Dear Fellow Reader,

I am going to do something out of the ordinary for me today. I am going to tell you about two books that I did not really like. I hate to do this because someone put all their effort into writing a book, and I hate to belittle that effort.

Something along the lines that if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

The Story That Wouldn’t Die by Christina Estes did not capture my interest. It seemed to move slowly, and the characters didn’t appeal to me. It is the story of award-winning reporter Jolene Garcia working on a story about bid rigging in the city. She had talked to a small business owner who decided that he was fed up and had to bring up that he felt that he wasn’t getting city work because the bids were rigged. Soon after they talked, he was killed in a car crash. Normally, she would expect her bosses to be right behind her, urging her to look into the story. But they aren’t. They tell her to drop the story. She doesn’,t and she keeps investigating.

I’m sorry that I can’t sing the praises of this book. I would suggest that if you think the premise sounds interesting that you take the time to read it and form your own opinion.

Stakeouts and Strollers by Rob Phillips is the second book that I did not like. This book does not come out until March 17, 2026. Much like other times I have not liked a book, this book has won an award, and it isn’t even out yet. It won an award for Best First Mystery Novel. So, if it sounds interesting to you, please go ahead and read it. My opinion is not the be-all and end-all.

Charlie Shaw is tired and broke. He is a new dad and a new PI. While he is working on one case, he meets Friday Findley, who is searching for her Dad. Findley’s mother has recently died, and she needs to find her dad to keep her out of the foster system. The trouble is, of course, that her dad is not someone that anyone aspires to know. At first, it looks like maybe he is just hiding but then Charley begins to suspect there is something else going on. Can he back out now that he has taken an interest? 

I found the book really unrealistic. I know, mystery, fiction, a name like Stakeouts and Strollers; what did I expect? The beginning of the book flips back and forth in time, and I found it confusing and which was not a great way to start.

I’d love to agree that it deserves an award, but I’m not there. I suggest that if it sounds interesting to you that you check it out for yourself.

Thanks for reading.