence. Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling "25 Years Ago Today" items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology. Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana's suspicious nephew, Eric Soares - until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday's headline is tomorrow's danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris's present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2009
82 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
About the author
Stacy Juba
22 books377 followersAuthor of Storybook Valley fairy tale chick lit series, the Hockey Rivals YA sports series, suspenseful cozy mysteries, and more. Stop by Stacy's website to get your FREE Storybook Valley Welcome Kit. Stacy is also an affordable freelance editor and lover of happy endings. Check out her other website: https://www.hockeyrivalsbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
November 23, 2010
An entertaining murder mystery with a twist of romance. Twenty-something Kris Langley is an editorial assistant with the local newspaper, primarily writing obits and providing short snippets for the Twenty-Five Years Ago Today column. She wants to be more involved in writing stories for the paper, and resents her colleagues who have no scruples and yet are praised for their work at the newspaper. When Kris comes across a story about a local girl, Diana Ferguson, who was murdered 25 years ago, she feels a need to investigate. Kris's own cousin was murdered when they were just children and Kris has always blamed herself. If she solves Diana's case, bringing the killer to justice, would it help to ease her guilt over her cousin's murder? We follow Kris's investigation, as she finds the people who knew Diana, and interviews them. When she meets Eric Soares, Diana's nephew, a romance blossoms despite Kris's attempts to keep him at a distance.
I found Stacy Juba's writing style compulsive, and the action was fast-paced and realistic. The psychological aspects to the story were well thought out and true-to-life. I particularly liked the depiction of the competitive behaviour of the staff at the newsroom.
'Twenty-Five Years Ago Today' is so much more than just a murder mystery. It deals with many emotional subject areas which everyone will be able to relate to, including family relationships, guilt, forgiveness, secrets, bereavement, trust; all woven into this intriguing tale of a long-forgotten crime.
I loved the way all the action in the present day related in some way to the past, almost as if the characters had all been trapped back in time to some extent because of events that had changed their lives. In parts, this book reminded me of old detective serials, because of the slick way in the which the investigation was handled.
It's a perfect little book. I read it as an ebook download but now I have to buy the paperback because it's one of those books that you'll want to keep for ever. Highly recommended.
I found Stacy Juba's writing style compulsive, and the action was fast-paced and realistic. The psychological aspects to the story were well thought out and true-to-life. I particularly liked the depiction of the competitive behaviour of the staff at the newsroom.
'Twenty-Five Years Ago Today' is so much more than just a murder mystery. It deals with many emotional subject areas which everyone will be able to relate to, including family relationships, guilt, forgiveness, secrets, bereavement, trust; all woven into this intriguing tale of a long-forgotten crime.
I loved the way all the action in the present day related in some way to the past, almost as if the characters had all been trapped back in time to some extent because of events that had changed their lives. In parts, this book reminded me of old detective serials, because of the slick way in the which the investigation was handled.
It's a perfect little book. I read it as an ebook download but now I have to buy the paperback because it's one of those books that you'll want to keep for ever. Highly recommended.
March 7, 2010
I'm thwacking myself with a pillow right now for adhering to a strict rating policy... But I can't say much more than three and a half stars--I liked it, but it didn't hold anything special.
The mystery is excellent, the plot wonderful. Each chapter was planned out nicely, with the mystery suitably unsolved until the very end. The author keeps you guessing all the way through as to who did it, making it a true page-turner. It takes off slowly, but it's an exponential growth--by the time you get really into the book, you're hooked. There are more twists than I can count, and again, it's wonderfully planned.
Twenty-Five Years Ago Today is certainly an excellent murder mystery. The author's work planning out each chapter shows, as does her meticulous attention to details while writing.
But perhaps it's in part the meticulous attention to detail that detracts slightly from the novel. It's written fairly by-the-book--it has its moments, but the writing itself isn't any more vibrant than a decent piece of FictionPress.com. The author appears to know the rules to writing inside and out, and is clearly very talented. Just, not practical. If it makes any sense, the book is written correctly, but not effectively.
The entirety of the book also retains a slightly unpolished air. It feels like it was written too quickly, without being entirely edited or in some cases researched. Again, take my nit-picking with a grain of salt, but there are several instances in which some detail doesn't sound entirely thought through, such as when introducing a character who was supposed to be the hot young male teacher, a young woman who addresses him as "Mr. T" (presumably a student) mouths to Kris "He's so gorgeous." According to my calculations, the man has to be in his mid 40s. He's not exactly young anymore, but still can charm the heck out of his students? I'm sorry, but it just doesn't seem like that was thought out properly.
I learned from the author's discussion group that the book was outlined, which makes sense for this next bit: There are lots of details, but they're not always remembered. Something might be mentioned in two chapters, but in the second chapter it is a slightly different detail. Yet every element of the mystery itself is remembered perfectly. A bit detracting, but it's able to be overlooked.
While the mystery is incredible and gripping, the romance aspect is not. It's rather cliché and predictable, almost painfully obvious. No spoilers, but if you're reading it and have a guess...you're right.
Overall--an excellent mystery novel. Nothing to mull over later, but a good read nonetheless. Not perfectly written, but the author has clear talent. I read as an editor and read books almost designed to make you think on them, so I'm slightly biased against--hence the three (and a half!) stars. Don't let the rating set you back from reading this book. If you want a good, solid mystery, Stacy Juba is serving one up on a platter with Twenty-Five Years Ago Today.
The mystery is excellent, the plot wonderful. Each chapter was planned out nicely, with the mystery suitably unsolved until the very end. The author keeps you guessing all the way through as to who did it, making it a true page-turner. It takes off slowly, but it's an exponential growth--by the time you get really into the book, you're hooked. There are more twists than I can count, and again, it's wonderfully planned.
Twenty-Five Years Ago Today is certainly an excellent murder mystery. The author's work planning out each chapter shows, as does her meticulous attention to details while writing.
But perhaps it's in part the meticulous attention to detail that detracts slightly from the novel. It's written fairly by-the-book--it has its moments, but the writing itself isn't any more vibrant than a decent piece of FictionPress.com. The author appears to know the rules to writing inside and out, and is clearly very talented. Just, not practical. If it makes any sense, the book is written correctly, but not effectively.
The entirety of the book also retains a slightly unpolished air. It feels like it was written too quickly, without being entirely edited or in some cases researched. Again, take my nit-picking with a grain of salt, but there are several instances in which some detail doesn't sound entirely thought through, such as when introducing a character who was supposed to be the hot young male teacher, a young woman who addresses him as "Mr. T" (presumably a student) mouths to Kris "He's so gorgeous." According to my calculations, the man has to be in his mid 40s. He's not exactly young anymore, but still can charm the heck out of his students? I'm sorry, but it just doesn't seem like that was thought out properly.
I learned from the author's discussion group that the book was outlined, which makes sense for this next bit: There are lots of details, but they're not always remembered. Something might be mentioned in two chapters, but in the second chapter it is a slightly different detail. Yet every element of the mystery itself is remembered perfectly. A bit detracting, but it's able to be overlooked.
While the mystery is incredible and gripping, the romance aspect is not. It's rather cliché and predictable, almost painfully obvious. No spoilers, but if you're reading it and have a guess...you're right.
Overall--an excellent mystery novel. Nothing to mull over later, but a good read nonetheless. Not perfectly written, but the author has clear talent. I read as an editor and read books almost designed to make you think on them, so I'm slightly biased against--hence the three (and a half!) stars. Don't let the rating set you back from reading this book. If you want a good, solid mystery, Stacy Juba is serving one up on a platter with Twenty-Five Years Ago Today.
May 9, 2012
I went back and forth from 2 to 3 stars but finally decided on 3 because I did enjoy the first half of the book.
The second half of the book tho was close to terrible. I don't understand why the romance between Kris and Eric was even in the book at all, it moved way to fast and gave nothing to the story at all. Filler maybe or the author wanted to write romance and couldn't? I don't know. I never felt like they had any sparks or chemistry and really they kissed ONCE then sleeping together and never even went on a date!? HUH?
I thought Jaquelin and Bruce fell flat, there was so much promise there and I kept reading to figure out why Jaquelin was being such a bitch but it was never mentioned so I was let down on that.
As I mentioned before tho the first half of the story was great, I was really drawn in on the premise of the book and thought it was a good story, just fell flat from the middle on.
This is probably nitpicking but, was Kris an Obit writer or the writer for the column 25 years ago today? That is the name of the book but she is mentioned more as an obit writer then anything else.
The second half of the book tho was close to terrible. I don't understand why the romance between Kris and Eric was even in the book at all, it moved way to fast and gave nothing to the story at all. Filler maybe or the author wanted to write romance and couldn't? I don't know. I never felt like they had any sparks or chemistry and really they kissed ONCE then sleeping together and never even went on a date!? HUH?
I thought Jaquelin and Bruce fell flat, there was so much promise there and I kept reading to figure out why Jaquelin was being such a bitch but it was never mentioned so I was let down on that.
As I mentioned before tho the first half of the story was great, I was really drawn in on the premise of the book and thought it was a good story, just fell flat from the middle on.
This is probably nitpicking but, was Kris an Obit writer or the writer for the column 25 years ago today? That is the name of the book but she is mentioned more as an obit writer then anything else.
May 1, 2011
Twenty-Five Years Ago Today author Stacy Juba tells the story of a young editorial assistant and obituary writer, Kris Langley, who happens upon details of an unsolved murder that occurred 25 years ago. She decides, subconsciously, to assuage her guilt over a cousin's death by attempting to solve the case.
In her search, Kris revisits the trail that the original detective laid during his investigation. Information she uncovers only strengthens her belief that she doesn't deserve happiness.
As the story progresses, it becomes evident that Kris's guilt over her cousin's death defines her relationship with the few people she allows into her life and affects how she interprets the actions as well as the thoughts of others.
I often wanted to give Kris a shake for her impulsive actions and could only hope that things would work out for her in the end. The tale is well-told with a satisfying denouement.
In her search, Kris revisits the trail that the original detective laid during his investigation. Information she uncovers only strengthens her belief that she doesn't deserve happiness.
As the story progresses, it becomes evident that Kris's guilt over her cousin's death defines her relationship with the few people she allows into her life and affects how she interprets the actions as well as the thoughts of others.
I often wanted to give Kris a shake for her impulsive actions and could only hope that things would work out for her in the end. The tale is well-told with a satisfying denouement.
June 10, 2018
In reviewing microfilm looking for items for her column "Twenty-Five Years Ago Today," editorial assistant Kris comes across a story of an unsolved murder. Having felt responsible for her cousin's murder when they were twelve and she tricked her cousin into going off on her own, Kris decided to atone for her guilt by solving this old murder. Why she thought she could succeed where two decades of police investigation failed wasn't clear, but she was determined. Her investigation kept me glued to the page even when I was shaking my head at the unreasonable chances she took. The resolution was a surprise and not totally satisfying.
May 15, 2021
I’m going for a 3.8 rating just not quit 4 stars. Story well written. Nice mystery, and it was a surprising ending I did not see coming.
I only liked 2 characters, others seemed a little corny and the romance was to be expected.
All in all I did enjoy the book.
I only liked 2 characters, others seemed a little corny and the romance was to be expected.
All in all I did enjoy the book.
March 3, 2013
Twenty-Five Years Ago Today is about a young woman, Kris Langley, who is troubled by her past. When she was twelve years old, her cousin was murdered. Kris feels responsible for the death and cannot get past it. After an attempt to run from the memories plaguing her, she comes back to her home town and begins a job as an editorial assistant for the local newspaper. Due to her chronic insomnia problems, she is happy to find a position where she can work a later shift. Initially, her duties are less than exciting. The closest she gets to news is obituaries and wedding announcements. Yet there is one other assignment she must complete daily, a report on what occurred each day twenty-five years ago. This requires pouring through old headlines from long ago to find interesting events. That is when she runs across an old article about a woman's unsolved murder. Kris finds it horrible that the crime has never been solved after such a long time and takes it upon herself to look into the case.
Of course, solving a mystery of such long standing that has left the police baffled will not be easy. She has no previous experience with investigative reporting and her boss would never agree to such an adventure. This means Kris must quickly gain the skills needed, question the family and witnesses, and do it without the newspaper finding out before she solves the crime. Along the way, she meets an attractive man, Eric, who is a nephew of the deceased woman. He doesn't like Kris sticking her nose into matters best left in the past, but neither of them can deny the attraction they feel toward each other. It is just one more surprise, in a string of many, which will leave the reader wondering how things will turn out. Who exactly is the murderer and how can Kris resolve her feelings toward a man she shouldn't become involved with?
This book was somewhat deceptive for me. In the beginning, it appeared to be a bit slow, but as each page progressed, I become more hooked on the story. Once the background information was introduced and the murder investigation began, it really picked up speed. I also enjoyed the little excerpts at the beginning of each chapter detailing some small event that occurred twenty-five years ago. They were rather creative. All the characters were fleshed out and realistic. Kris had her strengths and flaws which made her likeable and easy to relate to. There was a bit of romance, but the story didn't rely too heavily on it. In fact, I almost thought Kris and Eric seemed awkward, except that their relationship was very realistic considering the way they met. The odds of them surviving the difficulties of the investigation were not good and I think the author handled that situation well.
The plot kept you guessing until the end. I honestly couldn't determine who the killer was for sure as the author provided a lot of evidence that pointed different ways. When the end finally came, I found myself pondering over the events and wondering how I would have reacted under similar circumstances. Stacy Juba's book will certainly leave an impression on readers that will last long after the final pages are finished. If you enjoy mystery books with a splash of romance, this may be the book for you. I am certainly glad I read it and would happily recommend it to others.
Of course, solving a mystery of such long standing that has left the police baffled will not be easy. She has no previous experience with investigative reporting and her boss would never agree to such an adventure. This means Kris must quickly gain the skills needed, question the family and witnesses, and do it without the newspaper finding out before she solves the crime. Along the way, she meets an attractive man, Eric, who is a nephew of the deceased woman. He doesn't like Kris sticking her nose into matters best left in the past, but neither of them can deny the attraction they feel toward each other. It is just one more surprise, in a string of many, which will leave the reader wondering how things will turn out. Who exactly is the murderer and how can Kris resolve her feelings toward a man she shouldn't become involved with?
This book was somewhat deceptive for me. In the beginning, it appeared to be a bit slow, but as each page progressed, I become more hooked on the story. Once the background information was introduced and the murder investigation began, it really picked up speed. I also enjoyed the little excerpts at the beginning of each chapter detailing some small event that occurred twenty-five years ago. They were rather creative. All the characters were fleshed out and realistic. Kris had her strengths and flaws which made her likeable and easy to relate to. There was a bit of romance, but the story didn't rely too heavily on it. In fact, I almost thought Kris and Eric seemed awkward, except that their relationship was very realistic considering the way they met. The odds of them surviving the difficulties of the investigation were not good and I think the author handled that situation well.
The plot kept you guessing until the end. I honestly couldn't determine who the killer was for sure as the author provided a lot of evidence that pointed different ways. When the end finally came, I found myself pondering over the events and wondering how I would have reacted under similar circumstances. Stacy Juba's book will certainly leave an impression on readers that will last long after the final pages are finished. If you enjoy mystery books with a splash of romance, this may be the book for you. I am certainly glad I read it and would happily recommend it to others.
April 1, 2011
Twenty Five Years Ago Today is a solid and intriguing contemporary mystery by Stacy Juba.
Kris Langley is an aspiring newspaper journalist, working as an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper. She is also in charge of a "25 Years Ago Today" column, and one of her duties is researching the archives. One day she comes across an unsolved murder mystery, that happened exactly 25 years ago. The murder victim was Diana Ferguson, a 21 year old cocktail waitress. Her body was found dumped in the woods. Unfortunately, despite various suspects, no one was ever actually charged with her murder.
Kris knows how it feels to have someone close to you brutally taken away, so she sympathizes with Diana's family. She decides she wants to try and solve the case and bring peace into their lives.
Kris starts to investigate the case on her own, without the approval of the managing editor, who surely wouldn't like the idea. She gets close with the victim's family, winning their trust and affection. With every moment she grows more and more desperate to solve the case.
Things get even more complicated when she meets Eric Soares, Diana's nephew, as the two of them are undeniably drawn to each other.
You won't regret picking up a copy of it. It's a fast-paced and engaging read, with just the perfect blend of mystery, drama and romance. It's definitely a page turner, I had trouble putting it down and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Stacy Juba did an excellent job immersing the reader. She kept me guessing who the murderer was till the very last pages , and just when I thought I had it all figured out, there came yet another twist, completely throwing me off! The ending caught me by surprise and was absolutely unpredictable!
I especially enjoyed the occasional sprinkle of Greek mythology, it most definitely added to the whole story, making it even more captivating. The main characters, Kris and Eric, were very likeable and real. The chemistry between them was simply fantastic, yet the romance didn't take over the book. It was just a perfect amount of sexiness to keep me interested, but not enough to make me frown - just the way I like it :)
To sum it all up: I had a great time reading this book. It is a perfectly balanced novel, that has it all: action, unsolved crime, thrilling twists, interesting mythology facts, romance, family drama and more! I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy it!
Kris Langley is an aspiring newspaper journalist, working as an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper. She is also in charge of a "25 Years Ago Today" column, and one of her duties is researching the archives. One day she comes across an unsolved murder mystery, that happened exactly 25 years ago. The murder victim was Diana Ferguson, a 21 year old cocktail waitress. Her body was found dumped in the woods. Unfortunately, despite various suspects, no one was ever actually charged with her murder.
Kris knows how it feels to have someone close to you brutally taken away, so she sympathizes with Diana's family. She decides she wants to try and solve the case and bring peace into their lives.
Kris starts to investigate the case on her own, without the approval of the managing editor, who surely wouldn't like the idea. She gets close with the victim's family, winning their trust and affection. With every moment she grows more and more desperate to solve the case.
Things get even more complicated when she meets Eric Soares, Diana's nephew, as the two of them are undeniably drawn to each other.
You won't regret picking up a copy of it. It's a fast-paced and engaging read, with just the perfect blend of mystery, drama and romance. It's definitely a page turner, I had trouble putting it down and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Stacy Juba did an excellent job immersing the reader. She kept me guessing who the murderer was till the very last pages , and just when I thought I had it all figured out, there came yet another twist, completely throwing me off! The ending caught me by surprise and was absolutely unpredictable!
I especially enjoyed the occasional sprinkle of Greek mythology, it most definitely added to the whole story, making it even more captivating. The main characters, Kris and Eric, were very likeable and real. The chemistry between them was simply fantastic, yet the romance didn't take over the book. It was just a perfect amount of sexiness to keep me interested, but not enough to make me frown - just the way I like it :)
To sum it all up: I had a great time reading this book. It is a perfectly balanced novel, that has it all: action, unsolved crime, thrilling twists, interesting mythology facts, romance, family drama and more! I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy it!
March 5, 2011
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY by Stacy Juba
Published by Mainly Murder Press
ISBN-13: 9780615290119
ISBN: 0615290116
At the request of the author, a PDF EBook edition, was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence.
Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling "25 Years Ago Today" items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.
Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana's suspicious nephew, Eric Soares - until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday's headline is tomorrow's danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris's present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
My Thoughts and Opinion: I apologize in advance for this review since it is going to be very vague but I do not want to include any spoilers. The suspense held my interest during the entire book. It was well written with relatable characters. However, my thoughts throughout the book was how believable could the story line be with an editorial assistant cracking a 25 year old cold case that seasoned professionals couldn't? My question was answered with the explosive ending of the book. When I thought that the killer was finally exposed,or was it the real killer, and the story was winding down there was much more to come!! Surprising!!!! Well done!!!!
My Rating: 4
Published by Mainly Murder Press
ISBN-13: 9780615290119
ISBN: 0615290116
At the request of the author, a PDF EBook edition, was provided, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from B&N): Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence.
Now an editorial assistant and obit writer for a Massachusetts newspaper, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling "25 Years Ago Today" items from the microfilm. She grows fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.
Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.
Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana's suspicious nephew, Eric Soares - until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them.
Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday's headline is tomorrow's danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris's present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.
My Thoughts and Opinion: I apologize in advance for this review since it is going to be very vague but I do not want to include any spoilers. The suspense held my interest during the entire book. It was well written with relatable characters. However, my thoughts throughout the book was how believable could the story line be with an editorial assistant cracking a 25 year old cold case that seasoned professionals couldn't? My question was answered with the explosive ending of the book. When I thought that the killer was finally exposed,or was it the real killer, and the story was winding down there was much more to come!! Surprising!!!! Well done!!!!
My Rating: 4
April 10, 2013
When I saw the title, I knew I had to download this book. Kris Langley is an aspiring reporter at a small-town newspaper whose job includes writing blurbs about events that happened "25 years ago today." That was once my job. I was younger than Kris-still a teenager-when I launched my newspaper career at the Clearwater Sun. One of my assignments was scrolling through old microfilm looking for historical events that could be summed up in a sentence or two. I had to do not just 25 years ago, but also several other time spans. At that time, 25-year-old papers were filled with stories about the war effort (as in World War II). I sometimes wondered what had happened to people I read about, but it never occurred to me to investigate an unsolved murder I came across in the archives. Fortunately, it did occur to Stacy Juba, who turned the idea into the plot for a very good first novel.
I liked her characters and found them to be very believable. There are no mobsters, spies or billionaires. This is a murder that occurred in the midst of every day small town life. She beautifully accentuates that fact with the "25 years ago" blurbs that head each chapter--anniversaries, speech contests, committee meetings and the like. I liked the plot. I liked the underlying psychological theme of repressed guilt and grief. It's a good read and could generate some good book club discussions about family dynamics, guilt and journalistic ethics. What it's not is exciting or particularly suspenseful.
Having said that, I give it 3 and 1/2 stars and I definitely would read another of Stacy's books.
I liked her characters and found them to be very believable. There are no mobsters, spies or billionaires. This is a murder that occurred in the midst of every day small town life. She beautifully accentuates that fact with the "25 years ago" blurbs that head each chapter--anniversaries, speech contests, committee meetings and the like. I liked the plot. I liked the underlying psychological theme of repressed guilt and grief. It's a good read and could generate some good book club discussions about family dynamics, guilt and journalistic ethics. What it's not is exciting or particularly suspenseful.
Having said that, I give it 3 and 1/2 stars and I definitely would read another of Stacy's books.
March 8, 2013
Review of Twenty Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba
5 stars
I totally enjoyed this thoroughly engrossing mystery, a romantic suspense by Stacy Juba. Kris Langley is a woman with a long-held secret: she considers herself responsible for the death of her much-loved cousin Nicole, when they were both twelve. During her work as an editorial assistant at a newspaper, writing obits and birth and wedding announcements, she happens upon a crime account from twenty-five years earlier: the death of a 21-year-old woman, a promising artist, working as a cocktail waitress. Although there were a couple of ex-boyfriend suspects, the case quickly went cold and stayed that way. Kris begins to investigate, and befriends the bereaved mother, sister, and brother-in-law. The dead woman’s nephew at first agitates against her questioning, but it isn’t long before the sparks between Eric and Kris fly, for other reasons entirely.
Author Stacy Juba keeps the suspense burner turned up to the max, and although there are plenty of possibilities, and what seems a pretty certain result, I think readers will find themselves surprised at the outcome. Ms. Juba also really delineates the layers of emotion involved, both in the death of Diana Ferguson so many years earlier, and in the murder of Kris’ cousin, and shows us the aftermath of both crimes.
I highly recommend this mystery-it’s a re-reader.
5 stars
I totally enjoyed this thoroughly engrossing mystery, a romantic suspense by Stacy Juba. Kris Langley is a woman with a long-held secret: she considers herself responsible for the death of her much-loved cousin Nicole, when they were both twelve. During her work as an editorial assistant at a newspaper, writing obits and birth and wedding announcements, she happens upon a crime account from twenty-five years earlier: the death of a 21-year-old woman, a promising artist, working as a cocktail waitress. Although there were a couple of ex-boyfriend suspects, the case quickly went cold and stayed that way. Kris begins to investigate, and befriends the bereaved mother, sister, and brother-in-law. The dead woman’s nephew at first agitates against her questioning, but it isn’t long before the sparks between Eric and Kris fly, for other reasons entirely.
Author Stacy Juba keeps the suspense burner turned up to the max, and although there are plenty of possibilities, and what seems a pretty certain result, I think readers will find themselves surprised at the outcome. Ms. Juba also really delineates the layers of emotion involved, both in the death of Diana Ferguson so many years earlier, and in the murder of Kris’ cousin, and shows us the aftermath of both crimes.
I highly recommend this mystery-it’s a re-reader.
May 6, 2016
Good mystery with a little romance thrown in.
I received a copy of this book for review.
If you like well-written, nicely paced whodunits , well fleshed-out characters, a few deft twists and a dash of romance this is definitely the book for you.
Kris is writing obituaries and birth announcements, with a few historical town tidbits, when she finds the story of an unsolved murder 25 years before. Because of her own feelings of guilt about her own cousin's murder when they were 12, she decides to see what she can find out about it.
As she gets to know the murdered girl's family she finds herself caring for them deeply. Her investigation doesn't seem to be going very far but some people are getting very upset with her. Should she just back off and stick to her assistant job or should she risk her job, her family's distain and maybe even her own life?
Several times I thought I knew what would happen and I was wrong every time. There are twists and turns enough to keep you guessing until the end.
I received a copy of this book for review.
If you like well-written, nicely paced whodunits , well fleshed-out characters, a few deft twists and a dash of romance this is definitely the book for you.
Kris is writing obituaries and birth announcements, with a few historical town tidbits, when she finds the story of an unsolved murder 25 years before. Because of her own feelings of guilt about her own cousin's murder when they were 12, she decides to see what she can find out about it.
As she gets to know the murdered girl's family she finds herself caring for them deeply. Her investigation doesn't seem to be going very far but some people are getting very upset with her. Should she just back off and stick to her assistant job or should she risk her job, her family's distain and maybe even her own life?
Several times I thought I knew what would happen and I was wrong every time. There are twists and turns enough to keep you guessing until the end.
August 3, 2010
This book is full of intriguing characters and plot twists that keep the reader coming back.
Racked with grief and guilt over her cousin's tragic murder, Kris believes she can bring peace to the suffering family of a talented young artist murdered 25 years ago. Kris' own complicated family situation provides motivation for her to continue in the face of adversity, to prove she can forge her own path to success and happiness, and come clean about the secrets she's been keeping. The more Kris learns about the details of the case, and the more involved she becomes with the family, the less clear things seem. Once she discovers the secrets that have been hidden for 25 years, she must decide if destroying an entire family with the truth, and finding justice for the victim, will finally help her defeat her own demons.
Racked with grief and guilt over her cousin's tragic murder, Kris believes she can bring peace to the suffering family of a talented young artist murdered 25 years ago. Kris' own complicated family situation provides motivation for her to continue in the face of adversity, to prove she can forge her own path to success and happiness, and come clean about the secrets she's been keeping. The more Kris learns about the details of the case, and the more involved she becomes with the family, the less clear things seem. Once she discovers the secrets that have been hidden for 25 years, she must decide if destroying an entire family with the truth, and finding justice for the victim, will finally help her defeat her own demons.
July 5, 2015
An old secret. A missing person. And an inquisitive journalist. Kris Langley comes across a cold case of a missing woman. She thinks she is doing the missing woman a favour by seeking closure. However, the reader and Kris both find out things cannot end well for the person who wants to dig it all up and expose it to the world.
What this does is soon tears up her personal life to shreds. But Kris continues to pursue the case despite being told to leave things alone by the people she loves. I was extremely pleased with the author's writing and character development. At various times, I did find that the story moved slowly in some sections but I look forward to reading more stories from Stacy Juba.
What this does is soon tears up her personal life to shreds. But Kris continues to pursue the case despite being told to leave things alone by the people she loves. I was extremely pleased with the author's writing and character development. At various times, I did find that the story moved slowly in some sections but I look forward to reading more stories from Stacy Juba.
March 11, 2010
I just finished this mystery and found it well written. Stacy Juba was a new writer to me but I am glad I discovered her. The plot of this novel hooked me and reeled me in from the very start and kept me enthralled thoughout. The writing style was of the calibur of Mary Higgins Clark or Tess Gerritsen.
This was an excellent mystery and I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it. I look forward to future novels by Stacy Juba.
This was an excellent mystery and I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it. I look forward to future novels by Stacy Juba.
March 23, 2010
This book has it all - mystery, suspense, drama, deceit, and a sprinkle of romance. The characters sparkle with life. For me, this was one of those books where the characters became like friends I was rooting for. Right from the start, I was pulled into the story and taken for a wonderful ride.
Stacy Juba is a terrific new voice in fiction. She’s at work on her next novel and I can’t wait to read it!
Stacy Juba is a terrific new voice in fiction. She’s at work on her next novel and I can’t wait to read it!
December 19, 2010
The characters were a match made in heaven, it seemed as if the author had their voices in her head the wholke way through. The thriller held me throughout and when I finished, a sigh of relief and happiness broke out. I would reccommend this book to everyone :)
June 1, 2011
This was an interesting book..it was incredibly shallow so a very quick read for me. A mystery with a tinge of romance without going overboard, but it was very superficially written, so I was almost able to skim it and still get the gyst of the book.
March 15, 2010
A good mystery, particularly if you like "cold case" stories. Believable plot, good characters and scenes. A story you keep thinking about now and again.
August 18, 2010
Excellent! Twist of an ending.
August 14, 2011
good quick read
January 5, 2011
This was a great mystery that also ended up having a hint of romance.
March 24, 2017
Twenty-six-year-old Kris Langley is an aspiring journalist working for The Fremont Dailey News, in Fremont, Massachusetts. As to be expected, Kris started in the lower echelons of the newspaper. Obituaries were her main forte. This may seem trivial, morbid, and tedious, but to the families of the deceased, this was far from the case. Kris takes her job seriously and tries to write her pieces with honor and respect.
In addition to the daily obituaries, Kris was given a daily piece called “Twenty-Five-Years-Ago,” which involves looking into the newspaper’s back issues and rehashing local stories a quarter of a century earlier. She was also given all of the tedious tasks that her colleagues refused to do.
When Kris comes across an unsolved murder, twenty-five years earlier, she became hooked on this old, almost forgotten story. Murder wasn’t a common occurrence in Fremont; in fact, this was the first and only one ever to take place in the town. Diana Ferguson, the murdered woman, was twenty-one-years-old when she was murdered. Her family was still traumatized, as her death was never resolved and they couldn’t lay it to rest. Kris decides to investigate it herself and try to answer all the hitherto unreciprocated questions.
Nancy Drew anno 2009; this is a light mystery that should appeal to a large reading audience. It is a little too tame and pedestrian for my tastes. A little more sex, romance, violence, and mystery would improve this tale dramatically. None of the characters jump off the pages to surprise you. Being a dog-lover, the feline supporting cast doesn’t add the magic for me that canine’s do.
In addition to the daily obituaries, Kris was given a daily piece called “Twenty-Five-Years-Ago,” which involves looking into the newspaper’s back issues and rehashing local stories a quarter of a century earlier. She was also given all of the tedious tasks that her colleagues refused to do.
When Kris comes across an unsolved murder, twenty-five years earlier, she became hooked on this old, almost forgotten story. Murder wasn’t a common occurrence in Fremont; in fact, this was the first and only one ever to take place in the town. Diana Ferguson, the murdered woman, was twenty-one-years-old when she was murdered. Her family was still traumatized, as her death was never resolved and they couldn’t lay it to rest. Kris decides to investigate it herself and try to answer all the hitherto unreciprocated questions.
Nancy Drew anno 2009; this is a light mystery that should appeal to a large reading audience. It is a little too tame and pedestrian for my tastes. A little more sex, romance, violence, and mystery would improve this tale dramatically. None of the characters jump off the pages to surprise you. Being a dog-lover, the feline supporting cast doesn’t add the magic for me that canine’s do.
June 29, 2019
This overall was an okay mystery. I like the main character. She was trying to rebuild her life, and find forgiveness. I do think that the story could have used some more development. I wanted more from the main characters story, and perhaps a more defined resolution. The romance was instalovey, and was not my cup of tea. The idea behind the plot was original, but again, this should have been more developed.
November 10, 2016
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily decided to review.
A really good book with a plot that has wonderful twists and turns making it hard to figure out " who done it "!!! A must read it book. And I know as I am an avid reader and aspiring author.
A really good book with a plot that has wonderful twists and turns making it hard to figure out " who done it "!!! A must read it book. And I know as I am an avid reader and aspiring author.
October 29, 2017
I liked the concept a few more characters would have been welcomed. The choice of a ferret was a interesting pet. I had a friend that died violently and I Dona’s think you ever get over it but better when evil doer is caught.
March 27, 2023
This is a must read!!
Very, very good. It has been a long time since I have read a book in one afternoon. Very well thought out plot and surprising conclusion. I hope to read more from Stacy Juba.
Very, very good. It has been a long time since I have read a book in one afternoon. Very well thought out plot and surprising conclusion. I hope to read more from Stacy Juba.
November 14, 2017
Quick read, good read right through to the end.
October 11, 2018
I enjoy this author and on this did not disappoint. Super easy read and held my attention. I thought I knew who the killer was but I was wrong. I like it when I get a surprise at the end.
June 16, 2019
This was an enjoyable murder mystery!
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