Force of Habit (A Falcone & Driscoll Investigation) [Paperback]

Alice Loweecey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 2011 | Series: A Falcone & Driscoll Investigation (Book 1)

Giulia Falcone is convinced she's going to Hell. First, because she left the convent. Second, her new job with a private investigator has her sneaking around and lying. Adjusting to life in the outside world isn't easy. Makeup, dating, and sex are all new to her. And despite a crush on her boss Frank Driscoll—a foul-mouthed, soft-hearted ex-cop—Giulia is sure he'd never fall for an ex-nun.

Her first case involves drop-dead handsome Blake Parker, a man with immense wealth and an ego to match. He and his fiancée are getting disturbing "gifts" with messages based on biblical verses. When Giulia is drawn into the stalker's twisted game, salacious photos of her appear, threatening her job and her friendship with Frank. No one imagines—least of all naïve Giulia—the danger ahead, when following the clues turns into a fight for her life.

Book one in the dangerously habit-forming Falcone & Driscoll Investigation series

 

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Former nun Giulia Falcone is getting used to life outside the convent with her job as Frank Driscoll’s assistant at Driscoll Investigations. Frank’s latest case calls on the firm to determine which one of Blake Parker’s former girlfriends is harassing Blake and his fiancée. Giulia’s field training begins when Frank sends her to interview the girlfriends on the theory that they would be more likely to talk to a woman. Meanwhile, the harassment intensifies and even Giulia becomes a target. Loweecey has a great premise for a mystery series here, and Giulia and fellow office assistant Sidney are engaging characters. Frank, unfortunately, is something of a jerk, too quick to believe the worst about Giulia. Also, the mystery itself is somewhat far-fetched. Still, this series deserves attention, as Giulia could well develop into a compelling PI, much in the manner of Norman Green’s Alessandra “Al” Martillo. --Sue O'Brien

Review

"A spirited debut...her fresh take on crime fighting is a delight."
-Publishers Weekly --11/29/10

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK (February 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738723223
• ISBN-13: 978-0738723228
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #925,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alice Loweecey went from the convent to playing hookers on stage to accepting her husband's marriage proposal on their second date. She grew up watching Hammer horror and Godzilla movies with her dad, and in turn her children grew up watching them with her. The family that laughs together at stage blood and bad rubbery monster costumes stays together! She owns an embarrassingly large collection of MST3K episodes, Godzilla movies, Hammer films, and Roger Corman scenery-chewers. Her writing may or may not reflect the horror and humor of these obsessions. Her fans seem to approve.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Competent debut May 8, 2011

By Lady Writer

Format:Paperback

Life, in all its sin and glory, is new to former nun Giulia Falcone. After leaving the safe,
but often harsh confines of the convent, she takes a job in a PI firm run by ex-cop Frank Driscoll,
a brash and sometimes amusing man who thinks he understands what this ex-nun is all about.
Her first case takes her into the world of studly Blake Parker and his fiancée, victims of
an apparent stalker who is sending odd gifts and messages in the form of biblical verses. The case
plunges Giulia into situations she isn't used to, full of sex, lies and sneaking around. And when
the stalker suddenly turns this vicious attention to Giulia, it threatens not only her job security,
but also her friendship with Frank.

Alice Loweecey brings personal experience to the character of Giulia in her debut
novel, "Force of Habit". A former nun herself, Loweecey carves Giulia into a very believable,
and very conflicted, woman. Her innocence and simple way of living, even away from the
convent's strict ways, lends a charm to Giulia that might otherwise be missed in the hands of
a lesser expert. The character of Frank Driscoll serves as a nice counterbalance to Giulia's
innocence. The fact that they both play in a theater orchestra gives them a chance to bond outside
the office, where it is safe. They play well off each other. Giulia is falling for him, and not sure
what to do about it. Their banter is real, and Frank's occasional over-protective alpha growling is
endearing.

Loweecey will have a wonderful opportunity in future books in this series to further
develop these characters. Hopefully, Giulia will become stronger, and Frank will become less
passive-aggressive. When doctored photos of the ex-nun and client Blake Parker en flagrante
delicto appear on the front door of the PI office, Frank goes off the deep end. He levels
outrageous accusations at Giulia that feel very much out of character, to the point where no
redemption between the two seems possible. This conflict choice made an otherwise charming
character unlikable for a good portion of the book. With such charming characters to work with,
the conflict between the two could have been handled better. This should not stop anyone from
picking up this book, and falling in love with what is sure to be a hit series.

Reviewed by Julie Dolcemaschio, author of "Testarossa" for Suspense Magazine

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! January 31, 2011

By HHK VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love mystery series' with female detectives, and this book synopsis was enough to intrigue me to order this book (Kindle version was not available, so I had to order it the "old-fashioned way by mail") What a happy surprise- this was escellent.

Guilia is a 29 yo ex-Nun. After leaving the convent she got a series of small jobs and has recently landed a job as the assistant to hunky ex-cop/detective Frank. Her first case is to to find out which ex-girlfriend is stalking their client Brent Parker.

The mystery here is pretty thin, and the bad guy/guys were pretty obvious. Guilia, does not really figure out who-dunnit, instead events lead themselves to reveal the culprit.
The charm in this book comes from Guilia and her angst at leaving the Church, being a 29 yo virgin, and being attracted to her boss. Her "voice" is believable and engaging. The side characters are well drawn. The relationship with Frank is cute, and I can't wait to see how this plays out.

If you want a hardboiled detective novel, this is not the book for you.
If you want a light mystery with great characters and a hint of romance, you will love this book as I did.

I can't wait for the next in the series!
My only wishes:
1. Make a Kindle version next time
2. Allow Guilia to actually solve the mystery.
3. Drag out the great sexual tension between Guilia and Frank - I love the "will they-won't they" type stories.

Overall highly recommended

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great First Book in the Series April 5, 2011

By SuzieQ

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I won't summarize this new book as other have previously done so, but I will agree with the other reviewers' assessment that this book was wonderful. Giulia is such a unique heroine due to her background, and she struggles with her new life out of the convent. This was so realistically portrayed, and at times it was sad, funny, or thought-provoking. Frank was also a very human character who had, on occasion, his own issues dealing with certain situations. Sidney, the comic relief, was a hoot! I can't wait for the next book about Falcone and Driscoll Investigations!!!