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"The best book yet from one of South Africa's top thriller writers. My top crime read of 2026!" — Michael Sears, International Thriller Writers, Africa Scene.
"Dark corners and dirty secrets. Nicol at his best. —Mel Fairview
"Mike Nicol is not only one of the finest South African crime novelists, but also among the best anywhere. Falls the Shadow is superb." — John Connolly, author of the bestselling Charlie Parker thriller series
"What’s admirable about Nicol’s writing is that nothing is black and white here. Despite the setup, the men are not predominantly villains and not all the women are heroic. [...] It comes as no surprise that Nicol’s style and tone are inspired by some of his favourite American noir writers like Hammett, Chandler and Ellroy. The sentences are short and choppy, which perfectly suits the narrative. If you enjoy gritty, noir-influenced crime fiction exploring institutional corruption and the judicial process within a complex and diverse society, this South African political thriller will appeal to you." – Sonja van der Westhuizen, Crime Fiction Lover
"A terrific pick for suspense/thriller fans, Falls The Shadow... is original, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish. Unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections." — Midwest Book Review
"Laconic, fast-paced, frighteningly relevant... cosy crime it certainly is not." — Margaret von Klemperer, Sunday Times
"Nicol builds a richly textured cast: from a wheelchair-bound former bodyguard and his devoted wife, Lady, to a white sangoma and a sharp-tongued homeless woman who injects humour into an otherwise dark story. Nicol’s trademark writing style of short, sharp sentences and authentic local dialogue drives a fast-paced, suspenseful plot. The writing crackles with tension while atmospheric Cape Town emerges as beautiful, fractured, and unsettlingly real. For me, the story’s unflinching portrayal of police corruption and violence had me cringing with concern for the author’s safety, but it also makes for a gripping read." — Karen Watkins, Athlone News
Mike Nicol is an author, journalist, editor and a teacher of creative and non-fiction narrative writing. He has published a number of crime thrillers. His thrillers have all featured on the KrimiZeit Top 10 in Germany and he has been shortlisted for the VN Thriller of the Year award in Holland and the Prix SNCF Du Polar in France. His non-fiction includes memoirs, biographies and reportage. He has also published two volumes of poetry.