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Nick Cross Mysteries #1
Only One Will Fall
Murder just got personal.
Detective Nick Cross is hard at work repairing burnt bridges incurred during a stormy first marriage when a murder happens.
“Only One Will Fall” is the cryptic message sent to the victim’s husband moments before the slaying, but nobody thinks much of it until an identical message is sent to the relative of a second victim. To Nick, it means one thing: Mount Pleasant has a serial killer on their hands.
With no motive and no connection found between the victims, the police are helpless to prevent the rampage from continuing. It doesn’t help that the Field Agent sent by the FBI clashes with Nick’s style in handling the investigation. But Nick isn’t done. He decides to take matters into his own hands, unwittingly setting himself up as the next target for a ruthless killer who can’t be stopped.
Detective Nick Cross is hard at work repairing burnt bridges incurred during a stormy first marriage when a murder happens.
“Only One Will Fall” is the cryptic message sent to the victim’s husband moments before the slaying, but nobody thinks much of it until an identical message is sent to the relative of a second victim. To Nick, it means one thing: Mount Pleasant has a serial killer on their hands.
With no motive and no connection found between the victims, the police are helpless to prevent the rampage from continuing. It doesn’t help that the Field Agent sent by the FBI clashes with Nick’s style in handling the investigation. But Nick isn’t done. He decides to take matters into his own hands, unwittingly setting himself up as the next target for a ruthless killer who can’t be stopped.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2016
280 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 22, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for a review copy of Only One Will Fall, a police procedural set in Mount Pleasant, USA, featuring Detective Nick Cross.
There is a serial killer on the loose who texts "ONLY ONE WILL FALL" to a family member around the time of the killing. As the body count rises Nick Cross heads up a task force which seems to get nowhere.
It took me a long time to read this novel as I didn't enjoy it. There is no professionalism in the investigation which seems to consist of Nick picking a new suspect after every conversation with a witness. He is a loose cannon with little idea of how to run an investigation and his thought processes do not bear close scrutiny. The novel is equally divided between his investigation and his saccharine relationship with his wife Meghan and their efforts to rebuild a relationship with his teenage daughter from his first marriage. I applaud his efforts but his reasonings made me cringe.
There is a serial killer on the loose who texts "ONLY ONE WILL FALL" to a family member around the time of the killing. As the body count rises Nick Cross heads up a task force which seems to get nowhere.
It took me a long time to read this novel as I didn't enjoy it. There is no professionalism in the investigation which seems to consist of Nick picking a new suspect after every conversation with a witness. He is a loose cannon with little idea of how to run an investigation and his thought processes do not bear close scrutiny. The novel is equally divided between his investigation and his saccharine relationship with his wife Meghan and their efforts to rebuild a relationship with his teenage daughter from his first marriage. I applaud his efforts but his reasonings made me cringe.
January 2, 2017
An imperfect cop with an oversized ego. A killer with an unknowable agenda. Departmental politics and a rather obnoxious FBI agent. Each murder is swift and painless for the victim, but finding the reason for each, not to mention the connection between them, is a severe strain on the department in general, and Detective Nick Cross in particular. He oversteps procedure and common sense to find out who and why, while trying to make better decisions in his home life.
This is a very tense and suspenseful mystery with some horrific elements, but is very well done and all too realistic. I think that Det. Nick Cross will be a good man to follow in subsequent books.
I entered and won a copy of this book in a giveaway and am very pleased with it.
This is a very tense and suspenseful mystery with some horrific elements, but is very well done and all too realistic. I think that Det. Nick Cross will be a good man to follow in subsequent books.
I entered and won a copy of this book in a giveaway and am very pleased with it.
January 23, 2017
I haven't read a book this thrilling in a LONG time! Kudos to Bainbridge for introducing another fantastic detective, Nick Cross! I was hooked from the first sentence and found myself reading late into the night as each page held more and more mystery!! The small chapters, similar to James Patterson, made it so easy to keep reading. I also loved how the mystery was fully explained and then kept on going. I can't wait for Book Two!
My only complaint - it's only an ebook and I would so love to add this to my bookcase!
Fans of Richard North Patterson and James Patterson - you're going to love this!
My only complaint - it's only an ebook and I would so love to add this to my bookcase!
Fans of Richard North Patterson and James Patterson - you're going to love this!
October 1, 2024
Kept me guessing til the very end. Very well written.
March 12, 2025
Only one will fall
Ruth Bainbridge did a great job writing this Nick Cross Mystery.
It kept me wondering with every page I turned. Great job Ruth.
Ruth Bainbridge did a great job writing this Nick Cross Mystery.
It kept me wondering with every page I turned. Great job Ruth.
May 24, 2017
3 stars
Detective Nick Cross and his partner Mitchell Parker respond to a call of a woman murdered in her home. She was stabbed to death by one blow. Mitch suspects the husband, but Nick is not so sure. The truth is that the husband was elsewhere at the time of the murder receiving a text message that says, “Only one will fall.”
Another murder is committed, this time it was a nine year old girl. When it is discovered that the relatives of both murdered persons received the same text message, the police begin to suspect that they have a serial killer on their hands.
The investigation is on. Nick and Mitch team up with their cohorts and try to investigate and solve the cases. Enter the FBI and the agent’s style does not agree with Nick’s. They get along like oil and water. Nick decides to conduct his own investigation ignoring his teammates.
This is where I began to have problems with the book. In the beginning of the book, he was skeptical that the husband committed the murder. He goes from that to suspecting everyone. He acts like a loose cannon. His relationship with his daughter is overweening and placating. I wanted to scream at her for being such a selfish little b***h. His ex-wife is a harridan. This really detracted from the book for me I am sorry to say.
While the book was overall well written, Ms. Bainbridge seemed to lose the plot when fleshing out her characters. Or perhaps she didn’t want them to be very likeable? The suspense was built nicely, but the asides with the family dramas were a total distraction.
I want to thank Netgalley and Ruth Bainbridge for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
Detective Nick Cross and his partner Mitchell Parker respond to a call of a woman murdered in her home. She was stabbed to death by one blow. Mitch suspects the husband, but Nick is not so sure. The truth is that the husband was elsewhere at the time of the murder receiving a text message that says, “Only one will fall.”
Another murder is committed, this time it was a nine year old girl. When it is discovered that the relatives of both murdered persons received the same text message, the police begin to suspect that they have a serial killer on their hands.
The investigation is on. Nick and Mitch team up with their cohorts and try to investigate and solve the cases. Enter the FBI and the agent’s style does not agree with Nick’s. They get along like oil and water. Nick decides to conduct his own investigation ignoring his teammates.
This is where I began to have problems with the book. In the beginning of the book, he was skeptical that the husband committed the murder. He goes from that to suspecting everyone. He acts like a loose cannon. His relationship with his daughter is overweening and placating. I wanted to scream at her for being such a selfish little b***h. His ex-wife is a harridan. This really detracted from the book for me I am sorry to say.
While the book was overall well written, Ms. Bainbridge seemed to lose the plot when fleshing out her characters. Or perhaps she didn’t want them to be very likeable? The suspense was built nicely, but the asides with the family dramas were a total distraction.
I want to thank Netgalley and Ruth Bainbridge for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
March 22, 2022
Only one will fall by Ruth Bainbridge.
The Nick Cross Mysteries Book 1.
Murder just got personal.
Detective Nick Cross is hard at work repairing burnt bridges incurred during a stormy first marriage when a murder happens.
“Only One Will Fall” is the cryptic message sent to the victim’s husband moments before the slaying, but nobody thinks much of it until an identical message is sent to the relative of a second victim. To Nick, it means one thing: Mount Pleasant has a serial killer on their hands.
With no motive and no connection found between the victims, the police are helpless to prevent the rampage from continuing. It doesn’t help that the Field Agent sent by the FBI clashes with Nick’s style in handling the investigation. But Nick isn’t done. He decides to take matters into his own hands, unwittingly setting himself up as the next target for a ruthless killer who can’t be stopped.
A very good first read in a new series. I did enjoy it. 4*.
The Nick Cross Mysteries Book 1.
Murder just got personal.
Detective Nick Cross is hard at work repairing burnt bridges incurred during a stormy first marriage when a murder happens.
“Only One Will Fall” is the cryptic message sent to the victim’s husband moments before the slaying, but nobody thinks much of it until an identical message is sent to the relative of a second victim. To Nick, it means one thing: Mount Pleasant has a serial killer on their hands.
With no motive and no connection found between the victims, the police are helpless to prevent the rampage from continuing. It doesn’t help that the Field Agent sent by the FBI clashes with Nick’s style in handling the investigation. But Nick isn’t done. He decides to take matters into his own hands, unwittingly setting himself up as the next target for a ruthless killer who can’t be stopped.
A very good first read in a new series. I did enjoy it. 4*.
May 21, 2017
THE FIRST THING I LEARNED ABOUT MT PLEASANT WAS IT AIN’T THAT PLEASANT. TWO NICK’S EX-WIFE IS A BITCH & HIS DAUGHTER IS A MINNIE-ME IN THE MAKING. GEEZ! I HATED THEM BOTH, THEY WERE SO IMMATURE . . . GET OVER IT. THE BACKGROUND STORY WAS VERY INFORMATIVE JUST ENOUGH TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE CHARACTERS BEHAVIOR. GREAT READ, I ENJOYED. ;D
November 21, 2019
A First Rate Mystery
Plot twists and guessing who the murderer was in the extensive story was compelling.A Tad too much attention to domestic and personal relationships slowed the pace of the murder mystery.
Plot twists and guessing who the murderer was in the extensive story was compelling.A Tad too much attention to domestic and personal relationships slowed the pace of the murder mystery.
June 16, 2017
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
I could not finish this book, it didn't appeal to me.
I could not finish this book, it didn't appeal to me.
July 14, 2017
loved it, kept me entertained til the end. A must read for mystery lovers!
March 24, 2018
Only One Will Fall is the first book in the Nick Cross Mysteries series written by author Ruth Bainbridge. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
March 3, 2019
Very good book. Interesting from the start and never got dull. I don't know if I've ever read a Nick Cross book before but this will not be my last. Read it, I think you'll enjoy the suspense.
September 2, 2019
Only One Will Fall
Excellent suspenseful crime thriller. Kept me guessing until the every end. Good characters who bring the story to life. Very entertaining and interesting.
Excellent suspenseful crime thriller. Kept me guessing until the every end. Good characters who bring the story to life. Very entertaining and interesting.
September 10, 2019
Very good
This book kept me guessing all the way through, and they were wrong. It will keep you on the edge.
This book kept me guessing all the way through, and they were wrong. It will keep you on the edge.
September 27, 2019
Edge of my seat
The twists and turns just kept coming. Liked that he had a life outside his job, even if it was a struggle. Great read.
The twists and turns just kept coming. Liked that he had a life outside his job, even if it was a struggle. Great read.
June 17, 2020
Lots of Twists and Turns
This story really kept the pages turning, the mind working, and the reader guessing!! Good job on an excellent read!
This story really kept the pages turning, the mind working, and the reader guessing!! Good job on an excellent read!
June 24, 2020
Good book
It was a good book had no idea who it was till almost the end. Good characters. Good book to read
It was a good book had no idea who it was till almost the end. Good characters. Good book to read
July 20, 2021
Made it to page 8. Just another sex sells books I guess
November 16, 2021
Great police thriller
This book kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of action and suspense. Loved the main character Nick. Can't wait to read the next book.
This book kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of action and suspense. Loved the main character Nick. Can't wait to read the next book.
January 25, 2024
Good mystery
It was a good mystery. Dragged in a few places but otherwise a good read. Would read more from this author.
It was a good mystery. Dragged in a few places but otherwise a good read. Would read more from this author.
November 19, 2018
Ruth Bainbridge gives us another detective to love - Nick Cross. This is the first of 2 books featuring Cross, and I enjoyed and recommend both immensely. Great read if you are a mystery lover. Hoping this author continues with many more of these.
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December 19, 2018very good
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews