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A review by suspensethrill
The Heavens May Fall by Allen Eskens
5.0
[a:Allen Eskens|7832387|Allen Eskens|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1402189882p2/7832387.jpg] is one of those authors equivalent to a fine wine; he just improves with time as each book is even better than the last. I truly feel that [b:The Heavens May Fall|28819467|The Heavens May Fall|Allen Eskens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1463155985s/28819467.jpg|48754915] is his best work yet, although it’s getting hard to find areas where he can improve his writing as its dang near perfect. Though this book isn’t technically part of a series, those who have read his previous two novels [b:The Life We Bury|20758175|The Life We Bury|Allen Eskens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437077793s/20758175.jpg|40090621] and [b:The Guise of Another|25614426|The Guise of Another|Allen Eskens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436810359s/25614426.jpg|45228097] will have a greater appreciation for the characters; there are also a few plot aspects that will spoil some of the previous books’ twists if read out of order so proceed with caution (but the review is spoiler free).
“Fiat justitia ruat caelum. It means do justice though the heavens may fall.”
I think what is truly amazing to me is how the author has crafted books that can be read in a multitude of ways. If you read them in chronological order, you have the opportunity to follow along with these characters in “real time” and experience their journey as they do. Each of these books have just as much potential to be read as a stand alone; while they do carry information that could spoil a few twists you won’t feel lost reading them on their own. I personally picked up [b:The Guise of Another|25614426|The Guise of Another|Allen Eskens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436810359s/25614426.jpg|45228097] initially because I did not know the stories connected in any way, but I actually enjoyed reading it first, then doubling back to [b:The Life We Bury|20758175|The Life We Bury|Allen Eskens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437077793s/20758175.jpg|40090621], and finishing up with this one. I know I’m spending a ton of time on this tiny portion of the stories but I feel its important and a highlighting feature of how intricately written these books are.
Speaking of writing style, Eskens has mastered the delicate art of creating beautiful, haunting prose while keeping the reader glued to the suspenseful plot. I seem to get lost in his stories because the settings and scenes are so well done. I haven’t blown through any of his books, as they are something to be savored and enjoyed, but the pacing is so that you could if you felt inclined. This book came in at 297 pages, so really quite slim compared to most, but it packs a punch with no extra fluff to boot. The same narrative is told from 2 separate characters’ POV in alternating chapters which makes the read more interesting. The murderer wasn’t a huge surprise to me, as we are limited to a few characters as options, but that isn’t the real twist in this story; there’s a much bigger “gotcha” in the final pages that is making me very ready for Eskens’ next book, so go into this knowing there is a rather large cliffhanger. I finished this book a week ago and am STILL thinking about how wonderful it was, so hopefully that shows what a truly worthy read this is. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries and crime fiction!
*I’d like to thank the author and publisher for hooking me up with this book in exchange for an honest review. Consider this my desperate plea for the next book as soon as copies are available next year! :)
“Fiat justitia ruat caelum. It means do justice though the heavens may fall.”
I think what is truly amazing to me is how the author has crafted books that can be read in a multitude of ways. If you read them in chronological order, you have the opportunity to follow along with these characters in “real time” and experience their journey as they do. Each of these books have just as much potential to be read as a stand alone; while they do carry information that could spoil a few twists you won’t feel lost reading them on their own. I personally picked up [b:The Guise of Another|25614426|The Guise of Another|Allen Eskens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436810359s/25614426.jpg|45228097] initially because I did not know the stories connected in any way, but I actually enjoyed reading it first, then doubling back to [b:The Life We Bury|20758175|The Life We Bury|Allen Eskens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437077793s/20758175.jpg|40090621], and finishing up with this one. I know I’m spending a ton of time on this tiny portion of the stories but I feel its important and a highlighting feature of how intricately written these books are.
Speaking of writing style, Eskens has mastered the delicate art of creating beautiful, haunting prose while keeping the reader glued to the suspenseful plot. I seem to get lost in his stories because the settings and scenes are so well done. I haven’t blown through any of his books, as they are something to be savored and enjoyed, but the pacing is so that you could if you felt inclined. This book came in at 297 pages, so really quite slim compared to most, but it packs a punch with no extra fluff to boot. The same narrative is told from 2 separate characters’ POV in alternating chapters which makes the read more interesting. The murderer wasn’t a huge surprise to me, as we are limited to a few characters as options, but that isn’t the real twist in this story; there’s a much bigger “gotcha” in the final pages that is making me very ready for Eskens’ next book, so go into this knowing there is a rather large cliffhanger. I finished this book a week ago and am STILL thinking about how wonderful it was, so hopefully that shows what a truly worthy read this is. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries and crime fiction!
*I’d like to thank the author and publisher for hooking me up with this book in exchange for an honest review. Consider this my desperate plea for the next book as soon as copies are available next year! :)