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John Hutchinson #1
Deadfall
Deep in the isolated Northwest Territories, four friends are on the trip of a lifetime. Dropped by helicopter into the remote Canadian wilderness, Hutch, Terry, Phil, and David are looking to escape the events of a tumultuous year - a bitter divorce, bankruptcy, depression, and job loss - for two weeks of hunting, fishing, and camping.
Armed only with a bow and arrow and the basics for survival, they’ve chosen a place far from civilization, a retreat from their turbulent lives. But they quickly discover that another group has targeted the remote region and the secluded hamlet of Fiddler Falls for a more menacing purpose: to field-test the ultimate weapon.
With more than a week before the helicopter rendezvous and no satellite phone, they must risk everything to help the townspeople who are being held hostage and terrorized.
Armed only with a bow and arrow and the basics for survival, they’ve chosen a place far from civilization, a retreat from their turbulent lives. But they quickly discover that another group has targeted the remote region and the secluded hamlet of Fiddler Falls for a more menacing purpose: to field-test the ultimate weapon.
With more than a week before the helicopter rendezvous and no satellite phone, they must risk everything to help the townspeople who are being held hostage and terrorized.
11 pages, Audio CD
First published October 1, 2007
32 people are currently reading
1253 people want to read
About the author
Robert Liparulo
31 books798 followersRobert Liparulo's novels, Comes a Horseman, Germ, Deadfall Deadlock, The 13th Tribe, and The Judgment Stone,have received rave reviews. His short story "Kill Zone" is included in the anthology Thriller, edited by James Patterson. He is also the author of the best-selling young adult series DREAMHOUSE KINGS: House of Dark Shadows, Watcher in the Woods, Gatekeepers, Timescape, Whirlwind, and Frenzy. Robert lives in Colorado with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
December 30, 2008
This book really deserved a bit more - perhaps 2 1/2 stars. It was a thriller / almost horror book because of the evil of a couple of the characters. That said, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to keep reading it, and I guess that would make it a successful book. I was most impressed by the author's refusal to use foul language. That is so prevalent today, and there was nary a swear word in this book. His strong family values shone clearly throughout and I got the impression that the author is a really really decent man. Nice to read something - particularly in this genre - that didn't wallow in obscene.
March 3, 2024
4⭐️
It begins with a seemingly innocent hunting expedition, however some of the guests on this expedition don’t simply want to hunt Elk….
A small group of Billionaires, intent on revolutionizing the approach to video game development, take a small town hostage in Saskatchewan Canada. They are building the content of their new video game from the satellite, drone and camera footage of the real life destruction and warfare of this small town and its people.
We mostly follow a woman, her young son, and a tourist who’ve been separated from each other but try to survive the psychological games these heartless people play with them.
This one was a pleasant surprise!
It begins with a seemingly innocent hunting expedition, however some of the guests on this expedition don’t simply want to hunt Elk….
A small group of Billionaires, intent on revolutionizing the approach to video game development, take a small town hostage in Saskatchewan Canada. They are building the content of their new video game from the satellite, drone and camera footage of the real life destruction and warfare of this small town and its people.
We mostly follow a woman, her young son, and a tourist who’ve been separated from each other but try to survive the psychological games these heartless people play with them.
This one was a pleasant surprise!
July 18, 2017
Whoa! Man, what a wild ride! I could not put this down. Extremely true-to-life characters that were very likable. You really begin to care for them as you get to know them.
This is a page-turning thriller if I've ever read one. The suspense will have you on the edge of your proverbial seat.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book that is clear of any foul language or innuendo, I have to drop a star due to the graphic depictions of violent death. Just a bit over the top for my taste.
Otherwise, it is a great read. A very well-written and compelling story. I will certainly be checking out Liparulo's other thrillers.
This is a page-turning thriller if I've ever read one. The suspense will have you on the edge of your proverbial seat.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book that is clear of any foul language or innuendo, I have to drop a star due to the graphic depictions of violent death. Just a bit over the top for my taste.
Otherwise, it is a great read. A very well-written and compelling story. I will certainly be checking out Liparulo's other thrillers.
April 6, 2010
Don’t start this book unless you’ve got plenty of time on your hands, ‘cuz you won’t be putting it down any time soon.
In Deadfall, Mr. Liparulo delivers an intense, captivating thriller that nails you to your seat from the first chapter all the way until you come to a screeching halt at the back cover. Indeed, after the first couple of chapters, I seriously wondered if I would continue or set it aside. I’m glad I continued.
Set in the far northern reaches of the Northwest Territories, Deadfall drops an unsuspecting foursome of friends out for ten days of stress-free camping and male bonding directly into the middle of a hotbed of evil intrigue. A gang of brigands has taken the remote town of Fiddler Falls hostage and uses the town as an experimental base for testing and refining a fearsome new weapon—but with a terribly twisted purpose you’d never suspect. The two groups collide and the race for survival and dominance is on. The camping party, armed with only a bow and arrows, pits its skill and mettle against an unknown deadly technology driven by a cold malevolence that is all but beyond comprehension by the rational mind.
This story is not for the faint of heart. It’s raw and reveals an ugly side of human nature that decent folk wish really wasn’t there. But it is. The reader can take heart, though, that the counterbalance of decency and all the virtues we like to think we possess are also evident. It’s this virtue and the unpredictability of decency that comes into play at the most crucial point.
Well written and meticulously researched, Deadfall doesn’t describe the Canadian wilderness to you, it pulls you in. You can smell it, see it, and feel it. You can also smell, see and feel the fear, grit and determination of those who will not see evil triumph.
Great read. Gird your heart; you’re in for a ride!
In Deadfall, Mr. Liparulo delivers an intense, captivating thriller that nails you to your seat from the first chapter all the way until you come to a screeching halt at the back cover. Indeed, after the first couple of chapters, I seriously wondered if I would continue or set it aside. I’m glad I continued.
Set in the far northern reaches of the Northwest Territories, Deadfall drops an unsuspecting foursome of friends out for ten days of stress-free camping and male bonding directly into the middle of a hotbed of evil intrigue. A gang of brigands has taken the remote town of Fiddler Falls hostage and uses the town as an experimental base for testing and refining a fearsome new weapon—but with a terribly twisted purpose you’d never suspect. The two groups collide and the race for survival and dominance is on. The camping party, armed with only a bow and arrows, pits its skill and mettle against an unknown deadly technology driven by a cold malevolence that is all but beyond comprehension by the rational mind.
This story is not for the faint of heart. It’s raw and reveals an ugly side of human nature that decent folk wish really wasn’t there. But it is. The reader can take heart, though, that the counterbalance of decency and all the virtues we like to think we possess are also evident. It’s this virtue and the unpredictability of decency that comes into play at the most crucial point.
Well written and meticulously researched, Deadfall doesn’t describe the Canadian wilderness to you, it pulls you in. You can smell it, see it, and feel it. You can also smell, see and feel the fear, grit and determination of those who will not see evil triumph.
Great read. Gird your heart; you’re in for a ride!
September 6, 2011
I really liked this story and the way it was written was brilliant. Liparulo has no problem killing off a character that he has taken time to build up. This is one those rare writing skills that can actually add an extra zinger to the story as it unfolds. Another neat trick that he employs is that not everything pops up roses. This also adds another extra zesty pop to the whole kitty. Most writers will have it all pretty and everything falling into a certain order. Liparulo does not play that game and this reader appreciates that. Full of action, some of it a bit predictable, this is one hot read and a book you should not miss if it looks interesting to you.
September 19, 2009
“Four friends, beautiful scenery,
and a high tech satellite weapon
in the hands of indulgent, maniacal teenagers.”
In “Comes a Horseman“, I was intrigued. In “Germ“, I was astonished. In “Deadfall (A John Hutchinson Novel)“, I am hooked. Robert Liparulo has become one of my favorite authors.
All three Liparulo’s novels have the key elements that make for a fine suspense thriller; thorough research, educating the reader as well as entertaining them; descriptive and engaging scenery as well as character dialogue; and a mind tripping plot.
In this novel, four friends arrive in Canada on a hunting trip. On route to the isolated area in Canada, all four men, save one, discuss their personal and professional problems and express their hope that this trip will be just what they need.
They no sooner arrive when they stumble upon a spoiled billionaire teenager and his band of misfits bent on capturing footage for a new video game. This group of teenagers know little and care less about the people in the nearby town of Fiddler Falls. Declan Page, their leader, is set on gathering real-life blood and gore footage to use in the new video game.
After capturing the town and killing two townspeople using a hightech GPS tracking system combined with a prototype military defense weapon called SLC, the militant teenagers discover John Hutchinson (Hutch) out hunting.
The race is on from this point and what follows is not stop action, a survival story at its best. Hutch and his friends, save one, head toward Fiddler Falls in hopes of finding help.
They find no help.
The townspeople are being held hostage and all resources either disabled or destroyed.They stumble upon the sheriff’s wife (now a widow) and her son as they attempt to escape as well. The small group is quickly separated when Declan and his group return.
The story develops on to a wonderfully enjoyable suspense thriller. I especially enjoyed the thought processes of all the characters. The part of the evil Declan and his bumbling gun-loosing girlfriend had me wondering how Declan ever swayed the others on his team to follow him. Then again, the Bible records the answer- “money answereth all things“.
I have no doubt that you will enjoy this book. I am certainly looking forward to reading the sequel “Deadlock“.
and a high tech satellite weapon
in the hands of indulgent, maniacal teenagers.”
In “Comes a Horseman“, I was intrigued. In “Germ“, I was astonished. In “Deadfall (A John Hutchinson Novel)“, I am hooked. Robert Liparulo has become one of my favorite authors.
All three Liparulo’s novels have the key elements that make for a fine suspense thriller; thorough research, educating the reader as well as entertaining them; descriptive and engaging scenery as well as character dialogue; and a mind tripping plot.
In this novel, four friends arrive in Canada on a hunting trip. On route to the isolated area in Canada, all four men, save one, discuss their personal and professional problems and express their hope that this trip will be just what they need.
They no sooner arrive when they stumble upon a spoiled billionaire teenager and his band of misfits bent on capturing footage for a new video game. This group of teenagers know little and care less about the people in the nearby town of Fiddler Falls. Declan Page, their leader, is set on gathering real-life blood and gore footage to use in the new video game.
After capturing the town and killing two townspeople using a hightech GPS tracking system combined with a prototype military defense weapon called SLC, the militant teenagers discover John Hutchinson (Hutch) out hunting.
The race is on from this point and what follows is not stop action, a survival story at its best. Hutch and his friends, save one, head toward Fiddler Falls in hopes of finding help.
They find no help.
The townspeople are being held hostage and all resources either disabled or destroyed.They stumble upon the sheriff’s wife (now a widow) and her son as they attempt to escape as well. The small group is quickly separated when Declan and his group return.
The story develops on to a wonderfully enjoyable suspense thriller. I especially enjoyed the thought processes of all the characters. The part of the evil Declan and his bumbling gun-loosing girlfriend had me wondering how Declan ever swayed the others on his team to follow him. Then again, the Bible records the answer- “money answereth all things“.
I have no doubt that you will enjoy this book. I am certainly looking forward to reading the sequel “Deadlock“.
February 4, 2023
This is another one if my all-time favorites. So intense. Just read it, you won't be disappointed.
August 20, 2010
After taking a hiatus from reading due to a busy lifestyle, a book like this changed my outlook on daily reading. The book started off with a scenic start in the Canadian countryside to lay the groundwork, and about a third through the book you hit a climax and it continued to slowly build even more. By the time you reach the last third of the book, it doesn't matter where you are going, you take the book to read a page here, a page there.... Excellent...
The only one downside to the book is the time of day that the action was taking place because so much of the book was dependent on the daylight.... you will see.... enjoy!
The only one downside to the book is the time of day that the action was taking place because so much of the book was dependent on the daylight.... you will see.... enjoy!
September 14, 2011
This book caught me by surprise on my library shelf. What brought it to my attention was the way the title was printed on the book. I thought at first it was going to be a Zombie Thriller and started to read it. After the first couple of chapters I realized it wasn't but still was intrigued. I then had to check it out still. It took me a week to read but only because I came to parts where my emotions got to me. It's a book that you don't want to put down unless you get really really into the book and relate to the characters. I recommend this book to anyone.
September 27, 2021
Wow! So good! My only quibble is that the final 'showdown' seemed like it was over a little quick. Overall though, I loved it.
August 15, 2023
A very good read. If you like action and suspense, you'll love "Deadfall" - 5 Stars!
January 10, 2018
John Hutchinson (aka Hutch) and his buddies want nothing more than to escape their less-than-successful lives by going camping in the middle of nowhere up North. After all, angry ex-wives, the unemployment statistic, and an overall depressing atmosphere can't reach them out in the woods, where even phones are hard to come by. But when Hutch is nearly vaporized by a group of madmen with a powerful toy, it's clear this wasn't the vacation they bargained for. When Hutch becomes the protector of a nine-year-old boy, he realizes it's up to him to save an entire town from sudden death.
This book exceeded expectations. When I received word that the Hutch series would collide with Liparulo's other adult novels, the Immortal Files, I realized I was going to have to educate myself before his next installment.
Liparulo, a favorite author of mine, really knows how to write a thriller. Somehow he manages to capture all his characters into this crazy life or death situation and the only way to outsmart the bad guys is through wizard genius, instinct, and a pretty rad supply of weapons. For this novel, our hero had bow and arrows. That alone was enough for me to pick up the book.
One of my particularly favorite parts about this story was the relationship between Hutch and Dillon, the nine-year-old boy that fell under Hutch's responsibility. Divorced and the loser of a custody battle, Hutch longs to have his family whole again, to be a father again. So when Dillon looks to him for guidance, parenting and survival skills team up to become a pretty legit character. Call me sappy, but I love that kind of stuff.
Okay, so I just like kids in action books in general, because Dillon isn't the only minor that tugged on my emotions. Julian, the young teenager enlisted to help Declan and his evil band of maniacs, clearly didn't fill out his volunteer card on his own. Despite his reservations to aid in Declan's criminal activities, the boy has little choice but to go along with it or face merciless wrath--an element that adds even more suspension to the already fast-paced thriller.
Liparulo has always had a very engaging writing style, strengthened with a serious amount of research, this time heavy on the subject of bow hunting and Canadian backwoods. Though, I must find fault and offense on page 411--that he would refer to the hero Link as Zelda in one of his metaphors is just pagan madness.
Regardless, Robert Liparulo's captivating storytelling has done its job once again through his well-crafted and realistic characters, artful writing style, impending villains, and genius heroism. It should be a movie. It needs to be a movie.
In fact, Robert Liparulo should have his own cinematic universe.
Things to Watch Out For:
Romance: A character is divorced and discusses it with other characters
Language: "God help him" - 1 (p 383)
Violence: Several characters are murdered in varying degrees of brutality. Characters are shot at. Loss of family members and friends. A boy is deliberately cut across the face in front of his mother.
Drugs: NA
Nudity: NA
Other: Discussion of video game violence and its impact on the next generation. A character is strongly superstitious.
This book exceeded expectations. When I received word that the Hutch series would collide with Liparulo's other adult novels, the Immortal Files, I realized I was going to have to educate myself before his next installment.
Liparulo, a favorite author of mine, really knows how to write a thriller. Somehow he manages to capture all his characters into this crazy life or death situation and the only way to outsmart the bad guys is through wizard genius, instinct, and a pretty rad supply of weapons. For this novel, our hero had bow and arrows. That alone was enough for me to pick up the book.
One of my particularly favorite parts about this story was the relationship between Hutch and Dillon, the nine-year-old boy that fell under Hutch's responsibility. Divorced and the loser of a custody battle, Hutch longs to have his family whole again, to be a father again. So when Dillon looks to him for guidance, parenting and survival skills team up to become a pretty legit character. Call me sappy, but I love that kind of stuff.
Okay, so I just like kids in action books in general, because Dillon isn't the only minor that tugged on my emotions. Julian, the young teenager enlisted to help Declan and his evil band of maniacs, clearly didn't fill out his volunteer card on his own. Despite his reservations to aid in Declan's criminal activities, the boy has little choice but to go along with it or face merciless wrath--an element that adds even more suspension to the already fast-paced thriller.
Liparulo has always had a very engaging writing style, strengthened with a serious amount of research, this time heavy on the subject of bow hunting and Canadian backwoods. Though, I must find fault and offense on page 411--that he would refer to the hero Link as Zelda in one of his metaphors is just pagan madness.
Regardless, Robert Liparulo's captivating storytelling has done its job once again through his well-crafted and realistic characters, artful writing style, impending villains, and genius heroism. It should be a movie. It needs to be a movie.
In fact, Robert Liparulo should have his own cinematic universe.
Things to Watch Out For:
Romance: A character is divorced and discusses it with other characters
Language: "God help him" - 1 (p 383)
Violence: Several characters are murdered in varying degrees of brutality. Characters are shot at. Loss of family members and friends. A boy is deliberately cut across the face in front of his mother.
Drugs: NA
Nudity: NA
Other: Discussion of video game violence and its impact on the next generation. A character is strongly superstitious.
February 22, 2016
Deb’s Dozen: The hunter becomes the hunted—the game is ultimately life or death
Hearing a loud explosion, Sheriff Tom tells his wife and son to stay put and heads to town to investigate. His discovery is deadly.
Four friends are dropped into the far north woods to set up camp. They hope the respite from their everyday lives will provide both healing and camaraderie. David, Terry, Phil, and Hutch each bear their own torments and burdens, but as life-long friends hope this trip will bring them closer again and ease the pain of their normal lives.
Early one morning, Hutch is up and out to track and kill an elk with bow and arrow. For him, the tracking and thrill of the hunt, the endless beauty of the environment, are as pleasurable as a successful hunt. He discovers a large, magnificent elk and begins the chase. Strategy and stealth are equally important. His chase is successful, and he notches the arrow to his bowstring, aims, and just at the moment of release … the elk disintegrates before his eyes, his arrow landing in a pile of rubble and elk debris. Stunned, Hutch looks around and sees a Hummer approach and disgorge a group of people. One spies the arrow, looks down the apparent flight path and sees Hutch—eye to eye. Hutch turns to flee—in that one instant the hunter is turned from the one hunting to the one being hunted.
So begins Deadfall, a dark and fascinating tale by Robert Liparulo. The ultimate matchup of good and evil, of strategy and strength versus desire and death. Of courage and conviction against a sense of privilege and power. Bob leads us on the chase by presenting first one side and then the other of what is a very deadly game. With excellent writing and a keen sense of suspense, Bob sets up a terror-filled saga that had me turning the pages despite myself. The fiction is dark and filled with action. For some, the story will be too dark, but for those who love twists and turns and suspense, this book fills the bill. I rate Deadfall: A John Hutchinson Novel five stars.
Bob Liparulo is a very giving guy—I say that because he recently served as faculty at the Writer to Writer Conference in Hershey, PA, and spent three hours letting authors ask him questions about writing and technique and how he got started and why he writes the types of books he does. Someone asked stating the books are dark and violent, so how could he call them Christian books? Bob answered simply, “I’m a Christian. I would never go against my Lord and Savior in anything I do. Therefore, my books are Christian books. Bob is a very prolific writer of magazine articles and books. He and his wife live in Colorado.
Hearing a loud explosion, Sheriff Tom tells his wife and son to stay put and heads to town to investigate. His discovery is deadly.
Four friends are dropped into the far north woods to set up camp. They hope the respite from their everyday lives will provide both healing and camaraderie. David, Terry, Phil, and Hutch each bear their own torments and burdens, but as life-long friends hope this trip will bring them closer again and ease the pain of their normal lives.
Early one morning, Hutch is up and out to track and kill an elk with bow and arrow. For him, the tracking and thrill of the hunt, the endless beauty of the environment, are as pleasurable as a successful hunt. He discovers a large, magnificent elk and begins the chase. Strategy and stealth are equally important. His chase is successful, and he notches the arrow to his bowstring, aims, and just at the moment of release … the elk disintegrates before his eyes, his arrow landing in a pile of rubble and elk debris. Stunned, Hutch looks around and sees a Hummer approach and disgorge a group of people. One spies the arrow, looks down the apparent flight path and sees Hutch—eye to eye. Hutch turns to flee—in that one instant the hunter is turned from the one hunting to the one being hunted.
So begins Deadfall, a dark and fascinating tale by Robert Liparulo. The ultimate matchup of good and evil, of strategy and strength versus desire and death. Of courage and conviction against a sense of privilege and power. Bob leads us on the chase by presenting first one side and then the other of what is a very deadly game. With excellent writing and a keen sense of suspense, Bob sets up a terror-filled saga that had me turning the pages despite myself. The fiction is dark and filled with action. For some, the story will be too dark, but for those who love twists and turns and suspense, this book fills the bill. I rate Deadfall: A John Hutchinson Novel five stars.
Bob Liparulo is a very giving guy—I say that because he recently served as faculty at the Writer to Writer Conference in Hershey, PA, and spent three hours letting authors ask him questions about writing and technique and how he got started and why he writes the types of books he does. Someone asked stating the books are dark and violent, so how could he call them Christian books? Bob answered simply, “I’m a Christian. I would never go against my Lord and Savior in anything I do. Therefore, my books are Christian books. Bob is a very prolific writer of magazine articles and books. He and his wife live in Colorado.
July 11, 2013
Looking to escape from the turmoils of life, John Hutchinson and his closest friends decide to fly away from civilization, quite literally, to be dropped off in the most excluded part of the Canadian wilderness. A weekend of hunting, fishing, camping and relaxation. After being helicoptered out everything was seemingly going well. Hutchinson took the day early to get some hunting in, but things took a quick turn as he discovers a small group of youth. Hutchinson quickly learns however that this was not just some punk group of camping adolescents, they were armed with state of the art weapons and something completely more terrifying. The worst part was, they wanted to test these weapons, and Hutchinson, being spotted, looked like a great test subject. Hutchinson realizing the danger, quickly escaped to warn his friends, but it would come to late. This story rapidly turns from thrilling to the art of survival as Hutchinson uses his instincts to overcome and attempt to save as many lives as he can, for just miles away lies a small town with women and children, and this deadly group armed with the wrath of god seek to smite the innocent.
This is easily one of my must reads and pass ons to friends. Tension building, adventurous, heart wrenching and overall fantastic. Robert Liparulo does a splendid job with Deadfall that just has me searching for more.
This is easily one of my must reads and pass ons to friends. Tension building, adventurous, heart wrenching and overall fantastic. Robert Liparulo does a splendid job with Deadfall that just has me searching for more.
May 2, 2014
I really enjoyed Robert Liparulo's Deadfall. It is a really intense adventure with wonderful main characters. The friendship of four men struggling through the challenges of life anchors this story. The character development of these four friends is fantastic. My closest friends are men like these: good men, not perfect, but good nevertheless. I really felt connected to these four men.
The emotional impact of the violence is spot on. Liparulo developed some wonderful characters that died too early and too senselessly in the novel for my comfort. And yet, it was perfect. It seemed so real in spite of the futuristic weapon that the bad guy uses. I hated watching certain characters die, but it created such a sense of realism in the novel.
I love the setting in the Canadian northwest. Liparulo develops the sense of isolation and the difference from fast paced urban influence regions of the world.
This is an extraordinarily clean novel -- absolutely no sex (which is almost always awkward in novels)and no profanity. I really appreciate this.
There are a couple of problems with this very good novel. On rare occasion the plot feels too drawn out, not slow, just too long. The protagonist's overly chivalrous combat tactics cost the lives of many innocents, and he never had to deal with the guilt of that. Also, I would really have liked an epilogue.
The emotional impact of the violence is spot on. Liparulo developed some wonderful characters that died too early and too senselessly in the novel for my comfort. And yet, it was perfect. It seemed so real in spite of the futuristic weapon that the bad guy uses. I hated watching certain characters die, but it created such a sense of realism in the novel.
I love the setting in the Canadian northwest. Liparulo develops the sense of isolation and the difference from fast paced urban influence regions of the world.
This is an extraordinarily clean novel -- absolutely no sex (which is almost always awkward in novels)and no profanity. I really appreciate this.
There are a couple of problems with this very good novel. On rare occasion the plot feels too drawn out, not slow, just too long. The protagonist's overly chivalrous combat tactics cost the lives of many innocents, and he never had to deal with the guilt of that. Also, I would really have liked an epilogue.
January 17, 2009
I've just finished Robert Liparulo's latest offering Deadfall, and I must say that it was an awesome read! Although it has no strong Christian message in it, it is full of Christian morals, and it tackles a very relevant issue which is sadly going under the rader of most people today... the effects of violent first-person shooters (video games) on our youth culture.
The story is action-packed, has great characters, and has a plausable plot that is not too far fetched. This is the second Liparulo book I have read (Germ is the other one) and I must say that His story climaxes are exciting, intelligent, surprising and read like an action movie ending.
Three things (in my opinion) that stopped Deadfall earning a 5 star rating...
- Parts of the plot were just a little unrealistic for me.
- I would have enjoyed a little more character development.
- A little slow moving at the beginning.
Deadlock, Lipaulo's sequel to Deadfall, is coming out in March. Yet another read I am eagerly looking forward to! If you enjoy an action-packed thrillers with no profanity and great morals, you will love Deadfall.
The story is action-packed, has great characters, and has a plausable plot that is not too far fetched. This is the second Liparulo book I have read (Germ is the other one) and I must say that His story climaxes are exciting, intelligent, surprising and read like an action movie ending.
Three things (in my opinion) that stopped Deadfall earning a 5 star rating...
- Parts of the plot were just a little unrealistic for me.
- I would have enjoyed a little more character development.
- A little slow moving at the beginning.
Deadlock, Lipaulo's sequel to Deadfall, is coming out in March. Yet another read I am eagerly looking forward to! If you enjoy an action-packed thrillers with no profanity and great morals, you will love Deadfall.
August 17, 2014
A straight thriller featuring John Hutchinson, referred to as Hutch throughout the book.
The book starts off with a fast car chase through the Canadian back woods. The group chasing then capture the townsfolk, and proceed to experiment with advanced weapons.
Hutch and three friends went to the Canadian wilderness to get away from it all - and found themselves being chased by the group.
The ending came as a surprise and was "realistic" in its conclusion.
It had an interesting premise, but the use of the weapons on innocent people by someone with no concern for their lives underscores the truth that tools can be used for different purposes.
The book starts off with a fast car chase through the Canadian back woods. The group chasing then capture the townsfolk, and proceed to experiment with advanced weapons.
Hutch and three friends went to the Canadian wilderness to get away from it all - and found themselves being chased by the group.
The ending came as a surprise and was "realistic" in its conclusion.
It had an interesting premise, but the use of the weapons on innocent people by someone with no concern for their lives underscores the truth that tools can be used for different purposes.
February 10, 2015
This book was a great ride. It was so action packed that you shouldn't start reading it unless you have the time on your hands to finish it. The book reads like an action movie, and once it gets started its a non stop thrill ride. It was my first Robert Liparulo novel and if his previous works are just as intense as this one I look forward to reading through them. I read this book in a little under two days. The only gripe I had was that the beginning of the book was rather slow compared to the action packed second half. Once the story picks up it doesn't stop, the characters are believeable and you're made to really feel for them and read on the edge of your seat in fear of their safety. There was more than one occasion in which I wanted to skip ahead and make sure all of the characters I liked were still alive and alright. The author had a clear undercurrent with the messages he portrays in the story. I'd recommend this story to anyone who likes action and thriller novels.
August 30, 2009
Really, the best part of this book is the "Charlie's Angels" posing on the cover. The good guys are good, the bad guys are as murderously evil as the first 40 pages are murderously tedious.
And, nit-picking a bit, the back cover specifies the lads are to be dropped "deep in the isolated Northwest Territories" but instead go to northern Saskatchewan. Sad.
I thought this was going to be a great read to recommend to co-workers as we all get "dropped by helicopter into the remote Canadian wilderness" but no, this is mediocre action-adventure fiction.
I did find myself liking a few of the characters, although the pyscho-mean ex-wife is a cardboard cliche.
And, nit-picking a bit, the back cover specifies the lads are to be dropped "deep in the isolated Northwest Territories" but instead go to northern Saskatchewan. Sad.
I thought this was going to be a great read to recommend to co-workers as we all get "dropped by helicopter into the remote Canadian wilderness" but no, this is mediocre action-adventure fiction.
I did find myself liking a few of the characters, although the pyscho-mean ex-wife is a cardboard cliche.
November 15, 2015
A page-turner from the start! Once you pick up Liparulo's books, you can't put them down!
Unsuspecting John Hutchinson is on a camping trip with his buddies in Canada when disaster strikes. How could anyone expect such unbelievable acts to happen, let alone to him? Believable or not, danger is everywhere and Hutch is forced to fight for his life and for the lives of people he's never even met.
Will Hutch be able to save himself and his friends? What about the townspeople he knows nothing about? And how will he fight against a monster who holds a town hostage with access to weapons he's never dreamed existed?
Unsuspecting John Hutchinson is on a camping trip with his buddies in Canada when disaster strikes. How could anyone expect such unbelievable acts to happen, let alone to him? Believable or not, danger is everywhere and Hutch is forced to fight for his life and for the lives of people he's never even met.
Will Hutch be able to save himself and his friends? What about the townspeople he knows nothing about? And how will he fight against a monster who holds a town hostage with access to weapons he's never dreamed existed?
January 3, 2011
This book kept me hooked from beginning to end. I've never even heard of this author (sorry Robert!) until I saw the audiobook at the library and thought I'd check it out.
Pacing - excellent
Characters - believable, even the really evil ones.
plot - a little bit far fetched but I could see it happening.
I thought the book did what a thriller should do.
I don't know whether I should give it 4 or 5 stars so I'm going with 4. I don't think I'd read it again but I'll definitely read the sequel and more by this author.
Pacing - excellent
Characters - believable, even the really evil ones.
plot - a little bit far fetched but I could see it happening.
I thought the book did what a thriller should do.
I don't know whether I should give it 4 or 5 stars so I'm going with 4. I don't think I'd read it again but I'll definitely read the sequel and more by this author.
November 24, 2018
This book was written with much detail and depth. From the first page I found myself automatically intrigued. The characters don't lack in any explanation, their own life stories complete the "missing pieces" . This novel is very graphic..it is raw, but equally relevant because of that. The villains in this story are sheer evil. They're tendencies are horrific which gives the book more of horror themed read, but all in all, it is still very well written. It brings forth a realness of why we must remain right , and the consequences for when we do not.
August 1, 2017
Great book!
Liparulo keeps us guessing! There are no predictable plot lines here, and don't get attached to anyone. Crazy good writer. It was like a horror movie, I was actually scared and anxious through a big chunk of this book.
Liparulo keeps us guessing! There are no predictable plot lines here, and don't get attached to anyone. Crazy good writer. It was like a horror movie, I was actually scared and anxious through a big chunk of this book.
October 19, 2018
I loved that the author could describe atrocities without using obscene language. It was definitely a non-stop thriller with well developed characters and an underlying theme of the importance of caring for others.
July 16, 2021
Overall, this was a pretty good book. It seemed fairly straightforward, with the story moving about as you would expect without being too predictable. I’m not completely sure what it was, but it just wasn’t quite good enough for a 5, but it was a very enjoyable thriller.
July 6, 2019
Loved this one! Action packed from the start. Realistic characters and situations. Surprises along the way. No sexual content or foul language. Bravo, author!!
November 17, 2025
Es sollte der Urlaub ihres Lebens werden. Gemeinsam mit drei Freunden macht sich John Hutchison in die kanadische Wildnis auf, um für ein paar Tage ungestört zu sein. Keine Handys, kein Radio- nur die vier Freunde und die Natur. Jeder von ihnen braucht eine Auszeit und dieser Trip ist die perfekte Gelegenheit. Aber alles kommt anders, als die vier Freunde unvermittelt in die Ereignisse hinein gezogen werden, die sich wenige Meilen entfernt von ihnen in der kleinen Stadt Fiddler Falls abspielen.
Meine Meinung
Für die Bewohner von Fiddler Falls ist es, als ob die vier Reiter der Apokalypse in ihre Stadt gekommen sind. Eine Gruppe junger Männer erscheint im Ort und beginnt ein Werk der Zerstörung. Einige Menschen werden getötet, der Rest wie Vieh zusammen getrieben und jede Möglichkeit zur Flucht vereitelt. Geschickte Spielchen und eine Waffe, die nicht aus dieser Welt zu kommen scheint schüren bei den Bewohnern die Angst und ersticken jeden Widerstand im Keim.
Gerade die Waffe, die Declan und seine Freunde verwenden, haben mich zuerst an eine Fantasygeschichte denken lassen. Ich habe ein paar Seiten gebraucht um zu begreifen, mit was es die Menschen in Fiddler Falls es zu tun hatten. Auch der Grund, warum Declan auf seinem Zerstörungstrip war, habe ich am Anfang nicht verstanden. Als er das erste Mal seinen Plan erläutert hat, war ich gleichermaßen fasziniert wie entsetzt. So irreal ist die Geschichte nicht.
Declan hat sich schlau gemacht und nutzt viele Elemente aus den Kriegen der letzten Jahrhunderte, um sich die Menschen gefügig zu machen. Trotzdem gelingt es einigen, Widerstand zu leisten. Damit hat de Über-Krieger nicht gerechnet. In seiner Arroganz hat er nicht erkannt, dass sein scheinbar perfekter Plan Lücken hat.
John und seine Freunde sind so eine Unbekannte, die Declan nicht auf seiner Rechnung hatte. Auch wenn die vier Städter sich nicht in der Wildnis auskennen, leisten sie erbittert Widerstand und was Declan zuerst amüsiert hat, wird bald zu einem echten Problem für ihn.
Die Spannung steigt fast mit jeder Seite. Es gibt immer wieder überraschende Wendungen. Nur das Ende hätte ich mir ein bisschen dramatischer gewünscht.
Meine Meinung
Für die Bewohner von Fiddler Falls ist es, als ob die vier Reiter der Apokalypse in ihre Stadt gekommen sind. Eine Gruppe junger Männer erscheint im Ort und beginnt ein Werk der Zerstörung. Einige Menschen werden getötet, der Rest wie Vieh zusammen getrieben und jede Möglichkeit zur Flucht vereitelt. Geschickte Spielchen und eine Waffe, die nicht aus dieser Welt zu kommen scheint schüren bei den Bewohnern die Angst und ersticken jeden Widerstand im Keim.
Gerade die Waffe, die Declan und seine Freunde verwenden, haben mich zuerst an eine Fantasygeschichte denken lassen. Ich habe ein paar Seiten gebraucht um zu begreifen, mit was es die Menschen in Fiddler Falls es zu tun hatten. Auch der Grund, warum Declan auf seinem Zerstörungstrip war, habe ich am Anfang nicht verstanden. Als er das erste Mal seinen Plan erläutert hat, war ich gleichermaßen fasziniert wie entsetzt. So irreal ist die Geschichte nicht.
Declan hat sich schlau gemacht und nutzt viele Elemente aus den Kriegen der letzten Jahrhunderte, um sich die Menschen gefügig zu machen. Trotzdem gelingt es einigen, Widerstand zu leisten. Damit hat de Über-Krieger nicht gerechnet. In seiner Arroganz hat er nicht erkannt, dass sein scheinbar perfekter Plan Lücken hat.
John und seine Freunde sind so eine Unbekannte, die Declan nicht auf seiner Rechnung hatte. Auch wenn die vier Städter sich nicht in der Wildnis auskennen, leisten sie erbittert Widerstand und was Declan zuerst amüsiert hat, wird bald zu einem echten Problem für ihn.
Die Spannung steigt fast mit jeder Seite. Es gibt immer wieder überraschende Wendungen. Nur das Ende hätte ich mir ein bisschen dramatischer gewünscht.
April 26, 2020
Everything is going well for four men on a hunting trip – until someone starts hunting them. An experimental laser weapon has been commandeered and is terrorizing both the hunters and the residents of the remote town. The men must decide whether to run for their lives – or rescue the innocent in the town.
I’ve just finished Robert Liparulo’s latest offering Deadfall, and I must say that it was an awesome read! Although it has no strong Christian message in it, it is full of Christian morals, and it tackles a very relevant issue which is sadly going under the radar of most people today… the effects of violent media on our youth culture.
The story is action-packed, has great characters, and has a plausible plot that is not too far fetched. This is the second Liparulo book I have read (Germ is the other one) and I must say that His story climaxes are exciting, intelligent, surprising, and read like an action movie ending.
Three things (in my opinion) that stopped Deadfall earning a higher rating…
1. Parts of the plot were just a little unrealistic for me.
2. I would have enjoyed a little more character development.
3. A little slow moving at the beginning.
If you enjoy an action-packed thrillers with no profanity and great morals, you will love Deadfall.
I’ve just finished Robert Liparulo’s latest offering Deadfall, and I must say that it was an awesome read! Although it has no strong Christian message in it, it is full of Christian morals, and it tackles a very relevant issue which is sadly going under the radar of most people today… the effects of violent media on our youth culture.
The story is action-packed, has great characters, and has a plausible plot that is not too far fetched. This is the second Liparulo book I have read (Germ is the other one) and I must say that His story climaxes are exciting, intelligent, surprising, and read like an action movie ending.
Three things (in my opinion) that stopped Deadfall earning a higher rating…
1. Parts of the plot were just a little unrealistic for me.
2. I would have enjoyed a little more character development.
3. A little slow moving at the beginning.
If you enjoy an action-packed thrillers with no profanity and great morals, you will love Deadfall.
September 5, 2024
Great story would make for a decent hour to hour an half dystopian movie. I listened to this on audio while at work so it was easy to get past the slow 25-35% beginning of the book an be engaged in the story that I otherwise probably would've taken a day or two to motivate to get passed to the good action/thrilling part. The ending was pretty meh. All in all decent but definitely wouldn't have been able to have made it through actually reading it with the writing style.
January 6, 2025
A rollicking adventure with an excellent opening and tense finish, but a longer middle part where characters move around the board, bad guys succeed through ruthless manipulation of happenstance and the good guys can't catch a break at all. Characterisation is sufficiently bland except when emotion is required, and then we get the typical saccharine sentiments on Love and Family usual to these Men's Adventure stories.
Would make a terrific film.
Would make a terrific film.
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