Title: THE FALL
Author: Gilly Macmillan
ISBN: 978 1529 1353 81
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Pages: 400
Source: NetGalley
Be careful what you wish for…
Nicole and Tom’s lives are changed overnight by a ten-million-pound lottery win.
Before they know it they’ve moved into a state-of-the-art Glass Barn conversion in the stunning grounds of Lancaut Manor in Gloucestershire.
But their dream quickly turns into a nightmare when Tom is found dead in the swimming pool, with a wound on his head.
Someone close to home must be responsible. But other than the young couple who live in the Manor, and their housekeeper in the Coach House next door, there’s no one around for miles.
Who among them is capable of murder?
Official Summary
08 May 2023
Thank you to Penguin Random House South Africa for this NetGalley review copy. This is a brilliant read! This book has a slow start that sneaks up and grabs hold of you before you realise it and then you simply cannot be dragged away. The story explores manipulation, loss and murder and ends with a fantastic twist.
I am new to this author; this is the first of her books I have read and I loved it. I enjoy the way the author eases into the story and slowly grabs your attention while drawing you into her story. This book delivered one surprise after the next keeping you glued to the pages.
When Nicole and Tom win the lottery, their lives take a turn and before long they are living in their dream home. Life is perfect. Until Nicole finds Tom dead in the swimming pool with a wound on his head. Was it an accident, or was Tom murdered? The police are treating the death as suspicious but who could have killed Tom and why. The closest neighbours are a young couple and their housekeeper – could one of them be capable of murder?
This story starts slowly and then suddenly grabs hold of you and makes it impossible to walk away. I loved the twists in this story. It was a gripping, intriguing read with an unexpected ending. It’s a wonderfully creative tale.
The women in this story are brilliant. Nicole is battling to accept the idea that her husband might have been murdered and turns to her neighbours for support. However, she finds herself most comfortable with Kitty – the housekeeper. Olly and Sascha make her uncomfortable despite their trying to be helpful. Kitty is a bit of a dark horse and you find yourself curious about this woman. It’s hard to place her. The characters are a curious group of people and as you read and various bits and pieces are revealed about each one you soon understand why some of the behaviour in this story feels a little odd.
There is no doubt about this one being added to my loved list for 2023. The author has done a brilliant job with this book – you won’t want to miss this.
If are keen on a gripping psychological suspense story full of twists and turns, then this is a book I would highly recommend to you. It is a brilliant read, when it hooks you, be ready for a late nights reading.
Also By Gilly Macmillan
The Long Weekend
Three couples
Two bodies
One secret
Dark Fell Barn is a “perfectly isolated” retreat, or so says its website when Jayne books a reservation for her friends. A quiet place, far removed from the rest of the world, is exactly what they need.
The women arrive for a girls’ night ahead of their husbands. There’s ex-Army Jayne, hardened and serious, but also damaged. Ruth, the driven doctor and new mother who is battling demons of her own. Young Emily, just wed and insecure, the newest addition of this tight-knit band. Missing this year is Edie, who was the glue holding them together, until her husband died suddenly.
But what they hoped would be a relaxing break soon turns to horror. Upon arrival at Dark Fell Barn, the women find a devastating note claiming one of their husbands will be murdered. There are no phones, no cell service to check on their men. Friendships fracture as the situation spins wildly out of control. Betrayal can come in many forms.
This group has kept each other’s secrets for far too long.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Gilly Macmillan is the internationally bestselling author of seven novels including WHAT SHE KNEW, THE PERFECT GIRL, ODD CHILD OUT, I KNOW YOU KNOW and THE NANNY, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, and THE LONG WEEKEND. THE FALL is coming on 25 May 2023 in the UK and November 7, 2023 in the US and Canada.
A former art historian and photographer, Gilly studied at Bristol University and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. She lives in Bristol, UK, with her husband and three children.
Her first novel, WHAT SHE KNEW, was a Target pick, a LibraryReads pick, an Indie Next pick, an Edgar award nominee, and an International Thriller Writers award finalist. THE NANNY was a Spring 2020 Richard & Judy WHSmith Book Club pick and TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH was named one of the best thrillers of 2020 by the New York Times.
Gilly’s novels have appeared on the New York Times, Sunday Times, Globe & Mail and Der Spiegel bestseller lists and have been translated into over 20 languages. She’s been described as ‘one heck of a good writer’ (Wall Street Journal) and her novels have been praised as ‘nuanced, completely addictive’ (People), ‘riveting’ (Publishers Weekly), and ‘visceral, emotionally charged…heart-wrenchingly well told’ (The Daily Mail).
Thank you to Penguin Random House South Africa, and NetGalley for this review copy. I loved this book and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work. Are you a fan? What is your favourite book? As always, thank you for stopping by, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
