I received an audio ARC of this novel.

Story: I like that it's two women working together - this is not something that really happens in books, outside of specific series that advertise it as being ALL ABOUT WOMEN. I also liked the consideration that Erica took to not force a victim to testify if it was too hard, that is not something that is usually portrayed in normal procedural crime dramas. I wish there was a bit more of backstory for Lauren / Charlie, so it was understandable how people wouldn't be able to "find her out" - it was almost like a dramatic version of My Cousin Vinny, using different names to keep practicing law.

My main issue with this book was the narration. As it switched from chapter to chapter, i found myself having to switch my speed constantly because the two narrators did not have the same pace. Erika's sections were much quicker and had to be adjusted down.

I ended up really enjoying this one! The pacing in the first half is pretty slow. I feel like we got stuck in the weeds a bit about some of the background surrounding the characters/cases but the pay-off ended up being worth it once I started enjoying the character development and the uncovering of the mystery. By the end of the book I was loving the characters and their relationships and the ending of the book was *chef's kiss*. I felt so satisfied and quite literally smiled during some of the final parts of the book.

The audio itself worked well too. I liked that the two main characters had different narrators so it was easier to follow along and connecting the characters with the voices made me feel like I was listening to old friends tell me about their experiences.

I highly recommend for fans of drama/mysteries (think: Sally Hepworth) and who enjoy hearing about court cases. The fact that this book is written by Marcia Clark makes the story even more interesting!

Content Rating: PG-13. There was nothing super graphic but the book does deal with many adult themes and topics (abuse, rape, etc.)

I listened to this as a NetGalley audio book. It was what I'd call a good beach read. It wasn't highly sophisticated but was an enjoyable story. At times, it was unbelievable, even for a fiction book. Overall, for a light read, I would recommend it.

As an actual lawyer, this book is not readable.

The book opens with total impossibility:

#1 You can't practice in a state where you don't have a license
#2 you have to put your lawyer ID on literally everything and can't so much as file a paper without it.

This means it is IMPOSSIBLE to practice law or be a lawyer with a fake name, without having passed the bar, etc. etc.

#3 a PROSECUTOR? There is NO WAY *any* DA office wasn't going to figure out she was lying/fake/blah blah

I can't begin to express how badly this irked me.

I also found the narrator for Erica (assuming this is the author) awful. I wish authors would stop trying to read fiction. It's so rare they can. The Charlie chapters narrator is fine.

After 6? 7? chapters, nothing has happened; there is nothing moving the story or there to keep me interested. I couldn't force myself to continue.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Legal thrillers tend to be hit or miss for me but The Fall Girl sounded interesting so I decided to give it a shot. This was my first Marcia Clark book so I came into it really with no expectations. Overall the story was good and really kept you on your toes with lots of little tidbits to keep you guessing. I wish I had enjoyed the book more overall but I will definitely be checking out more of Marcia Clark’s work.

The Fall Girl 🔪

A captivating legal thriller by Marcia Clark, who is a former LA district attorney and known for being the prosecutor on the OJ Simpson murder case.

When Charlie Blair left Chicago - and her old life as Lauren Claybourne - she starts working for the Santa Cruz DA office and hopes to keep on the down low. But when she is thrown into a high profile murder case with a hot-shot prosecutor, Erika Lorman, she is pushed back into action.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ; I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy a legal thriller, but I loved it! The book was filled with multiple storylines and I was truly guessing all the way until the end! It was a perfect mystery!

Thank you @rarebirdlit and @netgalley for the advanced readers copy! The Fall Girl releases next week! ⭐️

#TheFallGirl #MarciaClark #CathyLepard #RBMedia #RecordedBooks #NetGalley

Charlie Blair creates a new life for herself at the Santa Cruz DA's office, trying to outrun her scary past.

Erika Lorman is the star prosecutor there, fresh off her latest case that resulted in the trial and conviction of a well-known figure for murder.

When a single mom and local bail bondsman is brutally murdered, her teenaged daughter becomes the prime suspect.

As Erika and Charlie investigate and follow leads, disturbing events take place and shadowy figures from the past threaten the peace and safety of Charlie and Erika.

Will they be able to decipher the facts in time to ensure that justice prevails?

This ALC was an entertaining listen.

Lauren Claybourne (who was once Charlie Blair) got a new job at the Santa Cruz DA’s office and was happy to leave her old life behind. There she meets the Erika Lorman, a prosecutor who has a touch with juries and is known as a hot shot. They begin working on the case of a murdered bail bondsman, Shelly Hansen.

Both Lauren/Charlie and Erika have secrets. Lauren/Charlie is hiding from her past and is worried that she will be found and shy's away from press and getting too close to her co-workers. As the case progresses, it becomes evident that something isn't right.

I jumped at the chance of reading a book by Marcia Cross. I've heard so much positive buzz about her writing. I felt as a former prosecutor herself, this would be a spot-on legal thriller that would feel authentic. While I enjoyed the plot, I wasn't wowed by it. I listened to the audiobook. While the narrators (one being Marcia Cross) were good, it just didn't work well for me.

I found this to be an intriguing and enjoyable book and I am open to reading more Marcia Clark books in the future, I just wish I had enjoyed this one a little more.

#TheFallGirl #NetGalley.

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

My thanks to Net Galley and Recorded Books for this advanced audio copy.

Another winner by the author. Engaging murder mystery of a bail bondsman and celebrity chef. Two narrators from two different character perspectives. Enjoyed listening to Marcia Clark. Recommend.

1. How did I not know that Marcia Clark has written legal/crime thriller fiction?!

2. Her latest novel, The Fall Girl, is a stand-alone legal thriller that is an excellent read. As you would expect, Clark brings the criminal law perspective but writes it in a way that is easy for non-lawyers to understand. I listened to the audiobook and it was well narrated. I did not want to stop listening and was hooked on the plot line!

I highly recommend this legal thriller. I’m now going to go check out her series of novels and play catch-up!

Thank you @netgalley and @recordedbooks for allowing me to listen to this audiobook ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

I'm definitely going to have to play catch up on all of this authors books.
This one just held me gripped for 3 days!!

I'm not going to lie, I didn't realise that Marcia Clark wrote books, so happy that she does though - wow, she can write a great story, with a fantastic HEA.

I want to thank the author, NetGalley and RB Media,
for the opportunity to listen to this terrific new book.

Was hoping that this would be a standout thriller and it just fell flat i finished it because the generosity of the arc but if i borrowed from library would have been a dnf.

Book Title: The Fall Girl
Author: Marcia Clark
Audiobook Narrators: Marcia Clark and Cathy Lepard
Publisher: RB Media
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: September 13, 2022
My Rating: 3.2 Stars!

Prosecutor Lauren Claybourne leaves Chicago and a bad situation behind. She changes her name to Charlie Blair —and accepts a job in the DA office with hot shot prosecutor Erika Lorman in the beautiful coastal town of Santa Cruz, CA. They work together on the investigation of the murder of a local bail bondsman Shelly Hansen. The prime suspect is Shelly’s teenage daughter.

Story is written by ‘The’ Marcia Clark. I had to laugh out loud when she was describing Erika Lorman as it seemed she was trying to soften the rough image most of us have of Marcia herself when she the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial.

Erika seemed like an okay person: Charlie on the other hand was unlikeable but I was curious about the case.
I am a big audiobook fan and typically don’t like when the author reads their story (I prefer an actor as they actually perform the characters!) However, I thought Marcia Clark did a pretty good job.
I didn’t like Charlie so wasn’t sure if it was her personality or the way the audio narrator performed her character????

I did end up liking it better than I thought.

Want to thank NetGalley and RB Media for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 13, 2022

Many thanks to NetGalley and RB Media/Recorded Books for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest legal thriller by Marcia Clark - 4.5 stars!

Charlie Blair was forced to leave her life in Chicago as Lauren Claybourne behind as she feared for her life. Now working in the Santa Cruz DA's office, she hides from the press and is constantly scared that someone is following her. When she is tasked to be second chair on a high-profile murder case behind prosecutor, Erika Lorman, she knows staying out of the spotlight will be hard. Lorman is fresh off a successful prosecution of Blake Steers when a teenager is accused of killing her bail bondsman mother, Shelly Hansen. As the investigation ramps up, both Charlie and Erika's pasts threaten to expose them and wreck their case.

I really enjoy Marcia Clark's legal thrillers - because she definitely knows her stuff and writes wonderfully! The book was filled with multiple storylines with each main character, so I was anxious to get back to each viewpoint with the next chapter. Fingers crossed that Marcia will use this as a start to a new series! I thought it was a treat to listen to the author voice Charlie's character - she has such a distinctive voice it made things come alive for me. Cathy Lepard voiced Erika well too, although there seemed to be a different volume for each.

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

I’ve read or listened to most of Marcia Clark’s books and enjoyed them. I received the audio version of this book for review. I would have given it a higher rating on ebook. Neither of the narrators did the book any favors for me (sorry), but the book itself was a compelling legal mystery!

*Thanks to RB digital and NetGalley for an advance copy of the audiobook.

Charlie had to leave her life, and even her name, behind. She moves to Santa Cruz and joins the DA's office. She is assigned second chair to Erika, the best prosecutor in the county. Charlie and Erika are suspicious of each other, and for good reason. Both are hiding things. As they work together on this case, their pasts unravel.

So, this was ok. I think my biggest issue is the suspension of belief needed for the story. Especially Charlie's story- I find it incredibly hard to believe that she could change her name, move across the country, and get another job practicing law. Did no one check?! What about the bar? There was a lame attempt at explaining away the bar exam at one point.

I listened to the audiobook. Dual narration for Charlie and Erika's POVs by Marcia Clark and Cathy Lepard. Neither was remarkable. It wasn't terrible, but neither did it do the book any favors.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good legal thriller! And who better to pen a tale than Marcia Clark, known for her role in the OJ Simpson murder trial. I’ve read one of her previous books and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I jumped at the chance for her latest. Even featuring Marcia herself as one of the narrators!💃

Needing to leave her life behind and start new, Lauren finds a job at the DA office in Santa Cruz and begins her new life as Charline(Charlie.) But as in most cases, she may not be able to outrun her past.

Presently working with fellow prosecutor Erika on the murder of a local bail bondswoman, may leave Charlie even more exposed and vulnerable. Even Erika’s secrets are now at risk too!

I think this may have been one of those times the 'book' version may have worked better than the audio. Though Marcia Clark and Cathy Lepard did an amazing job with the voice talent, I kept having to change the volume and speed ⬆️⬇️ depending on who was narrating at that time. Eventually it became rather distracting, leaving me lost in the shuffle, trying to follow the storyline.🤷‍♀️

I know Marcia Clark is an excellent writer so I will be sure to read the ‘digital’ format next time.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media 🎧

This was interesting and intriguing and kept me guessing to the end (which is something that doesn't always happen). Having two strong women leads pitted against each other made this interesting and wondering if one was really straying over the line too far...well...you be decide that one. Overall, I gave it 4 stars because it was slow moving in parts but glad it resolved itself well.

CAPTIVATING! My seventh book by the author and my favorite—her best yet! A taut, cleverly crafted murder mystery that will leave you guessing to the explosive ending.

Marcia Clark is a former LA, California deputy district attorney who was the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder case, bestselling author, television correspondent, producer, frequent media commentator, and columnist on legal issues. She returns with a standalone riveting legal thriller—THE FALL GIRL.

Charlie Blair (Lauren Claybourne) is hiding from a monster from her past. She has a new identity after leaving Chicago and is now with the Santa Cruz DA's office. She must keep a low profile.

She worries about her family constantly and always looking over her shoulder for the monster. She could lose her job and life if anyone finds out about her.

Erika Lorman, a hotshot prosecutor, has just won a big case, making a name for herself. Now there is more pressure with a new high-profile murder case, and Charlie has been assigned her co-chair. Charlie does not need a high-profile case and needs to stay out of the press and limelight.

The case is a murder of a local bail bondsman Shelly Hansen and the daughter is the top suspect. Is she guilty or innocent?

Charlie and Erika are both keeping secrets, both from a highly abusive backgrounds. We learn more about both pasts and how their past have shaped their present. They have more in common than they know, if only they could communicate on a more personal level.

Ericka will stop at nothing to win with the help of Skip. How far is she willing to go, crossing moral lines while throwing her co-chair under the bus? She is also suffering from panic attacks and is worried about her brother. If anyone discovers what she is doing, she could lose her job and her license.

However, Charlie is brilliant, and she suspects something is wrong. She suspects the person on trial for murder is innocent, and she does not trust Erika. However, how will she go up against her? What will happen to the case?

In a twisted game of cat and mouse, the two women are supposed to be on the same side with two different agendas. Will blackmail work, or will Charlie step up against all odds to seek justice for the wrongly accused? Will Erika be willing to lose it all for the truth?

Wow! This is one riveting legal thriller with two strong, intelligent women with personal, abusive pasts that make for relatable characters. The author knows her way around a courtroom and is a talented writer.

I love legal thrillers—my favorite genre. The author does an outstanding job with character development, courtroom scenes, and investigative skills and dives deep into the human psyche, making this a must-read winner! There is a focus on complex themes of morality, conscience, and personal responsibility.

Reflecting on the author's past, both professionally and personally, THE FALL GIRL is a highly recommended read. For those who enjoy legal thrillers, strong women, intense courtroom scenes, storylines with an undercurrent of humanity, heartbreaking honesty, emotional depth, and a passionate search for justice.

I have read some of her earlier books, her Rachel Knight and Samantha Brinkman series; however, THE FALL GIRL is brilliantly written, and two characters, Charlie and Erika, that I thoroughly enjoyed and hope she brings back for a series!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author and Cathy Lepard for an engaging and outstanding performance. Highly recommend the audiobook. Get this one on your list!

A special thank you to RB Media, Recorded Books, and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. I also have pre-ordered the hardcover.

Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Sep 13, 2022
My Rating: 5 Stars
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