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Fall, Leaves, Fall
FALL LEAVES FALL
It’s 1998 and James Bridge has returned to his hometown twenty years after the apparent murder and disappearance of his childhood friend. However, Bridge soon finds himself an outsider in a community he once regarded as his own, forced to confront his past and that of his former friends as the killings begin again.
Fall Leaves Fall is a compelling supernatural thriller.
It’s 1998 and James Bridge has returned to his hometown twenty years after the apparent murder and disappearance of his childhood friend. However, Bridge soon finds himself an outsider in a community he once regarded as his own, forced to confront his past and that of his former friends as the killings begin again.
Fall Leaves Fall is a compelling supernatural thriller.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2014
4 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Mike Driver
54 books13 followersMike Driver lives in Yorkshire, England. His publication history consists of 40 published short stories scattered across print magazines, online titles and anthologies around the horror fiction globe.
His latest fiction can be found in the February 2016 issue of Trysts of Fate and in the forthcoming anthology Haunted by the Past from Tacitus Publishing.
His debut novel “Fall, Leaves, Fall” is available on Kindle alongside his two short story collections, Box of Bones and Midnight's Gate. The second book in the Cletherwood Trilogy will be available in mid-2016.
His latest fiction can be found in the February 2016 issue of Trysts of Fate and in the forthcoming anthology Haunted by the Past from Tacitus Publishing.
His debut novel “Fall, Leaves, Fall” is available on Kindle alongside his two short story collections, Box of Bones and Midnight's Gate. The second book in the Cletherwood Trilogy will be available in mid-2016.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 5, 2016
This book literally gave me chills; It’s written to beg the reader not to put it down, to become part of this world of pain, fear, and mystery.
Bridge is home after years of being away; his friend, Pete, was murdered years before, and now that he’s home, the mystery begins again. More boys are getting killed, and the only question now is by who? The original killer is dead; so now who is doing this?
I really enjoyed this book; it was very descriptive, like a scary movie that sucks you in. It’s full of mystery, action and the mystery of what’s going on? Unlike many books where the killer it is easy to figure out early on; this book had me guessing from the beginning. I was truly shocked with the end. The only suggestion for improvement, would be the grammar; I found several spelling and grammar mistakes that affected the readability, causing me to reread a few sections to understand them. Other than that, the writing was good, very descriptive, and suspenseful....Stormi
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Bridge is home after years of being away; his friend, Pete, was murdered years before, and now that he’s home, the mystery begins again. More boys are getting killed, and the only question now is by who? The original killer is dead; so now who is doing this?
I really enjoyed this book; it was very descriptive, like a scary movie that sucks you in. It’s full of mystery, action and the mystery of what’s going on? Unlike many books where the killer it is easy to figure out early on; this book had me guessing from the beginning. I was truly shocked with the end. The only suggestion for improvement, would be the grammar; I found several spelling and grammar mistakes that affected the readability, causing me to reread a few sections to understand them. Other than that, the writing was good, very descriptive, and suspenseful....Stormi
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https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
March 5, 2016
This review is also posted on my blog: http://danielletaraevans.blogspot.com...
This is a dark story with a gloomy atmosphere. The author's vivid descriptions of a small town in autumn on the brink of winter are well done. The gray skies and the near constant rain allows for a perfect setting for a supernatural thriller.
Bridge has returned to his hometown, a place where a few children were murdered twenty years ago. Unfortunately, one of those children was his best friend. And now that Bridge has returned, strange things begin to happen. And a child goes missing.
Bridge reunites with his old friends, ones who were there the day that their friend went missing after he suffered a terrible fall. They were all interesting characters, but it's not surprising that Bridge didn't remain friends with them after all these years. I was intrigued by his relationship with Susan...
Bridge is an average guy, and it was hard not to feel sorry for him when the author takes you back to his past, and you can feel the guilt that he still carries with him--even though he was just a kid, and he didn't really do anything wrong.
This was a really good mystery with the right amount of creepiness. Bridge goes through a lot to try to get to the bottom of it all. I was honestly surprised in the end; I wasn't able to guess who the killer was. The leaves were fascinating to me, but I was horrified when I learned their significance. And I have to admit I have flinched recently when seeing dead leaves floating around since reading this!
There were some minor grammatical errors and a few unanswered questions in the end, but overall, I really enjoyed this book. I could easily see this as a movie!
If you like dark, suspenseful thrillers, you should definitely check this one out!
This is a dark story with a gloomy atmosphere. The author's vivid descriptions of a small town in autumn on the brink of winter are well done. The gray skies and the near constant rain allows for a perfect setting for a supernatural thriller.
Bridge has returned to his hometown, a place where a few children were murdered twenty years ago. Unfortunately, one of those children was his best friend. And now that Bridge has returned, strange things begin to happen. And a child goes missing.
Bridge reunites with his old friends, ones who were there the day that their friend went missing after he suffered a terrible fall. They were all interesting characters, but it's not surprising that Bridge didn't remain friends with them after all these years. I was intrigued by his relationship with Susan...
Bridge is an average guy, and it was hard not to feel sorry for him when the author takes you back to his past, and you can feel the guilt that he still carries with him--even though he was just a kid, and he didn't really do anything wrong.
This was a really good mystery with the right amount of creepiness. Bridge goes through a lot to try to get to the bottom of it all. I was honestly surprised in the end; I wasn't able to guess who the killer was. The leaves were fascinating to me, but I was horrified when I learned their significance. And I have to admit I have flinched recently when seeing dead leaves floating around since reading this!
There were some minor grammatical errors and a few unanswered questions in the end, but overall, I really enjoyed this book. I could easily see this as a movie!
If you like dark, suspenseful thrillers, you should definitely check this one out!
December 2, 2015
If he can only entice you near enough to read the prologue, Mike Driver has you.
“What on earth is happening?!” This is the desperate question the reader is plagued with from the start of this smart thriller. If you have every truly feared for your own life, Mike Driver will take you back to that visceral, surreal feeling again and again in this book.
Fall, Leaves, Fall is crafted around the protagonist, Bridge, who has returned home nearly twenty years after a series of small town murders, one of which took the life of his boyhood friend, Pete. Bridge has relived the terror and guilt of his friend’s murder behind closed eyes for many years; but now, after another boy disappears, the horror of those murders comes flooding back.
Driver’s work is a refreshing change of pace. Anti-hero, Bridge, is intensely average and unqualified for the terrifying task at hand. Instead, he is real. He is flawed. He is you and I. Nonetheless, Bridge must face a terrifying, soul-gripping evil without the heroic (and unrealistic) qualities that most protagonists enjoy. To be truthful, the terror often gives way to tedium at random intervals along the way. When Bridge is distracted from the evil that lurks in Cletherwood, he is, well, boring. Bridge is unremarkable, and in normal situations, he is not particularly likeable. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that to be inside of Bridge, to experience that lackluster life that defines him, sets the reader up for striking bouts of terror.
All-in-all, Fall, Leaves, Fall is a thrilling read. I for one, will be back for the second and third of the series, and I hope to hear more from Mike Driver.
“What on earth is happening?!” This is the desperate question the reader is plagued with from the start of this smart thriller. If you have every truly feared for your own life, Mike Driver will take you back to that visceral, surreal feeling again and again in this book.
Fall, Leaves, Fall is crafted around the protagonist, Bridge, who has returned home nearly twenty years after a series of small town murders, one of which took the life of his boyhood friend, Pete. Bridge has relived the terror and guilt of his friend’s murder behind closed eyes for many years; but now, after another boy disappears, the horror of those murders comes flooding back.
Driver’s work is a refreshing change of pace. Anti-hero, Bridge, is intensely average and unqualified for the terrifying task at hand. Instead, he is real. He is flawed. He is you and I. Nonetheless, Bridge must face a terrifying, soul-gripping evil without the heroic (and unrealistic) qualities that most protagonists enjoy. To be truthful, the terror often gives way to tedium at random intervals along the way. When Bridge is distracted from the evil that lurks in Cletherwood, he is, well, boring. Bridge is unremarkable, and in normal situations, he is not particularly likeable. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that to be inside of Bridge, to experience that lackluster life that defines him, sets the reader up for striking bouts of terror.
All-in-all, Fall, Leaves, Fall is a thrilling read. I for one, will be back for the second and third of the series, and I hope to hear more from Mike Driver.
February 3, 2016
This isn't a genre that I would normally be excited about, but I happened to pick up Fall, Leaves, Fall and was immediately grabbed by the story and gobbled it up. I thoroughly enjoyed the book on many levels. I don't hesitate to give it 5 stars.
First, Mike Driver's writing is very polished, very clear, very readable. He has a down-to-earth writing style that is comfortable to read and yet is accurate and expressive. Given that the story borders on horror and has an element of psychological darkness, it would be out of place for the author to use overt humor. However, Mike has a natural sense of humor that comes through in very subtle ways in his use of language. To me this added a human touch to the story, keeping it from becoming too heavy.
In fact the author does a great job overall of making the protagonist likeable. It would have been very easy for another author telling this story to make the protagonist seem tragic, depressive, even crazy. But then we wouldn't have been able to relate to him. For me, the author made the hero very human. Even when he was possessed by fear, defensiveness, or depression, he was still a "normal" guy wrestling with challenges brought on by traumatic events.
The mystery on which the story is based was woven very artfully, unfolded little by little and then revealed in full at the end. I felt that the suspense built nicely, not too fast, not too slow. The storyline was complex enough to intrigue and fascinate me.
I wouldn't say this is really a horror story. It has dark supernatural elements and the author does a good job of keeping the "creep" levels up but not anywhere near to the extent that I would have nightmares. The darkness was primarily psychological, with the hero often not knowing whether something bizarre just happened or that his mind was playing tricks on him. It turns out, in fact, that there are bizarre supernatural things happening but the reader often doesn't know at first when it's psychological and when it's supernatural.
This psychological element added a lot to the story for me. The author has captured certain aspects of the human psyche and brings them to life. It was cathartic for me to follow how the characters related to traumatic experiences, to fear and to paranoia.
All in all I very much enjoyed the story, the masterful way in which it was told, and the insights into humanity that I took away from the story. Well done that, Mike Driver!
First, Mike Driver's writing is very polished, very clear, very readable. He has a down-to-earth writing style that is comfortable to read and yet is accurate and expressive. Given that the story borders on horror and has an element of psychological darkness, it would be out of place for the author to use overt humor. However, Mike has a natural sense of humor that comes through in very subtle ways in his use of language. To me this added a human touch to the story, keeping it from becoming too heavy.
In fact the author does a great job overall of making the protagonist likeable. It would have been very easy for another author telling this story to make the protagonist seem tragic, depressive, even crazy. But then we wouldn't have been able to relate to him. For me, the author made the hero very human. Even when he was possessed by fear, defensiveness, or depression, he was still a "normal" guy wrestling with challenges brought on by traumatic events.
The mystery on which the story is based was woven very artfully, unfolded little by little and then revealed in full at the end. I felt that the suspense built nicely, not too fast, not too slow. The storyline was complex enough to intrigue and fascinate me.
I wouldn't say this is really a horror story. It has dark supernatural elements and the author does a good job of keeping the "creep" levels up but not anywhere near to the extent that I would have nightmares. The darkness was primarily psychological, with the hero often not knowing whether something bizarre just happened or that his mind was playing tricks on him. It turns out, in fact, that there are bizarre supernatural things happening but the reader often doesn't know at first when it's psychological and when it's supernatural.
This psychological element added a lot to the story for me. The author has captured certain aspects of the human psyche and brings them to life. It was cathartic for me to follow how the characters related to traumatic experiences, to fear and to paranoia.
All in all I very much enjoyed the story, the masterful way in which it was told, and the insights into humanity that I took away from the story. Well done that, Mike Driver!
February 24, 2016
This is one of those books you just can't put down once you've started. It is very fast-paced and leaves you out of breath most of the time, just like the main character.
When James Bridge returns home after 20 years, strange things start to happen: paranoid acting childhood friends, leaves moving on their volition, and then another child goes missing. James stumbles through this story trying to make sense of the strange things happening around and to him, while at the same time being repeatedly assaulted from different persons for different reasons. Suddenly, his return home doesn't seem such a good idea at all, but sometime in the past he made a promise he vowed to keep...
I loved the tension the author created and managed to hold throughout the book. The moving leaves suggesting a ghostly presence, the repeated appearance of some mysterious numbers - this all added further suspense and creepiness to an already intriguing puzzle. While my first guess as to the identity of the killer proved to be right, it did not diminish the suspense in reading how James finally reached his own conclusions.
However, after finishing the book I found that not all loose ends where tied up neatly to my satisfaction, leaving some irritating errand strands hanging around. Maybe there where too many different angles and approaches taken (which on the other hand made the story so thrilling and complex), or maybe the author wanted to reserve some answers for the sequel (I definitely hope so).
The writing was really good, but a number of errors, mostly missing or double words (which may be hard to catch with a spell checker) made me stumble over sentences, causing unnecessary breaks in an otherwise fast run through this thrilling book.
All in all, 'Fall, Leaves, Fall' was a compelling thriller and impressive debut novel with a nice ghostly touch to it, and I will definitely watch out for a sequel.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
When James Bridge returns home after 20 years, strange things start to happen: paranoid acting childhood friends, leaves moving on their volition, and then another child goes missing. James stumbles through this story trying to make sense of the strange things happening around and to him, while at the same time being repeatedly assaulted from different persons for different reasons. Suddenly, his return home doesn't seem such a good idea at all, but sometime in the past he made a promise he vowed to keep...
I loved the tension the author created and managed to hold throughout the book. The moving leaves suggesting a ghostly presence, the repeated appearance of some mysterious numbers - this all added further suspense and creepiness to an already intriguing puzzle. While my first guess as to the identity of the killer proved to be right, it did not diminish the suspense in reading how James finally reached his own conclusions.
However, after finishing the book I found that not all loose ends where tied up neatly to my satisfaction, leaving some irritating errand strands hanging around. Maybe there where too many different angles and approaches taken (which on the other hand made the story so thrilling and complex), or maybe the author wanted to reserve some answers for the sequel (I definitely hope so).
The writing was really good, but a number of errors, mostly missing or double words (which may be hard to catch with a spell checker) made me stumble over sentences, causing unnecessary breaks in an otherwise fast run through this thrilling book.
All in all, 'Fall, Leaves, Fall' was a compelling thriller and impressive debut novel with a nice ghostly touch to it, and I will definitely watch out for a sequel.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
January 21, 2016
10/1978, Boy Missing (Manchester Evening News).
It was Pete (BMF) he had been murdered.
Fast forward in the Cletherwood Advertiser stated another Boy Missing.
2 others Clack Martin &, Marcus Clifton (housing minister’s son), were also murdered.
Pete’s body was never ever found.
9/1998, James Bridge (narrator, paperboy) returns to his hometown Cletherwood (Pennines).
Edward Warwick (aka Fat Eddie, former BMF, Executive Chef, Gastro pub) wanted to see him at Marshall’s bar.
Susan Reynolds (former classmate, BFF) was there also.
Grady Brownlow (elderly, aka Gravy, Cletherwood Killer) who had been in prison finally died on 10/3/1998.
Francesco Frankie Fonseca (BMF) & Susan were getting a divorce.
Alexander Andrew Armstrong body had been found.
Eddie & James were going to meet at Longfell Inn (restaurant/bar).
What about Councilor Richard Grayson (Grady’s former boss)?
Frankie, Susan Reynolds & James were trying to figure out who the serial killer was.
Constable William H. Baldwin (# 4702) was trying to figure out the murder puzzle also?
Will anyone be brought to justice?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written who-dun-it murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great who-dun-it murder mystery movie, or mini TV series. I book you will have to read to the very end. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
It was Pete (BMF) he had been murdered.
Fast forward in the Cletherwood Advertiser stated another Boy Missing.
2 others Clack Martin &, Marcus Clifton (housing minister’s son), were also murdered.
Pete’s body was never ever found.
9/1998, James Bridge (narrator, paperboy) returns to his hometown Cletherwood (Pennines).
Edward Warwick (aka Fat Eddie, former BMF, Executive Chef, Gastro pub) wanted to see him at Marshall’s bar.
Susan Reynolds (former classmate, BFF) was there also.
Grady Brownlow (elderly, aka Gravy, Cletherwood Killer) who had been in prison finally died on 10/3/1998.
Francesco Frankie Fonseca (BMF) & Susan were getting a divorce.
Alexander Andrew Armstrong body had been found.
Eddie & James were going to meet at Longfell Inn (restaurant/bar).
What about Councilor Richard Grayson (Grady’s former boss)?
Frankie, Susan Reynolds & James were trying to figure out who the serial killer was.
Constable William H. Baldwin (# 4702) was trying to figure out the murder puzzle also?
Will anyone be brought to justice?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written who-dun-it murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great who-dun-it murder mystery movie, or mini TV series. I book you will have to read to the very end. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
February 10, 2016
“Fall Leaves Fall” by Mike Driver is a book with many personalities. It is a who-done-it, mystery, detective novel with a bit of horror and paranormal activity brought in for good measure.
A young boy falls as he climbs up the side of a cliff with his group of friends. One of the friends (Bridge, who is the narrator of the story) realizes his fallen friend is still alive and runs to get help. When Bridge brings back the police the injured boy is gone and even though the authorities mount a search, he is never found. A local man confesses to taking the injured boy from the accident site and killing him. End of story… or maybe not.
Bridge returns as an adult to the town he grew up in and begins to have memories of his friend’s disappearance and the mystery that surrounded it. He starts to hash through some of the facts of the case and steps into a pseudo-detective role. Other characters are brought into the story and create a variety of suspects.
Mr. Driver spins this tale in small and consistent bites that moves us through the storyline and builds tension. I frequently found myself thinking I knew who the killer was, but changed my mind as I read the next chapter. Driver also has a way of describing events in a very descriptive way that takes you right into the story and right into the action. Because of his detailed writing style some of the more graphic scenes can almost be considered to fall into the horror genre. But the details are no so graphic that it disrupts the story or makes you want to stop reading, but enough to scare the hell out of you.
Then when Mr. Driver tosses in a paranormal aspect to the story, it gets all the more interesting. I like books like this. I tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together throughout the whole story but I couldn’t see the real picture until the very end. Get it. You’ll like it.
A young boy falls as he climbs up the side of a cliff with his group of friends. One of the friends (Bridge, who is the narrator of the story) realizes his fallen friend is still alive and runs to get help. When Bridge brings back the police the injured boy is gone and even though the authorities mount a search, he is never found. A local man confesses to taking the injured boy from the accident site and killing him. End of story… or maybe not.
Bridge returns as an adult to the town he grew up in and begins to have memories of his friend’s disappearance and the mystery that surrounded it. He starts to hash through some of the facts of the case and steps into a pseudo-detective role. Other characters are brought into the story and create a variety of suspects.
Mr. Driver spins this tale in small and consistent bites that moves us through the storyline and builds tension. I frequently found myself thinking I knew who the killer was, but changed my mind as I read the next chapter. Driver also has a way of describing events in a very descriptive way that takes you right into the story and right into the action. Because of his detailed writing style some of the more graphic scenes can almost be considered to fall into the horror genre. But the details are no so graphic that it disrupts the story or makes you want to stop reading, but enough to scare the hell out of you.
Then when Mr. Driver tosses in a paranormal aspect to the story, it gets all the more interesting. I like books like this. I tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together throughout the whole story but I couldn’t see the real picture until the very end. Get it. You’ll like it.
December 22, 2015
Intriguing story that keeps you glued to the book.
Mike is an excellent author who knows his craft very well. He has a way of captivating his readers and turning the world up side down. The pace of the book is excellent without rushing the reader nor putting the reader to sleep. It is just right and makes this a very good book. He keeps you guessing until the very end! The ending is very unexpected which makes this a joy to read.
Bridge is an interesting character who tries to figure out what is going on. He is not your typical hero and more stumbles around in this mystery getting lucky here and there with the clues. I find that very refreshing and actually was a very good fit. It makes it more relate-able.
Overall this is a unique mystery of the paranormal and I can only recommend this to my fellow readers.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review.
Mike is an excellent author who knows his craft very well. He has a way of captivating his readers and turning the world up side down. The pace of the book is excellent without rushing the reader nor putting the reader to sleep. It is just right and makes this a very good book. He keeps you guessing until the very end! The ending is very unexpected which makes this a joy to read.
Bridge is an interesting character who tries to figure out what is going on. He is not your typical hero and more stumbles around in this mystery getting lucky here and there with the clues. I find that very refreshing and actually was a very good fit. It makes it more relate-able.
Overall this is a unique mystery of the paranormal and I can only recommend this to my fellow readers.
I have received this book from the author for an honest review.
February 27, 2016
Loving me some suspense. This is one of the goodies. Creepy but not to the point of causing an uncomfortable level of creep. Child murders and questions as to the true guilt. Twists and turns and all the fun that goes alone with it. I love a good mystery and I refuse to give you any more details as it would take all the joy out of reading this one. So if you love a good mystery and all the twists and turns that make they great, this one will not disappoint you.
October 9, 2016
SNSBAH Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This book like all books has a soul. It is a vivid story layered with elements that provides its readers with a great escape. I loved this book!
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This book like all books has a soul. It is a vivid story layered with elements that provides its readers with a great escape. I loved this book!
April 26, 2018
Fall, Leaves, Fall - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Now aged 32, James Bridge still has nightmares about the happenings when he was just a 12 year old lad in the backwater town of Cletherwood. The friends he was so close to back then have long drifted away, but that's about to change when James returns to visit his parents, (who still live there) and is surprised to meet one and then more old pals, who may or may not have their own agenda.
Who still runs the paper shop where James used to do his paper round?
What is this person's relationship to the events from 20 years ago and now?
Why is the title so poignant? What happened to Susan and Frankie back then?
Who is Eddie and what does he have on his arm? How does that relate to the events from long ago?
Mike Driver has the skill to weave mystery, terrors old and new, love and violence, fear and passions out of control and behind them all a hidden darkness that is beginning to be revealed.
A definite winner for fans of psychological thrillers with a fantasy twist and murder mysteries.
I received a complimentary copy of this book so that I could give an honest review.
Now aged 32, James Bridge still has nightmares about the happenings when he was just a 12 year old lad in the backwater town of Cletherwood. The friends he was so close to back then have long drifted away, but that's about to change when James returns to visit his parents, (who still live there) and is surprised to meet one and then more old pals, who may or may not have their own agenda.
Who still runs the paper shop where James used to do his paper round?
What is this person's relationship to the events from 20 years ago and now?
Why is the title so poignant? What happened to Susan and Frankie back then?
Who is Eddie and what does he have on his arm? How does that relate to the events from long ago?
Mike Driver has the skill to weave mystery, terrors old and new, love and violence, fear and passions out of control and behind them all a hidden darkness that is beginning to be revealed.
A definite winner for fans of psychological thrillers with a fantasy twist and murder mysteries.
I received a complimentary copy of this book so that I could give an honest review.
July 11, 2016
‘Fall, Leaves, Fall’ is the debut full-length novel by British author Mike Driver and is written in the first person. The action switches between 1998 and twenty years earlier when the main protagonist, James Bridge, is twelve years old.
The cover design reflects the title and as the book develops, the significance of both become apparent.
The structure is tight and the pace even throughout. The free-flowing writing style is very easy to read and the author has used many literary devices including humour, similes, metaphors and irony to build a vivid backdrop for his plot.
The characters are diverse and three dimensional and Driver has given the main protagonist some strong foils to move the tale along. I think many readers will identify with aspects of the story, particularly when Bridge moves back to the parental home. “Three days. Just three days and I was ready to take a life; possibly my own.”
We are transported to Bridge’s grandmother’s house with its dated décor and then to Marshall’s Bar with its high chrome and leather bar stools. There are references to ‘Newsnight’ and a BBC outside broadcasting van which firmly establish the setting in England with the grammar and spelling also being British-English. It was therefore a little surprised to see the American term ‘bangs’ when referring to a someone’s fringe and a character visiting the ‘bathroom’ in a pub. However, I would like to thank the author for giving me a new word, ‘homunculus’ with which I was unfamiliar.
The descriptive passages of the town of Cletherwood create a clever contrast to the menace and macabre undertones which increase as the story unfolds and the killings begin again. Bridge has to face up to his own demons and examine emotions he thought were long buried.
The overriding themes are redemption, justice and closure as Bridge struggles to make sense of what’s happening and solve a puzzle dating back twenty years.
If you enjoy a good murder mystery with a degree of the supernatural, this is definitely the book for you. I found it extremely enjoyable and a definite page-turner. Driver is an accomplished author and has delivered an excellent story. He has set a high stand for his next book and I hope to get the chance to review it. I wavered between four-and-a-half and five stars but for the overall concept, structure and strength of the plot, I finally decided that ‘Fall, Leaves Fall’ deserves the higher award.
Reviewed by Julie at www.whisperingstories.com
The cover design reflects the title and as the book develops, the significance of both become apparent.
The structure is tight and the pace even throughout. The free-flowing writing style is very easy to read and the author has used many literary devices including humour, similes, metaphors and irony to build a vivid backdrop for his plot.
The characters are diverse and three dimensional and Driver has given the main protagonist some strong foils to move the tale along. I think many readers will identify with aspects of the story, particularly when Bridge moves back to the parental home. “Three days. Just three days and I was ready to take a life; possibly my own.”
We are transported to Bridge’s grandmother’s house with its dated décor and then to Marshall’s Bar with its high chrome and leather bar stools. There are references to ‘Newsnight’ and a BBC outside broadcasting van which firmly establish the setting in England with the grammar and spelling also being British-English. It was therefore a little surprised to see the American term ‘bangs’ when referring to a someone’s fringe and a character visiting the ‘bathroom’ in a pub. However, I would like to thank the author for giving me a new word, ‘homunculus’ with which I was unfamiliar.
The descriptive passages of the town of Cletherwood create a clever contrast to the menace and macabre undertones which increase as the story unfolds and the killings begin again. Bridge has to face up to his own demons and examine emotions he thought were long buried.
The overriding themes are redemption, justice and closure as Bridge struggles to make sense of what’s happening and solve a puzzle dating back twenty years.
If you enjoy a good murder mystery with a degree of the supernatural, this is definitely the book for you. I found it extremely enjoyable and a definite page-turner. Driver is an accomplished author and has delivered an excellent story. He has set a high stand for his next book and I hope to get the chance to review it. I wavered between four-and-a-half and five stars but for the overall concept, structure and strength of the plot, I finally decided that ‘Fall, Leaves Fall’ deserves the higher award.
Reviewed by Julie at www.whisperingstories.com
November 1, 2015
Bridge returns to his home town of Cletherwood twenty years after a series of child murders. He was twelve at the time and his best friend, Pete, was one of the murder victims. His past comes back to haunt him, all around are memories of Pete and he is unable to rid himself of a sense of guilt over the circumstances surrounding his friend's fate. In search for answers, he meets up with his old friends from childhood. Whilst the man convicted of the original murders has died in prison another boy has recently disappeared.
There are some genuinely creepy moments and the author makes full use of the weather and environment to build up the tension, as when Bridge is alone at the bandstand.
He is haunted by the time when he last saw Pete alive. The description of him as a terrified and panic stricken boy is gripping.
The author also skilfully conveys the drabness and utter tedium of life in a small town. I particularly liked the episode featuring his friend's father, Luca; alone, abandoned in his run down cottage, wallowing in despair and loneliness.
However, I did find it difficult to warm to Bridge. On several occasions he's verbally abused without attempting to speak up for himself, and he hangs around Susan like a lovesick puppy. As a man in his early thirties, he seems unable to defend himself physically (in two cases, against much older opponents). Little is revealed about what he's been doing or where he's been for the past twenty years. Why has he chosen to return at this particular time? He lives in his Grandmother's house, but, apart from a vague reference to insurance, he seems to have no source of income. Maybe a bit more background would have explained Bridge and what motivates him.
Eddie is a much more interesting character and so to a lesser extent, is Frankie. Grayson, the Councillor, is intriguing, although I find it hard to understand how he has managed to maintain such control and influence over the town for more than twenty years.
My main problem is the amount of typos, which distracted me from the story. This book would benefit greatly from a good editing.
The ending is unexpected and leaves some unanswered questions.
Overall, an intriguing read, full of suspense and atmosphere.
There are some genuinely creepy moments and the author makes full use of the weather and environment to build up the tension, as when Bridge is alone at the bandstand.
He is haunted by the time when he last saw Pete alive. The description of him as a terrified and panic stricken boy is gripping.
The author also skilfully conveys the drabness and utter tedium of life in a small town. I particularly liked the episode featuring his friend's father, Luca; alone, abandoned in his run down cottage, wallowing in despair and loneliness.
However, I did find it difficult to warm to Bridge. On several occasions he's verbally abused without attempting to speak up for himself, and he hangs around Susan like a lovesick puppy. As a man in his early thirties, he seems unable to defend himself physically (in two cases, against much older opponents). Little is revealed about what he's been doing or where he's been for the past twenty years. Why has he chosen to return at this particular time? He lives in his Grandmother's house, but, apart from a vague reference to insurance, he seems to have no source of income. Maybe a bit more background would have explained Bridge and what motivates him.
Eddie is a much more interesting character and so to a lesser extent, is Frankie. Grayson, the Councillor, is intriguing, although I find it hard to understand how he has managed to maintain such control and influence over the town for more than twenty years.
My main problem is the amount of typos, which distracted me from the story. This book would benefit greatly from a good editing.
The ending is unexpected and leaves some unanswered questions.
Overall, an intriguing read, full of suspense and atmosphere.
January 17, 2016
The book begins with a very emotional prologue dated October 1978, where the protagonist Bridge is running through the park, out of breath and panic-stricken, fearing to be late.. We understand that something dreadful is going to happen but the prologue is over. What has happened? It turns out that Bridge’s friend disappeared that autumn day, and it seems like he feels guilty for it. Although at the beginning of the book he says that his heart already doesn’t stand still when he sees a newspaper announcement about children missing, later in the book it becomes clear that Bridge hasn’t become indifferent and cold-hearted after what has happened to him. A 12-year old boy’s endured too much, and the memories of that day never let him go, haunting him in his dreams. Perhaps that episode of his childhood left an imprint on his character, made him timid and afraid of speaking up for himself.
The author knows how to hold the reader’s attention and he skillfully uses imagery and different descriptions to convey the feelings and the atmosphere. As you carry on reading the novel, you forget about everything happening around you and engrossed in the book. You feel fear, desperation; you imagine the dull life of the small provincial town and experience every shade of emotions the main character experiences.
It’s a really good read, although some motives of Bridge are not clear to me even after I’ve read the book. Still, it deserves a place on your book shelf!
The author knows how to hold the reader’s attention and he skillfully uses imagery and different descriptions to convey the feelings and the atmosphere. As you carry on reading the novel, you forget about everything happening around you and engrossed in the book. You feel fear, desperation; you imagine the dull life of the small provincial town and experience every shade of emotions the main character experiences.
It’s a really good read, although some motives of Bridge are not clear to me even after I’ve read the book. Still, it deserves a place on your book shelf!
April 23, 2016
Fall, Leaves, Fall by Mike Driver is a great read. From the beginning I was taken in and wrapped up by the story. I knew I was hooked as soon as I read the prologue. The mysteries within are the kind you just can’t ignore and can’t wait to figure out.
James Bridge returns home after being away for 20 years. He is a fairly unassuming character. James felt like he could have been anyone, just a regular guy. Not successful, but not exactly a failure either. He doesn’t really seem too driven by anything in particular, but at the same time, he’s not a boring character either. Whatever happened to his friend Pete 20 years ago has definitely affected him mentally though. He’s a likeable character, simply for the fact that he seems like an average guy.
This is a Thriller/Mystery/Horror type of book. There are hints of the possibility of supernatural elements, but I’m not going to tell you what they are. The author gives you information little by little and has you chomping at the bit for more. By the halfway mark I was dying to know what was really going on.
Fall, Leaves, Fall is a fast paced, and thrilling read that will keep the reader on their toes waiting to see what will happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who is looking for something to get their brain gears turning.
James Bridge returns home after being away for 20 years. He is a fairly unassuming character. James felt like he could have been anyone, just a regular guy. Not successful, but not exactly a failure either. He doesn’t really seem too driven by anything in particular, but at the same time, he’s not a boring character either. Whatever happened to his friend Pete 20 years ago has definitely affected him mentally though. He’s a likeable character, simply for the fact that he seems like an average guy.
This is a Thriller/Mystery/Horror type of book. There are hints of the possibility of supernatural elements, but I’m not going to tell you what they are. The author gives you information little by little and has you chomping at the bit for more. By the halfway mark I was dying to know what was really going on.
Fall, Leaves, Fall is a fast paced, and thrilling read that will keep the reader on their toes waiting to see what will happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who is looking for something to get their brain gears turning.
December 24, 2015
The overall premise of the first book in The Cletherwood Trilogy is intriguing. Bridge is returning to his home town for the first time in twenty years, haunted by the death of his childhood friend Pete. Slowly, a cast of characters from his past unfolds around him and he begins to question everything he knows about his friend's death and the murder of a number of other young boys in Cletherwood.
The characters and setting of this book are well developed and put together, Cletherwood being a foggy, rainy, gray curtain of a town. However, the manuscript itself needs a heavy edit as there are a number of errors that detracted from the overall work. As a reader, I found myself having to guess at missing words in sentences and correcting word usage to make sense of things. Because of this, it took longer to wade through the story than I would have liked. There were a number of plot twists that seemed to be included just to create a false sense of suspense. I also had a difficult time accepting the conclusion of the novel though I'm hoping that more of the story will come to light in the second installment which I do plan to read.
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
The characters and setting of this book are well developed and put together, Cletherwood being a foggy, rainy, gray curtain of a town. However, the manuscript itself needs a heavy edit as there are a number of errors that detracted from the overall work. As a reader, I found myself having to guess at missing words in sentences and correcting word usage to make sense of things. Because of this, it took longer to wade through the story than I would have liked. There were a number of plot twists that seemed to be included just to create a false sense of suspense. I also had a difficult time accepting the conclusion of the novel though I'm hoping that more of the story will come to light in the second installment which I do plan to read.
This book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2016
Fall, Leaves, Fall begins entirely mundanely, on a wet, gray day, on a bus into the small English town of Cletherwood. James Bridge, let go from his latest job, is going back after twenty years to where all his nightmares play. He’s going home, despite the memories, seeking refuge, with nowhere else to go. The Romans thought that the area around Cletherwood was haunted by malign spirits. As far as James is concerned, that may well be true – but his own ghosts are much more recent.
Mike Driver’s use of characterisation in Fall, Leaves, Fall is outstanding. James is damaged, neurotic, and more than slightly unstable, but he’s also a survivor, and his first-person narration is peppered with small, humanising touches. We’ve all known someone a little bit like James, and the authenticity of that character brings the events unfolding in the plot onto a much more personal level, all of it framed in the wet dreariness of an English town in early winter. The horror elements are drawn in via memories, dreams, and flashbacks, leaving the reader to wonder whether the events are real, or figments of James’s imagination. The mystery is also well done, the first person allowing the author to leave the final twist to be as much a surprise to the reader as to James.
Mike Driver’s use of characterisation in Fall, Leaves, Fall is outstanding. James is damaged, neurotic, and more than slightly unstable, but he’s also a survivor, and his first-person narration is peppered with small, humanising touches. We’ve all known someone a little bit like James, and the authenticity of that character brings the events unfolding in the plot onto a much more personal level, all of it framed in the wet dreariness of an English town in early winter. The horror elements are drawn in via memories, dreams, and flashbacks, leaving the reader to wonder whether the events are real, or figments of James’s imagination. The mystery is also well done, the first person allowing the author to leave the final twist to be as much a surprise to the reader as to James.
November 6, 2015
In Fall, Leaves, Fall we follow Bridge as he returns home to face the demons of his past. In this case it’s a series of murders that plagued his town in his youth that claimed a childhood friends. And although the murderer has since passed away in prison another death threatens to upturn the closure he feels as well as the lives of innocents.
Mr. Driver has done a very good job with the novel overall, however there are few areas that he truly excels. First it’s the tone of the novel. The descriptions throughout the book continually paint a vivid picture and allow the reader to fully immerse themselves in his work. This skillful use of words creates tension on every page, and suspense throughout the story.
The other area I really enjoyed was the plot itself. While I pride myself on being a savvy reader I didn’t see the twist coming and was particularly impressed with the masterful way in which it was revealed. Overall I really enjoyed this read. It had believable characters with clear motivations, and the plot unfurled at a steady pace, I’d definitely recommend it!
Mr. Driver has done a very good job with the novel overall, however there are few areas that he truly excels. First it’s the tone of the novel. The descriptions throughout the book continually paint a vivid picture and allow the reader to fully immerse themselves in his work. This skillful use of words creates tension on every page, and suspense throughout the story.
The other area I really enjoyed was the plot itself. While I pride myself on being a savvy reader I didn’t see the twist coming and was particularly impressed with the masterful way in which it was revealed. Overall I really enjoyed this read. It had believable characters with clear motivations, and the plot unfurled at a steady pace, I’d definitely recommend it!
March 21, 2016
Fall Leaves is a spin chilling whodunit. James Bridge returns to hometown, Cletherwood after an absence of twenty years. He is obsessed by and racked with guilt over the mysterious disappearance of his friend Pete when they were twelve-year-olds. He is driven to solving the mystery, the official version just doesn’t stack up.
Mike Driver has done a masterful job in constructing this edge of the seat mystery. The real perpetrator remains a mystery right to the final pages. I became totally engrossed in the story as Bridge tries to piece together the confusing clues. The descriptive phrases are first rate, you live the story through the eyes and thoughts of Bridges. The only negative I could find were some typos and a number of run on sentences. I became so captivated by the story that I stopped noticing, but the author should address these.
Any lovers of a good mystery should grab their copy today.
Mike Driver has done a masterful job in constructing this edge of the seat mystery. The real perpetrator remains a mystery right to the final pages. I became totally engrossed in the story as Bridge tries to piece together the confusing clues. The descriptive phrases are first rate, you live the story through the eyes and thoughts of Bridges. The only negative I could find were some typos and a number of run on sentences. I became so captivated by the story that I stopped noticing, but the author should address these.
Any lovers of a good mystery should grab their copy today.
February 9, 2016
This book is dark and suspenseful, which is conveyed from the very beginning of this two sentence prologue. The book is not set up for Kindle and some minor errors are throughout the book, but this does not take away from the author’s ability as a writer. He holds your attention and keeps it until the very end of this dark and suspenseful tale. You feel the fear that seems to dominate the main character’s life, but never, not once did the author revealed the nature of the edge-of-your-seat suspense, until the very end. Suspense was continuously created, giving the reader the impression that a surprise was imminent but holding the big reveal back until the end. The bad dreams and the metaphor of falling leaves are perfect backdrops to this story. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy dark, suspenseful tales.
January 29, 2016
I enjoyed the writing style, suspenseful, eerie and just enough hint of the story to keep the pages turning. Straight away I was drawn into Bridge returning to his childhood home after many years.
By chapter two I had that uneasy feeling that comes when you start reading a book where you know the tale will unsettle you a one point (I mean this in a good, caught up in the emotions of the story, sort of way!).
The surprise ending and atmospheric style made it an enjoyable, if slightly chilling, read.
By chapter two I had that uneasy feeling that comes when you start reading a book where you know the tale will unsettle you a one point (I mean this in a good, caught up in the emotions of the story, sort of way!).
The surprise ending and atmospheric style made it an enjoyable, if slightly chilling, read.
October 18, 2015
Sucked me in on the first page! Author Mike Driver won't be going anywhere but UP! An awesome supernatural thriller that I was NOT expecting from the title or the fact that it is a trilogy! Excited to read Books 2 and 3!
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