First Drop

First Drop is a crime thriller featuring Charlotte "Charlie" Fox, a British ex-Special Forces soldier turned bodyguard. Charlie takes an assignment protecting a teenage boy in Florida while navigating threats from multiple directions. The story moves between Boston and New Hampshire as Charlie works to keep her teenage charge alive while uncovering a complex web of deception. Her military training and instincts are tested as she faces increasingly dangerous situations with limited backup and resources. The fast-paced narrative explores themes of loyalty, trust, and the moral complexities of violence in protection work. Charlie Fox emerges as a capable protagonist who must balance professional detachment with human connection while operating in unfamiliar territory.

Readers found First Drop to be a fast-paced thriller that delivers on action and suspense. Many appreciate the change in setting from the UK to the US, with Charlie Fox navigating unfamiliar territory while protecting a teenage client. Readers liked: - The strong character development of Charlie Fox - Detailed action sequences and fight scenes - The dynamic between Charlie and her teenage charge - Technical accuracy regarding weapons and combat Readers disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the first few chapters - A few noted the plot became predictable in places - American dialogue occasionally rings false to US readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Reader quote: "Charlie Fox is what Jack Reacher would be if he was female and British" - Amazon reviewer Several readers noted it works well as a standalone, though it's part of a series.

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🔸 Despite being the fourth book in the Charlie Fox series, First Drop was the first to be published in the United States, helping introduce American readers to Sharp's work. 🔸 Author Zoë Sharp taught herself to shoot and became proficient with firearms to ensure authentic writing about her protagonist's experiences as a bodyguard and self-defense instructor. 🔸 The book's Florida setting was inspired by Sharp's own visit to theme parks in the area, where she conducted research on crowd control and security measures. 🔸 Charlie Fox, the series protagonist, was created after Sharp herself experienced a violent attack, leading her to explore themes of female empowerment and self-defense. 🔸 The novel was shortlisted for the Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel, marking Sharp's first major award nomination in the United States.