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Bell Elkins #6
Fast Falls the Night
In the next powerful mystery from Julia Keller, a murder investigation leads West Virginia prosecuting attorney Bell Elkins to the shattering truth about her own past.
The first drug overdose comes just after midnight, when a young woman dies on the dirty floor of a gas station bathroom. To the people of Acker’s Gap, it is just another tragedy. It is sad—but depressingly familiar.
But then there is another overdose. And another. And another.
Prosecutor Bell Elkins soon realizes that her Appalachian hometown is facing its grimmest challenge yet: an unprecedented number of heroin overdoses from a batch tainted with a lethal tranquilizer. While the clock ticks and the bodies fall, Bell and her colleagues desperately track the source of the deadly drug—and engage in fierce debates over the wisdom of expending precious resources to save the lives of self-destructive addicts.
Based on a real-life event, Fast Falls the Night takes place in a single 24-hour period, unfurling against the backdrop of a shattering personal revelation that will change Bell’s life forever.
The first drug overdose comes just after midnight, when a young woman dies on the dirty floor of a gas station bathroom. To the people of Acker’s Gap, it is just another tragedy. It is sad—but depressingly familiar.
But then there is another overdose. And another. And another.
Prosecutor Bell Elkins soon realizes that her Appalachian hometown is facing its grimmest challenge yet: an unprecedented number of heroin overdoses from a batch tainted with a lethal tranquilizer. While the clock ticks and the bodies fall, Bell and her colleagues desperately track the source of the deadly drug—and engage in fierce debates over the wisdom of expending precious resources to save the lives of self-destructive addicts.
Based on a real-life event, Fast Falls the Night takes place in a single 24-hour period, unfurling against the backdrop of a shattering personal revelation that will change Bell’s life forever.
286 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 2017
140 people are currently reading
870 people want to read
About the author
Julia Keller
29 books483 followersJulia was born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia. She graduated from Marshall University, then later earned a doctoral degree in English Literature at Ohio State University.
She was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and has taught at Princeton and Ohio State Universities, and the University of Notre Dame. She is a guest essayist on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS and has been a contributor on CNN and NBC Nightly News. In 2005, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing.
Julia lives in a high-rise in Chicago and a stone cottage on a lake in rural Ohio.
She was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and has taught at Princeton and Ohio State Universities, and the University of Notre Dame. She is a guest essayist on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS and has been a contributor on CNN and NBC Nightly News. In 2005, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing.
Julia lives in a high-rise in Chicago and a stone cottage on a lake in rural Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
September 6, 2017
Another one I jumped into without reading the previous in series. Two reasons for this. Richard's wonderful reviews of this series, and a conversation I recently had with a good friend of mine and my husband. He was born and raised in West Virginia in a mine family, ten of them and they were very poor, he still has family there. We were discussing how so many have left, and how drugs have ravaged these declining towns, where jobs have dwindled away. Then I saw this on Netgalley, and the place and the theme just called out.
For those responsible for the people in Akers Gap, West Virgina, the law enforcement, the paramedics, Belle, the prosecuting attorney, the next 24 hours will be unforgettable. An unprecedented number of heroin overdose, some unable to be revived, and a new and dangerous strain being sold keep them running from one scene to another. Who is selling this and can they be caught?
Love Belle's character, her toughness and willingness to purse this case despite knowing people are doing this by their own choice. A shocking secret will be revealed to her, a personal matter that will leave her reeling. This is I can see a series than can become addictive. It is finely written, evenly paced and shows the truisms of desperate people willing to risk everything even their own lives to momentarily escape the misery of their lives. The author herself explains why she wrote this book and what it meant to her. A book that hits home as the scourge of drugs is not just affecting this area but in many areas in the United States. The lure of drugs seems insurmountable. Another very good and timely read. Now I fully intend to go back and read the five in this series I have missed. Luckily, I own the first.
ARC from Netgalley.
For those responsible for the people in Akers Gap, West Virgina, the law enforcement, the paramedics, Belle, the prosecuting attorney, the next 24 hours will be unforgettable. An unprecedented number of heroin overdose, some unable to be revived, and a new and dangerous strain being sold keep them running from one scene to another. Who is selling this and can they be caught?
Love Belle's character, her toughness and willingness to purse this case despite knowing people are doing this by their own choice. A shocking secret will be revealed to her, a personal matter that will leave her reeling. This is I can see a series than can become addictive. It is finely written, evenly paced and shows the truisms of desperate people willing to risk everything even their own lives to momentarily escape the misery of their lives. The author herself explains why she wrote this book and what it meant to her. A book that hits home as the scourge of drugs is not just affecting this area but in many areas in the United States. The lure of drugs seems insurmountable. Another very good and timely read. Now I fully intend to go back and read the five in this series I have missed. Luckily, I own the first.
ARC from Netgalley.
July 2, 2017
I really enjoyed how this story took place within a 24-hour period. It began at 12:04 am when a woman was found dead from a heroine overdose in a gas station restroom. It ends at 11:58 pm with a bit of a cliff-hanger.
This is a fictional story which is based on true news account that took place in a small town in Virginia. It's a story that we are hearing more frequently across the country. It is truly sad how drugs can shatter so many peoples dreams, not just the addict. Many other people are effected. The family, the community ,and the law enforcement professionals. The story is tragic and makes you think about just how devastating the drug addiction road can be.
People are dying of drug overdoses and Sheriff Deputy Jake and Prosecutor Bell Elkins are hunting down those responsible. The story is fast paced and keeps you reading to find out what will happen in the end! I would recommend it to those who enjoy series with an on-going story and a fast pace!
I am looking forward to the next in this series!
Thanks to Netgalley and Minotaur Books! Publication date is August 22,2017
August 2, 2017
This book starts off with writing that grabs you and shakes you. Not your too often normal bland mystery writing but descriptive phrases that have you right there in place and time. If I weren't reading an advance copy, I would give you some examples.
The Marathon 24 hour gas station and mini-mart is not any place you really want to be, especially when there's an OD in the bathroom. The novel involves the opioids crisis that every state seems to be dealing with nowadays, but West Virginia more than most.
This is a dark novel, as you would expect from the subject matter. Keller has done an admirable job detailing how drug addiction hits everyone, not just the addicts or their families or the judicial system, but the entire community. She describes the despair and sometimes the cynicism of the responders. This is a very timely book given that every night there's something else on the news concerning the opioids addiction. The darkness is even getting to Bell, who’s considering leaving West Virginia to return to D.C.
In a switch up from her norm, this story is told from multiple perspectives. It's more of an ensemble piece with the reader getting multiple angles. Also, the story is told over the course of a single day.
I don't typically think of a mystery as a good book club choice, but there is a lot of meat here and I think this could make an interesting choice, especially given the current environment.
I've liked the Bell Elkins series up to this point but here Keller has stepped it up a notch.
My Thanks to netgalley and Minotaur Books for an advance copy of this book.
The Marathon 24 hour gas station and mini-mart is not any place you really want to be, especially when there's an OD in the bathroom. The novel involves the opioids crisis that every state seems to be dealing with nowadays, but West Virginia more than most.
This is a dark novel, as you would expect from the subject matter. Keller has done an admirable job detailing how drug addiction hits everyone, not just the addicts or their families or the judicial system, but the entire community. She describes the despair and sometimes the cynicism of the responders. This is a very timely book given that every night there's something else on the news concerning the opioids addiction. The darkness is even getting to Bell, who’s considering leaving West Virginia to return to D.C.
In a switch up from her norm, this story is told from multiple perspectives. It's more of an ensemble piece with the reader getting multiple angles. Also, the story is told over the course of a single day.
I don't typically think of a mystery as a good book club choice, but there is a lot of meat here and I think this could make an interesting choice, especially given the current environment.
I've liked the Bell Elkins series up to this point but here Keller has stepped it up a notch.
My Thanks to netgalley and Minotaur Books for an advance copy of this book.
September 27, 2017
Just Amazing OH MY GOSH! I am stilling trying to pick up my jaw up off of the ground from the ending of this book!! What the heck Jukia Keller?!?
If you've never read Keller's books before, they are set in an incredibly small town in West Virginia that was devastated by the demise of the coal industry. Point of fact for those who are not aware: there is no such thing as clean coal and never will there be a resurgence of coal again. That said, any of America's fearless could have and should have planned for this, as well as the decimation of the steel industry and auto industry, and rather than allowing jobs to flow overseas, rerouted these jobs to displaced workers. As a result the "Rust Belt" from West Virginia to Illinois is so economically depressed it will take a miracle to get these states on their feet again.
Keller's book is based on a true story that happened within one 24 hour period in which there were over 20 heroin overdoses and 4 deaths in one small town. The emergency staff, medical staff, police force, lawyers, prosecutors -All - were overworked and distraught. Not to mention the effect this had on the small community, families and friends. The book is so well written - Keller brings these people and events to life as though you were there. You will be angry, sad and heartbroken by the end. While the book is fiction, this story has played out all across OH, Southern IN, parts of PA, KY, IL, and, of course, West Virginia. It is an epidemic that is affecting young, old, rich, poor, middle class, men and women. No one appears immune. I urge you to read the book even if you have not read her others. If you have read her others then be prepared, this book ends exactly at 24 hours. Jaw Drop!!
If you've never read Keller's books before, they are set in an incredibly small town in West Virginia that was devastated by the demise of the coal industry. Point of fact for those who are not aware: there is no such thing as clean coal and never will there be a resurgence of coal again. That said, any of America's fearless could have and should have planned for this, as well as the decimation of the steel industry and auto industry, and rather than allowing jobs to flow overseas, rerouted these jobs to displaced workers. As a result the "Rust Belt" from West Virginia to Illinois is so economically depressed it will take a miracle to get these states on their feet again.
Keller's book is based on a true story that happened within one 24 hour period in which there were over 20 heroin overdoses and 4 deaths in one small town. The emergency staff, medical staff, police force, lawyers, prosecutors -All - were overworked and distraught. Not to mention the effect this had on the small community, families and friends. The book is so well written - Keller brings these people and events to life as though you were there. You will be angry, sad and heartbroken by the end. While the book is fiction, this story has played out all across OH, Southern IN, parts of PA, KY, IL, and, of course, West Virginia. It is an epidemic that is affecting young, old, rich, poor, middle class, men and women. No one appears immune. I urge you to read the book even if you have not read her others. If you have read her others then be prepared, this book ends exactly at 24 hours. Jaw Drop!!
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June 20, 2019Suffice it to say that I enjoyed this 6th outing featuring prosecutor, Bell Elkins, the people and locale of Acker's Gap.
Like the headlines of my own daily news, Keller explores a 24 hour period in which the tragic reality of deadly drugs and several overdoses from tainted heroin take several lives.
Like the headlines of my own daily news, Keller explores a 24 hour period in which the tragic reality of deadly drugs and several overdoses from tainted heroin take several lives.
March 18, 2018
The story in FAST FALLS THE NIGHT takes place during 24 hours. It all starts with a young woman overdosing on the floor of a gas station bathroom in Acker's Gap. For the police in the town it is one tragic event, but then they got called to another overdose and then another. Prosecutor Bell Elkins realize that there is a tainted batch of heroin and that someone is behind it. As the hours pass by more and more overdoses occur and Bell and her colleagues, together with the local police, hunt the person who is behind it all. But, there are those that think that the addicts have had it coming and that the resources should be spent on those that deserve the help.
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
October 24, 2017
This is the latest entry in the Bell Elkins series and my favorite so far! The book is based on a true story, which happens over the course of one 24 hour period.
Bell, the chief prosecutor, is faced with a rash of deaths and poisonings from heroin laced with a deadly tranquilizer in her small West Virginia town of Acker's Gap. Five people have died and many more sickened by injecting themselves with the tainted heroin. Racing to find the source and the ringleader, Bell is determined to put a stop to the deaths and poisonings, using all of her resources.
The clock is racing and the tension and suspense is high. Will she be able to find the source of the crimes before many more are either dead or poisoned?
This was in my opinion, one of the best of this series.
Bell, the chief prosecutor, is faced with a rash of deaths and poisonings from heroin laced with a deadly tranquilizer in her small West Virginia town of Acker's Gap. Five people have died and many more sickened by injecting themselves with the tainted heroin. Racing to find the source and the ringleader, Bell is determined to put a stop to the deaths and poisonings, using all of her resources.
The clock is racing and the tension and suspense is high. Will she be able to find the source of the crimes before many more are either dead or poisoned?
This was in my opinion, one of the best of this series.
August 22, 2017
I first discovered Julia Keller and her Bell Elkins series through Read it First, now called First Look Book Club. A site that readers can subscribe to and get the first few chapters of a book of their latest offerings. Then they can decide if they want to buy and read the book. I had the pleasure of reading the first few chapters of "A Killing in the Hills" and I was hooked and have been ever since.
In this, the 6th in the Bell Elkins series, things are not looking good for Acker's Gap in rural West Virginia. Bodies are falling all over the place as it's discovered that a new shipment of heroin has hit the town laced with a drug used to fell elephants. Yikes! That has to be some pretty powerful stuff. There are, of course, other crimes and accidents that the small police force of Acker's Gap has to handle. It's a VERY busy, action filled night.
And this is a VERY busy, action filled story. A hostage situation and the surprise of very well kept secret that gets out adds to the drama of this excellent read. One that kept me up very late turning those pages.
I just love this series, however, things are changing with the characters in the story. The abrupt ending leads me to believe we are going to be seeing a lot of new developments in the next book in the series and I can't wait!
Huge thanks to St. Martins Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
In this, the 6th in the Bell Elkins series, things are not looking good for Acker's Gap in rural West Virginia. Bodies are falling all over the place as it's discovered that a new shipment of heroin has hit the town laced with a drug used to fell elephants. Yikes! That has to be some pretty powerful stuff. There are, of course, other crimes and accidents that the small police force of Acker's Gap has to handle. It's a VERY busy, action filled night.
And this is a VERY busy, action filled story. A hostage situation and the surprise of very well kept secret that gets out adds to the drama of this excellent read. One that kept me up very late turning those pages.
I just love this series, however, things are changing with the characters in the story. The abrupt ending leads me to believe we are going to be seeing a lot of new developments in the next book in the series and I can't wait!
Huge thanks to St. Martins Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
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March 19, 2019I gave up after disc 2 in the 8-disc audio edition. I'm unfamiliar with the rest of the series, but I was surprised that even though billed as a "Bell Elkins" book that the chapters alternate between various characters. There was very little Bell on the first two discs. The writing was overly descriptive with similes that bordered on laughable at times ("like passing out Tootsie Rolls on Halloween") and There's. Hardly. Any. Dialogue. Ugh. What is it with some writers? Do they attend some highfalutin MFA program that tells them dialogue is the devil? The first two discs were me being trapped inside with characters' internal thoughts, and then couple that with the hopping around between half a dozen characters? It was the reading/listening equivalent of watching paint dry.
Not for me. Moving on.
Not for me. Moving on.
February 26, 2019
After raving about the previous books in the series, I've finally found one that isn't so hot. Still has terrific characters, but the plot struggled for most of the book, and the surprise at the end really left this reading shaking her head. I assume things get untangled in the next installment, but for the first time in my experience Keller has a less than stellar effort in the Bell Elkins series.
Read
February 26, 2018Book 6 in the Belfa Elkins series. The entire story takes place in a 24 hour period and we witness the events through multiple view points. Excellent atmospheric descriptions of the town and great characters.
August 23, 2017
Thank you to Minotaur books for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the sixth installment in the Bell Elkins series. I have not read the first five. That being said, I don't think it affected the story at all. It worked perfectly as a stand alone for me. I was hooked instantly - a thriller about heroin, which is a very real problem right now, and a narrative that references Law and Order: SVU within the first few pages? Sold! This book takes place over the course of a single 24-hour period and according to the synopsis is based on true events. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough; it jumped between several different perspectives, but was done so well I never had a problem keeping up. The only thing that I felt this book was missing was the "whydunnit." I was expecting there to be more to that aspect of the story, but at the same time, it wasn't exactly necessary either. The ending left the reader with a cliff hanger and I'll be watching eagerly for the seventh book. I'm also interested in seeing what I missed and have already added the first in the series to my TBR.
This book is the sixth installment in the Bell Elkins series. I have not read the first five. That being said, I don't think it affected the story at all. It worked perfectly as a stand alone for me. I was hooked instantly - a thriller about heroin, which is a very real problem right now, and a narrative that references Law and Order: SVU within the first few pages? Sold! This book takes place over the course of a single 24-hour period and according to the synopsis is based on true events. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough; it jumped between several different perspectives, but was done so well I never had a problem keeping up. The only thing that I felt this book was missing was the "whydunnit." I was expecting there to be more to that aspect of the story, but at the same time, it wasn't exactly necessary either. The ending left the reader with a cliff hanger and I'll be watching eagerly for the seventh book. I'm also interested in seeing what I missed and have already added the first in the series to my TBR.
October 19, 2018
Suffer the Needle Chill
"Addicts were ghosts. They drifted in and out of people's lives, just as they drifted in and out of their own lives."
Heroin.
The story takes place in the course of a single day. A bad batch kills 3 and 33 overdose. The hunt is on to find the dealer before more die.
This just didn't work. Weak dialogue, overly descriptive and too much internal dialogue.
I disliked the switching back and forth between characters for each chapter and never really connected with any of them. Very little police procedure or investigation. No feel for Acker's Gap and its people. This is part six of the series so maybe if i started with part one i would have made more of a connection but this was still poorly written.
Skip it or start from the beginning.
P.S. I read a couple of reviews complaining how depressing the book was. It's a book about heroin addiction, what did you expect a feel good novel? Go read a romance novel.
"Addicts were ghosts. They drifted in and out of people's lives, just as they drifted in and out of their own lives."
Heroin.
The story takes place in the course of a single day. A bad batch kills 3 and 33 overdose. The hunt is on to find the dealer before more die.
This just didn't work. Weak dialogue, overly descriptive and too much internal dialogue.
I disliked the switching back and forth between characters for each chapter and never really connected with any of them. Very little police procedure or investigation. No feel for Acker's Gap and its people. This is part six of the series so maybe if i started with part one i would have made more of a connection but this was still poorly written.
Skip it or start from the beginning.
P.S. I read a couple of reviews complaining how depressing the book was. It's a book about heroin addiction, what did you expect a feel good novel? Go read a romance novel.
December 19, 2017
This is the sixth installment of Julia Keller's series featuring Bell Elkins, who came home to Acker's Gap, West Virginia, after getting a fancy law school education. She got herself elected prosecutor and built her entire life around her job. This book deals with a 24-hour period during which emergency crews are called out for 33 overdoses and three deaths related to heroin laced with a lethal tranquilizer.
While I like to read books with a strong woman protagonist, this one just didn't do it for me. It is unrelentingly depressing as the small town is overwhelmed by the scourge of drugs. There's a lot of debate about how much anyone should try to save addicts from themselves and even though Elkins is among those determined to try, there's no sense that her efforts will have much, if any, impact.
As if that weren't bad enough, the book ends on two big cliffhangers. No thanks.
While I like to read books with a strong woman protagonist, this one just didn't do it for me. It is unrelentingly depressing as the small town is overwhelmed by the scourge of drugs. There's a lot of debate about how much anyone should try to save addicts from themselves and even though Elkins is among those determined to try, there's no sense that her efforts will have much, if any, impact.
As if that weren't bad enough, the book ends on two big cliffhangers. No thanks.
October 12, 2023
I really expected to like this book. It's fiction, based on fact, about the drug epidemic in the Appalachian mountains. Since it's very big problem in the area I was from, I thought it would address some of the issues. It does very little of that. A Italy, I read this again. I don't know what I was expecting the first time, but I have a different opinion this time. It was pretty good, and I hate to see the series end.
May 22, 2017
This has been the best book in this series yet. Being a West Virginian, it's another story that hits close to home with multiple drug overdoses in a 24 hour period and Bell has to find the source before the death rate goes even higher.
The ending, well the ending just left me hanging. What will happen next?
The ending, well the ending just left me hanging. What will happen next?
February 19, 2018
I’ve always loved Julia Keller’s books but this was my least favorite. The main reason for my low rating is I disliked switching back and forth between characters for each chapter and the lack of a clear conclusion.
January 18, 2021
3.5 stars.
This is Julia Keller's 6th book in her Bell Elkins series and it definitely has a different feel and style than the last few. First off, this novel takes place in one day, unlike the other books that take place over days and weeks. Second off, we're treated to multiple POVs and Bell's voice isn't anywhere near as dominant as in the other tales. The theme in this book is addiction, specifically heroin addiction.
It starts out on a summer evening in Ackers Gap, West Virginia. We're introduced to Danny, a gas station attendant, and he's working the night shift. A woman comes in, looking to use the bathroom, and he lets her in, even though she looks strung out. After she doesn't come out for a bit, he opens the door to see that she has overdosed. He calls the police and EMTs and they take it from there. Now, in Ackers Gap, heroin addiction isn't abnormal. It's become prevalent in the county due to poverty and desperation. However, what makes this different is that more overdoses start popping up within the next few hours and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. It becomes so bad that other counties are providing their resources and trying to stop the amount of overdoses. The police and Bell find out that the heroin has been tainted with a stronger chemical than the usual fentanyl. Because this chemical is meant to knock out a large animal, it's too much for the humans consuming it, leading to overdoses and deaths abound. The clock is ticking for the police and Bell to find who's dealing the bad heroin and to pull it off the street ASAP. It's a daunting task and one that becomes more difficult as the ODs and deaths begin piling up.
There are a few minor storylines going on that ultimately connect to the main plot, as well. For a single day, there's a lot that happens. There's plenty of twists that come about and they all tend to crop up towards the end of the story. The POVs vary between our protagonist, Bell, Jake (a deputy), Molly (EMT worker), Shirley (Bell's sister), Rhonda (assistant prosecutor), Sheriff Pam, Danny (gas station worker), and various other characters that have never been introduced before. I like that we have the opportunity to get to know some characters who have been featured in the other books, but never given a POV. Having all of their voices really amplifies the story and keeps it speeding along till the closer. The story is captivating and there's a lot at stake for each character. Julia Keller knows how to throw in a few good twists when the action has hit its climax. So, lots of surprises, which I like. The reason I can't rate it higher is because of a secret that's revealed about one of the characters towards the end of the novel. Why Julia Keller decides to chuck this into a jam packed book is beyond me. Also, this information completely changes the course of what will happen next. I don't want to say more because that'll spoil the book. Regardless, this choice is one that could've been saved for another book or better yet, executed differently in a way that would make sense with the character. Anyways, I still plan to read more of the Bell Elkins series. It's really an interesting set of books. Definitely read them in order, so you can have a better sense of the characters, setting, and overall world. It all connects, so it's good to start from the beginning.
This is Julia Keller's 6th book in her Bell Elkins series and it definitely has a different feel and style than the last few. First off, this novel takes place in one day, unlike the other books that take place over days and weeks. Second off, we're treated to multiple POVs and Bell's voice isn't anywhere near as dominant as in the other tales. The theme in this book is addiction, specifically heroin addiction.
It starts out on a summer evening in Ackers Gap, West Virginia. We're introduced to Danny, a gas station attendant, and he's working the night shift. A woman comes in, looking to use the bathroom, and he lets her in, even though she looks strung out. After she doesn't come out for a bit, he opens the door to see that she has overdosed. He calls the police and EMTs and they take it from there. Now, in Ackers Gap, heroin addiction isn't abnormal. It's become prevalent in the county due to poverty and desperation. However, what makes this different is that more overdoses start popping up within the next few hours and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. It becomes so bad that other counties are providing their resources and trying to stop the amount of overdoses. The police and Bell find out that the heroin has been tainted with a stronger chemical than the usual fentanyl. Because this chemical is meant to knock out a large animal, it's too much for the humans consuming it, leading to overdoses and deaths abound. The clock is ticking for the police and Bell to find who's dealing the bad heroin and to pull it off the street ASAP. It's a daunting task and one that becomes more difficult as the ODs and deaths begin piling up.
There are a few minor storylines going on that ultimately connect to the main plot, as well. For a single day, there's a lot that happens. There's plenty of twists that come about and they all tend to crop up towards the end of the story. The POVs vary between our protagonist, Bell, Jake (a deputy), Molly (EMT worker), Shirley (Bell's sister), Rhonda (assistant prosecutor), Sheriff Pam, Danny (gas station worker), and various other characters that have never been introduced before. I like that we have the opportunity to get to know some characters who have been featured in the other books, but never given a POV. Having all of their voices really amplifies the story and keeps it speeding along till the closer. The story is captivating and there's a lot at stake for each character. Julia Keller knows how to throw in a few good twists when the action has hit its climax. So, lots of surprises, which I like. The reason I can't rate it higher is because of a secret that's revealed about one of the characters towards the end of the novel. Why Julia Keller decides to chuck this into a jam packed book is beyond me. Also, this information completely changes the course of what will happen next. I don't want to say more because that'll spoil the book. Regardless, this choice is one that could've been saved for another book or better yet, executed differently in a way that would make sense with the character. Anyways, I still plan to read more of the Bell Elkins series. It's really an interesting set of books. Definitely read them in order, so you can have a better sense of the characters, setting, and overall world. It all connects, so it's good to start from the beginning.
September 24, 2018
I selected this book without knowing it was part of a series. I did not feel that I missed anything by not reading the books before it. That is not to say that I am not interested now. I am, very much so. It is just to clarify that it is a part of a series and that it can be read as a stand-alone.
This book caught my eye because my heritage is Appalachian. Southeast Kentucky, not West Virginia but, trust me, the same. The drug epidemic in Appalachia is strong and heartbreaking. It knows no age, sex, religion or economic status. There is no discrimination in it. My heart broke so many times reading this book. I thought about family and friends. I thought about how much I truly want to go home and the fear that keeps me here. I know, one day, I will go home. I have made my wishes for my ashes to be scattered in the holler where I learned what love and family meant.
The characters in this book are familiar to me. They were well written and very realistic. Their lives were true to real lives there. There are good people who try to clean it up just as there are good people lost in the drug epidemic. The story could have been a real day there.
The series this book is apart of is called the Bell Elkins novels. I didn’t find this out until the end. I’m happy it is a part of a series. Bell is an interesting character and, in this book, a truly interesting background. I want to connect the dots so I will be reading those prior books. I am also looking forward to how this story ends as it does end on a cliffhanger of sorts. I say of sorts because you could just accept the way it ends and let it play out in your mind. Or you could be like me and want more. There are plenty to choose from; I just need to decide start at the beginning or read the next book first, then go back.
This book caught my eye because my heritage is Appalachian. Southeast Kentucky, not West Virginia but, trust me, the same. The drug epidemic in Appalachia is strong and heartbreaking. It knows no age, sex, religion or economic status. There is no discrimination in it. My heart broke so many times reading this book. I thought about family and friends. I thought about how much I truly want to go home and the fear that keeps me here. I know, one day, I will go home. I have made my wishes for my ashes to be scattered in the holler where I learned what love and family meant.
The characters in this book are familiar to me. They were well written and very realistic. Their lives were true to real lives there. There are good people who try to clean it up just as there are good people lost in the drug epidemic. The story could have been a real day there.
The series this book is apart of is called the Bell Elkins novels. I didn’t find this out until the end. I’m happy it is a part of a series. Bell is an interesting character and, in this book, a truly interesting background. I want to connect the dots so I will be reading those prior books. I am also looking forward to how this story ends as it does end on a cliffhanger of sorts. I say of sorts because you could just accept the way it ends and let it play out in your mind. Or you could be like me and want more. There are plenty to choose from; I just need to decide start at the beginning or read the next book first, then go back.
December 14, 2017
I read this book as a stand-alone, and I see from some of the reviews that this might not have been the best book in this series. There are many characters in this book, each with their own chapters, even though prosecutor Bell Elkins is the "star" of this series. In this book, she is like part of a supporting cast, and there doesn't seem to be a main character in this novel. And that, I think, was part of the problem I had reading this well-written mystery.
A series of drug overdoses are occurring in the small town of Acker's Gap, West Virginia. Bell and her colleagues (most of whom have their own alternating chapters) conclude that there is a bad batch of heroin going around. Finding who is selling this batch is the book's main mystery. But there are many threads of other stories going around that each have chapters devoted to them. Some of them have nothing to do with the main overdosing thread, and I found my mind wandering a bit as I tried to figure out who I was reading about. So, I think the pacing was a bit off. But the writing was good, and I might try another book by this author.
A series of drug overdoses are occurring in the small town of Acker's Gap, West Virginia. Bell and her colleagues (most of whom have their own alternating chapters) conclude that there is a bad batch of heroin going around. Finding who is selling this batch is the book's main mystery. But there are many threads of other stories going around that each have chapters devoted to them. Some of them have nothing to do with the main overdosing thread, and I found my mind wandering a bit as I tried to figure out who I was reading about. So, I think the pacing was a bit off. But the writing was good, and I might try another book by this author.
August 26, 2018
Fast Falls the Night is set in an incredibly grim 24 hour period in Ackers Gap, West Virginia. The police and prosecutor, Bell Elkins, are faced with an overwhelming number of overdoses due to heroin laced with carfentanil.
Sadly, this is a story that is becoming more prevalent in our daily news. Julia Keller's excellent series has often acknowledged the terrible toll that opioid addiction has wreaked on her home state. Bell Elkins is faced with dwindling resources that many think are wasted on addicts. This is a poignant entry in the series, especially for readers who have been there from the beginning. Keller never sidesteps away from the bleak reality faced by many in this impoverished region.
Sadly, this is a story that is becoming more prevalent in our daily news. Julia Keller's excellent series has often acknowledged the terrible toll that opioid addiction has wreaked on her home state. Bell Elkins is faced with dwindling resources that many think are wasted on addicts. This is a poignant entry in the series, especially for readers who have been there from the beginning. Keller never sidesteps away from the bleak reality faced by many in this impoverished region.
January 21, 2019
This book was slower in pace from the other books written by this author. I was sad during one chapter because on of my characters gets killed. This book made me stop and think about drugs and how we treat children. This book proves that drugs touch many walks of life.
July 12, 2019
A mystery wrapped in the depressing backdrop of a small West Virginia town that is struggling with drug addition born of poverty and hopelessness. This was not a fun read but kudos to Keller for tackling a difficult topic in an interesting way. The ending left me numb.
October 26, 2017
Oh my gosh! So much of a roller coaster ride in this book. It also had me in tears close to the end. I have read every other book in the series, but the novellas, and this is the best yet!
Only thing that I hate is that there are 2 cliffhangers to this book! Why do I have to wait a year to find out what is going to happen next?
Only thing that I hate is that there are 2 cliffhangers to this book! Why do I have to wait a year to find out what is going to happen next?
September 27, 2018
I am on the fence about this book. I have read the entire series and have found each book to be engaging, yet they all have various problems. This book has different points of view, which I did not mind, but it does create a bit of a bumpy ride. I feel like it could have had a smoother flow.
I like the setting and I like the fact that Keller points out all of the ways that some areas have greatly suffered because of the issues with coal. Having said that, I simply cannot agree that all of the addiction problems can be laid at the feet of these continuing economic problems for communities. Yes, I do understand about hard times and economic depression, because I have suffered greatly from a floundering economy, but I did not feel the need to get on drugs. Simply put, I do not have the time or the money for drugs. I am too busy finding ways to earn money in order to pay my bills. I just think that it is just another excuse, for poor behavior. Saying I'm a victim of hard times, therefore I'm an addict simply does not compute for me. I'm sorry, but claiming that the coal mines have closed, therefore a genuine need for drugs is now justified makes very little sense. Have you ever noticed that addicts always find the money for drugs and cell phones? If they put enough thought and effort into working, they could rebuild their economy in other ways.
(Sorry for the rant, and back to my review). The book is entertaining and the twist on the ending is interesting. Jake's love interest story feels a little shoe horned, but other than that, I liked seeing things from his point of view. The end of the book was rather curious. Of course they rounded up the bad guys, but I wonder how soon after that a new group moved in to sell drugs? They probably checked in the next day. These poor "victims" (addicts) will need their fix soon. Since no one wants to deal with demand in a proper way, this story is doomed to repeat itself.
I like the setting and I like the fact that Keller points out all of the ways that some areas have greatly suffered because of the issues with coal. Having said that, I simply cannot agree that all of the addiction problems can be laid at the feet of these continuing economic problems for communities. Yes, I do understand about hard times and economic depression, because I have suffered greatly from a floundering economy, but I did not feel the need to get on drugs. Simply put, I do not have the time or the money for drugs. I am too busy finding ways to earn money in order to pay my bills. I just think that it is just another excuse, for poor behavior. Saying I'm a victim of hard times, therefore I'm an addict simply does not compute for me. I'm sorry, but claiming that the coal mines have closed, therefore a genuine need for drugs is now justified makes very little sense. Have you ever noticed that addicts always find the money for drugs and cell phones? If they put enough thought and effort into working, they could rebuild their economy in other ways.
(Sorry for the rant, and back to my review). The book is entertaining and the twist on the ending is interesting. Jake's love interest story feels a little shoe horned, but other than that, I liked seeing things from his point of view. The end of the book was rather curious. Of course they rounded up the bad guys, but I wonder how soon after that a new group moved in to sell drugs? They probably checked in the next day. These poor "victims" (addicts) will need their fix soon. Since no one wants to deal with demand in a proper way, this story is doomed to repeat itself.
October 1, 2017
If you enjoy Appalachian novels, this is one that you should pick up. The drama unfolds in a Marathon Station in the small town of Acker’s Gap in West Virginia. A woman walks into this service station’s bathroom and winds up dead on the floor. The police have a case of heroin overdose but this is just the beginning. Within the next twenty-four hours, the authorities will be left dealing with overdose cases in the double-digits. In the past, drugs have been an issue that the authorities are aware of and they have tried to get a handle on them but they know their clientele. Law enforcement has come to accept that drugs are just a way of life for some individuals living in that area. As the number of overdose cases begins to grow, the authorities have discovered something different about the heroin that is on the streets now. This new batch of heroin is laced with a powerful tranquilizer, putting all the consumers lives in jeopardy. Who is dealing these drugs and who is the supplier? They contemplate on whether to confront the addicts or the suppliers of this deadly drug. Then, a question looms on whether to spend the city’s valuable resources to stop the consumers and their suppliers when they have chosen this addictive lifestyle. What happens if a drug gets too dangerous, would that change the way things are handled? Is the life of an addict just as valuable as other townsfolk who chose to lead a clean life?
It's a night of hell as officials run from one scene to another trying to get ahead of the madness that has plagued this town. The few side stories complement the main storyline, create a more complex town. I was racking my brain as I read trying to piece everything together and then as the author lays it all out for me, I saw it and it all made sense. I really enjoyed this novel and I think Appalachian novels are becoming one of my favorites.
It's a night of hell as officials run from one scene to another trying to get ahead of the madness that has plagued this town. The few side stories complement the main storyline, create a more complex town. I was racking my brain as I read trying to piece everything together and then as the author lays it all out for me, I saw it and it all made sense. I really enjoyed this novel and I think Appalachian novels are becoming one of my favorites.
October 10, 2017
I love the Bell Elkins series. When I read the description of this one I wondered how interesting it could be when the whole plot is so evident, i.e. in the course of a day there are multiple drug overdoses. Not much of a mystery there. However, Keller made it work and was able to tell a good story through the overdoses and the characters involved. The ending tied it all neatly with a bow. It's a short read and definitely a different style of a book, but she pulls it off.
November 26, 2018
When I read book #7 i realized I must have missed one because of several plot lines. So I went back to find #6. I did find out the development of those plot lines but otherwise it was a disappointing entry in the series.
It seems so many authors are discovering the opiod epidemic and feel compelled to write about it. For this story line, set in West Virginia, it is an obvious choice. But it just wasn't a compelling story. We never knew any of the people who died, so I didn't have much compassion for them. There was way too much exposition and internal dialogue, and very little mystery.
It seems so many authors are discovering the opiod epidemic and feel compelled to write about it. For this story line, set in West Virginia, it is an obvious choice. But it just wasn't a compelling story. We never knew any of the people who died, so I didn't have much compassion for them. There was way too much exposition and internal dialogue, and very little mystery.
September 27, 2017
West Virginia town residents who are suffering dozens of heroin overdoses over a 24 hr. period. This was the most depressing novel I have read in years. I gave it two stars only because I finished it.
September 26, 2017
Julia Keller has been on my "to read" list for quite a while, and after reading this book, I am mentally kicking myself for not trying her books earlier. I was intrigued because this series takes place in West Virginia, where many of my family members lived. I'm ashamed of myself for waiting so long, because this book is a first-rate mystery and a riveting character study. It also deals with a timely and very sad situation: drug use in small communities. The main character, Bell Elkins, is to be admired, because she maintains her professional life despite her personal difficulties. There are so many truly interesting characters in this book, and the author does an excellent job of telling each of their stories and tying them together in logical manner that keeps the pages turning. I will certainly be reading much more of Julia Keller.
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