Catch Me When I Fall

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Catch Me When I Fall
First edition
AuthorNicci French
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
GenreThriller, Mystery novel
PublisherMichael Joseph
Publication date
March 2005
Media typePrint (Hardcover, Paperback)
Pages336 pp
ISBN0-7181-4522-4
OCLC57167611

Catch Me When I Fall (2005) is a psychological thriller novel by Nicci French, about a woman unknowingly afflicted with bipolar disorder, and how this sets her life on a spiral of self-destruction, as well as pitting her against a shadowy antagonist.

Plot summary[edit]

Holly Krauss, a successful married woman who runs her own business with best friend Meg, finds her perfect life deteriorating as a result of foolish actions made almost subconsciously, including an alcohol fuelled one night stand and arguments with potentially dangerous men. After a mysterious stranger from one such incident begins imposing himself on her life, first through stalking and then physical intimidation, she wonders if she really is going insane, before inadvertently causing even more trouble by losing £11,000 in a poker game.

While good-natured and thoroughly empathetic, her artist husband Charlie is a procrastinator and therefore incapable of providing her with the support she needs. Only when Holly finally attempts suicide does she realise that all of her problems may not be simply a result of her own foolhardiness, but the work of a devious and determined psychopath intent on tearing her life apart...

Critical reception[edit]

Sandy Amazeen of Monsters and Critics said "the ending is satisfying though predictable" and that "while not French's best work, overall this is an enjoyable read".[1] The review in Publishers Weekly says "the muddled plot and unsympathetic heroine make this suspense thriller less satisfying than others by French".[2] The review in Kirkus Reviews states that the author French "performs as expected".[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sandy Amazeen (2 January 2006). "Book Review: Catch Me When I Fall by Nicci French". Monsters and Critics. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  2. ^ "Catch Me When I Fall". Publishers Weekly. 252 (36): 38. 12 September 2005.
  3. ^ "Catch Me When I Fall". Kirkus Reviews. 73 (20): 1100. 15 October 2005.
  • Gardam, Jane (5 November 2005). "Looking for trouble and finding it". Spectator: 63–64. ISSN 0038-6952.
  • McLarin, Jenny (15 October 2005). "Catch Me When I Fall". Booklist. 102 (4): 32.