“Let me start this review with a disclaimer: romance novels have never been high on my list when browsing Amazon.com for a new read. Yet, the story of “Heaven Falls” piqued my curiosity; with its international settings and large cast of not-so-lovable characters (I’m a sucker for a well-written drama of dysfunctional family life).
I do, however, love a good mystery, and “Heaven Falls” contained an abundance of complex plot twists, that had me re-reading earlier chapters, and guessing (sometimes with accuracy, sometimes not) “whodunit.”
Although the story toggles between New York City and a variety of exotic worldwide locations, the majority of the action takes place in, and around, the fictitious, exclusive health spa of “Heaven Falls.” Located in upstate New York, the author’s detailed description of seasonal changes, within the breathtaking countryside surrounding the resort, instantly transported me into her main character’s world…a world that I hated to leave once I had finished the novel.
Much like the “Romantic Interludes” featured within the mysterious resort; I was pleased that Winslow Eliot’s romance thriller was spiced with brief interludes of sensuality, instead of the explicit, erotic sexual encounters that seem to be so prominent in the majority of modern romance novels.
As a student of Geek and Roman ancient history, I especially enjoyed the short paragraphs at the beginning of each chapter. Each chapter header focused on a specific herb; its history and its primary uses over the centuries as an essential oil. I went so far as to bookmark each chapter for future reference when writing my next novel; proving that an entertaining story can also be a wonderful learning experience.
As to Winslow Eliot’s writing style…it is a mixture of: part Mary Higgins Clark, in that both authors weave a web of intrigue within their spellbinding thrillers; part Virginia Woolf, in sentence structure and character development; with a dash of Danielle Steel, delving into the dregs of human nature.
I highly recommend, “Heaven Falls,” by Winslow Eliot, if you’re looking for the perfect summer read (even though there are no vampires or werewolves). It is one of the few novels that I started reading the moment I awoke, and could not fall asleep that evening until the last page was read.”
Dee Marie
Dee Marie is the author of the recently published “Sons of Avalon: Merlin’s Prophecy.” You can find out more about her and her books here.
You can read this review of Heaven Falls on Amazon here.