Vengeance Falls by Avery West

My Rating - 4 out of 5 stars

Publisher - Franklin 500

Genre - Crime Fiction
Publishing year - 2024
Language - English
ISBN - 979-8218630300
Pages - 299

Book Review -

After finishing Never Forget by Michel Bussi, a masterfully woven crime thriller, I found myself drawn toward another suspenseful tale—but this time, I chose a debut novel that leans heavily into character development as much as it does into crime and mystery. 

Vengeance Falls by Avery West is an intriguing and emotionally-charged thriller that explores the dark entanglements of family, technology, and secrets buried deep in the past.

The story introduces us to Beck Gideon, a resilient and fiercely intelligent protagonist who has transformed her painful childhood into a mission to help others. Orphaned at a young age and raised by her older sister, Riley, Beck’s early life was far from easy. 

Channelling her experiences into something meaningful, she builds an AI model named Mr. Gabriel, designed to assist and protect neglected and vulnerable children. Through grit and determination, Beck constructs a life for herself: one filled with ambition, a close-knit circle of friends, and a sense of purpose rooted in her groundbreaking venture.

But all of that comes crashing down when Riley, long absent and enigmatic, reappears unexpectedly, arriving at Beck’s doorstep with a dead body in the trunk of her car.

What follows is a high-stakes unravelling of Beck’s world. The death of a prominent heir to a brutal and influential family sets off a deadly chain of events. Both sisters find themselves as fugitives, framed and hunted, not only for a crime they didn’t commit but for reasons tied to long-held family secrets. To survive, Beck and Riley must uncover the truth before it’s too late.

The heart of this novel lies not just in the mystery and the action, but in the emotional journey of its characters. Avery West does not just present a story of murder and betrayal; she crafts a deeply layered exploration of sisterhood, trauma, trust, and redemption. Beck’s evolution—her internal struggles, her wavering trust in Riley, and the resilience she shows under pressure—are compelling and relatable.

As the mystery deepens, so does the emotional tension. The layers of deception and betrayal peel away slowly, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, a jaw-dropping twist involving Riley’s past changed everything I thought I knew about the characters. It was a brilliantly placed revelation that not only elevated the narrative but added a chilling emotional weight to the sisters' relationship.

That said, there were moments where the pacing faltered. Certain chapters could have been tighter, and some scenes felt unnecessarily prolonged. However, these lulls were minor in comparison to the overall intensity and suspense of the story. The emotional stakes and the intelligent plot kept me invested till the very end.

Vengeance Falls is a bold and promising debut that seamlessly blends character depth with a fast-paced, action-packed plot. It’s a bittersweet ride through grief, resilience, and justice, filled with high-octane moments and heart-wrenching truths. Avery West is definitely an author to watch in the crime thriller genre.

If you are looking for a gripping read that delivers both emotionally and intellectually, with a twist you won’t see coming, then this book is worth your time.

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