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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Iain Pear’s ‘Stone’s Fall’ is an intricate layered mystery set in London and Venice.
I couldn’t claim it’s an easy read, as it is long, dense, and split into three Victorian/Edwardian timelines, each earlier than the previous section.
But certainly it’s an outstanding mystery, with several love stories, terrific world-building and a complex plot that seems to spiral through time.
And what a humdinger of a twist at the end! The sort you know you should have seen coming, but it’s such a bold blow you’re left gasping.
I couldn’t claim it’s an easy read, as it is long, dense, and split into three Victorian/Edwardian timelines, each earlier than the previous section.
But certainly it’s an outstanding mystery, with several love stories, terrific world-building and a complex plot that seems to spiral through time.
And what a humdinger of a twist at the end! The sort you know you should have seen coming, but it’s such a bold blow you’re left gasping.
Long. Very long.
I really enjoyed the first third, and the last third. The middle third was a bit slow. Great story, I kept at it and now want to go back and read the beginning (it is told in reverse order).
I really enjoyed the first third, and the last third. The middle third was a bit slow. Great story, I kept at it and now want to go back and read the beginning (it is told in reverse order).
Cursed 3 week check-out periods. I should have read this book straight through. I finished it and now I am so confused because I read one half, put it down for 3 weeks and read the rest. It was a great book, well written. I didn't give it 4 stars because it did feel a little put together in the end to me (like the author saved details). However, if you like a good high-brow mystery with decent suspense, you'll like this. It's also broken into 3 parts, told from 3 different points of view. Clever twist to piece the plot together.
And now, back to Nana, which was referenced about 12 times in this book.
And now, back to Nana, which was referenced about 12 times in this book.
Like an Incident at the fingerpost a cerebral puzzle with multiple narrators. I preferred this to “The Incident” as it had a more compelling story to drive it forward. Bit of a “cheesy” ending and I think the last third of the book set in Venice ran out of steam - however an overall good holiday read.
An intricate, complicated book that draws you in. Never knew where it was going...and was surprised where it ended up. It's kind of like those Russian Dolls...you open one up, and there's another...and then another...and another. Twisted and mysterious, a great read.
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
STONE'S FALL by Iain Pears is one of those books that just looks intimidating. Even in paperback it's a great big doorstopper of a thing - 597 pages long. One of those books that you wonder if you can risk reading in bed, what with a tendency to doze off and the potential for blackened eyes and badly squished noses. Three books in one in styling, STONE'S FALL tells the story of why John Stone, First (and last) Baron Ravenscliff died, falling from a window at his London home.
Starting out with a funeral in Paris in 1953, the story quickly sets itself in 1909 London, in the immediate aftermath of Stone's death. Matthew Braddock, young, enthusiastic, journalist finds himself in the unlikely position of being hired by Elizabeth, Lady Ravenscliff ostensibly to write the biography of her husband. In truth, he is tasked to discover the truth of his death. The middle section of the book, set in 1890's Paris switches the viewpoint to that of Henry Cort - long time friend of Elizabeth and Stone, ex-banker, ex-journalist, government informer, Cort is a shadowy figure in the earlier London based investigation, and the middle section sets out to explain why. Everything leads to the final section of the book - Venice, 1867 and Stone's own story, told by him, right up to the time at which he dies.
As each of these viewpoints is effectively a book in their own right, there is a lot of time and space for Pears to flesh out their individual stories and to reveal the elements that go to make up the truth behind Stone's death. Matthew Braddock's investigations, which he undertakes from a starting point of very little information takes him back into Stone's own past as well as that of his wife. He works diligently, but frequently somewhat ineptly to discover the truth behind Stone's life. Along the way facts are revealed, relationships exposed and slowly the details of a complicated personal and business life are revealed. In the second part of the book, Henry Cort takes over the story, opening up in particular, facets of Elizabeth's life that have had an impact on Stone's death. Each of these parts leads inevitably to Stone's opportunity to tell his own story wherein a lot of time is available to discuss motivations and tie up some loose ends. Stone's personal life has definitely had it's own complications, his business life likewise. Unfortunately, of the entire book, the final section is undoubtedly the weakest with some lapses into inexplicable and seemingly unnecessary supernatural elements, and a rushed and somewhat clumsy resolution.
STONE'S FALL is an interesting book because of its structure. Tipping the narrative timeline on its head, starting with a death and then working backwards in such incredible detail isn't a standard approach, and it made for something very different. Within this structure there were parts of the book which were just dazzling and absolutely involving, and parts that were less successful. Unfortunately the less successful was undoubtedly the finale which just got unbelievably clunky, and to be frank, so transparent it was really really disappointing. All in all a book where the journey was considerably more rewarding than the destination.
Starting out with a funeral in Paris in 1953, the story quickly sets itself in 1909 London, in the immediate aftermath of Stone's death. Matthew Braddock, young, enthusiastic, journalist finds himself in the unlikely position of being hired by Elizabeth, Lady Ravenscliff ostensibly to write the biography of her husband. In truth, he is tasked to discover the truth of his death. The middle section of the book, set in 1890's Paris switches the viewpoint to that of Henry Cort - long time friend of Elizabeth and Stone, ex-banker, ex-journalist, government informer, Cort is a shadowy figure in the earlier London based investigation, and the middle section sets out to explain why. Everything leads to the final section of the book - Venice, 1867 and Stone's own story, told by him, right up to the time at which he dies.
As each of these viewpoints is effectively a book in their own right, there is a lot of time and space for Pears to flesh out their individual stories and to reveal the elements that go to make up the truth behind Stone's death. Matthew Braddock's investigations, which he undertakes from a starting point of very little information takes him back into Stone's own past as well as that of his wife. He works diligently, but frequently somewhat ineptly to discover the truth behind Stone's life. Along the way facts are revealed, relationships exposed and slowly the details of a complicated personal and business life are revealed. In the second part of the book, Henry Cort takes over the story, opening up in particular, facets of Elizabeth's life that have had an impact on Stone's death. Each of these parts leads inevitably to Stone's opportunity to tell his own story wherein a lot of time is available to discuss motivations and tie up some loose ends. Stone's personal life has definitely had it's own complications, his business life likewise. Unfortunately, of the entire book, the final section is undoubtedly the weakest with some lapses into inexplicable and seemingly unnecessary supernatural elements, and a rushed and somewhat clumsy resolution.
STONE'S FALL is an interesting book because of its structure. Tipping the narrative timeline on its head, starting with a death and then working backwards in such incredible detail isn't a standard approach, and it made for something very different. Within this structure there were parts of the book which were just dazzling and absolutely involving, and parts that were less successful. Unfortunately the less successful was undoubtedly the finale which just got unbelievably clunky, and to be frank, so transparent it was really really disappointing. All in all a book where the journey was considerably more rewarding than the destination.
Absolutely superior mystery, but odd and different too. While I'm impressed by the scholarship, the structure, the writing and the deep puzzle box of the story, I also found the book to be a little lacking in a focal point. There was sort of two books here, a financial thriller and a murder mystery that didn't seem to quite mesh. It brought to my mind for some reason those scifi stories where two ships accidentally drop out of hyperspace into the same time/space spot or the movie "the fly" where the scientist accidentally transports himself with a fly and both end up a single patchwork being. The book is a wonderful failure, well worth reading. My opinion.
I enjoyed Part One but thought Part Two and Three were superfluous; I really wasn't interested in the back story of Cort and Stone but all in all it was a good read. Part One would make a good movie.
I also enjoyed Mr. Pears writing style.
I also enjoyed Mr. Pears writing style.