Debut, hard-boiled mystery fiction for men. Stephen King's son describes a fitting genre as MANfiction (the opposite of Chick lit). Casey Holden, former cop, current PI in Virginia Beach, VA, screens his clients the way he screens his women, based on whichever drop-dead gorgeous woman happens to waltz through his door first and manages to hold his attention. So when Felicity Farren, widow-at-large, struts into his office asking him to solve the two-year-old murder of her husband Artis, she intrigues him. When Casey starts digging, he learns the murder isn't what it seems to be and he doesn't have a big enough shovel to unearth the truth. And to top it all off, his former rival at the police department, Greg Gilman, is determined to disrupt his investigation. Casey's challenge is to learn what really happened to Artis, and why Gilman can't seem to remove his head from his butt. And he'll need all of his wits to complete the task.
Falling Immortality: Casey Holden, Private Investigator
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Think of Mike Hammer. Then think of James Bond (as portrayed in the films, not the one in the books). Merge them into a single character and you have Casey Holden, PI. Add a plot that could have come from the pen of Mickey Spillane. A cold case, sexy women, and dialog that races along like Holden's Viper fast, flashy, and eye-popping. Falling Immortality is, for fans of macho, slick talking, wise cracking sleuths, a must read.
--Frederick Ramsay, author of the Ike Schwartz mysteries (Poisoned Pen Press)
--Frederick Ramsay, author of the Ike Schwartz mysteries (Poisoned Pen Press)
Meet Casey Holden, former cop, now a PI facing the most dangerous combination that can confront a shamus: a beautiful woman with secrets and hard men who don't want him to find them. Like a post-modern Mike Hammer, Holden doesn't lack self-confidence or the quick comeback or the tendency to find trouble. Robert Downs' debut novel, Falling Immortality, skillfully tips its fedora at the hard-boiled mystery genre. It's fast-paced, tightly structured and keeps you guessing until the end. This will be a writer and series to watch.
--Jon Talton, author of the David Mapstone Mysteries and the Cincinnati Casebooks
Rob Downs has created the classic, basically 'good man', in a sometimes very wicked world. An original, very vivid journey through society's weakness and perversity. Casey Holden is an excellent Virgil to this modern underworld. The characters are fully fleshed, the dialogue sharp and racy. Falling Immortality is a superb read. A real enjoyment.
--Paul Doherty, author of the Hugh Corbett Medieval Mystery series and The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan series
P.I. Casey Holden should have known something wasn't right when she first entered his office. No sooner did she explain her problem-the unsolved death of her husband Artis two years prior-then she simply gets up and leaves his office. Holden decides to find out more about the case and calls his former partner Ian Jackard. One of the original officers turns out to be none other than Greg Gilman, Holden s nemesis and the main reason he left the Virginia Beach PD. Gilman makes it very clear that Holden should leave the matter alone, which only makes Holden more determined than ever to solve the case. What he doesn't know is that he is merely a pawn in a bigger game and that he has to win if he wants to live. Falling Immortality by Robert Downs is a wild ride from the first page to the last. Casey Holden is the quintessential gumshoe, both fearless and foolish. In this debut novel, Downs has created a character with tremendous potential to grow and evolve. Equally compelling is Det. Ian Jackard, Holden's former partner and reluctant inside man at the Virginia Beach PD. Bottom line: this series is sure to be a worthy addition to the genre. This novel has truly earned a 5/5 rating.
--Jud Hanson, BestSellersWorld.com
About the Author
Robert Downs aspired to be a writer before he realized how difficult the writing process was. Fortunately, he'd already fallen in love with the craft, otherwise Casey might never have seen print. Originally from West Virginia, Robert has lived in Virginia, Massachusetts, and now resides in New Mexico. To find out more about Casey, visit the author's website: RobertDowns dot net. Look for Casey's next adventure.
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More About the Author
Robert Downs aspired to be a writer before he realized how difficult the writing process was. Fortunately, he'd already fallen in love with the craft, otherwise Casey might never have seen print. Originally from West Virginia, he has lived in Virginia, Massachusetts, and now resides in New Mexico. To learn more about the author or Casey, visit the author's website: www.RobertDowns.net. Look for Casey's next adventure.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Falling Immortality is a fun detective story by promising new author Robert Downs. What made the book for me (and what seems to have "broke" the book for others) is the snappy or witty repartee/ dialogue used by the protagonist Casey Holden PI (and often by the "dames" he's talking to). If you liked the "screwball comedies" like "The Thin Man" you may like this story also. So, it's not a "hard-boiled" detective story, more like a "soft boiled". <g>
I got quite a few grins, but no belly laughs, from the conversations and dialogues used here.
There's plenty of sex, but nothing explicit. Similarly with the violence, although again, since it's not a "hard boiled" tale, there's not a huge amount of violence, although of course Casey gets beaten up or gets into a fight more than once.
The mystery isn't bad either, but what makes this book is the snappy dialogue. If you like that sort of thing, you should check this out.
I got quite a few grins, but no belly laughs, from the conversations and dialogues used here.
There's plenty of sex, but nothing explicit. Similarly with the violence, although again, since it's not a "hard boiled" tale, there's not a huge amount of violence, although of course Casey gets beaten up or gets into a fight more than once.
The mystery isn't bad either, but what makes this book is the snappy dialogue. If you like that sort of thing, you should check this out.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Darian Wilk
Format:Paperback
Casey Holden is sarcastic, rubs a person the wrong way - and doesn't care. Except for in matters between the sheets; then he's all sorts of the right way. He's a former cop, and in-between vacations he's a Dodge Viper driving PI. Life is easy, and that's the way he likes it. But then Felicity Farren walks into his office, seeking help to solve the two-year old, unsolved case of her husband's murder. Felicity comes and goes like the wind, drawing more questions than answers; but Casey likes a puzzle, and he's determined to solve this one - if of course, he doesn't find himself a murder victim from poking his nose into where it doesn't belong first.
Now I know what some of you women out there might be thinking - guy sounds like a womanizing jerk, why would I waste 220 pages reading that? And, well, he is. But, he's witty, quick on his feet with a response to everything, and you really can't help appreciating it. Casey Holden is like the bad boy we're secretly drawn to, yet he has enough good boy in him to justify the unstated attraction. If I were a man, I'd be jealous of Mr. Holden.
Some of my favorite scenes were between Casey and his best friend, Ian (who is still on the police force). For every witty remark Casey blurts out, Ian has one to throw back at him. I couldn't help chuckling as they went back and forth, tit for tat, trying to one-up the other. Yet throughout it all, you sense their deep friendship and that at the end of the day, they really would be lost without the other. And I think in his odd way of showing it, Casey knows this. But of course his ego is too big to let him verbalize it. I equate their conversations to the man-version of Friends, and I loved it. Without the banter between them, I think the book would have been missing something.
I'm a mystery/detective novel buff, so I jumped at the chance to read this, but with every read in this genre comes a grain of salt - you don't have the flexibility with plot like you might with other genres. That being said, I was rather pleased with the plot twists in this book. Granted they all might not have surprised me, but that's of no fault to the author, only the genre. The ride through the twists was enjoyable, the hovering mystery of who Felicity really is, and why (if she's trying to solve her husband's murder) is she so darn elusive! And this is where the author really shined, he pulls you into the puzzle - you suddenly become like House, on a mission to solve the mystery at any cost.
The ending was climactic enough for my taste, wrapping up the story, yet leaving a bit to the reader's imagination. That aspect, I thought, was done very well. The author did a fine job at resolving it to satisfaction, but giving the reader room to still ponder, still have a hint of mystery to solve - which only makes us want to jump on board for the next adventure. Which I would do.
Overall this was a decent read for me, and I would give it two thumbs up. I can see how Casey's character might not be for all women, but I enjoy sarcasm, I enjoy `hangin with the boys', and I think most women are entirely too complicated to try and figure out. But, I'm a girly girl too, a chic flick lover at heart, I cry, like sappy stuff, and probably entirely too complicated myself. So bravo to the author for that, being able to take your average woman, and make her relate to this kind of character on all levels. But not just relate, he made me like this character. I loved all the characters actually, major and minor, the plot pace was spot on, and the twists enough to keep me reading. I would add this to my list of recommended books to fans of mystery/detective novels.
**My review copied from my blog [...]
Now I know what some of you women out there might be thinking - guy sounds like a womanizing jerk, why would I waste 220 pages reading that? And, well, he is. But, he's witty, quick on his feet with a response to everything, and you really can't help appreciating it. Casey Holden is like the bad boy we're secretly drawn to, yet he has enough good boy in him to justify the unstated attraction. If I were a man, I'd be jealous of Mr. Holden.
Some of my favorite scenes were between Casey and his best friend, Ian (who is still on the police force). For every witty remark Casey blurts out, Ian has one to throw back at him. I couldn't help chuckling as they went back and forth, tit for tat, trying to one-up the other. Yet throughout it all, you sense their deep friendship and that at the end of the day, they really would be lost without the other. And I think in his odd way of showing it, Casey knows this. But of course his ego is too big to let him verbalize it. I equate their conversations to the man-version of Friends, and I loved it. Without the banter between them, I think the book would have been missing something.
I'm a mystery/detective novel buff, so I jumped at the chance to read this, but with every read in this genre comes a grain of salt - you don't have the flexibility with plot like you might with other genres. That being said, I was rather pleased with the plot twists in this book. Granted they all might not have surprised me, but that's of no fault to the author, only the genre. The ride through the twists was enjoyable, the hovering mystery of who Felicity really is, and why (if she's trying to solve her husband's murder) is she so darn elusive! And this is where the author really shined, he pulls you into the puzzle - you suddenly become like House, on a mission to solve the mystery at any cost.
The ending was climactic enough for my taste, wrapping up the story, yet leaving a bit to the reader's imagination. That aspect, I thought, was done very well. The author did a fine job at resolving it to satisfaction, but giving the reader room to still ponder, still have a hint of mystery to solve - which only makes us want to jump on board for the next adventure. Which I would do.
Overall this was a decent read for me, and I would give it two thumbs up. I can see how Casey's character might not be for all women, but I enjoy sarcasm, I enjoy `hangin with the boys', and I think most women are entirely too complicated to try and figure out. But, I'm a girly girl too, a chic flick lover at heart, I cry, like sappy stuff, and probably entirely too complicated myself. So bravo to the author for that, being able to take your average woman, and make her relate to this kind of character on all levels. But not just relate, he made me like this character. I loved all the characters actually, major and minor, the plot pace was spot on, and the twists enough to keep me reading. I would add this to my list of recommended books to fans of mystery/detective novels.
**My review copied from my blog [...]
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
A little Crais, some Robert Parker, and enough originality for a fun read
July 9, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
Robert Downs asked me to review his book on Amazon and so this copy was not paid for. Disclaimer aside....
Downs has created a very life like, wise cracking, irreverent Private Investigator that has his share of babes. Yes, he often gets his body crumpled, but never does Casey Holden lose his sense of humor or ability to crave relations with the opposite sex. I will give Downs his due on this one - there are no cheap sex scenes, but his ability to create the image of what may happen are entertainingly fun.
In this story, a murder case has gone cold. Casey is called upon by the widow to figure this one out. There is a little of Elvis Cole in Casey and that is a good thing. But there might be a tad too much effort by Downs to make every paragraph a one liner. Granted, I sometimes tire of it, but then another zinger just floors me.
The entire book is fun and light hearted. This is good and bad. I would like to see Downs continue to write. I think that he has what it takes and kept me interested from beginning to end. It was a short book and that may need to be corrected with more complexity in the plot. A little less humor would not hurt and a little more intenseness could help. As a first time author, this is one that many of you would enjoy.
Some pieces of advice for Mr. Downs:
1) Take yourself and your work more seriously; you are a very good writer.
2) Write for the reader and not for your own pleasure; you are now beyond that point.
3) Spend less time on the humor (but definitely keep it coming) and put more into a plot that knocks us over. You can do that, I read a lot of novels and you are just a touch away from being there.
I was torn between a 3 and 4 rating, but in keeping with my own internal credibility, I must give it a 3. However, I definitely recommend that anyone looking for a fun, light hearted read, give this author a try. It is certainly worth the time and effort. The 4 star is reserved for the next level. I believe that Downs will get there as this was an excellent first time novel.
Downs has created a very life like, wise cracking, irreverent Private Investigator that has his share of babes. Yes, he often gets his body crumpled, but never does Casey Holden lose his sense of humor or ability to crave relations with the opposite sex. I will give Downs his due on this one - there are no cheap sex scenes, but his ability to create the image of what may happen are entertainingly fun.
In this story, a murder case has gone cold. Casey is called upon by the widow to figure this one out. There is a little of Elvis Cole in Casey and that is a good thing. But there might be a tad too much effort by Downs to make every paragraph a one liner. Granted, I sometimes tire of it, but then another zinger just floors me.
The entire book is fun and light hearted. This is good and bad. I would like to see Downs continue to write. I think that he has what it takes and kept me interested from beginning to end. It was a short book and that may need to be corrected with more complexity in the plot. A little less humor would not hurt and a little more intenseness could help. As a first time author, this is one that many of you would enjoy.
Some pieces of advice for Mr. Downs:
1) Take yourself and your work more seriously; you are a very good writer.
2) Write for the reader and not for your own pleasure; you are now beyond that point.
3) Spend less time on the humor (but definitely keep it coming) and put more into a plot that knocks us over. You can do that, I read a lot of novels and you are just a touch away from being there.
I was torn between a 3 and 4 rating, but in keeping with my own internal credibility, I must give it a 3. However, I definitely recommend that anyone looking for a fun, light hearted read, give this author a try. It is certainly worth the time and effort. The 4 star is reserved for the next level. I believe that Downs will get there as this was an excellent first time novel.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Highly insubstantial in content and wretchedly unsuccessful in style...
Before you gasp in horror from the unusually low rating I've given, let me put a few things straight: Robert Downs is not necessarily a bad writer and Falling Immortality is not a... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Stephanie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing "Guy" Mystery!!!
Kindle version free via author for honest review
I must say, if there is a mystery series written for men, this is very much it! Read more
I must say, if there is a mystery series written for men, this is very much it! Read more
Published 6 months ago by Angels R Kids/Furkids
5.0 out of 5 stars
So much fun!
Falling Immortality:
Casey Holden, Private Investigator
By Robert Downs
Former cop Casey Holden now works as a PI in Virginia Beach where he makes his own... Read more
Casey Holden, Private Investigator
By Robert Downs
Former cop Casey Holden now works as a PI in Virginia Beach where he makes his own... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Reflections of a BookWorm
3.0 out of 5 stars
Thomas Magnum meet Casey Holden
Casey Holden was a Private Investigator. His office was located in a warehouse in Norfolk, Virginia. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Sherry Fundin
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Bad
I received this ebook free in exchange for a review.
The Good:
Definitely opens with an attention grabbing hook. That's always a plus in my book. Read more
The Good:
Definitely opens with an attention grabbing hook. That's always a plus in my book. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Catrina Barton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Falling Immortality by Robert Downs
Casey Holden is one of those individuals that I would probably do my best to avoid, but the way author Robert Downs brings him to life in FALLING IMMORTALITY you can't help but... Read more
Published 9 months ago by C. A. Webb
2.0 out of 5 stars
Annoying character, potentially good mystery
Casey Holden is a private detective that quit the police force so he could play by his own rules. A self-proclaimed ladies man he enjoys playing the field and dating more than one... Read more
Published 10 months ago by F. Murrell
1.0 out of 5 stars
Falling Immortality: Casey Holden, Private Investigator
Pitiful attempt to be a modern Phillip Marlowe. Badly in need of a good editor . Too long and drawn out.
Published 10 months ago by Ma Kettle
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not worth finishing
The author sent me a copy of this book, along with a request for review.
When I read the description, I was hoping for something along the lines of Lawrence Sanders'... Read more
When I read the description, I was hoping for something along the lines of Lawrence Sanders'... Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. Weight
3.0 out of 5 stars
Go West, Young Man
"Falling Immortality," is a debut crime novel from Robert Downs, a young American man who was originally from West Virginia, and had lived in Virginia and Massachusetts, before... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Stephanie DePue
