Hostile Eyewitness

Serena Manchester #0.5

by Tyora Moody

Depressed because of complications of a head injury, Serena Manchester seeks solitude in the hometown she left almost twenty-five years before. Unknown to Serena, her hometown's landscape has changed and unseemly elements have seeped into the quaint Southern seaport town. One night Serena witnesses a gang-related crime. She thinks she recognizes one of the young men, but chooses not to identify him. What if her brain injury has altered her perceptions? Her estranged family has already reminded her why she left town in the first place. Drawing attention to herself and perhaps endangering her well-being is the last thing Serena needs. When tragedy strikes close to home, however, Serena can no longer keep her head in the sand. Serena feels responsible, and her reporter skills kick in. Much to the dismay of the local police, she decides to start her own investigation.

Genres: Christian Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2015

About the author

Tyora Moody is the author of Soul-Searching Mysteries which includes cozy mystery, women sleuth mystery, and romantic suspense under the Christian Fiction genre. Her books include the Eugeena Patterson Mysteries, Serena Manchester Mysteries, Reed Family Mysteries, and the Victory Gospel Family Series.

When Tyora isn’t working for a literary client, she's either loving on her cats, listening to an audiobook or podcast, binge-watching crime shows or Marvel movies, and of course, thinking about the next book.

To contact Tyora about book club discussions or to sign-up for her newsletter, visit her online at TyoraMoody.com.

Reviews

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Hostile Eyewitness: Serena Manchester Series Book One
Author: Tyora Moody
Publisher: Urban Christian
Series: Serena Manchester Series Book One
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Hostile Eyewitness: Serena Manchester Series Book One by Tyora Moody

What I liked from this novel....

I found this first Serena Manchester series quite a interesting read. I look forward to more good series from this author because she really give the reader a interesting and captivating read that will keep your attention from the beginning to the very end. I found this read one of a murder mystery. Well, what will you expect as Serena is a reporter and as she is getting her health back from from a horrible head injury that had happened to her earlier on and from that to returning to her home town after twenty five years due to her aunts' death...then who would have thought that from a convenience store visit would start up a chain of things that will keep Serena involved in this mystery seeing that it is involving a family member. Will Serena be able to pick herself up from all that had happened to her and get back into her reporter skills and solve this mystery? All I can say be ready for a murder mystery to be solved, a lots of family drama and maybe a starting of a romance with a long time friend? You will just have to pick up this well written novel to see for yourself how well it is presented to the readers. I will say I loved how this author gives the reader the whole story...no cliffhangers here! THANK YOU!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was okay. I felt like the story really never got off the ground and established a real good storyline. It was kind of hard to get into and I felt like it never really developed into a good mystery. The ending was not at all what I expected it to be, and I was shocked that the sons were involved. Just an ok read.

[Yolanda Johnson-Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hostile Eyewitness: Serena Manchester Series Book One– Tyora Moody – Publication Date: March 31, 2015 – 978-1622868001 – Urban Christian– Paperback ARC - 4 Stars

This is only book one in the Serena Manchester Series, but Hostile Eyewitness left me curious as to what will happen future installments.
Serena Manchester is a former reporter who went home for her aunt's funeral and basically never left. Being a reporter nearly cost her life and depression is controlling her life.
Serena was left a house in her old town by her late aunt and even though she doesn't leave the house for days, she is unsure if she will stay.
After venturing out to nearby convenience story, Serena finds herself hiding for her life after the store is held up by thugs; one of whom looks very familiar to her. Her reporter instincts kick in and she finds her past meeting her future, all while trying to stay alive.
I was hoping that the author would give more of the back story on Serena's near brush with death when she was a reporter, but if I know the author, we will find out before too long.
I've read several titles by this author and love the way she weaves together a nearly perfect story. This author has studied her craft and it shows.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tammy Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book from Tyora Moody the Hostile Eyewitness. This book is book 1 of the Serena Manchester series. Serena Manchester was the misunderstood character from the Victory Gospel series. Ex-Investigator report Serena back away from her career after a near fatal accident a year ago. It lead her back to her home town George town County Sc. She return home after Aunt C funeral she inherited her house. In her own way Claudia Robinson lead her back home for another purpose. She return home to a peace of mind and to reconnect to her family. Sometimes trouble followed her to a local convenience story robbery. She become a eyewitness to a gang related crime. She also saw one of the suspect who turned out to be her cousin. She choose not to say anything to the police because she wasn't sure about what she saw due to her head injury. Serena investing instinct kick-in she was determined to find out truth. Serena has some emotional things she has to get thru Guilt,Pain, grieving,self-esteem issue. This book is filled with suspense and mysterious happening in her home town unlock a mystery of her cousin he passed. She felt keeping what's she knows to figure out the bigger picture. Clear her cousin son and get back to investigate in a different capacity.

[Maurice Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serena Manchester has been through hell and back. After a traumatic head injury cost her the ability to do the job she loved, she returned to her hometown, a place she’d avoided as much as possible for twenty-five years. She went home to lie low, lick her wounds and try to get through her depression over the past year’s events. Unfortunately, life wouldn’t let her fly under the radar.

She witnesses a gang related crime while out on a late night snack run, and finds herself drawn to investigate further against her own better judgment (and the desires of local law enforcement). For the sake of her family and for her own well- being, Serena chooses to dust off her reporter skills and to get back in the game. There’s a murder mystery to solve, family drama and the potential for romance- what more could a reader want?

Serena caught my eye during her appearances throughout the Victory Gospel series and I was not disappointed by her first appearance as a main character. I’m glad to hear that this is the first in a series- I definitely want to see more of Serena’s journey.

[Laverne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes in life there comes a time when we have to make life changing decisions, those that could be the beginning or end of a thing.

Meet Serena Manchester who appears to be sad and possibly depressed; along with several of her supporting characters together they try to do the right thing, but quickly find out that right sometimes feel so wrong. I enjoyed this lightweight story of grudges, family drama and trauma as well and being the beneficiary of what felt like a budding love story to this reader. I’m excited to see what happens next in the 2nd book of this series.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my thoughtful and honest review.

[Lashawone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serena Manchester, the former reporter is set off on a journey to first reclaim herself after an attack that left her with a traumatic head injury. Realizing that she would no longer be a reporter, Serena heads home to Greenville. Living a life in seclusion, Serena rarely ventured out until the events of one night set her on to another path.
This is the first book in the Serena Manchester series, it was a very easy read and still held on to that cozy mystery feel. The author does a good job weaving together the events and people to bring about the twist in the plot. I enjoyed this and look forward to seeing where the series will go.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by Tyora Moody. I really enjoyed the writing and flow of the story. It was a mix of crime/mystery, love, family and drama with Christian undertones. I look forward to reading (or listening) to more books in this series as well as by this author in general. I'm glad I stumbled upon this audio. This story was believable and the characters were realistic. I could see the book being a tv show mini series starring Serena Manchester putting her investigative reporter skills to good use.

[Ashley]

This was my first time reading a book from this author and I must say that I will definitely be reading more of her writing!

This book kept my interest and I felt like I was reading every where I went the past 4 days.

The story line of this book was unfortunately something that hits some what close to home as this is something similar to what we see in the community where I live and some surrounding.

[Sarah Creeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a difficult book to review. It was interesting enough to keep my attention, but the protagonist, Rena, bothered me. She kept sticking her nose where it didn't belong, making mistakes, and then trying to correct her mistakes by sticking her nose further where it didn't belong. She was frustrating, and I don't like a frustrating main character. There are themes of faith. There's only a little romance with no sexual content. There was some violence, but nothing too graphic.

[Lee Holden, E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Serena Manchester is an interesting character. She is adventurous and intriguing. An investigative reporter who went back home after a trauma, and found herself at the wrong place at the wrong time. Lots of action and mystery.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the characters and the story line. There were a couple of times when I felt it dragged a little, but it wasn't enough to turn me away. I look forward to reading more by Tyora Moody.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed both of them although they were different. This was a really good suspense novel. It kept me interested and gave me an insight into a life a bit different than my own without making me feel like I couldn't relate.

[Wisteria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a long time to get into the meat of this story and I feel like it could have been at least 25 pages shorter. It was an ok read. The end of the book wasn’t as climatic as I thought it would be.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the audio version via library RBdigital in one day while reorganizing home office. Loved it. Edge of seat read! Great job as usual, Ty! Thanks!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book it was a quick read and kept my interest until about the last 40 pages then it got to be predictable so I gave it 4 stars.

[Ky Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book almost without putting it down. I just couldn’t wait to see how Serena was going to put everything together. Will be reading more of this author and series.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the witty tenacious heroin in the book! She had spunk and determination to get answers to protect her family.

[Demetrius Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serena is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Do she see what she think she see’s. Serena uses her investigative skills to solve a murder old and new

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a person who normally reads mysteries, but this Author has me looking for more mystery stories. This particular series is a kind of spin off from the Victory Series, which involved a reporter by the name of Serena Manchester. Great read, and I will be looking for more books in the series.

[Dacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It did not rely on a whole bunch of sex and violence in order for it to be interesting. I think this is the start of a really good series. Serena Manchester is a great character. She seems real. I am really interested to see what she gets into next!

[Nichelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to read more about Serena Manchester.

[Dr. Nic Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay for me. I found myself wanted to "solve the mystery". It was a nice read while I was in between others.

[Tamika Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I couldn't put down.
I couldn't wait to read to find out what was going to happen next, and I wasn't disappointed.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Karen Bourne-Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very refreshing. I'll definitely revisit this author.

[Christie · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORING!!!! I listed to the audio version of the book and fast forwarded to the last 20 minutes of the book. I don't know why i could not get into this book.

[Joi Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good

[Valarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next installment...