Quite often, I comment on the cover of a book, saying how attractive it is. The artwork for Scott Shepherd’s fast-paced Should I Fall does nothing for the book. The cover of Shepherd’s first book, The Last Commandment, was much more appealing. Shepherd wrote for TV shows such as The Equalizer and Miami Vice, though, and the storyline lives up to the pace of those shows.

Rachel Grant is the daughter of Austin Grant who retired from Scotland Yard. She lives in New York City, where she just picked up the rings before her planned trip home to England for her wedding with NYPD Detective John Frankel. But, before she can leave, Frankel is picked up as a suspect in his ex-wife’s murder.

Rachel’s father, retired Metropolitan Police Commander Austin Grant of Scotland Yard, ends up flying to New York. John found his ex shot to death in his locked apartment. Three years earlier, Julia had left him for Pablo Suarez, and moved to Hawaii. John is reluctant to tell anyone why he’s not surprised that Julia is in New York.

Although, Rachel has only known John for six months, she knows he isn’t a killer. So, she and her father fly to Hawaii to find Pablo. He’s missing; his business is closed, and he owes money to several businessmen, including a bookmaker. Then, John’s appearance at another murder scene doesn’t help his case. Although Rachel wonders if she’ll ever marry the man she loves, she and her father are determined to follow the trail from New York to Hawaii, and up to Maine, as they search for the killer who snared a police detective.

Shepherd excels at characters and pace.  The character-driven sequel to The Last Commandment is riveting. Readers will be hooked on the twisting story.

Scott Shepherd’s website is https://scottshepherdauthor.com/

Should I Fall by Scott Shepherd. Mysterious Press, 2022. ISBN 9781613163122 (hardcover), 312p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley to review for a journal.