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Hollow City #2
A Falling Knife
Something’s rotten in the borough of Brooklyn. And it’s not just the wave of glossy condos pushing longtime residents out of their neighborhoods. A construction worker has plunged to his death, and suspicion has fallen on a fellow hard hat for turning a crane into a killing machine. When the suspect does a disappearing act, a pair of unlikely partners reunite to chase him down.
Leonard Mitchell once investigated dirty cops, and Detective Ralph Mulino was his target. Mulino was cleared. But Leonard ran afoul of the system and ended up pushing paper for the Parks Department. Now Mulino drafts him to infiltrate a real estate mogul’s operation and expose a financial scam that may be behind the murder. But when the suspected killer gets tossed from a tenement roof, it seems the price of probing the housing market might just be too high.
Leonard Mitchell once investigated dirty cops, and Detective Ralph Mulino was his target. Mulino was cleared. But Leonard ran afoul of the system and ended up pushing paper for the Parks Department. Now Mulino drafts him to infiltrate a real estate mogul’s operation and expose a financial scam that may be behind the murder. But when the suspected killer gets tossed from a tenement roof, it seems the price of probing the housing market might just be too high.
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2017
55 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Case
3 books47 followersAndrew Case is an award-winning playwright and critically-acclaimed novelist. His plays have been produced by the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, New Theatre in Miami, InterAct Theatre in Philadelphia, and many more across the country. His work has been commissioned and developed by the Manhattan Theatre Club, the Atlantic Theatre, Primary Stages, the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, and many more. He is a member of the Primary Stages Writers Group and PEN America Center, and a winner of the Samuel Goldwyn Award.
Additionally, he is an expert in civilian oversight of police misconduct. His scholarship on police oversight has been published in the Columbia Human Rights Law Review and he has been quoted on police oversight and reform in the New York Times and many other media outlets.
He is married to the extraordinary dramaturg and professor Claudia Case (@TheatreHistory) and the father of two spirited children.
Additionally, he is an expert in civilian oversight of police misconduct. His scholarship on police oversight has been published in the Columbia Human Rights Law Review and he has been quoted on police oversight and reform in the New York Times and many other media outlets.
He is married to the extraordinary dramaturg and professor Claudia Case (@TheatreHistory) and the father of two spirited children.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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January 24, 2017Andrew Case is more than an author, the man is an artist! The picture he paints in his writing is a work of art! A Falling Knife delivers just as The Big Fear. If you have not discovered Andrew Case, the time is now! This book catches your interest from Chapter 1, right up to the the end. Plenty of action, suspense throughout the book. I discovered Andrew through Amazon and am looking forward to more of his work in the future. I can't say enough on how much I enjoyed A Falling Knife. Pick up a copy and dive in! Already looking forward to the next book in this series...the way it ended, there has to be a third book, right?
May 11, 2020
'A Falling Knife', #2 in the 'Hollow City' series by Alex Case, begins with a shocking what-appears-to-be accident. An experienced ironworker falls off a crane at a NYC skyscraper's construction site, and in the rush to pin the blame on someone, the city inspectors are rumored to be at fault. Investigators begin to focus on the crane operator, though, who mysteriously disappeared after the 'accident'. The developer of the property, a hard-charging youngish black woman with a popular minister-father, just wants the issue to go away. Detective Ralph Mulino engages his old acquaintance from the initial novel in this series Leonard Mitchell, currently employed by the Parks Department as a spokesman, to go undercover into the developers organization, where he quickly comes to the conclusion that financial misdealing may have lead to the 'accident'. Meanwhile, the crane operator ends up at the bottom of an elevator shaft, barely alive. And this is where it becomes interesting.....
I've truly enjoyed both novels in this series. Case is a fine writer and knows Brooklyn, NYC politics, cops, real estate development, and all the facets of his series very well. This novel was well plotted and moved along at a decent pace, with a nice twist at the conclusion and some hints about where the series may be heading. What I really like is the nuts and bolts grittiness he describes throughout his books, and the combination of fine writing plus 'grit' is a big plus. If I have one quibble, it's with character development, which I don't think is a particular strength of his. We 'know' the main characters only superficially and one of them seems to be heading off into the sunset.
I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment of this series. It's been awhile since the last and I hope it proceeds!
I've truly enjoyed both novels in this series. Case is a fine writer and knows Brooklyn, NYC politics, cops, real estate development, and all the facets of his series very well. This novel was well plotted and moved along at a decent pace, with a nice twist at the conclusion and some hints about where the series may be heading. What I really like is the nuts and bolts grittiness he describes throughout his books, and the combination of fine writing plus 'grit' is a big plus. If I have one quibble, it's with character development, which I don't think is a particular strength of his. We 'know' the main characters only superficially and one of them seems to be heading off into the sunset.
I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment of this series. It's been awhile since the last and I hope it proceeds!
August 3, 2017
From the first page, I was hooked again on the characters in Hollow City, and intrigued where the new story was leading. Andrew Case has an easily digestible writing style, and writes short punchy chapters, that make the book really hard to put down. This new story had twists and turns that surprised me, and continued smoothly with the series story-line. They only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because of a couple of scenes, where a character acted too far out of the picture created so far, and it didn't progress the story in an interesting way. It wasn't a bad idea, but it served only to trigger a collision of characters that could have been handled many different, more believable ways.
That said, it's an excellent book, and I'm excited to see what happens in the next book.
That said, it's an excellent book, and I'm excited to see what happens in the next book.
April 10, 2017
A Falling Knife
By Andrew Case
Case’s second novel, a sequel to ‘The Big Fear’ in ‘The Hollow City Series’. Although it can easily be read as a stand along novel as I did.
The story follows ex-cop Leonard Mitchell, a city building investigator who is drawn into going undercover for the police to investigate corruption in the building industry. He uncovers far more than he can imagine, especially as he struggles with who to trust.
Case has a well written novel that engage the reader with interesting, if somewhat unbelievable at times, twists and turns.
By Andrew Case
Case’s second novel, a sequel to ‘The Big Fear’ in ‘The Hollow City Series’. Although it can easily be read as a stand along novel as I did.
The story follows ex-cop Leonard Mitchell, a city building investigator who is drawn into going undercover for the police to investigate corruption in the building industry. He uncovers far more than he can imagine, especially as he struggles with who to trust.
Case has a well written novel that engage the reader with interesting, if somewhat unbelievable at times, twists and turns.
March 14, 2017
This was another Goodreads Giveaway Win. I had not read the first one but will now go back and read it also. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. Kept me interested throughout. Will be reading more of this Authors books in the future.
November 14, 2017
One thing I hate more than anything is winning a giveaway for a book that is second or third in a series and having it imperative that the first book is read to understand what's going on. Clearly that didn't happen with Falling Knife because I wouldn't have given it four stars. The story and the characters were fun and like I said before you don't need to have read the first book to enjoy this.
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May 31, 2017Placeholder
I won this book via goodreads giveaways.
I won this book via goodreads giveaways.
June 20, 2017
A falling knife by Andrew Case is a mystery and thriller and general fiction (adult) read.
Something’s rotten in the borough of Brooklyn. And it’s not just the wave of glossy condos pushing longtime residents out of their neighborhoods. A construction worker has plunged to his death, and suspicion has fallen on a fellow hard hat for turning a crane into a killing machine. When the suspect does a disappearing act, a pair of unlikely partners reunite to chase him down.
A good but slow read. I liked the story and the characters. A bit predictable. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
Something’s rotten in the borough of Brooklyn. And it’s not just the wave of glossy condos pushing longtime residents out of their neighborhoods. A construction worker has plunged to his death, and suspicion has fallen on a fellow hard hat for turning a crane into a killing machine. When the suspect does a disappearing act, a pair of unlikely partners reunite to chase him down.
A good but slow read. I liked the story and the characters. A bit predictable. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
February 20, 2017
I was provided an MP3 CD of A Falling Knife, to give honest feedback on the narrator. First I had to sit in front of my computer for at least an hour trying to figure out how to get the CD to my iPhone. I now realize how my Mother felt trying to program the VCR. I was lost. I normally just purchase audio book files and don’t have an issue. Other than my car I don’t think I own an actual CD player anymore. How technology has changed. I digress. So once the whole, how do I get this to that was figured out and I felt incredibly OLD, I started listening to the story.
A Falling Knife opens up with a crane accident. Case does a wonderful job vividly describing the construction site, work, and the petrifying fall. I think had I been reading the story my heart would have been racing. Listening left me feeling indifferent. Bakkensen didn’t bring forth the emotion or inflection needed for such an intense scene. It was done in such a droll manner that it didn’t do the book justice. Personally, I liked Bakkensen overall I just felt that he lacked in emotional delivery not only in the beginning of the story but at many other points. However, I had no issue getting lost in the story listening to him.
I really enjoyed the duo of Mitchell and Mulino again and the story was well throughout and truly entertaining. Had I read the book instead of listened to it I think my heart would have raced and I wouldn’t have been able to put it down. I never felt the thrills, the danger or the excitement with the audiobook. However overall it was still pretty darn good, I am giving it 4 Boundless Stars.
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A Falling Knife opens up with a crane accident. Case does a wonderful job vividly describing the construction site, work, and the petrifying fall. I think had I been reading the story my heart would have been racing. Listening left me feeling indifferent. Bakkensen didn’t bring forth the emotion or inflection needed for such an intense scene. It was done in such a droll manner that it didn’t do the book justice. Personally, I liked Bakkensen overall I just felt that he lacked in emotional delivery not only in the beginning of the story but at many other points. However, I had no issue getting lost in the story listening to him.
I really enjoyed the duo of Mitchell and Mulino again and the story was well throughout and truly entertaining. Had I read the book instead of listened to it I think my heart would have raced and I wouldn’t have been able to put it down. I never felt the thrills, the danger or the excitement with the audiobook. However overall it was still pretty darn good, I am giving it 4 Boundless Stars.
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February 11, 2018
I read the first book in the series and thought it was OK but glad I gave the second one a chance, I liked it a lot more.
June 19, 2017
I hadn't read the first book in this series but we are quickly absorbed into the world of big money and dodgy dealing in New York's neighbourhoods which have gentrification in progress. From high-iron workers to a tower block developer who is a lady of colour, willing to push out poorer residents but also willing to help rehouse them, we meet a wide spread of characters.
Some of the tensions are obvious and can be easily understood, while others simmer below the surface and may need to be explained by the police or civil servant characters before the casual reader makes sense of them. Sense they do make, for big money brings big crookedness.
Enjoy.
I downloaded an ARC copy from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
Some of the tensions are obvious and can be easily understood, while others simmer below the surface and may need to be explained by the police or civil servant characters before the casual reader makes sense of them. Sense they do make, for big money brings big crookedness.
Enjoy.
I downloaded an ARC copy from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
January 7, 2017
A fantastic book that had me gripped reading it from the off. I liked how it involved characters from the last book, so it felt like you didn't have to spend half the book getting to know the main players.
September 17, 2017
I received this book from Goodreads. A good, solid detective story. I had not read the 1st book in his series, but this book gave enough background so I could follow the current story and the linkages to the first.
June 23, 2019
The Falling Knife
A NYPD mystery with unexpected twists and turns. Enough distractors to keep you guessing until the end. I received this ebook as a Goodreads giveaway and I thank the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book
A NYPD mystery with unexpected twists and turns. Enough distractors to keep you guessing until the end. I received this ebook as a Goodreads giveaway and I thank the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book
January 13, 2018
Good story
Very well written and good insight good follow up . Love reading about my city author really makes you fell like you are right there
Very well written and good insight good follow up . Love reading about my city author really makes you fell like you are right there
May 23, 2018
Enjoyed it, but not as much as first one.
April 21, 2019
An adventure in multiple viewpoints.
Good pacing. A hook for the next one, if it comes. The story is told from a multitude of viewpoints and no one is completely right.
Good pacing. A hook for the next one, if it comes. The story is told from a multitude of viewpoints and no one is completely right.
January 16, 2020
Good read,plot and character development well written. Hollow City 2 was as good as 1,can't wait for 3!
December 18, 2020
A decent murder mystery.
July 2, 2023
The author of very social of many social issues and clearly uses his story as a vehicle for them. That does not say that it is not a well-written and enjoyable story.
March 23, 2017
Found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable read, liked it much more than the first in the series especially the multiple lines of investigation occurring. The story line is enhanced by a believable and consistent portrayal of characters making choices, initiating and respond to issues, experiencing events, all in a manner which not only add to the story but make things more personal and believable. Not everything goes to plan for everyone, mistakes are made, things are missed or overlooked. In my opinion this is described well and adds to the reader's experience. I listened to the audio book which was well presented and i felt great value. My thanks to all involved.
February 20, 2017
The cops are dirty. Real estate is dirty. The city is dirty. If you l like gritty police p procedures, you'll enjoy this book. One complaint. This makes two out of t w with too many loose ends. Add to that, but that would be a spoiler then, wouldn't that...
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February 14, 20174 Stars, review to follow on Boundless Book Reviews
February 5, 2017
Discovering Andrew Case and The Hollow City series is like discovering gold. The Big Fear was a tremendous novel and A Falling Knife is just as good. In this the second entry into the series the reader is transported to the borough of Brooklyn where buildings are going up nearly as fast as the stock market. However, something is not right. People are dying, money is changing hands and our hero and his counterparts are desperate to find out why. Is a large development company at the heart of the problem, and most of all why a certain detective seems to be more dedicated to doing his twenty than solving the case. Andrew Case writes of what he knows. He knows cops, the inner-workings of the N.Y.P.D and how it all comes together. My only hope is that Mr. Case continues writing more in this wonderful series. However, if he chooses to explore other areas I know that I will be happy. Do yourself a solid buy The Big Fear and A Falling Knife as soon as possible. Andrew case is an author that once discovered is like gold that you will treasure and keep around forever.
Want to read
February 15, 2017I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. It is a Kindle book.
November 14, 2020
The main characters in Andrew Case's A Falling Knife kept me reading up late and had enough twists to keep me engaged, while also reflecting on broader human issues outside the mystery itself.
Considering that it's priced so low ($3.99), the quality of this book is really remarkable.
I bought this after the impressive first book, The Big Fear, which was also excellent for this price point.
I hope Andrew Case writes another to make The Hollow City a complete trilogy.
Considering that it's priced so low ($3.99), the quality of this book is really remarkable.
I bought this after the impressive first book, The Big Fear, which was also excellent for this price point.
I hope Andrew Case writes another to make The Hollow City a complete trilogy.
March 27, 2017
Not as good as the first
Not as good as the first book in the series but still pretty entertaining. I look forward to reading the next one.
Not as good as the first book in the series but still pretty entertaining. I look forward to reading the next one.
March 29, 2017
A New Favorite Author!
Andrew Case shows his skill with character development and attention to the details of the mysteries first discovered in The Big Fear (Book 1) in this second installment. Knowing one thread was left unresolved, the reader learns of the fates of our unsung heroes from The Big Fear. Just when it seems that life is settling down for them, an accident on a construction site starts the ball rolling and it never stops until the last page!
We meet additional complex characters in this Brooklyn setting, once again made real ... the pastor who devotes his life to protecting his congregation and standing up for civil rights but lacks understanding for his daughter; the daughter who has achieved standing in a business that bends her moral standards; the cop who "inherits" his position; the cop who hides her family history to bolster her image; and a cast of Brooklynites coping with the gentrification and international influences of today's world.
All of this in an enthralling mystery with flawed characters that the reader comes to love like family!
Andrew Case shows his skill with character development and attention to the details of the mysteries first discovered in The Big Fear (Book 1) in this second installment. Knowing one thread was left unresolved, the reader learns of the fates of our unsung heroes from The Big Fear. Just when it seems that life is settling down for them, an accident on a construction site starts the ball rolling and it never stops until the last page!
We meet additional complex characters in this Brooklyn setting, once again made real ... the pastor who devotes his life to protecting his congregation and standing up for civil rights but lacks understanding for his daughter; the daughter who has achieved standing in a business that bends her moral standards; the cop who "inherits" his position; the cop who hides her family history to bolster her image; and a cast of Brooklynites coping with the gentrification and international influences of today's world.
All of this in an enthralling mystery with flawed characters that the reader comes to love like family!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews