Downfall

Written by Terri Blackstock

Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

A girl with a questionable past. An Alfred Hitchcock movie. And a plan for a double murder conspire for one explosive ride.

Emily Covington has turned her life around after a drug addiction, but her family still has trouble trusting her. Though Emily has committed herself to a year-long treatment program and has been sober for almost a year beyond that, even her mother walks on eggshells around her, fearing she’ll relapse. After her behavior during her drug years, Emily realizes she has a lot to prove.

When police discover a homemade bomb under Emily’s car, and she then learns the wife of one of her friends was murdered that same morning, she knows things are deadly serious. But who wants her dead?

A conversation she had with two men, an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and a plan for a double murder all conspire for one explosive ride . . . and Emily is the only one who can identify the killer and save the life of the next potential victim. But will anyone believe her?

As she frantically works to solve this ever more complicated puzzle and convince the authorities of the truth, Emily finds the focus of the investigation turned back on her. She’s played right into the killer’s hands . . . and he won’t stop until more lives are destroyed.

• Full-length suspense
• Part of the Intervention series:
  • Book One: Intervention
  • Book Two: Vicious Cycle
  • Book Three: Downfall
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Mar 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9780310289265

Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Visit her website at www.terriblackstock.com; Facebook: tblackstock; Twitter: @terriblackstock.  

Reviews for Downfall

[Ruth Radford · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn’t put it down. Has a good message as well.

[brknhrt_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emily is a former drug user who caused much trouble and danger for her family. She is now clean and sober and attending college when trouble seems to find her again. Just when things seem to be going well, her life starts spiraling out of control. This is a good mystery with twists that kept me guessing until the end. The theme of trust runs throughout this book as evidence shows up that makes Emily look bad. Her family loves her, but can’t help but wonder if she has slipped back into addiction.The family dynamics were outstanding as we see a family in recovery. Her brother and mother also suffered from Emily’s past, but they try to put it all behind them and trust her again.The characters are realistic, not perfect people, but individuals trying to do the right thing. At first I was a little put-off by Emily’s impulsiveness and the way she jumped into some situations without thinking, but I realized how realistic that behavior is with an addictive personality. It was that impulsiveness that continued to cause problems for her. While I haven’t read all of Terri Blackstock’s books, I have read quite a few and have never been disappointed. I definitely recommend Downfall for those who love a good, fast-paced, mystery.

[robin661_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

DownfallTerri BlackstockBook Summary: Book 3 of the Intervention Series. Emily Covington has turned her life around after a drug addiction, but her family still has trouble trusting her. Though Emily has committed herself to a year-long treatment program and has been sober for almost a year beyond that, even her mother walks on eggshells around her, fearing she'll relapse. After her behavior during her drug years, Emily realizes she has a lot to prove. When police discover a homemade bomb under Emily's car, and she then learns the wife of one of her friends was murdered that same morning, she knows things are deadly serious. But who wants Emily dead? And why? A conversation she had with two men, an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and a plan for a double murder all conspire for one explosive ride ... and Emily is the only one who can identify the killer and save the life of the next potential victim. As she frantically works to solve this ever more complicated puzzle, Emily finds herself playing right into the killer's hands. I read the first book in this series own the second one but have not read it yet. I did finish the third and loved it. It was a roller coaster ride with brief periods where you can catch your breath. I was able to make a correct attempt to figure out ‘who did it’ and yet nothing spoiled this story. This was easily a standalone and a series! It was great to read of people I had visited in the first book and yet they were fresh and exciting to hear how they have grown. The only question that came to mind on believability was if Emily did it ‘Where was the GUN!!! that she used????’ However that was hardly a sticking point for me. I can’t wait for Terri Blackstock’s next mystery! I want another ride on the mystery roller coaster. I would like to thank Net Galley and Zondervan Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

[organicshoes · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Covington’s have already been through a lot and have faced many trials through the Vicious Cycle and Intervention cycle, Downfall picks up with the family in Atlanta, Georgia where the family is attempting to have a fresh start. Emily is doing well in school, Barbara has a new job, Lance struggles in school with the adjustment. As Emily tries to continue on with her life after getting past her drug issues she gets pulled into another murder investigation.After a bomb is placed on Emily’s car and two woman turn up dead, both with possible connections to Emily, her world is once again turned upside down. Worried that no one will believe her will she turn back to the drugs she once craved when not knowing which way to turn?Downfall was a pretty good book, not one of Blackstock’s best, it took a while to actually get into the book, but towards the end I was able to get into the story more. I was provided this book complimentary from Zondervan via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[tmtrvlr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emily is a former drug user who caused much trouble and danger for her family. She is now clean and sober and attending college when trouble seems to find her again. Just when things seem to be going well, her life starts spiraling out of control. This is a good mystery with twists that kept me guessing until the end. The theme of trust runs throughout this book as evidence shows up that makes Emily look bad. Her family loves her, but can’t help but wonder if she has slipped back into addiction.The family dynamics were outstanding as we see a family in recovery. Her brother and mother also suffered from Emily’s past, but they try to put it all behind them and trust her again.The characters are realistic, not perfect people, but individuals trying to do the right thing. At first I was a little put-off by Emily’s impulsiveness and the way she jumped into some situations without thinking, but I realized how realistic that behavior is with an addictive personality. It was that impulsiveness that continued to cause problems for her. While I haven’t read all of Terri Blackstock’s books, I have read quite a few and have never been disappointed. I definitely recommend Downfall for those who love a good, fast-paced, mystery.