While I liked some of the characters I had a hard time getting into this book. I don’t typically enjoy political thrillers so this was likely the reason. I did find the book became more interesting in the second half.

The Short Drop is the first book in the Gibson Vaughn series. This was a well-written thriller with an interesting story that kept me engaged. A tight plot, excellent character development, and a thrilling conclusion. What more can you ask for in a book? I really enjoyed it and can't wait to start the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a copy of Matthew FitzSimmons' "The Short Drop" in exchange of an honest review.

This was a very well done story. I have had a copy of this book for years and finally decided to give it a try. I am finding that I have overlooked a lot of great novels over the years and this book is one of them. This book was able to grab me right away and I, along with everyone in the story, wanted to know what really happened to Suzanne. I really enjoyed the time I spent listening to this story.

14-year-old Suzanne Lombard disappeared ten years ago. At the time, her father was a well-known senator but he is now the vice president and is currently running for president. There was one surveillance video of Suzanne that surfaced shortly after she disappeared but nobody has seen her since. Everyone wants to know what happened and where she is now.

Gibson Vaughn knew Suzanne when they were kids. Gibson's father worked for Lombard and as a result, Gibson and Suzanna spent a lot of time together when they were children. Gibson has his own issues from the past to deal with and is no longer on good terms with Lombard. He decides to sign on with a group trying to finally get to the bottom of Suzanne's disappearance. I liked Gibson a lot and had a good feeling that he would be able to find out what really happened.

This was a very well thought out mystery. Every piece of information that comes up could become important later in the story. I really enjoyed seeing all of the pieces of the puzzle come together to show the full picture. There is a lot going on in this story but I thought that it worked very well. Everything really made sense and the story felt very possible. I liked that the mystery was able to keep me guessing. There were some pretty big surprises and some excitement that really kept the story moving forward.

I thought that the narrator did a good job with the story. Some of the voices that he used were very similar and I found that I really had to pay attention to determine who was speaking. He had a very soothing voice that I found easy to listen to for hours at a time.

I would recommend this book to others. I thought that it was a wonderfully layered and detailed mystery that was able to really make me think. I wouldn't hesitate to read more from this author in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley and I purchased a copy of the audiobook.

I absolutely loved The Short Drop and I've already checked out the rest of the books in the series (also good!). The characterisation is brilliant and the plot keeps you turning the pages from start to the very end. Well worth checking out and hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Somehow my review got lost but suffice it to say that this is the first of a three part series and it is extraordinary. Matthew Fitzsimmons has displayed an ability to catch and hold the reader’s attention. The writing and plot are fast paced, heart pumping sweaty palm good. Read The Short Drop and then take a breath and read the other two novels.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting my wish.

The Short Drop was so interesting that I have the next two novels from the author to read. In the beginning, I had my doubts, but the story developed well. At its peak, I was glued to the page! Now on to the next one!
Thanks NetGalley for the review copy.

I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!!

Ex-Marine and hacker extraordinaire, Gibson Vaughn, has never been able to forget the disappearance of his childhood friend Suzanne Lombard. Suzanne, whom Gibson affectionately nicknamed Bear was the daughter of Senator Lombard and evidence pointed to a kidnapping gone wrong. Vice President Lombard and Gibson have bad blood after a 16 year old Gibson's hacking skills leaked evidence of criminal misallocation of campaign funds to the Cayman Islands. Instead of ending the Senator's political champagne, Duke Vaughn, Gibson's father was implicated in the crime.
George Abe, a previous employee of now V.P. Lombard, now works as the head of a consultant firm. An individual who goes by WR8TH has just contacted them with new information in the case. Abe persuades Gibson to join his team in the investigation but there are people who want this case closed for good.

I love the Gibson Vaughn series! The Short Drop grabs your attention and doesn't let go; a thrilling debut novel that will leave you wanting more. This thrilling novel is exceptionally written and will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. I can't wait to dive into the next book. I definitely recommend this series!!

Would like to think NetGalley for at least giving me the opportunity to try this series but unfortunately it's not my cup of tea so I'm DNF the series.

Wow! The Short Drop is mesmerizing. I had trouble putting it down (and thought about it often when I wasn't able to sit and read.) The plot is fast paced with lots of twists and turns, which kept me guessing until the very end. I think I particularly liked reading it right now with our current political situation. I can't wait to read Mr. FitzSimmons's next book, and I have a list of people that I know will enjoy reading this one.

On the tenth anniversary of the disappearance of the teenage daughter of the former Senator, now Vice President of the U.S., the search kicks up again, although its not clear why exactly. Perhaps it's because the Vice President is a sure thing for the Presidency. Perhaps it's because the cable shows keep replaying the last known video of the teenager over and over. Other people involved have their own reasons for bringing the case up again, stirring up the old memories and trying yet again to find out what happened or where the teenager might have gone. This story is well-crafted and tightly told, taut until the very last page, it holds its secrets close. The action moves quickly and covers time and ground well. Just when you think you have it figured out, you realize that perhaps there is more to the tale after all. Twists and turns galore, the book is a delight. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This first book in the series of 3 is so very believable that it kept me awake for several nights! A very well crafted mystery with lots of bad guys and a few good guys doing bad things to survive.

What an incredible read! I absolutely adored this and so pleased to discover that The Short Drop is the first in the Gibson Vaughan series. I’d probably go as far to say that this is my favourite book of the year so far and given we are seven months in to 2017 I’m not sure if it will be beaten.

A fluid narrative, gripping storyline and characters that keep you enthralled from beginning to end the book was almost too good to put down. Unputdownable – nearly! It only took a day and a half to read in a few sessions interrupted by food and sleep and a small matter of work!

I Really enjoyed the connection between Jenn, Hendricks and Gibson but the great thing about this book is that even the part players were pivotal to the storyline, it’s not all about Gibson. Without giving anything away, characters I didn’t expect to like I loved and when they were no longer part of the plot I wanted to know what happened!

Two thirds through the box I had what can only be described as a Eureka moment and I’d convinced myself that something we were introduced to earlier in the book made sense and I’d figured it out. Turns out for once I was correct but this in no way detracted from the enjoyment. There were a couple of shocks and twists I didn’t expect so there was enough to satisfy at the end.

Can’t wait to see what happens next in the second installment of the Gibson Vaughan series. One thing’s for sure, the author has a protagonist in Gibson that brings a page to life over and over again. Superb.

Gibson Vaughn, whose father was the Chief of Staff in Vice-President Benjamin Lombard’s office, searches for Lombard’s daughter, Suzanne. She disappeared ten years previously. The main protagonists who accompany Gibson are Jenn Charles (former CIA agent) and Dan Hendricks (ex LAPD cop).

Too many possibilities were behind Suzanne’s disappearance which was a total mystery and there were surprising cliffhangers resulting in goose-bumps. It’s a hair-raising thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Caesar13

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.