The First Time I Fell

Garnet McGee #2

by Jo Macgregor

This is the second book in the Garnet McGee series but can be read as a standalone novel.

Living on the edge can be murder.

Garnet McGee returns to her small Vermont hometown, all set to finish her master’s thesis in psychology, and convinced that the paranormal experiences of recent months are now behind her. Then she stumbles across a body in the strangest of places, and starts getting unsettling visions of the woman’s life and death.

Local police assume it was suicide, but Garnet is sure it was murder.

Egged on by her eccentric mother, Garnet starts investigating. Police Chief Ryan Jackson is intrigued by the “readings” she gets about the case, but others are determined to stop her amateur sleuthing. Meanwhile some inexplicably strange things are happening at home.

Garnet is determined to find out who killed the beautiful woman loved by so many, but that will mean taking the leap into trusting not only others, but also her own growing psychic abilities. Yet every vision puts her in greater danger. As she gets close to discovering the truth, Garnet realizes that the killer will do whatever it takes to keep the truth hidden.

Even if that means killing again.

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Thriller, Fiction, Supernatural

333 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2019

About the author

When not writing, Jo Macgregor is a counselling psychologist in private practice in South Africa. She works mainly with victims of crime and trauma, and brings her twenty years of experience as a therapist to her writing, creating deeper characters and realistic psychological scenarios.

She started her professional life as a high school English teacher and writes young adult fiction under the name Joanne Macgregor. Her psychological non-fiction (self help) is published under the name J. Macgregor.

She writes intelligent novels with all the feels and a twist of humor - fiction for your head, heart and funny bone!

Reviews

[Marguerite (M) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garnet is back in her hometown to dog sit a couple of beagles. And on one of their walks one day, one of the hunting puppies leads her to a body.

Garnet is not very happy to be back to the town that wants nothing to do with her, to have to deal with her mother, to finish her thesis, and even more, to be dragged into yet another investigation because her abilities didn't disappear after Coby's murder was solved.
But while she doesn't like what is happening to her and hates being told she is somewhat psychic now, she is kind of nosy and driven by a sense of justice she didn't know she had. Now if only Ryan Jackson would take her seriously...

I read both first books in a row so you wouldn't be surprised if I said I really enjoyed this series.
Because I really do.
In this second installment, I felt more kinship towards Garnet. She is still far from my favorite heroine, but I can't help but be sad for the girl. She is so lost in life and so hung up on Colby I have trouble seeing her find any kind of happiness. Colby was the love of her life because his death stopped in time her feelings of first love... but I'm also not so sure he is ready to let her go either.

The investigation was solid, Garnet was doing the job of everyone. I was seriously impressed at her interrogation skills -even a bit too much- but it made the mystery advance nicely.
And after reading the epilogue, I am particularly excited to read the next book. Garnet doesn't want to be a psychologist anymore, but her mom is right, psychic detective does have a nice tone to it.

> Still no romance (but someone is obviously interested)
> No cliffhanger but an open ending that sets up the next book, and possibly the whole series if more books are planned

Trigger warning:
Stalkery issues and creepy clown figurines.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garnet is a feisty trouble magnet, but it isn’t all her fault, she has a “gift” and the dead have an unusual and quirky advocate on their side, especially if they were murdered.

When Garnet heads back to her hometown, a place where she experienced the paranormal up close and very personally, she never expected to get caught up in the mysterious death of a local woman, until she found the body and her visions began all over again. What could she do but investigate on her own when the police are convinced it is suicide?

Jo Macgregor has brought Garnet back, bigger, better and more in tune with what she would rather ignore. With a brilliantly diverse cast of characters, Garnet is the gem that pulls this story together with her unconventional sleuthing abilities and the “sort of” support of the local police chief.

THE FIRST TIME I FELL is “that” twisted rollercoaster ride of a mystery that has funny moments, heartwarming moments and some creepily eerie moments all packed into a fabulous read that flies by, page after page!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Jo Macgregor! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Series: Garnet McGee - Book 2
Publication Date: August 23, 2019
Publisher: Jo Macgregor
Genre: Suspense | Paranormal
Print Length: 366 pages
Available from: Amazon
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[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored The First Time I Died, Jo Macgregor’s first Garnet McGee book, and was desperate to dive into the second book. Book one blended thriller with paranormal beautifully, and I was eager for more of the same.

With The First Time I Fell, we have a wonderful second Garnet McGee story. I’ll be honest and say the mystery side of the story was leaning more towards cosy than the first book, but this did not lessen my enjoyment of the story. In fact, with the mystery element being more of the cosy variety, the paranormal aspect of the story grew stronger.

I’m a big fan of the way paranormal elements grow in stories, and I loved the way this one was dealt with. I loved the way the characters approached dealing with the paranormal elements, along with enjoying the details that came about. Although we were given more detail, we were also left with more questions we want answering. My fingers are crossed the future books will continue to dig into the paranormal, helping us to understand how it works.

As for the mystery, there is also more I want there. An element that was introduced in the first book was brought back in this one, which was unexpected but loved. I adored the way it was creating a much bigger picture, and that it will be continued in the future. This additional element added so much to the story, leaving me desperate for more details. Don’t worry, though, it did not take away from the main mystery in this one. The mystery keeps you hooked, curious to see how everything will come together and in need of the truth.

All in all, I adored this. I devoured it in a single sitting as I could not get enough, and I’m now desperate for the third book as I want to find out what happens next.

Without a doubt, this is a series that needs more readers.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review to Book #1, The First Time I Died, HERE: https://www.facebook.com/EyesOpenRevi...

I love when you read sequels that match the voice and the pace of previous books in the series. Sequels like that make the series so easy to return to.

As I said in my review of Book #1, this is such a refreshing series in the mystery genre. If you’re sick of cop/detective mysteries with a cookie cutter format, I think The First Time I Died and The First Time I Fell could be exactly what you’re looking for... with a paranormal twist.

This book sort of gives me JonBenèt Ramsey vibes. That... might be kind of terrible to say? But what I mean by that is, had JonBenèt grown up and been killed as an adult rather than as a small child, I could definitely see connections with the beauty pageant world as they are in this book. I don’t know why, but this whole story just kind of gave me vibes surrounding that whole mystery, and honestly if the author came out and said that’s partly what inspired this work, I would not be surprised in the slightest.

Beauty pageants aside, I’d, honestly, forgotten how much I missed these characters. Though Colby and the time-period jumping were not present so much in this book, Garnet and the rest of her acquaintances — especially her mother and Ryan Jackson — read just as I remember them. And, as with Book #1, I love that Garnet’s mother kind of broke some of the serious murder-y tension just by being her eccentric self. She’s such a fun character and I love that she was included in with this book too, lol.

This series, just, as a whole, is so refreshing. I mean, I know that the summary says that this book could be read as a stand-alone, but I would *definitely* recommend going back and reading the first book first. There are just... so many references to plots and characters from the first book that I feel like, to get the “full” experience, it’s a whole lot more entertaining to read it all from the very beginning. As I briefly mentioned above, this whole series has a paranormal subplot that gives the mysteries themselves an added boost, and the first book goes into all of that. The whole series, so far, is just so fun (is that... weird to say about murder mysteries?) and entertaining and I absolutely love all of its little quirks.

Honestly, I was going to give this book 4 Stars, but I think I just talked myself into a 5 Star rating instead.

Overall, as if you couldn’t tell, I definitely recommend this series! It might just be among my favorite Adult-audience mystery series, and all of the characters are just so... likable. (Except for, y’know, the... murderers). As with the first book, this is a mystery that keeps you guessing, there’s absolutely nothing predictable about it, and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a refreshing mystery read!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb Garnet McGee mystery!
I know it sounds pretentious but I had a strong suspicion what had happened from the beginning. But still, there were many plausible suspects, side tracks and doubts strewn along the way.
I also loved to see Garnet exploring her supernatural side and how she's using her scientific background. There are always two sides of a coin!
Let's hope she can solve the big evil mystery that lingers there since book 1, just how many more murders can happen in a small town? But beside all the strange things happening, there is still space for witty, funny comments and slightly comical moments.

I'd loved to see this showing on a big screen or aired on TV, it would totally work, so Attention, producers, this is totally screen material!

If you love intelligent, solid mysteries with a hint of supernatural and a waft of humor than this is a must read for you!

[Diane Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all the best murder mysteries, part of the fun of reading this novel is trying to work out who the murderer is, assuming that Garnet McGee, our narrator, is right in thinking that she has stumbled on a murder and not a suicide. I loved the idea that some of the many clues and hints are based on Garnet's new-found psychic powers, which she is not altogether confident with, so may not be reliable. It is very easy to relate to Garnet and want her to believe in herself and solve the mystery at the same time. There are a number of twists and turns and surprises and the author very cleverly keeps us guessing to the end.

[Frieda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the deeper intensity of the second book, how Garnet has grown in herself too. I liked how the physiological things are explained, because we really don't all know everything, and that I could see things I do in Garnet. The story is so interwoven I didn't see it coming.

[Mercedes Yardley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, and the issues I had with the first book (unlikable characters, especially the protagonist) fell away in this one. I enjoyed the story, the infusions of paranormal, and the mystery. I'm excited to read the third book.

[Nikki Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yippee - another cracking read from Jo MacGregor this one took but minutes to read and was as enjoyable as the first in what, one hopes, is going to be a remarkable series.
Garnet is still feisty and fighting her gifts; Mrs McGee is still malapropping like mad and endearingly cuckoo; Ryan is still delectable and the plots remain intriguing, as do the numerous sub-plots. Enjoyable Vermont romp, let’s hope Garnet never returns to Boston and sanity, eh?

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of this book for reviewing.

I was excited to read to this book as I thoroughly enjoyed Garnet’s escapades in The First Time I Died, and this book did not disappoint.

Our protagonist, Garnet, a 28 year old Psychology major, with psychic abilities, that she’s none too keen to have, initially anyhow, is a likeable and real character. Returning to her hometown area to house and dog sit, with the intention of writing her thesis for her Masters, she gets embroiled in the death of one the residents. Suspecting foul play and not suicide, she starts to investigate, much to chagrin of the police, we follow Garnet as she navigates her new abilities, with the aid of her ever kooky mother, a potential love life, the daily escapades of dog sitting, the ghost of Colby, and a potentially haunted house.

A very well written book, with humour, angst, suspense, and with a twist of Psychology, it’s written in a way that keeps you guessing right up to Garnet’s confrontation, and with that ending, I am eagerly awaiting book 3.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Jo Macgregor featuring Garnet McGee. In this second book in the series, Garnet moves back to her hometown for a month to finish her thesis for her master's degree. Her parents set up a house and dog sitting job for her during her stay in town. While on a walk with the dogs, she discovers a body in the quarry and the dogs uncover bones buried years before. When she accidentally touches the body she has visions suggesting that the woman was pushed into the quarry. Garnet struggles to figure out what her visions mean and how to use her psychic abilities. The book richly describes the people and environment which takes the reader into the town of Pitchford. Garnet's relationship with her mother provides lots of humorous moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in two days. Can't wait for the next Garnet adventure!

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I procrastinated on reading book 2 in the series because I practically inhaled the last one and I was trying to apply delayed gratification. Starting at 8pm mid week is not a good idea. About halfway, I had my kindle prised from my fingers otherwise, this book might have suffered the same fate as Book 1.
Garnet McGhee does not go quietly into any night yet I always felt there was balance in her character. I'm so over authors who try to over-manipulate readers emotions. I want a good read with some tension, unsure 'whodunnit' to the end and good character development. I love the theme of a psychology student developing psychic powers too. The possibilities for Garnet going forward will keep me coming back for more.
Jo Macgregor is a skilful writer who weaves a subtle web of intrigue with a great cast of characters. I highly recommend this book and the series.

[Karen Szabo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy murder mysteries. This one is well written and continues the great story telling from the first book. I like the way Jo Macgregor writes, keeping you interested as the story unfolds and wondering what will happen next. I feel like I step inside the book and live the story with Garnet who has come to live in my head or am I living in hers? It was nice to come across new words and I could understand their meaning from the context and character explanation. I recommend reading The First Time I Died before reading this, because it adds some background but you will enjoy this even if you don’t. Garnet’s comments in the Epilogue hint of the next book’s story and I can hardly wait. Jo’s new releases will always be put at the top of my ‘To Be Read’ list!

[Cyndi Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garnet is at it again! In the last book, she found out that she had psychic powers and connections with her dead boyfriend. In this book she finds that her powers go deeper than she ever expected. She unwillingly accepts a job as "psychic detective" at her mother's insistence on an attempt to solve a possible murder, and the secrets she uncovers lead to more questions than answers.. Add to her persistent discomfort at the home she is staying at, and her increasing doubt in her abilities and guilt to how she is affecting those around her, and Garnet slowly feels her grip on reality slipping.
Phenomenal book! Full of suspense, mystery, and sassy independence! Loved this, can't wait to read the next book!

[Jenny Beuerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend

I loved the continuing adventure of Garnet McGee's story - how she is dealing with her new found psychic abilities since The First Time I died. Garnering a likeable character and watching her deal with the new facets of her life - to continue in school, is she psychic, what are those mice doing- has a familiarity to anyone who wasn't sure about their lives (aside from the psychic abilities). I enjoyed the slight mystic aspects of the mysterious tale. I loved the book and highly recommend. Also, I had to go out and buy rat traps cuz I keep hearing weird noises in the ceiling since reading this book.

[Lisa P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picks up a few months later from book 1. Garnet gets roped into taking a job back in her hometown and comes across some new people, some familiar, and of course her parents. I love how this story progresses. There are several laugh out loud moments, great one liners, unusual situations, eccentric behaviors from a few characters including Garnet’s mom, and just for fun, creepy porcelain figurines. As Garnet works her way through solving this mystery there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing who is guilty. You’ll want to read this in one sitting.

[Siobhan]

Wow! What a great sequel!

If I thought number 1 was great, let me tell you, the sequel was just as good. I hope there will be a third instalment.

What I enjoy most about this series is that it's like an adult version of Nancy Drew with a "woo woo" kick to it. I love the paranormal bits to these books.

I find them so enjoyable that when I start it, I'm guaranteed to finish in 2 or 3 days because I'm always looking for gaps to find out what's going on in the story.

Jo! You did it again and I loved it!

[Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute thrill. I absolutely adore the character Garnet McGee and thoroughly enjoyed her character development, which sets this up to be a fabulous series of paranormal detective work with plenty of room to grow and explore.  I'm already anxiously awaiting the next book!  I truly hope the romance continues, and that Colby doesn't prevent Garnet from having future love interests, especially with Chief Ryan!

[Trudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The First Time I Died, I just had to read the next book. (a day later btw).
Brilliant, intense and page turning to the end!
With her psychic powers evolving, and Garnet trying to combine her logic thinking with her psychic gift, it is truly remarkable how these conflicting views blend to solve a murder. It is well written and the characters are believable and real, warts and all. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Donna Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Time I Fell

I’m not sure what the title is supposed to be or represent, all I know is that this was a really great book. I couldn’t wait to see the ending but yet I didn’t want the book to end too soon. It ended too soon…that’s what happens when you binge read lol. If you haven’t read the first book, “The First Time I Died”, do that and then read this one. You will not regret either one.

[Whisper Eardley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... just wow. That’s all I really have to say about this book. Garnet is starting to come to terms with her “powers” and much more of her character has developed in this book. This book is full of twists and turns, leaving you on the edge of your seat wanting AND needing more when you come to the end. I loved it!!

[Joni Janice Mielke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way the main protagonist has come into her own in this sequel to The First Time I Died. The characters are unflinchingly human, warts and all, and can are brought to life in the mind's eye as you read. I greatly enjoyed this aspect of the book, I.e. the un-candycoated realism with a touch of magic that reminds the reader of what makes books special. I look forward to book 3!

[samgoesdownhill · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book finished in 2021. Gotta say it was a good way to start the year. I really love Garnet's personality and the way this series plays with the supernatural side of things. I'm excited to read the next book in the series, regarding The Button Man 😯

[Debbie Carnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 of Garnet McGee's story. I loved book 1 and this was just as wonderful as the first. I truly hope there will be many more books to follow

[Michele A. Bordieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!
It was quick to get into the story and kept the it going at a good pace.
I’m going to start her next in the series, The First Time I Hunted next!😊

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real page turner

Good mystery story that I wasn’t able to figure out ahead of time. Easy to read with several laugh out loud moments. Thanks!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo Macgregor’s The First Time I Fell is the second of the Garnet McGee series of a psychology student who has a knack for landing in the middle of a mystery. In this second outing, Garnet is back in Pitchford, Vermont three months later to babysit a neighbor’s house. While out on a walk, she finds the body of a young woman and receives visions of what occurred, telling her the fallen woman was murdered despite all evidence pointing to suicide.

The story takes surprising twists and turns, has multiple interesting subplots, and ultimately arrives at an exciting climax. This novel, like the first, was well-researched, and details which seem unconnected to the plot become relevant at the end. A technical mystery lives and dies by its research and its ability to convey to the reader its details in common language. This novel does a great job of doing just that.

Macgregor’s writing here is as skillful as in the first novel. The author does a great job bringing winter in Vermont alive. Overall, the second book in this series succeeds at a level equal to or exceeding the first novel.

[Dawn Merriman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Garnet McGee series is so good! Fun and intriguing.

[Nadia Debowska-Stephens (Obsessed by Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’d already taken a few steps down the path when I turned back. “Hey Ryan, that woman’s death—could it have been murder?” His brow creased. “Why would you think that?” “Just ... just a feeling.” Yeah, a feeling of being pushed.”

A near death experience has left Garnet with something extra and in her second outing she’s exploring exactly what that might mean. Recognising she is now different to how she was before she died, Garnet has been floating along not sure which direction to take. Returning to her home town to house/dog sit to try and figure out her next steps, she literally stumbles across her next mystery. Can she embrace her otherness to help solve a crime that no one else believes took place or will she not be able to convince everyone that she is getting help from beyond the grave?

The First Time I Fell carries on from book one and Garnet is a little more open and receptive to her new status quo. Things go bump in the night and she tries to move on with her life embracing the paranormal stuff as her new normal. Unable to fully let go of her first love, is she haunted by him or haunted by his memory and her longing for a love cut too short? They will they won’t they tension between herself and Ryan continues to thrum like an electric current throughout the story whilst they try to figure out the truth... was it an accidental death or murder? I once again loved the mystery and intrigue with the subtly of the other side and the paranormal help. Her mum once again stole the show and provided the story with a little light and levity. I truly love this series and can’t wait to read more of her adventures.

A five star just a feeling read.

~*~ Reviewed on the Behalf of Obsessed by Books ~*~

[Kristina crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waiting for another! Keep Garner going!

More! not ready to give up on this series yet please continue her journey! What career path will she choose?