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Elliott Smith #3
Caesar's Fall
With a new building to restore and his relationship with Steve growing more serious, the last thing Elliott needs is someone else's problem, but when lottery millionaire Bruno Caesar moves into his building he can't just ignore the man's pleas for help. Then Bruno's life comes to an abrupt end when he falls from his balcony. There's only one problem-he was terrified of heights...and never went onto the balcony.
Bruno can't rest until the puzzle of his sudden death is solved, and Elliott and John are once again searching for answers.
Bruno can't rest until the puzzle of his sudden death is solved, and Elliott and John are once again searching for answers.
248 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2010
3 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Dorien Grey
36 books127 followersIf it is possible to have a split personality without being schizophrenic, Dorien Grey qualifies. When long-time book and magazine editor Roger Margason chose the pseudonym “Dorien Grey” for his first book, it set off a chain of circumstances which has led to the comfortable division of labor and responsibility. Roger has charge of day-to-day existence, freeing Dorien—with the help of Roger’s fingers—to write. It has reached the point where Roger merely sits back and reads the stories Dorien brings forth on the computer screen.
It’s not as though Roger has not had an uninteresting life of his own. Two years into college, he left to join the Naval Aviation Cadet program. Washing out after a year, he spent the rest of his brief military career on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean at the height of the cold war. The journal he kept of his time in the military, in the form of letters home, honed his writing skills and provided him with a wealth of experiences to draw from in his future writing. These letters will be appearing in book form shortly.
Returning to Northern Illinois University after service, he graduated with a B.A. in English, and embarked on a series of jobs which worked him into the editing field. While working for a Los Angeles publishing house, he was instrumental in establishing a division exclusively for the publication of gay paperbacks and magazines, of which he became editor. He moved on to edit a leading L.A. based international gay men's magazine.
Tiring of earthquakes, brush fires, mud slides, and riots, he returned to the Midwest, where Dorien emerged, full-blown, like Venus from the sea. They’ve been inseparable (and interchangeable) ever since.
He . . . and Dorien of course…moved back to Chicago in 2006, where they now devote full time to writing. After having published fourteen books in the popular Dick Hardesty Mystery series, four books in the Elliott Smith (paranormal) Mystery series, and the stand-alone western/romance/adventure novel, Calico, he is busily at work on yet another Dick Hardesty mystery.
But for a greater insight into the "real person" behind Dorien Grey, the curious are invited to check out his website (http://www.doriengrey.com), where you can read the first chapter of any or all of his books for free, and his various blogs: Dorien Grey and Me (http://www.doriengreyandme.com) and A Life in Photos (http://www.doriengreyphotolife.blogsp...) among them.
Dorien passed away on November 1, 2015.
It’s not as though Roger has not had an uninteresting life of his own. Two years into college, he left to join the Naval Aviation Cadet program. Washing out after a year, he spent the rest of his brief military career on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean at the height of the cold war. The journal he kept of his time in the military, in the form of letters home, honed his writing skills and provided him with a wealth of experiences to draw from in his future writing. These letters will be appearing in book form shortly.
Returning to Northern Illinois University after service, he graduated with a B.A. in English, and embarked on a series of jobs which worked him into the editing field. While working for a Los Angeles publishing house, he was instrumental in establishing a division exclusively for the publication of gay paperbacks and magazines, of which he became editor. He moved on to edit a leading L.A. based international gay men's magazine.
Tiring of earthquakes, brush fires, mud slides, and riots, he returned to the Midwest, where Dorien emerged, full-blown, like Venus from the sea. They’ve been inseparable (and interchangeable) ever since.
He . . . and Dorien of course…moved back to Chicago in 2006, where they now devote full time to writing. After having published fourteen books in the popular Dick Hardesty Mystery series, four books in the Elliott Smith (paranormal) Mystery series, and the stand-alone western/romance/adventure novel, Calico, he is busily at work on yet another Dick Hardesty mystery.
But for a greater insight into the "real person" behind Dorien Grey, the curious are invited to check out his website (http://www.doriengrey.com), where you can read the first chapter of any or all of his books for free, and his various blogs: Dorien Grey and Me (http://www.doriengreyandme.com) and A Life in Photos (http://www.doriengreyphotolife.blogsp...) among them.
Dorien passed away on November 1, 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 17, 2011
The blurb gave away the plot of the story, so I’m off the hook. I don’t even have to tease you and withhold it from you. Now that almost made my job too easy. I said almost.
Caesar’s Fall, to have been such a simple, delightful mystery, is a dilemma for this reviewer to…well, review. Every page unfolded some new level of the wow factor, and it became difficult to keep track of all the delicious points of this delicious story.
I chose this book to read because I was intrigued by the title and the plot, although I knew it was a Book No. 3 in the Elliott Smith Mystery Series. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and now intend to start at the beginning of the series to know their origins, but the book did stand alone beautifully.
But gather around, my friends, and I’ll tell you the facet of this story that rang this gal’s bells: the ghost factor. Yes, ghost. Before you conjure images of Vincent Price—don’t. The ethereal being of this story is John, a very personable being who speaks to our hero Elliott Smith from the other side.
This ingredient of the story is genius on Grey’s part. It exhibits one of THE most interesting concepts in the way communication from the other side might be conducted—not only from the dead to the living, but between those already on the other side. I don’t know if Grey concocted these theories himself or had studied the subject; but, whatever he DID do resulted in one of the most fascinating features of the book.
In this particular case, the ghost, John, spends a good deal of the story connecting with Bruno Caesar, who has very recently crossed to his side. You see, Bruno—who I truly grew to adore—is very unhappy on the other side because he does not know who murdered him. THAT, to me, was a refreshing switch from the usual ghost stories where the ghost sets out to avenge his death with his killer. Poor, tortured Bruno is alone, afraid, confused and extremely frustrated, trying to work through John via Elliott to find his killer among the living. Lovable Bruno is not even asking for revenge, he just wants to know who killed him. I had the most uneasy feeling in my gut, knowing through Bruno just how incomplete one who met such a death would feel to never know their…well, their murderer.
Grey portrayed Bruno’s frustration in the after life to perfection—all without even allowing the reader to SEE Bruno after his ‘fall’—but by letting us listen in on John’s revelations to Elliott. Another touch of genius on Grey’s part, to draw the reader so intimately into these emotions via telekinetic conversation.
One thing I garnered from this story, too, was that being rich—especially suddenly—might not be all it’s cracked up to be. It attracts unsavory elements, the proverbial friends out of the woodwork, and seems to make it impossible to ever really know who’s sincere and who’s after moolah. Bruno’s plight in this scenario broke my heart, as he was such a normal guy, so likeable, and so taken advantage of.
My heart hurt for him. And it also brought a mixture of anticipation/dread to this reader, knowing Bruno’s fate ahead of time, and trying desperately NOT to like him so much so that it would not be so painful when his time came. Another point for the author, to have created such an endearing character. Yes, yes, a point off to Grey for killing him, but…oh, well.
Speaking of characters. In most books, I dive straight into the characters, they are my main focus. I always, always find myself relating to them, knowing someone just like them, or connecting with them on my own levels of personal experiences.
Well, in Caesar’s Fall, I found myself—now get this—wanting to BE the character. Yes! I wanted to be Elliott Smith! Or wait. Did I want to be Steve, so I could be Elliott’s boyfriend? They were both so damn wonderful.
I enjoyed Elliott! Smart, savvy, pretty well-off architect. He has a cool, good-looking boyfriend name Steve. And in almost every chapter, Elliott and Steve are just hanging out, eating, having drinks before dinner, doing normal, every day things; and I found myself wanting to be right in the big middle of them, hanging out with them.
One of the characteristics of Elliott that I related to strongly was the fact that he is financially better off than his boyfriend Steve. And I can’t think of many real lives where this does not occur in relationships from time to time. Elliott is so very careful of this difference, always letting Steve carry his own weight financially in the relationship.
When Elliott renovates an historic building in order to transform it into an art gallery and upstairs apartment for Steve, he is extremely aware of Steve’s reluctance for a ‘hand-out’, and the whole business is handled so tactfully. I loved this element, a normal everyday thing again, but an opportunity to add beautiful depth to these two wonderful men.
And Elliott has that very real-life type sister who calls him and pesters him to move forward with his relationship with Steve. I loved her, as we all have a Cessy in our lives, and we adore them.
Oh, and I almost neglected to mention Old Spice. The author utilized the famous men’s fragrance in a very unique way throughout the story.
I hated to see this book end. I hope, hope, hope that—if there ever is a fourth entry to the series—that Bruno gets to come back. I liked him so much, and every time I think about the story, I get a pang of something for him. As though he had been a real person.
The ending was a surprise because…well, never mind. Can’t tell you. All I CAN tell you is that it just…ended. Bruno’s killer was identified. But the ending was very much true-to-real-life. No shockers, just a nice, satisfying end.
I never lie and say that I cried at an ending if I really did not; so, that being said, I’ll tell you I cried a sweet cry at the end of this book, I was THAT sad to see my new friends—Elliott, Steve, John, Bruno, and many more—quietly close the door on their story.
So, I urge you to grab a copy of Caesar’s Fall. And…well…if you DO, will you please tell John to tell Elliott…or, hold on…would you tell Elliott to tell John…that Ms. C. Zampa said hello?
Caesar’s Fall, to have been such a simple, delightful mystery, is a dilemma for this reviewer to…well, review. Every page unfolded some new level of the wow factor, and it became difficult to keep track of all the delicious points of this delicious story.
I chose this book to read because I was intrigued by the title and the plot, although I knew it was a Book No. 3 in the Elliott Smith Mystery Series. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and now intend to start at the beginning of the series to know their origins, but the book did stand alone beautifully.
But gather around, my friends, and I’ll tell you the facet of this story that rang this gal’s bells: the ghost factor. Yes, ghost. Before you conjure images of Vincent Price—don’t. The ethereal being of this story is John, a very personable being who speaks to our hero Elliott Smith from the other side.
This ingredient of the story is genius on Grey’s part. It exhibits one of THE most interesting concepts in the way communication from the other side might be conducted—not only from the dead to the living, but between those already on the other side. I don’t know if Grey concocted these theories himself or had studied the subject; but, whatever he DID do resulted in one of the most fascinating features of the book.
In this particular case, the ghost, John, spends a good deal of the story connecting with Bruno Caesar, who has very recently crossed to his side. You see, Bruno—who I truly grew to adore—is very unhappy on the other side because he does not know who murdered him. THAT, to me, was a refreshing switch from the usual ghost stories where the ghost sets out to avenge his death with his killer. Poor, tortured Bruno is alone, afraid, confused and extremely frustrated, trying to work through John via Elliott to find his killer among the living. Lovable Bruno is not even asking for revenge, he just wants to know who killed him. I had the most uneasy feeling in my gut, knowing through Bruno just how incomplete one who met such a death would feel to never know their…well, their murderer.
Grey portrayed Bruno’s frustration in the after life to perfection—all without even allowing the reader to SEE Bruno after his ‘fall’—but by letting us listen in on John’s revelations to Elliott. Another touch of genius on Grey’s part, to draw the reader so intimately into these emotions via telekinetic conversation.
One thing I garnered from this story, too, was that being rich—especially suddenly—might not be all it’s cracked up to be. It attracts unsavory elements, the proverbial friends out of the woodwork, and seems to make it impossible to ever really know who’s sincere and who’s after moolah. Bruno’s plight in this scenario broke my heart, as he was such a normal guy, so likeable, and so taken advantage of.
My heart hurt for him. And it also brought a mixture of anticipation/dread to this reader, knowing Bruno’s fate ahead of time, and trying desperately NOT to like him so much so that it would not be so painful when his time came. Another point for the author, to have created such an endearing character. Yes, yes, a point off to Grey for killing him, but…oh, well.
Speaking of characters. In most books, I dive straight into the characters, they are my main focus. I always, always find myself relating to them, knowing someone just like them, or connecting with them on my own levels of personal experiences.
Well, in Caesar’s Fall, I found myself—now get this—wanting to BE the character. Yes! I wanted to be Elliott Smith! Or wait. Did I want to be Steve, so I could be Elliott’s boyfriend? They were both so damn wonderful.
I enjoyed Elliott! Smart, savvy, pretty well-off architect. He has a cool, good-looking boyfriend name Steve. And in almost every chapter, Elliott and Steve are just hanging out, eating, having drinks before dinner, doing normal, every day things; and I found myself wanting to be right in the big middle of them, hanging out with them.
One of the characteristics of Elliott that I related to strongly was the fact that he is financially better off than his boyfriend Steve. And I can’t think of many real lives where this does not occur in relationships from time to time. Elliott is so very careful of this difference, always letting Steve carry his own weight financially in the relationship.
When Elliott renovates an historic building in order to transform it into an art gallery and upstairs apartment for Steve, he is extremely aware of Steve’s reluctance for a ‘hand-out’, and the whole business is handled so tactfully. I loved this element, a normal everyday thing again, but an opportunity to add beautiful depth to these two wonderful men.
And Elliott has that very real-life type sister who calls him and pesters him to move forward with his relationship with Steve. I loved her, as we all have a Cessy in our lives, and we adore them.
Oh, and I almost neglected to mention Old Spice. The author utilized the famous men’s fragrance in a very unique way throughout the story.
I hated to see this book end. I hope, hope, hope that—if there ever is a fourth entry to the series—that Bruno gets to come back. I liked him so much, and every time I think about the story, I get a pang of something for him. As though he had been a real person.
The ending was a surprise because…well, never mind. Can’t tell you. All I CAN tell you is that it just…ended. Bruno’s killer was identified. But the ending was very much true-to-real-life. No shockers, just a nice, satisfying end.
I never lie and say that I cried at an ending if I really did not; so, that being said, I’ll tell you I cried a sweet cry at the end of this book, I was THAT sad to see my new friends—Elliott, Steve, John, Bruno, and many more—quietly close the door on their story.
So, I urge you to grab a copy of Caesar’s Fall. And…well…if you DO, will you please tell John to tell Elliott…or, hold on…would you tell Elliott to tell John…that Ms. C. Zampa said hello?
October 13, 2018
This series has that cozy mystery feel to it. It's kind of quiet and unassuming but there's still a lot going on. I've really enjoyed the books so far, though this is probably my least favourite. There were things that felt a bit repetitive, lines repeated varbatim a few too many times for my liking. Still I did enjoy the book and I'm looking forward to reading the next and last book in the series.
July 20, 2017
I don't know what to write about the book. The murder case is simple and at the same time sad. The romance between Elliott and Steve is on the curse to be more defined. The writing stile is still non personal or rather reader does not feel a thing.
July 20, 2017
Finally, Elliott told Steve about John, yay!
Anyway, Bruno's death was sad and tragic. What is money worth if you can be killed for having it. Simply SAD!
Anyway, Bruno's death was sad and tragic. What is money worth if you can be killed for having it. Simply SAD!
December 6, 2010
Although I had not been as eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Elliott Smith series as I always do Dorien Grey's other series, it only took me a few pages to become drawn back into Elliott's world. And as I read Caeser's Fall I found myself thinking that this series has now reached that point of maturity for me, so that I feel as though I intimately know the regular characters in the series as though they were friends and acquaintances I might meet as I venture about the neighborhood. As is typically said of titles that a part of a series, you certainly can read this title by itself, but having read the prior two titles allows you to experience the growth of the primary and continuing characters as they have been developing over the course of the titles. An attribute of Dorien's writing that is particularly pleasing to me is the amount of detail he includes in all of his scenes; so much so that I suppose it could be viewed as a distraction by a reader who just wanted to get on with the solving of the mystery. But the inclusion of such great detail for each setting and the activities taking place, allows me to experience the book much as I would viewing a movie. As with Dorien's other series, for which I have eagerly awaited each title and began reading shortly after the first title was published, I am happy that Elliott and Steve are moving toward living together in a committed relationship and that Elliott's family members are so supportive of that relationship. As far as the mystery, there were several plausible suspects to keep me guessing until the guilty party was revealed, which is what I have come to expect from Dorien. I'm looking forward to the next title in the Elliott Smith series, as I have looked forward for years to each of Dorien's titles.
March 17, 2011
My repeat issue with this series is how banal the stories are. It is written like an information about daily activities of Elliot's life, and nothing actually ever happens. Sure, there is a murder, but it happens, what, about 2/5 of the story? Even the attempt to investigate the murder is just that, mundane. Maybe because Elliot is not a detective -- so most of his days are actually related to his main job of buying / renovating buildings. For me, nothing ever reaches climax. I know that not all books should be "sensational" and offer big drama. However, at the same time, it IS what I expect when I pick up a book or watch a movie. For something to happen. If it's too ordinary, well, I can just write down MY own daily activities.
Having said that, at least there is one tiny progress in Elliot's relationship with Steve: where he finally tells Steve about John. That is something. Other than that, unfortunately, does not impress me enough.
Having said that, at least there is one tiny progress in Elliot's relationship with Steve: where he finally tells Steve about John. That is something. Other than that, unfortunately, does not impress me enough.
November 21, 2011
Who killed Bruno Caesar? Readers of this book, just to get the deed done already.
Really, we all know who is going to be the victim, yet it takes almost half of the book (no exaggeration here!) to get him killed. Seriously, this book could use some serious editing. Dialogues about when and where two characters are going to meet. Why? Characters are introduced, described, never to be seen again.
Luckily, after that the story picks up the pace and we can enjoy the mystery.
Another issue: Elliott and Steve. They're sweet, thinking the same way, wanting to do everything the right way. Which they do. No tension and no chemistry. I'm sorry to say that but they bored me.
I had to check it twice to be sure this is really Dorien Grey and really Elliott and John. Only for fans, I'm afraid.
Really, we all know who is going to be the victim, yet it takes almost half of the book (no exaggeration here!) to get him killed. Seriously, this book could use some serious editing. Dialogues about when and where two characters are going to meet. Why? Characters are introduced, described, never to be seen again.
Luckily, after that the story picks up the pace and we can enjoy the mystery.
Another issue: Elliott and Steve. They're sweet, thinking the same way, wanting to do everything the right way. Which they do. No tension and no chemistry. I'm sorry to say that but they bored me.
I had to check it twice to be sure this is really Dorien Grey and really Elliott and John. Only for fans, I'm afraid.
December 30, 2014
Another great story from the pen of Dorien Grey. Third in the series of Mr Grey's who-dunnit/Christie-esque, gay, paranormal themed plots. (Blimey! Try saying that after a Christmas tipple or two!)
No need for these novels to be read in order, they are stand alone plots with recurring characters, although I would recommend reading book 1 first otherwise the character of John would be hard to understand.
No sex, always fade-to-black, which suits me and is a preference my end. The summing up, the endings are always a bit....blah. The author makes jest of this, it is not a failing after all, just a "well that's over. Now what?"
Loved it, 5 stars....onto Book 4.
No need for these novels to be read in order, they are stand alone plots with recurring characters, although I would recommend reading book 1 first otherwise the character of John would be hard to understand.
No sex, always fade-to-black, which suits me and is a preference my end. The summing up, the endings are always a bit....blah. The author makes jest of this, it is not a failing after all, just a "well that's over. Now what?"
Loved it, 5 stars....onto Book 4.
September 4, 2011
This is a great series, and some really well thought out characters and story lines...
BUT having said that, this was a really hard read at the start.. and I think it's because I feared something would happen with the story and characters that I didn't want to know about.. I guess I should have more faith in Dorien as a story teller..
BUT having said that, this was a really hard read at the start.. and I think it's because I feared something would happen with the story and characters that I didn't want to know about.. I guess I should have more faith in Dorien as a story teller..
June 21, 2011
I am long past caring about Steve and Elliot as a couple. JUST TELL HIM ALREADY! OR DONT I CANT CARE ANYMORE! I got so annoyed I couldn't actually finish it. I get to around page 120 or so and then skipped to the murder and then skipped to the end to see who did it.
This is a dnf for me, sorta.
This is a dnf for me, sorta.
March 5, 2015
Loved it brilliant story.
March 22, 2014
Audiobook - solid mystery, good narrator.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews