Two great spring novels involving journalist characters

A Beautiful Corpse by Christi Daugherty

Harper McClain, Christi Daugherty’s main character in her mystery series, stumbles upon a murder while working the cops beat at a Savannah newspaper in her first novel, “The Echo Killing.” The second book in the series, “A Beautiful Corpse,” came out in March, following McClain during the fallout from that murder and entering a new mystery, that of a bartender found killed in the heart of Savannah’s historic district. McClain knows the woman killed, which makes the crime more than a front-page story, and the bartender works at a lounge with her best friend, Bonnie. There are no witnesses, so piecing together the story — from the suspect’s boyfriend with a criminal past, the bar’s owner known for stalking women and the district attorney’s son — will require the diligence and intelligence of a top-notch reporter, especially since she has burned some bridges with the police.

Daugherty knows how newspapers and police work because she’s been there, covering murders since she was 22. She has worked as a journalist in Savannah, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. But now, she turns to mysteries and thrillers, including the young adult “Night School” novels under the pen name of C.J. Daughtery.

Plan a long night for this novel. The carefully paced “A Beautiful Corpse” will keep you guessing and pulling for McClain all the way until the end.

Chronicles of a Radical Hag (with recipes) by Lorna Lankvik

Columnist Haze Evans spent 50 years sharing her life's story with the readers of the Granite Creek Gazette of Minnesota. Because her columns leaned left, one irate reader dubbed her a "radical hag," a label she embraced, although many times she softened her politics by adding a fun recipe at the column's conclusion. When Evans experiences a stroke, publisher Susan McGrath decides to republish her columns daily, starting with her early years as a young wife and ending with her delight in being able to vote for the first woman president. 

Through a reliving of Evans' witty style and unique perspective, her words touch hearts and change lives, encourages some to take chances, others to view things differently. Julie Schumacher calls the book, "A comic love letter to journalism and literature" and I couldn't agree more, adding how invaluable a community voice at a small town newspaper can be. It's beautifully written and heartwarming and, like Hazel Evans' words, will delight readers no matter whether you agree with her politics or not. Hopefully, it will also encourage readers to support their local newspaper.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.