FALL FROM GRACE by Richard North Patterson is a psychological drama about a dysfunctional family on the island of Martha's Vineyard. Adam Blaine is working as an undercover CIA operative in Afghanistan when he is called home to attend the funeral of his estranged father. Ben Blaine was a famous and charismatic author but not a good husband and father. He was fond of sailboats, good wine and women other than his wife. His demise occurs by falling off a cliff with too few clues to definitively prove accident, suicide or murder. Even though Adam had no contact with his father in 10 years, he is named executor to a will that left $12 million to Ben's latest actress mistress and $1 million to Adams's high school girl friend. Ben has disinherited Adam's mother, uncle and older brother. Adam enlists his CIA training to attempt to disprove his family's involvement in the supposed murder and reclaim the estate for his family.
With the help of two old family friends, a lawyer and a psychiatrist, plus a reporter, Adam clandestinely investigates his father's death. Adam is forced to reconstruct events of the last ten years on Martha's Vineyard that he had missed. In doing so he uncovers much older and more powerful family secrets of betrayal, resentment and strange relationships that give several individuals reason to hate his father if not give them a motive for his murder. Adam skillfully manipulates the facts to favor his family even after discovering he was betrayed by them as well.
This is the first Richard North Patterson novel I'd read in a while and now I remember why he's not on my A list. While the plot has a compelling appeal, the characters are not endearing or even that likable. I found myself not really caring about them or the outcome. Take a pass on this one. There's lots better stuff out there.
No comments:
Post a Comment