Fall Out by Carrie Stuart Parks is this week’s Reader Friday. There’s a prologue, but this is from Chapter One: Bam! Bam! An engine roared, growing louder, closer.
But first the photo and Scripture. This is one of my favorite photos from Israel. We had just left Poriya and there it was–the sun blazing against the clouds just before setting. And this verse came to mind. It just seemed to fit.
Now for Fall Out by Carrie Stuart Parks: Here’s the cover and back copy:
Her carefully crafted life is about to be demolished.
After a difficult childhood, Samantha Williams craves simplicity: jigsaw puzzles, lectures at the library, and the students she adores in her role as an elementary school art teacher in the dusty farming community of LaCrosse, Washington.
Samantha’s entire life is upended when an SUV crashes into the building where she teaches. She manages to keep the children safe, but her car isn’t so lucky. Oddly, her purse—with her driver’s license, credit cards, and other identification—is missing from the wreckage.
After authorities discover someone shot the driver in the accident seconds before the crash, Samantha quickly becomes entangled in increasingly strange events that have her constantly looking over her shoulder.
Samantha has long tried to forget the tragedy of her past, but the twisting connections she discovers between the murdered driver, a deadly secret government project, and an abandoned town can’t be ignored. Those involved are determined to keep these secrets buried, and they’ll use any means necessary to stop Samantha’s search for truth.
My take:
Oh, my goodness. This book is one reason I haven’t finished my edits. I stayed up two nights in a row until midnight reading Fall Out! It just wouldn’t let me go. I had to know why someone was trying to kill Samantha Williams. And if it was the hunky Dutch aka Dr. Van Seters.
I really enjoyed Samantha, who often let “Sneetches” (from Dr. Seuss) slip out when she’s nervous.
This twisty story could actually happen in real life. Based on the Hanford Nuclear Facility, it was published in 2017. Have no idea why I didn’t read it earlier!
Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a March drawing for a book from my library. This is an older book of Carrie Stuart Parks (I love her books!). Have you read any of her books? If you haven’t, please find one and get started! They are a-maz-ing!
Fall Out by Carrie Stuart Parks is this week's Rader Friday. Stop by my blog and read my review on this fabulous book! Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a March drawing for a book from my library Click To TweetCOMING IN MAY!
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Comments 41
Fab review, Patricia. You’ve given me a new author to follow!
Author
Oh, great, Vera! You won’t be sorry. 😉
Another stunning photo! And the verse reminds me of the passage in Revelation that Jesus is the alpha and the omega; eternal God.
Pat, you’ve done it again. I’ve not yet read any of Ms Parks books, but I’ve got read “Fallout”. When you mentioned the Hanford Nuclear Facility, I was reminded that a chemist nephew of mine was a senior scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA a decade ago.
“’Shots fired. Two victims near the Longmire Suspension Bridge. PNK9 response requested.’ The dispatcher’s voice came through Pacific Northwest K-9 officer Danica Hayes’s radio.” is the first line from “Shielding the Baby” by Laura Scott. It’s the first book in the Pacific Northwest K-9 series.
I just finished “Where There’s Smoke” by Susan May Warren. If you like stories of fighting forest fires, this one takes place near Glacier National Park, Montana. It’s a very good read.
Author
Both of the books you mentioned are on my TBR list, Tim! And I love it when an author brings in real life like Carrie Stuart Parks did in this one. I wish I had more time to read!!!! But then I’d never get a book written. lol
I grew up near LaCrosse, WA and love Stuart’s books so I’ll be looking for this one. I’m so glad you came along on that trip to Israel–beautiful scenes and wonderful people.
Author
I’m glad I did, too, Delores. It was a wonderful trip.
You never cease to amaze me with your gorgeous photos and Bible verses!
I found Fall Out to be a great read too; and the Sneetches had me in stitches. Of course, I’ve been a fan of Carrie Stuart Parks since “A Cry from the Dust.” She does an excellent job of keeping you guessing until the end…just like someone else I could mention! 🙂
Author
Aww, thanks L! I have several of Carrie’s books on my Kindle and don’t know how I missed this one!
Love those photos of Israel and you are correct, that photo fits this one perfectly. 🙂
I read Fall Out when it hit the market, as well as all of Carrie’s books, including her art books! She’s a friend and I asked her once about a comical phrase in one of her books. She gave a hearty laugh and said she tried to put one bit of humor in each book and was thrilled I had found it.
I just finished reading The Metropolitan Affair, by Jocelyn Green. I don’t have the book with me to quote the first line, but let me tell you there were some great twists and turns in it. It’s about forgeries, Egyptian artifacts and The Metropolitan Museum.
Getting ready to start A Match in the Making, by Jen Turano. “One of the most curious discoveries Miss Gwendolyn Brinkley had made during her brief sojourn as an unexpected and oh-so reluctant assistant matchmaker was this—securing advantageous marriages amongst the socially elite was not for the faint of heart and , frankly could be considered a blood sport.” I know I’m in for a treat. Her books always make me laugh.
Still praying for you in the edits.
Author
Hi Barbara! I love Jen Turano’s books! And I’ll have to look up The Metropolitan Affair!
I have enjoyed many of Carrie Stuart Parks’ books, including Fall Out. I especially enjoyed the Gwen Marcey series. I just began reading Blind Trust by Natalie Walters. The first line:
“How much longer?”
Author
Vera, I love the Gwen Marcey series and hope she writes another one soon! Natalie is a great writer, too!
Good morning, wow, this book sounds and looks very intriguing , thank you for introducing me to this author, she is a new author to me. Have a great weekend.
Author
Alicia, I think you’ll love Carrie Stuart Parks’ books!
That is one brilliant sunset! Wow! Great verse to match it.
Fall Out sounds like an exciting tale. I hope I can find it to read, but it may be a while since I checked out five books from the library three weeks ago and haven’t finished the first one yet. I started reading Fraser by Susan May Warren but had to set it aside to proofread a different book. I also had promised to read and review Leslie Gould’s newest book, A Brighter Dawn, which released three days ago. I’m finally back trying to finish Fraser but have received an ARC of Edge of Steele from Susan Sleeman to do a first read. I think I may have to renew those library books a second time.
Author
Sound like you have a heavy reading schedule ahead, Edward! I want to read all the books you mentioned!
Edward, Fraser was a fantastic book. It had special meaning to me due to the geographical connections. And, anything by Susan Sleeman is great, and Edge of Steele was no exception.
Mea culpa. I referenced Ms Sleeman’s book “Edge of Steele”, but meant “Solid as Steele”, her last released book. Sorry for the error, though I’m confident that her soon to be released book will also be great. “Proof read! Proof read!” he mumbles to himself.
Author
I’m so crazy with this deadline, Tim, I didn’t notice. lol But I did think I’d read Edge of Steele.
I have not read this author, but she does sound interesting.
Author
She writes very intriguing books, Judy. Carrie Stuart Parks is a forensic artist in real life and draws on her experiences…
nice review
Author
Thanks, BN. It was a great book to review.
Loved the picture and the verse just sings!
I read Fall Out! It was super. I have a few of her books but need to read them.
My first line comes from a brand new one coming up by KimberleyWoodhouse: 26 Below
Chapter one
50 above Zero. October 1–2:00 p.m. Fairbanks
First official day on the job as Emergency Center director, and Darcie Phillips found herself wanting to play hooky.
This is a departure from her usual historicals.
I’ll be starting it soon.
Author
Thanks, Paula. And yes, Fall Out was super!! And Kimberley Woodhouse’s book sounds very interesting!
Gorgeous photo! The Book sounds very intriguing. I haven’t read that author yet, but I’ll have to give her a try now.
Author
Megan, Carrie is a great writer. I think you’d enjoy her books!
This author does an outstanding job in all her books. I’ve read several.
And I love the scripture you shared. Just what I needed for today!
Author
Thanks, Gail! And I agree with you about Carrie!
Another gorgeous photo Pat and I love these verses! I discovered Carrie Stuart Parks’ Gwen Marcy books a couple of years ago and have read all of her books available thru my library. For me her writing style is different but very good! Have a blessed weekend everyone!
Author
Miss Marry, I love the way she makes her heroines unique. And she often puts her Great Pyrenees in her books. 🙂
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
It is, Diana!
Carrie’s books are good at keeping readers up late. Thank you for sharing. Love the photo and scripture. Blessings
Author
I can attest to that about keeping her readers up late, Lucy!
I enjoy Carrie’s books! I’ve added this to my “request list” for my county Bookmobile!
Author
I love Carries’ books, MS Barb!
great review!
Author
Thanks, Shelia. It was a great book!
Beautiful photo for the scripture.
I so enjoy Carrie Stuart Parks novels!
Author
Me, too, Caryl!