Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Story That Wouldn't Die by Christina Estes Narrator: Devon Sorvari
Series: Jolene Garcia Mystery #2
Published by Dreamscape Media, Minotaur Books on August 19, 2025
Genres: Thriller
Pages: 321
Length: 10 hours, 3 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Phoenix, Arizona TV reporter Jolene Garcia is fresh off winning her first Emmy and committed to covering stories that matter to her community. But Jolene’s managers want stories that grab immediate attention and generate clicks, not ones that take time to develop.
When a beloved small business owner dies in a car crash, Jolene isn’t convinced it was an accident. He’d been raising questions about who keeps getting lucrative deals at city hall—questions that powerful people don’t want answered. The deeper Jolene digs, the more suspicious things she uncovers.
Exposing greed, ambition, and deception could become the biggest story of Jolene’s career. Her bosses tell her to drop it. But there’s a story here, and Jolene’s going to find it.
Everything I said in my review of Off the Air is still true. Our main point of view is Jolene Garcia, who is a news reporter. She works very hard to create sources and develop actual news stories. Her management is all about the stories that are “sexy” more than real news. She’s really in a job which isn’t quite a fit.
Jolene pushes the line farther than she did in the previous book. More people were really unhappy with her, and not just the killers trying to get away with their crimes. I’d forgotten her unlikeable aspects and was rooting for her. She is smart and did a good job of putting things together and finding evidence. She really puts herself at risk also.
The Story That Wouldn’t Die is a step over the line in many ways. We do get a bit more information on her personal history. But she has no personal life, only her job. Sadly, that means it ties in with her identity and has a super weight in her feelings. I was glad to see her have empathy for victims.
Narration:
I read the ebook for Off the Air, but the narrator has changed so this would be a different narrator. Devon Sorvari is new to me although she has an extensive catalog. For so much of the story we are in Jolene’s thoughts or as she talks to people and I was comfortable with her voice for Jolene.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 25-Audio
- 25-COYER
Interesting series, Anne💜 Are you liking Jolene?
I can’t decide. Journalism is kind of push and selfish. She does have pressures from her boss and others to get stories no matter what. Her decisions are sometimes questionable. But she is more caring than many.
So is she a news reporter solving crimes? Like a cozy?
She is a new reporter solving crimes as she investigates for a story. I wouldn’t call it a cozy though.
I’ve rarely had a good experience when the main character is a reporter or journalist, but I’m glad you could get behind her figuring out the murder.
Well the journalists can be pretty sleazy and Jolene borders on that.
Not sure I’d like Jolene. It sounds like she takes too many risks and is willing to do a lot for a story. I usually like my characters to have a personal life, too. Glad to see you enjoyed it overall.
It’s a fine line for me with Jolene. I see her point of view but wouldn’t make some of the choices she does.
If done right…flawed characters with some unlikeable aspects can be the more endearing.
yes I think that’s right.
I knew a few reporters who had gotten into journalism wanting to be hard hitting investigative reporting and ended up creating lists to increase the number of hits the website got. The struggle was interesting. For that alone I’m interested in this series so I’m glad to see how enjoyable it sounds. I’ll have to pick up the first book.
yes Jolene is in the midst of the huge changes in the industry and pushed in some bad directions by her bosses.
Hmm, not sure if. you’re enjoying the character or not? But I guess the story wasn’t bad for you based on your ratings. Thanks for your thoughts!
I’m not sure if I like the character but I understand her choices. The mystery was pretty good though.