Overview

News of the Dead centres on journalist Harry Caul as a series of deaths appear to be connected to newspaper notices. Working close to home, Harry follows leads that draw him into police investigations, local grief and growing danger. The story unfolds through the pressures of reporting and the cost of chasing truth.

Writing & Voice

We found the writing direct and propulsive. Carter keeps the language tight and clear, with short scenes that build momentum. The voice reflects newsroom urgency and moral unease, keeping us close to Harry’s decisions as the risks increase.

Content & Perspective

The novel follows Harry’s investigation as professional duty collides with personal consequence. Police resistance, editorial pressure and community suspicion shape the narrative. As patterns emerge, the focus sharpens on how information is used, withheld and manipulated.

Themes

News of the Dead explores truth, responsibility, exploitation of grief and the ethics of journalism. It questions who controls a story and what happens when reporting becomes part of the crime itself.

What Worked

• Compelling investigative drive rooted in journalism.
• Strong sense of place in a close knit community.
• Clear moral tension between truth and harm.

Minor Quibbles

• The procedural detail may feel heavy for some readers.
• A few secondary characters remain lightly sketched.

Final Thoughts

Tense, thoughtful, and morally sharp, News of the Dead drew us in by showing how the pursuit of truth can endanger lives, including the journalist’s own.

Rating: ★★★★½ / 5