I received an ARC through "Severn Publishing" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story is about Booker, a reporter for Channel 7 news who is now had his role changed. He has been told that he would be working alone with no photographer, a demotion. Booker on his rounds has come to a park where he discovered a obnoxious odor. He discovered later what it was and the discovery changed his fortune.

As he pursued what happened at the park, he received via a mystery caller an envelope that gave him information that eventually led to his crusade to identify the party responsible. In assition to this, he discovered he had a half-brother who was staying with him and who hadn't been around for a few days. This relayionship will play a role later on.

Booker was given a photographer to work with and told to run with the story he was developing. A 2nd killing was later discovered and Booker went to the scene. He remained there after all the other news crews left believing that something major would happen. He was right and he was able to scoop yhe other news channels.

With his keen sense, he broke a najor story which related to the killings and exposed a scheme that had been going on for a while. Follow Booker and he sniffs out clues which leads to him risking danger to put this all to bed.

The ending is great and his depiction of the various characyers is well done.

You need to read this book; you won't be disappointed. David Taylor1,267 20

The first in what I hope is a long series of thrillers.

While I wasn’t familiar with Mel Taylor’s writing, when I saw it was a collaboration with Brian Shea, I knew I needed to read The Exclusive. This is one of those times I’m thrilled to have been right, this story is a homerun for the authors. They have created a couple of characters who I hope we get to follow over several stories. Telling a story from a news reporter’s point of view was an excellent departure for me, and following Booker through his investigation of the various stories was highly entertaining. Additionally, the backstory on Booker’s interactions with Detective Brielle Johnson provided an excellent foundation for their non-relationship/relationship.

If you enjoy well developed stories with believable characters who have no superpowers, and plenty of personal baggage, you might give The Exclusive a shot. I’m betting you’ll find yourself so involved you will look up and realize several hours have past and all you want to do is finish the story. And what an ending this story has!!!! I received an Advance Reader Copy of The Exclusive from the publisher and chose to provide my review.

Nicole160 2

5 ?????????? stars! Booker is a news reporter who just got demoted and now has to work on his own and he is no longer called to work on the major stories. For his next lead, his boss tells him to go to a location where there has been a horrible odor that they want him to check out. He goes to the location and finds out that the odor was actually someone that was killed. This is the lead that he needed in order to hopefully get his old role back.

There is much more to this story than meets the eye and Booker has to figure out who killed this person, why were they killed and are there more bodies than just this one. There are so many characters and stories about each one of them in the book, and we find out if they are all related, including Booker’s story. This was such a great, fast-paced thriller that had a lot going on and I enjoyed all of it! Denise 576 6

The concept of this book is interesting. We follow Booker Johnson, a television journalist, as he investigates a local murder. His investigation uncovers, drugs, greed, manipulation and blackmail. He races to find who is behind it all and get his news station the exclusive before anyone else dies. On the whole I think the book told a good story, but at times I just wanted more - more background information, more details, more indepth explanations. I found myself occasionally feeling confused about where exactly the story was going because there were things that didn’t seem to tie into the overall plot as described in the blurb. The series has potential, but I personally was left feeling somewhat dissatisfied and disappointed with this installment. Claudete Takahashi1,917 24

Booker is a relentless and intrepid reporter faced with ups and downs in his career when he stumbles on a crime scene that will unravel a major conspiracy involving all sorts of people. On the personal side, he has to deal with a new-found half-brother who is now living with him, a distant mother, and an even more distant girlfriend whom he misses too much. His brother has a dark side and dealings with people he does not approve of and worries about. The Exclusive is one of those books that you read in one go, it has action, it's fast-paced, and has a great plot.
I thank Messrs. Taylor and Shea and their publisher for this ARC.favorites Ilona349 2

OK – this one had me page turning mad … excellent introduction to the Booker Johnson
Booker Johnson, reporter at Channel 7, is being demoted to a one-man crew. Trying to make the best of it, he is called to scene where there is strong stench of death but no body. Reporters come and go, there is no body, nothing to see. Booker has a hunch and stays, even when his boss tells him to move on. His hunch pays off and sets him off the investigate a world of deception, greed, power …. And ultimately, he gets too close and he is on the brink of losing everything, including his life.
Excellent – looking forward to book 2
Doreen Fernandes854 9

Deadly intimidation

Booker Johnson is an award winning reporter. A man is brutally mutilated and killed. Then people with high profile jobs are blackmailed into relinquishing their lucrative positions to others who can be manipulated to comply with orders from a sinister gang. Booker's investigation puts his life on the line. A page turner with jaw dropping suspense and surprising twists. I the colorful cover and the portrayal of the characters. Roger4,521 17

The Exclusive (Booker Johnson Thrillers Book 1), my second read from author Mel Taylor and the first co-written with author Brian Shea. A good page-turning TV reporter mystery, that I read in one sitting. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." I look forward to reading more from this author! The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018). Christmas Angel977 11

A stomach-churning opening chapter. Not only do we get great information on how T.V. news is produced, but we have this amazing story of greed, murder, and really horrible people to keep us mesmerized throughout. An "Exclusive" you won't want to miss. Highly Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review. Akeating2003663 9

What a good book! Booker will hopefully have future stories. I enjoyed seeing a reporter's view rather than the Detective involved. Crimes and adventures kept my interest and I flew through this one.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC! Jackie11.1k 160

What a story, had to binge read. Booker is an outstanding TV Reporter, with everything to lose. Discovering a horrible murder, there’s danger all around. Will he be able to find out the truth before it’s too late. Don’t miss out David A. Rosow326

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