Recommend-A-Book-Wednesday: Nicci French's Catch Me When I Fall

 In my novel, So Much For My Happy Ending, I explore what it’s like to have a spouse who is bipolar and refusing treatment.  In Nicci French’s book, Catch Me When I Fall, the story is seen through the eyes of Holly, a woman who actually is bipolar.  That’s not an easy thing to write.  Someone who is manic and out of control like Holly isn’t a reliable narrator. The reader is forced to figure out what is reality and what is a distortion created by a disturbed mind.  French makes her task even more challenging by adding a crime that Holly is being framed for.  Holly knows she’s being framed but why would anyone believe her? She lies all the time. She manipulates people. She is incredibly egocentric and completely out of control.  It’s not only possible that someone like that would resort to all sorts of illegal activity it’s probable.

It’s all very complicated and in the wrong hands this story would have been a hot mess. Holly isn’t just flawed, she’s a disaster.  You can see why her family, friends and even the readers of the book might be against her.  And yet French manages to make it clear that her destructive behavior is stemming from an illness that Holly has very little power over.  Even when Holly doesn’t see it herself we see that she’s sick and even when you want to smack her you still ultimately want her to be okay. You want someone to force her to get the help she needs.  And the mystery surrounding the crime and the set-up doesn’t get lost in all this dysfunction. On the contrary it becomes all the more suspenseful due to the confused and distraught observer.  Every element of the story enhances the other elements. It’s complex but never confusing.  It’s dark but never loses it’s entertainment value.

Nicci French is actually a pseudonym for a husband and wife writing team. They usually write suspense novels filled with explicit sexual exploits and whatnot. Catch Me When I Fall is different than their other books.  Personally I think it proves that this writing team is not only talented but has range.  So check it out and be sure to add book recommendations of your own in the comment section! My To-Be-Read pile of books on my nightstand is getting a little low!

Kyra Davis

Bestselling Author of:

The Sophie Katz Mystery Series
and
So Much For My Happy Ending
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