Slow Falling

Bill Travis #6

by George Wier

When the old man who is covered in dirt walks into the country honky-tonk and says "The Falling", right before dropping dead, Bill Travis has to penetrate the gathering dark cloak of secrecy surrounding his death and get to the truth before a team of nuclear regulators can rake the entire incident under the carpet. Bill, with his former partner, Hank Sterling, who has now been "recalled to life", must make a mad dash across the desolate West Texas landscape to save the life of Moe Keithley, a Harley-riding bankruptcy lawyer who is in over his head and may very well be the most radioactive man in the Northern Hemisphere.

Genres: Mystery

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2012

About the author

I was born in East Texas and spent most of my life there, principally around the Bryan and College Station area. I moved to Austin, Texas, in 2002 and shortly thereafter began writing The Bill Travis Mystery series. I currently live in Austin with my lovely wife, Sallie, along with two cats and two dogs.
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Writing is both my avocation and my vocation, but to add to these I play both classical violin and country fiddle, and I dabble in art (mostly drawing and painting), photography, and book cover design.

I began writing in earnest in 1986, although I have been creatively writing far longer than that, practically since I could read (at a very formative age.) I find that I have far more ideas than I could ever write down, and so I pick and choose only the best story ideas. I write what I, myself, like to read, and nothing more.

Reviews

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 6th book in the Bill Travis series. Entertaining mystery.

[Kevintipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man covered in dirt from head to toe looking like he just barely crawled out of a grave is never a good thing. It gets worse when the guy dies on the oak floor in a bar. Not that Bill cares one way or another right then what Sonny, the bar owner, is talking about as Bill’s wife, Julie, is in labor and Bill has more important things to think about and do. Like getting to the hospital in time and in one piece.

He makes it to the hospital just in time to see his latest addition to the family, Michele LeAnn Travis, arrive in the world. When he comes out of the delivery room he finds Sonny waiting for him. Sonny isn’t worried about why the guy died in his bar. What is bugging him is why the guy distinctly said “The Falling” right before he died. Sonny isn’t going to let it go so Bill reluctantly agrees to ask around about it.

His first act is to call a friend of his, Patrick Kinsey, who works as a Sheriff’s deputy. Patrick and Bill go back a few years so Patrick knows about Bill’s tendency to get himself into the middle of things. After warning him to stay out of it over the phone and being ignored, Patrick comes to the hospital to tell Bill directly. He has good reason to tell Bill to stay out of things as The Nuclear Regulatory Commission people have taken over every aspect of the situation. Of course, Bill is not about to stop poking around in a case that will take him and others out to far West Texas and a fantastic discovery.

With a clear nod of appreciation to the legendary pulps he grew with, Texas author George Weir blends technology, archeology, and plenty of action into this fast paced mystery tale. A story that barely slows down at all for the addition of more back story further developing the Bill Travis character. A character that can’t stop poking around despite his steadily growing family.

In a series that began with the very good The Last Call and continues here in Slow Falling, Bill Travis once again lives up to his namesake. He also manages to have some fun along the way in this latest mystery.

SLOW FALLING: A Bill Travis Mystery
George Wier
http://www.georgewier.com
Flagstone Books
March 2012
E-Book
(Estimated print length 160 pages)
$3.99


Material provided by the author some time ago in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2012
Author of the e-book short story collection Mind Slices available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords in a variety of formats.

[Valerie Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you think you have figured this author out, think again.

I love the Bill Travis series. There hasn't been a disappointment in the whole lot. This one will take you places where he hasn't before. I think you will enjoy the ride.

[kenneth h. robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysterious People, Illnesses, and Shenanigans

Another book, another baby for Bill Travis and another mystery to get to the bottom of. Enlisting the aid of Texas Rangers and County Sheriffs, Bill finds out what's going on.

[Anita Dobbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though I generally find George Wier 's novels interesting and a fun read, this one did't catch my attention as much:-)

[Linda Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor editing!

The book was entertaining, but the editing was very bad. The paragraphs were not separated which was ok for narrative, but awful for dialogue.