The Heavens May Fall by Allen Eskens– 270 pages
ARC from Seventh Street Books
Book Blurb:
Detective Max Rupert is convinced that Jennavieve Pruitt was killed by her husband, Ben. Max’s friend, attorney Boady Sanden, is equally convinced that Ben, his client, is innocent. The case is pushing their friendship to the breaking point and forcing each to confront personal demons. Max is still struggling with the death of his wife four years earlier and the Pruitt case stirs up old memories. Boady hasn’t taken on a defense case since the death of an innocent client, a man Boady believes he could have saved but didn’t. Now he is back in court, determined to redeem himself for having failed in the past.
Vividly told from two opposing perspectives, the story of Jennavieve Pruitt’s death disrupts many lives and the truth remains a mystery till the very end.
My Review: 4.5 stars
The Heavens May Fall is the perfect legal thriller that tests the lines of friendship and while the characters face their personal demons. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I suspected I would.
Allen Eskens has proven to be more than just a one hit wonder with his first novel, The Life We Bury. His second novel, The Guise Of Another, and this latest gem are all perfectly plotted and character driven. All three of these novels have certain characters that find themselves in all of his books, which is wonderful if you’ve read them all. If you haven’t, no worries, the author executes them all as stand-alone reads so you’re never lost.
Not only are the legal scenes exciting, but the character’s personal stories of loss and guilt are down right compelling. Loyalties are stretched to the limit both personally and professionally between the two main characters. One is telling the story from the police procedural POV which is peppered with grief from his wife’s death. The other is told with a defense attorney’s POV that is peppered with guilt from an earlier case that ended badly. On top of this, these guys are friends and on two sides of the same coin.
I usually despise books that end with a cliffhanger and this one does but NOT for the main storyline in this book. This case is closed and all the twists revealed. It’s another plot line that leaves us hanging that is sure to fill the pages of his next and anxiously awaited fourth book.
All of Eskens’ books are shy of 300 pages, yet he manages to fit so much in! Great to read for book clubs, on the beach or for gifts.
Quotes I liked:
Fiat justitia ruat caelum. It means do justice though the heavens may fall.”
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