Fast paced, nice twists and a good storyline. Recommended for those long days when time just doesn't pass you by.

Downstate by Jeffrey Deaver is a novella featuring Constant Marlowe, who is a Chicago police officer, if a little different than most. She is currently tracking Mr. X, a man who had no face and no name, but he did have an employer, Tyson Barth, the biggest gangster in the city. She had decided to go downstate to Plains. She had no lead there, but hoped Mr X would follow. While there she managed to find problems with a simple purchase of a pack of Oreos, double-stuff, and a pint of milk. A young kid, may be Hispanic, maybe not, reached over the counter and swiped simple gift cards. He ran. She ran. She caught him and called the deputy she had worked with earlier in the day. Then, walking back to the motel she caught a domestic between two gay men. She showed the bully of the pair what she had learned in her years of boxing, and called the deputy again. Then it started to get complicated. Instead of springing Mr X from the jail for transport, she took the kid and he had a story to tell.

Constant is a good person who can take care of herself. She sometimes trusts the wrong people, but don’t we all. In this case after her call to the deputy, she called her “friend,” a prosecutor and as she had known, he came and bailed her out. It seems she had busted police corruption, a human-trafficking ring, and a drug ring all in one confrontation. She also saved the life of an innocent young man. She’s a great cop and an even better person, and I love reading about her. Good character. I love heroes!

I was invited to read Downstate by Amazon Original Stories. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #AmazonOriginalStories #JeffreyDeaver #Downstate

Deaver's Constant Marlowe series has gotten rave reviews from what I've seen, but, compared to his others, I don't know if I feel the same. Don't get me wrong - Constant is a fun character and her cases have all been in traditional Deaver style. But there's just something about both this novella, and the one that came before it, that left me wanting. Maybe it's the length, maybe it's the 'been there, done that' of such a prolific writer, but these stories just kind of feel more like the same. Like with his short stories, there's little time to dig into the character, so there's a little detachment from her personally. I will admit I liked this one better than the 'Rule of Threes,' and maybe that's because we're figuring out Constant a bit more. Either way, the stories are short, and I have such faith in Deaver that I will read anything he writes. But there's nothing about these that make me break my TBR for. Maybe that's why they're released with little notice? Not sure. I miss Lincoln Rhyme.

Downstate by Jeffery Deaver is a very suspenseful and entertaining story.
This is a wonderfully twisting tale that kept me glued to the book.

Despite being a quick read, Jeffrey did a great job developing the characters and suspense. Constane Marlowe is no nonsense and I loved that!

I thoroughly enjoyed Constance Marlowe. I will be seeking out and reading more for sure! She was no nonsense and it was a great police procedural.

Rows of corn over 6 feet high as far as the eye can see. This is the location Constant Marlowe finds herself in. She wants to transport a criminal from Plains, Illinois to Chicago, but the county sheriff rejects her transfer request.

Tyson Barth was a local gangster whose warehouses gave Constant a lead to the town of Plains. Could this be the repository site for illegal drugs coming into the state? And what about the number of young ladies who seem to disappear from the area?

This tome has some very interesting twists and also points to unlawful activities in downstate Illinois. The plot is interesting and the book is well written. Enjoy! 4.5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

Some Are Not As They Appear

Special Agent Constant Marlowe of the Illinois Department of Criminal Investigations is driving to Plains County to find Marcel Descartes. He can find people even when they hide. A crime boss in Chicago uses him to find people he wants to eliminate. Marlowe is to bring him back to be a cooperating witness. With the help of a local Deputy Sheriff, she executes a clever trap to arrest Descartes. Afterward, Marlowe goes into a small grocery store to buy a quick dinner. While checking out, a very young boy is in front of her. He grabs some gift cards and runs. The owner chases him. She pursues finding them fighting, breaks it up, and arrests the kid. A deputy takes him away. She returns to the grocery store, but it is closed. As she walks away, two arguing men catch her attention. She quickly assesses it as a domestic dispute, but the larger man takes offense and starts to challenge her. She obliges and puts her guns in a bag. What that man did not know is that Marlowe was a professional boxer. Off to the detention center he goes. Later, Marlowe, waiting in the detention center, sees the kid just arriving. He is more beat up than when he was arrested. She learns that the sheriff wants to send him to the adult facility vice, a facility that can house minors. Marlowe decides to take matters into her own hands. From this start, she starts to unravel a complex case.

This short story has only one thread, starting in one direction that changes quickly when Marlowe creates a fake transport document with the kid’s name. On the ride back to Chicago, she learns from the kid that they are driving away from serious crimes back in Plains. She turns around. Every Plain character mentioned in the first paragraph plays a significant role. What follows is a fast-paced rollercoaster ride with twists, turns, and what I call a literary grenade, as it changed my whole understanding of the bad and good guys. Each encounter involves shooting and deathly threats to her and the kid. Chases separate the encounters. This kept my interest to the short story’s end.

This short story's background is a little thin, a common characteristic of this genre. Most of it is provided to explain the reasons behind her current behavior. As for her character, her actions and discussions offer most of it. This aspect was adequate and did not detract from my reading enjoyment.

This novel contains some aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading. While there are no intimate scenes, there are references to such activity. Objectional language is noticeable but appropriate, given the action’s nature and level. All violence is presented as it occurs. It is not more than what can be seen on prime-time television. I did not realize before requesting this short story that it is the second in the series. I did not see any undocumented references to it in this story. You should be able to read this short story without reading the previous novel.

My only issue with this short story is typical for this genre. Some of Marlowe’s actions are not legal, but they keep the pace fast. I liked that the novel was easy to read and that the author succeeded in focusing my attention on the wrong individuals. The reveals surprised me and enhanced my enjoyment of reading.

This is Jeffery Deaver's sixth work and the first short story I have read. I enjoyed reading it. He is on my Will-Read list of authors. I recommend reading this novel if the teasers interest you. I want to read more from this author and have the ARC of his next novel. I rate this novel with four stars.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Amazon Original Stories. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Amazon Original Stories, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Thanks to Netgalley, Publisher and the Author for the ARC.
This is a novella. More adventures of Constant Marlowe (I vaguely remember her from 'The rules of Three').
She is like a superhuman showing lots of misdirection to catch the bad guys. When she is pursuing a gangster's informant, she comes across a case of human trafficking and gets involved.
If you have read other books by Jefferey Deaver, you know there will be twists. So, none of the twists were surprising to me ! However, I am not sure if I read other books featuring Constant Marlowe.

Jeffery Deaver never disappoints. Even in this quick read, novella he has great character development, a fast paced plot and a significant number of unexpected twists. I couldn't put it down, read it straight through a few hours. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for an advanced reader copy.

i received an e-ARC from NetGalley and am giving my honest review!!

this was honestly a brilliantly written book. it’s not something i normally would’ve picked up, but i’m very glad i did! the author has most definitely done his research on mysteries and the like as each part and reveal of this left me speechless and in awe. so well done

A great novella in the Special Agent Constant Marlowe series. Jeffery Deaver always does a fantastic job of writing a mystery that keeps you engaged and it makes you never want to put it down.

Cotton Marlow returns in Downstate to work on another case. She is a welcome, bright and strong character. This is a quick and worthy read with the expected suspense and twists. I look forward to Cotton Marlow’s next adventure.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC!

Jeffrey Deaver’s Downstate is a fast-paced, tightly-wound novella that follows Special Agent Constant Marlowe as she investigates a chilling series of murders in the depths of rural Illinois. Deaver’s signature style of intricate plotting and taut suspense is on full display, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Marlowe is a complex, determined protagonist, and as the mystery unfolds, the tension mounts, leading to a shocking, satisfying conclusion. Deaver’s mastery of suspense and his ability to craft unexpected twists make Downstate a must-read for thriller fans.

This format of a short novel makes it a fast and easy read, the plot is interesting, and I like the writing style. I also like a strong female main character, but I prefer smart over lucky.

This is a fast paced novel with a few twists and turns. It will keep you turning the pages. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Don't trust anyone!
This fast-paced and tense novella brings back character Special Agent Constant Marlowe from last year in The Rule of Threes (not necessary to read that first to enjoy Downstate).

I love Constant's character, she is strong, takes no sh*t and works hard to solve mysteries. She gets thrown into a mystery when visiting a small town "downstate" in Illinois on a case. This was a quick read but it didn't lack suspense or tension. It's well-written and very descriptive. The scenes in the corn fields....spooky!

Anticipated pub: Jan 14

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jeffery Deaver's "Downstate" is a taut, gripping thriller that showcases the author's unparalleled ability to create suspenseful, character-driven narratives within a compact format. Deaver, known for his intricate plotting and deft storytelling, brings all his signature elements to this novella, delivering a story that is intense and satisfying.

The novella centers around a small-town detective who is called in to investigate a series of brutal murders in a quiet, rural community. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that these killings are not random acts of violence, but part of a larger, more sinister plan. Deaver expertly builds tension throughout the narrative, with each revelation adding to the sense of impending danger.

"Downstate" highlights Deaver's masterful character development. Despite the novella's shorter length, he manages to create fully realized, multi-dimensional characters that readers can easily connect with. The protagonist, a seasoned detective with a complex past, is particularly compelling. Deaver delves into the detective's personal struggles and motivations, adding depth and authenticity to the character.

The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, each adding their own unique perspectives and contributing to the overall narrative. Deaver's ability to create believable, relatable characters is one of his greatest strengths, and it shines through in this novella.

Deaver's writing is crisp and evocative, with a keen eye for detail that brings the setting and scenes to life. The rural landscape of the "downstate" region is vividly described, adding to the novella's atmospheric tension. The pacing is perfect, with a steady build-up of suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The plot is intricately woven, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the very end. Deaver is a master of misdirection, and he uses this skill to great effect in *Downstate*. Each clue and red herring is meticulously placed, leading to a climax that is surprising and satisfying.

"Downstate: A Novella" is a brilliant showcase of Jeffery Deaver's storytelling prowess. It is a gripping, well-crafted thriller that will appeal to both long-time fans of Deaver and newcomers to his work. With its compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and expertly plotted narrative, this novella is a testament to Deaver's talent as a writer. A must-read for anyone who enjoys a good suspense story.

Really good Novella. Loved the main character hope she stays around for awhile. interesting story line

This book is excellent. Two criminal cases, one badass female officer. Good flow, good character development. Interesting read.