All Fall Down (Mira) [Paperback]

Spindler (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mira | Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Melanie May, a small-town cop hungry for the big time, risks her career to convince a troubled FBI profiler of the identity of a serial killer, only to realize that the profile she's created fits someone in her own life -- and that the killer won't stop...until all fall down.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Melanie, Mia and Ashley are triplets dealing with the effects of an abusive childhood in Spindler's (Cause for Alarm) dark psychological thriller. Grown up and battling dysfunction, Mia's now married to a physically abusive doctor; Ashley has become a bitter man-hater; and Melanie is a divorced cop fighting for custody of her son. When a serial killer nicknamed the "Dark Angel" starts bumping off abusers who have gone unpunished by the legal system, Melanie begins her own investigation into the mysterious deaths. Most people, including world-famous FBI profiler Connor Parks, think the case is best left unsolved, but Mel is out to win the respect and cooperation of her peers, even if her findings take her too close to home for comfort. Although suspenseful, this hefty novel is diminished by sluggish plotting and uneven writing.

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Mira; First Edition edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551665514
• ISBN-13: 978-1551665511
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,606,457 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A New York Times and International bestselling author, Erica Spindler's skill for crafting engrossing plots and compelling characters has earned both critical praise and legions of fans. Published in 25 countries, her stories have been lauded as "thrill-packed page turners, white- knuckle rides and edge-of-your-seat whodunits."

Raised in Rockford, Illinois, Erica had planned on being an artist, earning a BFA from Delta State University and an MFA from the University of New Orleans in the visual arts. In June of 1982, in bed with a cold, she picked up a romance novel for relief from daytime television. She was immediately hooked, and soon decided to try to write one herself. She leaped from romance to suspense in 1996 with her novel Forbidden Fruit, and found her true calling.

Her novel Bone Cold won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence. A Romance Writers of America Honor Roll member, she received a Kiss of Death Award for her novels Forbidden Fruit and Dead Run and was a three-time RITA® Award finalist. Publishers Weekly awarded the audio version of her novel Shocking Pink a Listen Up Award, naming it one of the best audio mystery books of 1998.

Erica lives just outside New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband and two sons and is busy at work on her next thriller.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This author has cross-genre appeal, February 25, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: All Fall Down (Mira) (Paperback)

The murder of socialite Joli Anderson shakes up Charlotte, as the victim is the daughter of one of the most prominent businessmen in the area. However, the impact is felt even stronger in the suburb of Whistlestop where the corpse was found. The Charlotte Police Department takes charge of the case with the FBI providing assistance. The small Whistlestop Police Department is relegated to a clerical support role that galls Officer Melanie May, but there is nothing she can do about her assignment on the Anderson case.

FBI profiler Connor Parks is removed from the case and placed on leave because his obsession interferes with his official work. Connor feels extreme guilt caused by his ignoring his sister's cry of wolf once too many times. Unfortunately, his ignoring her cry for help leads to her death. However, Connor's profile of the killer begins to remind Melanie of an individual she knows. As she struggles with her "hunch," Melanie must deal with her influential ex-husband who has filed for custody of their four-year old son, and her growing attraction to the enigmatic Connor.

ALL FALL DOWN is a powerful romantic police procedural that will provide immense pleasure to fans of both genres. The exciting story line focuses on the interrelationships of law enforcement departments while working a particularly nasty case with high media visibility. Melanie is a wonderful character whose own obsession of being a heroine causes her anguish. Connor is sort of a fallen angel trying to regain his self worth, but losing the battle within his own soul. The secondary characters bring out the traits of the lead couple even as their subplots tie back to the main tale. Erica Spindler deserves cross genre acclaim.

Harriet Klausner

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: All Fall Down (Mira) (Paperback)

This author really knows how to write a suspense novel! I have read all her books (except Chances Are because it's out of print), and they are all fantastic. This one was no exception. You feel as if you actually know these characters. It's a fast-paced story with a lot of plot twists. You will not be disappointed with this one. I can't wait for the next book from Erica Spindler.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Ending, April 2, 2000

By 

paula_k_98 "paula_k_98" (Muskogee, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All Fall Down (Mira) (Paperback)

I was skeptical of this book when I started reading it. It seemed like the author was giving away too much of the plot at during the first half and letting you know the ending. Wrong! Erica Spindler does a knockout job in this suspense novel. I thought I had it all figure out and was I ever wrong. I won't go into the plot since everyone else has done that. Just take it from me, nothing is what it seems. If you are looking for a good read, this is the book for you.