Murder Off the Record [Hardcover]

Marnie Schulenburg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

The editor of a small-town Wisconsin newspaper marks the anniversary of his daughter's murder, by persuading his paper to slap a news black-out on criminals who use the media to get their slice of immorality. He enlists the help of Sabina Shaw, who's on her first consulting job for the paper's wealthy, influential publisher--who just happens to be dating Sabina's mother.

The paper's stand enrages one reader, and drives him to murder. His demands that the paper print his story are met with silence, and the killing goes on. As the killer moves inexorably closer to the publisher--and to Sabina's mother, standing with him in the cross-hairs--the community splinters and panics, embroiled in this test of wills between the publisher, equally fixed on his own brand of fame; the publisher's son; the paper's staff; and the killer himself.

When the killer comes after Sabina, she tumbles into the case, teaming up with unlikely companions in her pursuit of answers that must, in the end, stay off the record.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An excess of puzzles burdens this first mystery, which includes some likable characters, a hard-to-credit serial killer and a partially redeeming final twist. Sabina Shaw is a management consultant hired to design a business plan for the Riverview, Wis., Times, newly acquired by media mogul Matthew Drum. Drum, who is dating Sabina's mother, comes from an egregiously dysfunctional family: he despises his father and his son, while they, supportive of each other, hate him. The murder of a young woman, whose body is found with a cryptic note, challenges the Times policy of giving no media attention to serial killers, who, the editor believes, kill for the attention. Escalating threats from the killer, more murders, complicated business and family dynamics and not-so-complicated Internet practices lead Sabina towards partial conclusions. She's able to close the circle when she solves a fourth murder. Exhibiting too little focus but lots of spirit, Schulenburg's debut shows considerable promise.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"... this is a solid read with a good mix of action and mental machinations." -- Ilene Cooper, Booklist, April 15, 1998

"A crisp, entertaining and thought-provoking novel." -- Scavenger's Newsletter, No. 183, May 1999

"I heartily recommend Murder Off The Record to all my fellow mystery fans." -- Jean Pearenboom, Green Bay Press-Gazette, 6/21/98

Fledgling management consultant Sabina (rhymes with Carolina) Shaw gets her first assignment doing some strategic planning for a small-town newspaper in Wisconsin. The Riverview Times has just been taken over by Matthew Drum, ruler of a modest corporate empire and gentleman friend to Sabina's mother, Peg. As if that doesn't make Sabina uncomfortable enough, Ed Fountain, the newspaper's editor, wants her immediate support on a new policy of "civic journalism"-a news black-out of any manifesto or other communication offered to the media by a murderer who kills for fame.Fountain, whose daughter was killed in a random shooting by a deranged man with a mission, gets the backing of Sabina and Drum. The newspaper refuses to print a rhymed note found on the body of a woman killed at an apartment complex. Enraged, the murderer, dubbed "The Poet" by television news, escalates the killings, and vows that the murders will continue until his poems are published by the Riverview Times.The moral dilemma posed is intriguing. Does the newspaper staff give in to The Poet's demands in order to save other lives in the short run, or stand firm and let future fame-junkies know their deeds and names will not be glorified by the press? In her epigraph, the author quotes some (regrettably) famous murderers on their cravings for notoriety, and it is a chilling roster. However, momentum flags in the opening chapters, when back story and exposition detract from the urgency of the message.When the plot gets off the ground again, there are enough suspects, action scenes add twists to satisfy any murder mystery fan. The main characters, including Sabina and her "quirky new set of friends," are engaging, fully-realized individuals whom we want to know better in subsequent books in this series. Many of the scenes and conversations are downright riveting. I especially like the clever ways in which the writer puts what she knows about management consulting and corporate maneuverings into the service of the plot. -- From Independent Publisher

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Write Way Publishing; First Edition edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885173504
• ISBN-13: 978-1885173508
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,745,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new talent delivers a fine mystery, May 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder Off the Record (Hardcover)

Manson, Bundy, Dahmler are all infamous serial killers who fascinated and horrified Americans with their sociopathic behavior. Some people feel that the media exposure has led to a place in history for these deranged killers who have become household names. It has also led to others seeking their fifteen minutes of fame in a like manner, regardless of the cost.

Ed Fountain, editor of a small Wisconsin newspaper, has first hand experience with such a killer. About a year ago, he lost his daughter to a maniac, who started to open fire on a crowded street because no one apparently would buy his video. While everyone remembers the video that was constantly played on the radio after the incident, Ed's darling Casey is a forgotten footnote.

Ed's paper was recently purchased by Matthew Drum, a business mogul. The editor proposes to his new boss that the paper start practicing responsible journalism and impose a blackout on theraving antics of these madmen. The owner agrees and an editorial is written to explain the new policy. However, the new policy enrages the newest kid on murder's row, who begins a killing spree and warns the editor that the policy change or more blood will flow. Matthew's consultant, Sabrina Shaw starts damage control, only to become the prime target of The Poet. However, rather than remain a sitting duck, Sabrina begins to investigate who is behind the recent killings.

Although MURDER OFF THE RECORD is Marnie Schulenberg's debut novel, the writer's abundant talent flows throughout the story even as she eloquently states that the message is the medium. Readers will feel empathy with the characters, even the serial killer, which is no small task for an author to accomplish. As Ms. Schulberg refines her raw abilities, she will be the twenty-first century's next star.

Harriet Klausner

5.0 out of 5 stars A delight and a page-turner, December 3, 1998

By 

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This review is from: Murder Off the Record (Hardcover)

Strong female protagonist, timely issue, pungent turns of phrase and lively plotting! Schulenburg's first published novel is a delight and a page-turner. Looking forward to seeing Sabina's future exploits...

5.0 out of 5 stars A thinking person's mystery, October 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder Off the Record (Hardcover)

Schulenburg delivers a great page-turner, and something more: a compeling exploration of the "dark side" of the First Amendment. She weaves her clever "who dun it" around a thoughtful discussion of the connection between free speech and violence in our culture. She centers her exploration on a novel concept: The First Amendment gives newspapers the right to refrain from publishing socially-damaging information. "Murder Off the Record" is simply a very satisfying book, and I look forward to this author's next release.