Falling Fast

Doug McGregor #1

by Neil Broadfoot

The higher you climb, the harder the fall.When a woman plunges to her death from Edinburgh's iconic Scott Monument, crime reporter Doug McGregor is sent to chase the story behind the shock.

But Doug is juggling more than headlines—he's also on the hunt for a notorious rapist, newly unmasked and lurking somewhere close to home. Teaming up with his trusted police contact, DS Susie Drummond, Doug uncovers a chilling the victim was the daughter of a high-ranking Member of the Scottish Parliament.

As they dig deeper, Doug and Susie are thrust into a world of sinister secrets, where powerful people will stop at nothing to bury the truth. The question is – how deep are they willing to go?

Falling Fast is the first book in the McGregor & Drummond series, starring a tortured journalist and a driven detective. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, JD Kirk and Chris Brookmyre’s Jack Parlabane novels.Praise for Neil Broadfoot“A true rising star of crime fiction” – Ian Rankin
“Scotland isn’t going to run out of great crime fiction any time soon” – Chris Brookmyre
“A thriller that delivers the energetic, breathlessly pacey and keeping you guessing till the end” – Craig Russell
“Great set of characters, wonderfully grisly and grim, and a cracking pace. Top stuff!” – James Oswald
“Broadfoot is here and he’s ready to sit at the table with the finest crime writers Scottish fiction has to offer” — Russel D. McLean
“Broadfoot is the real deal” – Crimesquad.com
“Broadfoot is destined for crime success” – Dundee International Book Prize Judges

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Scotland, Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Amazon

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2014

About the author

Neil Broadfoot worked as a journalist for fifteen years at both national and local newspapers, covering some of the biggest stories of the day. A poacher turned gamekeeper, he has since moved into communications: providing media relations advice for a variety of organisations, from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Service to high profile sporting clubs in Scotland. He’s now working as a communications officer for the Scottish Government.

Neil is married to Fiona and a father to two girls, meaning he’s completely outnumbered in his own home. He lives in Dunfermline, the setting for his first job as a local reporter.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Reader,

This was a fast,if somewhat over complicated story,with a myriad of characters that,at times,served to muddy the waters.

As much as I love 'who' and 'why-dunnits', this one,for me,was marred by the busyness of the plot and the slightly convoluted way the plot unfurled,leading to a sense of disappointment at the resolution.

[Carol Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good writing fertilises the imagination of the reader to improve their own writing and I found this book inspirational. As a debut it's outstanding. The characters and dialogue are realistic and well drawn and the plot is excellent. I loved the could they/would they relationship between Susie and Doug and hope that its lack of resolution might indicate a sequel. It's fast paced and edgy and I can't recommend it enough.

[Steve Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this tale the daughter of a controversial politician falls from the Scott monument in Edinburgh and the question quickly becomes was it suicide or something darker? Reporter Doug McGregor and DS Susie Drummond are the engaging protagonists investigating the incident in a storyline which takes some sinister twists. Gritty with a wonderful feel for the city and its citizens, this was an excellent introduction to the writing style of Neil Broadfoot. This is one of those writers you’d like to send a message to thank them for writing such a good book.

[Rosa Dracos99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me he llevado una grata sorpresa al leer este libro.Está muy bien narrado, con personajes creíbles, descripciones atinadas, trama absorbente, giros argumentales bien definidos.... Recomendable a los amantes de la novela policíaca.

[Katherine Fahey · Rating 3 out of 5]

liked the main characters the story had too many complications & characters. story not my cup of tea

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been meaning to catch up with this author, having seen him at CrimeFest this year and instantly purchasing the first two of this series. It was a wise decision, as I have now discovered a great author to add to my Scottish favourites! I was instantly drawn to the two main protagonists, Doug McGregor- dogged reporter, and his police contact DS Susie Drummond, and the relationship that exists between them. I loved the underlying feeling of them both being slightly square pegs in round holes, with McGregor’s incredible self reliance which tends to alienate others, and Drummond’s former misguided fling with a senior officer which has marked her out as an outsider to her police colleagues. However, although their professional relationship alternates beautifully between frustration and spikiness, there is a mutual respect underpinning everything, leading to some intense scenes that alternate between danger, humour and high emotion, thanks to their razor sharp characterisation.
I thought the plot was superb, and am always gratified by the exposure of political corruption, and this book takes some incredibly dark turns as the truth behind a young woman’s death at the outset of the book comes to light. Broadfoot captures perfectly the nature of family bonds with their sometimes misguided loyalty, and explores the issue of parental responsibility in both its good and worst forms. Equally, the author uses both the location of Edinburgh, and his own background as a journalist, to add further layers of realism to what is altogether a completely absorbing thriller. Highly recommended.

[NRVOUTDOORSMAN · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ho Hum, nothing to see here, folks...

...except every cliche you can think of: brave, crusading reporter who endures not one but TWO vicious beatings; depraved criminals, one of whom is more or less saved by the love of his parents and a good woman; a young student driven to prostitution by lack of money; a sexy cop not sure she should bed the courageous reporter; and the villain, a Tory politician who is not, in fact, the morally upright paragon he claims to be, but is in fact a man who puts career first and who moreover debauched his daughter and sicced the Bad Guys on the courageous reporter. Not to mention the happy gay PR man hired by the scummy politician. Said Sympathetic (married) gay man wants only to be home with his husband (wife?) and baby daughter. What his role in this sodden, slogging tripe may be is unclear, but probably mandatory if the author wanted to get it published because all novels these day have to a sympathetic homosexual or two. Plus various minor characters who get stabbed, beaten up, killed in gruesome ways, and so forth. Oh, yes, the abused daughter--of course--is a drug addict thanks to her Dear Old Tory Dad, and kills herself in a spectacularly nasty way by jumping off the Scott Monument on Prince's Street in Edinburgh.

I'm very glad this one was free.

[Pam Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling Fast by Neil Broadfoot is a crime novel set in Edinburgh and opens at one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, the Scott Monument.

One man’s lunchtime is destroyed by a suicide and from there the story takes place in the streets and surrounding areas of the countryside as Doug McGregor, a local newspaper journalist chasing a newly released rapist, gets caught up in action way beyond what he normally has to deal with. DS Susie Drummond, newly appointed to Lothian and Borders CID, is investigating the incident at the Scott Monument, is it a suicide or is there more to it. Why do things not seem to be as simple as they first appeared?

I loved the way the two main characters play off against each other, making for very uneasy bedfellows. Both have their issues and it will be interesting to see where these characters go in the next books in the series.

Definitely an author I’d recommend and I really can’t understand how it’s taken me so long to get round to reading this book, loved it.

[Zogman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very poorly written story set in Edinburgh and surroundings. It would probably have gained another star if the author had bothered to have it proofread before publishing. Lots of twists in the story, but too many characters who add nothing to the storyline. I struggled to finish this one and I think it will be a long time before I'll read another of his books.

[Nadine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story itself but the writing felt amateurish: exaggerated in places and almost theatrical.

[Peter Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot is packed full of incident, with plenty of crime and a touch of retribution outside of the law. Hard men are called upon so there is an element of violence, which seems to be pitched at the right level. At its core is the need for and exercise of power and control. Power imbalance being used to manipulate and control is as old as man himself and can be just as damaging as physical violence. As ever lies begat more lies and in this case great lengths are taken to ensure sordid secrets remain buried.

As a reader I am happy to read about gruesome, bloody murder, but rape makes me feel uncomfortable within a piece of ‘entertainment’. Illogical perhaps but we are all different. Here it is essential to the story and is handled in such a way the pain and humiliation is clear without being too specific. Rape is not just a sex crime it is also an expression of power.

This story driven approach leaves the characterisation a little light, but it is nicely spread rather than centring on the two central ones. The convicted rapist Derek is given a real depth and as the story progresses the reader begins to see him in a different light. This is a story where the players are given few choices or make bad ones, then once in a bad place it is not always easy to get out of.
Edinburgh is well used as a setting for crime fiction and here we get a flavour of the place rather than the full travelogue. Instead, we see more of a cross section of the inhabitants from rich to poor. The narrator does an excellent job in capturing these varied voices in a nuanced performance. This is a city of contrasts from the poshest private galleries to the back street massage parlours, and we get to pass through it all.

The pacing is nicely judged and the threads come together, making sense once the ‘key’ to the story is discovered, turning the seemingly innocuous to explosive. There are effectively two denouements to the conclusion, both suffused with danger, that are quite satisfying. This is not one of those stories that fizzle out at the end, it delivers on its promises. I suspect that some readers will anticipate the direction of travel, but the journey is an excellent one so enjoy it.

[Nancy]

Story-hungry journalist Doug McGregor is out to track down a convicted rapist, on the run after being hounded out of his home by a lynch mob. But a grisly suicide in the heart of tourist Edinburgh piques Doug's curiosity and diverts his attention - especially once his police contact and occasional drinking partner, DS Susie Drummond, reveals that the victim is connected to a high-profile and controversial politician. Together, they find themselves unravelling a story of secrets, drug abuse, violence, murder...and the ultimate taboo.

Action-packed from the very start, and with enough twists and turns to shock and surprise even the most hard-bitten crime fan, 'Falling Fast' is the first of a trilogy. It marks the arrival of a new crime-writing talent who is bound to appeal to aficionados of Scottish crime greats such as Ian Rankin and Val McDermid.

Can't remember if I finished it.

[Pat Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just an okay mystery for me. I don’t think the writing is spectacular (some proof reading errors made for a real laugh. The protagonist, Doug McGregor, was waiting for a major clue as to who dunnit to be sent to him. There should should have been a big drum roll, as the “secret” was so important , it was put in a one-sentence paragraph. But instead of telling us who the bad guy was, McGregor was named! Well, I certainly knew he hadn’t done it! Then it was corrected on the next page, when McGregor said, “I knew it”. There was such a slate of characters and bouncing back and forth to them, it became far more complicated a tale than it should have been. The book is a fast read, though. It’s good enough on a car trip or at the beach.

[Mony Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling Fast is a rollercoaster of suspense from the very first page. Doug McGregor and DS Susie Drummond make a phenomenal duo relentless, smart, and compellingly human. The investigation is tense and intricate, the stakes are chillingly real, and every twist had me questioning who I could trust. Neil Broadfoot’s gritty Edinburgh setting adds a perfect atmospheric edge, making the city itself feel alive and dangerous.

From shocking crimes to clever detective work, this thriller kept me hooked until the very last page. If you crave dark, fast-paced crime fiction with unforgettable characters, this is a must-read.

Don’t wait dive into Falling Fast and experience a thriller that will keep your heart racing and your mind guessing until the final revelation.

[Vj · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good start for a new author. A good premise for the story but a very convoluted chase to get to an ending. The ending was slightly more twisted than I expected. I felt the descriptions of Edinburgh and the pubs were probably accurate (I haven't been) but the story felt dark--as if it all happened at night. It needed some colour--amber beer, blue suit--something more. Proof-reading errors, particularly when the wrong name is inserted, detracted from the story. Broadfoot appears to have developed a following and I think he can tell a good crime story, so I assume his second book addressed my complaints.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

**PLEASE BE AWARE OF SA DESCRIPTION THROUGHOUT THE BOOK**
I had to skip a few parts but it was difficult reading it. Skipped as much as I could but I still got some details.
At the beginning I thought that there were too many characters and names and it was hard to remember who was who and I also thought that the pace was a bit slow. Considered jumping to the last chapters but I reached “the point of no return” when I was now interested in keep reading that I didn’t want to miss the important bits of the plot.
If the topic is sensitive to you, I suggest you read the next book in the series. The main characters are good and I would read the next book.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

FAO: Neil Broadfoot.

It was good.

Review as promised.

Ray Smillie

Actually it was better than good, especially on hearing direct from the author the circumstances in which the book was written. It takes the journalist and detective helping each other to a new level. Doug McGregor (journalist) a isnt your stereotypical tabloid style reporter whilst Susie Drummond (detective) is one level above DC.

I loved how it never let up, starting with an apparent suicide and ending with, well, I am not posting any spoilers. Not for the faint of heart. A first novel that doesn't let go.

[Alan Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gritty Edinburgh thriller

A very competent thriller from another author I found via the Two Crimewriters podcast (there are so many in my to be read pile). The death of a Tory politician’s daughter leads a newspaper reporter and police officer into a web of murder and deceit. The characters could be a little more developed, and the first half of the book is a bit TV crime show, but it really develops well in the second half and is satisfying enough that I will be exploring more of Neil Broadfoot’s output.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Failed to live up to the hype"

What did I like? The descriptions of the Edinburgh settings were so close I could touch them. After that the story line was familiar, as were the relationships between the various groupings of characters. When I read the accolades on the Product Page I expected something magical. It was good, but not that good. Good enough for 4-stars. Then there was the bad language. That might be typical on the streets of any city in the world, but it's not necessary to rub it in the reader's face on almost every page. Hence the lower rating.

[Lexie Conyngham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting but noir start, centring around a nasty individual who doesn’t kill but likes to see things suffer, including people. The main character is a journalist for whom the story is all, but he’s a likeable person and he’s friends (perhaps this might end up going further?) with a senior police officer. The Edinburgh setting feels real and the plot is pleasantly complex (bereaved politician not as upset as he should be, and various people undergoing violence for different, connected reasons).

[Jim Bean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not decent

A pretty good story well wrapped in unnecessary foul language. A lot of violence in the tale. The editing was lacking or nonexistent. However, the story moved along well with lot's of twists and turns. I would have rated the story a one or teo but the plot and characters forced me to give a three. I won't be reading any other Broadfoot stories. Bleak and gloomy is too depressing when brighter tales are available

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set mainly in the area around Edinburgh the main characters are Doug McGregor, a journalist, and Detective Sergeant Susie Drummond. Doug is looking for a story about a violent rapist who had served his prison sentence when a woman falls to her death from the Scott Monument. Unlikely as it may seem there is a connection between the dead woman and rapist so did she fall or was she pushed? It's far fetched stuff but if you go with the flow it is an exciting read.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

the story is set around the suspected suicide of the daughter of a controversial politician. it's tough an gritty and follows the attempts of a detective and a journalist who are determined to uncover the events leading up to the death
it deals with some uncomfortable events not least the lengths some will go to to prove their power and extract revenge
it took me a while to warm to the journalist character but overall it was a pretty good read

[Mrs Susan J Bociek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

A bit of a slow start with incidents and no background, but as the picture builds it is like watching an image come into focus. Except that the black heart of the story doesn't appear until near the end, when it all gets shaken and stirred, and the pieces fall into a different shape.

[H-Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a 3.5 or 3.75, but just not a four. I most enjoyed the place: Edinburgh, Scotland. Murder mystery, woman fell to death from Scott’s monument. Lots of characters, sometimes couldn’t keep track. Recurring series of crime journalist Doug McGregor and criminal detective, Susie. I’d read another in series as a beach read.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story in relation to the investigation of the death.

On the other hand, I wasn't impressed by the Susie POV. Despite being a DS, she really isn't respected by the rest of the police force. Also, she has essentially been blackmailed into a professional give-and-take with reporter Doug. Even her name is a lot softer than his.

[Donna Sommerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly gripping story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Its the first time I've read from this author and it won't be the last. I especially liked the relationship between the characters and the summing up at the end was superb.

[Mary Cassidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the main characters in this mystery, but the level of violence was too much for me, and also the recovery time for the characters was amazing, out at a pub just hours after brutal attacks.

[Erika P. Lapham]

An ending I never saw coming

This well written book kept me interested and questioning right to the end. Be warned, it is violent with rapes and beatings and death. But it was worth sticking with all that to a satisfying conclusion.

[Doreen Vaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling Fastt

A complex plot with strong characters. I found it difficult to understand the 'allowed rules 'between the legal service and the press. It was quite a sad course of events with several people with underlying problems.