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Ruby Falls
One body. Five suspects. Total darkness.
A tense, claustrophobic historical mystery set almost entirely underground at the onset of the Great Depression about the discovery of a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain, the unthinkable crime that happens in its caves, and a woman who’s never felt more alive.
In 1928, a Chattanooga man disappears down a hole in the ground and discovers a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain that he names after his Ruby Falls. Within months, visitors can buy tickets to see the falls for themselves. Ada Smith has been sneaking into the caves at night, entranced by the natural wonders around her and the freedom granted by this new underground world.
But it’s tough timing for a natural wonder. As the country flounders in the Great Depression, a shrewd public relations ploy seems like the only way to save Ruby Falls. A famous mind reader and mystic agrees to launch himself into the Ruby Falls caverns where he will attempt to locate a hidden hatpin using only his psychic abilities. He'll be joined by five his manager, his wife, a guide, a Chattanooga businessman, and a reporter from the Chicago Times. But they’re not alone in the caverns. Ada and another guide, Quinton, have been asked to follow the mind reader’s party at a distance, staying out of sight. They are a safety net, in case of a broken leg or busted flashlights.
One of them will be dead before the end of the day.
Faced with a corpse and the stark reality that one of the people in her midst is a killer, Ada needs to get everyone—the murderer and the innocents—back aboveground before their light runs out.
Ruby Falls is both a unique twist on the locked-room mystery and an exploration of loss and what it means to start over. It’s a heart-racing story of survival and a testament to the threads that bind strangers together. Set against the true story of the discovery of Ruby Falls, the novel also draws on the memoirs of Katie Stabler, a female guide at Wind Caves in South Dakota.
A tense, claustrophobic historical mystery set almost entirely underground at the onset of the Great Depression about the discovery of a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain, the unthinkable crime that happens in its caves, and a woman who’s never felt more alive.
In 1928, a Chattanooga man disappears down a hole in the ground and discovers a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain that he names after his Ruby Falls. Within months, visitors can buy tickets to see the falls for themselves. Ada Smith has been sneaking into the caves at night, entranced by the natural wonders around her and the freedom granted by this new underground world.
But it’s tough timing for a natural wonder. As the country flounders in the Great Depression, a shrewd public relations ploy seems like the only way to save Ruby Falls. A famous mind reader and mystic agrees to launch himself into the Ruby Falls caverns where he will attempt to locate a hidden hatpin using only his psychic abilities. He'll be joined by five his manager, his wife, a guide, a Chattanooga businessman, and a reporter from the Chicago Times. But they’re not alone in the caverns. Ada and another guide, Quinton, have been asked to follow the mind reader’s party at a distance, staying out of sight. They are a safety net, in case of a broken leg or busted flashlights.
One of them will be dead before the end of the day.
Faced with a corpse and the stark reality that one of the people in her midst is a killer, Ada needs to get everyone—the murderer and the innocents—back aboveground before their light runs out.
Ruby Falls is both a unique twist on the locked-room mystery and an exploration of loss and what it means to start over. It’s a heart-racing story of survival and a testament to the threads that bind strangers together. Set against the true story of the discovery of Ruby Falls, the novel also draws on the memoirs of Katie Stabler, a female guide at Wind Caves in South Dakota.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2026
About the author
Gin Phillips
7 books570 followersGin Phillips has published seven novels, and her work has been sold in 29 countries. Her newest novel, RUBY FALLS, will be published by Atlantic Crime on March 3, 2026.
Gin’s debut novel, THE WELL AND THE MINE, won the 2009 Barnes & Noble Discover Award. Her novel, FIERCE KINGDOM, was named one of the Best Crime Novels of 2017 by the New York Times Book Review. It was also named one of the best books of the year by NPR, Publishers Weekly, Amazon, and Kirkus Reviews. Gin’s novels also have been named as selections for Indie Next, Book of the Month, and the Junior Library Guild.
Born in Montgomery, Al., Gin graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a degree in political journalism. After time spent in Ireland, New York, and Washington, D.C., she currently lives with her family (including a wonderfully weird golden mountain doodle) in Birmingham, Al.
Gin’s debut novel, THE WELL AND THE MINE, won the 2009 Barnes & Noble Discover Award. Her novel, FIERCE KINGDOM, was named one of the Best Crime Novels of 2017 by the New York Times Book Review. It was also named one of the best books of the year by NPR, Publishers Weekly, Amazon, and Kirkus Reviews. Gin’s novels also have been named as selections for Indie Next, Book of the Month, and the Junior Library Guild.
Born in Montgomery, Al., Gin graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a degree in political journalism. After time spent in Ireland, New York, and Washington, D.C., she currently lives with her family (including a wonderfully weird golden mountain doodle) in Birmingham, Al.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ruby Falls is a 150 foot waterfall located in the middle of a mountain. It was discovered by Leo Lambert in 1928 and he named it after his wife, Ruby. It was opened up for tours via an elevator at the start of the Great Depression. Ruby Falls by Gin Phillips is inspired by that story and adds a locked room mystery! To drum up business, Leo arranges for a mind reader to come and find hatpin hidden somewhere in the caves. He's joined by 5 others, including his wife, manager, newspaper man, and two people working for the Falls. Ada who is Ruby's friend, has been secretly exploring the caves. She, along with another guide Quinton, are tasked to secretly follow the group, to make sure they get out safely. It becomes a real situation when one of the group is murdered.
It's historical fiction, a mystery, and a bit of romance all in one. I loved everything about it. I had a feeling before I started reading. I mean, look at the cover! But I wasn't prepared for how the setting and characters would grip me. I'm claustrophobic and would never explore a cave, but I enjoyed my time underground with main character Ada and the rest of the group.
Things start out on the slower side, giving you time to get to know Ada. I immediately identified with her desire to try something that she wanted and that she wasn't expected to do. Her love for the caves grew and that made me enjoy the setting. I could see everything in my mind and it's perfect for the mystery that unfolds.
The characters are unique. We get a few chapters from some of them. The rest are from Ada's point of view. The dialogue is fantastic. I loved watching the story and all the scenes unfold. Switching between the tour group and Ada with Quinton was a great way to build tension.
Any one of the group could have been the killer. You'll likely keep changing your mind until the end. Waiting to see if they make it out adds a survival element that is just perfect. I really didn't want the book to end!
You have to read this! Thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for the chance to read! All opinions are my own.
It's historical fiction, a mystery, and a bit of romance all in one. I loved everything about it. I had a feeling before I started reading. I mean, look at the cover! But I wasn't prepared for how the setting and characters would grip me. I'm claustrophobic and would never explore a cave, but I enjoyed my time underground with main character Ada and the rest of the group.
Things start out on the slower side, giving you time to get to know Ada. I immediately identified with her desire to try something that she wanted and that she wasn't expected to do. Her love for the caves grew and that made me enjoy the setting. I could see everything in my mind and it's perfect for the mystery that unfolds.
The characters are unique. We get a few chapters from some of them. The rest are from Ada's point of view. The dialogue is fantastic. I loved watching the story and all the scenes unfold. Switching between the tour group and Ada with Quinton was a great way to build tension.
Any one of the group could have been the killer. You'll likely keep changing your mind until the end. Waiting to see if they make it out adds a survival element that is just perfect. I really didn't want the book to end!
You have to read this! Thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for the chance to read! All opinions are my own.
March 3, 2026
…every person in the world is more astonishing than this waterfall. She sees that. They are, each one of them, a mountain with a thousand rooms inside, some unmappable, and they are not all pleasant, but, God, what creations they are.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1928, a man named Leo Lambert was exploring an unknown section of Lookout Mountain when he discovered a 150-foot waterfall, deep underground. He named it Ruby Falls in honor of his wife and decided to open the cave for tours. He built a castle on the mountain with limestone from the excavation site, where people could come for dinner and dancing, and hoped that this revenue would sustain his family through the Great Depression. This is all real history. And it’s where Ruby Falls begins.
In Gin Phillips’ fictionalized account of that time, we mostly follow Ruby’s best friend, Ada, who has secretly been exploring Lookout Mountain’s caves and passageways on her own at night. Soon her secret spelunking sessions are discovered by one of the guides, Quinton, who recommends her to Leo to help with a mission: Leo has invited a famous mind reader and his acquaintances to Ruby Falls, where the mind reader will attempt to find a hat pin hidden in the cave system. Quinton and Ada will follow the group at a distance as a safety net in case something goes wrong. But no one anticipated that someone would be murdered, deep in the darkness of the caves.
Set almost entirely underground, with only the light of headlamps to guide the way, Ruby Falls is so claustrophobic and full of tension. The concept of a “locked cave mystery,” so to speak, is so original, and Phillips utilizes it so well. But for me, the whodunnit wasn’t the most compelling part of this story: It was the rich characterizations and the immersive hundred-year-old atmosphere that kept me riveted.
I loved that Phillips drew on the real history of Ruby Falls to craft this story, which is not only a mystery, but also a tale of adventure and survival with elements of romance and historical fiction and themes of women’s rights and empowerment. It’s so well-executed, moving among Ada’s point of view and those of the other characters to reveal their secrets and motives, adding to the suspense. The Great Depression looms in the background as both a threat and an opportunity, depending on which character we’re with.
I honestly think I would’ve enjoyed Ruby Falls just as much even if there was no murder mystery aspect. It’s such a fascinating book even outside of that element, from its plotting and pacing to its vivid atmosphere to its complex characters, to the way it draws its inspiration from, and places its characters directly inside, real American history. It’s a book about unexplored caverns, yes - but it’s also a book about the dark, unmapped parts of the human soul. Thank you to Atlantic Crime for the early reading opportunity.
November 13, 2025
Ruby Falls starts off as a strong historical fiction/thriller. We have a interesting time period and very unique setting and a very strong premise. The atmosphere is the best part of this read. It is haunting, suffocating with elements of sensory deprivation slowly eating away at the mental stability of the characters. Eleanore is an unreliable narrator but that is what makes her most intriguing. She is fearless yet anxious and clearly coming apart inside. Though well written the story begins to slow and drag a bit for me. Not so much that I lost interest completely but enough for me to glance ahead and watch chapter length, if that makes sense. The ending almost seemed written by a different author which was unexpected.
Overall it was a well written story that was good not great. If you read books for atmosphere though, this will be the read for you.
Overall it was a well written story that was good not great. If you read books for atmosphere though, this will be the read for you.
September 29, 2025
Thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
Living in north Georgia, I found the premise and setting interesting, but the story and characters did not hold my interest. Fans of historical fiction/romance/mysteries may enjoy this one.
Living in north Georgia, I found the premise and setting interesting, but the story and characters did not hold my interest. Fans of historical fiction/romance/mysteries may enjoy this one.
March 9, 2026
Gin Phillips is back with a great new story - Ruby Falls - from Atlantic Crime.
“Leo discovers a waterfall deep underground in a cave system. He names them after his wife and builds access to make it a tourist attraction. But it’s the Great Depression and many don’t have money to spare. A publicity stunt brings a mind-reader who’s agreed to go into the cave to find a hat pin hidden by two men usually only their thoughts to guide him. He goes in with the two men, his wife and a reporter. Ada and Quinton, two people with intimate knowledge of the caverns and passages, also follow as backup in case of emergency.
One person will not make it out alive…”
This story is set during the Depression, so no technology - no one is calling on a phone for help. Phillips uses the dark and the passage of time to drive the tension. Will they run out of light and water and supplies? Will they be enveloped in total darkness with a killer?
I love the voice of the female characters. I can hear my Nanny and Mom and aunts clearly in these characters. Nanny said “directly” a lot and they all said “Well” with multiple syllables all the time. It’s probably not a coincidence that my mom grew up in Birmingham where Gin lives.
Gin has written these wonderful women that wanted more that what people expected of them in the 30’s. You will love Ada.
Wild ending - Phillips doesn’t give it away.
This is my 2nd killer-cave book this year. Even though this is a tourist attraction that’s still open, caves are just not for me.
Great story from Gin Phillips. Read it on the beach and not in a cave.
“Leo discovers a waterfall deep underground in a cave system. He names them after his wife and builds access to make it a tourist attraction. But it’s the Great Depression and many don’t have money to spare. A publicity stunt brings a mind-reader who’s agreed to go into the cave to find a hat pin hidden by two men usually only their thoughts to guide him. He goes in with the two men, his wife and a reporter. Ada and Quinton, two people with intimate knowledge of the caverns and passages, also follow as backup in case of emergency.
One person will not make it out alive…”
This story is set during the Depression, so no technology - no one is calling on a phone for help. Phillips uses the dark and the passage of time to drive the tension. Will they run out of light and water and supplies? Will they be enveloped in total darkness with a killer?
I love the voice of the female characters. I can hear my Nanny and Mom and aunts clearly in these characters. Nanny said “directly” a lot and they all said “Well” with multiple syllables all the time. It’s probably not a coincidence that my mom grew up in Birmingham where Gin lives.
Gin has written these wonderful women that wanted more that what people expected of them in the 30’s. You will love Ada.
Wild ending - Phillips doesn’t give it away.
This is my 2nd killer-cave book this year. Even though this is a tourist attraction that’s still open, caves are just not for me.
Great story from Gin Phillips. Read it on the beach and not in a cave.
March 4, 2026
I enjoy historical mystery but this one was very slow-paced. It had an unusual setting - underground caves in which there is a waterfall - and an interesting concept of a psychic going in the caves to prove he can find a hidden item using his psychic abilities alone. He’s accompanied by a small group of observers and all goes well until someone is murdered.
The story started off well with the friendship of two women, Ada and Ruth, and I thought that would be a central element of the novel but it wasn’t. The middle section slowed down and my interest started to wane. It never really recovered.
Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me but fans of slow-burn reads may like it better.
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
The story started off well with the friendship of two women, Ada and Ruth, and I thought that would be a central element of the novel but it wasn’t. The middle section slowed down and my interest started to wane. It never really recovered.
Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me but fans of slow-burn reads may like it better.
Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
September 28, 2025
In 1928, Ruby Lambert’s husband Leo discovers a massive waterfall inside of Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, Tennessee. He names it Ruby Falls after his beloved wife.
This amazing discovery attracts visitors from all over the world.
Meanwhile, Ada Smith has been exploring the caves of Lookout Mountain alone at night.
Unfortunately, The Great Depression hits Tennessee hard. Leo and Ruby are struggling to keep their attraction open to the public.
Along comes famous mind-reader Jeremiah Hagathorn. He proposes a publicity stunt that Leo cannot resist.
Someone will hide a hat pin inside Lookout Mountain, and Jeremiah will find it using only his psychic ability.
Jeremiah is accompanied by his wife and three others, including a reporter. Ada and fellow spelunker Quinton are secretly hired to follow the crew in case of an emergency.
A simple publicity stunt turns dangerous and deadly quickly.
Ruby Falls is a unique thriller that takes place underground in darkness. The story also becomes a tale of survival!
Thank you Atlantic Crime Publishers and NetGalley for sending me this ARC.
This amazing discovery attracts visitors from all over the world.
Meanwhile, Ada Smith has been exploring the caves of Lookout Mountain alone at night.
Unfortunately, The Great Depression hits Tennessee hard. Leo and Ruby are struggling to keep their attraction open to the public.
Along comes famous mind-reader Jeremiah Hagathorn. He proposes a publicity stunt that Leo cannot resist.
Someone will hide a hat pin inside Lookout Mountain, and Jeremiah will find it using only his psychic ability.
Jeremiah is accompanied by his wife and three others, including a reporter. Ada and fellow spelunker Quinton are secretly hired to follow the crew in case of an emergency.
A simple publicity stunt turns dangerous and deadly quickly.
Ruby Falls is a unique thriller that takes place underground in darkness. The story also becomes a tale of survival!
Thank you Atlantic Crime Publishers and NetGalley for sending me this ARC.
April 6, 2026
This one was just ok. It was slow in spots and none of the characters were really likable so it was hard to care if they made it out of the caves alive. Partially based on a true story, Leo discovers a waterfall inside of an underground cave and names it for his wife Ruby. A few years later, the site is a tourist attraction complete with a grand hotel. But then the depression hits and Leo is desperate to increase sales again so he cooks up a scheme to hide a hat pin inside the caves and have a psychic find it. A team is assembled to lead the "magic man" through the caves so that he can find the pin. The main team consists of the magic man Jeramiah and his wife Editha and manager Tom, a newspaper reporter named Howard, and Morris who is one of the men who hid the pin. They are led by a guide named Tallmadge who was the other man who helped Morris hide the pin. A support team made up of Ada, a widow who roams the caves alone at night, and Quinton, another guide, follow behind in secret, ready to offer assistance in case of an emergency. There is a lot of blustering by Jeramiah and complaining from the group as they traverse the caves. They were allotted 12 hours and at over halfway through Tallmadge is fed up with all of them. The "magic man" has passed the pin twice and not found it and Tallmadge forces them to stop and rest. Tallmadge doubles back and tells Quinton that he is leaving and that Quinton has to guide them. When Quinton and Ada join the group they find that someone killed Howard. Jeramiah is convinced that Tallmadge did it, although what motive he would have is unclear. At first the magic man wants to continue looking for the pin but as they start to run out of light he agrees to be led out of the caves. As they are walking, Ada is running through what happened and what she heard while in the caves. She overheard a conversation between Editha and Howard that sounded like they were former lovers, although it was clear to me that they were siblings. Editha left her family as a young teen to join the circus and never looked back. Jeramiah, jealous that his wife had a past with Howard, one that he didn't know was familial, he killed Howard and blamed it on Tallmadge. Not my favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2026
I knew that I had to read Gin Phillip's new book, Ruby Falls, when I saw that it was based on the famous tourist attraction near my home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It tells the story of how Leo Lambert discovered the underground falls and named it after his beloved wife Ruby. This is an amazing and unique take on the locked room mystery. I highly recommend it!
Read this book if you enjoy:
~historical mysteries
~locked room mysteries
~atmospheric settings
~strong FMC
~depression era novels
~Southern settings
~a bit of romance that enhances the storyline
Please read the author's the author's note at the end of the book
to enhance the storyline.
Synopsis:
In 1928, a Chattanooga man disappears down a hole in the ground and discovers a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain that he names after his Ruby Falls. Within months, visitors can buy tickets to see the falls for themselves. Ada Smith has been sneaking into the caves at night, entranced by the natural wonders around her and the freedom granted by this new underground world.
But it’s tough timing for a natural wonder. As the country flounders in the Great Depression, a shrewd public relations ploy seems like the only way to save Ruby Falls. A famous mind reader and mystic agrees to launch himself into the Ruby Falls caverns where he will attempt to locate a hidden hatpin using only his psychic abilities. He'll be joined by five: his manager, his wife, a guide, a Chattanooga businessman, and a reporter from the Chicago Times. But they’re not alone in the caverns. Ada and another guide, Quinton, have been asked to follow the mind reader’s party at a distance, staying out of sight. They are a safety net, in case of a broken leg or busted flashlights.
One of them will be dead before the end of the day.
Faced with a corpse and the stark reality that one of the people in her midst is a killer, Ada needs to get everyone—the murderer and the innocents—back aboveground before their light runs out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Crime for the advanced digital copy of the book.
Read this book if you enjoy:
~historical mysteries
~locked room mysteries
~atmospheric settings
~strong FMC
~depression era novels
~Southern settings
~a bit of romance that enhances the storyline
Please read the author's the author's note at the end of the book
to enhance the storyline.
Synopsis:
In 1928, a Chattanooga man disappears down a hole in the ground and discovers a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain that he names after his Ruby Falls. Within months, visitors can buy tickets to see the falls for themselves. Ada Smith has been sneaking into the caves at night, entranced by the natural wonders around her and the freedom granted by this new underground world.
But it’s tough timing for a natural wonder. As the country flounders in the Great Depression, a shrewd public relations ploy seems like the only way to save Ruby Falls. A famous mind reader and mystic agrees to launch himself into the Ruby Falls caverns where he will attempt to locate a hidden hatpin using only his psychic abilities. He'll be joined by five: his manager, his wife, a guide, a Chattanooga businessman, and a reporter from the Chicago Times. But they’re not alone in the caverns. Ada and another guide, Quinton, have been asked to follow the mind reader’s party at a distance, staying out of sight. They are a safety net, in case of a broken leg or busted flashlights.
One of them will be dead before the end of the day.
Faced with a corpse and the stark reality that one of the people in her midst is a killer, Ada needs to get everyone—the murderer and the innocents—back aboveground before their light runs out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Crime for the advanced digital copy of the book.
April 4, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up. This was an interesting book in terms of where the story was and what the main focus was meant to be. That being said, I actually had a good time with this-especially since I love Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain.
Things got a little less interesting for me around halfway through and the ending seemed to meander a bit, however, I still would recommend this pretty highly.
Things got a little less interesting for me around halfway through and the ending seemed to meander a bit, however, I still would recommend this pretty highly.
March 6, 2026
3.5 rounded up. I really enjoyed the skeleton of the story, but I think it sagged too much in the middle to be a full four star.
April 7, 2026
Interesting, but not wildly compelling
March 17, 2026
It’s been forever since I stayed up late to finish a book! This one was great!
March 9, 2026
3.5 stars
When the Great Depression hit near the beginning of the commercialization of Ruby Falls, tourism suffered. To drum it back up, a mind reader is invited to “find” a hatpin hidden among the caverns. He’s accompanied by a small party plus two additional people following the group in secret. When one of the group members is found dead, everyone becomes a suspect. A journey that should have taken half a day turns into a miserably drawn out race against waning supplies.
What a cool concept for a book based on (some) real events. I wouldn’t have predicted that I’d read two books set in caves within a week, and I’m definitely comfortable staying above ground for the foreseeable future. I enjoyed the premise of this book and the development of the relationship between the two characters following the main group in secret. If slow burn atmospheric mysteries are your thing, you’ll likely really enjoy it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC!
When the Great Depression hit near the beginning of the commercialization of Ruby Falls, tourism suffered. To drum it back up, a mind reader is invited to “find” a hatpin hidden among the caverns. He’s accompanied by a small party plus two additional people following the group in secret. When one of the group members is found dead, everyone becomes a suspect. A journey that should have taken half a day turns into a miserably drawn out race against waning supplies.
What a cool concept for a book based on (some) real events. I wouldn’t have predicted that I’d read two books set in caves within a week, and I’m definitely comfortable staying above ground for the foreseeable future. I enjoyed the premise of this book and the development of the relationship between the two characters following the main group in secret. If slow burn atmospheric mysteries are your thing, you’ll likely really enjoy it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC!
December 30, 2025
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this. I was very interested in the idea of a murder mystery inside of the caves of Ruby Falls. I went to Ruby Falls earlier this year, and the setting really was similar to the real place. The setting and how the caves were brought to life were really good. I wished this story had more suspense. There was so much potential for a great, high stakes mystery but this read more like litfic with mystery. That’s not really my thing. I think if you prefer cozy mysteries or a lighter mystery, this is more geared toward you.
All opinions are my own
All opinions are my own
March 22, 2026
In 2017, I read Gin Phillips' novel, FIERCE KINGDOM, which was about a woman and her child trying to survive in a zoo during an active shooter situation. I primarily listened to the audiobook while I was training for a long-distance race. Maybe the fact that I was doing my runs in the predawn hours by myself on the edge of town escalated the tension, but it's certain that Phillips' unique premise and suspenseful writing amped up my heart rate even more than it would have been otherwise.
When I learned that RUBY FALLS is set almost entirely underground, I knew I was in for more adrenaline-fueled reading this time around as I am extremely claustrophobic. Despite sharing that page-turning momentum, it is indeed a very different novel from FIERCE KINGDOM. For one thing, it's a mystery set during the Great Depression. And although the specific premise is not based in historical fact, the setting is very much a real place: a 63-foot waterfall located inside a cave near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The book opens with a lightly fictionalized account of the waterfall's accidental discovery in 1928 during an excavation by Leo Lambert, who named the falls after his wife. In Phillips' telling, Ruby's good friend, Ada Smith, accompanies a small group on the first guided visit to see the falls. She's fascinated not only by the falls themselves but by the wonders of underground exploration, a hobby she pursues more frequently after the death of her husband.
Leo's dreams of striking it rich by turning the falls into a tourist attraction fall on hard times. It's not easy to launch a major business venture during a global economic depression. So in 1931, he hatches a new plan for a much-needed boost in buzz. He hires a famous mind reader, Professor Jeremiah Hagathorn, to participate in a publicity stunt. Two neutral participants (a local businessman and a cave guide) will hide a ladies' hat pin somewhere in the cave. Then, the next day, the mystic will use his psychic powers to find it somewhere in the extensive cave system surrounding the falls. Joining Hagathorn, along with the guide and the businessman, will be Hagathorn's wife and his manager. Just to ensure the event captures the headlines, Lambert has enlisted a Chicago newspaperman to accompany the group and report on the story.
Unknown to anyone else, however, two additional spelunkers will be tagging along, just out of sight: Ada and a man named Quinton, who accidentally discovered Ada’s pastime. They've agreed to keep their presence a secret and just ensure the group's safety. But when one member of the party turns up dead, they have no choice but to reveal themselves. And then the lanterns start to run out of fuel.
Set largely over the course of a single day and almost entirely within the increasingly oppressive and dangerous cave system, RUBY FALLS is a propulsive read. Ada is the central character, but Phillips offers insights into almost everyone else's backstories and motivations…and reveals the many secrets and lies they carry. This isn't just an exciting mystery, though. It also sheds light (so to speak) on the position of women at this time in history, as well as Ada's mixture of regret and excitement at being childless and able to pursue new kinds of passions.
Whether readers listen to RUBY FALLS in the dark or read it with all the lights on, they'll want to carve out some time to explore this rewarding historical mystery.
Reviewed by Norah Piehl
When I learned that RUBY FALLS is set almost entirely underground, I knew I was in for more adrenaline-fueled reading this time around as I am extremely claustrophobic. Despite sharing that page-turning momentum, it is indeed a very different novel from FIERCE KINGDOM. For one thing, it's a mystery set during the Great Depression. And although the specific premise is not based in historical fact, the setting is very much a real place: a 63-foot waterfall located inside a cave near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The book opens with a lightly fictionalized account of the waterfall's accidental discovery in 1928 during an excavation by Leo Lambert, who named the falls after his wife. In Phillips' telling, Ruby's good friend, Ada Smith, accompanies a small group on the first guided visit to see the falls. She's fascinated not only by the falls themselves but by the wonders of underground exploration, a hobby she pursues more frequently after the death of her husband.
Leo's dreams of striking it rich by turning the falls into a tourist attraction fall on hard times. It's not easy to launch a major business venture during a global economic depression. So in 1931, he hatches a new plan for a much-needed boost in buzz. He hires a famous mind reader, Professor Jeremiah Hagathorn, to participate in a publicity stunt. Two neutral participants (a local businessman and a cave guide) will hide a ladies' hat pin somewhere in the cave. Then, the next day, the mystic will use his psychic powers to find it somewhere in the extensive cave system surrounding the falls. Joining Hagathorn, along with the guide and the businessman, will be Hagathorn's wife and his manager. Just to ensure the event captures the headlines, Lambert has enlisted a Chicago newspaperman to accompany the group and report on the story.
Unknown to anyone else, however, two additional spelunkers will be tagging along, just out of sight: Ada and a man named Quinton, who accidentally discovered Ada’s pastime. They've agreed to keep their presence a secret and just ensure the group's safety. But when one member of the party turns up dead, they have no choice but to reveal themselves. And then the lanterns start to run out of fuel.
Set largely over the course of a single day and almost entirely within the increasingly oppressive and dangerous cave system, RUBY FALLS is a propulsive read. Ada is the central character, but Phillips offers insights into almost everyone else's backstories and motivations…and reveals the many secrets and lies they carry. This isn't just an exciting mystery, though. It also sheds light (so to speak) on the position of women at this time in history, as well as Ada's mixture of regret and excitement at being childless and able to pursue new kinds of passions.
Whether readers listen to RUBY FALLS in the dark or read it with all the lights on, they'll want to carve out some time to explore this rewarding historical mystery.
Reviewed by Norah Piehl
March 22, 2026
In 2017, I read Gin Phillips' novel, FIERCE KINGDOM, which was about a woman and her child trying to survive in a zoo during an active shooter situation. I primarily listened to the audiobook while I was training for a long-distance race. Maybe the fact that I was doing my runs in the predawn hours by myself on the edge of town escalated the tension, but it's certain that Phillips' unique premise and suspenseful writing amped up my heart rate even more than it would have been otherwise.
When I learned that RUBY FALLS is set almost entirely underground, I knew I was in for more adrenaline-fueled reading this time around as I am extremely claustrophobic. Despite sharing that page-turning momentum, it is indeed a very different novel from FIERCE KINGDOM. For one thing, it's a mystery set during the Great Depression. And although the specific premise is not based in historical fact, the setting is very much a real place: a 63-foot waterfall located inside a cave near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The book opens with a lightly fictionalized account of the waterfall's accidental discovery in 1928 during an excavation by Leo Lambert, who named the falls after his wife. In Phillips' telling, Ruby's good friend, Ada Smith, accompanies a small group on the first guided visit to see the falls. She's fascinated not only by the falls themselves but by the wonders of underground exploration, a hobby she pursues more frequently after the death of her husband.
Leo's dreams of striking it rich by turning the falls into a tourist attraction fall on hard times. It's not easy to launch a major business venture during a global economic depression. So in 1931, he hatches a new plan for a much-needed boost in buzz. He hires a famous mind reader, Professor Jeremiah Hagathorn, to participate in a publicity stunt. Two neutral participants (a local businessman and a cave guide) will hide a ladies' hat pin somewhere in the cave. Then, the next day, the mystic will use his psychic powers to find it somewhere in the extensive cave system surrounding the falls. Joining Hagathorn, along with the guide and the businessman, will be Hagathorn's wife and his manager. Just to ensure the event captures the headlines, Lambert has enlisted a Chicago newspaperman to accompany the group and report on the story.
Unknown to anyone else, however, two additional spelunkers will be tagging along, just out of sight: Ada and a man named Quinton, who accidentally discovered Ada’s pastime. They've agreed to keep their presence a secret and just ensure the group's safety. But when one member of the party turns up dead, they have no choice but to reveal themselves. And then the lanterns start to run out of fuel.
Set largely over the course of a single day and almost entirely within the increasingly oppressive and dangerous cave system, RUBY FALLS is a propulsive read. Ada is the central character, but Phillips offers insights into almost everyone else's backstories and motivations…and reveals the many secrets and lies they carry. This isn't just an exciting mystery, though. It also sheds light (so to speak) on the position of women at this time in history, as well as Ada's mixture of regret and excitement at being childless and able to pursue new kinds of passions.
Whether readers listen to RUBY FALLS in the dark or read it with all the lights on, they'll want to carve out some time to explore this rewarding historical mystery.
Reviewed by Norah Piehl
When I learned that RUBY FALLS is set almost entirely underground, I knew I was in for more adrenaline-fueled reading this time around as I am extremely claustrophobic. Despite sharing that page-turning momentum, it is indeed a very different novel from FIERCE KINGDOM. For one thing, it's a mystery set during the Great Depression. And although the specific premise is not based in historical fact, the setting is very much a real place: a 63-foot waterfall located inside a cave near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The book opens with a lightly fictionalized account of the waterfall's accidental discovery in 1928 during an excavation by Leo Lambert, who named the falls after his wife. In Phillips' telling, Ruby's good friend, Ada Smith, accompanies a small group on the first guided visit to see the falls. She's fascinated not only by the falls themselves but by the wonders of underground exploration, a hobby she pursues more frequently after the death of her husband.
Leo's dreams of striking it rich by turning the falls into a tourist attraction fall on hard times. It's not easy to launch a major business venture during a global economic depression. So in 1931, he hatches a new plan for a much-needed boost in buzz. He hires a famous mind reader, Professor Jeremiah Hagathorn, to participate in a publicity stunt. Two neutral participants (a local businessman and a cave guide) will hide a ladies' hat pin somewhere in the cave. Then, the next day, the mystic will use his psychic powers to find it somewhere in the extensive cave system surrounding the falls. Joining Hagathorn, along with the guide and the businessman, will be Hagathorn's wife and his manager. Just to ensure the event captures the headlines, Lambert has enlisted a Chicago newspaperman to accompany the group and report on the story.
Unknown to anyone else, however, two additional spelunkers will be tagging along, just out of sight: Ada and a man named Quinton, who accidentally discovered Ada’s pastime. They've agreed to keep their presence a secret and just ensure the group's safety. But when one member of the party turns up dead, they have no choice but to reveal themselves. And then the lanterns start to run out of fuel.
Set largely over the course of a single day and almost entirely within the increasingly oppressive and dangerous cave system, RUBY FALLS is a propulsive read. Ada is the central character, but Phillips offers insights into almost everyone else's backstories and motivations…and reveals the many secrets and lies they carry. This isn't just an exciting mystery, though. It also sheds light (so to speak) on the position of women at this time in history, as well as Ada's mixture of regret and excitement at being childless and able to pursue new kinds of passions.
Whether readers listen to RUBY FALLS in the dark or read it with all the lights on, they'll want to carve out some time to explore this rewarding historical mystery.
Reviewed by Norah Piehl
October 5, 2025
Oh my! I really loved this different, unique, historical locked-room mystery! It is also based on a real place.
Taking place during the Great Depression, Ruby Lambert's husband, Leo, discovers a big waterfall in of Lookout Mountain. This is where they have been mining, and this discovery is unexpected. People come from all over to see it.
Ada Smith is Ruby's best friend. She has lost her husband, and the depression has hit. She begins exploring the caves and tunnels of Lookout Mountain at night when no one is around. While doing this, she meets a worker one night named Quinton. He does not judge or condemn Ada, but instead gives her advice on exploring, and even joins her at times.
The depression affects their town hard, and especially Leo and Ruby. They made a huge investment and turned Ruby Falls into a tourist attraction with a restaurant, tours, and weekend dances. However, to drum up more business, Leo decides to invite Jeremiah Hagathorn to partake in a PR event. Hagathorn is a renowned mind reader. LEo will have 2 of his most trusted people hide a hat key somewhere in the monstrous caves and tunnels. Then a group of people, including the two hiders, a journalist, Hagathorn's wife, and a tour guide, will go down and Hagathorn will have 12 hours to find it. Unbeknownst to the group, Ada and Quinton are hired to follow the group from a distance to keep an eye and provide a safety net.
However, tragedy happens and Ada and Quinton have to get the other explorers out before another death occurs.
This was a claustrophobic, atmospheric mystery. I really liked most of the characters. I really liked the characters, especially Ada and Quinton. They are intelligent and resourceful. Ruby is also very likable. This is more a mystery than a thriller, but there are tense moments and just an overall dark, closed in vibe. IT is very well written and comes together nicely, and I was a little surprised at the reveal- or more for the motivation behind the crime! Well done!
There is a lot of reflection in the characters, that at times made the story drag a bit. And it is told through multiple viewpoints- but I felt this worked for the story. I highly recommend for anyone interested in a mystery with a unique take on the locked room mystery!
I also highly recommend the author's note at the end. I found it very interesting about the history of the falls!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Crime for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Taking place during the Great Depression, Ruby Lambert's husband, Leo, discovers a big waterfall in of Lookout Mountain. This is where they have been mining, and this discovery is unexpected. People come from all over to see it.
Ada Smith is Ruby's best friend. She has lost her husband, and the depression has hit. She begins exploring the caves and tunnels of Lookout Mountain at night when no one is around. While doing this, she meets a worker one night named Quinton. He does not judge or condemn Ada, but instead gives her advice on exploring, and even joins her at times.
The depression affects their town hard, and especially Leo and Ruby. They made a huge investment and turned Ruby Falls into a tourist attraction with a restaurant, tours, and weekend dances. However, to drum up more business, Leo decides to invite Jeremiah Hagathorn to partake in a PR event. Hagathorn is a renowned mind reader. LEo will have 2 of his most trusted people hide a hat key somewhere in the monstrous caves and tunnels. Then a group of people, including the two hiders, a journalist, Hagathorn's wife, and a tour guide, will go down and Hagathorn will have 12 hours to find it. Unbeknownst to the group, Ada and Quinton are hired to follow the group from a distance to keep an eye and provide a safety net.
However, tragedy happens and Ada and Quinton have to get the other explorers out before another death occurs.
This was a claustrophobic, atmospheric mystery. I really liked most of the characters. I really liked the characters, especially Ada and Quinton. They are intelligent and resourceful. Ruby is also very likable. This is more a mystery than a thriller, but there are tense moments and just an overall dark, closed in vibe. IT is very well written and comes together nicely, and I was a little surprised at the reveal- or more for the motivation behind the crime! Well done!
There is a lot of reflection in the characters, that at times made the story drag a bit. And it is told through multiple viewpoints- but I felt this worked for the story. I highly recommend for anyone interested in a mystery with a unique take on the locked room mystery!
I also highly recommend the author's note at the end. I found it very interesting about the history of the falls!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Crime for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
March 6, 2026
Locked Room Mystery More On Women's Fiction End Than Horror End. Growing up at the border of Appalachia and Atlanta, halfway between Chattanooga and Atlanta, I saw the "See Rock City" signs - mostly barns - quite frequently. Have even been out there both on school field trips and with my family, and indeed my youngest brother actually proposed to his now wife on top of Lookout Mountain. In other words, I know the modern version of the mountain - and the caves - fairly well. (Though to be clear, I haven't seen the 2020s era updates.) Thus, you, oh reader of my review, can easily see why a book about the modern origins of the tourist attraction known as Ruby Falls would entice me to read it.
The tale itself is a locked room mystery yet is more women's fiction than horror, though those with any hint of actual claustrophobia are going to find certain scenes here (at minimum) quite difficult to read. Probably even *worse* than *that* scene in Lee Child's Die Trying, the Reacher story that finds even Reacher crawling through a cave at one point. The use of the cave as the "locked room" is done quite excellently, as are the basic cave survival aspects, all in service to the actual story being told.
But we *are* getting a lot more relational drama than the straight up terror from a tale such as Greig Beck's Beneath The Dark Ice, even as a murder mystery unfolds deep underground. This is the Great Depression and this is still the age of people claiming to be clairvoyant... many of whom turn out to be hucksters... but not all. The era when the caves - and the Falls - were first discovered by modern man nearly a century ago as this book is released in March 2026, and we do in fact get to hear about the moment of their discovery as part of this story.
For those looking for a women's fiction tale with a bit more kick, or perhaps a locked room murder mystery a touch more on the relational side than the terror side, this book is going to be pretty close to exactly what you're looking for. Those looking for a more pure survival or horror tale... not so much.
Ultimately though this is truly a great tale of its form that does great service to its real world subject even as it creates a fictional story around the real-world history. For the millions... and millions! (cheap pop!)... who have been to Ruby Falls or who live in the surrounding regions or who enjoy these types of tales, this is absolutely going to be a book you're going to want to pick up.
Very much recommended.
The tale itself is a locked room mystery yet is more women's fiction than horror, though those with any hint of actual claustrophobia are going to find certain scenes here (at minimum) quite difficult to read. Probably even *worse* than *that* scene in Lee Child's Die Trying, the Reacher story that finds even Reacher crawling through a cave at one point. The use of the cave as the "locked room" is done quite excellently, as are the basic cave survival aspects, all in service to the actual story being told.
But we *are* getting a lot more relational drama than the straight up terror from a tale such as Greig Beck's Beneath The Dark Ice, even as a murder mystery unfolds deep underground. This is the Great Depression and this is still the age of people claiming to be clairvoyant... many of whom turn out to be hucksters... but not all. The era when the caves - and the Falls - were first discovered by modern man nearly a century ago as this book is released in March 2026, and we do in fact get to hear about the moment of their discovery as part of this story.
For those looking for a women's fiction tale with a bit more kick, or perhaps a locked room murder mystery a touch more on the relational side than the terror side, this book is going to be pretty close to exactly what you're looking for. Those looking for a more pure survival or horror tale... not so much.
Ultimately though this is truly a great tale of its form that does great service to its real world subject even as it creates a fictional story around the real-world history. For the millions... and millions! (cheap pop!)... who have been to Ruby Falls or who live in the surrounding regions or who enjoy these types of tales, this is absolutely going to be a book you're going to want to pick up.
Very much recommended.
March 23, 2026
I wanted to read "Ruby Falls" by Gin Phillips partly because I grew up near Chattanooga, so the setting immediately caught my attention. I’ve always been fascinated by the history behind it, so I was very curious to see how the author would use the real Ruby Falls in a mystery. It is definitely a good location for one.
The story begins in 1928 when Leo Lambert discovers the stunning underground waterfall deep inside Lookout Mountain and names it Ruby Falls after his wife. The attraction opens just as the Great Depression begins—terrible timing—and the Lamberts are struggling to keep visitors coming.
Most of the story follows Ada, Ruby’s friend, who has secretly been exploring the caves and passageways inside Lookout Mountain at night. Ada quickly became one of my favorite characters. She’s intelligent, curious, and not always inclined to follow the rules—which makes her even more interesting. I also really liked Quinton, one of the guides, who is more of the quiet, dependable type.
Things take an unexpected turn when a famous mind reader arrives with an idea for a publicity stunt: someone will hide a hatpin inside the cave, and he will try to find it using psychic ability. What starts as a strange promotional event soon turns dangerous, and before long there’s a murder deep inside the mountain.
The setting is really the star of this novel. Much of the story takes place underground in near darkness, and Phillips does a fantastic job creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. You can practically feel the tight passages, damp caverns, and limited light as the characters struggle to make their way through the caves.
This is definitely more of a slow-burn mystery than a fast-paced thriller. The early part of the book spends a lot of time on character reflection and development, which made the pacing feel a little slow at times. But once the story shifts fully into the caves and the mystery unfolds, the tension builds nicely.
I also appreciated how the book weaves in themes of the era—life during the early days of the Great Depression, women finding their voices, and the complicated dynamics of a town trying to survive economically.
Overall, Ruby Falls is an atmospheric historical mystery with a fascinating real-life backdrop. If you enjoy stories that combine history, adventure, and a touch of suspense—especially with a unique setting—this one is definitely worth checking out.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.)
The story begins in 1928 when Leo Lambert discovers the stunning underground waterfall deep inside Lookout Mountain and names it Ruby Falls after his wife. The attraction opens just as the Great Depression begins—terrible timing—and the Lamberts are struggling to keep visitors coming.
Most of the story follows Ada, Ruby’s friend, who has secretly been exploring the caves and passageways inside Lookout Mountain at night. Ada quickly became one of my favorite characters. She’s intelligent, curious, and not always inclined to follow the rules—which makes her even more interesting. I also really liked Quinton, one of the guides, who is more of the quiet, dependable type.
Things take an unexpected turn when a famous mind reader arrives with an idea for a publicity stunt: someone will hide a hatpin inside the cave, and he will try to find it using psychic ability. What starts as a strange promotional event soon turns dangerous, and before long there’s a murder deep inside the mountain.
The setting is really the star of this novel. Much of the story takes place underground in near darkness, and Phillips does a fantastic job creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. You can practically feel the tight passages, damp caverns, and limited light as the characters struggle to make their way through the caves.
This is definitely more of a slow-burn mystery than a fast-paced thriller. The early part of the book spends a lot of time on character reflection and development, which made the pacing feel a little slow at times. But once the story shifts fully into the caves and the mystery unfolds, the tension builds nicely.
I also appreciated how the book weaves in themes of the era—life during the early days of the Great Depression, women finding their voices, and the complicated dynamics of a town trying to survive economically.
Overall, Ruby Falls is an atmospheric historical mystery with a fascinating real-life backdrop. If you enjoy stories that combine history, adventure, and a touch of suspense—especially with a unique setting—this one is definitely worth checking out.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.)
April 14, 2026
Full disclosure: I am married to the author, and I’ll get choked up reading a note from her about what to fix our child for breakfast. But I’m also a former English professor, and I know good writing when I see it. 'Ruby Falls' ranks with Ginny’s (as I call her) best two novels so far, 'The Well and the Mine' and 'Fierce Kingdom,' in that all the elements—character, setting, plot, narrative style, ideas—come together organically to create a story you completely inhabit as a reader. 'Ruby Falls' is a gripping murder mystery, for sure: I started reading the first draft before she was quite finished, and by the end I was begging for those final pages that would reveal whodunnit!
But it is way more than that. The historical discovery of Ruby Falls in Chattanooga and the caves in the mountain below the falls where much of that action takes place make for a brilliant setting: alien, beautiful, menacing, and deeply symbolic of human darkness and possibility. The main character, Ada, is a relatable woman in the 1930s South who loses her old life and heroically starts exploring a new one. Everyone I know who has read the book loves Ada. The publicity stunt whereby a famous mind-reader enters the caves with a five companions (and two hidden safety watchers) claiming he can find a hidden hatpin (based loosely on a real-life stunt from a few decades earlier in a South Dakota cave) makes perfect sense for a tourist attraction facing the Great Depression and allows Ginny to explore several more fascinating characters, each of whom at some point seem capable of murder. Events in the cave are continually surprising and build tension and momentum. I’ve read this three times, and I always read the last 150 pages in one go no matter what time I start them. I can’t help it.
I’m biased, duh, but Ginny is the most curious person and the person who finds the most joy in small things I’ve ever known. It comes through in her writing. Her prose is clear as water but poetic as a complex wine. You may not catch your breath or feel your feelings in your throat as often as I do, but if you slow down and appreciate her sentences, you will not regret it.
But it is way more than that. The historical discovery of Ruby Falls in Chattanooga and the caves in the mountain below the falls where much of that action takes place make for a brilliant setting: alien, beautiful, menacing, and deeply symbolic of human darkness and possibility. The main character, Ada, is a relatable woman in the 1930s South who loses her old life and heroically starts exploring a new one. Everyone I know who has read the book loves Ada. The publicity stunt whereby a famous mind-reader enters the caves with a five companions (and two hidden safety watchers) claiming he can find a hidden hatpin (based loosely on a real-life stunt from a few decades earlier in a South Dakota cave) makes perfect sense for a tourist attraction facing the Great Depression and allows Ginny to explore several more fascinating characters, each of whom at some point seem capable of murder. Events in the cave are continually surprising and build tension and momentum. I’ve read this three times, and I always read the last 150 pages in one go no matter what time I start them. I can’t help it.
I’m biased, duh, but Ginny is the most curious person and the person who finds the most joy in small things I’ve ever known. It comes through in her writing. Her prose is clear as water but poetic as a complex wine. You may not catch your breath or feel your feelings in your throat as often as I do, but if you slow down and appreciate her sentences, you will not regret it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nothing will turn a head more than a 150 foot waterfall during the sorrows of the Great Depression.
Gin Phillips creates a journey into the unexpected discovery of an amazing natural wonder located outside Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1928. Phillips is known for her ability to spike tension to a high level as she did in Fierce Kingdom (2017) in which a mother and child are in lock down at a local zoo by an unknown assailant. That one will have you eating chunks of popcorn in a nano second.
Ruby Falls opens with a mother and her children on edge when their husband/father fails to make it home after a long day in the mine. Families have been conditioned to realize the pounding dangers of such an occupation. But finding work during the Great Depression was almost an illusion and any means to just put food on the table was a huge undertaking.
Leo Lambert finally shows up on the doorstep. He's discovered something beyond words. Yes, it's the aforementioned falls which he names after his own wife, Ruby. Ruby's friend, Ada Smith, becomes smitten by the idea of such an adventure. Ada takes it upon herself to climb through those compressed areas to visit the falls. Then Ruby and Leo decide to charge admission for the fascinating sight. It becomes a draw for people to set their eyes upon something amazing instead of dwelling on their own personal dead ends of the Depression.
Phillips stirs things up with the addition of a mind reader who will try to find a hat pin (Yup!) within the cave. Anything to draw more people to this attraction. But it soon becomes obvious that one of them in the group has been murdered. Shades of Agatha Christie! More like a locked cave mystery. Quite the adventure and quite the read.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Grove Atlantic and to the talented Gin Phillips for the opportunity.
Gin Phillips creates a journey into the unexpected discovery of an amazing natural wonder located outside Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1928. Phillips is known for her ability to spike tension to a high level as she did in Fierce Kingdom (2017) in which a mother and child are in lock down at a local zoo by an unknown assailant. That one will have you eating chunks of popcorn in a nano second.
Ruby Falls opens with a mother and her children on edge when their husband/father fails to make it home after a long day in the mine. Families have been conditioned to realize the pounding dangers of such an occupation. But finding work during the Great Depression was almost an illusion and any means to just put food on the table was a huge undertaking.
Leo Lambert finally shows up on the doorstep. He's discovered something beyond words. Yes, it's the aforementioned falls which he names after his own wife, Ruby. Ruby's friend, Ada Smith, becomes smitten by the idea of such an adventure. Ada takes it upon herself to climb through those compressed areas to visit the falls. Then Ruby and Leo decide to charge admission for the fascinating sight. It becomes a draw for people to set their eyes upon something amazing instead of dwelling on their own personal dead ends of the Depression.
Phillips stirs things up with the addition of a mind reader who will try to find a hat pin (Yup!) within the cave. Anything to draw more people to this attraction. But it soon becomes obvious that one of them in the group has been murdered. Shades of Agatha Christie! More like a locked cave mystery. Quite the adventure and quite the read.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Grove Atlantic and to the talented Gin Phillips for the opportunity.
March 15, 2026
My early childhood years were spent in the Deep South and one of my family’s favorite vacation spots was Chattanooga. I loved the trips there and I especially loved touring Ruby Falls. Therefore, I was thrilled to receive this novel from @novelsuspects and @atlanticcrime .
Deep inside Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, lies Ruby Falls, a 150 foot waterfall discovered by Leo Lambert in 1928 and named after his wife Ruby. He builds a “castle” with stone from the excavation and opens it to the public for tours in the hope it will get his family through the Great Depression. and signs advertising it are scattered along highways of the South. This is the inspiration and setting for this novel by Gin Phillips.
The novel centers around Ruby’s friend Ada who has been secretly exploring it. When discovered by one of the guides, she is recommended to Leo to help with a publicity stunt he has planned. Leo has invited a famous psychic to the falls to hunt for a hairpin. What follows is a murder deep within the mountain.
This novel is a combination of historical fiction and a locked room mystery with a little romance added in and I found it highly entertaining. Enshrouded in darkness with only minimum light to lead them through the vast cavern the setting creates an intense feeling of claustrophobia, dread and suspense that greatly appealed to me.
I will say this is a bit of a slow burn, but I didn’t really mind it as I enjoyed the author’s attention to detail and the authentic setting it created. The mystery element was well done and put me in mind of an Agatha Christie whodunnit. This was a unique read that captured a feeling of nostalgia for me that I really appreciated. I’ve included a photo of the castle and the cave and waterfall from a trip down memory lane I took to Chattanooga a few years ago.
Deep inside Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, lies Ruby Falls, a 150 foot waterfall discovered by Leo Lambert in 1928 and named after his wife Ruby. He builds a “castle” with stone from the excavation and opens it to the public for tours in the hope it will get his family through the Great Depression. and signs advertising it are scattered along highways of the South. This is the inspiration and setting for this novel by Gin Phillips.
The novel centers around Ruby’s friend Ada who has been secretly exploring it. When discovered by one of the guides, she is recommended to Leo to help with a publicity stunt he has planned. Leo has invited a famous psychic to the falls to hunt for a hairpin. What follows is a murder deep within the mountain.
This novel is a combination of historical fiction and a locked room mystery with a little romance added in and I found it highly entertaining. Enshrouded in darkness with only minimum light to lead them through the vast cavern the setting creates an intense feeling of claustrophobia, dread and suspense that greatly appealed to me.
I will say this is a bit of a slow burn, but I didn’t really mind it as I enjoyed the author’s attention to detail and the authentic setting it created. The mystery element was well done and put me in mind of an Agatha Christie whodunnit. This was a unique read that captured a feeling of nostalgia for me that I really appreciated. I’ve included a photo of the castle and the cave and waterfall from a trip down memory lane I took to Chattanooga a few years ago.
April 6, 2026
I loved Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips, and can now add Ruby Falls to that list also, firmly putting her on my auto-read list. Ruby Falls is much slower in pace; however, the intensity is just about the same. Blending two of my favorite genres, historical fiction and mystery, this was one that once I got into, I could not stop listening. Cassandra Campbell and Jacques Roy’s narration only enhanced the experience as well. This is inspired by the story of the discovery of Ruby Falls, a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain in Chattanooga.
This takes place almost entirely underground in the caves surrounding the waterfall, and while this was on the slower burn side, it is necessary to set the stage for what will happen, and once the murder occurs underground, the group of five (now four) that are on a publicity stunt to drum up business for the Falls and tour guides Ada and Quinton have to get out before their light runs out. Caves are tricky, people are tricky, especially in situations like these, and I could not get enough of this one; my mind was racing trying to piece it all together as well as try and figure out who was the murderer, were they going to make it out, what else could go wrong (because plenty does), and how much time has passed? Oh, and it was getting quite claustrophobic being in there all of this time.
Phillips did a fantastic job creating the eerie atmosphere, keeping me on my toes, and crafting an intense story that had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I thought the audio was a great way to experience this but was also glad I had the physical copy to follow along with.
Thank you to Atlantic Crime #partner for the gifted copy to review.
This takes place almost entirely underground in the caves surrounding the waterfall, and while this was on the slower burn side, it is necessary to set the stage for what will happen, and once the murder occurs underground, the group of five (now four) that are on a publicity stunt to drum up business for the Falls and tour guides Ada and Quinton have to get out before their light runs out. Caves are tricky, people are tricky, especially in situations like these, and I could not get enough of this one; my mind was racing trying to piece it all together as well as try and figure out who was the murderer, were they going to make it out, what else could go wrong (because plenty does), and how much time has passed? Oh, and it was getting quite claustrophobic being in there all of this time.
Phillips did a fantastic job creating the eerie atmosphere, keeping me on my toes, and crafting an intense story that had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I thought the audio was a great way to experience this but was also glad I had the physical copy to follow along with.
Thank you to Atlantic Crime #partner for the gifted copy to review.
April 10, 2026
Thank you Atlantic Crime, #partner for the advanced copy of Ruby Falls in exchange for my honest review.
I vividly remember the editor telling me about this book and I immediately knew it was right up my alley…and it ticked off ALL the boxes and then some!
Here’s what I loved:
🔦 A locked-room mystery, but set it in a cave!
⛰️ A strong, determined female character that doesn’t let societal norms deter her from doing what she wants
🔦 Historical fiction rooted in actual history…Ruby Falls is a real place — and now I kind of want to go visit it!
⛰️ An incredibly strong sense of time and place–set at the onset of the Depression, there are no cell phones or advanced technology.
🔦 A very tense, claustrophobic atmosphere down in the tunnels of the cave–not knowing if the characters will run out of light while on their adventure amps up the suspense for sure and when one person winds up dead…
I loved every second of my time reading this. There were definitely moments where I had no idea what to expect next — Phillips certainly holds her cards close to the vest on this one. While it does start on the slower side, that’s done with intent to set everything up and allow you to get to know all the players, especially our main gal, Ada. And then things ramp up. I loved that I never once figured out the killer and had suspected everyone at one time. The survival element adds another level of suspense to an already unsettling story and really kept me on my toes.
I highly recommend this one and don’t forget to read the author’s note at the end!
My reviews can also be found on my blog: Always With A Book
I vividly remember the editor telling me about this book and I immediately knew it was right up my alley…and it ticked off ALL the boxes and then some!
Here’s what I loved:
🔦 A locked-room mystery, but set it in a cave!
⛰️ A strong, determined female character that doesn’t let societal norms deter her from doing what she wants
🔦 Historical fiction rooted in actual history…Ruby Falls is a real place — and now I kind of want to go visit it!
⛰️ An incredibly strong sense of time and place–set at the onset of the Depression, there are no cell phones or advanced technology.
🔦 A very tense, claustrophobic atmosphere down in the tunnels of the cave–not knowing if the characters will run out of light while on their adventure amps up the suspense for sure and when one person winds up dead…
I loved every second of my time reading this. There were definitely moments where I had no idea what to expect next — Phillips certainly holds her cards close to the vest on this one. While it does start on the slower side, that’s done with intent to set everything up and allow you to get to know all the players, especially our main gal, Ada. And then things ramp up. I loved that I never once figured out the killer and had suspected everyone at one time. The survival element adds another level of suspense to an already unsettling story and really kept me on my toes.
I highly recommend this one and don’t forget to read the author’s note at the end!
My reviews can also be found on my blog: Always With A Book
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I have been a tremendous fan of Gin Phillips since being riveted by her brilliant 2017 novel, "Fierce Kingdom" -- a magnificent, terrifying novel about a mother and child trapped in a zoo WITH ACTIVE SHOOTERS after dark. Well, I loved "Ruby Falls," her brand new novel, even more. It's Depression-era Tennessee and a psychic is going to find a hairpin hidden somewhere deep in a cave as a publicity stunt to draw attention to the struggling tourist attraction and natural wonder, Ruby Falls: a waterfall 150 underground and its nearby aboveground restaurant. Over the course of a day (and then into the night and the small hours of the morning), six people will traverse those caves, claustrophobic passageways, and slender tunnels, always in the dark, often lost. And watching over them from a distance are two experienced cavers. And since we know from the bats and spiders and millipedes and ants we meet on the first page that at least one of this group is dead -- his corpse is their "banquet" -- the tension is exquisite. We adore mysteries and novels of suspense because we crave dread, and this electrifying novel is a deep dive into an emotion that keeps us glued to a book. But Phillips is also a writer whose characters are as real as our families and neighbors: we see them, we hear them, we get them. Those two cavers watching over the motley crew as best they can in the cramped, frightening darkness, Ada and Quinton? You will be pulling for them every moment you are underground with them. "Ruby Falls" is smart, harrowing, and intense. I loved it.
March 6, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Crime for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Gin Phillips. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!
In 1928, a Chattanooga man disappears down a hole in the ground and discovers a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain that he names Ruby Falls, after his wife. Soon, visitors can buy tickets to see the falls for themselves. A friend of Rub, Ada Smith, has been sneaking into the caves at night, enthralled with the beauty and freedom. But it's the Depression and Ruby Falls is struggling. A famous mind reader and mystic agrees to go into the caverns and attempt to locate a hidden hatpin using only his psychic abilities. He'll be joined by his wife, his manager, a guide, a businessman and a reporter. But Ada and another guide, Quinton, will be following the party at a distance in case they run into trouble. .One of them will be dead before the end of the day.
What a unique locked-room mystery - set almost entirely underground in just one day. It's claustrophobic and full of tension as the group must get back to safety before they completely lose their light. It takes you back to a different time period in the country, with the Depression looming, and women's rights as a theme. It was a bit of a slow burn and for some reason I had trouble keeping the characters straight in my mind, but it was a good, atmospheric thriller based on real life (be sure to read the acknowledgements for more info!)..
In 1928, a Chattanooga man disappears down a hole in the ground and discovers a 150-foot waterfall in the middle of a mountain that he names Ruby Falls, after his wife. Soon, visitors can buy tickets to see the falls for themselves. A friend of Rub, Ada Smith, has been sneaking into the caves at night, enthralled with the beauty and freedom. But it's the Depression and Ruby Falls is struggling. A famous mind reader and mystic agrees to go into the caverns and attempt to locate a hidden hatpin using only his psychic abilities. He'll be joined by his wife, his manager, a guide, a businessman and a reporter. But Ada and another guide, Quinton, will be following the party at a distance in case they run into trouble. .One of them will be dead before the end of the day.
What a unique locked-room mystery - set almost entirely underground in just one day. It's claustrophobic and full of tension as the group must get back to safety before they completely lose their light. It takes you back to a different time period in the country, with the Depression looming, and women's rights as a theme. It was a bit of a slow burn and for some reason I had trouble keeping the characters straight in my mind, but it was a good, atmospheric thriller based on real life (be sure to read the acknowledgements for more info!)..
March 21, 2026
All buildup, no breakthrough, a cave full of atmosphere but short on payoff.
Ruby Falls by Gin Phillips has the kind of setting I’m always drawn to, dark, enclosed, and full of potential for tension. After finishing Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams, a book that left me buzzing with adrenaline, I went searching for another cave‑set thriller to keep that energy going.
While Ruby Falls offers an atmospheric backdrop and an intriguing premise, the thriller element never quite takes off. I never felt that edge‑of‑my‑seat urgency or the claustrophobic tension that usually comes with stories set underground. And when the plot finally started building toward what felt like a major payoff, it ultimately fizzled. There’s a lot of setup, a lot of hinting at something big, but in the end… nothing really happens.
A decent read for the setting alone, but it doesn’t deliver the intensity or the payoff that the premise promises.
In 1928, the discovery of a massive underground waterfall, soon named Ruby Falls, draws national attention. As the Great Depression looms, a publicity stunt is staged to keep the attraction alive: a famous mind reader will descend into the caverns with a small group to perform a psychic feat deep underground. Ada Smith, a young cave guide who feels more alive below the surface than above it, is tasked with shadowing the group from a distance as a safety measure. But when one member of the party turns up dead, Ada must navigate the darkness, the dwindling light, and a killer hidden among them to get everyone back to the surface alive.
Ruby Falls by Gin Phillips has the kind of setting I’m always drawn to, dark, enclosed, and full of potential for tension. After finishing Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams, a book that left me buzzing with adrenaline, I went searching for another cave‑set thriller to keep that energy going.
While Ruby Falls offers an atmospheric backdrop and an intriguing premise, the thriller element never quite takes off. I never felt that edge‑of‑my‑seat urgency or the claustrophobic tension that usually comes with stories set underground. And when the plot finally started building toward what felt like a major payoff, it ultimately fizzled. There’s a lot of setup, a lot of hinting at something big, but in the end… nothing really happens.
A decent read for the setting alone, but it doesn’t deliver the intensity or the payoff that the premise promises.
In 1928, the discovery of a massive underground waterfall, soon named Ruby Falls, draws national attention. As the Great Depression looms, a publicity stunt is staged to keep the attraction alive: a famous mind reader will descend into the caverns with a small group to perform a psychic feat deep underground. Ada Smith, a young cave guide who feels more alive below the surface than above it, is tasked with shadowing the group from a distance as a safety measure. But when one member of the party turns up dead, Ada must navigate the darkness, the dwindling light, and a killer hidden among them to get everyone back to the surface alive.
November 29, 2025
Growing up in Tennessee, I have seen the billboards along highways and interstates for Ruby Falls my entire life. I have even visited there on more than one occasion as a child. So, when I saw there was a murder mystery that takes place right here in my own backyard...sign me up!
We are in the late 1920s, and Ruby Falls is not as fully developed as it is now. We join in progress a situation that involves caves. There isa lot of backstory of the protagonist in the first part of the book. It allows for a lot of depth of character for later.
We do find ourselves with a group that is going deep into the caves. This part of the story has strong Agatha Christie vibes, and I am all for it. When they find themselves in peril, a body turns up. Now, not only are they trying to survive, but they know the killer is one of their own and must find out who it is. If they survive nature, a huge “IF”, they may not survive the killer.
There was only one part of the story that didn’t connect with me and that was a part of sexual tension. I see where it could fit in the protagonist’s story, but it just didn’t seem to fit the rest of the novel.
Check out “Ruby Falls”, the novel. Well, while we are at it, why don’t y’all come on down to Tennessee and visit Ruby Falls. Enjoy some sweet tea. Sit a spell on my front porch. We will talk about books.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
We are in the late 1920s, and Ruby Falls is not as fully developed as it is now. We join in progress a situation that involves caves. There isa lot of backstory of the protagonist in the first part of the book. It allows for a lot of depth of character for later.
We do find ourselves with a group that is going deep into the caves. This part of the story has strong Agatha Christie vibes, and I am all for it. When they find themselves in peril, a body turns up. Now, not only are they trying to survive, but they know the killer is one of their own and must find out who it is. If they survive nature, a huge “IF”, they may not survive the killer.
There was only one part of the story that didn’t connect with me and that was a part of sexual tension. I see where it could fit in the protagonist’s story, but it just didn’t seem to fit the rest of the novel.
Check out “Ruby Falls”, the novel. Well, while we are at it, why don’t y’all come on down to Tennessee and visit Ruby Falls. Enjoy some sweet tea. Sit a spell on my front porch. We will talk about books.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you @novelsuspects @atlanticcrime for my #gifted copy of Ruby Falls!
Sometimes, I see "historical mystery" and I worry that it will be too cozy for me.
Ruby Falls is anything but cozy. Tense, claustrophobic, riveting. With a real sense of danger as the characters' water and lights run out, stuck underground with a possible murderer.
Ada is a 40something widow during the Great Depression in Chattanooga. When her friend's husband Leo discovers an underground waterfall and makes it into a tourist attraction, Ada reclaims a bit of something for herself when she starts exploring it after hours. She continues to explore even after being discovered by fellow caver Quinton.
Leo invites a mind reader to find a hatpin in the caverns, a PR ploy as restaurants close and bread lines grow. Quinton and Ada follow behind the motley search party as a safety net, just in case trouble arises. And it certainly does.
Ada is a force to be reckoned with. She's spent her life as a daughter and wife and is worried she will now fade into oblivion. She wants to forge her own path. An astute observer of people, the "crooks and crevices" inside all of us that echo the caves.
The first part of the novel sets the stage, introducing us to the characters and the terrifying beauty of the caves. But once the clock starts ticking to finding that pin, the story grabs you and doesn't let go until the end.
This is in no way a romance. But also? I loved the romance angle. 4.5 stars
Sometimes, I see "historical mystery" and I worry that it will be too cozy for me.
Ruby Falls is anything but cozy. Tense, claustrophobic, riveting. With a real sense of danger as the characters' water and lights run out, stuck underground with a possible murderer.
Ada is a 40something widow during the Great Depression in Chattanooga. When her friend's husband Leo discovers an underground waterfall and makes it into a tourist attraction, Ada reclaims a bit of something for herself when she starts exploring it after hours. She continues to explore even after being discovered by fellow caver Quinton.
Leo invites a mind reader to find a hatpin in the caverns, a PR ploy as restaurants close and bread lines grow. Quinton and Ada follow behind the motley search party as a safety net, just in case trouble arises. And it certainly does.
Ada is a force to be reckoned with. She's spent her life as a daughter and wife and is worried she will now fade into oblivion. She wants to forge her own path. An astute observer of people, the "crooks and crevices" inside all of us that echo the caves.
The first part of the novel sets the stage, introducing us to the characters and the terrifying beauty of the caves. But once the clock starts ticking to finding that pin, the story grabs you and doesn't let go until the end.
This is in no way a romance. But also? I loved the romance angle. 4.5 stars
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