Riley Spartz's career thrives on facts. As an investigative TV reporter, it is imperative to report the truth, so she has little patience for Sam Pierce, the local gossip columnist, who likes to spread vicious lies. When Sam casually drops hints about her new colleague, Clay Burrell, she figures that she should give Clay fair warning about appearing in Sam's column. However, top news stories send them in different directions, with Clay getting a lead on a murder and she getting stuck reporting on the mysterious bombing of a wind turbine. Unfortunately, Riley soon finds her name in the gossip column. Could her day get any worse?

Riley plans to steal the murder story from Clay, but she did not foresee herself being featured in another murder case. Someone has killed Sam Pierce, and Riley has become the prime suspect especially since her public disagreements with him in and out of a courtroom. Now she not only has to fight for her job, but she also has to fight to clear her name. She knows the true killer lurks in the shadows and she will not stop until she uncovers the truth. Who would want to frame her for murder? In all the hustle and bustle, will she manage to stay afloat?

Julie Kramer engrosses readers with an action packed thriller that will keep them on the edge of their seats. She brilliantly layers multiple story lines that converge in an ultimate no holds barred confrontation. Riley Spartz makes an intriguing do or die heroine who does not know the meaning of surrender. With a tenacious spirit and a never give up attitude, Riley will exhaust all resources to get to the bottom of her story. My interest was captured at the beginning with a slightly veiled threat, remained attuned during escalating news stories, and peaked with an astonishing ending. Ms. Kramer certainly writes an amazing thriller. SILENCING SAM will keep you wondering who really silenced Sam for good. I immensely enjoyed this mystery and wonder where Riley Spartz's investigations will lead her next time.

Book Summary

IN THIS TOWN, GOSSIP KILLS . . .When a widely despised gossip columnist is found shot to death, Riley Spartz must secretly investigate a case in which she becomes the prime suspect. In the wake of the brutal murder, our heroine discovers that news and gossip have more in common than she ever imagined. Trouble begins when Riley publicly clashes with newspaper gossip writer Sam Pierce, throwing a drink in his face after he implies in his popular column that she cheated on her husband. When clues to the homicide lead to her, Riley is charged with the crime. The police seem unwilling to look any further for perpetrators, although numerous local news- makers have reason for revenge—even a motive for killing. Meanwhile, competition in the Channel 3 newsroom is just as murderous. While Riley struggles to interest her boss in a story about rural wind farm bombings and dead bats, a new reporter spikes the station ratings with exclusive stories about the headless homicide of an unknown woman whose decapitated body is found in a city park. Maybe murder isn’t such a bad idea after all? Riley must fight to stay out of jail, ahead in the ratings, and even alive in a killer showdown not fit for television audiences.