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When We Fall
‘It isn’t strangers you need to worry about here. Blood lines run deep and in unexpected places. Every victim, every accused, we’ll know. The past runs alongside us all the time. Some days it spills into the open.’
In the wild, coastal town of Merritt, Alex Tillerson and her mother make a shocking find on the beach. The police claim it’s an accidental death but there are whispers of murder and that it is not the first.
Bella Greggs was found dead at the bottom of a ravine but drowned in salt water. Maxine McFarlane was pulled from the ocean but with no water in her lungs. Black feathers were found with both bodies but what do they mean?
As Alex fights for answers to honour the dead, and to discover why her mother fled town as a teenager, good people keep looking the other way, memories become unreliable and secrets threaten to reveal the past.
Alex discovers the truth never dies but it can kill…
In the wild, coastal town of Merritt, Alex Tillerson and her mother make a shocking find on the beach. The police claim it’s an accidental death but there are whispers of murder and that it is not the first.
Bella Greggs was found dead at the bottom of a ravine but drowned in salt water. Maxine McFarlane was pulled from the ocean but with no water in her lungs. Black feathers were found with both bodies but what do they mean?
As Alex fights for answers to honour the dead, and to discover why her mother fled town as a teenager, good people keep looking the other way, memories become unreliable and secrets threaten to reveal the past.
Alex discovers the truth never dies but it can kill…
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2022
60 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Aoife Clifford
9 books107 followersAoife Clifford is the author of the novel All These Perfect Strangers, published in Australia and the United Kingdom by Simon & Schuster and by Penguin Random House in the United States.
Born in London of Irish parents, she grew up in New South Wales, studied Arts/Law at the Australian National University, Canberra and now lives in Melbourne.
Aoife has won two premier short story prizes for crime fiction in Australia - the Scarlet Stiletto (2007) and the S.D. Harvey Ned Kelly Award in 2012, among other prizes. She has also been short listed for the UK Crime Association's Debut Dagger. In 2014 she was awarded an Australian Society of Authors mentorship for her novel, All These Perfect Strangers.
(source: Amazon)
Born in London of Irish parents, she grew up in New South Wales, studied Arts/Law at the Australian National University, Canberra and now lives in Melbourne.
Aoife has won two premier short story prizes for crime fiction in Australia - the Scarlet Stiletto (2007) and the S.D. Harvey Ned Kelly Award in 2012, among other prizes. She has also been short listed for the UK Crime Association's Debut Dagger. In 2014 she was awarded an Australian Society of Authors mentorship for her novel, All These Perfect Strangers.
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
March 6, 2022
Alex Tillerson had arrived at the small coastal town of Merritt for her mother, as the dementia diagnosis had shocked her to her core. Alex was in the process of getting a divorce, her career as a lawyer had stalled and her money situation was dire. But she needed to be by her mother’s side – although Denny would tell you otherwise. The morning Alex and Denny were walking along the beach, enjoying the ambience, and they made a dreadful discovery, was the start of a period in Alex’s life she would prefer to forget.
Alex discovered there was more than one murder in the sleepy town of Merritt, but she didn’t trust or like the local cop, Kingston Kelly, and although a detective arrived from the city, Alex decided to find the murderer herself. She was sure the deaths were connected, plus the secrets of the past were about to be revealed. What did the black feathers mean? The connection to the art must mean something – and then another body was found…
When We Fall by Aussie author Aoife Clifford is an exceptional crime read which kept the blood pumping and the pages turning. This is my third by this author, and in my opinion, her best yet. Plenty of twists, red herrings and smokescreens – I was sure of who it was, then it wasn’t. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I recommend.
With thanks to Ultimo Press for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Alex discovered there was more than one murder in the sleepy town of Merritt, but she didn’t trust or like the local cop, Kingston Kelly, and although a detective arrived from the city, Alex decided to find the murderer herself. She was sure the deaths were connected, plus the secrets of the past were about to be revealed. What did the black feathers mean? The connection to the art must mean something – and then another body was found…
When We Fall by Aussie author Aoife Clifford is an exceptional crime read which kept the blood pumping and the pages turning. This is my third by this author, and in my opinion, her best yet. Plenty of twists, red herrings and smokescreens – I was sure of who it was, then it wasn’t. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I recommend.
With thanks to Ultimo Press for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2024
The third tightly plotted thriller by Aoife Clifford sits comfortably towards the top of the pile among the growing cadre of small town Australian mysteries that are starting to dominate the landscape.
Alex Tillerson, a barrister by trade, has returned to her home town of Merritt to take care of her mother who has dementia. She likes nothing more than unwinding with a walk on the local beach, but on this particular morning she makes the disturbing discovery of a human foot.
She’s less than impressed by the crime scene management of the local cop, Sergeant Kingston Kelly, who’s first on the scene. Little does she know that her first impressions are set to be backed up numerous times in the ensuing few days as she proceeds to bump heads with him.
It turns out the leg belongs to a local young woman and it turns out she’s not the first woman in recent times to have died in mysterious circumstances. Unhappy with the way both of the deaths were and had been treated, and at the urging of one of the locals, Alex takes it upon herself to conduct her own investigation. This, of course, goes down like a lead balloon.
This small town mystery works all of the prejudices, misguided loyalties and secrets into a riveting thriller. Throw in a local sheriff who operates under the impression that local policing is all about keeping the locals happy rather than detecting real crimes and a billionaire with an air of mystery about him, perhaps guarding a dodgy past.
The slow burn build up works very well as Alex gets to know the small town pace and the relationships of each of the residents. It depends on the usual sense of something not quite adding up, which gradually develops into a growing tidal wave of feelings, clues and beliefs before something gives and further acts of violence blows the case wide open.
The small town of Merritt appears to be very typical of many towns around Australia with fiercely held loyalties swaying people’s opinions to the point where they’re prepared to dig in and fight the outsider, come what may. The cast of local characters are important for both establishing the personality of the town and offering a deep pool of suspects. Great care is taken to flesh each of the main players out to give them plenty of substance and this helps with the usual game of guessing where the danger’s coming from.
Alex is a fierce advocate for the law and for the victim. It’s this quality that holds her in good stead when it comes to getting to the bottom of the town’s murders. But it’s also the quality that puts her directly in harm’s way.
Aoife Clifford has built an engrossing thriller set in a richly described fictional town and populated with a diverse array of residents. Although the town of Merritt gives the impression of being an idyllic place, there is a sinister air to the place, not least due to the presence of the disused lighthouse that was once so essential to the town’s history.
Alex Tillerson, a barrister by trade, has returned to her home town of Merritt to take care of her mother who has dementia. She likes nothing more than unwinding with a walk on the local beach, but on this particular morning she makes the disturbing discovery of a human foot.
She’s less than impressed by the crime scene management of the local cop, Sergeant Kingston Kelly, who’s first on the scene. Little does she know that her first impressions are set to be backed up numerous times in the ensuing few days as she proceeds to bump heads with him.
It turns out the leg belongs to a local young woman and it turns out she’s not the first woman in recent times to have died in mysterious circumstances. Unhappy with the way both of the deaths were and had been treated, and at the urging of one of the locals, Alex takes it upon herself to conduct her own investigation. This, of course, goes down like a lead balloon.
This small town mystery works all of the prejudices, misguided loyalties and secrets into a riveting thriller. Throw in a local sheriff who operates under the impression that local policing is all about keeping the locals happy rather than detecting real crimes and a billionaire with an air of mystery about him, perhaps guarding a dodgy past.
The slow burn build up works very well as Alex gets to know the small town pace and the relationships of each of the residents. It depends on the usual sense of something not quite adding up, which gradually develops into a growing tidal wave of feelings, clues and beliefs before something gives and further acts of violence blows the case wide open.
The small town of Merritt appears to be very typical of many towns around Australia with fiercely held loyalties swaying people’s opinions to the point where they’re prepared to dig in and fight the outsider, come what may. The cast of local characters are important for both establishing the personality of the town and offering a deep pool of suspects. Great care is taken to flesh each of the main players out to give them plenty of substance and this helps with the usual game of guessing where the danger’s coming from.
Alex is a fierce advocate for the law and for the victim. It’s this quality that holds her in good stead when it comes to getting to the bottom of the town’s murders. But it’s also the quality that puts her directly in harm’s way.
Aoife Clifford has built an engrossing thriller set in a richly described fictional town and populated with a diverse array of residents. Although the town of Merritt gives the impression of being an idyllic place, there is a sinister air to the place, not least due to the presence of the disused lighthouse that was once so essential to the town’s history.
May 10, 2022
What a fantastic book, I loved every singe minute of it. This is one of those books, that you just can't put down. It is very well written, well researched, the characters are great. It is a "who done it, murder mystery" that keeps you guessing the entire book. It is an extremely entertaining book and I will be looking out for more books by Aoife Clifford to read in the future.
Alex returns to her home town Millett to check in on the welfare of her mother, who is suffering from early onset Alzheimers.
Whilst Alex and her mother are going for a walk on the beach, her mother discovers a human leg. Alex waits at the scene, a lengthy two hours before the local police arrive.
Alex is a lawyer, who has a business of her own which is fairly quiet at present, with not many clients. She has also recently broken up with her boyfriend, so Alex has a fair amount of time on her hands while in Millett with her Mother.
One of the local townsfolk asks Alex to look into the recent death in the town, although the police indicate it may be a possible drowning, the townsfolk feel there is something more sinister happening, and that it is perhaps linked to another previous death of young girl in their town.
Alex takes it upon herself to investigate these deaths, and discovers lots of town secrets along the way.
Thankyou to Ultimo Press and Better Reading for providing me with this Advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I rate this book 5 stars.
Please visit my blog and follow to see all of my past and future book reviews.
https://www.facebook.com/Kylies-Book-...
Alex returns to her home town Millett to check in on the welfare of her mother, who is suffering from early onset Alzheimers.
Whilst Alex and her mother are going for a walk on the beach, her mother discovers a human leg. Alex waits at the scene, a lengthy two hours before the local police arrive.
Alex is a lawyer, who has a business of her own which is fairly quiet at present, with not many clients. She has also recently broken up with her boyfriend, so Alex has a fair amount of time on her hands while in Millett with her Mother.
One of the local townsfolk asks Alex to look into the recent death in the town, although the police indicate it may be a possible drowning, the townsfolk feel there is something more sinister happening, and that it is perhaps linked to another previous death of young girl in their town.
Alex takes it upon herself to investigate these deaths, and discovers lots of town secrets along the way.
Thankyou to Ultimo Press and Better Reading for providing me with this Advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I rate this book 5 stars.
Please visit my blog and follow to see all of my past and future book reviews.
https://www.facebook.com/Kylies-Book-...
May 3, 2023
When We Fall is the third novel by prize-winning Australian author, Aiofe Clifford. Barrister Alex Tillerson decides to view a worrying downturn in her work as an opportunity to answer her Aunt Prue’s summons to visit her increasingly dementia-affected mother, Denny who has returned to her childhood home in Merritt. Being away from her soon-to-be-ex husband and his new girlfriend is a bonus.
It quickly becomes apparent that Denny Walker isn’t going to be able to live independently much longer. An assisted-living facility could be the answer but, given the parlous state of Alex’s bank account, that will mean Denny selling the house she inherited from her mother, something to which she is unlikely to agree.
But just as she believes that being divorced with an ill mother and a flatlining career are the worst of her problems, their early morning beach walk is marred by a grisly find: Alex and Denny stumble on a sneaker-shod human leg. When police eventually turn up, Alex is appalled at Senior Sergeant Kingsley Kelly’s casual mismanagement of the scene.
The young constable makes mention of a cold case murder a few years earlier, and Alex’s young cousin Tayla shares the story of how her teenaged classmate, environmental activist Bella Greggs was found. Certain aspects of the two deaths indicate they may be linked, but when the body of gallery owner Maxine McFarlane turns up, Kelly declares that it is just a terrible accident and the city detective is sure to agree.
Maxine’s friends are convinced she was murdered because she knew who had killed Bella, and plead with Alex to talk to the detective: surely a barrister’s concerns will be heard? Is it wise to get involved? All this happens against the background of the tech billionaire who has been buying up land and has established a salmon farm, of which not all of Merritt approve.
Clifford’s tale is tightly plotted with twists and red herrings that will keep the reader guessing and the pages turning right up to the dramatic climax. Her characters are much more than one-dimensional; their dialogue is what we overhear in cafes and gatherings; and their actions and reactions to threat and challenge, entirely credible. Lies, secrets, infidelity and desperation mark these people as very humanly flawed. Gripping contemporary crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Ultimo Press.
It quickly becomes apparent that Denny Walker isn’t going to be able to live independently much longer. An assisted-living facility could be the answer but, given the parlous state of Alex’s bank account, that will mean Denny selling the house she inherited from her mother, something to which she is unlikely to agree.
But just as she believes that being divorced with an ill mother and a flatlining career are the worst of her problems, their early morning beach walk is marred by a grisly find: Alex and Denny stumble on a sneaker-shod human leg. When police eventually turn up, Alex is appalled at Senior Sergeant Kingsley Kelly’s casual mismanagement of the scene.
The young constable makes mention of a cold case murder a few years earlier, and Alex’s young cousin Tayla shares the story of how her teenaged classmate, environmental activist Bella Greggs was found. Certain aspects of the two deaths indicate they may be linked, but when the body of gallery owner Maxine McFarlane turns up, Kelly declares that it is just a terrible accident and the city detective is sure to agree.
Maxine’s friends are convinced she was murdered because she knew who had killed Bella, and plead with Alex to talk to the detective: surely a barrister’s concerns will be heard? Is it wise to get involved? All this happens against the background of the tech billionaire who has been buying up land and has established a salmon farm, of which not all of Merritt approve.
Clifford’s tale is tightly plotted with twists and red herrings that will keep the reader guessing and the pages turning right up to the dramatic climax. Her characters are much more than one-dimensional; their dialogue is what we overhear in cafes and gatherings; and their actions and reactions to threat and challenge, entirely credible. Lies, secrets, infidelity and desperation mark these people as very humanly flawed. Gripping contemporary crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Ultimo Press.
March 5, 2022
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Aoife Clifford first burst onto the Australian crime thriller scene in 2016 with her debut psychological fiction release, All These Perfect Strangers. Clifford experienced further success in 2018 with Second Sight, another tense mystery title. I have read and enjoyed both of the above mentioned books. Now this well-versed storyteller returns to the book world with When We Fall. This current release from Clifford offers a notable story of buried truths, life, death, accusations, shocking discoveries, retribution, restitution and bolting revelations. With clear, immersive and contorted prose, the reader is taken on an exciting ride filled with many converging sensations. A pulse pounding pace, tight tension levels and plenty of plot eventualities makes When We Fall an all-consuming read. With a whopper of a mystery underlining this novel’s direction, that I just couldn’t crack along with the police of this tale, Clifford pulls out all the stops to ensnare her audience in a rich tale of secrets, innuendo, past discretions, human failures and life altering mistakes. Drawing on some paradoxical themes around the environment, development and change, When We Fall makes for a topical read. With a wide cast list and an atmospheric coastal backdrop that fully submerges the reader in this poignant location, When We Fall is a strong Australian thematic title that should not be overlooked.
*Thanks is extended to Better Reading/Ultimo Press for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Aoife Clifford first burst onto the Australian crime thriller scene in 2016 with her debut psychological fiction release, All These Perfect Strangers. Clifford experienced further success in 2018 with Second Sight, another tense mystery title. I have read and enjoyed both of the above mentioned books. Now this well-versed storyteller returns to the book world with When We Fall. This current release from Clifford offers a notable story of buried truths, life, death, accusations, shocking discoveries, retribution, restitution and bolting revelations. With clear, immersive and contorted prose, the reader is taken on an exciting ride filled with many converging sensations. A pulse pounding pace, tight tension levels and plenty of plot eventualities makes When We Fall an all-consuming read. With a whopper of a mystery underlining this novel’s direction, that I just couldn’t crack along with the police of this tale, Clifford pulls out all the stops to ensnare her audience in a rich tale of secrets, innuendo, past discretions, human failures and life altering mistakes. Drawing on some paradoxical themes around the environment, development and change, When We Fall makes for a topical read. With a wide cast list and an atmospheric coastal backdrop that fully submerges the reader in this poignant location, When We Fall is a strong Australian thematic title that should not be overlooked.
*Thanks is extended to Better Reading/Ultimo Press for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
August 15, 2022
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When We Fall by Aoife Clifford. (2022).
In the wild, coastal town of Merritt, Alex and her mother Denny make a shocking find on the beach. The police claim it's an accidental death but others think murder, and that it isn't the first. Bella was found dead at the bottom of a ravine but drowned in salt water. Maxine was pulled from the ocean but with no water in her lungs. Black feathers were found with both but what does it mean? As Alex fights for answers for the deaths and why her mother fled as a teenager, good people keep looking the other way, memories become unreliable and secrets threaten to reveal the past...
I was really looking forward to reading this book after highly rating the author's previous novel ('Second Sight'). Thankfully this one did not disappoint, it was a great read! Small towns in the context of unsolved deaths often have a very sinister vibe and this one is no exception. Out-of-work barrister Alex is thrust into a complex web of lies and secrets in her mother's hometown, where it seems like the police are deliberately brushing over the allegedly unrelated deaths of a young girl and a woman. With many twists and clever red herrings, readers will be constantly changing their guesses on what actually has occurred in this town....
Overall: highly recommend this absorbing Australian mystery/crime read if you are looking for something utterly absorbing.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
When We Fall by Aoife Clifford. (2022).
In the wild, coastal town of Merritt, Alex and her mother Denny make a shocking find on the beach. The police claim it's an accidental death but others think murder, and that it isn't the first. Bella was found dead at the bottom of a ravine but drowned in salt water. Maxine was pulled from the ocean but with no water in her lungs. Black feathers were found with both but what does it mean? As Alex fights for answers for the deaths and why her mother fled as a teenager, good people keep looking the other way, memories become unreliable and secrets threaten to reveal the past...
I was really looking forward to reading this book after highly rating the author's previous novel ('Second Sight'). Thankfully this one did not disappoint, it was a great read! Small towns in the context of unsolved deaths often have a very sinister vibe and this one is no exception. Out-of-work barrister Alex is thrust into a complex web of lies and secrets in her mother's hometown, where it seems like the police are deliberately brushing over the allegedly unrelated deaths of a young girl and a woman. With many twists and clever red herrings, readers will be constantly changing their guesses on what actually has occurred in this town....
Overall: highly recommend this absorbing Australian mystery/crime read if you are looking for something utterly absorbing.
January 31, 2022
Alex Tillerson has a slumping career as a barrister, her divorce is looming and she’s returned to the small Australian seaside town of Merritt to arrange assisted living for her mum Denny. To add to her woes, whilst walking on the beach she and her Mum discover a woman’s leg with a black feather tattoo. Veteran Senior Sergeant ‘King’ Kelly belatedly arrives at the scene, and shortly thereafter rules the death as accidental. Incensed by his apathy, encouraged by concerned locals, Alex resorts to DIY policing. The leg belonged to the art teacher at the local high school, who was organising a commemorative exhibition of the works of a student who had previously been found murdered, her case yet unsolved. A girl whose set of black wings, rumour has it, had disappeared from the crime scene.
Artworks have also disappeared. The sole section of a triptych, a faked Bruegel, ‘Landscape with the Fall of Icarus’ may provide clues – were the identifiable local subjects pretending nothing had happened, or were they just looking in the wrong direction? And what of the other 2 panels?
As the body count rises, the danger to Alex is mounting. Does she believe the kindly doctor over bewildered patient, the drunk over upright citizen, the cop over disgraced women? The town is not willingly giving up its secrets. Will she be the next to fall?
‘When We Fall’ is vividly menacing, insidiously nuanced – another excellent Aussie noir from Aoife Clifford.
Thanks to Better Reading and Ultimo Press for a preview copy.
Artworks have also disappeared. The sole section of a triptych, a faked Bruegel, ‘Landscape with the Fall of Icarus’ may provide clues – were the identifiable local subjects pretending nothing had happened, or were they just looking in the wrong direction? And what of the other 2 panels?
As the body count rises, the danger to Alex is mounting. Does she believe the kindly doctor over bewildered patient, the drunk over upright citizen, the cop over disgraced women? The town is not willingly giving up its secrets. Will she be the next to fall?
‘When We Fall’ is vividly menacing, insidiously nuanced – another excellent Aussie noir from Aoife Clifford.
Thanks to Better Reading and Ultimo Press for a preview copy.
March 1, 2022
With its moody and atmospheric cover, the scene is immediately set within Aoife Clifford’s latest release, When We Fall, and it’s a slow burning, yet entirely addictive read. This was my first taste of her writing, although a fellow blogger and friend had nothing but praise to share with me about her, so my expectations going in were high. I am happy to say, they were definitely met.
I’m not usually a fan of the amateur detective, preferring my crime fiction to be more police procedural, but perhaps it was Alex’s foot in the law that swayed me, I’m not sure, but I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and found Alex’s personal interest and layman investigations entirely credible.
There are plenty of red herrings within this story, doubt cast left, right, and centre. I actually guessed the killer, not my usual talent, I’ll admit. I almost never see it coming, but in this case, something rang a bell for me, and I was pleased to discover that my hunch was right. Although, there is more than one crime within these pages and more than one perpetrator, and I didn’t guess the full story!
I wasn’t overly keen on Denny, Alex’s mother, to be honest. I feel a bit bad admitting that I didn’t like a woman with dementia, hopefully that doesn’t cast too much of a murky light on me! My main issue with Denny was her silence about who Alex’s father was. I feel like this was the one area of the story that wasn’t resolved fully to my liking. But that is honestly the only sticky point for me.
The way in which art and environmental activism underpinned the story appealed to me greatly. I am fond of art and love books that can effectively incorporate that into the story with visual impact. Aoife did an amazing job with weaving art into her narrative. I could picture the paintings and works of art as they were described. I also really appreciated the intent of a character communicating what they know of a crime through a work of art. Visionary!
Fans of Australian crime fiction should add this one to their reading lists, I highly recommend it and will be eagerly awaiting Aoife Clifford’s next novel.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
I’m not usually a fan of the amateur detective, preferring my crime fiction to be more police procedural, but perhaps it was Alex’s foot in the law that swayed me, I’m not sure, but I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and found Alex’s personal interest and layman investigations entirely credible.
There are plenty of red herrings within this story, doubt cast left, right, and centre. I actually guessed the killer, not my usual talent, I’ll admit. I almost never see it coming, but in this case, something rang a bell for me, and I was pleased to discover that my hunch was right. Although, there is more than one crime within these pages and more than one perpetrator, and I didn’t guess the full story!
I wasn’t overly keen on Denny, Alex’s mother, to be honest. I feel a bit bad admitting that I didn’t like a woman with dementia, hopefully that doesn’t cast too much of a murky light on me! My main issue with Denny was her silence about who Alex’s father was. I feel like this was the one area of the story that wasn’t resolved fully to my liking. But that is honestly the only sticky point for me.
The way in which art and environmental activism underpinned the story appealed to me greatly. I am fond of art and love books that can effectively incorporate that into the story with visual impact. Aoife did an amazing job with weaving art into her narrative. I could picture the paintings and works of art as they were described. I also really appreciated the intent of a character communicating what they know of a crime through a work of art. Visionary!
Fans of Australian crime fiction should add this one to their reading lists, I highly recommend it and will be eagerly awaiting Aoife Clifford’s next novel.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
March 20, 2022
When We Fall is an atmospheric suspense novel from Australian author Aoife Clifford.
When Alex Tillerson discovers the lower leg of a young women washed up on a beach in the small community of Merritt on Australia’s southern coast, she is both repulsed and intrigued. Identified as belonging to Maxine McFarlane, a local teacher and artist, the police chief seems too eager to declare her death a tragic accident, and Alex is perturbed by the irregularities in his investigation.
A barrister, who is visiting Merritt to convince her mother to move into an assisted living facility due to the onset of dementia, Alex feels compelled to do some investigating of her own, and learns of a connection between the dead woman and the unsolved murder of a teenage girl, Bella, a year earlier. The suggestion that a missing painting holds the answers seems credible when the woman organising a memorial art exhibition is beaten to death, but Alex refuses to be intimidated, determined to unmask a killer. Red herrings abound as Alex examines the actions of the Senior Sergeant ‘King’ Kelly, a handsome local doctor, Bella’s aggressive step-father, and the incongruous presence of a tech mogul. I was proved wrong in my early guess at the motivation and perpetrator, and clever plotting ensured I was surprised by some of the twists.
There are links to issues such as climate change, environmental activism, unemployment, addiction, forced adoption, and prejudice in When We Fell. The title of the novel relates to the story in several ways including a local museum exhibition, the experiences of Alex’s mother as a ‘fallen woman’, and Bella’s wings, a homemade affectation the girl wore everywhere which went missing on her death.
Clifford’s writing is articulate and expressive, with vivid description. The pace is taut, and the suspense is enhanced by the towns claustrophobic environs. A disused lighthouse undergoing rehabilitation looms ominously over the town symbolising the fallacy of safe harbour, and the secrets shrouded in darkness ashore.
Immersive with an intriguing, well-crafted mystery, I found When We Fall to be an engrossing read.
When Alex Tillerson discovers the lower leg of a young women washed up on a beach in the small community of Merritt on Australia’s southern coast, she is both repulsed and intrigued. Identified as belonging to Maxine McFarlane, a local teacher and artist, the police chief seems too eager to declare her death a tragic accident, and Alex is perturbed by the irregularities in his investigation.
A barrister, who is visiting Merritt to convince her mother to move into an assisted living facility due to the onset of dementia, Alex feels compelled to do some investigating of her own, and learns of a connection between the dead woman and the unsolved murder of a teenage girl, Bella, a year earlier. The suggestion that a missing painting holds the answers seems credible when the woman organising a memorial art exhibition is beaten to death, but Alex refuses to be intimidated, determined to unmask a killer. Red herrings abound as Alex examines the actions of the Senior Sergeant ‘King’ Kelly, a handsome local doctor, Bella’s aggressive step-father, and the incongruous presence of a tech mogul. I was proved wrong in my early guess at the motivation and perpetrator, and clever plotting ensured I was surprised by some of the twists.
There are links to issues such as climate change, environmental activism, unemployment, addiction, forced adoption, and prejudice in When We Fell. The title of the novel relates to the story in several ways including a local museum exhibition, the experiences of Alex’s mother as a ‘fallen woman’, and Bella’s wings, a homemade affectation the girl wore everywhere which went missing on her death.
Clifford’s writing is articulate and expressive, with vivid description. The pace is taut, and the suspense is enhanced by the towns claustrophobic environs. A disused lighthouse undergoing rehabilitation looms ominously over the town symbolising the fallacy of safe harbour, and the secrets shrouded in darkness ashore.
Immersive with an intriguing, well-crafted mystery, I found When We Fall to be an engrossing read.
March 6, 2022
Wow, add Aoife Clifford to the list of very talented Aussie writers out there.
Alex’s mother seems to be suffering from early onset dementia and, as Alex’s law career has stalled and she’s in the middle of a divorce, she decides to visit her mother in Merritt, an unusually cold Australian town with a rugged coastline. When they stumble across a woman’s leg on the beach, Alex learns there was a previous murder in the area. Obviously, as these things go, Alex indulges in some amatuer detective work which has her suspecting everyone including a local police officer and the handsome new doctor.
When We Fall is an atmospheric thriller full of tension and twists. Art, environmental protection, forced adoption, ancestral sins and domestic abuse are seemingly separate themes which Clifford manages to weave organically into her plot. The [fictional] town of Merritt and its small town prejudices and long-kept secrets was in itself an ominous character and by adding in a lighthouse, Clifford only managed to tick a few more of my mystery book boxes.
Even though the story is resolved, I would not be adverse to Clifford writing further books featuring Alex.
Highly recommend 5 out of 5
* Thanks to Better Reading AU and Ultimo Press for my copy, this did not influence my rating
Alex’s mother seems to be suffering from early onset dementia and, as Alex’s law career has stalled and she’s in the middle of a divorce, she decides to visit her mother in Merritt, an unusually cold Australian town with a rugged coastline. When they stumble across a woman’s leg on the beach, Alex learns there was a previous murder in the area. Obviously, as these things go, Alex indulges in some amatuer detective work which has her suspecting everyone including a local police officer and the handsome new doctor.
When We Fall is an atmospheric thriller full of tension and twists. Art, environmental protection, forced adoption, ancestral sins and domestic abuse are seemingly separate themes which Clifford manages to weave organically into her plot. The [fictional] town of Merritt and its small town prejudices and long-kept secrets was in itself an ominous character and by adding in a lighthouse, Clifford only managed to tick a few more of my mystery book boxes.
Even though the story is resolved, I would not be adverse to Clifford writing further books featuring Alex.
Highly recommend 5 out of 5
* Thanks to Better Reading AU and Ultimo Press for my copy, this did not influence my rating
April 3, 2022
I ended up skimming this. It never really came alive for me. Alex returns to her childhood home to try to move her mother (who has dementia) into a nursing home. Instead of focussing on this, or on signing her divorce papers, or on trying to get work to stave off abject poverty, she investigates the deaths of various women, most of whom she she has never met. Admittedly she does come across the leg of one of the corpses at the beginning, but that didn't really account to me for her interest, nor for the way people kept answering her questions when it was none of her business.
February 22, 2022
When Alex and her mum find a leg of a body on the beach, local police in the small coastal town of Merritt claim there is nothing suspicious about it, an unfortunate accidental death.
It’s not the first time a dead body has been found in Merritt though and whispers that it was a murder echo through the town. Alex is not convinced it was accidental. She believes there is more to the story and a potential connection between the two deaths.
As Alex delves deeper and the body count rises, secrets are revealed leading Alex close to finding out the truth but can she find the truth without putting her own life at risk?
An enjoyable read that held my attention and wanting to know the truth and more about the slowly revealed secrets within this small coastal town. Definitely some unexpected reveals and a satisfying ending.
It’s not the first time a dead body has been found in Merritt though and whispers that it was a murder echo through the town. Alex is not convinced it was accidental. She believes there is more to the story and a potential connection between the two deaths.
As Alex delves deeper and the body count rises, secrets are revealed leading Alex close to finding out the truth but can she find the truth without putting her own life at risk?
An enjoyable read that held my attention and wanting to know the truth and more about the slowly revealed secrets within this small coastal town. Definitely some unexpected reveals and a satisfying ending.
October 16, 2023
Alex Tillerson returns to the small seaside town of Merritt, where she has grown up, to help her mother, who has just received a dementia diagnosis. If returning to the place of unhappy childhood memories wasn’t hard enough, seeing her proud and independent mother struggle with everyday tasks is even more painful for Alex. Things go from bad to worse when the two women stumble across a gruesome find on their local beach …
Clifford is a master at evoking the sights, smells and sounds and politics of the small seaside town of Merritt, which immediately gave the story credibility and atmosphere. Whilst strongly character driven, the author tackles multiple contemporary themes in her novel, which rang true for our times – at the same time presenting us with a gripping murder mystery. Brimming with complex, intriguing characters with rich backgrounds, WHEN WE FALL made for a captivating read with an irresistible small-town setting.
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Clifford is a master at evoking the sights, smells and sounds and politics of the small seaside town of Merritt, which immediately gave the story credibility and atmosphere. Whilst strongly character driven, the author tackles multiple contemporary themes in her novel, which rang true for our times – at the same time presenting us with a gripping murder mystery. Brimming with complex, intriguing characters with rich backgrounds, WHEN WE FALL made for a captivating read with an irresistible small-town setting.
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July 6, 2022
POV: Single.
Genre: Thriller/Mystery/Crime
Format: Audio/Paperback.
"It isn’t strangers you need to worry about here. Blood lines run deep and in unexpected places. Every victim, every accused, we’ll know. The past runs alongside us all the time. Some days it spills into the open."
In a coastal town of Merritt, Barrister Alex Tillerson and her mother, who also has early dementia, make a shocking find on the beach. The police claim it’s an accidental death but there are whispers of murder and that it is not the first. Maxine McFarlane was pulled from the ocean but with no water in her lungs. A few years before, Bella Greggs was found dead at the bottom of a ravine but drowned in salt water. The only link between the two deaths was black feathers found with both bodies.
Not usually being a huge fan of a crime fiction, this one was something off the beaten track for me to pick up. Quite simply, yet intricately written it managed to keep some secrets until the end but somewhere glaringly obvious. It was a good representation of how small towns can sometimes become caught up in long term friendships and relationships and miss the bigger picture. It did seem to go around in circles in the middle of the book, like plots that were meant to lead you off the track but weren't strong enough to. My only concern was why on Earth would all of these people talk to Alex like she was an officer? I understand small town gossip, but everyone seemed to think she was the detective ready to close on the case.
All up it was a slower, yet enjoyable read recommended for anyone who loves a small town murder mystery and a crime fighting women ready to stand up for justice.
Genre: Thriller/Mystery/Crime
Format: Audio/Paperback.
"It isn’t strangers you need to worry about here. Blood lines run deep and in unexpected places. Every victim, every accused, we’ll know. The past runs alongside us all the time. Some days it spills into the open."
In a coastal town of Merritt, Barrister Alex Tillerson and her mother, who also has early dementia, make a shocking find on the beach. The police claim it’s an accidental death but there are whispers of murder and that it is not the first. Maxine McFarlane was pulled from the ocean but with no water in her lungs. A few years before, Bella Greggs was found dead at the bottom of a ravine but drowned in salt water. The only link between the two deaths was black feathers found with both bodies.
Not usually being a huge fan of a crime fiction, this one was something off the beaten track for me to pick up. Quite simply, yet intricately written it managed to keep some secrets until the end but somewhere glaringly obvious. It was a good representation of how small towns can sometimes become caught up in long term friendships and relationships and miss the bigger picture. It did seem to go around in circles in the middle of the book, like plots that were meant to lead you off the track but weren't strong enough to. My only concern was why on Earth would all of these people talk to Alex like she was an officer? I understand small town gossip, but everyone seemed to think she was the detective ready to close on the case.
All up it was a slower, yet enjoyable read recommended for anyone who loves a small town murder mystery and a crime fighting women ready to stand up for justice.
November 7, 2021
An intelligent literary thriller that twists and turns, but doesn’t disappoint.
I’ve been reflecting on this book, for a few days. In Australia, in recent years there has been a flurry of “outback noir” of which some were better than others. This is up there with the best. Think a lovely mix of Jane Harper, with a dash of Garry Disher, it’s that good!!
Thanks to Ultimo Press for the early reading copy.
I’ve been reflecting on this book, for a few days. In Australia, in recent years there has been a flurry of “outback noir” of which some were better than others. This is up there with the best. Think a lovely mix of Jane Harper, with a dash of Garry Disher, it’s that good!!
Thanks to Ultimo Press for the early reading copy.
March 21, 2022
Given the juxtaposition of this review, and my recent one for THE STONING, I probably should mention that Aoife Clifford was the author I was discussing rural noir versus rural crime with. To my eye, Clifford is one of the great writers of rural crime in Australia at the moment, and she's right when she says the difference between her books and the more noirish styled ones like THE STONING is her self-professed affection, and sense of hope for the small towns that she sets her action in.
WHEN WE FALL is the story of Alex Tillerson and her mother and the small coastal town of Merritt, as much as it is the story of two murdered women. Alex is back in town for some very complicated reasons - a pending divorce, and a career as a barrister that's tanking; her mother's gentle slip into dementia requiring some difficult decisions to be made; and there's family history in Merritt that's complicated and challenging for all. The quote from the blurb sums it up beautifully:
When Alex and her mother make a shocking find on the beach one morning, the local police seem to be almost desperate to call it an accidental death, but there are whispers around town, and there's some odd connections between Maxine McFarlane, the latest victim, and the death of Bella Greggs a year earlier. She was found at the bottom of a ravine, despite having drowned in salt water. Maxine was found on the beach, supposedly drowned but her death quickly becomes more complicated as well. Nobody has ever explained the black feathers found with both bodies.
Cleverly interwoven with the deaths of these young women are many current day issues, from environmental activism, climate change, addiction, forced adoption, and the prejudice and unemployment that seems to blight so many small Australian towns these days. Elegantly plotted, tightly paced and littered with red herrings, readers are going to be left adjusting guesses at motive, and possible perpetrators right from the outset, with a lot of people - locals and incomers - with a lot of secrets to hide.
Aoife Clifford really writes descriptions of place, people and impact well. As with earlier novels, there's a clever juxtaposition of architecture and atmosphere, something, somewhere in the location that speaks to the central theme - in this case a lighthouse that looms, creating dark corners, and then shining bright, clear light in them. There are problems in her small town Australia locations, but there is always that sense of hope, and affection that peaks through. Her characters are beautifully nuanced and complicated, many of them with a sneaking sense of hope: that they didn't do it; or they will get to the truth; and will find a way of living a good life, in a place that deserves a second go.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
WHEN WE FALL is the story of Alex Tillerson and her mother and the small coastal town of Merritt, as much as it is the story of two murdered women. Alex is back in town for some very complicated reasons - a pending divorce, and a career as a barrister that's tanking; her mother's gentle slip into dementia requiring some difficult decisions to be made; and there's family history in Merritt that's complicated and challenging for all. The quote from the blurb sums it up beautifully:
‘It isn’t strangers you need to worry about here. Blood lines run deep and in unexpected places. Every victim, every accused, we’ll know. The past runs alongside us all the time. Some days it spills into the open.’
When Alex and her mother make a shocking find on the beach one morning, the local police seem to be almost desperate to call it an accidental death, but there are whispers around town, and there's some odd connections between Maxine McFarlane, the latest victim, and the death of Bella Greggs a year earlier. She was found at the bottom of a ravine, despite having drowned in salt water. Maxine was found on the beach, supposedly drowned but her death quickly becomes more complicated as well. Nobody has ever explained the black feathers found with both bodies.
Cleverly interwoven with the deaths of these young women are many current day issues, from environmental activism, climate change, addiction, forced adoption, and the prejudice and unemployment that seems to blight so many small Australian towns these days. Elegantly plotted, tightly paced and littered with red herrings, readers are going to be left adjusting guesses at motive, and possible perpetrators right from the outset, with a lot of people - locals and incomers - with a lot of secrets to hide.
Aoife Clifford really writes descriptions of place, people and impact well. As with earlier novels, there's a clever juxtaposition of architecture and atmosphere, something, somewhere in the location that speaks to the central theme - in this case a lighthouse that looms, creating dark corners, and then shining bright, clear light in them. There are problems in her small town Australia locations, but there is always that sense of hope, and affection that peaks through. Her characters are beautifully nuanced and complicated, many of them with a sneaking sense of hope: that they didn't do it; or they will get to the truth; and will find a way of living a good life, in a place that deserves a second go.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
May 6, 2023
Alex is a barrister, but work has dried up so she’s back in the coastal town of Merritt staying with her Mother, Denny, who has been diagnosed with dementia. Walking on the beach with her Mother she makes a rather discovery - a leg. A body is subsequently located, and accidental death concluded. This isn’t the first death in the area; a young girl - Bella - was found at the bottom of a ravine and her death also ruled accidental. It is clear that ‘King Kelly’ the Senior Police Sergeant wants this wrapped up, but the evidence is pointing Alex in another direction and she’s determined to investigate the deaths in spite of Kelly’s efforts to thwart her.
This is my ideal kind of crime novel. I love a slow build, a strong sense of place and a compelling back story and this had all these! Merritt is the kind of small town where everyone knows everyone and secrets and old connections spin through the main narrative drawing the reader’s attention in so many different directions, throwing up questions and possible suspects. Why did Denny leave town all those years ago; why won’t Kelly investigate; why were there black feathers around Bella’s body; why did a witness falsify their account of discovering the body? The coastal geography adds an additional dimension with the possibility of shark involvement and the particular biology of drowning. Then there is an exhibition about single mothers and forced adoption and a powerful businessman supposedly supporting green initiatives.
For me novels like that this are satisfying on two levels - I am happy pottering around in Merritt, bumping into old friends, imagining possible future partners for Alex, enjoying the scenery, whilst at the same time I love the sense of incoming danger, the mood of distrust and suspicion, the frustration and and the consciousness of something simmering beneath the surface..
I loved the character of Alex. Personally she’s unravelling - her marriage has broken down, her job has stalled. She is watching her Mother struggle with the onset of dementia, gradually losing those vital connections, lifelines, memories and a history which Denny needs to understand. I felt keenly her sense of frustration at the flawed verdicts of the local police and her determination to find answers.
The author controlled the build up of tension beautifully..before long I was looking over my shoulder and holding my breath. Loved this and I will definitely be seeking out more from this author!
This is my ideal kind of crime novel. I love a slow build, a strong sense of place and a compelling back story and this had all these! Merritt is the kind of small town where everyone knows everyone and secrets and old connections spin through the main narrative drawing the reader’s attention in so many different directions, throwing up questions and possible suspects. Why did Denny leave town all those years ago; why won’t Kelly investigate; why were there black feathers around Bella’s body; why did a witness falsify their account of discovering the body? The coastal geography adds an additional dimension with the possibility of shark involvement and the particular biology of drowning. Then there is an exhibition about single mothers and forced adoption and a powerful businessman supposedly supporting green initiatives.
For me novels like that this are satisfying on two levels - I am happy pottering around in Merritt, bumping into old friends, imagining possible future partners for Alex, enjoying the scenery, whilst at the same time I love the sense of incoming danger, the mood of distrust and suspicion, the frustration and and the consciousness of something simmering beneath the surface..
I loved the character of Alex. Personally she’s unravelling - her marriage has broken down, her job has stalled. She is watching her Mother struggle with the onset of dementia, gradually losing those vital connections, lifelines, memories and a history which Denny needs to understand. I felt keenly her sense of frustration at the flawed verdicts of the local police and her determination to find answers.
The author controlled the build up of tension beautifully..before long I was looking over my shoulder and holding my breath. Loved this and I will definitely be seeking out more from this author!
May 21, 2024
This was ok. I was running at a 2 star rating, but increased it improved in the last quarter of the book Australian mystery.
For me, too many characters and too many plot lines.
I kept getting the characters mixed up and had to go back and work out who was who.
For me, too many characters and too many plot lines.
I kept getting the characters mixed up and had to go back and work out who was who.
March 2, 2022
When We Fall is a great Crime thriller with heaps of twists and turns to keep you guessing who done it until the end.
Alex a struggling lawyer, with a failed marriage who has returned to her hometown Merritt, to visit her unwell mother and arrange assisted living for her.
While walking along the beach with her mother, they come across a woman’s leg with a distinctive tattoo of a black feather. Alex becomes involved after learning that the leg belonged to the local art teacher, and the art teacher was arranging an exhibition of the works of her student who had been murdered 2 years earlier.
She is determined to discover what happened to both murder victims.
I loved the character developments and how the story slowly evolved and the secrets of a small town were slowly disclosed.
Thanks to @betterreadingau and @ultimopress for a preview copy of When We Fall.
Alex a struggling lawyer, with a failed marriage who has returned to her hometown Merritt, to visit her unwell mother and arrange assisted living for her.
While walking along the beach with her mother, they come across a woman’s leg with a distinctive tattoo of a black feather. Alex becomes involved after learning that the leg belonged to the local art teacher, and the art teacher was arranging an exhibition of the works of her student who had been murdered 2 years earlier.
She is determined to discover what happened to both murder victims.
I loved the character developments and how the story slowly evolved and the secrets of a small town were slowly disclosed.
Thanks to @betterreadingau and @ultimopress for a preview copy of When We Fall.
February 17, 2022
Wow! When We Fall is a top rate crime story with so many twists and turns, at times you struggle to keep up. Set in a fictional Australian town, it is the perfect combination of murder and small town gossip and secrets to keep you guessing, right to the very last page!
Aoife Clifford has a clear talent for this genre, this was a great read.
With thanks to Better Reading for this preview.
Aoife Clifford has a clear talent for this genre, this was a great read.
With thanks to Better Reading for this preview.
March 2, 2022
When we fall had me intrigued from the beginning just from the plot, it was a rather fast paced book that I enjoyed.
With troubled family relationships aswell as murder and mystery and a bit of humour chucked in, the writing was really good in my opinion. The ending I did not see coming at all, Definitely recommend!
The truth always makes everything better!
With troubled family relationships aswell as murder and mystery and a bit of humour chucked in, the writing was really good in my opinion. The ending I did not see coming at all, Definitely recommend!
The truth always makes everything better!
July 26, 2022
Alex comes to a small town to make arrangements for her mother, recently diagnosed with dementia. About to get a divorce, and with her career as a barrister having stalled, all is not well in Alex's world when she and her mother find part of a body at the beach. Alex discovers links to another murder, and is soon embroiled in a case involving family secrets, dodgy cops, and art. A satisfying mystery with intriguing characters, and a beautiful sense of place,
February 25, 2022
Another great murder mystery with a female protagonist with a good plot. Although the first few chapters dragged a little bit, the story picked up quickly and things started to turn interesting.
Alex returns to her mum’s ancestral home which the latter abandoned in the past. About to be divorced, with a career slump and in a dispute with her mother who is losing her memory fast, Alex gets herself involved in solving the mystery behind the death of an art teacher.
Murder mysteries set in small communities have some unique elements, including too many characters. But luckily When We Fall spared us of all the confusion by having fewer yet memorable characters who contributed to the story. As always, there were people who did not like her interference into the case but they had a solid motive and didn’t feel like plot points added as an afterthought. While the mystery comes to an ending with some unexpected twists, there was closure for almost all characters, and not in an unbelievable way too.
This is another book that will keep you up all night, calling out to be finished.
Alex returns to her mum’s ancestral home which the latter abandoned in the past. About to be divorced, with a career slump and in a dispute with her mother who is losing her memory fast, Alex gets herself involved in solving the mystery behind the death of an art teacher.
Murder mysteries set in small communities have some unique elements, including too many characters. But luckily When We Fall spared us of all the confusion by having fewer yet memorable characters who contributed to the story. As always, there were people who did not like her interference into the case but they had a solid motive and didn’t feel like plot points added as an afterthought. While the mystery comes to an ending with some unexpected twists, there was closure for almost all characters, and not in an unbelievable way too.
This is another book that will keep you up all night, calling out to be finished.
July 12, 2023
2.5 rounded up
Set in a small coastal town where three women have been murdered this was, overall, an entertaining read. I admit I had to go with the flow a little, such as the assumption that of course an unemployed barrister would automatically make a crack detective that every one is willing to talk to. There are also some very standard tropes with less than competent police, small town gossip etc.
Set in a small coastal town where three women have been murdered this was, overall, an entertaining read. I admit I had to go with the flow a little, such as the assumption that of course an unemployed barrister would automatically make a crack detective that every one is willing to talk to. There are also some very standard tropes with less than competent police, small town gossip etc.
February 27, 2022
Aoife Clifford deftly scribes stories that question what we believe.
When We Fall introduces us to Alex Tillerson who, after finding a foot on the local beach, finds uncovering the truth is complex with fights to be faced on many fronts - family, career and small town biases and secrets.
In a small town setting the characters build this into a story with big turns making the read a generous ride.
Alex resounds as an ordinary person trying to cope with injustices around her.
I was moved to finish the last 100 pages in one sitting as I did not see the ending coming.
Really enjoyable. Aoife Clifford always satisfies.
When We Fall introduces us to Alex Tillerson who, after finding a foot on the local beach, finds uncovering the truth is complex with fights to be faced on many fronts - family, career and small town biases and secrets.
In a small town setting the characters build this into a story with big turns making the read a generous ride.
Alex resounds as an ordinary person trying to cope with injustices around her.
I was moved to finish the last 100 pages in one sitting as I did not see the ending coming.
Really enjoyable. Aoife Clifford always satisfies.
February 15, 2022
I don't normally choose to read a murder mystery, not sure why, I enjoyed this one, Thanks to Better Reading for gifting me an advanced copy of When We Fall which prompted me to read this, I am so glad I did, I really enjoyed it. Any book that has me wondering what is about to happen when I am not holding the book and keeps me reading for a bit longer when I am is a win. I liked the characters, such a variety of personalities interwoven in this story. Aoife Clifford is a wonderful story teller, it was a very easy read because the story flowed so well, full of surprises and a sneaky subplot at the end. I love a good ending, and this book had that.
February 9, 2022
Loved it. Kept me turning the page right to the end. It can hold its own against any commercial Australian crime/thriller novel. I was impressed by the pace and the way the author includes a multitude of characters, background, and interpersonal relationships, while maintaining that pace. I don’t need it from literary, but I need it from commercial fiction. Although, I do have to admit, on the "multitude of characters" thing, there were quite a few characters, and from time to time I did get bamboozled. I had to stop several times and think "who's this character again?" Other than that, Aoife Clifford got it very right with this novel, and I'll be lining up to get her next one. Oh, and When We Fall is crying out for a tv adaptation. Just sayin'.
February 6, 2022
I recently received an ARC copy of When we fall by Aoife Clifford thanks to Better reading and Ultimo press. An eerie whodunnit set in a close-knit coastal community where everyone knows everyone's business and yet they all have secrets.
A leg is found on the beach. Police believe the person's death accidental however Alex delves deeper believing there's more to this story. The body count continues to grow and affects varied people from different families, there seems no connection and cause of death are all different and contradict the evidence. Will Alex solve this before she becomes a statistic too?
A great page turner full of complex twists with an unexpected ending. Loved it. Thanks for the opportunity to review this intriguing book.
A leg is found on the beach. Police believe the person's death accidental however Alex delves deeper believing there's more to this story. The body count continues to grow and affects varied people from different families, there seems no connection and cause of death are all different and contradict the evidence. Will Alex solve this before she becomes a statistic too?
A great page turner full of complex twists with an unexpected ending. Loved it. Thanks for the opportunity to review this intriguing book.
February 21, 2022
A solid easy to read crime story with interesting characters which grabbed me and compelled me to keep reading into the night. I found the main character’s story different and thought provoking. Although I did guess some of the plot twists I didn’t find the book predictable. I would definitely read more of this author’s books. Thank you to Better Reading for an advanced copy of the book
February 1, 2022
Wow – what a fantastic read that was. I was hooked from the start and found it hard to tear myself away. The story travels along at a good pace, with twists and turns aplenty.
The characters are well developed, and you can tell that the author has been very thorough in her research.
I love how this book keeps you guessing until the end, not giving up its secrets too quickly.
The unfolding relationships between the characters, like peeling an onion skin, draws the reader in further and enhances the affinity one feels for them. I came to know and love these characters as if they were dear friends so of course I had to keep reading on to see how everything turned out for them.
I haven’t read anything by Aoife Clifford before, but I will certainly be adding her to my list of favourite authors.
Thank you to Better Reading and Ultimo Press for the Advance Copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.
The characters are well developed, and you can tell that the author has been very thorough in her research.
I love how this book keeps you guessing until the end, not giving up its secrets too quickly.
The unfolding relationships between the characters, like peeling an onion skin, draws the reader in further and enhances the affinity one feels for them. I came to know and love these characters as if they were dear friends so of course I had to keep reading on to see how everything turned out for them.
I haven’t read anything by Aoife Clifford before, but I will certainly be adding her to my list of favourite authors.
Thank you to Better Reading and Ultimo Press for the Advance Copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.
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