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Joan Livingston

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Killing the Story (The Isabel Long Mystery Series Book 4) Kindle Edition

by Joan Livingston (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 346 ratings

Book 4 of 7: The Isabel Long Mystery Series

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An accidental death that was no accident…

For the record, Estelle Crane, the gutsy editor of The Observer newspaper, died after a hard fall on ice. But years later, her son discovers a cryptic note hinting her death might not have been an accident after all.

Was Estelle pursuing a big story that put her life in danger?

That’s what Isabel Long — along with her 93-year-old mother, Maria, her ‘Watson’ — agrees to investigate in Dillard, a town whose best days are in the past.

A former journalist, Isabel follows leads and interviews sources, new and familiar. She quickly finds a formidable threat in Police Chief James Hawthorne, who makes it clear Isabel is not welcome in his town — and who warns her against poking her nose into Estelle’s death.

Of course, that’s after Isabel has discovered the chief’s questionable policing and a troubled history with Estelle that goes way back.

Killing the story means dropping it because there aren’t enough facts to back it up. But Isabel won’t make that mistake. She’ll see this one through to the very end.

Can she uncover the plot that led to Estelle’s murder?

Killing the Story is the fourth in the popular Isabel Long Mystery Series.

~~~

The Isabel Long Mystery Series:
Chasing the Case
Redneck’s Revenge
Checking the Traps
Killing the Story

Book 4 of 7

The Isabel Long Mystery Series
Print length

221 pages
Language

English
Sticky notes

On Kindle Scribe
Publication date

August 26, 2020
File size

481 KB
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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Killing the Story is fast-paced and gripping from start to finish. With her background as a newspaper editor, Joan Livingston adds a dose of realism that makes characters and situations seem genuine. A captivating well-told story with a lot of heart and a pinch of romance. I can't wait to see the next in the series!"
-- Teresa Dovalpage, author of Death Comes in through the Kitchen, Queen of Bones and Death of a Telenovela Star (Havana Mystery Books)

"As ever, Joan Livingston grips us from the first line. Killing the Story dives right into the story, which is both intriguing and amusing, and brings back the familiar characters which make us smile and frown, groan and cheer along with new characters to love and hate in the mix. In short, real people, rising from the page to live real lives, in a story full of adrenaline, thrills, and surprises. Another great book from a great writer. Highly recommended.
-- Val Penny, author of Hunter's Chase, Hunter's Revenge, Hunter's Force, Hunter's Blood, and Hunter's Secret (The Edinburgh Crime Series)

"The best yet in this wonderful series. Deftly plotted with characters that come life and stay with you after."
-- Katharine Johnson, author of The Suspects, The Secret, andThe Silence

Of course at the heart of Killing the Story is the whodunnit. I loved this book and I loved the writing. Fresh. Engaging. Keeps one wanting to read. You care about the characters as much as you want to know who did what and why. A Five Star Mystery.
-- Joseph Lewis, author of the Lives Trilogy, Caught in Web, and Spiral into Darkness

"Intriguing tale, strong on description, and hard to put down."
-- Paula R C Readman, author of the Funeral Birds

I love everything about this brilliant 5 star series -- the humor, the superbly drawn characters, the small town setting, the well-woven plot. It's like catching up with old friends again.
-- Paula Williams, author of Murder Served Cold, Rough and Deadly, and Burying Bad News (The Much Winchmoor Mysteries)

About the Author

Joan Livingston is the author of novels for adult and young readers. Chasing the Case, Redneck's Revenge, Checking the Traps, and Killing the Story, published by darkstroke books, are the first four books in her Isabel Long Mystery Series, featuring a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. solving cold cases in rural New England.

She draws upon her own experience as a longtime journalist in Massachusetts and New Mexico to create Isabel Long, a sassy, savvy widow who uses the skills she acquired in the business to solve what appears to be impossible cases. She also relies on her deep knowledge of rural Western Massachusetts, where she lives, to create realistic characters and settings -- from country bars (where Isabel works part-time) to a general store's backroom where gossipy old men meet.

She credits her mother, Algerina -- the inspiration for Maria, Isabel Long's 'Watson' -- for instilling in her a love of reading and the power of the written word.

For more, visit her website: joanlivingston.net. Follow her on Twitter @joanlivingston and Instagram @JoanLivingston_Author. Her author page on Facebook is: facebook.com/JoanLiving

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08BDL9KKR
Publisher ‏ : ‎ darkstroke / Crooked Cat (August 26, 2020)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 26, 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 481 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 221 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #602,345 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #6,240 in Murder
- #7,599 in Police Procedurals (Kindle Store)
- #11,562 in Murder Thrillers

Customer Reviews:
4.5 346 ratings

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Joan Livingston

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Joan Livingston is the author of novels for adult and young readers, including the Isabel Long Mystery Series. Chasing the Case, Redneck's Revenge, Checking the Traps, Killing the Story, Working the Beat, Following the Lead, and Missing the Deadline, published by darkstroke books, are the seven books thus far in the series, featuring a longtime journalist who becomes an amateur P.I. solving cold cases in rural New England.

Joan draws upon her own experience as a longtime journalist in Massachusetts and New Mexico to create Isabel Long, a sassy, savvy widow who uses the skills she acquired in the business to solve what appears to be impossible cases. She also relies on her deep knowledge of rural Western Massachusetts, where she lives, to create realistic characters and settings.

She also relied on those insights while writing The Sacred Dog, Northern Comfort, and The Sweet Spot, all set in the fictional hilltowns of Western Mass.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

346 global ratings

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Sea Nymph

Sometimes the perpetrator isn't the one you want it to be.....

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2021

Verified Purchase

Another excellent book! I'm really enjoying the hill towns of western Massachusetts, and the characters who inhabit them. I just hope the next book isn't too far off!
Isabel is on her fourth case, and this one's a tough one. I do like the fact that all of her cases thus far are cold cases.....some, many years old. But her training as a news reporter really helps, both in interviews and in tracking old memories down. And she and Jack have finally figured out what their relationship should look like.
If you like gutsy women, then you'll like Isabel Long!

One person found this helpful

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Bookzilla

Entertaining

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

Easy to follow stand-alone. No editing errors, gratuitous violence or drag-you-down drama.

Compelling storyline with descriptive, emotional writing that draws the reader into each scene. Surprise twists at the end. Flexible procedures, actions and reactions. Believable characters with distinct personalities and great banter. Thought-provoking dialogue.

No desire to re-read this story. I am interested in other works by this author.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Great detective story

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

This story kept you guessing until the end. Great detective skills for Isabella. Never would have suspected who the killer was. Would highly recommend this author.

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2022

Verified Purchase

Once again I'm running out of good things to say. Another good detective mystery in the series. Great characters that are fun to catch up with. Keeps your interest all the way through to the ending. Will continue reading series.

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CLOVIS

One story that should never be killed!

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2021

Verified Purchase

Another delightfully twisting murder mystery featuring PI Isabel Long! These might be small towns but Livingston delivers big hits with these books, ones that you never want to put down (even after you’re finished reading!)

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2022

I did not enjoy this book as much as the first three. There's just too much "Aw, shucks" in this one, and WAY to much "giggling" for a grown woman. Yuck. The story was good, but there wasn't much to it; a good third of the book was filler from the first three. Disappointing. I like the character and her mom, and I like the new friends she picks up along the way. But I expect a character to develop and mature, which is sadly not happening here.

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girlforGod53

Held my interest and very enjoyable!

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2020

Verified Purchase

Her mysteries are always an easy read, intriguing, and fun! Looking forward to the next one!

2 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Isabel Finds Trouble Before She Finds Her Man

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2021

Verified Purchase

I have enjoyed reading these 4 books about the reporter turned private investigator. The development of the characters and the setting makes it interesting and believable.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

PAB

A page-turning tale

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2020

Verified Purchase

Killing the Story is the fourth book in the Isabel Long Series, and like the previous three, this is a page-turning tale.

Isabel is still determined to get her licence as a private investigator and is taking on another case. This time it’s the son of a deceased small-town newspaper editor who is asking for Isabel’s help. His mother, Estelle Crane had died after a fall on the ice some years before, but recent discoveries have convinced him that Estelle’s death might not have been an accident.

Along with her mother, the redoubtable ninety-three year old Ma, Isabel is soon chasing down suspects and looking into the dodgy goings-on in the town of Dillard. Police Chief James Hawthorne warns our intrepid investigator off, but it will take more than an intimidating police officer to stop Isabel.

This was another great story from Joan Livingston.There are some interesting new characters and of course, some welcome old ones. The Old Farts are still a source of useful gossip and information on Isabel’s cases, and her relationship with Jack, her boss, continues to progress. Packed with detailed descriptions of small-town life, plenty of humour, and suspenseful scenes, this was a story that held my attention all the way through. I’m looking forward to Isabel’s next adventure.

Heidi Reads

Another gripping story

Reviewed in Australia on October 1, 2020

Verified Purchase

Another fabulous instalment in the Isabel Long series that kept me guessing until the end. So many colourful characters, but Ma is still my stand-out favourite! I'm really enjoying this series and hope there's more to come.

Katy J

Brilliant

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2020

Verified Purchase

The best yet in this wonderful series. Deftly plotted and perfectly paced with characters that feel real and stay with you afterwards. I love Isabel’s wry observations and the dynamic between her and Maria. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys detective stories and cozy crime

Paula R C

A Intriguing Tale

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2020

Verified Purchase

Full of twists and turns. A fast moving story. Isabel Long and her 93 yrs old mother are hunting for answers. It’s an intriguing tale, strong on description and is hard to put down.

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Killing the Story (The Isabel Long Mystery Series Book 4) Kindle Edition

From the Publisher

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About the Author

Product details

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About the author

Joan Livingston

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