Review: The Fallen

Robbie Brownlaw is dubbed the Falling Detective. A couple of years prior, he was thrown from a six story window of a hotel by a crazed man. He managed to miraculously survive the fall with the help of an awning that slowed his decent. Robbie was considered a local hero and quickly promoted to detective in the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide division.

The only remaining side effect he retained from his fall was a rare neurological condition that is an ability to see people’s emotions in the forms of colored shapes when they speak. Green trapezoids represent envy, red squares represent deception. These are just a few examples of the colorful shapes he sees when others speak. Although he is not exactly thrilled with his new condition it is helpful in his job as a homicide detective.

He and his partner, McKenzie Cortez are assigned to investigate the possible murder of Garrett Asplundph, who was found in his Ford Explorer with a single gun shot wound to his head. It initially appears to be a suicide however it soon becomes apparent it was a homicide.

The suspects in Garrett’s murder are too numerous to count. He had worked in the San Diego Police Department as an officer in the Professional Standards division, which is above Internal Affairs who investigate the other police officers. After the tragic death of his three year old daughter Samantha, Garrett leaves Professional Standards and joins the San Diego Ethics Authority Enforcement Agency as an investigator.

Not only did he probably have old enemies from his time in Professional Standards, but he was investigating numerous high level political figures and various members of the police, fire departments, etc. He had hard evidence of sex, scandal and corruption spreading deep into local government.

Frankly I began to wonder while reading this book, with the amount of suspects, if Garrett’s murder would ever be solved. T. Jefferson Parker has created characters that one feels as if they know them. This is a very good mystery with an unexpected ending and you are left with a great sadness for Garrett, Samantha and his wife, Sophia, for the lives lost too soon and the effect of the deaths on Sophia.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Gina Metz - RAM

Book Review: The Fallen