Narrated by Marcia Clark & Cathy Lepard
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The Fall Girl by Marcia Clark ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed this story and these characters. The way it ended it feels like there is going to be a second book and If that's the case I'm eager to see what is next for this unlikely friend group.

Lauren starts a new life as Charlie in The Fall Girl. The book starts off slow, but quickly picks up with you wondering why Charlie left her old life in Chicago. What happened in the past. Who was she running from and why? While Charlie is battling her own demons she is also trying to keep herself out of the spotlight and is soon thrust together with Erika, the stories collide, and it becomes a book you can't put down as you are trying to decipher the case and most importantly who and what you can trust.

I can still remember how surprised I was the first time I came across a Marcia Clark book. I of course knew her name from her work on the OJ trial years before, but I hadn’t realized she taken up writing. I must admit I picked up the book more out of curiosity than anything else. Could she actually write a good story or was some publisher merely hoping name recognition would equal sales? Well, while the publisher might have hoped name recognition would also help sales, I was quite pleased to learn Marcia really could write quite the engaging story, and I’ve become quite the fan of Ms Clark’s work.

Her latest book, The Fall Girl may be her most complex story to date. Seriously, there is a LOT going on in this story. Lauren Claybourne Charlie Blair was a successful defense lawyer in Chicago but after a horrible incident that left a family member dead and ruined her relationship with most of the rest of her family, she moved away to protect them and herself. She’s now working/living under the name Charlie Blair in the Santa Cruz DA’s office, keeping her head down and trying to stay out of the spotlight. Erika Lorman is best lawyer in the DAs office, always getting the high profile cases…and winning them. Now a new case has popped up and Charlie (Lauren) is being forced to work with Erika. Neither of them is wild about this as each has their own secrets they don’t want uncovered.

The Fall Girl is an intense legal thriller featuring complex/believable characters and is tightly plotted with quite a few twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The audio book has dual narrators: Cathy Lepard and Marcia Clark, and both do great jobs bringing their respective characters to life. I’d like to thank RB Media and NetGalley for allowing the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced audio copy of The Fall Girl.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-girl-marcia-clark/1140443269?ean=2940178905159&bvnotificationId=95afabf3-33ad-11ed-a5c4-12f23d93059d&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/217178472

https://www.amazon.com/review/R349UF3FU43D77/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Oh wow, this audiobook was gripping! It kept me glued to the edge of my seat, and couldn’t stop listening!

I appreciate audio books, I used to do podcasts but really got into audio books this year. I’ve listened to some amazing books this year and hope to listen to more going forward. However, I don’t think every book is made to be an audio version and this was one of those books. There were two narrators, one being the author herself, but the voices were different pitches in some regards but too similar in others. I kept having to adjust the volume and speed depending on who was narrating, but at the same time I couldn’t easily discern which narrator was speaking. It was odd.

Charlie Blaire has shed her name and old city and started fresh as Lauren Claybourne, Santa Cruz DA. Lauren begins working a case with hot shot Erika, who seems to have secrets of her own. As they get deeper into their current case Charlie is constantly checking over her shoulder think h her past has caught up to her. Erika is also keeping secrets and fears this new case will force them to surface. The two frantically search for answers while trying to keep their own secrete under wraps. Will they be exposed like the case?

I didn’t really like either of the main characters in this book. Neither of them made good choices and I just didn’t think of them as likable, so I didn’t really get invested in them either. The author I very knowledgeable in her legal speak, and making it easy for the reader to understand, but that was the only silver lining for me. I struggled with this one and definitely this it would make a better read than a listen.

I’d like to extend thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for my audio version of this book I’m exchange for an honest review. This was my final netgalley read for the #tackleyourtbr challenge from @trishtalksbooks. I’m so happy to have participated!

I was so excited to get this legal thriller from the wonderful Marcia Clark. I knew the information would be accurate with her experience in the courtroom. And on to the review…

Lauren Claybourne, who has a new identity and name, has gotten a job at Santa Cruz’s DA office wanting to leave busy Chicago. She was searching for a smaller office, but it was not as easy as she thought it would be. One of the benefits, however, is that she is within walking distance of the beach from her office. Must be nice! She works with Erika Lorman, who is more established at the office and is a big wig and know to be amazing at her job. A big case comes up with the death of a bails bond woman, and Lauren’s secret might be exposed to why she changed her identity.

I got this book as an audiobook, and I thought both narrators did an amazing job! I was surprised by Marcia Clark, but she was so good.

I want to thank the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Is like to review this over but it disappeared so quickly sherry I received it that I was unable to read it

From the very first page, we are swept up into one of a few mysteries that capture our attention with twist after twist that keep you guessing until the final page. With the mystery surrounding their current case and also their personal lives. I had no idea as to what was going to happen next with each twist that had occurred.

Lauren is forced to leave her old life, even her name, behind when she starts over in Santa Cruz. As Charlie, she becomes second chair to prosecutor Erika Lorman, where their first case involves the brutal murder of a local bail bondswoman. Charlie and Erika are both highly suspicious of each other, but must find a way to trust each other if they are to put a killer behind bars. The two narrators in this audio book have very different styles and sometimes the transition between the two was jarring. I may try reading the print version of this book to see if I am able to enjoy it more

This is the first Marcia Clark book I have read and was so excited to get my hands on this.

Lauren Claybourne (once Charlie Blair) got a new job at the Santa Cruz DA’s office and was happy to leave her old life behind. She is quickly put on a case alongside Erike Lorman, lead prosecutor, on the case of a murdered bondsman that so many close were to and could only be described as a decent, hard-working mother.

However, both Lauren and Erika have secrets that they are willing to jeopardize their careers for. But can both women unravel what the other is trying to accomplish? There are many twists here.

My honest opinion is that this was a good book and while I was not 100% impressed, I still really enjoyed it. I found myself trying to keep up with all of the moving parts but it got to be a bit too much here.

I am definitely open to reading another book from this author - I just wanted to enjoy this one more since it was my first one.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media!

thanks to NetGalley and RB Media/Recorded Books for gifting me an audio ARC of this book.. I was not influenced or paid for my honest review,

Hmm another book where the leading lady has a serious drinking problem. PSA to authors can we start a "new bad habit"/Addiction....the alcohol is getting way over used. How about a new hobby: underwater basket weaving, professional table setting I don't know.. watch paint dry? ANYTHING but the constant drinking.
Fun fact this was written by Marcia Clark--apparently she was a lawyer on the OJ case..I was shocked to find this out because some of the legal stuff that happened in this book was pretty far fetched (Mishandling of evidence, , covering up key testimony, practicing law IN ANOTHER STATE under a falsified name...(????)) I understand my knowledge of legal matters goes as far as watching Judge Judy back in the day when I was waiting to be picked up from tennis practice, but even I know that stuff doesn't fly in the real world.
The book dragged for the most part, but kept my interest enough to finish. I think what was so confusing for me was there were 2 POVs. Erica (the lead attorney ) is in my opinion really unlikable , I could not connect with her and ethically she was just one lie short of being a politician. Charlie was pretty crass and kinda dumb
With all the "illegal" shenannigans that took place and hardly a slap on the wrist given to Erica I was pretty dissapointed. The ending leaves open the possibility of a series??
If that is the case I would probably read it because I think Marcia has the ability to write well and create good twisty plots.

Overall pretty decent!
Off to NOT drink like a fish........

While this one started out slow, I really ended up enjoying it.

I loved the dual narration and the narrators did a fabulous job. I thought it was pretty neat that Marcia narrated one of the POVs herself.

The Fall Girl, by Marcia Clark is a tantalizing legal thriller written by none other than former prosecutor, Marcia Clark, known for her role in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. She even narrates portions of the audiobook version of this mystery. The co-narrator was Cathy Lepard and the two did amazing job telling this tale, though the pacing of the two were off from one another.

The story follows Lauren Claybourne, eager to leave her former life behind, she starts anew with a job as a DA in Santa Cruz. There she teams up with the high profile, Erika Lorman, a prosecutor who has made a name for herself. Together they take on the murder case of bail bondsman, Shelly Hansen. But things aren’t quite as they seem and the truth is hard to uncover. Secrets abound and they just might cause more trouble than expected.

This intriguing legal thriller is quite captivating, twisty and one that will surely keep you listening (albeit using your speed narration option with some frequency) to see how it all wraps up!

Thank you to RB Media, Recorded Books and NetGalley for an advanced audiobook version of this story.

3.25 stars

Featuring ~ dual 1st & 3rd POV, lawyers

Lauren is on the run from an abusive relationship and changes her name to Charlie. She begins working at the DA's office beside, Erika, the prosecutor. How she's able to do this I am not really sure. Would she have to retake the bar exam because of the name and state change? 🤷

I didn't really enjoy any of the characters, but I did enjoy their secrets. Marcia definitely knows her legal lingo and that was evident throughout the book.

I am a fan of Marcia's Samantha Brinkman's series, but I didn't like this one as much as those, still an okay read though. I did read those in paperback, so maybe that was my issue since I listened to this one.
The narration by Marcia Clark and Cathy Lepard for 10 hours and 52 minutes was alright, and it was easy to follow at 2x.

CW ~ child abuse (on page by foster parent)

I am a huge fan of Marcia Clark as an author, because she writes realistically strong, smart and gritty women working in tough professions and tackling tough life choices. Her characters work hard, live up (never down) to people's expectations, and get the kinds of results that make people stand up and notice. Who doesn't enjoy a story like that?

When I saw she had a new book out, I was ecstatic. I got my hands on The Fall Girl and devoured it in two days. It wasn't the best Clark has ever written, but she created two very complex women in even more complex situations, and I found their stories compelling right up to the very end.

Was everything in the setup and execution of the plot completely plausible? No, but I was willing to overlook some incredible stuff just to get to the meat of the action and mystery. I took off one star for that, but the fangirl in me forged ahead unperturbed because I was having fun reading this one, and that counts for a lot.

What's best: I SMELL A NEW SERIES!

I have always wanted to read a Marcia Clark book…. I have admired her forever, so winning this book from NetGalley and having her read it too, I was in heaven. I really enjoyed this book and love her explanations on court procedures without making me feel stupid. Her characters are very well developed and you become invested in them and the story. I can’t wait to read another.

You can tell that Clark uses her skills as a prosecutor in this book. Yes, the Marcia Clark who was the prosecutor on OJ Simpsons trial. I had no idea she was an author. This legal thriller was riveting!

Lauren leaves behind her life in Chicago and start a new life and identity in the DAs office in Santa Cruz. Now she goes by the name Charline (Charlie) and is trying to keep her past hidden.

However her current work with Erika, can leave Charlie exposed as well as Erika. They each have troubled past and their own agenda. Will they turn on each other to get what they want? The case becomes high profile and Charlie does not want her past exposed.

A complex novel and you need to pay close attention, but worth it. Thank you NetGalley, Marcia Clark and RB Media for this advanced audio. This audio is available September 13, 2022.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for accepting my request to audibly read and review The Fall Girl.

Author: Marcia Clark
Published: 09/13/22
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Narrators: Marcia Clark & Cathy Lepard

This is just okay. I had the audiobook. Cathy Lepard did a good job as a narrator. Lepard and Clark worked well in that I clearly knew who was speaking. There is a definite necessary distinction. Clark sadly does well in some parts, has cringe-worthy moments, and the romantic moment left me speechless. She wasn't believable. I wonder if I would think higher of the story had she not narrated. I spent too much time wondering why publishers and friends didn't try harder for a professional.

Clark has the legal education and working experience to write this legal mystery. I don't have any legal experience and a couple things she wrote sounded cheesy; however the legal system is her business.

The book was good for me the first few chapters. It did take hearing Clark for me to connect she wrote the book and was an attorney. I tried hard to focus on her character, and never did. The book drug so slowly from the middle to frankly 80%.

There is profanity from F to vulgar women's parts. For the lack of respect of the English language, one of two good narrators, and a just okay story, I'm not rounding up. 2.5 stars.

As an avid reader of mystery/suspense, I am surprised I haven't read anything from this author before. Marica Clark's life as a former prosecutor shows through in her writing. The legalese flows easily within the narrative of the story.
Written from the perspective of two attorneys, The Fall Girl unfolds in twists and turns as the reader tries to put together the pieces.
I listened to the audio version of this book. I had difficulty telling the two attorneys' a part at the beginning. The voices are somewhat similar but the internal dialogue and retelling of events were not distinguishable at times.
I really enjoyed the last forth of the book and laughed out loud when surprised by an unexpected twist. The characters started to feel real and relatable as well. I think this book would be good as a first book in a series. Seeing Marica Clark's previous series, perhaps one is coming! I will keep an eye out for it.
Thank you Net Galley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I jumped at the chance to read an arc of a book written by THE Marcia Clark, who undoubtedly knows all the ins and out of the law. And whereas all the legal aspects of this story are impeccably written, I can't help but feel like something was missing.

I definitely think that this would be a much better reading experience than listening to it. The narrators (Clark being one of them) were rather emotionless and monotone. I had to speed up the narration and even then I spaced out frequently leaving me wondering what had just happened, but honestly, not caring enough to go back.

Thank you to RB Media, Recorded Books and NetGalley who provided me with an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own. #TheFallGirl #NetGalley