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Odell's Fall
Where do you go once you've clawed your way from obscurity to the pinnacle of success? When you've finally found the woman of your dreams. When the ethical rules guiding your life need to be broken in order to have her. When you've eloped to avoid the stigma of an inter-racial marriage among Alabama's elite. If you're Odell Moore, one of New York’s most successful lawyers, the entire world is watching your inevitable descent. And two New York detectives will be waiting to greet you in hell.
Love, jealousy, and deceit lead to murder in a penthouse apartment. But did Odell do it? Even he can’t be sure.
Othello has re-emerged in modern Manhattan. Will it end better for him and Desdemona this time?
Follow the clues and beware the plot twists and turns to the very last page in Norman Bacal's debut novel.
Love, jealousy, and deceit lead to murder in a penthouse apartment. But did Odell do it? Even he can’t be sure.
Othello has re-emerged in modern Manhattan. Will it end better for him and Desdemona this time?
Follow the clues and beware the plot twists and turns to the very last page in Norman Bacal's debut novel.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2019
72 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 7, 2019
When I heard about this book, it was pitched to me as a retelling of Shakespeare’s play Othello but set in a law firm. And all I can say is this: THIS is how to write a good retelling. It had enough traces of the original play for me to see how it connected, and how the characterisation could be compared to the original characters. But the novel also went off on its own tangent enough for the storyline to become unpredictable despite me being so familiar with the play. Enough similarity to be a retelling but enough uniqueness to be its own story. I loved it.
The book seems to go in two separate parts. In the beginning there is a lot of build up and setting of the groundwork for the rest of the story. Things quickly get complex and tangled. Everything seems to be closely following the events of the play. But then the murder happens, and it suddenly becomes its own murder thriller mystery, which intrigued me from beginning to end. I wanted to know if the novel would follow the original play with whodunnit, or if it would be someone else entirely. As this novel added a lot of new elements and relationship complications to the original play, it made it unpredictable!
The novel is also incredibly layered. We get themes of family, friendship, and the careful work/play balance which no one has ever seemed to master. It is a very plot driven book as well. I did like Odell’s character a lot and rooted for him, and I also liked a lot of the main characters. But what mostly intrigued me with this book was admittedly the suspense and brilliant pacing.
I do want to give a fair warning though, as not every reader is like me. The author knows the insides and outsides of the law well, and it does mean it can get a bit technical-heavy on the lawspeak in this one. I liked it because it meant everything to do with the law firm and their reactions to events was incredibly realistic and accurate. It might be boring to some, but it intrigued me all the more. I loved knowing how the little details about law came into play with the situation.
This book does its fair share of head hopping and I think the shifting perspectives worked well for the book. Every character had their own motivations which were believable. I understood why they did what they did at every occasion. It made me question on multiple occasions whether the murderer could truly be someone whose inner thoughts I understood so much. I wanted certain things… and this book sure did give me a very satisfactory ending. I put aside all responsibilities in order to finish reading the book!
The writing in this one is very straightforward and simplistic. It is very much a tell it as it is kind of story… While that may not work for everyone, I personally, think it works very well for thrillers. It kept up the suspense and moves the pace forward. And as a Shakespeare fangirl, I was clinging to the edge of my seat throughout reading this one. Definitely a recommend!
This review and others can be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2019/1...
The book seems to go in two separate parts. In the beginning there is a lot of build up and setting of the groundwork for the rest of the story. Things quickly get complex and tangled. Everything seems to be closely following the events of the play. But then the murder happens, and it suddenly becomes its own murder thriller mystery, which intrigued me from beginning to end. I wanted to know if the novel would follow the original play with whodunnit, or if it would be someone else entirely. As this novel added a lot of new elements and relationship complications to the original play, it made it unpredictable!
The novel is also incredibly layered. We get themes of family, friendship, and the careful work/play balance which no one has ever seemed to master. It is a very plot driven book as well. I did like Odell’s character a lot and rooted for him, and I also liked a lot of the main characters. But what mostly intrigued me with this book was admittedly the suspense and brilliant pacing.
I do want to give a fair warning though, as not every reader is like me. The author knows the insides and outsides of the law well, and it does mean it can get a bit technical-heavy on the lawspeak in this one. I liked it because it meant everything to do with the law firm and their reactions to events was incredibly realistic and accurate. It might be boring to some, but it intrigued me all the more. I loved knowing how the little details about law came into play with the situation.
This book does its fair share of head hopping and I think the shifting perspectives worked well for the book. Every character had their own motivations which were believable. I understood why they did what they did at every occasion. It made me question on multiple occasions whether the murderer could truly be someone whose inner thoughts I understood so much. I wanted certain things… and this book sure did give me a very satisfactory ending. I put aside all responsibilities in order to finish reading the book!
The writing in this one is very straightforward and simplistic. It is very much a tell it as it is kind of story… While that may not work for everyone, I personally, think it works very well for thrillers. It kept up the suspense and moves the pace forward. And as a Shakespeare fangirl, I was clinging to the edge of my seat throughout reading this one. Definitely a recommend!
This review and others can be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2019/1...
August 29, 2019
‘To the General! The paragon of thoughtful leadership’
Canadian author Norman Bacal stands tall as both an attorney and an entertainment world advisor. A graduate of McGill University’s Faculty of Law he joined the prestigious law firm of Heenan Blaikie, founding the Toronto office and propelling that firm as the national co-managing partner to become Canada’s most visible and respected law firms. His expertise as a tax attorney aided the financial foundations of Canadian films and television as well as his becoming an advisor for Warner Bros, MGM and Lions Gate Entertainment. Fortunately for the reading public, Norman has retired from these endeavors and devotes his time to writing first his superb BREAKDOWN, his account of the rise and fall of a major Canadian law firm. Now he uses his experience and expertise in coping with the innards of a major law firm in transposing his gut level story from Canada to New York. TGO law firm could easily be Heenan Blaikie. Bacal’s debut novel ODELL’S FALL is a stunning epic novel that embraces many important subjects as well as offering a vivid tale of love, deceit, murder and other crimes – with a fine trajectory that recalls Shakespeare’s OTHELLO!
Bacal invests the readers attention from the opening paragraphs, setting a tone that will flow through the pages of this fine novel: ‘Odell Moore stood alone, back against the wall. His broad shoulders sagged, his eyelids drooped, and the champagne glass slipped out of his grip, triggering an electric shock. His long fingers grasped for the stem just before disaster struck, spilling a few drops on the beige boardroom carpet. He was not in much of a party mood. He studied the busy movements all around him. No one seemed to notice. Men and women of all sizes, ages, and colours, his army, reached for hors d’oeuvres from the floating silver trays offered by the wait staff. Some of the lawyers smiled on the way by, careful not to make too much direct eye contact. Odell nodded and tipped his flute. That was the Odell they’d come to expect. Alert to all contingencies. In control. This was home base—central command—the offices of TGO, on Sixth Avenue, the focal point of the business universe. A hundred-hour-plus workweek, minimum. No complaints. TGO fed you and, if necessary, se¬duced and bedded you in order to service the clients and their enormous deals. No question this was home, though this was not family. This was better than family. And Odell was their leader.’
Title character established, we gradually learn that Odell is African American, married to Dee Brabant, a Southern white woman whose father is a racist Alabama senator, in an atmosphere where ‘the men delivered the social status. The wives were supposed to shut up and keep the smile pasted on between affairs. Divorce led to excommunication. Showed a lack of backbone. You also didn’t marry out of class. And you certainly didn’t marry out of race. Not if you expected to keep those friends.’
The provided synopsis hints at the intrigue to come: ‘Where do you go once you've clawed your way from obscurity to the pinnacle of success? When you've finally found the woman of your dreams. When the ethical rules guiding your life need to be broken in order to have her. When you've eloped to avoid the stigma of an inter-racial marriage among Alabama's elite. If you're Odell Moore, one of New York’s most successful lawyers, the entire world is watching your inevitable descent. And two New York detectives will be waiting to greet you in hell. Love, jealousy, and deceit lead to murder in a penthouse apartment. But did Odell do it? Even he can’t be sure.’
A gripping legal novel with superbly crafted twists and turns that rivet attention up to the final page, this is one extraordinary debut novel by an author who gains leverage on the platform of the finest writers of the day. Highly Recommended.
Canadian author Norman Bacal stands tall as both an attorney and an entertainment world advisor. A graduate of McGill University’s Faculty of Law he joined the prestigious law firm of Heenan Blaikie, founding the Toronto office and propelling that firm as the national co-managing partner to become Canada’s most visible and respected law firms. His expertise as a tax attorney aided the financial foundations of Canadian films and television as well as his becoming an advisor for Warner Bros, MGM and Lions Gate Entertainment. Fortunately for the reading public, Norman has retired from these endeavors and devotes his time to writing first his superb BREAKDOWN, his account of the rise and fall of a major Canadian law firm. Now he uses his experience and expertise in coping with the innards of a major law firm in transposing his gut level story from Canada to New York. TGO law firm could easily be Heenan Blaikie. Bacal’s debut novel ODELL’S FALL is a stunning epic novel that embraces many important subjects as well as offering a vivid tale of love, deceit, murder and other crimes – with a fine trajectory that recalls Shakespeare’s OTHELLO!
Bacal invests the readers attention from the opening paragraphs, setting a tone that will flow through the pages of this fine novel: ‘Odell Moore stood alone, back against the wall. His broad shoulders sagged, his eyelids drooped, and the champagne glass slipped out of his grip, triggering an electric shock. His long fingers grasped for the stem just before disaster struck, spilling a few drops on the beige boardroom carpet. He was not in much of a party mood. He studied the busy movements all around him. No one seemed to notice. Men and women of all sizes, ages, and colours, his army, reached for hors d’oeuvres from the floating silver trays offered by the wait staff. Some of the lawyers smiled on the way by, careful not to make too much direct eye contact. Odell nodded and tipped his flute. That was the Odell they’d come to expect. Alert to all contingencies. In control. This was home base—central command—the offices of TGO, on Sixth Avenue, the focal point of the business universe. A hundred-hour-plus workweek, minimum. No complaints. TGO fed you and, if necessary, se¬duced and bedded you in order to service the clients and their enormous deals. No question this was home, though this was not family. This was better than family. And Odell was their leader.’
Title character established, we gradually learn that Odell is African American, married to Dee Brabant, a Southern white woman whose father is a racist Alabama senator, in an atmosphere where ‘the men delivered the social status. The wives were supposed to shut up and keep the smile pasted on between affairs. Divorce led to excommunication. Showed a lack of backbone. You also didn’t marry out of class. And you certainly didn’t marry out of race. Not if you expected to keep those friends.’
The provided synopsis hints at the intrigue to come: ‘Where do you go once you've clawed your way from obscurity to the pinnacle of success? When you've finally found the woman of your dreams. When the ethical rules guiding your life need to be broken in order to have her. When you've eloped to avoid the stigma of an inter-racial marriage among Alabama's elite. If you're Odell Moore, one of New York’s most successful lawyers, the entire world is watching your inevitable descent. And two New York detectives will be waiting to greet you in hell. Love, jealousy, and deceit lead to murder in a penthouse apartment. But did Odell do it? Even he can’t be sure.’
A gripping legal novel with superbly crafted twists and turns that rivet attention up to the final page, this is one extraordinary debut novel by an author who gains leverage on the platform of the finest writers of the day. Highly Recommended.
November 21, 2019
Loved the book!
Thoroughly enjoyed the book and had trouble putting it down. The characters were so vivid that it was easy to love/hate them. Can’t wait for the next book!
Thoroughly enjoyed the book and had trouble putting it down. The characters were so vivid that it was easy to love/hate them. Can’t wait for the next book!
October 1, 2020
I cannot understand what led me to want to read this. I know it was free, and it was easy to read, but I got nothing out of it at all. For the first hundred pages I was bored and almost gave up, but then it turned into a murder mystery, which earned it the second star, because the cops were interesting. The writing is OK but the characters are unconvincing and the plot very clunky. Disappointing!
April 28, 2020
Supposedly Odell's Fall is loosely based on Othello, but since I haven't any more than a passing acquaintance with Shakespeare (thanks to High School English class) I cannot comment on this aspect of this potboiler-style novel that involves corporate lawyers, hostile takeovers, jealousy and murder. To be honest (and why wouldn't I be?) this is not the type of book that appeals to me, but I promised the author I would read and review it.
The pros of Odell's Fall: a good story and the author knows of what he writes, which is a plus.
Is the story well-told? I rated it 3 stars ("liked it") because I did like it. For me, Odell's Fall was like reading an episode of Law and Order, except the murder doesn't occur at the beginning of the book. There are detectives, judges, lawyers (of course) and lots of circumstantial evidence and clues to follow up on.
The cons: I really couldn't like any of the characters. Perhaps Mac, one of the detectives, comes closest to being likeable. Stereotypes abound: the Southern Senator, the Senator's precious daughter, the jealous understudy, the good-looking best friend, and so on.
If you like this type of novel, I'm sure you will like Odell's Fall. The publisher's page makes this statement: "Twists and turns abound in the style of Linwood Barclay, and this murder mystery combines the delicious appeal of Louise Penny and the imagination and elegance of Sir Jeffrey Archer to keep you turning the pages until you find the answer." Writers I have heard of, certainly, but haven't read, but if you like them, apparently you will like Odell's Fall.
The pros of Odell's Fall: a good story and the author knows of what he writes, which is a plus.
Is the story well-told? I rated it 3 stars ("liked it") because I did like it. For me, Odell's Fall was like reading an episode of Law and Order, except the murder doesn't occur at the beginning of the book. There are detectives, judges, lawyers (of course) and lots of circumstantial evidence and clues to follow up on.
The cons: I really couldn't like any of the characters. Perhaps Mac, one of the detectives, comes closest to being likeable. Stereotypes abound: the Southern Senator, the Senator's precious daughter, the jealous understudy, the good-looking best friend, and so on.
If you like this type of novel, I'm sure you will like Odell's Fall. The publisher's page makes this statement: "Twists and turns abound in the style of Linwood Barclay, and this murder mystery combines the delicious appeal of Louise Penny and the imagination and elegance of Sir Jeffrey Archer to keep you turning the pages until you find the answer." Writers I have heard of, certainly, but haven't read, but if you like them, apparently you will like Odell's Fall.
September 30, 2019
A gripping rollercoaster ride of a legal thriller!
Already a bestseller, Odell’s Fall is a murder mystery/thriller, written by a top notch attorney, that will grab you and not let you go until the last page.
Filled with strong characters, author Norman Bacal’s debut novel examines the complexities of an interracial relationship between a southern white woman (Dee) whose father is a racist, and her African-American attorney husband (Odell.) Thrown into this mix are people who are involved in lies and deceit as they all interact in the delicate dance of life and work, and the overlapping and strained relationships that come with fast-paced, highly traveled careers. Bacal does a fantastic job of looking deeper at his characters, stripping open their hearts and laying in front of us the regret, shame, tears, and heartbreak that come from wrong choices, the desperate grab for power, and the desire to be in control.
Add to that a murder mystery, and you have one heck of a novel.
The author offers us an “insider’s view” of the inner workings of law and lawyers, writing from the experience of being an attorney himself. Odell’s Fall will open a door into a story of legal intrigue that you won’t want to leave, and I believe will soon be a favorite among the fans of its genre, and beyond. Highly recommended.
Already a bestseller, Odell’s Fall is a murder mystery/thriller, written by a top notch attorney, that will grab you and not let you go until the last page.
Filled with strong characters, author Norman Bacal’s debut novel examines the complexities of an interracial relationship between a southern white woman (Dee) whose father is a racist, and her African-American attorney husband (Odell.) Thrown into this mix are people who are involved in lies and deceit as they all interact in the delicate dance of life and work, and the overlapping and strained relationships that come with fast-paced, highly traveled careers. Bacal does a fantastic job of looking deeper at his characters, stripping open their hearts and laying in front of us the regret, shame, tears, and heartbreak that come from wrong choices, the desperate grab for power, and the desire to be in control.
Add to that a murder mystery, and you have one heck of a novel.
The author offers us an “insider’s view” of the inner workings of law and lawyers, writing from the experience of being an attorney himself. Odell’s Fall will open a door into a story of legal intrigue that you won’t want to leave, and I believe will soon be a favorite among the fans of its genre, and beyond. Highly recommended.
July 26, 2020
Really good book from a Canadian author. The story is good and keeps you alert until the end.
I am looking to the read a new book from Norman Bacal.
I am looking to the read a new book from Norman Bacal.
Read
November 29, 2020Surprised by the ending
I read this book for our book club and I'm so glad I did. The storytelling was enjoyable and it kept my interest.
I read this book for our book club and I'm so glad I did. The storytelling was enjoyable and it kept my interest.
September 16, 2019
Norman Bacal's debut provocative work of fiction, Odell's Fall is a hybrid of ambition and psychological trauma patterned after Shakespeare's Othello.
The story features a successful corporate lawyer, Odell Moore who is a partner in the prestigious international law firm, Torrance, Gottlieb, Overton (TGO). His colleagues think very highly of his negotiating skills and have nicknamed him“The General.”
As the yarn unfolds, Odell is celebrating with his associates his success in putting together a transaction known as the “Bounty” that is going to create hundreds of jobs in Mobile, Alabama. We learn that immediately after the deal had been consummated, Odell had rushed to Las Vegas with his future wife to be married without telling her folks. Odell had met and fallen in love with Dee Brabant at a fundraising event held in her parent's home. Odell had been at the party to lobby Dee's father, Senator Brabant to convince him to back his client's plan to invest in an Alabama infrastructure project. He needed the Senator's support at the Senate Appropriations Committee to make the deal work.
Odell knew, however, if the Senator found about his interest in his daughter, the deal would be “toast.” He would never accept his daughter having an affair with the descendant of a slave, particularly that the Senator's family were involved with the Klan.
At the office celebration, we meet Jackson Sherman, who considers Odell, his mentor and who desperately has his eyes set on becoming a partner at TGO. Sherman is quite ambitious, perhaps too relentless to succeed, even though he has all the tools and requirements to become an equity partner. He describes himself as “a hard-core deal junkie.” It was Jackson's family's connection to the Senator that helped set up Odell's relationship with him.
When Dee returns home to her folks to tell them the news that she had eloped with Odell, “all hell breaks loose.” Her father “blows a casket” and is not prepared to accept the marriage of his only child to an African-American. He tells Dee that Odell is “a bewitchin' man, interested in you only until he gets what he wants.” He promises to do everything in his power to undo the marriage, which perhaps is a clue to readers as what will unfold.
Tension mounts as the story shifts back to Sherman, who is disappointed that Odell did not choose him to run an important file but instead gave him a secondary role. Michael Cassidy, who is a former football teammate of Odell and is from the TGO's Los Angeles office, was given the chief position. Sherman realizes that his path to equity partnership is threatened by Cassidy as the firm only appoints one equity partner when there is an opening. This leads him to uncharted waters with devastating ramifications which not only involves himself but also the hidden demons and secrets of Odell.
What I found fascinating about Bacal's plot is that he creates a world where the reader is held hostage. It is a plot fueled by incertitude where you never know where Bacal is going as he slowly weaves a devious scheme and a painful frightening revelation. He spins a tale in a fluid narrative style with well-paced, well-blocked flurries of exciting action laced with disturbing undertones of mystery and doom where every detail has been put into play for a reason.
Follow Here https://waa.ai/3PRs To Read Norm's Interview With Norman Bacal Author of Odell's Fall
The story features a successful corporate lawyer, Odell Moore who is a partner in the prestigious international law firm, Torrance, Gottlieb, Overton (TGO). His colleagues think very highly of his negotiating skills and have nicknamed him“The General.”
As the yarn unfolds, Odell is celebrating with his associates his success in putting together a transaction known as the “Bounty” that is going to create hundreds of jobs in Mobile, Alabama. We learn that immediately after the deal had been consummated, Odell had rushed to Las Vegas with his future wife to be married without telling her folks. Odell had met and fallen in love with Dee Brabant at a fundraising event held in her parent's home. Odell had been at the party to lobby Dee's father, Senator Brabant to convince him to back his client's plan to invest in an Alabama infrastructure project. He needed the Senator's support at the Senate Appropriations Committee to make the deal work.
Odell knew, however, if the Senator found about his interest in his daughter, the deal would be “toast.” He would never accept his daughter having an affair with the descendant of a slave, particularly that the Senator's family were involved with the Klan.
At the office celebration, we meet Jackson Sherman, who considers Odell, his mentor and who desperately has his eyes set on becoming a partner at TGO. Sherman is quite ambitious, perhaps too relentless to succeed, even though he has all the tools and requirements to become an equity partner. He describes himself as “a hard-core deal junkie.” It was Jackson's family's connection to the Senator that helped set up Odell's relationship with him.
When Dee returns home to her folks to tell them the news that she had eloped with Odell, “all hell breaks loose.” Her father “blows a casket” and is not prepared to accept the marriage of his only child to an African-American. He tells Dee that Odell is “a bewitchin' man, interested in you only until he gets what he wants.” He promises to do everything in his power to undo the marriage, which perhaps is a clue to readers as what will unfold.
Tension mounts as the story shifts back to Sherman, who is disappointed that Odell did not choose him to run an important file but instead gave him a secondary role. Michael Cassidy, who is a former football teammate of Odell and is from the TGO's Los Angeles office, was given the chief position. Sherman realizes that his path to equity partnership is threatened by Cassidy as the firm only appoints one equity partner when there is an opening. This leads him to uncharted waters with devastating ramifications which not only involves himself but also the hidden demons and secrets of Odell.
What I found fascinating about Bacal's plot is that he creates a world where the reader is held hostage. It is a plot fueled by incertitude where you never know where Bacal is going as he slowly weaves a devious scheme and a painful frightening revelation. He spins a tale in a fluid narrative style with well-paced, well-blocked flurries of exciting action laced with disturbing undertones of mystery and doom where every detail has been put into play for a reason.
Follow Here https://waa.ai/3PRs To Read Norm's Interview With Norman Bacal Author of Odell's Fall
October 12, 2019
Odell's Fall is a story set against the background of racism in modern day Alabama, involving love, jealousy and deceit, culminating in a murder in a rich lawyer's apartment. But who did it?
Odell Moore leads his diverse team of hardworking lawyers in midtown Manhattan, based on trust. His moves come carefully calculated. He is the master of legally preying on adversaries; but in the game of romance, politics, and dangerous associations, who is the cat and who is the mouse? In order to have Dee, the woman of his dreams, Odell, a successful African American, must break the ethical and social rules still governing southern life in order to have her. He has risen from a troubled past to become a leader. Can he and his new bride make a life in a big city with the past still haunting his choices?
This question, asked early on in the story, becomes one of its central pivot points as Odell faces challenges and changes that redirect the course of his career and life.
Readers anticipating a staid mystery, courtroom drama, or legal office political discussion will quickly discover that the tone, setting, and most of all, the ethical conundrums presented in Odell's Fall make it a little bit of all the above, but none of these, exclusively.
Dee's father, a racist Alabama senator, who opposes the marriage, joins forces with Odells's protege, Jackson Sherman, to unsettle this marriage and change its course, and the entwining of political ambitions, wealth, devious plotting and murder create a complex, absorbing read that relies on no familiar genre atmosphere, but challenges its readers with delightful twists and thought-provoking confrontations.
As Odell's Fall unfolds, Odell is revealed to be a strategist, perfectionist, and clever man whose remorse changes everything in his life.
Revelations are presented in chapters which capture almost moment-by-moment changes as Odell traverses an uncertain course into disaster, faces an internal rational response system which hits the wall over Dee's fate, and questions his own role in what really happened. Between his lack of memory, an unbelievable story and premise, and losing battles of credibility among his colleagues and mother-in-law, Odell faces not just a personal and professional downfall, but one of the biggest puzzles of his life.
From political deals to corporate takeovers, to detective investigations, clues about motivations and entwined lives, and the history of Odell's reactions to adversity, Odell's Fall does more than play cat-and-mouse games with the protagonist's psyche: it translates these matches into challenges for readers pulled into the complex interactions and motives of everyone around Odell.
Odell's Fall covers romance, partnerships, lives lost and won, the legacy of Odell's heritage and its influences, and the mystery surrounding his actions with a deft attention to detail.
Under another hand, these multifaceted subplots might have proved confusing; but Norman Bacal excels in seamlessly entwining different perspectives, motivations, and personal, political and legal affairs. His ability to capture the personal and professional conundrums of a man with a secret to hide not only from the world, but from himself, makes for a riveting production from beginning to end: a story that will leave readers thinking long after the final revelations come to light.
Odell Moore leads his diverse team of hardworking lawyers in midtown Manhattan, based on trust. His moves come carefully calculated. He is the master of legally preying on adversaries; but in the game of romance, politics, and dangerous associations, who is the cat and who is the mouse? In order to have Dee, the woman of his dreams, Odell, a successful African American, must break the ethical and social rules still governing southern life in order to have her. He has risen from a troubled past to become a leader. Can he and his new bride make a life in a big city with the past still haunting his choices?
This question, asked early on in the story, becomes one of its central pivot points as Odell faces challenges and changes that redirect the course of his career and life.
Readers anticipating a staid mystery, courtroom drama, or legal office political discussion will quickly discover that the tone, setting, and most of all, the ethical conundrums presented in Odell's Fall make it a little bit of all the above, but none of these, exclusively.
Dee's father, a racist Alabama senator, who opposes the marriage, joins forces with Odells's protege, Jackson Sherman, to unsettle this marriage and change its course, and the entwining of political ambitions, wealth, devious plotting and murder create a complex, absorbing read that relies on no familiar genre atmosphere, but challenges its readers with delightful twists and thought-provoking confrontations.
As Odell's Fall unfolds, Odell is revealed to be a strategist, perfectionist, and clever man whose remorse changes everything in his life.
Revelations are presented in chapters which capture almost moment-by-moment changes as Odell traverses an uncertain course into disaster, faces an internal rational response system which hits the wall over Dee's fate, and questions his own role in what really happened. Between his lack of memory, an unbelievable story and premise, and losing battles of credibility among his colleagues and mother-in-law, Odell faces not just a personal and professional downfall, but one of the biggest puzzles of his life.
From political deals to corporate takeovers, to detective investigations, clues about motivations and entwined lives, and the history of Odell's reactions to adversity, Odell's Fall does more than play cat-and-mouse games with the protagonist's psyche: it translates these matches into challenges for readers pulled into the complex interactions and motives of everyone around Odell.
Odell's Fall covers romance, partnerships, lives lost and won, the legacy of Odell's heritage and its influences, and the mystery surrounding his actions with a deft attention to detail.
Under another hand, these multifaceted subplots might have proved confusing; but Norman Bacal excels in seamlessly entwining different perspectives, motivations, and personal, political and legal affairs. His ability to capture the personal and professional conundrums of a man with a secret to hide not only from the world, but from himself, makes for a riveting production from beginning to end: a story that will leave readers thinking long after the final revelations come to light.
September 25, 2019
As soon as I opened the first page of this exciting legal thriller I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down. Straight away the lead character Odell Moore’s incredible presence and power as one of New York’s most successful lawyers captured my attention. Little did I realise that underneath the formidable, confident, presence which is Odell’s face to the world, lies a much more complex character, one which continues to unravel and offer new surprises right until the very last page.
The story begins with a celebration, it’s champagne all around as the lawyers at the prestigious international firm TGO congratulate themselves on having won the “Bounty” deal, and as their leader Odell Moore, affectionately known as The General, must celebrate this a major victory with them.
However today Odell’s mind is elsewhere, it is with his new wife, beautiful southern belle Dee. The couple have just returned from their secret wedding in Vegas and Dee is on her way to break the news of their marriage to her parents. How will her mother react, and what impact will their marriage have on her father, a deeply racist Alabama senator, when he learns her new husband is an African American?
Odell’s rise to the top of his profession has been achieved by sheer determination and he has fought for recognition and respect every step of the way. This is the way it is if you want to succeed in this business, in a profession which is ruthless, cut throat even. However, Odell is not the only one fired with a deep hunger and ambition. Jackson Sherman, Odell’s young underling, is hungry for success, sure of his own potential and unwilling to let anything get in his way. His rise through the ranks at TGO seems destined to succeed, but will it? When the seeds of doubt are planted in Jackson’s mind he discovers his darker side, a side which will stop at nothing in order to succeed.
The author’s best-selling first book “Breakdown” told the story of the rise and fall of the iconic Canadian law firm Heenan Blaikie, and in this his first work of fiction he uses his vast experience in the world of law to treat his readers into a glimpse of what life is really like for these high achievers, the glitzy and glamor, the toll on relationships, and what really happens in their lives both inside and outside the boardroom.
This story is a modern day take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Othello, and Odell like Othello is soon to learn that you can trust no-one, and when you are sitting high up on your pedestal, there are plenty of people who are watching, and waiting for you to fall.
I just loved this exciting fast-paced thriller. Right from the first page there’s a wonderful mix of excitement, revelation and expectation as the plot evolves and new discoveries about the characters are made. Highly recommended!
The story begins with a celebration, it’s champagne all around as the lawyers at the prestigious international firm TGO congratulate themselves on having won the “Bounty” deal, and as their leader Odell Moore, affectionately known as The General, must celebrate this a major victory with them.
However today Odell’s mind is elsewhere, it is with his new wife, beautiful southern belle Dee. The couple have just returned from their secret wedding in Vegas and Dee is on her way to break the news of their marriage to her parents. How will her mother react, and what impact will their marriage have on her father, a deeply racist Alabama senator, when he learns her new husband is an African American?
Odell’s rise to the top of his profession has been achieved by sheer determination and he has fought for recognition and respect every step of the way. This is the way it is if you want to succeed in this business, in a profession which is ruthless, cut throat even. However, Odell is not the only one fired with a deep hunger and ambition. Jackson Sherman, Odell’s young underling, is hungry for success, sure of his own potential and unwilling to let anything get in his way. His rise through the ranks at TGO seems destined to succeed, but will it? When the seeds of doubt are planted in Jackson’s mind he discovers his darker side, a side which will stop at nothing in order to succeed.
The author’s best-selling first book “Breakdown” told the story of the rise and fall of the iconic Canadian law firm Heenan Blaikie, and in this his first work of fiction he uses his vast experience in the world of law to treat his readers into a glimpse of what life is really like for these high achievers, the glitzy and glamor, the toll on relationships, and what really happens in their lives both inside and outside the boardroom.
This story is a modern day take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy Othello, and Odell like Othello is soon to learn that you can trust no-one, and when you are sitting high up on your pedestal, there are plenty of people who are watching, and waiting for you to fall.
I just loved this exciting fast-paced thriller. Right from the first page there’s a wonderful mix of excitement, revelation and expectation as the plot evolves and new discoveries about the characters are made. Highly recommended!
October 13, 2019
Othello had been one of my favorite plays by William Shakespeare so when I read that this is pretty much a modern version, I could not help but give this a read.
The story follows Dee and Odell. The two fell in love right away and married quickly. Odell is extremely successful and rich and charming and Dee comes from a prestigious Alabama family. However, due to his race, they knew they wouldn't find acceptance so they eloped. They move to New York and things don't get better. Jealousy and deceit start plaguing them.
The beginning was a drag for me if I am to be frank here. Maybe we are supposed feel bored alongside Dee and Emily? They live lonely existences because their husbands, Odell and Jackson, are busy successful men and simply just want to work all day and all night. Booo! They are just the wives at home and we barely got to see Odell and Dee just be together and be in love. I think I was missing that bonding time with them to see the love.
However, after a certain event started unfolding at the store and then at the beach I was intrigued again and I knew it was beginning to happen. Iago...I mean Jackson...was beginning his insidious plan to ruin Odell's life. Ooooo that baddie. Always so bad!!!!
I was ABSOLUTELY hooked at this point. The intrigue and the drama. Ooooooo that father-in-law!!!!! I hated him. Horrible, horrible man.
I felt for Dee. She was just a dumb, rich girl who just wanted to be happy and in love.
Odell has a lot of issues and I felt for him. Poor guy! I also felt for his friend Michael.
Poor everyone! Except for our baddie and the father-in-law. Heck! I even felt for Emily. She was equally a victim.
The ending was awesome. TOTALLY didn't see that coming. I loved the detectives. The ending made me happy.
What else to say without giving away spoilers?? MMMmmmmmMMM
Yes, this was a good one. It was like the original play but with many different twists and turns and we got to see a lot more character development. The modern take was fun and done well. Kuddos to the author for not just copy-pasting this story. The author truly found a different way to tell this story and make it different. You don't at ALL have to read the original play. This was its own story.
All-in-all, I really enjoyed this book. The beginning was dragging there for a bit, but once the ball got rolling I was totally glued to the pages. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a good people story. I'll stamp this with 4 stars with a touch of romance and a bunch of mysteries.
The story follows Dee and Odell. The two fell in love right away and married quickly. Odell is extremely successful and rich and charming and Dee comes from a prestigious Alabama family. However, due to his race, they knew they wouldn't find acceptance so they eloped. They move to New York and things don't get better. Jealousy and deceit start plaguing them.
The beginning was a drag for me if I am to be frank here. Maybe we are supposed feel bored alongside Dee and Emily? They live lonely existences because their husbands, Odell and Jackson, are busy successful men and simply just want to work all day and all night. Booo! They are just the wives at home and we barely got to see Odell and Dee just be together and be in love. I think I was missing that bonding time with them to see the love.
However, after a certain event started unfolding at the store and then at the beach I was intrigued again and I knew it was beginning to happen. Iago...I mean Jackson...was beginning his insidious plan to ruin Odell's life. Ooooo that baddie. Always so bad!!!!
I was ABSOLUTELY hooked at this point. The intrigue and the drama. Ooooooo that father-in-law!!!!! I hated him. Horrible, horrible man.
I felt for Dee. She was just a dumb, rich girl who just wanted to be happy and in love.
Odell has a lot of issues and I felt for him. Poor guy! I also felt for his friend Michael.
Poor everyone! Except for our baddie and the father-in-law. Heck! I even felt for Emily. She was equally a victim.
The ending was awesome. TOTALLY didn't see that coming. I loved the detectives. The ending made me happy.
What else to say without giving away spoilers?? MMMmmmmmMMM
Yes, this was a good one. It was like the original play but with many different twists and turns and we got to see a lot more character development. The modern take was fun and done well. Kuddos to the author for not just copy-pasting this story. The author truly found a different way to tell this story and make it different. You don't at ALL have to read the original play. This was its own story.
All-in-all, I really enjoyed this book. The beginning was dragging there for a bit, but once the ball got rolling I was totally glued to the pages. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a good people story. I'll stamp this with 4 stars with a touch of romance and a bunch of mysteries.
October 16, 2019
Odells Fall by Norman Bacal
Story follows Dee and she arrives at her parents home.
She informs her mother of her recent marriage and her mother has NO clue as to whom or any other detail.
Odell is the other main character, Dee, her spouse, where they married in Vegas and went to Paris for their honeymoon.
They had met the past winter at her father's dinner party.
Chronological order of chapters also follows other men and their spouses who want to get ahead and do most anything to become a partner in the firm.
Like mystery of the amulet ....when he questions his wife about that and other things she was photographed with Michael-his college buddy, things get out of control and we then find him in jail.
He had been wandering around and doesn't recall a thing. We know at this point some things that did occur but not them all.
FBI and local cops are involved due to who died. His wife is in the hospital with her mother and she's stable..He can no longer go home as it's a crime scene and his lawyer helps him find new clothes to wear, a place to stay, etc.
Like who they talk to -people at work so we get to know Odell more from their angle of succeeding at all costs and what they will do to throw him or others under the bus to do so.
Like that the details are so very well described, you can picture yourself there, in the scene. Feel like this is almost two books in one as each part couldn't been their own book. Great they combined what happened with how they investigate and how you find out what really happened.
Bit lengthy but well worth the time to read this one! Has a bit of everything in it: travel, roman, legal, murder, jealousy, and so much more.
Acknowledgements and about the author end this book.
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
Story follows Dee and she arrives at her parents home.
She informs her mother of her recent marriage and her mother has NO clue as to whom or any other detail.
Odell is the other main character, Dee, her spouse, where they married in Vegas and went to Paris for their honeymoon.
They had met the past winter at her father's dinner party.
Chronological order of chapters also follows other men and their spouses who want to get ahead and do most anything to become a partner in the firm.
Like mystery of the amulet ....when he questions his wife about that and other things she was photographed with Michael-his college buddy, things get out of control and we then find him in jail.
He had been wandering around and doesn't recall a thing. We know at this point some things that did occur but not them all.
FBI and local cops are involved due to who died. His wife is in the hospital with her mother and she's stable..He can no longer go home as it's a crime scene and his lawyer helps him find new clothes to wear, a place to stay, etc.
Like who they talk to -people at work so we get to know Odell more from their angle of succeeding at all costs and what they will do to throw him or others under the bus to do so.
Like that the details are so very well described, you can picture yourself there, in the scene. Feel like this is almost two books in one as each part couldn't been their own book. Great they combined what happened with how they investigate and how you find out what really happened.
Bit lengthy but well worth the time to read this one! Has a bit of everything in it: travel, roman, legal, murder, jealousy, and so much more.
Acknowledgements and about the author end this book.
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
September 12, 2019
It’s been proven in history that people will do crazy things for love. Oftentimes people will do things out of character in the name of love and we have seen that not only throughout history but in great works like Shakespeare’s tragedy, Othello. Norman Bacall’s book Odell’s Fall lives in the same vein as Othello in the sense that sometimes the pursuit of love and success can bring us down dark roads.
It traces the career in a high-level law firm and the story will span three books in a trilogy. Each book is based on a different Shakespeare story which is just about the coolest thing ever! This particular story is heartbreaking at times and dangerous when it comes to deceit. We meet Odell who has to cross racial lines in order to marry Dee Brabant, the Desdemona in this story. She is the daughter of a Senator who does not want the two to be married at all. The character that embodies Lago is scheming and ambitious and goes by the name of Jackson Sherman who will do just about anything to succeed. He wants to catapult his career as well as ruin the marriage of Odell. There are so many winding roads in this story that it is hard to keep up with them all but they are all deliciously engaging.
What I loved about the book was that it had a lightning-fast pace which at times kept my heart pumping. It’s a book that keeps your attention all the way through and for me, I had a hard time putting it down at night. It’s a wonderful read for anyone who is looking for a thrilling story that will keep your attention right with the characters at all times. The plot twists will keep your head spinning with a murder mystery that is ripe for our age. If you love mystery and love the old tales of Shakespeare, then you are going to love this book as much as I did.
It traces the career in a high-level law firm and the story will span three books in a trilogy. Each book is based on a different Shakespeare story which is just about the coolest thing ever! This particular story is heartbreaking at times and dangerous when it comes to deceit. We meet Odell who has to cross racial lines in order to marry Dee Brabant, the Desdemona in this story. She is the daughter of a Senator who does not want the two to be married at all. The character that embodies Lago is scheming and ambitious and goes by the name of Jackson Sherman who will do just about anything to succeed. He wants to catapult his career as well as ruin the marriage of Odell. There are so many winding roads in this story that it is hard to keep up with them all but they are all deliciously engaging.
What I loved about the book was that it had a lightning-fast pace which at times kept my heart pumping. It’s a book that keeps your attention all the way through and for me, I had a hard time putting it down at night. It’s a wonderful read for anyone who is looking for a thrilling story that will keep your attention right with the characters at all times. The plot twists will keep your head spinning with a murder mystery that is ripe for our age. If you love mystery and love the old tales of Shakespeare, then you are going to love this book as much as I did.
October 7, 2019
Love, jealousy, greed, and a murderous desire for success – the key ingredients for a gripping mystery novel and thriller! Set in the cutthroat world of high-profile attorneys, the author takes us from New York to Los Angeles all the way to the Maritimes while exploring the delicate and complex relationships between parents and children, spouses, friends and colleagues.
Norman Bacal brilliantly creates a universe in which his characters come to life through rich dialogue and an intricate description of their personal lives and backgrounds, allowing the reader to connect with each one on multiple levels. In particular, we are privy to the life of Odell Moore, a man at the top of his career haunted by his past.
As a top Canadian entertainment attorney, Mr. Bacal invites us to witness firsthand the colorful law firm environment and what some may do to rise to the top!
This book is a must read and guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense until the very end! Looking forward to Norman Bacal's future novels!
Norman Bacal brilliantly creates a universe in which his characters come to life through rich dialogue and an intricate description of their personal lives and backgrounds, allowing the reader to connect with each one on multiple levels. In particular, we are privy to the life of Odell Moore, a man at the top of his career haunted by his past.
As a top Canadian entertainment attorney, Mr. Bacal invites us to witness firsthand the colorful law firm environment and what some may do to rise to the top!
This book is a must read and guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense until the very end! Looking forward to Norman Bacal's future novels!
September 28, 2019
I believe the author's experience in Law inspired some of the details he put into this book and that is one thing that stood out for me, the details- how each character is complex yet he presents them as simply chasing success. Odell is a mystery even unto himself and I don't think even he understood just how powerful he was. On the other hand, I love how the female characters are portrayed- soft but powerful, and the subtle power is often overlooked by the men, like the case of Emily and Jackson, their date and her be-friending Dee to give him the upper hand in winning Odell's trust is something sneaky but downright powerful.
I struggled with the pace halfway through the book and believe that this is because of my e-reader, however towards the end, it picks up real fast and you suddenly find yourself at the end of the story.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.
I struggled with the pace halfway through the book and believe that this is because of my e-reader, however towards the end, it picks up real fast and you suddenly find yourself at the end of the story.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.
November 17, 2019
As soon as I began to read Odells Fall, I knew that it was a real page turner. So much so, that I didn’t put it down until I finished it in that one sitting. Compelling characters, an intriguing plot line, and twists and turns until the unsuspected conclusion make this murder mystery a wonderful read. Norman Bacal has created a great suspense novel and I look forward to reading future novels from this very talented author. Bravo!
October 2, 2019
Great read (unless you were planning to go to sleep early, because you will stay up all night to get to the end!). Written by a law firm insider, the dynamics among the junior and senior associates and partners rang true and the plot had the requisite twists and surprises. I am looking forward to the next Bacal from this Canadian Grisham!
October 20, 2019
This murder mystery thriller was so riveting that I couldn't put it down, a real page-turner. I was constantly surprised and impressed by the author's imagination, and by his ability to develop and describe his characters so vividly, that I was instantly drawn into each one of their lives and into the plot as it unfolded with all its brilliant twists and turns. Not just a goodread, a MUST read!
October 18, 2019
This is better than the description, and packs a good punch with compelling characters and dramatics, plus some mystery. This a pretty dynamic and unusual story telling. Recommended!
I really appreciate the copy for review!!
I really appreciate the copy for review!!
November 17, 2019
Amazing
Could not put it down. All of the characters and description draw in the reader for an ending not expected.
Could not put it down. All of the characters and description draw in the reader for an ending not expected.
January 3, 2021
Odell Moore, a black man, is a successful attorney at a top New York law firm; after a whirlwind romance, he elopes with the daughter of a white Senator from the south because they knew the marriage would not be welcomed by her family. Though they're very much in love, the couple doesn't seem to really know each other very well or completely trust each other. Odell also has blackouts and big gaps in his memory at pivotal moments. Both he and his wife are sometimes secretive with each other. Then there are the colleagues who don't all seem of the highest ethical caliber... The action moves quickly from one chapter to another, but it didn't seem that there was enough character development to know what was driving their actions. New characters were introduced with almost no back-story, so it was difficult to see where they fit in. It was impossible to sort out the "good guys" from the "bad guys" until the final chapters, though I suppose that was part of the plot development. Nevertheless, I carried on, because each chapter is short and the pace is brisk and was ultimately rewarded with the plot points being resolved, some of them in a quite surprising manner.
The book is labelled in Amazon as "Book 1", though the Advanced Reader Copy that I received did not indicate that it was part of a series. The ending provided a segue to another book about Odell and his wife, so this may be a series worth following.
The book is labelled in Amazon as "Book 1", though the Advanced Reader Copy that I received did not indicate that it was part of a series. The ending provided a segue to another book about Odell and his wife, so this may be a series worth following.
January 20, 2020
Odell’s Fall by Norman Bacal certainly lives up to its predecessor, Shakespeare’s Othello. In fact, I’d argue that I like Odell’s Fall much better. The ending in particular fits my tastes much better. Like everything in life and in this book, the ending is complex and bittersweet, which makes it satisfying in a way that most books are not.
The book is, overall, well-written and entertaining. The writing is very compelling, and I found it hard to put down. Each character has his/her good points and bad points, but it is still easy to pick the “heroes” and “villains”. Readers might not be able to relate to any one character’s entire situation or who they are as people, but they will find aspects that they can really latch onto. While he is no angel, Odell is my favorite character, perhaps because he is not an angel. He is very human with very human flaws, but he is also resilient. He makes mistakes, but in the end, it isn’t about who doesn’t make mistakes; it’s about how people conduct themselves after they have.
The best part, though, is this book’s timelessness. It serves as the embodiment of the saying “the more things change, the more things stay the same.” Bacal shows that many of the issues that the reader might have thought were resolved long ago, such as the taboo of interracial marriage in the American South, might not have disappeared as thoroughly as we would like to think. The novel addresses many themes that are as painfully relevant today as they were years, decades, even centuries ago: racial tensions, familial drama, the “anything to get ahead” mentality we have created when it comes to our careers and social statuses, and the lack of trust we cultivate in our personal and professional lives. Bacal’s timing with this book could not have been more perfect, in my opinion, and in some ways, it actually hurt me to read this book as I was reminded of way too much of the world that I see going on around me. That’s the price we pay when art imitates life.
It might take a while to get to the real mystery at the heart of this crime thriller, but that doesn’t make it any less thrilling before then. The emotional tension and in- and out-of-office drama are enough to keep any reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish. This book is 416 pages long and worth every single one of them.
The book is, overall, well-written and entertaining. The writing is very compelling, and I found it hard to put down. Each character has his/her good points and bad points, but it is still easy to pick the “heroes” and “villains”. Readers might not be able to relate to any one character’s entire situation or who they are as people, but they will find aspects that they can really latch onto. While he is no angel, Odell is my favorite character, perhaps because he is not an angel. He is very human with very human flaws, but he is also resilient. He makes mistakes, but in the end, it isn’t about who doesn’t make mistakes; it’s about how people conduct themselves after they have.
The best part, though, is this book’s timelessness. It serves as the embodiment of the saying “the more things change, the more things stay the same.” Bacal shows that many of the issues that the reader might have thought were resolved long ago, such as the taboo of interracial marriage in the American South, might not have disappeared as thoroughly as we would like to think. The novel addresses many themes that are as painfully relevant today as they were years, decades, even centuries ago: racial tensions, familial drama, the “anything to get ahead” mentality we have created when it comes to our careers and social statuses, and the lack of trust we cultivate in our personal and professional lives. Bacal’s timing with this book could not have been more perfect, in my opinion, and in some ways, it actually hurt me to read this book as I was reminded of way too much of the world that I see going on around me. That’s the price we pay when art imitates life.
It might take a while to get to the real mystery at the heart of this crime thriller, but that doesn’t make it any less thrilling before then. The emotional tension and in- and out-of-office drama are enough to keep any reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish. This book is 416 pages long and worth every single one of them.
March 28, 2020
Very well-crafted and suspenseful. The characters were compelling. Although based on Othello, there were enough twists and turns to keep me interested and wondering. Like his previous gripping work of non-fiction, Breakdown, it was a real page-turner. Norm Bacal was a highly successful lawyer whose present foray into fiction is also well-informed according to the adage, "Write what you know."
May 8, 2025
Was looking for something a little different , having just reread Grisham's and Turow's , unfortunately I believed the blurb and ratings . I think one star is generous , to date my effort at writing this couldnt have been much worse . It is staying at home this weekend and if it doesnt improve in the next 20 pages (am 120 pages in ) its off down to the charity shop.
April 10, 2020
Great story! Didn't see the ending coming! Would like to have had a bit more dialogue/drama in the daughter/parent relationship but otherwise, an excellent read! will look for more books from this author!
January 18, 2022
Solid Read
This book has loads of twists and turns, some obvious, some surprising. I enjoyed the writing style and characters although some could have been a bit deeper. All in all, a good story.
This book has loads of twists and turns, some obvious, some surprising. I enjoyed the writing style and characters although some could have been a bit deeper. All in all, a good story.
September 27, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book, it's one of my favorite retellings. The characters were great and it kept the spirit of the original story.
April 12, 2021
4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this one. Great characters and interesting plot.
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