I decided to review The Cradle Will Fall by internationally best-selling author Luke Murphy for our November 2023 selection.

Murphy’s book debuted September 30.

I wanted to be one of the first to review it, but the book’s subject matter is better suited for our November issue because this is National Adoption Month.

Also, one of the leading characters, Calvin Watters, is someone we want to celebrate during Men’s Health Month.

Murphy writes The Charlene Taylor Mysteries and The Calvin Watters Mysteries. In 2020, Red Zone brought Taylor and Watters together for a case. It’s fitting that The Cardle Will Fall brings them back together as a follow up to one of Taylor’s cases covered in the book, Rock-A-Bye Baby, about a ring of kidnappers abducting newborns in the United States to be sold in Ukraine for private adoptions.

If you enjoy action thrillers, Murphy has created a story that will not disappoint. He’s teamed up Detective Charlene Taylor and former standout NFL prospect, former Vegas leg breaker, P.I. Calvin Watters to locate an FBI agent who has gone missing in Ukraine.

Special Agent Matt Stone and Taylor met during the investigation into the kidnapping of her newborn niece. Stone and Taylor became involved during the case and have pursued a long-distance relationship. When Stone receives information about other missing children who could be in Ukraine, he, and an operative go overseas to investigate.

When Stone disappears in Ukraine, Taylor turns to her friend Watters for help.

I enjoy the chemistry between Taylor and Watters. It’s a mix of professional respect and genuine friendship. Murphy excels at character development, and we get to see Taylor and Watters at their best and their worst. They banter and push each other to be better while remaining focused on their objective.

Murphy could have easily made Watters a walking stereotype of the hard-boiled detective, but Watters is an enlightened man. He’s in a stable relationship which he values. While his first instinct is to protect Taylor because she’s a woman, he realizes she’s a capable professional and deserves to be treated as an equal. These are qualities that set The Calvin Watters Mysteries apart from other series.

No spoilers here, you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens in Ukraine. Many twists and turns will keep you reading late into the night. Murphy owes me a good night’s sleep. But it was worth it!

Murphy lives in Shawville, QC with his wife and three daughters. He is a teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, and a Bachelor of Education (Magna Cum Laude).

Other books by Luke Murphy:

The Charlene Taylor Mysteries:

Kiss and Tell (2019)

Rock-a-Bye Baby (2019)

The Calvin Watter Mysteries:

Dead Man’s Hand 2018)

Wild Card (2018)

Red Zone (2020) – Calvin Watters and Charlene Taylor

Finders Keepers (2021)

For more information on Luke and his books, and to sign up for his newsletter, visit: www.authorlukemurphy.com. ‘Like’ his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AuthorLukeMurphy. Follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AuthorLMurphy and Instagram: www.instagram.com/AuthorLukeMurphy

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