Breakfall

by Zhanna Slor

"BREAKFALL is a sexy and compelling slow burn, part twisted romance, part mystery — think FIFTY SHADES OF GREY with a murder." — Nick Petrie, author of THE RUNAWAY

"There are plenty of twists and turns in BREAKFALL, but the book shines as a slow-burn domestic drama." — Matt Wild, Milwaukee Record

"A plucky heroine, a kind-of mystery, and a lot of sexual hijinks keep it interesting." — Kirkus Reviews

Mina Banksy, a 32-year-old writer and mother of a rambunctious toddler, is still reeling from a tumultuous divorce when two Chicago detectives show up at her door looking for her friend, Dylan. Or, more accurately, the van that she allowed him to register in her name, because Dylan, a friend from her former Jiu Jitsu gym, is a recovered addict and convicted felon. The van quickly becomes the least of her problems, as Dylan, too, is nowhere to be found. His disappearance triggers a series of events that turn everyone at the close-knit gym into suspects or victims, and somehow all roads lead back to Mina Banksy, and the scandal that forced her to leave the gym in the first place.

Part unlikely romance and part murder mystery, set inside the eclectic subculture of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, BREAKFALL is an exploration of sexual desire, motherhood, and marriage in modern times.

267 pages, Hardcover

Published April 25, 2023

About the author

Zhanna Slor was born in the former Soviet Union and moved to the Midwest in the early 1990s. She has been published in many literary magazines, including Ninth Letter, Another Chicago Magazine, and Michigan Quarterly Review, as well as contributing to the popular news publication The Forward. Her debut novel, At the End of the World, Turn Left, was called "elegant and authentic" by NPR and named by Booklist as one of the "Top Ten Crime Debuts" of 2021. Her second novel, Breakfall, a domestic thriller surrounding a mysterious death at a close-knit Jiu Jitsu gym, is due out in Spring 2023.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Booklist for the ARC and the opportunity to review this title.

Mina Bansky, writer and mother, is still dealing with the consequences of her infidelity and subsequent divorce. Even her beloved Jiu Jitsu class at the gym down the street can no longer lift her spirits. When two Chicago detectives show up looking for Dylan, a friend from Mina's gym, and the van she let him register in her name, Mina’s life soon becomes even more chaotic. Dylan’s disappearance makes everyone at the gym a suspect, further distancing Mina from her old life. While intended to be part thriller, part romance, in reality Breakfall focuses mainly on Mina’s inner turmoil, her sexual desire, lack of control, and the self imposed destruction of her life, with just a sprinkle of mystery. While Dylan’s disappearance happens early on, it's not until the very end that the reader learns what happened; the wrap up taking place in just a few pages. The story would have been stronger if it had worked out Mina’s issues. The novel doesn't really work as a thriller, but, Slor’s writing style is absorbing and suggests better books may be in the offing from her. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

[Kirstie Mullikin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very abrupt ending and “being mean” is not a love language.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book went back & forth from present to past. Not my favorite when reading books. Book could have left out parts of intimacy that was rough. I wanted to read book as I went as I was already invested & wanted to see if it got better or had a good ending. The ju jitsu parts were cool. Ending was a bit abrupt & think could have been more developed. Therefore, book is a 3 star for me.

[Caitlynn Reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style was very compelling and kept drawing you in. It’s much more heavily focused on the affair aspect and full of small spicy scenes. I appreciated the incorporation of jiujitsu. The murder mystery aspect was definitely on the back burner compared to Mina’s struggle with her feelings surrounding her affair and her place in the world. Some lines were crossed outside the realm of bdsm and into almost abusive territory, which the author touches on but defends as consensual, despite power dynamics. It was overall enjoyable and compelling just based on the style alone.

[Lisa Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I read it in 2 days, I couldn’t put it down. It’s a murder mystery, but really the interest for me was with the well developed characters and their complicated relationship. Bonus that it was very sexy as well. Highly recommend!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was disappointed in the ending but this author can write. Very hard to put down.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little romp, although the ending was a bit abrupt. Could’ve used an Epilogue.

[Natasha Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I really enjoy this author-she has a talent to suck you into her stories whether you understand the topic or not. Very real, very honest, a little sexy. Good, solid read.