Jericho's Fall

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Slow and tedious.

Gripping, Thrilling Suspense Novel

Set in the Colorado Rockies in April, 2009, the story opens with Beck rushing through the mountains to the sickbed of her former lover, Jericho Ainsley. He has called for her; and she wants to pay her final respects. Theirs was a doomed relationship from the start with Professor Ainsley falling head-over-heels in love with his student, Rebecca. His marriage was already in trouble; and he was caught completely off-guard when the young, innocent, impressionable Rebecca unintentionally wedged her way into a secret chamber of his heart. Disadvantaged by the differences in age and experience, Rebecca, the love of his life, was also his unintended victim.

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Disappointing

I have read the author's other three books and I found them more interesting. I was hoping that Jericho's Fall would be somewhat like the other three in that they would involve upper class, politically connected African Americans as their main protagonists. I was almost finished with the book before I found that all of the main characters were Caucasian. The author has the privilege to write about anyone he chooses, but I sought this particular author because of his previous subjects. Next time I'll be more careful. Aside from this, I did not find any of his characters engaging or endearing. Instead, they were all flaky and by the end I did not care who survived.

BORING!!!!!!

Watching paint dry is more intriguing. This had NO point.

Jericho's Fall by Stephen L. Carter

I would highly recommend this book. I have read and loved his other books The Emperor of Ocean Park, New England White and Palace Council and have found them not only wonderful books; but, thought provoking and providing historical events that we seem to forget with the passage of time. I would have liked this book to continue on and only can hope that there will be a sequel to this. I am not saying that the ending was wrong, just hoping that there will be a book to follow the characters. Isn't that what a good book does? Leaves us wanting more, leaves us asking ourselves what about the characters where did they go, what are they doing now, does this story really end here??

Good solid read

Fast moving. Unexpected twists.

Good Writer and Yet...

I am a fan of this author and own all of his fiction works. I am such a fan that I have autographed hardcover copies of his novels. This story puts forth the premise that there is mental instability in the intelligence community, a scary thought. The story moves along, but at times seems to be forced. There is enough action to keep thriller loving readers on their toes, but at times unnecessary plot twists seem contrived only to make the book longer. Maybe this would have worked better as a novella. The "and Yet" part is that despite the weaknesses in this particular novel, I kept reading because the characters are interesting and I did want to see how it all wrapped up. The ending will leave you with much to think about.

Just an awful story.

Can't care for the characters - horrible writing style. Kept waiting for something to happen - something to care about ... nothing

Stephen Carter is Exceptional!

This was a great read. I found myself gasping, laughing and even dropping my jaw at many scenes. It's definitely a recommended read. I've read some of his other titles and loved them thoroughly but I believe I may have a new favorite. Read it! Love it! Lock the doors and trust NO ONE!!

Ex-CIA Man Claim Plot in This Painfully Slow Thriller

This book could have been a lot better. The trouble is you wait till almost to the end of the book for something to happen. Rebecca (named Beck) is called to visit her dying ex-lover Jericho Ainsley who is dying. Jericho is an ex-CIA head who lives his entire life as if he is being constantly under surveillence.

As Beck is a great deal younger than Jericho, everyone was bothered by their relationship, especially Jericho's two daughters Pamela and Audrey. Right from the start Beck suspects that something is amiss a a helicopter seems to come and go overhead and Beck's cellphone get periodical wierd calls even though she is in a dead zone for phones.

Jericho keeps talking about people coming to kill him while Pamela and Audrey insist that he has lost his mental capacity and they are just delusions of a dying man.

The book focuses on the interplay among the three women as well as Dak an ex-agency man who keeps on visiting Jercho, the sheriff and his deputy, and the librarian. The interplay among the main participants is the majority of the book and many times I was tempted to put the book down and read something else as this interplay was extremely booring.

If you are looking for an intense thriller you will not find it here.

Stephen L. Carter provides a more standard type but exhilarating espionage thriller

In the Colorado Rockies, former CIA chief Jericho Ainsley lies dying from cancer. He asks in his royal demanding way for ex CIA operative Beck DeForde to come see him. Fifteen years ago, they began an affair that ended Jericho's political power although he still had economic influence when the scandal broke. She assumes he wants to say good-bye.

Almost immediately upon entering the foreboding gigantic home, Beck learns that those who operate in the dark fear what Jericho will reveal to his former lover. Jericho explains he distrusts his family who would sell him out in death for a buck and the spy agencies who only care about polishing their tarnished images after selling out to the last president. He trusts only Beck to do the right thing about the information he plans for her to hold. Both understand what that means from the onset as others have come to this remote house high in the Colorado Rockies to take out two former agents and obtain the information Jericho possesses.

Switching from his complex societal legal thrillers (see THE EMPEROR OF OCEAN PARK, NEW ENGLAND WHITE and PALACE COUNCIL) Stephen L. Carter provides a more standard type but exhilarating espionage thriller. The story line is fast-paced from the opening moment when Beck philosophizes that she is traveling to her past in more ways than just visiting her dying former lover whose career died along with hers when their tryst was exposed. She is a terrific heroine holding the exciting plot together while Jericho is the more complicated fascinating character. The author's fans will appreciate this fine tale, but will also miss a revealing of the "dark secrets" behind the pivotal moments in history that the victors prefer to hide from the masses.

Harriet Klausner

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