The mysteriously violent death of a prominent New England patriarch exposes a nest of dark family secrets in bestselling author Richard North Patterson's twentieth novel.
Adam Blaine arrives on the island of Martha's Vineyard to attend the funeral of his estranged father, Ben Blaine, a famous and charismatic writer who has served as patriarch of his clan for many years. A man fond of sailboats, good wine, and women other than his wife, Ben Blaine has left behind a string of secrets in addition to an emotionally distraught widow and his strangely aloof mistress, a beautiful television actress who once had a drug problem. As soon as Adam arrives, he is thrust into the search for his father's murderer. Using his training as a CIA operative, Blaine skillfully seeks to find the truth surrounding his father's violent death—even if it means exposing one of his own family members as the killer and unearthing hidden skeletons that were never meant to be found.
Filled with tight psychological intrigue that will keep listeners guessing until the very end, Fall from Grace confirms that "Richard North Patterson is one of the best in the business" (Time).
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"I love Richard North Patterson, but I'm not sure I couldn't have done without the last two chapters of this book. Maybe I just didn't need the closure he felt the characters needed. Otherwise, a well written suspense novel set at Martha's Vineyards and following generations of family rivalery."
— June (4 out of 5 stars)
“Fall from Grace is a stunning tale of betrayal and love—family members torn apart as the possible murder of the patriarch, whose power and prestige have dominated for decades, unravels secrets and scandals against the dramatic backdrop of the unforgiving Vineyard landscape. Richard North Patterson delivers thrilling suspense every time.”
— Linda Fairstein, New York Times bestselling author“A skillfully plotted murder mystery ripe with twisted, painful family dynamics, as readable and rewarding as Mr. Patterson’s forays into more dangerous corners of the world. Fall from Grace is an excellent read, an exciting mystery and character study.”
— Vineyard Gazette“Legal questions hang on every twist and turn of this tightly woven nonlegal thriller…Readers will enjoy unraveling the tangled mystery alongside Adam right up until the last revelation.”
— Publishers Weekly“Patterson carefully works the territory that lies between nostalgia…and the burning desire to get the heck out of Dodge, layering on plenty of local color without overdoing it. In the end, our super-spy assembles clues enough to convince him that old Ben probably didn't just slip and tumble off the promontory, but instead was helped along. But by whom? Therein lies the mystery, with a resolution that Patterson skillfully hides until the very end. Seascapes full of red herrings, seaside cottages full of secrets—all good fun, and a most satisfying whodunit.”
— Kirkus Reviews" A good read; you have figured it out before the killer is confirmed, but it moves rapidly, and held my interest. I listened to it as an audio book from the library. "
— Laurie, 2/19/2014" Every other book I've read of Richard North Patterson's get 5 stars. This is the first one that didn't get me from page one. Once I got into it, I had to finish but it's the only one I wouldn't recommend from him. "
— Theresa, 2/18/2014" His books are always great so I'm sure I'll love this one! Sounds like another great mystery! I'm looking forward to reading it! Beautiful cover also! "
— Shannon, 2/9/2014" I liked this book! There was a lot of legal jargon, but, the Martha's Vineyard setting made it a good summer read. "
— Roger, 2/5/2014" This is a well written, fast read of an interesting psychological drama. An added bonus includes the vivid descriptions of Maratha's Vineyard. Is it summer yet? "
— Adie, 2/2/2014" I love to read Richard North Patterson. This, however, was not his best book. The story line was good, but it was not a well written as some of his other books. Still I read it because I love the author "
— Namedoris, 1/21/2014" I thought it was a good story until the end which was too melodramtic. Did not ring true. "
— Joan, 12/30/2013" Adam comes home for the funeral of his estranged father, famous writer Benjamin Blaine, and finds that he is the executor of his will. There are questions of whether his father was murdered or fell to his death since many characters associated with him would have wanted him dead. The story twists as we find out why Benjamin was such a cruel father who both chased his sons away and cheated on his wife. This was an entertaining read as the different clues were gradually introduced and tied up neatly at the end. "
— Wendy, 12/16/2013" Patterson is the master of changing time and place. His throwback scenes are seamlessly woven into the story. This story had no real surprises. "
— Margaret, 12/15/2013" The book was a disappointment to me as compared to Richard's previous books. It started quite well and thereafter became slow. The ending was also interesting. The book did not keep me on edge. I mostly enjoy Richard Legal books. "
— Dorcas, 11/2/2013" A reasonably engaging read, albeit far less so than his earlier works. I do wish his editor would get him to stop using "said simply" every other page; it's annoying and amateurishly repetetive. "
— Iolanthe, 10/29/2013" Good mystery. I was kept in suspense all the way through to the end. "
— Carol, 10/11/2013" First book I have read from this author. I was impressed good writing, it kept my interest. I will check out more of his books. "
— Janet, 8/26/2013" Love Richard North Patterson. Another well written book with a compelling story line, although I had figured out most of the mystery surrounding the story. I don't consider this predictable. I enjoy sleuthing along with the story. "
— Marla, 8/25/2013" I wish he wrote more often but his books are so good they are worth the wait. "
— Bestb452, 8/11/2013" This was really well written and had a good plot. It was fun to read, especially after my last book. "
— Rosemary, 5/30/2013" Good "lake" book. Sitting on the dock just passing the hours reading. Damaged people make up a dysfunctional family who are forced to face the demons after the death of the patriarch. He snubs the biological heirs in favor of the lover.............. Was it, murder, suicide or accidental? "
— Martha, 5/26/2013" Set on Martha's Vineyard, this psychological novel will be preferred beach reading for the summer of 2012. "
— Hapzydeco, 4/9/2013" Usually love this author - this one was good but not memorable. "
— Julie, 12/20/2012" Typical RNP formula of past impacting present. Tragic flavor that gets darker by the chapter. "
— B, 11/2/2012" Slow start, I had a difficult time staying interested. It seems like "Adam" is just going in circles, everything taking place at Martha's vineyard...the final chapters are surprising, which kept me from skipping the book altogether. "
— Silvia, 10/2/2012" At first I really enjoyed the book. Then I thought it was moving too slow for my taste and I predicted the ending. "
— Angella, 6/10/2012" Intriguing psychological thriller. A terrific rainy day read. "
— Millie, 5/4/2012" Good thriller from this prolific author. "
— Terri, 4/8/2012Richard North Patterson is the New York Times bestselling author of The Devil’s Light, In the Name of Honor, The Spire, and a number of other bestselling and critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, he was the SEC’s liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups. Patterson has appeared on such programs as the Today show, Good Morning America, Hardball with Chris Matthews, and Buchanan and Press.
Dennis Boutsikaris is a two-time OBIE award winner. He has received five Audie Awards and seven Golden Earphone Awards for his work in over 100 audiobooks and was voted one of the Best Voices of the Year by AudioFile magazine. He has appeared in numerous Broadway, television, and film roles. He played Mozart on Broadway in Amadeus and has appeared on television shows including Shameless, The Good Wife, House M.D., Grey’s Anatomy, ER, and Law & Order.