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Pen Wilkinson #1
Downfall: A Corporate Thriller
Paraplegic young attorney Pen Wilkinson is putting her life back together after a tragic accident, working for a large bank in a faraway city. She soon begins to suspect that the job and the company are not what they seem to be, and suddenly she is thrust into a nightmare. Unbelievably, her employer and the media accuse Pen of fraud and wrongdoing, creating a scandal that threatens to bring down her company. Fired from her job, alone, and dodging attempts on her life, Pen uncovers a string of sophisticated, deadly corporate sabotage incidents. Her search for the unseen saboteurs who destroyed her life takes her across the country, reaching a terrifying climax, as she finally confronts the real force behind the plot called Downfall.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2014
19 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Brian Lutterman
13 books54 followersBrian Lutterman is the author of the mystery-thrillers Bound to Die, a Minnesota Book Award runner-up, and Poised to Kill, described by the Midwest Book Review as “. . .a masterfully woven tale of tycoons and terrorists.” Lutterman, a former trial lawyer and corporate attorney, writes cutting-edge corporate thrillers, bringing to life the genre’s outsized conflicts and characters. A graduate of the University of Minnesota and Georgetown University Law Center, he lives with his family in the Twin Cities. He can be found on the web at: www.brianlutterman.com
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 2, 2019
Book Reviewed by Kerstin on www.whisperingstories.com
Downfall is the first book in a series about Pen Wilkinson, an attorney and paraplegic. After her accident which killed her niece and made Pen a paraplegic, she found a Job at North Central Bank. She doesn’t really enjoy her job, but Pen is an accurate and determined person and she is doing her work especially well and is content about it. That is until she is made responsible for a mistake which ends in a major crisis for North Central and the murders of former employees.
After the killer attempted to end her life too, Pen is even more determined to find out who is responsible for all of this mess. She runs into James Carter, the former CEO of North Central who has also been made a scapegoat for the crisis. They decide to work on finding out the truth together.
Everything looks like a well-played plot with current and former employees involved, with money being a major part as well. But who is behind all this mess? Who has brought those people together and made them break the law only for revenge? More so, who is behind the killings?
Downfall is the first book in the Pen Wilkinson Series and the second in the series I have read. My last review was for Nightfall, book four. I liked it so much that I wanted to read another book from the series. It was also fine to read the books out of order.
The author didn’t let me down. Downfall is as gripping and entertaining as Nightfall. I got to know Pen Wilkinson in Nightfall and very much warmed to her character. After having read the first book of the series I find that the character has grown in a good way. Pen is a strong and tough woman and I often forgot her sitting in a wheelchair. The author knows how to involve the everyday problems of a paraplegic into a great story without over boarding the plot.
I like the writing style of Mr. Lutterman. It is engrossing and makes it easy to fly through the pages, sinking into the book like watching a movie. The plot is great and leaves nothing to complain about. If you are a fan of John Grisham books you are most certainly going to like the Pen Wilkinson Series.
I am going to purchase the other two books from the series (Windfall and Freefall) and enjoy the lasting holidays while learning more about Pen.
Downfall is the first book in a series about Pen Wilkinson, an attorney and paraplegic. After her accident which killed her niece and made Pen a paraplegic, she found a Job at North Central Bank. She doesn’t really enjoy her job, but Pen is an accurate and determined person and she is doing her work especially well and is content about it. That is until she is made responsible for a mistake which ends in a major crisis for North Central and the murders of former employees.
After the killer attempted to end her life too, Pen is even more determined to find out who is responsible for all of this mess. She runs into James Carter, the former CEO of North Central who has also been made a scapegoat for the crisis. They decide to work on finding out the truth together.
Everything looks like a well-played plot with current and former employees involved, with money being a major part as well. But who is behind all this mess? Who has brought those people together and made them break the law only for revenge? More so, who is behind the killings?
Downfall is the first book in the Pen Wilkinson Series and the second in the series I have read. My last review was for Nightfall, book four. I liked it so much that I wanted to read another book from the series. It was also fine to read the books out of order.
The author didn’t let me down. Downfall is as gripping and entertaining as Nightfall. I got to know Pen Wilkinson in Nightfall and very much warmed to her character. After having read the first book of the series I find that the character has grown in a good way. Pen is a strong and tough woman and I often forgot her sitting in a wheelchair. The author knows how to involve the everyday problems of a paraplegic into a great story without over boarding the plot.
I like the writing style of Mr. Lutterman. It is engrossing and makes it easy to fly through the pages, sinking into the book like watching a movie. The plot is great and leaves nothing to complain about. If you are a fan of John Grisham books you are most certainly going to like the Pen Wilkinson Series.
I am going to purchase the other two books from the series (Windfall and Freefall) and enjoy the lasting holidays while learning more about Pen.
April 19, 2019
The good: clever plot idea. Bad guy is using disgruntled employees to sabotage their former or current company. It's useful to know when a catastrophe is about to happen. Pen is a paraplegic attorney, hired and then fired from a company that suffers a contrived disaster. She is not going to take this sitting down (terrible joke.) Much of the book is her pursuit of leads: who is doing this, what companies, how are they targeted, etc. Pretty darn good P.I. work and all the challenges of using a wheelchair. Plus plenty of action. The bad guys are a little psycho, in that they kill everybody who ever meets them. Here the author goes too far, but the story is suspenseful at every turn.
The bad: in spite of 10 murders (and more that come to light from the past) and three destroyed companies, the FBI and other authorities are not really interested. It's probably all coincidence or explainable in some way. Mystery authors fall in this trap all the time--making the authorities incompetent or uninterested so the protagonist can do their work. Here it just goes too far--maybe one murder, or two, unrelated in different parts of the country could be ignored, but a dozen? No.
The ugly: maybe this is just me, but I spent a good deal of brainpower trying to figure out what the bad guys had to gain by wrecking unrelated companies. I knew it couldn't be stock manipulation because the SEC would spot that, people try that all the time and don't get away with it because you can't win the stock manipulation game unless you make your trades before the news is known. It's like a brand-new bettor at the horse track plunking $10,000 down on a longshot, who happens to win, and then doing it again. Many of the characters confirmed my theory--four or five times, as the problem is explained, different characters say, 'well, it can't be stock manipulation, because the SEC will catch you.' Ha! It turns out to be stock manipulation! (Or so the characters agree, later.) The bad guy used the simple technique of recruiting others to make his trades. So, using the horse-racing analogy, other, first-time bettors plunked down $10,000 on a long-shot horse who happened to win. How is that invisible? It's not. The SEC shows up to arrest the straw trader, who immediately implicates the bad guy, and there's no story. Or here, with a psycho, they find the straw trader dead and call the FBI. Partially mitigating this dumb mistake is the fact that there's another layer which Pen digs out at the very end. Perhaps readers are intended to believe the stock manipulation didn't really happen, once we see another motive. The flaw in this is that the FBI has their 'we-won-the-World-Series-of-crime' party where they all agree that stock manipulation is what drove this. The author thinks he needs this to keep us from looking deeper. I was annoyed; compounded a bit by the ending, which is pure 'The Firm' by John Grisham--the hero negotiates a settlement with a high level of bad guys. They say they're sorry and agree not to hurt the hero. So unsatisfying, in the name of cynicism.
The bad: in spite of 10 murders (and more that come to light from the past) and three destroyed companies, the FBI and other authorities are not really interested. It's probably all coincidence or explainable in some way. Mystery authors fall in this trap all the time--making the authorities incompetent or uninterested so the protagonist can do their work. Here it just goes too far--maybe one murder, or two, unrelated in different parts of the country could be ignored, but a dozen? No.
The ugly: maybe this is just me, but I spent a good deal of brainpower trying to figure out what the bad guys had to gain by wrecking unrelated companies. I knew it couldn't be stock manipulation because the SEC would spot that, people try that all the time and don't get away with it because you can't win the stock manipulation game unless you make your trades before the news is known. It's like a brand-new bettor at the horse track plunking $10,000 down on a longshot, who happens to win, and then doing it again. Many of the characters confirmed my theory--four or five times, as the problem is explained, different characters say, 'well, it can't be stock manipulation, because the SEC will catch you.' Ha! It turns out to be stock manipulation! (Or so the characters agree, later.) The bad guy used the simple technique of recruiting others to make his trades. So, using the horse-racing analogy, other, first-time bettors plunked down $10,000 on a long-shot horse who happened to win. How is that invisible? It's not. The SEC shows up to arrest the straw trader, who immediately implicates the bad guy, and there's no story. Or here, with a psycho, they find the straw trader dead and call the FBI. Partially mitigating this dumb mistake is the fact that there's another layer which Pen digs out at the very end. Perhaps readers are intended to believe the stock manipulation didn't really happen, once we see another motive. The flaw in this is that the FBI has their 'we-won-the-World-Series-of-crime' party where they all agree that stock manipulation is what drove this. The author thinks he needs this to keep us from looking deeper. I was annoyed; compounded a bit by the ending, which is pure 'The Firm' by John Grisham--the hero negotiates a settlement with a high level of bad guys. They say they're sorry and agree not to hurt the hero. So unsatisfying, in the name of cynicism.
July 12, 2014
I've just finished reading “Downfall” by Brian Lutterman, and let me just state that it was a fantastic read… Penny Wilkinson, aka “Pen,” is a litigation attorney who has recently started working for North Central Bank. She’s a newer resident to the city of Minneapolis; and due to the new job, and new town, it’s quite apparent that Pen is attempting to rebuild her life. One can only presume that this effort is to escape being haunted by the ghosts of her past…
Two-and-a-half years ago, Pen was in a much different place. A well respected attorney working at a prestigious law firm. Pen had it all; brains, beauty, a successful career and a loving fiancé. Unfortunately, fate sometimes has a knack for shattering the illusion of a perfect life, and such was the case with Pen. One evening, while driving her six-year-old niece home, she took her eyes off the road for only a moment; yet a moment was all it took. A pickup truck, driven by a careless driver, crashed into her vehicle and changed her life forever.
Now Pen is a paraplegic, struggling to both find, and redefine, herself. She still possesses her brains and her beauty, but her previous employer released her and her “loving” fiancé left her shortly after the accident. Her life is about to take another unwanted turn though, when she discovers she’s being used as a corporate scapegoat.
In another part of the country, a woman by the name of Carol has been murdered; but her death was deemed to be a suicide. Several days later, Terry, a friend and former work associate of Carol's, returns home; only to find the perpetrator sitting in her living room. She realizes that she has only moments to save herself before she winds up becoming his next victim. When you make a deal with the devil, you have to expect a house call when payment finally comes due...
At this point, I don't want to provide any additional details about “Downfall.” If you enjoy murder mysteries that are skillfully combined with corporate espionage, then you should enjoy this book. In addition, it helps that Lutterman is a talented writer. I would also like to mention that I really appreciated “Downfall’s” protagonist being physically disabled. (This is not something I have ever encountered before). While some of Pen’s actions seemed a bit far-fetched, it is her tenacity and sheer determination that will connect readers to her. In his writing of “Downfall,” Lutterman did a wonderful job of showing that physical limitations are not a death sentence; that one can still attain that which one seeks.
With regard to the overall plot, Lutterman wove a believable tale. One than could very well happen in today's world. This, of course, makes “Downfall” a much more realistic read. And … no murder mystery, especially one set in the legal and banking world, would be complete without a twist, or two, or three. Don’t worry. Lutterman has succeeded there as well.
In summary, “Downfall” was an entertaining and engrossing book. Well worth the read, and I look forward to subsequent works from Lutterman in the future.
(Reviewed in association with Rebecca's Reads).
Two-and-a-half years ago, Pen was in a much different place. A well respected attorney working at a prestigious law firm. Pen had it all; brains, beauty, a successful career and a loving fiancé. Unfortunately, fate sometimes has a knack for shattering the illusion of a perfect life, and such was the case with Pen. One evening, while driving her six-year-old niece home, she took her eyes off the road for only a moment; yet a moment was all it took. A pickup truck, driven by a careless driver, crashed into her vehicle and changed her life forever.
Now Pen is a paraplegic, struggling to both find, and redefine, herself. She still possesses her brains and her beauty, but her previous employer released her and her “loving” fiancé left her shortly after the accident. Her life is about to take another unwanted turn though, when she discovers she’s being used as a corporate scapegoat.
In another part of the country, a woman by the name of Carol has been murdered; but her death was deemed to be a suicide. Several days later, Terry, a friend and former work associate of Carol's, returns home; only to find the perpetrator sitting in her living room. She realizes that she has only moments to save herself before she winds up becoming his next victim. When you make a deal with the devil, you have to expect a house call when payment finally comes due...
At this point, I don't want to provide any additional details about “Downfall.” If you enjoy murder mysteries that are skillfully combined with corporate espionage, then you should enjoy this book. In addition, it helps that Lutterman is a talented writer. I would also like to mention that I really appreciated “Downfall’s” protagonist being physically disabled. (This is not something I have ever encountered before). While some of Pen’s actions seemed a bit far-fetched, it is her tenacity and sheer determination that will connect readers to her. In his writing of “Downfall,” Lutterman did a wonderful job of showing that physical limitations are not a death sentence; that one can still attain that which one seeks.
With regard to the overall plot, Lutterman wove a believable tale. One than could very well happen in today's world. This, of course, makes “Downfall” a much more realistic read. And … no murder mystery, especially one set in the legal and banking world, would be complete without a twist, or two, or three. Don’t worry. Lutterman has succeeded there as well.
In summary, “Downfall” was an entertaining and engrossing book. Well worth the read, and I look forward to subsequent works from Lutterman in the future.
(Reviewed in association with Rebecca's Reads).
May 18, 2018
This thriller stands out because the protagonist is a female attorney who recently became a paraplegic but has adapted her life and used her resourcefulness and determination to unearth a multi-corporate conspiracy that is costing thousands of jobs and numerous deaths. The plot concept is unique, although a bit complicated--but that's a reflection of big business more than the author because, with large corporations, there is a trickle-down effect that the decisions of the CEO ultimately affect all employees, shareholders, customers, and often the environment.
The protag, Pen Wilkinson, at first seems in over her head trying to unravel this puzzle and clear her name (she was made a scapegoat at one of the corporations). Mainly because anyone dependent on a wheelchair stands out in a crowd and has limited mobility. So I wondered at first, "Why does she insist on putting herself in harm's way time after time with no backup? I'd try to hire someone like a private investigator to do the legwork for me." But after a while, I accepted that "stubbornness" on her part and thought the author balanced her vulnerability and lack of mobility with her brains, fast thinking, and intuitive grasp of how the conspiracy was being executed so she could think ahead a step or two quicker than the FBI, who finally took her seriously and came to her aid later in the book.
The protag, Pen Wilkinson, at first seems in over her head trying to unravel this puzzle and clear her name (she was made a scapegoat at one of the corporations). Mainly because anyone dependent on a wheelchair stands out in a crowd and has limited mobility. So I wondered at first, "Why does she insist on putting herself in harm's way time after time with no backup? I'd try to hire someone like a private investigator to do the legwork for me." But after a while, I accepted that "stubbornness" on her part and thought the author balanced her vulnerability and lack of mobility with her brains, fast thinking, and intuitive grasp of how the conspiracy was being executed so she could think ahead a step or two quicker than the FBI, who finally took her seriously and came to her aid later in the book.
December 5, 2019
The first in Lutterman's Pen Wilkenson series, Downfall opens with a paraplegic lawyer who is cast as a scapegoat in a corporate scandal. Like the tenacious lawyer she is, Pen catches wind of something more than a mere scandal. As she searches for the person responsible for the blame game targeting her, she gets pulled into a twisty plot that has her fighting for the truth, and her life. I loved the character, and how she comes to realize both her inner and physical strengths. I thought her confrontation with the antagonist was great, until the twist. Then WOW! In short, Lutterman has created a character to follow. She's unconventional, smart, and doesn't give up without a fight. Great book!
October 31, 2018
Attorney Pen Wilkenson, a paraplegic, proves to be one gutsy lady trying to confront the people behind tons of layoffs at North Central Bank, including herself. Even though Pen's life is endangered at every turn while trying to determine who actually is behind the plot to destroy the company she worked for, she still forages ahead, eventually uncovering facts which point to the earlier destruction of other huge corporations. Pen's persistence pays off. Finally finding individuals who have taken part in the destruction of North Central or one of the others company's, she drills them until they give up a piece of info. Unfortunately, talking to her doesn't save them from death.
February 22, 2018
This is the first book in Lutterman's Pen Wilkinson series.
I really enjoyed this legal suspense novel. Lots of twists and turns that I didn't see coming which I always enjoy. Plus the characters and situations they faced were easy to relate to for me.
Pen Wilkinson is an attorney who was in a car accident that resulted in her becoming a paraplegic. I am an attorney who was in a car accident which resulted in me losing my right leg above the knee. Not nearly as bad as Pen's situation but still I could identify with Lutterman's description of Pen dealing with what becomes the new normal every day.
Pen loses her job in Florida as a result of being in a wheelchair (she should have either sued her former employer or taken the cash settlement they offered her). She searches for a job and ends up getting hired as in-house counsel in Minnesota. She isn't at the bank long before things start happening which she takes the fall for. The bank had gone through some downsizing due to a potential merger and those employees who lost their jobs obviously weren't happy with the bank so sabotage became the what they used to get their revenge. It isn't that simple though. Pen finds out that this has been happening to other companies that downsize. Some former employees get revenge against the company and other innocent people suffer. Pen and the terminated downsizer at the bank, James Carter, begin their investigation.
This book also deals with the issue of those over 50 trying to find a new job. Employers obviously don't say it but there is a clear prejudice against those seeking a new job who are over 50. Being over 50 I could sympathize with those who were let go in the downsizing and then had to find new work when they were over 50.
A good read that was hard to put down once I started reading it. I am looking forward to reading more Pen Wilkinson adventures.
I really enjoyed this legal suspense novel. Lots of twists and turns that I didn't see coming which I always enjoy. Plus the characters and situations they faced were easy to relate to for me.
Pen Wilkinson is an attorney who was in a car accident that resulted in her becoming a paraplegic. I am an attorney who was in a car accident which resulted in me losing my right leg above the knee. Not nearly as bad as Pen's situation but still I could identify with Lutterman's description of Pen dealing with what becomes the new normal every day.
Pen loses her job in Florida as a result of being in a wheelchair (she should have either sued her former employer or taken the cash settlement they offered her). She searches for a job and ends up getting hired as in-house counsel in Minnesota. She isn't at the bank long before things start happening which she takes the fall for. The bank had gone through some downsizing due to a potential merger and those employees who lost their jobs obviously weren't happy with the bank so sabotage became the what they used to get their revenge. It isn't that simple though. Pen finds out that this has been happening to other companies that downsize. Some former employees get revenge against the company and other innocent people suffer. Pen and the terminated downsizer at the bank, James Carter, begin their investigation.
This book also deals with the issue of those over 50 trying to find a new job. Employers obviously don't say it but there is a clear prejudice against those seeking a new job who are over 50. Being over 50 I could sympathize with those who were let go in the downsizing and then had to find new work when they were over 50.
A good read that was hard to put down once I started reading it. I am looking forward to reading more Pen Wilkinson adventures.
June 20, 2020
Pen Wilkinson is a young attorney at North Central Bank. Pen is also a paraplegic ever since a tragic accident. Diligently she performs the tasks given to her, although they are not quite fulfilling. But one day the company’s leadership and the media make her responsible for a mistake which evolves into a major crisis for the bank and even leads to murders of former employees. Pen is let go. When she becomes a target of a murder attempt too, the young woman sets out to finding out who is behind those events. A whole web of corporate sabotage and conspiracies unravels.
Downfall is typical Lutterman page-turning suspense, just the way you would get it with a John Grisham legal thriller, only set at the intersection of banking and the law. I, as well as all other readers I have talked to, love the protagonist Pen. It is hard not to cheer her on. Finally, the plot-twists are well made and hard to anticipate. Downfall is the first title of the Pen Wilkinson series and definitely leaves you craving for more of the heroine.
Downfall is typical Lutterman page-turning suspense, just the way you would get it with a John Grisham legal thriller, only set at the intersection of banking and the law. I, as well as all other readers I have talked to, love the protagonist Pen. It is hard not to cheer her on. Finally, the plot-twists are well made and hard to anticipate. Downfall is the first title of the Pen Wilkinson series and definitely leaves you craving for more of the heroine.
August 2, 2020
This is the first installment in the Pen Wilkenson series and my introduction to Brian Lutterman. The writing style of Mr. Lutterman is engrossing and makes it easy to fly through the pages, feeling like your very life depended on it.
Pen Wilkenson is trying to put her life together after an accident left her a paraplegic. Once a personal injury litigation attorney with a promising career, now she's lucky to get a job doing data entry, because as a cripple she couldn't be intellegent, right? Downfall opens with Pen having been hired by a large bank responsible for the legal work for the bank's charity foundation. When money is funneled to the Western Liberty Alliance, a white supremacist group, the blame lands on Pen, who has never heard of the group. Could she have overlooked something, made a mistake and somehow responsible? Or a scapegoat in this scandal?
If you are a fan of engrossing and suspenseful thrillers with many twists and inner plots, you are most certainly going to like the Pen Wilkinson Series. I highly recommend it.
Pen Wilkenson is trying to put her life together after an accident left her a paraplegic. Once a personal injury litigation attorney with a promising career, now she's lucky to get a job doing data entry, because as a cripple she couldn't be intellegent, right? Downfall opens with Pen having been hired by a large bank responsible for the legal work for the bank's charity foundation. When money is funneled to the Western Liberty Alliance, a white supremacist group, the blame lands on Pen, who has never heard of the group. Could she have overlooked something, made a mistake and somehow responsible? Or a scapegoat in this scandal?
If you are a fan of engrossing and suspenseful thrillers with many twists and inner plots, you are most certainly going to like the Pen Wilkinson Series. I highly recommend it.
November 12, 2020
I picked up this book on the recommendation of a friend, who knew I was writing a book with a paraplegic protagonist as well. I'm so glad I did! Pen was refreshing not just because she was paraplegic, but because of where she was at in her life (the tragic accident that put her in a wheelchair and killed her niece) and who she had become because of the events following that. She is smart, feisty and dogged to the point of being reckless at times. She may also just be lucky LOL. I'm not a regular reader of corporate thrillers, but wow, Brian is masterful at putting obstacles in Pen's way and continuing to raise the stakes. Twists and turns I did not see coming. The development and change in the one person she could trust (James) was an added bonus. I will say that, although you'd be amazed at what paraplegics can do, some of Pen's actions stretched believability. The story was also a little more violent than I prefer, but toward the end I had to stay up late so I could finish!
December 18, 2025
Downfall delivers a high stakes corporate thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Pen Wilkinson is a compelling protagonist strong, resourceful, and determined, even in the face of life-altering tragedy. Her journey from a career setback to uncovering a deadly conspiracy is gripping, and the stakes feel real at every turn.
The story combines fast-paced suspense with clever twists, exploring corporate corruption, media manipulation, and personal resilience. The plot moves quickly across multiple locations, keeping the tension high while allowing Pen’s character development to shine.
What I loved most was the balance of suspense and heart. Pen’s vulnerability makes her victories all the more satisfying, and the final confrontation is both thrilling and satisfying. Fans of smart, action-packed thrillers with a strong, determined lead will find Downfall impossible to put down.
The story combines fast-paced suspense with clever twists, exploring corporate corruption, media manipulation, and personal resilience. The plot moves quickly across multiple locations, keeping the tension high while allowing Pen’s character development to shine.
What I loved most was the balance of suspense and heart. Pen’s vulnerability makes her victories all the more satisfying, and the final confrontation is both thrilling and satisfying. Fans of smart, action-packed thrillers with a strong, determined lead will find Downfall impossible to put down.
August 2, 2018
Paraplegic young attorney Pen Wilkinson is putting her life back together after a tragic accident. Little does she know that when she takes a job for a large bank in a faraway city that her life as she knows it will suddenly come to a halt! Pen is fired from her job and is accused of of fraud and wrongdoing by her employer and the media! Then there are the attempts made on her life! Can Pen find out who is really behind all this and clear her name, but mostly keep living? You will need to read the book for the answers.
March 14, 2017
Let me start off by stating that this book was a Book Club selection.
Accused of fraud and fired from her job, paraplegic young attorney Pen Wilkinson decides to solve the mystery of this corporate "thriller" on her own. She even escapes her would-be hired assassin in a knock-down drag-out fight. Sure she's 6 ft tall standing up and toned. BUT SHE CAN'T STAND UP... SHE'S A PARAPLEGIC! This was too hard for me to swallow. Evidently this is 3rd in a series of books by Lutterman about Pen Wilkinson and there is more to follow. Guess who won't be following the series. If you are a devout mystery fan and live in La-La Land, this book is for you.
Accused of fraud and fired from her job, paraplegic young attorney Pen Wilkinson decides to solve the mystery of this corporate "thriller" on her own. She even escapes her would-be hired assassin in a knock-down drag-out fight. Sure she's 6 ft tall standing up and toned. BUT SHE CAN'T STAND UP... SHE'S A PARAPLEGIC! This was too hard for me to swallow. Evidently this is 3rd in a series of books by Lutterman about Pen Wilkinson and there is more to follow. Guess who won't be following the series. If you are a devout mystery fan and live in La-La Land, this book is for you.
April 3, 2023
This is the first but so t be the last I read by this author
I live in rural Wisconsin, about an hour plus from the Twin Cities so I get the Twin Cities TV stations. I hadn't heard of Mr Lutterman until I saw him being interviewed for a book signing. I loved Downfall. I look forward to reading Book 2 of the series. It was pleasant not wading through a bunch of swear words being used to try to make the story "current".
I live in rural Wisconsin, about an hour plus from the Twin Cities so I get the Twin Cities TV stations. I hadn't heard of Mr Lutterman until I saw him being interviewed for a book signing. I loved Downfall. I look forward to reading Book 2 of the series. It was pleasant not wading through a bunch of swear words being used to try to make the story "current".
June 16, 2023
Downfall is a fun read with an excellent protagonist. Brian (who I've seen give some author's talks), unravels his mysteries slowly and brings a good legal mind to the tale. It's not a heart-pounding thriller, but it's a good read. I look forward to Windfall, the next in his Pen Wilkinson series.
May 21, 2024
Pen Wilkinson is a tough woman!
I read this book in preparation for a “meet the author” event.
Pen is a new kind of “Super woman” character. Despite her physical challenges, she tackles the bad guys and eventually wins!
I read this book in preparation for a “meet the author” event.
Pen is a new kind of “Super woman” character. Despite her physical challenges, she tackles the bad guys and eventually wins!
February 19, 2019
DNF - very ordinary; preposterous plot, corporations do not work that way. If you are looking for a corporate thriller, look elsewhere.
April 30, 2014
Read my full review at http://mysterysequels.com/downfall-br...
A tragic accident in the past left Pen Wilkinson in wheelchair for life, killing her niece at the same time. Her life is ruined, her career as an attorney is down the drains (afterall who would want a counselor that takes away sympathy from the client due to her physical situation), so she’s happy when she finds a job at a bank in Minnesota – not quite what she had in mind, though, but at this time any job that pays the bills will do.
Little does she know that the job she’s so eagerly accepted will be anything but what she envisioned, especially when it might just become her final downfall.
The day when she wakes up with the media in front of her house questioning her about a shady deal that she apparently took part in is the day everything changes – maybe even more so than the day the accident had left her paraplegic. However she is sure that it’s all a mistake. Even when she’s interrogated by the company lawyers and accused of fraud and siding with supremacists in taking down the company. Right until she realizes that something is very wrong in that company and someone might have hired her for a specific evil reason.
Having lost pretty much everything, with nothing more to lose, Pam decides to start investigating on her own. Out of a job she has all the time she needs to try to solve the puzzle of who wants to hurt the company and why was she selected as the proverbial scapegoat.
Overall I enjoyed meeting the character of Pen Wilkinson and I really hope I”ll get to see her in a second book in the Downfall series.
A tragic accident in the past left Pen Wilkinson in wheelchair for life, killing her niece at the same time. Her life is ruined, her career as an attorney is down the drains (afterall who would want a counselor that takes away sympathy from the client due to her physical situation), so she’s happy when she finds a job at a bank in Minnesota – not quite what she had in mind, though, but at this time any job that pays the bills will do.
Little does she know that the job she’s so eagerly accepted will be anything but what she envisioned, especially when it might just become her final downfall.
The day when she wakes up with the media in front of her house questioning her about a shady deal that she apparently took part in is the day everything changes – maybe even more so than the day the accident had left her paraplegic. However she is sure that it’s all a mistake. Even when she’s interrogated by the company lawyers and accused of fraud and siding with supremacists in taking down the company. Right until she realizes that something is very wrong in that company and someone might have hired her for a specific evil reason.
Having lost pretty much everything, with nothing more to lose, Pam decides to start investigating on her own. Out of a job she has all the time she needs to try to solve the puzzle of who wants to hurt the company and why was she selected as the proverbial scapegoat.
Overall I enjoyed meeting the character of Pen Wilkinson and I really hope I”ll get to see her in a second book in the Downfall series.
June 1, 2014
Terrific corporate thriller with a scrappy, intelligent, tenacious, persistent and believable protagonist - Pen Wilkinson gets my vote over a putz like Jack Reacher any day. Only drawback for me on Pen's character is that I have a friend who uses a wheelchair and matches all the above personality traits. No fault to the author, but I kept thinking of my friend in the story as things developed. Not really a problem, but a major distraction from the story.
And the story is a real page-turner... completely believable, relevant and timely plot points. Money really is the root of all evil... the one-percenters sitting on top of the cash pile are the most evil of all.
There were only two instances where I felt cheated by the story a bit... first when and later when But those are minor complaints on a great corporate-summer-thriller read... not usually in my wheelhouse. And by a local Minnesota author to boot! I'm hoping to see more of Pen Wilkinson.
And the story is a real page-turner... completely believable, relevant and timely plot points. Money really is the root of all evil... the one-percenters sitting on top of the cash pile are the most evil of all.
There were only two instances where I felt cheated by the story a bit... first when and later when But those are minor complaints on a great corporate-summer-thriller read... not usually in my wheelhouse. And by a local Minnesota author to boot! I'm hoping to see more of Pen Wilkinson.
August 26, 2014
I was not expecting to like this book. I was pleasantly surprised. The author, Brian Lutterman was unknown to me before receiving this book. The story quickly grabbed my interest and sustained it until the end. I read lots of mysteries and thrillers and this one holds its own with those of more well known writers. I will be looking for Brian Lutterman's other books.
November 14, 2014
A nice mystery. Well written and moves right along. There are some hard to believe aspects (slender wheel-chair heroine beats implacable hit man), but I liked the development and the characters are well drawn.
February 24, 2016
Billed as a "corporate thriller," this compelling tale of misdeeds in the banking and corporate world of Minneapolis grabs you from the start. I want to read more about Pen Wilkinson, the heroic young paraplegic attorney, who ferrets out the truth and brings the saboteurs to justice.
May 7, 2014
A great book that keeps you turning the pages. I loved it.
July 13, 2014
This book was a very quick read. Enjoyed the cast of characters and the plot.
April 2, 2022
Slow and uninteresting for the first couple of hundred pages before finally picking up. I was going along great right up until the end and then it just finished poorly.
February 27, 2020
Excellent. Finished in two days. He’s a Twin Cities Mn author. It’s a gripping mystery and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
April 27, 2017
Downfall is an excellent start to the Pen series. An interesting protagonist with a wrinkle. Well written. Recommended!
June 4, 2018
A bit disappointing. Interesting premise about a female lawyer caught up in a conspiracy being set up by her new employer. I didn't finish it because it I got derailed by a very implausible scene. Too bad because it was the closest novel to my own genre.
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