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Shadows of New York #2
Don't Look Down
From the Amazon Charts bestselling author of One Small Sacrifice, a gripping mystery about a sinister murder that everyone wants to stay buried—except one dogged NYPD detective.
Jo Greaver is a model of success. Young and ambitious, she’s built a thriving beauty business from nothing. But she has secrets she’ll do anything to keep buried. When her blackmailer offers to meet, Jo expects to pay him off—but gets a bullet instead. Bleeding and in shock, Jo flees with no one to turn to.
When NYPD detective Sheryn Sterling and her partner, Rafael Mendoza, find Andray Baxter murdered in his own home—shot through the heart—everything points to Jo as the killer. Her blood is at the scene, and so are disturbing photos of her taken as a young teen. But Sheryn has doubts. Was the kindhearted Andray really a criminal? Why did he repeatedly report finding spyware in his apartment? Was there something shady about Jo’s sister dying a year earlier?
Something’s not right, and it’s up to Sheryn to piece together the sinister puzzle, no matter the cost.
Jo Greaver is a model of success. Young and ambitious, she’s built a thriving beauty business from nothing. But she has secrets she’ll do anything to keep buried. When her blackmailer offers to meet, Jo expects to pay him off—but gets a bullet instead. Bleeding and in shock, Jo flees with no one to turn to.
When NYPD detective Sheryn Sterling and her partner, Rafael Mendoza, find Andray Baxter murdered in his own home—shot through the heart—everything points to Jo as the killer. Her blood is at the scene, and so are disturbing photos of her taken as a young teen. But Sheryn has doubts. Was the kindhearted Andray really a criminal? Why did he repeatedly report finding spyware in his apartment? Was there something shady about Jo’s sister dying a year earlier?
Something’s not right, and it’s up to Sheryn to piece together the sinister puzzle, no matter the cost.
351 pages, Hardcover
First published February 11, 2020
680 people are currently reading
2387 people want to read
About the author
Hilary Davidson
66 books580 followersHilary Davidson was a journalist before she turned to the dark side and started writing crime fiction. Her novels include the award-winning Lily Moore series—The Damage Done, The Next One to Fall, and Evil in All Its Disguises—the bestselling Shadows of New York series—One Small Sacrifice and Don’t Look Down—and the standalone novels Blood Always Tells and Her Last Breath (coming in July 2021). She is also the author of some fifty short stories. Her fiction has won two Anthony Awards, a Derringer Award, and a host of other accolades. Toronto born and raised, she moved to New York City in October 2001. She is also the author of 18 nonfiction books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
January 13, 2020
Jo Greaver is a successful businesswoman, but she’s being extorted by someone who has discovered her old secrets, and she goes to the meeting with a bag of cash and a pistol. One gunfight later and there’s a body on the floor of an apartment, and an injured Jo is on the run. For NYPD detectives Sheryn Sterling and Rafael Mendoza, this should simply be a matter of tracking down Jo, but there’s much more to this blackmail scheme than it would seem at first
This is my second Hillary Davidson novel, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s got a nicely twisty plot that doesn’t go where you think it will at first, and Sheryn continues to make for a compelling lead character in this second book in the series. There’s also nice New York vibe to the story which ranges from a decrepit apartment building to the homes of the obscenely wealthy.
This is my second Hillary Davidson novel, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s got a nicely twisty plot that doesn’t go where you think it will at first, and Sheryn continues to make for a compelling lead character in this second book in the series. There’s also nice New York vibe to the story which ranges from a decrepit apartment building to the homes of the obscenely wealthy.
September 29, 2019
The experts all say that the worst thing you can do is pay 💰 off a blackmailer. They’ll just keep coming back again and again, bleeding you for an arm, a leg, a kidney, your soul. You’ll never get rid of this pigeon. But, then again, there are things far worse than paying off a blackmailer. There are countless ways the payoff can go sour. This crime story explores one of those ways.
It is the second book in the series, easy to read and with wide appeal. And, the way this all plays out will definitely surprise you.
Not always fully realistic in its portrayal of police interrogations, cooperative witnesses, understanding of Gunshot residue tests, and more. It lacked a little in the believability scale. Nevertheless, an engaging read.
It is the second book in the series, easy to read and with wide appeal. And, the way this all plays out will definitely surprise you.
Not always fully realistic in its portrayal of police interrogations, cooperative witnesses, understanding of Gunshot residue tests, and more. It lacked a little in the believability scale. Nevertheless, an engaging read.
September 6, 2020
NYPD Detective Sheryn Sterling and her partner Detective Rafael Mendoza are called to investigate a man (Andray Baxter) murdered in his own home... shot through the heart. Prime suspect is Jo Greaver, a woman who has secrets .... but was she willing to kill to keep them hidden? And how did she also wind up with a gun shot and in shock.
BOOK BLURB - Everything points to Jo as the killer. Her blood is at the scene, and so are disturbing photos of her taken as a young teen.
Something’s not right, and it’s up to Sheryn to piece together the sinister puzzle, no matter the cost.
The suspense starts on the very first page, and the fast pace doesn't slow or stop until the final conclusion. Characters are deftly drawn and star in the intricate plot. The ending was unexpected, but satisfactory. Although second in this series, it reads easily as a stand alone. I do recommend starting with the first book, This is going to be a riveting series.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Amazon Publishing/ Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime / psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
BOOK BLURB - Everything points to Jo as the killer. Her blood is at the scene, and so are disturbing photos of her taken as a young teen.
Something’s not right, and it’s up to Sheryn to piece together the sinister puzzle, no matter the cost.
The suspense starts on the very first page, and the fast pace doesn't slow or stop until the final conclusion. Characters are deftly drawn and star in the intricate plot. The ending was unexpected, but satisfactory. Although second in this series, it reads easily as a stand alone. I do recommend starting with the first book, This is going to be a riveting series.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Amazon Publishing/ Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime / psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 12, 2020
This is the second book in the Shadows of New York series by Hilary Davidson. The series stars NYPD detective Sheryn Sterling and her partner, Rafael Mendoza. Jo Greaver is a successful businesswoman with a past. She is being blackmailed for something she has done when she was a teenager. In order to make it all go away, she meets her blackmailer and pays his $50,000. But the meeting does not go as smoothly as she hoped. In a moment of self-defense, she shoots her blackmailer and she is shot in the arm. She escapes with her life but eventually, the police catch her, and she is accused of killing Andray Baxter. When shown a picture of Andray, Jo knows that this is not the man she shot. What is going on? Who was the blackmailer and where is he?
.
This appears to be a simple case, but as Sterling and Mendoza dig in, they discover that nothing is simple. The complications pile on top of each other, making this case challenging. Who killed Andray Baxter? Is Jo Greaver innocent or guilty? What is the relationship between them?
I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. Hilary Davidson gives you just enough hints to make you believe that you have solved the mystery but then surprises you with new evidence. This book is well written, and the characters are magnificent. I recommend the series to the crime fiction lovers or for those who would like to try this genre for the first time.
🙋🏼♀️ Thank you, Thomas Allen & Son for sending me an ARC of this thrilling novel. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 by Hilary Davidson is now available at your favourite bookstore.
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February 18, 2020
Second in a series and I didn't read the first - it reads well as a standalone.
What I liked: engaging story that runs at a moderate speed.
What I didn't like: not fully believable in the procedural aspect of it comparatively to other procedurals I've read. Repetitiveness. Somewhat forced dialogue with the underlay of "lesson" that seemed unnecessary in how it was portrayed.
Overall, a decent and fun read but towards the end I wasn't as engaged as I was in the beginning. Don't think I'll be continuing the series.
For those who don't read a ton of procedurals and want an interesting mystery, this will be entertaining.
2.5 stars
What I liked: engaging story that runs at a moderate speed.
What I didn't like: not fully believable in the procedural aspect of it comparatively to other procedurals I've read. Repetitiveness. Somewhat forced dialogue with the underlay of "lesson" that seemed unnecessary in how it was portrayed.
Overall, a decent and fun read but towards the end I wasn't as engaged as I was in the beginning. Don't think I'll be continuing the series.
For those who don't read a ton of procedurals and want an interesting mystery, this will be entertaining.
2.5 stars
March 26, 2020
Wow! Don’t think I’ve ever read a crime thriller so fast. Won’t give a spoiler, but The Who Dunnit has you guessing until the very last page.
I did not read the prequel to this book, but I was not lost at all. It was good as a stand-alone. Would absolutely recommend to lovers of crime books. Very fast paced.
I did not read the prequel to this book, but I was not lost at all. It was good as a stand-alone. Would absolutely recommend to lovers of crime books. Very fast paced.
December 31, 2019
If you haven't read the first book in the series, you should read it as soon as possible.
Don't look down is another great book by the author and a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the pages.
I enjoyed the characters and their interactions and banter, it felt so much like an Law and Order episode or any CSI one because it's a well written story with so many twists and turns that will unfold one by one and I was thinking that I may know who the blackmailer is but apparently I didn't knew anything because the author has the ability to make you guess until the end of the book.
A very good suspenseful and criminal procedure story that many will enjoy.
Don't look down is another great book by the author and a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the pages.
I enjoyed the characters and their interactions and banter, it felt so much like an Law and Order episode or any CSI one because it's a well written story with so many twists and turns that will unfold one by one and I was thinking that I may know who the blackmailer is but apparently I didn't knew anything because the author has the ability to make you guess until the end of the book.
A very good suspenseful and criminal procedure story that many will enjoy.
January 12, 2020
After reading and loving One Small Sacrifice in June 2019, I was excited to read this second installment of the Shadows of New York series. Using well-drawn characters, Sheryn and her partner Rafael, Davidson has created a suspenseful read with a smart, tension-filled plot that also touches on bigger issues. That's my kind of read!
Once again, I loved that Sheryn is the focus of the book. She's a smart, feisty and strong-willed female NYC detective (I picture her as the amazing Viola Davis) who balances home life with her demanding job.
Multiple POVs are used to tell the story and I enjoyed how the reader is pulled into the initial crime which then morphs into something much bigger. I was intrigued in the beginning but found the middle slowed down and got a little repetitive. But as the pieces come together, readers get pulled back into the story which culminates in an action-packed ending that left this reader wanting more from this new series.
While this is the second book of the series, it can be read as a standalone, but I'd recommend fans of suspense read One Small Sacrifice and keep an eye on this author.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Thomas and Mercer for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
Once again, I loved that Sheryn is the focus of the book. She's a smart, feisty and strong-willed female NYC detective (I picture her as the amazing Viola Davis) who balances home life with her demanding job.
Multiple POVs are used to tell the story and I enjoyed how the reader is pulled into the initial crime which then morphs into something much bigger. I was intrigued in the beginning but found the middle slowed down and got a little repetitive. But as the pieces come together, readers get pulled back into the story which culminates in an action-packed ending that left this reader wanting more from this new series.
While this is the second book of the series, it can be read as a standalone, but I'd recommend fans of suspense read One Small Sacrifice and keep an eye on this author.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Thomas and Mercer for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
December 31, 2019
I loved this book! The drama, suspense and thriller aspect I couldn’t put it down! I had to know what happened and stayed up way to late finishing my last book of the year! The twists and turns and police procedural work just play out begging you to read more! The dynamic between characters is well written and I liked all even the bad guys! I hope there is a 3rd book I need to know what happens next!
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for gifting me an advanced ebook copy!!!
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for gifting me an advanced ebook copy!!!
March 8, 2020
This is the second book in a series; I have not read the first, but it reads well as a standalone.
Let me just say first that I really enjoyed having a detective as the main character who does NOT struggle with addiction, has a loving family, and is a generally nice human being. So many times with these procedural crime novels you get that stereotypical detective and it gets to be so boring and predictable. Detective Sterling was a refreshing and enjoyable character. She had that touch of sarcasm with her partner, that I liked, but they got along well and had a nice dynamic.
This book took me on a wild ride. What seemed to be an open and shut case became a thrilling journey with so many twists and turns. It absolutely kept me on my toes. Every time I thought I had solved the case, it took another turn and left me completely guessing. I will say that at some points, it felt like there were too many suspects/characters to keep track off, but it all made sense in the end.
I thought the character development was well done for the most part. Jo didn't seem to grow much as a character throughout the story, but I guess she didn't really need to. Her boyfriend, Cal, was a bit on the flat side and if it weren't for his mother being a major player in the story, he would have felt unessential to the book. I liked that I got a good sense of who Andray, the murder victim, was as a person even though he was never a living character. Everything came together smoothly at the end and the reveal left me speechless.
The setting was executed perfectly. Davidson was able to capture the many classes and neighborhoods within NYC - from run-down apartment buildings owned by slumlords to the billionaires with their gorgeous brownstones.
Overall, Don't Look Down was a quick read and I enjoyed all of the twisty turns it took. And it cemented that what they say is true: the worst thing you can do when being blackmailed is to pay the blackmailer off.
Let me just say first that I really enjoyed having a detective as the main character who does NOT struggle with addiction, has a loving family, and is a generally nice human being. So many times with these procedural crime novels you get that stereotypical detective and it gets to be so boring and predictable. Detective Sterling was a refreshing and enjoyable character. She had that touch of sarcasm with her partner, that I liked, but they got along well and had a nice dynamic.
This book took me on a wild ride. What seemed to be an open and shut case became a thrilling journey with so many twists and turns. It absolutely kept me on my toes. Every time I thought I had solved the case, it took another turn and left me completely guessing. I will say that at some points, it felt like there were too many suspects/characters to keep track off, but it all made sense in the end.
I thought the character development was well done for the most part. Jo didn't seem to grow much as a character throughout the story, but I guess she didn't really need to. Her boyfriend, Cal, was a bit on the flat side and if it weren't for his mother being a major player in the story, he would have felt unessential to the book. I liked that I got a good sense of who Andray, the murder victim, was as a person even though he was never a living character. Everything came together smoothly at the end and the reveal left me speechless.
The setting was executed perfectly. Davidson was able to capture the many classes and neighborhoods within NYC - from run-down apartment buildings owned by slumlords to the billionaires with their gorgeous brownstones.
Overall, Don't Look Down was a quick read and I enjoyed all of the twisty turns it took. And it cemented that what they say is true: the worst thing you can do when being blackmailed is to pay the blackmailer off.
February 7, 2020
Jo, a successful NYC business owner, is being blackmailed over some photos and videos from her past that have recently surfaced. But when the blackmail payoff turns deadly, Jo becomes the top suspect in the murder. As detectives Sheryn and Rafael start to unravel the events of that day, they begin to find that some pieces of this mysterious puzzle don’t quite add up.
This was the first crime novel I’ve read in quite a while and I really enjoyed it! For those of you who love shows like CSI or Law & Order, this would be the perfect book for you. There were so many cliffhangers and twists along the way that I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the alternating POVs in each chapter and thought it enhanced the storyline. I liked this one a lot and definitely recommend it!!
Thank you so much to Hilary Davidson for sending me this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review! Make sure and get your copy of Don’t Look Down when it hits shelves Tuesday, February 11!
This was the first crime novel I’ve read in quite a while and I really enjoyed it! For those of you who love shows like CSI or Law & Order, this would be the perfect book for you. There were so many cliffhangers and twists along the way that I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the alternating POVs in each chapter and thought it enhanced the storyline. I liked this one a lot and definitely recommend it!!
Thank you so much to Hilary Davidson for sending me this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review! Make sure and get your copy of Don’t Look Down when it hits shelves Tuesday, February 11!
May 17, 2020
3.5 stars. Jo Greaver founded a cosmetics company when she was 21 years old. Five years later, it has blossomed into an international business. She goes to a dilapidated apartment building to meet a blackmailer who has nude pictures of her when she was 14 plus a nasty video. A shooting occurs. She is hit and the blackmailer is dead. Jo runs.
Detective Sheryn Sterling and her partner Rafael Mendoza get called to the dead body. Seems to be a clearcut case at first.
I struggled to like Jo but I felt better about her in the end. Sheryn is not as hard nosed as a lot of the cops in stories I read but she feels real. She's compassionate and smart. At times, I wanted a few of the characters to be a little edgier. The story contains lots of twists. Better than a 3 but really not a 4 star.
Detective Sheryn Sterling and her partner Rafael Mendoza get called to the dead body. Seems to be a clearcut case at first.
I struggled to like Jo but I felt better about her in the end. Sheryn is not as hard nosed as a lot of the cops in stories I read but she feels real. She's compassionate and smart. At times, I wanted a few of the characters to be a little edgier. The story contains lots of twists. Better than a 3 but really not a 4 star.
October 19, 2019
I love a good mystery. This was totally engaging and Sheryn Sterling is a fine hero who manages to untangle a series of murders with intelligence and compassion.
Young Jo Greaver is being both blackmailed and set up to take a murder charge. Her sad story unwinds and Sheryn becomes her advocate as she figures out who was behind the initial crimes. The bodies begin to pile up as Sheryn and her partner Rafael are able to connect the crimes to the perpetrators, despite their society backgrounds.
I like everything pulled together at the end and Davidson provided a perfect climax.
I found this to be a real page turner. I had no idea there was a previous novel with Sheryn as the heroine. I’m hurrying to get that one too. This is a really enjoyable read. Many thanks Netgalley.
Young Jo Greaver is being both blackmailed and set up to take a murder charge. Her sad story unwinds and Sheryn becomes her advocate as she figures out who was behind the initial crimes. The bodies begin to pile up as Sheryn and her partner Rafael are able to connect the crimes to the perpetrators, despite their society backgrounds.
I like everything pulled together at the end and Davidson provided a perfect climax.
I found this to be a real page turner. I had no idea there was a previous novel with Sheryn as the heroine. I’m hurrying to get that one too. This is a really enjoyable read. Many thanks Netgalley.
December 19, 2019
Jo Greaver has made herself a very successful life. But she has secrets she wants to keep buried. She receives a blackmail threat and when she shows up to the location Jo is shot, now the police are looking for Jo. There is a murder and Jo's blood and her blackmail pictures are the scene. detectives Sheryn and her partner Rafael have to untangle all of the lies and get to the truth. This is the 2nd book in a series but reads well as a stand alone. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
January 12, 2020
"One of the bravest things you can do in your life is to keep moving forward under the weight of that burden," Sterling said. "You don't get to put it aside. It's going to be with you every day, and you're going to have to figure out how to cope with it."
This was a crime thriller that packed a punch! There were so many twists and turns. I appreciate how the author incorporates real world problems into her stories. There was people of every color, shape and background which I always enjoy. It was a fast paced, page turner of a book. I look forward to reading whatever she comes up with next!
This was a crime thriller that packed a punch! There were so many twists and turns. I appreciate how the author incorporates real world problems into her stories. There was people of every color, shape and background which I always enjoy. It was a fast paced, page turner of a book. I look forward to reading whatever she comes up with next!
March 27, 2020
***Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer!***
In the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that I did not read the entire book. I read to 150 pages and I just couldn’t stomach it anymore. Reading it was painful and I just couldn’t do it. And since I am about 98% sure I know how it’s going to end, there really wasn’t much to keep me reading any further.
This book is just not good. It’s not a good character story nor is it a good police procedural. I am not an expert in the law or police procedure, by any means, however I have read enough books and watched enough Law & Order that I know how these types of books should work. I have a basic understanding of the law and how it works and this was not even close to being accurate. This case would get thrown into the nearest paper shredder and the detectives would be berated in open court to handle a case this way.
Also, consider this your ***SPOILER WARNING***
Reviewed for Written Among the Stars
In the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that I did not read the entire book. I read to 150 pages and I just couldn’t stomach it anymore. Reading it was painful and I just couldn’t do it. And since I am about 98% sure I know how it’s going to end, there really wasn’t much to keep me reading any further.
This book is just not good. It’s not a good character story nor is it a good police procedural. I am not an expert in the law or police procedure, by any means, however I have read enough books and watched enough Law & Order that I know how these types of books should work. I have a basic understanding of the law and how it works and this was not even close to being accurate. This case would get thrown into the nearest paper shredder and the detectives would be berated in open court to handle a case this way.
Also, consider this your ***SPOILER WARNING***
Reviewed for Written Among the Stars
July 27, 2020
Jo Greaver would appear to have it all. A growing company, a loving partner, supportive friends, and up and coming success. She is also being blackmailed. When she comes to the payoff with a bag of money and a gun, the blackmailer is killed and she is injured. This seems an open and shut murder case for detectives Sterling and Mendoza and yet as the investigation goes on it just doesn’t add up somehow for Sterling.
I read this whole book in a couple of hours, which should say something about how good it is. The entire mystery is a hall of mirrors with circular clues, obvious, certainly guilty of something suspects, and a huge array of technicolor characters that should not have anything in common with each other. The author expertly juggles varied plot points using Sheryn Sterling and her partner as wonderful fixed points to keep the various threads of the story pulled tight, keeping the reading on the edge until the reveal shows how it all falls together. I have not read the first book in this series. It wasn’t needed as this stands alone nicely, however, I will make catching up a priority because these characters deserve to be read.
I read this whole book in a couple of hours, which should say something about how good it is. The entire mystery is a hall of mirrors with circular clues, obvious, certainly guilty of something suspects, and a huge array of technicolor characters that should not have anything in common with each other. The author expertly juggles varied plot points using Sheryn Sterling and her partner as wonderful fixed points to keep the various threads of the story pulled tight, keeping the reading on the edge until the reveal shows how it all falls together. I have not read the first book in this series. It wasn’t needed as this stands alone nicely, however, I will make catching up a priority because these characters deserve to be read.
December 12, 2019
Talk about a nail biter! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time reading this book. I pretty much read it non stop and when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. And, the ending???? All I can say is, you just have to pick up a copy of “Don’t Look Down!” Talk about a complicated story!
If you are in the mood for a intriguing, police procedural, this is the book you need to pick up.
Hilary Davidson is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more from her. I did not know this was book two in the series. I really need to read book one now!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author, Hilary Davidson for the privilege to read and give my honest review of “Dont Look Down.”
If you are in the mood for a intriguing, police procedural, this is the book you need to pick up.
Hilary Davidson is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more from her. I did not know this was book two in the series. I really need to read book one now!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author, Hilary Davidson for the privilege to read and give my honest review of “Dont Look Down.”
July 2, 2025
Hilary Davidson’s Don’t Look Down is a swift-paced police thriller that leads with a murder and deliberately unpacks the outcome that isn’t as obvious as it first appears. Jo Greaver, the protagonist, is at a murder scene with a gun in her hand. The case turns out to be far more complicated than the opening pages imply.
The story moves quickly, with numerous short chapters and intriguing twists. The author rotates the chapters from the perspective of the lead characters, which adds to the mystery and questions the reader’s anticipation of the trail to the murderer or conspirators.
Jo is a strangely likeable character. She is determined, tough, entrepreneurial and successful yet constantly haunted by the dark years in her youth. Sheryn Sterling, a returning character from the author, is a strong female NYC detective who leads the case, and may be building towards a series of future books.
The plot is filled with secrets, lies, and moral gray areas. Some of the secondary characters feel like they were inconveniently inserted as narrative distractions; however, isn’t that the point in a mystery? The two female lead characters are enough to recommend the book and lead the reader to consider their oddly compassionate connection.
The story moves quickly, with numerous short chapters and intriguing twists. The author rotates the chapters from the perspective of the lead characters, which adds to the mystery and questions the reader’s anticipation of the trail to the murderer or conspirators.
Jo is a strangely likeable character. She is determined, tough, entrepreneurial and successful yet constantly haunted by the dark years in her youth. Sheryn Sterling, a returning character from the author, is a strong female NYC detective who leads the case, and may be building towards a series of future books.
The plot is filled with secrets, lies, and moral gray areas. Some of the secondary characters feel like they were inconveniently inserted as narrative distractions; however, isn’t that the point in a mystery? The two female lead characters are enough to recommend the book and lead the reader to consider their oddly compassionate connection.
dnf
February 12, 2020DNF at 15%. This may have been a case of picking this up at the wrong time but I am not getting into the story. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.
April 27, 2020
Unfortunately.... this one was a little boring. 😬
November 15, 2019
Don’t Look Down follows the case of Jo, a highly successful beauty company owner who is being blackmailed by someone. When she agrees to meet the alleged blackmailer, she finds herself in a shoot out where she takes someone’s life. She is thrown into turmoil as she is tracked down by detective duo Sterling and Rafael. The story follows the case against Jo and gets to the bottom of why she was being blackmailed - and by who.
This book got off to a really strong start. I was hooked and couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of the case. But, I found in the middle it got a little bit slow and repetitive but eventually picked back up again.
Overall, I enjoyed this. It was engaging and I was invested in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eBook in exchange for a review.
February 20, 2020
A beautiful mess of criss-crossing murder investigations.
Hilary Davidson is back on top of her game, exploring the dark secrets of the rich and the beautiful. Her novels are full of models, entrepeneurs, important people are messed up loons to hacked and slash their way to the top. This one is no different. It's a little bit unnecessarily winding at times and it doesn't draw outside of line of what Davidson is already good at, but it's a nice return to form for such a talented thriller writer. I'm ready for the next one to show a little more ambition, but this one is Davidson doing what she does best.
Hilary Davidson is back on top of her game, exploring the dark secrets of the rich and the beautiful. Her novels are full of models, entrepeneurs, important people are messed up loons to hacked and slash their way to the top. This one is no different. It's a little bit unnecessarily winding at times and it doesn't draw outside of line of what Davidson is already good at, but it's a nice return to form for such a talented thriller writer. I'm ready for the next one to show a little more ambition, but this one is Davidson doing what she does best.
March 11, 2020
This Hilary Davidson mystery was an exciting read with a complicated plot, interesting characters, and an incredible array of possible motives for murder and arson. But once I gave myself time to think about the surprises at the end, I had to admit it was pretty implausible.
In the story, Jo has built her cosmetics company to international success after a youth of appalling abuse. She has tried to keep the past in the past, but lately she's been getting email messages from a blackmailer who's been threatening to reveal photos and a damning video from the period Jo thought was long behind her. Having always relied on her own wits, she tries to handle the situation alone -- until it spins out of control and she is sought by the police for the murder of her apparent blackmailer.
I loved Jo and the two NYPD detectives who work to unravel what really happened. I can't judge if it's "cultural appropriation" for the white author to have a black female detective. The cultural details sounded good to me, but what do I know? There was also quite a lot about entitled rich socialites closing ranks -- and the rare bird willing to break with the pack. I wonder if that will be a theme in Davidson's other novels.
I must say, the book was a lovely escape. I would track down this author again next time I need to drop everything and spend time in another world.
In the story, Jo has built her cosmetics company to international success after a youth of appalling abuse. She has tried to keep the past in the past, but lately she's been getting email messages from a blackmailer who's been threatening to reveal photos and a damning video from the period Jo thought was long behind her. Having always relied on her own wits, she tries to handle the situation alone -- until it spins out of control and she is sought by the police for the murder of her apparent blackmailer.
I loved Jo and the two NYPD detectives who work to unravel what really happened. I can't judge if it's "cultural appropriation" for the white author to have a black female detective. The cultural details sounded good to me, but what do I know? There was also quite a lot about entitled rich socialites closing ranks -- and the rare bird willing to break with the pack. I wonder if that will be a theme in Davidson's other novels.
I must say, the book was a lovely escape. I would track down this author again next time I need to drop everything and spend time in another world.
March 29, 2020
This is a much better story than that of the first. The lead detectives continue to be mildly dislikable. This is a rarity in such police procedurals, but that is what we have to work with leading investigators who feature in a very odd space of the spectrum between good and evil. We hear both their voices, one more than the other and watch how they work together and what they think of the unravelling situation. The other voices we get to hear are odd choices. It is of the accused and her boyfriend.
Jo Greaver walks into a strange situation and leaves with her life. This situation starts to blow up (at one time literally), and the story gets more twisted as we progress. I think I figured out the culprit only when the author wanted me to and not one minute before. This is a very classy move in a book of this sort and to carry it accurately is probably hard. There is a lot of leg work involved, and since I listened to the audio version, I felt like I was witnessing it all in person.
The cast is very different, and there are red herrings strewn everywhere. The pacing worked, and I think this would appeal to anyone who reads books in the thriller genre.
Jo Greaver walks into a strange situation and leaves with her life. This situation starts to blow up (at one time literally), and the story gets more twisted as we progress. I think I figured out the culprit only when the author wanted me to and not one minute before. This is a very classy move in a book of this sort and to carry it accurately is probably hard. There is a lot of leg work involved, and since I listened to the audio version, I felt like I was witnessing it all in person.
The cast is very different, and there are red herrings strewn everywhere. The pacing worked, and I think this would appeal to anyone who reads books in the thriller genre.
April 14, 2020
This is the second book in the series. And I didn’t even know it was a series until I went to update my Goodreads. So they definitely can be read as a standalone.
This book keeps you fully invested the whole way through. It pulled me in right from the beginning and it made it very hard to put down.
We have Jo who has made her own make up company. It is her baby and her dream. During this book you find out that Jo has had a very troubled childhood. I think that’s why her business and her company means so much to her. Because she was able to pull her self out of a life that would not have ended very well for her. Due to her past she is being blackmailed. And during this whole investigation so many other things come to light. And if you want to know what they are while you’re just going to have to read the book.
What a great book, very well written. I did enjoy the twist even though you could kind of see part of that twist coming you certainly couldn’t have gotten it all. So I am going to go back and read the first book in the series and I look forward to even more.
This book keeps you fully invested the whole way through. It pulled me in right from the beginning and it made it very hard to put down.
We have Jo who has made her own make up company. It is her baby and her dream. During this book you find out that Jo has had a very troubled childhood. I think that’s why her business and her company means so much to her. Because she was able to pull her self out of a life that would not have ended very well for her. Due to her past she is being blackmailed. And during this whole investigation so many other things come to light. And if you want to know what they are while you’re just going to have to read the book.
What a great book, very well written. I did enjoy the twist even though you could kind of see part of that twist coming you certainly couldn’t have gotten it all. So I am going to go back and read the first book in the series and I look forward to even more.
September 6, 2022
Complicated murder mystery and solid police procedural
A terrified blackmail victim, Jo Greaver, brings $50K—and a gun—to an apartment, where she’s confronted by a man. They fire at each other. She’s shot in the arm, and he’s hit in the chest or gut. From outside, a man shouts for “Tony” and shoots toward Jo. She flees down the fire escape.
Detectives Sheryn Sterling and Rafael Mendoza arrive at a shabby, nearly-untenanted apartment building, that looks cursed—like Poe’s House of Usher. The victim, a black man in his late-twenties, is shot in the chest, close range. As the detectives investigate, Sterling is puzzled because the victim is almost universally regarded as good, kind, and loving. Why was he killed?
Meanwhile, whilst unsuccessfully trying to stanch her bleeding, Jo learns that a man was shot dead. But her shooting opponent was not a Black man. Where’s the man she shot?
The mystery storyline is complex and often convoluted, but it’s satisfying, well-paced crime fiction. There’s a good balance between police procedural and Jo’s messy domestic drama about her hard-scrabble life. There are good multiple POVs, but that of Cal McGarran, Jo’s fiancé, is desultory and often annoying due to angst. There are flashbacks, but happily no time-slipping chapters to yank the reader backwards and forewords. 4.5-5.0 stars.
A terrified blackmail victim, Jo Greaver, brings $50K—and a gun—to an apartment, where she’s confronted by a man. They fire at each other. She’s shot in the arm, and he’s hit in the chest or gut. From outside, a man shouts for “Tony” and shoots toward Jo. She flees down the fire escape.
Detectives Sheryn Sterling and Rafael Mendoza arrive at a shabby, nearly-untenanted apartment building, that looks cursed—like Poe’s House of Usher. The victim, a black man in his late-twenties, is shot in the chest, close range. As the detectives investigate, Sterling is puzzled because the victim is almost universally regarded as good, kind, and loving. Why was he killed?
Meanwhile, whilst unsuccessfully trying to stanch her bleeding, Jo learns that a man was shot dead. But her shooting opponent was not a Black man. Where’s the man she shot?
The mystery storyline is complex and often convoluted, but it’s satisfying, well-paced crime fiction. There’s a good balance between police procedural and Jo’s messy domestic drama about her hard-scrabble life. There are good multiple POVs, but that of Cal McGarran, Jo’s fiancé, is desultory and often annoying due to angst. There are flashbacks, but happily no time-slipping chapters to yank the reader backwards and forewords. 4.5-5.0 stars.
January 27, 2020
So i started this book and it was not really catching my eye at first.. I was torn between giving this book 3/4 stars because it would get slow then pick up etc.. This book takes to about 30% to start picking up.. If you are interested in more crime solving this book would be for you.. I did enjoy reading the duo who was solving the case.. Sheryn is such a bad ass she stands her ground and i love what she stands for and i loved the diversity in this book.
Towards the end of the book the chapters got so good which made me rate this book a 4 star.
I did enjoy this book :)
Towards the end of the book the chapters got so good which made me rate this book a 4 star.
I did enjoy this book :)
April 16, 2020
Fantastic! Even better than the first in the series. (They can be read as standalones or out of order too - no spoilers here.) Love the leads in this one, the diversity of the characters, the strong sense of place, and especially the complexity of a story that still just grips you and keeps you reading. So often complex stories and characters make slow books, and gripping, action-oriented thrillers don’t have much depth or complexity, or much diversity among the characters. Davidson has a real skill in combining them all to create such great stories. Highly recommended!
February 21, 2020
This was a solid 3.5
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