DAVID FULMER – The Fall. Five Stones Press, trade paperback, March 2010.

Genre:   Mystery/amateur detective. Leading character:  Richard Zale; standalone. Setting:   New York City/Pennsylvania.

First Sentence:   Later, after it was all over, I spent some time thinking about how it was for him at the end.

   Actor and voice-over artist Richard Zale makes the trip back to his hometown after learning about the death of a childhood friend. While feeling guilty for having been out of touch for so long may have drawn him back, questions about his friend’s death keep him there. Why would someone terrified of heights commit suicide by jumping from an outcrop of rock?

   The common man in an uncommon situation is a theme I appreciate, when done well, and Fulmer does it very well. At the same time, he wisely gives his protagonist, Richard Zale, skills to survive, having been a Vietnam veteran and a former boxer.

   It’s this type of detail I appreciate as it makes the character’s actions logical and reasonable. Yet he balances the survival attributes off with a man who is questions his career and can look at his current life in relationship to his past.

   This makes the character interesting and compelling to read. Zale is not, however, the only well-developed character. The supporting characters not only come to life under Fulmer’s deft hand, but ultimately provide the adage that people are not always what they seem.

   This leads to the plot; one which starts with memories triggered by an old song. It is not a story of high action, but one earmarked by subtlety and answers which lead to more questions and with just the right bitter sweetness in the relationships. Perceived motives change and tension increases nicely with the story to a suspenseful and unexpected conclusion.

   As in all his books, Fulmer takes us to the location of his characters and allows us to hear their voices. His dialogue is natural and easy. Fulmer makes a very successful transition from historical mysteries to the contemporary in this very good character-driven story.

   I highly recommend this book, and every book this man writes.

Rating:   Very Good.

           Novels:     # = Early last century (1907-1913) Creole PI Valentine St. Cyr.

    * Chasing the Devil’s Tail. Poisoned Pen Press, hardcover, November 2001. Shamus award winner. [#]

    * Jass. Harcourt Books, hardcover, January 2005. [#]
    * Rampart Street. Harcourt Books, hardcover, January 2006. [#]
    * The Dying Crapshooter’s Blues. Harcourt Books, hardcover, January 2007
    * The Blue Door. Harcourt Books, hardcover, January 2008. Shamus award nomination.

    * Lost River. Harcourt Books, hardcover, November 2008. [#]
    * The Last Time. Stay Thirsty Press, digital Kindle book, June 2009.
    * The Fall. Five Stones Press, trade paperback, March 2010.