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Jessica Blackwood #3
Black Fall
“Enthralling . . . . The author, a professional magician, makes the impossible seem probable in this twisty, clever treat.” —Publishers Weekly
In Black Fall, the third book in the ITW Award-nominated mystery series, magician-turned-FBI agent Jessica Blackwood investigates a series of seemingly unrelated, but equally bizarre and sinister, crimes that lead her to the Colorado desert and a town that has, simply, disappeared.
With two big cases under her belt, FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood is learning to embrace her unconventional past as the rising star in a family dynasty of illusionists. Her talent and experience endow her with a unique understanding of the power and potential of deception, and a gift for knowing when things are not always as they appear to be. Once resenting her eccentric grandfather, a brilliant magician in his own right, Jessica now sees him as a mentor and regularly seeks his advice about her work.
But Jessica’s routine surveillance operation becomes a fight for survival when a disturbed young woman, clutching a baby, shows up at the stake-out location and threatens to kill her child. On the same day, an hour after a severe earthquake rocks the eastern seaboard, a strange video goes viral. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Peter Devon has been dead for eight years, yet here he is on camera, predicting the location and date of the earthquake. Jessica is put on the case by her boss, Dr. Ailes, but when Detective Aileen Lewis reports that they’ve found a Jane Doe who matches her description of her attacker, she’s torn between professional duty and a personal desire to find out who the woman was, and why she was killed.
The investigations pull her in very different directions—until they start to converge, leading Jessica to confront something darker, and more powerful, than anyone expected. Something so twisted, only one person could be behind it…the Warlock.
In Black Fall, the third book in the ITW Award-nominated mystery series, magician-turned-FBI agent Jessica Blackwood investigates a series of seemingly unrelated, but equally bizarre and sinister, crimes that lead her to the Colorado desert and a town that has, simply, disappeared.
With two big cases under her belt, FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood is learning to embrace her unconventional past as the rising star in a family dynasty of illusionists. Her talent and experience endow her with a unique understanding of the power and potential of deception, and a gift for knowing when things are not always as they appear to be. Once resenting her eccentric grandfather, a brilliant magician in his own right, Jessica now sees him as a mentor and regularly seeks his advice about her work.
But Jessica’s routine surveillance operation becomes a fight for survival when a disturbed young woman, clutching a baby, shows up at the stake-out location and threatens to kill her child. On the same day, an hour after a severe earthquake rocks the eastern seaboard, a strange video goes viral. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Peter Devon has been dead for eight years, yet here he is on camera, predicting the location and date of the earthquake. Jessica is put on the case by her boss, Dr. Ailes, but when Detective Aileen Lewis reports that they’ve found a Jane Doe who matches her description of her attacker, she’s torn between professional duty and a personal desire to find out who the woman was, and why she was killed.
The investigations pull her in very different directions—until they start to converge, leading Jessica to confront something darker, and more powerful, than anyone expected. Something so twisted, only one person could be behind it…the Warlock.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2017
1362 people are currently reading
1488 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
May 13, 2018
I actually just finished reading book 1 (Angel Killer) in this series (Why read in order?) and now I'm kind of bummed that I have no more Jessica Blackwood books to read since this series have become a personal favorite of mine. Each book has stories that it will take ex-magician now FBI agent Jessica Blackwood to solve since the bureau needs someone that can think outside the box and that she can.
Black Fall has the best opening of all the three books I have read, with the missing town in Colorado. I mean WOW, what happened here? And, then the story shifts focus as Jessica is pulled into a new case when a young woman turns up at her doorstep clutching a baby and threatens to kill it. If that is not bad, long time dead physicist Peter Devon seems to be able to predict upcoming natural disasters in videos that go viral. Could this have something to do with Warlock? However, he's behind bars, not could even he mastermind this...?
This book is great, really really great. I love everything from the opening to the mystery of the dead physicist professor to the town that disappeared. And, Damian, Jessica oh so secret "boyfriend", who is wanted by the FBI, but is always there when Jessica needs him (even if she always alert FBI about it). Jessica Blackwood has become a favorite character of mine and this book is so engrossing.
I really, really hope there will be more books in this series!
Black Fall has the best opening of all the three books I have read, with the missing town in Colorado. I mean WOW, what happened here? And, then the story shifts focus as Jessica is pulled into a new case when a young woman turns up at her doorstep clutching a baby and threatens to kill it. If that is not bad, long time dead physicist Peter Devon seems to be able to predict upcoming natural disasters in videos that go viral. Could this have something to do with Warlock? However, he's behind bars, not could even he mastermind this...?
This book is great, really really great. I love everything from the opening to the mystery of the dead physicist professor to the town that disappeared. And, Damian, Jessica oh so secret "boyfriend", who is wanted by the FBI, but is always there when Jessica needs him (even if she always alert FBI about it). Jessica Blackwood has become a favorite character of mine and this book is so engrossing.
I really, really hope there will be more books in this series!
March 11, 2021
Andrew Mayne offers a unique spin on crime thrillers in both series I have read. There’s an electricity in the ‘off the beaten path’ aspect, something I highly enjoy and is sure to engage the reader throughout. In this third full-length novel, Jessica Blackwood is forced to wrap her head around a series of random events, all of which are tied to a long-dead academic’s apparent recorded prediction. Additionally, she’s targeted for murder again and must wrestle with the understanding that she has upset many with her past work within the FBI. As the case intensifies and Blackwood learns more, she discovers that one man must be pulling all the strings from his prison cell. It’s a man whose skill with magic and illusion tops even her own!
A small Colorado community vanishes off the face of the earth, or so it seems when a postal worker and delivery truck cannot locate it. While this seems odd, FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood is on a stake-out and trying to stay under the radar. When a woman appears at her door, Blackwood is baffled, not only by the bundle the woman carries, but that this mysterious visitor tries to kill her. Blackwood goes through a variety of emotions and it hits home that she is not safe, having offended many people during her years with the Bureau.
Blackwood is called into the field office to learn some baffling news. An hour after a recent earthquake across the Eastern Seaboard, a video surfaces that a well-respected academic predicted the event—to the day—years in the past. While this does not cause too many eyebrows to rise, the fact that the man died years ago and could not have recently cobbled the recording together has Blackwood a little more intrigued.
While trying to sink her teeth into the case, Blackwood learns that the woman who attacked her has since been found, murdered. Blackwood is torn between this investigation into the eerie predictions and finding out more about this woman and why she, Blackwood, was targeted. Might there be a connection between the two?
As Blackwood forges ahead, she learns a little more about a group calling themselves the Red Chain, a cult that seems to have got their hands on quite the weapon. Blackwood would not believe it had she not seen it for herself. Red Chain has apparently put out a hit on Blackwood for her past casework and one criminal has a special hatred for her.
As Blackwood better understands Red Chain and what they believe, she learns about the small Colorado town of Moffat, which has seemingly disappeared. It is the presumed home of the Red Chain, though it’s nowhere to the found. This could all be part of the larger ruse, one that is part of the cult’s activity. However, it is their ringleader that really sends chills up Blackwood’s spine, especially the way in which he communicates with his followers.
I have come to really enjoy the Jessica Blackwood series, which includes three novels and a short story to date. When I learned that Andrew Mayne was set to bring Jessica back for another adventure, this time working alongside another strong female protagonist, I wanted to get the backstory before diving in (and I will do the same with The Naturualist series soon). Mayne is able to really tell a story with great pizzazz and keep things highly unique, something that is sure to capture the attention of many readers when give this series a try.
This was another winner for Jessica Blackwood. She’s sharp and on point, mixing her past in the world of magic and illusions with a dedication to the FBI. The case develops before her and Jessica is able to balance more revelations in her backstory with some strong character development, sure to enamour the dedicated reader to her personality. Mayne does well to keep her on point, while also showing her vulnerabilities. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Blackwood, whose still got a great deal of pep inside her that needs to come out.
Mayne does well with his supporting cast again, keeping them both on point to complement Blackwood and set the scene for what’s going on. I cannot say enough about the detail put into those who enrich the story, as the piece never lags and the excitement level is high with a vast array of characters. Particularly telling in the Moffat-area revelations, the story’s intensity grows with the development of some key secondary characters.
The story worked and while it was not my favourite of the series, it did present extremely well. I cannot say enough about Jessica Blackwood and how her unique approach to the law and crime fighting keeps the reader enthralled. With a mix of chapter lengths, there is the ever-present pull in and exploration of the plot that keeps the reader wanting to know more. The narrative continues to gain momentum throughout and keeps things on edge until it all comes together in dramatic fashion. There were some political moments in the piece, he first real turn in that direction, but it did not derail the story or the plot whatsoever. I am eager to read more of Mayne work and, as I said above, cannot wait for Blackwood’s return in the coming months to play a joint-protagonist role.
Kudos, Mr. Mayne, for keeping me on the edge of my seat. I am excited to find and review more of your work soon.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
A small Colorado community vanishes off the face of the earth, or so it seems when a postal worker and delivery truck cannot locate it. While this seems odd, FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood is on a stake-out and trying to stay under the radar. When a woman appears at her door, Blackwood is baffled, not only by the bundle the woman carries, but that this mysterious visitor tries to kill her. Blackwood goes through a variety of emotions and it hits home that she is not safe, having offended many people during her years with the Bureau.
Blackwood is called into the field office to learn some baffling news. An hour after a recent earthquake across the Eastern Seaboard, a video surfaces that a well-respected academic predicted the event—to the day—years in the past. While this does not cause too many eyebrows to rise, the fact that the man died years ago and could not have recently cobbled the recording together has Blackwood a little more intrigued.
While trying to sink her teeth into the case, Blackwood learns that the woman who attacked her has since been found, murdered. Blackwood is torn between this investigation into the eerie predictions and finding out more about this woman and why she, Blackwood, was targeted. Might there be a connection between the two?
As Blackwood forges ahead, she learns a little more about a group calling themselves the Red Chain, a cult that seems to have got their hands on quite the weapon. Blackwood would not believe it had she not seen it for herself. Red Chain has apparently put out a hit on Blackwood for her past casework and one criminal has a special hatred for her.
As Blackwood better understands Red Chain and what they believe, she learns about the small Colorado town of Moffat, which has seemingly disappeared. It is the presumed home of the Red Chain, though it’s nowhere to the found. This could all be part of the larger ruse, one that is part of the cult’s activity. However, it is their ringleader that really sends chills up Blackwood’s spine, especially the way in which he communicates with his followers.
I have come to really enjoy the Jessica Blackwood series, which includes three novels and a short story to date. When I learned that Andrew Mayne was set to bring Jessica back for another adventure, this time working alongside another strong female protagonist, I wanted to get the backstory before diving in (and I will do the same with The Naturualist series soon). Mayne is able to really tell a story with great pizzazz and keep things highly unique, something that is sure to capture the attention of many readers when give this series a try.
This was another winner for Jessica Blackwood. She’s sharp and on point, mixing her past in the world of magic and illusions with a dedication to the FBI. The case develops before her and Jessica is able to balance more revelations in her backstory with some strong character development, sure to enamour the dedicated reader to her personality. Mayne does well to keep her on point, while also showing her vulnerabilities. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Blackwood, whose still got a great deal of pep inside her that needs to come out.
Mayne does well with his supporting cast again, keeping them both on point to complement Blackwood and set the scene for what’s going on. I cannot say enough about the detail put into those who enrich the story, as the piece never lags and the excitement level is high with a vast array of characters. Particularly telling in the Moffat-area revelations, the story’s intensity grows with the development of some key secondary characters.
The story worked and while it was not my favourite of the series, it did present extremely well. I cannot say enough about Jessica Blackwood and how her unique approach to the law and crime fighting keeps the reader enthralled. With a mix of chapter lengths, there is the ever-present pull in and exploration of the plot that keeps the reader wanting to know more. The narrative continues to gain momentum throughout and keeps things on edge until it all comes together in dramatic fashion. There were some political moments in the piece, he first real turn in that direction, but it did not derail the story or the plot whatsoever. I am eager to read more of Mayne work and, as I said above, cannot wait for Blackwood’s return in the coming months to play a joint-protagonist role.
Kudos, Mr. Mayne, for keeping me on the edge of my seat. I am excited to find and review more of your work soon.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
April 6, 2017
First Sentence: When she saw the telephone pole with the yellow plastic base again, Olivia Fletcher slammed on the brakes of her mail truck, bringing it to a skidding halt.
FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood’s boredom on stakeout is irrevocably broken by a woman appearing at the door threatening to kill the baby she’s holding. The same day a major earthquake hits the East Coast, and a video is televised of well-known Peter Devon, dead for eight years, predicting the location and date of the earthquake, promising more predictions to come. But for Jessica, the critical question becomes who is pulling the strings of the building chaos.
There’s nothing like a really good opening. An entire town disappearing is a really good opening.
Jessica Blackwood is a fascinating character; as is the author himself—do read his bio. You know a book about a woman whose father and grandfather were magicians, as she also was before working in law enforcement, is going to be different. However, it only takes a few pages before you also realize how intense is the action.
Mayne has a wonderfully readable voice; he’s a natural storyteller. He has done an excellent job of having created a completely believable female character. He moves the story along at a rapid pace, but doesn’t rely on any one device. Yes, there’s suspense, but the story is also filled with Jessica’s memories, historical information, her observations, and even her insecurities—“I bought this outfit three years ago, and I’m sure I didn’t see a single person with the same lapel style in the entire FBI building in the last twelve months. It’s stupid stuff like this that drives me nuts. I’m hung up on it because I think other women may be hung up on it. It’s a vicious cycle.”
More than a mystery, the story is filled with fascinating ideas in information—“Almost five hundred years ago, John Wilkins, a philosopher and bishop, pushed heavily for the written language to adopt an upside-down exclamation point at the end of a sentence to indicate irony. Think of how many online feuds that could have prevented.” While some authors cause one to seek a dictionary, Mayne prompts visits to Wikipedia.
Damian is an intriguing character about whom we’d like to know more. Yet, we realize we probably won’t. It is that mystery that keeps him so intriguing.
Mayne is frighteningly spot on with some of the events happening today. This makes the book both fascinating and terrifying—“The ammunition is rumor, innuendo, misinformation, and leaks. …the delivery vehicles are ordinary citizens, journalists, media personalities, and politicians.” As much as I tend to dislike prologues, the connection to it is very well done later in the story.
Good dialogue, natural-sounding dialogue, can make all the difference to a story even when it’s a monologue to a horse—“Alright, boy. If you don’t hear from me in ten minutes, go get help.” Silverback stares at me blankly. … “And get me a grande latte…um, and a cowboy…blue eyes, independently wealthy, not too rustic….” I pat Silverback on the flank, which he interprets as a signal to start walking. I chase after him and grab the reins. “Wait! Hold up. Not yet.” Silverback stops and gives me another of his looks: Seriously, lady?”
“Black Fall” has excellent suspense, and twists; great characters, and very relevant themes. It is, so far, the best book in the series. Yes, at times, it’s over-the-top and there are plot holes, but one doesn’t really care. Once embroiled in the story and the series, it doesn’t let go. One simply, impatiently, waits for the next book.
BLACK FALL (Pol Thriller-Jessica Blackwood-US- Contemp) – VG+
Mayne, Andrew – 4th in series
Harper Perennial – March 2017
FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood’s boredom on stakeout is irrevocably broken by a woman appearing at the door threatening to kill the baby she’s holding. The same day a major earthquake hits the East Coast, and a video is televised of well-known Peter Devon, dead for eight years, predicting the location and date of the earthquake, promising more predictions to come. But for Jessica, the critical question becomes who is pulling the strings of the building chaos.
There’s nothing like a really good opening. An entire town disappearing is a really good opening.
Jessica Blackwood is a fascinating character; as is the author himself—do read his bio. You know a book about a woman whose father and grandfather were magicians, as she also was before working in law enforcement, is going to be different. However, it only takes a few pages before you also realize how intense is the action.
Mayne has a wonderfully readable voice; he’s a natural storyteller. He has done an excellent job of having created a completely believable female character. He moves the story along at a rapid pace, but doesn’t rely on any one device. Yes, there’s suspense, but the story is also filled with Jessica’s memories, historical information, her observations, and even her insecurities—“I bought this outfit three years ago, and I’m sure I didn’t see a single person with the same lapel style in the entire FBI building in the last twelve months. It’s stupid stuff like this that drives me nuts. I’m hung up on it because I think other women may be hung up on it. It’s a vicious cycle.”
More than a mystery, the story is filled with fascinating ideas in information—“Almost five hundred years ago, John Wilkins, a philosopher and bishop, pushed heavily for the written language to adopt an upside-down exclamation point at the end of a sentence to indicate irony. Think of how many online feuds that could have prevented.” While some authors cause one to seek a dictionary, Mayne prompts visits to Wikipedia.
Damian is an intriguing character about whom we’d like to know more. Yet, we realize we probably won’t. It is that mystery that keeps him so intriguing.
Mayne is frighteningly spot on with some of the events happening today. This makes the book both fascinating and terrifying—“The ammunition is rumor, innuendo, misinformation, and leaks. …the delivery vehicles are ordinary citizens, journalists, media personalities, and politicians.” As much as I tend to dislike prologues, the connection to it is very well done later in the story.
Good dialogue, natural-sounding dialogue, can make all the difference to a story even when it’s a monologue to a horse—“Alright, boy. If you don’t hear from me in ten minutes, go get help.” Silverback stares at me blankly. … “And get me a grande latte…um, and a cowboy…blue eyes, independently wealthy, not too rustic….” I pat Silverback on the flank, which he interprets as a signal to start walking. I chase after him and grab the reins. “Wait! Hold up. Not yet.” Silverback stops and gives me another of his looks: Seriously, lady?”
“Black Fall” has excellent suspense, and twists; great characters, and very relevant themes. It is, so far, the best book in the series. Yes, at times, it’s over-the-top and there are plot holes, but one doesn’t really care. Once embroiled in the story and the series, it doesn’t let go. One simply, impatiently, waits for the next book.
BLACK FALL (Pol Thriller-Jessica Blackwood-US- Contemp) – VG+
Mayne, Andrew – 4th in series
Harper Perennial – March 2017
April 20, 2018
Once again the most magnificent, stupendous, heroine FBI Agent of our day has saved the United States from the bad guys. She pulls her gun plenty of times in this book but never, ever, has to pull the trigger. She gets stabbed, leaves the hospital early, and still manages all this with some mild discomfort. She is still as humble as Mother Teresa downplaying all recognition for her unsupervised heroic deeds because her only drive in life is to; "get the bad guys". To do this she will habitually break direct orders and put herself in harms way. She has constant nagging warnings going off in her head, which she ignores in her attempt to "get the bad guys". Hopefully in a future book she will learn to trust those warnings because they usually turn out to be real.
I've got to quit making so much fun of these books because I really do enjoy them. With our current political situation, protest rallies, and fake news (2018) parts of this book were extremely interesting. Except for the parts where Blackwood's stupidity gets to be too much; like her habitual habit of rushing into danger without any given thought and then mentally over analyzing every possible thought and move she makes. But I do enjoy these books and shouldn't write reviews like this. It's just so stink'n fun and easy I can't resist.
I've got to quit making so much fun of these books because I really do enjoy them. With our current political situation, protest rallies, and fake news (2018) parts of this book were extremely interesting. Except for the parts where Blackwood's stupidity gets to be too much; like her habitual habit of rushing into danger without any given thought and then mentally over analyzing every possible thought and move she makes. But I do enjoy these books and shouldn't write reviews like this. It's just so stink'n fun and easy I can't resist.
April 4, 2017
I have been reading this series from the beginning and was eagerly awaiting the next book featuring Jessica Blackwood. Black Fall definitely didn't disappoint! This time around, Jessica gets involved in a weird convoluted case involving catastrophic predictions from a dead man and riots on the streets of Washington DC. That is just the tip of the iceberg.
What I have loved most about this series is Jessica. She comes from a family of magicians and uses her knowledge and her experience to her advantage while solving cases. She is also pretty tough and tends to want to do things her own way. This ends up getting her in trouble more often than not. I felt like we got to know her a little more in this one. I also got to know her fellow agents on her team more. They seem to be settling into a more comfortable "family". The only character that I wanted more of was Damian. He barely shows up in this book. so I was a bit disappointed.
I'm not going to talk plot. There are too many twists that given way would ruin the story. I will say that there are a few tense scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. Dark hallways and unknown noises will always give me the creeps. In the end, the author has managed to have me eagerly waiting the next book. If you haven't picked up this series yet, definitely start with the first book Angel Killer. I feel like you need that background before you go into Black Fall.
What I have loved most about this series is Jessica. She comes from a family of magicians and uses her knowledge and her experience to her advantage while solving cases. She is also pretty tough and tends to want to do things her own way. This ends up getting her in trouble more often than not. I felt like we got to know her a little more in this one. I also got to know her fellow agents on her team more. They seem to be settling into a more comfortable "family". The only character that I wanted more of was Damian. He barely shows up in this book. so I was a bit disappointed.
I'm not going to talk plot. There are too many twists that given way would ruin the story. I will say that there are a few tense scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. Dark hallways and unknown noises will always give me the creeps. In the end, the author has managed to have me eagerly waiting the next book. If you haven't picked up this series yet, definitely start with the first book Angel Killer. I feel like you need that background before you go into Black Fall.
December 30, 2020
okki 1st of all, WHERE IS THE NEXT BOOK.... T.T
2ndly OMG this book was really good and the scale of the plot was epic, kinda wished it had more info toward the end as it felt a bit rushed but never the less I have loved it plus that ENDING (rude author ^^)
i really can't wait for the next book, hopefully it won't take too long T.T
Also I HIGHLY recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of Magic and Crime ^^
2ndly OMG this book was really good and the scale of the plot was epic, kinda wished it had more info toward the end as it felt a bit rushed but never the less I have loved it plus that ENDING (rude author ^^)
i really can't wait for the next book, hopefully it won't take too long T.T
Also I HIGHLY recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of Magic and Crime ^^
May 27, 2018
There is something about this book, with the opening, a missing town, I really wanted to like it, however it didn't hit as good for me was the others. I hated how the world was subverted by the bad guys, hated how kids were used in this one and hated how the bad guy almost got one over on everyone.
September 8, 2017
I thought this series will end here. It was good, but not as awesome as Angel Killer. I'm intrigued how Jessica and the Warlock's battle will end.
May 30, 2024
3.5 stars
I think this one is my least favorite among the Jessica Blackwood series, but even so, it was an engaging reading and I had a great time with it. We start with some different mysteries that don't seem linked, and one of the best parts of the book is seeing how all things start to connect. Even if, as per usual, we have a big thing happening after a big thing. But this is quite on pair for this author. All his books have big things happening one after another, it is always a crescendo of shocks. (And usually, he manages to creep me out quite a lot along the road). I know that it is something that is not for everyone, and to be honest it is not usually my thing, I would say that it was too much and never look back but with Mayne... things always work out amazingly well!
Another thing that I really really enjoy in his books is that we always have a bunch of professional and competent people, and I love to see this kind of character around!
Even if it was easier to put down than the majority of books I have read by this author, I still had an amazing time with it and I was engrossed in the story and the mysteries.
I think this one is my least favorite among the Jessica Blackwood series, but even so, it was an engaging reading and I had a great time with it. We start with some different mysteries that don't seem linked, and one of the best parts of the book is seeing how all things start to connect. Even if, as per usual, we have a big thing happening after a big thing. But this is quite on pair for this author. All his books have big things happening one after another, it is always a crescendo of shocks. (And usually, he manages to creep me out quite a lot along the road). I know that it is something that is not for everyone, and to be honest it is not usually my thing, I would say that it was too much and never look back but with Mayne... things always work out amazingly well!
Another thing that I really really enjoy in his books is that we always have a bunch of professional and competent people, and I love to see this kind of character around!
Even if it was easier to put down than the majority of books I have read by this author, I still had an amazing time with it and I was engrossed in the story and the mysteries.
July 3, 2023
3.5 stars
Another wild ride on the insanely elaborate roller-coaster of the Warlock!
If you liked the previous two books - you're going to like this one too. Andrew Mayne has found a formula that works - without being formulistic at all, in fact.
The concept seems to be: "Make everything as elaborate and complicated as possible - and run with it! Like Hell!"
And best of all: It does work.
I would have binged more Jessica Blackwood books, if I could, but Nextory didn't have any of the Theo Cray and Jessica Blackwood books - or any of the books featuring Theo Cray alone.
I will return for them both some other way though. Sooner or later.
Another wild ride on the insanely elaborate roller-coaster of the Warlock!
If you liked the previous two books - you're going to like this one too. Andrew Mayne has found a formula that works - without being formulistic at all, in fact.
The concept seems to be: "Make everything as elaborate and complicated as possible - and run with it! Like Hell!"
And best of all: It does work.
I would have binged more Jessica Blackwood books, if I could, but Nextory didn't have any of the Theo Cray and Jessica Blackwood books - or any of the books featuring Theo Cray alone.
I will return for them both some other way though. Sooner or later.
July 28, 2021
Zawiodłam się, realizm tej książki plasuje się gdzieś koło Chyłki wspinającej się po Himalajach. Jeszcze bym to przełknęła, gdyby:
1) Jessica z książki na książkę nie idiociała
2) Chociaż połowa wątków była sensownie zakończona
3) Zakończenie nie było takie ponaglone
I’m out ✌🏻
1) Jessica z książki na książkę nie idiociała
2) Chociaż połowa wątków była sensownie zakończona
3) Zakończenie nie było takie ponaglone
I’m out ✌🏻
July 9, 2017
I’m a fan of the Jessica Blackwood books in general. But by the third book, certain issues have me obsessing more on what’s wrong than what’s right. I won’t even bring up that the beats of the plot and character challenges are exactly the same from book to book because, let’s face it, that happens a lot in these types of thrillers. Except I can’t think of another series quite where it’s such a template. Again, that’s not even what I have a problem with. Or I should say I’m not faulting Andrew Mayne for it. I still went with it and had enough fun. I do think, however, that this is my last trek with either Jessica Blackwood or Andrew Mayne. It’s hard for me to square how good some of Mayne’s ideas are, how well researched, and yet how poor his actual writing tends to be past a certain point.
For example, Mayne does not trust his readers. I remember he has an actual background in magic. I remember seeing a TV show he did back several years ago because I’ve always had a passing interest, too. The way he writes his books reminds me of that over didactic way magicians have of taking you step by step through a trick. They’ll underline what they’re doing, go over it again, and remind you what they did later on, in case you forget. In a trick, they do that to upset your expectation in he execution of the trick. I suppose Mayne could be doing that here, too, but in a novel, it comes off as patronizing. Worse than that, it’s boring and frustrating.
Every time I read a book like this, I wonder why I bothered to read the previous entry when I could have had it summed up in one paragraph in the following sequel.
It never fails where something happens in the story and Jessica Blackwood has to explain why it’s horrible or why it resonates or whatever the impact is. By now we’re all VERY intimate with Blackwood because of how often Mayne does it. Not everything needs explaining. It’s more powerful if you let your work come to fruition and allow the reader to fill in the blanks. By then Mayne had fully trained us in Blackwood’s voice. We expect her guilt. Her self destructive drive.
That’s the other thing. Blackwood started as a highly likeable character in the first book. Her flaws made her even more endearing. Her police superpower, being a magician, also is a cross to bear because of the cheesy celebrity it brought her. Nice touch. She had rough edges being a newbie.
In this book, Blackwood is three years in the FBI and, if anything, she comes off as even MORE green. She doesn’t behave like a grown up. She’s more like a thin skinned teenaged girl. Plenty of male cops in books shirk captain’s orders or whatever -- because I wondered if my problem was in any way a sexist double standard. We love when John McClane or Mitch Rapp or whoever guns his way into blind situations like an 800 pound gorilla. But these guys own up to their shortcomings and to being antisocial a-holes. To being territorial with a “fire me” attitude.
With Blackwood, she keeps making things all about her to the point of putting a schoolyard of kids in danger (hello, call for back up anyway?). She throws off protective gear and self righteously charges into possibly radioactive medical labs “because there is NO TIME,” forget that it’s actually a petulant lack of patience. She constantly puts herself in bad situations only followed up with “I’m so stupid. I want to live.” Pages and pages of it.
Blackwood’s boss at one point sends another agent on a mission rather than her on a tech based mission (Blackwood admittedly is wrong for it) and yet still confronts him for punishing her by not sending her instead. But Mane insists she’s a team player.
If I knew this chick in real life, I don’t think I’d like her. I don’t think the people around her would be so reverent as Mayne write them as. So that’s another flaw in Mayne’s storytelling. Something rings very false there.
In retrospect, I wish I’d stopped at the first Blackwood book, which is fun and worth reading. I’m left wondering how good a writer Andrew Mayne really is if he’s running dry this early into his publishing career.
For example, Mayne does not trust his readers. I remember he has an actual background in magic. I remember seeing a TV show he did back several years ago because I’ve always had a passing interest, too. The way he writes his books reminds me of that over didactic way magicians have of taking you step by step through a trick. They’ll underline what they’re doing, go over it again, and remind you what they did later on, in case you forget. In a trick, they do that to upset your expectation in he execution of the trick. I suppose Mayne could be doing that here, too, but in a novel, it comes off as patronizing. Worse than that, it’s boring and frustrating.
Every time I read a book like this, I wonder why I bothered to read the previous entry when I could have had it summed up in one paragraph in the following sequel.
It never fails where something happens in the story and Jessica Blackwood has to explain why it’s horrible or why it resonates or whatever the impact is. By now we’re all VERY intimate with Blackwood because of how often Mayne does it. Not everything needs explaining. It’s more powerful if you let your work come to fruition and allow the reader to fill in the blanks. By then Mayne had fully trained us in Blackwood’s voice. We expect her guilt. Her self destructive drive.
That’s the other thing. Blackwood started as a highly likeable character in the first book. Her flaws made her even more endearing. Her police superpower, being a magician, also is a cross to bear because of the cheesy celebrity it brought her. Nice touch. She had rough edges being a newbie.
In this book, Blackwood is three years in the FBI and, if anything, she comes off as even MORE green. She doesn’t behave like a grown up. She’s more like a thin skinned teenaged girl. Plenty of male cops in books shirk captain’s orders or whatever -- because I wondered if my problem was in any way a sexist double standard. We love when John McClane or Mitch Rapp or whoever guns his way into blind situations like an 800 pound gorilla. But these guys own up to their shortcomings and to being antisocial a-holes. To being territorial with a “fire me” attitude.
With Blackwood, she keeps making things all about her to the point of putting a schoolyard of kids in danger (hello, call for back up anyway?). She throws off protective gear and self righteously charges into possibly radioactive medical labs “because there is NO TIME,” forget that it’s actually a petulant lack of patience. She constantly puts herself in bad situations only followed up with “I’m so stupid. I want to live.” Pages and pages of it.
Blackwood’s boss at one point sends another agent on a mission rather than her on a tech based mission (Blackwood admittedly is wrong for it) and yet still confronts him for punishing her by not sending her instead. But Mane insists she’s a team player.
If I knew this chick in real life, I don’t think I’d like her. I don’t think the people around her would be so reverent as Mayne write them as. So that’s another flaw in Mayne’s storytelling. Something rings very false there.
In retrospect, I wish I’d stopped at the first Blackwood book, which is fun and worth reading. I’m left wondering how good a writer Andrew Mayne really is if he’s running dry this early into his publishing career.
May 11, 2024
I really liked the first book in this series and I liked the second book, but this third book fell kind of flat for me and it ended up being a DNF.
I was getting tired of Jessica being all drama and angst-ridden about her family history and all the baggage that comes with it. By this point - in both the series and her FBI career - she should have either gotten over it or gotten some therapy. Either way it's boring for the reader to hear about it ad nauseum.
Also, the case in this book I found very dull and uninteresting. I gave up on this at almost the halfway point and it felt like almost nothing had happened. I was bored and just not engaged enough to keep going.
I was getting tired of Jessica being all drama and angst-ridden about her family history and all the baggage that comes with it. By this point - in both the series and her FBI career - she should have either gotten over it or gotten some therapy. Either way it's boring for the reader to hear about it ad nauseum.
Also, the case in this book I found very dull and uninteresting. I gave up on this at almost the halfway point and it felt like almost nothing had happened. I was bored and just not engaged enough to keep going.
February 21, 2017
Good thriller with our protagonist, now in the FBI, formerly a cop, and raised by a well-known magician, bringing her many skills to bear on a complicated case. The beginning is a tad slow but the book really picks up at the mid-way point once the disparate pieces of the story start to really take off. The main character is a delight; she has so much going for and against her that it's worth reading just to figure out what she is going to do next within the parameters of the story. This plot is far-flung but not that far-fetched; current events have made the author a bit of a soothsayer himself. I received my copy from the publisher through edelweiss.
June 11, 2019
Due to the vagaries of eBook pricing, I read this book without the benefit of either of its predecessors.
I was overall impressed. The author filled us in on the necessary bits of Jessica's life without sounding like a book (or police!) report. The first-person POV was pulled off pretty smoothly, and Jessica's character was likable and internally consistent as far as that goes. The side characters were two dimensional, but I won't be too judgy there. The story was reasonably well plotted and moved at a decent pace. At first the story itself was at least within the realm of believability: smarter-than-your-average-bear cultists / terrorists cleverly utilize natural disasters, social media, and of course the news media itself to bring the US itself to the brink of a coup.
Scary stuff. But then...
Suffice to say the ending left much to be desired.
I Might go back and check out the previous Blackwood books, should they appear at or under the $3 price point. But my expectations are set at "fun, but not necessarily great, read."
I was overall impressed. The author filled us in on the necessary bits of Jessica's life without sounding like a book (or police!) report. The first-person POV was pulled off pretty smoothly, and Jessica's character was likable and internally consistent as far as that goes. The side characters were two dimensional, but I won't be too judgy there. The story was reasonably well plotted and moved at a decent pace. At first the story itself was at least within the realm of believability: smarter-than-your-average-bear cultists / terrorists cleverly utilize natural disasters, social media, and of course the news media itself to bring the US itself to the brink of a coup.
Scary stuff. But then...
Suffice to say the ending left much to be desired.
I Might go back and check out the previous Blackwood books, should they appear at or under the $3 price point. But my expectations are set at "fun, but not necessarily great, read."
March 12, 2017
Black Fall is the best Jessica Blackwood novel yet! I loved it!! The story captured me right away and I couldn’t put it down.
Our favorite magician turned FBI agent is back to solve another seemingly impossible case.
After an earthquake hits the east coast, a video appears online of physicist Peter Devon correctly predicting the date and location of the earthquake. Peter has been dead for 8 years. How did he know? Did he know? Who else is involved? Is this a trick?
During her investigation, Jessica is attacked by members of a religious cult. What is their involvement? Why do they want her dead?
She is led to a MISSING town in Colorado that may or may not hold the answers she is looking for.
There are several intriguing characters along the way that keep you guessing about their potential involvement.
The biggest question Jessica has through it all: Is the Warlock involved?
I absolutely recommend Black Fall to anyone. Fans of the series and Andrew Mayne will love the latest installment. Those new to the series will certainly become fans. Happy reading!
Our favorite magician turned FBI agent is back to solve another seemingly impossible case.
After an earthquake hits the east coast, a video appears online of physicist Peter Devon correctly predicting the date and location of the earthquake. Peter has been dead for 8 years. How did he know? Did he know? Who else is involved? Is this a trick?
During her investigation, Jessica is attacked by members of a religious cult. What is their involvement? Why do they want her dead?
She is led to a MISSING town in Colorado that may or may not hold the answers she is looking for.
There are several intriguing characters along the way that keep you guessing about their potential involvement.
The biggest question Jessica has through it all: Is the Warlock involved?
I absolutely recommend Black Fall to anyone. Fans of the series and Andrew Mayne will love the latest installment. Those new to the series will certainly become fans. Happy reading!
January 21, 2023
Two-haiku review:
Dead guy predicts doom
Bad things happen, earthquake, flood
Who's really behind?
Blackwood's smart agent
This one's real complicated
Not enough ending
Dead guy predicts doom
Bad things happen, earthquake, flood
Who's really behind?
Blackwood's smart agent
This one's real complicated
Not enough ending
November 9, 2022
4.5 stars rounded.
Jessica Blackwood, FBI Agent and former magician, once again is called on to make sense of crazy things happening.
A scientist who has been long dead appears on a video making a prediction but moments after the earthquake his the east coast. Jessica easily dismisses a prediction coming after the fact but when one comes that seems to indicate an event that does come true in South America, the FBI and Jessica must take what's happening more urgently.
The events escalate and point to what is called "Dark Fall", the fall of society into chaos. The search, investigation, and discoveries eliminate magic, mysticism, and supernatural but reality is just as confusing and deadly. The threat, chaos, and urgency mounts right to the climax.
Another excellent story by Andrew Mayne mixing good mystery, police procedure, and elements of mysticism.
Jessica Blackwood, FBI Agent and former magician, once again is called on to make sense of crazy things happening.
A scientist who has been long dead appears on a video making a prediction but moments after the earthquake his the east coast. Jessica easily dismisses a prediction coming after the fact but when one comes that seems to indicate an event that does come true in South America, the FBI and Jessica must take what's happening more urgently.
The events escalate and point to what is called "Dark Fall", the fall of society into chaos. The search, investigation, and discoveries eliminate magic, mysticism, and supernatural but reality is just as confusing and deadly. The threat, chaos, and urgency mounts right to the climax.
Another excellent story by Andrew Mayne mixing good mystery, police procedure, and elements of mysticism.
April 15, 2020
I was interested in this book because it sounded a bit like a cross between The Mentalist and Jonathan Creek - it is not. I found it be a somewhat confused story about the FBI's efforts to stop a cult induced Armageddon, with the help of an agent whose father and grandfather were magicians. She is prized for her ability to think outside the box but I didn't see that her background was much help in this story. Instead gut feelings and luck seemed to be the major components of her success. Plus I found one glaring error in the story which could have been easily researched which made me doubt the accuracy of all of the computer "munbo jumbo" that heavily laced the book.
October 28, 2024
Another great book by Mayne. Jessica is such an interesting character and the tricky spots she finds herself in keep this story fascinating. Some of the incidents seemed very much like what is going on in the world right now. Riots, manipulation, natural disasters (or are they?), AI deep fakes, and more seem to be ripped from current headlines. Poor little Elijah really brought things home and made my heart hurt. Great storytelling and I am excited to read about Jessica and Theo together in a new series. How fun!
March 6, 2018
Just keeps getting better
The installment of the Jessica Blackwood series was utterly fantastic. I hope the author decides to put out additional books because I could see this book as a pivotal moment in Jessica's journey. The book ultimately hardens back to the concept in the second book - are you a sheep or a wolf. Jessica comes from a family of wolves and I think she's starting to realize that now. I'm dying to read more. So so good!
The installment of the Jessica Blackwood series was utterly fantastic. I hope the author decides to put out additional books because I could see this book as a pivotal moment in Jessica's journey. The book ultimately hardens back to the concept in the second book - are you a sheep or a wolf. Jessica comes from a family of wolves and I think she's starting to realize that now. I'm dying to read more. So so good!
August 10, 2020
This could have been a good story if only Jessica was not sooooo melodramatic at every step of the way, and the story was not all the time about the bad guy trying to harm her. Any other sane law enforcement agency would have removed her from any involvement. So many implausible situations, it’s annoying. Too bad.
May 23, 2022
Andrew mayne is a great mystery writer
His character Jessica Blackwood is a smart
Funny puzzle solver with a magical background
And magical family history which really make
His mysteries so unusual. His stories are
Mysteries inside an enigma.
His character Jessica Blackwood is a smart
Funny puzzle solver with a magical background
And magical family history which really make
His mysteries so unusual. His stories are
Mysteries inside an enigma.
April 25, 2023
Andrew Mayne certainly knows how to write great crime thriller series. I love every Theo Cray, Sloan McPherson and Jessica Blackwood novel.
July 13, 2024
Andrew Mayne is amazing. Love this series
April 29, 2025
Honestly more of the same as the last one, just get some fucking therapy of your family drama. GOOD GOD. 😂
December 10, 2020
Enjoyed this one almost as much as the first.
March 6, 2017
I won a copy of
Black Fall
from a Goodreads Giveaway.
I've been reading this series from the start and always felt the premise had amazing potential. My issues had always been that the bizarre and stupendous tricks poised to stump authorities in the previous novels, forcing Jessica Blackwood's involvement in the cases were generally too unbelievable to believe.
Also, I never really took to Jessica. I don't hate her or dislike her, I just don't admire her. Despite her unconventional life as the granddaughter of a charismatic grandfather magician and the progeny of a more stable father, she lacks the allure and appeal I would have expected from a former child prodigy of the magical arts.
She's not dumb, she's just kind of bland. Her personality is weak and boring, especially as she struggled in earlier books to find a place in law enforcement, where she whined about her early years in the shiny spotlight of her grandfather and father, but fail to admit that very unorthodox upbringing granted her a special set of skills that have allowed her to succeed in an unconventional career.
In the third book of the series, Jessica is now working for the FBI. On the same day she is tracking a female serial killer and accosted by a knife wielding maniac holding a baby hostage, an earthquake rattles the East Coast. The assailant escapes, Jessica is visibly shaken and soon after, a strange video is released on social media, a mathematician named Devon predicting said natural disaster. Too bad he's been dead for eight years. Ailes, Blackwood's superior, calls her in to lend her unique expertise to these new and unforeseen turn of events. Miracle or magic? Fraud or psychic?
In the course of her investigation, she discovers links to an underground eco-terrorist group called the Red Chain, meets with the former ringleader and his ex-wife, uncovers Devon's prevailing belief that all natural events could eventually be predicted, a hidden underground facility with a horrifying secret behind locked doors and how the twisted thread of this conspiracy connects back to Blackwood's arch nemesis, Warlock.
In the end, Blackwood deciphers the clues to the puzzle that has been troubling her throughout a confusing investigation and finds herself face to face with the one who had true knowledge of all that transpired. It is not who you think and the unveiling is a good surprise.
Black Fall was enjoyable to read because it was rooted in the present and mirrors a little what our own world is going through right now; how natural disasters and bizarre weather conditions can wreak havoc on the population and environment, how a group of like minded individuals with a twisted agenda can spur fear, terror and hate among society by disseminating volatile information and how those affected react to such bizarre and threatening content.
Blackwood still seems to be finding her way in Black Fall, still a little unsure of herself but always willing to get hands dirty. Her relationship with her family remains on shaky ground and realizes she needs to make an effort. She acknowledges it is hard to make friends considering her infamous reputation and her own bluntness but she realizes she does not want to be alone forever.
Damian makes a brief appearance, the elusive and possibly sociopathic on-again, off-again boyfriend who always seems to turn up to get Blackwood out of a mess or two. How and where does he get his money, I'd really like to know. Also, is he stalking her? He always seems to know where she is. Okay, that's a discussion for another time.
Warlock is one of the least memorable villains I can recall. Basically, a nerd with no charisma and really, really socially awkward, I always find it difficult to suspend disbelief when he is able to pull off these incredible feats and enlist people to do his dirty work for him, considering he has all the magnetism of a dirty sock.
Still, I'll continue reading this series if only for the moment when Jessica Blackwood bests him. And it better be spectacular!
I've been reading this series from the start and always felt the premise had amazing potential. My issues had always been that the bizarre and stupendous tricks poised to stump authorities in the previous novels, forcing Jessica Blackwood's involvement in the cases were generally too unbelievable to believe.
Also, I never really took to Jessica. I don't hate her or dislike her, I just don't admire her. Despite her unconventional life as the granddaughter of a charismatic grandfather magician and the progeny of a more stable father, she lacks the allure and appeal I would have expected from a former child prodigy of the magical arts.
She's not dumb, she's just kind of bland. Her personality is weak and boring, especially as she struggled in earlier books to find a place in law enforcement, where she whined about her early years in the shiny spotlight of her grandfather and father, but fail to admit that very unorthodox upbringing granted her a special set of skills that have allowed her to succeed in an unconventional career.
In the third book of the series, Jessica is now working for the FBI. On the same day she is tracking a female serial killer and accosted by a knife wielding maniac holding a baby hostage, an earthquake rattles the East Coast. The assailant escapes, Jessica is visibly shaken and soon after, a strange video is released on social media, a mathematician named Devon predicting said natural disaster. Too bad he's been dead for eight years. Ailes, Blackwood's superior, calls her in to lend her unique expertise to these new and unforeseen turn of events. Miracle or magic? Fraud or psychic?
In the course of her investigation, she discovers links to an underground eco-terrorist group called the Red Chain, meets with the former ringleader and his ex-wife, uncovers Devon's prevailing belief that all natural events could eventually be predicted, a hidden underground facility with a horrifying secret behind locked doors and how the twisted thread of this conspiracy connects back to Blackwood's arch nemesis, Warlock.
In the end, Blackwood deciphers the clues to the puzzle that has been troubling her throughout a confusing investigation and finds herself face to face with the one who had true knowledge of all that transpired. It is not who you think and the unveiling is a good surprise.
Black Fall was enjoyable to read because it was rooted in the present and mirrors a little what our own world is going through right now; how natural disasters and bizarre weather conditions can wreak havoc on the population and environment, how a group of like minded individuals with a twisted agenda can spur fear, terror and hate among society by disseminating volatile information and how those affected react to such bizarre and threatening content.
Blackwood still seems to be finding her way in Black Fall, still a little unsure of herself but always willing to get hands dirty. Her relationship with her family remains on shaky ground and realizes she needs to make an effort. She acknowledges it is hard to make friends considering her infamous reputation and her own bluntness but she realizes she does not want to be alone forever.
Damian makes a brief appearance, the elusive and possibly sociopathic on-again, off-again boyfriend who always seems to turn up to get Blackwood out of a mess or two. How and where does he get his money, I'd really like to know. Also, is he stalking her? He always seems to know where she is. Okay, that's a discussion for another time.
Warlock is one of the least memorable villains I can recall. Basically, a nerd with no charisma and really, really socially awkward, I always find it difficult to suspend disbelief when he is able to pull off these incredible feats and enlist people to do his dirty work for him, considering he has all the magnetism of a dirty sock.
Still, I'll continue reading this series if only for the moment when Jessica Blackwood bests him. And it better be spectacular!
September 6, 2017
Third book in this series ended with me wanting and hoping for the next book to come out quickly. These are fun books, no deep social message just a fun escape. Enjoy
April 23, 2018
The author gallivants across creative fields like a crazed rabbit. (Do rabbits gallivant?) Magician, filmmaker, inventor, writer.... I'm not sure which one he should have stuck with, as few of his products have impressed me. Same with this overly long, overly wrought, thin detective story. He does create a female protagonist with a background in magic, but he dilutes her with his superficial constantly running interior dialog. Looks like he has several books featuring this character. One was enough for me.
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