Twenty-Five Years Ago Today [Paperback]

Stacy Juba (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2009

Should we dig for the truth when Pandora's Box is a coffin of buried secrets? For twenty-five years, Diana Ferguson's killer has gotten away with murder. When rookie obit writer and newsroom editorial assistant Kris Langley investigates the cold case of the artistic young cocktail waitress who was obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology, not only does she fall in love with Diana's sexy nephew, but she must also fight to stay off the obituary page herself.

Thousands of readers have been riveted by Twenty-Five Years Ago Today, a novel that reviewers and book bloggers have called:

• "Intriguing and captivating." Fresh Fiction
• "One of those books that you pick up and don't want to put down until the very end."  Debbie Wiley Book Reviews
• "A gripping murder mystery with a touch of romance." Tifferz Book Review
• "A perfectly balanced novel that has it all: action, unsolved crime, thrilling twists, interesting mythology facts, romance, family drama and more." Bookish
• "A great book and anyone who is looking to get lost in a good mystery will definitely enjoy this one." Beck's Book Picks

Editorial Reviews

Review

This has to be one of my favorite mystery books that I've read this year...Book club groups will enjoy this book because there is so much that happens between its pages. --Book Club Queen

Ms. Juba takes control and leads her readers the direction she wants them to move in and you won't be able to figure out the ending until she is ready for you to. All in all, this is a wonderful book. --Lynn Cunningham, Fresh Fiction

About the Author

Award-winning writer Stacy Juba has published books for all ages. Her recent mystery novels for adults include Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim. She is also the author of the patriotic children's picture book The Flag Keeper, which teaches children about U.S. flag etiquette, and the children's picture book Victoria Rose and the Big Bad Noise.

Stacy has written more than 2,000 articles and won over a dozen writing awards, including recognition from the New England Press Association, Parenting Publications of America, Suburban Newspapers of America and the Stuttering Foundation of America. She is also a winner of the American Cancer Society New England Chapter's Sword of Hope Media Award. Her young adult novel Face-Off, about twin brothers competing on the hockey rink for their father's approval, was published by Avon Books when she was 18 years old under her maiden name, Stacy Drumtra. After years of working as a reporter, Stacy now concentrates on writing fiction and freelancing. She is also one of the moderators and resident authors at Bestseller Bound, a message board forum that connects small press and independent authors with one another, readers, book bloggers and reviewers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Mainly Murder Press (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615290116
• ISBN-13: 978-0615290119
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (112 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thousands of readers have been captivated by the books of Stacy Juba. Stacy published her first book, a young adult novel, at age 18 and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has authored books for adults, teenagers and children. Stacy has written about high school hockey players, reality TV contestants targeted by a killer, an obit writer who solves a cold case, teen psychics who control minds, teddy bears learning to raise the U.S. flag, and lots more. Her titles include Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim for adults; Dark Before Dawn and Face-Off for young adults; and The Flag Keeper and the Teddy Bear Town Children's E-Book Bundle for children.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#64 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Suspense

#82 in Books > Romance > Romantic Suspense

#64 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Suspense

#82 in Books > Romance > Romantic Suspense

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Acting on Instinct January 3, 2010

By Story Circle Book Reviews

Format:Paperback

Kris Langley has a journalist's instinct and that instinct senses a story. A novice editorial assistant on a small town Massachusetts daily Kris's duties are the boring ones. She writes the obituaries and comes up with items for the "Twenty-Five Years Ago Today" column. That's when her instinct comes into play. When she reads about the long ago murder of a young woman and learns from her editor-in-chief that the mystery was never solved, she can't leave it alone. She launches her own investigation without telling the overbearing and critical managing editor, Jacqueline McCormack (Kris thinks of her as "corporate Barbie") who surely would tell her to back off.

As Kris gets more involved in her investigation, she begins to relive her own personal tragedy--the murder of her cousin and dear friend years before. Kris has always felt, but never spoken of her feelings of guilt because the two had quarreled and parted on that sad afternoon. The memories come alive as she investigates and becomes involved with the family of the girl in the story.

Things get complicated fast. Kris's own conflicted family doesn't think much of her journalistic endeavors, and her doctor mother and sister let her know. She finds a new romantic interest and won't let her story alone no matter the cost.

Stacy Juba has drawn a believable character and settings. The newspaper scenes are so real I could almost smell the ink--and feel the animosity between Kris and Bruce, the pushy crime reporter who'd like to see Kris on a date but not nosing into his territory.

Kris manages to get herself fired, but after she figures things out, she gets back her job, and we can assume (and maybe hope?) she's ready for another crime-laden reporting adventure....

by Patricia Nordyke Pando
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women Read more ›

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It! March 23, 2010

By BookAddict TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This book has it all - mystery, suspense, drama, deceit, and a sprinkle of romance. The characters sparkle with life. For me, this was one of those books where the characters became like friends I was rooting for. Right from the start, I was pulled into the story and taken for a wonderful ride.

Stacy Juba is a terrific new voice in fiction. She's at work on her next novel and I can't wait to read it!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing mystery that should not be overlooked December 11, 2009

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

Some secrets are best left covered. "Twenty Five Years Ago Today" follows Kris Langley as she tries to advance her career by looking deeper into a long forgotten case. But she soon finds that maybe it was unsolved for a reason, as beneath the surface the case is not what it seems. Even submerged for decades, those behind the case show why it has remained unsolved. "Twenty Five Years Ago Today" is an intriguing mystery that should not be overlooked.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary Murder Mystery March 2, 2011

By Shelleyrae TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

Twenty Five Years Ago Today is a contemporary mystery by Stacy Juba. Haunted by the murder of her cousin, Kris Langley is drawn to a twenty five year old unsolved murder case she discovers in the local newspaper archives. Diana Soares was 21 when her body was discovered in the woods and despite the police identifying several possible suspects, her killer was never brought to justice. Intrigued, Kris approaches Diana's family and offers to investigate. Her good intentions become complicated when the investigation takes an unexpected turn.
The plot is solid, with the conclusion a striking twist. I did feel that the story needed more tension to sustain momentum as I didn't feel the suspense began to build until more than halfway through.
Kris has an interesting background which works as a catalyst for this story. I thought this was an interesting layer to her character but I admit I didn't really warm to her. I felt there were some inconsistencies in her personality and behaviour that were minor but they niggled me, particularly her actions when she identified the killer.
The other characters that take part in the story are developed well, though I found it difficult to distinguish between Cheryl and her mother on occassion. Kris's family members and their dynamic add interest to both her character and the storyline.The relationship between Kris and Eric provides a romantic subplot and I appreciated the epilogue that gave some closure to that thread.
The author has worked as a reporter and uses her experience to flesh out the details of the newspaper office and Kris's role as an editorial assistant who writes mostly obituaries and community announcements.... I liked Juba's "25 Years Ago Today" segments that headed each chapter, and how the book was concluded through a series of "articles".
Twenty Five Years Ago Today is a solid mytery debut by Stacy Juba and the E edition offers some interesting bonus features. The author has included two essays on writing the book, an interview with her main character, book club discussion questions, and original scene altered by the editing process. There is also an excerpt from Stacy Juba's newest novel Sink or Swim, an excerpt of Hit List by Darcia Helle and a short story, The Artist by Maria Savva.

Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder-mystery with a twist of romance November 23, 2010

By Maria Savva

Format:Kindle Edition

An entertaining murder mystery with a twist of romance. Twenty-something Kris Langley is an editorial assistant with the local newspaper, primarily writing obits and providing short snippets for the Twenty-Five Years Ago Today column. She wants to be more involved in writing stories for the paper, and resents her colleagues who have no scruples and yet are praised for their work at the newspaper. When Kris comes across a story about a local girl, Diana Ferguson, who was murdered 25 years ago, she feels a need to investigate. Kris's own cousin was murdered when they were just children and Kris has always blamed herself. If she solves Diana's case, bringing the killer to justice, would it help to ease her guilt over her cousin's murder? We follow Kris's investigation, as she finds the people who knew Diana, and interviews them. When she meets Eric Soares, Diana's nephew, a romance blossoms despite Kris's attempts to keep him at a distance.
I found Stacy Juba's writing style compulsive, and the action was fast-paced and realistic. The psychological aspects to the story were well thought out and true-to-life. I particularly liked the depiction of the competitive behaviour of the staff at the newsroom.
'Twenty-Five Years Ago Today' is so much more than just a murder mystery. It deals with many emotional subject areas which everyone will be able to relate to, including family relationships, guilt, forgiveness, secrets, bereavement, trust; all woven into this intriguing tale of a long-forgotten crime.
I loved the way all the action in the present day related in some way to the past, almost as if the characters had all been trapped back in time to some extent because of events that had changed their lives.... In parts, this book reminded me of old detective serials, because of the slick way in the which the investigation was handled.
It's a perfect little book. I read it as an ebook download but now I have to buy the paperback because it's one of those books that you'll want to keep for ever. Highly recommended. Read more ›