The writing in this book was better than many books. (I didn't gag over poor grammar, as I often do.) I liked the lead-ins to each chapter that were headlines from the past.

I enjoyed the plot enough to stay up late finishing the book. But ultimately, I was unsatisfied. I felt like I had just finished a book meant for teenagers. (Maybe the book WAS meant to be a young adult book?) The who-done-it ending was a surprise, but the character development didn't really support that ending. Also, I thought the lead character's "secret" didn't have enough depth to have changed her life and her family relationships so much.

Kristine Langley is obsessed with murder. This obsession stems from a tragic and traumatic event that occurred when she was twelve-years-old. Kris has always blamed herself for her twelve-year-old cousin's disappearance and brutal murder.

For the past two decades, she has kept a guilty secret to herself: she was actually the last person to see Nicole alive; and a childish argument was the reason why Kris had left her cousin to walk home alone. She has allowed the guilt of her actions that day pervade every aspect of her life. Her family may never realize the full extent of Kris' guilt, but she is determined to find some way to make amends for her mistake.

Kris has since become an editorial assistant and obituary writer for a Massachusetts newspaper. She enjoys her job - for the most part - and the schedule works very well for her. While compiling items from the microfilm to run in the "Twenty-Five Years Ago Today" town history column, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder. She grows increasingly fascinated with the case of a young cocktail waitress who was bludgeoned to death and dumped in the woods.

Determined to solve the case and thus atone for Nicole's death, Kris immerses herself in the decades-old mystery of what happened to twenty-one-year-old Diana Ferguson. As Kris investigates the case further, Diana becomes more to her than just a murdered cocktail waitress; she was also an extraordinarily talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings based on Greek mythology. The more that she learns about Diana, Kris begins to feel a deep connection to her.

Yet there is also a certain amount of backlash to her sudden interest in such a cold case. Not only does Kris face resistance from her own family as well as her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana's hostile and highly suspicious nephew, Eric Soares - who is beyond certain that Kris only seeks to exploit his family for the sake of getting a story. However, as time passes, she and Eric can no longer deny the chemistry flaring between them.

Kris soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday's headline can easily turn into today's obituary notice. Because discovering what actually happened to Diana Ferguson on that long-ago night could be dangerous. Finding out the truth about what happened that night twenty-five years ago may just shatter Kris' present; costing her everything that she has come to cherish: her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.

I have had this book on my TBR pile for quite some time. I actually don't know why I have waited so long to read it. This is the second book that I have had the pleasure of reading by Ms. Juba, and must say that I absolutely loved the story and characters. I really found myself connecting with Kris and many of the other characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading intriguing character-driven mysteries with fast-paced plots. I give this book an A+!

In reviewing microfilm looking for items for her column "Twenty-Five Years Ago Today," editorial assistant Kris comes across a story of an unsolved murder. Having felt responsible for her cousin's murder when they were twelve and she tricked her cousin into going off on her own, Kris decided to atone for her guilt by solving this old murder. Why she thought she could succeed where two decades of police investigation failed wasn't clear, but she was determined. Her investigation kept me glued to the page even when I was shaking my head at the unreasonable chances she took. The resolution was a surprise and not totally satisfying.

Kris Langley as editorial assistant for the Fremont Daily News had passed the day researching stories for the papers column "25 and 50 years ago Today" when she came across "Missing Barmaid Murdered" on the microfilm. The murderer was never caught, it was considered a cold case. The murder of Diana Ferguson was never solved. This reminded her of a lose that happened to her and she wanted to check it out with Diana's family. A lot of questions as to what happened came up after interviewing the family and persons involved with Diana, especially Eric the nephew. It keeps you guessing as to who actually murdered Diana!

This was an awesome read with a very surprising ending. The main characters were portrayed vividly. They came alive on the pages of this memorable novel. The plot was steady and strong, and the ending blew me away. I enjoyed every page. I've never read any stories by Ms. Juba, but I'd like to buy her other novels. The protagonist, who works as editorial assistant for her local daily newspaper becomes interested in a 25 year old unsolved murder of a young woman. The deeper she digs, the more dirt is uncovered. Some of those people involved would rather keep the past in the past. When the truth is finally unearthed, the shocking conclusion is life-shattering.
This novel is definitely worth reading.

A dark mixture of murder mystery, romance and difficult family dynamics.
The writing is very well done for these uncomfortable topics.

Kris has always felt something of an outsider in her own ambitious family.
She carries guilt from childhood over an argument and petty jealousy she had with her cousin. That disagreement was never resolved due to the cousin's death.
This has a huge impact on Kris's work life at a small newspaper.

Characters are clearly defined as the story unfolds. It is a shock to discover the truth at the end of the book but also shows how people are so very unpredictable.

This is the best book I have read all year! It moves you to depths of emotions you didn't realize you had. The author has a way to draw you so deeply into the story you feel you are both in the present and the present. The descriptive way with words is magical. The story of death of a young cousin and the emotional impact it had on the main character to the extent it was never dealt with and physically effects her adult life.
The two polar opposite families technique with grief and love. .
The way the story depicts the lives and relationships the challenges how she fights for the truth to come out.
This is a MUST READ !!!