My name is Carol Childs and my life is a balancing act. I’m a single, middle-aged mom, I work at a talk radio station in Los Angeles and I’ve recently started dating Eric Langdon, an FBI Agent, who professionally I know I shouldn’t be involved with, ‘cause sometimes things can get sticky, particularly if we’re working different sides of a story. So, I do the best I can to keep work and play separate.
But, this morning, when I got to the station, I found this yellow post-it note on my computer. My boss Tyler Hunt, KCHC’s boy-wonder, needed to see me, ASAP. He wants to talk about this murder I’m covering that concerns the sudden death of a well-known Hollywood talent agent, who just happens to be my next door neighbor’s aunt, Pepper Millhouse. Not a problem, except I was on the phone with said neighbor, Samantha Millhouse, at that very moment. She was concerned the investigation surrounding her aunt’s death may be heating up and that I might be beginning to think – just a little bit anyway – that she’s somehow involved.
“Only it can’t be,” she says, “‘cause my twin sister’s setting me up.”
I didn’t want to put the phone down, not on that note, but Eric has just texted me. The FBI’s been called in to investigate Pepper’s murder. The coroner has ruled the official cause of death to be a poisoning, possibly the result of product tampering. Hence the FBI been called to assist LAPD with the investigation. Then written in all caps: TWO MORE BODIES FOUND IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD.
A chill runs down my back. Since Pepper’s death, a former client of hers, a Hollywood psychic, has been reaching out to me – don’t even ask – to tell me she’s been communicating with Pepper Millhouse, and that she, Pepper, has told her, they’re going to be more murders, unless I do something.
Do something? Me?
Tyler tells me I’m the world’s oldest living cub reporter in need of a good story. He’s given me three months to prove I can handle this job. I’m six weeks into my probationary status and looking at a future of doing nothing but traffic reports and recording mindless station promos unless I can come up with story of my own. I’m torn. Samantha’s a loyal friend and like her aunt, a talent agent. She’s been my source for a lot of industry news, and she even looks in on my son Charlie when I work nights. But the more investigating I do into Pepper’s murder, and the more I’m required to report, the more I fear she’ll be judged in the court of public opinion as a cold hearted gold digger, or worse.
Like I said, my life’s a balancing act.
You can read more about Carol in Shadow of Doubt, the first book in the new “Carol Childs” mystery series, published by Henery Press.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on December 24 for the chance to win a copy of SHADOW OF DOUBT. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the author
Silverman believes her twenty-five years in radio helped her to develop an ear for storytelling. Much of what she 
writes she admits is pulled from behind the headlines of actual events that were reported on from some Los Angeles busiest radio newsrooms. In the last ten years she has written numerous short stories and novelettes and books. Currently she has three audio books with MindWings Audio. Her first novel, The Centaur’s Promise, was published by Eloquent Press in 2010. In December, Henery Press will roll out the first of Silverman’s new Carol Childs Mysteries, Shadow of Doubt.
Shadow of Doubt sounds intriguing. I would like to enter in the contest, please. myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you
Double trouble with a twin, possibly an evil one. It sound interesting. The book cover is beautiful, too.
I think this sounds interesting as you can look at both sides of an issue with both the FBI and the media. I would like a copy. Thanks for the offer.
Wonderful sounding…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Interesting story! Wonder – whodunit?
sounds good! i don’t know why, i love radio employee mysteries, but i do!
Sounds like another book for my ever growing TBR pile. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Kuzlin at aol.com
Sounds good to me 🙂
Love the story line on this one!! Thanks for another author new to me!
sounds great, thank you for the chance to win 🙂
sounds interesting. Like the two sides – reporters and laymen – being the love interest
Love single mom books! And add LA. Sounds wonderful. Thank you.
Sounds good
Sounds good
Working at a talk radio station sounds like an interesting job.
Sounds like a good read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
This sounds fascinating. I look forward to reading it
This sounds like a mystery I would enjoy reading. Good luck to the winning draw.
Sounds like a great mystery.
This has an interesting slant to it. Would love to read it. Haven’t read anything set in North Hollywood before. They have great bookstores there!
This sounds like a fun book. I have a cousin who is an entertainment lawyer, maybe he’d take Samantha’s case. LOL
Toss my hat into the contest ring Dru, I’m in it to win it.
Sounds like an intriguing story and I’d love to explore the possibilities of ” who done it. “
Sounds like a great book
This definitely is my kind of book and also that of my husband. We love our mysteries and anything that sounds this involved/complex in a story is bound to be perfect for us. Would be thrilled to become the recipient of Shadow of Doubt. I will look into the CD if I am not lucky here as books on CD work out so well for us. Thank you Dru.
Happy Holidays,
Cynthia
I have to admit, you had me. When I got to the last line, I wanted to turn the page for more. Wonderful character. Wonderful book!
Oh boy, a chance for a free book!
It sounds like a wonderful mystery. I love anything that has to do with Hollywood. Thanks for having the giveaway.
This sounds like a good start for a new series.
Sounds like a great book~thank you!
Good twin, bad twin—that always makes things interesting. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I’m checking this book out! Love anything Hollywood, murder, twins and FBI! Sounds like it’s right up my alley. Thank you!
Haven’t had the opportunity to read any in this series. It sounds like it would be a great series to follow
I would love to read this book
I would love to win this book. Thanks for the contest.
Would love to win this now! Sounds really good.
I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Would love to read this book!!!!
Thank you!!!
Would love this one!
I like the premiss of the FBI boyfriend. I’d love to try this.
Sounds like a great read.
I would love to win a new book!
Still fascinated by Hollywood. Include me in the giveaway, please.
I always looking for a new author. Putting it on my list.
Awesome
contest is closed.