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A review by judithdcollins
Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola
5.0
Check out my fun #AuthorElevatorSeries Interview with Allison where we go "behind the book and the author"
Richly Atmospheric. Twisty. Chilling!
Wow! CATCH HER WHEN SHE FALLS is a knockout riveting debut thriller from Allison Buccola, and looking forward to many more to come.
The twists, turns, and the unpredictable ending makes for an irresistible winter read.
Delighted to see another attorney turned novelist! Some of my favorite authors started as lawyers; (Wendy Walker, Michelle Campbell, Aime Austin, Lisa Scottoline, Emily Giffin, Allen Eskens, John Hart, John Grisham, etc.) and continue to be on my top books list each year.
The author draws you in immediately with the opening line:
"Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend."
Someone is driving alone: 7:15 am just woods, road, snow.
From Wind Gap, Pennsylvania. 350 miles remaining.
Destination: Massachusetts
Meet the protagonist, Micah Wilkes.
Ten years ago, Micah was dating Alex Swift and was best friends with Emily Winters.
Currently, Alex is in prison, and Emily is dead.
Yes, you can guess, there is a complex, multi-layered mysterious back story here, and you will be on the edge of your seat from the first page to the explosive ending!
The author carefully unravels the events leading up to the present from the recent past, ten years ago, and the present.
At the beginning of each chapter, in bold, we see Micah is driving from Pennsylvania (time and remaining mileage to reach the final destination).
She desperately needs to speak with Joshua (Emily's brother) to answer questions about the murder, which has resurfaced due to a popular crime blog.
What if Alex was not the killer?
What if she got it all wrong. Micah is trying to fix things, and she wants to make them right. Her testimony was what sent Alex, her boyfriend, to prison.
Each chapter is a countdown to the destination. Do not let this confuse you as you read into each chapter. It is a teaser only.
Included in the body of each chapter the author provides a clear picture of what Micah is thinking and feeling each step of the way. She is emotional, guilt-ridden, and determined to figure out what really happened to her friend and if Alex possibly is not guilty.
He has spent the last ten years in prison. He should have been at Penn State. Emily could have had a budding career as a ballerina. SO MANY SECRETS.
SCENE OF THE CRIME: TEN YEARS EARLIER
“The stone pillars marking the entrance to the campsite were visible from the street for someone who knew where to look, moss-covered and misshapen, but still standing.“ An abandoned resort/sanatorium. Why didn't you help me?
Micah has moved back to her small rural hometown from Chicago, where it all happened. She had to come back to take care of her mom, that has now passed, and used the money to buy Stomping Grounds a coffee cafe.
She swore she would never come back as there are too many bad memories, but here she is. Reliving the night she wanted to forget.
In addition, she is living with Ryan (2 years), her present boyfriend (who made up their foursome back when he was best friends with Alex). It was always Alex, Micah, Emily, and Ryan.
Her coffee house is near the college campus, and kids flock there to hang out. Also, there is much gossip. It is the tenth anniversary of the murder, and Alex may get out of prison.
There is a true-crime blog, "NO STONE UNTURNED" that is gaining attention pretty much run by Julia, their former classmate who claims she is a girlfriend of Alex.
People are re-visiting the crime, and Micah is second-guessing herself. She is bordering on obsession, reading everything she can online, doubting her current boyfriend, and hearing things at the cafe. She does not trust anyone.
It all happened at an old campsite in the creepy forest in the summer. The group and others all went camping that night ten years ago. Alex went missing, and so did Emily. Everyone assumed Alex was the killer but was it someone else?
Micah's obsession about the night of the crime is getting in the way of operating her business and her current relationship with Ryan. She is spinning out of control. Micah is looking at every person as the killer. Everyone is looking at her.
Emily was a star. She had returned from a ballet summer intensive in upstate New York. Emily had it all but was she truly happy? Was Micah jealous of her? What happened that night ten years ago?
Joshua seems to be living off the grid, and Micah has no way to contact him. He will not answer calls or texts, so she must drive to find him.
Does she really know Ryan? Will Josh have the answers she desperately needs, or could it be something more sinister?
The author cleverly keeps you guessing in a high-stakes cat and mouse game of suspense with many red herrings. I was holding my breath when Micah and Joshua were in the car. OMG! Nothing is as it appears.
Now, as you are reading, you may wish you could hear from Emily and Alex's POV. Wouldn't it be great to hear from them? However, when you reach the final chapter, you can see why it was written this way. Micah may find herself having to go off the grid herself.
All will be revealed with a twist where you will learn more about Emily. This part reminded me a bit of John Hart's The Unwilling from last February.
A smart thriller, addictively suspenseful. A propulsive journey through a winding maze of secrets and the true-crime blog entries added more fuel to the fire.
I read this one in two sittings and difficult to put down. Everyone seems to be a suspect. You begin to think Micah is going nuts. Ryan is also a dark horse, among others, but my favorite part was with Joshua. Do you really know your best friend and those closest to you? What secrets do they carry?
Fans of true-crime stories and authors: Wendy Walker, Robyn Harding, Megan Miranda, Laura McHugh, Lisa Unger, Mary Kubica, Randall Silvis, and Heather Gudenkauf will enjoy this one!
In addition, you will be thinking about the Brian Laundrie/Gabby Petito mystery (since I am a Floridan, we are obsessed with this case).
I am delighted to discover this newfound thriller author. I wonder if we will see any legal/crime/literary thrillers in the future? (my favorite genre)
On a side note: I have enjoyed the @22debuts Debut Countdown to 2022 with Allison's interesting IG posts. A brilliant idea. I love behind the scenes and inspiration for novels. Highly recommend you check out the posts, videos, photos, and stories, as well as her quaint and fabulous writing studio.
I am very grateful that the Random House marketing team reached out to me directly months ago about this novel since I enjoyed WHAT'S DONE IN DARKNESS by Laura McHugh and recommended Allison's CATCH HER WHEN SHE FALLS. Yes, indeed, they know my top reading preferences.
A special thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy. I also pre-ordered the audiobook narrated by @frankie.corzo and the hardcover.
Blog Review:
@JudithDCollins
#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 1, 2022
Top Books of 2022
Must-Read Books Feb 2022
#thriller #crimethriller #suspense #domestic #psychologicalthriller #debut
Richly Atmospheric. Twisty. Chilling!
Wow! CATCH HER WHEN SHE FALLS is a knockout riveting debut thriller from Allison Buccola, and looking forward to many more to come.
The twists, turns, and the unpredictable ending makes for an irresistible winter read.
Delighted to see another attorney turned novelist! Some of my favorite authors started as lawyers; (Wendy Walker, Michelle Campbell, Aime Austin, Lisa Scottoline, Emily Giffin, Allen Eskens, John Hart, John Grisham, etc.) and continue to be on my top books list each year.
The author draws you in immediately with the opening line:
"Ten years ago, my boyfriend killed my best friend."
Someone is driving alone: 7:15 am just woods, road, snow.
From Wind Gap, Pennsylvania. 350 miles remaining.
Destination: Massachusetts
Meet the protagonist, Micah Wilkes.
Ten years ago, Micah was dating Alex Swift and was best friends with Emily Winters.
Currently, Alex is in prison, and Emily is dead.
Yes, you can guess, there is a complex, multi-layered mysterious back story here, and you will be on the edge of your seat from the first page to the explosive ending!
The author carefully unravels the events leading up to the present from the recent past, ten years ago, and the present.
At the beginning of each chapter, in bold, we see Micah is driving from Pennsylvania (time and remaining mileage to reach the final destination).
She desperately needs to speak with Joshua (Emily's brother) to answer questions about the murder, which has resurfaced due to a popular crime blog.
What if Alex was not the killer?
What if she got it all wrong. Micah is trying to fix things, and she wants to make them right. Her testimony was what sent Alex, her boyfriend, to prison.
Each chapter is a countdown to the destination. Do not let this confuse you as you read into each chapter. It is a teaser only.
Included in the body of each chapter the author provides a clear picture of what Micah is thinking and feeling each step of the way. She is emotional, guilt-ridden, and determined to figure out what really happened to her friend and if Alex possibly is not guilty.
He has spent the last ten years in prison. He should have been at Penn State. Emily could have had a budding career as a ballerina. SO MANY SECRETS.
SCENE OF THE CRIME: TEN YEARS EARLIER
“The stone pillars marking the entrance to the campsite were visible from the street for someone who knew where to look, moss-covered and misshapen, but still standing.“ An abandoned resort/sanatorium. Why didn't you help me?
Micah has moved back to her small rural hometown from Chicago, where it all happened. She had to come back to take care of her mom, that has now passed, and used the money to buy Stomping Grounds a coffee cafe.
She swore she would never come back as there are too many bad memories, but here she is. Reliving the night she wanted to forget.
In addition, she is living with Ryan (2 years), her present boyfriend (who made up their foursome back when he was best friends with Alex). It was always Alex, Micah, Emily, and Ryan.
Her coffee house is near the college campus, and kids flock there to hang out. Also, there is much gossip. It is the tenth anniversary of the murder, and Alex may get out of prison.
There is a true-crime blog, "NO STONE UNTURNED" that is gaining attention pretty much run by Julia, their former classmate who claims she is a girlfriend of Alex.
People are re-visiting the crime, and Micah is second-guessing herself. She is bordering on obsession, reading everything she can online, doubting her current boyfriend, and hearing things at the cafe. She does not trust anyone.
It all happened at an old campsite in the creepy forest in the summer. The group and others all went camping that night ten years ago. Alex went missing, and so did Emily. Everyone assumed Alex was the killer but was it someone else?
Micah's obsession about the night of the crime is getting in the way of operating her business and her current relationship with Ryan. She is spinning out of control. Micah is looking at every person as the killer. Everyone is looking at her.
Emily was a star. She had returned from a ballet summer intensive in upstate New York. Emily had it all but was she truly happy? Was Micah jealous of her? What happened that night ten years ago?
Joshua seems to be living off the grid, and Micah has no way to contact him. He will not answer calls or texts, so she must drive to find him.
Does she really know Ryan? Will Josh have the answers she desperately needs, or could it be something more sinister?
The author cleverly keeps you guessing in a high-stakes cat and mouse game of suspense with many red herrings. I was holding my breath when Micah and Joshua were in the car. OMG! Nothing is as it appears.
Now, as you are reading, you may wish you could hear from Emily and Alex's POV. Wouldn't it be great to hear from them? However, when you reach the final chapter, you can see why it was written this way. Micah may find herself having to go off the grid herself.
All will be revealed with a twist where you will learn more about Emily. This part reminded me a bit of John Hart's The Unwilling from last February.
A smart thriller, addictively suspenseful. A propulsive journey through a winding maze of secrets and the true-crime blog entries added more fuel to the fire.
I read this one in two sittings and difficult to put down. Everyone seems to be a suspect. You begin to think Micah is going nuts. Ryan is also a dark horse, among others, but my favorite part was with Joshua. Do you really know your best friend and those closest to you? What secrets do they carry?
Fans of true-crime stories and authors: Wendy Walker, Robyn Harding, Megan Miranda, Laura McHugh, Lisa Unger, Mary Kubica, Randall Silvis, and Heather Gudenkauf will enjoy this one!
In addition, you will be thinking about the Brian Laundrie/Gabby Petito mystery (since I am a Floridan, we are obsessed with this case).
I am delighted to discover this newfound thriller author. I wonder if we will see any legal/crime/literary thrillers in the future? (my favorite genre)
On a side note: I have enjoyed the @22debuts Debut Countdown to 2022 with Allison's interesting IG posts. A brilliant idea. I love behind the scenes and inspiration for novels. Highly recommend you check out the posts, videos, photos, and stories, as well as her quaint and fabulous writing studio.
I am very grateful that the Random House marketing team reached out to me directly months ago about this novel since I enjoyed WHAT'S DONE IN DARKNESS by Laura McHugh and recommended Allison's CATCH HER WHEN SHE FALLS. Yes, indeed, they know my top reading preferences.
A special thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced reading copy. I also pre-ordered the audiobook narrated by @frankie.corzo and the hardcover.
Blog Review:
@JudithDCollins
#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 1, 2022
Top Books of 2022
Must-Read Books Feb 2022
#thriller #crimethriller #suspense #domestic #psychologicalthriller #debut