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Angels Falling
The lives of an ex-seminarian turned criminal profiler, an ex-priest turned cult leader, and the former nun they both desired collide in the aftermath of an archbishop’s ritualistic murder. Who must die? Who will survive?
342 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2022
138 people are currently reading
2252 people want to read
About the author
Mike Krentz
25 books111 followersMike Krentz writes medical suspense, psychological thrillers, and military fiction featuring complex characters and relationships.
Born and raised in Arizona, Mike earned a classical degree in English from the University of San Francisco, a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Master of Public Health Degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Following a civilian career as an emergency physician, Mike rededicated his professional life to serve America's Navy and Marine Corps heroes and their families, and to honor their sacrifices in defending our freedom and way of life. His last active duty assignment was as 7th Fleet Surgeon on board the flagship, USS BLUE RIDGE.
After retiring from the US Navy, Dr. Krentz continued his service as a consultant supporting the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Upon completion of that mission, he returned to his earliest life passion as a full-time writer.
Dr. Krentz sits on the Board of Directors of The Muse Writers' Center where he teaches fiction writing and participates in advanced studios.
Mike's fiction works include the DR. ZACK WINSTON SERIES of medical conspiracy thrillers, the MAHONEY & SQUIRE SERIES of military fiction, and a standalone psychological thriller, ANGELS FALLING.
www.mikejkrentz.com
www.facebook.com/MikeJKrentzAuthor
https://twitter.com/MikeJKrentz
https://www.instagram.com/mjkrentz/
Born and raised in Arizona, Mike earned a classical degree in English from the University of San Francisco, a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a Master of Public Health Degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Following a civilian career as an emergency physician, Mike rededicated his professional life to serve America's Navy and Marine Corps heroes and their families, and to honor their sacrifices in defending our freedom and way of life. His last active duty assignment was as 7th Fleet Surgeon on board the flagship, USS BLUE RIDGE.
After retiring from the US Navy, Dr. Krentz continued his service as a consultant supporting the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Upon completion of that mission, he returned to his earliest life passion as a full-time writer.
Dr. Krentz sits on the Board of Directors of The Muse Writers' Center where he teaches fiction writing and participates in advanced studios.
Mike's fiction works include the DR. ZACK WINSTON SERIES of medical conspiracy thrillers, the MAHONEY & SQUIRE SERIES of military fiction, and a standalone psychological thriller, ANGELS FALLING.
www.mikejkrentz.com
www.facebook.com/MikeJKrentzAuthor
https://twitter.com/MikeJKrentz
https://www.instagram.com/mjkrentz/
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 13, 2021
I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of Mike Krentz’s Angels Falling. Wow, what a ride. You’ll need a moment when you’re done with this intelligent, riveting thriller. Krentz packs in themes of death, memory, religion, family, psychology, and more, but it’s the characters, plot and twists that sucked me in and didn’t let go. The best thrillers have smart characters in interesting situations with a villain who is always a step ahead. Angels Falling has all that in droves as a criminal profiler and a forensic psychologist attempt to stop a murderer who is five steps ahead. Multiple, completely unpredictable twists blew me away. If you enjoy dark, psychological thrillers, do yourself a favor and read Angels Falling.
January 25, 2022
WARNING! This book will keep you up at night.
Angels Falling is a superbly written religious-psycho thriller that gets in your head and makes you keep turning pages. Mike Krentz’s command of Catholicism and psychology comes through in his richly detailed plot, full of twists and turns and blind alleys that will have you guessing until the end.
Angels Falling is a superbly written religious-psycho thriller that gets in your head and makes you keep turning pages. Mike Krentz’s command of Catholicism and psychology comes through in his richly detailed plot, full of twists and turns and blind alleys that will have you guessing until the end.
January 6, 2022
Pre-order this psychological thriller and sink into it as soon as you can; but prepare to stay within its pages until the conclusion, because Krentz's ANGELS FALLING captivates and confounds from page one!
I was fortunate to read an Advanced Reader Copy of ANGELS FALLING, and I envy readers who get to meet Peter and Maria and Gabriel and Krentz's entire cast of nuanced characters for the first time. Attraction, a dangerous past, religion and vengeance color a series of gruesome murders. Just when the reader thinks she has everyone figured out, the narrative twists in the most satisfying ways.
I was fortunate to read an Advanced Reader Copy of ANGELS FALLING, and I envy readers who get to meet Peter and Maria and Gabriel and Krentz's entire cast of nuanced characters for the first time. Attraction, a dangerous past, religion and vengeance color a series of gruesome murders. Just when the reader thinks she has everyone figured out, the narrative twists in the most satisfying ways.
Read
December 31, 2021“Gripping, scary and utterly unique.”
– Stella Cameron, New York Times bestselling author.
“The modern Gothic at its twisty, character-driven best. Walks the tightrope between psychological suspense and sheer madness without losing its balance..”
– Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author.
“A master of psychological suspense, Mike Krentz’s characters are never who they first seem. Krentz takes his readers on a tense, gripping journey across decades and countries to explore the darkness deep inside the human psyche.”
– Kelly Sokol, award-winning author of THE UNPROTECTED
Brief Excerpts
Prologue
Death is underrated. . . .
Kill or die? That is the question. Live to kill. Kill to die. Surcease of sorrow? Not. Death never kills me.
My soul from out that shadow? Shall death die? Balm in Gilead?
Nevermore.
. . .
Chapter One
Reuel removed the bloody, oil-stained latex gloves and stepped back to admire his handiwork. Perfect. He swept his gaze around the sanctuary of St. Matthew’s Cathedral then glanced toward the Chapel of the Holy Angels in a loft to the right. After trading the dirty gloves for a fresh pair from the roll-aboard case, he extracted a fourteen-inch statuette and placed it near his victim’s head. He turned the statuette a few degrees so that it faced the dead man’s heart.
Satisfied, he retrieved his upper clothing from atop the altar, put on a black clerical vest over his blood-stained tee shirt, adjusted the Roman collar in front, donned a black suitcoat over the vest, and placed a black fedora on his head. He paused at the feet of the dead archbishop, made an exaggerated sign of the cross in the air over the corpse, and spoke in a mocking voice. “Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.”
He grabbed the suitcase, made a last check for telltale clues, and left the cathedral by the side door he had jimmied hours ago. He departed forty minutes before the scheduled opening for Sunday morning Mass.
. . .
Chapter Two
Pete Sullivan glanced at his smartwatch as he passed the six-mile marker of the Marine Corps Marathon. Nine minutes, thirty-eight seconds per mile. He needed to average nine-minute miles to meet his goal of finishing in four hours or fewer.
Don’t push it. Twenty miles to go. Pick up a few seconds each mile. Save energy for the sprint at the end. Pete opened and closed his hands in sync as he pushed his legs to speed up.
Just a bit faster. . . .
The seven-mile marker heralded the turnaround point about a half-mile ahead on the steepest incline of this segment of the course. He looked forward to several miles of downhill to get his pace closer to that nine-minute mile.
An annoying beep in his ear.
Crap.
Without breaking stride, Pete pulled his phone from his fanny pack and hit Answer.
“What?” He panted into the phone to emphasize being bothered by the interruption.
A somewhat familiar male voice answered. “Pete Sullivan?”
“Yeah.” More panting.
“Tony Mason, FBI.”
Deflated, Pete breathed into the phone as he continued running, his pace slowing against his will. “What do (pant) you want?”
“You. How soon can you get to St. Matthew’s Cathedral?”
. . .
https://www.amazon.com/Angels-Falling...
– Stella Cameron, New York Times bestselling author.
“The modern Gothic at its twisty, character-driven best. Walks the tightrope between psychological suspense and sheer madness without losing its balance..”
– Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author.
“A master of psychological suspense, Mike Krentz’s characters are never who they first seem. Krentz takes his readers on a tense, gripping journey across decades and countries to explore the darkness deep inside the human psyche.”
– Kelly Sokol, award-winning author of THE UNPROTECTED
Brief Excerpts
Prologue
Death is underrated. . . .
Kill or die? That is the question. Live to kill. Kill to die. Surcease of sorrow? Not. Death never kills me.
My soul from out that shadow? Shall death die? Balm in Gilead?
Nevermore.
. . .
Chapter One
Reuel removed the bloody, oil-stained latex gloves and stepped back to admire his handiwork. Perfect. He swept his gaze around the sanctuary of St. Matthew’s Cathedral then glanced toward the Chapel of the Holy Angels in a loft to the right. After trading the dirty gloves for a fresh pair from the roll-aboard case, he extracted a fourteen-inch statuette and placed it near his victim’s head. He turned the statuette a few degrees so that it faced the dead man’s heart.
Satisfied, he retrieved his upper clothing from atop the altar, put on a black clerical vest over his blood-stained tee shirt, adjusted the Roman collar in front, donned a black suitcoat over the vest, and placed a black fedora on his head. He paused at the feet of the dead archbishop, made an exaggerated sign of the cross in the air over the corpse, and spoke in a mocking voice. “Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.”
He grabbed the suitcase, made a last check for telltale clues, and left the cathedral by the side door he had jimmied hours ago. He departed forty minutes before the scheduled opening for Sunday morning Mass.
. . .
Chapter Two
Pete Sullivan glanced at his smartwatch as he passed the six-mile marker of the Marine Corps Marathon. Nine minutes, thirty-eight seconds per mile. He needed to average nine-minute miles to meet his goal of finishing in four hours or fewer.
Don’t push it. Twenty miles to go. Pick up a few seconds each mile. Save energy for the sprint at the end. Pete opened and closed his hands in sync as he pushed his legs to speed up.
Just a bit faster. . . .
The seven-mile marker heralded the turnaround point about a half-mile ahead on the steepest incline of this segment of the course. He looked forward to several miles of downhill to get his pace closer to that nine-minute mile.
An annoying beep in his ear.
Crap.
Without breaking stride, Pete pulled his phone from his fanny pack and hit Answer.
“What?” He panted into the phone to emphasize being bothered by the interruption.
A somewhat familiar male voice answered. “Pete Sullivan?”
“Yeah.” More panting.
“Tony Mason, FBI.”
Deflated, Pete breathed into the phone as he continued running, his pace slowing against his will. “What do (pant) you want?”
“You. How soon can you get to St. Matthew’s Cathedral?”
. . .
https://www.amazon.com/Angels-Falling...
October 19, 2021
ANGELS FALLING is a must-read for fans of complex characters, surprising twists, and details so rich that the setting becomes part of the story.
We meet Reuel as he is completing a ritualized murder of a prominent archbishop; Pete Sullivan as he competes in his tenth marathon; and Maria Santos as her hands encircle the throat of her attacker. Doesn’t seem like there could be any connection between these three. Right? Wrong.
Alerted to the archbishop’s murder, the Washington DC authorities call in Pete, a free-lance profiler, and Maria, a forensic psychologist. They knew each other years ago when he was studying for the priesthood and she was a novice nun. The Washington DC police and the FBI want the murder of the archbishop solved before the Pope arrives in DC at the end of the week. Soon, Maria and Pete deal with the realization that a Father Gabriel Valentine, whom they knew at the seminary, may be a key to the archbishop's brutal murder.
Father Gabriel’s story, along with those of Reuel and a young Mexican girl named Delores, becomes integral to Maria’s and Pete’s journey to understand how their past lives can lead them to the truth about a dangerous killer. Krentz never lets up on the twists and turns that propel the novel to a didn’t-see-it-coming ending.
We meet Reuel as he is completing a ritualized murder of a prominent archbishop; Pete Sullivan as he competes in his tenth marathon; and Maria Santos as her hands encircle the throat of her attacker. Doesn’t seem like there could be any connection between these three. Right? Wrong.
Alerted to the archbishop’s murder, the Washington DC authorities call in Pete, a free-lance profiler, and Maria, a forensic psychologist. They knew each other years ago when he was studying for the priesthood and she was a novice nun. The Washington DC police and the FBI want the murder of the archbishop solved before the Pope arrives in DC at the end of the week. Soon, Maria and Pete deal with the realization that a Father Gabriel Valentine, whom they knew at the seminary, may be a key to the archbishop's brutal murder.
Father Gabriel’s story, along with those of Reuel and a young Mexican girl named Delores, becomes integral to Maria’s and Pete’s journey to understand how their past lives can lead them to the truth about a dangerous killer. Krentz never lets up on the twists and turns that propel the novel to a didn’t-see-it-coming ending.
March 2, 2022
An absolute must read for fans of twists, turns and thrills. Mike Krentz has done it again, submerging you into the lives of his characters, this time Peter & Maria- and a slew of other characters that keep you turning the page. Suspenseful in the best ways, from the “whodunit” to a tangled past that shapes the present, I never knew which direction the book was taking. The story starts off with a bang, but the excitement and intensity continues through every page. I’m not sure how many times my jaw hit the floor, or how many times I thought I had it all figured out just to be wrong- but this was an incredible gothic thriller than will stay with me for a long time. Entertaining, shocking, and very well done.
February 18, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and I am so thankful for that! This book got me out of a reading slump and was something that I was craving but couldn’t find. Having a B.S. in Forensic Psychology, the subject matter of the book interested me. I thought this was well thought out and very entertaining. If I can’t put a book down- it’s a 5 star rating for me!!
January 16, 2022
I received this book only a few days ago and took me only 2 days to finish.
It grabbed my interest from the very beginning to the point I had a hard time putting it down. I recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense and wants to be drawn into the story. You will enjoy the twists and turns. Give this book a try and you will not be sorry.
It grabbed my interest from the very beginning to the point I had a hard time putting it down. I recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense and wants to be drawn into the story. You will enjoy the twists and turns. Give this book a try and you will not be sorry.
February 7, 2022
another winner
Another winner from Mr Krentz. I enjoyed this book very much, the characters, the plot twists. I never knew who was coming and who was going. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys surprises in their reading.
Another winner from Mr Krentz. I enjoyed this book very much, the characters, the plot twists. I never knew who was coming and who was going. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys surprises in their reading.
January 5, 2022
Angels. We’re not talking cutesy little cherubim or Hollywood angels who protect humans. Oh no! We’re talking about angels from traditional Christianity. The Archangels Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel wield weapons and are happy to spill human blood when necessary. If your idea of an angel is Clarence from It’s a Good Life, hold on tight. You’re going to learn some theology that will shock you.
The mutilated and tortured body of the Catholic Archbishop of Washington DC is found in a crucifixion pose before the altar of his cathedral only a few days before the Pope is scheduled to visit Washington. Orders come from the highest authority: apprehend the murderer at once. Two profilers are called in to assist. The two haven’t seen each other in decades and the nature of their last parting makes it very difficult to work together.
Before the Archbishop’s murderer can be caught, authorities and our two profilers are faced with a string of murders in and around Washington. Clues seem to point to a secretive religious community in Maryland, but no real evidence can be found to tie the murders to the commune. More complication is introduced when one of the profilers, Maria Santos, suspects she is being stalked. These are not guardian angels.
Mike Krentz has given us a thriller in a league by itself. He weaves several plot lines deftly around each other blending them together by the end. The clues are so subtle that you won’t be certain of anything until the last chapter. You dare not miss ANGELS FALLING. And the Archangels? Read the book and find out.
The mutilated and tortured body of the Catholic Archbishop of Washington DC is found in a crucifixion pose before the altar of his cathedral only a few days before the Pope is scheduled to visit Washington. Orders come from the highest authority: apprehend the murderer at once. Two profilers are called in to assist. The two haven’t seen each other in decades and the nature of their last parting makes it very difficult to work together.
Before the Archbishop’s murderer can be caught, authorities and our two profilers are faced with a string of murders in and around Washington. Clues seem to point to a secretive religious community in Maryland, but no real evidence can be found to tie the murders to the commune. More complication is introduced when one of the profilers, Maria Santos, suspects she is being stalked. These are not guardian angels.
Mike Krentz has given us a thriller in a league by itself. He weaves several plot lines deftly around each other blending them together by the end. The clues are so subtle that you won’t be certain of anything until the last chapter. You dare not miss ANGELS FALLING. And the Archangels? Read the book and find out.
February 7, 2022
This unique and suspenseful psychological thriller is a superbly written, character driven page turner, with riveting plot twists that kept me alert and on my toes. The combination of religion and psychotherapy is brilliantly woven into the story, with twists and turns, which come together beautifully in the end. I enjoy this author and look forward to his next book.
March 6, 2022
Great read!
This was a well written book with many twists and turns. Very interesting and well researched. Would recommend to others!
This was a well written book with many twists and turns. Very interesting and well researched. Would recommend to others!
February 18, 2022
Fantastic book, different concept of religion, which is itself is not my thing. I did find it rather complicated for the characters, and what happens and happened.
January 21, 2022
A murder mystery, psychological thriller, written with authenticity and intriguing explorations of memorable characters, many of whom emerge from the shadows as dissociative identity disordered personalities. A fast tempo, action driven page turner.
Read
January 7, 2022Because I am related to the author, I believe it would be inappropriate for me to either rate or review this book.
July 6, 2022
A long bizarre murder mystery or perhaps a complex suspense romance
Very enlightening and fascinating story, working on several levels. The primary focus involves the murder and investigation of a high ranking arch bishop, in Washington, D.C., the second focused on committed rebels movement within the chruch who wish to overthrown the "🆕 reformed" present day Catholic Church, and who see themselves as returning to the true worship of God in the Catholic chruch, with a emphasis on discipline. Third the backgrounds and bizarre practices, as well as complex abuses of the flock and their children result in several severe tramas both to priests and the poeple, who develope multiple personalities to cope. Good, honorable and compassionate priests who are entirely trustworthy, can have hidden personalities, be very manipulative and dangerous. They are often very different and have their own agendas. On a final more personal level, an intelligent and educated man and woman are part of high profile investigating team. They are aware of the players and movement, from painful personal experience, when they manipulated as young teenagers and evicted from their Catholic schools where they had studied to be nuns and priests, as an example of discipline. As the case progresses it moves closer to many from their past.
Very enlightening and fascinating story, working on several levels. The primary focus involves the murder and investigation of a high ranking arch bishop, in Washington, D.C., the second focused on committed rebels movement within the chruch who wish to overthrown the "🆕 reformed" present day Catholic Church, and who see themselves as returning to the true worship of God in the Catholic chruch, with a emphasis on discipline. Third the backgrounds and bizarre practices, as well as complex abuses of the flock and their children result in several severe tramas both to priests and the poeple, who develope multiple personalities to cope. Good, honorable and compassionate priests who are entirely trustworthy, can have hidden personalities, be very manipulative and dangerous. They are often very different and have their own agendas. On a final more personal level, an intelligent and educated man and woman are part of high profile investigating team. They are aware of the players and movement, from painful personal experience, when they manipulated as young teenagers and evicted from their Catholic schools where they had studied to be nuns and priests, as an example of discipline. As the case progresses it moves closer to many from their past.
August 19, 2022
The idea behind this book was really good. However, I feel like the author tried to go too far and it turned into a jumbled mess.
The back story of the villain was interesting, but too convoluted. The ties to Maria almost made sense, but were just a bit too unbelievable.
(SPOILER)
Maria's DID was completely unbelievable. DID - if it is real, as there is some question on that - is developed from trauma. There is no documented trauma in Maria's life that would lead to her having DID. This just was not necessary and could easily have been left out without hurting the book. In fact, I think it would have been better if it had been left out.
(END SPOILER)
The history between Maria and Peter and Peter and Gabriel could also have been left out. They did not really impact the relationship between them and did not add to the story.
Overall, not a bad book. I just feel like the author had too many idea and felt the need to include everything.
The back story of the villain was interesting, but too convoluted. The ties to Maria almost made sense, but were just a bit too unbelievable.
(SPOILER)
Maria's DID was completely unbelievable. DID - if it is real, as there is some question on that - is developed from trauma. There is no documented trauma in Maria's life that would lead to her having DID. This just was not necessary and could easily have been left out without hurting the book. In fact, I think it would have been better if it had been left out.
(END SPOILER)
The history between Maria and Peter and Peter and Gabriel could also have been left out. They did not really impact the relationship between them and did not add to the story.
Overall, not a bad book. I just feel like the author had too many idea and felt the need to include everything.
April 13, 2025
I received an ARC through "Booksirens" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is a story which has two individuals, Maria and Peter, meeting again and working a killing of an archbishop. At the time of their last meeting, it was at a seminary where they both wound up being expelled. Peter was there at the request of the FBI and Maria was there at the request of the Washington D.C. police. During the investigation, another priest was killed and they were brought in to help on that as well.
Read along and discover what correlation the killings had how it played into events of the past. The things that both Peter and Maria had to survive keeps you guessing right till the end.
The story is well done and the subject covered in the story was interesting. This is definitely a book that you should read!
This is a story which has two individuals, Maria and Peter, meeting again and working a killing of an archbishop. At the time of their last meeting, it was at a seminary where they both wound up being expelled. Peter was there at the request of the FBI and Maria was there at the request of the Washington D.C. police. During the investigation, another priest was killed and they were brought in to help on that as well.
Read along and discover what correlation the killings had how it played into events of the past. The things that both Peter and Maria had to survive keeps you guessing right till the end.
The story is well done and the subject covered in the story was interesting. This is definitely a book that you should read!
March 20, 2022
A twisty, high-octane psychological thriller. When an FBI criminal profiler and a psychologist get paired to work together on a high-profile murder of an Archbishop, they must deal with their complex past together (as an ex-seminarian and ex-nun), which will also prove to be key to figuring out the mystery behind the killing. An entertaining rollercoaster ride of a story.
January 25, 2024
Great Story—hard to put down
What happens to someone who is born into a family that has major mental health issues? And, deal drug? And, live in Mexico? That’s what happens. Maria is has a doctoral degree in forensic psychology. She is asked to help with the murder investigation of the Archbishop of Washington, DC. Surprise at every turn. Enjoyed
What happens to someone who is born into a family that has major mental health issues? And, deal drug? And, live in Mexico? That’s what happens. Maria is has a doctoral degree in forensic psychology. She is asked to help with the murder investigation of the Archbishop of Washington, DC. Surprise at every turn. Enjoyed
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November 17, 2022Psychological
Definitely a thriller . Well written , no typos that I saw . What led to the killings and how did Pete Sullivan and Dr Maria Santos fit in. The author leads a chase through psychology to the end.
Definitely a thriller . Well written , no typos that I saw . What led to the killings and how did Pete Sullivan and Dr Maria Santos fit in. The author leads a chase through psychology to the end.
March 19, 2024
I would rate this book at 4.5 stars. The characters and plot progression were great. One of the plot twists was a little confusing in the end, which is why I deducted a half star. I look forward to reading more from this author.
June 19, 2025
Another great story by this author that pulls you in, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and frantically turning pages to see what’s going to happen next. I can’t wait to read Mr. Krentz other works.
I received an ARC from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 13, 2025
a good read
The story was very intriguing and kept my interest which says a lot. I liked how the story told its own story and pulled all the threads together.
The story was very intriguing and kept my interest which says a lot. I liked how the story told its own story and pulled all the threads together.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews