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David Raker #5
Fall From Grace
No Goodbye
When Leonard Franks and his wife, Ellie, leave London for their dream retirement in the seclusion of Dartmoor, everything seems perfect. But then their new life is shattered. Leonard heads outside to fetch firewood from the back of the house - and never returns.
No Trace
Nine months later, with the police investigation at a dead end, Leonard's family turn to David Raker - a missing persons investigator with a gift for finding the lost. But nothing can prepare Raker for what he's about to uncover.
Nowhere to Hide
Because at the heart of this disappearance lies a devastating secret. And by the time Raker realises what it is, and how deep the lies go, it's not just him in danger - it's everyone he cares about.
When Leonard Franks and his wife, Ellie, leave London for their dream retirement in the seclusion of Dartmoor, everything seems perfect. But then their new life is shattered. Leonard heads outside to fetch firewood from the back of the house - and never returns.
No Trace
Nine months later, with the police investigation at a dead end, Leonard's family turn to David Raker - a missing persons investigator with a gift for finding the lost. But nothing can prepare Raker for what he's about to uncover.
Nowhere to Hide
Because at the heart of this disappearance lies a devastating secret. And by the time Raker realises what it is, and how deep the lies go, it's not just him in danger - it's everyone he cares about.
578 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2014
121 people are currently reading
2486 people want to read
About the author
Tim Weaver
56 books1,602 followersTim Weaver is the Sunday Times Top 3 bestselling author of the David Raker missing persons series, the standalone thriller, Missing Pieces, and the novella collection, The Shadow at the Door. His novels have been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club four times, and his work has been nominated for a National Book Award and the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. He is currently developing an original TV drama with the team behind Line of Duty. He lives near Bath in the UK. Find out more about Tim and his writing at www.timweaverbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 326 reviews
June 17, 2019
This was the first book in the David Raker series I have read and it was very easy to read as a stand alone novel. Tim Weaver writes impeccably with a wonderful grasp of what the reader wants in my opinion. A very good plot that twists and turns wonderfully adds to what is good in this book.
When Leonard Franks and his wife Ellie leave the clamor of London for a dream retirement on the seclusion of Dartmoor, everything seems perfect. But then the dream shatters. Late on a January afternoon, only two years into their new life, Leonard leaves the house to fetch firewood - and never returns. Nine months later, he's still missing.
With the police investigation dead in the water, Ellie and her family turn to David Raker. Raker tracks down missing people for a living. He knows how they think. But nothing can prepare him for what he's about to find.
Leonard's disappearance is out of the ordinary, no clues were left behind as to where he went, why he went or indeed did he leave or was he taken, it seems he vanished into thin air on the moors of Dartmoor not far from his home. It seems an impossible thing, yet it happened.
Leonard is a retired high ranking police officer and his daughter, Melanie Craw is a police officer too. Melanie has come across David Raker in the past, in her career under different circumstances and it is she who asks Raker, with his private investigation skills to find her dad.
As Raker begins his investigation there are a lot of brick walls and diversions, it's not a clear cut path for him at all. This is where the author really shines with his writing as he hold the readers interest during each and every moment of the plot rolling out. It's fascinating to watch the pieces of the puzzle start to come together as we watch Raker dig deep to find answers.
With a cast of strong characters, Fall From Grace is a memorable read, a slightly different take on most crime books I read, it's interesting having it coming from the angle of a PI rather than an entire police team. The characters are fascinating, many of them dual sided with depth.
This is a book where nothing is as it seems, it keeps you guessing all the way along, even to the very end. I could not predict the outcomes and situations that Raker was going to come up against, very cleverly inserted into the book. Just when I thought I had it all worked out I would be flipped on my head to realise I had worked nothing out. It really doesn't expose it's secrets easily this book.
The plot is excellent, it moves at a steady pace, with consistency. Some of the settings for the story are fascinating and I liked the way there was so much movement from location to location. From metropolitan London streets to the moors of Dartmoor, to little towns in Devon and more. It had me sucked in to the scenes well and truly.
As Raker uncovers more than he bargains for and the answers start to come to light the final few chapters really move along with plenty of revelations and action as long hidden secrets and lies are exposed and the victim, perpetrator and bystander roles all seem to meld together until you don't know what is what. But then the mist clears again.
My ONLY criticism in this book is I felt the ending was a touch rushed and it was a bit of an info-dump, lots of conversation and things being revealed but it felt a bit forced, again, it's a minor criticism as the book is an excellent read.
It's not a graphically violent crime novel, it's pure sleuthing and it's done with finesse and style. I can highly recommend this book to both old and new fans of the David Raker series, and newcomers to the books don't be shy either, I will certainly be reading more of this series now I have had my first taste of it.
4.5 stars for Fall From Grace. A very good read.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Leonard Franks and his wife Ellie leave the clamor of London for a dream retirement on the seclusion of Dartmoor, everything seems perfect. But then the dream shatters. Late on a January afternoon, only two years into their new life, Leonard leaves the house to fetch firewood - and never returns. Nine months later, he's still missing.
With the police investigation dead in the water, Ellie and her family turn to David Raker. Raker tracks down missing people for a living. He knows how they think. But nothing can prepare him for what he's about to find.
Leonard's disappearance is out of the ordinary, no clues were left behind as to where he went, why he went or indeed did he leave or was he taken, it seems he vanished into thin air on the moors of Dartmoor not far from his home. It seems an impossible thing, yet it happened.
Leonard is a retired high ranking police officer and his daughter, Melanie Craw is a police officer too. Melanie has come across David Raker in the past, in her career under different circumstances and it is she who asks Raker, with his private investigation skills to find her dad.
As Raker begins his investigation there are a lot of brick walls and diversions, it's not a clear cut path for him at all. This is where the author really shines with his writing as he hold the readers interest during each and every moment of the plot rolling out. It's fascinating to watch the pieces of the puzzle start to come together as we watch Raker dig deep to find answers.
With a cast of strong characters, Fall From Grace is a memorable read, a slightly different take on most crime books I read, it's interesting having it coming from the angle of a PI rather than an entire police team. The characters are fascinating, many of them dual sided with depth.
This is a book where nothing is as it seems, it keeps you guessing all the way along, even to the very end. I could not predict the outcomes and situations that Raker was going to come up against, very cleverly inserted into the book. Just when I thought I had it all worked out I would be flipped on my head to realise I had worked nothing out. It really doesn't expose it's secrets easily this book.
The plot is excellent, it moves at a steady pace, with consistency. Some of the settings for the story are fascinating and I liked the way there was so much movement from location to location. From metropolitan London streets to the moors of Dartmoor, to little towns in Devon and more. It had me sucked in to the scenes well and truly.
As Raker uncovers more than he bargains for and the answers start to come to light the final few chapters really move along with plenty of revelations and action as long hidden secrets and lies are exposed and the victim, perpetrator and bystander roles all seem to meld together until you don't know what is what. But then the mist clears again.
My ONLY criticism in this book is I felt the ending was a touch rushed and it was a bit of an info-dump, lots of conversation and things being revealed but it felt a bit forced, again, it's a minor criticism as the book is an excellent read.
It's not a graphically violent crime novel, it's pure sleuthing and it's done with finesse and style. I can highly recommend this book to both old and new fans of the David Raker series, and newcomers to the books don't be shy either, I will certainly be reading more of this series now I have had my first taste of it.
4.5 stars for Fall From Grace. A very good read.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2020
This is the 5th book in the David Raker series by author Tim Weaver. This is such a good series and a little different to the other crime novels I tend to read. David Raker is a missing persons investigator who people turn to when the police have exhausted their efforts to find them.
These are well written novels that feature David Raker, a widower and recently discovered he had fathered a daughter when he was in his teens. The mother has since died and he is now struggling to cope with building new relationships as well as the day to day job he enjoys. The plots are expertly crafted and the twists and turns will keep you guessing along the way. These are excellent reads where the outcome makes sense and don't let you down by feeding you some silly explanation.
Superintendent Leonard Franks is retired and after twenty years service moves with his wife to Dartmoor to get away from the busy London life he is accustomed to. On one January evening, Leonard goes across his land to fetch some firewood but never returns leaving his wife Ellie bewildered. Leonard Franks has disappeared and becomes the fifth case for David Raker.
No items were missing from the house and Leonard's keys, wallet, mobile phone and credit cards were all still in his home. With no obvious explanation for his disappearance the Police are baffled and after nine months they have come to a dead end. His daughter, DCI Melanie Craw of the London Police Department, was not allowed to search for her father and as a result turns to David Raker to track him down and discover the truth. With every discover David Raker discovers he is placing himself and others in extreme danger.
This is an excellent series and I can highly recommend following from the start to get a true picture of the characters.
These are well written novels that feature David Raker, a widower and recently discovered he had fathered a daughter when he was in his teens. The mother has since died and he is now struggling to cope with building new relationships as well as the day to day job he enjoys. The plots are expertly crafted and the twists and turns will keep you guessing along the way. These are excellent reads where the outcome makes sense and don't let you down by feeding you some silly explanation.
Superintendent Leonard Franks is retired and after twenty years service moves with his wife to Dartmoor to get away from the busy London life he is accustomed to. On one January evening, Leonard goes across his land to fetch some firewood but never returns leaving his wife Ellie bewildered. Leonard Franks has disappeared and becomes the fifth case for David Raker.
No items were missing from the house and Leonard's keys, wallet, mobile phone and credit cards were all still in his home. With no obvious explanation for his disappearance the Police are baffled and after nine months they have come to a dead end. His daughter, DCI Melanie Craw of the London Police Department, was not allowed to search for her father and as a result turns to David Raker to track him down and discover the truth. With every discover David Raker discovers he is placing himself and others in extreme danger.
This is an excellent series and I can highly recommend following from the start to get a true picture of the characters.
July 24, 2014
So here we are then, outing no 5 for David Raker and I have to say this is most definitely one of my favourite series. I’ve found every single one more addictive than the last (even though I read books 1 and 2 in the wrong order!) and I pretty much read this instalment in two sittings. It is definitely all Mr Weaver’s fault that I am bleary eyed and sleepy this morning…
This time David is caught up in the vortex of a complicated and far reaching case when he is asked to track down Leonard Franks – retired Police officer – who disappeared seemingly into thin air one day out on Dartmoor. What he finds is a web of deception going back years, one which may strike much closer to home than he would like. Add to that his attempts to solidify his relationship with newly found family and still coming to terms with the aftermath of previous events, you will barely be able to put this one down.
I’m enamoured of the atmosphere created in these novels – Dark, often claustrophobic, occasionally extremely creepy, David Raker carries the souls of the lost with him and that never fails to add an extra frisson to the reading experience. The character development over the course of the series has been superb and yet any one could be read as a standalone story – not an easy accomplishment.
Once again as well we have intelligent and realistic plotting, a terrific flow to the whole thing which immerses you right into David’s world and holds you there – with many genuinely surprising moments along the way. Incidentally, Mr Weaver gets an entry into my hall of fame for this one – only the 4th book to do so – because he completely got me with a bit of a twist and turn that I hadnt even considered. Doesnt happen to me very often so when it does I am delighted. And the ending….well anyone who reads this series and is a fan of a certain other recurring character, will be absolutely desperate to find out when Book 6 may arrive. Sigh. Chronic Impatience.
It is actually quite difficult when reviewing a series that you love and that is consistently wonderful to find new things to say, I’m fairly sure I repeat myself when talking about the David Raker books but heck, I don’t care. When they ARE all so extraordinarily well written and fabulous I see absolutely nothing wrong with saying so over and over again. Well Written. Fabulous. There you go!
If you havent started yet “Chasing the Dead” is where you need to go. If you have then I can tell you that you are in for a real treat with this one. For all the reasons I’ve stated above and then some. Don’t miss it.
This time David is caught up in the vortex of a complicated and far reaching case when he is asked to track down Leonard Franks – retired Police officer – who disappeared seemingly into thin air one day out on Dartmoor. What he finds is a web of deception going back years, one which may strike much closer to home than he would like. Add to that his attempts to solidify his relationship with newly found family and still coming to terms with the aftermath of previous events, you will barely be able to put this one down.
I’m enamoured of the atmosphere created in these novels – Dark, often claustrophobic, occasionally extremely creepy, David Raker carries the souls of the lost with him and that never fails to add an extra frisson to the reading experience. The character development over the course of the series has been superb and yet any one could be read as a standalone story – not an easy accomplishment.
Once again as well we have intelligent and realistic plotting, a terrific flow to the whole thing which immerses you right into David’s world and holds you there – with many genuinely surprising moments along the way. Incidentally, Mr Weaver gets an entry into my hall of fame for this one – only the 4th book to do so – because he completely got me with a bit of a twist and turn that I hadnt even considered. Doesnt happen to me very often so when it does I am delighted. And the ending….well anyone who reads this series and is a fan of a certain other recurring character, will be absolutely desperate to find out when Book 6 may arrive. Sigh. Chronic Impatience.
It is actually quite difficult when reviewing a series that you love and that is consistently wonderful to find new things to say, I’m fairly sure I repeat myself when talking about the David Raker books but heck, I don’t care. When they ARE all so extraordinarily well written and fabulous I see absolutely nothing wrong with saying so over and over again. Well Written. Fabulous. There you go!
If you havent started yet “Chasing the Dead” is where you need to go. If you have then I can tell you that you are in for a real treat with this one. For all the reasons I’ve stated above and then some. Don’t miss it.
October 26, 2020
3,5 / 5
O son kısım azıcık zorlama gelse de yine heyecanlı ve güzel bir kurguydu.
O son kısım azıcık zorlama gelse de yine heyecanlı ve güzel bir kurguydu.
April 14, 2024
Μόλις το τελείωσα και δηλώνω απερίφραστα ενθουσιασμένη!
Νομίζω ότι το λέω σε κάθε του βιβλίο αλλά ειλικρινά πιστεύω ότι αυτό ήταν το καλύτερό του μέχρι στιγμής! Από πού το ξεκίνησε πού το πήγε πού το κατέληξε! Δεν θυμάμαι τα προηγούμενά του με τι τα είχα βαθμολογήσει αλλά οι οι "Ένοχες αλήθειες" είναι ένα καθαρό 5άστερο! Είναι απλά απίθανος
Λατρεύω την ατμόσφαιρα που δημιουργεί στις ιστορίες του ο Τιμ, σκοτεινές, υποχθόνιες και κλειστοφοβικές, σου δημιουργούν ένα διαρκές άγχος για τον αν και κατά πόσον θα κατορθώσει ο Ντέιβιντ Ράικερ να φέρει εις πέρας και αυτή τη φορά το δύσκολο έργο της ανεύρεσης του εξαφανισμένου προσώπου, που του έχει ανατεθεί. Η ευφυέστατη μα και ρεαλιστική πλοκή με την εξαιρετική ροή μας καταβυθίζει στην ιστορία και μας κρατά δέσμιους εκεί, δίνοντάς μας στο ενδιάμεσο κάμποσα δυνατά μπατσάκια, έτσι για να κρατά ζωντανά τα αίματα! Κι εδώ να πω ότι ότι ένα από αυτά τα μπατσάκια είναι αυτό που του χάρισε και το 5ο αστέρι. Ένα μπατσάκι που δεν το είδα να έρχεται και έσκασε σαν βόμβα πολλών μεγατόνων.
Αν δεν έχετε διαβάσει διαβάσει Tim Weaver κι αν αναζητάτε την καλή αστυνομική λογοτεχνία σας προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα να ξεκινήσετε τη σειρά των Υποθέσεων Εξαφανισμένων Προσώπων με το πρώτο, το "Κυνηγώντας τους νεκρούς". Κι όταν με το καλό φτάσετε στις "Ένοχες αλήθειες" είμαι σίγουρη ότι θα με μακαρίζετε που σας τον πρότεινα! Πάω να ευλογήσω τα γένια μου τώρα!
Νομίζω ότι το λέω σε κάθε του βιβλίο αλλά ειλικρινά πιστεύω ότι αυτό ήταν το καλύτερό του μέχρι στιγμής! Από πού το ξεκίνησε πού το πήγε πού το κατέληξε! Δεν θυμάμαι τα προηγούμενά του με τι τα είχα βαθμολογήσει αλλά οι οι "Ένοχες αλήθειες" είναι ένα καθαρό 5άστερο! Είναι απλά απίθανος
Λατρεύω την ατμόσφαιρα που δημιουργεί στις ιστορίες του ο Τιμ, σκοτεινές, υποχθόνιες και κλειστοφοβικές, σου δημιουργούν ένα διαρκές άγχος για τον αν και κατά πόσον θα κατορθώσει ο Ντέιβιντ Ράικερ να φέρει εις πέρας και αυτή τη φορά το δύσκολο έργο της ανεύρεσης του εξαφανισμένου προσώπου, που του έχει ανατεθεί. Η ευφυέστατη μα και ρεαλιστική πλοκή με την εξαιρετική ροή μας καταβυθίζει στην ιστορία και μας κρατά δέσμιους εκεί, δίνοντάς μας στο ενδιάμεσο κάμποσα δυνατά μπατσάκια, έτσι για να κρατά ζωντανά τα αίματα! Κι εδώ να πω ότι ότι ένα από αυτά τα μπατσάκια είναι αυτό που του χάρισε και το 5ο αστέρι. Ένα μπατσάκι που δεν το είδα να έρχεται και έσκασε σαν βόμβα πολλών μεγατόνων.
Αν δεν έχετε διαβάσει διαβάσει Tim Weaver κι αν αναζητάτε την καλή αστυνομική λογοτεχνία σας προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα να ξεκινήσετε τη σειρά των Υποθέσεων Εξαφανισμένων Προσώπων με το πρώτο, το "Κυνηγώντας τους νεκρούς". Κι όταν με το καλό φτάσετε στις "Ένοχες αλήθειες" είμαι σίγουρη ότι θα με μακαρίζετε που σας τον πρότεινα! Πάω να ευλογήσω τα γένια μου τώρα!
May 2, 2020
Weaver has slightly moved away from his gritty, intense and terrifying previous stuff, and this novel probably delves less into Raker than any of the other novels. But I still really enjoyed it, and it was always going to be difficult to follow Never Coming Back.
I'm very excited to get started with What Remains and to see what the ending of this book means for the next.
I'm very excited to get started with What Remains and to see what the ending of this book means for the next.
May 31, 2025
Setting: London and Devon, England; 2013.
This is the fifth book in the series featuring missing persons investigator David Raker.
Raker is surprised to receive a summons to a meeting from Met Police detective Melanie Craw, who it appears has always been out to get him. But Melanie is desperate to find her missing father, retired police detective Leonard Franks, and recognises David's unique talents. Franks apparently went missing from his recently-acquired home in an isolated area of Dartmoor and no trace of him can be found.
As David investigates, a tale of betrayal, corruption and murder is revealed as someone else seems keen to find Franks - and soon David finds himself once again under threat and trying to protect his nearest and dearest. Events jump back in time as a mental facility called Bethlehem, located on an island off the Devon coast, takes on a key role in the story....
Yet another excellent read in this series: fast-moving, complex and thrilling - and even when you reach the apparent conclusion, there are yet more unexpected twists and turns to stun the reader! Great characters and storylines and looking forward to reading the next one in June - intending to read the whole series this calendar year - 9/10.
This is the fifth book in the series featuring missing persons investigator David Raker.
Raker is surprised to receive a summons to a meeting from Met Police detective Melanie Craw, who it appears has always been out to get him. But Melanie is desperate to find her missing father, retired police detective Leonard Franks, and recognises David's unique talents. Franks apparently went missing from his recently-acquired home in an isolated area of Dartmoor and no trace of him can be found.
As David investigates, a tale of betrayal, corruption and murder is revealed as someone else seems keen to find Franks - and soon David finds himself once again under threat and trying to protect his nearest and dearest. Events jump back in time as a mental facility called Bethlehem, located on an island off the Devon coast, takes on a key role in the story....
Yet another excellent read in this series: fast-moving, complex and thrilling - and even when you reach the apparent conclusion, there are yet more unexpected twists and turns to stun the reader! Great characters and storylines and looking forward to reading the next one in June - intending to read the whole series this calendar year - 9/10.
August 11, 2014
Wow. This book has left me reeling and in a state of shock. I write reviews straight after finishing a book when my thoughts are fresh. To say I was excited for this book would be somewhat of an understatement, it was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint! It is Tim Weaver's best book yet. It is also my Book of the Month for August (and it's only the 10th as I write this) and after reading 120+ books this year it is in my top three. At almost 600 pages I would usually pass on a book but Tim doesn't waste a single page. This man could write a 1000 page book and I'd pick it up. It really was that good and I just wish I could put into words just how much I loved it. I'll give it a go...
Where to even start? I guess with David Raker himself, our main character. An author has done their job when you actually care for a fictional character. When you feel like you know them as I do with Raker. If ever someone I loved was missing I would want someone like Raker looking for them. His job is all he lives for yet the events of the previous book to this (Never Look Back) have left him reevaluating that, won't say why for new readers but it's certainly adding an interesting dynamic to the story. Raker is so good at what he does. Leaving no stone unturned he looks at things from every possible angle and asks questions I wouldn't even think of asking.
The atmosphere created by Weaver in these novels is just second to none. Better than any film at times it was like I was living it for myself. I read this book at night and the smallest sound made me jump. It's a book you read with your heart in your mouth. I especially like that a chunk of the action took place in London but the scenes outside the city were just brilliant. Scary and dangerous situations you would hate to find yourself in but you can't turn the pages quick enough.
As for the plot, well it would absolutely ruin the reading experience to talk about it further than what the blurb tells us. Leonard Franks has been missing for nine months, his family have exhausted all their options and turn to Raker. Raker begins to investigate whether Franks left of his own accord or whether something more sinister happened. Whether or not he's even still alive. Weaver's books are a favourite of mine because they are bursting with secrets and shocks, well we get our first shock quite early on in the book when Raker first takes on the case.. Agh! Saying no more. As the book progresses the shocks keep on coming. I just had no idea where this story was going or which characters I could trust. I basically just read these novels trusting Raker and nobody else. The story here is one of the finest I've ever read, a true mystery that really gets your brain ticking. I don't think I got a single plot twist in this book, not because I'm stupid but because Tim somehow managed to keep every single one under wraps until revealing them in dramatic fashion. Consider my mind blown.
Tim has surpassed himself with this book. His previous books have been fantastic, each one an improvement on the last but this is in a league of its own. The plot twists and shocks in this book do not stop coming, I just left my jaw hanging for the last few chapters as I knew it would just keep dropping, right up until the book's thrilling and dramatic finale, ending on an absolute shocker of a cliffhanger and us Weaver fans are in for one hell of a torturous wait for the next book. It's not often a book can be described as a masterpiece, but this one can. Absolutely faultless. This book has reminded me why I read, and should be used as an example to people that don't. Why wouldn't you want to read when there's books like this in the world? Amazing.
Where to even start? I guess with David Raker himself, our main character. An author has done their job when you actually care for a fictional character. When you feel like you know them as I do with Raker. If ever someone I loved was missing I would want someone like Raker looking for them. His job is all he lives for yet the events of the previous book to this (Never Look Back) have left him reevaluating that, won't say why for new readers but it's certainly adding an interesting dynamic to the story. Raker is so good at what he does. Leaving no stone unturned he looks at things from every possible angle and asks questions I wouldn't even think of asking.
The atmosphere created by Weaver in these novels is just second to none. Better than any film at times it was like I was living it for myself. I read this book at night and the smallest sound made me jump. It's a book you read with your heart in your mouth. I especially like that a chunk of the action took place in London but the scenes outside the city were just brilliant. Scary and dangerous situations you would hate to find yourself in but you can't turn the pages quick enough.
As for the plot, well it would absolutely ruin the reading experience to talk about it further than what the blurb tells us. Leonard Franks has been missing for nine months, his family have exhausted all their options and turn to Raker. Raker begins to investigate whether Franks left of his own accord or whether something more sinister happened. Whether or not he's even still alive. Weaver's books are a favourite of mine because they are bursting with secrets and shocks, well we get our first shock quite early on in the book when Raker first takes on the case.. Agh! Saying no more. As the book progresses the shocks keep on coming. I just had no idea where this story was going or which characters I could trust. I basically just read these novels trusting Raker and nobody else. The story here is one of the finest I've ever read, a true mystery that really gets your brain ticking. I don't think I got a single plot twist in this book, not because I'm stupid but because Tim somehow managed to keep every single one under wraps until revealing them in dramatic fashion. Consider my mind blown.
Tim has surpassed himself with this book. His previous books have been fantastic, each one an improvement on the last but this is in a league of its own. The plot twists and shocks in this book do not stop coming, I just left my jaw hanging for the last few chapters as I knew it would just keep dropping, right up until the book's thrilling and dramatic finale, ending on an absolute shocker of a cliffhanger and us Weaver fans are in for one hell of a torturous wait for the next book. It's not often a book can be described as a masterpiece, but this one can. Absolutely faultless. This book has reminded me why I read, and should be used as an example to people that don't. Why wouldn't you want to read when there's books like this in the world? Amazing.
February 4, 2020
Uobičajeno odličan i zanimljiv Tim Weaver i njegov David Raker koji u ovom romanu istražuje nestanak čovjeka koji je jedne večeri otišao do drvarnice po drva- i više se nije vratio?!
Dodatni plus za totalne neočekivane obrate prisutne kroz cijelu knjigu!
Dodatni plus za totalne neočekivane obrate prisutne kroz cijelu knjigu!
July 18, 2014
I started my journey with Raker on the third book in the series (Vanished) which I really enjoyed. For the uninitiated Raker is an ex journalist who looks for people who have disappeared and who the police are unable to trace The next story - "Never going back" - I loved and so I was delighted to be able to read this latest one.
This one starts with a moody reflective and interesting opening - Raker is back in London having been away from the city for a while and someone has a job for him. The "who" is the interesting part and I was hooked. As with the previous book this is set in part in Devon. I find Tim Weaver's writing style very effective; there is enough description to give clear pictures and enough pace to draw you in and keep you reading without thinking about the time. Maybe not "unputdownable" but I've not read one of his where I've wanted to do anything else other than pick it up again.
The tension and pace in this book is well worked taking you to very edgy places at times. I find Tim Weaver a very talented thriller writer and one of the best around currently. While I guess Weaver's stories are action based in the main his descriptive written can be very evocative generating a variety of emotions. I do like the idea that he introduces new important characters in each tale which keeps the books feeling fresh compared to some authors
Ultimately I didn't find this book quite as satisfying as the previous book although it is definitely better than the first two and as good as "Vanished". I found one aspect of the story a little less than convincing but overall that is a fairly minor quibble and this was a very good read indeed. Another well worked thriller from the hand of Tim Weaver and nothing would stop me from reading the next one. While the first two books are very readable if you are coming to Tim Weaver's work for the first time I would suggest you start with Vanished. 4.5/5 I think.
Disclosure - I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.
This one starts with a moody reflective and interesting opening - Raker is back in London having been away from the city for a while and someone has a job for him. The "who" is the interesting part and I was hooked. As with the previous book this is set in part in Devon. I find Tim Weaver's writing style very effective; there is enough description to give clear pictures and enough pace to draw you in and keep you reading without thinking about the time. Maybe not "unputdownable" but I've not read one of his where I've wanted to do anything else other than pick it up again.
The tension and pace in this book is well worked taking you to very edgy places at times. I find Tim Weaver a very talented thriller writer and one of the best around currently. While I guess Weaver's stories are action based in the main his descriptive written can be very evocative generating a variety of emotions. I do like the idea that he introduces new important characters in each tale which keeps the books feeling fresh compared to some authors
Ultimately I didn't find this book quite as satisfying as the previous book although it is definitely better than the first two and as good as "Vanished". I found one aspect of the story a little less than convincing but overall that is a fairly minor quibble and this was a very good read indeed. Another well worked thriller from the hand of Tim Weaver and nothing would stop me from reading the next one. While the first two books are very readable if you are coming to Tim Weaver's work for the first time I would suggest you start with Vanished. 4.5/5 I think.
Disclosure - I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.
February 27, 2016
Fall from Grace is another brilliant David Raker novel. In fact, it’s my second favourite in the series – second only to Vanished.
In this book, following the life changing events of Never Coming Back, David returns back to his life in London where he returns to his job. Upon returning to his job, however, he did not ever imagine he would be working a job for people from his past, least of all a member of the police force. Through being approached by a police officer who was originally against him, David Raker has a difficult case on his hand. Not that the person approaching him is the least of his problems as he soon realises there is more to the mystery than meets the eye. Moreover, it seems as though David is not the only one trying to get to the bottom of this mystery, with questions of who he can and cannot trust making his job much harder than he would like for it to be. With secrets and lies surrounding the past of Leonard Franks, David is soon uncovering details which leave him questioning everyone around him.
With development of past characters other than Colm, and a storyline which is as fast paced and full of twists in the same way as the prior David Raker books, Fall from Grace is another excellent read for fans of the series. Furthermore, the ending which comes about will leave you on the edge of your seat in anticipation for the next book.
In this book, following the life changing events of Never Coming Back, David returns back to his life in London where he returns to his job. Upon returning to his job, however, he did not ever imagine he would be working a job for people from his past, least of all a member of the police force. Through being approached by a police officer who was originally against him, David Raker has a difficult case on his hand. Not that the person approaching him is the least of his problems as he soon realises there is more to the mystery than meets the eye. Moreover, it seems as though David is not the only one trying to get to the bottom of this mystery, with questions of who he can and cannot trust making his job much harder than he would like for it to be. With secrets and lies surrounding the past of Leonard Franks, David is soon uncovering details which leave him questioning everyone around him.
With development of past characters other than Colm, and a storyline which is as fast paced and full of twists in the same way as the prior David Raker books, Fall from Grace is another excellent read for fans of the series. Furthermore, the ending which comes about will leave you on the edge of your seat in anticipation for the next book.
August 25, 2017
Yeni Kitapla geldim size, annem alır almaz okudu ve övdü de övdü hooş Tim Weaver'ı biliyoruz şahane bir yazar ve sanırım ailecek hayranıyız.. Bu kitabında David öyle bir dosya alıyor ki yom yok içinde.
Bu sefer David'e dosyayı getiren bir önceki kitaplardan hatırlayacağımız Healy'nin de komiseri olan Melanie Craw.
Craw'ın babası odun almaya odunluğa gidiyor ve saniyeler içinde adamla tuzla buz oluyor ne gören var ne duyan.
David araştırmaya başlıyor ama bu sefer hiçbir ipucu olmadan, aramaları hep ters gidiyor ama yine de sonuca ulaşıyoor merak etmeyin... 😇 🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️ Açıkçası, kitap bir önceki Tim Weaver kitaplarına göre daha yavaş bir tempoyla ilerliyor kabul ediyorum ama gerçekten sonu çoook güzeldi.. Aslında başlarında 'kırıcağım bir puan' dediğim halde lafımı geri alıyorum. Çünkü gerçekçi bir yaklaşım olduğunu düşünüyorum, eee bütün deliller pat diye düşmeyecek David'in kucağına o yüzden
5/5
Kitapla kalıın ve Tim Weaver'ı KESİNLİKLE OKUYUN 💛
Bu sefer David'e dosyayı getiren bir önceki kitaplardan hatırlayacağımız Healy'nin de komiseri olan Melanie Craw.
Craw'ın babası odun almaya odunluğa gidiyor ve saniyeler içinde adamla tuzla buz oluyor ne gören var ne duyan.
David araştırmaya başlıyor ama bu sefer hiçbir ipucu olmadan, aramaları hep ters gidiyor ama yine de sonuca ulaşıyoor merak etmeyin... 😇 🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️ Açıkçası, kitap bir önceki Tim Weaver kitaplarına göre daha yavaş bir tempoyla ilerliyor kabul ediyorum ama gerçekten sonu çoook güzeldi.. Aslında başlarında 'kırıcağım bir puan' dediğim halde lafımı geri alıyorum. Çünkü gerçekçi bir yaklaşım olduğunu düşünüyorum, eee bütün deliller pat diye düşmeyecek David'in kucağına o yüzden
5/5
Kitapla kalıın ve Tim Weaver'ı KESİNLİKLE OKUYUN 💛
July 3, 2022
Another excellent Missing Person mystery for David Raker. So many unexpected twists and turns that it is not all revealed until almost the last page.
March 18, 2017
Fall From Grace is the fifth book in Tim Weaver's David Raker series. But it can certainly be read as a stand alone.
Who is Raker? Well, his background is in journalism, but he has since set himself up as private missing persons investigator.
Leonard Franks retires from the Metropolitan Police and heads to Dartmoor to spend his retirement years with his wife in the country. Until the day he goes out to get firewood and disappears. Not a trace of him, despite a police investigation. After nearly a year, his daughter Melanie, also working in the Met, employs Raker to have another look. This is unusual in that Raker and Melanie have a antagonistic past with each other. But, in spite of that Raker takes the case.
Raker's investigation is methodical and measured, with one revelation or clue leading to his next avenue of inquiry. But the case itself is not as straight forward. Weaver has created a mystery that is more complicated than what I initially imagined it would be. Many revelations along the way led to a much different outcome than the one I initially imagined. I did find the plot become a bit overly convoluted as the end neared.
Weaver weaves in a personal storyline for Raker. He has recently discovered he is the father of an adult daughter. Their relationship seems a bit forced to me, but it gives Raker more depth.
I've read previous books in this series, but chose to listen to this latest. The reader was Brit Michael Healy. His voice is measured and well modulated, with a slight gravelly tone His accent is easily understood. It conjured up a slightly different picture of Raker than the one I had in my head from previous books. But it fit - he sounds confident and in control. Dialogue and action scenes are given their due, with inflection and intonation. It's funny what you hear when listening to an audiobook. I could hear the sighs, some swallows and a few other non verbal sounds that make it actually sound like you are there. I like the Raker character, but did find that the audio version made him seen a bit pompous in parts. But this didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Who is Raker? Well, his background is in journalism, but he has since set himself up as private missing persons investigator.
Leonard Franks retires from the Metropolitan Police and heads to Dartmoor to spend his retirement years with his wife in the country. Until the day he goes out to get firewood and disappears. Not a trace of him, despite a police investigation. After nearly a year, his daughter Melanie, also working in the Met, employs Raker to have another look. This is unusual in that Raker and Melanie have a antagonistic past with each other. But, in spite of that Raker takes the case.
Raker's investigation is methodical and measured, with one revelation or clue leading to his next avenue of inquiry. But the case itself is not as straight forward. Weaver has created a mystery that is more complicated than what I initially imagined it would be. Many revelations along the way led to a much different outcome than the one I initially imagined. I did find the plot become a bit overly convoluted as the end neared.
Weaver weaves in a personal storyline for Raker. He has recently discovered he is the father of an adult daughter. Their relationship seems a bit forced to me, but it gives Raker more depth.
I've read previous books in this series, but chose to listen to this latest. The reader was Brit Michael Healy. His voice is measured and well modulated, with a slight gravelly tone His accent is easily understood. It conjured up a slightly different picture of Raker than the one I had in my head from previous books. But it fit - he sounds confident and in control. Dialogue and action scenes are given their due, with inflection and intonation. It's funny what you hear when listening to an audiobook. I could hear the sighs, some swallows and a few other non verbal sounds that make it actually sound like you are there. I like the Raker character, but did find that the audio version made him seen a bit pompous in parts. But this didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
February 16, 2022
This one is perhaps 3.5* rounded up to the 4* as parts of it were quite slow, I found. It started with a real bang but seemed to lose traction some way in and I lost a bit of interest and got pretty confused when we started having too many peripheral characters getting introduced. Though I'm still sticking with the series as I DO enjoy them, and at the end of this one we had a wee teaser as to what is going to be the next case which sounds most intriguing. (Luckily, Amazon just gave me £2 off a wishlist book so I have number 6 downloaded a little cheaper). I really like this set of clever covers on these stories as well. This one is a beaut, even though the cottage in the illustration is different to the one described in the book itself.
Once again, David finds himself in all manner of scrapes....he's like a cat, this bloke !! And of course, many of these scrapes do defy belief at times but that's what fiction is for. I did find myself decidedly sniffy reading about Casey's Bear...there were a few sad issues to contend with, along with too many lies being behind them. Quite sad all round, really.
I did wonder about a cop of thirty years' standing needing a couple of months at least to get security clearance. I know it's a time-consuming process but surely not for a policeman recently retired !! Something else that bothered me was where Annabel was sleeping. David has a 2-bedroomed place but he is using his spare room as an home office....
Annoyingly, he persists in utilising American spellings, even once when he meant arse, though he did get this right at the next time of mentioning. He also wrote peaking instead of peeking but that was it for errors which is very good going indeed.
I loved a comment he made, "Because everyone wanted the truth until they got it," as it is SO true !! I also got quite the kick out of learning how Leonard managed to disappear, too, out there on the moors. Very cleverly done.
Once again, David finds himself in all manner of scrapes....he's like a cat, this bloke !! And of course, many of these scrapes do defy belief at times but that's what fiction is for. I did find myself decidedly sniffy reading about Casey's Bear...there were a few sad issues to contend with, along with too many lies being behind them. Quite sad all round, really.
I did wonder about a cop of thirty years' standing needing a couple of months at least to get security clearance. I know it's a time-consuming process but surely not for a policeman recently retired !! Something else that bothered me was where Annabel was sleeping. David has a 2-bedroomed place but he is using his spare room as an home office....
Annoyingly, he persists in utilising American spellings, even once when he meant arse, though he did get this right at the next time of mentioning. He also wrote peaking instead of peeking but that was it for errors which is very good going indeed.
I loved a comment he made, "Because everyone wanted the truth until they got it," as it is SO true !! I also got quite the kick out of learning how Leonard managed to disappear, too, out there on the moors. Very cleverly done.
October 14, 2014
What can I say, Tim Weaver does it again with another blockbuster instalment in the Raker series. As usual a seemingly straightforward missing persons case turns out to be anything but. There's an extensive cast of characters and numerous plot lines and, of course, all these threads become inexorably drawn together as the book progresses. Throw in some twists and turns, some life threatening situations and a few cases of "who can I trust" and it's just too delicious. David Raker is a very driven individual but eminently likeable so you are always invested in the outcome. Best of all, on the very last page is an inkling of what the next book might be about. it promises to be a ripper. This is one of the best series I have read.
October 16, 2014
This book was decent. There was a genuine puzzle to the whole scheme and I appreciate the mental aspect of the plot and being a part of Raker's internal dialogue.
Buuuttt the ending kind of killed it for me. By the end, it just wasn't believable to me. What always gets me about these books is that the killer at the end always for some reason feels the need to explain himself. And it is always in some overly emotional and irrational motive that seems too unrelated to the victim's disappearance or whatever. I know that it would be unsatisfying if he/she didn't but I dunno, it just seemed like a lifetime movie instead of a book that I could put down and be happy that I read.
Also *spoiler* I knew Casey was still alive.
Buuuttt the ending kind of killed it for me. By the end, it just wasn't believable to me. What always gets me about these books is that the killer at the end always for some reason feels the need to explain himself. And it is always in some overly emotional and irrational motive that seems too unrelated to the victim's disappearance or whatever. I know that it would be unsatisfying if he/she didn't but I dunno, it just seemed like a lifetime movie instead of a book that I could put down and be happy that I read.
Also *spoiler* I knew Casey was still alive.
September 12, 2023
4.5 stars. Book no 5 in the David Raker series. In this one, Raker is assigned a new missing persons case - retired Detective Chief Superintendent Leonard Franks. One winter afternoon nine months ago Franks walked out of his idyllic countryside house to fetch firewood - but never returned.
And once Raker starts peeling away the layers of Leonard Franks, he starts to realise just how deep and dangerous the secrets and lies surrounding his disappearance go.
Another hugely entertaining read from Tim Weaver with twists and turns and thrills galore. Clever and brilliantly well plotted, this really was a rollercoaster ride.
And once Raker starts peeling away the layers of Leonard Franks, he starts to realise just how deep and dangerous the secrets and lies surrounding his disappearance go.
Another hugely entertaining read from Tim Weaver with twists and turns and thrills galore. Clever and brilliantly well plotted, this really was a rollercoaster ride.
August 23, 2019
Another fast paced, gripping thriller from Mr Weaver 👌🏻
October 10, 2022
You will like this book if: you love plot twists, reckless main characters, and a mix of countryside and city thrillers.
Plot: Leonard Franks, a recent police retiree, was at his secluded Dartmoor home with his wife when he went outside for firewood and seemingly vanished into thin air. His daughter hires David Raker, a London private investigator with unconventional and sometimes reckless methods, to uncover the mysterious disappearance. Raker gets wrapped up in this case, uncovering deep secrets. How far do these secrets go? And how can he get to the truth while protecting his loved ones?
Characters: I love a messy main character. Raker lives a very reckless lifestyle but is extremely passionate. Every single character matters. Characters are unique and textured. Many characters are called into question leaving the reader wondering who they can trust.
Setting: Descriptive settings balance the urban London cityscape and the remote England countryside landscape. I’ll admit I was lost during some of the action-packed scenes.
Conflict/Resolution: Plot twists on plot twists kept me hanging on through every twist and turn. The conflict is beautifully crafted, and the way it all comes together at the end loose ends tied in a nice little bow is so gratifying.
Writing: Fall From Grace is extremely well written and easy to dive into with the perfect information level. There is a nice balance of description, action, and dialogue.
Overall/Other notes: I received a copy of Fall From Grace via a Goodreads giveaway.
Plot: Leonard Franks, a recent police retiree, was at his secluded Dartmoor home with his wife when he went outside for firewood and seemingly vanished into thin air. His daughter hires David Raker, a London private investigator with unconventional and sometimes reckless methods, to uncover the mysterious disappearance. Raker gets wrapped up in this case, uncovering deep secrets. How far do these secrets go? And how can he get to the truth while protecting his loved ones?
Characters: I love a messy main character. Raker lives a very reckless lifestyle but is extremely passionate. Every single character matters. Characters are unique and textured. Many characters are called into question leaving the reader wondering who they can trust.
Setting: Descriptive settings balance the urban London cityscape and the remote England countryside landscape. I’ll admit I was lost during some of the action-packed scenes.
Conflict/Resolution: Plot twists on plot twists kept me hanging on through every twist and turn. The conflict is beautifully crafted, and the way it all comes together at the end loose ends tied in a nice little bow is so gratifying.
Writing: Fall From Grace is extremely well written and easy to dive into with the perfect information level. There is a nice balance of description, action, and dialogue.
Overall/Other notes: I received a copy of Fall From Grace via a Goodreads giveaway.
July 28, 2022
Another David Raker thriller and once again Tim Weaver delivers on all fronts. A fast paced story with plenty of suspense, a mystery that didn't delve into the obserdism and snippets of insight into Raker's life to keep the series feeling as much about him as it is the cases he undertakes.
I like to try and solve mysteries before they're revealed. Here I was left surprised at revelations but in my defense I think there was a couple of things I had no chance of working out. This didn't detract from my enjoyment in the slightest but I do feel the deck was stacked against me somewhat.
This is a series I will return to for as long as the author writes in it. I love being in Raker's head and the cases he solves are puzzling to the point of mind bending so to see how he pieces it all together is fascinating. And then when everything is wrapped up Weaver hooks us like a fish by dropping a nugget of a hint about what direction he's taking his main character next.
I like to try and solve mysteries before they're revealed. Here I was left surprised at revelations but in my defense I think there was a couple of things I had no chance of working out. This didn't detract from my enjoyment in the slightest but I do feel the deck was stacked against me somewhat.
This is a series I will return to for as long as the author writes in it. I love being in Raker's head and the cases he solves are puzzling to the point of mind bending so to see how he pieces it all together is fascinating. And then when everything is wrapped up Weaver hooks us like a fish by dropping a nugget of a hint about what direction he's taking his main character next.
March 2, 2018
Great convoluted mystery, which leaves you guessing until the end. My second David Raker book by Tim Weaver and I am already looking for another to read.
October 23, 2022
I'd give Raker #5 a 4.5 star rating, if I could. A really twisty, turny novel with many, many unexpected and surprising & satisfying twists twists. I much preferred this installment to #4.
My only gripes with the Raker novels are their length & the editing. IMHO the novels could easily have several 000's of words trimmed and make the story even more taut - there's a tendency to repeat words and even paragraphs, particularly in dialogue. E.g. 'risk' was used five times in just a few paragraphs.
I consistently find (for me, anyway) the flashbacks add very little. I find myself skipping over them. And events ten to happen to Raker, rather than him drive them - Raker gets washed along and survives usually by sheer persistence. At the conclusion, when the killer was finally revealed, the person explained everything to Raker - only then did Raker cotton on.
Still, these are really good novels - the sales speak for themselves. & I keep reading them. Onto Raker #6!
My only gripes with the Raker novels are their length & the editing. IMHO the novels could easily have several 000's of words trimmed and make the story even more taut - there's a tendency to repeat words and even paragraphs, particularly in dialogue. E.g. 'risk' was used five times in just a few paragraphs.
I consistently find (for me, anyway) the flashbacks add very little. I find myself skipping over them. And events ten to happen to Raker, rather than him drive them - Raker gets washed along and survives usually by sheer persistence. At the conclusion, when the killer was finally revealed, the person explained everything to Raker - only then did Raker cotton on.
Still, these are really good novels - the sales speak for themselves. & I keep reading them. Onto Raker #6!
May 16, 2020
A fantastic,fast paced,red herringed,twisty tale that heartily recommended to those seeking an addictive tale.
December 7, 2020
Yine nefes nefese biten bir David Raker macerasi. Her kayip bulundugunda bir sevinc olmuyor. Geriye gelenler butun sirlari ile geliyor.
January 21, 2025
So twisty!
June 7, 2015
The story was mainly advanced by people hunting the very unlikable hero. Everything and everyone is miserable and all who are not, will be by the end. It is all rather drab and dreary. Coincident and luck are instead the watch words of the day. There is virtually no intellect involved from beginning to end. Also, personal pet peeve, even the most unlikely females make doe eyes at the 'hero' by the end. My biggest problem was though, that I genuinely didn't care for any of the characters involved. By the end I only felt annoyance, boredom and a mild relief that the book was over.
April 18, 2016
The fifth book of the author's excellent "David Raker" series and, possibly, the best one yet. This time Raker is in search of a retired senior police officer who suddenly disappears from his isolated home on the edge of Dartmoor. To add to the tension, this officer is also the father of one of Raker's main adversaries, DCI Melanie Craw. Although almost 600 pages long, the pace of this book never slows and the twists and turns in the final 100 pages are truly enthralling.
July 20, 2023
This was my first Tim Weaver novel and probably my last. It started off okay, if a little plodding, as Raker spends a lot of time going through papers and records. However, my main problem was as the plot twists start to mount they become more implausible.
September 7, 2018
Neexistuje, aby tento autor zklamal!
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