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Deadfall: A Dark Comedy Mystery Novel (humorous mystery, dark humor, mystery comedy, dark comedy, amateur sleuth)
A #1 Amazon Charts Bestseller (October 2024)
A dark comedy mystery novel for fans of Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, Dave Barry, Richard Osman, and Steve Higgs.
When a frozen corpse drops out of the sky and lands in his pool, science writer Ed Beckett must outwit a murderer, dodge a tiny assassin, and survive a high-flying NASA conspiracy—or risk becoming the next punchline in a deadly cosmic joke.
It all started when a NASA scientist mysteriously turned into a human popsicle. Now, Ed is racing through wind tunnels and flying in a high-altitude research jet at the Ames Research Center to clear his name. Along the way, he’s stalked by Condor, a pint-sized hitman with the tenacity of a mosquito and the skills of...well, someone who probably shouldn't have been hired to kill anyone. And if that’s not enough, the real villain, Tal Blackadder, a sleazy real estate developer fronting for the Russian Mafia, is ready to send Ed on a one-way trip to the bottom of the San Francisco Bay.
Amid high-altitude escapades, love triangles, and explosive confrontations, Beckett must use his wits and the help of his quirky team to stay one step ahead. The odds may be stacked against him, but he's not going down without a fight—or at least a few good one-liners. Join Beckett on this rollercoaster of comedy and chaos, and find out if he can outsmart the killers before he becomes the final punchline.
B.J. Balfour, national bestselling author of The Forge of Mars and The Digital Dead, transports readers into life and death on the cutting edge of technology, where a corpse can drop out of the sky at any moment.
A dark comedy mystery novel for fans of Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, Dave Barry, Richard Osman, and Steve Higgs.
When a frozen corpse drops out of the sky and lands in his pool, science writer Ed Beckett must outwit a murderer, dodge a tiny assassin, and survive a high-flying NASA conspiracy—or risk becoming the next punchline in a deadly cosmic joke.
It all started when a NASA scientist mysteriously turned into a human popsicle. Now, Ed is racing through wind tunnels and flying in a high-altitude research jet at the Ames Research Center to clear his name. Along the way, he’s stalked by Condor, a pint-sized hitman with the tenacity of a mosquito and the skills of...well, someone who probably shouldn't have been hired to kill anyone. And if that’s not enough, the real villain, Tal Blackadder, a sleazy real estate developer fronting for the Russian Mafia, is ready to send Ed on a one-way trip to the bottom of the San Francisco Bay.
Amid high-altitude escapades, love triangles, and explosive confrontations, Beckett must use his wits and the help of his quirky team to stay one step ahead. The odds may be stacked against him, but he's not going down without a fight—or at least a few good one-liners. Join Beckett on this rollercoaster of comedy and chaos, and find out if he can outsmart the killers before he becomes the final punchline.
B.J. Balfour, national bestselling author of The Forge of Mars and The Digital Dead, transports readers into life and death on the cutting edge of technology, where a corpse can drop out of the sky at any moment.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2024
106 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 28, 2024
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy. First off I loved the cover, it was funny and it was the main reason I selected this book to read. Ed Beckett is a science writer who just so happens to have a frozen dead body drop out of the sky and lands in his pool. Ed in now in the crosshairs of a murderer but he is also the murder suspect. Ed has a lot going on as he races to find the real killer while dodging a cast of crazy characters chasing him. I have a wickedly dark sense of humor so this booked was perfect for me. B.J. Balfour is a new author and he did not disappoint. I cannot wait to see what else he has.
September 23, 2024
A great mystery which will also have you laughing out loud. A dead body drops from the sky and is frozen solid. He will be pulled into a fast paced action story which will hook you from the first page to the very last page. See just what is going to happen next
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
October 8, 2024
This book was a lot of fun. I love a complex mystery that includes lots of comic relief. Deadfall provides that. The author has a science background, and he really incorporates settings and factoids from that. A frozen body falls from the sky and a mad series of events with nutty characters ensues. It's a wild ride.
November 6, 2024
What a fun and enjoyable find!
I was looking for something new to read in Kindle Unlimited and took a chance on this because the cover caught my eye. I’m glad I read it. It was easy and fun to read. I’m looking forward to more from this series.
I was looking for something new to read in Kindle Unlimited and took a chance on this because the cover caught my eye. I’m glad I read it. It was easy and fun to read. I’m looking forward to more from this series.
March 14, 2025
What a tight, well-written story!
Beckett did seem like cat with nine lives. Even with bumps, bruises, and breaks he just got back on his feet, or crawled on his hands and legs, and kept going. I wonder if there is a second story to this book?
Beckett did seem like cat with nine lives. Even with bumps, bruises, and breaks he just got back on his feet, or crawled on his hands and legs, and kept going. I wonder if there is a second story to this book?
June 6, 2025
Delightful Dark Comedy
A murder mystery cum satire that spirals into Carl Hiaasen style lunacy. An easy read, an entertaining read, a well-written read. What more could you ask for?
A murder mystery cum satire that spirals into Carl Hiaasen style lunacy. An easy read, an entertaining read, a well-written read. What more could you ask for?
January 7, 2026
Great read!
As indicated, this is definitely a book worthy of Carl Hiaasan fans. Lots of action and a snarky main character!
As indicated, this is definitely a book worthy of Carl Hiaasan fans. Lots of action and a snarky main character!
November 12, 2025
A rollicking good tale!
Full of unexpected twists and turns, the story combines a mysterious murder with a chain of bizarre events. Black humor, romance, violent death, and an indestructible hero combine to a great ending. Well worth the read, hopefully future adventures await.
Full of unexpected twists and turns, the story combines a mysterious murder with a chain of bizarre events. Black humor, romance, violent death, and an indestructible hero combine to a great ending. Well worth the read, hopefully future adventures await.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews