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Clare Carlson #2
Below the Fold
When the murder of a “nobody” triggers an avalanche.
Every human life is supposed to be important. Everyone should matter. But that’s not the case in the cutthroat TV news-rating world where Clare Carlson works. Sex, money, and power sell. Only murder victims of the right social strata are considered worth covering. Not the murder of a “nobody.”
So, when the battered body of a homeless woman named Dora Gayle is found on the streets of New York City, her murder barely gets a mention in the media. But Clare―a TV news director who still has a reporter’s instincts―decides to dig deeper into the seemingly meaningless death. She uncovers mysterious links between Gayle and a number of wealthy and influential figures. There is a prominent female defense attorney; a scandal-ridden ex-congressman; a decorated NYPD detective; and―most shocking of all―a wealthy media mogul who owns the TV station where Clare works. Soon there are more murders, more victims, more questions. As the bodies pile up, Clare realizes that her job, her career, and maybe even her life are at stake as she chases after her biggest story ever.
Every human life is supposed to be important. Everyone should matter. But that’s not the case in the cutthroat TV news-rating world where Clare Carlson works. Sex, money, and power sell. Only murder victims of the right social strata are considered worth covering. Not the murder of a “nobody.”
So, when the battered body of a homeless woman named Dora Gayle is found on the streets of New York City, her murder barely gets a mention in the media. But Clare―a TV news director who still has a reporter’s instincts―decides to dig deeper into the seemingly meaningless death. She uncovers mysterious links between Gayle and a number of wealthy and influential figures. There is a prominent female defense attorney; a scandal-ridden ex-congressman; a decorated NYPD detective; and―most shocking of all―a wealthy media mogul who owns the TV station where Clare works. Soon there are more murders, more victims, more questions. As the bodies pile up, Clare realizes that her job, her career, and maybe even her life are at stake as she chases after her biggest story ever.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2019
About the author
R.G. Belsky
13 books477 followersAuthor of Broadcast Blues (Oceanview - 2024); It's News to Me (Oceanview - 2022); Beyond The Headlines (Oceanview 2021); The Last Scoop (Oceanview-2020) Below The Fold (Oceanview - 2019) Yesterday's News (Oceanview - 2018) Blonde Ice (Atria - 2016; Shooting for the Stars (2015); and The Kennedy Connection (2014).
Also writes thrillers under the pen name of Dana Perry.
Former Managing Editor of NBCNews.com
Worked as Managing Editor of NY Daily News; News Editor of Star magazine; Metropolitan Editor of NY Post.
Author of numerous other mystery novels including Loverboy and Playing Dead.
Contributing Writer for The Big Thrill magazine and BookTrib.
Also writes thrillers under the pen name of Dana Perry.
Former Managing Editor of NBCNews.com
Worked as Managing Editor of NY Daily News; News Editor of Star magazine; Metropolitan Editor of NY Post.
Author of numerous other mystery novels including Loverboy and Playing Dead.
Contributing Writer for The Big Thrill magazine and BookTrib.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 7, 2019
Meet Clare Carlson. She has 3 failed marriages, uncertain about her role as a mother, and her personal life is in constant confusion. She's also a terrific reporter, having won the Pulitzer Prize some years ago. She is now a TV News Director.
BELOW THE FOLD -- ‘below the fold’ was coined when there was an actual physical fold in the middle of the newspaper. ‘Above the fold’ was anything on the top half, and ‘below the fold’ was anything underneath. The content that was deemed less important was traditionally placed below the fold, since it was mostly invisible when displayed on a newsstand.
It all starts with the beating death of a homeless woman who called herself Cinderella. Her real name was Dora Gayle. Although her death was meaningless to most, Clare's gut instincts told her to dig deeper. What she finds are strange links to very prominent people .... a female defense attorney, a scandal-ridden ex-Congressman, a NYPD Detective (one of Clare's ex-husbands), a stockbroker, and the man who owns the TV station where Clare works.
Book Blurb -- Soon there are more murders, more victims, more questions. As the bodies pile up, Clare realizes that her career, and maybe even her life are at stake as she chases after her biggest story ever.
What a sensational novel! The author's background ensures this story, these characters are indeed, credible. Clare and her colleagues are fascinating to watch as they begin their investigation by questioning and filming the people who knew the dead woman. Their promotion of this death brings it to the forefront of the news.
It's captivating, leaving me riveted to each and every well-written page. Although this is Book 2 of this series, it is easily read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend starting at the beginning and that's just what I'm going to do.
Many thanks to the author / Oceanview Publishing / Edelweiss for the digital copy of BELOW THE FOLD. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 25, 2019
The second book in R.G. Belskey's Clare Carlson series. Clare is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist managing a TV news station, and decides to run a "below the fold" story (of lesser importance) about the killing of a homeless woman in an ATM vestibule. This is followed by the vicious beating death of a female sociopath, who is part of a financial scandal and who cut a deal with the Feds, making her a target for many. Left at the scene of the crime is a list of people, including the homeless women, the owner of the TV station, a lawyer who defends mobsters, a former Congressional philanderer, and a NYPD detective, with no apparent connection. Clare digs and digs and starts to figure out the story, but there are several unintended consequences. Belsky's knowledge of the news business shines, as Clare continues to deal with a host of personal and professional issues, as she did in the first book.
April 10, 2022
4.5 Stars
I very much enjoyed Below the Fold! Clare Carlson has 3 failed marriages and her personal life is in constant confusion. She's also a terrific reporter, having won the Pulitzer Prize some years ago. Hence, when a homeless woman named Dora Gayle is found murdered on the street, she sees it as news, unlike others around her. It's a change from the usual Blonde White Female Syndrome story the tv news station usually covers. Mr. Belsky takes us behind the scene of a major tv news operation where infighting and ad dollars often supersede news coverage. Clare and her colleagues are fascinating to watch as they begin their investigation by questioning and filming the people who knew the dead woman.
I found Below the Fold to be an engrossing, mind-boggling mystery and I recommend it!
I very much enjoyed Below the Fold! Clare Carlson has 3 failed marriages and her personal life is in constant confusion. She's also a terrific reporter, having won the Pulitzer Prize some years ago. Hence, when a homeless woman named Dora Gayle is found murdered on the street, she sees it as news, unlike others around her. It's a change from the usual Blonde White Female Syndrome story the tv news station usually covers. Mr. Belsky takes us behind the scene of a major tv news operation where infighting and ad dollars often supersede news coverage. Clare and her colleagues are fascinating to watch as they begin their investigation by questioning and filming the people who knew the dead woman.
I found Below the Fold to be an engrossing, mind-boggling mystery and I recommend it!
May 7, 2019
“Below The Fold” by R. G. Belsky, is the second in the Clare Carlson Mystery” series. Some events from book one were left unsettled, but the details are included as part of the current narrative, and the past storyline is seamlessly entwined with the current story. Every reader, both new and old, will enjoy this media-based story.
The prologue tantalizes and tempts readers. “She was always smarter than anyone else. She believed that right up until … ‘My God, I’m going to die,’ she thought as the blows rained down upon her. Then there was just darkness.”
The book is a first person narrative by Clare Carlson, former Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper reporter and now a TV news director. The structure takes the form of a post-event recap session, an evaluation meeting between Clare and the reader. She talks directly to readers, “Now let me tell you something else.” She prepares readers for the story to follow, “Every human life is supposed to be important … But it’s not true … certainly not in the world of TV news where I work. Not all murders are equal in news worthiness … Especially when it comes to murder.” She compels readers to turn the page.
In a casual conversational style, readers hear what people say to Clare, what she says back, and how she feels about what is being said. “But it was a secret I couldn’t tell to anyone.” She shares her past, “A lifetime ago, when I was a nineteen-year-old college freshman.” She evaluates her life, “Hard to believe my marriages didn’t work out, huh?” She is a stubborn and dedicated journalist who must get the story, must follow it to the end, whatever that might be.
Clare finds a perfect story; a homeless woman was murdered on the streets of New York City. Who was she? How did she end up on the street? Who killed her? It becomes a much bigger story when another woman is murdered, and beside that victim is a list of names that includes prominent New Yorkers and the homeless woman. Readers trudge right along with Clare through a tangled web of political misbehavior, blackmail, money secrets, public meltdowns, and social-media justice.
Readers follow the process, make the connections, and decipher clues along with Clare, hoping that no hints are missed or no clues left unresolved. The plot is a roller-coaster ride, slow climb up, gradual acceleration, fast turn on the curves, a deceptive straightaway, and then a plummet to the bottom at breakneck speed. Just as the pieces start to make some kind of sense, the case falls apart, goes a different direction.
“Below The Fold” is a realistic look behind the scenes in the high-stakes world of news media. Readers feel Clare’s pressure to get the story to the air first. I was given a review copy of “Below The Fold” by R. G. Belsky, and Oceanview Publishing. It is a spellbinding book; the tension is palpable; the ending is surprising.
The prologue tantalizes and tempts readers. “She was always smarter than anyone else. She believed that right up until … ‘My God, I’m going to die,’ she thought as the blows rained down upon her. Then there was just darkness.”
The book is a first person narrative by Clare Carlson, former Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper reporter and now a TV news director. The structure takes the form of a post-event recap session, an evaluation meeting between Clare and the reader. She talks directly to readers, “Now let me tell you something else.” She prepares readers for the story to follow, “Every human life is supposed to be important … But it’s not true … certainly not in the world of TV news where I work. Not all murders are equal in news worthiness … Especially when it comes to murder.” She compels readers to turn the page.
In a casual conversational style, readers hear what people say to Clare, what she says back, and how she feels about what is being said. “But it was a secret I couldn’t tell to anyone.” She shares her past, “A lifetime ago, when I was a nineteen-year-old college freshman.” She evaluates her life, “Hard to believe my marriages didn’t work out, huh?” She is a stubborn and dedicated journalist who must get the story, must follow it to the end, whatever that might be.
Clare finds a perfect story; a homeless woman was murdered on the streets of New York City. Who was she? How did she end up on the street? Who killed her? It becomes a much bigger story when another woman is murdered, and beside that victim is a list of names that includes prominent New Yorkers and the homeless woman. Readers trudge right along with Clare through a tangled web of political misbehavior, blackmail, money secrets, public meltdowns, and social-media justice.
Readers follow the process, make the connections, and decipher clues along with Clare, hoping that no hints are missed or no clues left unresolved. The plot is a roller-coaster ride, slow climb up, gradual acceleration, fast turn on the curves, a deceptive straightaway, and then a plummet to the bottom at breakneck speed. Just as the pieces start to make some kind of sense, the case falls apart, goes a different direction.
“Below The Fold” is a realistic look behind the scenes in the high-stakes world of news media. Readers feel Clare’s pressure to get the story to the air first. I was given a review copy of “Below The Fold” by R. G. Belsky, and Oceanview Publishing. It is a spellbinding book; the tension is palpable; the ending is surprising.
May 31, 2019
In Below The Fold, the second book in the Clare Carlson Mystery Series, author R.G. Belsky weaves a riveting mystery tale that easily draws the reader in as New York Channel 10 News Director Clare Carlson investigates the connection between two murder cases that involve high profile New Yorkers.
The story begins with the "below the fold" (news that do not get top play on the front page or TV coverage) murder case of fifty-four year old homeless woman Dora Gayle. Clare wants to find out the real story behind the sad and tragic life of the homeless woman who called herself Cinderella. While Clare is digging into Dora's past, thirty-three year old stockbroker Grace Mancuso was found beaten to death in her Upper East Side apartment. Grace's murder is top news because the murderer left a note mentioning four high profile New Yorkers and homeless woman Dora Gayle! Clare is determined to find the connection between the two murdered women and the other four people. Could they be next on the murderer's hit list, or could one of them possibly be the murderer?
As Clare delves into the investigation she finds that there are more questions than answers, a growing list of suspects, deeply buried secrets, and the intertwining of Clare's personal and professional lives and her dark past that continues to come to the surface.
Below The Fold is a captivating and gritty mystery tale that is rich in detail and vivid descriptions. It has enough intriguing and suspenseful twists and turns that leaves the reader with no other option than to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. As a diehard fan of mystery tales, I must admit that this story exceeded my expectations. The complexity of the two murder cases and Clare's investigation kept me thoroughly riveted and so engrossed, I couldn't help but try and guess the identity of the murderer as Clare tries to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.
With a complex and realistic cast of characters, the author does a phenomenal job of transporting the reader into this fast-paced white-knuckle storyline. The thrilling cat-n-mouse game engages the reader to follow Clare's investigation as she tries to establish the connection between the high profile New Yorkers with Dora and Grace, and who was responsible for their deaths. The jaw-dropping surprise ending will leave the reader completely speechless. It just doesn't get any better than this!
Below The Fold is one heck of an adrenaline rush that is a must-read for the true diehard mystery junkies!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest book review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
The story begins with the "below the fold" (news that do not get top play on the front page or TV coverage) murder case of fifty-four year old homeless woman Dora Gayle. Clare wants to find out the real story behind the sad and tragic life of the homeless woman who called herself Cinderella. While Clare is digging into Dora's past, thirty-three year old stockbroker Grace Mancuso was found beaten to death in her Upper East Side apartment. Grace's murder is top news because the murderer left a note mentioning four high profile New Yorkers and homeless woman Dora Gayle! Clare is determined to find the connection between the two murdered women and the other four people. Could they be next on the murderer's hit list, or could one of them possibly be the murderer?
As Clare delves into the investigation she finds that there are more questions than answers, a growing list of suspects, deeply buried secrets, and the intertwining of Clare's personal and professional lives and her dark past that continues to come to the surface.
Below The Fold is a captivating and gritty mystery tale that is rich in detail and vivid descriptions. It has enough intriguing and suspenseful twists and turns that leaves the reader with no other option than to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. As a diehard fan of mystery tales, I must admit that this story exceeded my expectations. The complexity of the two murder cases and Clare's investigation kept me thoroughly riveted and so engrossed, I couldn't help but try and guess the identity of the murderer as Clare tries to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.
With a complex and realistic cast of characters, the author does a phenomenal job of transporting the reader into this fast-paced white-knuckle storyline. The thrilling cat-n-mouse game engages the reader to follow Clare's investigation as she tries to establish the connection between the high profile New Yorkers with Dora and Grace, and who was responsible for their deaths. The jaw-dropping surprise ending will leave the reader completely speechless. It just doesn't get any better than this!
Below The Fold is one heck of an adrenaline rush that is a must-read for the true diehard mystery junkies!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest book review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
May 7, 2019
Clare Carlson is a character that gets under your skin. Not always in the best way. She's not exactly loveable but she is compelling. She can't let things go. It's a great quality for a reporter and for a mystery character. News that is below the fold is the news that won't sell the paper. Body of a homeless woman found, that's below the fold. Until Clare Carlson, News Director for a television station follows her instincts. She is right. The small story becomes her next BIG STORY as it entangles several prominent people including her boss.
Leads, clues, tips, drive the story through twists and wrong turns until... That's the hard part of reviewing a mystery. I want to tell you what happens but honestly I'm a little afraid of Clare. Read this one. See for yourself. The author, R.G. Belsky, is a reporter himself. It shows. His genuine experience brings the Clare Carlson books, and the news business, to life.
Leads, clues, tips, drive the story through twists and wrong turns until... That's the hard part of reviewing a mystery. I want to tell you what happens but honestly I'm a little afraid of Clare. Read this one. See for yourself. The author, R.G. Belsky, is a reporter himself. It shows. His genuine experience brings the Clare Carlson books, and the news business, to life.
May 1, 2019
5 stars
I am always a bit skeptical when I start reading the second book in a series, when the first book, in this case, YESTERDAY’S NEWS, blew me away. Did BELOW THE FOLD stand up to the comparison?
Clare Carlson, news executive at Channel 10 news and former Pulitzer Prize winner for a missing child that she covered when she was a journalist, decides that the murder of a homeless woman, Dora Gayle, would be an item on the evening news, even though it fell below the fold. What she didn’t see coming, was that this story would become a major news story involving a former Congressman, a defense attorney, a stockbroker, an NYPD homicide detective, and a multimedia mogul, who is also her boss.
The Dora Gayle case fell “below the fold” which does not make it important enough to make the top news story, but Clare had a gut feeling about it. She was right because bodies are starting to pile up since the broadcast. A list of names was left at the scene of the second murder. but what is the connection between these 4 people to the homeless woman? Clare lives and breathes news’ stories, always on the hunt for the BIG story, which this one is becoming, and she doesn’t let up, even when it has come to an end. Or has it?
Clare Carlson takes the reader through a maze of leads and tips, with some being significant parts of the puzzle and others a dead end. Or is it really a dead end?
An exciting narrative with lifelike characters that was hard to put down! A heart pounding read with so many moving parts! A frantic story that will have you turning the pages as fast as you can!
Did this book let me down? Absolutely NOT!! And since there were hints about the previous case that was in YESTERDAY’S NEWS, I can’t wait to see what and where Clare Carlson will take us on her next big story!!!!
KUDOS Mr. Belsky!!! I’m hooked!!!
I am always a bit skeptical when I start reading the second book in a series, when the first book, in this case, YESTERDAY’S NEWS, blew me away. Did BELOW THE FOLD stand up to the comparison?
Clare Carlson, news executive at Channel 10 news and former Pulitzer Prize winner for a missing child that she covered when she was a journalist, decides that the murder of a homeless woman, Dora Gayle, would be an item on the evening news, even though it fell below the fold. What she didn’t see coming, was that this story would become a major news story involving a former Congressman, a defense attorney, a stockbroker, an NYPD homicide detective, and a multimedia mogul, who is also her boss.
The Dora Gayle case fell “below the fold” which does not make it important enough to make the top news story, but Clare had a gut feeling about it. She was right because bodies are starting to pile up since the broadcast. A list of names was left at the scene of the second murder. but what is the connection between these 4 people to the homeless woman? Clare lives and breathes news’ stories, always on the hunt for the BIG story, which this one is becoming, and she doesn’t let up, even when it has come to an end. Or has it?
Clare Carlson takes the reader through a maze of leads and tips, with some being significant parts of the puzzle and others a dead end. Or is it really a dead end?
An exciting narrative with lifelike characters that was hard to put down! A heart pounding read with so many moving parts! A frantic story that will have you turning the pages as fast as you can!
Did this book let me down? Absolutely NOT!! And since there were hints about the previous case that was in YESTERDAY’S NEWS, I can’t wait to see what and where Clare Carlson will take us on her next big story!!!!
KUDOS Mr. Belsky!!! I’m hooked!!!
April 18, 2019
Clare starts an investigating a murder of someone everyone ignores and will never remember. The subsequent story of the next murder leads Clare, her newsroom and the reader on a path that no one saw coming. The reader does not need to have read the previous book in the series to follow this story and be absolutely riveted. Can't wait to read the next story in this journalist's journey to the truth.
Thank you Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review such a hidden gem.
Thank you Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review such a hidden gem.
June 1, 2019
Below the Fold is one of those rare books that grips you from the beginning and doesn’t let go. I’ve read a lot lately that had an enthralling beginning, and I wouldn’t say Below the Fold’s beginning is all that necessary, but once the writing started in chapter one, I couldn’t put it down. Belsky’s style is like a reporter’s: no-nonsense and compelling. I might have been able to guess he was a journalist, even if I hadn’t been party to his brief bio on the PICT website.
I chose a Basset Hound for the spirit animal for Below the Fold. It’s the second dog I’ve done, and it goes to show you that there is at least as much variation in the mystery genre as there is among dog breeds. Last time I chose a greyhound, which bespeaks sleek and elegant prose; this time, a hound, which bespeaks something a little grittier – albeit just as personable. Clare, the lead character, has some of the Basset Hound qualities: she’s outgoing and playful, speaks her mind, and is also stubborn and has a great sense of tracking.
The plot starts off simple enough. A homeless woman is murdered in NYC and she’s neither blonde nor young nor pretty, so she’s really not news. Her murder is quickly linked to that of a more photogenic victim by way of a list that the murderer left at the scene with five names on it. “Below the fold” is a newsman’s term for something less than leading (because it will get shoved below the fold on a newspaper and thus won’t be as visible as the news above the fold). In spite of Clare’s cynicism about murder victims belonging above or below the fold, she is dogged in her pursuit of the homeless woman’s killer, a trait you’ve got to admire and root for.
I have to say, I really liked Clare. And, from her inner monologues and particular sense of humor, I would have pegged the author as a woman, because whoever the author is, they have a unique insight into the female mind. Belsky just reinforces my belief that you don’t actually have to be who you write about; you just have to have a sensitive and discerning mental muscle. Of course, he has a unique perspective on reportage, being there himself, but that’s just icing on the cake. An excellent read. Don’t hesitate to grab your copy today!
I chose a Basset Hound for the spirit animal for Below the Fold. It’s the second dog I’ve done, and it goes to show you that there is at least as much variation in the mystery genre as there is among dog breeds. Last time I chose a greyhound, which bespeaks sleek and elegant prose; this time, a hound, which bespeaks something a little grittier – albeit just as personable. Clare, the lead character, has some of the Basset Hound qualities: she’s outgoing and playful, speaks her mind, and is also stubborn and has a great sense of tracking.
The plot starts off simple enough. A homeless woman is murdered in NYC and she’s neither blonde nor young nor pretty, so she’s really not news. Her murder is quickly linked to that of a more photogenic victim by way of a list that the murderer left at the scene with five names on it. “Below the fold” is a newsman’s term for something less than leading (because it will get shoved below the fold on a newspaper and thus won’t be as visible as the news above the fold). In spite of Clare’s cynicism about murder victims belonging above or below the fold, she is dogged in her pursuit of the homeless woman’s killer, a trait you’ve got to admire and root for.
I have to say, I really liked Clare. And, from her inner monologues and particular sense of humor, I would have pegged the author as a woman, because whoever the author is, they have a unique insight into the female mind. Belsky just reinforces my belief that you don’t actually have to be who you write about; you just have to have a sensitive and discerning mental muscle. Of course, he has a unique perspective on reportage, being there himself, but that’s just icing on the cake. An excellent read. Don’t hesitate to grab your copy today!
May 8, 2019
Dick Belsky is the Gayle Sayers of the sudden plot twist, a master of the literary limp leg, hip fake and juke as he takes readers on a juddering broken-field run with his latest Clare Carlson mystery, Below The Fold.
Belsky’s at the top of his game with this one, deftly reversing field with one surprise after another. Just about the time you think you have him cornered and the mystery solved -- boom, another magic spin move of words that leave you grabbing air and rushing to catch up.
You really don’t mind, though, because the copy’s fast, the patter’s snappy and it’s a kick to get faked out by a crime fiction Hall of Famer. You also get an insider’s view of the television news business that only a former big-time journalist like Belsky can deliver in a manner that’s integral to the story instead of a sideshow distraction.
That’s because Carlson, who is unraveling this mystery, is a New York TV news exec who, like Belsky, made her bones as an ink-stained wretch -- a print journalist, to those who don’t belong to this tribe.
The title is an old-school newspaper put-down term for a story that might be important enough for the front page, but not hot enough to claim prime real estate above where the paper is folded to place for display in the sales rack. As in: “Put that story below the fold.”
That arcane and antiquated term is important because it points to a deliberate decision by Carlson and her news team to go against the grain of journalistic convention and dive deep into a story that would normally play below the fold -- the murder of a homeless woman named Dora Gayle.
They play it up big and get a minor ratings splash -- then move to the next day’s rush of events to “feed the beast,” another term for the insatiable daily demand for fresh, hot stories to sell papers and keep eyeballs glued to your station instead of clicking to a competitor’s channel. Dora Gayle fades to black.
The beast demands fresh meat, every day. Like the murder of a beautiful blonde stockbroker, savagely beaten to death in her apartment, her face a bloody pulp. Grace Mancuso, an amoral carnal and monetary predator, is the stuff front page murders are made of. She’s sexy, up to her eyeballs in an elaborate scheme at her investment firm to rip off hundreds of customers, willing to sell out her partners to the cops to save her own hide -- and dead.
Carlson’s ex-husband, a detective named Sam, calls to give her a heads-up about a note the killer left at the crime scene. Five names are listed in the note -- the billionaire boss who owns her station; a defense attorney who represents mob bosses and drug dealers; a suspended homicide detective suspected of launching a suspect out of an upper story window; a college president and ex-Congressman notorious for sleeping with women who aren’t his wife.
And Dora Gayle.
Boom. The first of many plot twists Belsky delivers as Carlson and the cops chase this bewildering clue to connect the names on this list to Mancuso’s murder. Is the murderer named on that list? Or is it a lineup of past and future victims?
Belsky keeps you guessing with his storytelling jukes and hip fakes and richly entertained with Carlson’s smart-ass patter.
A word about that patter. The story is told from Carlson’s point of view. But it’s got the lemme-tell-ya tone of a guy sitting in the semi-dark at the short end of a long bar with an adult beverage in hand, spinning a yarn.
The image is forties-era black and white. And the guy is wearing a snap-brim fedora with a press card stuck in the hat band.
Belsky’s at the top of his game with this one, deftly reversing field with one surprise after another. Just about the time you think you have him cornered and the mystery solved -- boom, another magic spin move of words that leave you grabbing air and rushing to catch up.
You really don’t mind, though, because the copy’s fast, the patter’s snappy and it’s a kick to get faked out by a crime fiction Hall of Famer. You also get an insider’s view of the television news business that only a former big-time journalist like Belsky can deliver in a manner that’s integral to the story instead of a sideshow distraction.
That’s because Carlson, who is unraveling this mystery, is a New York TV news exec who, like Belsky, made her bones as an ink-stained wretch -- a print journalist, to those who don’t belong to this tribe.
The title is an old-school newspaper put-down term for a story that might be important enough for the front page, but not hot enough to claim prime real estate above where the paper is folded to place for display in the sales rack. As in: “Put that story below the fold.”
That arcane and antiquated term is important because it points to a deliberate decision by Carlson and her news team to go against the grain of journalistic convention and dive deep into a story that would normally play below the fold -- the murder of a homeless woman named Dora Gayle.
They play it up big and get a minor ratings splash -- then move to the next day’s rush of events to “feed the beast,” another term for the insatiable daily demand for fresh, hot stories to sell papers and keep eyeballs glued to your station instead of clicking to a competitor’s channel. Dora Gayle fades to black.
The beast demands fresh meat, every day. Like the murder of a beautiful blonde stockbroker, savagely beaten to death in her apartment, her face a bloody pulp. Grace Mancuso, an amoral carnal and monetary predator, is the stuff front page murders are made of. She’s sexy, up to her eyeballs in an elaborate scheme at her investment firm to rip off hundreds of customers, willing to sell out her partners to the cops to save her own hide -- and dead.
Carlson’s ex-husband, a detective named Sam, calls to give her a heads-up about a note the killer left at the crime scene. Five names are listed in the note -- the billionaire boss who owns her station; a defense attorney who represents mob bosses and drug dealers; a suspended homicide detective suspected of launching a suspect out of an upper story window; a college president and ex-Congressman notorious for sleeping with women who aren’t his wife.
And Dora Gayle.
Boom. The first of many plot twists Belsky delivers as Carlson and the cops chase this bewildering clue to connect the names on this list to Mancuso’s murder. Is the murderer named on that list? Or is it a lineup of past and future victims?
Belsky keeps you guessing with his storytelling jukes and hip fakes and richly entertained with Carlson’s smart-ass patter.
A word about that patter. The story is told from Carlson’s point of view. But it’s got the lemme-tell-ya tone of a guy sitting in the semi-dark at the short end of a long bar with an adult beverage in hand, spinning a yarn.
The image is forties-era black and white. And the guy is wearing a snap-brim fedora with a press card stuck in the hat band.
June 10, 2019
The second Clare Carlson mystery finds the intrepid TV news director-slash-investigative journalist breaking some of the truisms of TV news coverage when she ends up doing a deep dive on a homeless woman that was murdered named Dora Gayle.
Little does she realize that the coverage of that murder will lead to a much bigger story down the line. When a high powered Wall Street attorney is found murdered, there's list of names near the body including Dora's. But how would a homeless woman have anything in common with the dead lawyer? And what connection do the others on the list have to the mystery?
Clare wants to know but has to tread carefully because one of the names is the owner of the station that she works for. Doggedly pursuing any and all clues, Clare and her team are soon turning up the heat on the story and its principles. But seemingly stymied at points, she wonders if the truth will ever come out. Especially since it is revealed that the suspect list for the lawyer is long and varied.
"Below The Fold" does a great job of giving readers a behind the scenes look at what goes into putting on the daily news. Clare remains a compelling protagonist and when it comes to her job, she's pretty top notch. Her personal life is a shambles and as she deals with the carry over subplot from the first book, regarding the baby she gave up for adoption, continues to play a large role here.
With the decision from R.G. Belsky to tell the story in the first person narrative, you really get inside Clare's head to fully grasp her motivations, fears, determination and sense of justice. This helps endear Clare to the readers even while she continues to frustrate with some of her understandable personal foibles.
The ending seems like it could be setting up an explosive third book and I know that after the first two books in the series, I'm fully captivated and can't wait to see where the author takes the story next.
Little does she realize that the coverage of that murder will lead to a much bigger story down the line. When a high powered Wall Street attorney is found murdered, there's list of names near the body including Dora's. But how would a homeless woman have anything in common with the dead lawyer? And what connection do the others on the list have to the mystery?
Clare wants to know but has to tread carefully because one of the names is the owner of the station that she works for. Doggedly pursuing any and all clues, Clare and her team are soon turning up the heat on the story and its principles. But seemingly stymied at points, she wonders if the truth will ever come out. Especially since it is revealed that the suspect list for the lawyer is long and varied.
"Below The Fold" does a great job of giving readers a behind the scenes look at what goes into putting on the daily news. Clare remains a compelling protagonist and when it comes to her job, she's pretty top notch. Her personal life is a shambles and as she deals with the carry over subplot from the first book, regarding the baby she gave up for adoption, continues to play a large role here.
With the decision from R.G. Belsky to tell the story in the first person narrative, you really get inside Clare's head to fully grasp her motivations, fears, determination and sense of justice. This helps endear Clare to the readers even while she continues to frustrate with some of her understandable personal foibles.
The ending seems like it could be setting up an explosive third book and I know that after the first two books in the series, I'm fully captivated and can't wait to see where the author takes the story next.
June 19, 2019
Every human life is supposed to be important. R. G. Belsky’s latest Clare Carlson mystery, Below the Fold, begins with the death of “a nobody,” the kind of news that falls “below the fold.” Carlson is a veteran TV news reporter, and she knows all about the deaths that matter...and those that don’t.
But Carlson—a TV news director who still has a reporter’s instincts—decides to dig deeper into this seemingly meaningless death. She uncovers mysterious links between the murdered “nobody” and a number of wealthy and influential New York figures. Their names, together with that of the murdered homeless woman, turn up on a list left at a second murder scene. There’s no obvious connection between any of the prominent citizens, but soon there are more murders, and more questions.
Along with a being a compelling murder mystery, Belsky’s novel successfully describes the large and small effects people have on one another, like ripples in a pond, radiating outward, colliding and intersecting with the ripples other lives produce. Those resonances prove key to solving the mystery, so I won’t say more.
Readers who like an engaging, well-crafted mystery with fascinating twists will love Below the Fold. The writing is crisp and economical, and I felt pulled forward into the story as it delved deeper into the mystery. It’s the second in the Clare Carson series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Along with Clare herself, the most engaging character is the policeman-with-a-past Scott Manning.
In less skillful hands, murder mystery victims can often feel like mere plot points; but Below the Fold adeptly gives the dead back their humanity. Every life, and every passing, has its meaning.
Highly recommended.
But Carlson—a TV news director who still has a reporter’s instincts—decides to dig deeper into this seemingly meaningless death. She uncovers mysterious links between the murdered “nobody” and a number of wealthy and influential New York figures. Their names, together with that of the murdered homeless woman, turn up on a list left at a second murder scene. There’s no obvious connection between any of the prominent citizens, but soon there are more murders, and more questions.
Along with a being a compelling murder mystery, Belsky’s novel successfully describes the large and small effects people have on one another, like ripples in a pond, radiating outward, colliding and intersecting with the ripples other lives produce. Those resonances prove key to solving the mystery, so I won’t say more.
Readers who like an engaging, well-crafted mystery with fascinating twists will love Below the Fold. The writing is crisp and economical, and I felt pulled forward into the story as it delved deeper into the mystery. It’s the second in the Clare Carson series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Along with Clare herself, the most engaging character is the policeman-with-a-past Scott Manning.
In less skillful hands, murder mystery victims can often feel like mere plot points; but Below the Fold adeptly gives the dead back their humanity. Every life, and every passing, has its meaning.
Highly recommended.
March 31, 2019
Clare Carlson is a TV News Director. She was a Pulitzer Award winning journalist before she got her job. One day, when planning the evening news, it was decided to pay some attention to the death of a homeless woman who was murdered by an ATM machine. Usually, that kind of story is firmly "below the fold" but Clare and her crew decide to spotlight it. Dora Gayle got her fifteen minutes of fame and then everyone thought they'd move on to the next new flashy story.
The next new flashy story was the brutal death of Grace Mancuso. She worked for an investment fund and had made a deal to give evidence about shady happenings at the fund. She also had an active love life. These are the sorts of things that light up the ratings on TV news. But there was an unexpected connection to Dora Gayle's death. A list of names was found by Mancuso's body and Dora Gayle's was one of them. Also listed were politician Bill Atwood who was forced to resign because of numerous sex scandals, Emily Lehrman who is a high profile lawyer who tends to work for the mob, Scott Manning who is a police officer under investigation for the death of a suspect while being interrogated, and Brendan Kaiser who is the media mogul who happens to own the TV station where Clare works.
Beyond the big question of who killed Grace Mancuso is the equally large question of what the five people on the list had in common. Kaiser wants to know and he instructs Clare and her team to investigate.
The story was fast-paced and frustrating at the same time as Clare and her team followed up leads, ran into dead ends, and uncovered new leads all while trying to get TV-ready stories prepared to keep the ratings up at the TV station.
I liked Clare who had issues of her own. Falling for a married police detective who is also a subject of her investigation wasn't very smart but Clare did it anyway. She has good instincts for a story but not necessarily in her personal life as demonstrated by her three ex-husbands. She is also still haunted by an event in her past which caused her to compromise her integrity as a journalist.
The next new flashy story was the brutal death of Grace Mancuso. She worked for an investment fund and had made a deal to give evidence about shady happenings at the fund. She also had an active love life. These are the sorts of things that light up the ratings on TV news. But there was an unexpected connection to Dora Gayle's death. A list of names was found by Mancuso's body and Dora Gayle's was one of them. Also listed were politician Bill Atwood who was forced to resign because of numerous sex scandals, Emily Lehrman who is a high profile lawyer who tends to work for the mob, Scott Manning who is a police officer under investigation for the death of a suspect while being interrogated, and Brendan Kaiser who is the media mogul who happens to own the TV station where Clare works.
Beyond the big question of who killed Grace Mancuso is the equally large question of what the five people on the list had in common. Kaiser wants to know and he instructs Clare and her team to investigate.
The story was fast-paced and frustrating at the same time as Clare and her team followed up leads, ran into dead ends, and uncovered new leads all while trying to get TV-ready stories prepared to keep the ratings up at the TV station.
I liked Clare who had issues of her own. Falling for a married police detective who is also a subject of her investigation wasn't very smart but Clare did it anyway. She has good instincts for a story but not necessarily in her personal life as demonstrated by her three ex-husbands. She is also still haunted by an event in her past which caused her to compromise her integrity as a journalist.
April 14, 2019
After discussing the stories that will lead the evening newscast on New York City’s Channel 10, Maggie Lang proposes doing a human interest piece on the murder of a homeless woman, Dora Gayle, a story that falls “below the fold”. A few days later, the high profile murder of Grace Mancuso, a stockbroker who took a plea deal to testify against colleagues in a financial scam, is the news lead everywhere. Ex-husband and police detective Sam calls Clare Carlson, Channel 10 News Director, to give her a tip about the Mancuso murder. Police found a note saying that “Grace paid a price for her sins committed a long time ago. I did this with a little help from my friends” followed by a list of names: media mogul and Channel 10 owner, Brendan Kaiser; ex-Congressman Bill Atwood; well-know attorney Emily Lehrman; police lieutenant Scott Manning; and recently murdered homeless person, Dora Gayle.
Brendan Kaiser calls Jack Faron, Executive Producer of Channel 10’s News, and Clare to his office to discuss the fact that his name is on the list. He insists that “Clare break the story and handle all the reporting – or at least the bulk of it”. In addition to being the News Director, Clare is now the primary reporter on a “hot” story. Clare is determined to figure out how the people on this list are connected to the two murders. Just to keep things interesting, Clare is also trying to find the daughter she gave up for adoption who was later kidnapped and reported murdered. A U.S. Senator informed her that her daughter is alive but won’t divulge her location.
R. G. Belsky writes a compelling story and using TV news as the backdrop creates an added layer of intensity. Belsky’s background in TV newsrooms is apparent - the authenticity of the characters, setting and interaction brings the reader right into each scene. Let’s hope Clare Carlson shares many more of her stories.
Brendan Kaiser calls Jack Faron, Executive Producer of Channel 10’s News, and Clare to his office to discuss the fact that his name is on the list. He insists that “Clare break the story and handle all the reporting – or at least the bulk of it”. In addition to being the News Director, Clare is now the primary reporter on a “hot” story. Clare is determined to figure out how the people on this list are connected to the two murders. Just to keep things interesting, Clare is also trying to find the daughter she gave up for adoption who was later kidnapped and reported murdered. A U.S. Senator informed her that her daughter is alive but won’t divulge her location.
R. G. Belsky writes a compelling story and using TV news as the backdrop creates an added layer of intensity. Belsky’s background in TV newsrooms is apparent - the authenticity of the characters, setting and interaction brings the reader right into each scene. Let’s hope Clare Carlson shares many more of her stories.
October 20, 2019
The title comes from a newspaper term, in the days of fold-up big newspapers, and even though this book is set in a TV news firm and pretty modern, the studio still isn't up to date online and tweeting - hard to keep up when year by year the telcoms world gets faster.
A female news editor picks up the story of a homeless woman found dead on the streets -while this is tragic it's not unusual for New York. But that brief story gets linked to some big names and those people include the owner of the TV production company and a well established police officer. The news editor keeps investigating even though as an editor it's not her job. While she is correctly treated as an equal in business by others, I thought there wasn't much of a woman's point of view.
I found the story, well intentioned and criss-crossing, did drag after a while, probably because the kind of people referenced are those whom New Yorkers care about but I don't. Some readers who enjoy this detail will give better ratings. If you're just after a cosy crime story this won't suit you.
We realise that life can take a downturn for just about anyone, which is an important message.
I was sent an ARC by Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
A female news editor picks up the story of a homeless woman found dead on the streets -while this is tragic it's not unusual for New York. But that brief story gets linked to some big names and those people include the owner of the TV production company and a well established police officer. The news editor keeps investigating even though as an editor it's not her job. While she is correctly treated as an equal in business by others, I thought there wasn't much of a woman's point of view.
I found the story, well intentioned and criss-crossing, did drag after a while, probably because the kind of people referenced are those whom New Yorkers care about but I don't. Some readers who enjoy this detail will give better ratings. If you're just after a cosy crime story this won't suit you.
We realise that life can take a downturn for just about anyone, which is an important message.
I was sent an ARC by Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
February 14, 2020
( Format : Audiobook )
"Every investigation has a life of it's own."
Meet Dora Gayle, who called herself Cinderella, the homeless daughter of alcoholic parents. Her future had once seemed promising but something happened when she left university and she, too, started drinking, lost everything including, just recently, her life. She was murdered, just another dead street nobody, hardly worth .entjoning. Except one time journalist, Clare Carlson, now news executive to Channel 10's Inside Scoop, saw a story there: a woman's tragic life. So a piece was put together and viewed by an huge audience. Which made everything seem even more strange when Dora's name was found on a list found in the apartment of another murder victim, together with that of four other people, all successful in their own fields: a detective, a politician, an investment advisor and the millionaire media moral showed their own TV channel. What connected all six? What could Dora possibly have in common with the others on that list?
This is the second in the Clare Carlson Mystery series, written by R.G.Belsky, following Clare's own life story as she noses out stories to put on TV. The tale which begins with the killing of an unknown street person becomes one far more complex than Clare, or the reader, could anticipate with curious twists before the final denouement. Meanwhile, the reader also travels in the head of Clare as she also pursues her own life and even though this is volume two, Below the Fold easily works as a stand alone, intriguing and filled with interesting, well characterized protagonists. Narration is by Chris Kenworthy, who's pleasant to hear voice also delivers gently individual separate voices for each of the characters in a good, well paced performance.
I was fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of Below the Fold, by the rights holder, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. This mystery, told without undue hystrionics, was compelling and hard to put down. There are, of course, minor flaws but nothing to stop the enjoyment of the story, a good investigative hunt for a killer that I would recommend to anyone fond of reading this genre. I am personally looking forward to book three.
"Every investigation has a life of it's own."
Meet Dora Gayle, who called herself Cinderella, the homeless daughter of alcoholic parents. Her future had once seemed promising but something happened when she left university and she, too, started drinking, lost everything including, just recently, her life. She was murdered, just another dead street nobody, hardly worth .entjoning. Except one time journalist, Clare Carlson, now news executive to Channel 10's Inside Scoop, saw a story there: a woman's tragic life. So a piece was put together and viewed by an huge audience. Which made everything seem even more strange when Dora's name was found on a list found in the apartment of another murder victim, together with that of four other people, all successful in their own fields: a detective, a politician, an investment advisor and the millionaire media moral showed their own TV channel. What connected all six? What could Dora possibly have in common with the others on that list?
This is the second in the Clare Carlson Mystery series, written by R.G.Belsky, following Clare's own life story as she noses out stories to put on TV. The tale which begins with the killing of an unknown street person becomes one far more complex than Clare, or the reader, could anticipate with curious twists before the final denouement. Meanwhile, the reader also travels in the head of Clare as she also pursues her own life and even though this is volume two, Below the Fold easily works as a stand alone, intriguing and filled with interesting, well characterized protagonists. Narration is by Chris Kenworthy, who's pleasant to hear voice also delivers gently individual separate voices for each of the characters in a good, well paced performance.
I was fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of Below the Fold, by the rights holder, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. This mystery, told without undue hystrionics, was compelling and hard to put down. There are, of course, minor flaws but nothing to stop the enjoyment of the story, a good investigative hunt for a killer that I would recommend to anyone fond of reading this genre. I am personally looking forward to book three.
July 22, 2019
Even better than the first book!
There is nothing more exciting when reading a series than to have each book get better and better. This is definitely the case with Below the Fold.
The two things I loved most about this book: the plot and the journalism insights. The plot had even more twists that were incredibly compelling and really pushed me to keep reading because I couldn’t wait to see how it all turned out!! And we really get to see some of the inner workings of how TV journalism is run. I had to laugh while reading this book because we were experiencing a horrible heatwave in the Northeast and all I wanted to see from my local news was more about the weather! So spot on!
A friend I was recommending this book to asked if they had to read the first one. I am a completist so I Always do. But I think the author has done a terrific job to make this book accessible as a stand alone - which is always tough in writing a series.
So - highly recommended- and given the ending I can’t wait for book three!!
There is nothing more exciting when reading a series than to have each book get better and better. This is definitely the case with Below the Fold.
The two things I loved most about this book: the plot and the journalism insights. The plot had even more twists that were incredibly compelling and really pushed me to keep reading because I couldn’t wait to see how it all turned out!! And we really get to see some of the inner workings of how TV journalism is run. I had to laugh while reading this book because we were experiencing a horrible heatwave in the Northeast and all I wanted to see from my local news was more about the weather! So spot on!
A friend I was recommending this book to asked if they had to read the first one. I am a completist so I Always do. But I think the author has done a terrific job to make this book accessible as a stand alone - which is always tough in writing a series.
So - highly recommended- and given the ending I can’t wait for book three!!
June 30, 2019
I was excited to win a Kindle copy of Below the Fold in a Goodreads giveaway, as I enjoyed Yesterday's News, the first Clare Carlson mystery in this series. The author is an experienced journalist so his portrayal of the newsroom is realistic.
Familiar characters and a few loose ends from Yesterday's News turn up in Below the Fold.
When Clare decides to cover the death of a homeless woman on a slow news day, she has no idea it will set in motion several high-profile murders and a scavenger hunt to decipher cryptic clues, not to mention a whale of a news story. The fact that her boss may be involved adds another challenge.
The writing consists of a lot of talking heads and more telling than showing, but R.G. Belsky has constructed another clever, page-turning mystery plot that twists and turns, casting suspicion on multiple characters, keeping the reader guessing until the end.
Familiar characters and a few loose ends from Yesterday's News turn up in Below the Fold.
When Clare decides to cover the death of a homeless woman on a slow news day, she has no idea it will set in motion several high-profile murders and a scavenger hunt to decipher cryptic clues, not to mention a whale of a news story. The fact that her boss may be involved adds another challenge.
The writing consists of a lot of talking heads and more telling than showing, but R.G. Belsky has constructed another clever, page-turning mystery plot that twists and turns, casting suspicion on multiple characters, keeping the reader guessing until the end.
February 22, 2020
This was very enjoyable. The first book in the series was good, but in a way, I think I enjoyed Below the Fold a tiny bit more. The twists and turns just didn't stop right up until the end. I honestly thought I'd figured it out several times and then there would be another big turn that I'd never have guessed. Not in a million years. As usual, the news director, Clare Carlson, was good at figuring out what was happening in a mystery. But in the end, even she missed something big. Actually, this was something I found myself questioning, but then someone else clued her in and there were two more huge turns of events. Wow. The author did a good job. Right now, I work for a news station, so I've enjoyed part of the setting being in a newsroom and news station in Yesterday's News and also in Below the Fold.
April 30, 2019
Clare, who won a Pulitzer as a reporter but who is now a news director, is craving some action so opts to put her team on the death of Dora, a homeless woman. Then, however, her ex- husband Sam calls to give her tip that Grace, a high flying stockbroker, who was murdered, was found with a note and a list of five names, one of which was....>Dora's. How do these two connect? This one takes Clare through the corridors of power (including her own media corporation) and there are, of course more murders. It's sufficiently twisty to keep you guessing. I read and enjoyed the first novel but I don't think you need to do that in order to completely appreciate this one. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. I'm curious what Clare will be up to next.
July 10, 2019
I received this book from Goodreads. All opinions are my own.
This is the second book in the Clare Carlson series. I loved it. I now have to get the first book then wait for the third in the series. 😀
A scandalized Sentor, a Billionaire, a Criminal Lawyer, a Homicide Detective, a Homeless lady, what do they all have to do with a murdered Financial advisor? Clara is a news director for a NYC station. She decides the station will report on a dead homeless lady not knowing the events that will follow.
I could tell that R. G. Belsky knows the inside of investigate reporting. His details of the going on in a newsroom came shining through. He wrote in a descriptive way that makes you feel like you are right there.
This is the second book in the Clare Carlson series. I loved it. I now have to get the first book then wait for the third in the series. 😀
A scandalized Sentor, a Billionaire, a Criminal Lawyer, a Homicide Detective, a Homeless lady, what do they all have to do with a murdered Financial advisor? Clara is a news director for a NYC station. She decides the station will report on a dead homeless lady not knowing the events that will follow.
I could tell that R. G. Belsky knows the inside of investigate reporting. His details of the going on in a newsroom came shining through. He wrote in a descriptive way that makes you feel like you are right there.
July 24, 2019
What a wonderful twisty thriller! This is my favorite kind of book. It is about a news director for Channel 10 News. She used to be a investigative reporter who won a Pulitzer for a story on a missing girl. She has not lost her investigative instincts and decides to delve into the murder of a homeless woman. Ordinarily this would not be a great news story because the stories that sell involve beautiful people or rich people or politicians gone bad. Another murder takes place involving a beautiful financial broker who has spilled the beans on her fellow workers involved in fraud. This is a story! Somehow these two deaths become linked and a series of suspects emerge. The story takes some very unexpected turns. I loved the ride and you will too.
July 19, 2019
Quick fun read
Clare Carlson’s latest investigation starts with a great setup — a list of five apparently unrelated names at a grisly New York City murder scene. Solving the crime, Clare, a TV news editor, takes many twists and turns, some plausible, others less so. No matter what, I loved Clare and the author’s obvious intimate knowledge of newsrooms and New York.
Clare Carlson’s latest investigation starts with a great setup — a list of five apparently unrelated names at a grisly New York City murder scene. Solving the crime, Clare, a TV news editor, takes many twists and turns, some plausible, others less so. No matter what, I loved Clare and the author’s obvious intimate knowledge of newsrooms and New York.
December 25, 2019
Absolutely amazing!! An edge of your seat thriller that will keep you turning the pages. This story is told from behind the scene of a news journalist. Definitely a roller coaster of a ride till the very end.
February 20, 2020
Now I have a new great series to read! - Love Clare!!!
April 1, 2020
Loved it! The plot twists kept me guessing until the end.
May 30, 2019
3.5 stars (I liked it a lot)
"Below the Fold" is the latest release by author Dick (R.G.) Belsky, a newsroom veteran and crime writer, and the second book in his Clare Carlson Mysteries series which is set in the fast-paced and cut-throat TV News industry.
Just like the first instalment, "Yesterday's News", "Below the Fold" is character driven. The first person narrative gives us a retrospective view of events through the eyes of its protagonist, Clare Carlson, taking us through the painstaking and twisting process of investigative journalism and the demands of live news broadcasts, with great gritty insights into both.
Clare is also an interesting character with compromising secrets and many flaws, which are revealed and explored alongside her professional endeavours throughout the series. For this reason, although "Below the Fold" can be read as a stand-alone mystery novel, I would strongly recommend reading "Yesterday's News" first as, in order to progress Clare's personal story, this new book contains many spoilers which will affect your enjoyment of the first - and that would be a real shame as "Yesterday's News" was an edge-of-your-seat, take-your-breath-away page turner.
Interestingly, "Yesterday's News" was originally intended as a stand-alone novel, however, the publishers wanted more Clare and, thankfully Mr Belsky had more to give; without a doubt the setting does allow for a long and exciting series. Clare is the kind of journalist who does not go for the easy story, she likes to dig deep and challenge the status-quo, which also prompts the reader to regularly question the morality and values of our current society.
Generally the writing is so good that you completely forget about it and just become immersed in the story, which, although complex, is clear and easy to follow. In our interview with Mr Belsky last year he told us that he tries "to write the same kind of mystery novel that I like to read myself. That means a good story; taut, fast-paced writing; and - most of all - an interesting lead character." He has certainly achieved his goal with this series, and fully delivers on each aspect. My one criticism about this novel is that I didn't fully understand why Cinderella (Dora Gayle) felt so strong and that she had beaten NYC, but maybe I am just looking too hard into it.
Finally, as you may have spotted, the main protagonist Clare Carlson is a female character written by a male author; fear not, Mr Belsky does an excellent job of writing from a strong, modern female perspective thanks to his experience in this field (which he explored for our blog earlier this month), and Clare feels wholly genuine and fully female!
Although not as strong as "Yesterday's News" which completely surprised me, whereas in "Below the Fold" I actually correctly identified one of the culprits, I pretty much devoured this book in one sitting and I cannot wait for the the third book in this series, "The Last Scoop", which will be out next year and will see Clare "on the trail of a serial killer even scarier than Son of Sam or Ted Bundy or the Zodiac".
[ARC received via Edelweiss]
As published on BooksChatter
"Below the Fold" is the latest release by author Dick (R.G.) Belsky, a newsroom veteran and crime writer, and the second book in his Clare Carlson Mysteries series which is set in the fast-paced and cut-throat TV News industry.
Just like the first instalment, "Yesterday's News", "Below the Fold" is character driven. The first person narrative gives us a retrospective view of events through the eyes of its protagonist, Clare Carlson, taking us through the painstaking and twisting process of investigative journalism and the demands of live news broadcasts, with great gritty insights into both.
Clare is also an interesting character with compromising secrets and many flaws, which are revealed and explored alongside her professional endeavours throughout the series. For this reason, although "Below the Fold" can be read as a stand-alone mystery novel, I would strongly recommend reading "Yesterday's News" first as, in order to progress Clare's personal story, this new book contains many spoilers which will affect your enjoyment of the first - and that would be a real shame as "Yesterday's News" was an edge-of-your-seat, take-your-breath-away page turner.
Interestingly, "Yesterday's News" was originally intended as a stand-alone novel, however, the publishers wanted more Clare and, thankfully Mr Belsky had more to give; without a doubt the setting does allow for a long and exciting series. Clare is the kind of journalist who does not go for the easy story, she likes to dig deep and challenge the status-quo, which also prompts the reader to regularly question the morality and values of our current society.
Generally the writing is so good that you completely forget about it and just become immersed in the story, which, although complex, is clear and easy to follow. In our interview with Mr Belsky last year he told us that he tries "to write the same kind of mystery novel that I like to read myself. That means a good story; taut, fast-paced writing; and - most of all - an interesting lead character." He has certainly achieved his goal with this series, and fully delivers on each aspect. My one criticism about this novel is that I didn't fully understand why Cinderella (Dora Gayle) felt so strong and that she had beaten NYC, but maybe I am just looking too hard into it.
Finally, as you may have spotted, the main protagonist Clare Carlson is a female character written by a male author; fear not, Mr Belsky does an excellent job of writing from a strong, modern female perspective thanks to his experience in this field (which he explored for our blog earlier this month), and Clare feels wholly genuine and fully female!
Although not as strong as "Yesterday's News" which completely surprised me, whereas in "Below the Fold" I actually correctly identified one of the culprits, I pretty much devoured this book in one sitting and I cannot wait for the the third book in this series, "The Last Scoop", which will be out next year and will see Clare "on the trail of a serial killer even scarier than Son of Sam or Ted Bundy or the Zodiac".
[ARC received via Edelweiss]
As published on BooksChatter
February 29, 2020
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:
It's my first book by R. G. Belsky and I'll have to read or listen to more to find out whether I truly like this author or not...
'Below the Folds' is a book that intrigued and irritated me at the same time, for many reasons. I'll mention the most important ones here only (and there may be some spoilers...)
Pros, then, first: the idea for the plot is good. The murder of a homeless woman, for whom seemingly no-one cares, ignites a chain of events which involves murders, blackmails, family break-ups... And that's the intriguing part. Also, I liked the insight into the workings of a TV station, of how it's decided what we, the viewers, are going to finally see. Character-building is quite OK; they are flawed people, with shortcomings and failings that make them feel real.
What is it, then, that irritated me about the book? Well, I didn't really like any of the characters, especially not the main one. She is egotistic, obsessed with her work and doesn't really care for people (although I assume we are suppossed to think that she does, on account of some of her thoughts and remarks...). And for me this is a huge flaw of any book - I need to feel connected to at least one character in a story, not necessarily the main one; here, I didn't care for anyone, really... But an even bigger fault of the story is the repetition of information. OK, having something said twice is all right, but having it repeated 5, 6 or 7 times (at one point I just stopped counting) in almost exactly the same words...? It's like 'copy and paste' - not helping, neither the writing style nor the story itself... And last but not least; I think the story would benefit a lot if some parts of it were just taken out. While I liked the 'behind the TV screen' scenes, I think tere were too many of them, not really pushing the plot forward, on the contrary, they definitely slowed it and made the story meander in too many directions...
So overall, it's a book with a lot of potential, with quite a few good moments, but also some flaws that for many people will pobably not be flaws at all:) You'll just have to read or listen to it and see for youselves whether you like it or not.
As for the narration, I liked it a lot. Ms Kenworthy brings the book to life in a very nice way. She reads rather fast, but the voices are recognizable and diversified, matching most of the characters well. She's also quite good at acting out dialogues and very good in narrative parts. It's a very-well done interpretation of the book.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
It's my first book by R. G. Belsky and I'll have to read or listen to more to find out whether I truly like this author or not...
'Below the Folds' is a book that intrigued and irritated me at the same time, for many reasons. I'll mention the most important ones here only (and there may be some spoilers...)
Pros, then, first: the idea for the plot is good. The murder of a homeless woman, for whom seemingly no-one cares, ignites a chain of events which involves murders, blackmails, family break-ups... And that's the intriguing part. Also, I liked the insight into the workings of a TV station, of how it's decided what we, the viewers, are going to finally see. Character-building is quite OK; they are flawed people, with shortcomings and failings that make them feel real.
What is it, then, that irritated me about the book? Well, I didn't really like any of the characters, especially not the main one. She is egotistic, obsessed with her work and doesn't really care for people (although I assume we are suppossed to think that she does, on account of some of her thoughts and remarks...). And for me this is a huge flaw of any book - I need to feel connected to at least one character in a story, not necessarily the main one; here, I didn't care for anyone, really... But an even bigger fault of the story is the repetition of information. OK, having something said twice is all right, but having it repeated 5, 6 or 7 times (at one point I just stopped counting) in almost exactly the same words...? It's like 'copy and paste' - not helping, neither the writing style nor the story itself... And last but not least; I think the story would benefit a lot if some parts of it were just taken out. While I liked the 'behind the TV screen' scenes, I think tere were too many of them, not really pushing the plot forward, on the contrary, they definitely slowed it and made the story meander in too many directions...
So overall, it's a book with a lot of potential, with quite a few good moments, but also some flaws that for many people will pobably not be flaws at all:) You'll just have to read or listen to it and see for youselves whether you like it or not.
As for the narration, I liked it a lot. Ms Kenworthy brings the book to life in a very nice way. She reads rather fast, but the voices are recognizable and diversified, matching most of the characters well. She's also quite good at acting out dialogues and very good in narrative parts. It's a very-well done interpretation of the book.
DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 10, 2019
This is former newsman Dick Belsky’s second crime story featuring Pulitzer-Prize winning print journalist Clare Carlson, now significantly reduced in career status by working as the news director for Channel 10 television. Clare has a wittily cynical, self-deprecating take on her job and the events and people around her, and the novel begins with her musing on why some deaths—those of blonde white females—matter more than others, at least in the news business. Most of the time.
Clare runs a lively morning news meeting, in which the reporters and staff hammer out which stories to feature that day, absent any even bigger story breaking. On this particular day, Clare’s assignment editor Maggie challenges the team to look a little deeper and discover what was important about the life and death of a person they wouldn’t ordinarily spend time on, a fifty-four-year-old homeless woman stabbed to death in an ATM vestibule. Because Clare rises to the challenge, they discover, over time, just how significant the story of Dora Gayle turns out to be.
The first glimmer there may be more to the homeless woman’s story than they anticipated comes when Grace Mancuso, a woman Gayle’s polar opposite—young, beautiful, wealthy, a stockbroker—is brutally murdered. Beside her body is a list of five names, five people who appear to have nothing in common, who in fact believe they have never even met. The last name on the list is Dora Gayle.
Through Clare’s investigative journalism, Belsky expertly rolls out the stories of all these people, living and dead, and their possible intersections. Except for Gayle, of course, are they suspects in either murder? Potential victims? In the process, Belsky lays down enough red herrings to feed lower Manhattan.
Belsky, who lives and worked in Manhattan for years, knows his setting well, not just its geography, but its culture down to the neighborhood level. You may look up from his pages and be surprised to find yourself somewhere other than Washington Square or the East Village, so thoroughly is this story imbued with the spirit of New York.
It isn’t a spoiler to say that, in the end, the death of Dora Gayle, a death that ordinarily would have been passed over without journalistic notice, started the novel’s engine, bearing out Clare’s advice to her news team that “there’s a story to every murder.”
Clare runs a lively morning news meeting, in which the reporters and staff hammer out which stories to feature that day, absent any even bigger story breaking. On this particular day, Clare’s assignment editor Maggie challenges the team to look a little deeper and discover what was important about the life and death of a person they wouldn’t ordinarily spend time on, a fifty-four-year-old homeless woman stabbed to death in an ATM vestibule. Because Clare rises to the challenge, they discover, over time, just how significant the story of Dora Gayle turns out to be.
The first glimmer there may be more to the homeless woman’s story than they anticipated comes when Grace Mancuso, a woman Gayle’s polar opposite—young, beautiful, wealthy, a stockbroker—is brutally murdered. Beside her body is a list of five names, five people who appear to have nothing in common, who in fact believe they have never even met. The last name on the list is Dora Gayle.
Through Clare’s investigative journalism, Belsky expertly rolls out the stories of all these people, living and dead, and their possible intersections. Except for Gayle, of course, are they suspects in either murder? Potential victims? In the process, Belsky lays down enough red herrings to feed lower Manhattan.
Belsky, who lives and worked in Manhattan for years, knows his setting well, not just its geography, but its culture down to the neighborhood level. You may look up from his pages and be surprised to find yourself somewhere other than Washington Square or the East Village, so thoroughly is this story imbued with the spirit of New York.
It isn’t a spoiler to say that, in the end, the death of Dora Gayle, a death that ordinarily would have been passed over without journalistic notice, started the novel’s engine, bearing out Clare’s advice to her news team that “there’s a story to every murder.”
May 28, 2019
Below the Fold by R.G. Belsky starts off with a murder, and the fast-paced action never stops. Every life is important, until it is time to broadcast the daily news. Murdered homeless people rarely make the top news slot, but when Channel 10 News Director Clare Carlson agrees to run a story about a woman murdered while sleeping in a bank vestibule, she gets more than she bargained for. The victim is Dora Gayle, seemingly just one of many living and dying on the streets. But nothing is ever as it seems, and it appears that Dora is connected to a web of intrigue, greed, and lies.
With each passing chapter, Clare finds herself embedded deeper and deeper into this web. But as she unravels the clues and gets closer to the truth, the danger becomes a little too real and a little too deadly.
The overall tone of Beneath the Fold is journalistic, reminiscent of the old-fashioned gumshoe stories, where the investigator doggedly pursues the clues and stirs up a nest of hornets eager for revenge and dead set on silencing that nosy reporter. But Clare is in too deep, and like any good journalist, she is committed to finding out the truth, no matter the cost. Belsky's writing style is quite snappy and quick, and he expertly builds the tension and danger to a fever pitch. Figuring things out is difficult with this one, so be prepared to stay riveted and on your toes until the very end.
An interesting aspect in Below the Fold is that sex, money, and sensationalism sell stories, but we all know that. We only have to turn on the nightly news to see that. And a high-profile murder will make the headlines for sure, but when a 'nobody' is murdered, no one notices or even cares. The idea that all humans are created equal flies right out the window when it comes to TV ratings, yet that forgotten life was still important. The homeless people we pass every day have interesting, heartbreaking, and lovely stories to tell anyone willing to listen, but even in death, their stories often remain untold.
While the overall mystery is thrilling and well written, with dynamic characterization, this idea that a person's story isn't always headline worthy unless they are connected to something or someone more important leaves quite the lasting impression.
With each passing chapter, Clare finds herself embedded deeper and deeper into this web. But as she unravels the clues and gets closer to the truth, the danger becomes a little too real and a little too deadly.
The overall tone of Beneath the Fold is journalistic, reminiscent of the old-fashioned gumshoe stories, where the investigator doggedly pursues the clues and stirs up a nest of hornets eager for revenge and dead set on silencing that nosy reporter. But Clare is in too deep, and like any good journalist, she is committed to finding out the truth, no matter the cost. Belsky's writing style is quite snappy and quick, and he expertly builds the tension and danger to a fever pitch. Figuring things out is difficult with this one, so be prepared to stay riveted and on your toes until the very end.
An interesting aspect in Below the Fold is that sex, money, and sensationalism sell stories, but we all know that. We only have to turn on the nightly news to see that. And a high-profile murder will make the headlines for sure, but when a 'nobody' is murdered, no one notices or even cares. The idea that all humans are created equal flies right out the window when it comes to TV ratings, yet that forgotten life was still important. The homeless people we pass every day have interesting, heartbreaking, and lovely stories to tell anyone willing to listen, but even in death, their stories often remain untold.
While the overall mystery is thrilling and well written, with dynamic characterization, this idea that a person's story isn't always headline worthy unless they are connected to something or someone more important leaves quite the lasting impression.
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