One of the perks of working in a bookstore is advance reader copies (ARC). I've been wanting to read a Christopher Rice novel for several years, so when the ARC for Blind Fall came in it caught my eye. The Marine theme was an added plus--as someone who served in the Marines, I'm always attracted to novels that feature Marines. I really enjoyed this novel and its message(s). ( )

Not my favorite of Rice's work. This story felt a little contrived and unrealistic. I didn't really like any of the characters- even the dead ones- and that made it hard for me to connect with the story. ( )

I wanted to enjoy this book but just couldn't get into it. There is a good story here, however, it is badly written and that is the biggest fault with this book. The writing style did not flow and was so badly structured as to be distracting.

He threw open the front door as if he was about to confront a band of insurgents, as if something about the room might have shifted and given up evidence of Alex's intention in the few minutes he had been gone. His sister had to say his name several times in a row before he could feel his feet again.

This is a paragraph that just doesn't make sense and is just one of many through out the book. It makes the book seem more like a first novel from a new author.

Disappointed. ( )

If you are jealous of this writer, you should be, as this is his fourth books and he is only 29 year-old.

In this one, he has mixed Marine Corps nobility with attitude toward gays and acceptance of gays. This is a very unique and interesting mix, that make this book a page turner. The homophobia in this book and how the characters ring truth, as that is similar to the stories I heard from gays and lesbians in real life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in story about gay in the family, and past wrong of homophobia and new found acceptance.

I would watch this writer closely. I like him more than his famous mother. ( )

“He had no discernable accent, which meant he was from west of the Rockies”. How about, that’s not at all how it works? Everyone has an accent. And people from California and Washington and Oregon have them too, anyone not from there can probably tell if they listen hard.

It’s a decent mystery (even if it does have a lot of routine Christopher Rice characters and interactions) and I do admire the author’s ability to write from the point of view of someone who holds entirely opposite views from himself.

I do not want ot spoil anything but there is also a surprise connection to one of his other books. ( )