Fall from Grace

Publisher's Summary

London had Sherlock Holmes.

The dark alleys of Edinburgh had Inspector McLevy.

Known as the father of forensics and a likely influence on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, real-life police inspector James McLevy is here reinvented by David Ashton in a thrilling mystery - the second in a series - set in dark, violent Victorian Edinburgh.

A burglary and murder at the home of Sir Thomas Bouch, the enigmatic architect of the ill-fated Tay Bridge, sets Inspector James McLevy off on a train of brutal killings, lethal liaisons, and double suicide which leads to a violent encounter with an old enemy, Hercules Dunbar.

Caught up in a terrifying storm as he tracks his foe to Dundee, McLevy watches the rail bridge collapse and plunge into the icy depths of the Tay. The aftermath brings the destruction of reputation and love as the inspector uncovers the secret passions which have led to murder.

©2016 David Ashton (P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton

Critic Reviews

"David Ashton impeccably evokes Edinburgh." ( Financial Times)
"Elegant and convincing." ( The Times)
"Ashton is the direct heir to Robert Louis Stevenson." (Brian Cox)
"Excellent." (The Sherlock Holmes Society)
"A real page-turner." ( Sunday Post)
"Dripping with melodrama and derring-do." ( Herald)

A solid addition to McLevy series

Now that I'm familiar with the author/narrator's breathy style and heavy Scottish accent (having read the first mystery) I fully enjoyed this one. The returning characters are continuing to develop and McLevy himself may be feeling the pangs of love. Who could imagine it! The author/narrator brings the period and characters to life with his vivid portrayal of late 19th century Scotland.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Might be a good story, but narrator drove me crazy

What would have made Fall from Grace better?

Different narrator or some coaching on his narration. VERY slow pace was first problem. But when I tried using 1.25, that worked until he hit the first female voice, who for some reason spoke much more quickly. Ugh. Sound is crisp, which I usually like, but I could hear every movement of saliva in this guy's evidently very wet mouth. Frustrating, b/c I usually love narrators from England, Scotland, and Ireland, but this was toooo annoying. Ended up returning it.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wrong Narrator

The Narrator was awful! Had to stop listening as he was driving me mad. Need an actor not an author.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Mr Ashton don't narrate your own books please!!!!

I really do like this book.

But I keep going back because the narrator is so distracting to the point that it's frustrating and irritating.
The inspector is a layered character and book by book you're beginning to understand him. I like him. He is not Sherlock, no where near him but with time he will develop his own detecting style.
I have with reservation pre ordered the next book in the series but I hope Mr Ashton takes on board what I have written. Please get someone else to narrate it.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

A Let Down

I very much enjoyed the first McLevy mystery which a wonderful story and engaging characters which it was a pleasure to meet. I did not agree with some reviewers who did not like the authors own narration which I thought fitted the time and place well. Almost none of the positives existed in this second outing. The story was unconvincing, the plot contrived beyond credibility. The fight sequences were toe curlingly awful and the historical references and events just did not work. This had been a real strength of the first book with the internal monologues of Queen Victoria and Disraeli very well done. The authors narration is over the top and very fussy, bit like the writing. There are some wonderfully sad passages about McLevys early life and the effect of his character on those around him is very funny. I had hoped l stumbled upon a series to devour but was sadly let down and won’t be trying another.