Customer Reviews

Final Approach

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Final Approach is a fun, witty, and easy read that will keep you turning the pages. The first test of any book for me is that first 20 pages -- this book immediately hooked me in with just enough suspense to make me wonder ... hey, what's this all about. I was rewarded with an interesting slew of characters - from the heroine, Emily, who has fun banter in her head to her smart-alec BFF, Jeannie who is a riot! The most surprising element that I found enjoyable was the skydiving setting. I was a little hesitant to this as I am not a skydiver nor have I ever had any interest in the sport. However, Brady's descriptions & sport "characters" constantly entertained and educated. I'm still not ready to jump out of a plane, but enjoyed reading the mystery that surrounded this setting. I'm looking forward to Emily Locke's next adventure!

I won my pre-release copy of this book after a blog-comment exchange with its author, Rachel Brady. Brady hooked me with the first chapter, with a writing style that engages you quickly and keeps you turning pages just to find out what happens next in this suspenseful story of a woman struggling to overcome a devastating loss and move forward with her life. Brady's characters are believable; the dialog is realistic (but better than "real"), sharp, and often funny; the skydiving world provided an interesting backdrop to the mystery; and Brady parcels out clues at a perfect pace to keep you reading to the end.

This is Brady's debut novel, but I predict a successful career for her as a novelist. I look forward to her next book, and I recommend this one highly for mystery lovers.

A fine debut novel with an unusual plot line. Emily Locke is recovering from the loss of her husband and infant daughter. It is clear from the get-go there is something askew in that whole incident. Now four years later, the detective who was disgraced and dismissed from the local police department as fall-out from that calamity, is back in Emily's life. He wants her help on a case he's working on. A leap of faith is required of readers here. Is she the only person in the country the detective can count on to infiltrate a questionable sky-diving club located over a thousand miles away?
And why is Emily so available? After all she has a full-time job and is still pretty fragile from the loss of her daughter and husband. Still, the detective, not her favorite person, presses the right buttons and off she goes to Texas.
What follows is a tension-filled emotional novel of exquisite detail about sky-diving in all the right places, introduction of necessary and useful characters and enough action to satisfy the most ardent thriller aficionado. Emily is strong and distressed at all the right places, there are no real down sections of the novel.
This is a fast read and although some of the danger Emily faces doesn't reach my punch level, Emily is an interesting woman and the sky-diving is an unusual platform on which to build a crime novel. One of the more interesting aspects of Final Approach is that readers will, from the beginning, feel as though they have been brought into an ongoing story. There is occasionally a feeling of the need to catch up with background as a way to evaluate current happenings. It's a style that adds to the tension and pace. A satisfying novel with a fine twist at the end.

I've never been a mystery reader, but after meeting the author, I decided to give her book a try. WOW! The first chapter brought me right into the story. I immediately identified with Emily Locke and wanted to see how things would turn out for her. Before I knew it, I read the book for four hours. If you are or are NOT a mystery fan, PLEASE pick up a copy of this book (there's an Kindle copy....perfect for those who travel often). I'm hooked. Regards, Terry Jude Miller

Rachel Brady's FINAL APPROACH is a marvelous debut mystery novel and the start of a great series. Filled with action, humor, and some very touching moments, it follows reluctant investigator Emily Locke as she infiltrates a sky-diving school linked to the disappearance of several children. The sequel novel, DEAD LIFT, has already been released so those of you who won't read a series until there's more than one book available -- go ahead and pick these up.

Rachel Brady delivers a perfect crime-drama-mystery package in her debut novel. She has created compelling characters, orchestrates tense twists and turns against a unique background, tucks bits of humor and wit amidst the mystery, keeps you guessing to the last page, and it's all presented in a neat and tidy easy-to-read package. If you're like me and are lucky to find 20 minutes to read before bedtime at night, this is a perfect book for you with its manageable chapter lengths. However, good luck putting it down once you're into it - you may just use those concise chapters as an excuse to keep plugging away until you find a stopping point that won't keep you awake wondering what's coming next! The subtitle "An Emily Locke Mystery" promises more intriguing plot-lines in the principle character's future... and I for one can't wait to read about her next adventure!

I don't normally read many books for enjoyment, but picked this one up after a recommendation from a friend. As a slow reader I found it a great read, many smaller chapters that left for good stopping points throughout the book. I found myself really picturing and caring about the engrossing heroine. I think that both mystery lovers and interestingly skydivers alike will find a great interest in this book. I'd tell you about the story...but that would ruin the fun.

You'd never know this is Rachel Brady's debut novel - it's the assured, confident writing of someone who knows exactly what she's doing. I read it in three sittings (would have been two, but I started the second session waaayyyy too late at night) and I've already loaned it to one person and told another person to buy it. Brady has a great eye and a tremendous sense of pace, and the skydiving milieu is fresh and authentic, not to mention exciting. Loved the heroine, loathed the villain(s) and had a great time all the way through.

I don't know what Brady's next book will be -- don't know whether she'll bring back Emily Locke, the intermittently reluctant sleuth who narrates FINAL APPROACH -- but I know I'll pre-order it the day I see it announced. If you enjoy a tight, well-plotted mystery with terrific characters, an unusual setting, and clean, crisp writing, you'll love FINAL APPROACH.

In this debut book, Emily continues to deal with her loss and when asked to assist in a kidnapping she agrees and flies to Houston. Snippets of her past is given to the reader and we become involved in sifting through the clues. This was a great read and I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Had my book club meeting tonight and met the author. It was great to find out interesting background info. about the characters and settings of the book. This is a great mystery with a unique locale. Can't wait for more of Emily's adventures. Thanks Rachel Brady for meeting with the Bookin' Babes!