What do you think?
Rate this book
Falling From Grace
John didn’t kill Edward, but a lot of people thought he did. Not the police, nor the teachers, but those of us who really knew him, who really knew what was going on...
Falling from Grace is a short novel telling the tragic story of Eddie Rodgers, a schoolboy who threw himself from the roof of the science block in his final year of school. And his enigmatic classmate, John – who never much liked Eddie – but was nowhere near him when he died. Or at least, that’s how everyone remembers it, including Paul – who walked the tightrope of being friends with them both. But how much should we trust our memories?
There’s a very good reason why Paul knows exactly what happened that day – yet a creeping doubt stops him moving on. And as he pulls at the threads of his memories, his certainly begins to fray, revealing hints of a truth too harrowing to face.
Because some secrets should stay buried in the shadows of the past.
From the Amazon number one bestselling author of Little Ghosts, The Things You Find in Rockpools, and The Wave at Hanging Rock, comes a dark and intricate tale that ensnares until the last shiver-inducing revelation.
Falling from Grace is a short novel telling the tragic story of Eddie Rodgers, a schoolboy who threw himself from the roof of the science block in his final year of school. And his enigmatic classmate, John – who never much liked Eddie – but was nowhere near him when he died. Or at least, that’s how everyone remembers it, including Paul – who walked the tightrope of being friends with them both. But how much should we trust our memories?
There’s a very good reason why Paul knows exactly what happened that day – yet a creeping doubt stops him moving on. And as he pulls at the threads of his memories, his certainly begins to fray, revealing hints of a truth too harrowing to face.
Because some secrets should stay buried in the shadows of the past.
From the Amazon number one bestselling author of Little Ghosts, The Things You Find in Rockpools, and The Wave at Hanging Rock, comes a dark and intricate tale that ensnares until the last shiver-inducing revelation.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 29, 2024
39 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Dunnett
39 books498 followersGregg Dunnett is a British author writing psychological thrillers and stories about travel and adventure, usually with a connection to the coast or to the oceans. Before turning to novels he worked as a journalist for ten years on a windsurfing magazine, briefly owned a sailing school in Egypt, taught English in Thailand, Portugal, Turkey and Italy, taught sailing in Greece and Spain, and also had several rather duller jobs along the way.
His brother is the adventurer Jono Dunnett who in 2015 windsurfed alone and unsupported around the entire coastline of Great Britain, and who is currently windsurfing around the coastline of Europe.
Gregg lives in Bournemouth on the south coast of England with his partner Maria. They have two young children, Alba and Rafa, for whom the phrase “Daddy's working” has absolutely no effect.
Gregg's debut novel was an Amazon top 100 best seller in the UK and was downloaded over a quarter of a million times.
Gregg on why he writes:
"I’ve always wanted to do two things in life, to write, and to have adventures. When I was a kid I imagined grand affairs. Kayaking across Canada, cycling to Australia. Whole summers in the Arctic. Did it happen? Well, partly.
I’ve been lucky, I spent some years abroad teaching English. I worked in sailing schools in Greece and Spain. I really lucked out with a job testing windsurfing boards for the magazine I grew up reading. I made a questionable decision (ok, a bad decision) to buy a windsurfing centre in Egypt. I’ve also done my fair share of less exciting jobs. Packing and stacking potatoes on a farm, which got me fitter than I’ve ever been in my life. I did a few years in local government which taught me that people really do have meetings that result only in the need for more meetings, and they really do take all afternoon. I spent a pleasant few months in a giant book warehouse, where I would deliberately get lost among the miles of shelves unpacking travel guides and daydreaming. I’ve done a bit of writing too, at least I learned how to write. Boards Magazine isn’t well known (it doesn’t even exist today) but it did have a reputation for being well written and I shoe-horned articles in my own gonzo journalism style on some topics with the most tenuous of links to windsurfing. But the real adventures never came. Nor did the real writing.
Then, in 2015, my brother announced he was going to become the first person to windsurf alone around Great Britain. I don’t know why. Apparently it was something he’d always wanted to do (news to me). It was a proper adventure. It was dangerous, it was exciting. Even before he set off he was interviewed on TV, in the papers etc... Some people thought he was reckless, some thought he was inspirational. Lots of people thought he’d fail.
But he didn’t. He made it around. He even sailed solo from Wales to Ireland, the first to make the crossing without the aid of a safety boat. I was lucky enough to be involved in a planning level, and take part in a few training sails, and the last leg of the trip. But he did ninety nine percent of it on his own. One step at a time, just getting on with it. That was quite inspiring.
In a way it inspired me to pull my finger out. I’d been writing novels - or trying to write novels - then for a few years. But it was touch and go as to whether I was going to be one of those ‘writers’ with a half-finished novel lost on a hard drive somewhere, rather than someone who might actually manage to finish the job.
I’ve now got two lovely, highly demanding children, so real adventures are hard right now. I still try to get away when I can for nights out in the wilds rough camping, surf trips sleeping in the van, windsurfing when the big storms come. I love adventures with the kids too.
I hope in time to get around to a few real adventures. I want to sail across an ocean. I want to bike across a continent. I definitely want to spend more time surfing empty waves.
But fo
His brother is the adventurer Jono Dunnett who in 2015 windsurfed alone and unsupported around the entire coastline of Great Britain, and who is currently windsurfing around the coastline of Europe.
Gregg lives in Bournemouth on the south coast of England with his partner Maria. They have two young children, Alba and Rafa, for whom the phrase “Daddy's working” has absolutely no effect.
Gregg's debut novel was an Amazon top 100 best seller in the UK and was downloaded over a quarter of a million times.
Gregg on why he writes:
"I’ve always wanted to do two things in life, to write, and to have adventures. When I was a kid I imagined grand affairs. Kayaking across Canada, cycling to Australia. Whole summers in the Arctic. Did it happen? Well, partly.
I’ve been lucky, I spent some years abroad teaching English. I worked in sailing schools in Greece and Spain. I really lucked out with a job testing windsurfing boards for the magazine I grew up reading. I made a questionable decision (ok, a bad decision) to buy a windsurfing centre in Egypt. I’ve also done my fair share of less exciting jobs. Packing and stacking potatoes on a farm, which got me fitter than I’ve ever been in my life. I did a few years in local government which taught me that people really do have meetings that result only in the need for more meetings, and they really do take all afternoon. I spent a pleasant few months in a giant book warehouse, where I would deliberately get lost among the miles of shelves unpacking travel guides and daydreaming. I’ve done a bit of writing too, at least I learned how to write. Boards Magazine isn’t well known (it doesn’t even exist today) but it did have a reputation for being well written and I shoe-horned articles in my own gonzo journalism style on some topics with the most tenuous of links to windsurfing. But the real adventures never came. Nor did the real writing.
Then, in 2015, my brother announced he was going to become the first person to windsurf alone around Great Britain. I don’t know why. Apparently it was something he’d always wanted to do (news to me). It was a proper adventure. It was dangerous, it was exciting. Even before he set off he was interviewed on TV, in the papers etc... Some people thought he was reckless, some thought he was inspirational. Lots of people thought he’d fail.
But he didn’t. He made it around. He even sailed solo from Wales to Ireland, the first to make the crossing without the aid of a safety boat. I was lucky enough to be involved in a planning level, and take part in a few training sails, and the last leg of the trip. But he did ninety nine percent of it on his own. One step at a time, just getting on with it. That was quite inspiring.
In a way it inspired me to pull my finger out. I’d been writing novels - or trying to write novels - then for a few years. But it was touch and go as to whether I was going to be one of those ‘writers’ with a half-finished novel lost on a hard drive somewhere, rather than someone who might actually manage to finish the job.
I’ve now got two lovely, highly demanding children, so real adventures are hard right now. I still try to get away when I can for nights out in the wilds rough camping, surf trips sleeping in the van, windsurfing when the big storms come. I love adventures with the kids too.
I hope in time to get around to a few real adventures. I want to sail across an ocean. I want to bike across a continent. I definitely want to spend more time surfing empty waves.
But fo
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 5, 2025
*3.5 stars!! This was a very interesting and fast read that I couldn’t put down. The first-person narration worked incredibly well, where we are able to see things from university student Paul’s perspective before and after the shocking suicide (or was it) of a classmate. Nothing will ever be the same for Paul and his cohorts.
This compelling storyline surrounds the lengths friends will go to defend one another and the power of memories to both protect and destroy. Another enjoyable read from an author I’m liking more and more!
This compelling storyline surrounds the lengths friends will go to defend one another and the power of memories to both protect and destroy. Another enjoyable read from an author I’m liking more and more!
April 17, 2024
A pretty decent read
It was interesting enough to keep me reading. I liked how we were inside the thought processes of the narrator. I do feel like the end wasn’t tied up nicely, it was a very loose ending. But still, I’d recommend reading it if you enjoy this author.
It was interesting enough to keep me reading. I liked how we were inside the thought processes of the narrator. I do feel like the end wasn’t tied up nicely, it was a very loose ending. But still, I’d recommend reading it if you enjoy this author.
May 12, 2024
Another short story, this one a novella from one of my favorite authors. Unlike so many in this genre where “psychological thriller” only means that the antagonist is a special kind of scary, Gregg Dunnett’s books feature actual concepts from psychology that get explored and fleshed out.
After Paul’s friend Eddie dies tragically their final year of high school, he heads to university far away to try and escape the sadness. But Paul can’t run from his memories and continues to be tormented by his own questions about Eddie's death. What really happened that day?
After Paul’s friend Eddie dies tragically their final year of high school, he heads to university far away to try and escape the sadness. But Paul can’t run from his memories and continues to be tormented by his own questions about Eddie's death. What really happened that day?
March 16, 2024
Good, quick little read
Especially if you are new to Gregg Dunnett, this is a nice little sampler.
For anyone up to date with his catalogue.. you'll probably work this one out before the end, but it is still a great way to lose and hour or so!
Especially if you are new to Gregg Dunnett, this is a nice little sampler.
For anyone up to date with his catalogue.. you'll probably work this one out before the end, but it is still a great way to lose and hour or so!
March 7, 2024
Great quick read
A quick, enjoyable story with a twist U
. didn't see coming. An invite into false memory, something I now intend to investigate further. Love this author*s work, have enjoyed all his books to date.
A quick, enjoyable story with a twist U
. didn't see coming. An invite into false memory, something I now intend to investigate further. Love this author*s work, have enjoyed all his books to date.
June 21, 2025
Are you sure that what you remember did happen just the way you remember it?
Paul is struggling with his memories that contradict his dreams he has at night. This is another excellent short novel by Gregg Dunnett that is really gripping and surprising.
Paul is struggling with his memories that contradict his dreams he has at night. This is another excellent short novel by Gregg Dunnett that is really gripping and surprising.
March 1, 2024
Great short read
Well told story of three friends with a twist I genuinely didn’t anticipate. It was difficult to put down. Another great read from Gregg Dunnett.
Well told story of three friends with a twist I genuinely didn’t anticipate. It was difficult to put down. Another great read from Gregg Dunnett.
March 8, 2024
Didn't disappoint
I really enjoyed this story.....kept me guessing until the end with a very clever twist. I particularly like Gregg's style of writing.
I really enjoyed this story.....kept me guessing until the end with a very clever twist. I particularly like Gregg's style of writing.
March 11, 2024
A fast, easy, fun novella. It kept me guessing as to what really happened to Eddie. I love to take a break from longer, heavier books with a quick and light read, and this was a good one.
March 11, 2024
falling from Grace
Good little read I was pretty surprised at the end but not totally shocked as Gregg likes his little twists and turns
Good little read I was pretty surprised at the end but not totally shocked as Gregg likes his little twists and turns
June 7, 2025
I'm a big Gregg Dunnett fan. I enjoyed this twisty short story, but the characters lacked the quirky charm for me of some of his other tales.
March 5, 2024
Классно, но у Грега Даннета был какой-то такой же предфинальный поворот в другой книге, так что внезапность утрачена. И куча опечаток!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews