What do you think?
Rate this book
Death Before Dishonor: An Emily Fallon Novel
Lieutenant Emily Fallon returns home from her recent at-sea deployment. All she wants before her next assignment is a little bit of R & R.
As soon as her boots hit the ground in Norfolk, VA, a series of events start to unfold. It is clear that someone is targeting her family.
Follow Emily through Norfolk, VA and the Outer Banks, NC as she tries to unravel the conspiracy that started long before she found out about it.
Will she be able to save her loved ones in time? Whom will she be able to trust? She will quickly find out that prior events and people in her life are not truly what and whom they seem to be.
As soon as her boots hit the ground in Norfolk, VA, a series of events start to unfold. It is clear that someone is targeting her family.
Follow Emily through Norfolk, VA and the Outer Banks, NC as she tries to unravel the conspiracy that started long before she found out about it.
Will she be able to save her loved ones in time? Whom will she be able to trust? She will quickly find out that prior events and people in her life are not truly what and whom they seem to be.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2023
3 people are currently reading
1176 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Vaughn
6 books40 followersI have always been passionate about writing and storytelling. I love to explore different themes and motifs. I love to immerse myself into my projects- dive headfirst into the research, production, and fine-tuning of the stories I deem worthy to tell.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 15, 2023
This was a great read with lots of twists I didn’t see coming! Highly recommend this new author!
September 30, 2023
Well, if you like your military thriller mixed with spicy romance, this book is for you ! I don't mind spice in a romance book, but I'm not that much of fan of it. Anyway the romance part of the book melted my heart. I loved the thriller part even if I'm not really into military talk haha. The characters (or most of them) were lovely !!
Thank u for the free copy of this book.
Thank u for the free copy of this book.
August 4, 2023
What a great start to this new military thriller series! Lieutenant Emily Fallon is a force to be reckoned with when her life and her loved ones are on the line.
This fast-paced thriller filled with action and intrigue is an exciting introduction into the world of Emily Fallon. I loved her no-nonsense character and confident attitude. She might be small but she’s trained with the best and not one to be intimidated. I appreciate that!
I love the strong family and friendship bonds in Emily’s world and really hope to see more of that along with more Emily and Xander developments in the books to come. All said, I highly recommend this action-packed novel.
This fast-paced thriller filled with action and intrigue is an exciting introduction into the world of Emily Fallon. I loved her no-nonsense character and confident attitude. She might be small but she’s trained with the best and not one to be intimidated. I appreciate that!
I love the strong family and friendship bonds in Emily’s world and really hope to see more of that along with more Emily and Xander developments in the books to come. All said, I highly recommend this action-packed novel.
July 10, 2023
Death Before Dishonor was an absolute stunner. I went into the book blindly as this is the my first military thriller. I am a sucker for strong female leads and Emily is just the one you should read about for such tropes. the twists and turns are wonderfully set and there is some romance but the thriller part takes the front seat. This is a book you would fail to put down once you start. I cannot wait for the world to dive into Emily's world. I absolutely devoured this book and cannot wait for the next book of the series to come out.
July 1, 2023
Let me start by saying this isn't usually the type of romance I read. That also being said, I did not regret it! I loved the twist and turns, Madeline kept us guessing in every chapter. I honestly thought the bad guy was someone else the whole time! The romance aspect was not as prevalent. There is romance, a little bit of spice, but it is more on the back burner, and the secrets that are revealed are more the focus, but again, those will keep you guessing. Great first start to a series, cannot wait to see what's next for the Fallon's!
October 14, 2023
This book certainly kept me reaching for it! I finished it quickly as the story line is fast paced and keeps you guessing. The characters are all quite likeable and the air of mystery and suspense kept me guessing until the very end. I am very much looking forward to reading book two and am so happy I stumbled upon this author!
July 31, 2023
Captivating story told from multiple points of view. Emily Fallon has just returned home from deployment to find her brother missing. Her next assignment starts in a week, but they have hours to save her brother. Author’s writing is captivating and keeps you on edge with each secret that is revealed about Emily’s family involvement in a case that has her family in danger. Looking forward to more books by Madeline Vaughn.
I was privileged to be a beta reader and am looking forward to the publication of this amazing suspense book to be released in July 2023.
I was privileged to be a beta reader and am looking forward to the publication of this amazing suspense book to be released in July 2023.
May 24, 2023
This was my first military thriller and it had all the makings of a best seller. It was awesome to see a powerful woman take control and fight for the truth.
This book was well written and flowed well. I highly recommend it.
This book was well written and flowed well. I highly recommend it.
December 25, 2023
A quick read that leaves you turning the pages. Great twists keep you guessing and I’m looking forward to continuation of the Emily Fallon series!
October 1, 2023
3.5/5 stars
This book has an intriguing story with straight-forward characters. There's enough suspense to keep you interested but not so many unanswered questions that you get confused and can't track what's going on. This aspect of a story is often a fine balance, but Vaughn does this well despite giving us a complex mystery spanning many years.
There were times that the written dialogue was just slightly clunky (not using contractions, for example, when it would have made more sense to do so) and there were some typos and errors that could have used a bit of editing.
Beyond that, while the characters were well-written, I found that I wanted to know more about them and their relationships. In the second half, we learn a little bit more about their relationships through some flashbacks/memories, but Vaughn has written such great characters that it would be fantastic to be able to get to know them better.
Looking forward to the next in this series coming out at the end of October 2023!
This book has an intriguing story with straight-forward characters. There's enough suspense to keep you interested but not so many unanswered questions that you get confused and can't track what's going on. This aspect of a story is often a fine balance, but Vaughn does this well despite giving us a complex mystery spanning many years.
There were times that the written dialogue was just slightly clunky (not using contractions, for example, when it would have made more sense to do so) and there were some typos and errors that could have used a bit of editing.
Beyond that, while the characters were well-written, I found that I wanted to know more about them and their relationships. In the second half, we learn a little bit more about their relationships through some flashbacks/memories, but Vaughn has written such great characters that it would be fantastic to be able to get to know them better.
Looking forward to the next in this series coming out at the end of October 2023!
May 5, 2024
Fantastic thriller with a few twists and turns!
July 31, 2023
This was my introduction to Madeline Vaugh and Emily Fallon and I can say is that I’m not disappointed! There were so many twists and turns to this story that I thought I knew what was going to happen and then… not. LOL I highly recommend this, it’s an easy read especially for those of us (like me) who don’t have the easiest time diving into new books.
October 16, 2023
I usually steer clear of anything military related, but picked this up for a buddy read. This is a military thriller/suspense with a romance subplot. I enjoyed the characters and trying to unravel the mystery every step of the way even though I was very wrong about where things were going! I'm interested in reading more with these characters.
October 22, 2023
I am typically not into military type books but I follow the amazing Madeline Vaughn on Bookstagram and found out about her book. I bought the first one on Amazon and flew through it. This book was amazing! I can't wait to dive into book #2!
October 7, 2023
Normally military books aren’t my thing, but I could tell off the synopsis and reviews that this was something I wanted to read and I’m so glad I did!
The book IMMEDIATELY pull you in and holds your attention throughout. The suspense was top tier and I didn’t want to put it down.
I read the first 5 chapters before bed and picked up back up and finished it the next day.
If you’re like me and don’t typically read military fiction I would strongly encourage you to give this one a try!
Love love love!
The book IMMEDIATELY pull you in and holds your attention throughout. The suspense was top tier and I didn’t want to put it down.
I read the first 5 chapters before bed and picked up back up and finished it the next day.
If you’re like me and don’t typically read military fiction I would strongly encourage you to give this one a try!
Love love love!
November 27, 2023
I really enjoyed this fast-paced military thriller and Emily, our protagonist, is a force to be reckoned with. Everything in this book surrounds the US Navy. Something has been going down and people have died, and now Emily and her friends and family need to find out what’s going on before worse happens.
Emily Fallon is very family-orientated, but she’s also a badass who will do almost anything to protect that family. She is very capable of looking after herself and I definitely wouldn’t want to cross her. Her enemies should be very afraid of her!
Right up until the end, I was questioning who the bad guys were. There were a lot of ‘Is it him’, and ‘actually no, it’s him’, moments and Vaughn kept the suspense going right the way through the book.
I am lucky enough to be on the Street Team for Madeline’s next book, Storm From Within, which is why I picked up this first one in the Emily Fallon series. I’ve already finished the next one and my review will be coming later this week.
If you enjoy a quick thriller with lots of twists and turns, then I’d recommend this new series.
Emily Fallon is very family-orientated, but she’s also a badass who will do almost anything to protect that family. She is very capable of looking after herself and I definitely wouldn’t want to cross her. Her enemies should be very afraid of her!
Right up until the end, I was questioning who the bad guys were. There were a lot of ‘Is it him’, and ‘actually no, it’s him’, moments and Vaughn kept the suspense going right the way through the book.
I am lucky enough to be on the Street Team for Madeline’s next book, Storm From Within, which is why I picked up this first one in the Emily Fallon series. I’ve already finished the next one and my review will be coming later this week.
If you enjoy a quick thriller with lots of twists and turns, then I’d recommend this new series.
August 7, 2023
This read was fantastic! Twists and turns around every corner. An easy read that you cannot put down. You follow an evolving love story as a thrilling mystery awakens all the emotions! I cannot wait for the next book. I highly recommend!!
August 1, 2023
Holy book hangover! This debut by Madeline Vaughn is a book like no other. I devoured this book and could not put it down. I love that the main character Emily is a strong woman. I enjoyed the different point of views and the character development. This book is full of twists and turns! Just when you think you have it figured out Madeline hits you with the twist. I highly recommend this book and can not wait for more books by her.
December 28, 2024
Book 1 of a military mystery lead by a strong female character, Emily Fallon. Emily is the youngest in her family, following in the footsteps of her family in joining the navy.
She has a tragic family with losses of her father and brother. It is on her shoulders to figure out if there is a conspiracy threatening the safety of her remaining family. A sprinkle of lusty romance. Good first book in the series.
She has a tragic family with losses of her father and brother. It is on her shoulders to figure out if there is a conspiracy threatening the safety of her remaining family. A sprinkle of lusty romance. Good first book in the series.
November 28, 2023
I don't normally read thrillers, but the premise was so intriguing that I was excited to break out of my comfort zone. It did not disappoint. The author clearly has a talent for crafting fiction, and I was fully immersed right up to the end. There were things I didn't like about the FMC that were personal, but without a flawed character who does things you don't always agree with, you're not going to be fully embedded in a story that feels real. The sequel I have just read is equally as good, if not even better. I hope this author brings us more books from this world.
November 25, 2024
This was so hard to put down 😱
Okay woooow.
I love the entire premise of this. Emily Fallon is such a badass. The main plot of figuring out who is behind the murder of her father, kidnapping of her brother, and everything else in between made me not want to stop reading. There’s a perfect amount of spice that didn’t take away from the story like a lot of books I’ve read.
I can’t wait to read the second of this trilogy!
Okay woooow.
I love the entire premise of this. Emily Fallon is such a badass. The main plot of figuring out who is behind the murder of her father, kidnapping of her brother, and everything else in between made me not want to stop reading. There’s a perfect amount of spice that didn’t take away from the story like a lot of books I’ve read.
I can’t wait to read the second of this trilogy!
October 29, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me.
So, I read this book in one sitting. I started it right before I should've been going to sleep and it kept me captive until the end. I had to know what happened, why and who was behind it. There was no way I was simply going to be able to set it aside and fall asleep. I loved the time I spent with these characters. I am definitely going to be continuing the series as soon as I can.
So, I read this book in one sitting. I started it right before I should've been going to sleep and it kept me captive until the end. I had to know what happened, why and who was behind it. There was no way I was simply going to be able to set it aside and fall asleep. I loved the time I spent with these characters. I am definitely going to be continuing the series as soon as I can.
January 14, 2026
Just doesn’t stop!
I sit before this screen mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. In the prologue, this book grabs you by the back of the neck and drags you around through more and more and more and oh god I need more, why did I fall asleep, I need to know what happens, I don’t want to go to work today I want to read this. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series, bravo!
I sit before this screen mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. In the prologue, this book grabs you by the back of the neck and drags you around through more and more and more and oh god I need more, why did I fall asleep, I need to know what happens, I don’t want to go to work today I want to read this. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series, bravo!
September 27, 2023
I absolutely loved this book from the very beginning. I haven't read a book this quick in a while and I'm so excited to start the next one!
April 19, 2024
Great book, easy read. Fully kept my attention and didn’t even want to put the book down.
September 18, 2023
𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Death Before Dishonor: An Emily Fallon Novel
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Madeline Vaughn
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Romance
𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
What a fantastic debut novel! If I didn’t have kids and a husband who need my constant attention I’d have finished this in a day! The action and mystery of the story started immediately and ramped up fairly quickly. Especially as things got more mysterious I was eager to see how things would go next. I also really enjoyed the little side storyline of Emily and Xander. Their banter was great and it was nice to have a bit of a break between everything else going on. Definitely can’t wait to see where this series goes!
◭ CLICK HERE FOR MY INSTAGRAM REVIEWS ◭
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Madeline Vaughn
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Romance
𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
What a fantastic debut novel! If I didn’t have kids and a husband who need my constant attention I’d have finished this in a day! The action and mystery of the story started immediately and ramped up fairly quickly. Especially as things got more mysterious I was eager to see how things would go next. I also really enjoyed the little side storyline of Emily and Xander. Their banter was great and it was nice to have a bit of a break between everything else going on. Definitely can’t wait to see where this series goes!
◭ CLICK HERE FOR MY INSTAGRAM REVIEWS ◭
August 15, 2023
“Lieutenant Emily Fallon returns home from her recent at-sea deployment. All she wants before her next assignment is a little bit of R & R…” Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned when her brother is kidnapped and it’s a race to save him and figure out the culprit.
Madeline’s writing enables the reader to immerse themselves in the story. I did not want to come up for air. Emily is a strong, capable FMC that isn’t going to stop until the mysteries surrounding her family are solved. This military thriller gives us so many twists, turns, romance and family drama that I could not stop reading. I had to know what happened next! This is an excellent start to a new series and I highly recommend!
Madeline’s writing enables the reader to immerse themselves in the story. I did not want to come up for air. Emily is a strong, capable FMC that isn’t going to stop until the mysteries surrounding her family are solved. This military thriller gives us so many twists, turns, romance and family drama that I could not stop reading. I had to know what happened next! This is an excellent start to a new series and I highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews