Falling

Falling #1

by Gordon Brown

Charlie Wiggs is a quiet, unassuming accountant who has worked in a Glasgow firm for thirty years. When he agreed to look after a package for a work colleague, he didn't expect to be flung from the roof of a forty-story building. He didn't intend to be caught up in a world of money laundering and blackmail. Nor did he ever think he would find himself being hunted by a vicious criminal gang. Forced to flee for his life Charlie is reluctantly joined by George, a maintenance man, and Tina, George's girlfriend. The trio find themselves falling into a world they are ill-equipped to deal with. A world populated by criminals and death. A world that gives them three choices: run, die or fight back... ***Praise for Falling*** "With its intriguing perspective, blistering action and swarms of dodgy guys in suits, this is an explosive, harrowing riot that has movie potential written all over it." -Daily Record "The action in this novel grabs you by the throat, punches you in the body then gives you a good slapping." -Caro Ramsay, author of The Tears of Angels "Brown keeps a firm, skillful grip on his material in what turns out to be a very promising debut novel." -The Herald

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Gordon Brown has eight crime and thriller books published to date, along with a novella and a number of short stories.

Under his new expat alias, Morgan Cry, (he also writes under the name Gordon Brown) Gordon’s latest crime thriller, ’Thirty-One Bones’, set in Spain, is published by Polygon. Available now in both the UK and the U.S. – the sequel, called ‘Six Wounds’, will be published in in May 2022.

Gordon also helped found Bloody Scotland, Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival (see www.bloodyscotland.com), is a DJ on local radio (www.pulseonair.co.uk) and runs a strategic planning consultancy. He lives in Scotland and is married with two children.

In a former life Gordon delivered pizzas in Toronto, sold non-alcoholic beer in the Middle East, launched a creativity training business, floated a high tech company on the London Stock Exchange, compered the main stage at a two-day music festival and was once booed by 49,000 people while on the pitch at a major football Cup Final.

Reviews

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Good story, brilliant humour, I read this book in advance of the author giving a talk at our local library . Already ordered the follow up book. I would be interested in how the humour in this book translates to readers outwith Scotland. If you like the books of Christopher Brookmyre then give this book a read.

[David Phizacklea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just sit and read end to end

Pacy, entertaining and clear. Some of the descriptions are class and the humour is black and plentiful. I've even stolen a couple of quotes to use elsewhere - loved it.

[Chris Sherwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy the style of the book. Whilst it’s well written and clever it was just not for me

[Rich B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this as it ticked a lot of boxes.

From the launch point of a mild-mannered accountant finding himself being dangled over the edge of a high rise office block by two Glasgow heavies, you’re quickly into the plot of dodgy business dealings and money-laundering.

The pace is good throughout, the dialogue short and snappy, and there’s a dry Glasgow sense of humour running through the whole book. It’s a fun read.

There’s a few rough edges in places, but not enough to spoil it.

The story’s told from multiple points of view, normally a good thing. But there’s about seven different characters, some stronger and more engaging than others. There’s two or three of the characters that by the end, you’re not quite sure why you got their viewpoints. And sometimes the leaps from character to character muddy the story-telling, rather than move it along.

There’s also a few large leaps of faith in the way the plot plays out, especially when characters start dying, or meeting with extreme violence. It does try to deal with the obvious solution - just go to the police - but the reasons for not doing so are pretty tenuous.

There’s also an attempt at a twist as the identity of a mystery character is revealed, but it’s pretty obvious well in advance (some big clues and a process of elimination). It also requires another leap of faith that the characters wouldn’t have worked it out themselves.

Those are pretty minor moans though. If you know Glasgow at all and like the feel and humour of that city, this is a lot of fun.

[Chris Longmuir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this on a long train journey and it kept me engrossed from beginning to end. I loved the characters, George, whom we meet dangling from a high rise building prior to being thrown off, and his girl friend, Tina. They are two ordinary people caught up in a murderous set of events, but you can't help rooting for them. This was definitely a page turner and I would recommend it to anyone taking a long journey. You won't need anything else to keep your mind occupied.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thriller (ish) - set in Glasgow, better than no book at all but not fabulous.

[Gary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starts out great, then slows down.