Rating: 
Summary: Written like a well-plotted television show!!
Review: "Fall From Grace", Clyde Phillips' first in a series of psychological thrillers, is written like a well-plotted television show---which comes as no surprise springing from the mastermind of many long-running shows ("Parker Lewis Can't Lose" being one of them). This wham-bam shoot-'em-up is furiously paced and intelligent as well. It all seems to begin when handsome lawyer David Perry is told by his beautiful wife that she is suing for divorce. The following emotional battle degenerates into a hateful tug-of-war. Perry moves into a recently purchased condo, pining for more time with his only daughter, Lily, whom his soon-to-be ex-wife wants to deny him visitation rights with. One day, while taking a seemingly random ride on San Francisco's BART transit system, Perry strikes up a conversation with Barton Hubble, a self-proclaimed "expert" on foreign cars...which Perry finds to be fortuitous, since his BMW's recent mechanical problems are the reason he says he's been forced to utilize public transit. The two become unlikely friends when Hubble offers to fix Perry's car "free of charge", in exchange for some free legal advice. Finding a sympathetic ear, Perry spills his anger and bitterness about his wife...and suddenly finds himself in the midst of a murder investigation. His wife is kidnapped from her own house one morning, only to be found brutally murdered and buried in a shallow grave in a nearby park. Enter Jane Candiotti, one of SF's finest homicide detectives. Her and her partner Kenny are handed the investigation, on top of an already full case-load. What the pair don't realize is exactly how complicated their lives and their careers are about to become. When Jane falls in love with Perry, much to the anger and dismay of her partner, the story takes a series of astounding and thrilling twists.Phillips knows how to pace his story and throw in just enough action and intrigue to make this not only a page-turner, but a page-burner as well! Believable characters, emotional depth, intricate plot twists, and breathtaking scenery conspire to make this a must-read book. I heartily look forward to reading the next in the series!
Rating:
Summary: A mystery with a surprise ending
Review: David Perry looks like a great main character...he's a good lawyer with a supporting father-in-law, a great wife, and a wonderful preteen daughter whom he dotes on. However, in the beginning of the story, the father-in-law dies in a plane crash; the wife sues for divorce; and the daughter is miserable and lonely just as the wife is kidnaped and then murdered. We know throughout most of the book just who did the kidnapping and murdering, but can't figure out how it all ties together. Jane Candiotti is a homicide inspector looking for a personal life and having trouble with her partner. When she is assigned to David's wife's murder, she becomes involved with David and loses some of her objectivity which causes even more discension between she and her partner. The surprise twists don't get resolved until very close to the end making for a book that is hard to skip ahead on or put down.
Rating: 
Summary: Clyde Phillips'debut novel packs a powerful punch!
Review: FALL FROM GRACE plasters you to the book on the first page and never let's go. The characters are compelling, commanding, real; the plot fascinating, with more twists than Hwy 1; and the pacing is break-neck beautiful. Rarely, if ever, have I read a debut novel (or one by an old hand) that has kept my heart in my throat and me on the edge of my chair from start to finish. Phillips' book did. He has a compelling style, a gritty insight into human nature--even the sides of it we want to recoil from--and explores them without flinching. (Kudos to him on that!) Obviously, since this is his first novel, it's my first opportunity to read Clyde Phillips' work. It definitely won't be the last!
Rating:
Summary: Very good first novel
Review: Fritz, a friend of mine told me about Blindsided, but I found the paperback - "Fall from Grace" and decided to give it a try. I took the book with me to Ireland and didn't open it until late at night when I couldn't sleep. Well, I found myself unable to put it down. I eventually did, because I needed the sleep, but all in all this was a good read. The title makes it predictable, and I do tend to get annoyed by flawless characters who can do no wrong and know everything, but it is my understanding that this was a first novel and I really liked how it was written. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Phillips work.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent novel, thrilling conclusion!
Review: I absolutely loved this book. It's face-paced, well writen, and a just, overall, an excellent story! Anyone who likes to read suspense and crime stories will, without any doubt, adore this book. Clyde Phillips may have just started his career as an author but, from the looks of it, he's going to be here a long time! :) The characters in "Fall from Grace" are not only believable but believable to the point where you feel compassion towards them. This is an outstanding book, not just for his first novel either. I suggest you read it and I promise you, you won't be able to put it down!
Rating: 
Summary: Hitchcock did it better, much better
Review: I agree with the Kirkus reviewer, if you are an experienced mystery/thriller reader you see the murderer very early on. Parts of the plot were not realistic. Even before 9/11 there were more that one security guard on the bridge, both walking and driving. The bridge was and is electronically monitored. The male author wants us to believe that a female homicide detective in a large metropolitan police force would start sleeping with a suspect in a murder she is investigating. That is not credible nor are her superior's reactions to the female detective's actions thorough out the book. Rent Vertigo if you want great San Francisco sites and a good mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Great thriller
Review: I could not put this book down. Just when you think you have it all figured out, the plot twists and throws you for a loop. David Perry is a high powered attorney, his wife wants a divorce and is daughter is stuck in the middle. While riding on the subway he meets mechanic, Barton Hubble, they talk and David tells him about his troubles. They run into each other a few more times and David is more upset with the pending divorce, tells Barton he would do anything to stop it. So Barton takes him up on that and kills his wife for him. Then he gets greedy and starts demanding money for his work or he will go to the police and tell them that David hired him to kill his wife. Just as you start to feel sorry for David, his wife is dead, someone's blackmailing him and his daughter is having a hard time coping with her mother's death, the plot twists, things come out and make you second guess who the killer really is. For a first novel this was a great book. I've read his second novel and it was just as good as the first. You won't be able to put this one down.
Rating:
Summary: TV Wizard delivers an Ultimate Grisham/Sheldon thriller
Review: Phillips' wit and raw power reminds me of early Grisham, but the sophisticated world of his creation also makes one think of vintage Sheldon. This is a rare piece of jewel that displays not just surprising thrills, but also human vulnerability and deep emotional undercurrents. One will care for and laugh with his lovable characters. Only a great literary talent is capable of such ease and grace. Thank you for crossing over to the printed world, Mr. Phillips and don't ever let your pen lie idle.
Rating: 
Summary: Noir? If it had been, it might have saved this soap opera
Review: This book is a major disappointment. Even more disappointing are the reviews on the cover of the paperback from authors (Wiliam Diehl and Dennis Lehane) most of whose works I've enjoyed immensely. Do these authors read the book? Do they write the reviews? There's nothing here that hasn't been done better before (much better). It's unfortunate that the commercial success it seems to have enjoyed, appears to be from readers who have been overly influenced by the drek usually put out on television from whence the author hails. I had hoped the San Francisco locale would enhance the book, no such luck. The plot is predictable. Successful lawyer (David) loses mentoring father-in-law in a 'plane crash and expresses his wish that his wandering wife would disappear to someone he meets on the subway (which in San Francisco doesn't go near where he lives). The police inspectors of the murder are (apparent series regulars) Jane and Kenny. They are as two dimensional as the rest of the cardboard characters in this "mystery". Jane is conveniently starved for affection and is ready to jump into bed with David, the main direct or indirect suspect. Her history with Kenny conflicts with her involvement with Dave and reaches screaming level. There is almost no professionalism manifested by the police. Just like in tv, all you have to do is figure who all the characters are, and eliminate them to figure out the villain. It was amazing Kenny let Jane go without any backup to meet the actual murderer. Kenny's driving should put him back walking a beat in the Castro where he could resensitize himself. I've been privileged to go to the top of the South Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge (one of the few well written parts of the book), and I know that the security on the Bridge is not as lack as portrayed here. All electronics in the Tower are monitored in the Guard Station, and that includes the elevator used twice. As a police procedural, as a mystery, as a love story, this lightweight book "Falls From (attempted) Grace".
Rating:
Summary: Noir? If it had been, it might have saved this soap opera
Review: This book is a major disappointment. Even more disappointing are the reviews on the cover of the paperback from authors (Wiliam Diehl and Dennis Lehane) most of whose works I've enjoyed immensely. Do these authors read the book? Do they write the reviews? There's nothing here that hasn't been done better before (much better). It's unfortunate that the commercial success it seems to have enjoyed, appears to be from readers who have been overly influenced by the drek usually put out on television from whence the author hails. I had hoped the San Francisco locale would enhance the book, no such luck. The plot is predictable. Successful lawyer (David) loses mentoring father-in-law in a 'plane crash and expresses his wish that his wandering wife would disappear to someone he meets on the subway (which in San Francisco doesn't go near where he lives). The police inspectors of the murder are (apparent series regulars) Jane and Kenny. They are as two dimensional as the rest of the cardboard characters in this "mystery". Jane is conveniently starved for affection and is ready to jump into bed with David, the main direct or indirect suspect. Her history with Kenny conflicts with her involvement with Dave and reaches screaming level. There is almost no professionalism manifested by the police. Just like in tv, all you have to do is figure who all the characters are, and eliminate them to figure out the villain. It was amazing Kenny let Jane go without any backup to meet the actual murderer. Kenny's driving should put him back walking a beat in the Castro where he could resensitize himself. I've been privileged to go to the top of the South Tower of the Golden Gate Bridge (one of the few well written parts of the book), and I know that the security on the Bridge is not as lack as portrayed here. All electronics in the Tower are monitored in the Guard Station, and that includes the elevator used twice. As a police procedural, as a mystery, as a love story, this lightweight book "Falls From (attempted) Grace".
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