Book Review: The Fallen in Soura Heights

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

'To all who are learning to find themselves. May you learn the true meaning of strength.'
- Amanda Jaeger



Welcome to Soura Heights. 'A small town, quiet and quaint. It sounded like the kind of place where people valued people and not their shopping bags and cell phones.... It felt like storybook perfection. ...
It was too good to be true.'

Because here, in Soura Heights, people have a tendency of being 'eaten by the woods' if they're not careful enough and stray off the path.
Ever since Fey Anderson had found out about the little town, she dreamt about it. How perfect it would be to settle over there with her dotting husband! How nicely she'd fit in! What she never expected however, was for her husband’s body to be found in Soura Height's forest. 'Eaten by the forest' according to the local authorities. Neither the first, nor the last to have suffered that fate. A reckless city boy who strayed off the safe path. Accidents are common in the Soura Heights forest. Or so locals say. Except that Fey doesn't buy it. Convinced there's something more behind it, she moves to Soura Heights determined to find the truth behind her husband's death.
'Even if that meant paying for it with her own life.'

Settling down there and weaving into the fabric of the small town, Fey slowly unravels closely guarded secrets of the place and people, realising the little dream town is everything BUT the peaceful place she imagined it to be. It’s all about survival in Soura Heights and Fey's digging around for clues disturbs certain people. If she doesn't find the strength to fully stand on her own and demand for the answers, she might just be the next one to fall. 'Eaten by the forest' - just like her husband.

'Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul
and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all.'
- Emily Dickinson

Hope is the only thing Fey has left after the death of her beloved husband. Hope that the memories of their love will give her the strength to face what's coming. And her inner struggle is beautifully described. Just as her imperfections, her weaknesses and insecurities. She is one character anyone can relate with and that's what I loved the most about her.

Her tale, and that of Soura Height's fallen, starts with a first-class bang. The big-bada-boom type of bang that will get you instantly hooked and make you want more. One hell of a start of you ask me.
The next few chapters however are a lot slower, giving a thorough insight into the atmosphere of the town, and the character of its residents, as well as Fey's background and personality. You may also find it a bit hard getting used to the different timelines, especially if you're not good with dates and numbers like me. :D
But once you've passed the 30% mark, hang on to your seats ladies and gents 'cause you're in for one hell of a ride. By that time the past and future beautifully interwind and you'll not only have a clear picture of 'what's been', but also start picking up clues and nicely setting them together. By that time you'll be hooked and want to 'just keep reading!'

The Fallen in Soura Heights is a small town mystery/thriller in which you may guess who's done it. But what comes next and how it all goes down is guaranteed to take you by surprise. The mystery is thrilling and the atmosphere delightfully creepy at times. The characters could practically be our next door neighbours and the setting is so vivid you'll almost taste the pies and smell the fragrance of the tea.
And all the while you get that threatening dark presence looming over your shoulder that gives the tale an extra kick, pushing it to the next level - the kickass thriller kind, until the very end.
Speaking of which, I swear I was waiting for an evil laughter up to the very last sentence in there.
Somewhat like this if I'm being honest:

And there aren't many books out there that managed to do that for me.

All in all, The Fallen in Soura Heights is a gripping and downright addictive small town mystery/thriller in which weakness turns to strength and courage is found in the unlikeliest circumstances.
It is a tale of hope and strength that can ultimately belong to each and every one of us.
It's a damn fine thriller that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it to all mystery thriller fans out there.

Happy reading everyone
and
'Be strong.'

Check out this book and more of Amanda Jaeger here.