Dear Everyone,
Don’t Look Down was originally released in 2006 and was the first book in what has become a longstanding writing partnership between Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer. I read the book (in print) back in the day but didn’t listen to it at the time. Now, it’s being re-released and I thought why not see if it holds up? Spoiler: It does.
If I have the right of it, Crusie, generally but not exclusively, writes the FMC’s POV and Mayer, generally but not exclusively, the MMC’s. It’s about even overall but each character may have a series of chapters in a row before the other POV kicks in again so in that way it feels very organic. I think Mayer brings the more action-y type parts of the story and Crusie – well Crusie brings everything fans know and love from her.
Lucy Armstrong has been brought into complete the last 4 days of shooting in Georgia for a movie, Don’t Look Down. There are stunts to be completed, though a close look at the script would indicate the need for the stunts is pretty flimsy. Her ex-husband, Connor Nash, is the stunt coordinator on the film and her sister (of the heart if not by blood), Daisy, is the script coordinator. Lucy is a fixer and she answers the call for help, mainly because Daisy’s 5-year-old daughter, Pepper, cried when she thought Lucy might not come. Lucy is usually based in New York and specialises in commercials featuring animals, most particularly dogs.
Bryce McKay is the star of the film and he turns up to the set on the first day of Lucy’s involvement with a ring-in stunt double, JT Wilder. JT is a Green Beret and teaches at the Army training school. On leave, he’s picking up some extra cash by standing in for Bryce for this last 4 days of shooting. At least, that’s what JT thinks is happening. Pretty soon, he learns that his involvement has been carefully orchestrated by the CIA who suspect the film is somehow involved in laundering money for a terrorist.
Lucy identifies very early that something is wrong. The script doesn’t make sense. It started out as a romcom! But suddenly there are stunts involving a helicopter and an armored car heist. The previous director dropped dead of a heart attack the week before and most of the crew left thereafter. Daisy is clearly not well and is possibly on some kind of drug and Lucy is determined to get to the bottom of all of it, protect her sister and Pepper, and along the way avoid the moves Connor keeps trying to make on her. She and Connor split 12 years earlier when she found out he was a cheating cheater who cheats and she’s not at all interested in going back. Connor has other plans.
Then there’s JT. He’s the real deal. And Lucy is super attracted but (initially at least) determined not to get involved lest he turn out to be another Connor. Of course, best laid plans and all that. JT and Lucy are both attracted to one another’s competence as well their good looks. Both are protectors and very good at what they do and on a movie set where just about everything seems wrong and weird, they are ports of sanity in a wild storm.
There’s a ton of humour in the audiobook and both narrators deliver it with perfect timing. I am 100% sure that Crusie wrote the description contrasting Lucy and Bryce. Lucy’s eye’s said “Brace yourself, I’m coming for you.” Bryce’s eyes said “Back in a minute”.
The entire book takes place in only the 4 days of the shoot Lucy is involved in. There’s a lot of Wonder Woman, a one-eyed alligator called “Moot”, a mentally unstable “ghost”, a mole, many shenanigans involving bed-hopping between the main actress/the director’s assistant/a makeup artist with Connor or Bryce. Even JT’s first encounter between the sheets is not with Lucy. The CIA know more than they’re telling JT and he enlists the help of his good friend, helicopter pilot and raging womaniser, Rene LeFavre to make sure Lucy, Pepper and Daisy are protected. Pepper is far more than a plot moppet – and Renee Raudman’s narration of her is great. All of the female voices are narrated by Raudman as well as the narrative from Lucy’s POV. All of the male voices are by Lawlor as well as JT’s narrative. It works well and there is never any confusion about who is doing the talking. Both narrators are at the top of their game with this book.
Technology has changed since it was written – cell phones were not ubiquitous for example, but within the 2006 setting, the story remains a fun action adventure with a nice dollop of romance sizzle and a pleasing HEA.
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Kaetrin
Kaetrin started reading romance as a teen and then took a long break, detouring into fantasy and thrillers. She returned to romance in 2008 and has been blogging since 2010. She reads contemporary, historical, a little paranormal, urban fantasy and romantic suspense, as well as erotic romance and more recently, new adult. She loves angsty books, funny books, long books and short books. The only thing mandatory is the HEA. Favourite authors include Mary Balogh, Susanna Kearsley, Joanna Bourne, Tammara Webber, Kristen Ashley, Shannon Stacey, Sarah Mayberry, JD Robb/Nora Roberts, KA Mitchell, Marie Sexton, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, just to name a few. You can find her on Twitter: @kaetrin67.
