If I Fall

Carla Brown & Nell Jackson #2

by Merilyn Davies

'Fresh, compelling and compassionate' AMANDA JENNINGS

'An unusually gripping and authentic police procedural.' SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB, selected for Paperback of the Week
__________________________
A gritty, heart-stopping crime thriller that will have you utterly obsessed.

We were told to meet at a rooftop bar.

Four friends, bound by one terrible secret.

No one knew why we were there.

Then we saw a woman, watched as she fell from the edge and plunged to her death.

The police think it's suicide, but I know better.

Someone is sending a message.

Now they're coming for us.
__________________________
Praise for Merilyn Davies:

'A breath-taking, page-turning read' CLARE MACKINTOSH

'Assured, fresh, engrossing' MEL SHERRATT

'Compassionately, confidently and beautifully written' STEVE MOSBY

384 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2021

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I Fall is the second instalment in the Carla Brown, a Crime Analyst, and Detective Sergeant Nell Jackson series. Beginning a few months after the incidents in the first book, Carla is attending an uncomfortable date with her boyfriend; their relationship is currently on a knife edge due to the betrayal, deceit and unravelling of deep, dark secrets a short time ago. Whether their relationship survives could really go either way. The date night takes place at a fashionable bar with a rooftop terrace that draws in the punters when Carla gets a feeling something is wrong. A shifty and nervous looking woman stands not too far from them. She stands out like a sore thumb against the rest of the bar's clientele who are dressed to impress, whereas this woman wears ragged, dirty clothes and Carla believes her to be homeless. To her horror a mere minute or two later the woman nears the edge of the roof and appears to purposefully jump to her death. The local police believe it to be an open and shut case of suicide but Carla's gut instinct tells her otherwise. Her idea that there is something underhand going on is confounded when she overhears three other patrons at the bar that evening having a conversation. The meeting of the four of them was apparently a reunion but later they claim to not know who the woman was or anything about her.

What exactly have the group got to hide? What connects the remaining trio to the deceased? Carla believes the lies and duplicity warrants an investigation but trying to encourage suspicion of the death in her colleagues is not as easy as she thought it would be. She is more or less alone in her pursuit of the truth but her theory that foul play was involved is confirmed when one of the remaining members of the reunion trio turns up dead and there is no longer room for doubt that there is an underlying criminal and shady cause for the two deaths. Can Carla and DS Jackson get to the truth of the matter or will the deaths be forever shrouded in secrecy? This is a compulsive and enthralling cross between a police procedural and a psychological thriller with a narrative that features twist after stunning twist and enough drama to keep you racing through the pages. Both the main plot, regarding the reunion, and the personal lives of the cast, especially Carla's, are equally as interesting as one another, which is unusual, and the paciness coupled with the slow unravelling of terrible secrets that bound the four individuals together make this a captivating and absorbing thrill ride. The storyline is an original and pretty unique one which is what initially piqued my interest and our protagonists, Carla and Nell, are likeable, relatable and all too human. Roll on book three.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

We were told to wait at the rooftop bar. No one knew why we were there. Then we saw a woman as she fell fom the edge and plunged to her death. The police think it's suicide, but i know better.

We follow four friends who are connected by a secret. This story follows on a few months after
When I Lost You, the first book featuring Crime Analyst Carla Brown and DS Nell Jackson. This is an intriguing and gripping read. As more of the story unravels, the more you have to read to find out exactly what has happened. At first, we don't know what links everyone or why. Most of the characters are not very nice and the story covers: revenge, religous connotations, abuse and violence. This is a well written, fast paced read and i read it in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #RandomHouseUK #Cornerstoine and the author #MerilynDavies for my ARC #IfIFall in exchange for an honest review.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hi review below for ‘If I Fall’, next I am reading a book for an author that’s due out later in the year so will review that then, next to review on here will be ‘Break Out’ below

‘If I Fall’ by Merilyn Davies published by Random House UK, Cornerstone on March 1st

381 Kindle App Flix

Torn on this one
The premise was good, a reunion ( I know, I know another one ) but the blurb sounded different re this one and without giving too much away it really was, what happened at the reunion is unique to any book have read and certainly had you sitting up and taking note...
The book, after that big beginning then slowed down its pace and instead of me feeling I was involved it felt I was watching from the sidelines and although parts of it were very interesting to me ( there were gay characters although in no way a ‘gay’ book and also conversion therapy/fundamentalism featured ) but it never really won me round to it fully, however I did want to carry on and find out what happened, want rather than need
A fantastic premise and start that waned and never really caught itself back up and maybe got a bit confused with all that was trying to be packed into it

6/10
3 Stars

[Danielle Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know what to say. I didn’t really hate it but I didn’t love it either!

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tortuous, gritty, and addictive!

If I Fall is a malicious, chilling thriller that sees DS Nell Jackson working once again with Crime Analyst Carla Brown when the apparent suicide of a homeless women leads back to a small group of friends who seem to be covering up sinfully wicked actions from the past.

The prose is crisp and tight. The characters are flawed, troubled, and authentic. And the plot is an intense, gripping tale full of twists, turns, intrigue, deception, revenge, religious connotations, suspicious personalities, abuse, bigotry, violence, and murder.

Overall, If I Fall is a raw, cunning, intricate tale by Davies that’s another promising addition to what could turn out to be with its well-drawn, intriguing characters and darkly creative storylines an amazing, must-read series.

Thank you to Penguin Random House UK – Arrow Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Zoé-Lee O'Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What another belter of a book and this time I felt more anger with the subject matter! This may be book two with Carla and Nell, but you do not need to have read When I Lost You, but crikey you should it is such an amazing story. It was fab seeing Nell and Carla, Paul and Bremner again, I mean ok I know I only finished book 1 last night but I just could not want until I could be back with the team again. However, this time the case affects two of them rather directly.

We not only see the insights into the case, the suspected but into Nell and Carla’s personal lives and to be honest, they are both in a bit of a mess. Carla is feeling the repercussions from the last book due to her behaviour and well, this case is making Nell’s head hurt a lot. What I love about these women are they are so unbelievably flawed and it makes them so much more human to the reader. Their friendship is growing despite a few niggles, they are still there for each other, with a couple of bottles of wine to sink. I would love to learn more about Paul and Bremner, I just feel their stories take a back seat so it would be interesting to see what they are like. I do, however, like where one storyline is ever so slightly implied, maybe heading!

This case had me riled to my back teeth, as there is nothing in the blurb I am going to be deliberately vague. At first, there are no clear indications of what links everyone and why. When we find out, Jesus (probably not the right word here!) my I was seething. All the suspects in hand, bar one, are awful and horrific people and thoroughly deserve what they got. The abuse, the torture everything. The lead into all of this is the one that falls off the roof, this is the catalyst for the darkness we are about to see. Some of the things I was reading just had me so shocked, do these places really exist?

Wow! It is another book where Ms Davies has just blown me away again. What a storyteller she is! Again, she leads you to the main suspect in the case, you suspect them, you pin them for it all, but then…THEN….she throws some plot twists AGAIN and it always makes me question my own sanity. How the heck does she fool me again!? If I Fall is such a riveting read, I was hooked so much so I blasted nearly 300 pages in one sitting, well I had a tea and toilet break, but again it was a book that just would not let go until you got to the final page. Even though we got an ending we wanted, it was still pretty bittersweet and again it showed us a world of nature vs nurture.

Now to wait impatiently to see what Ms Davies does next, I just know I will be fighting to get my hands on the book to devour as soon as I can. I mean I have done her 2 books in 2 night, feel kind of bereft now. Bit book hungover. Urgh….roll on book 3!!!!!

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book received minimal love by readers; it went away almost unnoticed. But it was sooo good. A combination of police procedural and thriller.

3 people meet on the rooftop of a restaurant and see their old friend Alice fall off from the roof. Unfortunately for them, they were sitting next to a cop who managed to hear the whispers of secrets and a pact between them.

Having read book 1, though I remembered nothing of it, this was another excellent well conceptualized book where Detective Nell and Crime Analyst Carla worked in tandem to get to the truth.

There were truths hidden which went a generation back. I liked how determined Nell was to investigate a supposed suicide. Only when a second body followed did the others understand what Nell had been screaming all through.

Alternate chapters of investigation along with a character’s POV made this book a psychological thriller too. Not many authors could achieve that, managing both seamlessly. It was so well done.

Pace was slow in the mid section and the storyline inclined slightly toward the religious aspect (oh DJ, it would raise your hackles), the story had twists and intrigue. It kept me hooked all through the afternoon.

[Syeda Sumayya Tariq · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sure is a dark and gripping read. This is the second installment in a series but works perfectly well as a standalone. Going in, I had no idea that it was a police procedural, and I was just a little let down by it. I really like the “reunion gone badly” setting and was hoping for the same, which it was, but not really. The plot is surely interesting but like most other police procedurals, I found it a bit formulaic and clichéd, I’d expect better from the police, lol, but I suppose it adds a realistic touch to it. All the characters were super interesting and dark, I liked the gritty vibes of it. Oh and the cover is great, and that’s what caught my attention the first.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publishers for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

[Books I Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I Fall is the second isntallment of Carla Brown & Nell Jackson but it can be read as a standalone novel.

The mystery was good, the police procedural stories were even better, and the ending was satisfaying.

Overll a really good read, totally recommend this gem.

goodreads.com/booksireadandliked
Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and author for my advanced review copy of the book. This is my honest review

[Dawn Marsanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read which kept me engaged from start to finish. The second book in the crime series created by Merilyn Davies.
I liked the setting and the book centres on a current news topic which is cleverly woven into the stories.
I will read more by this author.

[Nell Davies-Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the first one. Absolutely fantastic. Gowan mum x

[Liv Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING again!!!! Acknowledgements got me again! xx

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and loved Merilyn’s first book called ‘When I Lost You’ which was released in 2019. ‘When I Lost You’ was the first book in the series featuring Carla Brown, a Crime Analyst, and Detective Sergeant Nell Jackson. When I heard that the second book in the series (‘If I Fall) was due for release I just knew that I had to read it as soon as I could manage to grab hold of a copy. Officially ‘If I Fall’ isn’t due to be released until 1st March 2021, but I was lucky enough to be able to take a sneaky read of an early review copy. Oh my word, ‘If I Fall’ is a fantastic addition to the series and I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into this book. In fact as soon as I started to read, I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a read and then some. To say that reading ‘If I Fall’ became addictive is a mahoosive understatement. I was intrigued by the apparent suicide of one of the characters and the reasons behind it. As more of the story unfolded, my interest grew and I had to keep reading to see how the story panned out for the characters. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as I worked my way through the story. The more of the book I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to be turning. All too quickly I reached the end of the book and I had to bid farewell to Brown and Jackson.
‘If I Fall’ is superbly written. The fact that the author herself used to be a Crime Analyst for the Metropolitan Police makes the story seem that bit more authentic with details and procedures etc. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draws you into what proves to be a complex story. I won’t go into too much more details because I would hate to spoil the book for anybody. Reading ‘If I fall’ felt like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns to it than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. For me, ‘If I Fall’ is an unputdownable, page turner of a read, that kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘If I Fall’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Merilyn’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Jacob Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I’ve definitely found a new favourite crime series. If I Fall is the second book in Merilyn Davies’s new series featuring Carla Brown, a civilian crime analyst. You don’t need to have read the first book in the series to enjoy the second one, but I am definitely going to be catching up.

There is a really intriguing set-up when someone sends out invitations for a reunion, but that person remains anonymous. The invitations are sent out to four people via Facebook. They are all intrigued as to who has sent out the invites and what it’s all about. But there is also a sinister note to the invitations. When the reunion occurs on a rooftop bar in Oxford, a woman falls to her death. But that isn’t the end of it.

From the beginning, I wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on here. The way in which the invitations were sent out to the group was so intriguing. You know you have to read on to find out what is going to happen to the group at this reunion and I wanted to know who had organised it. The police initially suspect that the girl who falls to her death committed suicide. However, Carla suspects that there is more at play here than what first meets the eye.

Merilyn Davies builds a very gripping and a cleverly constructed plot. As Carla begins to understand more about the group and who Alice was, a very dark picture begins to emerge. It is clear that the group who are at the reunion are keen to keep secrets to themselves.

I thought Carla’s character was really fresh, and I found the aspect of her job really intriguing. It’s not something I’ve seen before in crime fiction. I also really liked her partnership with DS Nell Jackson, who is a really interesting character. Merilyn Davies’s writing is so engaging, and I flew through her book. The dialogue keeps the pace flying forward. I was rooting for Carla to get to the bottom of what was going on.

My eyes were kept glued to the page as everything unravelled, and I thought it was done so well. Merilyn Davies is a writer who I know now I’ll be reading more of. If you haven’t yet discovered this series, and if you’re a fan of police procedurals, then you really need to. It’s a very original read. I can’t wait to read more from this series.

[Kerry https://likeherdingcatsblog.wordpress.com Robinson]

I’ve literally just finished this book and my head is reeling. I found this novel intense, heart breaking and dark. But, it wasn’t really the murders and violence that made me feel this way; the themes explored throughout this book were chilling and raw and have left me bereft and exhausted (I mean all this as a positive from a book perspective).
What initially looks like a suicide sends DS Nell Jackson and her team down a rabbit hole of murder, revenge and suppression.
The plot of this novel is fast paced, intense and has more surprises than a Kinder Egg. To begin with, everything seems routine and I was lulled into a false sense of this being a simple ‘Who dun it and why?’ scenario but I soon realised it was so much more than that. I enjoyed how clues and information was given slowly – allowing the reader to digest, process and think about before forming opinions – which are then blown wide open again with the next piece. Just when I thought I had an idea what was happening, something came along to add in a whole new dimension.
Without going into spoiler mode, the plot delves into the realms of control and how much of it people can exert. It’s a study of human nature and how far we can be pushed before we cannot take anymore and is very clever and chilling. Told mainly from the perspectives of Carla and Nell with the occasional chapter from Rachel (a victim’s wife), the reader gets to see different viewpoints and slowly watch the answers come into focus.
I loved DS Nell Jackson – she’s smart and intelligent but also passionate and human. Her impulsiveness is both her best friend and her worst enemy. Carla Brown (civilian crime analysts) also has her own issues to manage but is a calmer and insightful member of the team, thinking a little more out of the box and less like an officer. Together they are a formidable duo and with their supportive and dynamic team – they work through the pieces of this puzzle relentlessly until reaching a solution.
The first novel in the Nell Jackson series, When I Lost You, is high on my TBR and I cannot wait to read more about her.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I Fall is written by Merilyn Davies and is a well written crime book. It had me absolutely invested from the first chapter.

Carla Brown is on a date night with her partner and it isn't going very well. She notices a female sitting by herself and looking around suspiciously. Carla thinks something isn't right, two minutes later the female has jumped off the rooftop to her death. The police are called and think it is just an open and shut suicide case. Carla has other ideas being a crime analyst and is given 24 hours to find evidence that it in fact her death wasn't a suicide or the case will be handed to CID. We are left thinking, did Alice commit suicide or did someone make her jump?

We find out that same night a reunion has been organised at the same bar for four people. Alice, Simon, Hannah and Ash. It is strange having a reunion just for four people with a big room booked. We find out what happened in the past to understand what is going on right now. Another person from the reunion turns up dead in unusual circumstances and re-opens the case regarding Alice's death. I don't want to give too much away to ruin the twists and turns of this book. I recommend going in with your eyes closed.

I loved reading this book and did not want to put my Kindle down. I was 100% invested in knowing what was going to happen next. I did not realise this is the second book in the series, in saying that you wouldn't need to read book one first and can easily read as a standalone novel. The characters of Detective Sergeant Nel and Carla Brown are written in a way you get to learn about them as you read (without having to read book one).

Thank you Netgalley and Random house UK for the advanced copy for an honest review.

[Jessica Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blown away by Merilyn Davies' debut When I Lost You so have been eagerly awaiting her follow up novel featuring the partnership of Crime Analyst Carla Brown and DS Nell Jackson. If I Fall picks up a few months after the events in When I Lost You and Carla is on an awkward date with her boyfriend, their relationship teetering after the secrets unearthed in the first book. The pair are on a trendy rooftop terrace bar when Carla notices a woman lurking behind a plant, her clothes marking her out as potentially homeless. A couple of minutes later the woman has jumped, an apparent case of suicide. But Carla overhears a conversation between three people that makes her wonder if the verdict is that simple. What is the Reunion? What did the dead woman have to do with the trio and why are they hiding that they knew her? But suspicious as Carla is, it's another thing to persuade her colleagues that the case merits another look-until another of the reunion turns up dead and this time there's no doubt about the cause of death.

Just like When I Lost You, If I Fall combines a twisty crime thriller with a unique take on a police procedural and uses the two to examine the underbelly of modern society. Here, the plight of the homeless in one of the UK's most famous and affluent cities, the evils of conversion therapy and toxic bullying combine in an unsettling, riveting narrative. Carla and Nell's partnership continues to evolve and mature in a case that affects them both, leading to some questionable decisions and wrong turns. Highly enjoyable and fast paced I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended -and bring on book 3!

[E Dod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just from the back cover I could tell this book would be great. This is the second instalment in the series about Carla Brown and Detective Nell Jackson. I have not read the first book, but I will be reading it soon.

We follow the lives of four friends who have a reunion on a rooftop bar, they have been invited individually and they are not 100% sure of who has sent these invites to them so the curiosity starts straight away with the question of who?. They meet at the bar and fall witness to a woman that seemingly seems to have committed suicide by falling off the roof but we soon realise that not all is what it seems. Many questions are raised and Carla Brown who is a crime analyst suspects there is more at play than originally thought.

I read this book so quick as it really captured my imagination and I felt like I needed to find out what was happening.

If you love a good murder/thriller/mystery (like I do) then do pick a copy of this book up, it is not to be missed. You do not have to have read the first book in the series either as it makes for a good standalone novel.

Thanks to NetGalley, Merilyn Davies and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.


From the blurb -

"We were told to meet at a rooftop bar.

Four friends, bound by one terrible secret.

No one knew why we were there.

Then we saw a woman, watched as she fell from the edge and plunged to her death.

The police think it's suicide, but I know better.

Someone is sending a message.

Now they're coming for us"

[Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second of a police procedural/ crime thriller series featuring crime analyst Carla Brown and DS Nell Jackson. I had not read the first but this did not hinder my enjoyment of this book, instead it made me want to go back and read this to see what aspects of the characters I could get. It is certainly a series I would be interested to read more of Sami enjoyed the characters and the writing style.
The plot is very interesting as we start with the tram being called out to a suicide, this occurs after a select band of ex university graduates are invited to a roof top bar for a reunion. No one seems to know who has made the invitation or why. Some of this group are estranged and most are not friends.
The interesting topic of how some extreme religious groups deal with homosexuality and what extraordinary lengths they will go to to “cure” their own made me actually flinch reading about it. Making it more realistic as it was happening in plain sight in a modern day situation was compelling reading and the mystery surrounding the suicide and subsequent death and kidnap of the invitees was fast paced and well written.
The story line was quite different and this helped to keep my interest. I look forward to more in this series abs will be going back to read #1.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alex Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first book in the series which came out in 2019, and was intrigued enough by the duo of DS Nell Jackson and Analyst Carla Brown to read more and am glad I have.

Opening up with a suicide at a reunion, the story kind of makes you think , another reunion, another who did it amongst the party attending but it’s not like that at all as Merilyn Davies crafts a cleverly plotted thriller that delves into some interest subjects.

A story about control, manipulation, money and love and obsession, it’s a well written thriller, slowly paced as Davies tells her story, this was an engaging read with a pleasing end that leaves me again ready to read more from the duo in future.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the arc of If I Fall by Merilyn Davies.

4 star read- This was a great thrilling compelling and gripping read this follows 4 friends which are bound by a secret that's haunting them... then witnessed a woman who fell from the edge of a rooftop.. they think its suicide so does the police but is it or was it something else??

Recommend a great one my first by this author but doesn't disappoint!! 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Tove R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an intriguing start, and the story unfolds nicely. It is well-written, and it was an easy read. However, I did not particularly like the characters in the book. I felt like I lost my concentration at some point due to the lack of attachment to the characters. I only really enjoyed reading about Alice, and her I felt sorry for. No one should have to go through what she had to go through. The setting is nice, I enjoyed the banter regarding the universities in Oxford.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant set to read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I fall by Merilyn Davies.
We were told to meet at a rooftop bar.
Four friends, bound by one terrible secret.No one knew why we were there.
Then we saw a woman, watched as she fell from the edge and plunged to her death.The police think it’s suicide, but I know better.Someone is sending a message.Now they’re coming for us.
A brilliant read. Read in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. 5*.

[Leah]

The book is good, but the author needs a better editor or needs to be given the time to do a more careful read-through Characters were referred to by the wrong names several times, and once the wrong murder was referred to, only to be corrected later in the paragraph. This seems to be happening more and more these days. It is a shame to have an otherwise good book ruined by sloppy editing.

[Hayley Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly I did not realise this was the second book in a series and it was my first book of this authors. It was a well written thriller including policing detail too. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story. I would never have guessed the ending but poor Alice she was not only raped but goaded into taking her own life.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

you should’ve fell

It had a good premise but too much religious rhetoric. It was very boring at times. I didn’t find it a real suspense. I honestly wouldn’t recommend.

[Vera Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I like the mystery and guessing what was next. Wondering what really happened to Alice to make her kill herself