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Avalon #1
First to Fall
Aiden Connelly’s first case will be one he’ll never forget.
Lawyer Aiden Connelly has traded the frenzy of Chicago for a slower pace in sleepy Avalon – and his first case appears to be as open-and-shut as he could hope for. Hired to defend a local ex-beauty queen accused of murdering her husband, he’s confident that he’ll have the case closed in record time. But below the surface lurks a darker truth…
Suddenly, a quiet backwater has transformed into a dangerous pressure cooker. In a town where everyone knows everyone, gathering evidence should be easy… but the harder Aiden searches, the more he appreciates how tangled this net of loyalties is. And as he digs deeper, Aiden begins to realise that his very first case in Avalon could be the beginning of his undoing…
Lawyer Aiden Connelly has traded the frenzy of Chicago for a slower pace in sleepy Avalon – and his first case appears to be as open-and-shut as he could hope for. Hired to defend a local ex-beauty queen accused of murdering her husband, he’s confident that he’ll have the case closed in record time. But below the surface lurks a darker truth…
Suddenly, a quiet backwater has transformed into a dangerous pressure cooker. In a town where everyone knows everyone, gathering evidence should be easy… but the harder Aiden searches, the more he appreciates how tangled this net of loyalties is. And as he digs deeper, Aiden begins to realise that his very first case in Avalon could be the beginning of his undoing…
- GenresFiction
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2010
40 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Carys Jones
16 books235 followersCarys Jones is a thriller writer based in Shropshire where she lives with her husband, daughter and dog.
When she’s not writing she can often be found either walking round the local woodland or catching up on all things Disney related.
Carys also writes speculative thrillers with Harvill, Vintage as Carys Green. Always on My Mind is out now and The Other You will be released in March 2026.
Her favourite authors are Megan Abbott, Amy Engel and Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Carys is represented by Liza DeBlock at Greenstone Literary.
For more information about Carys please visit www.carys-jones.com or follow her online; @CarysJAuthor
When she’s not writing she can often be found either walking round the local woodland or catching up on all things Disney related.
Carys also writes speculative thrillers with Harvill, Vintage as Carys Green. Always on My Mind is out now and The Other You will be released in March 2026.
Her favourite authors are Megan Abbott, Amy Engel and Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Carys is represented by Liza DeBlock at Greenstone Literary.
For more information about Carys please visit www.carys-jones.com or follow her online; @CarysJAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 27, 2014
First to fall. A really good read.
This book kicks off with Lawyer Aiden Connelly, his wife Isla and 2 yr old Meegan moving to the quite town of Avalon.
After the hustle and bustle of city life in Chicago, Aiden is trying to get work and family life back on an even track.
Aiden starts work at his new office Cope and May Solicitors. And it seems like his first case is just a plain straight forward murder. A domestic that has gone wrong.
But it soon becomes clear this is not the case, and Aiden is about to start upsetting the people of the town, who are all very much stuck in their ways, and don't want someone interfering with what has happened.
His wife isn't liking life in the town they have moved to, and is also not liking the fact that Aiden is slowly spending more and more time working.
The story flows along really well and does get you hooked, and wanting to know what the outcome is going to be.
All in all a really enjoyable read.
I read this book in 2 sittings, are really did enjoy it.
Review also posted on my blog- http://ilovereading1.weebly.com/2014-...
August 28, 2014
2.5 Stars
First to Fall is a compelling read in the sense that the narrative flows well and parcels out pieces of the plot at an even and intriguing pace. The trouble comes in feeling that the set pace accelerates through the story. Now, that's not necessary a problem, per se. It is a crime/legal drama so, as a reader, I do want the tension to build and I do want the anticipation to mount before a dramatic climax or resolution. But there's something missing here.
First to Fall is the first book in a proposed series set in Avalon . . . um, a small town called Avalon in the Southern United States. The author never tells us what state attorney Aiden, Isla, and Meegan Connelly leave Chicago for. I kept waiting for the info, but didn't find it. There's mention of the Dallas Cowboys, so I went with an assumption that the family relocated to Texas. The pace of city life in Chicago had started to overwhelm the growing family and, as much as Isla (Aiden's wife) would miss the amenities of living in a large city and the friends she had there, the family is agreed that a slower pace would be in all of their best interests.
And yet, while the pace is much slower, the family still faces several problems. Isla feels isolated. She goes from a busy and fulfilling life in Chicago to feeling like nothing more than the proverbial "little woman" in Avalon. She feels isolated in the small town, confined to the four walls of their home with two-year-old Meegan all day while Aiden is at work. Unfortunately, Isla isn't presented as a character whom I would like. Almost from the beginning, she's short-tempered and mean-spirited, chiding Aiden for being home late, suspecting him of conducting an affair with a client whom he visits in a women's prison. However, what author Carys Jones does to very well is to share bits and pieces of the passion and underlying tensions in Aiden and Isla's relationship and marriage. Slowly, in cleverly crafted scenes and details, she peels away the filter of the present on this family and shows we readers what's underneath. It's fascinating and very well done - easily my favorite part of the story.
The storytelling itself is quite good - smooth and interesting. That said, the dialogue feels a little chopping and stiff at times; it sort of jarred me out of a scene occasionally. Many of the characters, too, feel like caricatures - the broad strokes of what "a good man," or "a small town sheriff" should be, rather than coming to life with features and complexities all their own. Perhaps subsequent books in this series will reveal a more in-depth side to all of the main characters.
I don't want readers - or the author! - to feel disheartened at a two-and-a-half star rating; it did like the story and I am curious as to what comes next in this series. It simply was different from what I was expecting. The resolution felt somewhat rushed and almost too neatly done. I would love to read more from author Carys Jones and I would really like to see more life and character given to Aiden and Isla.
First to Fall is a compelling read in the sense that the narrative flows well and parcels out pieces of the plot at an even and intriguing pace. The trouble comes in feeling that the set pace accelerates through the story. Now, that's not necessary a problem, per se. It is a crime/legal drama so, as a reader, I do want the tension to build and I do want the anticipation to mount before a dramatic climax or resolution. But there's something missing here.
First to Fall is the first book in a proposed series set in Avalon . . . um, a small town called Avalon in the Southern United States. The author never tells us what state attorney Aiden, Isla, and Meegan Connelly leave Chicago for. I kept waiting for the info, but didn't find it. There's mention of the Dallas Cowboys, so I went with an assumption that the family relocated to Texas. The pace of city life in Chicago had started to overwhelm the growing family and, as much as Isla (Aiden's wife) would miss the amenities of living in a large city and the friends she had there, the family is agreed that a slower pace would be in all of their best interests.
And yet, while the pace is much slower, the family still faces several problems. Isla feels isolated. She goes from a busy and fulfilling life in Chicago to feeling like nothing more than the proverbial "little woman" in Avalon. She feels isolated in the small town, confined to the four walls of their home with two-year-old Meegan all day while Aiden is at work. Unfortunately, Isla isn't presented as a character whom I would like. Almost from the beginning, she's short-tempered and mean-spirited, chiding Aiden for being home late, suspecting him of conducting an affair with a client whom he visits in a women's prison. However, what author Carys Jones does to very well is to share bits and pieces of the passion and underlying tensions in Aiden and Isla's relationship and marriage. Slowly, in cleverly crafted scenes and details, she peels away the filter of the present on this family and shows we readers what's underneath. It's fascinating and very well done - easily my favorite part of the story.
The storytelling itself is quite good - smooth and interesting. That said, the dialogue feels a little chopping and stiff at times; it sort of jarred me out of a scene occasionally. Many of the characters, too, feel like caricatures - the broad strokes of what "a good man," or "a small town sheriff" should be, rather than coming to life with features and complexities all their own. Perhaps subsequent books in this series will reveal a more in-depth side to all of the main characters.
I don't want readers - or the author! - to feel disheartened at a two-and-a-half star rating; it did like the story and I am curious as to what comes next in this series. It simply was different from what I was expecting. The resolution felt somewhat rushed and almost too neatly done. I would love to read more from author Carys Jones and I would really like to see more life and character given to Aiden and Isla.
September 29, 2014
Lawyer Aiden escapes the stress of Chicago to give his wife and children a small town life in Avalon. His first case seems to be an open and shut murder case. Brandy has admitted murdering her husband- a town hero who played football.
His boss isn't keen when Aiden says that he wants to investigate further. He isn't convinced that Brandy is guilty. But has Brandy woven him into her web- as the town seems to think she's capable of.
When his wife is threatened by the grieving father- Aiden wonders what he has got them all into. By this stage he is convinced of her innocence and does not want to see her face the gas chamber.
It was a great book- keeping me reading almost in one sitting. I will definately look out for more by this author.
With many thanks to the publisher Carina Uk and Net Galley for the chance to read this book.
His boss isn't keen when Aiden says that he wants to investigate further. He isn't convinced that Brandy is guilty. But has Brandy woven him into her web- as the town seems to think she's capable of.
When his wife is threatened by the grieving father- Aiden wonders what he has got them all into. By this stage he is convinced of her innocence and does not want to see her face the gas chamber.
It was a great book- keeping me reading almost in one sitting. I will definately look out for more by this author.
With many thanks to the publisher Carina Uk and Net Galley for the chance to read this book.
March 17, 2021
This was an OK book overall. I can understand and appreciate the overarching plot theme, but did not like the feasibility behind it. The main character, Aiden, moves his family to a small town from the busy Chicago city life. His first assignment as a lawyer deals with a local murder case where the wife stabs her husband who happens to be the town hero. Throughout the book it details Aiden exploring the case and learning all about the small town. He works closely with his client, Brandy, to ensure she is given a fair trial and fights to save her life. Apparently throughout the book he gets a rather big crush on her. Sure it was implied at times, but I did not see the sparks flying and growing as it was portrayed in the end. And the fights with his wife, Isla, just seemed to be "weird" as a part of the chapters. I get that there is jealously and too much time on a case, but I didn't feel the authenticity of it all.
September 30, 2014
I really enjoyed reading First to Fall, happily devouring it over a few hours in one sitting. I had read Prime Deception by Carys Jones and have to say I think her writing skills have gone up another level! This book really stood out as a very well written novel with a lot going for it.
Lawyer Aiden Connelly has traded the frenzy of Chicago for a slower pace in sleepy Avalon – and his first case appears to be as open-and-shut as he could hope for. Hired to defend a local ex-beauty queen accused of murdering her husband, he’s confident that he’ll have the case closed in record time. But below the surface lurks a darker truth…
Aiden, his wife Isla and young daughter Meeghan relocate to Avalon, small town USA from the big city action of Chicago. Aiden is looking for a slower pace and better lifestyle for his family. Whilst Aiden settles in well to the new small town, his wife Isla struggles a lot more, missing the perks that her cosmopolitan lifestlye used to give her.
Aiden's fist case is a young woman who confessed to murdering her husband, she's locked up in the local prison and if convicted of first degree murder will face the death penalty. Aiden quickly embraces the case with a passion and zeal and begins his research into the background.
The plot is great in this book, the pace of the book is steady, peaking slightly in the last third of the book as many crime/thriller/courtroom novels do (and should). It's a book that held my interest easily, not a minute of boredom or distraction. Hallelujah!
Aiden as a character is very likeable, he's passionate, loyal, committed, sensible but is also not a push over, he's got an ideal mix of character and personality traits to fit his role in this book really well. Isla, his wife on the other hand is the character I loved to hate, in fact she just annoyed me. She's moody, mean, childish, surly, petulant and angry for most of the book. I wanted to give her a good talking to. Get it together woman!
My favourite character in the book was Brandy, our murderess who is sitting in a jail cell awaiting to hear her fate via the court case. She was such an interesting character, initially seeming all sweetness and light but she has a tough, strong side to her to that shone through and I grew to really like her. Liking the villain? Surely not!
Aiden begins to ruffle some small town feathers as he starts digging into the case on behalf of his client and turning over every rock and stone in Avalon, USA. He's not very popular with a lot of the locals, bringing his "big city" ways to their sleepy little town. He doesn't care, that's what I really liked about him.
So I really liked the book yeah? But I have a few minor criticisms.
Firstly, the book needs some proofing again, every time the word "OK" was written, the word next to it blended into it, it needs spacing inserted.
Secondly, some of the styles of speaking and words used did not come across at all American, or small town USA to me at all. At one point the words "ta love" are used, now maybe I am wrong (it happens) but I am pretty sure the word "ta" which is short for thank you is a very British used word, but if you are American and know different let me know. There was a few other example of speech that didn't come off as American to me also.
Thirdly, the setting. I did not feel we were in America, especially not in a small town. Again, I kept seeing rolling green fields and thinking of England, the name Avalon, USA - every time I read it I was in Britain (think Merlin and King Arthur), and I didn't get that super all-American imagery from the book.
Right, back to the good stuff!
I really liked the book, I was happily reading away until the very last word. The ending is brilliant and the court room scenes leading up to it had me holding my breath at times, fantastically done. I did not see the ending coming at all so that one got me. Love it when that happens.
There is one scene in this book where I was shouting "No! Aidan! No!" to him (he didn't listen to me), see if you can pick that same scene and let me know (just for fun).
So, a great read, thrilled to see the author growing with her writing and super excited to read the next book in this series to see what Aiden is tackling in his next legal case in Avalon, USA. 4 stars from me.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher, Carina UK and the author Carys Jones in exchange for an honest review, many thanks.
Lawyer Aiden Connelly has traded the frenzy of Chicago for a slower pace in sleepy Avalon – and his first case appears to be as open-and-shut as he could hope for. Hired to defend a local ex-beauty queen accused of murdering her husband, he’s confident that he’ll have the case closed in record time. But below the surface lurks a darker truth…
Aiden, his wife Isla and young daughter Meeghan relocate to Avalon, small town USA from the big city action of Chicago. Aiden is looking for a slower pace and better lifestyle for his family. Whilst Aiden settles in well to the new small town, his wife Isla struggles a lot more, missing the perks that her cosmopolitan lifestlye used to give her.
Aiden's fist case is a young woman who confessed to murdering her husband, she's locked up in the local prison and if convicted of first degree murder will face the death penalty. Aiden quickly embraces the case with a passion and zeal and begins his research into the background.
The plot is great in this book, the pace of the book is steady, peaking slightly in the last third of the book as many crime/thriller/courtroom novels do (and should). It's a book that held my interest easily, not a minute of boredom or distraction. Hallelujah!
Aiden as a character is very likeable, he's passionate, loyal, committed, sensible but is also not a push over, he's got an ideal mix of character and personality traits to fit his role in this book really well. Isla, his wife on the other hand is the character I loved to hate, in fact she just annoyed me. She's moody, mean, childish, surly, petulant and angry for most of the book. I wanted to give her a good talking to. Get it together woman!
My favourite character in the book was Brandy, our murderess who is sitting in a jail cell awaiting to hear her fate via the court case. She was such an interesting character, initially seeming all sweetness and light but she has a tough, strong side to her to that shone through and I grew to really like her. Liking the villain? Surely not!
Aiden begins to ruffle some small town feathers as he starts digging into the case on behalf of his client and turning over every rock and stone in Avalon, USA. He's not very popular with a lot of the locals, bringing his "big city" ways to their sleepy little town. He doesn't care, that's what I really liked about him.
So I really liked the book yeah? But I have a few minor criticisms.
Firstly, the book needs some proofing again, every time the word "OK" was written, the word next to it blended into it, it needs spacing inserted.
Secondly, some of the styles of speaking and words used did not come across at all American, or small town USA to me at all. At one point the words "ta love" are used, now maybe I am wrong (it happens) but I am pretty sure the word "ta" which is short for thank you is a very British used word, but if you are American and know different let me know. There was a few other example of speech that didn't come off as American to me also.
Thirdly, the setting. I did not feel we were in America, especially not in a small town. Again, I kept seeing rolling green fields and thinking of England, the name Avalon, USA - every time I read it I was in Britain (think Merlin and King Arthur), and I didn't get that super all-American imagery from the book.
Right, back to the good stuff!
I really liked the book, I was happily reading away until the very last word. The ending is brilliant and the court room scenes leading up to it had me holding my breath at times, fantastically done. I did not see the ending coming at all so that one got me. Love it when that happens.
There is one scene in this book where I was shouting "No! Aidan! No!" to him (he didn't listen to me), see if you can pick that same scene and let me know (just for fun).
So, a great read, thrilled to see the author growing with her writing and super excited to read the next book in this series to see what Aiden is tackling in his next legal case in Avalon, USA. 4 stars from me.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher, Carina UK and the author Carys Jones in exchange for an honest review, many thanks.
September 7, 2014
Aidan Connelly is a lawyer from Chicago who, in looking for a better and simpler life with his wife Isla and 2-year-old daughter Meegan, takes up the position of second man in a 2-man law office in the small sleepy town of Avalon. Aidan's first case in the role is that of lawyer to beautiful 24 year old Brandy in prison awaiting trial for the cold-blooded murder of her husband, the golden boy of Avalon who all believe could do no harm. Given the case as a clear open-and-shut, Aidan takes a different view and suddenly the safe, sleepy town of Avalon doesn't feel so welcoming. With the whole town up in arms with newly-arrived Aidan's questioning of the case, can he find out the truth or will Brandy be sentenced to death for a crime Aidan doesn't seem to believe she is fully guilty of.
This was my first legal thriller to read for a long time and surprisingly I really enjoyed it. I managed to read the entirety of the book in only a few hours which I certainly wasn't expecting. Far from the romantic suspense I would normally head straight for, this legal thriller was a refreshing change of pace and genre.
I found the characters created by Carys to be well thought out and brought to life. The writing style was very easy to get on with; very open and really drew the reader in. The main character Aidan was a fantastic lead for the story. As a husband and father who wants more time with his family - a wife who never sees him and a daughter who is growing up without him - Aidan makes the hard decision to move across the country to a smaller, quieter town. To be perfectly honest, I ended up not liking the wife Isla, who spent most of the book acting like a spoilt brat of a toddler. I could understand that Isla felt a lot of fear; losing her husband to his work, of being alone in a new place away from everything and everyone she knows, spending all her time with only a toddler for company and also in possibly losing her husband to another woman. Despite all thing though - being perfectly honest - I think Isla did far more to drive Aidan away with her mood swings and pettiness. Aidan's daughter Meegan on the other hand was a little cutie and I would have loved to see far more of her - hard in a legal thriller but fingers crossed for next time.
The townspeople of Avalon were, I think, very closed minded. By this I mean that they didn't ask questions and tended to believe everything they were told. This allowed a mean husband and later a corrupt sheriff and a grieving father to turn an entire town against a young girl who had survived a terrible childhood and was, really, all alone in the world. For all of this, the girl grew into a wonderful, though damaged, woman. The pure hatred for this woman really came through and I just wanted to give her a massive hug and tell her everything was going to be all right.
This was a book my emotions really got involved in – something I don’t say too often. The last 20% especially had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put the book down. There were times when I got a little frustrated with the pace of the book but overall I felt that it helped in the plot and included information from characters which added to the mystery and the unravelling which came later. Really, my only niggle with the book came via the minor typo’s and silly accidents which showed that the book needed a little more proof reading.
Overall, a great story and I look forward to reading more in this series.
This was my first legal thriller to read for a long time and surprisingly I really enjoyed it. I managed to read the entirety of the book in only a few hours which I certainly wasn't expecting. Far from the romantic suspense I would normally head straight for, this legal thriller was a refreshing change of pace and genre.
I found the characters created by Carys to be well thought out and brought to life. The writing style was very easy to get on with; very open and really drew the reader in. The main character Aidan was a fantastic lead for the story. As a husband and father who wants more time with his family - a wife who never sees him and a daughter who is growing up without him - Aidan makes the hard decision to move across the country to a smaller, quieter town. To be perfectly honest, I ended up not liking the wife Isla, who spent most of the book acting like a spoilt brat of a toddler. I could understand that Isla felt a lot of fear; losing her husband to his work, of being alone in a new place away from everything and everyone she knows, spending all her time with only a toddler for company and also in possibly losing her husband to another woman. Despite all thing though - being perfectly honest - I think Isla did far more to drive Aidan away with her mood swings and pettiness. Aidan's daughter Meegan on the other hand was a little cutie and I would have loved to see far more of her - hard in a legal thriller but fingers crossed for next time.
The townspeople of Avalon were, I think, very closed minded. By this I mean that they didn't ask questions and tended to believe everything they were told. This allowed a mean husband and later a corrupt sheriff and a grieving father to turn an entire town against a young girl who had survived a terrible childhood and was, really, all alone in the world. For all of this, the girl grew into a wonderful, though damaged, woman. The pure hatred for this woman really came through and I just wanted to give her a massive hug and tell her everything was going to be all right.
This was a book my emotions really got involved in – something I don’t say too often. The last 20% especially had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put the book down. There were times when I got a little frustrated with the pace of the book but overall I felt that it helped in the plot and included information from characters which added to the mystery and the unravelling which came later. Really, my only niggle with the book came via the minor typo’s and silly accidents which showed that the book needed a little more proof reading.
Overall, a great story and I look forward to reading more in this series.
September 13, 2014
I received this book from the Author Carys Jonesin exchange for an honest review.
Lawyer Aiden Connelly has traded the frenzy of Chicago for a slower pace in sleepy Avalon – and his first case appears to be as open-and-shut as he could hope for. Hired to defend a local ex-beauty queen accused of murdering her football hero husband, he’s confident that he’ll have the case closed in record time. But below the surface lurks a darker truth…
Suddenly, a quiet backwater has transformed into a dangerous pressure cooker. In a town where everyone knows everyone, gathering evidence should be easy… but the harder Aiden searches, the more he appreciates how tangled this net of loyalties is. And as he digs deeper, Aiden begins to realise that his very first case in Avalon could be the beginning of his undoing.
Then throw into the mixture Aiden's wife - a city girl transplanted to small town America and struggling to cope. She is lonely, anxious, jealous and resentful of any time Aiden spends apart from her; a town sheriff who has his own agenda; an attractive caring priest; a father, protective of the reputation of his only son; and a town who collectively thinks of the murdered man as it's hero.
I found this book an interesting and quick read. I did find the numerous typo's a bit annoying, but they did not distract me from the story (which is unusual for me!).
The twist at the end of the book was unexpected...I had come up with all sorts of scenarios in my mind as I was reading, but not that one! Well done Carys. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
And at the end is an extract from her novel Prime Deception...to tempt us!
Lawyer Aiden Connelly has traded the frenzy of Chicago for a slower pace in sleepy Avalon – and his first case appears to be as open-and-shut as he could hope for. Hired to defend a local ex-beauty queen accused of murdering her football hero husband, he’s confident that he’ll have the case closed in record time. But below the surface lurks a darker truth…
Suddenly, a quiet backwater has transformed into a dangerous pressure cooker. In a town where everyone knows everyone, gathering evidence should be easy… but the harder Aiden searches, the more he appreciates how tangled this net of loyalties is. And as he digs deeper, Aiden begins to realise that his very first case in Avalon could be the beginning of his undoing.
Then throw into the mixture Aiden's wife - a city girl transplanted to small town America and struggling to cope. She is lonely, anxious, jealous and resentful of any time Aiden spends apart from her; a town sheriff who has his own agenda; an attractive caring priest; a father, protective of the reputation of his only son; and a town who collectively thinks of the murdered man as it's hero.
I found this book an interesting and quick read. I did find the numerous typo's a bit annoying, but they did not distract me from the story (which is unusual for me!).
The twist at the end of the book was unexpected...I had come up with all sorts of scenarios in my mind as I was reading, but not that one! Well done Carys. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
And at the end is an extract from her novel Prime Deception...to tempt us!
September 17, 2015
Oh dear, oh dear, where to start? To try and be positive, it wasn't a bad premise for a book. Sadly, it was downhill from then on. An absolutely shocking lack of research shone through on almost every page. The author is clearly not American, and yet set her story in the USA. The language used is inappropriate - when did you last hear an American say 'Ta, love'? The author's lack of knowledge of the US legal system is laughable. Dialogue is appallingly clunky, characters are two dimensional. It's full of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. And if I ever read the expression 'open, shut case' again, I shall scream. Why oh why does the author not know that the expression is 'open AND shut case'?
Sorry to be so negative, but I thought it was dreadful. I've given it two stars as I did manage to get to the end (skim reading, I'll be honest). I would actually quite like my 89 pence back, please.
Sorry to be so negative, but I thought it was dreadful. I've given it two stars as I did manage to get to the end (skim reading, I'll be honest). I would actually quite like my 89 pence back, please.
September 16, 2014
I'm giving First To Fall 2 stars and feel I'm being generous. To me, the actual writing and dialog is off. It seems more of what a teenager would write. Ms Jones resides in England and although she chose to write a story involving the American justice system she knows absolutely nothing about it. This story isn't suppose to be a comedy but some of Ms Jones writing of court room and prisons actually made me laugh. I was given a copy to review.
December 20, 2020
2.5 stars rounding up.
While this book was a quick read and had an interesting storyline, I wasn't a huge fan. The story itself kept me intrigued and wanting to know what would happen next, but the book itself fell flat for me. I think what was missing for me was extra details (or fluff), it was so cut and dry that you didn't really get a feel of the characters (besides Brandy). Aiden's wife, Isla, really annoyed me, and her insecurities were a little over the top. I did think that Carys Jones did a good job depicting a small-town vibe. Growing up in a small town myself, there was definitely your local heroes that could do no wrong. I also thought that Carys Jones helped bring awareness to domestic violence and how victims are treated and sometimes not believed because of their past. Overall, I don't know if I would recommend this book to others. I think that there are better crime/law novels out there, but if you are a fan of Carys Jones and enjoy her writing, then I think you would enjoy this series.
****
Aiden and his family have left Chicago for the slower pace of Avalon. With hopes of a simpler life, Aiden takes a job with a local law office and his first case should be an easy one. His client, Brandy, has admitted to killing her husband (a town hero) and now awaits trial. But as Aiden begins to dig into the case, he starts to realize it's not as simple as everyone thought it would be. What Aiden uncovers, turns the case and town upside down. Aiden and his family begin to receive threats from people of power within the town and soon even those close to Aiden are pushing him to reconsider the case. Will Aiden stand his ground or cave under the pressure of others?
While this book was a quick read and had an interesting storyline, I wasn't a huge fan. The story itself kept me intrigued and wanting to know what would happen next, but the book itself fell flat for me. I think what was missing for me was extra details (or fluff), it was so cut and dry that you didn't really get a feel of the characters (besides Brandy). Aiden's wife, Isla, really annoyed me, and her insecurities were a little over the top. I did think that Carys Jones did a good job depicting a small-town vibe. Growing up in a small town myself, there was definitely your local heroes that could do no wrong. I also thought that Carys Jones helped bring awareness to domestic violence and how victims are treated and sometimes not believed because of their past. Overall, I don't know if I would recommend this book to others. I think that there are better crime/law novels out there, but if you are a fan of Carys Jones and enjoy her writing, then I think you would enjoy this series.
****
Aiden and his family have left Chicago for the slower pace of Avalon. With hopes of a simpler life, Aiden takes a job with a local law office and his first case should be an easy one. His client, Brandy, has admitted to killing her husband (a town hero) and now awaits trial. But as Aiden begins to dig into the case, he starts to realize it's not as simple as everyone thought it would be. What Aiden uncovers, turns the case and town upside down. Aiden and his family begin to receive threats from people of power within the town and soon even those close to Aiden are pushing him to reconsider the case. Will Aiden stand his ground or cave under the pressure of others?
July 24, 2017
The promise of a great story was let down by the simple language, and as a previous reviewer wrote, galloped through at almost too fast a pace. The characters were interesting, but 'thin' with no substance to them. I needed to learn more about the central character, Aiden, and his wife and their circumstances. The other main character, Brandy, was too sweet to be wholesome, and despite knowing from the start what the outcome would be, I felt no sympathy or empathy along the journey. I also feel that the cover illustration leads you to believe, that this will be a 'gritty' punchy crime thriller, however, in reality it felt a bit more Mills and Boon.
August 27, 2014
"First to Fall" is the first Carys' book that I had a pleasure to read, and I started to read it open - minded, not totally knowing what to expect. And when I started, I couldn't put this book down, it has me hooked right from the beginning to the very end.
"First to Fall" follows a story of Aidan, who is a lawyer, and his family. They're just moving from Chicago to a small town of Avalon, a town where they want to start from the beginning, where Aidan will comes home on time and his daughter won't be crying at the sight of him because she thinks he's a stranger, where Aidan and Isla can finally work on their marriage.
His first case in Avalon should be an open, close case. One of the most admired people in the town has been murdered by his own wife who has confirmed this deed. See? Easy and not complicated. But Aiden finds that there is much more to the story... Did Brandy really killed his husband? Should Aidan believe her, or is it just her beauty speaking to him? Was Brandon really such an ideal? Is there more to this all that the people of Avalon think?
"First to Fall" is a great, fast - paced book with a great mix of characters. Just imagine Brandon, the Avalon's blue - eyed angel who couldn't do wrong but who in fact turned out to be a blue - eyed monster, Brandy, very naive, very young, with a very sad past, hoping for better life and supposed to end her life soon in a gas chamber for something that we are not absolutely sure she did, Brandon's father and the corrupt Sheriff who both rule the town as they wish, and Aidan, trying to stand up to this corruption, ignorance and lies, and you have a picture.
Aidan has promised his wife to work less in Avalon, and he really meant this, but as he tried to resolve the Whites mystery he started to work longer hours again and Isla started to feel lonely, lied to, and the fact that Brandy was told to be a real southern belle, with her long blond hair, big eyes, long lashes doesn't help. But to be honest Isla was in my eyes a needy, whingeing woman, an egoist as well and behaving very unreasonably. I understood her, of course, she was a real girl about the town, she used to spent her days shopping, dining with her friends or pampering herself in Chicago, and now she had only her daughter as a company and nothing more, and the fact that her husband was defending the most hated woman in the area was not helping to make new friends. But still, for me she was a very manipulative person and I really hated the way she has treated both Aiden and Meegan, according to her moods and needs. Yes, of course I felt for her after Brandon's father, who was also a very respected businessman in the town, threaten her and Meegan and I have expected Aidan to do more in this case but altogether, she was not my favourite person in the book.
I really appreciated Aiden for doing this what he did for Brandy. He had a choice: he could go the easier way and make friends with the big fishes in the town and live his calm and quiet life but he decided to follow his instincts and solve the mystery. Together with him we discover the story of Brandy and her husband Brandon, and we see that there was much more to this than we think. We learn about Brandy's loneliness, her alienation, the house violence and also, that if you are friend with the right people everything can be changed, ignored or covered up.
Avalon struck me as a typical town, a town of very short - seeing people, people with double mentality, people seeing only this what they wanted to see and hearing only this what they wanted to hear, people going to church every Sunday but on each other day forgetting about God, yet worshipping their pastor and believing in everything what he says and does. A town like thousands other little towns. People like thousands other people. And this all written in a brilliant, captivating way.
Carys has an exceptional talent to write. Yes, to write. About everything. I have hanged ton every single word of this story, I was glued to the book, I have admired everything in it: the plot, the characters, the way it was written, the descriptions. Jones can write in a way that makes you feel as if you were the character in this book for yourself, as if you could see all the things with your own eyes, as if you have witnessed all the situations that happened there. The characters were popping out of the pages and the way they were, they spoke, what they spoke and what they did felt so true!
And it was a book with a moral! Yes! It was a book about appearances that can be deceptive and judging according to stereotypes, about how people will go after the crowd instead of looking for truth, even if the truth turns out to be uncomfortable. A book showing that not everything is as white or as black as we often like to think.
The book was not predictable, and I couldn't wait to find out why Brandy killed her husband and if she was really telling the truth, or maybe she was, like so many people thought, only playing with Aidan. And while the person that she trusted so much struck me for a few times as not being so honest as people thought, I have never expected this book to end like this, I haven't seen this twist coming.
Altogether, it was a really great book that kept me hooked and I for sure will be looking forward to more Carys Jones in the future.
Copy received in exchange for a review as a part of Blog Tour.
"First to Fall" follows a story of Aidan, who is a lawyer, and his family. They're just moving from Chicago to a small town of Avalon, a town where they want to start from the beginning, where Aidan will comes home on time and his daughter won't be crying at the sight of him because she thinks he's a stranger, where Aidan and Isla can finally work on their marriage.
His first case in Avalon should be an open, close case. One of the most admired people in the town has been murdered by his own wife who has confirmed this deed. See? Easy and not complicated. But Aiden finds that there is much more to the story... Did Brandy really killed his husband? Should Aidan believe her, or is it just her beauty speaking to him? Was Brandon really such an ideal? Is there more to this all that the people of Avalon think?
"First to Fall" is a great, fast - paced book with a great mix of characters. Just imagine Brandon, the Avalon's blue - eyed angel who couldn't do wrong but who in fact turned out to be a blue - eyed monster, Brandy, very naive, very young, with a very sad past, hoping for better life and supposed to end her life soon in a gas chamber for something that we are not absolutely sure she did, Brandon's father and the corrupt Sheriff who both rule the town as they wish, and Aidan, trying to stand up to this corruption, ignorance and lies, and you have a picture.
Aidan has promised his wife to work less in Avalon, and he really meant this, but as he tried to resolve the Whites mystery he started to work longer hours again and Isla started to feel lonely, lied to, and the fact that Brandy was told to be a real southern belle, with her long blond hair, big eyes, long lashes doesn't help. But to be honest Isla was in my eyes a needy, whingeing woman, an egoist as well and behaving very unreasonably. I understood her, of course, she was a real girl about the town, she used to spent her days shopping, dining with her friends or pampering herself in Chicago, and now she had only her daughter as a company and nothing more, and the fact that her husband was defending the most hated woman in the area was not helping to make new friends. But still, for me she was a very manipulative person and I really hated the way she has treated both Aiden and Meegan, according to her moods and needs. Yes, of course I felt for her after Brandon's father, who was also a very respected businessman in the town, threaten her and Meegan and I have expected Aidan to do more in this case but altogether, she was not my favourite person in the book.
I really appreciated Aiden for doing this what he did for Brandy. He had a choice: he could go the easier way and make friends with the big fishes in the town and live his calm and quiet life but he decided to follow his instincts and solve the mystery. Together with him we discover the story of Brandy and her husband Brandon, and we see that there was much more to this than we think. We learn about Brandy's loneliness, her alienation, the house violence and also, that if you are friend with the right people everything can be changed, ignored or covered up.
Avalon struck me as a typical town, a town of very short - seeing people, people with double mentality, people seeing only this what they wanted to see and hearing only this what they wanted to hear, people going to church every Sunday but on each other day forgetting about God, yet worshipping their pastor and believing in everything what he says and does. A town like thousands other little towns. People like thousands other people. And this all written in a brilliant, captivating way.
Carys has an exceptional talent to write. Yes, to write. About everything. I have hanged ton every single word of this story, I was glued to the book, I have admired everything in it: the plot, the characters, the way it was written, the descriptions. Jones can write in a way that makes you feel as if you were the character in this book for yourself, as if you could see all the things with your own eyes, as if you have witnessed all the situations that happened there. The characters were popping out of the pages and the way they were, they spoke, what they spoke and what they did felt so true!
And it was a book with a moral! Yes! It was a book about appearances that can be deceptive and judging according to stereotypes, about how people will go after the crowd instead of looking for truth, even if the truth turns out to be uncomfortable. A book showing that not everything is as white or as black as we often like to think.
The book was not predictable, and I couldn't wait to find out why Brandy killed her husband and if she was really telling the truth, or maybe she was, like so many people thought, only playing with Aidan. And while the person that she trusted so much struck me for a few times as not being so honest as people thought, I have never expected this book to end like this, I haven't seen this twist coming.
Altogether, it was a really great book that kept me hooked and I for sure will be looking forward to more Carys Jones in the future.
Copy received in exchange for a review as a part of Blog Tour.
September 1, 2017
Excellent semi-cozy read...just right for those state at-home rainy days & before lights out at bed time....an easy & uplifting mystery leaving the reader w/ a good taste in their mouth!!! :-)
God bless our wonderful nation,
Rolando
God bless our wonderful nation,
Rolando
November 8, 2017
First to fall
I love courtroom drama this was not disappointing I can't imagine anyone being so evil as abuse another person I know this is fiction but also it happens every day
I love courtroom drama this was not disappointing I can't imagine anyone being so evil as abuse another person I know this is fiction but also it happens every day
December 8, 2017
Great story. Really great ending. I enjoyed reading this book and will surely get more books by this author.
February 16, 2018
Interesting book.
February 9, 2020
A decent twist at the end rescues this book a little - the trial scenes are very poor for a legal thriller
October 4, 2023
Trite and sad. One dimensional characters. I just couldn’t believe in them.
February 17, 2025
A great book which kept me intriqued to the end
August 29, 2014
I was delighted when I was asked to take part in the book tour for First To Fall and jumped at the chance. After how much I loved Prime Deception I couldn't wait to read Carys' next novel and it did not disappoint, Carys has the most amazing writing style that grabs and pulls you into the story straight away.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I started to read this book, and especially because it wasn’t out yet it meant that I hadn’t heard or seen anybody else’s thoughts on it. I loved this because it meant I had a blank mind going into the book and was able to form an opinion on it without thinking ‘well people have said it gets good so I’ll carry on reading’. However, this was not the case at all with this book, you don’t have to force yourself to keep reading you just can’t help it, I was hooked from the first chapter and finished this book in a day and a half (whilst also being in work both days)!
The story opens with lawyer Aiden, his wife Isla and daughter Meegan who have moved from Chicago to Alvalon where they want to start their life again and work on their marriage. His want for a peaceful life however is quickly changed when he is given his first case in his new job, a murder. Although it seems a simple, already solved case at first, it may not actually be what it seems, as Aiden soon finds out.
There are so many things I loved about this book, but mainly that you don’t have to wait for the story to build up, it is such a fast paced book that starts straight away and keeps you guessing the whole way through. Also, unlike a lot of other books it is not predictable, what you think may be the case at the start of the book may not be the case at the end! I was so excited throughout the whole book which is something that I don’t always find, I just couldn’t wait to find out what happened and I was so tempted to read ahead so many times! (I didn’t though)! Did Brandy really kill her husband? Or will the truth be something else? You will have to read the book to find out!
Each character was a perfect addition to the story and made it what it is. I thought Aiden was the perfect lead character for the story and made it what it is, he was strong and determined, he wanted to do right by his wife and daughter but also solve the case that he has been given and in turn do right my Brandy. He seems to be somebody that tries to please everybody and is dedicated to his work.
Isla however, at first I did like her and thought she was just missing her old life where she was very sociable, missing her husband due to him working long hours, was stressed out with the move, not knowing anybody and looking after Meegan whilst Aiden was working, but as the story went on she started to get on my nerves a bit. She seemed very needy, selfish and unreasonable. Yes she was finding it difficult to make friends because her husband was defending the woman that killed one of the most popular and well thought of men in Avalon but this seemed too much of a problem for her and she treated her husband and daughter very badly.
I don’t want to say too much more about this book because I urge everybody to go and buy a copy and read pretty much blind like I did, it makes it SO much better! I can’t tell you enough how much I loved this book. There is a twist at the end of the book that I did not see coming at all and it got me so excited for the next book in the series.
I mentioned in my review of Prime Deception how much I love Carys’ writing style and this opinion hasn’t changed, this book proves even more how much of a talented writer she is. She has the ability to transport you from your life straight into the middle of her character’s lives with such ease.
There is nothing negative at all that I can say about this book because I really did love everything, the plot, the characters, the writing style, the twists, the way you just don’t know what will happen next! Everything! I was felt as though I was living the character’s lives with them and it will take me a long time to get out, I can’t stop wondering what is going to happen in the next book now! Each of Carys’ books I read makes me fall in love with her writing style even more, this book has gone straight on my list of my favourite books of this year! I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody even if you don’t read novels of this kind of genre because I guarantee you will enjoy it!
I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I started to read this book, and especially because it wasn’t out yet it meant that I hadn’t heard or seen anybody else’s thoughts on it. I loved this because it meant I had a blank mind going into the book and was able to form an opinion on it without thinking ‘well people have said it gets good so I’ll carry on reading’. However, this was not the case at all with this book, you don’t have to force yourself to keep reading you just can’t help it, I was hooked from the first chapter and finished this book in a day and a half (whilst also being in work both days)!
The story opens with lawyer Aiden, his wife Isla and daughter Meegan who have moved from Chicago to Alvalon where they want to start their life again and work on their marriage. His want for a peaceful life however is quickly changed when he is given his first case in his new job, a murder. Although it seems a simple, already solved case at first, it may not actually be what it seems, as Aiden soon finds out.
There are so many things I loved about this book, but mainly that you don’t have to wait for the story to build up, it is such a fast paced book that starts straight away and keeps you guessing the whole way through. Also, unlike a lot of other books it is not predictable, what you think may be the case at the start of the book may not be the case at the end! I was so excited throughout the whole book which is something that I don’t always find, I just couldn’t wait to find out what happened and I was so tempted to read ahead so many times! (I didn’t though)! Did Brandy really kill her husband? Or will the truth be something else? You will have to read the book to find out!
Each character was a perfect addition to the story and made it what it is. I thought Aiden was the perfect lead character for the story and made it what it is, he was strong and determined, he wanted to do right by his wife and daughter but also solve the case that he has been given and in turn do right my Brandy. He seems to be somebody that tries to please everybody and is dedicated to his work.
Isla however, at first I did like her and thought she was just missing her old life where she was very sociable, missing her husband due to him working long hours, was stressed out with the move, not knowing anybody and looking after Meegan whilst Aiden was working, but as the story went on she started to get on my nerves a bit. She seemed very needy, selfish and unreasonable. Yes she was finding it difficult to make friends because her husband was defending the woman that killed one of the most popular and well thought of men in Avalon but this seemed too much of a problem for her and she treated her husband and daughter very badly.
I don’t want to say too much more about this book because I urge everybody to go and buy a copy and read pretty much blind like I did, it makes it SO much better! I can’t tell you enough how much I loved this book. There is a twist at the end of the book that I did not see coming at all and it got me so excited for the next book in the series.
I mentioned in my review of Prime Deception how much I love Carys’ writing style and this opinion hasn’t changed, this book proves even more how much of a talented writer she is. She has the ability to transport you from your life straight into the middle of her character’s lives with such ease.
There is nothing negative at all that I can say about this book because I really did love everything, the plot, the characters, the writing style, the twists, the way you just don’t know what will happen next! Everything! I was felt as though I was living the character’s lives with them and it will take me a long time to get out, I can’t stop wondering what is going to happen in the next book now! Each of Carys’ books I read makes me fall in love with her writing style even more, this book has gone straight on my list of my favourite books of this year! I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody even if you don’t read novels of this kind of genre because I guarantee you will enjoy it!
January 28, 2015
(actual rating 4.5)
Posted originally http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2014...
First to Fall is the first book in Carys Jones’ Avalon series and it was a brilliant, fascinating way to start it off. At the beginning we’re introduced to lawyer Aiden, his wife Isla and daughter Meegan, who are moving to Avalon in the hope of strengthening their marriage and family. Aiden is soon working on his first case which he believes is more complex than meets the eye – and it was a really interesting case in a book which hooked me right from the start.
Aiden and Isla’s marriage problems could be quite easy to relate to for a lot of people. Isla is fed up with how late Aiden works and how she’s always left to be the one looking after their daughter, with no help from her husband and not much appreciation from him when he’s home either. It’s a realistic portrayal of an issue you see in everyday families – how to manage and split their time fairly and happily between a career and a family. As the book went on, it did seem like nothing would please Isla and though I think I was meant to be more in support of Aiden’s side of the argument, I really couldn’t connect with him either. I found him to be equally as unreasonable as his wife. My opinion on them both did change a few times throughout the book but I’m still not sure I’m that keen on either of them yet.
It was the case that Aiden was working on that really had me loving this book. We’re thrown into Brandy’s case straight away – she’s willingly admitted to murdering her husband, the local hero, and therefore, set to face the death penalty at the age of 24. Wow. This case was really so much more than I had been expecting and I thought Carys’ writing was fantastic. Getting to know Brandy through her meetings with Aiden really messed with my mind because none of it made sense! She seemed so calm and so accepting of her fate and I just needed to know why. I needed to know why things had turned out like they had, why her husband had been killed and like Aiden, I was convinced there must have been more to the case because it just didn’t add up. The building up and the writing of this case was gripping and so strong. I felt so many emotions whilst reading First to Fall – it was shocking, tense, nerve-wracking at times and I was always in anticipation of the next movement, the next twist.
Sometimes these kind of books are let down by their predictability. First to Fall was in no way predictable. It was intriguing and simply great to read. I could not put this book down and I was always trying to work out who to trust and motives and… well it was way beyond me to actually figure this case out but some pretty fantastic writing did that for me. Carys paced this book flawlessly and I’m really looking forward to reading the sequel and the next case Aiden is working on.
*Book gifted for honest review.
November 24, 2014
Aiden Connelly turns his back to the city life. Looking for a new start for his family, together with his wife and daughter, they move to the small town of Avalon. In a small place where everyone knows everyone, life seems so simple. But nothing is what it looks like. Connelly's first case seems pretty plain: the wife killed her husband and confessed the murder. Simple and plain case that has to end very soon. But it takes just one visit to the local prison for his gut to tell him different things, that this woman is not a murderer. Looking for new evidence, Connelly digs up some old skeletons that have to stay buried. The victim was local favorite boy and everyone loved him. He came from a respectful family and was some kind of local celebrity. But his wife, the most beautiful woman who won a beauty contest as a teenager, had no proper home and a had a drug addict for a mother. Everyone was so surprised with their marriage, but no one was surprised when she was arrested for his murder. "That sl*t deserves a death penalty!" Did Brandy really kill her husband? What is hiding behind her angel face? Can she twist men around her little finger or is she a victim of long-term domestic violence? Aiden Connelly has his hands full of work.
Carys Jones writes her legal thrillers with so many emotions. Her characters are unique and well developed. Their true personalities are revealed very slowly as the story goes. As we follow Brandy's story told from behind the bars, in the same time we follow Aiden's doubts in life and ups and downs of his family. If you are looking for some CSI elements that follow the crime , you might be disappointed. This is an emotional story for domestic violence behind the closed door, a story for making changes in your life, a story for second chances. The author perfectly describes a small place where everything seems so simple but it is so complicated. Avalon has so many secrets. Nothing is what it looks like. She perfectly describes the people , their masks and their true faces. "First to Fall" is an interesting thrilling story and I hope to see the series in future.
My opinion: 4 / 5.
Carys Jones writes her legal thrillers with so many emotions. Her characters are unique and well developed. Their true personalities are revealed very slowly as the story goes. As we follow Brandy's story told from behind the bars, in the same time we follow Aiden's doubts in life and ups and downs of his family. If you are looking for some CSI elements that follow the crime , you might be disappointed. This is an emotional story for domestic violence behind the closed door, a story for making changes in your life, a story for second chances. The author perfectly describes a small place where everything seems so simple but it is so complicated. Avalon has so many secrets. Nothing is what it looks like. She perfectly describes the people , their masks and their true faces. "First to Fall" is an interesting thrilling story and I hope to see the series in future.
My opinion: 4 / 5.
September 3, 2014
I received this book via NetGalley.
I have read another book by this author and I wasn't as impressed. But with First to Fall I was interested into the story. You have Aiden who is this young lawyer from the city who decides to move to a small town. Which I wonder how he found this small town anyway the author never gives us that information. Aiden and his wife seem to have some martial problems way before the move and it seems to all stem from him working a lot which his wife Isla hates.
Aiden starts working for a legal place and he gets his first big case! Wow the pressure is on right? But there is more to this case than meets the eye. You get a real taste on how a small town can like you for minute until you do or say something wrong or not how they like and they can turn on you in a dime. Aiden and his family get to learn this real well with the case he takes on. But the question is will he save the young girl he is representing?
The character development with Aiden was awesome. You got to see his good nature side and his upset side with his wife. Aiden I liked, he tried to do good and better his relationship with his wife which I think may have worked out. Not only that he never gave up on the case, which I think was a smart move for him. Now his wife on the other hand I wanted to smack her upside the head on more than one occasion. She was just a mean person it seemed like. Always getting upset if he worked late, thought he was having an affair and they weren't there very long in Avalon.
The story line was greatly done to where I was really wanting to know the back story on Brandy (the convicted killer) and her life. I felt bad for her like Aiden did but I kept wondering what really happened? And I got my answer. I can see this series revolving around Avalon becoming a bit hit, especially with the way the ending came about. Will Aiden be the one that Avalon loves as a lawyer or hates?
I have read another book by this author and I wasn't as impressed. But with First to Fall I was interested into the story. You have Aiden who is this young lawyer from the city who decides to move to a small town. Which I wonder how he found this small town anyway the author never gives us that information. Aiden and his wife seem to have some martial problems way before the move and it seems to all stem from him working a lot which his wife Isla hates.
Aiden starts working for a legal place and he gets his first big case! Wow the pressure is on right? But there is more to this case than meets the eye. You get a real taste on how a small town can like you for minute until you do or say something wrong or not how they like and they can turn on you in a dime. Aiden and his family get to learn this real well with the case he takes on. But the question is will he save the young girl he is representing?
The character development with Aiden was awesome. You got to see his good nature side and his upset side with his wife. Aiden I liked, he tried to do good and better his relationship with his wife which I think may have worked out. Not only that he never gave up on the case, which I think was a smart move for him. Now his wife on the other hand I wanted to smack her upside the head on more than one occasion. She was just a mean person it seemed like. Always getting upset if he worked late, thought he was having an affair and they weren't there very long in Avalon.
The story line was greatly done to where I was really wanting to know the back story on Brandy (the convicted killer) and her life. I felt bad for her like Aiden did but I kept wondering what really happened? And I got my answer. I can see this series revolving around Avalon becoming a bit hit, especially with the way the ending came about. Will Aiden be the one that Avalon loves as a lawyer or hates?
November 24, 2014
I found my love in Avalon beside the bay
I left my love in Avalon and sailed away
I dream of her in Avalon from dusk 'til dawn
And so I'll travel on to Avalon
Avalon lyrics by Vincent Rose, Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva
In First to Fall (Avalon #1) by Carys Jones, attorney Aidan Connelly has moved from a big Chicago law firm to Avalon along with his wife, Isla and two year old daughter, Meeghan to the sleepy town of Avalon to a much smaller and more inviting law practice with an older sole practitioner. Aidan takes on a murder case in which an alluring young woman, Brandy White, has allegedly murdered her husband, stabbing him in a domestic dispute and has confessed to the crime. The wife is jealous, hardly supportive of her lawyer husband defending the accused, and the provincial community has rushed to judgment.
This is an engaging read, and yet I was dilatory in providing a review. As an American attorney, there seemed inconsistencies as to her criminal defense attorney's pleading, perhaps based on procedural disparities between American and British law and such a gradual unfolding of the client's story, her defense and mitigation throughout brief, seemingly unproductive, client conferences. It seemed to me fairer to "recuse" myself from this review and let other readers judge. Despite a few differences in usage between American and British parlance, you should find Carys Jones' story an enjoyable novel.
I left my love in Avalon and sailed away
I dream of her in Avalon from dusk 'til dawn
And so I'll travel on to Avalon
Avalon lyrics by Vincent Rose, Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva
In First to Fall (Avalon #1) by Carys Jones, attorney Aidan Connelly has moved from a big Chicago law firm to Avalon along with his wife, Isla and two year old daughter, Meeghan to the sleepy town of Avalon to a much smaller and more inviting law practice with an older sole practitioner. Aidan takes on a murder case in which an alluring young woman, Brandy White, has allegedly murdered her husband, stabbing him in a domestic dispute and has confessed to the crime. The wife is jealous, hardly supportive of her lawyer husband defending the accused, and the provincial community has rushed to judgment.
This is an engaging read, and yet I was dilatory in providing a review. As an American attorney, there seemed inconsistencies as to her criminal defense attorney's pleading, perhaps based on procedural disparities between American and British law and such a gradual unfolding of the client's story, her defense and mitigation throughout brief, seemingly unproductive, client conferences. It seemed to me fairer to "recuse" myself from this review and let other readers judge. Despite a few differences in usage between American and British parlance, you should find Carys Jones' story an enjoyable novel.
September 10, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Take one big city lawyer transplanted to a small sleepy town, add a capital murder case and stir with a cast of local characters who will do anything to protect one of their own, and you have a rolicking good thriller.
This was an interesting book. The author did a good job of capturing the flavor of a small town and the tendency of locals to close ranks against outsiders.
The town's determination to protect a local football hero was especially believable.
While this is a thriller, it is also a study in small town dynamics.
Like any town, some of the inhabitants are nice, likeable people and some are just nasty folks.
There are a few cliches in the book, and a few of the characters could have been better developed, but that does not detract the reader from enjoying the book.
The only truly negative aspect of this book was the use of English phrases and language clearly not spoken in America. The author is from England and there are several phrases and words used that are obviously not commonly used in America. While not a major detraction, it is annoying to find language and words that are not correctly used for the book's setting. A good editor should correct this.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Take one big city lawyer transplanted to a small sleepy town, add a capital murder case and stir with a cast of local characters who will do anything to protect one of their own, and you have a rolicking good thriller.
This was an interesting book. The author did a good job of capturing the flavor of a small town and the tendency of locals to close ranks against outsiders.
The town's determination to protect a local football hero was especially believable.
While this is a thriller, it is also a study in small town dynamics.
Like any town, some of the inhabitants are nice, likeable people and some are just nasty folks.
There are a few cliches in the book, and a few of the characters could have been better developed, but that does not detract the reader from enjoying the book.
The only truly negative aspect of this book was the use of English phrases and language clearly not spoken in America. The author is from England and there are several phrases and words used that are obviously not commonly used in America. While not a major detraction, it is annoying to find language and words that are not correctly used for the book's setting. A good editor should correct this.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
August 29, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The original review can be found on www.genuinejenn.com
This is the first book I have read of Carys and I look forward to reading more especially in the Avalon series. I have started to get back into mystery novels and this was a welcomed book to get me back into them. This story flows well and I found the author does a great job with the character development. I truly loved Aiden! Not so much his wife Isla but it does make for an interesting couple for sure. Avalon is one of those small towns where everyone knows everyone and their business. I just knew Aiden would get attached too much to the first case in his new job and I really enjoyed the character Brandy, I do hope she shows up in the next book.
This book was a fast read I read almost half of it in my first sitting, I am sure I would have finished faster if the kids were not on summer vacation. The ending came way to fast but I didn't really see it coming. I was totally surprised with the end twist and look forward to Aiden's new case.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars! If you enjoy a light mystery you really should check out this series.
This is the first book I have read of Carys and I look forward to reading more especially in the Avalon series. I have started to get back into mystery novels and this was a welcomed book to get me back into them. This story flows well and I found the author does a great job with the character development. I truly loved Aiden! Not so much his wife Isla but it does make for an interesting couple for sure. Avalon is one of those small towns where everyone knows everyone and their business. I just knew Aiden would get attached too much to the first case in his new job and I really enjoyed the character Brandy, I do hope she shows up in the next book.
This book was a fast read I read almost half of it in my first sitting, I am sure I would have finished faster if the kids were not on summer vacation. The ending came way to fast but I didn't really see it coming. I was totally surprised with the end twist and look forward to Aiden's new case.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars! If you enjoy a light mystery you really should check out this series.
September 30, 2014
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of First To Fall by Carys Jones. In exchange for the ARC, I am providing my honest opinion.
Dethroned Beauty queen, Brandy White has been charged with murdering her much beloved, golden boy husband Brandon. Brandon was a local hero on and off the football field of his hometown of Avalon. The townspeople all believe Brandy is a cold blooded killer and deserves the death penalty. Enter Aidan Connelly, the new big shot city lawyer from Chicago, who has been hired to defend Brandy. Aidan believes Brandy is innocent, he only needs to convince the small town folks as well.
First To Fall is a quick and fast paced read. The story is engaging but there are some problems with the wording and tone of the novel, since the author is British her phrasing is off. Dialogue does not read as authentic and timing of events occur at a near impossible speed, however putting those issues aside First To Fall is a good read.
Dethroned Beauty queen, Brandy White has been charged with murdering her much beloved, golden boy husband Brandon. Brandon was a local hero on and off the football field of his hometown of Avalon. The townspeople all believe Brandy is a cold blooded killer and deserves the death penalty. Enter Aidan Connelly, the new big shot city lawyer from Chicago, who has been hired to defend Brandy. Aidan believes Brandy is innocent, he only needs to convince the small town folks as well.
First To Fall is a quick and fast paced read. The story is engaging but there are some problems with the wording and tone of the novel, since the author is British her phrasing is off. Dialogue does not read as authentic and timing of events occur at a near impossible speed, however putting those issues aside First To Fall is a good read.
October 4, 2014
This was such a fast paced read. I was instantly sucked into the story. I couldn't wait to see what happened next and how Aiden and the town reacted to it. The small town characters mixed with the jumbo sized murder kept me on my toes the entire time.
It was definitely an original story and I loved the fact that you knew who the murderer was from the beginning. The fact that said murderer was instantly likable and relatable was also a nice change of pace and it stood out from other mysteries.
The only downside was every time Aiden's wife appeared on the page I got whiplash from her insane mood swings.
Other than that "First To Fall" was a gripping, hair raising, suspenseful read.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, I can't wait to see where Aiden's next case will take him.
It was definitely an original story and I loved the fact that you knew who the murderer was from the beginning. The fact that said murderer was instantly likable and relatable was also a nice change of pace and it stood out from other mysteries.
The only downside was every time Aiden's wife appeared on the page I got whiplash from her insane mood swings.
Other than that "First To Fall" was a gripping, hair raising, suspenseful read.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, I can't wait to see where Aiden's next case will take him.
October 13, 2014
This is the first book in The Avalon series and I will be looking for the next one. I received this book from an invite on Netgalley and promised an honest review. Once I started reading the book I wanted to finish. Aiden Connelly is a bigtown lawyer who moved with his wife Isla and his 2 year old daughter to the small town of Avalon to escape the hustle and work from the big city. His first case is the murder of the town hero by his wife. Brandy was the disgraced daughter of an addicted mother who disappeared when she was in her teens. She meets Brandon, the town football hero and eventually they get married. Five years later she is in prison for his murder and everyone but Aiden want her put to death. He takes on the defense of Brandy like he does all his cases. Soon the town hates him and his wife wants him to give up. A great story.
September 2, 2014
“First to fall” is a multi-layered tense legal thriller. It is a gripping novel that keeps you hooked from the start.
The atmospheric small town of Avalon, hides many secrets and nothing is as straight forward as it appears. Aiden relocates his family there from Chicago, expecting small town charm but finds the quite life he sought, a little harder to find.
His first case, a domestic murder- opens up a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.
Normally, I am not a fan of legal thrillers, but “First to fall” won me over. Superbly written, with an excellent plot, I wonder is there anything Carys Jones can’t do?
I read this book in less than 24 hours, because I just couldn’t put it down.
The atmospheric small town of Avalon, hides many secrets and nothing is as straight forward as it appears. Aiden relocates his family there from Chicago, expecting small town charm but finds the quite life he sought, a little harder to find.
His first case, a domestic murder- opens up a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.
Normally, I am not a fan of legal thrillers, but “First to fall” won me over. Superbly written, with an excellent plot, I wonder is there anything Carys Jones can’t do?
I read this book in less than 24 hours, because I just couldn’t put it down.
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