This book definitely had me listening intently, and I liked the way the story progressed! I did figure this one out pretty quickly so that I didn’t love, but the twists and turns were pretty good. It also had a satisfying ending which I do enjoy. I am rating this book a 3 because I was able to figure the ending out, but am still going to recommend to friends because it kept me on the edge of my seat most of the way through. Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!

Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this title in exchange for my review.

I have to admit, after the first few chapters, I thought this was one of 'those books' - reading junk food that was all formulaic. But as time went on, I got to enjoy the book more and more. I still got confused with all the character names, and it seemed a bit overly long, but I got into the story and especially the Police Detective. I would happily read other books with the detective, should the author make her a regular character.

One compliant, though, and this isn't specific to this book or this author. Just a general irritation - Can we please stop equating cancer patients with a 'battle' and 'winning' or 'loosing'? It's really not cool. My mom had cancer and she wasn't a looser.

I like the narration. It is perfect for a book where someone has to solve an attempted murder. The characters and setting are good too. This lovely book just wasn't for me. I just do not like cop books and that is my issue.

This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Natalie Sammons, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley.

The narrator of this audiobook is Danielle Cohen. Ms. Cohen did a remarkable job keeping this cast of characters unique for the listener.

Susan Grey hosts a lavish fiftieth birthday party at her palatial home with 100 guests
At this party Susan takes a tumble down the stairs. Did she fall or was she pushed?

This is a police procedural following DI Grace Ruth as she investigates what exactly happened at Susan's birthday party.

This is well done and the final reveal is incredibly rewarding. I'm purposely giving veey little detail about this novel because I think the plot benefits from as little detail as possible. Who knew I could be so concise?

Thank you to Natalie Sammons, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

Before She Fell
Natalie Sammons
It was Susan Grey’s birthday, her fiftieth birthday. Over a hundred people attended the birthday party she threw for herself at her mansion. She was determined it would be the party of the century. She got her wish. An quarrel ensued, a piece of expensive jewelry disappeared then Susan fell down the grand staircase.
An internal investigation had DI Grace Roth teetered to her desk until she was assigned the Susan Grey’s case. It was a high-profile case and a chance to show just how good she was. At first the fall was deemed accidental but later conflicting evidence comes to light. Susan was in the hospital in an induced coma while her head injury healed. There was an over abundance of suspects from her husband, best friend, ex-husband, her sister to her son. Who had motive for killing Susan.
This was an interesting read. It seemed like everyone had a motive for doing away with Susan. Apparently to know her was to hate her. This is a police procedural tale. There are several points of view which work well in this. The story is a bit slow moving, too slow in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.

In the heart of "Before She Fell," listeners are thrust into a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of a lavish 50th birthday celebration. This audiobook, masterfully narrated by a seasoned voice artist, immerses you in a world where intrigue, deception, and suspense intertwine seamlessly.

The story unfolds as DI Roth, an investigator with a lot to prove in this town tries to solve the mystery, of what really happened before/during after the birthday festivities. The victim, fell down a flight of stairs, survived but remains in a coma.

From the outset, the audiobook captivates with its rich descriptions of the luxurious setting, painting a vivid picture of wealth and privilege. Each character is meticulously crafted, with motives that remain tantalizingly unclear as DI Roth navigates through a web of lies and hidden agendas. The tension escalates as suspects emerge, each with a plausible reason to want the victim silenced.

The audiobook's pacing is expertly managed, with suspenseful twists and turns that keep you guessing until the final moments. The narrator's voice adds depth to each scene, from the hushed conversations in dimly lit corners to the frenetic energy of interrogations.

What sets "Before She Fell" apart is its intricate plot, which challenges listeners to piece together clues alongside DI Roth. The author skillfully blends traditional detective work with modern forensic techniques, offering a refreshing take on the genre. As the investigation progresses, old secrets come to light, revealing a labyrinth of betrayal and greed hidden beneath the surface of glitz and glamour.

Ultimately, the audiobook delivers a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends while leaving room for speculation—a hallmark of a well-crafted detective mystery. "Before She Fell" is a must-listen for fans of the genre, offering both intrigue and entertainment in equal measure. With its compelling storyline and memorable characters, this audiobook proves to be a standout addition to any mystery lover's collection.

Whether you're a seasoned audiobook aficionado or new to the genre, "Before She Fell" promises an engaging listening experience that will keep you enthralled from start to finish. I am looking forward to following this author for future reads. I'm thankful to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for this ALC, all opinions are my own.

I wanted to love this book. I stuck with it until the very end, but it was hard. The premise was good; was she pushed or did she fall? There was a long list of suspects, as well as the possibility of a wardrobe malfunction. Certainly, motive was spread amongst several people. The problem for me is the story was tedious. I believe if it had been summed up quicker, it could’ve been a great read. It was just okay for me, but I’d definitely check out other works from this author. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.

https://www.instagram.com/colie_reads?igsh=ajAyY2R4YnQ0NTFj&utm_source=qr

Susan Grey throws herself a huge 50th birthday party and ends up, battered and unconscious, at the bottom of her elegant stairway. Did she trip or was she pushed?

Well she was pushed, obvs, and that's confirmed by an anonymous tip given to police in this psychological thriller that strings you along right up until the end.

There's no shortage of suspects, including Susan's current a-hole husband, her ex-husband who is hooking up with Susan's best friend, Susan's spoiled adult son, as well as her business partner jealous sister.

I knew who was responsible and why fairly early on, but the story keeps you hooked to the conclusion. Perfect for fans of Shari Lapena and like authors!

During her elaborate 50th birthday party at her beautiful Georgian home, Susan Grey has climbed the stairs, martini in hand, when she falls, landing sprawled at the bottom and one elegant shoe at the top. She lies in a coma between life and death, and while most people assume she tripped in her high heels, DI Grace Roth suspects foul play and attempted murder and works to recreate the events leading up to Susan's fall. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and spectaculaly read audiobook.

I really liked this one, good narrator too. I did not see the end coming. I would like to read more by this author.

Before She Fell by Natalie Sammons and narrated by Danielle Cohen is a brilliant thriller wrapped up in family drama and machinations. The multiple povs and timelines were easy to follow in an engaging, relatable storyline. Danielle Cohen did a great job of the narration, a fantastic audiobook!

It's her party but she will not cry even though she wants to...

Susan Grey is turning fifty, a successful businesswoman, she is going to make a huge announcement... but she doesn't get a chance, she falls down the stairs, unconscious, in a coma

However, all is not cut and dried and DI Grace Roth gets passed an answerphone message, a tip claiming that the accident was not an accident, it was very much attempted murder

I loved the framing of the story and that the relegation to desk duty for Grace Roth was a background and not a main factor. The family network structure was brilliant, especially how it tied in with the timelines and povs. A fantastic novel all round

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, the author Natalie Sammons and narrator Danielle Cohen for this gripping ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

An entertaining, if somewhat predictable, murder mystery. The story follows DI Grace Roth as she investigates a fall at a lavish birthday party that may not be as accidental as it seems.

While the plot kept me engaged, I found the multiple points of view to be distracting. Switching between characters made it difficult to connect with any one person fully. The reveal felt a little obvious, and overall the story wasn't anything groundbreaking.

If you're looking for a quick, light mystery read, this could be a good pick. But for those who crave a more suspenseful and surprising whodunit, this might fall a little flat.

This was a really great listen with family drama, lies and a determined detective. Well written to keep you guessing what actually happened and the family dynamics. Well narrated as well.

Before She Fell by Natalie Sammons is a captivating thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end!

When Susan Grey’s lavish fiftieth birthday party ends in chaos and a suspicious fall, Grace Roth sees a chance to redeem herself by solving the case. With an intriguing mix of family drama, jealousy, and hidden motives, Sammons writes a compelling narrative filled with well-drawn characters and unexpected twists. The stakes are high, and every clue adds to the suspense, making this a must-read for thriller fans who love a good detective story.

Huge thank you to @netgalley and @dreamscape_media for the advanced audiobook!

It took me a little bit to get into this story, as most of the characters aren't very likeable, so it took me a while to care about them and about solving the mystery. It may have been a pacing issue, as it did seem to drag a bit in parts. However, once I got into this story, I found it really engaging and I began to get into unraveling the story. I found the ending satisfying, and overall, I ended up really enjoying this book.

What a great thriller. It was so good and it kept me going until the very end. Maybe a movie will be in the future.

A woman falls down the stairs at her lavish 50th birthday party.

Did she fall or was she pushed?

The book's premise was intriguing and the author's characterizations were strong.

The list of suspects was plentiful and the twist at the end of the book was jolting.

I especially enjoyed the book's police procedural component and the character of DI Grace Roth, the lead investigator on this case.

WHY NOT 5 STARS?
The book's pacing was slow and tedious at times.

I listened to the audiobook read by Danielle Cohen. Although Danielle Cohen did a superb job with the narration, the audiobook would have benefited from a full cast of narrators.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This did feel like a mystery book but not like the kind of thriller I expected. It wasn't unputdownable. I don't know if that was more on the writing style or the narrator. I felt like the pacing wasn't fast enough. The book didn't live up to my expectations from reading the blurb. I didn't feel any emotional connection with any of the characters.

This was good; very well written and captivating. I had no idea who was at fault. It did feel a little too long towards the end but that is my only complaint. No maniacal characters, no long winded confessions, nothing over the top or unbelievable 👍

I am definitely going to look for more books by this author. Thanks netgalley for my ALC.

This story just didn’t do it for me. It seemed a bit long and drawn out, and no real thrilling twist. I love more suspenseful, thrilling books. This one may be loved by others, worth trying, just not for me.