A Dying Fall

by Henry Wade

Did she fall or was she pushed? A woman tumbles down a flight of steps, and her death begins an investigation of blackmail and death among the sporting set. Characterization is excellent. Wade plays his cards close to his vest on this one, letting us see no more than the police see and reserving an ironic surprise for the end. - The Mystery Lover's Companion, Art Bourgeau

Genres: Mystery, British Literature

Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Henry Wade was a pen-name of Sir Henry Lancelot Aubrey-Fletcher, 6th Baronet. Other authors on Goodreads are also named Henry Wade.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falls play an important role in Wade’s penultimate mystery novel and in the life and death of Captain Charles Rathlyn and his wife, Kate.

This is one of those books which, while full of excellent features, does not quite work for me. The writing is good, the characters mostly well-drawn, the background of racing and country pursuits authentic, the central premise interesting, and yet, overall I was unsatisfied.

It is difficult to explain without giving away some of the essential elements of the plot. However, I will say that I was not convinced that Charles would have married Kate in the first place or that he would have given in to blackmail. The second death was presented very abruptly. Kate’s brother-in-law is introduced , but the author does not really use the character to any effect and there are some loose ends-why did Kate summon her lawyer the day before her death?

The police are, as always, properly represented, and the interplay between the Chief Constable and Superintendent Hant is good reading, although I felt that the latter’s persistence was overdone.

The ending is...unexpected.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: when a woman falls down the stairs to her death, the question is whether it was an accident, or was she pushed?

[. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it had good pacing and was well-written. Some advanced vocabulary that had me Googling some words, but I always like that. If you like Dick Francis, I think you will like this, because it has similar vibes (horse stuff and mystery).
4 stars because, as I know what happens now, I probably won't ever re-read it, but it was still good!
The very end was just *chef's kiss*.

[Calum Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

B-

[John Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done. Good plot with good ending

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...

[Puzzle Doctor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A interesting Golden Age read, but one of my least favourite plot structures - the did-he-do-it story. Worth a look, if you can find a copy.