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The 19th Precinct #1
Deadly Fall
When his latest case falls on him and his partner—quite literally—Detective Nick Markov knows the destruction of his car by a not-yet-cold body is the least of his worries. The deceased is prominent businessman, Andrew Langan, and suicide is swiftly ruled out after Nick pursues the killers down twenty-seven flights—and loses them. To his superiors’ frustrations, Nick doesn’t believe Langan’s soon-to-be ex-wife, Augusta, is guilty, even though she has motive, opportunity, no alibi and a shady past. The only reasons Nick has for going against logical dictates are the feeling in his gut and the constriction in his chest. Augusta is thrust back into an unwanted spotlight and her quiet life shattered. Then things go downhill. In between dodging the media, she confronts muggers, kidnappers and goons better dressed than she. With Nick Markov, who dredges up a past she’d rather forget and feelings she’d rather not acknowledge, Augusta must race to unravel her late husband’s secrets before she finds herself skydiving without a parachute.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2005
23 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Ann Bruce
17 books39 followersAnn Bruce is the pseudonym for a self-professed computer geek who, in between snowboarding, reading comic books, and wearing out the buttons of her PS3 controller, writes because it's an acceptable means of explaining all the voices in her head.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 4, 2012
Deadly Fall started off with a thrilling chase scene in which detective Nick Markov and his partner witness the brutal murder of millionaire Andrew (Drew) Langan. Top of the suspect list is soon to be ex-wife Augusta Langan, a beautiful art history professor at NYU. But Nick doesn’t believe for one second she is guilty, and works to prove her innocence.
The suspense thickens when another body is found, directly connected to Drew’s murder. Not sure if she can trust Nick, Augusta agrees to work with the detective to bring down Drew’s murderer. But when Augusta’s life is threatened, Nick assigns himself as her personal protector.
I really enjoyed the suspense aspect of this book quite a bit. It was well plotted and kept me guessing, which I love in a suspense novel. It moved fast, and provided many unforeseen twists in the story. The conclusion was well done, I didn’t see it coming.
However, the romance aspect of this book was a bit underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Nick and Augusta a lot, they were great characters individually. They were smart, professional characters with great heads on their shoulder. No TSTL moments….etc. And there were a few really good steamy moments too. My main issue was the romance progressed at such an unnatural rapid fire pace it was jarring. They barely knew each other before they were getting physical, and after just a few days they began to act as if they knew each other their entire lives. I simply didn’t buy it. I think the author could have made me more of a believer if she toned down all the ‘insta-lust’ and ‘insta-hard ons’ moments, especially toward the beginning.
Spoiler #1
Spoiler #2
My other issue was the highly inappropriate nature of their relationship. He’s the detective on a highly publicized murder case where she is a top suspect, and yet he remained on the case while making no effort to hide the fact he started having a physical relationship with Augusta within hours of meeting her. I had a really hard time accepting this part of the story, but maybe that’s just me.
In the end I had some real mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the suspense was great and I enjoyed it a lot! The suspense building was well done, the plot was tight, and I think the author had me suspecting darn near everyone by the end of the book. On the other hand, the romance was not a ‘sigh worthy’ one. The chemistry was too off for me, and I was not convinced this was a relationship that could really last. But there were some good steamy scenes thrown in if you can look past the superficial nature of the romance. I’m glad I didn’t DNF this one, but I did come close a time or two.
Side Note:
The battle of the romance covers! No, this is not the sequel to Forged in Fire, but it is another fairly good romance suspense novel with a good dose of steam. (I got a big chuckle out of the matching covers, I read FIF last week. I guess this cover design works!)
~vs~
The suspense thickens when another body is found, directly connected to Drew’s murder. Not sure if she can trust Nick, Augusta agrees to work with the detective to bring down Drew’s murderer. But when Augusta’s life is threatened, Nick assigns himself as her personal protector.
I really enjoyed the suspense aspect of this book quite a bit. It was well plotted and kept me guessing, which I love in a suspense novel. It moved fast, and provided many unforeseen twists in the story. The conclusion was well done, I didn’t see it coming.
However, the romance aspect of this book was a bit underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Nick and Augusta a lot, they were great characters individually. They were smart, professional characters with great heads on their shoulder. No TSTL moments….etc. And there were a few really good steamy moments too. My main issue was the romance progressed at such an unnatural rapid fire pace it was jarring. They barely knew each other before they were getting physical, and after just a few days they began to act as if they knew each other their entire lives. I simply didn’t buy it. I think the author could have made me more of a believer if she toned down all the ‘insta-lust’ and ‘insta-hard ons’ moments, especially toward the beginning.
Spoiler #1
Spoiler #2
My other issue was the highly inappropriate nature of their relationship. He’s the detective on a highly publicized murder case where she is a top suspect, and yet he remained on the case while making no effort to hide the fact he started having a physical relationship with Augusta within hours of meeting her. I had a really hard time accepting this part of the story, but maybe that’s just me.
In the end I had some real mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the suspense was great and I enjoyed it a lot! The suspense building was well done, the plot was tight, and I think the author had me suspecting darn near everyone by the end of the book. On the other hand, the romance was not a ‘sigh worthy’ one. The chemistry was too off for me, and I was not convinced this was a relationship that could really last. But there were some good steamy scenes thrown in if you can look past the superficial nature of the romance. I’m glad I didn’t DNF this one, but I did come close a time or two.
Side Note:
The battle of the romance covers! No, this is not the sequel to Forged in Fire, but it is another fairly good romance suspense novel with a good dose of steam. (I got a big chuckle out of the matching covers, I read FIF last week. I guess this cover design works!)
~vs~
March 7, 2012
Free on Kindle right now!
Great action so far...the only issue I have is the speed of the romance. I'm use to suspending belief to some degree when reading romance but the H/h's relationship went from 0 to 120 in less than a page! LOL
Finished...good suspense, great Hero, heroine was ok, steam was nice and hot but sadly, the romance didn't click for me.
Great action so far...the only issue I have is the speed of the romance. I'm use to suspending belief to some degree when reading romance but the H/h's relationship went from 0 to 120 in less than a page! LOL
Finished...good suspense, great Hero, heroine was ok, steam was nice and hot but sadly, the romance didn't click for me.
April 2, 2012
I enjoyed this one. The suspense moved and kept me interested. I liked the writing and the pacing of the story, but not so much the romance. The hero goes from lust to FOREVER LOVE in a very short time. While we often get an HEA in a matter of weeks in romancelandia, I just didn't buy it here. I couldn't figure out why he loved her. I'm not sure he even knew what he was talking about. Also, the sex was described odd to me. The H's actions are described as "his rough hands" "his tongue stabbed into her mouth" and other similar descriptions. Now I never mind reading about kinky sex or passions getting rough (pounding into her and such), but for me this didn't read sexy. I almost felt like he was this inexperienced teen aged boy. We all remember those boys who pinched you and expected you to turn to mush. That's what I thought of. No idea why. So for me it just wasn't sexy.
Aside from that though, this was a good book. I did enjoy it.
Aside from that though, this was a good book. I did enjoy it.
December 3, 2015
Actually 3.5 stars
Detective Nick Markov is doing what things do and taking his partner home after a night of drinking. As Nick's getting Ethan out of the car, he looks up and sees a body hurtling for the roof of his car and someone stepping back from the shattered window. Giving chase, the detectives lose the suspect and prepare to get ready for the media circus when they discover the victim is one of San Francisco's prominent businessmen.
The number one suspect is the beautiful and stubbornly independent soon to be ex-wife, art historian, Dr. Augusta Langan. Both Ethan and Augusta feel their attraction but realize it might not be wise. Augusta and her brother in law, Adam insist the divorce was amicable and their relationship is platonic though Nick wonders if whatever Adam is hiding has to do with a past or future relationship with Augusta.
Nick stands alone in his belief in Augusta's innocence despite half-truths, her husband's relative's insistence Augusta married and murdered her husband for money and stands post as Augusta's personal protector. When Augusta's a victim of a not so random crime, and others close the original victim become victims as the mystery deepens.
There was quite a bit that worked for this romantic suspense but the pacing and the romance were the weak links for this reader. While there was chemistry between the leads and individually both leads were better than average characters. The smexy scenes were sufficiently steamy. However, the romance itself felt rushed even for insta-love/lust.
Due to the hormonally driven heroine and the hero's actions jeopardizing the case it was quite easy to lose all respect for both leads. In places they both seemed a bit over the top, impractical and too big a pill to swallow. Both the mystery and suspense pieces were done well for this reader's taste with characters fleshy enough and a mystery intriguing enough to hold interest and curiosity throughout the read.
Augusta's insistence in involving herself deeper in the case annoyed this reader periodically and at times was too dramatic and felt jarring. In fairness, it could have been this reader's reluctance to accept the romance and saw it with clouded judgment. I'd read more by this new to me author since I felt the story overall was quite good.
Detective Nick Markov is doing what things do and taking his partner home after a night of drinking. As Nick's getting Ethan out of the car, he looks up and sees a body hurtling for the roof of his car and someone stepping back from the shattered window. Giving chase, the detectives lose the suspect and prepare to get ready for the media circus when they discover the victim is one of San Francisco's prominent businessmen.
The number one suspect is the beautiful and stubbornly independent soon to be ex-wife, art historian, Dr. Augusta Langan. Both Ethan and Augusta feel their attraction but realize it might not be wise. Augusta and her brother in law, Adam insist the divorce was amicable and their relationship is platonic though Nick wonders if whatever Adam is hiding has to do with a past or future relationship with Augusta.
Nick stands alone in his belief in Augusta's innocence despite half-truths, her husband's relative's insistence Augusta married and murdered her husband for money and stands post as Augusta's personal protector. When Augusta's a victim of a not so random crime, and others close the original victim become victims as the mystery deepens.
There was quite a bit that worked for this romantic suspense but the pacing and the romance were the weak links for this reader. While there was chemistry between the leads and individually both leads were better than average characters. The smexy scenes were sufficiently steamy. However, the romance itself felt rushed even for insta-love/lust.
Due to the hormonally driven heroine and the hero's actions jeopardizing the case it was quite easy to lose all respect for both leads. In places they both seemed a bit over the top, impractical and too big a pill to swallow. Both the mystery and suspense pieces were done well for this reader's taste with characters fleshy enough and a mystery intriguing enough to hold interest and curiosity throughout the read.
Augusta's insistence in involving herself deeper in the case annoyed this reader periodically and at times was too dramatic and felt jarring. In fairness, it could have been this reader's reluctance to accept the romance and saw it with clouded judgment. I'd read more by this new to me author since I felt the story overall was quite good.
December 29, 2012
The story opens as two off duty detectives witness a dead body crashing into Detective Nick Markov's vehicle. The victim, a highly successful, powerful and well-known businessman, seems to have been pushed from his penthouse apartment.
His soon to be ex-wife could be a suspect, after all, they were getting a divorce because Augusta Langan's husband HAD been cheating on her and she would stand to inherit a fortune. Augusta steadfastly claims her innocence and Nick is instantly attracted to the tiny, strong, yet damaged young woman.
As Nick digs deeper into the case, Augusta is threatened, hounded by the press, her home is ransacked and it is clear she could be the next victim. Naturally, he offers her sanctuary in his apartment, so he can protect her, because that is sooo like a diligent officer of the law. Okay, maybe not so believable, but it leads to scenes that almost melted my Kindle as it becomes apparent there is more to Nick's feelings for Augusta then meets the eye.
Although some ideas in the book were a bit of a stretch, it all came together as well-written entertainment that had tons of intrigue, tension and a mystery worth waiting to be solved. Did I like it? Yep, can you say Hot Cop?
His soon to be ex-wife could be a suspect, after all, they were getting a divorce because Augusta Langan's husband HAD been cheating on her and she would stand to inherit a fortune. Augusta steadfastly claims her innocence and Nick is instantly attracted to the tiny, strong, yet damaged young woman.
As Nick digs deeper into the case, Augusta is threatened, hounded by the press, her home is ransacked and it is clear she could be the next victim. Naturally, he offers her sanctuary in his apartment, so he can protect her, because that is sooo like a diligent officer of the law. Okay, maybe not so believable, but it leads to scenes that almost melted my Kindle as it becomes apparent there is more to Nick's feelings for Augusta then meets the eye.
Although some ideas in the book were a bit of a stretch, it all came together as well-written entertainment that had tons of intrigue, tension and a mystery worth waiting to be solved. Did I like it? Yep, can you say Hot Cop?
November 26, 2012
3.5 stars I've never read this author before and this was a free offering for my nook, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It's a reasonably solid Romantic suspense story. I tend to be very hard on this genre, and this one was good but definitely had some problems. Augusta is a professor of Art and when her soon to be ex-husband is thrown from a balcony, she is immediately a suspect. Nick, the detective who just happened to witness the death, is also instantly attracted to her which causes numerous complications. Augusta is an interesting woman and full of secrets. We are given few clues as to who would want her ex-husband dead. She tends to strike out on her own, which is always annoying and it never ends right. The writing is good and the story flows pretty quickly. The chemistry between Augusta and Nick is good if a little implausible. Overall, I would be happy to read something else by this author.
March 13, 2012
This book took 2 days to read with family interruptions. I really enjoyed the family loyalty of Drew and the strength of Augusta. She had spunk,loyalty and the will to believe in her heart that Drew was innocent of any wrong doing. Nick, what can I say? To meet the number one suspect in a murder and trust his gut and loins to second guess the suspect and fall madly in love, hmm! Love it!
Ann Bruce,
You have my vote!
Ann Bruce,
You have my vote!
November 12, 2012
I bought this book after getting another title by Ann Bruce (Rules of Engagement). I really enjoyed her style and characters.
Deadly Fall was interesting and kept me guessing. I was trying to figure out "who done it" the whole time. I loved both Nick and Augusta and I enjoyed their story immensely.
I'll defiantly be reading more of Bruce's work in the future.
Deadly Fall was interesting and kept me guessing. I was trying to figure out "who done it" the whole time. I loved both Nick and Augusta and I enjoyed their story immensely.
I'll defiantly be reading more of Bruce's work in the future.
February 26, 2012
The book has to be pretty good when the first line reads ;"When his latest case falls on him and his partner - quite literally- Detective Nick Markov knows the destruction of his car by a not-yet-cold body is the least of his worries." This story will keep you turning the pages to it's conclusion.
On the Nook this eBook has 546 pages.
On the Nook this eBook has 546 pages.
November 14, 2015
Finally a good book! Nick was smoking hot and I really liked Augusta. It was some suspense and some sizzling love. And I totally adored that there wasn't any big misunderstandings or unnecessary angst between Nick and Augusta. And she was sane for most part. Totally worth reading and a real good kindle freebie. Yeey!
May 23, 2012
This book was full of twists and turns. There was so much between the hero and heroine, they should've never gotten together, but they did and they made it work. I loved how they stuck it out thru everything and how the heroine finally decides to trust the hero with all of her secrets. The sex scenes were totally hot as well.
May 27, 2012
3.5 stars. I liked the suspense part quite a bit. I had a hard time with the unprofessionalism of Nick. You just don't sleep with your primary suspect. But I enjoyed the way that Nick and Augusta opened up to each other and shared. I did have a hard time with Nick's declaration of love after only a few days though.
June 24, 2012
To say Deadly Fall is fantastic is an understatement. The chemistry between Nick and Augusta is electrifying and there were plenty of twists and turns making Deadly Fall a fantastic read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 11, 2012
What an excellent read. Great story and the romance was pretty steamy. I connected with the main characters and truly felt for them. I have already written down the author's other works and will be checking them out as well.
September 22, 2014
Nook freebie. Starts with the murder of a young, rich executive who leaves a beautiful widow behind. The police thinks she may be responsible but he lead detective on the case isn't so sure. He also falls hard for the suspect and becomes involved with her from the start.
September 7, 2012
I really liked this one.
March 4, 2012
Deadly Fall was excellent read. I had a hard time putting it down. I could not wait to find out what happened next. I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 8, 2012
A good read with everthing you need to make a good book.
Want to read
March 12, 2012Kindle Freebie 3.12.12
March 16, 2012
Awesome Free read! I will be checking out more of Ann's work for sure!
March 21, 2012
Edge of your seat thriller!
May 9, 2012
The loved the starting scene. The romantic suspense plot keepsnyou reading. I liked the family dynamic twist to the story.
July 14, 2012
Really good. The story snags you in and it kept me on my toes. Suspenseful and it was free on Amazon. You can't go wrong
August 14, 2012
cute read....free kindle ebook
November 8, 2012
Good mix of suspense and romance. I enjoyed it.
March 12, 2012
Great book some pretty steamy parts but kept to a story line
July 22, 2012
More of a 3.5 star book.
August 3, 2012
Pretty good.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews