The Fallen

The Fallen by Ace Atkins is the seventh book in The Ranger series featuring Sheriff Quinn Colson. I have enjoyed Mr. Atkins’ books for many years and this one is no exception.

Quinn Colson is sheriff again after winning the election but Tibbehah County, Mississippi is not letting him rest. A group of ex-military vets are robbing banks, while at the same time two underage girls that it seems nobody cares about went missing.

To add to Sheriff Colson’s problems he has to deal with the sharp-as-a-tack Fannie Hathcock who owns the local strip joint, an old politician who is on the path to make everyone as miserable as he is, and of course – family.

At this point I’m starting to believe that Tibbehah County, MS really does exist.

Mr. show more Atkins is taking a new approach in writing with the Quinn Colson series. The main character is a simple man with simple needs, however he is surrounded by a most interesting cast of small town characters and they are the ones that are what makes The Fallen by Ace Atkins a great addition to this already great series.

Thea author takes time to develop his characters. The reader spends more time knowing the intricacies of a strip club and county politics that the police department and getting to know the bank robbers just as much as Quinn’s new girlfriend.

Mr. Atkins writes another fascinating aspect into Tibbehah, in the form of a politician who demands a return to the “good ol’ days”, a form of political populism which is sadly gaining steam in the US. Of course, all those who yearn for those days are either living in illusion or have a sinister plan which they will implement once they get more power into their grubby little hands.
I found this aspect of the story fascinating, even though it was not explored much. It seemed like the author was setting it up to be another plot point in future novels and I hope he follows through.

The contrast between a conniving politician and violent bank robbers is fascinating and you never know which one of them is worst. At least the bank robbers are honest, you know what to expect and how to act. They might shoot you in the front, but they won’t smile to your face and stab you in the back.

This was another strong entry into the series, introducing new characters and saying goodbye to some old ones. I’m anxiously looking forward to the next installment.

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4.5 stars.

In Ace Atkins' seventh installment in the Quinn Colson series, The Fallen, Tibbehah County, Mississippi is once again a hotbed of illegal activity which runs the gamut of bank robberies, missing teenage girls and an underlying corruption that Sheriff Quinn Colson just cannot seem to stay ahead of.

When bank robbers Rick Wilcox, Jonas Cord and their buddy Opie make an ill-fated decision to rob Jericho First National Bank, they are certain they will get away with their crime. However, instead of a clueless small town police force, their crime falls under the jurisdiction of Sheriff Quinn Colson and assistant Sheriff Lillie Virgil who have proven time and again they are a formidable crime fighting duo. Colson correctly deduces the show more men are former military and with few clues to go on, he turns to federal agent Jon Holliday who does not have any more information about the crew than Quinn and Lillie.

Interspersed with the investigation into the bank robbery are a couple of story arcs set in the local community. Quinn's sister Caddy is worried about two missing teenagers that she has been trying to locate under the Sheriff's radar. Strip bar owner Fannie Hathcock is running up against good ole boy Skinner whose Southern Christian values are greatly offended by her establishment. The search for the missing girls leads straight to Fannie's strip joint and ultimately, the latest round of corruption that is attempting to gain a toehold in Tibbehah County.

In between the investigation of the bank robbery and fighting petty crimes in the county, Quinn reunites with childhood friend Maggie Powers who has recently moved to town with her nine year old son Brandon. As they reminisce about their innocent exploits, a simmering passion threatens to explode into full blown passion but since Maggie is in the midst of a messy divorce, they attempt to keep their relationship platonic.

When Quinn begins putting the pieces of the various puzzles together, Lillie's concerns about his objectivity lead her to make a surprising decision about her future. When the multiple plotlines finally converge into a violent showdown, she concedes Quinn's suspicions are, indeed correct, and her expertise is instrumental in bringing the siege to an end. In the aftermath, will Lillie change her mind about the events she set into motion during a moment of frustration?

The Fallen is another well-plotted mystery with a storyline that is an accurate reflection of the pervasive political mindset of the deep South today. Ace Atkins lightens the mood with some laugh out loud funny one-liners as Quinn and Lillie take aim at the corruption and crime that threaten to destroy Tibbehah County. Although this latest release is the seventh installment in the Quinn Colson series, it can easily be read as a standalone. However, I have to warn readers that the novel's tantalizing conclusion will leave them impatiently awaiting the next book in this fantastic series. show less

The Fallen is the seventh book by Ace Atkins involving his Quinn Colson character and each novel becomes better and better.

What I like about this series is that it has avoided becoming stale. It also lacks the appearance of being assembled with a cookie cutter-like formula, so often found with novels involving recurring characters and settings.

Atkins brings back familiar and earlier introduced characters and allows them to grow and progress through his novels. He also introduces new characters and villains, some clearly quite dangerous.

In this novel, Colson finds himself in the middle of an investigation involving highly trained bank robbers, with skills he respects and believes have been developed through military training. Along show more the way, his foes included the returning of Fannie Hathcock, who is slowly revealed to be quite cagey and very dangerous. Other villains remain hidden below the surface, with the promise of being revealed later in future installments.

Additional plotlines are included, which later converge along with the main storyline.

The Fallen is highly recommended and I envy the reader that gets to pick up this series from the start for the first time because each novel grows.

The bad thing about receiving an advanced reader's copy of The Fallen is the anticipation of waiting for the next novel because Atkins clearly has set that one in motion to pick up where this one has left off. show less

These Ace Atkins books are always such a conundrum for me. I love the characters. Atkins has created a vivid world filled with compelling denizens. The plots are nothing phenomenal but not horrible either. At times the dialog is rich and evokes people's natural speech patterns, though it has a propensity to meander over into the wooden, reflecting the way we think people talk instead of the way they actually talk. So what's the problem you might ask.
It's the continuum of the plot. Events transpire with no real evidence of connection. Either they are rewritten ignoring previous events or there are things that transpire to advance the plot with no obvious connection to past events.
Half way through the book protagonist Quinn Colson show more figures out who one of the bad guys is and than proceeds to do virtually nothings with the information. The discovery seems to be merely a vehicle to sow discord between he and his deputy Lillie Virgil and move her on out of the series.
This go around involves serial bank robbers from Memphis who are robbing banks throughout the South while wearing Donald Trump masks. For some unexplained reason they decide to rob a bank in Quinn's town where one of the bandits estranged wife has just relocated with their young son. No chance of being recognized there. There is a also a side plot involving Quinn's sister and two underage prostitutes that never really goes anywhere.
Deep inside somewhere is a really good book. I've maintained that in past reviews of Atkins books and I maintain that still. I think the secret is in the editor. Atkins really needs an editor that will force him to tighten up the plot lines and also strengthen his dialog. I guess that's why I keep reading his books. Always thinking, this will be the one. Unfortunately The Fallen isn't. show less

Quinn Colson, sheriff of Tibbehah County, has his hands full with bank robbers, posturing rednecks determined to have things their way, and some unexpected human trafficking.

Many of the characters from earlier tales play a part in this, the seventh Quinn Colson narrative. As always, those of the southern “good old boy” persuasion attempt to create chaos by throwing roadblocks into the sheriff’s path, but the intrepid ex-Ranger is not deterred from investigating or from standing on the side of what is right. Some readers may find the language a bit off-putting, but it is in keeping with both the characters and the setting. Astute readers will pick up on some unexpected happenings, but the plot twists and turns will keep them show more guessing and the ramped up tension will keep those pages turning.

Recommended. show less

Ace Atkins is an author whom I enjoy following. "The Fallen" takes place in his Quinn Colson series of mysteries. Colson is an Army Ranger who returns to his small town home when his uncle, the long-time local sheriff dies. He takes on the job and discovers the rural area has a lot of big-time crime happening. As with any good author, the reader comes to care for Colson and all of his friends in the course of the story, and look forward to more. P:lease more!

Another excellent read from Tibbehah County where Quinn Colson is the sheriff. This time, he is facing a group of bank robbers who come into banks wearing Donald Trump masks and execute the robbery like a military team. In and out in 90 seconds, that's their formula and they haven't failed yet. Operating all over the country with no rhyme and reason, the FBI gets involved and it's a major case for the small town sheriff. And then there's always the usual suspects causing trouble and keeping Quinn busy.

A great read, of course, and one that I truly enjoyed and sped right through. Filled with action, it's a thrilling ride that has you consumed.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Net Galley for providing me with a free galley in exchange for show more an honest, unbiased review. show less