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The Falls Mysteries #1
When the Flood Falls
2016 Unhanged Arthur Award for Best Unpublished First Crime Novel — Winner
When a phantom stalker targets her friend, Lacey McCrae’s crime-busting skills are tested to their limits.
With her career in tatters and her marriage receding in the rear-view mirror, ex-RCMP corporal Lacey McCrae trades her uniform for a tool belt, and the Lower Mainland for the foothills west of Calgary. Amid the oil barons, hockey stars, and other high rollers who inhabit the wilderness playground is her old university roommate, Dee Phillips. Dee’s glossy life was shattered by a reckless driver; now she’s haunted by a nighttime prowler only she can hear.
As snowmelt swells the icy river, threatening the only bridge back to civilization, Lacey must make the call: assume Dee’s in danger and get her out of there, or decide the prowler is imaginary and stay, cut off from help if the bridge is swept away.
When a phantom stalker targets her friend, Lacey McCrae’s crime-busting skills are tested to their limits.
With her career in tatters and her marriage receding in the rear-view mirror, ex-RCMP corporal Lacey McCrae trades her uniform for a tool belt, and the Lower Mainland for the foothills west of Calgary. Amid the oil barons, hockey stars, and other high rollers who inhabit the wilderness playground is her old university roommate, Dee Phillips. Dee’s glossy life was shattered by a reckless driver; now she’s haunted by a nighttime prowler only she can hear.
As snowmelt swells the icy river, threatening the only bridge back to civilization, Lacey must make the call: assume Dee’s in danger and get her out of there, or decide the prowler is imaginary and stay, cut off from help if the bridge is swept away.
424 pages, ebook
First published July 14, 2018
About the author
J.E. Barnard
8 books23 followersJ.E. Barnard’s first novella (as Jayne Barnard), 'Maddie Hatter and the Deadly Diamond', was a 2016 Prix Aurora finalist. Her second Maddie Hatter Adventure, 'Gilded Gauge', was both a Prix Aurora finalist and 2018 Book of the Year for Alberta. 'When the Flood Falls' first in the Falls Mystery trilogy, won the Unhanged Arthur Ellis Award in 2016. She's hit bestseller lists 7 times with 6 novels, and divides her writing year between Calgary, AB with her cat & Vancouver Island with a resident owl.
To learn more about the newly re-edited and re-released Maddie Hatter Adventures, see
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
To learn more about the newly re-edited and re-released Maddie Hatter Adventures, see
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 19, 2018
4 stars
This book takes place in Bragg Creek, western Alberta, Canada. It is about 30 miles/50 kilometers west of Calgary, where the plains meet the Rocky mountains. Since June 2013 when a flash flood did major damage to Bragg Creek, locals watch the creek with apprehension, as snow melt causes the river to rise to dangerous levels. Lacey McCrae is a burnt out ex RCMP cop. She has not only quit her job, but is in the middle of divorcing her abusive husband, another Mountie. She has left her home in Surrey, British Columbia for Bragg Creek , where she grew up. She goes to visit her old and best friend Dee, also recently divorced.
Dee tells her that she is being stalked by an unknown person and she is afraid. Lacey soon discovers proof that Dee is being stalked and sets out to protect her friend by finding the stalker. In the course of the book, 1 person is murdered and Dee is attacked. There are a couple of red herrings and I was not sure who the killer was until near the end. I liked the pace of the mystery and I thought the characters were well written. I recommend it to cozy mystery fans as there is minimal violence.
Thanks to Dundurn Press for sending this ARC through NetGalley.
This book takes place in Bragg Creek, western Alberta, Canada. It is about 30 miles/50 kilometers west of Calgary, where the plains meet the Rocky mountains. Since June 2013 when a flash flood did major damage to Bragg Creek, locals watch the creek with apprehension, as snow melt causes the river to rise to dangerous levels. Lacey McCrae is a burnt out ex RCMP cop. She has not only quit her job, but is in the middle of divorcing her abusive husband, another Mountie. She has left her home in Surrey, British Columbia for Bragg Creek , where she grew up. She goes to visit her old and best friend Dee, also recently divorced.
Dee tells her that she is being stalked by an unknown person and she is afraid. Lacey soon discovers proof that Dee is being stalked and sets out to protect her friend by finding the stalker. In the course of the book, 1 person is murdered and Dee is attacked. There are a couple of red herrings and I was not sure who the killer was until near the end. I liked the pace of the mystery and I thought the characters were well written. I recommend it to cozy mystery fans as there is minimal violence.
Thanks to Dundurn Press for sending this ARC through NetGalley.
August 18, 2018
Lacey McCrae is running from the tatters of her life. Her career with the RCMP is over. Her divorce is pending. She needs a change. So, she moves back to Bragg Creek, west of Calgary, to start over. Taking a temporary job with the crew installing security systems and the vault for the new Foothills History Museum and staying with her friend, Dee, she tries to pull herself together. Dee feels she is being stalked, but nobody ever sees the stalker. When it escalates into a hit-and-run attempt on Dee's life with a disappearance and murder tacked on for good measure, Lacey realizes the situation is more than just a simple case of stalking. She teams up with Dee and a neighbor to investigate the growing danger.
I enjoyed this book. The setting is great, and I liked Lacey as a main character. She is flawed, but determined to rein in her chaotic life. With a river threatening to flood the entire region, a killer and all sorts of issues surrounding her at all turns, she has to rise to the occasion -- and she does. At times the plot moved a bit too slowly, but the suspense was enough to keep me reading. I wasn't sure who was behind everything until the very end. There were definitely enough suspects, red herrings and twists to keep the truth a secret til the last minute. I liked how Lacey, Dee and Jan all have different issues, weaknesses and prejudices, but were able to work through differences and help each other.
I will definitely read more by this author. Very enjoyable debut!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Dundurn via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
I enjoyed this book. The setting is great, and I liked Lacey as a main character. She is flawed, but determined to rein in her chaotic life. With a river threatening to flood the entire region, a killer and all sorts of issues surrounding her at all turns, she has to rise to the occasion -- and she does. At times the plot moved a bit too slowly, but the suspense was enough to keep me reading. I wasn't sure who was behind everything until the very end. There were definitely enough suspects, red herrings and twists to keep the truth a secret til the last minute. I liked how Lacey, Dee and Jan all have different issues, weaknesses and prejudices, but were able to work through differences and help each other.
I will definitely read more by this author. Very enjoyable debut!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Dundurn via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
April 13, 2018
When the Flood Falls is the first in a new mystery series that focuses on ex-RCMP officer, Lacey McCrae.
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy When the Flood Falls as much as I had anticipated. The pacing of the novel is incredibly slow, especially within the first 150 pages, and it lacked suspense.
The first 150 pages are setup for the mystery. During those chapters, nothing exciting happens in terms of plot because Barnard takes her time with the setting and characters. This isn’t necessarily a criticism, because there are a lot of characters, but it took too long. Within those opening pages, I almost DNF’ed the novel several times because of the slow pace and lack of plot development.
When the Flood Falls lacks suspense. There were several moments that could have been suspenseful, but were ruined by the fact that the reader is given the reason for the misunderstanding in the previous chapter.
What I enjoyed most about this novel was the setting and elements surrounding the characters. When The Flood Falls takes place near Calgary as a new art museum is opening. Young hockey players with the NHL as their goal surround the characters. This mix of characters was interesting and different.
The main character, Lacey, is flawed. Her personality and thought process infuriated me at some points. Barnard takes her time introducing Lacey to the reader by giving her a history and motivations for her actions and decisions. Throughout the novel, Lacey is so focused on her own problems and experiences that she lets it colour her investigative thoughts. This annoyed me to no end, but I appreciated her more as a character by the end of the novel.
Overall, When the Flood Falls has an interesting and well-written mystery hidden beneath all the extra writing. Had Barnard been able to cut down the first 150 pages, I would have enjoyed the novel much more.
**I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy When the Flood Falls as much as I had anticipated. The pacing of the novel is incredibly slow, especially within the first 150 pages, and it lacked suspense.
The first 150 pages are setup for the mystery. During those chapters, nothing exciting happens in terms of plot because Barnard takes her time with the setting and characters. This isn’t necessarily a criticism, because there are a lot of characters, but it took too long. Within those opening pages, I almost DNF’ed the novel several times because of the slow pace and lack of plot development.
When the Flood Falls lacks suspense. There were several moments that could have been suspenseful, but were ruined by the fact that the reader is given the reason for the misunderstanding in the previous chapter.
What I enjoyed most about this novel was the setting and elements surrounding the characters. When The Flood Falls takes place near Calgary as a new art museum is opening. Young hockey players with the NHL as their goal surround the characters. This mix of characters was interesting and different.
The main character, Lacey, is flawed. Her personality and thought process infuriated me at some points. Barnard takes her time introducing Lacey to the reader by giving her a history and motivations for her actions and decisions. Throughout the novel, Lacey is so focused on her own problems and experiences that she lets it colour her investigative thoughts. This annoyed me to no end, but I appreciated her more as a character by the end of the novel.
Overall, When the Flood Falls has an interesting and well-written mystery hidden beneath all the extra writing. Had Barnard been able to cut down the first 150 pages, I would have enjoyed the novel much more.
**I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2021
In this eclectic blending of art and hockey we meet three very strong, but very different women, each dealing with personal challenges. Ex-RCMP Corporal Lacey McCrae, newly divorced from an abusive husband, struggling to forge a new life. Dee Phillips, Lacey’s old friend from university days, dealing with a stalker while directing the opening of a new art gallery in the affluent Calgary foothills. And, perhaps, most interesting, Jan Brenner, Dee’s friend and neighbour, coping with debilitating illness that saps her strength and sometimes impairs her otherwise sharp cognitive skills.
And just when the reader is wondering how these very different women matter to us, a grizzly murder at the gallery launches us into the first layer of a complex plot that ultimately exposes a sordid crime, one that almost costs Lacey her life.
In this, the first of the “Falls” series, Jayne Barnard does what she does best. She gives us a challenging cast of believable characters with interesting stories of their own, then turns them lose to fix a despicable wrong.
I was delighted to receive an early ARC of this novel!
And just when the reader is wondering how these very different women matter to us, a grizzly murder at the gallery launches us into the first layer of a complex plot that ultimately exposes a sordid crime, one that almost costs Lacey her life.
In this, the first of the “Falls” series, Jayne Barnard does what she does best. She gives us a challenging cast of believable characters with interesting stories of their own, then turns them lose to fix a despicable wrong.
I was delighted to receive an early ARC of this novel!
April 22, 2018
I enjoyed this book and was glad I had a whole day free to read it in one sitting. The characters are interesting - at first I was a bit put off with their flaws, then I realized that they are just like the rest of us - flawed and yet continuing to live their lives and help their friends. I liked to see the story developing from different perspectives - it serves as a reminder to step back and reconsider your first impressions.
April 6, 2018
I have had the most wonderful Canadian vacations and I was drawn to this book because of the setting and it did not disappoint. Lacey McCrae has left her marriage and her job as an RCMP officer and is trying to figure out what comes next. She has a temporary job at the Bragg Creek and Foothills History Museum and has been sleeping on the couch of a former colleague. Her finances are pretty well depleted and until the details of her divorce and settlement are finalized, she really needs her job. Her old friend Dee Phillips has a lovely and large home in Bragg Creek and she invites Lacey to stay with her. Dee believes she is being stalked but has no idea who would do this or why. Having Lacey in the house solves Dee's problem of being alone and afraid and also provides Lacey somewhere to stay close to her job. Lacey also hopes to figure out who would want to hurt Dee.
I liked the characters and the author's vivid descriptions of scenic Bragg Creek. I could see all the natural beauty as well as the peril of the swollen river. There was a lot going on and I didn't figure out who was responsible for Dee's 'accidents' until the author revealed it. An enjoyable read that held my attention from beginning to end.
Thank you, J.E. Barnard, Dundurn, and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review.
I liked the characters and the author's vivid descriptions of scenic Bragg Creek. I could see all the natural beauty as well as the peril of the swollen river. There was a lot going on and I didn't figure out who was responsible for Dee's 'accidents' until the author revealed it. An enjoyable read that held my attention from beginning to end.
Thank you, J.E. Barnard, Dundurn, and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review.
March 14, 2018
What a great mix of characters in this story. I went through this book thinking I knew who the villain was, then I changed my mind but was still wrong. There's so much going on in this story to keep you entertained. I think about half way is when things started to get more interesting for me. Great mystery and suspense with some twists and turns to keep you thinking.
July 8, 2018
I couldn't put this book down! The kind of book I like to read in one sitting, but even with interruptions like kids needing to be fed and dentist appointments, I was completely immersed in the story from the first page to the last. First of all, I enjoyed getting to know the characters, who all felt very real and relatable. Their strengths and struggles, and how they meet those struggles, bring them off the page and into the world we all inhabit as human beings - quite refreshing, actually. The story itself kept me guessing the whole way through (which is quite something in itself as I'm usually very quick to solve mysteries and puzzles).
I am very much looking forward to reading it again, this time being able to take time to enjoy the writing itself and diving into the descriptions of the location, while looking for clues I may have missed in my haste to know what happens.
Would definitely recommend!
I am very much looking forward to reading it again, this time being able to take time to enjoy the writing itself and diving into the descriptions of the location, while looking for clues I may have missed in my haste to know what happens.
Would definitely recommend!
August 13, 2018
This may well be my favourite book of 2018. Barnard writes with a poet's grasp of language. The settings, Calgary and a town in the foothills, provide real Canadian content.
The intertwining plots of a stalker, hit-and-run accidents, the opening of an art gallery, and a missing person, kept me riveted from the first page to the surprising conclusion.
The three main characters, all previously strong women, are coping with serious challenges. Lacey, retired from the RCMP, tries to unravel the stalking of her friend, who has been injured twice by hit-and-run drivers. Past traumas heighten her fear of the rising river levels during the snow melt.
Jan lives with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a chronic illness which has taken away her career in art. Jan also suffers from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), particularly reacting to fragrances and paint. I identified with Jan the most, as I also have lost my career to chronic illnesses, including ME and MCS. In spite of her illnesses, Jan plays a crucial part in solving the mysteries.
Some of the male characters, like Jan's husband and the art gallery curator are totally supportive. Still, I found myself wondering which men were trustworthy, and which ones were covering up for past and present misdeeds.
I can't wait to read the next installment of the Falls Mysteries.
The intertwining plots of a stalker, hit-and-run accidents, the opening of an art gallery, and a missing person, kept me riveted from the first page to the surprising conclusion.
The three main characters, all previously strong women, are coping with serious challenges. Lacey, retired from the RCMP, tries to unravel the stalking of her friend, who has been injured twice by hit-and-run drivers. Past traumas heighten her fear of the rising river levels during the snow melt.
Jan lives with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a chronic illness which has taken away her career in art. Jan also suffers from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), particularly reacting to fragrances and paint. I identified with Jan the most, as I also have lost my career to chronic illnesses, including ME and MCS. In spite of her illnesses, Jan plays a crucial part in solving the mysteries.
Some of the male characters, like Jan's husband and the art gallery curator are totally supportive. Still, I found myself wondering which men were trustworthy, and which ones were covering up for past and present misdeeds.
I can't wait to read the next installment of the Falls Mysteries.
September 17, 2018
When a stalker is too good at stalking.
Ex Canadian cop Lacey McCrea’s life is in tatters. Nowhere to live and no real job, so when her friend tells her she is being stalked, Lacey investigates. She is not sure if there is a stalker or if her friend is imagining it.
As the melting snow swells the river, Lacey must decide whether there is a stalker or if something else is afoot.
Well, this book is so miserable. I hated the characters as they all had a grievance against the world. It wasn’t just the story - their personalities were miserable or mad. The book is not very well thought out and the plot was easily solved which prolonged the agony of the rest of the book.
To be honest, I can see was Lacey’s husband left her and she had no job, as she moaned and groaned and probably pushed everyone away.
A truly bad book in my opinion but read it yourself and decide.
Chester.
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
Ex Canadian cop Lacey McCrea’s life is in tatters. Nowhere to live and no real job, so when her friend tells her she is being stalked, Lacey investigates. She is not sure if there is a stalker or if her friend is imagining it.
As the melting snow swells the river, Lacey must decide whether there is a stalker or if something else is afoot.
Well, this book is so miserable. I hated the characters as they all had a grievance against the world. It wasn’t just the story - their personalities were miserable or mad. The book is not very well thought out and the plot was easily solved which prolonged the agony of the rest of the book.
To be honest, I can see was Lacey’s husband left her and she had no job, as she moaned and groaned and probably pushed everyone away.
A truly bad book in my opinion but read it yourself and decide.
Chester.
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.
December 19, 2018
In J.E. Barnard's When the Flood Falls, the first installment in the Falls Mystery series, this gripping debut will send you chills all over from the first page to the last. Lacey McCrae was an ex-Mountie in Bragg Creek, when they prepare for the flood of the Eagle River. And while she worked for a security farm, her friend Deandra "Dee" Phillips asked her for her help with a particular issue. She believed that someone's been stalking her. So she informed her boss to set up some video surveillance. But things get heated up when she dealt with protestors, partying hockey players, and a security job at the museum. As she dug deeper into Dee's case, she had a line of suspecting including Dee's ex and her own issues of PTSD from her abusive husband. At the night of the gala, things got weary and suspicious with the people who were there. And when Dee was a victim of a hit-and-run, things might've got personal when Lacey sought up help from her friends and neighbors. She learned how she lost a dog last winter and other juicy tidbits. When she shed light into Jarrad Fiske, a hockey player, he turned up missing and later dead in the river. Somehow he ended up caught in the middle of a scandalous taped mess when she later learned in the thick of things, who was the truly culprit was in the middle of the flood.
June 11, 2018
A fun, suspenseful read! Loved the peaceful, village setting in picturesque SW Alberta that gradually morphs into the scene of mysterious happenings. The reader is pulled into the story learning intimate details of life in the seemingly tight knit community, while being treated to fascinating glimpses of the lives and lifestyles of those involved in professional hockey and the intricacy of running of an art gallery. The mystery unfolds with lots of false leads and dead ends leaving the reader not knowing who can be trusted, culminating in a surprise ending. Can't wait for the next book in the series. Thank you J. E. Barnard!
June 24, 2018
This book was extremely slow for the first half of the book. The plot and character development was lacking. I really was hoping that this book was going to be great. I considered DNFing this book but I kept going. Even though it did pick up I felt it was too little too late. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me review this book.
March 2, 2018
This is book 1 in a new suspense series , The Falls, that has an ex Canadian Mountie. Lacey, visiting her friend outside Calgary. Dee Phillips lives in a moneyed area because she got her home in a divorce settlement but someone is stalking her, hoping to drive her crazy. Well written with a several suspects has Lacey sifting through the clues and now a murder. Looking forward to more books with this wonderful cast of people.
September 16, 2018
When the Flood Falls is set in Canada, with a female protagonist. Lacey has recently left the force due to personal issues and some blatant sexism that she could no longer deal with. She gets a security job offer and takes it while helping an old uni friend. The friend Dee lives in a creepy isolated house and has been having strange occurrences that are interfering with her sleep and life in general. The mystery encompasses ideas about art, independence, drug addiction and chronic illness, power in sexual relationships, stalking, and sexism. I felt that the characters didn’t really grab me and I had a hard time getting immersed in the story. An okay mystery read.
August 6, 2018
When the Flood Falls is the first book in the Falls Mystery Series by author J. E. Barnard.
When the Flood Falls is set outside of Calgary, Alberta in the small town of Bragg Creek. Bragg Creek is a wealthy enclave in the foothills. There is a river that runs through town that has caused wide spread devastation in the past from flooding. In the early stages of the book the river is rising!
Lacey McRae has recently retired from the RCMP and is setting a new path for herself. Staying with an old friend in Calgary and working as a security consultant brings Lacey to Bragg Creek. A new museum is opening and the company Lacey works for is installing the security. An old friend of Lacey's, Dee, lives in Bragg Creek. She has had some prowler scares so Lacey stays with her.
I love books set in Canada. Barnard really brings the Bragg Creek area to life for the reader.
I found it a bit slow at first but the pace picked up and it was hard to put down.
Highly recommend When the Flood Falls. I'm am looking forward to the next book in the series.
When the Flood Falls is set outside of Calgary, Alberta in the small town of Bragg Creek. Bragg Creek is a wealthy enclave in the foothills. There is a river that runs through town that has caused wide spread devastation in the past from flooding. In the early stages of the book the river is rising!
Lacey McRae has recently retired from the RCMP and is setting a new path for herself. Staying with an old friend in Calgary and working as a security consultant brings Lacey to Bragg Creek. A new museum is opening and the company Lacey works for is installing the security. An old friend of Lacey's, Dee, lives in Bragg Creek. She has had some prowler scares so Lacey stays with her.
I love books set in Canada. Barnard really brings the Bragg Creek area to life for the reader.
I found it a bit slow at first but the pace picked up and it was hard to put down.
Highly recommend When the Flood Falls. I'm am looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 1, 2018
I read this book as a digital ARC.
This mystery left me guessing to the end. Fast-paced, strong characters, and a good plot. Recommended to all mystery lovers.
This mystery left me guessing to the end. Fast-paced, strong characters, and a good plot. Recommended to all mystery lovers.
April 3, 2021
I was initially drawn to this book because it is set in southern Alberta and written by a Canadian author who I wanted to support. The story starts off quite slow and a little repetitive but picks up and is a well written mystery. With the characters and their personal stories and struggles as well as the central mystery there is plenty to keep a readers interest.
I commend J.E Barnard for including issues that face females in male dominated workforces, the scandalous issues of abuse in professional sports, and difficulties and prejudices often faced by those with chronic illnesses.
I really liked this story and look forward to the other two books in the series.
I commend J.E Barnard for including issues that face females in male dominated workforces, the scandalous issues of abuse in professional sports, and difficulties and prejudices often faced by those with chronic illnesses.
I really liked this story and look forward to the other two books in the series.
Want to read
June 15, 2018July 2018, available as an ebook and a paperback, this 2016 winner of the Unhanged Arthur Award for the Best Unpublished First Crime Novel sounds like a great read. Not sure if it's available only in Canada or in the US as well. At least it's on my to read list!
July 12, 2018
When the Flood Falls is a gripping first installment in J.E. Barnard's new series, The Falls Mysteries.
After recently resigning from the RCMP, Lacey McCrae is working as a gofer for a security firm that is installing a security system for a new art museum. Her temporary position provides her with the opportunity to reconnect with her former university roommate, Dee Phillips, who is president of the museum board. Lacey quickly realizes all is not right with Dee who, like her, is recently divorced. She finally gets Dee to open to her and her concern turns to outright worry when Dee confesses someone appears to be stalking her. Lacey is quick to offer to help her figure who is behind the mysterious goings on, but will she uncover the identity of the elusive perpetrator?
Due to her experiences with her abusive ex, Lacey is quick to believe that Dee's ex-husband Neil is behind the recent events. She becomes even more convinced after she makes an unexpected discovery, but can she find the proof to back her supposition? The situation with Dee soon takes a shocking turn which also coincides with the disappearance of Jarad Fiske, the young hockey player who, months early, was involved in a hit and run in which Dee was injured and her dog was killed.
As the search for Jarad intensifies, Lacey continues her investigation into who would want to harm Dee. She still believes Neil might be responsible, but with the help of Dee's neighbors, Jan and Terry Brenner, they widen their search for the suspect. The case takes a stunning turn when the reason for Jarad's disappearance is revealed.
Despite a bit of a slow start, When the Flood Falls is an interesting mystery with an engaging cast of characters. The investigation into who is stalking Dee moves a steady pace but Lacey suffers from tunnel vision for a good part of her quest for answers. With plenty of unexpected twists and some fantastic red herrings, J.E. Barnard brings the novel to an action-packed conclusion. Fans of the genre will enjoy this first novel in The Falls Mysteries series.
After recently resigning from the RCMP, Lacey McCrae is working as a gofer for a security firm that is installing a security system for a new art museum. Her temporary position provides her with the opportunity to reconnect with her former university roommate, Dee Phillips, who is president of the museum board. Lacey quickly realizes all is not right with Dee who, like her, is recently divorced. She finally gets Dee to open to her and her concern turns to outright worry when Dee confesses someone appears to be stalking her. Lacey is quick to offer to help her figure who is behind the mysterious goings on, but will she uncover the identity of the elusive perpetrator?
Due to her experiences with her abusive ex, Lacey is quick to believe that Dee's ex-husband Neil is behind the recent events. She becomes even more convinced after she makes an unexpected discovery, but can she find the proof to back her supposition? The situation with Dee soon takes a shocking turn which also coincides with the disappearance of Jarad Fiske, the young hockey player who, months early, was involved in a hit and run in which Dee was injured and her dog was killed.
As the search for Jarad intensifies, Lacey continues her investigation into who would want to harm Dee. She still believes Neil might be responsible, but with the help of Dee's neighbors, Jan and Terry Brenner, they widen their search for the suspect. The case takes a stunning turn when the reason for Jarad's disappearance is revealed.
Despite a bit of a slow start, When the Flood Falls is an interesting mystery with an engaging cast of characters. The investigation into who is stalking Dee moves a steady pace but Lacey suffers from tunnel vision for a good part of her quest for answers. With plenty of unexpected twists and some fantastic red herrings, J.E. Barnard brings the novel to an action-packed conclusion. Fans of the genre will enjoy this first novel in The Falls Mysteries series.
May 5, 2018
3 and 1 / 2 stars
Lacey McCrea is a former RCMP police officer. She has now gone to a little town outside of Calgary to visit her friend Dee Phillips, a former college roommate, and to recover from her divorce. She doesn’t really have a job. Dee offers to let her stay at her lovely home while she is in the area.
Dee also has a problem. She has a night time stalker who may or may not be real. Lacey agrees to help her figure out who it is and stop them.
The area in which Dee lives is known for its high rollers: oil magnates, hockey stars and other famous people. As Lacey meets them, they all seem superficial and pretty self-absorbed. Lacey learns some very interesting secrets and makes connections between the events that are occurring now and the past. There is a lot going on behind the scenes – scheming and manipulating events. Lacey’s investigation moves along, albeit not very quickly. The stalker turned out to be real, and their identity was a surprise – at least to me.
This novel moves along very slowly. There are moments of suspense, but they are not long lasting. I felt like tossing in the towel a few times, until the story finally picked up a little. There was almost too much background information given on Lacey. I didn’t really care for her. She was too wrapped up in herself; too concerned with her own garbage to accurately assess the situation of her friend Dee.
The redeeming aspect of this novel was the gorgeous countryside described in the book. I’ve been to that area of Canada, and it is breathtaking. Ms. Barnard described it so well that I was transported back to the times I visited there myself.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dundurn for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book to read and review.
Lacey McCrea is a former RCMP police officer. She has now gone to a little town outside of Calgary to visit her friend Dee Phillips, a former college roommate, and to recover from her divorce. She doesn’t really have a job. Dee offers to let her stay at her lovely home while she is in the area.
Dee also has a problem. She has a night time stalker who may or may not be real. Lacey agrees to help her figure out who it is and stop them.
The area in which Dee lives is known for its high rollers: oil magnates, hockey stars and other famous people. As Lacey meets them, they all seem superficial and pretty self-absorbed. Lacey learns some very interesting secrets and makes connections between the events that are occurring now and the past. There is a lot going on behind the scenes – scheming and manipulating events. Lacey’s investigation moves along, albeit not very quickly. The stalker turned out to be real, and their identity was a surprise – at least to me.
This novel moves along very slowly. There are moments of suspense, but they are not long lasting. I felt like tossing in the towel a few times, until the story finally picked up a little. There was almost too much background information given on Lacey. I didn’t really care for her. She was too wrapped up in herself; too concerned with her own garbage to accurately assess the situation of her friend Dee.
The redeeming aspect of this novel was the gorgeous countryside described in the book. I’ve been to that area of Canada, and it is breathtaking. Ms. Barnard described it so well that I was transported back to the times I visited there myself.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dundurn for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book to read and review.
August 15, 2018
I received an advanced ARC of this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own. If you're like me and like discovering new authors this book is a definite pick up. I loved the well told story with the strong characters. Her writing is tight and vivid and I really felt as if I was in rural Calgary. I am looking forward to reading more books from this amazing author. Happy reading! #Falls #NetGalley
July 23, 2018
A slow-burning mystery that refuses to be put down, especially once you reach That Point--which you'll know when you get there, but I won't spoil for you here. I liked the character Jan the best, with her "Rear Window" vibe--spying on the neighbors with her binoculars.
February 16, 2022
Do any of your local libraries have moveable shelving, to save space, that you crank open and closed? One of mine does. I always have to make sure when I crank that I’m going to mash a zealous shelver of fellow patron. Here, a similar “wall” for the storing of paintings in a museum malfunctions and its malfunctioning plays a major role, as does a fast, shiny red car. And there must have been a year in Canada not long ago when flooding rivers were a substantial threat. (See Louise Penny, A Better Man.) Here, the river threatens but then recedes. Somewhat annoying is reference to a backstory that looms large in making the river—all rivers—threatening to one of the three protags. But it is difficult to see why it looms so large, other than to underscore the scaredy-cat angst that two women have for a is-he-real-or-is-he-imagined prowler in the beginning of the book. Besides museum types, the plot is also peopled with hockey jocks, and the narrative flips between the two. The result was that for me, I never quite got a sense of either the world of hockey or the world of museums. The plot is completely character-driven, with the mysterious goings-on totally conditioned by their obsessions, errors in judgment, and manipulations. The pace is slow. Much of the action is tied to geographical location and to the lay-out of the museum. A map and diagram of each on the endpapers would have been helpful.
May 29, 2018
The second half of the book was engaging and developed a great mystery with a surprise twist. Just when I thought I figured out the murderer the author cleverly twisted it! It was literally the last character I would have suspected for most of the book.
The first half, however was rough. Too much unnecessary back story and the writing itself was very jumbled. I had to really push myself to keep reading. In my opinion, the first half of the book could be cut and not be missed. Add a couple paragraphs of back story into the second half, and it would be an amazing book!
The second half really redeemed the book, but I stuggle to give anything above a 4 star rating because of the dragged out first half. That being said I loved the characters and hope this is the beginning of a new series so we can have a great mystery minus the dragged out backstory that lacked a sub-plot.
Generally the book just needed a more substantial edit!
(Also Lacey's irrational fear of water bugged me because although she complained an awfully lot about it, it never affected the plot. It really should have been down played or cut!)
**I received an advanced copy from NetGalley.com and Dundurn Press in exchange for my honest review.
The first half, however was rough. Too much unnecessary back story and the writing itself was very jumbled. I had to really push myself to keep reading. In my opinion, the first half of the book could be cut and not be missed. Add a couple paragraphs of back story into the second half, and it would be an amazing book!
The second half really redeemed the book, but I stuggle to give anything above a 4 star rating because of the dragged out first half. That being said I loved the characters and hope this is the beginning of a new series so we can have a great mystery minus the dragged out backstory that lacked a sub-plot.
Generally the book just needed a more substantial edit!
(Also Lacey's irrational fear of water bugged me because although she complained an awfully lot about it, it never affected the plot. It really should have been down played or cut!)
**I received an advanced copy from NetGalley.com and Dundurn Press in exchange for my honest review.
August 25, 2023
Ok for a debut. I nearly ditched it a few times as the pace was so slow. Back stories (Lacey, Tom, Dan…) are hinted at but not developed. I thought we would never get to the explanation of what was going on with Jan. Some floor plans and sketches would be an improvement over the spatial descriptions as I, for one, did not get a clear image of how the spaces in the museum were aligned. (Yes, I should have gone back and re-read some parts when I realized it was important but I didn’t want to go through it all again.) Also the flood in the title and all the apparent foreshadowing of the river rising and the bridge being closed turned out to be a distraction /non-event. Apart from that, I may try the next installment in the series as Lacey was starting to grow on me as a protagonist by the time I got to the end as were some of the secondary characters such as Jan and Tom, and the basic plot was fine too.
July 30, 2018
I liked this mostly for the setting and for the three women- Lacey, Dee, and Jan- who band together to figure out who is stalking Dee and later who hit Dee with a car. Lacey's a former RCMP officer who is now working security and so she doesn't have a badge to investigate. All three women are flawed and not one of them is especially likable (although I was most sympathetic to Jan). The young and privileged hockey players are well drawn. This would have benefited from another edit to tighten it up and make the beginning, in particular, more page turning. It's slow and therefore some might put this down before getting to the mystery. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
September 6, 2020
I was delighted to encounter this first in a new series of mysteries. When the Flood Falls was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery, packed with action, interesting, believable characters and an entirely Canadian setting in the gorgeous foothills and mountains of western Alberta. I'm currently reading (much belatedly) the next in the series, Where the Ice Falls, and am very pleased to know that the third, Why the Rock Falls, is available for pre-order with an expected publication date of November 15, 2020.
Here's hoping a fourth from Barnard is on its way!
Here's hoping a fourth from Barnard is on its way!
February 22, 2019
What a complete disaster of a book. I felt like I was reading the 4th book in a series and I didnt understand anything because it was important to read 1, 2, and 3 first—BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES. Nothing made any sense at all. And the pace—OMG S-L-O-W. I tried to keep going, because this book (allegedly) featured 2 of my favorite things—hockey and Canada. I just couldnt do it. #NoCanada
September 23, 2020
A delightful whodunnit in a beautiful mountain setting.
A puzzle to be solved by a keen reader who loves to digest a plethora of possibilities.
The setting is brought vividly to life with beautiful descriptions, and the characters will tug at your heart along the challenging journey to unravel the clues and identify the killer. Unexpected twists and turns will keep your brain buzzing with excitement.
A puzzle to be solved by a keen reader who loves to digest a plethora of possibilities.
The setting is brought vividly to life with beautiful descriptions, and the characters will tug at your heart along the challenging journey to unravel the clues and identify the killer. Unexpected twists and turns will keep your brain buzzing with excitement.
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