Rating: 3.25 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
After surviving a fall from a helicopter, Mackenzie Detweiler is a changed man. His near death experience radically altered his world view and he’s determined to bring his new way of thinking to the masses. And if his book is convincing people to take dangerous risks, then that isn’t Mackenzie’s fault. It’s not like he told them to go around breaking bones. He has ardent fans, whom he calls Plummeteers, and despite some hiccups, Mackenzie looks forward to the weekend “plummets” he shares with these devotees.
Not even terrible weather can stop a plummet and Mackenzie finds himself trapped in a hotel with his latest class. Along for the ride is Mac’s publisher, JD Chambers. He’s believed in Mac from the start, but lawsuits are piling up against his self-help book and JD has been sent to cut ties with Mackenzie. JD fell in love with the man via emails and texts though, and there’s no walking away. For Mackenzie, JD represents something he’s wanted his entire life and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep him. But when a murderer traps Mac and his followers, the idea of living for the moment takes on a whole new meaning.
Plummet to Soar was something of a rambling Scooby Doo adventure and I wanted to like it more than I did. But I never found my stride with this book and I struggled at every turn to connect with either of the MCs. The book is relatively well written from a technical perspective and the pacing is strong. There isn’t any lag time and the author does a good job of pushing the action forward at the just the right time. This made the story a quick and breezy read and sort of a perfect fit for a spring break or summer beach pick.
Unfortunately, the plot of Plummet to Soar was positively bonkers. There is murder and intrigue, but it’s never treated with much respect or seriousness. Which would be fine if this was a camp comedy, but it’s not. So instead, the characters’ reactions and interactions come off as cavalier and almost disrespectful. The characters are allowed to wander all over the hotel, despite the fact it’s a crime scene, and the antagonist is caught almost as an afterthought. Neither JD nor Mackenzie are particularly likeable characters. They aren’t unlikable either. They just seem rather blah and lacking in much depth. They react to the violence around them with flippancy and seem to resort to having sex at the most inappropriate times. They never feel present in the action taking place around them and, as a result, they don’t work within the wider plot. Additionally, JD is introduced to readers while pretending to be someone else…for no reason. It’s a plot device that goes nowhere and never forwarded the story.
I generally enjoy Z.A. Maxfield’s work but Plummet to Soar was a swing and a miss for me. The plot is pretty loopy and the characters aren’t very engaging. There is a developed story and if you enjoy madcap whodunits, you might find something to appreciate here.
A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.
