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Charlie Fox Thriller #4
First Drop
'The guy in the passenger seat was closest. He got out first, so I shot him first. Two rounds high in the chest.'
It should have been an easy introduction to Charlie Fox's new career as a bodyguard. In fact, it should have been almost a working holiday. She just has to look after the gawky fifteen-year-old son of a rich computer programmer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Trey Pelzner is theme park mad and in theory all Charlie has to do is baby-sit him on the rollercoasters.
The last thing anyone expected was a determined attempt to snatch the boy, or that Trey's father and their entire close protection team—including Charlie's boss, Sean Meyer—would disappear off the face of the earth at the same time.
Now somebody out there wants the boy badly and they're prepared to kill anyone who gets in their way. Evading them, in a strange country, takes all the skill and courage Charlie possesses.
As she soon discovers, once you've hit the first drop there's no going back, and you'd better hang on tight because you're in for a wild ride.
It should have been an easy introduction to Charlie Fox's new career as a bodyguard. In fact, it should have been almost a working holiday. She just has to look after the gawky fifteen-year-old son of a rich computer programmer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Trey Pelzner is theme park mad and in theory all Charlie has to do is baby-sit him on the rollercoasters.
The last thing anyone expected was a determined attempt to snatch the boy, or that Trey's father and their entire close protection team—including Charlie's boss, Sean Meyer—would disappear off the face of the earth at the same time.
Now somebody out there wants the boy badly and they're prepared to kill anyone who gets in their way. Evading them, in a strange country, takes all the skill and courage Charlie possesses.
As she soon discovers, once you've hit the first drop there's no going back, and you'd better hang on tight because you're in for a wild ride.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
54 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Zoë Sharp
71 books492 followersZoë Sharp spent most of her formative years living aboard a catamaran on the northwest coast of England. She opted out of mainstream education at the age of twelve and wrote her first novel at fifteen. She became a freelance photojournalist in 1988 and started writing her Charlie Fox crime thriller series after receiving death-threats in the course of her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
January 13, 2013
I believe that Charlie Fox is one of my all time favorite characters! In this fourth book, Charlie comes to America, Daytona at Spring Break, for her first official bodyguard job. The emotions that ensue take you on a rollercoaster ride of your own. I love the secondary characters, also, and hope we get to see some of them again in Charlie's future adventures.
I never want these books to end! Love them!
I never want these books to end! Love them!
April 19, 2008
I am stone in love with Charlie Fox, Zoe's kick-ass protagonist. She's like an Emma Peel for the 21st Century--tough as nails, totally professional in her work as a bodyguard, but she has a heart that can be broken. The plot blasts out of the gate from chapter one, as someone tries to kill Zoe's obnoxious teenage "principal" at a Florida amusement park. From there, the action never lets up as Zoe and the kid run for their lives, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake across the Florida landscape, which is strange enough for Americans, let alone a Brit like Charlie.
October 1, 2017
Another nice Charlie Fox entry; her first job working with Sean and in the US. The plotline, that of being personal bodyguard to a teenage boy didn't sound like it would be too terribly interesting; but of course there were deeper forces and intrigues at play.
I had to break from the book for awhile when I had some software issues with my laptop (the creator update is the devil); and had to struggle along a bit after being away from the story for a few days. After I picked the pieces up and got back into the book, it quickly regained my interest. Good story.
I had to break from the book for awhile when I had some software issues with my laptop (the creator update is the devil); and had to struggle along a bit after being away from the story for a few days. After I picked the pieces up and got back into the book, it quickly regained my interest. Good story.
March 29, 2020
I picked this one up in Madison while doing a couple of events with Zoe in Madison and Milwaukee (thanks again to Jon and Ruth Jordan for setting that up). Zoe's a real joy to work with; our event in Madison was basically the two of us batting the conversation back and forth, and it felt as natural as if we'd been working together for years. And hanging out with Zoe and her husband Andy was pure fun. They're both funny as hell, and they're great together.
So I read the book, and all I can say is, I am stone in love with Charlie Fox, Zoe's kick-ass protagonist. She's like an Emma Peel for the 21st Century--tough as nails, totally professional in her work as a bodyguard, but she has a heart that can be broken. The plot blasts out of the gate from chapter one, as someone tries to kill Zoe's obnoxious teenage "principal" at a Florida amusement park. From there, the action never lets up as Charlie and the kid run for their lives, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake across the Florida landscape, which is strange enough for Americans, let alone a Brit like Charlie.
A great read.
So I read the book, and all I can say is, I am stone in love with Charlie Fox, Zoe's kick-ass protagonist. She's like an Emma Peel for the 21st Century--tough as nails, totally professional in her work as a bodyguard, but she has a heart that can be broken. The plot blasts out of the gate from chapter one, as someone tries to kill Zoe's obnoxious teenage "principal" at a Florida amusement park. From there, the action never lets up as Charlie and the kid run for their lives, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake across the Florida landscape, which is strange enough for Americans, let alone a Brit like Charlie.
A great read.
November 26, 2012
4th in the Charlie Fox series, and again the location and adventure shifts again, this time to Florida where she has been sent to protect a teenage boy from mysterious assailants who may or may not be working with his computer programmer father. While as usual it's all rather implausible but it's a fast paced action story and she makes a great tough-gal heroine.
November 10, 2022
First Drop is a lot of preposterous nonsense really, but it’s great fun.
Charlie is embarking on her close protection career by minding Trey, a rich, obnoxious teenage boy in Florida. Things become very involved indeed as there is an attempt on the boy’s life, his father’s work seems to be involved somehow and Charlie and Trey end up on the run from almost everyone, including the law.
Frankly, it’s packed with unlikely occurrences, implausible twists and so on, but Zoe Sharp writes well, Charlie is an engaging narrator and if you’re prepared to suspend disbelief from a great height as I was, it’s a lot of rather silly fun. A fan of the series has told me that this isn’t a favourite and that they get better so I’ll certainly read on, but meanwhile I can recommend this as a good, rather brain-off read.
Charlie is embarking on her close protection career by minding Trey, a rich, obnoxious teenage boy in Florida. Things become very involved indeed as there is an attempt on the boy’s life, his father’s work seems to be involved somehow and Charlie and Trey end up on the run from almost everyone, including the law.
Frankly, it’s packed with unlikely occurrences, implausible twists and so on, but Zoe Sharp writes well, Charlie is an engaging narrator and if you’re prepared to suspend disbelief from a great height as I was, it’s a lot of rather silly fun. A fan of the series has told me that this isn’t a favourite and that they get better so I’ll certainly read on, but meanwhile I can recommend this as a good, rather brain-off read.
January 11, 2022
Starts out boring because it's just not the kind of thing Charlie ever figured she'd be doing as a bodyguard--babysitting a teenager. But oh my, the action starts and never stops. Plus it's really hard to figure out who is behind it all and why...
April 18, 2013
Charlotte/Charlie Fox, a 26 year old, ex-military Sharpshooter...on her first job as a personal bodyguard. Her charge is one Trey Penzler, a typical sullen teenager with more "attitude" than sense. His father, Keith, is a computer programmer "whiz kid" who developed a program that, supposedly,predicts stock market trends, which makes it a "golden goose" for every living greedy soul. Reason enough to kill?? I would think.
This is the Fourth entry in the Charlie Fox series, and the first set in the USA...this time in Florida....Daytona Beach...during Spring Break...with all of the expected focus on Youth Culture, clothes, attitude, and slang. Never mind the Spring Nationals-the World's Most Famous Sound Off...the Olympics of Car Audio competition. Much noise...."sound and fury", while Charlie and her charge are running for their lives from every law enforcement agency in Florida. Much gunplay and a high body count give Charlie some qualms...
About halfway through, this book turned YA....when the clothes, attitude, and slang took over..and became a distraction, and i began to question the "logic" of the story.
Why would an ex-military sharpshooter/bodyguard.....with serious villains on her tail...surround herself with a bunch of "yo" teenagers, dye her hair pink, adopt an "affected" American voice...and expect to stay under cover? Seems to me that would be a sure way to get dead..
Aside from that quibble, I liked the story...at least its potential. I like Charlie Fox, no shrinking violet. She's a killer with a heart, and beats herself up about her past, like most of us
If you want to meet Charlie Fox, like i did...check out Ms Sharp's entry in the anthologyA Hell of a Woman: An Anthology of Female Noir...I want to read the first three books in this series...and own the next two, after this one.....First Drop might have something to do with roller coasters....but this book was a bit short on thrills
I give it 4 Stars for story line.....2 Stars for distraction.....levels out to
3 Stars
This is the Fourth entry in the Charlie Fox series, and the first set in the USA...this time in Florida....Daytona Beach...during Spring Break...with all of the expected focus on Youth Culture, clothes, attitude, and slang. Never mind the Spring Nationals-the World's Most Famous Sound Off...the Olympics of Car Audio competition. Much noise...."sound and fury", while Charlie and her charge are running for their lives from every law enforcement agency in Florida. Much gunplay and a high body count give Charlie some qualms...
About halfway through, this book turned YA....when the clothes, attitude, and slang took over..and became a distraction, and i began to question the "logic" of the story.
Why would an ex-military sharpshooter/bodyguard.....with serious villains on her tail...surround herself with a bunch of "yo" teenagers, dye her hair pink, adopt an "affected" American voice...and expect to stay under cover? Seems to me that would be a sure way to get dead..
Aside from that quibble, I liked the story...at least its potential. I like Charlie Fox, no shrinking violet. She's a killer with a heart, and beats herself up about her past, like most of us
If you want to meet Charlie Fox, like i did...check out Ms Sharp's entry in the anthologyA Hell of a Woman: An Anthology of Female Noir...I want to read the first three books in this series...and own the next two, after this one.....First Drop might have something to do with roller coasters....but this book was a bit short on thrills
I give it 4 Stars for story line.....2 Stars for distraction.....levels out to
3 Stars
October 21, 2019
In her fourth novel, though it was the first book released in the USA, First Drop described Charlie’s first official gig as a bodyguard. I first read this last year and have decided to re-read the series prior to the Sept. 2019 release of #13
Bad Turn
.
People who have complained about how difficult it was for them to start a new career have nothing on Charlie Fox!
Power plays between your supervisor and higher-ups that destablize the workplace? Check.
Unfriendly to downright hostile work colleagues? Check.
Bratty clients who do not listen? Check
Ridiculous hours - literally 24x7? Check.
Oh, yes, there was also the need to evade the police in a foreign country while avoiding being included in the quickly mounting body count. Though a bit shaky, Charlie triumphantly emerged by the end.
My only criticism was putting up with the bratty client and his slang for 75 percent of the book. Yes, he had elicited more empathy after learning of his parents’ neglect but I had to endure his manipulative petulance and temperamental outbursts for a long portion of the story.
First Drop had a great deal more action compared with the earlier books. This was written as a standalone with enough backstory to get a look at this fantastically complex heroine. And there was even a glimpse into the dark side of Charlie’s nature . I would encourage readers to check out the earlier books because this is such a fantastic heroine.
0) Trial Under Fire 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
1) Killer Instinct 🌟🌟🌟½
2) Riot Act 🌟🌟🌟🌟
3) Hard Knocks 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
People who have complained about how difficult it was for them to start a new career have nothing on Charlie Fox!
Power plays between your supervisor and higher-ups that destablize the workplace? Check.
Unfriendly to downright hostile work colleagues? Check.
Bratty clients who do not listen? Check
Ridiculous hours - literally 24x7? Check.
Oh, yes, there was also the need to evade the police in a foreign country while avoiding being included in the quickly mounting body count. Though a bit shaky, Charlie triumphantly emerged by the end.
My only criticism was putting up with the bratty client and his slang for 75 percent of the book. Yes, he had elicited more empathy after learning of his parents’ neglect but I had to endure his manipulative petulance and temperamental outbursts for a long portion of the story.
First Drop had a great deal more action compared with the earlier books. This was written as a standalone with enough backstory to get a look at this fantastically complex heroine. And there was even a glimpse into the dark side of Charlie’s nature . I would encourage readers to check out the earlier books because this is such a fantastic heroine.
0) Trial Under Fire 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
1) Killer Instinct 🌟🌟🌟½
2) Riot Act 🌟🌟🌟🌟
3) Hard Knocks 🌟🌟🌟🌟½
June 21, 2013
FIRST DROP (Pub. 2004) by Zoe Sharp was an entertaining read. I liked this story for several reasons. First, it has a female lead, Charlie Fox, which is largely why I read it. Second, it's not a formulaic story, in that Charlie is not a detective or a homicide cop. She is an Englishwoman, ex-special forces and now working for a security firm.
The story takes place in Florida, and is centered around Charlie's first assignment in America -- acting as bodyguard to Trey, a 15-yr old boy, who's father has developed a software program that supposedly will allow someone to make millions on the stockmarket. But the program has kinks in it, and there are a lot of people out to keep the program for themselves.
The story opens with Charlie and Trey at an amusement park in Fort Pierce. A man attempts to take out Trey with a gun, but Charlie tackles him before he can accomplish the act, and then she and Trey go on the run, hiding from whoever it is that's out to hurt Trey. They end up in Daytona Beach, where the majority of the story takes place.
My favorite thing about the book is that it largely moves at a very quick pace, with strong action in every scene. A lot of people end up getting shot throughout, so if you don't care for violence, this is not the book for you. The author handles each shoot out scene in a mostly believable and organic way, and I found the scenes interesting and kept turning the pages to see what would happen next.
The author also does a good job of plugging in some plot twists related to who the bad guys really are: crooked cops, corrupt corporate executives and Trey's own father as well as a brief walk-on part played by a computer guru/espionage geek. It keeps the reader guessing just enough, and there is also Charlie's fledgling love interest, Sean, who has talked her into coming to work for his company as a bodyguard. But Sean goes missing early in the story, and by mid-story Charlie's convinced Sean's been killed. The author handles the love-interest lightly, so it does not detract from the action thriller this story is meant to be, and yet it adds just the right note to keep the story from being formulaic, and makes us care more deeply about Charlie on a personal level.
The author's writing style is strong, and for the most part I largely enjoyed it, with the exception of a couple grammar issues that could readily have been edited out. The author is English, which I think was responsible for these instances of author missteps (her editor must be English also) - she slips in some English phrases in dialogue coming from Americans, which rings false, not a big deal, but it sticks out.
And on the flip side of that, the author's got every character in the book using the word 'reckon', even Charlie, which made me feel like I was chewing sand in how often it occurs. Perhaps the author was consciously trying to make the characters sound American, but someone needs to clue Ms. Sharp into the fact that no one in America uses that word (with rare exception). Executive characters, teen characters, etc stating things like, "I reckon we should leave." And in addition to the very-much overused 'reckon', the author seems to think the best way to write 'authentic' American dialogue is to have every character, including executives and FBI agents, sound like rednecks in using poor grammar, i.e. 'was' instead of 'were', 'ain't', and 'don't' when 'doesn't' should have been used. I'm okay with redneck-isms coming from one or two characters if they are supposed to be rednecks, but she literally makes every character use poor grammar, on more than one occasion, none of who are supposed to be rednecks, so she gets a big goose egg on that portion of the scoring.
The only other negative, which thankfully, got ironed out by page 70ish, was a constant use of flashbacks on Charlie's part, to scenes that occurred anywhere from a few days to months earlier, done in a way that interrupts the flow of the present action, to relate backstory info that doesn't really make any difference to the story. I was just about to give up on the book because of it, but thankfully the author got it out of her system and carried on with the proper story after pg 70.
Back to the positives. I enjoyed seeing Charlie in action, thinking through possibilities of who they were really on the run from, how to get out of sticky situations all while protecting her charge (Trey). I also enjoyed the 30 pages or so where they are staying with Trey's teenage friends. It brings a fresh note that takes the story out of the standard formula stuff most action thrillers contain.
The ending is satisfying and definitely kept me flipping pages, and there are several surprise twists in the last fifty pages, as well as a small surprise twist at the very end which is fun and leaves us off on just the right note.
All in all, in spite of the grammar bug-a-boos, FIRST DROP is really a good read and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for something a little different then the formula driven action thrillers. I give it 4.5 STARS overall, and would have given it 5 had it not been for the sand-chewing grammar blips. There is no 'world threat', and although the FBI and police occasionally make an appearance, they are kept to a minimum in the overall story, which I appreciated and is what keeps this story from being cookie cutter. I will definitely read more of the Charlie Fox series.
The story takes place in Florida, and is centered around Charlie's first assignment in America -- acting as bodyguard to Trey, a 15-yr old boy, who's father has developed a software program that supposedly will allow someone to make millions on the stockmarket. But the program has kinks in it, and there are a lot of people out to keep the program for themselves.
The story opens with Charlie and Trey at an amusement park in Fort Pierce. A man attempts to take out Trey with a gun, but Charlie tackles him before he can accomplish the act, and then she and Trey go on the run, hiding from whoever it is that's out to hurt Trey. They end up in Daytona Beach, where the majority of the story takes place.
My favorite thing about the book is that it largely moves at a very quick pace, with strong action in every scene. A lot of people end up getting shot throughout, so if you don't care for violence, this is not the book for you. The author handles each shoot out scene in a mostly believable and organic way, and I found the scenes interesting and kept turning the pages to see what would happen next.
The author also does a good job of plugging in some plot twists related to who the bad guys really are: crooked cops, corrupt corporate executives and Trey's own father as well as a brief walk-on part played by a computer guru/espionage geek. It keeps the reader guessing just enough, and there is also Charlie's fledgling love interest, Sean, who has talked her into coming to work for his company as a bodyguard. But Sean goes missing early in the story, and by mid-story Charlie's convinced Sean's been killed. The author handles the love-interest lightly, so it does not detract from the action thriller this story is meant to be, and yet it adds just the right note to keep the story from being formulaic, and makes us care more deeply about Charlie on a personal level.
The author's writing style is strong, and for the most part I largely enjoyed it, with the exception of a couple grammar issues that could readily have been edited out. The author is English, which I think was responsible for these instances of author missteps (her editor must be English also) - she slips in some English phrases in dialogue coming from Americans, which rings false, not a big deal, but it sticks out.
And on the flip side of that, the author's got every character in the book using the word 'reckon', even Charlie, which made me feel like I was chewing sand in how often it occurs. Perhaps the author was consciously trying to make the characters sound American, but someone needs to clue Ms. Sharp into the fact that no one in America uses that word (with rare exception). Executive characters, teen characters, etc stating things like, "I reckon we should leave." And in addition to the very-much overused 'reckon', the author seems to think the best way to write 'authentic' American dialogue is to have every character, including executives and FBI agents, sound like rednecks in using poor grammar, i.e. 'was' instead of 'were', 'ain't', and 'don't' when 'doesn't' should have been used. I'm okay with redneck-isms coming from one or two characters if they are supposed to be rednecks, but she literally makes every character use poor grammar, on more than one occasion, none of who are supposed to be rednecks, so she gets a big goose egg on that portion of the scoring.
The only other negative, which thankfully, got ironed out by page 70ish, was a constant use of flashbacks on Charlie's part, to scenes that occurred anywhere from a few days to months earlier, done in a way that interrupts the flow of the present action, to relate backstory info that doesn't really make any difference to the story. I was just about to give up on the book because of it, but thankfully the author got it out of her system and carried on with the proper story after pg 70.
Back to the positives. I enjoyed seeing Charlie in action, thinking through possibilities of who they were really on the run from, how to get out of sticky situations all while protecting her charge (Trey). I also enjoyed the 30 pages or so where they are staying with Trey's teenage friends. It brings a fresh note that takes the story out of the standard formula stuff most action thrillers contain.
The ending is satisfying and definitely kept me flipping pages, and there are several surprise twists in the last fifty pages, as well as a small surprise twist at the very end which is fun and leaves us off on just the right note.
All in all, in spite of the grammar bug-a-boos, FIRST DROP is really a good read and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for something a little different then the formula driven action thrillers. I give it 4.5 STARS overall, and would have given it 5 had it not been for the sand-chewing grammar blips. There is no 'world threat', and although the FBI and police occasionally make an appearance, they are kept to a minimum in the overall story, which I appreciated and is what keeps this story from being cookie cutter. I will definitely read more of the Charlie Fox series.
January 9, 2026
This was well written and if I hadn't already read ahead in the series I would have been scared of the final scene. This series hasn't ceased to amaze me and the protagonist is amazing. Go on, grab the series you will definitely enjoy it.
January 25, 2012
I have to say I was underwhelmed by this book (I listened to the audio version). Reviews have been mainly in favor of the series, and now I'm wondering if I started with one of the weaker volumes.Let's get the criticism out of the way, shall we?
The plot. I tried, but I didn't really feel suspense, except maybe for the final action sequence. While at first I was curious to find out why Trey was being hunted, and who was eventually behind it, halfway through the book I was so distracted and partially bored by the Spring Breakers, sulking teens, franchise resort golf cart drivers etc. that I stopped really caring. The plot felt like something from an 80s P.I. show - entertaining, but not gripping.
The action scenes are well written, I have to give Sharp that. Crisp, well-paced, no fuss and believable. Made me listen up and lose my disinterest whenever a shootout/close combat scene arrived. Spice of the book.
When I noticed my own disregard for the plot, I decided to focus on the characters instead and care about them. Which is what saved my opinion about the book and lifted it to three stars instead of two. To be precise, Charlie and Sean did.
I never really warmed up with Trey, and neither did Charlie. Not really. The teenagers in the story were something to grin at at first, but they quickly became as much of a nuissance and source for anger as they are in RL (I'm raising two of that species, I know what I'm talking about). I was, in general, missing adult in the book. Only Walt with his warm Southern accent and paternal instincts was a likeable supporting character. The rest - most of them bad guys - were indistinct and even blurred a little in my head.
But thank God there's Charlie. Tough, yet thoughtful Charlie, ghosts of the past haunting her, and battling with feelings of guilt. She's a likeable heroine, the right mixture of hard and soft, and those features are best completed when she interacts with or thinks about Sean. Sean, her partner, whom she's obviously in love with, but on difficult terms. In the few scenes these two have with each other in 'First Drop', there is a lot of chemistry crackling between these characters, a lot of history defining their cautious but clearly smitten ways with each other. And it's because of them that I might go back and read the first book of the series, even if 'First Drop' really didn't meet my expectations. Luckily enough, stories, for me, are about characters more than about plot (for the most part anyway). Which is why, with qualms, I'm giving 'First Drop' three of five stars (would be 2 1/2 if that was a option).
One more word about the narrator:
I listened to the audio version narrated by Clare Corbett, and she couldn't always convince me either. Her voice suited Charlie's character, and her British English is clean and easy to understand. Also, Corbett's interpretation of Sean was done very well - she gives him nuances of cold-blooded, yet evocative sexiness. Unfortunately, Sean only played a small part in the book, and we don't get to hear him often enough.
As for the teenager's voices, Corbett made them sound appropriately obnoxious - which got on my nerves after a while. Possibly intentional.
I had my biggest issues with Corbett mimicking a deeper, male voice and an American accent. Both seemed exaggerated and really took some getting used to. I would've preferred more subtlety here.
For my reviews in German go to www.buchstapelwleise.wordpress.com
The plot. I tried, but I didn't really feel suspense, except maybe for the final action sequence. While at first I was curious to find out why Trey was being hunted, and who was eventually behind it, halfway through the book I was so distracted and partially bored by the Spring Breakers, sulking teens, franchise resort golf cart drivers etc. that I stopped really caring. The plot felt like something from an 80s P.I. show - entertaining, but not gripping.
The action scenes are well written, I have to give Sharp that. Crisp, well-paced, no fuss and believable. Made me listen up and lose my disinterest whenever a shootout/close combat scene arrived. Spice of the book.
When I noticed my own disregard for the plot, I decided to focus on the characters instead and care about them. Which is what saved my opinion about the book and lifted it to three stars instead of two. To be precise, Charlie and Sean did.
I never really warmed up with Trey, and neither did Charlie. Not really. The teenagers in the story were something to grin at at first, but they quickly became as much of a nuissance and source for anger as they are in RL (I'm raising two of that species, I know what I'm talking about). I was, in general, missing adult in the book. Only Walt with his warm Southern accent and paternal instincts was a likeable supporting character. The rest - most of them bad guys - were indistinct and even blurred a little in my head.
But thank God there's Charlie. Tough, yet thoughtful Charlie, ghosts of the past haunting her, and battling with feelings of guilt. She's a likeable heroine, the right mixture of hard and soft, and those features are best completed when she interacts with or thinks about Sean. Sean, her partner, whom she's obviously in love with, but on difficult terms. In the few scenes these two have with each other in 'First Drop', there is a lot of chemistry crackling between these characters, a lot of history defining their cautious but clearly smitten ways with each other. And it's because of them that I might go back and read the first book of the series, even if 'First Drop' really didn't meet my expectations. Luckily enough, stories, for me, are about characters more than about plot (for the most part anyway). Which is why, with qualms, I'm giving 'First Drop' three of five stars (would be 2 1/2 if that was a option).
One more word about the narrator:
I listened to the audio version narrated by Clare Corbett, and she couldn't always convince me either. Her voice suited Charlie's character, and her British English is clean and easy to understand. Also, Corbett's interpretation of Sean was done very well - she gives him nuances of cold-blooded, yet evocative sexiness. Unfortunately, Sean only played a small part in the book, and we don't get to hear him often enough.
As for the teenager's voices, Corbett made them sound appropriately obnoxious - which got on my nerves after a while. Possibly intentional.
I had my biggest issues with Corbett mimicking a deeper, male voice and an American accent. Both seemed exaggerated and really took some getting used to. I would've preferred more subtlety here.
For my reviews in German go to www.buchstapelwleise.wordpress.com
February 25, 2013
I select my “crime fiction” readings mostly based on January Magazine’s “Best of the Year” recommendations. Zoe Sharp’s “First Drop” made the list in 2005. Cindy Chow, the reviewer, characterizes the novel as “brilliantly suspenseful yet emotionally affecting” and writes that “[it] is a stellar breakout for Sharp”. I beg to differ. The plot is suspenseful for about the first hundred pages; then it gets bogged in ridiculous attempts to twist it in every way possible. Maybe teen readers can find it emotionally affecting; grown-ups will find it hard to reconcile the high body count with a juvenile writing style.
The protagonist (and the narrator) is Charlotte “Charlie” Fox, a twenty-something British ex-military, who gets her first job in the U.S. as a bodyguard for a fifteen year old spoiled brat, the son of a top-notch computer programmer who is working on breakthrough software for stock market prediction (yeah, right). I applaud the refreshing idea of having a female equivalent of, say, Jack Reacher, starring in a thriller. Charlie’s skills in hand combat, marksmanship, and survival in general are first-rate. I would love, though, to see the author’s writing skills match Charlie’s skills as a bodyguard. Particularly irritating is the teenager-level writing in a long fragment of the novel where some characters suspect that they will soon be executed and have to prepare to die. The author writes “He rummaged through the little bowl, picking out four packets of Sweet’N Low which he emptied into his cup along with two packets of creamer. The he stirred the resultant muddy-colored gloop with one of the straws.” Now I know what to think about when preparing to be shot.
Four stars for Charlie Fox’ character, half a star for implementation, so the average is
Two stars.
The protagonist (and the narrator) is Charlotte “Charlie” Fox, a twenty-something British ex-military, who gets her first job in the U.S. as a bodyguard for a fifteen year old spoiled brat, the son of a top-notch computer programmer who is working on breakthrough software for stock market prediction (yeah, right). I applaud the refreshing idea of having a female equivalent of, say, Jack Reacher, starring in a thriller. Charlie’s skills in hand combat, marksmanship, and survival in general are first-rate. I would love, though, to see the author’s writing skills match Charlie’s skills as a bodyguard. Particularly irritating is the teenager-level writing in a long fragment of the novel where some characters suspect that they will soon be executed and have to prepare to die. The author writes “He rummaged through the little bowl, picking out four packets of Sweet’N Low which he emptied into his cup along with two packets of creamer. The he stirred the resultant muddy-colored gloop with one of the straws.” Now I know what to think about when preparing to be shot.
Four stars for Charlie Fox’ character, half a star for implementation, so the average is
Two stars.
August 11, 2007
FIRST DROP (Bodyguard-Florida-Cont) – VG
Sharp, Zoe – 4th in series
Piatkus, 2004 – UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0479906618
*** Charlie Fox and her ex-lover, Sean, have been hired to protect a wealthy computer programmer and his 14-year-old son, Trey. While at an amusement park, someone tries to shoot Trey. Charlie get them safely back to the house, only to find everyone, including the father and Sean. Everything has been removed, except Sean’s gun. Charlie and Trey go on the run, not knowing who to trust, believing Sean is dead and knowing some of the bad guys are cops.
*** This is a book that is exciting from page one all the way through to the end. Charlie is a great character; she’s smart and tough but definitely has her demons. Trey is a very believable 14-year-old boy with all the insolence and naiveté teens can have. The action is fast, the emotions are true, the sense of place very well done—you definitely know they are in Florida—and the dialogue is true to the ear. This was a terrific book in a really good series.
Sharp, Zoe – 4th in series
Piatkus, 2004 – UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0479906618
*** Charlie Fox and her ex-lover, Sean, have been hired to protect a wealthy computer programmer and his 14-year-old son, Trey. While at an amusement park, someone tries to shoot Trey. Charlie get them safely back to the house, only to find everyone, including the father and Sean. Everything has been removed, except Sean’s gun. Charlie and Trey go on the run, not knowing who to trust, believing Sean is dead and knowing some of the bad guys are cops.
*** This is a book that is exciting from page one all the way through to the end. Charlie is a great character; she’s smart and tough but definitely has her demons. Trey is a very believable 14-year-old boy with all the insolence and naiveté teens can have. The action is fast, the emotions are true, the sense of place very well done—you definitely know they are in Florida—and the dialogue is true to the ear. This was a terrific book in a really good series.
October 11, 2011
I realized once I started that this isn't actually the first book in the series (I think it's the fourth), but decided to give it a try anyway. I'm glad I didn't waste time waiting for another ILL - and I won't pursue the others in the series.
The plot was okay, but I found the writing beyond clunky, even accounting for the sometimes unfamiliar British terms. There were so many minor characters that I had no hope of keeping them straight, the dialogue was stilted at best, and not a single teen character (and there were a bunch) EVER got sarcasm or irony in conversation. Give me a break - teens are the most highly-attuned-to-irony creatures in nature!
By the end, I hardly cared what happened - I just wanted to be free of this book.
The plot was okay, but I found the writing beyond clunky, even accounting for the sometimes unfamiliar British terms. There were so many minor characters that I had no hope of keeping them straight, the dialogue was stilted at best, and not a single teen character (and there were a bunch) EVER got sarcasm or irony in conversation. Give me a break - teens are the most highly-attuned-to-irony creatures in nature!
By the end, I hardly cared what happened - I just wanted to be free of this book.
November 17, 2014
#4 in the Charlotte “Charlie” Fox series. Finalist 2005 Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel. For British self-defense expert Charlie Fox this change of pace series entry takes place in Florida. Her interactions with teens while struggling to continue with her bodyguard assignment in the midst of uncertainty about the status of her boss and the identity of the "good guys" vs. the "bad guys" makes for a very entertaining read.
Charlotte “Charlie” Fox series - Working as a bodyguard, Charlie Fox's latest assignment, babysitting Trey Pelzer, the teenage son of a wealthy Florida computer programmer, is complicated by the disappearance of Trey's father and his entire entourage.
Charlotte “Charlie” Fox series - Working as a bodyguard, Charlie Fox's latest assignment, babysitting Trey Pelzer, the teenage son of a wealthy Florida computer programmer, is complicated by the disappearance of Trey's father and his entire entourage.
October 18, 2012
Charlie gets her first taste of America. And she's so not impressed. I laughed a lot through this one. She has modern teenage attitude down to a T and the action is from the first chapter to the last. If Charlie were a real person I'd definitely want her as a mate. She cracks me up. When you read a Charlie Fox novel,you strap in tight before the first page and only undo the seat belt when you get to the end. In the middle you just hang on tight for a hell of a ride. Action and intrigue in equal measure with witty humour thrown in for damn good measure.
September 14, 2013
I liked the first three Charlie Fox novels, thought I felt I was still slow at getting to know her and figure out what makes her tick ... and then I read this one. Charlie Fox is fully realized in this one, and it seems to be somewhat of a watershed for author Sharp: this book really takes off and doesn't let go. This one went to (dare I use the cliche) the next level in a big way. I found myself really, really liking and rooting for Charlie, whereas before she merely intrigued me just enough to keep me reading to see if she'd ever fully develop. She has, and how. Kudos to Sharp!
May 21, 2013
Once again Charlie Fox is mixing it with the hard men, and taking plenty of knocks in the process. A little too much of the gun culture for me, however, it's a great story that's fast paced, keeps you turning pages, and, even though the reader knows Charlie will survive, it does have the reader wondering if this is the end.
September 4, 2010
My first read of Ms. Sharp. Can't wait to read another. She does at times confuse we American readers with common British phrasing that we just don't get, but she tells a great story and Charlie Fox is a very likeable heroine.
October 13, 2023
This is the first book in this series that felt like a solid suspenser, and about which I had no reservations upon completing it.
Charlie Fox has gone to work for her ex (superior officer and lover), Sean, in the private security business. Her first actual assignment after completing some training is with Sean as a U.S. private computer firm's extra security detail in Florida. The dossier is skimpy, to say the least, and Charlie is unhappy to find she is delegated to look after a teenager, Trey, the son of Keith, a programmer working on a high-level project that could make or break his employer. Both Sean and Charlie are concerned they are not getting the full story.
Then Charlie is detailed to escort Trey to an amusement park for the day... where Charlie must avert an attempt to either kidnap or kill Trey. They escape and head back toward Keith's home, but unable to reach Sean, or head of security Jim Whitmarsh, Charlie leaves Trey at a diner, and slips back to the house--now completely vacant, with no sign of Sean, Keith or anyone else. All Charlie finds is Sean's backup gun and whatever ammo is already loaded.
Charlie and Trey go on the run, ending up in Daytona Beach during Spring Break, because Trey has friends to meet up with, and getting lost in the crowds seems like a good idea. Violence pursues them, with former allies now showing themselves to be enemies, and bodies accumulating as Charlie tries to keep Trey safe and whom she can trust. When news reports reveal Charlie is being set up as a murderous kidnapper, Charlie has to employ all of her training and inherent grit to figure out what is going on, why multiple pursuers need Trey and her dead... and whether Sean has already been killed.
The details of these stories are what keep me coming back to read about a character I have had trouble fully embracing. I'd describe Sharp's narrative style as brutal reality. She talks about the results of riding a stolen motorcycle without a helmet in relation to buggy, humid Florida in a way that makes one grimace in sympathy (and disgust). She describes being hit by men much larger and more intent on harm than her, and makes you feel your eyes water and ears ringing. And she carries you inside Charlie's mind as she determines on vengeance for an incalculable loss.
I'm not fully won over yet--Charlie remains a puzzle to me in some ways. But the writing and plot on this book were almost cinematic. I could see it all unfolding in my head as it happened. Good stuff for fans of hard-boiled suspense stories.
Charlie Fox has gone to work for her ex (superior officer and lover), Sean, in the private security business. Her first actual assignment after completing some training is with Sean as a U.S. private computer firm's extra security detail in Florida. The dossier is skimpy, to say the least, and Charlie is unhappy to find she is delegated to look after a teenager, Trey, the son of Keith, a programmer working on a high-level project that could make or break his employer. Both Sean and Charlie are concerned they are not getting the full story.
Then Charlie is detailed to escort Trey to an amusement park for the day... where Charlie must avert an attempt to either kidnap or kill Trey. They escape and head back toward Keith's home, but unable to reach Sean, or head of security Jim Whitmarsh, Charlie leaves Trey at a diner, and slips back to the house--now completely vacant, with no sign of Sean, Keith or anyone else. All Charlie finds is Sean's backup gun and whatever ammo is already loaded.
Charlie and Trey go on the run, ending up in Daytona Beach during Spring Break, because Trey has friends to meet up with, and getting lost in the crowds seems like a good idea. Violence pursues them, with former allies now showing themselves to be enemies, and bodies accumulating as Charlie tries to keep Trey safe and whom she can trust. When news reports reveal Charlie is being set up as a murderous kidnapper, Charlie has to employ all of her training and inherent grit to figure out what is going on, why multiple pursuers need Trey and her dead... and whether Sean has already been killed.
The details of these stories are what keep me coming back to read about a character I have had trouble fully embracing. I'd describe Sharp's narrative style as brutal reality. She talks about the results of riding a stolen motorcycle without a helmet in relation to buggy, humid Florida in a way that makes one grimace in sympathy (and disgust). She describes being hit by men much larger and more intent on harm than her, and makes you feel your eyes water and ears ringing. And she carries you inside Charlie's mind as she determines on vengeance for an incalculable loss.
I'm not fully won over yet--Charlie remains a puzzle to me in some ways. But the writing and plot on this book were almost cinematic. I could see it all unfolding in my head as it happened. Good stuff for fans of hard-boiled suspense stories.
December 6, 2022
I've previously written about the Charlie Fox series of novels by Zoe Sharp. In my review for Hard Knocks, I said things had cranked up a bit since the first two books in the series. That continues with First Drop and Charlie working on her first close protection assignment. Within the space of a few books, she's gone from working in the North-West of England to Germany and now to Florida. This time she's looking after a teenage boy - and, like all teenagers, he's a pain in the behind.
Inevitably, what started out as a relatively easy job spirals out of control. Frankly, that had to happen, otherwise there'd be no point to the book. But that's the fun, isn't it?
As ever, no spoilers, but there's plenty of action and tension and a real sense of danger. I enjoyed the ride so much I went swiftly on to the next in the series.
Because it's been a while since I last wrote about a Charlie Fox book, I will repeat what I said last time. Zoe Sharp clearly does her research – or she’s had a lot of training in self-defence and weapons. Everything about the combat scenes gives the reader a sense this could really happen.
It isn’t essential to read the earlier books first. Indeed, the author does suggest that, if you only want to read about Charlie Fox's work in close protection, you should start here. For me, though, it's been good to read them from the beginning.
Looking forward to the next one already.
Inevitably, what started out as a relatively easy job spirals out of control. Frankly, that had to happen, otherwise there'd be no point to the book. But that's the fun, isn't it?
As ever, no spoilers, but there's plenty of action and tension and a real sense of danger. I enjoyed the ride so much I went swiftly on to the next in the series.
Because it's been a while since I last wrote about a Charlie Fox book, I will repeat what I said last time. Zoe Sharp clearly does her research – or she’s had a lot of training in self-defence and weapons. Everything about the combat scenes gives the reader a sense this could really happen.
It isn’t essential to read the earlier books first. Indeed, the author does suggest that, if you only want to read about Charlie Fox's work in close protection, you should start here. For me, though, it's been good to read them from the beginning.
Looking forward to the next one already.
June 20, 2018
A terrific thriller that moves right along at a rapid pace, told from the point of view of Charlie Fox, a veteran of the British Army who is now an operative for a security firm. Her charge is a fifteen year old boy whose father, a computer software designer, has vanished and his son is now a target. Charlie and the boy soon are being hunted through Florida not only by the bad guys but also by the police when she is set up for kidnapping and murder. The action is hot and heavy and Charlie is more than capable, even though she is distracted by the disappearance of her fellow operative, Sean, whom she has an on again, off again relationship. I absolutely loved the character, especially her attitude, and they say she handled being a Brit thrown into the totally different world of Florida during Spring Break. I am absolutely looking forward to the next Charlie Fox book!!!!!
July 25, 2019
Best Charlie Fox book yet! I keep telling myself after each one I am going to take a break before moving on to the next one, but I have already started the next. That being said, I just really enjoyed this book. The action, of course, is not stop. But the continued depth of Charlie that we get to learn is just really fun and interesting. Furthermore, the other characters, especially Trey, and the reaction he brings from Charlie is great to see. I enjoy how events of the last book led into this one, while not a sequel, she does hold fast to the always keep her principle safe rule. An all around fun read, and one, as usual, I did not want to end.
August 13, 2021
3.8 stars
I read the first Charlie Fox book, Killer Instinct a while ago and I like her character.
I choose the fourth book because I want some action and want to see Charlie as a bodyguard.
Well, she's still a newbie in the business and it's her first time in the US but she's good; quick on her feet with wit and determination. I'll follow this series to see how she will grow into this role. I'm so hope she will be a real kick-ass heroine with experiences. Entertaining plot (a little unbelievable for all the gun fight) though the twist is obvious but nice one, anyway.
I read the first Charlie Fox book, Killer Instinct a while ago and I like her character.
I choose the fourth book because I want some action and want to see Charlie as a bodyguard.
Well, she's still a newbie in the business and it's her first time in the US but she's good; quick on her feet with wit and determination. I'll follow this series to see how she will grow into this role. I'm so hope she will be a real kick-ass heroine with experiences. Entertaining plot (a little unbelievable for all the gun fight) though the twist is obvious but nice one, anyway.
July 18, 2021
Another suspenseful, action filled book with a complex who-dun-it mystery included. Just what I like!
The teenager that Charlie is protecting, at great personal risk and sacrifice, is a real jerk. Very hard to sympathize with. And other characters are a bit one dimensional, too. But, hey! it's great pulp fiction! The story moves quickly and never lets down. Action, danger, and deceit fill every chapter.
I will definitely read all of this series!
The teenager that Charlie is protecting, at great personal risk and sacrifice, is a real jerk. Very hard to sympathize with. And other characters are a bit one dimensional, too. But, hey! it's great pulp fiction! The story moves quickly and never lets down. Action, danger, and deceit fill every chapter.
I will definitely read all of this series!
July 29, 2025
It kept my attention but I thought that Charlie was a horrible body guard that was great while she was being shot at but otherwise, had the worst instincts when it came to trusting people. I honestly can't remember the last time I read a book that had this high of a body count. The majority of the book takes place with her trying to keep her charge (15 year old Trey) safe while trying to figure out why someone is trying to kill him.
August 4, 2019
Charlie Fox is starting a new career as a bodyguard and looking after the teenager son of a computer scientist should not be difficult. There is a vast cast of characters and complex plot to keep you engaged as the fast paced story unfolds. When Charlie is around you can count on some bodies accumulating and in this case the FBI gets involved. Highly recommend this series.
November 10, 2020
Excellent plotlines featuring Charlie Fox, entertaining and also suspenseful at same time. Couldn't see the ending coming. Just a really satisfying read, as I've come to expect from Zoe. If you like Sarah Paretsky I reckon you'd be pretty happy with any of Zoe's novels. Deserves much more media interest....
August 21, 2017
If you like Jack Reacher Charlie Fox will be your cup of tea.
I'm so glad I found author Zoe Sharp. Now I'll go to the start of the series and look forward to lots if well-written, violent guilty pleasure.
I'm so glad I found author Zoe Sharp. Now I'll go to the start of the series and look forward to lots if well-written, violent guilty pleasure.
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