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Greene and Kennicott #6
Downfall Greene and Kennicott #6)
*INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER
Detectives dig into the dark side of Toronto when a serial killer targets homeless people camped out near one of the city’s most exclusive enclaves in this latest crime thriller from bestselling author Robert Rotenberg.
Exactly what is one person’s death worth?
For decades, the Humber River Golf Course has been one of the city’s most elite clubs. All is perfect in this playground for the rich, until homeless people move into the pristine ravine nearby, and tensions mount between rich and poor and reach a head when two of the squatters are brutally murdered.
The killings send shockwaves through the city, and suspicion immediately falls upon the members of the club. Protests by homeless groups and their supporters erupt. Suddenly the homelessness problem has caught the attention of the press, politicians, and the public. Ari Greene, now the head of the homicide squad, leaves behind his plush new office and, with his former protégé Daniel Kennicott in tow, returns to the streets to investigate. Meanwhile, Greene’s daughter, Alison, a dynamic young TV journalist, reports on the untold story of extreme poverty in Toronto.
With all the attention focused on the murders, pressure is on Greene to find the killer—now. He calls on his old contacts and his well-honed instincts to pursue the killer and save the city and the people he loves. But then a third body is found.
A riveting page-turner ringing with authenticity, Downfall is a scathing look at the growing disparity between rich and poor in Canada’s wealthiest city.
Detectives dig into the dark side of Toronto when a serial killer targets homeless people camped out near one of the city’s most exclusive enclaves in this latest crime thriller from bestselling author Robert Rotenberg.
Exactly what is one person’s death worth?
For decades, the Humber River Golf Course has been one of the city’s most elite clubs. All is perfect in this playground for the rich, until homeless people move into the pristine ravine nearby, and tensions mount between rich and poor and reach a head when two of the squatters are brutally murdered.
The killings send shockwaves through the city, and suspicion immediately falls upon the members of the club. Protests by homeless groups and their supporters erupt. Suddenly the homelessness problem has caught the attention of the press, politicians, and the public. Ari Greene, now the head of the homicide squad, leaves behind his plush new office and, with his former protégé Daniel Kennicott in tow, returns to the streets to investigate. Meanwhile, Greene’s daughter, Alison, a dynamic young TV journalist, reports on the untold story of extreme poverty in Toronto.
With all the attention focused on the murders, pressure is on Greene to find the killer—now. He calls on his old contacts and his well-honed instincts to pursue the killer and save the city and the people he loves. But then a third body is found.
A riveting page-turner ringing with authenticity, Downfall is a scathing look at the growing disparity between rich and poor in Canada’s wealthiest city.
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2021
About the author
Robert Rotenberg
23 books208 followersAfter graduating from law school in Toronto, Robert Rotenberg became the managing editor of Passion, the English-speaking magazine of Paris. He then returned to Canada to publish and edit his own magazine, T.O. The Magazine of Toronto. In 1991, he opened his own law practice and is today one of Toronto’s top criminal lawyers, defending, as he likes to say “everything from murder to shoplifting.” Rotenberg lives in Toronto and has three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 18, 2021
This is one of my favourite mystery series. The stories are set in Toronto and deal with familiar current topics in this city, which is certainly one of the things I like. But I think these would work for anyone who likes tamer mysteries with likeable characters. Downfall focuses on the murder of several homeless people near a golf course. The background stories of the various characters and how they came to live on the streets is well done. I eventually guessed who did it, but I don't really mind. I ripped through this one in less than two days - a perfect way to spend a winter pandemic weekend. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
March 12, 2022
Loving all things crime and Canada related, I returned for the latest in Robert Rotenberg’s stunning series, set on the streets of Toronto. While many would believe Canada to be a docile place, nothing could be further rom the truth on Toronto’s streets. Someone is killing homeless people and leaving their bodies next to one of the high-end golf courses in Toronto, a self-proclaimed centre of Canada. While many refuse to take notice, roving reporter Alison Greene is happy to collect any scoops she can. When her father and head of homicide, Ari Greene, begins looking into things, he finds the latest victim was once prominent in Toronto’s legal community. The forensics and a letter left by the third victim point to two different people, but Greene will stop at nothing to ensure justice sees the light of day. Rotenberg taps into a dicey subject and one well worth mentioning in his latest police procedural, sure to impress series fans and other readers alike.
Homelessness has never been a pretty subject to discuss, as many politicians choose to sweep it under the rug. When two homeless people are found murdered next to one of Toronto’s elite golf courses, the press makes little notice of it, but newcomer Alison Greene is happy to take the scoop and run with it. She uses some of her key connections to the the first to air news about the killings and ensures that she leads the pack as the story gains momentum.
Alison’s father and head of the Homicide Division, Ari Greene, wants peace on the city’s streets and makes sure that his officers treat the case as they would any other. However, there is little to go on and that will make trying to find a killer even harder. Greene’s former protégé, Daniel Kennicott, takes the lead on the case, trying to piece things together with whatever he can find. When another victim is discovered, Greene and Kennicott see a pattern, but there is a difference. This victim was once a prominent legal name in Toronto, someone who had hit a rough patch. Her former spouse is currently a city councillor and seeking to run for mayor, making him an ideal suspect, with skeletons in his closet. However, a diary left by the victim points to someone else, with just as much motive.
As Greene and Kennicott parse their way through the evidence, Alison continues to air reports about the killings, sometimes critical of her father’s work. The Greenes are both are looking out for the city and juggle the perspectives that a killer of the homeless might have on the larger community. However, justice is said to be blind and the truth is all that matters to most, which pushes the investigation forward and leaves the killer vulnerable should any mistakes come to light. Robert Rotenberg stirs up some awkward truths in this latest thriller, which explores an oft-ignored part of Canadian (and international) big city life.
I discovered the writing of Robert Rotenberg years ago and was immediately impressed, eager to read as much of the series as I could. As each book hit newsstands, I made sure to get a copy, if only to see how the series would advance and where the characters found themselves. I have grown connected to them, as they use Canada’s largest city as a backdrop, making great Canadiana references that leave me feeling more at home with each page turn. The stories are always intense and tackle some unique aspect of the law or legal matters, while provided some needed social commentary that brings light to something many overlook.
The collection of key characters makes it hard for me to choose a single one to label as protagonist. Each works their own aspect of the story and adds something that connects the plot into a single and seamless final product. While the reader has been able to see a lot more of Alison Greene and her development, one would be remiss if they ignored Ari Greene or Daniel Kennicott’s contribution as well. All the characters add their own perspective and flavour the narrative in ways that series fans come to expect new insights with each novel, as the different faces share the limelight. This can be the best type of series, where no one gets too much attention and the reader expects much from all involved.
Rotenberg never shies away from controversial topics, or at least bringing light to things that are usually forgotten. He loves to get the reader thinking, mostly outside the box, and coming to conclusions based on what he puts into his stories. The narratives are usually easy to follow and move at a quick pace, much like great crime thrillers do, but also stop to allow for needed nuances to develop. As I mentioned before, the characters are key to each piece and serve to provide wonderful insights into the ‘personal’ side of the law and crime fighting. This story’s plot is multi-faceted, but uses twists to advance the larger story, rather than go on tangents. I have found, while reading this series, that it reminds me of one another favourite author of mine has penned in San Francisco, where characters share the spotlight and each advance in their own way as the books pile up. There;s something to be said for this type of series writing and only adds to why I enjoy Robert Rotenberg so much.
Kudos, Mr Rotenberg, for another winner. Where will you take us next in Toronto? I can only hope it is soon and that others, even non-Canadians, can experience these formidable adventures.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Homelessness has never been a pretty subject to discuss, as many politicians choose to sweep it under the rug. When two homeless people are found murdered next to one of Toronto’s elite golf courses, the press makes little notice of it, but newcomer Alison Greene is happy to take the scoop and run with it. She uses some of her key connections to the the first to air news about the killings and ensures that she leads the pack as the story gains momentum.
Alison’s father and head of the Homicide Division, Ari Greene, wants peace on the city’s streets and makes sure that his officers treat the case as they would any other. However, there is little to go on and that will make trying to find a killer even harder. Greene’s former protégé, Daniel Kennicott, takes the lead on the case, trying to piece things together with whatever he can find. When another victim is discovered, Greene and Kennicott see a pattern, but there is a difference. This victim was once a prominent legal name in Toronto, someone who had hit a rough patch. Her former spouse is currently a city councillor and seeking to run for mayor, making him an ideal suspect, with skeletons in his closet. However, a diary left by the victim points to someone else, with just as much motive.
As Greene and Kennicott parse their way through the evidence, Alison continues to air reports about the killings, sometimes critical of her father’s work. The Greenes are both are looking out for the city and juggle the perspectives that a killer of the homeless might have on the larger community. However, justice is said to be blind and the truth is all that matters to most, which pushes the investigation forward and leaves the killer vulnerable should any mistakes come to light. Robert Rotenberg stirs up some awkward truths in this latest thriller, which explores an oft-ignored part of Canadian (and international) big city life.
I discovered the writing of Robert Rotenberg years ago and was immediately impressed, eager to read as much of the series as I could. As each book hit newsstands, I made sure to get a copy, if only to see how the series would advance and where the characters found themselves. I have grown connected to them, as they use Canada’s largest city as a backdrop, making great Canadiana references that leave me feeling more at home with each page turn. The stories are always intense and tackle some unique aspect of the law or legal matters, while provided some needed social commentary that brings light to something many overlook.
The collection of key characters makes it hard for me to choose a single one to label as protagonist. Each works their own aspect of the story and adds something that connects the plot into a single and seamless final product. While the reader has been able to see a lot more of Alison Greene and her development, one would be remiss if they ignored Ari Greene or Daniel Kennicott’s contribution as well. All the characters add their own perspective and flavour the narrative in ways that series fans come to expect new insights with each novel, as the different faces share the limelight. This can be the best type of series, where no one gets too much attention and the reader expects much from all involved.
Rotenberg never shies away from controversial topics, or at least bringing light to things that are usually forgotten. He loves to get the reader thinking, mostly outside the box, and coming to conclusions based on what he puts into his stories. The narratives are usually easy to follow and move at a quick pace, much like great crime thrillers do, but also stop to allow for needed nuances to develop. As I mentioned before, the characters are key to each piece and serve to provide wonderful insights into the ‘personal’ side of the law and crime fighting. This story’s plot is multi-faceted, but uses twists to advance the larger story, rather than go on tangents. I have found, while reading this series, that it reminds me of one another favourite author of mine has penned in San Francisco, where characters share the spotlight and each advance in their own way as the books pile up. There;s something to be said for this type of series writing and only adds to why I enjoy Robert Rotenberg so much.
Kudos, Mr Rotenberg, for another winner. Where will you take us next in Toronto? I can only hope it is soon and that others, even non-Canadians, can experience these formidable adventures.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 1, 2021
Well worth the wait between books in this great series. Authentic characters, and a suspenseful and well written story make for a compelling read about the murders of the oft-overlooked homeless population in our cities.
Thank you Goodreads and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC
Thank you Goodreads and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC
February 1, 2021
Robert Rotenberg is one of my favourite authors because I really enjoy the mix of a legal thriller and a police procedural with a Canadian slant. Since most of these books are usually American, it's really nice to see things from the Canadian point of view since there are some crucial differences. I also really love the main character, Detective Ari Greene. Over the course of these novels, I've become extremely invested in his story.
While this was a solid mystery novel and I did enjoy it, I managed to guess the killer's identity very quickly and there wasn't a lot about this particular story that gripped me. Also, the characters didn't develop very much during this book.
While this was a solid mystery novel and I did enjoy it, I managed to guess the killer's identity very quickly and there wasn't a lot about this particular story that gripped me. Also, the characters didn't develop very much during this book.
February 3, 2021
I was quite happy to see that Robert Rotenberg had a new entry in his Greene and Kennicott series. The sixth book is the newly released Downfall.
Ari Greene is the head of homicide in Toronto, Ontario. Greene has a calm, measured way of speaking and thinking and often knows and sees more than he lets on, playing his cards close to his chest. Detective Kennicott has learned from Greene and is also a keen investigator. Greene's daughter is a news reporter and gives another viewpoint on things. I'm not totally sold on her yet, but her appearance in the books adds to Greene's personal story line. I am quite fond of Greene's elderly father. The rest of the supporting players in Downfall include some familiar faces and some new characters. The homeless were given dignity and real voices in their character building.
The crime at the heart of this novel is not imagining on Rotenberg's part. Instead, homelessness and the killing of homeless people is fact. In this case, Ari has more than one murder on his plate. 'Toronto is now the fourth largest municipality in North America and there are over 10,000 people in Toronto who are homeless on any given night.' Encampments, gatherings and tent cities are part of every large city's make up. In Downfall, one such tent city has drawn the ire of an elite Toronto golf club. The tensions between the wealthy and the homeless is at the heart of the story.
Rotenberg has been called Canada's John Grisham. This is an apt descriptor as Rotenberg himself is a criminal lawyer. That expertise brings much to his writing and his plotting. Rotenberg also makes his home in T.O. Actual streets, places and more make up the setting. Having been to some of them, it was easy to envision places as I read.
Rotenberg keeps things moving along at a good clip, with no down time for our investigators. I had my suspicions as to the whodunit as the book progressed, but this certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I was right to a certain degree, but hadn't sussed out the details.
A really good addition to this series. And the plot lends itself to food for thought in regards to homelessness. I will be happily looking for the next entry in this series.
Ari Greene is the head of homicide in Toronto, Ontario. Greene has a calm, measured way of speaking and thinking and often knows and sees more than he lets on, playing his cards close to his chest. Detective Kennicott has learned from Greene and is also a keen investigator. Greene's daughter is a news reporter and gives another viewpoint on things. I'm not totally sold on her yet, but her appearance in the books adds to Greene's personal story line. I am quite fond of Greene's elderly father. The rest of the supporting players in Downfall include some familiar faces and some new characters. The homeless were given dignity and real voices in their character building.
The crime at the heart of this novel is not imagining on Rotenberg's part. Instead, homelessness and the killing of homeless people is fact. In this case, Ari has more than one murder on his plate. 'Toronto is now the fourth largest municipality in North America and there are over 10,000 people in Toronto who are homeless on any given night.' Encampments, gatherings and tent cities are part of every large city's make up. In Downfall, one such tent city has drawn the ire of an elite Toronto golf club. The tensions between the wealthy and the homeless is at the heart of the story.
Rotenberg has been called Canada's John Grisham. This is an apt descriptor as Rotenberg himself is a criminal lawyer. That expertise brings much to his writing and his plotting. Rotenberg also makes his home in T.O. Actual streets, places and more make up the setting. Having been to some of them, it was easy to envision places as I read.
Rotenberg keeps things moving along at a good clip, with no down time for our investigators. I had my suspicions as to the whodunit as the book progressed, but this certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I was right to a certain degree, but hadn't sussed out the details.
A really good addition to this series. And the plot lends itself to food for thought in regards to homelessness. I will be happily looking for the next entry in this series.
August 5, 2021
Easy reading but the story moves nicely. Nice change from all the heavier themed books I've been reading. Well laid out, doesn't jump all over the place.
January 26, 2021
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for this free ARC that I won through a Goodreads giveaway.
Overall this was a fast read and a decent mystery. As someone who lives in Toronto I enjoyed the mention of specific buildings, neighborhoods, and restaurants throughout the city.
All of the characters are connected in different ways, which at times was a tad confusing, but also made for a better mystery. The court scenes were interesting and you can tell the author is a lawyer himself.
I felt the writer ‘tells’ more than he ‘shows’ the message of the book, which is essentially we need to do more to help homeless people. For example we have many characters just listings facts about homelessness to other characters. I don’t disagree with this message but I feel it could have been done in a way that was more emotionally impactful. To me this book appealed to the logical side of a reader but the emotional aspect of the story to really drive the message home was lacking for me.
Overall this was a fast read and a decent mystery. As someone who lives in Toronto I enjoyed the mention of specific buildings, neighborhoods, and restaurants throughout the city.
All of the characters are connected in different ways, which at times was a tad confusing, but also made for a better mystery. The court scenes were interesting and you can tell the author is a lawyer himself.
I felt the writer ‘tells’ more than he ‘shows’ the message of the book, which is essentially we need to do more to help homeless people. For example we have many characters just listings facts about homelessness to other characters. I don’t disagree with this message but I feel it could have been done in a way that was more emotionally impactful. To me this book appealed to the logical side of a reader but the emotional aspect of the story to really drive the message home was lacking for me.
February 10, 2021
Excellent addition to the series. Mr. Rotenberg has done it again. A socially relevant murder mystery.
March 1, 2021
This is a decent crime novel to while away an afternoon with. The strengths of this novel are that it is a love letter to Toronto, and a pretty scathing critique of the socio-economic disparity from one part of the city to the next. I certainly enjoyed the humorous pokes at a (pseudonymous) Ford dynasty, among other digs.
The downside is that while the writing is okay (this is not Ian Rankin or Louise Penny)... I found everything very linear and predictable… and I often felt like the characters were preaching at me about the situation (the wealth disparities and issues of homelessness and such).
What really bothered me though was that there are lots - far too many!! - of little errors - of fact, of situation, of phrase that add up to major annoyance. Where was the editor - or the pre-readers - who should have been pointing out these inconsistencies and errors? (Yep... I’m the person who notes all the continuity errors when watching a movie!)
Things like…
- the (preface?) by Michael Enright (oh how I miss you on my radio every Sunday morning!!) dated January 2020… yet on page 42 there is a reference to a local Toronto politician as an ‘alderman’... which while technically correct, is a term that hasn’t been used since sometime before 2003 (that’s the furthest back I could track it in a quick search)... so there is a question of time… of when these events are taking place. Clearly from the technology used in the novel it is in the current day, so why refer to a Toronto City Councillor as an ‘alderman’? Although the reference to Fred Gardiner as an alderman (p217) is appropriate as that was in fact the proper terminology when he was in office.
- that the murders take place on/near the ground of the Humber River Golf Club… which I’m betting is modelled on the Lambton Golf and Country Club. The problem is that the street agency and Health Clinic is located on Jarvis Street. Homeless populations tend not to be that mobile. They tend to have more tightly constrained geographic areas that they move around in. It is highly doubtful that a woman living in the Humber River ravine would be accessing social services on Jarvis Street. Yes, Etobicoke has - historically - had far fewer available services for the homeless than downtown Toronto, but that is changing and I don’t believe she would be travelling that far on a regular enough basis that they would know her as well as they do. Just put them in the Don River Valley to start with...
- corollary to that is that, if the family lived near where I place them, notwithstanding that doing their community service hours at the same clinic as their mother frequented might be a way of maintaining some kind of connection to their mother… it is equally a heck of a trip for them to be making on a regular basis back and forth from Etobicoke all the way to Jarvis.
- connected to the above is that the Dad advises that Deb had been dead to the boys for a long time… so why would they care enough to do their community service at the same place their Mom frequents?
The two that bugged me the most though were…
- the use of the phrase ‘Danforth Bridge’ to describe the Prince Edward Viaduct - more colloquially referred to as the Bloor Viaduct. We did - eventually (p268) get a history lesson along with the use of the proper name… but I will give credit that the veil - the suicide barrier - was mentioned at the first reference (though not referred to as the veil...).
- sloppy punctuation that amounted to ‘mis-direction’ on the second meeting of Alison and Burns (p193)... “They crossed over to Adelaide, a soulless one-way street heading downtown.” The cafe was located at Lombard and Jarvis… granted they were walking as opposed to driving, but… this reads to me as if Adelaide itself heads into downtown from their location, whereas Adelaide in fact runs one way the other way. The sentence should have read “They crossed over to Adelaide, a soulless one-way street, heading downtown.” This may be splitting semantic hairs, or a reflection of a bias towards travel by car (let’s face it… downtown Toronto really isn’t built for pedestrians and who conceptualises it in that way?), but… it still rankled and reads wrong.
There are lots more of these kinds of things but you get my drift…
So all in all, if you like mysteries and true crime police procedurals, and enjoy a solid enough story set in Toronto… then pick this up and read it.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to a digital review copy.
The downside is that while the writing is okay (this is not Ian Rankin or Louise Penny)... I found everything very linear and predictable… and I often felt like the characters were preaching at me about the situation (the wealth disparities and issues of homelessness and such).
What really bothered me though was that there are lots - far too many!! - of little errors - of fact, of situation, of phrase that add up to major annoyance. Where was the editor - or the pre-readers - who should have been pointing out these inconsistencies and errors? (Yep... I’m the person who notes all the continuity errors when watching a movie!)
Things like…
- the (preface?) by Michael Enright (oh how I miss you on my radio every Sunday morning!!) dated January 2020… yet on page 42 there is a reference to a local Toronto politician as an ‘alderman’... which while technically correct, is a term that hasn’t been used since sometime before 2003 (that’s the furthest back I could track it in a quick search)... so there is a question of time… of when these events are taking place. Clearly from the technology used in the novel it is in the current day, so why refer to a Toronto City Councillor as an ‘alderman’? Although the reference to Fred Gardiner as an alderman (p217) is appropriate as that was in fact the proper terminology when he was in office.
- that the murders take place on/near the ground of the Humber River Golf Club… which I’m betting is modelled on the Lambton Golf and Country Club. The problem is that the street agency and Health Clinic is located on Jarvis Street. Homeless populations tend not to be that mobile. They tend to have more tightly constrained geographic areas that they move around in. It is highly doubtful that a woman living in the Humber River ravine would be accessing social services on Jarvis Street. Yes, Etobicoke has - historically - had far fewer available services for the homeless than downtown Toronto, but that is changing and I don’t believe she would be travelling that far on a regular enough basis that they would know her as well as they do. Just put them in the Don River Valley to start with...
- corollary to that is that, if the family lived near where I place them, notwithstanding that doing their community service hours at the same clinic as their mother frequented might be a way of maintaining some kind of connection to their mother… it is equally a heck of a trip for them to be making on a regular basis back and forth from Etobicoke all the way to Jarvis.
- connected to the above is that the Dad advises that Deb had been dead to the boys for a long time… so why would they care enough to do their community service at the same place their Mom frequents?
The two that bugged me the most though were…
- the use of the phrase ‘Danforth Bridge’ to describe the Prince Edward Viaduct - more colloquially referred to as the Bloor Viaduct. We did - eventually (p268) get a history lesson along with the use of the proper name… but I will give credit that the veil - the suicide barrier - was mentioned at the first reference (though not referred to as the veil...).
- sloppy punctuation that amounted to ‘mis-direction’ on the second meeting of Alison and Burns (p193)... “They crossed over to Adelaide, a soulless one-way street heading downtown.” The cafe was located at Lombard and Jarvis… granted they were walking as opposed to driving, but… this reads to me as if Adelaide itself heads into downtown from their location, whereas Adelaide in fact runs one way the other way. The sentence should have read “They crossed over to Adelaide, a soulless one-way street, heading downtown.” This may be splitting semantic hairs, or a reflection of a bias towards travel by car (let’s face it… downtown Toronto really isn’t built for pedestrians and who conceptualises it in that way?), but… it still rankled and reads wrong.
There are lots more of these kinds of things but you get my drift…
So all in all, if you like mysteries and true crime police procedurals, and enjoy a solid enough story set in Toronto… then pick this up and read it.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to a digital review copy.
February 25, 2021
Solid addition to Canadian Rotenberg's realistic series set in Toronto. Tensions run high between a snobbish, executive golf course and the homeless who live in the valley right beside it. When 2 of the homeless are murdered suspicions fall on rich members of the club and head of homicide, Ari Greene along with Daniel Kennicott hit the streets to investigate. Real life lawyer Rotenberg doesn't pull any punches in his descriptions of the lives of everyone involved, not to mention the big businesses that profit from it. A gritty, important novel.
February 4, 2021
It’s wonderful to read a novel about an area that you are familiar with but due to the fact that I was able to deduce who the killer was it was only a 3* book for me.
May 27, 2021
This is Robert Rotenberg's sixth book based in Toronto. It brings back memories, growing up in To. and knowing all the places he describes in his books. Looking forward to number seven. Great job Robert, keep up the great stories.
January 19, 2021
An interesting group of characters, some murders, and a social cause are woven together to create a compelling story. The story takes place in Toronto, Canada, which is a nice change from the usual American city in such stories. Of course, Toronto has become a world-class city in recent years.
This story was interesting because there wasn’t one particular protagonist. There are really a group of “main characters”, made up of a reporter, a lawyer, and a couple of police detectives who could all qualify for the role of protagonist. I think there are two camps here, the “heroes” who all seem to get along and excel at their professions, and the “suspects”, who might have dubious backgrounds, yet redeem themselves in some way. I wanted to dislike the supposed villains, but grudgingly forgave them when they were exonerated.
My only gripe with Downfall is that the reader knows that one of the characters is probably the perpetrator of the crime, and as the pages start to wind down, the most likely candidates have all been alibied or have strong reasons why they are not involved with the crimes. This leaves making a connection to an obscure character as the culprit, and it becomes less deduction and more last remaining suspect.
I liked the setting for the story, in the city of Toronto. I know the city a little from living there a few months, but that was long ago and before it became the city it is today. I like the way the author describes obscure locations and the city’s ethnic diversity. It is the blending, yet showcasing of different cultures that makes Toronto, and Canada a special place to live.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and it kept me turning the pages. It has a nice pace and certainly sets up events, then follows through. It was an entertaining read, getting a strong four of five stars on Goodreads.
This story was interesting because there wasn’t one particular protagonist. There are really a group of “main characters”, made up of a reporter, a lawyer, and a couple of police detectives who could all qualify for the role of protagonist. I think there are two camps here, the “heroes” who all seem to get along and excel at their professions, and the “suspects”, who might have dubious backgrounds, yet redeem themselves in some way. I wanted to dislike the supposed villains, but grudgingly forgave them when they were exonerated.
My only gripe with Downfall is that the reader knows that one of the characters is probably the perpetrator of the crime, and as the pages start to wind down, the most likely candidates have all been alibied or have strong reasons why they are not involved with the crimes. This leaves making a connection to an obscure character as the culprit, and it becomes less deduction and more last remaining suspect.
I liked the setting for the story, in the city of Toronto. I know the city a little from living there a few months, but that was long ago and before it became the city it is today. I like the way the author describes obscure locations and the city’s ethnic diversity. It is the blending, yet showcasing of different cultures that makes Toronto, and Canada a special place to live.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and it kept me turning the pages. It has a nice pace and certainly sets up events, then follows through. It was an entertaining read, getting a strong four of five stars on Goodreads.
January 27, 2021
When a homeless man is found murdered near a ritzy golf course, no one cares. When a second homeless person, this time a woman, is found murdered near the golf course, people start paying attention and demanding answers. Ari, the head of the homicide squad, is in charge and he and fellow police officer Daniel are feeling the pressure as they investigate. Ari's daughter, Alison, is a TV journalist reporting about the murders and as she gets to know a doctor who is fighting for the rights of the homeless, she becomes more involved in the cause, which may put her at odds with her dad.
This the sixth book by Rotenberg I've read and I enjoyed it. Though it's the six in a series, it works as a stand alone because there is enough background information provided. It is written in third person perspective with the focus on wherever the action is. I like the writing style and it moves at a good pace.
I like that this series is set in Toronto. The author is quite specific about the locations so I know exactly where the action is taking place and I have been to a lot of these places. Ari enjoys Caldense Bakery, which is just north of me on Dundas Street W. I went for a walk on Monday to the Humber Bay Arch Bridge, near where the golf course is supposed to be, and walked across the bridge on the cover of the book (about a 15 minute drive south of me).
I look forward to the next book in the series!
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2021/01...
This the sixth book by Rotenberg I've read and I enjoyed it. Though it's the six in a series, it works as a stand alone because there is enough background information provided. It is written in third person perspective with the focus on wherever the action is. I like the writing style and it moves at a good pace.
I like that this series is set in Toronto. The author is quite specific about the locations so I know exactly where the action is taking place and I have been to a lot of these places. Ari enjoys Caldense Bakery, which is just north of me on Dundas Street W. I went for a walk on Monday to the Humber Bay Arch Bridge, near where the golf course is supposed to be, and walked across the bridge on the cover of the book (about a 15 minute drive south of me).
I look forward to the next book in the series!
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2021/01...
June 21, 2022
I think the best books have a story behind them. I picked up my favourite book of all time at an elementary school book fair. The book that’s made me think the most this year I picked up from a book store in Miami. Now for the story behind this book.
As a part of my mother birthday celebrations, one hot Saturday afternoon I went with her to a crime writer convention downtown. We saw a talk on “The Ethics Of Crime Writing”, which featured 4 authors. We then went on a mission to purchased 1 book from each of these authors. This book is one of those books.
I rate this story 4/5 stars because of a couple of different things. First the pros. The hate towards the police service for not solving ever crime immediately is realistic and maddening. The crime itself is not only a murder, but it reflects the classes of people still present in modern day Toronto, which I found very interesting. The characters are nothing too special, but I was really impressed with how many characters there were, and how all of there stories intertwined. That’s probably the best part of this book, all the intertwining stories. The plot twist at the end is also pretty unexpected and makes for an interesting read.
So why not 5 stars? It’s the little things, like calling the Toronto Police Service the “Toronto Police Force” and other inaccuracies that made me remove a star. Maybe these inaccuracies can be looked over by the average reader, but they take away from the realism for me. Overall I would recommend this book, and I’ve already picked up another of his from my local library.
As a part of my mother birthday celebrations, one hot Saturday afternoon I went with her to a crime writer convention downtown. We saw a talk on “The Ethics Of Crime Writing”, which featured 4 authors. We then went on a mission to purchased 1 book from each of these authors. This book is one of those books.
I rate this story 4/5 stars because of a couple of different things. First the pros. The hate towards the police service for not solving ever crime immediately is realistic and maddening. The crime itself is not only a murder, but it reflects the classes of people still present in modern day Toronto, which I found very interesting. The characters are nothing too special, but I was really impressed with how many characters there were, and how all of there stories intertwined. That’s probably the best part of this book, all the intertwining stories. The plot twist at the end is also pretty unexpected and makes for an interesting read.
So why not 5 stars? It’s the little things, like calling the Toronto Police Service the “Toronto Police Force” and other inaccuracies that made me remove a star. Maybe these inaccuracies can be looked over by the average reader, but they take away from the realism for me. Overall I would recommend this book, and I’ve already picked up another of his from my local library.
January 22, 2025
This author is known as the John Grisham of Canada, and I can absolutely appreciate that comparison. This was a police thriller involving a series of homeless people murders. The book delved into some of the politics surrounding homelessness and even personalized the issue by incorporating character background stories that humanized it.
The only two critiques I have were that the romance aspect did not seem believable and the ending wasn't as powerful as I hoped. I had a strong suspicion of who the murderer was only because of the way the character was portrayed (kind of odd and unrelatable). I think if that character had been better developed and liked by the reader, the ending would've been more explosive.
The writing was strong and the story pacing was fast. It was easy to get caught up in. I recommend to others.
The only two critiques I have were that the romance aspect did not seem believable and the ending wasn't as powerful as I hoped. I had a strong suspicion of who the murderer was only because of the way the character was portrayed (kind of odd and unrelatable). I think if that character had been better developed and liked by the reader, the ending would've been more explosive.
The writing was strong and the story pacing was fast. It was easy to get caught up in. I recommend to others.
March 24, 2024
Downfall: Thoughts
This is my first book from the author, Robert Rotenberg. ‘Downfall’ is the sixth book in the ‘Greene and Kennicott’ series. While it was written in 2021, the topic of homelessness, addiction, and survival on the streets is very timely, not only for Toronto but across North America. Too many people are looking for a place to call home.
Not sure what is included in the opening quote from Michael Enright, (Sunday Morning, CBC Radio, January 26, 2020), when he says, “There are more than a million empty homes in this county, and on any given night at least thirty-five thousand Canadians are homeless.” Does he include vacancies for rent, or vacancies of second homes? Does he include summer cottages, or foreign owned condos? What is clear is that we have a problem, and the current system is failing not only the homelessness, but many that are struggling to get by.
That theme is central to the story in this novel. Yes, there are murders. Yes, there are issues. Yes, there are many of the ‘usual suspects.’ But it is the social policy dimension that helps make the story compelling, memorable, and insightful.
Stories like the successful doctor, “had been living on the street for more than a decade. Successful pediatrician, wife an engineer, two kids, nice home in the suburbs. Then he got sued for malpractice when a baby under his care died. Couldn’t take the pressure and started drinking straight vodka and doing coke. Two years later he was homeless.” They may sound far-fetched – until it happens, or nearly happens, to someone you know.
“The wise fool knows best.”
Yes, Canada is a rich country. But are we all too busy getting by that we forget those that need a hand. Be they family, friends, or neighbours? We overlook the costs of homelessness, “the true cost of homelessness. An emergency hospital visit even for a simple matter cost the government a thousand dollars. She had stats on the cost of running shelters, social workers, food, criminal charges for petty crimes. To say nothing of the human costs. …that putting money into housing, instead of relief and support programs, was a large long-term financial saving. “
Oh, and why is someone killing the homeless? Is it hate? Is it revenge? Is it opportunity? Is it profit? Is it something else?
Is it profit? In closing the author points out how there are business models that make money by servicing, not the homeless, but the bureaucracy around homelessness – with some of the benefits trickling down to those that need it most. The homeless. I have tweeted it before, but it is worth repeating: “Canada should not have a homeless crisis.” We have the space, resources, and technical knowhow to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. Let’s see to it. And reading this book will both entertain you, and share some insight on the subject.
Happy reading.
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2024...
#Blogging #Books #BookReview #Montreal #BusinessEnglish #LinoMatteo #RobertRotenberg #GreeneandKennicott #RoofOverOurHeads
This is my first book from the author, Robert Rotenberg. ‘Downfall’ is the sixth book in the ‘Greene and Kennicott’ series. While it was written in 2021, the topic of homelessness, addiction, and survival on the streets is very timely, not only for Toronto but across North America. Too many people are looking for a place to call home.
Not sure what is included in the opening quote from Michael Enright, (Sunday Morning, CBC Radio, January 26, 2020), when he says, “There are more than a million empty homes in this county, and on any given night at least thirty-five thousand Canadians are homeless.” Does he include vacancies for rent, or vacancies of second homes? Does he include summer cottages, or foreign owned condos? What is clear is that we have a problem, and the current system is failing not only the homelessness, but many that are struggling to get by.
That theme is central to the story in this novel. Yes, there are murders. Yes, there are issues. Yes, there are many of the ‘usual suspects.’ But it is the social policy dimension that helps make the story compelling, memorable, and insightful.
Stories like the successful doctor, “had been living on the street for more than a decade. Successful pediatrician, wife an engineer, two kids, nice home in the suburbs. Then he got sued for malpractice when a baby under his care died. Couldn’t take the pressure and started drinking straight vodka and doing coke. Two years later he was homeless.” They may sound far-fetched – until it happens, or nearly happens, to someone you know.
“The wise fool knows best.”
Yes, Canada is a rich country. But are we all too busy getting by that we forget those that need a hand. Be they family, friends, or neighbours? We overlook the costs of homelessness, “the true cost of homelessness. An emergency hospital visit even for a simple matter cost the government a thousand dollars. She had stats on the cost of running shelters, social workers, food, criminal charges for petty crimes. To say nothing of the human costs. …that putting money into housing, instead of relief and support programs, was a large long-term financial saving. “
Oh, and why is someone killing the homeless? Is it hate? Is it revenge? Is it opportunity? Is it profit? Is it something else?
Is it profit? In closing the author points out how there are business models that make money by servicing, not the homeless, but the bureaucracy around homelessness – with some of the benefits trickling down to those that need it most. The homeless. I have tweeted it before, but it is worth repeating: “Canada should not have a homeless crisis.” We have the space, resources, and technical knowhow to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. Let’s see to it. And reading this book will both entertain you, and share some insight on the subject.
Happy reading.
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2024...
#Blogging #Books #BookReview #Montreal #BusinessEnglish #LinoMatteo #RobertRotenberg #GreeneandKennicott #RoofOverOurHeads
February 4, 2021
A GoodReads GiveAway
Toronto the Good. Not so much in this story about homeless people being murdered in the vicinity of one of the city’s ritzy golf club — Humber River Golf Club.
Jember Roshan, an employee of the Humber River club, discovers a body in a ravine near the club when a carelessly driven SUV strikes Roshan’s bicycle and topples him over an embankment.
A dead body cushions Roshan’s landing … a dead body with an initialed golf ball forced into its mouth.
Enter homicide detectives Ari Greene and Daniel Kennicott to work the case.
Of course, the body Roshan discovers is not the only murder victim in this story. The novel spotlights and examines a seamy side of life in Toronto — the plight of the thousands of homeless people forced to live in squalor in the city’s underbelly, beneath bridges and on the slopes of river valleys.
Eventually, on a night when a fancy birthday party ball is held inside the posh Humber River club, a body is found outside on the grounds, juxtaposing the glamor and the grime.
To a large extent, this novel is standard fare — cops and killer(s) and even a couple of lawyers play their roles in a story that is as old as Cain and Abel, a biblical yarn of the world’s first homicide — a homicide committed in the Garden of Eden, not in seamy shadows like those under the Gardiner expressway, or equally seedy spots nearby.
What sets this story apart from other murder stories on the shelf — considering the cops and killer(s) etc. are very recognizable stereotypes — is that it goes underground beneath Toronto’s glittery skyscrapers and expensive veneer into the city’s cellars where its homeless people are forced to dwell.
But, all the same, this is a gem-dandy murder story, eh b’ys?
Toronto the Good. Not so much in this story about homeless people being murdered in the vicinity of one of the city’s ritzy golf club — Humber River Golf Club.
Jember Roshan, an employee of the Humber River club, discovers a body in a ravine near the club when a carelessly driven SUV strikes Roshan’s bicycle and topples him over an embankment.
A dead body cushions Roshan’s landing … a dead body with an initialed golf ball forced into its mouth.
Enter homicide detectives Ari Greene and Daniel Kennicott to work the case.
Of course, the body Roshan discovers is not the only murder victim in this story. The novel spotlights and examines a seamy side of life in Toronto — the plight of the thousands of homeless people forced to live in squalor in the city’s underbelly, beneath bridges and on the slopes of river valleys.
Eventually, on a night when a fancy birthday party ball is held inside the posh Humber River club, a body is found outside on the grounds, juxtaposing the glamor and the grime.
To a large extent, this novel is standard fare — cops and killer(s) and even a couple of lawyers play their roles in a story that is as old as Cain and Abel, a biblical yarn of the world’s first homicide — a homicide committed in the Garden of Eden, not in seamy shadows like those under the Gardiner expressway, or equally seedy spots nearby.
What sets this story apart from other murder stories on the shelf — considering the cops and killer(s) etc. are very recognizable stereotypes — is that it goes underground beneath Toronto’s glittery skyscrapers and expensive veneer into the city’s cellars where its homeless people are forced to dwell.
But, all the same, this is a gem-dandy murder story, eh b’ys?
June 19, 2021
Downfall by Robert Rotenberg is the fictional account of the search for a serial killer that is murdering the homeless in Toronto against the backdrop of a local golf course.
Rotenberg supplies us with quite a few characters, all of whom with differing backgrounds but many of whom are connected. One of my favourite sphere features a daughter who is a live-to-air on-scene television reporter that has a police detective for a father (who is in fact working this case) and a new boyfriend that heads up anti-police protests on behalf of the homeless. Talk about a tough spot!
I love a good whodunnit, and especially one based in my hometown that brings with it a viable ripped from the headlines feel. I think we all enjoy consuming media that vividly describes our town and Rotenberg does that well. Even the description of how the live to air shots are set up and presented pulls us in and prompts us to envision it happening on our local news channel.
I did find the beginning chapters to be a bit clunky and spinning wheels in the mud. It’s always difficult to introduce a lot of characters right out of the box and I feel this could have been streamlined a bit, but the great detail taken, in retrospect, had me completely surprised by the reveal. I pride myself on saying “I knew it” but this time I felt my jaw drop. The meticulous way it was explained is something all thriller/mystery writers should study.
This made for a good spring read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing a copy for review.
Rotenberg supplies us with quite a few characters, all of whom with differing backgrounds but many of whom are connected. One of my favourite sphere features a daughter who is a live-to-air on-scene television reporter that has a police detective for a father (who is in fact working this case) and a new boyfriend that heads up anti-police protests on behalf of the homeless. Talk about a tough spot!
I love a good whodunnit, and especially one based in my hometown that brings with it a viable ripped from the headlines feel. I think we all enjoy consuming media that vividly describes our town and Rotenberg does that well. Even the description of how the live to air shots are set up and presented pulls us in and prompts us to envision it happening on our local news channel.
I did find the beginning chapters to be a bit clunky and spinning wheels in the mud. It’s always difficult to introduce a lot of characters right out of the box and I feel this could have been streamlined a bit, but the great detail taken, in retrospect, had me completely surprised by the reveal. I pride myself on saying “I knew it” but this time I felt my jaw drop. The meticulous way it was explained is something all thriller/mystery writers should study.
This made for a good spring read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing a copy for review.
June 22, 2021
I've enjoyed Rotenberg's books in the past and looked forward to this one a lot because it directly the addresses the eminently immediate problems of homelessness in Toronto, where I live. As soon as I got it, I peeked inside quickly and ended up reading the first 4-5 pages without even sitting down. So I was excited to really curl up with it.
Let me say right away that Rotenberg's treatment of the homeless situation is bang on and addressed in highly sympathetic terms. So if you want to get an idea of those terrible circumstances, read on. His characters, too, are well-drawn and believable.
So where's the problem? I have three.
First, the 'good guys' are uniformly on the side of the angels in every respect - no doubts, no flaws, no contrary opinions. Sorry, but if that were true the problem would be getting much more attention that it does, in the book or in reality.
Second, there is a kind of unconscious misognyny at work here. Yes, there are quite a few strong women in the cast - lawyers, police officers, corporate bigwigs, etc. But their value to the story is entirely dependent on the men in their lives, whether fathers, husbands, or lovers. Which brings us, albeit without spoilers, to
Third, the big plot twist and final resolution of the case did not seem credible or satisfying at all. Given the seriousness of the topic, that's a shame.
Still, the writing is and pacing are very good, and I had no problem reading to the end, so I'll give it a 3.
But it could have been a 4 or a 5.
Let me say right away that Rotenberg's treatment of the homeless situation is bang on and addressed in highly sympathetic terms. So if you want to get an idea of those terrible circumstances, read on. His characters, too, are well-drawn and believable.
So where's the problem? I have three.
First, the 'good guys' are uniformly on the side of the angels in every respect - no doubts, no flaws, no contrary opinions. Sorry, but if that were true the problem would be getting much more attention that it does, in the book or in reality.
Second, there is a kind of unconscious misognyny at work here. Yes, there are quite a few strong women in the cast - lawyers, police officers, corporate bigwigs, etc. But their value to the story is entirely dependent on the men in their lives, whether fathers, husbands, or lovers. Which brings us, albeit without spoilers, to
Third, the big plot twist and final resolution of the case did not seem credible or satisfying at all. Given the seriousness of the topic, that's a shame.
Still, the writing is and pacing are very good, and I had no problem reading to the end, so I'll give it a 3.
But it could have been a 4 or a 5.
February 19, 2021
I really enjoy this series. I had the pleasure to hear Robert speak about effective communication at an alumni function a few years ago and he graciously autographed one of his books for me. This story is set in the Humber River Valley, a stone's throw from my home and where I walk my dog every day - the golf club that is central to the story is fictitious, but sadly, I walked off the path one day and I can attest that the homeless encampment is real.
The story was compelling and focuses on the real problem we have with homelessness in this city. I've lived in Toronto my entire life and it is incredibly safe, but like any other major city, we do have our problems and this novel is effective at shining a light on the problems faced by the homeless, all in the context of a murder mystery.
I've read the entire series in order of publication, but I do think this would work as a stand-alone book, for readers who haven't read the earlier novels.
The story was compelling and focuses on the real problem we have with homelessness in this city. I've lived in Toronto my entire life and it is incredibly safe, but like any other major city, we do have our problems and this novel is effective at shining a light on the problems faced by the homeless, all in the context of a murder mystery.
I've read the entire series in order of publication, but I do think this would work as a stand-alone book, for readers who haven't read the earlier novels.
July 3, 2021
Simply put, a fascinating and educational read. I loved it. Now that sounds just weird, given the subject matter but I was so engaged I read it in one sitting.
The body of a deceased homeless woman is discovered near the Humber Gold Club in Toronto by an immigrant on his way to work. He'd been riding his bike and was driven off the road, fell down an embankment and landed on the body. Needless to say the Golf Club is less than impressed to have a homeless camp so close and are not forthcoming to the police. One of the club's members, Karl Hodgson was charged with killing a homeless man several years ago but the action was deemed self-defence. It's no secret what his views are.
When the deceased's murder is determined, the head of Toronto's homicide division, Ari Green is on the case. The fear is that someone is murdering homeless people. It comes to Ari's attention that the defence lawyer Nancy Parish is friends with homeless advocate and sometime lawyer Melissa. She's representing her against Karl Hodgson, her ex-husband. Melissa, an incredibly talented lawyer in her own right also has some mental health issues exacerbated by the block on seeing her daughter. No one in this story is doing well. Deaths continue in the homeless community.
My review does to justice to this story, it's well written, important and I truly loved it. But I will say, it's complicated.
The body of a deceased homeless woman is discovered near the Humber Gold Club in Toronto by an immigrant on his way to work. He'd been riding his bike and was driven off the road, fell down an embankment and landed on the body. Needless to say the Golf Club is less than impressed to have a homeless camp so close and are not forthcoming to the police. One of the club's members, Karl Hodgson was charged with killing a homeless man several years ago but the action was deemed self-defence. It's no secret what his views are.
When the deceased's murder is determined, the head of Toronto's homicide division, Ari Green is on the case. The fear is that someone is murdering homeless people. It comes to Ari's attention that the defence lawyer Nancy Parish is friends with homeless advocate and sometime lawyer Melissa. She's representing her against Karl Hodgson, her ex-husband. Melissa, an incredibly talented lawyer in her own right also has some mental health issues exacerbated by the block on seeing her daughter. No one in this story is doing well. Deaths continue in the homeless community.
My review does to justice to this story, it's well written, important and I truly loved it. But I will say, it's complicated.
July 2, 2021
Good read. Kept me guessing who did it right to the end. Some small factual errors this author makes about Toronto that I am not sure are just for simplicity sake or actual errors. Example when describing who the Gardener Expressway is named after he described the highway’s namesake as having been a Toronto city councilman when in fact the person was the first chair of the old Metro Toronto regional government and a former mayor of Forest Hill. Never held the role this author attributes to him. Made a similar error in an earlier book where he suggested a police detective could ask a school to show him an Ontario Student Record file and the school lets him view it no issue. A school would never just let that be viewed by the police or anyone unless there is a court order authorizing it. I guess this is simply done for simplicity as few readers would know today what Metro Toronto was it the rules around 3rd parties viewing an OSR file. Other than these things he’s a terrific writer.
April 3, 2021
Another excellent Ari Greene, et al, book in the series! He raises an increasing urban social problem of homelessness (& the associated industries) as the focal issue of this book, It's very timely, and there is a great deal to be said about his analysis of underlying issues. The involvement of Ari's recently discovered adult daughter as a novice TV journalist adds more complexity to the stories.
I had guessed the likely perpetrator of the murders ahead of time, but that didn't detract from my interest or enjoyment of the ongoing suspense and solutions. It will be interesting to see where the next book goes, including Ari's new relationship with a very recently arrived pathologist who was helpful in resolving the murders & murder weapons.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
I had guessed the likely perpetrator of the murders ahead of time, but that didn't detract from my interest or enjoyment of the ongoing suspense and solutions. It will be interesting to see where the next book goes, including Ari's new relationship with a very recently arrived pathologist who was helpful in resolving the murders & murder weapons.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
March 15, 2026
I was torn how to rate book but decided on a 5 star since it was so readanle and enjoyable. The sixth installment of the Greene snd Kennicott series. I enjoyed this one the most as it was a combination of highlighting the societal issue of homelessness in the city of Toronto, interwoven in a mystery of who is killing Toronto's homeless. There is also a wonderful balance of court procedures and police investigation into the murders. It was a balanced book with some twists and turns to keep you intrigued. The personal development and the main characters is also a great selling point of the book. The secondary characters from pervious books add some great depth and demention to the book.
I literally could not put the book down.
Great book great read....
I literally could not put the book down.
Great book great read....
March 21, 2021
The appearance of a new Robert Rotenberg crime tale is good news. The Toronto based series of police procedurals always provides a great story, along with insights to both the legal system, and issues facing a great city. Downfall follows Detectives Greene, Kennicott, and - Greene’s journalist daughter – as they pursue the cruel killer of vulnerable homeless people, found bludgeoned near an upper crust golf club. Like all Rotenberg books, Downfall is immersive; blending accurate details with sharp characterization. At the core of the story lies the heartbreaking account of three girlfriends, and a bereaved daughter. Highly recommended, with tea and hard croissants.
April 21, 2021
From the Goodreads Blurb: For decades, the Humber River Golf Course has been one of the city’s most elite clubs. All is perfect in this playground for the rich, until homeless people move into the pristine ravine nearby, and tensions mount between rich and poor and reach a head when two of the squatters are brutally murdered.
This was a Lutrecia Read-aloud and we all agreed that it was Rotenberg's best to date. This book was the 11th book we read with Lutrecia this year and book #17 on our 2021 Read-Alouds List.
The usual cast of characters — Greene, Kennicott, Parish — and a solid plot with some nice red herrings. The issue of homelessness adds a nice bit of gravitas to story.
This was a Lutrecia Read-aloud and we all agreed that it was Rotenberg's best to date. This book was the 11th book we read with Lutrecia this year and book #17 on our 2021 Read-Alouds List.
The usual cast of characters — Greene, Kennicott, Parish — and a solid plot with some nice red herrings. The issue of homelessness adds a nice bit of gravitas to story.
November 16, 2021
I first discovered Robert Rotenberg when a friend brought home “Old City Hall”, which I enjoyed quite a lot. In this much later book (audiobook) the detectives are looking into the dark side of my city, Toronto. A serial killer is targeting homeless people camped out near one of the city’s upscale enclaves near the swanky Humber River Golf Course.
The killings send shockwaves through the city. Suspicion falls upon the members of the club, especially a rich member who once beat a homeless man and is now a popular politician. Protests by homeless groups and their supporters erupt and the subject of homelessness is a hot issue, fed by Ari Greene’s daughter, who is a reporter for a local TV station. This complicates life for Greene who is now the head of the homicide squad and this only gets worse when a third body is found.
Something I really like about Rotenberg’s story telling is that he doesn’t restrict himself to one single point of view. The reader gets the story from the perspective of the police but also the media, the politicians, the lawyer and, in this case, the homeless and their advocates. One of the telling factors is that I always looked forward to getting back to the book. It’s a bit less of a revelation than Old City Hall and the ending was a bit weak but the book was still very enjoyable.
The killings send shockwaves through the city. Suspicion falls upon the members of the club, especially a rich member who once beat a homeless man and is now a popular politician. Protests by homeless groups and their supporters erupt and the subject of homelessness is a hot issue, fed by Ari Greene’s daughter, who is a reporter for a local TV station. This complicates life for Greene who is now the head of the homicide squad and this only gets worse when a third body is found.
Something I really like about Rotenberg’s story telling is that he doesn’t restrict himself to one single point of view. The reader gets the story from the perspective of the police but also the media, the politicians, the lawyer and, in this case, the homeless and their advocates. One of the telling factors is that I always looked forward to getting back to the book. It’s a bit less of a revelation than Old City Hall and the ending was a bit weak but the book was still very enjoyable.
November 10, 2021
How have I never heard of Rotenberg's books before? Well, I am glad someone recommended him to me.
Rotenberg is a criminal lawyer with a social conscience. When he wrote this book, he can describe legal and police scenes from first hand experience and with an authentic voice. And then infuses his story with social issues - in this book, it was homelessness.
Additional bonus points for me is that the story is set in Toronto - a city I know well, so I could picture all the locations mentioned in the book.
What a find. I'll be looking for more of his books when I want a delicious break and a relatively easy read.
Rotenberg is a criminal lawyer with a social conscience. When he wrote this book, he can describe legal and police scenes from first hand experience and with an authentic voice. And then infuses his story with social issues - in this book, it was homelessness.
Additional bonus points for me is that the story is set in Toronto - a city I know well, so I could picture all the locations mentioned in the book.
What a find. I'll be looking for more of his books when I want a delicious break and a relatively easy read.
February 25, 2021
Although I have heard of Robert Rotenberg before, this is the first novel I have read by him. Even though it is part of a series involving the detectives Greene And Kennicott, you do not need the previous novels to enjoy this novel. It deals with a socially relevant issue, homelessness, which is not only a problem in a city like Toronto, but elsewhere in the world. The topics are relevant, the reactions of the characters understandable and the story moves at a nice pace. Worth the read and an author to add to your list of favorites.
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