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Falls to Pieces
A mother and daughter in hiding are threatened by more than secrets and lies in a twisting novel of paranoia, revenge, and psychological suspense by bestselling author Douglas Corleone.
For two years, Kati Dawes and her teenage daughter, Zoe, have lived off the grid in Hawai‘i, hiding from a past Kati must forget as if her life depends on it. New names. Anonymous online presence. So far, safe. Until Kati’s fiancé, attorney Eddie Akana, disappears along a popular hiking trail in a Maui national park. Now all eyes are on Kati. Exposure can make a woman with so many secrets very paranoid.
Eddie’s law partner, Noah Walker, is doing everything he can to protect his new client from the press that’s hovering like a vulture and the authorities whose suspicions about Kati—and the disappearance—are rising. Then suddenly, Zoe goes missing as well. Kati will risk anything to find her. But the worst is still to come. Because Kati’s not the only one with secrets. And buried among them is a twist she never saw coming.
For two years, Kati Dawes and her teenage daughter, Zoe, have lived off the grid in Hawai‘i, hiding from a past Kati must forget as if her life depends on it. New names. Anonymous online presence. So far, safe. Until Kati’s fiancé, attorney Eddie Akana, disappears along a popular hiking trail in a Maui national park. Now all eyes are on Kati. Exposure can make a woman with so many secrets very paranoid.
Eddie’s law partner, Noah Walker, is doing everything he can to protect his new client from the press that’s hovering like a vulture and the authorities whose suspicions about Kati—and the disappearance—are rising. Then suddenly, Zoe goes missing as well. Kati will risk anything to find her. But the worst is still to come. Because Kati’s not the only one with secrets. And buried among them is a twist she never saw coming.
First published April 1, 2025
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About the author
Douglas Corleone
28 books112 followersDouglas Corleone is the highly acclaimed and award-winning author of contemporary thrillers. His debut novel, ONE MAN'S PARADISE, introducing hotshot defense attorney Kevin Corvelli was a finalist for the 2010 Shamus Award for Best First Novel and winner of the 2009 Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award. Corleone's other novels in the Kevin Corvelli series include NIGHT ON FIRE and LAST LAWYER STANDING.
Douglas Corleone's highly acclaimed international thriller, GOOD AS GONE, featuring former U.S. Marshal Simon Fisk, was hailed by the Huffington Post as a "heart-wrenching, adrenaline-producing adventure that...leaves the reader gasping for breath." The second book in the series, PAYOFF is due out in August 2014.
Recently Douglas Corleone was selected by the Estate of Robert Ludlum, internationally bestselling author and creator of the Jason Bourne series, to continue Ludlum's series of thrillers featuring ex-Navy SEAL and former covert government agent Paul Janson. ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE JANSON EQUATION will hit stores early in 2015.
A former New York City criminal defense attorney, Douglas Corleone now resides in the Hawaiian Islands with his family, where he is currently at work on his next novel.
Douglas Corleone's highly acclaimed international thriller, GOOD AS GONE, featuring former U.S. Marshal Simon Fisk, was hailed by the Huffington Post as a "heart-wrenching, adrenaline-producing adventure that...leaves the reader gasping for breath." The second book in the series, PAYOFF is due out in August 2014.
Recently Douglas Corleone was selected by the Estate of Robert Ludlum, internationally bestselling author and creator of the Jason Bourne series, to continue Ludlum's series of thrillers featuring ex-Navy SEAL and former covert government agent Paul Janson. ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE JANSON EQUATION will hit stores early in 2015.
A former New York City criminal defense attorney, Douglas Corleone now resides in the Hawaiian Islands with his family, where he is currently at work on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 371 reviews
January 16, 2025
From the evocative Hawaiian setting to the well-developed main characters scattered throughout this quick, easy read, Falls to Pieces certainly had me entertained from beginning to end. After all, the unreliable narrator kept me guessing as the complex plot built to one doozy of a conclusion. While the bulk of the book was much more of a long, slow burn, the fast-paced last third utterly won me over hook, line, and sinker. And that was before the jaw-dropping shock of a twist took center stage. You see, there wasn’t a chance in h*** of me working it out before the final timely reveal.
The only piece to this psychological thriller that somewhat missed the mark for this avid reader was within the slow-moving start. Feeling as if it was chronicled instead of shown, the many flashbacks and descriptions of what occurred years ago made the story drag just a bit. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it. I was over the moon, though, when the pace finally picked up and the events took on a much more propulsive feel in the last third of the book.
All in all, from the morally gray characters to thought-provoking topics, I will most definitely be hung up on this one for quite a while. And no matter how good you are at armchair sleuthing, I would be utterly shocked if you work this one out before the truth is laid at your feet. Filled with deftly obscured clues and plenty of red herrings, I was happily blind all the way through. So if you’re looking for an original premise that will require you to pick your jaw up off of the floor, definitely check this book out. Despite the slower speed, it was a page-turner for sure. Rating of 3.5 stars (upgraded).
SYNOPSIS:
For two years, Kati Dawes and her teenage daughter, Zoe, have lived off the grid in Hawaii, hiding from a past Kati must forget as if her life depends on it. New names. Anonymous online presence. So far, safe. Until Kati’s fiancé, attorney Eddie Akana, disappears along a popular hiking trail in a Maui national park. Now all eyes are on Kati. Exposure can make a woman with so many secrets very paranoid.
Eddie’s law partner, Noah Walker, is doing everything he can to protect his new client from the press that’s hovering like a vulture and the authorities whose suspicions about Kati—and the disappearance—are rising. Then suddenly, Zoe goes missing as well. Kati will risk anything to find her. But the worst is still to come. Because Kati’s not the only one with secrets. And buried among them is a twist she never saw coming.
Thank you to Douglas Corleone, Thomas & Mercer, Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 18, 2025
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: missing person, gambling addiction mention of: suicide, domestic violence, pedophilia
The only piece to this psychological thriller that somewhat missed the mark for this avid reader was within the slow-moving start. Feeling as if it was chronicled instead of shown, the many flashbacks and descriptions of what occurred years ago made the story drag just a bit. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it. I was over the moon, though, when the pace finally picked up and the events took on a much more propulsive feel in the last third of the book.
All in all, from the morally gray characters to thought-provoking topics, I will most definitely be hung up on this one for quite a while. And no matter how good you are at armchair sleuthing, I would be utterly shocked if you work this one out before the truth is laid at your feet. Filled with deftly obscured clues and plenty of red herrings, I was happily blind all the way through. So if you’re looking for an original premise that will require you to pick your jaw up off of the floor, definitely check this book out. Despite the slower speed, it was a page-turner for sure. Rating of 3.5 stars (upgraded).
SYNOPSIS:
For two years, Kati Dawes and her teenage daughter, Zoe, have lived off the grid in Hawaii, hiding from a past Kati must forget as if her life depends on it. New names. Anonymous online presence. So far, safe. Until Kati’s fiancé, attorney Eddie Akana, disappears along a popular hiking trail in a Maui national park. Now all eyes are on Kati. Exposure can make a woman with so many secrets very paranoid.
Eddie’s law partner, Noah Walker, is doing everything he can to protect his new client from the press that’s hovering like a vulture and the authorities whose suspicions about Kati—and the disappearance—are rising. Then suddenly, Zoe goes missing as well. Kati will risk anything to find her. But the worst is still to come. Because Kati’s not the only one with secrets. And buried among them is a twist she never saw coming.
Thank you to Douglas Corleone, Thomas & Mercer, Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 18, 2025
Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Trigger warning: missing person, gambling addiction mention of: suicide, domestic violence, pedophilia
March 5, 2025
I always hesitate to speak critically of a published novel, because that author has published a novel and I have not. Accordingly, I try to find something positive to say about it. In the case of Falls to Pieces, I've been thinking, but I'm coming up empty.
An abused woman has seized her nearly-adult daughter and bolted before she gets charged with the murder of her mother in law. Her husband has unlimited resources, whereas she does not, but she somehow has landed in Hawaii, where she lives a lifestyle known as "off the grid." Of course, her daughter hates this, because there's no internet, no cell phones, no instagram, hardly any reason for living. At one point, daughter goes missing. Mom can't call in law enforcement, because the subsequent investigation might lead to media coverage which might reveal to her loathsome ex where she is. Mom's frantic search is frequently interrupted by italicized mini-chapters in the daughter's voice, which sure sound like she is imprisoned somewhere and rapidly losing any hope that mom will come looking for her.
I'm not trying to cause trouble here, but the mystery is an incomprehensible mess. Mom could not get along either with her own mother or her mother in law. Loathsome ex regularly used her as a punching bag, which no one deserves. Mom is supposed to be living off the grid but she sure has lots of people--some friendly, some sinister, some that defy categorization--who have no trouble finding her. Those who do find her come to no good end, although who is killing who gets kind of lost in the miasma. And the resolution requires a stretch that renders credulity unrecognizable.
To give credit where it's due, the book is a fast read. At the same time, I found it difficult to cook up any sympathy for the characters. None seemed likable. And to repeat myself, the ending evokes a mystified "huh?" Readers who love good mysteries should look elsewhere.
An abused woman has seized her nearly-adult daughter and bolted before she gets charged with the murder of her mother in law. Her husband has unlimited resources, whereas she does not, but she somehow has landed in Hawaii, where she lives a lifestyle known as "off the grid." Of course, her daughter hates this, because there's no internet, no cell phones, no instagram, hardly any reason for living. At one point, daughter goes missing. Mom can't call in law enforcement, because the subsequent investigation might lead to media coverage which might reveal to her loathsome ex where she is. Mom's frantic search is frequently interrupted by italicized mini-chapters in the daughter's voice, which sure sound like she is imprisoned somewhere and rapidly losing any hope that mom will come looking for her.
I'm not trying to cause trouble here, but the mystery is an incomprehensible mess. Mom could not get along either with her own mother or her mother in law. Loathsome ex regularly used her as a punching bag, which no one deserves. Mom is supposed to be living off the grid but she sure has lots of people--some friendly, some sinister, some that defy categorization--who have no trouble finding her. Those who do find her come to no good end, although who is killing who gets kind of lost in the miasma. And the resolution requires a stretch that renders credulity unrecognizable.
To give credit where it's due, the book is a fast read. At the same time, I found it difficult to cook up any sympathy for the characters. None seemed likable. And to repeat myself, the ending evokes a mystified "huh?" Readers who love good mysteries should look elsewhere.
March 2, 2025
Falls to Pieces was a fast-paced mystery that kept me on my toes. Kati was a complex protagonist with lots of secrets and she was hard for me to trust. She clearly had a traumatic past between her abusive mother and husband. She was on the lam, but it wasn't always entirely clear if it was from her husband, or from the law - maybe both? But for someone so secretive and in hiding, I was often frustrated by her choices and felt like her behavior was erratic and inconsistent. She definitely kept me guessing and wondering what on earth was really going on.
The book was quite the page turner and what at first felt like your standard 'someone is missing, is the narrator our culprit' storyline quickly devolved into a complex and layered mystery. With the past and present converging, gambling debts, environmental conspiracies, and "mob-esque" players, there was a lot going on and I had trouble pinpointing where the story went. Indeed, it definitely did surprise me and the final twist was fun and unexpected.
Falls to Pieces is getting rave reviews over here at The Pulse. It's a quick read, intellectually stimulating, and overall surprising. If you like a mystery with substance that will keep you guessing, this one is for you!
The book was quite the page turner and what at first felt like your standard 'someone is missing, is the narrator our culprit' storyline quickly devolved into a complex and layered mystery. With the past and present converging, gambling debts, environmental conspiracies, and "mob-esque" players, there was a lot going on and I had trouble pinpointing where the story went. Indeed, it definitely did surprise me and the final twist was fun and unexpected.
Falls to Pieces is getting rave reviews over here at The Pulse. It's a quick read, intellectually stimulating, and overall surprising. If you like a mystery with substance that will keep you guessing, this one is for you!
March 4, 2025
Convoluted
The development of the characters so convoluted, erratic and superficial that it wasn’t possible to relate, really care about or like any of them. It wasn’t until the last chapter or so that the book became somewhat more interesting, but not very believable.
The development of the characters so convoluted, erratic and superficial that it wasn’t possible to relate, really care about or like any of them. It wasn’t until the last chapter or so that the book became somewhat more interesting, but not very believable.
March 8, 2025
Would like my money back
I picked this book for March first reads. Big mistake. At first, the plot of a woman’s fiancé going missing while on a hike seemed plausible.
Aside from the fact that the narrator/ fiancée ( Kati/Sara) seems to be a drunk or a bimbo… she has these inner conversations with her self where she just doesn’t remember anything. “ Did I … or Maybe I did..” Then the story just became increasingly more ridiculous. The plot twist at the end ruined the story.
I picked this book for March first reads. Big mistake. At first, the plot of a woman’s fiancé going missing while on a hike seemed plausible.
Aside from the fact that the narrator/ fiancée ( Kati/Sara) seems to be a drunk or a bimbo… she has these inner conversations with her self where she just doesn’t remember anything. “ Did I … or Maybe I did..” Then the story just became increasingly more ridiculous. The plot twist at the end ruined the story.
March 5, 2025
Mostly strange
Strange, rather ugly, and confused story, set in Maui. Since I live on Maui myself, one of my major complaints is that the author was so sloppy about the island itself.
The Old Prison, for example is not on Dickinson Street. Not surprisingly, it’s on Prison Street; one street south. Haiku is inland and doesn’t have a harbor or even one nearby. There are other annoying errors distracting to anyone familiar to the island, but these are examples of enough. Between the geographical inaccuracies and confusing organization, I cannot recommend this book.
Strange, rather ugly, and confused story, set in Maui. Since I live on Maui myself, one of my major complaints is that the author was so sloppy about the island itself.
The Old Prison, for example is not on Dickinson Street. Not surprisingly, it’s on Prison Street; one street south. Haiku is inland and doesn’t have a harbor or even one nearby. There are other annoying errors distracting to anyone familiar to the island, but these are examples of enough. Between the geographical inaccuracies and confusing organization, I cannot recommend this book.
December 8, 2024
Falls to Pieces by Douglas Corleone. Thanks to @otrpr for the gifted signed Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kati and her teen daughter, Zoe, live off the grid in Hawaii. When Kati’s finance goes missing it brings up questions from the past. Then Zoe goes missing too.
I loved the Hawaiian setting and the search through the wilderness. There’s a lot of back information that is slowly revealed that is important. It keeps you interested by slowly
revealing a bit at a time. I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight. Once Zoe goes missing, I found it a little less believable as it seemed the main character was not very distraught.
“Paradise is only safe in designated places. Sometimes not even in those.”
Falls to Pieces comes out 2/18.
Kati and her teen daughter, Zoe, live off the grid in Hawaii. When Kati’s finance goes missing it brings up questions from the past. Then Zoe goes missing too.
I loved the Hawaiian setting and the search through the wilderness. There’s a lot of back information that is slowly revealed that is important. It keeps you interested by slowly
revealing a bit at a time. I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight. Once Zoe goes missing, I found it a little less believable as it seemed the main character was not very distraught.
“Paradise is only safe in designated places. Sometimes not even in those.”
Falls to Pieces comes out 2/18.
March 25, 2025
Truly a terrible book. Probably the worst book I’ve read in a long time!
Not one likable character in the entire book.
Far-fetched ending.
Too much violence and too many negative degrading topics.
Zoe and her mother were despicable.
The only positive aspect was it was free! I want the time back that I wasted reading it.
Not one likable character in the entire book.
Far-fetched ending.
Too much violence and too many negative degrading topics.
Zoe and her mother were despicable.
The only positive aspect was it was free! I want the time back that I wasted reading it.
March 23, 2025
Kati has to go in hiding multiple times in this novel. After escaping a troubling marriage, she and her daughter land in Hawaii. Then, her fiancé disappears while on a hiking trip. There is much suspicion around Kati, and she doesn’t know whom to trust. Thank goodness, she has some help, but can she trust them? This is a good novel with many secrets!
August 24, 2024
This book was amazing from start to finish. The plot was thick and juicy. A true page turner! I loved getting little bits of information as you read only to get the true full story at the end. This by far is one of the best mystery/ thriller books I have ever read.
April 5, 2025
A riveting novel which will keep you guessing until the last few pages. This was a first for me by this author and I will be looking for more. Mystery and fast past. Hawaii is not only beautiful but deadly when secrets come out. Trigger warning: abuse
March 4, 2025
I didn’t like the ending. It’s not a good twist when the book gives you no hints to it, and actually actively lies to you. I won’t spoil why, but if you read it then reread some chapters, you’ll know what I am saying.
April 14, 2025
I found this book really frustrating. I really dislike the narrative when a character is being helped by another character, but doesn’t tell them the full circumstances until a lot later. It just seems to delay the story for no reason.
Really tried to persevere with this story but I found the characters and the storylines hard to follow. This ended up as a DNF for me.
Really tried to persevere with this story but I found the characters and the storylines hard to follow. This ended up as a DNF for me.
March 16, 2025
New author to me. Enjoyed it.
May 16, 2025
3.5 🌟's rounded down.
This was a decent mystery-thriller. I enjoy books where women are trying to escape their abusive spouse and the lengths they have to go in order to do it. I was entertained enough to get thru the whole story. That's why I gave it 3.5 🌟's. But it's not going to be a story I remember. Nothing really stood out to me. It did hold my attention, though.
This was a decent mystery-thriller. I enjoy books where women are trying to escape their abusive spouse and the lengths they have to go in order to do it. I was entertained enough to get thru the whole story. That's why I gave it 3.5 🌟's. But it's not going to be a story I remember. Nothing really stood out to me. It did hold my attention, though.
January 30, 2025
Thank you @dougcorleone @netgalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Kati Dawes and her daughter, Zoe, live off the grid in Hawaii. They've changed their names and maintain an anonymous online presence to stay safe. However, their lives take a turn when Kati's fiancé, Eddie Akana, disappears while hiking, putting Kati in the spotlight. As suspicions about her grow, Eddie's law partner, Noah Walker, works to shield Kati from the media and the authorities. Just when things escalate, Zoe goes missing too, prompting Kati to do whatever it takes to find her.
MY THOUGHTS: This was my first book by this author, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I began reading. The plot was intricately woven, almost resembling two or three interconnected storylines within a single narrative. I particularly enjoyed the Hawaiian setting, as I've traveled the Road to Hana and could fully appreciate the inherent dangers depicted. The story unfolds through the dual perspectives of mother and daughter, Kati and Zoe. I would categorize this narrative as a slow burn, with the action intensifying toward the end. Without revealing too much, I will say that readers can anticipate surprising twists, hidden motives, and a few unreliable characters throughout the journey.
This one is recommended by my friends @thrillerbookloversthepulse.
Kati Dawes and her daughter, Zoe, live off the grid in Hawaii. They've changed their names and maintain an anonymous online presence to stay safe. However, their lives take a turn when Kati's fiancé, Eddie Akana, disappears while hiking, putting Kati in the spotlight. As suspicions about her grow, Eddie's law partner, Noah Walker, works to shield Kati from the media and the authorities. Just when things escalate, Zoe goes missing too, prompting Kati to do whatever it takes to find her.
MY THOUGHTS: This was my first book by this author, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I began reading. The plot was intricately woven, almost resembling two or three interconnected storylines within a single narrative. I particularly enjoyed the Hawaiian setting, as I've traveled the Road to Hana and could fully appreciate the inherent dangers depicted. The story unfolds through the dual perspectives of mother and daughter, Kati and Zoe. I would categorize this narrative as a slow burn, with the action intensifying toward the end. Without revealing too much, I will say that readers can anticipate surprising twists, hidden motives, and a few unreliable characters throughout the journey.
This one is recommended by my friends @thrillerbookloversthepulse.
March 2, 2025
2.5 was ok thriller with twists until sick ending
January 19, 2025
I loved that the the story took place in Hawaii. I could clearly picture the beautiful setting. This book has a lot going on…As Kati tries to learn the truth about Eddie and Zoe’s disappearances, she finds out way more than she ever imagined! This book is filled with secrets, lies, deception, revenge, and a bunch of untrustworthy characters! There many twists and a few that I never saw coming. It is definitely a slow burn at the beginning but picks up in the middle and ends with some shocking revelations! This is the first book that I have read by this author, but look forward to reading more in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley, Douglas Corleone, and Amazon Publishing /Thomas and Mercer for this advance reader’s copy!
March 9, 2025
This one started out really strong for me, and just kind of devolved into something else.
Katie and her teenage daughter are living under new identities in Hawaii. They are on the run from her abusive husband and the murder investigation of her mother-in-law. Kati's new fiancé turns up missing, she is once again the center of a murder investigation, her daughter then goes missing, and that is where everything goes wild.
I really liked the book when it was more about dark family secrets and had more of a domestic suspense to it. The book quickly turned to corporate and political corruption and that is where it lost me. The end of the story was really just so convoluted with no one who they seemed to be. I could no longer keep track of all the characters.
This one will work better for people who enjoy thrillers of corruption and have an easier time following them.
Katie and her teenage daughter are living under new identities in Hawaii. They are on the run from her abusive husband and the murder investigation of her mother-in-law. Kati's new fiancé turns up missing, she is once again the center of a murder investigation, her daughter then goes missing, and that is where everything goes wild.
I really liked the book when it was more about dark family secrets and had more of a domestic suspense to it. The book quickly turned to corporate and political corruption and that is where it lost me. The end of the story was really just so convoluted with no one who they seemed to be. I could no longer keep track of all the characters.
This one will work better for people who enjoy thrillers of corruption and have an easier time following them.
March 19, 2025
This was genuinely a struggle to get through. The main character was wildly unlikeable and annoying and the “twist” at the end just made me roll my eyes.
I read this for free through amazon first reads and I’m just glad that it’s not something I paid for
I read this for free through amazon first reads and I’m just glad that it’s not something I paid for
April 30, 2025
This was an Amazon First Reads book I downloaded (in March maybe?). I’m really terrible about reading these when I get them and decided I could use some island time.
A mother and daughter on the run from their v!olent life in Connecticut are hiding out in Hawaii when a mystery once again sucks them in. Kati has somehow in the midst of her trauma found love again. Eddie is an island attorney and has recently proposed. But on a hike into the wilderness of Hawaii, he disappears leaving Kati and Zoe in the spotlight they so desperately need to avoid.
This one started out really great and sucked me in immediately. A mystery/thriller whodunnit that will have your head spinning, the characters will make you question your ideas over and over again. I felt like the story kind of fell apart in the end though - the webs of relationships woven was just too much overall and too complicated, so much so that everything had to be laid out in black and white. There was no aha moment, just a reveal of what actually happened in a tediously long monologue.
The author also put quite a bit of political and social commentary that I think is going to date this book very very quickly. Lots of talk of Covid - which even now feels dated even though it’s only been a few years (perhaps we all just want to forget).
Overall though, the book was entertaining and the descriptions of the setting made me yearn for a vacation to Hawaii.
A mother and daughter on the run from their v!olent life in Connecticut are hiding out in Hawaii when a mystery once again sucks them in. Kati has somehow in the midst of her trauma found love again. Eddie is an island attorney and has recently proposed. But on a hike into the wilderness of Hawaii, he disappears leaving Kati and Zoe in the spotlight they so desperately need to avoid.
This one started out really great and sucked me in immediately. A mystery/thriller whodunnit that will have your head spinning, the characters will make you question your ideas over and over again. I felt like the story kind of fell apart in the end though - the webs of relationships woven was just too much overall and too complicated, so much so that everything had to be laid out in black and white. There was no aha moment, just a reveal of what actually happened in a tediously long monologue.
The author also put quite a bit of political and social commentary that I think is going to date this book very very quickly. Lots of talk of Covid - which even now feels dated even though it’s only been a few years (perhaps we all just want to forget).
Overall though, the book was entertaining and the descriptions of the setting made me yearn for a vacation to Hawaii.
March 14, 2025
Falls to Pieces by Douglas Corleone is a slow-burning but addictive novel that gains speed to a wild ending. Set against a Hawaiian backdrop, the story follows a mother and daughter in hiding, caught in a web of paranoia, lies, and revenge.
What I enjoyed most:
✨The Hawaiian setting added an atmospheric touch. I didn't realize how much forest Maui has!! ✨Lock-room and survivalist/off-grid mystery kept the tension high. ✨Kati and Zoe's character development was deep and engaging. ✨Multiple, multiple twists and an ending I absolutely didn’t see coming!
Fall to Pieces is an Amazon First Reads for March. If you enjoy stories that blend suspense, hidden identities, and complex family dynamics with a ton of unpredictable twists, grab this one off Amazon First Reads now or pick it up on April 1st!
What I enjoyed most:
✨The Hawaiian setting added an atmospheric touch. I didn't realize how much forest Maui has!! ✨Lock-room and survivalist/off-grid mystery kept the tension high. ✨Kati and Zoe's character development was deep and engaging. ✨Multiple, multiple twists and an ending I absolutely didn’t see coming!
Fall to Pieces is an Amazon First Reads for March. If you enjoy stories that blend suspense, hidden identities, and complex family dynamics with a ton of unpredictable twists, grab this one off Amazon First Reads now or pick it up on April 1st!
March 8, 2025
3.5 rounding to 4 ⭐️ this was a fun, quick read. Couldn’t put it down! But also what was that ending lmaoo. Not sure how I feel about it.
March 15, 2025
I enjoyed the beautiful setting and the dual POVs! I thought the book started off strong but unfortunately lost my interest near the end.
My thanks to Over The River PR for this gifted copy!
My thanks to Over The River PR for this gifted copy!
May 14, 2025
This book hooked me from the first page! Some of it was a little cliche and predictable, but overall an interesting story that kept me wanting to read on.
March 8, 2025
Didn’t finish it. Too slow and complicated.
February 9, 2025
Falls To Pieces is an intense thriller that culminates in an action packed twisty ending.
I absolutely loved the Hawaii setting, and the MC Kati was so well developed. There were many other characters who laid the groundwork for secrets and lies. Early in the book, we meet Mac and he was definitely a favorite. I absolutely love when secondary characters stand out and he definitely did!
This was my first by the author and I will be first in line for more!
I absolutely loved the Hawaii setting, and the MC Kati was so well developed. There were many other characters who laid the groundwork for secrets and lies. Early in the book, we meet Mac and he was definitely a favorite. I absolutely love when secondary characters stand out and he definitely did!
This was my first by the author and I will be first in line for more!
February 5, 2025
The Pulse did it again! If y’all are not following the releases over at ThrillerBookLoversThePulse then you are absolutely missing out on some of the best thrillers to hit shelves in 2025.
Woah what a book! First of all, love the setting. We don’t get enough books set in Hawaii, do we? There’s so much potential for amazing tropical thrillers. In the Author’s Note, Douglas essentially writes a love letter to Hawaii, so I’ll be checking out his backlist and looking forward to more books in this beautiful but deadly location.
There were a lot of moving pieces here - hidden identity, on the run, small town, new relationship, strained parent/child relationship, police investigation…there was A LOT of room for error, but Douglas executed this pretty damn perfectly. There were twists that I absolutely never saw coming. Incredible. There are top tier manipulations and secrets going on throughout the entirety of this book, and I can’t recommend it enough!
I don’t typically love an attorney / detective angle in my thrillers, I almost always avoid them in favor of amateur detectives trying to clumsily solve their own loved ones' disappearances and murders, so I honestly did not expect to love this one as much as I did.
First book by Douglas, not my last!
Woah what a book! First of all, love the setting. We don’t get enough books set in Hawaii, do we? There’s so much potential for amazing tropical thrillers. In the Author’s Note, Douglas essentially writes a love letter to Hawaii, so I’ll be checking out his backlist and looking forward to more books in this beautiful but deadly location.
There were a lot of moving pieces here - hidden identity, on the run, small town, new relationship, strained parent/child relationship, police investigation…there was A LOT of room for error, but Douglas executed this pretty damn perfectly. There were twists that I absolutely never saw coming. Incredible. There are top tier manipulations and secrets going on throughout the entirety of this book, and I can’t recommend it enough!
I don’t typically love an attorney / detective angle in my thrillers, I almost always avoid them in favor of amateur detectives trying to clumsily solve their own loved ones' disappearances and murders, so I honestly did not expect to love this one as much as I did.
First book by Douglas, not my last!
did-not-finish
July 9, 2025DNF at 55 pages. I couldn't get into the plot, and while the setting was fun, I didn't have any feelings for the characters or the mystery.
September 6, 2024
I really wish GoodReads had partial stars bc this would easily be a 4.25/4.5.
Wow… just wow. I have no words to describe the journey that was and the twists and turns during the last third of the book.
If I had to find some words though, the imagery and descriptions used to describe Maui were so well written. It brought me back to my trip to the island a few years ago.
I thought I knew where the story was taking me and really only guessed one of the twists correctly. Just when I thought there couldn’t be anymore more shocking, something else happened or was revealed even more so. It wasn’t the type of thriller that necessarily kept me on the edge of my seat per se, at least until more towards the end, but it’s definitely a page turner all the way through.
The only reason I marked down a partial star is bc I was not entirely satisfied with the ending. I completely understand why what happened happened, the moral part of me just thinks this cycle may just get repeated bc of it. Can’t say I wouldn’t consider it myself, so really, how immoral is it then haha.
I also loved how deeper social issues that were woven into the storyline without feeling like it was just thrown in there to check a box.
If you enjoy a good psychological thriller, this story is for you. I enjoyed the opportunity to read this ARC for free via NetGalley and leave my honest review 🤍
Wow… just wow. I have no words to describe the journey that was and the twists and turns during the last third of the book.
If I had to find some words though, the imagery and descriptions used to describe Maui were so well written. It brought me back to my trip to the island a few years ago.
I thought I knew where the story was taking me and really only guessed one of the twists correctly. Just when I thought there couldn’t be anymore more shocking, something else happened or was revealed even more so. It wasn’t the type of thriller that necessarily kept me on the edge of my seat per se, at least until more towards the end, but it’s definitely a page turner all the way through.
The only reason I marked down a partial star is bc I was not entirely satisfied with the ending. I completely understand why what happened happened, the moral part of me just thinks this cycle may just get repeated bc of it. Can’t say I wouldn’t consider it myself, so really, how immoral is it then haha.
I also loved how deeper social issues that were woven into the storyline without feeling like it was just thrown in there to check a box.
If you enjoy a good psychological thriller, this story is for you. I enjoyed the opportunity to read this ARC for free via NetGalley and leave my honest review 🤍
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