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Rapid Falls
Forgive and forget? The past and present collide for two sisters who survived a tragedy—and must now survive the truth behind it.
It’s been twenty years since Cara’s boyfriend died in a horrible accident and her sister, Anna, went to prison. The tragedy has become a local legend, but Cara has moved past her grief to have a successful career and a happy family. Pity about Anna. Recently released from incarceration, she’s struggling with addiction, guilt, and shame—a shattered life. Cara’s forgiveness seems to be the only thing that helps her pick up the pieces.
But as Anna pulls herself together, her memories of that night on the bridge start to come into focus. And few of them match her sister’s.
As past secrets unfold and nothing is what it seems anymore, Anna desperately searches for the truth. But what if Cara doesn’t want her to find it?
It’s been twenty years since Cara’s boyfriend died in a horrible accident and her sister, Anna, went to prison. The tragedy has become a local legend, but Cara has moved past her grief to have a successful career and a happy family. Pity about Anna. Recently released from incarceration, she’s struggling with addiction, guilt, and shame—a shattered life. Cara’s forgiveness seems to be the only thing that helps her pick up the pieces.
But as Anna pulls herself together, her memories of that night on the bridge start to come into focus. And few of them match her sister’s.
As past secrets unfold and nothing is what it seems anymore, Anna desperately searches for the truth. But what if Cara doesn’t want her to find it?
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2018
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6758 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 742 reviews
May 4, 2019
4.0 Stars — I decided to read “Rapid Falls” by Amber Crowie as a changeup to an author and book I knew nothing about. “Rapid Falls” tells the story of Cara who tragically lost her boyfriend, Jessie, in a wreck on prom night twenty years ago. The driver of the vehicle was Cara’s sister, Anna, who remembers nothing about the wreck and has not coped well with the guilt involved in surviving the tragedy. In fact, she is a mess who is an alcoholic, with all of the problems that come with that designation, during the 20 years since the wreck. I really enjoy good books totally written from one character’s perspective, and this definitely qualifies as such. Both the story of the tragic accident, as well as the life of Cara in the present, are told in a way that builds suspense and reveals secrets that you don’t see coming. The author also does an excellent job keeping the reader in suspense as to who to root for and the motives of the characters. Very impressed and a strong recommendation from me.
September 18, 2018
My immediate thought after finishing this was, now THAT is how you write a psychological thriller! I’m blown away that this is a debut, Cowie’s writing is polished and sharp and she plotted one hell of a story, if this is how she begins her career as an author I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
This follows two sisters, Anna and Cara and flips between the late nineties and 2016. The girls were in high school in 1997 and were both in a tragic accident that killed Cara’s boyfriend. Anna’s life went down the drain afterwards, she spent time in prison and developed an alcohol addiction while Cara moved on and has a picture perfect life with her husband and daughter. Two very different outcomes and both women were interesting and complex.
The events leading up to the accident are slowly revealed in alternating chapters as you begin to piece together what really happened. Let me tell you, I thought I knew what happened and I was way off, this had a good reveal, a twist if you wanna call it that but it’s not a book that’s solely dependent on a shocking twist but instead was awesome all the way through. If you can’t tell, I loved this one and highly recommend it to thriller fans!
This follows two sisters, Anna and Cara and flips between the late nineties and 2016. The girls were in high school in 1997 and were both in a tragic accident that killed Cara’s boyfriend. Anna’s life went down the drain afterwards, she spent time in prison and developed an alcohol addiction while Cara moved on and has a picture perfect life with her husband and daughter. Two very different outcomes and both women were interesting and complex.
The events leading up to the accident are slowly revealed in alternating chapters as you begin to piece together what really happened. Let me tell you, I thought I knew what happened and I was way off, this had a good reveal, a twist if you wanna call it that but it’s not a book that’s solely dependent on a shocking twist but instead was awesome all the way through. If you can’t tell, I loved this one and highly recommend it to thriller fans!
December 9, 2018
Why do I keep doing this to myself?
Upon reading the blurb for this book I immediately had a suspicion of what the entire plot would revolve around, including the so-called twist. Then I thought no way, it would be ridiculous to write a book that holds no mystery between it's covers. I mean, why would you write it? Why would anyone want to read it? That's preposterous, right?
So my next thought was wow, this book must have a twisty dark plot, the description only SEEMS straightforward. It's a trick! A sleight of hand! I'm about to be blown away!!
*exasperated sighhhhhhh*
Again, why do I keep doing this to myself?
This was my Amazon First Reads choice for November 2018.
Also...
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Upon reading the blurb for this book I immediately had a suspicion of what the entire plot would revolve around, including the so-called twist. Then I thought no way, it would be ridiculous to write a book that holds no mystery between it's covers. I mean, why would you write it? Why would anyone want to read it? That's preposterous, right?
So my next thought was wow, this book must have a twisty dark plot, the description only SEEMS straightforward. It's a trick! A sleight of hand! I'm about to be blown away!!
*exasperated sighhhhhhh*
Again, why do I keep doing this to myself?
This was my Amazon First Reads choice for November 2018.
Also...
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2018
Cara and Anna are sisters and rivals. They are in constant competition for attention whether it be from their parents, boys, sports, or friends.
Cara is thrilled that prom night and graduation are fast approaching. On the night of prom, however, a terrible tragedy occurs. Anna, the younger sister, promised to be the designated driver for Cara and her longtime boyfriend Jesse. So how is it that their car went off the road plunging to the river below? Jesse dies, Anna went to jail, and Cara was forced to move on with her life.
Now happily married and with a daughter of her own Cara resents the fact that she is still, after all these years, having to take care of Anna. Anna has suffered from depression as well as an addiction to drugs and alcohol since being released from jail years ago. After her most recent suicide attempt she is hospitalized in a psychiatric ward where a therapist starts to finally scratch at the surface of Anna's depression. With the help of this therapist Anna has finally begun to remember the night in question.
If I had to use on word to describe this book it is this: Predictable. I had this one figured out very early on. I kept hoping that I was wrong but, alas, I was not. Another gripe I had with this one was that depending on which chapter you were reading the accident either happened on prom night or graduation night. At one point toward the very end it said it was both graduation night and prom night on the very same page? How does that even work? This kept grinding my gears from one chapter to the next. Like, make up your mind and why did an editor not notice this? The ending, for me, left much to be desired. Rats! Onto the next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Cara is thrilled that prom night and graduation are fast approaching. On the night of prom, however, a terrible tragedy occurs. Anna, the younger sister, promised to be the designated driver for Cara and her longtime boyfriend Jesse. So how is it that their car went off the road plunging to the river below? Jesse dies, Anna went to jail, and Cara was forced to move on with her life.
Now happily married and with a daughter of her own Cara resents the fact that she is still, after all these years, having to take care of Anna. Anna has suffered from depression as well as an addiction to drugs and alcohol since being released from jail years ago. After her most recent suicide attempt she is hospitalized in a psychiatric ward where a therapist starts to finally scratch at the surface of Anna's depression. With the help of this therapist Anna has finally begun to remember the night in question.
If I had to use on word to describe this book it is this: Predictable. I had this one figured out very early on. I kept hoping that I was wrong but, alas, I was not. Another gripe I had with this one was that depending on which chapter you were reading the accident either happened on prom night or graduation night. At one point toward the very end it said it was both graduation night and prom night on the very same page? How does that even work? This kept grinding my gears from one chapter to the next. Like, make up your mind and why did an editor not notice this? The ending, for me, left much to be desired. Rats! Onto the next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 7, 2018
Hypnotic and darkly twisted, Rapid Falls is the true definition of a page-turner. It’s so compelling that you will not want to put it down. Cowie’s smart storytelling and mesmerizing prose paints a stunning debut, making it one of my favorite psychological thrillers of the year.
November 24, 2018
Twenty years ago, a tragic accident killed Cara's boyfriend. Cara's sister Anna was driving. They were teenagers at the time, and Cara and Anna's lives went in very different directions following the accident. Anna has suffered with guilt and shame for years, and uses alcohol and drugs to ease her pain. Cara moved on, and now has a husband, child, and a successful career. When Anna starts to ask questions about the night of the accident, Cara takes measures to make sure her sister doesn't remember what happened.
The story is told from Anna's point of view, and includes the present day story plus flashbacks to when they were teenagers. I absolutely loathed Anna. She is manipulative and self-serving. Cara is harder to explain. She's self-destructive, which I don't like, but she also has struggled with guilt for years, so I felt for her. The sisters have a complicated relationship, where they don't necessarily like one another, but they rely on each other.
A twisted psychological thriller. Dark, dramatic, and complex.
This was my pick for Amazon's First Reads in November 2018.
The story is told from Anna's point of view, and includes the present day story plus flashbacks to when they were teenagers. I absolutely loathed Anna. She is manipulative and self-serving. Cara is harder to explain. She's self-destructive, which I don't like, but she also has struggled with guilt for years, so I felt for her. The sisters have a complicated relationship, where they don't necessarily like one another, but they rely on each other.
A twisted psychological thriller. Dark, dramatic, and complex.
This was my pick for Amazon's First Reads in November 2018.
December 2, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Rapid Falls by Amber Cowie had a slower pace than I was expecting, but WOW. The story kept me interested the entire time and it was a bit like watching a train wreck.
What it's about: Anna and Cara are sisters, and much to Cara's annoyance Anna seems to want everything she has. When Anna kills Cara's high school boyfriend on graduation night in a car accident, the family basically falls apart. Anna goes to prison for 3 years and their parents get a divorce; plus the story becomes a town legend and most occupants no longer want anything to do with the family. Flash forward 20 years later and Cara has a successful career and a seemingly perfect marriage that includes a little girl named Maggie. But Anna is a mess; she is an alcoholic that can never seem to stay sober for long and a string of bad boyfriends. Cara does the best she can to help Anna, but it never seems to straighten her out. But now Anna has a bigger problem as she starts to remember bits and pieces of the night she killed Cara's boyfriend. Buried secrets are all about to come out in this psychological thriller.
Rapid Falls is told all from the viewpoint of Cara who is the older of the sisters. This book is definitely mostly a character study, besides being a psychological thriller to the max. Cara is a very unlikable character that has pettiness, jealousy, and overall obnoxiousness as a few of her major qualities. But for some reason I was fascinated by reading from her perspective. She is that character that you love to hate. I actually didn't really care for Anna either, and I'm not sure I loved any of the characters, but this was not a problem at all.
Even though the pacing was on the slower side, I was still majorly drawn into the story and had a hard time putting it down. There is so much deceit and lies, and the plot is a tangled web that slowly unravels. I also loved that the book moves between different time frames as you slowly get a full picture of what happened in the past. I have a feeling there will be some kerfuffle surrounding the ending for people, but I was satisfied with it and very intrigued with how Cowie pulled everything together. There aren't really any *major* twists, but you do get a couple surprises.
Final Thought: I am shocked that this is a debut novel because it was that good. Cowie is an amazing writer that managed to pull me into a slower paced book with no problem. If you like psychological thrillers and don't mind a slower pace I would definitely recommend checking this one out!
A special thank you to Amber Cowie for sending me a signed copy of her book. Also, thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rapid Falls by Amber Cowie had a slower pace than I was expecting, but WOW. The story kept me interested the entire time and it was a bit like watching a train wreck.
What it's about: Anna and Cara are sisters, and much to Cara's annoyance Anna seems to want everything she has. When Anna kills Cara's high school boyfriend on graduation night in a car accident, the family basically falls apart. Anna goes to prison for 3 years and their parents get a divorce; plus the story becomes a town legend and most occupants no longer want anything to do with the family. Flash forward 20 years later and Cara has a successful career and a seemingly perfect marriage that includes a little girl named Maggie. But Anna is a mess; she is an alcoholic that can never seem to stay sober for long and a string of bad boyfriends. Cara does the best she can to help Anna, but it never seems to straighten her out. But now Anna has a bigger problem as she starts to remember bits and pieces of the night she killed Cara's boyfriend. Buried secrets are all about to come out in this psychological thriller.
Rapid Falls is told all from the viewpoint of Cara who is the older of the sisters. This book is definitely mostly a character study, besides being a psychological thriller to the max. Cara is a very unlikable character that has pettiness, jealousy, and overall obnoxiousness as a few of her major qualities. But for some reason I was fascinated by reading from her perspective. She is that character that you love to hate. I actually didn't really care for Anna either, and I'm not sure I loved any of the characters, but this was not a problem at all.
Even though the pacing was on the slower side, I was still majorly drawn into the story and had a hard time putting it down. There is so much deceit and lies, and the plot is a tangled web that slowly unravels. I also loved that the book moves between different time frames as you slowly get a full picture of what happened in the past. I have a feeling there will be some kerfuffle surrounding the ending for people, but I was satisfied with it and very intrigued with how Cowie pulled everything together. There aren't really any *major* twists, but you do get a couple surprises.
Final Thought: I am shocked that this is a debut novel because it was that good. Cowie is an amazing writer that managed to pull me into a slower paced book with no problem. If you like psychological thrillers and don't mind a slower pace I would definitely recommend checking this one out!
A special thank you to Amber Cowie for sending me a signed copy of her book. Also, thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 3, 2018
Oh, the misery! That about covers the mood of this story and my mood while reading it.
The writing is fine. I was initially pulled into the story, but it derailed pretty quickly.
For starters, the timeline is all over the place. The chapters alternate between 2016 (present) and 1997. The present timeline is told in first person present tense, and the 1997 chapters are told in first person past tense. That would have worked out fine had we stuck to those two timelines. But within the present tense, we have a constant, mind-numbing amount of flashback scenes going back to Cara's early teens. We actually spend very little time in the present. Much of this book reads like a YA novel starring a prickly, jealous teen.
To further complicate matters, the content is repetitive and full of dull, unnecessary detail. One-quarter into the book and I was already skimming multiple scenes.
Cara is not a likable character, making it difficult to spend an entire book with her. None of the other characters are well developed. We only get to know them through the narrow spectrum of Cara's viewpoint. She is not a person with much insight into or interest in other people, and so we're left with a lot of vague side characters who simply fill a necessary role in Cara's life.
The pace is maddeningly slow, largely due to all the repetition and flashback scenes.
The story is more uncomfortable angst than suspense. Nothing surprising happens. Clues are like flashing neon signs, making it difficult not to see the truth within the lies Cara spins. Some things happen at the end that made me shake my head. Despite all the time spent in Cara's childhood, the reasons behind the family dynamics are never properly fleshed out.
While I figured out the "who" and "why" early on, I made it to the end because I wanted to know the "how". I was also hoping for a big revelation from Anna to knock this story off its predictable path. I was disappointed on both counts.
The ending made me want to slap Cara's husband and father for being complete morons.
And, so, clearly I didn't enjoy the story. But reviews are just opinions, and you might have an entirely different reading experience.
The writing is fine. I was initially pulled into the story, but it derailed pretty quickly.
For starters, the timeline is all over the place. The chapters alternate between 2016 (present) and 1997. The present timeline is told in first person present tense, and the 1997 chapters are told in first person past tense. That would have worked out fine had we stuck to those two timelines. But within the present tense, we have a constant, mind-numbing amount of flashback scenes going back to Cara's early teens. We actually spend very little time in the present. Much of this book reads like a YA novel starring a prickly, jealous teen.
To further complicate matters, the content is repetitive and full of dull, unnecessary detail. One-quarter into the book and I was already skimming multiple scenes.
Cara is not a likable character, making it difficult to spend an entire book with her. None of the other characters are well developed. We only get to know them through the narrow spectrum of Cara's viewpoint. She is not a person with much insight into or interest in other people, and so we're left with a lot of vague side characters who simply fill a necessary role in Cara's life.
The pace is maddeningly slow, largely due to all the repetition and flashback scenes.
The story is more uncomfortable angst than suspense. Nothing surprising happens. Clues are like flashing neon signs, making it difficult not to see the truth within the lies Cara spins. Some things happen at the end that made me shake my head. Despite all the time spent in Cara's childhood, the reasons behind the family dynamics are never properly fleshed out.
While I figured out the "who" and "why" early on, I made it to the end because I wanted to know the "how". I was also hoping for a big revelation from Anna to knock this story off its predictable path. I was disappointed on both counts.
The ending made me want to slap Cara's husband and father for being complete morons.
And, so, clearly I didn't enjoy the story. But reviews are just opinions, and you might have an entirely different reading experience.
December 1, 2018
Q & A Elevator Ride Interview with author, Amber Cowie. Fun and informative. Learn exclusive "behind-the-scenes details about #RAPIDFALLS and this new sensational thriller author! Dec 1. 💕 Thank you, Amber!
Terrifying and satisfying! 5 Stars + Debut novelist Amber Cowie delivers a “knockout” —dark and gripping new suspense novel of sibling rivalry (on steroids) and what happens when greed and jealousy take control. Two sisters with twisted relationships and long-buried secrets are at the heart of this smashing debut.
An intriguing "killer" psychological thriller— RAPID FALLS examines the explosive potential of dark secrets to destroy families, sisters, marriages, and everyone near to them. The author slowly and expertly reveals the (chillingly-real) truth that could be ripped from today's headlines.
Where nothing is as it appears.
Rich in place and character— loaded with lyrical prose and stunning metaphors. Complex and profoundly emotional, there is much beneath the surface of this domestic psychological suspense.
Two sisters are coping with the aftermath of a tragedy. However which sister is more sinister and evil? A dangerous game of cat and mouse betrayal where there may be no winners.
Meet the Piper family.
They are a family of four living in a small town of Rapid Falls. As small towns go, everyone knows everyone else’s business. Besides, the town has only one entry, a bridge over the Rapid Falls. A town named after its waterfalls. Most teens want to escape for a bigger and better life. How do they go about achieving this goal?
RAPID FALLS is written with two timelines: 1992-1997 and 2016-2017. Two sisters are craving attention. It all started with prom night. When past and present collide, the sparks ignite.
Cara and Anna. It was Cara’s prom night, and she has convinced Anna her sister to be their designated driver. Jesse was the town athlete and Cara’s boyfriend. After all, Anna was going to film school and Cara and Jesse would be getting on with their future.
However, things are not as they seem on the surface. Everyone is keeping secrets. That night ended in tragedy. Anna sent to prison for the death of Jesse (Cara’s boyfriend). There was a fatal car accident, and Cara saved Anna from the water and from drowning.
A family imploding.
Now, fast forward Anna has been released from prison and has a drinking problem. She is back living with her dad. She is self-destructive. Her dad has also turned into an alcoholic, and the mom left them behind for a better life. What happened to this family?
The town shuns Anna. She has served time for murder. A town favorite now dead.
Cara for some reason is always there to help rescue her. She has moved away. Married the rich guy, Rick. (she does not tell him about her past). She has a great job. The perfect life. The perfect wife. The perfect mother (Maggie). She cannot allow anything to disrupt her life.
However, Anna does not remember everything that happened that night. Cara may be hiding events of the night long ago. What if the truth is revealed? What if she remembers?
The truth is bloody good, and you will be holding your breath until the final scene! (it is a good one)! Your loyalties may change from the beginning of the book compared to the end. What happened prom night so long ago, and how far will one go to hide the truth?
WOW! Complex and emotional. From tough love, sibling rivalry, resentments, betrayal, obsessions, narcissism, alcoholism, addictions, dysfunction, denial, selfishness, jealousy, love, hatred, fear, lies, secrets, tragedy, revenge, survival, plus more. 🏆
Where nothing is as it appears in this twisty psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages to the explosive “hold your breath” conclusion (literally edge of a cliff).
Being true to one’s self. Duality plays a big part in the narrative, making this an ideal choice for book clubs and further group discussions. (a great reader group guide included). Rock-star quality writing.
I really enjoyed the strong metaphors as relates to water, the characters, and the town of Rapid Falls. Just as waterfalls can be beautiful, peaceful and mesmerizing; they can also be dangerous. As can be humans, animals, and families. They can turn toxic— a sharp contrast between good and evil (as the sisters). Darkness and light.
Cowie’s skillful characterization and her shocking final twist make this a “must read” standout debut suspense thriller, landing on my Top Books of 2018. You will be shocked to learn this is a debut. We can only imagine what is to come. 😍
An author to follow (she is so much fun on social media). RAPID FALLS is prime for the big or small screen. (fingers crossed) Delighted to learn there will be more books coming soon!
Upcoming: Read all the juicy details, and the inspiration behind RAPID FALLS. Learn more about this exciting new author with exclusive behind the scenes tidbits. Stay tuned for my extensive Q&A Elevator Ride with the Author coming Dec 1, 2019. (link to follow)
Subscribe to my Newsletter to receive top book list per month and monthly Q&A author interviews. You are going to love it!
For fans of Michele Campbell's She Was the Quiet One, Victoria Helen Stone's Jane Doe and Kaira Rouda's The Favorite Daughter.
Also, fans of AJ Banner, Mary Kubica, T.Greenwood, and Heather Gudenkauf (some of my favorites) will enjoy this one. Move this author and RAPID FALLS to the top of your reading list! PS: The hardcover is stunning!
JDCMustReadBooks
Terrifying and satisfying! 5 Stars + Debut novelist Amber Cowie delivers a “knockout” —dark and gripping new suspense novel of sibling rivalry (on steroids) and what happens when greed and jealousy take control. Two sisters with twisted relationships and long-buried secrets are at the heart of this smashing debut.
An intriguing "killer" psychological thriller— RAPID FALLS examines the explosive potential of dark secrets to destroy families, sisters, marriages, and everyone near to them. The author slowly and expertly reveals the (chillingly-real) truth that could be ripped from today's headlines.
Where nothing is as it appears.
Rich in place and character— loaded with lyrical prose and stunning metaphors. Complex and profoundly emotional, there is much beneath the surface of this domestic psychological suspense.
Two sisters are coping with the aftermath of a tragedy. However which sister is more sinister and evil? A dangerous game of cat and mouse betrayal where there may be no winners.
Meet the Piper family.
They are a family of four living in a small town of Rapid Falls. As small towns go, everyone knows everyone else’s business. Besides, the town has only one entry, a bridge over the Rapid Falls. A town named after its waterfalls. Most teens want to escape for a bigger and better life. How do they go about achieving this goal?
RAPID FALLS is written with two timelines: 1992-1997 and 2016-2017. Two sisters are craving attention. It all started with prom night. When past and present collide, the sparks ignite.
Cara and Anna. It was Cara’s prom night, and she has convinced Anna her sister to be their designated driver. Jesse was the town athlete and Cara’s boyfriend. After all, Anna was going to film school and Cara and Jesse would be getting on with their future.
However, things are not as they seem on the surface. Everyone is keeping secrets. That night ended in tragedy. Anna sent to prison for the death of Jesse (Cara’s boyfriend). There was a fatal car accident, and Cara saved Anna from the water and from drowning.
A family imploding.
Now, fast forward Anna has been released from prison and has a drinking problem. She is back living with her dad. She is self-destructive. Her dad has also turned into an alcoholic, and the mom left them behind for a better life. What happened to this family?
The town shuns Anna. She has served time for murder. A town favorite now dead.
Cara for some reason is always there to help rescue her. She has moved away. Married the rich guy, Rick. (she does not tell him about her past). She has a great job. The perfect life. The perfect wife. The perfect mother (Maggie). She cannot allow anything to disrupt her life.
However, Anna does not remember everything that happened that night. Cara may be hiding events of the night long ago. What if the truth is revealed? What if she remembers?
The truth is bloody good, and you will be holding your breath until the final scene! (it is a good one)! Your loyalties may change from the beginning of the book compared to the end. What happened prom night so long ago, and how far will one go to hide the truth?
WOW! Complex and emotional. From tough love, sibling rivalry, resentments, betrayal, obsessions, narcissism, alcoholism, addictions, dysfunction, denial, selfishness, jealousy, love, hatred, fear, lies, secrets, tragedy, revenge, survival, plus more. 🏆
Where nothing is as it appears in this twisty psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages to the explosive “hold your breath” conclusion (literally edge of a cliff).
Being true to one’s self. Duality plays a big part in the narrative, making this an ideal choice for book clubs and further group discussions. (a great reader group guide included). Rock-star quality writing.
I really enjoyed the strong metaphors as relates to water, the characters, and the town of Rapid Falls. Just as waterfalls can be beautiful, peaceful and mesmerizing; they can also be dangerous. As can be humans, animals, and families. They can turn toxic— a sharp contrast between good and evil (as the sisters). Darkness and light.
Cowie’s skillful characterization and her shocking final twist make this a “must read” standout debut suspense thriller, landing on my Top Books of 2018. You will be shocked to learn this is a debut. We can only imagine what is to come. 😍
An author to follow (she is so much fun on social media). RAPID FALLS is prime for the big or small screen. (fingers crossed) Delighted to learn there will be more books coming soon!
"RAVEN LANE (2019) and THE MINES (2020). Both are in the domestic suspense genre and focus on strong, but surprisingly complex, female narrators that find themselves in extremely complicated relationships with their loved ones and the world at large."
Upcoming: Read all the juicy details, and the inspiration behind RAPID FALLS. Learn more about this exciting new author with exclusive behind the scenes tidbits. Stay tuned for my extensive Q&A Elevator Ride with the Author coming Dec 1, 2019. (link to follow)
Subscribe to my Newsletter to receive top book list per month and monthly Q&A author interviews. You are going to love it!
For fans of Michele Campbell's She Was the Quiet One, Victoria Helen Stone's Jane Doe and Kaira Rouda's The Favorite Daughter.
Also, fans of AJ Banner, Mary Kubica, T.Greenwood, and Heather Gudenkauf (some of my favorites) will enjoy this one. Move this author and RAPID FALLS to the top of your reading list! PS: The hardcover is stunning!
JDCMustReadBooks
May 31, 2018
In Rapid Falls, everyone is the good guy in their own story. Like a spider spinning a web, Ms. Cowie skillfully takes this notion and elevates it to a fantastically dark and dizzying place. Say goodbye to any preconceived ideas about sisterhood, the power of grudges, or happily ever after, because this book will sweep them away and leave you gasping for more.
August 20, 2020
Cleverly plotted and utterly compelling, Rapid Falls is that rare story where you root for every single character - even those who may be the worst people of all. It's sharply insightful while still being compassionate; creepy, while still being a beautiful exploration of a sister relationship, and it beats with a dark, atmospheric heart. I loved every second it it and found myself completely stunned by an ending that shocked me, yet was so profoundly perfect.
A twisty, ingenious thrill ride about sibling rivalry, obsession, and the power of first love.
A twisty, ingenious thrill ride about sibling rivalry, obsession, and the power of first love.
November 14, 2018
I rarely rate anything this low but the obvious plot (it showed up about 1/4 the way through) and the quick descent of the heroine from victim to victimizer made it a really unpleasant read. I only kept on because I thought there might be a big reveal or plot twist. There wasn't. Ugh. Cara is a horrible sister, daughter, girlfriend, wife and employee. Oh and a terrible friend too. I was really rooting for someone - even her dad - to push her off the damn cliff and save the book. The only people that were at all likeable were dead. Thankfully it was a free book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2018
Wow! Dark and twisted sibling rivalry in my pick for this month's Amazon First Reads. Excellent reading group questions at the end as well.
December 9, 2018
That ending!!
Wow, that was not what I was expecting. This was my Kindle First choice and I really enjoyed it. 2 sisters, so different from each other all hiding secrets.
Wow, that was not what I was expecting. This was my Kindle First choice and I really enjoyed it. 2 sisters, so different from each other all hiding secrets.
February 15, 2019
This is a single sit-through super well-written story of sibling rivalry that's neither about whathappened, not how, but more importantly how it felt all the way through: before and after.
I think this synopsis is so all-encompassing that the plot becomes self-explanatory. Not much left for guessing. No plot twists - so if you're into only that, this book will not be properly appreciated.
This is a story of two girls, three lovers, a family whose lives will never be the same, and a beautiful waterfall that will keep their secrets forever.
From personal experience, I can say that I sympathized with many aspects and characteristics of this book. Sibling rivalry, as trivial as it might sound, or as pathetic if you think about the reasons behind it, can really ruin one's life.
After all, it is one of the main subjects in all the ancient literature, the wars, conquering of lands and power. There's often someone who's simply jealous of what his bloodline have done better or faster.
It's so silly. Also powerful and brilliant material for a murder mystery.
Amber Cowie has worked through a long string of carefully detailed emotions describing the events of before and after the night that changed many lives forever.
Captivating and addictive! Superb for readers of psychological domestic suspense. This book was truly heartfelt and I can only hope NOT written based on any personal experiences.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.
I think this synopsis is so all-encompassing that the plot becomes self-explanatory. Not much left for guessing. No plot twists - so if you're into only that, this book will not be properly appreciated.
This is a story of two girls, three lovers, a family whose lives will never be the same, and a beautiful waterfall that will keep their secrets forever.
From personal experience, I can say that I sympathized with many aspects and characteristics of this book. Sibling rivalry, as trivial as it might sound, or as pathetic if you think about the reasons behind it, can really ruin one's life.
After all, it is one of the main subjects in all the ancient literature, the wars, conquering of lands and power. There's often someone who's simply jealous of what his bloodline have done better or faster.
It's so silly. Also powerful and brilliant material for a murder mystery.
Amber Cowie has worked through a long string of carefully detailed emotions describing the events of before and after the night that changed many lives forever.
Captivating and addictive! Superb for readers of psychological domestic suspense. This book was truly heartfelt and I can only hope NOT written based on any personal experiences.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.
July 26, 2018
"Proof is not the same as knowing."
This quote will probably be best understood at the end of this remarkable book. It is indeed an amazing novel- intriguing plot, splendidly written, unusual characters and a definite page turner.
It is basically a story of a dysfunctional family. Selfishness, anger, hatred, jealously and betrayal are fostered by their inability to communicate truthfully with each other. Alcoholism and sibling rivalry add to the stress and eventually help to lead to the staggering tragedy that will haunt the family and the town of Rapid Falls and never really be resolved. Actually there is more than one tragedy that is not even recognized.
There are so many twists in this plot, so be prepared to stay glued to the book. Not only is this an engrossing story, it has a moral or two we can learn from: honesty, acceptance, and self knowledge to name just a few.
Excellent!!
This quote will probably be best understood at the end of this remarkable book. It is indeed an amazing novel- intriguing plot, splendidly written, unusual characters and a definite page turner.
It is basically a story of a dysfunctional family. Selfishness, anger, hatred, jealously and betrayal are fostered by their inability to communicate truthfully with each other. Alcoholism and sibling rivalry add to the stress and eventually help to lead to the staggering tragedy that will haunt the family and the town of Rapid Falls and never really be resolved. Actually there is more than one tragedy that is not even recognized.
There are so many twists in this plot, so be prepared to stay glued to the book. Not only is this an engrossing story, it has a moral or two we can learn from: honesty, acceptance, and self knowledge to name just a few.
Excellent!!
September 25, 2018
Family drama, hidden secrets, dual timelines ... what more could you ask for?!
Cara Piper’s high school boyfriend drowned in a car accident the night of their graduation - but - her sister Anna was driving the car...
This plot point intrigued me instantly (and is revealed very early so is not a spoiler) - especially since 20 years later, the relationship between the sisters is definitely unique. Anna struggles with addiction after the accident and Cara is always saving her ... but at what cost? What toll has the accident taken on all the members of the Piper family and the town of Rapid Falls? This story unwinds so fast you will be on the edge of your seat with excitement and speeding to get to the next chapter!
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Cara Piper’s high school boyfriend drowned in a car accident the night of their graduation - but - her sister Anna was driving the car...
This plot point intrigued me instantly (and is revealed very early so is not a spoiler) - especially since 20 years later, the relationship between the sisters is definitely unique. Anna struggles with addiction after the accident and Cara is always saving her ... but at what cost? What toll has the accident taken on all the members of the Piper family and the town of Rapid Falls? This story unwinds so fast you will be on the edge of your seat with excitement and speeding to get to the next chapter!
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
December 3, 2018
Friendly competition is often used as a motivator, but in this dark and twisted tale of jealousy and revenge, sibling rivalry turns deadly. Sisters, Cara and Anna, are obsessed with being their parents’ favorite and will do anything to retain that status. A terrible car accident occurred on Cara's high school gradation night leaving her boyfriend, Jesse, dead... but what really happened that fateful night? Will the truth ever be revealed?
”I was trying to help her. That’s what good sisters do.”
I enjoyed the writing style of this debut author, but unfortunately, I had a difficult time connecting with the sisters because they were both so extremely jealous, flawed, and unlikable. In addition, there was way too much alcohol and drug use for me (although I do get that the alcohol and drugs were, in essence, their own evil characters and provided a means to an end). With that being said, many kudos to this debut author for the twisty, dark, and unpredictable ending! In addition, she absolutely nailed the unreliable narrator, and I look forward to more from her.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Location: Rapid Falls (If a state was mentioned, I didn't catch it)
”I was trying to help her. That’s what good sisters do.”
I enjoyed the writing style of this debut author, but unfortunately, I had a difficult time connecting with the sisters because they were both so extremely jealous, flawed, and unlikable. In addition, there was way too much alcohol and drug use for me (although I do get that the alcohol and drugs were, in essence, their own evil characters and provided a means to an end). With that being said, many kudos to this debut author for the twisty, dark, and unpredictable ending! In addition, she absolutely nailed the unreliable narrator, and I look forward to more from her.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Location: Rapid Falls (If a state was mentioned, I didn't catch it)
December 14, 2018
Stunning Debut!
This was an up all night thriller about two sisters so twisted up in lies and jealousy. I loved it! It left me deeply wounded and so full of emotions that were hard to shake. I can't believe this is a debut. It's perfect from cover to cover. We voted it Best Debut 2018. Novels & Latte Book Club.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
This was an up all night thriller about two sisters so twisted up in lies and jealousy. I loved it! It left me deeply wounded and so full of emotions that were hard to shake. I can't believe this is a debut. It's perfect from cover to cover. We voted it Best Debut 2018. Novels & Latte Book Club.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
December 7, 2018
Nicely written debut about sibling rivalry, the conundrums of parenting and one woman's uncanny ability to paint her own reality...this was an ok listen/read. It lacked suspense and any sense of mystery for me. Too predictable, but the characterization of the female protagonist from whose POV the story is told was well done and pretty entertaining. Didn't like the ending.
November 4, 2018
For months I’ve chosen terrible books for my free Amazon choice. RAPID FALLS makes up for my poor choices. Five well-deserved stars.
In 1997, driving drunk, Anna kills her sister Cara’s boyfriend on graduation night. Now in 2016 Anna struggles to maintain her sobriety relying on Cara to bail her out.
RAPID FALLS is the best kind of psychological thriller. Cara appears to have it all, a great husband and toddler daughter. She has survived losing her boyfriend, the guy she thought she’d marry. Or has she? Are their cracks in her perfect facade? Amber has been drunk most of her life since spending three years in prison for Jesse’s death.
I thought I knew where RAPID FALLS was taking me. Amber Cowie’s mind is far more dark and twisty than I even imagined. I will look for more of Cowie’s books in the future. #RapidFalls
In 1997, driving drunk, Anna kills her sister Cara’s boyfriend on graduation night. Now in 2016 Anna struggles to maintain her sobriety relying on Cara to bail her out.
RAPID FALLS is the best kind of psychological thriller. Cara appears to have it all, a great husband and toddler daughter. She has survived losing her boyfriend, the guy she thought she’d marry. Or has she? Are their cracks in her perfect facade? Amber has been drunk most of her life since spending three years in prison for Jesse’s death.
I thought I knew where RAPID FALLS was taking me. Amber Cowie’s mind is far more dark and twisty than I even imagined. I will look for more of Cowie’s books in the future. #RapidFalls
December 1, 2018
Wow, this is a real psychological thriller, alternating between two time periods, twenty years apart. Sisters, Cara and Anna are in a fatal accident that claims the life of Cara’s boyfriend Jesse and Anna is charged with a felony DUI. The time frames relate incidents over the period prior, during and following the tragedy, then covers twenty years later, as the participants continue to struggle in their lives in the aftermath.
It is a story of sibling rivalry, parental favoritism, teenage craziness and the toll bad choices take on young lives. This is a debut novel by Amber Crowe, but had all the maturity and poise of an experienced novelist. Her character development was wonderful, as we saw the growth that came from love, life and experiences, during the twenty year span. But unresolved questions involving the tragedy, have prevented those involved, from moving on. Her descriptions of the town and the scenery of Rapid Falls, made me feel as if I had been there, an observer of this bizarre tale.
The twists and turns of the story kept me reading, and anticipating the ending that was going to be a gut check, and it was!
I received this ARC from Lake Union Publishers and Net Galley and I thank them for the opportunity to read this 5 star thriller.
It is a story of sibling rivalry, parental favoritism, teenage craziness and the toll bad choices take on young lives. This is a debut novel by Amber Crowe, but had all the maturity and poise of an experienced novelist. Her character development was wonderful, as we saw the growth that came from love, life and experiences, during the twenty year span. But unresolved questions involving the tragedy, have prevented those involved, from moving on. Her descriptions of the town and the scenery of Rapid Falls, made me feel as if I had been there, an observer of this bizarre tale.
The twists and turns of the story kept me reading, and anticipating the ending that was going to be a gut check, and it was!
I received this ARC from Lake Union Publishers and Net Galley and I thank them for the opportunity to read this 5 star thriller.
July 20, 2018
Twisted debut novel! Things are not always what they seem. Cara has life all planned out after graduation...college, marriage to her boyfriend...happily ever after. But, as we all know, life never goes as planned. Family has a way of getting in the way!
Pay attention while reading this book! Ms. Cowie throws subtle hints thoughtout the story, so pay attention. Found myself a few times going back to see if I missed something. Tragic family dynamics, great character development.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Pay attention while reading this book! Ms. Cowie throws subtle hints thoughtout the story, so pay attention. Found myself a few times going back to see if I missed something. Tragic family dynamics, great character development.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 21, 2018
With the deft touch of a magician's sleight of hand, Amber Cowie spins a dark tale of deceit where it is least expected. Secrets and lies unfold in ways that leave the reader gasping. Rapid Falls is fast-paced, startling and not to be missed. A brilliant debut!
November 25, 2018
This is a twisted tale of sibling rilvery and a how one family deals when a seeming tragedy strikes at their core. Choices are made for the greater good and to mitigate the damage to all involved. The problem is the facts are not as clear as the seem and those choices will have a wider impact than any could have imagined.
This was an interesting story dealing with family dynamics and small town expectations. I didn't see all the twists coming and though my attention held to the end. I felt like something was missing. This was told from one sister's POV and maybe it would have benefitted from the other sisters as well. I found myself wanting to see the story from the other side, as well.
I love a single POV story but for me this one would have been better playing one sister's POV off the other. It was a story of sibling rilvery gone bad, so yeah, it would have added that extra layer I was missing.
This was an interesting story dealing with family dynamics and small town expectations. I didn't see all the twists coming and though my attention held to the end. I felt like something was missing. This was told from one sister's POV and maybe it would have benefitted from the other sisters as well. I found myself wanting to see the story from the other side, as well.
I love a single POV story but for me this one would have been better playing one sister's POV off the other. It was a story of sibling rilvery gone bad, so yeah, it would have added that extra layer I was missing.
January 16, 2019
rapid falls ejemplifica hasta donde pueden llegar los celos entre hermanas. una competencia feroz por la atencion de sus padres y por el amor de un chico. una historia entretenida, de esas que lees para pasar el rato.
una historia interesante, un accidente cambia por completo el destino de estas dos hermanas que , a pesar de haber ocurrido 20 años atras, todavia causa fricciones entre ellas dos. mantiene al lector entretenido durante la mayor parte de la obra.
una historia interesante, un accidente cambia por completo el destino de estas dos hermanas que , a pesar de haber ocurrido 20 años atras, todavia causa fricciones entre ellas dos. mantiene al lector entretenido durante la mayor parte de la obra.
April 16, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Wow! I loved this book! Mystery/thrillers are my favorite & this one didn’t disappoint. It’s about two sisters who went through a tragic event in their teens. There was an accident & one of the sisters accidentally killed the other’s boyfriend. It flashes back & forth from 1996 to 2016 so you can see their lives today & how everyone is still coping, to the events that unfold when they were in high school. It’s told from the point of view of Cara, the eldest sister. It’s pretty twisty & had such a crazy ending!
Wow! I loved this book! Mystery/thrillers are my favorite & this one didn’t disappoint. It’s about two sisters who went through a tragic event in their teens. There was an accident & one of the sisters accidentally killed the other’s boyfriend. It flashes back & forth from 1996 to 2016 so you can see their lives today & how everyone is still coping, to the events that unfold when they were in high school. It’s told from the point of view of Cara, the eldest sister. It’s pretty twisty & had such a crazy ending!
November 1, 2018
God, what a page-turner. Brilliant new domestic suspense. Sign me up for anything she writes forever.
January 14, 2019
What a thrilling page turning.
June 19, 2018
What a treat this book is! It drops just enough clues along the way to hint at something darker but without being at all predictable. I just had to keep turning the pages to get to the bottom of it all. The relationships between the characters are fascinating as is how they each deal with the story as it unfolds and I found my sympathies being pulled this way and that as I learned more of what had really happened. Amber Cowie also conjures up the pressures of living in a small town where everyone thinks they know your business so evocatively that I kept turning round to see who was watching me. A great read.
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