Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

August 16th, 2016 Kimberly Review 56 Comments

16th Aug
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
Before the Fall
by Noah Hawley
Narrator: Robert Petkoff
Length: 12 hours and 59 minutes
Genres: Thriller
Source: BEA, Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Narration: 4 cups

On a foggy summer night, eleven people--ten privileged, one down-on-his-luck painter--depart Martha's Vineyard on a private jet headed for New York. Sixteen minutes later, the unthinkable happens: the plane plunges into the ocean. The only survivors are Scott Burroughs--the painter--and a four-year-old boy, who is now the last remaining member of an immensely wealthy and powerful media mogul's family.

With chapters weaving between the aftermath of the crash and the backstories of the passengers and crew members--including a Wall Street titan and his wife, a Texan-born party boy just in from London, a young woman questioning her path in life, and a career pilot--the mystery surrounding the tragedy heightens. As the passengers' intrigues unravel, odd coincidences point to a conspiracy. Was it merely by dumb chance that so many influential people perished? Or was something far more sinister at work? Events soon threaten to spiral out of control in an escalating storm of media outrage and accusations. And while Scott struggles to cope with fame that borders on notoriety, the authorities scramble to salvage the truth from the wreckage.

Amid pulse-quickening suspense, the fragile relationship between Scott and the young boy glows at the heart of this stunning novel, raising questions of fate, human nature, and the inextricable ties that bind us together.

Fave Narrator refreshing mystery thriller

I received a copy of Before the Fall by Noah Hawley at BEA and after hearing a narration sample and reading some blogger reviews I decided to grab an audiobook. I switched back and forth between the two before listening completely.

Caffeinated Espresso Review

Before the Fall offers, an interesting mystery regarding a private jet crash headed to NY from Martha’s Vineyard. I absolutely loved the way Hawley unraveled this story. We begin with the crash and then the author takes us back to before the accident allowing us to get to know the victims, survivors and families affected. In-between we became a part of the investigation as we piece together what happened on the flight. From the media chasing the insider scoop to investigative departments stepping on toes I was completely hooked.

We spend a lot of time with one of the survivors Scott Burroughs and I found him to be an intriguing oddity. Time inside his head was refreshing and offered a unique perspective. While he is hailed a hero, there is a sense of mystery surrounding his presence on the plane that evening. This leaves the reader/listener unsure of his role in the crash.

The last three-fourths of the story were intense as we learn what really happened that night. Hawley keeps the reader guessing as each piece of information leaves you speculating.

I have found a new narrator to love. Robert Petkoff has a voice made for narrating. From his pace to the voices he created, I was delighted. Narrators like this only enhance the story.

Whether you read or listen to Before the Fall you’ll find a clever mystery.

Listen to a Sample

 

Whether you read or listen to Before the Fall by Noah Hawley you’ll find a clever mystery Share on X
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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56 Responses to “Before the Fall by Noah Hawley”

  4. Katherine

    I have this one on my stack and am really excited about it though now I wish I could listen to the audio! Robert Petkoff sounds awesome!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      That is what happened to me. I had the book, and then listened to a sample after another blogger raved about Robert…and bam audio credit gone!

  9. Tyler H. Jolley

    I’ve seen another really positive review of Before the Fall last week. I’ve added it to my tbr, it sounds like a great mystery.

  10. Melanie Simmons

    I so loved this story too. I picked it up because of how much I loved the narrator (Petkoff is a favorite of mine, I highly recommend Those Who Wish Me Dead narrated by him), I’m so glad you enjoyed it too. I loved seeing all the different aspects of this story. Scott was a fun character. Great review.

  12. lisa thomson

    This sounds fascinating, Kim. Thanks for the review. I like that show Fargo but haven’t been able to find it on regular television the last few months. I started watching it on a long plane ride and want to continue it. I will add this to my TBR. Almost my whole TBR shelf are full of your book recommendations 🙂

  14. Kristin

    This was one of the “adult” book I held onto for dear life and didn’t give away to family because I knew I had to read it. I still need to and I can’t wait to get to it; your’s and so many other’s awesome reviews!! It’s just so hard to pick up my physical copies, though 🙁 I’m so mental sometimes….

  15. Sophia Rose

    It was an interesting way to structure the story and I admire authors who have the gift to carry it off. Yep, I loved reading this one, too. I wanted a bit more at the end to make sure things went the way I was hoping for several of the players, but the mystery was great.

  17. Lorna

    Sounds fascinating to me! Can’t help but think of JFK Jr. I will have to wait until the price goes down. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  18. Stormi Johnson

    A lot of people like Robert Petkoff. I got this book from BEA too and heard lots of good things about it. I need to get to it…so many books…sighs…lol. 🙂

  19. Laurel-Rain Snow

    I have been eyeing this book for a while, and I know that I must read it. It is my kind of story, and it sounds like the intensity, as well as the interesting characters, will keep me turning pages. Thanks for sharing!

  20. Lindsey

    This sounds like a really awesome book, got to love a good mystery! Might definitely have to check this one out.

  22. Jenny

    Ooo this sounds good Kim! You’ve got me all curious now and I really want to know what happened that night:) Glad you’ve found a new narrator to love as well!

  24. Verushka

    This sounds like one of those mysteries that you can’t see the conclusion coming? And I can appreciate any author that can pull off flashbacks and flashforwards WELL!