What do you think?
Rate this book
Hagen #5
The Fall of Lucas Kendrick
Kyle Griffon has done more than flirt with danger over the past ten years - she's embraced it with careless abandon. Now the guy who jilted her is back & he needs Kyle's help to catch an art thief. Will Kyle fall for Lucas Kendrick all over again?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1987
60 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Kay Hooper
97 books2,451 followersKay Hooper (aka Kay Robbins) was born in California, in an air force base hospital since her father was stationed there at the time. The family moved back to North Carolina shortly afterward, so she was raised and went to school there.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 23, 2020
My completionist nature gives my reading variety. I liked a novel by Kay Hooper and thus, partake of her other books secondhand. Romances are not to my taste but are made palatable, with mystery or spy adventure. Readers for whom romance is not a valid axis, echo disappointment that this content was secondary. Thankfully, I enjoyed this 1987 novel better than I thought I would. “The Fall Of Lucas Kendrick” has an original premise: undercover agents, investigating suspects of large criminal undertakings.
What secured three-star enjoyment, is that the personages are likeable. Kay created a wonderful camaraderie between them and adult banter and humour, that succeeds at denoting friendship and team loyalty. I was also entertained by their unique brand of crime-chasing skills; such as the self-deprecating jokes they make about all of them owning and being comfortable with gun weaponry. They are couples. The adventures belong to a series, telling the story of each pair falling in love and marrying. Without being acquainted with the series, I acquired two more of these books but am uncompelled to read them. I love Kay’s individual paranormal mysteries, even if related to romance, like “The Haunting Of Josie”. I even prefer her longstanding thriller series, despite containing violence; of which I disapprove.
The protagonist, Kyle, is from a wealthy family and shirks her parents’ stuffy code, to lead a rustic mountaintop exile. She fits in with the agents. She excels at extreme sports, supposedly out of frustration with the inability to love anyone, ever since Lucas rejected her as a teenager. There, typical romance mechanics exaggerate reality. I have never believed a brief union could upset anyone for a decade. That was weak but the brisk adventure pace was entertaining. I admired that they postponed sex, to treat it respectfully and seriously.
What secured three-star enjoyment, is that the personages are likeable. Kay created a wonderful camaraderie between them and adult banter and humour, that succeeds at denoting friendship and team loyalty. I was also entertained by their unique brand of crime-chasing skills; such as the self-deprecating jokes they make about all of them owning and being comfortable with gun weaponry. They are couples. The adventures belong to a series, telling the story of each pair falling in love and marrying. Without being acquainted with the series, I acquired two more of these books but am uncompelled to read them. I love Kay’s individual paranormal mysteries, even if related to romance, like “The Haunting Of Josie”. I even prefer her longstanding thriller series, despite containing violence; of which I disapprove.
The protagonist, Kyle, is from a wealthy family and shirks her parents’ stuffy code, to lead a rustic mountaintop exile. She fits in with the agents. She excels at extreme sports, supposedly out of frustration with the inability to love anyone, ever since Lucas rejected her as a teenager. There, typical romance mechanics exaggerate reality. I have never believed a brief union could upset anyone for a decade. That was weak but the brisk adventure pace was entertaining. I admired that they postponed sex, to treat it respectfully and seriously.
June 8, 2018
"The Fall of Lucas Kendrick" is the story of Kyle and Lucas.
In this book, Hagen reunites two past lovers- Kyle and Lucas who were separated due to misunderstandings and immaturity.
Kyle has since lived her life at the verge of danger- taking life threatening adventure sports to feel..anything, and soon Lucas realizes little has changed in the last ten years- he still loves her- he's always looked back at her, and the maturity the years bring really helps them understand each other better.
Secondary plot involves a case all the present and past characters are involved in, but the focus never shifts from the main characters. The angsty love between the two was refreshing.
Safe?
3/5
In this book, Hagen reunites two past lovers- Kyle and Lucas who were separated due to misunderstandings and immaturity.
Kyle has since lived her life at the verge of danger- taking life threatening adventure sports to feel..anything, and soon Lucas realizes little has changed in the last ten years- he still loves her- he's always looked back at her, and the maturity the years bring really helps them understand each other better.
Secondary plot involves a case all the present and past characters are involved in, but the focus never shifts from the main characters. The angsty love between the two was refreshing.
Safe?
3/5
December 25, 2020
This was okay, but not as good as the last one I read by Kay Hooper, this one was mostly romance, and they kept hashing over the same issue a bit too much for my taste, liked the other story line and characters, but not much of them.
February 9, 2013
I didn't realize this book was in a series, so I will have to read the first 3 books. The story was ok, I enjoy kay hooper, but you can tell that this was some of her first works. I enjoy her most recent books far more. So of this is your first kay hooper book, I encourage you to read some of her more recent publications.
July 30, 2015
There were some really gag-worthy moments in this book with the schmaltzy dialogue, but the storytelling in the series is getting better. My favorite part of the book, however unbelievable, is the inclusion of the team. As this is the last of Josh's people, I wonder how the rest of the series will go.
June 12, 2012
This was an earlier book of an author that I've enjoyed reading. Her later series are stronger on the crime end and a bit less sappy on the romance part of the story. It was a quick read, but I think I'd recommend her later stuff (i.e. Bishop books) more.
March 2, 2013
Kay Hooper always writes well. The story was good, believable...but I have difficulty with long chapters. There are 285 pages in this book and only 9 chapters. That's 32 pages per chapter. I like breaking between chapters not in the middle.
December 17, 2013
I guess I need to step away from this series. I found myself completely bored with it and found that it was just as predictable as the first 2 I have read.. I will finish this series, it just may take some time.
July 29, 2016
I've been reading the Bishop series, which I love, and am backtracking through some previous books. Lucas here was a easy light read, giving a couple hours of enjoyment with a mystery to solve. Nothing really outstanding, but not bad either.
April 21, 2012
Quick and easy read. Not the best or the worst of the Hagen series. I will say this series has become very formulaic though.
May 18, 2012
Will not read any of the others in this series. Too much romance, not enough mystery. Just skimmed to get to the end.
May 27, 2012
Not a mystery...a romance. I kept waiting for the mystery to become more important to the story. Did not match the cover summary.
December 3, 2012
This was the only Kay Hooper book that I found disappointing..This book was a romance but the story lacked any real intrigue/twists though the book was positioned as a romantic thriller.
June 4, 2014
The romance was nice, but the intrigue lacked a little something; I just wasn't that interested.
March 25, 2021
#5 in the Hagan saga
These are good, entertaining tales with well-defined likable characters. Good way to pass an afternoon. The group is almost all paired up. The story is okay but not terribly complicated.
These are good, entertaining tales with well-defined likable characters. Good way to pass an afternoon. The group is almost all paired up. The story is okay but not terribly complicated.
December 29, 2019
A little intrigue, a jot of humor and a lot of romance.
library
July 30, 20215
June 4, 2025
I love how all the charactors flow together.
October 9, 2015
Short, Easy Read with Clear Characters
FINAL DECISION: I like this story mainly because the continuing characters are fun and make the story interesting. These are not the most complicated stories or characters but they are clearly defined and the good guys and the bad guys are easily distinguished.
THE STORY: Lucas Kendrick has finally been approached to take on his assignment for the secret government agency that his boss and friends have been systematically drafted into assisting. Lucas is to track down some stolen artwork by getting entrance into a house party of the suspect. The complication, however, is that his way into the party is the woman he once loved and left ten years ago. Lucas, now the chief investigator, was a police officer ten years ago and met Kyle Griffin, a college student. The two had a whirlwind romance before Lucas had to leave her. Now the two have been forced together and the heat of their old romance may burn them both.
OPINION: I am a big fan of this series of books. They are not particularly complicated or deep, but the characters are vibrant and the stories are fun and uncomplicated. This is an easy book to read and the strong characters make me want to read each of the books. This book is not my favorite of the series because I didn't find the mystery story as interesting and the conflict between Lucas and Kyle is too quickly resolved.
WORTH MENTIONING: There are appearances by other characters of the series and the next "victim" of Hagen's unintended matchmaking is set up.
CONNECTED BOOKS: THE FALL OF LUCAS KENDRICK is the fourth book in the Hagen series. It should be read as part of the series because the entirety of these books is much better than any one individual book.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
FINAL DECISION: I like this story mainly because the continuing characters are fun and make the story interesting. These are not the most complicated stories or characters but they are clearly defined and the good guys and the bad guys are easily distinguished.
THE STORY: Lucas Kendrick has finally been approached to take on his assignment for the secret government agency that his boss and friends have been systematically drafted into assisting. Lucas is to track down some stolen artwork by getting entrance into a house party of the suspect. The complication, however, is that his way into the party is the woman he once loved and left ten years ago. Lucas, now the chief investigator, was a police officer ten years ago and met Kyle Griffin, a college student. The two had a whirlwind romance before Lucas had to leave her. Now the two have been forced together and the heat of their old romance may burn them both.
OPINION: I am a big fan of this series of books. They are not particularly complicated or deep, but the characters are vibrant and the stories are fun and uncomplicated. This is an easy book to read and the strong characters make me want to read each of the books. This book is not my favorite of the series because I didn't find the mystery story as interesting and the conflict between Lucas and Kyle is too quickly resolved.
WORTH MENTIONING: There are appearances by other characters of the series and the next "victim" of Hagen's unintended matchmaking is set up.
CONNECTED BOOKS: THE FALL OF LUCAS KENDRICK is the fourth book in the Hagen series. It should be read as part of the series because the entirety of these books is much better than any one individual book.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
December 9, 2011
"New York Times bestselling author Kay Hooper blends intrigue and romance in this classic tale of love lost and found—as an undercover agent recruits the woman he abandoned for a dangerous assignment.
Kyle Griffon has done more than flirt with danger over the past ten years; she’s embraced it with careless abandon. The rebel daughter of a powerful family, she’s walked on the wild side of everything from car racing to hang gliding—anything to fill the emptiness left by the man who loved and left her. Now Lucas Kendrick is back, needing Kyle’s help to catch an art thief. Is a woman game for adventure ready to trust the man who left her with so many unanswered questions?
Lucas was an undercover cop working a college drug ring when he fell for the beautiful coed. It was a mistake to leave, but he would have hurt her more if he had stayed. Now she’s his best shot at getting close to a man trading illegal guns for stolen artwork. Danger and desire are a reckless mix—but this time Lucas is staying close to protect the woman he loves . . . no matter what"
Kyle Griffon has done more than flirt with danger over the past ten years; she’s embraced it with careless abandon. The rebel daughter of a powerful family, she’s walked on the wild side of everything from car racing to hang gliding—anything to fill the emptiness left by the man who loved and left her. Now Lucas Kendrick is back, needing Kyle’s help to catch an art thief. Is a woman game for adventure ready to trust the man who left her with so many unanswered questions?
Lucas was an undercover cop working a college drug ring when he fell for the beautiful coed. It was a mistake to leave, but he would have hurt her more if he had stayed. Now she’s his best shot at getting close to a man trading illegal guns for stolen artwork. Danger and desire are a reckless mix—but this time Lucas is staying close to protect the woman he loves . . . no matter what"
January 15, 2014
Hagen finally gets something right. Was he really trying to or was it a mistake that turned out right? I am not real sure on that one yet. Hagen conspire to place Lucas back in the life of a past love to get a job done, but what he has done turns out to be more valued. This is a confrontation that was much needed for them both. One thing left me wondering and that is what is/was the Princess' secret/trick.
Hooper makes headway in her Hagen series on to the next in the series.
Hooper makes headway in her Hagen series on to the next in the series.
September 1, 2016
Kyle Griffon has embraced danger over the past ten years everything from car racing to sky diving to paragliding and she done so with careless abandon. Lucas Kendrick is investigating stolen art and a man who is hosting a party and the only person who can get him into the party is his ex Kyle now she has to decided rather to help the guy who jetted her or not. they have to work through the past in order to capture the art thief.
August 26, 2016
I was after a crime/mystery novel but either misread the blurb or they completely botched the cover (or both).
In any case, this was an ok book but way too much romance and not at all realistic. I couldn't help but be incredulous at the soppiness of the story and the average quality of the writing.
In any case, this was an ok book but way too much romance and not at all realistic. I couldn't help but be incredulous at the soppiness of the story and the average quality of the writing.
August 14, 2014
The Fall of Lucas Kendrick is book 5 in the Kay Hooper Hagan Series. I am in love with this series. The characters are all fun and exciting and their stories are filled with romance and intrigue. I definitely recommend this series for all Kay Hooper romance fans. Each book can be read alone but is best enjoyed if you read the books in order.
April 28, 2012
This book was very good. It's a quick (want to read it fast) story. Kay Hooper never lets her readers down. This book is the third in a series. I didn't realize that until I had finished the story. It still stands on its own. Great story.
November 19, 2011
Lame. I really like the Bishop and Quinn series. But this was not up to those standards at all. First time this author had disappointed.
February 22, 2012
Terrible. The cover says it all. I got duped into thinking it would be a mystery, but it was far from it. Que terrible!
May 4, 2012
Classic 1908s romance. Fun, light - its a hoot to read 'alpha' characters before the term became so over-used!
May 31, 2012
I love this series by Kay Hooper. It is such a fun read. Lighter than her Bishop series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews