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Quinn Colson #7
The Fallen
A classic southern tale of backroom deals, tainted honor, dysfunctional family, high-stakes greed and everyday heroism from the New York Times bestselling author.
Mississippi sheriff Quinn Colson had to admit he admired the bank robbers. A new bank was hit almost every week, and the robbers rushed in and out with such skill and precision it reminded him of raids he d led back in Afghanistan and Iraq when he was an army ranger. In fact, it reminded him so much of the techniques in the Ranger Handbook that he couldn t help wondering if the outlaws were former Rangers themselves.
And that was definitely going to be a problem. If he stood any chance of catching them, he was going to need the help of old allies, new enemies, and a lot of luck. The enemies he had plenty of. It was the allies and the luck that were going to be in woefully short supply."
Mississippi sheriff Quinn Colson had to admit he admired the bank robbers. A new bank was hit almost every week, and the robbers rushed in and out with such skill and precision it reminded him of raids he d led back in Afghanistan and Iraq when he was an army ranger. In fact, it reminded him so much of the techniques in the Ranger Handbook that he couldn t help wondering if the outlaws were former Rangers themselves.
And that was definitely going to be a problem. If he stood any chance of catching them, he was going to need the help of old allies, new enemies, and a lot of luck. The enemies he had plenty of. It was the allies and the luck that were going to be in woefully short supply."
384 pages, ebook
First published July 18, 2017
522 people are currently reading
1238 people want to read
About the author
Ace Atkins
71 books1,558 followersAce Atkins is the author of twenty-eight books, including eleven Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which, The Ranger and The Lost Ones, were nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel (he has a third Edgar nomination for his short story "Last Fair Deal Gone Down"). He is the author of nine New York Times-bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. Before turning to fiction, he was a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times and a crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune, and he played defensive end for Auburn University football.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
June 26, 2017
I won a free advance copy of this from Goodreads.
Quinn Colson is back in office as sheriff, and he’s got no shortage of problems to deal with. A crew of ex-military combat vets have started robbing banks. Two underage teenage girls have gone missing, and Quinn’s born again sister is obsessed with finding them. The lady who owns the local strip club is as crooked as a dog’s back leg and has connections to the bank robbers as well as the Dixie Mafia. A miserable old bastard of a politician has vowed to make Mississippi great again by turning back the clock to the days when everyone went to church and segregation was still the law of the land. And a childhood friend of Quinn’s has returned to town leading him to a new romance even as she’s still waiting for her divorce to be finalized.
Tibbehah County definitely isn’t Mayberry.
This is the seventh book in the series, and Ace Atkins has built this world up to the point where it’s now got it’s own internal logic and rhythm to it. The basic idea of a ex-military bad ass returning to his old home town to clean it up sounds like the plot of an action movie. However, rather than make his ex-Ranger straight-talking straight-shooting hero into the focal point that all the other characters orbit around Atkins has been content to let Quinn be like the leading man of a TV show with a great supporting cast. The action usually involves him eventually, but he doesn’t need to be in every scene. This lets the whole thing play out as a crime story that has room to explore other aspects, and we end up spending as much time with the owner of the strip club and the bank robbers as we do Quinn. That makes everyone feel like real characters and not just targets to be shot or arrested.
Recent political events have added an interesting undercurrent to this one. The developing situation with the politician demanding a return to his version of the good ole days as a populist hook to get people on board with his agenda lurks throughout the book. This feeds into a larger plot about large scale corruption taking the form of hypocritical old rich white men who line their pockets while feeding the rubes lines about factory jobs coming back as soon as we have a return to decency. The guys robbing the bank may be dangerous thrill seeking criminals who wear Donald Trump masks, but at least they’re honest about what they’re doing.
It’s another very strong crime novel from Atkins who continues to resolve some stories while leaving some things up in the air to be part of future books. When I finish one book about Quinn Colson and Tibbehah County I’m always anxious to get the next one, and this has a final scene that will make it a long year waiting for the next installment.
Quinn Colson is back in office as sheriff, and he’s got no shortage of problems to deal with. A crew of ex-military combat vets have started robbing banks. Two underage teenage girls have gone missing, and Quinn’s born again sister is obsessed with finding them. The lady who owns the local strip club is as crooked as a dog’s back leg and has connections to the bank robbers as well as the Dixie Mafia. A miserable old bastard of a politician has vowed to make Mississippi great again by turning back the clock to the days when everyone went to church and segregation was still the law of the land. And a childhood friend of Quinn’s has returned to town leading him to a new romance even as she’s still waiting for her divorce to be finalized.
Tibbehah County definitely isn’t Mayberry.
This is the seventh book in the series, and Ace Atkins has built this world up to the point where it’s now got it’s own internal logic and rhythm to it. The basic idea of a ex-military bad ass returning to his old home town to clean it up sounds like the plot of an action movie. However, rather than make his ex-Ranger straight-talking straight-shooting hero into the focal point that all the other characters orbit around Atkins has been content to let Quinn be like the leading man of a TV show with a great supporting cast. The action usually involves him eventually, but he doesn’t need to be in every scene. This lets the whole thing play out as a crime story that has room to explore other aspects, and we end up spending as much time with the owner of the strip club and the bank robbers as we do Quinn. That makes everyone feel like real characters and not just targets to be shot or arrested.
Recent political events have added an interesting undercurrent to this one. The developing situation with the politician demanding a return to his version of the good ole days as a populist hook to get people on board with his agenda lurks throughout the book. This feeds into a larger plot about large scale corruption taking the form of hypocritical old rich white men who line their pockets while feeding the rubes lines about factory jobs coming back as soon as we have a return to decency. The guys robbing the bank may be dangerous thrill seeking criminals who wear Donald Trump masks, but at least they’re honest about what they’re doing.
It’s another very strong crime novel from Atkins who continues to resolve some stories while leaving some things up in the air to be part of future books. When I finish one book about Quinn Colson and Tibbehah County I’m always anxious to get the next one, and this has a final scene that will make it a long year waiting for the next installment.
January 10, 2019
There's an awful lot of stuff going down in the seventh novel by Ace Atkins, featuring Tibbehah County, Mississippi Sheriff Quinn Colson. In particular, a trio of bank robbers is wreaking havoc in the area. Disguising themselves by wearing Donald Trump masks, they hit their targets with military precision, their leader warning the bank's employees and customers that, "Anyone moves and I'll grab 'em by the pussy!"
The team is in and out in minutes flat; their escape routes are meticulously planned, and they leave no evidence of any consequence behind. The Tibbehah County Sheriff's Office and the other law enforcement agencies involved will have a tough time bringing these guys to heel.
While Quinn is busy chasing bank robbers and other ne'er-do-wells, his sister, Caddy, continues to run the mission and shelter that she established several books earlier. She's particularly worried about the fate of two teenage girls who have disappeared from the area after becoming involved in the local sex trades. She recruits Quinn's best friend, Boom, to help her search for the girls, and her search will ultimately get a lot of people into trouble.
Meanwhile, in the background, Tibbehah County remains, sadly, a cesspool of corruption and shady maneuverings, driven mostly by forces that remain in the shadows. Johnny Stagg, who used to run the county's vice out of his truck stop and his strip club, the Booby Trap, is now in prison. This does not mean, though, that the county is cleaning up its act. A tough-as-nails woman named Fannie Hathcock has taken over Stagg's operation and reopened the strip club as Vienna's Place. Having an operation like this in the middle of your county will tax the patience of any local sheriff, and Quinn Colson will be no exception.
I was hooked from the first scene and raced through this book. One of the pleasures of this series is that Atkins has created such a rich setting in the fictional Tibbehah County and has developed such a great cast of characters to populate it. The reader is immediately drawn into Quinn Colson's world and it's always great to be back. There's plenty of action and lots of tension; all in all a very good read.
The team is in and out in minutes flat; their escape routes are meticulously planned, and they leave no evidence of any consequence behind. The Tibbehah County Sheriff's Office and the other law enforcement agencies involved will have a tough time bringing these guys to heel.
While Quinn is busy chasing bank robbers and other ne'er-do-wells, his sister, Caddy, continues to run the mission and shelter that she established several books earlier. She's particularly worried about the fate of two teenage girls who have disappeared from the area after becoming involved in the local sex trades. She recruits Quinn's best friend, Boom, to help her search for the girls, and her search will ultimately get a lot of people into trouble.
Meanwhile, in the background, Tibbehah County remains, sadly, a cesspool of corruption and shady maneuverings, driven mostly by forces that remain in the shadows. Johnny Stagg, who used to run the county's vice out of his truck stop and his strip club, the Booby Trap, is now in prison. This does not mean, though, that the county is cleaning up its act. A tough-as-nails woman named Fannie Hathcock has taken over Stagg's operation and reopened the strip club as Vienna's Place. Having an operation like this in the middle of your county will tax the patience of any local sheriff, and Quinn Colson will be no exception.
I was hooked from the first scene and raced through this book. One of the pleasures of this series is that Atkins has created such a rich setting in the fictional Tibbehah County and has developed such a great cast of characters to populate it. The reader is immediately drawn into Quinn Colson's world and it's always great to be back. There's plenty of action and lots of tension; all in all a very good read.
July 21, 2017
My spiritual fiancé Sheriff Quinn Colson is once again...oh crap I've gotten my realities mixed up again.
Full disclosure I don't think Ace Atkins could write a bad book, or a boring book. (But then again I don't read the Spenser books because I dislike that entire series). So I guess I could stop here and just say read this, read this the minute it comes out. But I'll spend a bit of time telling you why.
He writes beautifully of the setting, north Mississippi with its stark beauty of the Delta or the lush beauty of the hill country. Since Atkins now lives in Oxford, MS he knows the awful history, poverty and corruption balanced by the warmth of the people, the faith, the culture and the growing prosperity.
Ace Atkins rarely has a character painted in grey tones. Some might see this as a negative, but these are thrilling action packed stories. Shades of grey aren't needed. I would surely love to be invited to one of Miss Jean's fried chicken dinners and share a table with Quinn, Boom, Jason, Cady and Lillie. I might also like to visit Vienna's and meet Fannie, just because she is so fascinating. By the end of the story she makes me wish the original Tibbehah bad guy was out of jail and back in town.
The story is of three men wearing Trump masks robbing banks across the south. They finally hit a bank in Tibbehah County. But what is unknown is that two of the men have connections to Tibbehah. The robbers finally bite off more than they can handle because of these connections. There is a sad subplot of Cady trying to track down two young girls who have had the misfortune to have encountered Miss Fannie.
Atkins does dialogue so very well, fast moving, realistic and clever. Warning, if you are offended by bad language steer clear. He does action equally as well, also fast moving, realistic (mostly) and clever.
My favorite line was uttered by a bad guy but still almost made me cry with envy: "Had a Sazerac over at the Roosevelt." Damn, I miss those days when I could say those same words.
I have been a fan of Atkins since he wrote the Nick Travers series. So I will raise a Sazerac in honor of Ace in salute of a terrific new read. Although this is part of a series, I see no reason why it could not be read as a standalone. It will just want to make you go back and read the others.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Full disclosure I don't think Ace Atkins could write a bad book, or a boring book. (But then again I don't read the Spenser books because I dislike that entire series). So I guess I could stop here and just say read this, read this the minute it comes out. But I'll spend a bit of time telling you why.
He writes beautifully of the setting, north Mississippi with its stark beauty of the Delta or the lush beauty of the hill country. Since Atkins now lives in Oxford, MS he knows the awful history, poverty and corruption balanced by the warmth of the people, the faith, the culture and the growing prosperity.
Ace Atkins rarely has a character painted in grey tones. Some might see this as a negative, but these are thrilling action packed stories. Shades of grey aren't needed. I would surely love to be invited to one of Miss Jean's fried chicken dinners and share a table with Quinn, Boom, Jason, Cady and Lillie. I might also like to visit Vienna's and meet Fannie, just because she is so fascinating. By the end of the story she makes me wish the original Tibbehah bad guy was out of jail and back in town.
The story is of three men wearing Trump masks robbing banks across the south. They finally hit a bank in Tibbehah County. But what is unknown is that two of the men have connections to Tibbehah. The robbers finally bite off more than they can handle because of these connections. There is a sad subplot of Cady trying to track down two young girls who have had the misfortune to have encountered Miss Fannie.
Atkins does dialogue so very well, fast moving, realistic and clever. Warning, if you are offended by bad language steer clear. He does action equally as well, also fast moving, realistic (mostly) and clever.
My favorite line was uttered by a bad guy but still almost made me cry with envy: "Had a Sazerac over at the Roosevelt." Damn, I miss those days when I could say those same words.
I have been a fan of Atkins since he wrote the Nick Travers series. So I will raise a Sazerac in honor of Ace in salute of a terrific new read. Although this is part of a series, I see no reason why it could not be read as a standalone. It will just want to make you go back and read the others.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 3, 2017
When I talk about books in a series that I favor, I start to feel like a broken record.
Regarding the books in the Quinn Colson series, I tend to talk about the continuous development and uniqueness of the characters. Check.
I talk about how the story is not all about Quinn; it’s about his deputies, his family, and it’s even about the bad guys. Check.
I talk about the thick southern atmosphere that feels so authentic. I’m not from the South, so could be duped, but I sure do enjoy the speech patterns, the language (crude, funny, derogatory - depending on who’s speaking), and the cultural references. Check.
And finally, I talk about how much I dig visiting their world for another installment of murder, mayhem, sex, drugs, and violence in Tibbehah County, Mississippi. Check.
The main story about bank robbers is a good one, but readers of the series will learn more on how the various players around town are connected. Best of all, in my opinion, is the over-arching story about a real powerful baddie… someone we’ve seen before and will see again. In fact, I’m pretty sure that he’ll be taken down someday, making for a tremendous and climactic ending to this series. Don’t quote me on that, it’s pure supposition at this point, but I can’t wait to find out!
If a series is great, the attributes that make it that way will continue to shine in each book. So it is with The Fallen.
Regarding the books in the Quinn Colson series, I tend to talk about the continuous development and uniqueness of the characters. Check.
I talk about how the story is not all about Quinn; it’s about his deputies, his family, and it’s even about the bad guys. Check.
I talk about the thick southern atmosphere that feels so authentic. I’m not from the South, so could be duped, but I sure do enjoy the speech patterns, the language (crude, funny, derogatory - depending on who’s speaking), and the cultural references. Check.
And finally, I talk about how much I dig visiting their world for another installment of murder, mayhem, sex, drugs, and violence in Tibbehah County, Mississippi. Check.
The main story about bank robbers is a good one, but readers of the series will learn more on how the various players around town are connected. Best of all, in my opinion, is the over-arching story about a real powerful baddie… someone we’ve seen before and will see again. In fact, I’m pretty sure that he’ll be taken down someday, making for a tremendous and climactic ending to this series. Don’t quote me on that, it’s pure supposition at this point, but I can’t wait to find out!
If a series is great, the attributes that make it that way will continue to shine in each book. So it is with The Fallen.
June 12, 2017
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.
THE FALLEN by Ace Atkins is the 7th book in the Quinn Colson series and gives readers another chance to visit Tibbehah County and follow Quinn’s life as sheriff and the challenges he faces both at home and at work with this book that takes up where the last book, The Innocents leaves off with Quinn having to pick up the pieces after his father once again disappears, thus leaving him holding the bag after having gone out on a limb to put together funding for his dad’s scheme, and thereby putting the family farm and property at risk as a result with Quinn to blame for his poor judgement in trusting his father.
Quinn and his (once again) deputy/former sheriff Lillie find themselves having to deal with a bank robbery that has been pulled off by a crew that operates using skills and techniques similar to what Quinn has learned in his military experience as a Ranger, and the precision and careful planning of the crew makes it difficult for any tangible leads to be followed up on, especially with the typical day-to-day calls that Quinn and Lillie have to deal with from the locals.
Several other situations develop involving Quinn both personally and professionally that once again place his family at risk, and characters from previous books along with a few new faces become intertwined with everything coming to a climax near the end of the book.
Ace Atkins has once again written a great story that really makes you feel as if you are right there in Tibbehah County and Jericho with Quinn, his friends and family, the locals, and the out of town criminals who always turn up in the books of this excellent series.
I'm constantly in awe of how well author Ace Atkins has balanced the writing of books in this series combined with the writing of the books in the “Spenser” series since the death of Robert B. Parker, and the consistent quality found in the books of both series where I eagerly await each upcoming novel in both series, and am unashamedly able to say that Atkins is my favorite living author at this time, and has been for the past several years.
Recommending this book is a no-brainer, and once again I'd also recommend new readers start at the beginning of the series with the first book The Ranger to get the full experience and gain appreciation of the writing skills of Ace Atkins in the writing of all the books in this series.
5 stars.
THE FALLEN by Ace Atkins is the 7th book in the Quinn Colson series and gives readers another chance to visit Tibbehah County and follow Quinn’s life as sheriff and the challenges he faces both at home and at work with this book that takes up where the last book, The Innocents leaves off with Quinn having to pick up the pieces after his father once again disappears, thus leaving him holding the bag after having gone out on a limb to put together funding for his dad’s scheme, and thereby putting the family farm and property at risk as a result with Quinn to blame for his poor judgement in trusting his father.
Quinn and his (once again) deputy/former sheriff Lillie find themselves having to deal with a bank robbery that has been pulled off by a crew that operates using skills and techniques similar to what Quinn has learned in his military experience as a Ranger, and the precision and careful planning of the crew makes it difficult for any tangible leads to be followed up on, especially with the typical day-to-day calls that Quinn and Lillie have to deal with from the locals.
Several other situations develop involving Quinn both personally and professionally that once again place his family at risk, and characters from previous books along with a few new faces become intertwined with everything coming to a climax near the end of the book.
Ace Atkins has once again written a great story that really makes you feel as if you are right there in Tibbehah County and Jericho with Quinn, his friends and family, the locals, and the out of town criminals who always turn up in the books of this excellent series.
I'm constantly in awe of how well author Ace Atkins has balanced the writing of books in this series combined with the writing of the books in the “Spenser” series since the death of Robert B. Parker, and the consistent quality found in the books of both series where I eagerly await each upcoming novel in both series, and am unashamedly able to say that Atkins is my favorite living author at this time, and has been for the past several years.
Recommending this book is a no-brainer, and once again I'd also recommend new readers start at the beginning of the series with the first book The Ranger to get the full experience and gain appreciation of the writing skills of Ace Atkins in the writing of all the books in this series.
5 stars.
July 15, 2020
Another good entry in the Quinn Colson series. In this one he is chasing a gang of bank robbers who really just do it for the thrill. Caddy, meanwhile, is looking for two young girls, with Boomer's help. Momma is still loving Elvis. Recommended to Colson fans.
November 5, 2018
Possibly even better on the second read. This series is pure gold.
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Today for me marks that sad moment when you finish all the books in a series and have to wait patiently for the next instalment. But wow it's been a great run through Jericho. I loved the first book in this series, and they've pretty much just got better and better as I've worked my way through the series. I read books 1-4 a couple of years ago, but recently reread them ahead of books 5 and 6. Quinn Colson, a former Ranger, moves back to his hometown and becomes Sheriff. His hometown, while small, is big on political corruption and life as Sheriff is never dull. Gotta say that when I started the series the political corruption aspect seemed too far-fetched, but the last year or so of real life (as viewed through the international pages of New Zealand media and my relatively new Twitter account) made it a lot more believable. Atkins has created a bunch of fantastic characters and a great small town backdrop in these books. Book 6 introduced a new bad guy (who is in fact a bad gal, although her morality truly is fifty shades of grey) and, in my opinion, Miss Hathaway has lifted the series further. The dialogue is spare but brilliant and Atkins runs clever story arcs through multiple books. I truly cannot wait to continue reading this series and hope Mr Atkins has many stories left in him. If you enjoy Southern noir with strong characters then I highly recommend this series.
—————————-
Today for me marks that sad moment when you finish all the books in a series and have to wait patiently for the next instalment. But wow it's been a great run through Jericho. I loved the first book in this series, and they've pretty much just got better and better as I've worked my way through the series. I read books 1-4 a couple of years ago, but recently reread them ahead of books 5 and 6. Quinn Colson, a former Ranger, moves back to his hometown and becomes Sheriff. His hometown, while small, is big on political corruption and life as Sheriff is never dull. Gotta say that when I started the series the political corruption aspect seemed too far-fetched, but the last year or so of real life (as viewed through the international pages of New Zealand media and my relatively new Twitter account) made it a lot more believable. Atkins has created a bunch of fantastic characters and a great small town backdrop in these books. Book 6 introduced a new bad guy (who is in fact a bad gal, although her morality truly is fifty shades of grey) and, in my opinion, Miss Hathaway has lifted the series further. The dialogue is spare but brilliant and Atkins runs clever story arcs through multiple books. I truly cannot wait to continue reading this series and hope Mr Atkins has many stories left in him. If you enjoy Southern noir with strong characters then I highly recommend this series.
June 23, 2017
At 276 pages, I had to set this book aside. I'm all for colorful language and unsavory characters but the authors prodigious use of the word "titties" and other derogatory sexist terms was a turnoff. If the context had been strictly used by the antagonists, that would have been one thing, but the verbiage was present in the writer's narrative as well, suggesting the author subscribes to the ignorance and sexism of his characters. I'm sure there's a market for this type of pulp fiction, as evidenced by Ace Atkins' success with this series. I understand he's a Pulitzer winning journalist which gives this reader pause, however, this attempt falls far short of greatness.
June 29, 2017
Thank you Netgalley.
I do enjoy rednecks trying to be good, rednecks trying to be scary, rednecks being bad and rednecks being dumb, well rednecks. I felt right at home with this book (I'm from Alabama....who am I kidding? I was at home).
Maybe in the next book, Quinn will find a "keeper"..... His love life is an absolute mess, but it just enhances the comical farce that runs through the stories and does help slow the pacing from the nearly non-stop action.
I do enjoy rednecks trying to be good, rednecks trying to be scary, rednecks being bad and rednecks being dumb, well rednecks. I felt right at home with this book (I'm from Alabama....who am I kidding? I was at home).
Maybe in the next book, Quinn will find a "keeper"..... His love life is an absolute mess, but it just enhances the comical farce that runs through the stories and does help slow the pacing from the nearly non-stop action.
September 1, 2017
3.5
I enjoyed the continuing saga of Tibbehah County and ex-Ranger, now Sheriff, Quinn Colson. Elevating Quinn's sister's role and introducing a new ladyfriend work well.
However, I was disappointed that there were no twists and turns, no suspense, no thrills, no mystery.
I enjoyed the continuing saga of Tibbehah County and ex-Ranger, now Sheriff, Quinn Colson. Elevating Quinn's sister's role and introducing a new ladyfriend work well.
However, I was disappointed that there were no twists and turns, no suspense, no thrills, no mystery.
June 22, 2017
Thanks to net galley.com, Ace Atkins and Penguin Group Putnam for the advance ARC for my honest review.
Quinn Colson's back as Sheriff of Tibbehah County, along with his right-hand women Lillie Virgil, the Jericho First National Bank gets robbed, but what an awesome read the Fallen picks up where the Innocent ended and my favorite read of the year so far.
So strap yourself down in your favorite reading spot, then go on a wild ride in a jack up green pickup truck, as your favorite Law Enforcement duo, turns the county upside down trying to find the robbers, let your imagination flow, as Atkins takes you on a realistic, heart pounding read.
He puts right their in all the action, you'll love corrupt Jericho, Miss. Totally enjoyed 'The Fallen', loved the cliffhanger ending and speaking of the ending. It would be the perfect spot in this series, for Nick Travers to make a cameo appearance.
Yup, Ace Atkins did it again. Just like with Sammy Hagar 'the Red Rocker', who at 67 years old has lost nothing vocally and seems to just keep getting better. Ace just gets better and better with each offering, adding new elements with each book and it's not the same old same old with each book.
With 'the Fallen', Atkins offers up, yet another multi-layered intertwining storyline, ripped right out of the headlines and gives the reader, the ultimate reading experience.
How can you not like the Quinn Colson character? He's blue collar, tough as nails, an ex-Ranger, he's back as Sheriff of troubled Tibbehah County, family oriented, thinks of nothing to help friends and Atkins just makes him larger than life with his words.
Atkins is the ultimate master of character development. He breathes life into them good or bad, they all play a vital role in the storyline and aren't just a needless distract.
Love, love how he has Lillie Virgil larger than life, she seems to just take over the story and just makes the Fallen that much better. It's almost like she's Atkins secret ingredient in the Quinn Colson series, making it so good and keeps the readers coming back for more helpings.
She's full of some great one liners, here's two of my favorite quotes from Lillie.
"And Miss Lillie said the only folks offended by cussing are fat ladies in big hats who can't do their business on the toilet".
"Watch your ass, but protect your heart".
While I'm bummed that he left us hanging in regard to Lillie going back too work Memphis Police or did she have a change of heart in her last two weeks to stay. I'm also excited, since my brain's screaming we're going to have a third yearly offering and could we see him writing a Lillie Virgil series soon.
Then you have Quinn's mom Jean, his troubled sister Caddy, his nephew little Jason, his Hondo his dog, new love interest Maggie Powers, her son Brandon and they all add to the storyline.
Now the Trump masked robbers being Wilcox, Cord and Opie, kudos to Atkins, who made them so believable, realistic and shows you how greed can ultimately destroy even the best criminal.
Atkins should be in every reader's book case, he's that good of an author and just feel he deserves more recognition than he gets.
Author Bob Mayer refers to the big known publishing house authors as Airport Authors. Well Ace Atkins would be my favorite airport author, he can out write James Patterson and has a legend smilin' down on him.
Quinn Colson's back as Sheriff of Tibbehah County, along with his right-hand women Lillie Virgil, the Jericho First National Bank gets robbed, but what an awesome read the Fallen picks up where the Innocent ended and my favorite read of the year so far.
So strap yourself down in your favorite reading spot, then go on a wild ride in a jack up green pickup truck, as your favorite Law Enforcement duo, turns the county upside down trying to find the robbers, let your imagination flow, as Atkins takes you on a realistic, heart pounding read.
He puts right their in all the action, you'll love corrupt Jericho, Miss. Totally enjoyed 'The Fallen', loved the cliffhanger ending and speaking of the ending. It would be the perfect spot in this series, for Nick Travers to make a cameo appearance.
Yup, Ace Atkins did it again. Just like with Sammy Hagar 'the Red Rocker', who at 67 years old has lost nothing vocally and seems to just keep getting better. Ace just gets better and better with each offering, adding new elements with each book and it's not the same old same old with each book.
With 'the Fallen', Atkins offers up, yet another multi-layered intertwining storyline, ripped right out of the headlines and gives the reader, the ultimate reading experience.
How can you not like the Quinn Colson character? He's blue collar, tough as nails, an ex-Ranger, he's back as Sheriff of troubled Tibbehah County, family oriented, thinks of nothing to help friends and Atkins just makes him larger than life with his words.
Atkins is the ultimate master of character development. He breathes life into them good or bad, they all play a vital role in the storyline and aren't just a needless distract.
Love, love how he has Lillie Virgil larger than life, she seems to just take over the story and just makes the Fallen that much better. It's almost like she's Atkins secret ingredient in the Quinn Colson series, making it so good and keeps the readers coming back for more helpings.
She's full of some great one liners, here's two of my favorite quotes from Lillie.
"And Miss Lillie said the only folks offended by cussing are fat ladies in big hats who can't do their business on the toilet".
"Watch your ass, but protect your heart".
While I'm bummed that he left us hanging in regard to Lillie going back too work Memphis Police or did she have a change of heart in her last two weeks to stay. I'm also excited, since my brain's screaming we're going to have a third yearly offering and could we see him writing a Lillie Virgil series soon.
Then you have Quinn's mom Jean, his troubled sister Caddy, his nephew little Jason, his Hondo his dog, new love interest Maggie Powers, her son Brandon and they all add to the storyline.
Now the Trump masked robbers being Wilcox, Cord and Opie, kudos to Atkins, who made them so believable, realistic and shows you how greed can ultimately destroy even the best criminal.
Atkins should be in every reader's book case, he's that good of an author and just feel he deserves more recognition than he gets.
Author Bob Mayer refers to the big known publishing house authors as Airport Authors. Well Ace Atkins would be my favorite airport author, he can out write James Patterson and has a legend smilin' down on him.
September 5, 2017
A group of bad boys are robbing banks all over the mid-south and when they hit the bank in Jericho MS, Quinn Colson is livid. Meanwhile, Caddy Colson, Quinn's sister, is on the hunt for two young girls who went missing after visiting The River, Caddy's religious community outside Jericho. Quinn also meets an eligible lady who has just moved to Jericho and they begin dating. Lillie Virgil, Quinn's right-hand woman, is also bound and determined to bring justice down to Franny Hathcock ,who runs the local strip joint, now that Johnny Staggs is serving time in the federal pen. Tibbehah County has more than its share of miscreants and villains and Quinn and Lillie are hot on their trail. As all of these trails come together, the blow-back is monumental. And a lot of people die. Another great read from Ace Atkins.
May 26, 2017
The Fallen is the seventh book by Ace Atkins involving his Quinn Colson character and each novel becomes better and better.
What I like about this series is that it has avoided becoming stale. It also lacks the appearance of being assembled with a cookie cutter-like formula, so often found with novels involving recurring characters and settings.
Atkins brings back familiar and earlier introduced characters and allows them to grow and progress through his novels. He also introduces new characters and villains, some clearly quite dangerous.
In this novel, Colson finds himself in the middle of an investigation involving highly trained bank robbers, with skills he respects and believes have been developed through military training. Along the way, his foes included the returning of Fannie Hathcock, who is slowly revealed to be quite cagey and very dangerous. Other villains remain hidden below the surface, with the promise of being revealed later in future installments.
Additional plotlines are included, which later converge along with the main storyline.
The Fallen is highly recommended and I envy the reader that gets to pick up this series from the start for the first time because each novel grows.
The bad thing about receiving an advanced reader's copy of The Fallen is the anticipation of waiting for the next novel because Atkins clearly has set that one in motion to pick up where this one has left off.
What I like about this series is that it has avoided becoming stale. It also lacks the appearance of being assembled with a cookie cutter-like formula, so often found with novels involving recurring characters and settings.
Atkins brings back familiar and earlier introduced characters and allows them to grow and progress through his novels. He also introduces new characters and villains, some clearly quite dangerous.
In this novel, Colson finds himself in the middle of an investigation involving highly trained bank robbers, with skills he respects and believes have been developed through military training. Along the way, his foes included the returning of Fannie Hathcock, who is slowly revealed to be quite cagey and very dangerous. Other villains remain hidden below the surface, with the promise of being revealed later in future installments.
Additional plotlines are included, which later converge along with the main storyline.
The Fallen is highly recommended and I envy the reader that gets to pick up this series from the start for the first time because each novel grows.
The bad thing about receiving an advanced reader's copy of The Fallen is the anticipation of waiting for the next novel because Atkins clearly has set that one in motion to pick up where this one has left off.
August 13, 2017
Ace Atkins has quickly joined my pantheon of "Go-To" authors if I want an entertaining evening of exciting, page-turning reading...whether its his original work or his work as a "legacy author," its a rewarding read...in "The Fallen," Quinn Colson, Lillie Virgil & the Tibbehah County Sheriff's department confront missing runaways, a gang of ex-military combat vets have started robbing banks & the usual assortment of issues rising from the "Redneck Mafia" & Johnny Stagg's old business ventures...new changes for both Lillie & Quinn open the door for more of the Jericho soap opera I so enjoy!
September 20, 2017
This was my first Ace Atkins writing as himself instead of Robert B Parker - I read all 6 of those and enjoyed them. BUT -- this one was just wonderful. I was a little surprised that it seemed to be more about the bank robbers, Quinn's sister, Fannie, and others rather than Quinn himself. Doesn't matter. I loved it anyway. He has the backwoods expressions, etc. perfect. I hated something that happened toward the end of the book (no spoilers here), but for the sake of realism, I guess it was appropriate. I can hardly wait for the next in the series. Go, Ace !!!!
August 5, 2017
As much as I have liked the Quinn Colson series from the start, I have to say that I was mildly disappointed in The Fallen, the latest installment from author Ace Atkins.
The reason I felt that way upon conclusion of reading the novel is that the way the story played out, Quinn himself was mainly a supporting character in his own book. While he figured more prominently as the climax to the story was happening, he spent most of the time caught up in more potential relationship drama than anything else.
Instead, this book seemed to belong more to his sister Caddy, his friend Boom Kimbrough and the latest series nemesis, strip club owner Fannie Hathcock.
A gang of bank robbers are hitting banks all over the south. Eventually a bank in Tibbehah County gets robbed leading to Quinn and his department's involvement in the case. The trio of crooks is seen as having military precision leading to the correct assumption that they are ex-military. But they are good at their "job" and no one is able to track them down.
Meanwhile, Caddy is looking for two 15 year olds gone missing from her church, The River. When she gets what she feels is no help and the brushoff from Quinn, she takes matters into her own hands and with the help of Boom Kimbrough sets off looking for the girls. This takes her to places she'd rather not go, places she used to be a part of and involved with people she shouldn't be.
Fannie Hathcock has her own set of problems as a holier than thou old man hard ass named Skinner comes out of retirement to run the county supervisors. He sets his sights on closing down her strip club and trying to run her out of town, all based off the notion of making the county like it was back when he was a kid...a sanctimonious sort of piety permeating every aspect of life.
The trio of villians have a huge part in this story as events unfold and then dovetail to connect everyone into a mad clash of blood, bodies and bullets.
The background running plot of political corruption continued in this book and the epilogue to the story sees events set in motion to target Quinn. But even more interesting is how Colson's actions drive a wedge between he and Lillie Virgil. Boom ends up verbalizing the reader's sense of frustration on this particular story point.
Atkins does another great job in terms of clearing the decks, as two characters are written out of the story. One in dramatic fashion, while the other departure is disappointing and I hope only temporary. In doing this, I'm hoping the intent is to somewhat isolate Quinn as the new direction suggested by the story's conclusion is full of signs and portents of bigger, more explosive things to come.
I just wish that it hadn't come at the expense of making the main character of the series more of a special guest star in his own book.
The reason I felt that way upon conclusion of reading the novel is that the way the story played out, Quinn himself was mainly a supporting character in his own book. While he figured more prominently as the climax to the story was happening, he spent most of the time caught up in more potential relationship drama than anything else.
Instead, this book seemed to belong more to his sister Caddy, his friend Boom Kimbrough and the latest series nemesis, strip club owner Fannie Hathcock.
A gang of bank robbers are hitting banks all over the south. Eventually a bank in Tibbehah County gets robbed leading to Quinn and his department's involvement in the case. The trio of crooks is seen as having military precision leading to the correct assumption that they are ex-military. But they are good at their "job" and no one is able to track them down.
Meanwhile, Caddy is looking for two 15 year olds gone missing from her church, The River. When she gets what she feels is no help and the brushoff from Quinn, she takes matters into her own hands and with the help of Boom Kimbrough sets off looking for the girls. This takes her to places she'd rather not go, places she used to be a part of and involved with people she shouldn't be.
Fannie Hathcock has her own set of problems as a holier than thou old man hard ass named Skinner comes out of retirement to run the county supervisors. He sets his sights on closing down her strip club and trying to run her out of town, all based off the notion of making the county like it was back when he was a kid...a sanctimonious sort of piety permeating every aspect of life.
The trio of villians have a huge part in this story as events unfold and then dovetail to connect everyone into a mad clash of blood, bodies and bullets.
The background running plot of political corruption continued in this book and the epilogue to the story sees events set in motion to target Quinn. But even more interesting is how Colson's actions drive a wedge between he and Lillie Virgil. Boom ends up verbalizing the reader's sense of frustration on this particular story point.
Atkins does another great job in terms of clearing the decks, as two characters are written out of the story. One in dramatic fashion, while the other departure is disappointing and I hope only temporary. In doing this, I'm hoping the intent is to somewhat isolate Quinn as the new direction suggested by the story's conclusion is full of signs and portents of bigger, more explosive things to come.
I just wish that it hadn't come at the expense of making the main character of the series more of a special guest star in his own book.
June 30, 2018
Bank robbers wearing Donald Trump masks, strippers and a woman named Fannie Hathcock. Hath what?
My third Quinn Colson read and i just figured out what's wrong with his books.
Grits. Yes grits.
Grits take 20 to 45 minutes to make. Grits expand when cooked and need stirring to prevent sticking, and lumps from forming.
That's what's wrong with Quinn. Not enough time is spent on understanding who Quinn is. What's in his soul, what motivates him. Ace Atkins needs to stir the book slowly and give the plot time to expand. Ace Atkins jumps from the plot to the sub plot back to the plot and then to a second sub plot. We're not eating instant grits, no self respecting southerner eats Instant grits. Ace buddy stir the book slowly slowly.
I read a couple reviews complaining about the cursing, i didn't find that a problem. Bikers, truckers, bank robbers, strippers, and a woman named Fannie Hathcock what did you expect a sunday church sermon?
An ok read but second tier to Harry Bosch.
My third Quinn Colson read and i just figured out what's wrong with his books.
Grits. Yes grits.
Grits take 20 to 45 minutes to make. Grits expand when cooked and need stirring to prevent sticking, and lumps from forming.
That's what's wrong with Quinn. Not enough time is spent on understanding who Quinn is. What's in his soul, what motivates him. Ace Atkins needs to stir the book slowly and give the plot time to expand. Ace Atkins jumps from the plot to the sub plot back to the plot and then to a second sub plot. We're not eating instant grits, no self respecting southerner eats Instant grits. Ace buddy stir the book slowly slowly.
I read a couple reviews complaining about the cursing, i didn't find that a problem. Bikers, truckers, bank robbers, strippers, and a woman named Fannie Hathcock what did you expect a sunday church sermon?
An ok read but second tier to Harry Bosch.
March 23, 2018
I'm done with series. Quinn has run its course. I'm no prude and I've said every one of the words use in the book at some point but the author is using the coarse language because he has no story. Quinn has become a secondary character instead the book is focused on a string of various southern trash stereotypes X 10. I really liked the first 4 books in the series but the last 3 have gotten progressively worse.
September 29, 2019
A bank robbery takes place in Tibbehah County. At the same time, a state senator wants to shut down the local strip club. Caddy is looking for two missing troubled teenagers
I thought it was a little early in the series for an evil twin type of plot device. Still, the bank robberies are pretty exciting. The background crime stuff is interesting. Caddy is annoying as always, but I think that's her function.
Not bad, but fairly predictable.
I thought it was a little early in the series for an evil twin type of plot device. Still, the bank robberies are pretty exciting. The background crime stuff is interesting. Caddy is annoying as always, but I think that's her function.
Not bad, but fairly predictable.
February 12, 2020
A classic southern tale of backroom deals, tainted honor, dysfunctional family, high-stakes greed-The Fallen (A Quinn Colson Novel)
About the Book
Mississippi sheriff Quinn Colson had to admit he admired the bank robbers. A new bank was hit almost every week, and the robbers rushed in and out with such skill and precision it reminded him of raids he’d led back in Afghanistan and Iraq when he was an army ranger. In fact, it reminded him so much of the techniques in the Ranger Handbook that he couldn’t help wondering if the outlaws were former Rangers themselves.
And that was definitely going to be a problem. If he stood any chance of catching them, he was going to need the help of old allies, new enemies, and a lot of luck. The enemies he had plenty of. It was the allies and the luck that were going to be in woefully short supply.-and everyday heroism--from the New York Times--best selling author.
Ace Atkins is the New York Times bestselling author of the Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which—The Ranger and The Lost Ones—were nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel (he also has a third Edgar nomination for his short story, “Last Fair Deal Gone Down”). In addition, he is the author of several New York Times bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series. Before turning to fiction, he was a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times, a crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune, and, in college, played defensive end for the undefeated Auburn University football team (for which he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated). He lives in Oxford, Mississippi.
One of the best crime writers working today, Ace Atkins has been nominated for every major award in crime fiction, including the Edgar three times, twice for novels about former U.S. Army Ranger Quinn Colson. He's written eight books in the Colson series, with many more to come. He continued Robert B. Parker's iconic Spenser character after Parker's death in 2010, and has added seven best-selling novels in that series.
A former newspaper reporter and SEC football player, Ace also writes essays and investigative pieces for several national magazines including Time, Outside, and Garden & Gun.
He lives in Oxford, Mississippi with his family, where he’s friend to many dogs and several bartenders.
Find out more about Ace and his novels on his official website: aceatkins.com, on Facebook Ace Atkins, and on Twitter @aceatkins.
What a great book. There were good examples of the good, Ace being one of them. He was very good and was a complete pleasure to read. It was my friends at Goodreads that encouraged me and introduced me to Ace Actins. Good stuff. Recommend.
About the Book
Mississippi sheriff Quinn Colson had to admit he admired the bank robbers. A new bank was hit almost every week, and the robbers rushed in and out with such skill and precision it reminded him of raids he’d led back in Afghanistan and Iraq when he was an army ranger. In fact, it reminded him so much of the techniques in the Ranger Handbook that he couldn’t help wondering if the outlaws were former Rangers themselves.
And that was definitely going to be a problem. If he stood any chance of catching them, he was going to need the help of old allies, new enemies, and a lot of luck. The enemies he had plenty of. It was the allies and the luck that were going to be in woefully short supply.-and everyday heroism--from the New York Times--best selling author.
Ace Atkins is the New York Times bestselling author of the Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which—The Ranger and The Lost Ones—were nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel (he also has a third Edgar nomination for his short story, “Last Fair Deal Gone Down”). In addition, he is the author of several New York Times bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series. Before turning to fiction, he was a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times, a crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune, and, in college, played defensive end for the undefeated Auburn University football team (for which he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated). He lives in Oxford, Mississippi.
One of the best crime writers working today, Ace Atkins has been nominated for every major award in crime fiction, including the Edgar three times, twice for novels about former U.S. Army Ranger Quinn Colson. He's written eight books in the Colson series, with many more to come. He continued Robert B. Parker's iconic Spenser character after Parker's death in 2010, and has added seven best-selling novels in that series.
A former newspaper reporter and SEC football player, Ace also writes essays and investigative pieces for several national magazines including Time, Outside, and Garden & Gun.
He lives in Oxford, Mississippi with his family, where he’s friend to many dogs and several bartenders.
Find out more about Ace and his novels on his official website: aceatkins.com, on Facebook Ace Atkins, and on Twitter @aceatkins.
What a great book. There were good examples of the good, Ace being one of them. He was very good and was a complete pleasure to read. It was my friends at Goodreads that encouraged me and introduced me to Ace Actins. Good stuff. Recommend.
August 31, 2020
This 7th book in the Quinn Colson series did not disappoint. Quinn is again sheriff, and he is faced with bank robbers, new hijinks at both the church run by his sister and the strip club on the edge of town, and the recurring family and relationship drama. I enjoyed it a lot, although it wasn't even close to as good as the previous book. While the plot is still solid with plenty of dark drama, it will be obvious to fans of the series that this is a transition book. Several key plot points serve only to transition characters, including one big exit along with one big introduction and to clear up any doubt about the good/bad nature of a few others. Solid and necessary addition to the series, but not my favorite.
September 7, 2017
The seventh Quinn Colson book is a good read, though not up to the first three or four titles in the series. The Dixie Mafia's latest version, crooked politicians, and a trio of ex-servicemen bank robbers (who miss combat) make Colson's job as Tebahah County Sheriff as demanding as ever. The dialogue uttered by the proprietor of the truckstop/bar/brothel that brings major headaches to the county is pungent, appalling, colorful, profane, and funny. I hope that Lillie Virgil sticks around. Who will watch Quinn's back if she doesn't. And there's ample reason to need back-watching in the near future.
August 15, 2017
Ace Atkins, writer par 'true crime' from one of my hometowns of Oxford, Miss., has offered his latest exposition about the hardbitten folk around HIS selfie of a town and region a la William Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County. I couldn't help but cringe when my mind and brain was repeatedly assaulted by the writer's blaspheming and other "cuss' words his characters, even those among the "good and redeemed ones", slather on. Yet, it seems this story is perhaps the best of those Ace has written in the series that shows the cracks in the personae of the ugly characters: the evildoers and criminals. Not that all of this type are shown as having traits associated with what we, and one of the bit players in "The Fallen" describe as human "souls'.
April 2, 2019
In this book there are three bank robbers who wear masks and do their bank robberies with precision timing and disappear after the robberies like they were never there. Quinn kind of admires them until they hit a bank in his area. It reminds him of the Ranger handbook which makes him wonder if they were Rangers. There are many interesting twists in the book and I found it enjoyable reading.
January 18, 2024
Well I started this series with book 6, and it’s so good I jumped into this book, number 7. More great characters, action, suspense. Ace sure knows how to keep me interested. I keep imagining this as a great TV series. (Need to check and see if there is one, or one planned.)
I like how each book leads into the next one. (Just like in a good TV series)
Highly recommended.
I like how each book leads into the next one. (Just like in a good TV series)
Highly recommended.
June 24, 2018
4.5 stars.
In Ace Atkins' seventh installment in the Quinn Colson series, The Fallen, Tibbehah County, Mississippi is once again a hotbed of illegal activity which runs the gamut of bank robberies, missing teenage girls and an underlying corruption that Sheriff Quinn Colson just cannot seem to stay ahead of.
When bank robbers Rick Wilcox, Jonas Cord and their buddy Opie make an ill-fated decision to rob Jericho First National Bank, they are certain they will get away with their crime. However, instead of a clueless small town police force, their crime falls under the jurisdiction of Sheriff Quinn Colson and assistant Sheriff Lillie Virgil who have proven time and again they are a formidable crime fighting duo. Colson correctly deduces the men are former military and with few clues to go on, he turns to federal agent Jon Holliday who does not have any more information about the crew than Quinn and Lillie.
Interspersed with the investigation into the bank robbery are a couple of story arcs set in the local community. Quinn's sister Caddy is worried about two missing teenagers that she has been trying to locate under the Sheriff's radar. Strip bar owner Fannie Hathcock is running up against good ole boy Skinner whose Southern Christian values are greatly offended by her establishment. The search for the missing girls leads straight to Fannie's strip joint and ultimately, the latest round of corruption that is attempting to gain a toehold in Tibbehah County.
In between the investigation of the bank robbery and fighting petty crimes in the county, Quinn reunites with childhood friend Maggie Powers who has recently moved to town with her nine year old son Brandon. As they reminisce about their innocent exploits, a simmering passion threatens to explode into full blown passion but since Maggie is in the midst of a messy divorce, they attempt to keep their relationship platonic.
When Quinn begins putting the pieces of the various puzzles together, Lillie's concerns about his objectivity lead her to make a surprising decision about her future. When the multiple plotlines finally converge into a violent showdown, she concedes Quinn's suspicions are, indeed correct, and her expertise is instrumental in bringing the siege to an end. In the aftermath, will Lillie change her mind about the events she set into motion during a moment of frustration?
The Fallen is another well-plotted mystery with a storyline that is an accurate reflection of the pervasive political mindset of the deep South today. Ace Atkins lightens the mood with some laugh out loud funny one-liners as Quinn and Lillie take aim at the corruption and crime that threaten to destroy Tibbehah County. Although this latest release is the seventh installment in the Quinn Colson series, it can easily be read as a standalone. However, I have to warn readers that the novel's tantalizing conclusion will leave them impatiently awaiting the next book in this fantastic series.
In Ace Atkins' seventh installment in the Quinn Colson series, The Fallen, Tibbehah County, Mississippi is once again a hotbed of illegal activity which runs the gamut of bank robberies, missing teenage girls and an underlying corruption that Sheriff Quinn Colson just cannot seem to stay ahead of.
When bank robbers Rick Wilcox, Jonas Cord and their buddy Opie make an ill-fated decision to rob Jericho First National Bank, they are certain they will get away with their crime. However, instead of a clueless small town police force, their crime falls under the jurisdiction of Sheriff Quinn Colson and assistant Sheriff Lillie Virgil who have proven time and again they are a formidable crime fighting duo. Colson correctly deduces the men are former military and with few clues to go on, he turns to federal agent Jon Holliday who does not have any more information about the crew than Quinn and Lillie.
Interspersed with the investigation into the bank robbery are a couple of story arcs set in the local community. Quinn's sister Caddy is worried about two missing teenagers that she has been trying to locate under the Sheriff's radar. Strip bar owner Fannie Hathcock is running up against good ole boy Skinner whose Southern Christian values are greatly offended by her establishment. The search for the missing girls leads straight to Fannie's strip joint and ultimately, the latest round of corruption that is attempting to gain a toehold in Tibbehah County.
In between the investigation of the bank robbery and fighting petty crimes in the county, Quinn reunites with childhood friend Maggie Powers who has recently moved to town with her nine year old son Brandon. As they reminisce about their innocent exploits, a simmering passion threatens to explode into full blown passion but since Maggie is in the midst of a messy divorce, they attempt to keep their relationship platonic.
When Quinn begins putting the pieces of the various puzzles together, Lillie's concerns about his objectivity lead her to make a surprising decision about her future. When the multiple plotlines finally converge into a violent showdown, she concedes Quinn's suspicions are, indeed correct, and her expertise is instrumental in bringing the siege to an end. In the aftermath, will Lillie change her mind about the events she set into motion during a moment of frustration?
The Fallen is another well-plotted mystery with a storyline that is an accurate reflection of the pervasive political mindset of the deep South today. Ace Atkins lightens the mood with some laugh out loud funny one-liners as Quinn and Lillie take aim at the corruption and crime that threaten to destroy Tibbehah County. Although this latest release is the seventh installment in the Quinn Colson series, it can easily be read as a standalone. However, I have to warn readers that the novel's tantalizing conclusion will leave them impatiently awaiting the next book in this fantastic series.
April 18, 2024
Book Review - The Fallen - Ace Atkins
Mississippi sheriff Quinn Colson had to admit he admired the bank robbers who rushed in and out of the bank with such skill and precision it reminded him of raids he'd led back in Afghanistan and Iraq when he was an Army Ranger. In fact, it reminded him so much of the techniques in the Army Ranger training that he couldn't help but wonder if the outlaws were former US Army Rangers themselves. And that’s were Colson’s serious problems began. There’s an awful lot going on in Ace Atkins’ seventh Quinn Colson book entitled, “The Fallen.” Tibbehah County, Mississippi Sheriff Quinn Colson is chasing a trio of bank robbers that’s wreaking havoc in the area. Meanwhile, Tibbehah County remains a cesspool of corruption and shady criminal activities that Colson must also deal with. I was hooked the first time I read an Ace Atkins story and now I’m committed to the rest of the Quinn Colson series. Atkins has created such a rich and intriguing setting in the Northern Mississippi small town, albeit somewhat degenerated and depressing but authentic and raw. Atkins rarely writes any of his stories in grey tones, most are negative portrayals of the Northern Mississippi area, but the stories are thrilling, and action packed. There is a sad subplot regarding two young girls who had a misfortune but other than that, the action is fast moving, realistic (mostly) and cleverly written. I commend Atkins on the continuous development and uniqueness of the characters and enjoy how all the stories are not always about Quinn Colson, but about his deputies, his family and even about the bad guys. The Fallen is another Ace Atkins installment of murder, mayhem, sex, drugs and violence in Tibbehah County, Mississippi. If a series is great, the attributes that make it that way will continue to shine in each book. So, it is with The Fallen.
Mississippi sheriff Quinn Colson had to admit he admired the bank robbers who rushed in and out of the bank with such skill and precision it reminded him of raids he'd led back in Afghanistan and Iraq when he was an Army Ranger. In fact, it reminded him so much of the techniques in the Army Ranger training that he couldn't help but wonder if the outlaws were former US Army Rangers themselves. And that’s were Colson’s serious problems began. There’s an awful lot going on in Ace Atkins’ seventh Quinn Colson book entitled, “The Fallen.” Tibbehah County, Mississippi Sheriff Quinn Colson is chasing a trio of bank robbers that’s wreaking havoc in the area. Meanwhile, Tibbehah County remains a cesspool of corruption and shady criminal activities that Colson must also deal with. I was hooked the first time I read an Ace Atkins story and now I’m committed to the rest of the Quinn Colson series. Atkins has created such a rich and intriguing setting in the Northern Mississippi small town, albeit somewhat degenerated and depressing but authentic and raw. Atkins rarely writes any of his stories in grey tones, most are negative portrayals of the Northern Mississippi area, but the stories are thrilling, and action packed. There is a sad subplot regarding two young girls who had a misfortune but other than that, the action is fast moving, realistic (mostly) and cleverly written. I commend Atkins on the continuous development and uniqueness of the characters and enjoy how all the stories are not always about Quinn Colson, but about his deputies, his family and even about the bad guys. The Fallen is another Ace Atkins installment of murder, mayhem, sex, drugs and violence in Tibbehah County, Mississippi. If a series is great, the attributes that make it that way will continue to shine in each book. So, it is with The Fallen.
July 23, 2019
The book jacket says a band of former marines are robbing banks and it's up to Sheriff Quinn Colson to stop them and investigate the case.
Except the only investigating of anything (including 2 missing 15 yr old girls) is done solely by his sister and his best friend who finds out about human trafficking, drugs and prostitution going on in their county.
I expected a book about SOLVING crimes...instead, this book is more about relationships. Set in the deep south (Mississippi), this book is more about the criminals and their convoluted relationships/criminal enterprises.
I was incredibly disappointed with this book since Sheriff Quinn seems to do nothing more than get a new girlfriend and accidentally stumble upon one of the getaway vehicles. There is no mention of any other law enforcement working on any of these criminal cases.
The impression I got from reading this book (it's a series?!? ugh) was that people in the south are lazy, stupid and mostly criminals since that's nearly the entire focus of this novel.
After reading the novels of the Amos Decker series, Harry Bosch series and even small town Sheriffs (Kate Burkholder) who all excel in the search for the truth in solving all their cases, Sheriff Quinn Colson left a lot to be desired.
Well written but terrible in crime solving.
Except the only investigating of anything (including 2 missing 15 yr old girls) is done solely by his sister and his best friend who finds out about human trafficking, drugs and prostitution going on in their county.
I expected a book about SOLVING crimes...instead, this book is more about relationships. Set in the deep south (Mississippi), this book is more about the criminals and their convoluted relationships/criminal enterprises.
I was incredibly disappointed with this book since Sheriff Quinn seems to do nothing more than get a new girlfriend and accidentally stumble upon one of the getaway vehicles. There is no mention of any other law enforcement working on any of these criminal cases.
The impression I got from reading this book (it's a series?!? ugh) was that people in the south are lazy, stupid and mostly criminals since that's nearly the entire focus of this novel.
After reading the novels of the Amos Decker series, Harry Bosch series and even small town Sheriffs (Kate Burkholder) who all excel in the search for the truth in solving all their cases, Sheriff Quinn Colson left a lot to be desired.
Well written but terrible in crime solving.
November 4, 2017
"The Fallen" is a rather dark tale of thrill-seeking Iraq War veterans, murderous human traffickers and corrupt politicians, set in a small rural town in Mississippi. Sheriff Quinn Colson is trying to solve a local bank robbery committed by three men in Donald Trump masks & soon learns from his FBI contact that his town is just the latest to be hit by these wily criminals. As with most Atkins books, the reader knows the identity of the robbers and their back story. He also throws in the infamous Fannie Hathcock, who runs a strip club and motel on the outskirts of town and who most suspect is involved in much more, including prostitution and other shady dealings. Atkins brings back all the characters from previous Quinn Colson books, but many seem edgier. The plot is twisted and a little more convoluted than necessary, which is why I downgraded my rating to 3 stars. It's also a bit depressing, highlighting the huge problem that human trafficking has become and law enforcement's seeming inability to put an end to it. I liked "The Fallen", but it's certainly not my favorite Ace Atkins book.
December 28, 2017
About time I read a book that brought me down a peg to a reality I didn't realize I missed. I don't know where I went for a while there, but I'm back. Hell, who'd have thought it would take a bunch of fictitious characters in a fictitious town to do that? Seems counter intuitive. I read this book in two evenings.
Anyone that takes the time to read these Quinn Colson novels gets a character study that can apply to any real situation, politically, personally, or otherwise. Atkins knows conditions. Tibbehah politics are so believable I'm wondering which thinly disguised town these books represent. I didn't have to think on who was good or bad. Or why. Ace Atkins spells out the whole story as would a truly hard to find unbiased journalist. Yet Atkins does all of this from his imagination. I would recommend starting this series to anyone. But I certainly recommend it for you.
Anyone that takes the time to read these Quinn Colson novels gets a character study that can apply to any real situation, politically, personally, or otherwise. Atkins knows conditions. Tibbehah politics are so believable I'm wondering which thinly disguised town these books represent. I didn't have to think on who was good or bad. Or why. Ace Atkins spells out the whole story as would a truly hard to find unbiased journalist. Yet Atkins does all of this from his imagination. I would recommend starting this series to anyone. But I certainly recommend it for you.
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