What do you think?
Rate this book
Lacey Flint #1.5
If Snow Hadn't Fallen
Just weeks ago, a Jack the Ripper copycat terrorized London, leaving London police officer Lacey Flint scarred both physically and emotionally. Still recovering from the ordeal and technically off-duty, Lacey almost ignores it when she hears a call for back-up as she's heading home. But she's close by and figures they could use her help. She could never have expected the horrible crime she would witness on arriving at the scene, or the frightening twists the case would being to take.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2012
114 people are currently reading
2590 people want to read
About the author
Sharon J. Bolton
44 books4,552 followersSharon's newest book The Split is now available in both hardback and paperback in the UK!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Split-grippi...
Sharon J Bolton was born and brought up in Lancashire, the eldest of three daughters. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an actress and a dancer, studying ballet, tap and jazz from a young age and reading drama at Loughborough University.
She spent her early career in marketing and PR before returning to full-time education to study for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Warwick University, where she met her husband, Andrew. They moved to London and Sharon held a number of PR posts in the City. She left the City to work freelance, to start a family and to write.
She and Andrew now live in a village in the Chiltern Hills, not far from Oxford, with their son and the latest addition to the family: Lupe, the lop-eared lurcher. Her daily life revolves around the school run, walking the dog and those ever-looming publishing deadlines.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Split-grippi...
Sharon J Bolton was born and brought up in Lancashire, the eldest of three daughters. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an actress and a dancer, studying ballet, tap and jazz from a young age and reading drama at Loughborough University.
She spent her early career in marketing and PR before returning to full-time education to study for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Warwick University, where she met her husband, Andrew. They moved to London and Sharon held a number of PR posts in the City. She left the City to work freelance, to start a family and to write.
She and Andrew now live in a village in the Chiltern Hills, not far from Oxford, with their son and the latest addition to the family: Lupe, the lop-eared lurcher. Her daily life revolves around the school run, walking the dog and those ever-looming publishing deadlines.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
January 29, 2022
“A killer who might be copycatting the most notorious and vicious murderer the world has ever known–the infamous Jack the Ripper. And then we realised it was a whole lot worse than that. Slick, quick, brutally imaginative, the killer ran rings around the police” and now another dead body.
They say that snow covers everything and yes it covers the scorched grass where a dying man breathed his last, it also covered the footprints of a woman dressed in black and even some of the blood from the victim. What is did not cover was the sordid and ugliness of a world where people were brutally murdered for their race, nor could it hide what lies beneath that carpet of white. And what the snow did cover, it did so only for a while, but it could not hide the murder stains on the killer hands who brutally murdered their victim Aamir Chowdhury.
The premeditated nature of the murder, the brutality of it and the agonies the man had suffered before death were all grist to the mill of the country’s media, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder, united by collective outrage, because the victim was Aamir Chowdhury, a twenty-seven-year-old, British Muslim, himself a junior doctor at St Thomas’s hospital who lived alone in a flat not far from the hospital.
And the suspects, five white males who donned masks of an alien, a wolf, a zombie, a goblin and the Queen seemed to offer the police a quick resolution of a case that was sure to rattle a community. However, whilst in pursuit of evidence that will help sentence what appears to be a racially motivated attack the investigating team discover more about Chowdhury’s past, relationships and lifestyle that would draw condemnation from his own community, as holes start to appear in the witness statements of those who claim to have seen ‘white males’ but then they were wearing masks? And Chowdhury’s family are also hiding something that even the snow cannot cover.
A fascinating story, a novella packed with suspense and thrill, a great plot with the requisite twists you would expect from Sharon Bolton, all delivered with a wonderfully written narrative that is easy to follow and inspires a hungry turn of pages.
They say that snow covers everything and yes it covers the scorched grass where a dying man breathed his last, it also covered the footprints of a woman dressed in black and even some of the blood from the victim. What is did not cover was the sordid and ugliness of a world where people were brutally murdered for their race, nor could it hide what lies beneath that carpet of white. And what the snow did cover, it did so only for a while, but it could not hide the murder stains on the killer hands who brutally murdered their victim Aamir Chowdhury.
The premeditated nature of the murder, the brutality of it and the agonies the man had suffered before death were all grist to the mill of the country’s media, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder, united by collective outrage, because the victim was Aamir Chowdhury, a twenty-seven-year-old, British Muslim, himself a junior doctor at St Thomas’s hospital who lived alone in a flat not far from the hospital.
And the suspects, five white males who donned masks of an alien, a wolf, a zombie, a goblin and the Queen seemed to offer the police a quick resolution of a case that was sure to rattle a community. However, whilst in pursuit of evidence that will help sentence what appears to be a racially motivated attack the investigating team discover more about Chowdhury’s past, relationships and lifestyle that would draw condemnation from his own community, as holes start to appear in the witness statements of those who claim to have seen ‘white males’ but then they were wearing masks? And Chowdhury’s family are also hiding something that even the snow cannot cover.
A fascinating story, a novella packed with suspense and thrill, a great plot with the requisite twists you would expect from Sharon Bolton, all delivered with a wonderfully written narrative that is easy to follow and inspires a hungry turn of pages.
July 4, 2016
If Snow Hadn't Fallen......I would never have come upon this little treasure of a novella by S.J. Bolton.
The weather unpacks its giant suitcase filled with layer upon layer of freshly fallen snowflakes. No two alike. Much like no two crimes are alike. No two detectives are actually alike for that matter as well. Especially if one bears the name Lacey Flint.
Lacey is just shutting off the ignition in her car when she spots a horrid scene in the park nearby. This is no ordinary mugging of a lone individual. Lacey's eyes adjust to the shock of a man being douced with fluid and set on fire. Five perpetrators surround him wearing bizarre masks. Lacey calls in for backup while on the run. The heartless masked individuals scatter and Lacey tries to save the man's life by pulling off her coat and smothering the flames.
The victim is a Muslim doctor who dies on the way to the hospital. Was this a hate/racial crime or what? No other witnesses come forward and Lacey seems to hit a deadend.....until one late night the figure of a tall woman dressed in a long black gown visits the crime scene almost every evening. A very elusive woman who slips away again and again.
S.J. Bolton engages the reader from the first page and onward. Her character, Lacey Flint, doesn't play by the rules and neither does Bolton. She's out for the action and pumps adrenaline like spiked words flowing through the brain at a rapid pace. I've been smitten by this author and have just ordered several of the books in this series. No frostbite. Just a burning desire for more.
The weather unpacks its giant suitcase filled with layer upon layer of freshly fallen snowflakes. No two alike. Much like no two crimes are alike. No two detectives are actually alike for that matter as well. Especially if one bears the name Lacey Flint.
Lacey is just shutting off the ignition in her car when she spots a horrid scene in the park nearby. This is no ordinary mugging of a lone individual. Lacey's eyes adjust to the shock of a man being douced with fluid and set on fire. Five perpetrators surround him wearing bizarre masks. Lacey calls in for backup while on the run. The heartless masked individuals scatter and Lacey tries to save the man's life by pulling off her coat and smothering the flames.
The victim is a Muslim doctor who dies on the way to the hospital. Was this a hate/racial crime or what? No other witnesses come forward and Lacey seems to hit a deadend.....until one late night the figure of a tall woman dressed in a long black gown visits the crime scene almost every evening. A very elusive woman who slips away again and again.
S.J. Bolton engages the reader from the first page and onward. Her character, Lacey Flint, doesn't play by the rules and neither does Bolton. She's out for the action and pumps adrenaline like spiked words flowing through the brain at a rapid pace. I've been smitten by this author and have just ordered several of the books in this series. No frostbite. Just a burning desire for more.
May 24, 2015
If Snow Hadn’t Fallen is an 89 page novella, falling in at #1.5, just after #1 Now You See Me, in the wonderful DC Lacey Flint thriller series. My my, Ms. Bolton packs a clever little story into these 89 pages.
The plot revolves around the murder by fire of a young Muslim physician. Lacey is being Lacey in this novella. By that I mean she works around her superiors to get the case cracked. So it’s more of a police nonprocedural, which is fine with me. Though I often wonder how Lacey continues to get away with this, it does further a great plot as this novella demonstrates.
This tale simply sparkles with Ms. Bolton’s brilliance. She supplies us with all the clues we need to solve the case, but she constructs her story in such a way that it is extremely difficult to outsmart her. I read this novella with one of my erudite book buddies. We checked in with each other after every 2 chapters. Working as partners, we thought we could finally crack a case, there being 2 of us after all. Well, after 18 chapters, one chapter shy of the big reveal, we were admitting total defeat. Not a worthwhile clue between us, and sadly, this was after lots of thought and discussion on our part. If there is a reader out there that correctly predicted the ending of this novella, I would love to hear about it.
If Snow Hadn’t Fallen, though a part of the Lacey Flint series, is a stand alone novella and can be read at any point within (or without) the series with no danger of spoilers and no need for any backstory. If you are looking for a good weekend read, I highly recommend you download a copy of this smart little thriller.
The plot revolves around the murder by fire of a young Muslim physician. Lacey is being Lacey in this novella. By that I mean she works around her superiors to get the case cracked. So it’s more of a police nonprocedural, which is fine with me. Though I often wonder how Lacey continues to get away with this, it does further a great plot as this novella demonstrates.
This tale simply sparkles with Ms. Bolton’s brilliance. She supplies us with all the clues we need to solve the case, but she constructs her story in such a way that it is extremely difficult to outsmart her. I read this novella with one of my erudite book buddies. We checked in with each other after every 2 chapters. Working as partners, we thought we could finally crack a case, there being 2 of us after all. Well, after 18 chapters, one chapter shy of the big reveal, we were admitting total defeat. Not a worthwhile clue between us, and sadly, this was after lots of thought and discussion on our part. If there is a reader out there that correctly predicted the ending of this novella, I would love to hear about it.
If Snow Hadn’t Fallen, though a part of the Lacey Flint series, is a stand alone novella and can be read at any point within (or without) the series with no danger of spoilers and no need for any backstory. If you are looking for a good weekend read, I highly recommend you download a copy of this smart little thriller.
January 1, 2020
They say that snow covers everything that is mean and sordid and ugly in the world...but beneath the carpet of white, the ugliness remains.
On a cold November night Lacey Flint answers the call-
Any cars in the vicinity of Larkhill Park Kennington- Disturbance in progress. Urgent assistance requested. Proceed with extreme caution.
At first what she witnesses doesn't seem real. A shadowy silhouette disappearing in the distance, and five dark figures in creepy masks- an alien, zombie, wolf, goblin, and the Queen- all surrounding a burning man. As Lacey tries to put out the flames- the killers flee the scene. After the smoke clears- The victim is identified, a witness surfaces, and the suspects are rounded up.
The Victim- Aamir Chowdhury- a twenty-seven year old British Muslim who was working as a junior doctor at St. Thomas Hospital-D.O.A
The Motive- a brutal racist attack, by a group of young hoodlums looking for revenge.
...but something doesn't seem right to Lacey, and she sets off on her own to try and figure out what really happened.
IF THE SNOW HADN'T FALLEN follows Now You See Me- The first book in the Lacey Flint series- and packs its 89 pages with an exciting tension- filled mystery. Yes folks, it's true- bigger isn't always better!
On a cold November night Lacey Flint answers the call-
Any cars in the vicinity of Larkhill Park Kennington- Disturbance in progress. Urgent assistance requested. Proceed with extreme caution.
At first what she witnesses doesn't seem real. A shadowy silhouette disappearing in the distance, and five dark figures in creepy masks- an alien, zombie, wolf, goblin, and the Queen- all surrounding a burning man. As Lacey tries to put out the flames- the killers flee the scene. After the smoke clears- The victim is identified, a witness surfaces, and the suspects are rounded up.
The Victim- Aamir Chowdhury- a twenty-seven year old British Muslim who was working as a junior doctor at St. Thomas Hospital-D.O.A
The Motive- a brutal racist attack, by a group of young hoodlums looking for revenge.
...but something doesn't seem right to Lacey, and she sets off on her own to try and figure out what really happened.
IF THE SNOW HADN'T FALLEN follows Now You See Me- The first book in the Lacey Flint series- and packs its 89 pages with an exciting tension- filled mystery. Yes folks, it's true- bigger isn't always better!
June 2, 2015
“If Snow Hadn’t Fallen” (Lacey Flint # 1.5) by S.J. Bolton is a novella that takes place shortly after the ending of "Now you see me". I have to admit that I have not read her first novel yet, but now I am very intrigued. In a way I am glad I started with this novella, to set the scene for the full series.
I am not usually a short story reader, but lately I have been reading more of them. Usually an author is unable to develop and flush out the characters, within the short time restraints. Short stories are not easy to deliver; a believable storyline, with intriguing characters and a satisfying ending. But Sharon Bolton has satisfied all of these elements.
“A young Muslin man, a doctor, is brutally murdered by a masked gang.”
Detective Constable ,Lacey Flint, an off-duty police officer, was in the park the night of the attack and killing. Lacey was on her way home when she heard the call from the Control room, and responded.
A circle of dark figures wearing masks, a bonfire and a burning man. And when the five attackers saw Lacey, they scrambled and ran for cover. And Lacey sees a “woman in black” fleeing the scene, possibly the anonymous caller. Was it a crime of racial hatred?
This case is full of twists and turns, and I never figured it out the identity of the killers. Then at 67% through on my Kindle, was the biggest surprise that I did not see coming…the big reveal. Brilliant!
Don't miss out on this satisfying thriller. A definite 5 Star rating from me. Now I can't wait to attack the series!
I am not usually a short story reader, but lately I have been reading more of them. Usually an author is unable to develop and flush out the characters, within the short time restraints. Short stories are not easy to deliver; a believable storyline, with intriguing characters and a satisfying ending. But Sharon Bolton has satisfied all of these elements.
“A young Muslin man, a doctor, is brutally murdered by a masked gang.”
Detective Constable ,Lacey Flint, an off-duty police officer, was in the park the night of the attack and killing. Lacey was on her way home when she heard the call from the Control room, and responded.
A circle of dark figures wearing masks, a bonfire and a burning man. And when the five attackers saw Lacey, they scrambled and ran for cover. And Lacey sees a “woman in black” fleeing the scene, possibly the anonymous caller. Was it a crime of racial hatred?
This case is full of twists and turns, and I never figured it out the identity of the killers. Then at 67% through on my Kindle, was the biggest surprise that I did not see coming…the big reveal. Brilliant!
Don't miss out on this satisfying thriller. A definite 5 Star rating from me. Now I can't wait to attack the series!
November 26, 2017
I'm not a big fan of novellas, but was pleasantly surprised that this was a fully realized mystery. Using the same set-up as in the opening book of this series, Detective Constable Lacey Flint comes across a crime in process: this time near her home, where a man is set afire in the local park. A racism angle seems quite likely, but no substantive evidence can be found to incriminate the suspected perpetrators and it doesn't feel right to Lacey. As always, she gets very involved in the investigation, enlisting the help of her reporter friend, Emma Boston, and puts herself in danger again in order to identify the guilty. Unconventional ending, kudos to author Sharon Bolton.
August 6, 2019
Short but Scary all the same!
I checked my watch again. He was twenty-three minutes late, my drink was disappearing too quickly and at half past I was going home.
I couldn’t even remember what he looked like, I realized. Oh, I had a vague idea of height, build and colouring, and I remembered those turquoise eyes, but I couldn’t conjure up a picture of his face. Which was odd, really, given that he was never out of my head for a second.
‘Lacey Flint, as I live and breathe,’said a voice directly behind me.
I took a deep breath and turned round slowly, to see Mark Joesbury, maybe just a fraction over six feet tall, strongly built, suntanned skin even in January, bright turquoise eyes. Wearing a thick, untidy, ginger wig.
‘I’m undercover,’he said. And then he winked at me.
********
And so it begins. Again.
Book 1.5, If Snow Hadn't Fallen, may be short but make no mistake, it's yet another harrowing ride in the Lacey Flint series.
I'm telling you, Sharon J. Bolton never lets up on the delicious psychological suspence that she is so famous (and loved) for!
This series is brilliant and it definitely is worth reading every book!
I highly recommend reading all these books in order as the storylines build from the one before it.
I checked my watch again. He was twenty-three minutes late, my drink was disappearing too quickly and at half past I was going home.
I couldn’t even remember what he looked like, I realized. Oh, I had a vague idea of height, build and colouring, and I remembered those turquoise eyes, but I couldn’t conjure up a picture of his face. Which was odd, really, given that he was never out of my head for a second.
‘Lacey Flint, as I live and breathe,’said a voice directly behind me.
I took a deep breath and turned round slowly, to see Mark Joesbury, maybe just a fraction over six feet tall, strongly built, suntanned skin even in January, bright turquoise eyes. Wearing a thick, untidy, ginger wig.
‘I’m undercover,’he said. And then he winked at me.
********
And so it begins. Again.
Book 1.5, If Snow Hadn't Fallen, may be short but make no mistake, it's yet another harrowing ride in the Lacey Flint series.
I'm telling you, Sharon J. Bolton never lets up on the delicious psychological suspence that she is so famous (and loved) for!
This series is brilliant and it definitely is worth reading every book!
I highly recommend reading all these books in order as the storylines build from the one before it.
July 6, 2015
“There are many ways in which fear can grab your heart and squeeze tight…” S.J. (Sharon) Bolton admirers who were seized by her first Lacey Flint novel, Now You See Me, will likely be captured again in her e-novella, If Snow Hadn’t Fallen.
Just weeks after the conclusion of the terrifying Jack the Ripper copycat case, Lacey Flint finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a horrifying murder. While off-duty, Lacey witnesses a cruel murder in a park near her home as a man is surrounded and burned alive. Now, as she disregards expected police procedures to insert herself into the investigation, she is both perplexed and haunted by questions she cannot answer. A mysterious “woman in black” appears and disappears at the sight of the crime – now you see me; now you don’t. Who, what, why, and how does this person connect to the victim? Something itches at the back of her mind. There is something that her brain can’t quite form into memory. Despite what she cannot remember, Lacey is in danger too.
Ms. Bolton graphically orchestrates a horrendous crime to which there are few clues. As the story progresses, the cold, the damp, the dark, and the snow of London’s Christmas season combine with the pervading gloom of hatred to cast a foreboding shadow. Tension builds … “but few, I think, can beat the experience of starting out scared, finding the courage to face your fear, and then realizing that what you are up against isn’t fear but mind-numbing terror.”
While the conclusion was not entirely to my liking, it seemed to be the most realistic and plausible one. I was not one hundred percent certain, but I guessed the identity of the shady figure and the motive for the brutal killing of the Pakistani Muslim doctor. It is a wrinkle than many will not expect, but if you pay attention, there is a clue.
I would strongly recommend that anyone considering this novella read Now You See Me first, because there are many references to that book in this story, and is quite helpful to know Lacey Flint’s background here. Having read the novel some time ago, my memory was a bit fuzzy on the details, and I found myself wishing that Ms. Bolton had included a just bit more history.
In a world where hate makes headlines every day, wouldn’t it be nice if it were only fiction? “They say that snow covers everything that is mean and sordid and ugly in the world and I guess that’s true…But beneath the carpet of white, the ugliness remains, and the snow will melt and there’ll come a day when it’s visible again. At least, that’s what we have to hope.”
If Snow Hadn’t Fallen is packed with tension, and I daresay I could smell petrol (gasoline) and feel my heart hammering in my chest. If Snow Hadn’t Fallen is excellent fiction indeed.
4-1/2 stars
Just weeks after the conclusion of the terrifying Jack the Ripper copycat case, Lacey Flint finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a horrifying murder. While off-duty, Lacey witnesses a cruel murder in a park near her home as a man is surrounded and burned alive. Now, as she disregards expected police procedures to insert herself into the investigation, she is both perplexed and haunted by questions she cannot answer. A mysterious “woman in black” appears and disappears at the sight of the crime – now you see me; now you don’t. Who, what, why, and how does this person connect to the victim? Something itches at the back of her mind. There is something that her brain can’t quite form into memory. Despite what she cannot remember, Lacey is in danger too.
Ms. Bolton graphically orchestrates a horrendous crime to which there are few clues. As the story progresses, the cold, the damp, the dark, and the snow of London’s Christmas season combine with the pervading gloom of hatred to cast a foreboding shadow. Tension builds … “but few, I think, can beat the experience of starting out scared, finding the courage to face your fear, and then realizing that what you are up against isn’t fear but mind-numbing terror.”
While the conclusion was not entirely to my liking, it seemed to be the most realistic and plausible one. I was not one hundred percent certain, but I guessed the identity of the shady figure and the motive for the brutal killing of the Pakistani Muslim doctor. It is a wrinkle than many will not expect, but if you pay attention, there is a clue.
I would strongly recommend that anyone considering this novella read Now You See Me first, because there are many references to that book in this story, and is quite helpful to know Lacey Flint’s background here. Having read the novel some time ago, my memory was a bit fuzzy on the details, and I found myself wishing that Ms. Bolton had included a just bit more history.
In a world where hate makes headlines every day, wouldn’t it be nice if it were only fiction? “They say that snow covers everything that is mean and sordid and ugly in the world and I guess that’s true…But beneath the carpet of white, the ugliness remains, and the snow will melt and there’ll come a day when it’s visible again. At least, that’s what we have to hope.”
If Snow Hadn’t Fallen is packed with tension, and I daresay I could smell petrol (gasoline) and feel my heart hammering in my chest. If Snow Hadn’t Fallen is excellent fiction indeed.
4-1/2 stars
February 3, 2025
Lacey Flint, a London police detective, finds herself in ‘If Snow Hadn’t Fallen’, book 1.5 in this series, solving a hate crime which involved a victim burning to death. It does not have the solution I expected in reading this novella. In 'If Snow hadn't Fallen', Flint sharpens (flint pun!) the appetite of a gang of prejudiced killers to try and murder her, too, after she inserts herself into an investigation. Along the way she restores a dim shine of hope to the victim's grieving friend who is mourning a decent person killed for no good reason.
April 2, 2020
A novella featuring Detective Lacey Flint that takes less than two hours to read, showcasing Bolton’s precise detail-oriented writing. I would recommend having read at least the first book in the series, for a greater sense of Detective Flint and her supporting cast of characters. These mysteries are hard-core, disturbing and psychologically scary and are not recommended for the faint of heart, or for someone looking to read a cozy mystery. This novella focuses on a crime committed against a member of the Muslim community in London. Although short, themes of gender inequality, racism and intolerance run throughout this work. I haven’t read Bolton in a while, but this has whetted my appetite to try another of her tightly written works.
June 30, 2018
Number 1.5 in the Lacey Flint series.
This is a short story, some ninety pages long.
It might be short but it’s pulling no punches.
Lacey flint would have to be one of the more complex characters I have come across in a while. I am looking forward to finding out just what makes Lacey tick in the books to come.
Lacey is witness to a group of men burning someone alive.
Why?
It seems to be an act of mindless cruelty brought on by racial hatred.
In her quest to find the truth Lacey’s own life come under threat.
Getting to the truth turns up some very unpleasant realities.
The story highlights the divide between different cultures.
How do you define wrong from write?
How do you perceive justice?
All this tied up in a page turning hour and a half of reading.
Highly recommended.
This is a short story, some ninety pages long.
It might be short but it’s pulling no punches.
Lacey flint would have to be one of the more complex characters I have come across in a while. I am looking forward to finding out just what makes Lacey tick in the books to come.
Lacey is witness to a group of men burning someone alive.
Why?
It seems to be an act of mindless cruelty brought on by racial hatred.
In her quest to find the truth Lacey’s own life come under threat.
Getting to the truth turns up some very unpleasant realities.
The story highlights the divide between different cultures.
How do you define wrong from write?
How do you perceive justice?
All this tied up in a page turning hour and a half of reading.
Highly recommended.
October 25, 2016
I enjoyed this novella as it is part of one of my favourite series. I didn't enjoy it as much as her other options I've read, but this is likely attributed to the fact that it is a short story. I missed the detail that Bolton always jam packs us with in the culmination and end of her weaved stories.
March 21, 2013
Originally reviewed at: http://www.booksbiscuitsandtea.co.uk/...
Short stories are a tricky business. Getting everything right, from the characters to a good storyline and a neat ending, in such a short amount of time is, I think, quite difficult. There were many occasions in the past couple of years when some of my favourite authors ventured outside their comfort zone and gave short fiction a try but, as much as it pains me to say this, they failed miserably. Their novels might be spot on but when they were restricted to 80 or 90 pages, their stories either felt terribly rushed or fell a bit flat for me. And this is why I’m still a bit sceptical about short fiction. However, If Snow Hadn’t Fallen didn’t disappoint at all. In fact, I found it just as gripping and fast-paced as Now You See Me (the first book in the Lacey Flint series) was.
The book starts off almost exactly where Now You See Me ended and is, again, narrated by London detective Lacey Flint. Lacey’s boss Dana Tulloch and her friend, reporter Emma Boston make an appearance as well which I was thrilled about – I loved both of them in the previous book so it was lovely to ‘meet them’ again. However, since this book is – obviously – not as detailed as a full length novel, it’s probably better if you read Now You See Me first (if you haven’t read it yet), so that you have a better understanding of the characters and what they’ve been through prior to this story. It’s a great thriller on its own but knowing Lacey’s background story will make it even better.
I absolutely loved this book and I can only echo what I said about NYSM few weeks ago: it’s a must-read for fans of crime fiction. If there is one person who can keep you on the edge of your seat and make you hold your Kindle in a white-knuckle death grip, heart racing and not having the faintest idea what’s coming next, it’s S.J. Bolton. It’s very rare that someone manages to create something so full of twists and turns, something so intriguing in merely 85 pages, but Bolton nailed it. I loved every second of it and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Short stories are a tricky business. Getting everything right, from the characters to a good storyline and a neat ending, in such a short amount of time is, I think, quite difficult. There were many occasions in the past couple of years when some of my favourite authors ventured outside their comfort zone and gave short fiction a try but, as much as it pains me to say this, they failed miserably. Their novels might be spot on but when they were restricted to 80 or 90 pages, their stories either felt terribly rushed or fell a bit flat for me. And this is why I’m still a bit sceptical about short fiction. However, If Snow Hadn’t Fallen didn’t disappoint at all. In fact, I found it just as gripping and fast-paced as Now You See Me (the first book in the Lacey Flint series) was.
The book starts off almost exactly where Now You See Me ended and is, again, narrated by London detective Lacey Flint. Lacey’s boss Dana Tulloch and her friend, reporter Emma Boston make an appearance as well which I was thrilled about – I loved both of them in the previous book so it was lovely to ‘meet them’ again. However, since this book is – obviously – not as detailed as a full length novel, it’s probably better if you read Now You See Me first (if you haven’t read it yet), so that you have a better understanding of the characters and what they’ve been through prior to this story. It’s a great thriller on its own but knowing Lacey’s background story will make it even better.
I absolutely loved this book and I can only echo what I said about NYSM few weeks ago: it’s a must-read for fans of crime fiction. If there is one person who can keep you on the edge of your seat and make you hold your Kindle in a white-knuckle death grip, heart racing and not having the faintest idea what’s coming next, it’s S.J. Bolton. It’s very rare that someone manages to create something so full of twists and turns, something so intriguing in merely 85 pages, but Bolton nailed it. I loved every second of it and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
November 8, 2023
My Rating: 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded down from 3.5 - this is not a bad three but just lower than the first book three!!
This book is a novella in the Lacey Flint series, it follows directly on from book one and if you are going to read it there are references to the first book - however you can read it as a standalone if you like.
A young Muslim man is brutally murdered by a masked gang but all is not as it seems. Lacey is once again in the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes the only witness to this horrific crime… or so thats what she thinks.
This is a good little story its a little under 100 pages so a quick read to put you to sleep. Now that is not to say it is boring or light reading it is neither… I am just a big sicko who loves reading about murder directly before going into the land of nod!!
Lacey is back being a bit of a dumbass and a hero all at once… but I think that is pretty much what we are going to get from her throughout this series and as of my review from book 1 approx 3 mins ago… I am here for it!!!
I like that she doesn’t follow all the rules, I mean the guy detectives don’t follow all the rules so why should the girls… Lacey is a help people at all costs kind of girl even if that means breaking rules entirely… and look I can relate to that… wrong thing for the right reason and all that… its not as easy to rule out as you might think!!! 😳
Moving on…
The crime in this book is quite horrific and there are some freaky moments usually at night (I am sensing a theme - although it is a thriller soooo… ) and the twist was really well done… there were two main twists, one I saw coming a mile away but the second one I literally guessed only words before I actually read it on the page so that doesn’t even count. Very well done Sharon Bolton you got me again.
Anyway I am not going to labour on this, its short, its well written and its entertaining - if you have started the series and are looking for something to get you started again try it out. If you want to read something short and are not interested in the rest of the series try it out… or if you simply want to try it out… then go ahead… there is nothing bad about this at all… my rating was simply based on how much I liked the first one!!
This book is a novella in the Lacey Flint series, it follows directly on from book one and if you are going to read it there are references to the first book - however you can read it as a standalone if you like.
A young Muslim man is brutally murdered by a masked gang but all is not as it seems. Lacey is once again in the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes the only witness to this horrific crime… or so thats what she thinks.
This is a good little story its a little under 100 pages so a quick read to put you to sleep. Now that is not to say it is boring or light reading it is neither… I am just a big sicko who loves reading about murder directly before going into the land of nod!!
Lacey is back being a bit of a dumbass and a hero all at once… but I think that is pretty much what we are going to get from her throughout this series and as of my review from book 1 approx 3 mins ago… I am here for it!!!
I like that she doesn’t follow all the rules, I mean the guy detectives don’t follow all the rules so why should the girls… Lacey is a help people at all costs kind of girl even if that means breaking rules entirely… and look I can relate to that… wrong thing for the right reason and all that… its not as easy to rule out as you might think!!! 😳
Moving on…
The crime in this book is quite horrific and there are some freaky moments usually at night (I am sensing a theme - although it is a thriller soooo… ) and the twist was really well done… there were two main twists, one I saw coming a mile away but the second one I literally guessed only words before I actually read it on the page so that doesn’t even count. Very well done Sharon Bolton you got me again.
Anyway I am not going to labour on this, its short, its well written and its entertaining - if you have started the series and are looking for something to get you started again try it out. If you want to read something short and are not interested in the rest of the series try it out… or if you simply want to try it out… then go ahead… there is nothing bad about this at all… my rating was simply based on how much I liked the first one!!
May 5, 2014
I am so excited about Sharon's new book coming out on UK kindle 8th May that I had to have a little taster in anticipation.
This is a short story with my fave character ever DC Lacey Flint.
Ok so she always manages to get herself in a pickle but at least she has the brains to get out of it again! It is her passion and commitment that gets her into such messes even though she pretends she doesn't care.
4 stars because I wanted more!!! The end came too soon...
This is a short story with my fave character ever DC Lacey Flint.
Ok so she always manages to get herself in a pickle but at least she has the brains to get out of it again! It is her passion and commitment that gets her into such messes even though she pretends she doesn't care.
4 stars because I wanted more!!! The end came too soon...
April 28, 2015
This was a short, fast read, like a quick visit with Lacey Flint. It was interesting, timely, and sad.
July 5, 2015
This was a good short story and it wrapped up nicely. No major cliffhangers. I was quite shocked to find out who the killers were. Once again, Lacey Flint saves the day.
February 25, 2018
A great short story, and a great character Lacey Flint
September 28, 2015
This is a Lacey Flint short story that any fan of the series should most certainly read. It is filled with Bolton’s trademarks, engaging you from beginning to end. It does not have quite as much flare as the books in the series, but as a short story it is a great quick read.
Fitting in as a one point five, if you will, this story takes place between ‘Now You See Me’ and ‘Dead Scared’. It follows Lacey as she is once again pulled into the grips of a crime which isn’t as straightforward as it may appear to be. Whilst it isn’t as complex as the main books in the series it really is a great short read to fit in between book one and two. I will say, however, if you’re look for further information on the Lacey and Mark relationship you will have your heartstrings pulled even more as this short story doesn’t let up much on that front. But as any fan of the series knows we just need to hold up on that front and hope it comes to be at a later date.
Fitting in as a one point five, if you will, this story takes place between ‘Now You See Me’ and ‘Dead Scared’. It follows Lacey as she is once again pulled into the grips of a crime which isn’t as straightforward as it may appear to be. Whilst it isn’t as complex as the main books in the series it really is a great short read to fit in between book one and two. I will say, however, if you’re look for further information on the Lacey and Mark relationship you will have your heartstrings pulled even more as this short story doesn’t let up much on that front. But as any fan of the series knows we just need to hold up on that front and hope it comes to be at a later date.
May 22, 2017
leuk en spannend!
May 27, 2015
I recently had the pleasure of reading this little gem, If Snow Hadn’t Fallen, with one of my favorite detective sleuth friends and then discussing the book after each two chapters. Bolton has delivered another great Lacey Flint police procedural (?), or lack there of in this novella, #1.5 in the series. It can be read as a stand-alone, however.
As I state, Bolton, an English woman, writes police procedurals, well sort of, with the fabulous Lacey Flint series. And, Bolton is on top of her genre. The Lacey Flint novels are police procedurals but along the way Lacey breaks all of the rules. She interviews minors without adults present, calls on suspects without consulting her superiors, and that is on a good day. My pal and I discussed this book often while reading, and we could not crack the case. Oh, Bolton is a trickster to be sure. One is left scratching their head and thinking I cannot figure this. Is this person bad, or is this person good, and so on.
The gist of this book is that a muslim doctor is burned to his death in a park. Hate crimes are more rare in England than they are in America. At any rate, hate crimes are despicable, and the community wants results. Clues and apparent mistakes by the bad guys were left throughout the book like cookie crumbs. My buddy and I were sure that we could solve this one. One of us would pick up on this and the other would pick up on that, yet right before the book was to reveal itself we had to concede that we were not going to crack this case. And, I for one was disappointed, I thought that we were better than this. It felt as though we were so close yet nowhere near.
Now, that last little bit sounded like I was frustrated with the book and Bolton. We were not even close to cracking the case. When it was all said and done, we realized that this was not at all the case. Bolton is a genius and I am not patronizing her. We realize now that Bolton was only allowing us to discover what she wanted us of figure out, no matter what path it led us down. And, what Bolton did not want us to figure out she did not let us figure out. This statement does not really do her justice on this aspect of her writing, but it is simply amazing to me.
Bolton is one of my favorite authors right now, and her Lacey Flint series is an excellent series. I would love to go out to dinner with her. I could ask her questions all night. She probably couldn’t wait for the night to be over. Again, I want to reiterate that I am not trying to patronize her, but Bolton is definitely an author worth checking out. Now You See Me is definitely on of my favorites. This is a great little read for a rainy weekend like this Memorial Day weekend was. I would definitely have no problems recommending this book to readers of this genre. It was kind of funny, too, it made me feel much closer to my buddy that I read this with. It is a good book to read with a friend.
Cam
As I state, Bolton, an English woman, writes police procedurals, well sort of, with the fabulous Lacey Flint series. And, Bolton is on top of her genre. The Lacey Flint novels are police procedurals but along the way Lacey breaks all of the rules. She interviews minors without adults present, calls on suspects without consulting her superiors, and that is on a good day. My pal and I discussed this book often while reading, and we could not crack the case. Oh, Bolton is a trickster to be sure. One is left scratching their head and thinking I cannot figure this. Is this person bad, or is this person good, and so on.
The gist of this book is that a muslim doctor is burned to his death in a park. Hate crimes are more rare in England than they are in America. At any rate, hate crimes are despicable, and the community wants results. Clues and apparent mistakes by the bad guys were left throughout the book like cookie crumbs. My buddy and I were sure that we could solve this one. One of us would pick up on this and the other would pick up on that, yet right before the book was to reveal itself we had to concede that we were not going to crack this case. And, I for one was disappointed, I thought that we were better than this. It felt as though we were so close yet nowhere near.
Now, that last little bit sounded like I was frustrated with the book and Bolton. We were not even close to cracking the case. When it was all said and done, we realized that this was not at all the case. Bolton is a genius and I am not patronizing her. We realize now that Bolton was only allowing us to discover what she wanted us of figure out, no matter what path it led us down. And, what Bolton did not want us to figure out she did not let us figure out. This statement does not really do her justice on this aspect of her writing, but it is simply amazing to me.
Bolton is one of my favorite authors right now, and her Lacey Flint series is an excellent series. I would love to go out to dinner with her. I could ask her questions all night. She probably couldn’t wait for the night to be over. Again, I want to reiterate that I am not trying to patronize her, but Bolton is definitely an author worth checking out. Now You See Me is definitely on of my favorites. This is a great little read for a rainy weekend like this Memorial Day weekend was. I would definitely have no problems recommending this book to readers of this genre. It was kind of funny, too, it made me feel much closer to my buddy that I read this with. It is a good book to read with a friend.
Cam
April 25, 2013
As soon as I finished Now You See Me, the first Lacey Flint book by S.J. Bolton, I knew I was hooked. I immediately went and purchased If Snow Hadn't Fallen, the short story that occurs between books 1 and 2. Although only about 92 pages long, this entry into the Lacey Flint series is perfect for those who are waiting for something to keep them riveted between books 1 and 2. in my case, that was because I had to wait for book 2 to come in at the library. Lacey Flint is one of the most fascinating characters that I have come across in quite a while. I love multi-layered characters, and with Lacey, things are never quite what they seem. My other favorite characters from the first book only play small roles in this story, but they are all there, which allowed me to get my fix while waiting to read book two. The plot in this story is typical Bolton, too, with crisp writing, wonderful details, and enough twists to keep me satisfied. I give this story 5 stars. It was just what I needed to keep me invested in Lacey and the gang. This is my new favorite thriller series and I am anticipating book two (should be in soon) and looking forward to much more.
December 12, 2013
Do not, I repeat DO NOT, read this novella (Lacey Flint #1.5) before you read the novel Now You See Me (Lacey Flint #1.0). It contains spoilers for the novel. Stop right now. Go get the novel and read it first.
Fine.
I will wait.
Ok, now that you read these in the proper order, aren’t you glad you did? If Snow Hadn’t Fallen takes up right where Now You See Me left off. I enjoyed spending more time with Lacey and the crew and am looking forward to reading more in the series.
Just as Now You See Me was especially interesting not only for the great story and characters, it also was especially satisfying because of the historical detail and the cultural aspects. I have visited England, but as an American I was completely unaware of and fascinated by the insight into the current culture and social issues. Even more so with If Snow Had Not Fallen which, besides being a great police procedural about an absolutely horrific murder, provided insight into the Muslims living in London, both their culture and how their culture clashes with the English. Great ending too.
I am off to find the next book in the series.
Fine.
I will wait.
Ok, now that you read these in the proper order, aren’t you glad you did? If Snow Hadn’t Fallen takes up right where Now You See Me left off. I enjoyed spending more time with Lacey and the crew and am looking forward to reading more in the series.
Just as Now You See Me was especially interesting not only for the great story and characters, it also was especially satisfying because of the historical detail and the cultural aspects. I have visited England, but as an American I was completely unaware of and fascinated by the insight into the current culture and social issues. Even more so with If Snow Had Not Fallen which, besides being a great police procedural about an absolutely horrific murder, provided insight into the Muslims living in London, both their culture and how their culture clashes with the English. Great ending too.
I am off to find the next book in the series.
June 16, 2016
3.5 stars
After thoroughly enjoying "Now You See Me", Lacey's first appearance, I was keen to continue on with the series. So naturally, I wanted to read this short story. Lacey finds herself, once again, tangled in a gruesome murder case and inexplicably decides to take matters into her own hands. While I did enjoy it, I didn't feel there was enough of a story for me to experience that hook and I would have preferred to have seen more police work in solving the case instead of Lacey playing Nancy Drew.
Either way, still very much looking forward to the next novel :D
After thoroughly enjoying "Now You See Me", Lacey's first appearance, I was keen to continue on with the series. So naturally, I wanted to read this short story. Lacey finds herself, once again, tangled in a gruesome murder case and inexplicably decides to take matters into her own hands. While I did enjoy it, I didn't feel there was enough of a story for me to experience that hook and I would have preferred to have seen more police work in solving the case instead of Lacey playing Nancy Drew.
Either way, still very much looking forward to the next novel :D
June 27, 2016
Dear reader,
This is a very short but gripping tale centred around the horrific murder of a twenty seven year old Muslim doctor.
The local community are convinced racism is at the heart of this brutal death.
However,when Lacey Flint investigates,the truth that she uncovers is just as shocking as the details of the murder itself.
I read this little snapshot in the course of one or two hours and I recommend it if you're in the mood for a brief encounter with a murder mystery that's solved very quickly.
This is a very short but gripping tale centred around the horrific murder of a twenty seven year old Muslim doctor.
The local community are convinced racism is at the heart of this brutal death.
However,when Lacey Flint investigates,the truth that she uncovers is just as shocking as the details of the murder itself.
I read this little snapshot in the course of one or two hours and I recommend it if you're in the mood for a brief encounter with a murder mystery that's solved very quickly.
October 24, 2015
Great little story. She doesn't write anything else.
January 10, 2018
Erg goed voor een kort verhaal.
July 1, 2023
Wonderful
November 16, 2013
I'm not usually a fan of short stories. They are usually either a glorified advert for the author's work; too short to enjoy; end abruptly and with a rubbish ending or just not as good as an author's full sized work. Not the case here however, the story was completed on Kindle at 84% with the rest of the book a preview of Bolton's first (I think) Lacey Flint book. I loved the first book and thought it was probably one of the best written and characterised crime fiction stories I have ever read. So much so that I eagerly started the second one but found myself not enjoying it as much and ending it feeling disappointed. After reading the reviews for book three however I cannot wait to read it but decided to read this short story first to reacquaint myself with Lacey.
Lacey is a great character and one of those detectives we all love, the one who refuses to play by the rules. You just know she is never far from trouble and so when she overhears a call for help at the park across from her house she just can't resist attending herself. What she sees is a gang of masked people surrounding a burning body. Previous characters then arrive at the scene and a murder investigation unfolds when the man who was on fire dies. Lacey isn't officially a part of the investigation and so of course she goes off and does her own thing which eventually leads to her life being put in danger.
I had to deduct a star from my rating because I did guess who the gang of masked murderers were quite early on in the book. I don't know whether it was glaringly obvious or just a good guess but there wasn't any surprise or shock for me here. That said it was fantastically written and for a short story left me feeling like I had read a full length book. It has certainly left me wanting to read the latest Lacey Flint story ASAP.
Lacey is a great character and one of those detectives we all love, the one who refuses to play by the rules. You just know she is never far from trouble and so when she overhears a call for help at the park across from her house she just can't resist attending herself. What she sees is a gang of masked people surrounding a burning body. Previous characters then arrive at the scene and a murder investigation unfolds when the man who was on fire dies. Lacey isn't officially a part of the investigation and so of course she goes off and does her own thing which eventually leads to her life being put in danger.
I had to deduct a star from my rating because I did guess who the gang of masked murderers were quite early on in the book. I don't know whether it was glaringly obvious or just a good guess but there wasn't any surprise or shock for me here. That said it was fantastically written and for a short story left me feeling like I had read a full length book. It has certainly left me wanting to read the latest Lacey Flint story ASAP.
May 31, 2015
I liked this one, although it was again much more brutal than I care for (and about burning, no less), but I had a problem with the identity of the killers. It bothered me when I read the novella, but it bothers me more now that it seems to fit in with a pattern of thought on the part of the author that I find highly problematic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews