Social Death (Clyde Shaw Mysteries Book 1)

Socialite found murdered in her home. Intrigue surrounding a love affair. TV news producer investigates the story more closely than normal to find the killer as the murder victim is her best friend.To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website [...]The story took many twists and turns through possible murderers as Clyde investigates Olivia's brutal murder in Tatiana Boncompagni's Social Death. Having watched (more than) my fair share of crime shows, I'm pretty good at guessing whodunit. In this story, I had my vague inkling of the true murderer, but I wasn't quite sure because I didn't see the motive for that particular person, which hints at good suspense writing; however, the largest twist for Clyde's life, I guessed immediately.To get into some of the finer details, Clyde described herself on the first page of the chapter and all I have to say is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE. "I have big breasts." While this may in fact be true, a character launching into their physical attributes like this is unlikely unless it's the only thing she identifies herself which and it's NOT. If it was a more fully developed description that highlighted other physical attributes in a similar fashion, then it wouldn't have seemed as strange, but this was a description that was out of place.Something that always irks me is when authors are too explanatory--and when I write creatively, I'm at fault for it, too, which is probably why it bugs me so much. With Clyde being a TV journalist, there is some industry specific jargon. But explaining it parenthetically with just a definition isn't the best way to clarify for the reader. Please give the reader some credit that they might be aware of what's explained; after all, they do watch TV, and maybe even the news, so on some level, they know what you're explaining, even if only vaguely.For the structure of the story, I quite liked that it was divided into days, even if there were many instances of duplicate "Monday," "Tuesday," or "Thursday" cover pages. The sections helped provide pacing and highlight the trauma timeline of the murder.

This was a super fun read for me. I was on a trip when I started it and ended it just before I got home. A pleasure to read and kept me entertained.Overall, the book had cliche moments, especially in Chapter 1. Sex in the book is often described the same - someone's head is in someone's neck with fingers and/or hands up a short skirt. Meh, that's ok.The first half of the book was not as great for me as the second half was. The second half provided some interesting action and a great twist. I didn't exactly predict who did it, but it fit together nicely.I liked the main character, though I couldn't relate to her enough. I had trouble remembering her age because of the way she behaved and spoke. I certainly work with people similar to her, so I could appreciate the author's creation of her. I could have done without the big boobs thing - not sure if that was really necessary to the character beyond establishing that she is self conscious.Two things I really appreciated about the book: there had to have been a lot of research that went into the storyline, and the last sentence was perfect.

Amazon, when your typists do something for Kindle, please have them error check.I liked this story but would like it even better if there were less curse words and less sex and sluttiness of the main character. Yes, I do know Clyde has problems in the drinking and sex part. I just happen to think that her problems could have been hinted at or something. Clyde is a poster child for "when ever life deals you a lemon lets get smashed and have sex with who ever is there, and yes, sometimes two different guys.That being said, the story is well written. It flows smoothly and you can understand it easily.The characters are well described and you can relate to them. Hmmm... except for Clyde. I can't relate to her drinking and sex problem. Just me folks...Clyde is a news producer and is called to the scene of a brutal murder on the Upper East Side. The murder victim is Olivia Kravis, the daughter of CLyde's billionaire boss and Clyde's best friend since childhood.As a network ratings war begins, Clyde's own troubled past comes up to haunt her. She is forced to choose between finding her best friend's killer and losing everything, her job, her reputation and her life. There are secrets from long ago, Milions are at stake, and only Clyde holds the answer to unlocking the truth.I do recommend this book if you can deal with the sex, cussing and drinking, but, I recommend it for 21 on up.It is a good story subtracting these above mentioned things.

You can call it a beach book or chick lit, but whatever you want to call it, send me a sequel!Clyde is a hotshot news producer working for an all-news network. She is willing to do anything to get the story, but one morning the story she is assigned to turns out to be her best friend's brutal murder. The deceased best friend's family also happens to own the news network employing Clyde. It's a tangled web but Clyde is willing to do anything to solve her best friend's murder.What I liked most about the book is that Clyde is far from the perfect woman. She is a flawed character that the reader can still root for when she makes mistakes - and she makes some big ones - but that is life. And unlike most chick lit novels, maybe the girl doesn't always get the guy - again, that's life. There were some twists and red herrings, but Boncompagni didn't just suddenly wrap things up in a neat little package in the last 5 pages like so many authors seem to do.I hope this is the start of a series starring Clyde and will pre-order the next book now!

An interesting story, somewhat improbable in the end, but I'll be looking for the sequel. The improbably-complicatedly-nicknamed Cornelia 'Clyde' Shaw has many of the flaws of male protagonists, which is rather refreshing after far too many squeaky-clean female investigators. Definitely one to watch.

Easy to read, couldn't put it down. Got to know the characters really quickly, lots of twists right to the end.

Took me a long time to get into the story line. Very hard going. Was not until the end I felt gripped into continuos reading. Not one of the best books I have read.

I like the mystery even though I kind of guess why a murder happens or who is the murderer when I read half of the book.It's not like I'm a good at the guessing game but the author leaves enough clues for me to follow.However, I don't like the protagonist, Clyde Shaw that much, with a lot of bad behaviors, blaming on sex/alcohol addiction.There also too much reminiscence about her past in the story and it is kind of like a filler, hence 3 stars only.

I gave this four stars because it is a super-good read. It kept me riveted for the whole book. My one complaint was some sloppy editing in the latter part of the book. ...Contractions missing an appostrophe, mainly. It didn't detract from the story but it annoyed me. However if there is a sequel, I WILL read it. So that says a lot.