I was immediately swept up in Deborah Goodrich Royce’s evocative tale about Ruby (or Eleanor as she prefers to be called) Russell’s whirlwind romance with the debonair Orlando Montague. The newlyweds move to sunny Los Angeles to begin their new life together. Eleanor is excited to start her burgeoning career as a Hollywood actress with a ruggedly handsome husband by her side. But it isn’t long before cracks begin to appear in their seemingly perfect relationship.
It quickly becomes clear that the two lovebirds haven’t been completely honest with each other. Deceit abounds and Eleanor grapples with her own dark secrets. Her father’s abandonment at the infamous Ruby Falls continues to haunt her, casting a long shadow over her charmed life. As the unsettling incidents pile up and tensions mount, Ruby is left wondering…. how well does she really know the suave Orlando?
Ruby Falls is like a vivid fever dream, unsettling and elusive. It provokes the imagination and slips through your fingers like smoke. I very much enjoyed this eerie, ethereal tale that continues to linger in my mind. I know I am under its thrall because I find fragments of the story surfacing in my psyche from time to time. As a Southern California native I especially appreciated Goodrich Royce’s lush descriptions of the City of Angels. She captured L.A.’s eclectic allure perfectly. I would have loved to have seen additional content about Eleanor’s time on set as a lead actress. That was a very unique and intriguing aspect of the story and it left me hungry for more.
This book struck a nice balance between plot and character development- a rare feat! I found myself reading well into the night, unable to put it down. Ruby Falls is the kind of story that demands to be devoured in one sitting. Goodrich Royce kept me on my toes the entire time and I just had to discover what would happen next. The side characters were especially delightful and dynamic. I loved hearing about the exploits of the supportive and upbeat Howard, the intuitive and compassionate Dottie and Eleanor’s adorable (but feisty) cat, Bel.
If I had any minor criticism, it would be that certain scenes were drawn out for longer than necessary. Most notably, the hillside scene. Also, while some readers may not appreciate an unreliable narrator as it is admittedly an oversaturated device, I feel that it worked for this particular novel.
Ruby Falls is moody, bewitching and riveting, perfect for fans of psychological thrillers. It is akin to experiencing a literary descent into madness. You won’t be able to look away.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Click here to get a copy of this exciting new release at a bookstore near you.
