Stone's Fall

Iain Pear's latest novel, Stones' Fall, is a murder mystery and historical novel with a satisfyingly complex plot. Three narrators provide us with the portions of the story that concern them, gradually building to a revelation that I did not see coming.

Set in England, France and Italy, Stone's Fall unfolds over the course of approximately fifty years. It begins in London in 1909 where we are introduced to the widow of the recently deceased John Stone, an industrialist of extraordinary wealth. He fell from a window. Was he pushed, did he trip, or did he perhaps jump? Who and where is the child mentioned in his will? What are we to make of his widow's odd behavior and mysterious past? Each successive narrative jumps back in time and adds a piece to the puzzle.

Fans of fast-paced thrillers may find this story slow to unfold, but Pears' graceful prose, believable characters, and skill at weaving his plot with the geo-politcal intrigue of late 19th and early 20th century Europe are so engaging that I was sad to see it come to an end.

I would recommend this highly to fans of complex mysteries and historical novels.

-Paul


If you like Stone's Fall, you may also enjoy:

An Instance of the Finger Post by Iain Pears
Ex Libris by Ross King
Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson