The Newsmakers
Lis Wiehl with Sebastian Stuart
Thomas Nelson 2016
352 pages

The Newsmakers by former federal prosecutor Lis Wiehl (with Sebastian Stuart) is an interesting and compelling mystery/drama that focuses on television news media.

Erica Sparks is a spitfire; a young, attractive journalist who has overcome the odds of a tumultuous past.  Aggressive, yet curious and compassionate, and determined to find success and notoriety on the TV screens of the nation, she searches for human interest stories that pique curiosity.The Newsmakers (A Newsmakers Novel Book 1) on Kindle

Green to the field, she is thrilled to be handpicked and hired by Nylan Hastings, the successful owner of Global News Network.  Erica thinks she has it made.  Erica is on an incredible fast track to riches, power, and a devoted fan base.

Her first story, the right place at the right time coverage of a Statin Island Ferry accident catapults her to fame and instant recognition, which generates envy from her better-established colleagues.

When a public figure collapses during Erica’s interview, she again becomes part of the news.  Distrust, anxiety and paranoia begin to permeate her life.

Disturbed by the incidents, Erica begins to suspect that they were not just unfortunate occurrences, but that something or someone sinister is behind it all.  She enlists the help of computer whiz Mark Benton to help her ferret out information.

When offered a dream job, she wonders if she is being rewarded, or silenced.  Her search for the truth begins.

Hard to put down, The Newsmakers by Lis Wiehl is a highly recommended read.  It is fast-paced, exciting, and unpredictable.  Characters are believable; especially Erica, whose life is layered and complicated.  Wiehl, with her very impressive legal credentials, uses her knowledge to construct an engrossing drama while orchestrating how different parts of Erica’s psyche unfold.

This reader looks forward to delving into more novels by the talented writing team of Lis Wiehl and Sebastian Stuart.

Also by Lis Whiehl and reviewed here: The Candidate