Customer Reviews

Murder Off the Record

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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

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...

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.

I owe my enjoyment of this book to its author. Schulenburg has a great command of her language and her story, her characters and their world. People should read this book for a lot of reasons, but certainly for an encounter with a thoughtful author with a keen eye.

This is the thinking person's mystery. It has all of the ingredients of a good read: a page-turning, suspenseful plot, interesting characters, and just the right touch of humor. What moves this book a notch above the rest is its exploration of free speech in a society that pays far too much attention to violent acts. Schulenburg presents a compeling argument for less rather than more exercise of certain First Amendment rights -- and all within the context of a good mystery.

Schulenburg has rare and wonderful turns of phrase as well as complex characters with which the reader can identify. The original and fast-moving plot make this book worthy of anyone's reading time.

A truly good read, both a mystery with clever plot twists and entertaining characters, an intriguing challenge to all of us about how we respond to the media frenzy present in our society. Plus we have a gritty but human female heroine that we can like and get frustrated with (i.e. lock your doors stupid!). This first novel speaks for itself but it does make me look forward to the ones to surely come. Ms. Schulenburg does her homework and makes the characters, the setting, and the issues believable and engaging. Kudos also to the folks that decided to publish this gem!

Thoroughly enjoyed the unfolding plot, the character development, the ethical dilemma that is central to the plot. I highly recommend it whether you are a mystery reader or not.

Schulenburg has taken on an important contemporary theme and given us a terrific tale in which to examine it. Both Sabina and Ed Fountain are eminently believable characters, and the various interests at work in the novel keep the reader engrossed, even involved in the eventual outcome. Recommend to anyone who knows corporate machinations, and murder.