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Missing Mark
(Riley Spartz #2)
by
In this page-turning sequel to Stalking Susan, TV reporter Riley Spartz pursues a curious story of a bride left at the altar and finds herself caught in a dangerous missing-person case.
When Riley Spartz sees a want ad reading “Wedding Dress for Sale: Never Worn,” her news instincts tell her that the backstory might make an intriguing television sweeps piece.
The groom, Ma ...more
When Riley Spartz sees a want ad reading “Wedding Dress for Sale: Never Worn,” her news instincts tell her that the backstory might make an intriguing television sweeps piece.
The groom, Ma ...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
July 14th 2009
by Doubleday
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4 stars
I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Julie Kramer at a Minnesota crime writers panel held at my local library a week or two ago. I had read the first book in this series a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Julie had a stack of her books at the function so I took the opportunity to pick up a nice hardback copy of #2 in the series, Missing Mark. As an aside, I just want to mention that Ms. Kramer was very gracious in letting me take the book though I didn’t have the means to pay for it that ...more
I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Julie Kramer at a Minnesota crime writers panel held at my local library a week or two ago. I had read the first book in this series a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Julie had a stack of her books at the function so I took the opportunity to pick up a nice hardback copy of #2 in the series, Missing Mark. As an aside, I just want to mention that Ms. Kramer was very gracious in letting me take the book though I didn’t have the means to pay for it that ...more

When investigative reporter Riley Sparkz see an ad in the paper for a never worn wedding dress, she decides there must be more to the story and begins an investigation.
Wealthy socialite Madeline was to marry down-and-out stand-up comic Mark three months after meeting him. But on the day of the nuptials, Mark didn't show up at the church and has vanished. Was it his ex-girlfriend or something more?
Meanwhile, the largest bass in the state of Minnesota is bass-napped by an animal rights group and ...more
Wealthy socialite Madeline was to marry down-and-out stand-up comic Mark three months after meeting him. But on the day of the nuptials, Mark didn't show up at the church and has vanished. Was it his ex-girlfriend or something more?
Meanwhile, the largest bass in the state of Minnesota is bass-napped by an animal rights group and ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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It’s sweeps month again, and when Riley Spartz comes across a newspaper ad that reads, “WEDDING DRESS, NEVER WORN," she knows she has the makings of a good story. What she doesn’t know is that Mark, the potential groom, has been missing for months. She is also asked to cover the story of a missing giant lake bass from Underwater Adventures at the Mall of America, where an animal rights supposedly has taken credit for the fish-napping, but this just smells rotten to Riley.
It has been months sinc ...more
It has been months sinc ...more

The second Riley Spartz book had everything you could ask for in a good mystery. A great hook - missing groom - a bride with a fascinating genetic abnormality - and some really good interplay with prior characters. It worked beautifully. I figured it out about the same time that Riley did. She balanced the action well and I thought Riley's character growth was well done. If this had been the first book it would have been a killer. Mark was a stand-up comic. About average in height, weight, looks
...more

2 1/2 stars
Missing Mark is the second in a series about investigative reporter Riley Spartz. The first is Stalking Susan, which I have not read. Even though I didn't read the first one, I didn't feel as though I missed anything--anything pertinent to the story was recapped quickly.
The story was decent enough, but I felt like it missed in a few places. First, I kept figuring things out way before they were revealed. Maybe too many hints were given or just not enough red herrings to keep the reade ...more
Missing Mark is the second in a series about investigative reporter Riley Spartz. The first is Stalking Susan, which I have not read. Even though I didn't read the first one, I didn't feel as though I missed anything--anything pertinent to the story was recapped quickly.
The story was decent enough, but I felt like it missed in a few places. First, I kept figuring things out way before they were revealed. Maybe too many hints were given or just not enough red herrings to keep the reade ...more

Missing Mark by Julie Kramer was not only an enjoyable read, it turned out to be an educational one as well. Prior to reading Kramer's book, I had never heard of an obscure disorder called Prosopagnosia, a neurological condition that renders a person incapable of recognizing faces (even those of family).
The story's protagonist, TV news journalist Riley Spartz, comes across as advertisement for the sale of a "WEDDING DRESS, NEVER WORN" and is intrigued. Feeling that this would be an ideal subjec ...more
The story's protagonist, TV news journalist Riley Spartz, comes across as advertisement for the sale of a "WEDDING DRESS, NEVER WORN" and is intrigued. Feeling that this would be an ideal subjec ...more

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Stalking Susan, so I had high hopes for this one. Thankfully, it delivered! Riley Spartz is nothing if not persistent. Sweeps are coming up again, and she’s under pressure, as usual. TV news is changing, and the chances of her ending up with a story as big as the last one are low. When the ad for a never worn wedding dress shows up in the paper, she hopes she can find a story there. Along the way we get to visit with some of our favorite characters
...more

3.5 stars
Overall I enjoyed this book but a few story points were too contrived - stumbling upon dead bodies, the movie quotes, locating missing fish, etc. That being said, I'll still continue on with the series! ...more
Overall I enjoyed this book but a few story points were too contrived - stumbling upon dead bodies, the movie quotes, locating missing fish, etc. That being said, I'll still continue on with the series! ...more

3.5 stars
Another good one.
I like the riley spartz character. Glad for the return of Shep. I liked that character.
It started out w/an intriguing premise- a missing groom & an indifferent bride.
There were also a few other subplot/mysteries so I wondered if they were going to connect.
This one had more humor in it. (I did chuckle out loud a few times.)
The negative was that she focuses a lot on her dead husband.
While as a reader you understand & empathize with Riley, you do hope she’d meet someone ...more
Another good one.
I like the riley spartz character. Glad for the return of Shep. I liked that character.
It started out w/an intriguing premise- a missing groom & an indifferent bride.
There were also a few other subplot/mysteries so I wondered if they were going to connect.
This one had more humor in it. (I did chuckle out loud a few times.)
The negative was that she focuses a lot on her dead husband.
While as a reader you understand & empathize with Riley, you do hope she’d meet someone ...more

I started on book three of this series. That book almost did me in from reading the rest of the Riley Spartz saga. I have gone back and now have read the first two in the collection. Let me tell you they're pretty darn good. I sometimes shy away from female authors (my apologies), but I believe most men will enjoy Julie Kramer's writing style. My wife is reading it now and thanked me for the suggestion.
"Missing Mark" like "Stalking Susan." is an amusing tale. It has some unusual but witty compo ...more
"Missing Mark" like "Stalking Susan." is an amusing tale. It has some unusual but witty compo ...more

It should be a 3.5. This book gave you an insider's look at how some TV stations approach ratings and Sweeps Week. It also kept you guessing about who done it. The reason it wasn't a higher rating as I felt less connected to the main protagonist, tv reporter, Riley, as the book came to a close. I thought her disregard of others was not a particualraly attractive trait, and I didn't like how the characters suddenly reached the climax/end of the book. The plot was convoluted enough that it was fun
...more

There’s something comforting about reading a series that takes place in a setting you are familiar with. Being a Minnesotan it’s nice to be able to picture the places the book is talking about! This is the second book in Julie Kramer’s Rylie Spartz series and I am hooked line and sinker (once you read the book you will understand the fish joke lol) I listened to the audio version and was completely drawn in from the beginning! Lots of red herrings and twists and turns that kept me up late into t
...more

The goods on this book.
I have read both Riley Spartz book. The first was for a book club and I enjoyed it so much I was happy to pick this one up. This book was also very good. This author is funny and engaging. Her books are not necessarily suspenseful but you will find yourself wanting to know the outcome. I learned about a physical condition I had never heard of and had to read up on to, very interesting. Yes, I enjoyed both books by this author and look forward to the next one.
I have read both Riley Spartz book. The first was for a book club and I enjoyed it so much I was happy to pick this one up. This book was also very good. This author is funny and engaging. Her books are not necessarily suspenseful but you will find yourself wanting to know the outcome. I learned about a physical condition I had never heard of and had to read up on to, very interesting. Yes, I enjoyed both books by this author and look forward to the next one.

This is my new favorite mystery series. Riley's investigative reporting skills are again put to the test in this missing person case.
...more

‘This was the follow up to Seeking Susan with the great reporter Riley and May Sweeps at Channel 3. Noreen, Miles, Malik, and Toby join the story as Riley searches for Big Billy Bass and a missing groom. I love the characters and that Riley is a smart character. I dislike how predictable the villain is and Riley never sees it coming :(( very frustrating.

#2 Riley Spartz 'amateur sleuth' mystery set in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Riley is an investigative television reporter trying to come up with an interesting story for the upcoming "sweeps week" when ratings are even more important than usual. Perusing the want ads in the newspaper, she sees an ad that piques her interest: "For Sale: Wedding dress, never worn."
Intrigued, she answers the ad on the pretense of wanting to buy the dress to learn why the bride-to-be never got to wear ...more
Intrigued, she answers the ad on the pretense of wanting to buy the dress to learn why the bride-to-be never got to wear ...more

4.0 out of 5 stars "For Sale: Wedding Dress. Never Worn.", June 26, 2009
This review is from: Missing Mark (Hardcover)
I had selected Missing Mark from Amazon Vine before I realized it was the second in a series so of course I had to get Stalking Susan and read it first. That's just an idiosyncrasy and even though it fleshes out the backstory of our intrepid heroine, Riley Spartz, it really isn't necessary to read it prior to enjoying this book. This sequel is just as well done as the debut.
Feat ...more
This review is from: Missing Mark (Hardcover)
I had selected Missing Mark from Amazon Vine before I realized it was the second in a series so of course I had to get Stalking Susan and read it first. That's just an idiosyncrasy and even though it fleshes out the backstory of our intrepid heroine, Riley Spartz, it really isn't necessary to read it prior to enjoying this book. This sequel is just as well done as the debut.
Feat ...more
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Julie Kramer has moved from journalist to novelist. She writes a mystery series set in the desperate world of television news—a world she knows well from her career working as a freelance news producer for NBC and CBS, as well as running the acclaimed WCCO-TV I-Team in Minneapolis.
Her thrillers, STALKING SUSAN, MISSING MARK, SILENCING SAM, KILLING KATE, SHUNNING SARAH and soon to come - DELIVERING ...more
Her thrillers, STALKING SUSAN, MISSING MARK, SILENCING SAM, KILLING KATE, SHUNNING SARAH and soon to come - DELIVERING ...more
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