Real Time ReView: Boy Fallen by Chris Gill

 

How much can a place and its people really change?

This is one of the central questions in Boy Fallen, a thrilling and grounded mystery by Chris Gill. 

The story is told through the eyes of Brooke, a former resident of Taonga, and now big city detective.  As we learn, Brooke’s reasons for returning to Taonga are a little too close to home (literally), and we also begin to understand why exactly she left.  I loved the way Gill describes the complicated emotions we can have about going home.  Brooke soon finds herself brought into a case which bares a striking resemblance to a time from her past, further complicated by knowing everyone who's involved.

Particularly, I really loved Gill’s used of place. Taonga itself is almost its own character.  From the moody weather to the intense waterfalls, the setting itself becomes a key player in the story, often mirroring the events and emotions experienced by the characters. It shows how much our surroundings really shape our experiences.

The characters in the story are realistically flawed and affected by what has happened to them. Gill does not shy away from the nitty gritty of death, of hate, and of betrayal.  There is an appropriate weight given to the events that isn’t always present in thrillers, and added to the high stakes. The events of the book felt appropriately heavy. There are some exciting elements of a domestic drama here and it really works in the story being more than just one genre.

This was also one of the most inclusive thrillers I’ve read. LGBTQ+ representation is often minimal in the thriller genre, and it was great to see the community represented in this story (while also addressing the hate that comes along with being different).  LGBTQ+ relationships are normalized and acknowledged in a way I haven't seen in a thriller before.

The pacing is like a slow burn, carefully constructed to an ending that was genuinely surprising and shocking. You'll find yourself guessing who exactly was responsible and why.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to any of my fellow thriller fans out there, especially those looking for a more inclusive thriller.

Stay tuned for a future interview with Chris Gill! More information on Boy Fallen and Chris Gill are available at www.chrisgillbooks.com.