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Catch Me When I Fall
A successful, happily married businesswoman, Holly Krauss is loved and admired by everyone she meets. But that's only one side of Holly: the other takes regular walks on the wild side. When the two sides of Holly's life collide, her world spirals out of control.
Cover Artist: Tom Hallman
Cover Artist: Tom Hallman
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Nicci French
63 books3,175 followersNote: (Nicci Gerrard and Sean French also write separately.)
Nicci Gerrard was born in June 1958 in Worcestershire. After graduating with a first class honours degree in English Literature from Oxford University, she began her first job, working with emotionally disturbed children in Sheffield. In that same year she married journalist Colin Hughes.
In the early eighties she taught English Literature in Sheffield, London and Los Angeles, but moved into publishing in 1985 with the launch of Women's Review, a magazine for women on art, literature and female issues.
In 1987 Nicci had a son, Edgar, followed by a daughter, Anna, in 1988, but a year later her marriage to Colin Hughes broke down.
In 1989 she became acting literary editor at the New Statesman, before moving to the Observer, where she was deputy literary editor for five years, and then a feature writer and executive editor.
It was while she was at the New Statesman that she met Sean French.
Sean French was born in May 1959 in Bristol, to a British father and Swedish mother. He too studied English Literature at Oxford University at the same time as Nicci, also graduating with a first class degree, but their paths didn't cross until 1990. In 1981 he won Vogue magazine's Writing Talent Contest, and from 1981 to 1986 he was their theatre critic. During that time he also worked at the Sunday Times as deputy literary editor and television critic, and was the film critic for Marie Claire and deputy editor of New Society.
Sean and Nicci were married in Hackney in October 1990. Their daughters, Hadley and Molly, were born in 1991 and 1993.
By the mid-nineties Sean had had two novels published, The Imaginary Monkey and The Dreamer of Dreams, as well as numerous non-fiction books, including biographies of Jane Fonda and Brigitte Bardot.
In 1995 Nicci and Sean began work on their first joint novel and adopted the pseudonym of Nicci French. The Memory Game was published to great acclaim in 1997 followed by The Safe House (1998), Killing Me Softly (1999), Beneath the Skin (2000), The Red Room (2001), Land of the Living (2002), Secret Smile (2003), Catch Me When I Fall (2005), Losing You (2006) and Until It's Over (2008). Their latest novel together is What To Do When Someone Dies (2009).
Nicci and Sean also continue to write separately. Nicci still works as a journalist for the Observer, covering high-profile trials including those of Fred and Rose West, and Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr. Novels include Things We Knew Were True (2003), Solace (2005) and The Moment You Were Gone (2007). Sean's last novel is Start From Here (2004).
Nicci Gerrard was born in June 1958 in Worcestershire. After graduating with a first class honours degree in English Literature from Oxford University, she began her first job, working with emotionally disturbed children in Sheffield. In that same year she married journalist Colin Hughes.
In the early eighties she taught English Literature in Sheffield, London and Los Angeles, but moved into publishing in 1985 with the launch of Women's Review, a magazine for women on art, literature and female issues.
In 1987 Nicci had a son, Edgar, followed by a daughter, Anna, in 1988, but a year later her marriage to Colin Hughes broke down.
In 1989 she became acting literary editor at the New Statesman, before moving to the Observer, where she was deputy literary editor for five years, and then a feature writer and executive editor.
It was while she was at the New Statesman that she met Sean French.
Sean French was born in May 1959 in Bristol, to a British father and Swedish mother. He too studied English Literature at Oxford University at the same time as Nicci, also graduating with a first class degree, but their paths didn't cross until 1990. In 1981 he won Vogue magazine's Writing Talent Contest, and from 1981 to 1986 he was their theatre critic. During that time he also worked at the Sunday Times as deputy literary editor and television critic, and was the film critic for Marie Claire and deputy editor of New Society.
Sean and Nicci were married in Hackney in October 1990. Their daughters, Hadley and Molly, were born in 1991 and 1993.
By the mid-nineties Sean had had two novels published, The Imaginary Monkey and The Dreamer of Dreams, as well as numerous non-fiction books, including biographies of Jane Fonda and Brigitte Bardot.
In 1995 Nicci and Sean began work on their first joint novel and adopted the pseudonym of Nicci French. The Memory Game was published to great acclaim in 1997 followed by The Safe House (1998), Killing Me Softly (1999), Beneath the Skin (2000), The Red Room (2001), Land of the Living (2002), Secret Smile (2003), Catch Me When I Fall (2005), Losing You (2006) and Until It's Over (2008). Their latest novel together is What To Do When Someone Dies (2009).
Nicci and Sean also continue to write separately. Nicci still works as a journalist for the Observer, covering high-profile trials including those of Fred and Rose West, and Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr. Novels include Things We Knew Were True (2003), Solace (2005) and The Moment You Were Gone (2007). Sean's last novel is Start From Here (2004).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
May 31, 2019
It was hard to read this novel because I did not like the main character, but after a while the reader will realize we probably don't like her because she's mentally ill (the reason for her ridiculous decision making) but then the book changes narrators and gives you an completely different feel. I would have to say this novel was an "un-even read"... at times I was sucked in but for 70% of the novel I was waiting for it to be over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2023
Unbelievable ending. Worth reading!!!
June 26, 2019
Actually, this book was between 2 and 3 stars, so it's for me a generous 3 star book. The twist at the end was interesting :)
December 7, 2019
Good grasp of bipolar disorder, as well as an interesting suspense novel.
October 2, 2016
A friend of mine recommended this to me. Knowing her taste I was eager to read it as her recommendations have never disappointed. However this one was a tad too boring for my taste. I didn't relate to or like any of the characters and I didn't have the feeling anything really happened. Definitely not a page-turner for me. Not bad, just not my style.
April 7, 2022
An early standalone novel by crime writing partnership Nicci French. An ok read but certainly not as good as what was to come.
The story is told in two parts and features Holly Krauss and her friend Megan. Together Holly and Megan run a corporate events company, while the work is exciting it is still not making the money they anticipated when they started it. Holly is a very lively character who takes chances whereas Megan is the calmer influence in the partnership. Running the business involves entertaining clients and on one of these occasions Holly and Megan take a client named Todd to a bar and once Megan and Todd leave, Holly starts to mix with a group of other drinkers and ending up in bed with one of the men. go to a bar with a client called Todd. Holly gets into an adventure there, while Megan and Todd leave. Holly hangs out with strangers then she goes bar hopping with one group of strangers and then another and then ends up in a stranger’s place at night.
Holly wakes up the following morning unaware of where she is and feeling guilty slips off home to her husband Charlie. Holly swears it will never happen again but typically it does and she gets involved in a poker game with a group of strangers resulting with her losing a large amount of money. With no money to pay the debt circumstances spiral out of control
The story speeds along at a fair pace but I never really felt fully absorbed in this book even though it was an ok read.
The story is told in two parts and features Holly Krauss and her friend Megan. Together Holly and Megan run a corporate events company, while the work is exciting it is still not making the money they anticipated when they started it. Holly is a very lively character who takes chances whereas Megan is the calmer influence in the partnership. Running the business involves entertaining clients and on one of these occasions Holly and Megan take a client named Todd to a bar and once Megan and Todd leave, Holly starts to mix with a group of other drinkers and ending up in bed with one of the men. go to a bar with a client called Todd. Holly gets into an adventure there, while Megan and Todd leave. Holly hangs out with strangers then she goes bar hopping with one group of strangers and then another and then ends up in a stranger’s place at night.
Holly wakes up the following morning unaware of where she is and feeling guilty slips off home to her husband Charlie. Holly swears it will never happen again but typically it does and she gets involved in a poker game with a group of strangers resulting with her losing a large amount of money. With no money to pay the debt circumstances spiral out of control
The story speeds along at a fair pace but I never really felt fully absorbed in this book even though it was an ok read.
June 11, 2020
Holly lives a normal happily married life, a respected business woman and well like by her family, friends and peers... she also has a secret drugged, drink and sex filled secret life. When she sleeps with the wrong person, he brings her lives to together as he impacts big-time on her real life! So many of Nicci French's thrillers verge on horror and this is another one in case. Ultimately you shouldn't feel that bad for Holly but the sleight of written hand by the writers have you rooting (no pun intended) for her against the abominable man that is looking to wreak havoc on her life. 7 out of 12 (same rating for my 2014 reread)
March 13, 2016
I didn't expect to like this - but I really did. It's tautly plotted, well written and kept me gripped.
There's a prologue which I found was unnecessary and rather abstract, and felt it had probably been put there only to provide a mysterious beginning. A character talks about 'dying twice' and a lot of other stuff that makes no sense because we don't know who she is or what anyone's been doing. It seriously put me off. But once we got into the opening scene, I was quickly hooked. The characters are crazed and human in interesting ways and the language suits the brilliant, hyper spirit of the narrator.
There's a prologue which I found was unnecessary and rather abstract, and felt it had probably been put there only to provide a mysterious beginning. A character talks about 'dying twice' and a lot of other stuff that makes no sense because we don't know who she is or what anyone's been doing. It seriously put me off. But once we got into the opening scene, I was quickly hooked. The characters are crazed and human in interesting ways and the language suits the brilliant, hyper spirit of the narrator.
October 6, 2013
I first saw a Nicci French book at the bookshop a few years back. I can’t remember which book it was. What I remember was that when I read the plot summary on the back cover, I found it quite gripping and I wanted to read the book. For some reason I didn’t get the book, but I made a mental note to read a Nicci French book when I was in the mood for a gripping thriller. Sometime back I was in a book sale and out of the rows and rows of books, out popped a Nicci French book trying to catch my attention. I thought I had waited long enough and got the book. I finished reading it yesterday. Here is what I think.
‘Catch Me When I Fall’ is a story of two parts. But it is mostly about one person, Holly Krauss. Holly narrates the first part of the story, which runs to two-thirds of the book while her friend Megan narrates the second part. Holly runs a company with her friend Megan. They organize weekend retreats for corporates. The work is exciting and promising but it is still not making a lot of money. Holly is the creative, hot-blooded one while Megan is the calm mind of the partnership. Holly is married to Charlie who Megan also liked once upon a time. One evening after leaving work, Holly and Megan go to a bar with a client called Todd. Holly gets into an adventure there, while Megan and Todd leave. Holly hangs out with strangers then she goes bar hopping with one group of strangers and then another and then ends up in a stranger’s place at night. As she describes it :
After that, there are things I remember and don’t remember at the same time, like something happening to someone else, in a film or in a dream you know you’re having but can’t wake up from. Or, rather, it was like something happening to me, but I was someone else.
When Holly gets up the next morning she doesn’t even know which part of London she is in. She sneaks back home in the morning. At work, Megan realizes that something is wrong, but Holly doesn’t want to talk about it. Holly thinks that she went wild for a night and it won’t happen again. Unfortunately, it does. A few days later she catches up with an acquaintance and before she knows it she is in a house in the middle of strangers playing a poker game and she loses a huge amount of money. She doesn’t have the money to pay and the collectors start stalking her. It is even worse when the man she spent the night with, during her first wild adventure, also starts stalking her. When the wild side of her life crashes with a thud into her everyday safe boring life, Holly doesn’t know what to do. Her friends and her husband think that she has got a psychiatric problem. Her doctor says that she is a manic depressive. What happens next to Holly? Will she be able to come out of all this with her sanity intact? Did she just have a series of wild nights which got her into trouble or is she really a manic depressive? Or worse, is there a sinister plot afoot and does someone want to harm her? Can she trust herself and her near and dear ones? The answers to these questions form the rest of the story.
‘Catch Me When I Fall’ is a gripping fast paced novel. It kept me wanting to turn the page till the end. I don’t know how it is classified – probably as a psychological thriller – but for me it was difficult to classify because the portrayal of events was frightfully realistic because it could have happened to us or to anyone we knew. Holly’s manic depressive state is very realistically portrayed and when we read the first part of the book our hearts scale the highs and plumb the depths alongwith Holly. Holly was difficult to like in the beginning when she hurtles into one wild adventure after another putting herself and her near and dear ones into danger. After a while, though, I warmed up to Holly. Megan is a good counterpoint to Holly and her calming influence is beautifully portrayed in the second part of the story. I could more-or-less guess the surprise which is revealed at the end – in a thriller there are only so many suspects and the least suspected one is typically the bad person, this is what Dame Christie taught me – but it in no way diminished the enjoyment of the book.
And did I tell you that Nicci French is really the wife-and-husband couple Nicci Gerrard and Sean French? This must be one of the coolest partnerships in the literary world. And one of the very talented ones too – I checked out the plot summary of the other Nicci French books and they are all very captivating and make one want to pick them up and read them immediately. I can’t wait to read my next Nicci French book.
I will leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
That’s one of the things about life. The times you really want it to go well, it’s a disaster. When you don’t care, everybody loves you.
I’d written a ‘to do’ list that covered two sheets of paper. It was a mixture of calls to be made, messages to be written, meetings to be held, arrangements to be made, decisions to be taken, ideas to be had. It was like a malignant alien creature in an old science-fiction film. The more you chopped bits off, the larger and more aggressive it became.
It’s easier to think when you walk, and easier not to think, as well. You just stride along, your feet hitting the pavement and the cold air rinsing through you. You can see things without seeing them, hear them but take no notice.
The thing about an anaesthetic is that it doesn’t abolish pain. It just picks it up and puts it away in the corner where it doesn’t bother you. You can even feel that hurting is going on somewhere.
I also knew that every time we didn’t talk, putting off the hour of reckoning, delaying the explanations and the confessions, our relationships unravelled a little bit more, until there would be nothing left to knit up again, just a string of memories.
Have you read ‘Catch Me When I Fall’ or other books by Nicci French? What do you think about writing partnerships like theirs?
‘Catch Me When I Fall’ is a story of two parts. But it is mostly about one person, Holly Krauss. Holly narrates the first part of the story, which runs to two-thirds of the book while her friend Megan narrates the second part. Holly runs a company with her friend Megan. They organize weekend retreats for corporates. The work is exciting and promising but it is still not making a lot of money. Holly is the creative, hot-blooded one while Megan is the calm mind of the partnership. Holly is married to Charlie who Megan also liked once upon a time. One evening after leaving work, Holly and Megan go to a bar with a client called Todd. Holly gets into an adventure there, while Megan and Todd leave. Holly hangs out with strangers then she goes bar hopping with one group of strangers and then another and then ends up in a stranger’s place at night. As she describes it :
After that, there are things I remember and don’t remember at the same time, like something happening to someone else, in a film or in a dream you know you’re having but can’t wake up from. Or, rather, it was like something happening to me, but I was someone else.
When Holly gets up the next morning she doesn’t even know which part of London she is in. She sneaks back home in the morning. At work, Megan realizes that something is wrong, but Holly doesn’t want to talk about it. Holly thinks that she went wild for a night and it won’t happen again. Unfortunately, it does. A few days later she catches up with an acquaintance and before she knows it she is in a house in the middle of strangers playing a poker game and she loses a huge amount of money. She doesn’t have the money to pay and the collectors start stalking her. It is even worse when the man she spent the night with, during her first wild adventure, also starts stalking her. When the wild side of her life crashes with a thud into her everyday safe boring life, Holly doesn’t know what to do. Her friends and her husband think that she has got a psychiatric problem. Her doctor says that she is a manic depressive. What happens next to Holly? Will she be able to come out of all this with her sanity intact? Did she just have a series of wild nights which got her into trouble or is she really a manic depressive? Or worse, is there a sinister plot afoot and does someone want to harm her? Can she trust herself and her near and dear ones? The answers to these questions form the rest of the story.
‘Catch Me When I Fall’ is a gripping fast paced novel. It kept me wanting to turn the page till the end. I don’t know how it is classified – probably as a psychological thriller – but for me it was difficult to classify because the portrayal of events was frightfully realistic because it could have happened to us or to anyone we knew. Holly’s manic depressive state is very realistically portrayed and when we read the first part of the book our hearts scale the highs and plumb the depths alongwith Holly. Holly was difficult to like in the beginning when she hurtles into one wild adventure after another putting herself and her near and dear ones into danger. After a while, though, I warmed up to Holly. Megan is a good counterpoint to Holly and her calming influence is beautifully portrayed in the second part of the story. I could more-or-less guess the surprise which is revealed at the end – in a thriller there are only so many suspects and the least suspected one is typically the bad person, this is what Dame Christie taught me – but it in no way diminished the enjoyment of the book.
And did I tell you that Nicci French is really the wife-and-husband couple Nicci Gerrard and Sean French? This must be one of the coolest partnerships in the literary world. And one of the very talented ones too – I checked out the plot summary of the other Nicci French books and they are all very captivating and make one want to pick them up and read them immediately. I can’t wait to read my next Nicci French book.
I will leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
That’s one of the things about life. The times you really want it to go well, it’s a disaster. When you don’t care, everybody loves you.
I’d written a ‘to do’ list that covered two sheets of paper. It was a mixture of calls to be made, messages to be written, meetings to be held, arrangements to be made, decisions to be taken, ideas to be had. It was like a malignant alien creature in an old science-fiction film. The more you chopped bits off, the larger and more aggressive it became.
It’s easier to think when you walk, and easier not to think, as well. You just stride along, your feet hitting the pavement and the cold air rinsing through you. You can see things without seeing them, hear them but take no notice.
The thing about an anaesthetic is that it doesn’t abolish pain. It just picks it up and puts it away in the corner where it doesn’t bother you. You can even feel that hurting is going on somewhere.
I also knew that every time we didn’t talk, putting off the hour of reckoning, delaying the explanations and the confessions, our relationships unravelled a little bit more, until there would be nothing left to knit up again, just a string of memories.
Have you read ‘Catch Me When I Fall’ or other books by Nicci French? What do you think about writing partnerships like theirs?
January 14, 2011
Really disappointing! I've read others by her and enjoyed them, but this is not the thriller the title promises. In fact, it could be summed up as "Woman succumbs to bipolar disorder as her life spirals out of control: her best friend steps in to clean things up, support her and unmask the ill woman's husband as a creep." No suspense here.
August 9, 2014
Description: A successful, happily married businesswoman, Holly Krauss is loved and admired by everyone she meets. But that's only one side of Holly: the other takes regular walks on the wild side. When the two sides of Holly's life collide, her world spirals out of control . . .
October 3, 2015
A fantastic study of bi polar disorder as well as a good suspenseful read. Read in a day and well recommended.
August 17, 2015
Inspired to read a novel that showed the reader multiple perspectives, be it either points of view, different timelines, or different stories weaved together to form a broad single narrative after having read PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME HERE, the new Aussie crime novel by Tania Chandler, CATCH ME WHEN I FALL fit the bill, though I didn't delve in without some apprehension.
I recall really liking the first half of this novel only to be let down by the drab second stanza. Not the case this time around. The book reads as if you're swimming through thick water with eyes open - vision completely distorted and unreliable, much like the central character Holly, only to break the surface and see things more clearly - as in the second half of the novel where the more reliable Meg is written as the character lead, filling in gaps and semi sleuthing her way to the truth.
CATCH ME WHEN I FALL is an enjoyable novel that gives the reader a little extra by way of showcasing multiple perspectives and casting a consent doubt over the seemingly straight forward criminal aspects to the novel.
Read more here: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
I recall really liking the first half of this novel only to be let down by the drab second stanza. Not the case this time around. The book reads as if you're swimming through thick water with eyes open - vision completely distorted and unreliable, much like the central character Holly, only to break the surface and see things more clearly - as in the second half of the novel where the more reliable Meg is written as the character lead, filling in gaps and semi sleuthing her way to the truth.
CATCH ME WHEN I FALL is an enjoyable novel that gives the reader a little extra by way of showcasing multiple perspectives and casting a consent doubt over the seemingly straight forward criminal aspects to the novel.
Read more here: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
February 2, 2011
I’m a big fan of Nicci French. (For those of you who don’t know- Nicci French is actually the married couple Nicci Gerrard and Sean French.)
I first discovered them with the book Killing Me Softly, which I absolutely loved. Since then I have read several more of their books, plus two others written by Nicci Gerrard on her own. So - I am a fan. Together as Nicci French, they write a really great sort of psychological fiction- filled with menace and surprises and shadowy figures. Page-turners.
Catch Me When I Fall was unlike any French book I’d read before. It tells the story of Holly Krauss, this wildly confident career woman who lives in London with her husband, Charlie, a graphic artist. When we first meet Holly we think she might be merely reckless, but it turns out her behaviour is more complicated than that. Her husband and her best friend and business partner, Meg, watch helplessly as Holly’s behaviour becomes more and more bizarre and self-destructive.
As an examination of mental illness, this is a compelling read. But that’s not the only thing French has up for grabs in this book. It isn’t my favourite French book - but I enjoyed it just the same.
I first discovered them with the book Killing Me Softly, which I absolutely loved. Since then I have read several more of their books, plus two others written by Nicci Gerrard on her own. So - I am a fan. Together as Nicci French, they write a really great sort of psychological fiction- filled with menace and surprises and shadowy figures. Page-turners.
Catch Me When I Fall was unlike any French book I’d read before. It tells the story of Holly Krauss, this wildly confident career woman who lives in London with her husband, Charlie, a graphic artist. When we first meet Holly we think she might be merely reckless, but it turns out her behaviour is more complicated than that. Her husband and her best friend and business partner, Meg, watch helplessly as Holly’s behaviour becomes more and more bizarre and self-destructive.
As an examination of mental illness, this is a compelling read. But that’s not the only thing French has up for grabs in this book. It isn’t my favourite French book - but I enjoyed it just the same.
March 8, 2019
I think I was so put off by the story as I did not like the main character, Holly, at all. I felt like there was almost no depth to this story. I didn't feel very invested in the story and the only part I really enjoyed was the last 50 or so pages as that was when the real thriller of the story happened. It still felt very rushed, and I would have loved it to be something more or written much better. Overall, I did not really enjoy this book but I also did not hate it.
April 1, 2019
This was an interesting read. I was quite fascinated with the beginning of the book where the character, Holly, talks about 'dying twice.' She states that she wanted to die, and the second time was because someone was trying to kill her. The opening drew me in. I was intrigued by the story. The characters were great. Holly was a bit wild for my taste, but I did enjoy her POV. My favourite character was Meg. I loved her, and I love how she always was there for Holly and wanted to help her out. Her POV was really intriguing. I really liked the ending. Overall, a great read.
August 23, 2010
I wasted hours of my life reading this book. I feel as though the author could have thickened out the story a bit. It was my first Nicci French read and I wish I could get those hours back! Horrible I tell you! It was all plot after plot no resolution or too quick a resolution. If this was French's debut I would be more understanding but apparently it's the fourth book or something so there really is no excuse for such pathetic writing. I'm sorry to be so harsh but I really hated it.
February 2, 2017
A gripping story about Holly Kraus, a wild successful business woman who shows no fear and parties hard.. or does she? The story starts out as Holly's version of events, but as the plot thickens her best friend and business partner tells the story. The reader is kept guessing right up until the last 40 pages when the plot is revealed. Well written and a real page turner.
March 30, 2019
Rating: 3.5
This was definitely an interesting read, I'm going to try to pick up another book from this duo (Nicci Gerrard and Sean French) soon! I totally loved the writing style and story building.
This was definitely an interesting read, I'm going to try to pick up another book from this duo (Nicci Gerrard and Sean French) soon! I totally loved the writing style and story building.
June 29, 2015
This one was too creepy. I was riveted, and I read it very quickly, but I can't say I enjoyed it.
October 28, 2021
It was only OK. Just fine really. Protagonist annoyed me, and not in a good way and the plot did not know which direction it wanted to take thr reader in.
November 10, 2021
Der Anfang hat mir sehr gut gefallen, 5 Sterne die Protagonistin hat viel Energie und feiert gerne. Sie macht sich viele Feinde.
Dann werden ihre Handlungen immer seltsamer, ich will nichts verraten. Sie ist psychisch krank nämlich Bipolar, bzw manisch depressiv. Ihre manische Phase ist wirklich sehr gut beschrieben.
Der 2. Teil wird von Meg erzählt.
Fand ich etwas schwächer. 3 Sterne. Das Ende war dann nicht so spannend. Nicci French schien der Atem auszugehen.
Ein bedrohlicher Typ ist plötzlich nicht mehr bedrohlich?
Ausserdem kann jeder KrimiAnfängerIn den oder die Täterin erraten.
Dann werden ihre Handlungen immer seltsamer, ich will nichts verraten. Sie ist psychisch krank nämlich Bipolar, bzw manisch depressiv. Ihre manische Phase ist wirklich sehr gut beschrieben.
Der 2. Teil wird von Meg erzählt.
Fand ich etwas schwächer. 3 Sterne. Das Ende war dann nicht so spannend. Nicci French schien der Atem auszugehen.
Ein bedrohlicher Typ ist plötzlich nicht mehr bedrohlich?
Ausserdem kann jeder KrimiAnfängerIn den oder die Täterin erraten.
June 23, 2019
'Gelezen' als luisterboek. In het begin was het wat lastig te volgen, en het was me ook niet duidelijk waar het verhaal over ging (ik had andere verwachtingen bij Nicci French), maar uiteindelijk toch een interessant en spannend verhaal.
October 13, 2017
The story in brief is simple. Holly is a manic depressive, bipolar disorder and one comment states the symptons are described accrutely (Not made any verification).
Holly is an extrovert and in a job she is in many ways suited. A partnership business with her best friend, Meg. in events promotion and organising. They have a growing number of staff and a growing client base.
Story starts with life of the party Holly caught in her real one night epic craziness. Irresponsible that had events of voilence, breaking a shop window (next day she anominously donates £150 to the shop and buys goods that she does not want from the shop. She sleeps with this bully, obessive guy, Rees does coke amongst endless drinking. (In reality in modern day Britian the guy could of ended up convicted of rape as Holly was in no condition to consent. And in equality terms Rees probably was in no condition to control himself. Both at this point deserved each other "sort of".) Bur Rees was already or just became a stalker. An obsessive. A brute and scum. From the narrative thoughts of guilt and comments this one night stand was a huge deal for Holly. The guilt which means she did have reasonable standards in the faithful department. In spending money, responsible actions, control, listening to others etc she needed extensive work. Taking responsibility and changing was too far down her real actions. The message is the problem was the mental illness. But if she learnt from her friend Meg who lacked spontaneity and that je n'est c'est quoi character of Holly, still had practical qualities of self control that Holly as well as the rest of us need. So Holly really in a big way lacked control, responsiblity for her actions and non actions. She did not really support her husband. So the break down was of her own making. Another blame was that her father had bipolar and committed suicide. The blame game.
Charlie, Holly's husband starts an affair with his neighbour Noami and together move to using Holly downward spiral to plot assisting her to commit suicide, Holly attemted once and Charlie was there in the background and did nothing to help or prevent it. Charlie in the end got seven years prison. It's a pity that he did not face reality and his responsibilties as he may of saved Holly or at least left Holly for Noami, and possibilty a good match, no children involved and all still young enough to get careers and income moving again. An honest approach.
Rees should never of joined Holly but he lacked control. Stuart another acquaintance who got a suspended senctence blamed Holly for firing his now girl friend. But both the girl friend and he himself were to blame for their own actions and in the girlfriend's lack of actions. Still young enough etc to work her way into another job. Not easy with no reference but the story indicates she just gave up and blamed rather than found a way through.
Stuart took Holly to the gambling den and although Holly is responsible for her own actions. He was responsible to take Holly of all people to a very dangerous place.
Although Meg got her money back from Holly for paying the gambling debt (£11,000 start but usual tricks £16,000 time Meg paid it). It was a pity they did not involve the police and every trick in the book to bring down the scumbags for their fraud. No one should ever give into illegal gambling debts etc. Disappointed.
Meg and Todd had good quality traits. Holly sounds fun but out of control and the others caught up only in the end had their ownselves to blame. None seemed to take responsibility for their own actions.
Lithium and shock treatment - do these things really help or are they more destructive? The book accepts them and promotes them as real answers. I keep thinking that "challenging counselling" and good surroundings and activities may acheive better results if the patient is willing to reason and encouragement to take responsibility may work better without the brain been subjective to chemicals and shocks that have no documentation to what these treatments actually do. I do not know but disappointed the book just accepted modern day answers and no reference to there success or not success.
A difficult read and had to skim over pages as no real action or anything.
Holly is an extrovert and in a job she is in many ways suited. A partnership business with her best friend, Meg. in events promotion and organising. They have a growing number of staff and a growing client base.
Story starts with life of the party Holly caught in her real one night epic craziness. Irresponsible that had events of voilence, breaking a shop window (next day she anominously donates £150 to the shop and buys goods that she does not want from the shop. She sleeps with this bully, obessive guy, Rees does coke amongst endless drinking. (In reality in modern day Britian the guy could of ended up convicted of rape as Holly was in no condition to consent. And in equality terms Rees probably was in no condition to control himself. Both at this point deserved each other "sort of".) Bur Rees was already or just became a stalker. An obsessive. A brute and scum. From the narrative thoughts of guilt and comments this one night stand was a huge deal for Holly. The guilt which means she did have reasonable standards in the faithful department. In spending money, responsible actions, control, listening to others etc she needed extensive work. Taking responsibility and changing was too far down her real actions. The message is the problem was the mental illness. But if she learnt from her friend Meg who lacked spontaneity and that je n'est c'est quoi character of Holly, still had practical qualities of self control that Holly as well as the rest of us need. So Holly really in a big way lacked control, responsiblity for her actions and non actions. She did not really support her husband. So the break down was of her own making. Another blame was that her father had bipolar and committed suicide. The blame game.
Charlie, Holly's husband starts an affair with his neighbour Noami and together move to using Holly downward spiral to plot assisting her to commit suicide, Holly attemted once and Charlie was there in the background and did nothing to help or prevent it. Charlie in the end got seven years prison. It's a pity that he did not face reality and his responsibilties as he may of saved Holly or at least left Holly for Noami, and possibilty a good match, no children involved and all still young enough to get careers and income moving again. An honest approach.
Rees should never of joined Holly but he lacked control. Stuart another acquaintance who got a suspended senctence blamed Holly for firing his now girl friend. But both the girl friend and he himself were to blame for their own actions and in the girlfriend's lack of actions. Still young enough etc to work her way into another job. Not easy with no reference but the story indicates she just gave up and blamed rather than found a way through.
Stuart took Holly to the gambling den and although Holly is responsible for her own actions. He was responsible to take Holly of all people to a very dangerous place.
Although Meg got her money back from Holly for paying the gambling debt (£11,000 start but usual tricks £16,000 time Meg paid it). It was a pity they did not involve the police and every trick in the book to bring down the scumbags for their fraud. No one should ever give into illegal gambling debts etc. Disappointed.
Meg and Todd had good quality traits. Holly sounds fun but out of control and the others caught up only in the end had their ownselves to blame. None seemed to take responsibility for their own actions.
Lithium and shock treatment - do these things really help or are they more destructive? The book accepts them and promotes them as real answers. I keep thinking that "challenging counselling" and good surroundings and activities may acheive better results if the patient is willing to reason and encouragement to take responsibility may work better without the brain been subjective to chemicals and shocks that have no documentation to what these treatments actually do. I do not know but disappointed the book just accepted modern day answers and no reference to there success or not success.
A difficult read and had to skim over pages as no real action or anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2021
I've been reading more books from Nicci French lately and I actually found this one of the most exciting ones.
The focus here was more on mental health problems, while crime played a smaller part, but still it was thrilling enough for me to keep reading. It was pretty fast and chaotic and I felt like I had to catch my breath sometimes, but I guess that's exactly what the main character is feeling as well.
The twist in the end wasn't completely out of the blue, IMO. But that didn't ruin this exciting, intense read
The focus here was more on mental health problems, while crime played a smaller part, but still it was thrilling enough for me to keep reading. It was pretty fast and chaotic and I felt like I had to catch my breath sometimes, but I guess that's exactly what the main character is feeling as well.
The twist in the end wasn't completely out of the blue, IMO. But that didn't ruin this exciting, intense read
April 29, 2015
Ako mislite da je ovo još jedan triler bračnog para Gerrard/French u stilu „Olovnog ponedjeljka“, odmah vas moram razuvjeriti. Onaj prvi je tečno „klizio“ mojim čitalačkim vijugama a ovaj se svako – tol'ko „spotaknuo“ u njima.
Nakon ovog slikovitog prikaza, reći ću vam da je ovdje riječ o psihološkoj drami koju proživljava glavna junakinja Holly Krauss, uspješna poslovna žena koja voli zaružiti nakon posla. Ali, nakon jedne takve pijane noći, budi se u nepoznatom krevetu s nepoznatim muškarcem. Sve je moglo ostati na tome, da Holly nije udana za poslovno besperspektivnog i naoko mlakog Charlieja, da pritom vlastitu tvrtku svojim ludim potezima ne dovodi u opasnost te da joj Rees (ljubavnik za jednu noć) ne počne nakon toga prijetiti.
Ako mislite da su to jedini i zadnji Hollyni grijesi, varate se, jer ona nastavlja ludim tempom – odlazi na partiju pokera, pije u velikim količinama i gubi ogroman novac.
Najgora je činjenica što Holly ima rupe u pamćenju, što izlazi iz kuće u pidžami i napada ljude na cesti, pokušava izvršiti samoubojstvo... i ima toga još. Onda je prisilno odvedena na psihijatriju gdje tvrde da je manično depresivna i da pati od bipolarnog poremećaja.
Holly u svom tom životnom cirkusu ima veliku sreću, imenom Meg, najbolju prijateljicu i poslovnu partnericu koja uskače kad je najteže, kad zasigurno ne bi nitko drugi (zapitala sam se bih li ja mogla tako nešto učiniti za nekoga). Meg će se upustiti u bitku spašavanje duše i života svoje najbolje prijateljice jer možda Holly jest manično depresivna ali želi živjeti. Tako da je pitanje je li drugi suicidalni pokušaj samo pokušaj ili nešto mnogo gore.
Nakon spomenutog Olovnog ponedjeljka očekivala sam isti osjećaj, što će sada biti, tko će koga, kada, kako i zašto... ali ova mi je knjiga bila isuviše mlaka, spora i na momente dosadna, jedino je sam kraj ponudio malo „akcije“ tako da nisam ostala skroz razočarana. Dakle, čitati se može ali i ne mora.
Nakon ovog slikovitog prikaza, reći ću vam da je ovdje riječ o psihološkoj drami koju proživljava glavna junakinja Holly Krauss, uspješna poslovna žena koja voli zaružiti nakon posla. Ali, nakon jedne takve pijane noći, budi se u nepoznatom krevetu s nepoznatim muškarcem. Sve je moglo ostati na tome, da Holly nije udana za poslovno besperspektivnog i naoko mlakog Charlieja, da pritom vlastitu tvrtku svojim ludim potezima ne dovodi u opasnost te da joj Rees (ljubavnik za jednu noć) ne počne nakon toga prijetiti.
Ako mislite da su to jedini i zadnji Hollyni grijesi, varate se, jer ona nastavlja ludim tempom – odlazi na partiju pokera, pije u velikim količinama i gubi ogroman novac.
Najgora je činjenica što Holly ima rupe u pamćenju, što izlazi iz kuće u pidžami i napada ljude na cesti, pokušava izvršiti samoubojstvo... i ima toga još. Onda je prisilno odvedena na psihijatriju gdje tvrde da je manično depresivna i da pati od bipolarnog poremećaja.
Holly u svom tom životnom cirkusu ima veliku sreću, imenom Meg, najbolju prijateljicu i poslovnu partnericu koja uskače kad je najteže, kad zasigurno ne bi nitko drugi (zapitala sam se bih li ja mogla tako nešto učiniti za nekoga). Meg će se upustiti u bitku spašavanje duše i života svoje najbolje prijateljice jer možda Holly jest manično depresivna ali želi živjeti. Tako da je pitanje je li drugi suicidalni pokušaj samo pokušaj ili nešto mnogo gore.
Nakon spomenutog Olovnog ponedjeljka očekivala sam isti osjećaj, što će sada biti, tko će koga, kada, kako i zašto... ali ova mi je knjiga bila isuviše mlaka, spora i na momente dosadna, jedino je sam kraj ponudio malo „akcije“ tako da nisam ostala skroz razočarana. Dakle, čitati se može ali i ne mora.
March 19, 2019
Honestly, this was exhausting, so I can only imagine what it would be like to live in this way.
Holly is a vibrant energetic young woman. When we first meet her she’s throwing herself into a crazy party and gets herself into a potentially dangerous situation. Then we watch her head home to her husband and wonder if there’s more to this story.
Watching Holly go about her business was exhausting. She is a train-wreck waiting to happen, alienating everyone around her and making mistakes. Around the point I found myself getting irritated by how much chaos she was causing, we discover she is bi-polar. This explains some aspects of her behaviour, but it made me worried for her.
It’s important that not all the details are revealed, but this was a tautly-plotted read that really delivers in terms of thrills and spills. Some of the events were bordering on tawdry - it seemed just too much at times.
During my reading of this I couldn’t help but think that everyone needs a Meg!
Holly is a vibrant energetic young woman. When we first meet her she’s throwing herself into a crazy party and gets herself into a potentially dangerous situation. Then we watch her head home to her husband and wonder if there’s more to this story.
Watching Holly go about her business was exhausting. She is a train-wreck waiting to happen, alienating everyone around her and making mistakes. Around the point I found myself getting irritated by how much chaos she was causing, we discover she is bi-polar. This explains some aspects of her behaviour, but it made me worried for her.
It’s important that not all the details are revealed, but this was a tautly-plotted read that really delivers in terms of thrills and spills. Some of the events were bordering on tawdry - it seemed just too much at times.
During my reading of this I couldn’t help but think that everyone needs a Meg!
July 9, 2018
I thought this was my second read by this author, when in fact, I found it's my fourth when checking back. It appears on looking at those reviews that none of them have particularly blown me away. This story has an interesting concept in that it's told in two fifferent voices. The first part as Holly, which starts off with her being very unlikable but as the story unfolds you begin to find out why. The second part is told from the point of view of Meg, Hollys friend. The story unravels more but I can't say at any time I was completely gripped, and the build up to the ending, just sort of fizzled out. And as the final summary of the book, I'm a bit list, I'm not sure what happened. Im not sure I will be seeking ani more books out by Nicci French.
July 12, 2011
I have been a fan of Nicci French for some time and overall this book maintained the authors high standards.
This book gives a very good insight into what its like to lead a crazy lifestyle, in many different terms of the word and the impacts that those around you can have upon daily or regular events.
I will openly admit that as someone who is having difficult times right now, particularly with those close to me and professionally, I could empathise almost with some of Holly's struggles, and I believe that many more readers will be able to do the same.
I would recommend this book to others and if anyone would like this copy, please let me know.
This book gives a very good insight into what its like to lead a crazy lifestyle, in many different terms of the word and the impacts that those around you can have upon daily or regular events.
I will openly admit that as someone who is having difficult times right now, particularly with those close to me and professionally, I could empathise almost with some of Holly's struggles, and I believe that many more readers will be able to do the same.
I would recommend this book to others and if anyone would like this copy, please let me know.
July 30, 2018
Holly was a woman completely out of control, stumbling from one disaster to the next and each becoming more serious. She needed help. Some problems became just to much for her to deal with and so she decided to kill herself.She was discovered and admitted to hospital where she was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder and manic depression. Fortunately for her she had a very good friend , meg, who never gives up on her and finally works out what was really happening and she was there for Holly at the critical moment. At times it was difficult for me to read but I'm glad I persevered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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