Title: When Castles Fall

Author: Jill Gagnon

Genres: Suspense / Psychological thriller

 

When Castles Fall by Jill Gagnon follows the lives of several characters, most notably Jade and Jim Castle, a couple in their fifties living in Florida away from their grown kids, and a troubled youth named Parker Miller, who makes a poor choice one night to get into a truck with a strange guy named Ronny. Enter two good cops on the Cape Carol force who are just trying to keep the neighborhoods safe, a blackout that leaves safety-conscious Jade and Jim reeling, and several unfortunate turns of events, and life is never the same for the Castles or Parker. Guns, drugs, and lies all mix into a deadly cocktail that is the narrative.

Jill Gagnon sets the stage early into the story against a seemingly harmless backdrop: Jim and Jade are simply a husband and wife minding their own business and enjoying life in Florida. But just underneath their pleasantries is the unsettling fact that Jim has a gun hidden in the closet…just in case. Jade is never okay with this choice, and this fact leverages much of what the narrative hinges on. As the writing ploy goes, if a gun is introduced in act one, it must play out in act three.

In addition, Parker is a cop’s kid who is trying to get over his growing addiction to Oxy. Drugs also play a huge role in the story, and Jade and Jim have their fair share of history dealing with them because their son, Ethan, was addicted for years. Parker is a complex character who struggles with wanting to make his parents proud and coming clean with them. He also tells Ronny as he gets swept up in what turns into the worst decision of his life that he is quitting drugs. Ronny is an addict himself, and under the tutelage of this older man, Parker is constantly battling with his conscience.

All these facts culminate in a disastrous night that ruins lives, which further falls apart when corrupt law enforcement with a nasty agenda become involved. The switching character points of view work well to bring a full picture of the magnitude of the trouble they are all in. The reader turns the pages rapidly, immersed in the compelling action and wondering how all the pieces will fall. We feel the characters’ raw emotions as we travel right on the page with them.

The author uses clever clues to keep the reader guessing, and these clues come into play later as important pieces of the puzzle. One part that felt somewhat hard to believe was when Jade’s daughter, Sarah, an attorney, said she will represent her parents in court. This feels like a conflict of interest.

That aside, Jill Gagnon has created a riveting thriller that reads fast. Although action-driven by the plot, the characters are also deep and realistic. The end may leave many readers speechless in its clever execution.

When Castles Fall is a gripping crime thriller that lovers of the genre will devour. Jill Gagnon is a master storyteller because she can equally craft interesting characters and a plot that keeps the action moving forward. Although When Castles Fall is the author’s debut novel, it reads like it comes from a seasoned professional.

 

 

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