Downstate is a novella by best-selling American author, Jeffery Deaver that features Special Agent Constant Marlowe, itinerant investigator for the Department of Criminal Investigations in the state of Illinois. As she heads downstate from Chicago to the small town of Plains, Constant Marlowe is reminded of why she hates cornfields.

She’s on the trail of an unnamed individual who has never killed anyone, never been arrested, but is well-known on the dark web for the weapon he sells: information. This Mr X can lead her to a ruthless sociopath who is on every law enforcement agency’s wanted list. He may be aware she’s coming, but has he underestimated Constant and the little sting she’s set up?

Later, in the downtime until her target is transported to the city, she somehow gets entangled in a very nasty racket going on in the town, and ends up on the run with a teenaged petty thief, a BOLO out on them both and a blanket order that endangers their lives. But Constant is not one to shy away from a challenge.

Before matters are properly resolved, Constant gets into a fist fight, Evan Quill makes an appearance, and Constant’s loathing for cornfields is strongly reinforced. More of this cast, please, Mr Deaver!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories

Special agent Constant Marlowe stumbles into a conspiracy situation miles from her home office in Chicago. Using her investigating skills and ability to analyze a crime scene quickly, she stops a young man from being railroaded into a lockup facility. Plenty of action and tense situations make this novella a quick read!

I enjoyed the first Constant Marlowe novella and was excited to discover what happens next. Constant has an interesting backstory and her position in law enforcement offers her some leeway in how she does her job.

There are two storylines and when you think you know what is going on, you find out you were wrong. The story is fast-paced, engaging, and the spots of humor add to the enjoyment. I hope to read more of Constant’s adventures in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, and Jeffery Deaver for the eARC.

Constant Marlowe is back! And she returns with her impressive investigative instincts as well as her boxing skills. This is the second novella in the series and it does help to have read the first one just to understand her story. Luckily, I had!

Constant is after “Mr X” who she is hoping to turn witness in a case. But when she lands up in pokey Downstate, she stumbles across a case that, at the outset, seemed cut and dry, but has tendrils that extend from robbery to as far as human trafficking. And every time you think you can see the plot twist coming... you can’t!

As always, I loved the author’s style of writing. It’s physical and cerebral and as though each angle is dissected and brought to you. Like watching a movie but really having to think about why each thing is happening. Small interactions that you take for granted as moving the story along actually turn out to be something important. So this really is a quick read as you can just fly through it to get to figure out the why and who.

I had two gripes. One was the bow that was a little too neat at the end. I’m all for her to take into account all the aspects of the investigation, but when the bow is double knotted and sparkly after ALL the action (and there was a LOT) that took place... um... okay... The second gripe is entirely on me and it’s just something my eye kept noticing. When dialogue opened a chapter, the opening quotation marks were missing off the drop cap. I know some take this as a style issue but it was enough to make me pause for a second and I don’t like doing that when reading!

Overall a great story with info and action galore. I look forward to seeing where Constant and her “I’ll do it my way, thanks” is going next!

Constant is back on a new case but she gets sidetracked by a young boy. She has caught her man she just needs him to spill everything that he knows. She was about to stop a young boy from been beaten but she does something out of character. Constant knows that she needs to save the young boy as she doesn’t trust the sheriff especially as a human trafficking ring is in his town. She knows that she needs to tread lightly but who can she trust? Will she be able to close both cases and move on to the next one? Constant Marlowe is like no other agent she is a fighter never gives up and always gets her man. Good to see Evan in the book
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

This book was an enjoyable quick read. A good storyline with enough mystery and suspense to keep the reader interested. This is a book which I would recommend to others.

I am a huge Jeffery Deaver fan, particularly his Lincoln Rhyme series. So after seeing this new novella I couldn’t download it fast enough, not realizing this was actually book two of a series. Book one is The Rule of Threes, featuring Special Agent Constant Marlowe. How did I miss that?‍ By the time I realized my mistake I was too far in to stop.

I always consider myself a series gal. Love them. With that said…I always start with book one and make my way through the entire series. Thus, missing book one threw me into a tail spin.

Here are my thoughts without knowing the backstory of our MC. It simply didn’t work for me. I had a nagging feeling I was missing something from start to finish. I had no connection to the characters or storyline.

So this is likely a case of, it’s me and not the book🙋🏻‍♀️. Many readers enjoyed this novella more than I did, so I strongly urge you to read other reviews.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.

Fast-paced with twists, suspense and humour, Jeffery Deaver delivers a thrilling novella in Downstate. Agent Constant Marlowe is such a vibe! This was a quick and interesting read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Netgalley and Amazon Short Stories.

I felt like this was overall a great quick story. I genuinely liked the characters, specifically Marlowe. I do feel like the book had too much going on for something so short, but not too much that you can not follow. I would definitely recommend to others. I have now read several Jeffery Deaver books and have been very pleased.

Constant Marlowe returns in a novella that continues to push twists and turns at every opportunity and every single time you think you've got it figured out, something completely different happens. These novellas are incredibly fun, and I always want to go back and start over to see all of Deaver's foreshadowing. I hope he keeps writing because I'll keep reading.

Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

I love Constant Marlow. I’m hoping for a full length novel at some point. Her character has a great backstory and is a lone wolf. Each story has taken place in a different location, so there is no repetition with the scenery’. All the stories are stand-alone but you get more character development with each one. I suggest reading them in publication order.

Constant is looking for someone to turn evidence against a very bad man from Chicago. She starts looking in areas downstate in Illinois. As she looks she somehow stumbles into other operations while trying to find her man. The twists and turns are really interesting and this is a great book!

Downstate by Jeffery Deaver (4.5 stars)
Publishing Date: January 14, 2025

Agent Marlowe is chasing down Mr. X. Her mission leads her to the farming community of Illinois. Marlowe is a badass for sure! She’s able to handle everything in her way of uncovering the truths that have been hidden for so long.

This book is written in such detail that you will be sucked into the conspiracies, and plot twists. Deavers writing style is thrilling and enjoyable! He has an amazing way of pulling you into the book with how immersive his words are. Downstate will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole read. Plot twist after plot twist, you’ll quickly get sucked in, and unable to put it down!

Thank you again, Amazon Orig. Stories for allowing me to read this book for review via NetGalley

You can always count on Jeffery Deaver for a high-octane, in-your-face, edge-your-seat thriller and the novella, Downstate, is no exception. Constant Marlowe is one kick-ass main protagonist and the story fills a short space with one shocking twist after another, keeping the reader glued to the page waiting for the next one. And, if that’s not enough for the pickiest thriller reader, it ends on a very satisfying note. Definitely one fun, fast, and highly entertaining read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read this novella in exchange for an honest review

**3.5 stars**

Constant, a special agent in Illinois, pursues a case in a small town that turns into a chase for the truth that's much more complex than expected. I hadn't actually read the first novella in this series, but enough backstory was given here that although it likely would have been a more immersive read if I had, it wasn't necessary. Although after reading this, I may go back and read the first one!

Deaver writes in a vivid, in-your-face, casual manner that thriller and mystery fans would enjoy. As the story progressed, I got more invested in (and paranoid of!) the main characters. The author keeps you guessing until the end, even with chapters written from different character POVs. I would bet you haven't read a book with a higher ratio of pages to descriptions of corn.

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Constant Marlowe is a brilliant creation and I find her whole personality absolutely riveting, especially how she works through her decisions to skirt around the rules. This is a terrific story and watching the truth emerge as Constant uncovers it is really satisfying. Deaver always delivers.