DECEMBER 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Susan Dalian delivers the story of smart and determined investigative journalist Jordan Manning. When the body of Black teenager Masey James is discovered at an abandoned playground, Jordan finds that those so eager to forget the past may hide the darkest secrets of all. Instead of shying away from danger, Jordan refuses to let the death of a girl of color fade from the news. Dalian captures the frustration and confusion of a reporter who is desperate for answers but is continually thwarted by a dangerous bureaucracy. Her thoughtful voice work helps bring questions related to race and the media to the forefront while keeping this mystery from being preachy. V.B. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 09/06/2021
Set in 2007 Chicago, Emmy Award–winning broadcast journalist Hall’s outstanding debut and series launch introduces TV journalist Jordan Manning. A tenacious reporter, Jordan has been making a name for herself by arriving first at crime scenes. When the body of 15-year-old African American Masey James is found in an abandoned lot, Jordan refuses to believe the girl was a runaway, as the police insist. Masey had a promising future, having just been accepted into a prestigious STEM program at a distinguished high school. Jordan puts the demands of her job and her personal life on hold in her effort to discover who murdered Masey, and comes to suspect the girl was the victim of a serial killer. Hall brings insight and nuance to such matters as journalism ethics, police treatment of murder cases involving Black women, and competition among journalists and their reliance on those behind the scenes. Readers will want to see a lot more of intelligent, ambitious, and assertive Jordan. Agent: Eve Attermann, WME. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
As the Wicked Watch is a terrific read—a propulsive, compelling mystery, but also a nuanced look at class and racial inequality. With Jordan Manning, Tamron Hall has given us a smart, empathetic heroine to cheer on for years to come.” — Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author
"Wow—Tamron Hall knows how to tell a story! And this timely and compelling thriller is a treat to read. Unflinching, revealing and authentic… Authentic and life-changing—and completely entertaining—this is the first of what is sure to be a long-running series from a beloved and talented journalist." — Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect Life
“Tamron Hall's debut novel As the Wicked Watch is a singular thriller that brings the vulnerability and systemic neglect of Black girls as victims of violent crime into vivid relief...The cohesiveness and sheer scope of the narrative Hall has woven together is impressive...Readers interested in the gritty details of crime reporting and investigation will be intrigued...Ultimately, As the Wicked Watch is an impressive debut — a moving take on familiar but urgent problems and society's indifference.” — NPR
"Hall’s first novel blends true crime with illuminating reflections on media representation and the obstacles faced by a Black woman in journalism." — Oprah Daily
"As the Wicked Watch — the first in a three-book series from Hall — is a thoughtful, captivating novel that highlights that, to some, tragedy is just a news story, but to passionate journalists like Jordan, the real people behind these tragedies are where the true heartbreak lies." — Shondaland
"The first in a series by Emmy Award–winning journalist Tamron Hall, As the Wicked Watch has all the hallmarks of a great thriller, with a fast-moving plot, an unforgettable protagonist, and lots of fascinating insights into TV newsrooms and the biases influencing whose stories get told." — RealSimple
“Emmy Award–winning broadcast journalist Hall’s outstanding debut and series launch introduces TV journalist Jordan Manning…Hall brings insight and nuance to such matters as journalism ethics, police treatment of murder cases involving Black women, and competition among journalists and their reliance on those behind the scenes. Readers will want to see a lot more of intelligent, ambitious, and assertive Jordan.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A pulse-pounding story that also provides a fascinating and important look into the difficulties of reporting on and finding justice for Black victims. Emmy Award–winning Hall’s extensive background as a TV journalist, including reporting for NBC and anchoring for MSNBC, infuses a great deal of credibility and behind-the-scenes verve to her first crime novel." — Booklist (starred review)
“Hall’s decades of field experience lend a lot of credibility to the story and provide a strong footing for an intriguing new crime series.” — Library Journal
"Tamron Hall’s new novel introduces a detective sure to become an icon...It is a powerful, clear-eyed novel that demands accountability, from its fictional world, yes, but also the real one." — CrimeReads
"The first in a planned series featuring reporter Jordan Manning, As the Wicked Watch is a well-paced and thoughtful crime novel that probes questions of race, representation and community care." — Shelf Awareness
"As the Wicked Watch is a promising start to a series sure to appeal to fans of badass women with mysteries to solve and something to prove." — BookPage
"With over 20 years of journalism experience, years spent reporting on crime and tragedies across the country, and her own personal experiences, Emmy Award-winning talk show host Tamron Hall is in the perfect position to launch this exciting new series." — Mystery & Suspense
"As the Wicked Watch gives a real glimpse of what successful Black women journalists must have endured to obtain and maintain their positions." — Salon
"A multifaceted diamond, As the Wicked Watch introduces a series that promises to trouble the mind and touch the heart." — Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
Shondaland
"As the Wicked Watch — the first in a three-book series from Hall — is a thoughtful, captivating novel that highlights that, to some, tragedy is just a news story, but to passionate journalists like Jordan, the real people behind these tragedies are where the true heartbreak lies."
Alafair Burke
As the Wicked Watch is a terrific read—a propulsive, compelling mystery, but also a nuanced look at class and racial inequality. With Jordan Manning, Tamron Hall has given us a smart, empathetic heroine to cheer on for years to come.
Hank Phillippi Ryan
"Wow—Tamron Hall knows how to tell a story! And this timely and compelling thriller is a treat to read. Unflinching, revealing and authentic… Authentic and life-changing—and completely entertaining—this is the first of what is sure to be a long-running series from a beloved and talented journalist."
Oprah Daily
"Hall’s first novel blends true crime with illuminating reflections on media representation and the obstacles faced by a Black woman in journalism."
Booklist (starred review)
"A pulse-pounding story that also provides a fascinating and important look into the difficulties of reporting on and finding justice for Black victims. Emmy Award–winning Hall’s extensive background as a TV journalist, including reporting for NBC and anchoring for MSNBC, infuses a great deal of credibility and behind-the-scenes verve to her first crime novel."
RealSimple
"The first in a series by Emmy Award–winning journalist Tamron Hall, As the Wicked Watch has all the hallmarks of a great thriller, with a fast-moving plot, an unforgettable protagonist, and lots of fascinating insights into TV newsrooms and the biases influencing whose stories get told."
CrimeReads
"Tamron Hall’s new novel introduces a detective sure to become an icon...It is a powerful, clear-eyed novel that demands accountability, from its fictional world, yes, but also the real one."
NPR
Tamron Hall's debut novel As the Wicked Watch is a singular thriller that brings the vulnerability and systemic neglect of Black girls as victims of violent crime into vivid relief...The cohesiveness and sheer scope of the narrative Hall has woven together is impressive...Readers interested in the gritty details of crime reporting and investigation will be intrigued...Ultimately, As the Wicked Watch is an impressive debut — a moving take on familiar but urgent problems and society's indifference.
Mystery & Suspense
"With over 20 years of journalism experience, years spent reporting on crime and tragedies across the country, and her own personal experiences, Emmy Award-winning talk show host Tamron Hall is in the perfect position to launch this exciting new series."
Shelf Awareness
"The first in a planned series featuring reporter Jordan Manning, As the Wicked Watch is a well-paced and thoughtful crime novel that probes questions of race, representation and community care."
Salon
"As the Wicked Watch gives a real glimpse of what successful Black women journalists must have endured to obtain and maintain their positions."
BookPage
"As the Wicked Watch is a promising start to a series sure to appeal to fans of badass women with mysteries to solve and something to prove."
Library Journal
10/01/2021
DEBUT Journalist Hall bursts onto the mystery landscape with the first in an exciting new series featuring Chicago crime reporter Jordan Manning, who prides herself on always being the first on the scene. Jordan has what other reporters don't—a master's degree in forensic science, which allows her to see what others miss when investigating crime scenes. When a 15-year-old Black girl is found dead in an abandoned lot, Jordan is unable to shake the feeling that there someone lurking on Chicago's streets is particularly targeting and killing young Black girls, even after three young boys are charged with the girl's murder. Jordan is an exciting lead for this series. She is tireless in her search for answers, isn't afraid to be the smartest in the room, and is determined to shine light on the missing and murdered Black girls that no one else seems to care about. Her perseverance leads to a heart-pounding and unexpected climax. VERDICT Hall's decades of field experience lend a lot of credibility to the story and provide a strong footing for an intriguing new crime series.—Siobhan Egan, Barrington P.L., RI
DECEMBER 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator Susan Dalian delivers the story of smart and determined investigative journalist Jordan Manning. When the body of Black teenager Masey James is discovered at an abandoned playground, Jordan finds that those so eager to forget the past may hide the darkest secrets of all. Instead of shying away from danger, Jordan refuses to let the death of a girl of color fade from the news. Dalian captures the frustration and confusion of a reporter who is desperate for answers but is continually thwarted by a dangerous bureaucracy. Her thoughtful voice work helps bring questions related to race and the media to the forefront while keeping this mystery from being preachy. V.B. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
