The Fall

Suspense in spades! You will be gripped by Sam's story.

James Phelan, author of THE LAST THIRTEEN

Tristan Bancks intelligently imbues The Fall with themes of family, male connection, resilience and mortality in an engaging, action-filled coming-of-age story that explores what it means to be a hero. Fans of Gabrielle Lord’s ‘Conspiracy 365’ series who are after a standalone mystery with much more to discuss and reflect on will thoroughly enjoy The Fall.

Braiden Asciak, Junior Books+Publishing

The Fall is the kind of thriller I would’ve loved as a child and absolutely adored as an adult. It’s a sharp, contemporary crime novel with classic genre elements, and nail-biting suspense that will keep readers on the edge of their seat. It’s a page-turning masterpiece for readers young and old.

Simon McDonald, writtenbysime.com

The plot is tight and tense, and filled with all the twisty-turny surprises you would expect from a Hitchcock-style crime thriller, and readers should be kept on the edge of their seats to the last page. But what sets this middle grade thriller above many others are the layers woven into the crime plot and the nuanced and complex characters, especially the less-than-perfect protagonist, Sam ... Highly recommended.

Sue Whiting, childrensbooksdaily.com

Bancks' use of first voice, present tense draws in the reader with its accelerating tempo and immediacy of the action. At the same time it promotes an even stronger connection with the main character … The Fall has all the hallmarks of a gripping crime thriller. Upper primary year students and beyond will be caught by the author's easy-to-read writing style and the fast pace at which this novel progresses. It will be a real hook for boys, particularly, at the age when some begin to disengage with literature.

Patricia Halsall, Magpies

Brooding and atmospheric, Tristan Bancks’s The Fall is a standalone tale of one boy’s search for the truth, as well as his need to determine his own identity and place in the world. Told in the first person, The Fall is a coming-of-age tale that mixes the best elements of early-teen fiction with classic noir homages . . . Bancks sets the scene with masterful strokes, painting a bleak urban landscape that seeps into the reader’s bones, making you feel like you need to reach for a blanket as Sam finds himself falling deeper and deeper into intrigue.

Christian Price, Reading Time

Highly recommended ... This fast paced involving story of one boy trying desperately to be a help to his father, a crime journalist, reflects that basic need in us all, to belong. My heart ached for Sam, craving his father's approval, thinking he is a help but putting his own life at risk to gather evidence ... I loved this tale and those in early secondary school will eat it up.

Fran Knight, ReadPlus

Wow. I’ve literally just finished this book and I’m blown away by this action packed, adrenaline pumping and hair raising crime thriller.

educateempower.blog

A tense and exciting thriller with a healthy dose of reality. It reads like a Jacqueline Wilson book, with a male protagonist, crossed with all of the coolest, gritty noir, crime novels you’ve ever read. It’s perfect for kids 10+ who love action.

Dani Solomon, readings.com.au

Fast paced, cleverly plotted, with extremely strong teen appeal . . . The story is told over a 24-hour period, ensuring the tension rises dramatically, and the climax is edge-of-the-seat stuff. Highly recommended for action-oriented young readers.

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