Described as a page turning mystery but for me it was such a slow burn and not a read that’ll have you on the edge of your seat. I found it tedious with not much happening. There was no major twists to grab your attention or keep you engaged. I found myself droning out a bit and where you might rewind I just didn’t bother. The narration was ok and suited the listen. I did like the style of writing and found the characters were well developed but the storyline just didn’t work for me.

2.5/5 🌟🌟/🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to #TheOneWhoFell

Having grown up in the era of Sesame Street, when no one believed Big Bird about Snuffy's existence, I have extra anxiety when I'm submerged in a story where the protagonist isn't believed about something. So add that to a missing woman who fell off a roof and disappeared, a menacing predator, a protagonist with an infamous reputation in town, strife with an ex, and random panther sightings around town, and you have a cauldron of foul-smelling ooze from which you cannot turn away. There's little comfort here and a lot of cringey tension that will make you happy to live your life and not be in this book. All of that sounds bad, but it's a thriller/mystery so it's spot on for a excellent read.

The One Who Fell is a very controversial crime thriller. It could be a cozy crime, but at the same time it's not. And this crime part is actually small compared to other content in this story, the main character's family drama is much bigger and more important.
Millie was a perfectly normal and successful event organizer with a loving husband and a sweet little son. Her father was a beloved TV personality and everyone was happy. But then Millie's face is on the front page of every newspaper when she's caught having an affair with a member of parliament, and then her parents die, and when an article says that Millie believed not to be a suspect, everyone believes she was involved in her parents' deaths.
Now Mille is volunteering in a nursing home and hears from a resident that she saw someone on the roof on the other side of the valley last night, and then this girl in a white dress was pushed down. Millie starts investigating to give Ingrid some peace of mind. And gradually, through Millie's and her parents' past, several stumbles and mixing of steps, we finally come to the answer of whether what Ingrid saw really happened and what crime actually took place in this story.

It's an interesting story. Yes, there are too many different lines here and in the meantime you can't understand why one or the other thing happens and how this small town sometimes becomes so big, or on the contrary how this small town is sometimes so tiny, but it was still exciting to listen to it and I definitely wouldn't have expected such ending.

I enjoyed this audiobook and would definitely recommend it to people.

I particularly liked the sense of place that the author conveyed, and I quite took to the lead character, Milly, even if we are not quite sure yet whether or not she did kill her parents.

Three stars from me means that I believe the author achieved their aims. I liked the book, but did not fall in love with it. In this case, it's because the reason for her cheating on her husband turned out to be the most obvious one imaginable (she had caught him cheating first) and because it seemed too obvious that the jump from the roof had taken place and the fall had been cushioned.

Having said that, I will be eagerly awaiting the next instalment in the series, as neither of these issues stopped my enjoying the listen.

As a seasoned volunteer at a local elder care home, Millie understands that not all the residents' stories can be trusted. She knows they gossip and embellish, and that certain residents in particular have a penchant for the dramatic. Still, one of her residents says she was looking out the window and saw someone pushed from a neighboring roof, there's a ring of truth to it. When a second resident reports the same observation, Millie jumps in to investigate.

I really enjoyed this one! I liked the main character, Millie, who is flawed but relatable, as well as all of the secondary characters. I especially loved the friendship between Millie and a journalist who knows everything about everyone in Whitecliff. While I did feel like this book dragged a bit in the middle, I'm definitely looking forward to more of their story in the next book!

This was a great book. If you listen to the audiobook, the narrator is very good. I loved the detail, character development and scenery depiction.
In this mystery/thriller, a young lady working in an elderly home is notified of a girl jumping from the top of a tall house. It is not until a second person also comments on seeing a similar thing that she really begins to dig her toes in and research the information. Did these two elderly folks actually witness this event? Why were the police not called? You’ll have to find out in the book.

Book Title: The One Who Fell
Author: Kerry WIlkinson
Series: Whitecliff Bay Mystery Book #1
Narrator: Helen Keeley
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: April 17, 2023
My Rating: 3.8 Rounded up

I was drawn to this story for a couple reasons none of which were that I knew anything about it.
I loved the cover, a story on Whitecliff Bay sounded interesting.
I enjoy audiobooks but am a big narrator snob but I found when I listened to the audio sample that I liked Helen Keeley’s voice
I am a big psychological thriller fan and read two other Kerry Wilkinson's novels – "Party at No. 12" was my first – which was great. One of my comments in my reviews after I read it was ~ ~I have a new fav author and am now looking forward to another of his stories! ~

In the seaside town of Whitecliff, everyone looks out for each other. Everyone knows your name.
And everyone knows your secrets…
Millie Westlake volunteers at the nursing home; when Ingrid, one of the residents comes to her and tells her she saw a girl being pushed from a roof, Millie wasn’t sure to believe her as she loves to tell stories -many actually happened and others are what she thinks happened.
When a second resident tells Millie that they saw someone jump from a roof; it is too similar to what Ingrid said and Mellie decides to look into it.
Millie has been a Victim of gossip and knows what it’s like not to be believed.
She starts to investigate and things start to happen to her. There is a burglary and one of the items taken from that robbery ended up in her home. Hmmm . . . . Millie realizes she has gotten herself into something that might be dangerous.

Narrator Helen Keeley did a great job in performing the characters! Story kept me curious.
There is a bit of a cliff hanger-not a big tease but enough to make me curious about Book #2. [book: The One who was Taken].

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 17, 2023.

The One Who Fell is the first novel in the White Cliff Bay Mystery series. This new series follows Millie Westlake, a recently divorced mother trying to escape from the rumors about her past. In this first installment, Millie is dragged into an intriguing mystery while volunteering at a local nursing home. When one of the residents claims she saw a young woman pushed off of the roof of a nearby house, Millie thinks she must be confused. Until the story is backed up by another resident. The following investigation will lead to a shocking discovery.

The One Who Fell is an interesting mystery novel. Millie is an intriguing character and I was really interested in what was revealed about her backstory. The nursing home residents were a fun quirky addition to the story. I also liked Millie’s unlikely sidekick. There is a good level of suspense and plenty of twists and reveals to keep the readers attention. The mystery was not easy to figure out and I was surprised by the outcome. The story leaves off on a bit of cliffhanger that has me wondering what will happen next.

There was one plot line about animal sightings in the village that didn’t really seem to fit in the story. I’m hoping that it will be explored more in the next novel. I am also hoping for more of Millie’s backstory.

I picked this audiobook because it is narrated by Helen Keeley, who always does a fantastic job! This novel was no different!

Overall, I enjoyed this novel! It was a quick read and had plenty of mystery and suspense!

amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, first in series, new series, ex-husband, falsely accused, family, family-drama, family-dynamics, friendship, frustration, gossip, lies, retired-journalist, secrets, small-town, England*****

Did she fall or was she pushed? Or was it all a mistake?
The publisher's blurb is what hooked me, but the story was as insidious as Norwegian Slow-TV in keeping my interest through all the twists and red herrings. Turned out to be a really great read with believable characters and clear world building.
Voice actor Helen Keeley made the story even better!
I requested and received a free temporary audio copy from Bookouture Audio via NetGalley. Thank you!

I can't even imagine how hard it must be to follow on from having written the outstanding Jessica Daniel series. But, to be fair, I thought that this was a great start to KW's new Whitecliff Bay Mystery series.

It really helped that Helen Keeley narrates so well, hope that Millie is continued in her voice. Definieley going to continue the series - hopefully it gets a little grittier!

Thanks so much Bookouture Audio, Bookouture, via Netgalley, for gifting me an audiobook copy for review - can't wait for more!

(ARC Received)

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic. She had a very soothing voice and good pace.

Onto the story... I really enjoyed this book. The author writes with a clear, distinct voice (which I think is important in mystery/thriller novels). It normally takes me a couple chapters to get into mystery novels but I was immediately hooked in this one. Millie is a realistic yet unexpected heroine whom you grow to love and support. Guy is the perfect counterpart. If you like the Cormoran Strike by Robert Galbraith/J.K Rowling but became frustrated with the length and confusing plotlines, THIS is your book. An grizzley, experienced journalist and a amateur sleuth who play off each other perfectly.

Now, the mystery aspect... I really enjoyed that there was more than one mystery/secret throughout the book. It kept me engaged and curious... In fact I was tempted to fast forward just to find out Alex's secret! Everything got wrapped up with a nice little bow at the end, which in hindsight isn't super realistic but it's a work of fiction so who cares!!

I give this book 4.5/5 stars. The only reason I deducted .5 is because there were a couple plot points that I just couldn't get behind. <spoiler> The fact that everyone decided she was a suspect because one article wrote she *wasn't* a suspect was strange to me. Maybe I don't understand small town gossip but that was lost on me. Especially as it was a crucial plot point. Another example is the black car. Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention but I really didn't understand where that came from. </spoiler>

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries.

This is the first book by Kerry Wilkinson that I have read and I found it well written and strong.

I warmed to the character of Millie and felt sorry for her plight. Millie lives in a very small community and is haunted by unwanted notoriety from the mysterious death of her parents. She has few friends and lives alone. Her volunteer work at the local nursing home gives her some human contact and leads her into an absorbing mystery.

I enjoyed the writing and pace of the novel and will definitely look forward to more in this series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this advance read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the narration in this Book 1 of the White Cliff Mysteries series. It took a while to warm to the story and characters, but once I did it became quite compelling trying to work out who this mystery person was that fell from the window and what had happened to them. The reader is left with a cliffhanger regarding Millie and her parents. I look forward to the next in the series to find out more. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Narrated by Helen Keeley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic voice! I really hope Helen Keeley is narrating the whole series.

Story by Kerry Wilkinson ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed Millie's character. She came across as strong and determined women so for me (without giving too much away) the big confrontation with the ex husband didn't ring true to me and that section really let the book down. If she had continued to stand up to him it would have elevated this book.

Definitely a series I'm going to continue with.

Millie is a newly divorced single mum with very limited access to her son, approaching her 40s, still living in the small seaside town where she grew up, and where everyone knows everyone else's business.

Following a scandal, Millie had moved back to her parental home, only for them both to die soon after. With many locals believing she is responsible, she is treated as a pariah.

Whilst volunteering at a local care home, one of the residents assures Millie that she saw someone being pushed off the roof of one of the houses one night. Millie feels compelled to take a look, but in the process crosses paths with someone who seems to be holding a deep grudge against her.

Trying to find out if and why she is being targeted, as well as reconcile the strange clues she is collecting, Millie enlists the help of the veteran journalist she blames for her vilification by the local community.

This is a very character driven story but the main character is not particularly interesting or likeable, especially at the beginning, despite frequent hints of some mystery. Instead of being suspenseful, this tended to become tedious with small details only being revealed very slowly.

Although I eventually enjoyed the ending and am pleased I finished, I found getting there a bit of a slog due to the drawn out character development and slow-moving plot. It's a shame the details revealed at the end didn't emerge sooner to add more interest to the plot and characters, but I am interested to see how the series develops.

This story is about Millie, a woman who is dealing with scandal in a small town after her own affair and the death of her parents. She has started a new career path and is currently volunteering at a local senior home while also grooming dogs. Two of the residents of the home mention seeing a woman jump (or was she pushed?) from a home that is within view of the senior center. Millie starts doing some investigating on her own. There are many bumps along the way. I like how each chapter ends with a slight cliffhanger. Since this is the first book in the series there were many unanswered questions and I look forward to hearing more about Millie. The audiobook narrator was great and I thought she helped bring me to Whitecliff Bay.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of The One Who Fell (A Whitecliff Bay Mystery Book 1) by Kerry Wilkinson in exchange for an honest review. This was a fun quick read. When an elderly lady tells Millie she saw a girl jump off a roof, Millie doesn't know whether to believe her or not. This begins the mystery and the tale of what really happened.

Setting the Scene; Whitecliff is a small seaside town like so many where the citizens know, or at least recognize, each other, and many thrive on secrets and gossip. Millie Westlake is the subject of much of that gossip. Millie was a wife and mother when her affair with a Member of Parliament goes viral, costing her a marriage and custody of her son. She is forced to move in with her parents whose subsequent deaths cast a larger shadow over her life. Since then, she has found some purpose in volunteering at the local nursing home. Many of the residents just want someone with whom they can talk or play games. Millie is there to help fill that need. When Ingrid, one of the home residents, tells Millie she saw a girl in a white gown pushed from a nearby rooftop, there is just enough detail to peak Millie's interest. When she begins looking into it, she finds much more than she anticipated, Some will enrich her life, and some will endanger it.

What I Thought: This in an interesting introduction to a flawed, but not unlikeable, MC. There is more to her story than the surface facts reveal, but she holds her tongue and keeps her head down, at least until she is driven to follow up on Ingrid's reported sighting. Without excusing her mistakes, I like Millie and found myself routing for her. Her friendship with Jack rescues the story from being maudlin, and a new found relationship that develops adds another layer of interaction and revelation for Millie. Let me state here that there is absolutely no romance or love interest in this story. Jack is a gay man with a partner, and both are Millie's friends, maybe her only friends. The mystery of the girl on the rooftop is somewhat predictable, though the unfolding of the story is interesting, nonetheless. By the time the story concludes, the mystery is solved, and we are provided some insights into Millie's background/motivation. However, details of the deaths of her parents remain shrouded in mystery, hopefully for another book that will include more character development, as well.

The narration was good and provided an easy listen.

Thank you NetGalley afor allowing me the opportunity to read this mystery by Kerry Wilkinson about a woman (Millie) wronged by the world who hears of a sighting of a woman falling off a rooftop outside the nursing home where Millie volunteers. Millie takes off on an adventure to determine if there really was a woman and if so, what happened to her. I particularly enjoyed the narration in this book but the story didn't really get me engaged until the end. I felt like it was disjointed and I would have liked it better if the characters had come together a little better.

Kerry Wilkinson's The One Who Fell was really well written and the audio narrarator did a fantastic job of bringing Millie's story to life! I read/listened to this book in one day - I was so engrossed in the town, the people, and in Millie herself. This book is the first in the Whitecliff Bay Mystery Series and you can bet I will be buying the others as soon as they hit the shelves!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the Author for an ARC audio of this book for my honest review. You've got a winner here!