It All Falls down is the sequel to the fabulous The Lost Ones. In this book is Nora Watts approached by a man that claims to have known her late father. Nora doesn't know much about her father, and the man's inquest about her and her sister makes her search for facts about her father. This eventually takes her from Vancouver to Detroit where Sam Watts grew up. The more she learns about her father and ultimately her mother makes her realize that the circumstances around her father suicide are more complicated than she thought.

At first, the story in this book seems to be just about Nora's father. Then, Nora starts to discover more about the mother she hardly remembers. And, ultimately Nora will realize that her own ghosts are still out to get her. If you have read the first book do you know about Nora's hunt to find her daughter Bonnie (that she gave up for adoption) that disappeared. She may have brought Bonnie home, but there are still people out there that will Nora ill.

I love how this book gave Nora and the reader more knowledge about Nora's parents. As the first book was about Nora and Bonnie does this feel great to get to know more about Nora and her family. Of course, Bonnie is still there in the story. Love the pics they send to each other, in a way to tentatively have a contact. Then, there is Jon Brazuca doing his own research into the death of a friend's mistress. That part was OK even though I much preferred when he decided to help Nora instead. The ending of the book makes me long for the next book in the series!

I want to thank William Morrow for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review! ( )

It All Falls Down by Sheena Kamal is an intriguing quest for the truth about troubled young woman's family. This second installment in the Nora Watts series can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading The Lost Ones for important background information.

Nora Watts is taking caring of her friend Sebastian Crow as he battles cancer when she is approached one night by a veteran who tells her startling details about her father Sam Watts' military service. With most of her family history unknown due to her father's death and her mother's abandonment, Nora is desperate to learn as much as she can about this new information. Since Sam was part of the Canadian government's practice of removing Indigenous children from their families, Nora's search for answers about her father's past begins in Detroit, MI, where he was adopted as a child. Armed with nothing more than an address on a handful of post cards, Nora learns little about Sam but she uncovers shocking information about her mother, Sabrina. With someone gunning for her for unknown reasons, Nora refuses to give up her attempt to unearth the truth about her family's past.

Nora is still a loner who refuses to back down when trouble finds her. Long haunted by the horrific memory of discovering her father's lifeless body when she was an child, she is eager to discover anything she can about his past. Nora is stubborn and tenacious as she follows even the smallest detail she uncovers about Sam. Disappointed her investigation leads to scant information about Sam, Nora is absolutely stunned when her inquiries turn up shocking news about her mother.

Back in Vancouver, Nora's former AA sponsor, private investigator Jon Brazuca is hired by Bernard Lam to investigate the overdose death of his pregnant mistress Clementine. Not exactly enthusiastic about his newest case, he nonetheless exercises due diligence as he begins trying to identify Clementine's drug dealer. Jon's investigation takes an alarming turn and he is very concerned for Nora's safety.

It All Falls Down is an intricately plotted and even paced mystery. Interwoven into the storyline are true to life events that add a compelling layer to this complex and fascinating story. Sheena Kamal brings the novel to a suspense-laden conclusion. An outstanding addition to the Nora Watts series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy. ( )

Nora Watts is an unlikely heroine, she doesn't like people to get too close to her. But, when a veteran tells her that he knew her dad from the war in Lebanon, and shows her some pictures, she decides to try and find out more about him. Brazuca, meanwhile, is asked by a billionaire to find out who killed the love of his life. Both of these missions cross with disastrous results. We are left with a cliffhanger, needing to know what is next!
The writing is fast paced and full of action. Nora Watts is someone you root for to win.

#ItAllFallsDown #SheenaKamal ( )

3.5 COMPLICATED AND CONFLICTED is how I would describe the deeply flawed Nora Watts. Although she tries to keep people out of her life, taking on her dog Whisper was a big thing for her, she doesn't want to depend on anyone nor want anyone to depend on her. This case will send her reeling when new facts about her father and his supposed suicide, come her way. She will search for snswers, which will send her from her home in Vancouver, to Detroit I think states. Here she find more trouble than expected, and danger again comes her way, involving the few Innocents who get caught up in her life.

I enjoy Nora, she is tough, street smart, and a match for any guy in a fight. She survives by her with most time, but doesn't stop until she finds what she seeks. There is some sadness in this one involving a beloved character from the first in series. The author does a great job describing the decay of a changed Detroit, and also the hope that some have that is can be a great place once again.

All in all a good story, with an unexpected hangover thread from her first. Love that it shows how hard it is to tell oneself they don't care, and keep others from caring. Deducted a little from my rating because the ending was a bit too much. Still, another series that I intend to keep reading. Let's just say Nora and Whisper have gotten under my skin.

ARC from Edelweiss. ( )