How Far We Fall by Jane Shemilt – Blog Tour Review.

About the Book

The perfect couple

Meeting Albie gave Beth a fresh start – a chance to leave her past behind. Now she has her new husband; an ambitious, talented young neurosurgeon.

The perfect marriage

Their marriage gives Beth the safe haven she’s always wanted – with just one catch. Albie has no idea of the secrets she’s keeping. He doesn’t know that years ago, Beth had an affair with Ted, the boss helping Albie’s star ascend. Nor that the affair’s devastating ending will have consequences for their own future.

The perfect storm

So when Ted’s generous patronage begins to sour, Beth senses everything she’s built could crumble. And she sees an opportunity. To satisfy Albie’s ambitions, and her own obsessive desire for revenge . . .

She’ll keep her marriage and her secret safe.

But how far will the fall take them?

My Review

With thanks to the publisher for the copy received. How Far We Fall is a novel that I am glad I persevered with. Part one, lays down the foundations with a lot of detail about the clinical trials that Albie is involved with and his career as a neurosurgeon. You can see how ambitious he is, and how he thrives on pieces of gossip that he hears regarding his career prospects. Much of the clinical and medical detail went way over my head but it is important to the novel to see this aspect of the novel. You also get to see his relationship with Ted and his blossoming romance with Beth. You do see glimpses of what happened in the past with Beth and Ted but Albie is oblivious to any of this.
When the novel changed direction slightly from part two onwards I was hooked.
I have seen references to Macbeth mentioned with regards to the storyline. There are parts that are theatrical but the only part of Macbeth I know concern witches. This is a part does feature slightly. As the novel progressed I could see how the need to get revenge had fatal consequences for all concerned.
It was difficult to like either Albie or Beth, even though I did have more sympathy for Albie initially but his more sinister attitude became more evident the further I read. It was the minor characters I liked more. Gita, Jake and Ed especially and I understood their way of thinking. And I was very impressed with the sisters!
It is very different to a lot of crime I read. This was more of a character study and explained the reasoning why the events happened. How revenge, obsession, loss and envy overtook the desire to change lives for the better.
I found it a chilling and unique read.