314th out of 488 books
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447 voters
Fall From Grace
The mysterious, violent death of a prominent New England patriarch exposes a nest of dark family secrets in bestselling author Richard North Patterson’s twentieth compelling 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...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
March 20th 2012
by Scribner
(first published March 1st 2012)
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Let me state up front that I am a hard core Richard North Patterson fan. That made clear, I am truly unsure as to how I feel about "Fall From Grace."
Parts reminiscent, novelistic, travelogue, philosophic, introspective, sad, moralistic, etc., etc. I never did really figure out what Patterson was trying to do with this book. The story starts softly and without much character development. It unveils itself slowly, as if Patterson interrupts his meandering to throw you a crumb every once in a whil...more
Parts reminiscent, novelistic, travelogue, philosophic, introspective, sad, moralistic, etc., etc. I never did really figure out what Patterson was trying to do with this book. The story starts softly and without much character development. It unveils itself slowly, as if Patterson interrupts his meandering to throw you a crumb every once in a whil...more
I'm a fan of Richard North Patterson, and he can do so much better. Yes, I was drawn into the story and stuck with it until the (not-so-surprising) end, but now that I've finished it, I have the sense that he just mailed it in...and I feel like I need a shower.
This is the story of an estranged son, drawn back to his broken family due to the circumstances surrounding the death of his wealthy father. Was it a result of natural causes? Or was it an accident? Suicide? Murder? Have you read this one...more
This is the story of an estranged son, drawn back to his broken family due to the circumstances surrounding the death of his wealthy father. Was it a result of natural causes? Or was it an accident? Suicide? Murder? Have you read this one...more
Lots of other reviews summarize the story: Adam Blaine returns from Afghanistan to his childhood home in Martha's Vinyard for the funeral of this father and stays to find out whether his father had been murdered.
I enjoy most of Richard North Patterson's books, and found this one to be better than some but substantially worse than others. If this had been the first book that I had read by this author I would not be inspired to read any more of his. (I loved No Safe Place and Protect and Defend).
A...more
I enjoy most of Richard North Patterson's books, and found this one to be better than some but substantially worse than others. If this had been the first book that I had read by this author I would not be inspired to read any more of his. (I loved No Safe Place and Protect and Defend).
A...more
Good book. Quite suspenseful, although I guessed at several of the twists and got them right.
The mysterious, violent death of a prominent New England patriarch exposes a nest of dark family secrets in bestselling author Richard North Patterson’s twentieth compelling 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,...more
The mysterious, violent death of a prominent New England patriarch exposes a nest of dark family secrets in bestselling author Richard North Patterson’s twentieth compelling 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,...more
Fall From Grace, by Richard North Patterson, a-minus, Narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris, produced by Harper Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
Adam Blaine, serving in Afghanistan, receives a call from his mother that he must come home, that his father is dead. Adam left the family seven years previously due to something that happened between himself and his father, something which he won’t reveal to the rest of the family. He had not been home since, and not spoken to his father in seven years. But...more
Adam Blaine, serving in Afghanistan, receives a call from his mother that he must come home, that his father is dead. Adam left the family seven years previously due to something that happened between himself and his father, something which he won’t reveal to the rest of the family. He had not been home since, and not spoken to his father in seven years. But...more
Richard North Patterson is one of my favorite authors. I loved "Eyes of a Child" and "Final Witness." I felt he had a way of writing courtroom thrillers that kep t me on the edge of my toes. Then he decided to write some political and international based thriller books to talk about his views. It went downhill fast. I almost made a decision not to read him anymore because it was so boring. Mr. Patterson wrote a courtroom book about two years ago, "In the Name of Honor" then I decide that I could...more
Adam Blaine is called back from work abroad to his childhood home on Martha’s Vineyard when his father Ben, a world-famous novelist, dies of a fall from a cliff. Long estranged from his domineering father, Adam learns to his chagrin that he has been named executor of the recent will disinheriting his mother and brother. That job will require putting his now destitute mother out of her childhood home in favor of his father’s current mistress, a young actress. And the police, not convinced that th...more
Great plot: father dies [murder/accident/suicide?] and estranged son returns home after 10 yr. absence. Father's will names actress girlfriend to inherit almost everything leaving out his wife and oldest son. Returning son is named executor and proceeds to discover the reason of the will, cause of death, and unearth all the family secrets. On top of this it takes place on Martha's Vineyard, one of my favorite places.
So why did it fail for me??? It started out 'great guns' and I thought this is g...more
So why did it fail for me??? It started out 'great guns' and I thought this is g...more
Somehow I have missed reading Richard North Patterson over the years and will definitely be correcting that immediately, after finishing FALL FROM GRACE. What a powerful writer, amazing. The author's command of the written word, had me stopping and re-reading some passages, just to enjoy the imagery and "power" behind his writing. The story hooked me from the first page right up to the end where everything was spelled out and left me hoping that there might be a follow-up. None the less, this is...more
I had a hard time getting into this book - the first few chapters I was thinking of ditching it all together but by Chapter 6 I was hooked and intent of figuring out the mystery. I really enjoyed the second 1/2 of the book - I would give 4 stars if not for the slow beginning. Some of the aspects of the mystery I was able to figure out (or at least my suspicions early on bore out) but ultimately I was wrong about the cause of death.
I was left feeling like Adam's position in Afghanistan was not r...more
I was left feeling like Adam's position in Afghanistan was not r...more
Adam Blaine returns home after being estrainged from his father for years. Now he's there for his father's funeral.
Soon after the funeral, Adam learns that his famous novelist father changed his will and excluded his wife and Adam's brother, Teddy, who is gay. Instead, the estate goes to an actress thirty years younger that he (Benjamin). Another chunk of money goes to Jenny Leigh, a struggling writer and former friend of Adam.
Adam had been away in Afghanistan working for the CIA. He's now in th...more
Soon after the funeral, Adam learns that his famous novelist father changed his will and excluded his wife and Adam's brother, Teddy, who is gay. Instead, the estate goes to an actress thirty years younger that he (Benjamin). Another chunk of money goes to Jenny Leigh, a struggling writer and former friend of Adam.
Adam had been away in Afghanistan working for the CIA. He's now in th...more
Author Richard North Patterson began his career penning legal thrillers and living in the shadow of John Grisham. These novels were incredibly readable and solid stories but did not set him apart from the rest of the writers in this crowded genre.
Over the past decade or so, Patterson has reinvented himself by churning out novel after novel each with its’ own unique story and entirely indefinable as far as genre specifications. His latest novel, FALL FROM GRACE, continues this pattern. With this...more
Over the past decade or so, Patterson has reinvented himself by churning out novel after novel each with its’ own unique story and entirely indefinable as far as genre specifications. His latest novel, FALL FROM GRACE, continues this pattern. With this...more
Richard North Patterson has always been one of my favorites, and I even enjoyed his political novels even when I didn't agree with the politics. FALL FROM GRACE unfortunately fails on so many levels. But, since Patterson is such a talented author, the book ends up being interesting.
The plot is typical of his earlier novels. Take a bunch of people who are messed up. Create a current crises, and have the answer to that crisis be a tragic event in the past. In this novel, Ben Blaine has died. The r...more
The plot is typical of his earlier novels. Take a bunch of people who are messed up. Create a current crises, and have the answer to that crisis be a tragic event in the past. In this novel, Ben Blaine has died. The r...more
Although this book has moments of predictability, it also has fascinating twists and turns and no one ends up on the business end of a gun which is rather pleasant for a suspense novel. When Adam Blaine returns to Martha's Vineyard for the funeral of the father he has been estranged from for 10 years, he learns that his mother and brother have been disinherited in favor of his mistress and that he has been named executor. Too bad it wasn't nearly that simple. As Adam's life is thrown into total...more
FALL FROM GRACE
By Richard North Patterson
Richard North Patterson hooked me with his first book, DEGREE OF GUILT with its psychological intrigue and excellent writing.
His wonderful new book FALL FROM GRACE takes place in Martha’s Vineyard at the funeral of Ben Blaine the famous, charismatic writer who has disinherited his wife, son and brother. His new will leaves everything to his young mistress, a former actress. His estranged son, Adam arrives on the island overwhelmed by evidence that a famil...more
By Richard North Patterson
Richard North Patterson hooked me with his first book, DEGREE OF GUILT with its psychological intrigue and excellent writing.
His wonderful new book FALL FROM GRACE takes place in Martha’s Vineyard at the funeral of Ben Blaine the famous, charismatic writer who has disinherited his wife, son and brother. His new will leaves everything to his young mistress, a former actress. His estranged son, Adam arrives on the island overwhelmed by evidence that a famil...more
While I do pine for Patterson's legal and political thrillers, this was a decent read all in all. As the title suggests, there is a definite descent from the previous well to do life for this New England family. Patterson does examine the family politics surrounding a murder of the patriarch and this leads to a personal investigation into the ins and outs of all the potential suspects; a bitter ex-wife, a lover, his son's lover, and even an artistic son who was shunned for his sexuality.
Patterso...more
Patterso...more
Feb 23, 2013
Michael
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
seriously?
Shelves:
audio,
tried-to-read
Yes I'm rating and reviewing without having read. At least without fully completing it. I think i'm justified having read 70% of this to say: No More.
This was my first exposure to R.N. Patterson and I have a hard time believing that had this been his first novel it wouldn't also be his LAST. I'm not done with this author but i am absolutely done with this book.
The setup was a very traditional whodunit mystery; Agatha Christie would be so proud! Death, could it be suicide? Money, old and new. Cel...more
This was my first exposure to R.N. Patterson and I have a hard time believing that had this been his first novel it wouldn't also be his LAST. I'm not done with this author but i am absolutely done with this book.
The setup was a very traditional whodunit mystery; Agatha Christie would be so proud! Death, could it be suicide? Money, old and new. Cel...more
Although I enjoy Scott Turrow and John Grisham, Patterson is my favorite author of legal thrillers. His novels provide the frisson of a literary master –– in addition to his background as an attorney he studied creative writing at the University of Alabama. Fall from Grace is a slighter work than most of his other novels; it reads as a bit of a love letter to his summer home on the Vineyard. I'm enchanted by the landscapes depicted here but I found the thriller elements less than thrilling. Patt...more
Should not have started this book in the evening--couldn't put it down. The plot moved quickly with numerous twists and turns. It involves a murder and years of family secrets and abuse. Adam Blaine returns from his covert operations in Afganistan for his father's funeral in Martha's Vinyard and finds himself the executor of a will with devastating consequences for his family. His father, even from the grave, seeks to control and exact revenge on his family and closest others. As the father's st...more
Unlike most of Richard North Patterson's novels, this book is shallow and trite. There is no depth to the characters or the plot. The 'secrets' are obtuse, there is no smooth transition from one paragraph to the next and no details except the one graphic sex scene.
The entire book reeks of the author needing to quickly publish another best-seller.
It is more than frustrating to read, it is annoying. Anyone with half a brain can deduce early in the pages not only the murderer but also the reasons...more
The entire book reeks of the author needing to quickly publish another best-seller.
It is more than frustrating to read, it is annoying. Anyone with half a brain can deduce early in the pages not only the murderer but also the reasons...more
One of my favorite authors. . . always something new to think about with his work.
In "Fall from Grace," Patterson takes us on a journey through an entangled family history, all set in the beautiful environs of Martha's Vineyard.
Ben Blaine is an author. He is an egotistical, harsh man, who has turned his sons against him. His wife, Clarice, seems to be suffering in silence as many abused women do. When Ben dies, he leaves a divisive will behind with his son, Adam, as executor.
Nothing else could h...more
In "Fall from Grace," Patterson takes us on a journey through an entangled family history, all set in the beautiful environs of Martha's Vineyard.
Ben Blaine is an author. He is an egotistical, harsh man, who has turned his sons against him. His wife, Clarice, seems to be suffering in silence as many abused women do. When Ben dies, he leaves a divisive will behind with his son, Adam, as executor.
Nothing else could h...more
Adam - a U.S. government operative working in Afghanistan - is called home from duty to a family mess. His father, Benjamin Blaine - famous writer, avid sportsman, and champion of liberal causes - is found dead from a fatal fall on his Martha's Vineyard property. Worse, he disinherits his wife Clarice and older gay son Teddy, leaving most of his ten million dollar estate to his mistress Carla Pacelli - former drug addict and has-been T.V. actress - and Jennifer, a young writer and Adam's former...more
I liked this book, but not as well as I have liked many of Patterson's other books. Adam Blaine returns home after the death of his father from a fall, and after having been gone for ten years. He discovers that his father has essentially disinherited his mother, brother, and uncle in favor of an actress who had been his lover. Adam is determined to break the will, but is limited because his father has made him executor. It also appears that his father's death may not have been an accident and m...more
Richard North Patterson (Ohio Wesleyan University Battling Bishop!) is a seasoned professional who brings psychological intrigue into many of his books. My previous experiences were his political stories, so I enjoyed the different approach of a murder mystery in his latest, "Fall from Grace." Patterson introduces us to the moneyed life on Martha's Vineyard as Adam Blaine arrives after learning that his father Ben has died. Did he jump, was he pushed, or was it an accident? What caused him to cr...more
A Goodreads giveaway win! Adam Blaine returns after 10 years receiving word of his estranged father's death. As executor of the estate, he is torn between executing said will leaving his mother and brother disinherited. Realizing that his death may be the result of murder, he begins to unravel the secrets of everyone involved while reliving the past he had chose to leave behind. The ending unwraps leaving the reader satisfied but wanting a bit more - more so what the future holds for the Blaine...more
RNP is my favorite author. He is not a format-type of writer. His books vary in style and subject. Fall From Grace follows Adam Blaine in his quest to answer questions regarding the sudden and mysterious death of his estranged father. Being a Massachusetts native, the setting of Martha's Vineyard was an added bonus for me.
Revelation follows revelation regarding the Blaine Family's past. Not all were a surprise to me. That did not, however, detract from the story.
SPOILER ALERT: My one criticism...more
Revelation follows revelation regarding the Blaine Family's past. Not all were a surprise to me. That did not, however, detract from the story.
SPOILER ALERT: My one criticism...more
Fall from Grace grabs your attention from page one. As we tour the tangled relationships of the Blaine family, secrets long held begin to emerge. The action takes place after the death of Ben Blaine—husband, father, brother, lover – and the very strange will he left behind. The protagonist is his son, Adam, and as Adam peels backs the lies and deceits practiced by every member of his family, we are reminded that, no matter how terrible the truth may seem it is certainly better than what can foll...more
Richard North Patterson is possibly my favourite thriller writer and I read all his books as soon as they come out. This is quite different from his previous books; not a political thriller, but more of a quiet (relative to his usual stories), relationship novel. It does have a possibly murder in it but it is more about a character than plot. I didn't like it as much as many of his other books, which is probably in part because I read him for a certain type of story. If I try to ignore this and...more
It's been a number of years since I read Patterson. In fact--so long ago that I can't remember any title except "Lasko Tangent." I might have liked this book better if I'd read the print version because there are flash-backs & they are difficult to recognize on audio. It took me some time to recognize when that happened. The plot is rather interesting, but everyone in the book is a mess, excluding perhaps, Adam, in whose voice the story is told. There is an interesting twist at the end, but...more
I enjoyed reading this novel as it was intriguing as well as predictable in places. The favorite son returns from Afganistan after learning about his father's untimely death. Throught the reading you come to detest the man Benjamin Blaine was and wonder how his son became the man he appears to be. Appearances can be deceiving as the story unfolds. The long suffering wife has every reason to be pitied or so one is led to believe. By story's end my opinion changed along with that of several of the...more
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Richard North Patterson is the author of fourteen previous bestselling and critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, Patterson served as the SEC’s liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups dealing with gun violence, political reform, and women’s rights. He lives in San Francisco and on Martha’s Vineyard.
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Feb 17, 2013 07:40pm