Caesar's Fall
An Elliott Smith Mystery #3

Dorien Grey

Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)

With a new building to restore and his relationship with Steve growing more serious, the last thing Elliott needs is someone else's problem, but when lottery millionaire Bruno Caesar moves into his building he can't just ignore the man's pleas for help. Then Bruno's life comes to an abrupt end when he falls from his balcony. There's only one problem-he was terrified of heights... and never went onto the balcony. Bruno can't rest until the puzzle of his sudden death is solved, and Elliott and John are once again searching for answers.

Review by Molly Martin (310112) Rating (9/10)

Review by Molly Martin
Rating 9/10
Caesar’s Fall begins with Elliot’s sister plying an old question, Cessy is a never say die matchmaker, she will see Elliot coupled or perish in the attempt. Every visit, every telephone call eventually gets around to her determination to see Elliot hitched.

Elliot accepts an invitation to his brother-in-laws forty-fifth birthday party, hangs up the telephone and headed for the elevator where he ran into the newest member of the large condo complex.

Bruno has just moved into the flat directly above Elliot’s.

Elliot Smith has been working on his current project for a while. The renovation has been going well, friends, Jesse Lambert and Adam Burton bought the 2 flat twentieth century frame originally built as a single family dwelling. Elliot is restoring the structure to his original glory.

Before long Elliot and his almost partner Steve are socializing with Bruno, newly wealthy after winning a hefty lottery. Bruno has a financial advisor, a guru and a group of hangers on to deal with as he learns to use his money wisely. He does not get the opportunity.

Bruno Caesar, self admitted to be frightened of heights even so far as to never going out on his balcony is found after taking a header off that balcony.

Before long - he who cannot be seen- John is talking with Elliot about Bruno and his confusion. Bruno has not yet grasped that he is dead, he does know that something has taken place.

The tale is interwoven, tracing Bruno and his coming to grips with death, John and his in the head relationship with Elliot, Elliot’s living relationship with his family which includes Steve, and buildings to renovate and a murder to solve.

I enjoy the persuasive premise Writer Grey proffers with this captivating series. First meeting John in book one as Elliot awoke in hospital to realize that while he could not see anyone, he did realize someone was there. John, has been close by from that day, has helped to solve his own murder as well as the one in book two, and is a major element in the solving of Bruno’s demise.

As with each of Dorien Grey’s works, his Elliot Smith Mysteries are filled with interesting, well fleshed characters, set against a backdrop filled with the sights and sounds of Chicago. I can almost see those buildings Elliot searches out to renovate. Old buildings, like old friends, have long been a passion of mine. Perhaps this is why I enjoy Writer Grey’s Elliot Smith series so much.

Dialog is peppery at times, filled with energy and energy, moving the narrative along. Prose is set down well, holds reader interest fast and keeps the reader turning the page.

Grey is honing his red herring skills to keep readers on their toes as they lean first to one and then another suspect. Bad guys are suitably loutish, good guys are often funny, appealing, attention-grabbing and always out of the ordinary.

As always; Writer Grey supplies a well written, fast-paced, action motivated narrative overflowing with pretence, voracity and duplicity all generated from first to last by the author’s extraordinary writing proficiency.

My admiration for Grey and his work only increases with each new work I read. Delighted to recommend Dorien Grey’s Caesar’s Fall - An Elliot Smith Mystery, 3d in this series.

NOTE: oblique reference to sexual activity, no graphic sex, little rough language. If you get your knickers in a knot at the notion, don’t read, on the other hand, if you are looking for an intriguing read Dorien Grey is an excellent choice.
Molly Martin (31st January 2012)