Deadly Fall by Susan Calder

Posted by Pearl Fiction Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Deadly Fall spends 9 weeks on the Calgary Herald Fiction Bestseller’s List

Set in Calgary, Deadly Fall (TouchWood Editions, 2011), revolves around the investigation of insurance adjuster Paula Savard into the murder of her childhood friend, Callie. The death hits Paula hard. Once inseparable, she and Callie have grown distant in recent years.

When the police investigation stalls, Paula infiltrates Callie’s circle of friends to discover if something in Callie’s personal life led to the murder. Paula finds herself drawn to the people she meets, while not trusting any of them. Callie’s charming new husband, Sam, stands to inherit Callie’s wealth and may be sleeping with her niece. His son never accepted Callie as his stepmother for inexplicable reasons. Sam’s erratic best friend has a 30-year infatuation with Callie and a house full of guns. Callie’s jealous ex-husband can’t conceal his fury over her leaving him. All have motives, no alibis and secrets.

The more Paula learns, the more she needs to solve the murder before the killer realizes she knows too much and tries to get rid of her.

Deadly Fall launches a mystery series in which Paula uses her insurance investigative skills to battle crime while dealing with the challenges facing members of the baby boomer generation: grownup children, aging parents, career growth and stagnation, the loss of youthful ideals, conflicting desires for stability and adventure, and romance.

 Praise for Deadly Fall

~ A pointedly nuanced debut novel, Deadly Fall sparkles with tone and energy that set the pace, a concise storyline, and edgy dialogue that moves the story forward.  ~ Hamilton Spectator

~ Paula is an intelligent, determined, often critical (though in a good way) yet still compassionate amateur sleuth, who is front and center in this mystery debut. She’s a solidly developed character; one readers will want to get to know better, with an interesting supporting cast, which should serve her well in subsequent books. ~ Mysterious Reviews

~ Calder draws you in with the first line. With gritty dialogue and crisp imagery, she gradually reveals the dark connections in Paula Savard’s quest to discover the secret life of her dead friend. ~ Garry Ryan, author of the Detective Lane mysteries

~ Paula is quite a character – snoopy, ballsy, sometimes a pain in the ass. She’s well developed and her sleuthing activity is totally believable. Fabulous writing; amazing plot. Calder has an ability to keep the reader engaged. ~ Glenna Jenkins, writer

~ So many little twists and turns. Fine writing from beginning to end. I really liked Paula and want to follow her antics in the next adventure.  ~ Fran Kimmel, author of The Shore Girl Clippings, forthcoming from NeWest Press, fall 2012.

~ I liked the great sense of place, scenes like the Hitmen Hockey game, Paula’s warm relationship with Isabelle, Felix and his hilarious hiking outfit, the believable, non-cliché sex scene, the crazy things we do in our youth that sometimes come back to haunt us.  ~ Leslie Gavel, writer

~ Lively dialogue; complex characters; Paula’s tendency to judge herself (and others?) to the highest standard. Deadly Fall is the first in a very clever series. ~ Colleen Biondi, writer

~ So clever! I was constantly guessing about who the murderer was. The climactic scene was great.  Winter, spring, or summer…I’m looking forward to Paula’s next adventure. ~ Amy McDonald, writer

Read a Book Club Buddy INTERVIEW with Susan Calder

Visit Susan at www.susancalder.com

Meet her on Facebook, Follow her on Twitter @Calbugs

 

 

 

 

 

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