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What to Do When Someone Dies
'This is not my world. Something is wrong, askew. . . I am Ellie Falkner, thirty-four years old and married to Greg Manning. Although two police officers have just come to my door and told me he is dead . . . '
It's devastating to hear that your husband has died in a horrific car accident. But to learn that he died with a mystery woman as his passenger is torment. Was Greg having an affair?
Drowning in grief, Ellie clings to Greg's innocence, and her determination to prove it to the world at large means she must find out who Milena Livingstone was and what she was doing in Greg's car. But in the process those around her begin to question her sanity and motive. And the louder she shouts that Greg must have been murdered, the more suspicion falls on Ellie herself.
Sometimes it's safer to keep silent when someone dies.
It's devastating to hear that your husband has died in a horrific car accident. But to learn that he died with a mystery woman as his passenger is torment. Was Greg having an affair?
Drowning in grief, Ellie clings to Greg's innocence, and her determination to prove it to the world at large means she must find out who Milena Livingstone was and what she was doing in Greg's car. But in the process those around her begin to question her sanity and motive. And the louder she shouts that Greg must have been murdered, the more suspicion falls on Ellie herself.
Sometimes it's safer to keep silent when someone dies.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
397 people are currently reading
2668 people want to read
About the author
Nicci French
80 books3,636 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 549 reviews
September 7, 2019
This is a standalone domestic suspense novel from husband & wife duo Nicci French: I've read several of theirs, with mixed results - Complicit was brilliant, but several have been harder to enjoy because of the unlikeableness of their heroines, and this was another. I picked this up at a charity book fair years ago, and it's been sitting on the shelf ever since; I chose it because it was short enough to finish within a day, as I wanted one more paperback for my book club this afternoon, and it did prove to be a smooth easy read, but nothing special.
34 year-old furniture-restorer Ellie Falkner's quiet happy life is turned upside down when a knock at the door reveals two police officers come to advise her that her husband Greg has been killed in a car accident. Worse still, he was with another woman. Devastated as much by the apparent betrayal as by her loss, she refuses to believe that Greg would be unfaithful so begins a secret unorthodox investigation into the life of the Other Woman, but when there's another death, she becomes the prime suspect - but is she guilty or is she crazy?
The start of this made me realise that for all the thrillers I read, my biggest fear is not being captured by a serial killer, targeted by terrorists, or chased by zombies, but in fact would be the sudden loss of my husband. This perfectly captured the bewilderment and pain of Ellie's bereavement, so while the way she goes off the rails despite the loving support of her friends is probably credible, even if it did have my eyes rolling at times. As we gradually discover more about their life together, the mystery of what exactly was going on deepens, and while I did suspect the eventual outcome, I was reasonably satisfied by the ending.
I enjoyed the London setting (my hometown) and the first person (past) narration worked well here - there was just enough detail to set the scene without cluttering up the story with unnecessary descriptions. I found Ellie's behaviour just as frustrating as her friends did, and at times found her hard to relate to - but that made me question her reliability so was probably deliberate.
3.5 rounded down because I liked but didn't love it, probably mostly because of Ellie's personality and actions.
34 year-old furniture-restorer Ellie Falkner's quiet happy life is turned upside down when a knock at the door reveals two police officers come to advise her that her husband Greg has been killed in a car accident. Worse still, he was with another woman. Devastated as much by the apparent betrayal as by her loss, she refuses to believe that Greg would be unfaithful so begins a secret unorthodox investigation into the life of the Other Woman, but when there's another death, she becomes the prime suspect - but is she guilty or is she crazy?
The start of this made me realise that for all the thrillers I read, my biggest fear is not being captured by a serial killer, targeted by terrorists, or chased by zombies, but in fact would be the sudden loss of my husband. This perfectly captured the bewilderment and pain of Ellie's bereavement, so while the way she goes off the rails despite the loving support of her friends is probably credible, even if it did have my eyes rolling at times. As we gradually discover more about their life together, the mystery of what exactly was going on deepens, and while I did suspect the eventual outcome, I was reasonably satisfied by the ending.
I enjoyed the London setting (my hometown) and the first person (past) narration worked well here - there was just enough detail to set the scene without cluttering up the story with unnecessary descriptions. I found Ellie's behaviour just as frustrating as her friends did, and at times found her hard to relate to - but that made me question her reliability so was probably deliberate.
3.5 rounded down because I liked but didn't love it, probably mostly because of Ellie's personality and actions.
September 5, 2023
Women's Fiction / Psychological Thriller
Publication date : June 22, 2021
Narrated by: Tania Rodrigues
Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
Ellie Falkner's life has been changed forever by the devastating news that her husband, Greg, died in a car crash. And he wasn’t alone - in the passenger seat was the body of Milena Livingstone, a woman Ellie’s never heard of. Like the death of her husband wasn't shocking blow, now she is left wondering about the stranger in her husband's car. Was he having an affair? But she refuses to accept the most obvious conclusion. As Greg is no longer there to defend himself, she decide to find out everything about Greg's and Milena's last days.
This story was sad, heartbreaking and touching. I liked Ellie. She was grieving and sounded distant at first, but I liked her trust in her husband. Her need to find out the truth about him. So just like her, I wanted to find out what was going on. In a way all the mystery about Milena helped Ellie not to deal with the loss but gave her another purpose, a way to keep herself busy. It was difficult to come to terms with his death but what if he didn't know her husband as well as she thought?
Some of the things Ellie did was crazy. I guess grief can make you act strangely.
It is a sad and touching story of loss, grief, trust, friendship, secrets and lies.
Publication date : June 22, 2021
Narrated by: Tania Rodrigues
Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
Moments when your life changes: there will always be a before and an after, separated, perhaps, by a knock at the door.
Ellie Falkner's life has been changed forever by the devastating news that her husband, Greg, died in a car crash. And he wasn’t alone - in the passenger seat was the body of Milena Livingstone, a woman Ellie’s never heard of. Like the death of her husband wasn't shocking blow, now she is left wondering about the stranger in her husband's car. Was he having an affair? But she refuses to accept the most obvious conclusion. As Greg is no longer there to defend himself, she decide to find out everything about Greg's and Milena's last days.
This story was sad, heartbreaking and touching. I liked Ellie. She was grieving and sounded distant at first, but I liked her trust in her husband. Her need to find out the truth about him. So just like her, I wanted to find out what was going on. In a way all the mystery about Milena helped Ellie not to deal with the loss but gave her another purpose, a way to keep herself busy. It was difficult to come to terms with his death but what if he didn't know her husband as well as she thought?
Some of the things Ellie did was crazy. I guess grief can make you act strangely.
It is a sad and touching story of loss, grief, trust, friendship, secrets and lies.
January 6, 2022
This story is about grief...with a mystery. Our main character Ellie is informed that her husband has died in a car accident...and he was in the car with another woman.
Not only is Ellie crushed by grief but she has a burning need to know who this woman is, what happened and why.
It's a slow burn mystery which delves into the psyche of Ellie and her feelings of loss, despair, confusion and sadness.
Not only is Ellie crushed by grief but she has a burning need to know who this woman is, what happened and why.
It's a slow burn mystery which delves into the psyche of Ellie and her feelings of loss, despair, confusion and sadness.
May 27, 2023
Op een avond staan twee politieagenten voor Ellie's deur. Haar man Greg is verongelukt, en zijn auto is in brand gevlogen. Naast hem zat een vrouw, Melina. Ellie heeft nog nooit van deze vrouw gehoord en kan niet geloven dat Greg een minnares had.
Ze gaat door een erg moeilijke periode, maar ze besluit zelf een onderzoek in te stellen naar wat er gebeurd is en wie deze vrouw wel mag zijn.
Omdat Greg veel mails stuurde op zijn werk, veel telefoneerde ook, en veel bij Ellie was als hij niet aan het werk was, kan zij op den duur bijna minutieus een overzicht maken van wat hij de laatste maand voor zijn dood allemaal gedaan had, welke afspraken hij had, en met wie, en waar hij was. En zo blijkt dat Greg gewoon geen tijd gehad zou hebben om met deze Milena af te spreken of een verhouding te hebben gehad.
De politie gelooft haar echter niet en beschouwt de zaak als afgesloten. Maar Ellie geeft niet op en begint nu in Milena's verleden te graven. En zo brengt ze verschillende onfrisse zaakjes en affaires aan het licht...en het duurt niet lang of ze is er zeker van dat Greg geen ongeluk had, maar vermoord werd! Waarom? Door wie? Ellie moet het allemaal in haar eentje onderzoeken, want niemand gelooft haar....
Spannend boek, zeker naarmate het vorderde.
Ze gaat door een erg moeilijke periode, maar ze besluit zelf een onderzoek in te stellen naar wat er gebeurd is en wie deze vrouw wel mag zijn.
Omdat Greg veel mails stuurde op zijn werk, veel telefoneerde ook, en veel bij Ellie was als hij niet aan het werk was, kan zij op den duur bijna minutieus een overzicht maken van wat hij de laatste maand voor zijn dood allemaal gedaan had, welke afspraken hij had, en met wie, en waar hij was. En zo blijkt dat Greg gewoon geen tijd gehad zou hebben om met deze Milena af te spreken of een verhouding te hebben gehad.
De politie gelooft haar echter niet en beschouwt de zaak als afgesloten. Maar Ellie geeft niet op en begint nu in Milena's verleden te graven. En zo brengt ze verschillende onfrisse zaakjes en affaires aan het licht...en het duurt niet lang of ze is er zeker van dat Greg geen ongeluk had, maar vermoord werd! Waarom? Door wie? Ellie moet het allemaal in haar eentje onderzoeken, want niemand gelooft haar....
Spannend boek, zeker naarmate het vorderde.
March 26, 2021
I loved the authors’ Frieda Klein series, so was ready to lap up this stand-alone. The twisty narrative as Ellie Falkner seeks to find the truth about husband Greg’s death in a car crash — with an unknown woman in the car — keeps you edge-to-seat and reading through the wee smalls. Did he commit adultery? Was he murdered and if so by whom? The authors have a keen sense of character development — why I loved the Klein series — and how to propel a story through to a stunning end. Mystery-thriller fans will adore this redesigned version, originally published in 2009.
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 22 Jun 2021
#WhattoDoWhenSomeoneDies #NetGalley
Thanks to the authors, William Morrow and Custom House, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 22 Jun 2021
#WhattoDoWhenSomeoneDies #NetGalley
Thanks to the authors, William Morrow and Custom House, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
March 25, 2016
My first Nicci French novel, and will be my last, unless I'm stick in a snowed in airport for a day and there's absolutely positively nothing else to read except the signs. Formulaic and plodding, very few aspects of this story were interesting let alone thrilling, were plausible let alone truly believable.
The main character was clearly out of her mind, suffering from head trauma or just not very intelligent. Some of the characters around her made a little more sense, although what one of them, Frances, is doing inviting a complete and utter stranger she has only just met into her office, exposing her to all matter of very private information, to "tidy it up" beggars belief.
Everybody annoyed me in this book, but especially Ellie whom we had to follow from one ludicrous decision to the next, from one eye-brow raising hare-brained activity to the next, and from one inexplicable emotional state to the next. She was so badly created, you wondered if the author was writing a few books at a time, and had gotten her character points mixed up between novels.
And the annoyances didn't just stop with the big things of characters, character development and plotting, but the little ones. Can newborn babies heads really smell of sawdust and mustard? Do detectives really turn up to watch you renovate wooden tables in your back shed and ask for cold white wine?
From the big to the small, this book was one exasperance after another. Give it a miss unless you're stuck in a snowed in airport and there's absolutely positively nothing else to read but the signs.
The main character was clearly out of her mind, suffering from head trauma or just not very intelligent. Some of the characters around her made a little more sense, although what one of them, Frances, is doing inviting a complete and utter stranger she has only just met into her office, exposing her to all matter of very private information, to "tidy it up" beggars belief.
Everybody annoyed me in this book, but especially Ellie whom we had to follow from one ludicrous decision to the next, from one eye-brow raising hare-brained activity to the next, and from one inexplicable emotional state to the next. She was so badly created, you wondered if the author was writing a few books at a time, and had gotten her character points mixed up between novels.
And the annoyances didn't just stop with the big things of characters, character development and plotting, but the little ones. Can newborn babies heads really smell of sawdust and mustard? Do detectives really turn up to watch you renovate wooden tables in your back shed and ask for cold white wine?
From the big to the small, this book was one exasperance after another. Give it a miss unless you're stuck in a snowed in airport and there's absolutely positively nothing else to read but the signs.
September 25, 2025
A great compulsive novel to read while I have been a bit ill. Completely ridiculous in places but I found the portrayal of grief v powerful.
February 18, 2020
Ellie hears a knock on her door, and it's her worse nightmare, 2 sombre policewomen with sympathy in their eye. Husband Greg is dead, a road fatality? It can't get any worse? That's when they tell her that a female body was found in the car too!
And tada... time for the Nicci French treatment - despite each and everybody accepting Greg must have been having an affair, Ellie refuses to believe it without proof. What to do when someone dies? And in almost Kafka meets Hitchcock reality Ellie does everything humanly possible and then some in pursuit of the truth. A very enjoyable read, that is one of the most page turn-ery books I've read this year. 8 out of 12.
And tada... time for the Nicci French treatment - despite each and everybody accepting Greg must have been having an affair, Ellie refuses to believe it without proof. What to do when someone dies? And in almost Kafka meets Hitchcock reality Ellie does everything humanly possible and then some in pursuit of the truth. A very enjoyable read, that is one of the most page turn-ery books I've read this year. 8 out of 12.
August 30, 2021
The beginning & end were very good but the middle dragged for me. (I feel like such a traitor saying that- their Frieda Klein is 1 of my favorite series ever!! But overall this 1 was just ok.)
September 30, 2014
For a ‘thriller’ I didn’t find it very thrilling. There wasn’t really any suspense, excitement or even much of a suspicion of murder. I think it was mentioned briefly by Ellie about half way through but the rest of the novel just concentrated on her obsession with her husband and Milena, the woman he died with.
It was very slow going and not a lot was covered in the story. Ellie wavers between believing her husband hadn’t cheated to thinking he had, does a bit of investigating and then the story is concluded. There were a lot of random sub-plots and characters included, most particularly Johnny- really not sure what that was all about. I did have some sympathy for Ellie and could see her struggle to accept the death of her husband and her determination to find out the truth but she was slightly irritating at times and it was sad to see her treat her friends the way she did. We don’t really get to see what Greg was like as a person, he’s mentioned but more in a ‘did he cheat/didn’t he?’ way so we never get to like him or care what happened to him.
I suspected what had happened way before the end and it was very subtle but that wasn’t really what I was looking for in the novel. It was interesting enough to read but I wanted a more dramatic thriller.
It was very slow going and not a lot was covered in the story. Ellie wavers between believing her husband hadn’t cheated to thinking he had, does a bit of investigating and then the story is concluded. There were a lot of random sub-plots and characters included, most particularly Johnny- really not sure what that was all about. I did have some sympathy for Ellie and could see her struggle to accept the death of her husband and her determination to find out the truth but she was slightly irritating at times and it was sad to see her treat her friends the way she did. We don’t really get to see what Greg was like as a person, he’s mentioned but more in a ‘did he cheat/didn’t he?’ way so we never get to like him or care what happened to him.
I suspected what had happened way before the end and it was very subtle but that wasn’t really what I was looking for in the novel. It was interesting enough to read but I wanted a more dramatic thriller.
December 10, 2013
At first, I felt a bit at odds with What To Do When Someone Dies, mainly due to the clinical and dry attitude of its main character, Ellie. Starting from when two policewomen knock at her door and announce regretfully to her that her husband, Greg, has died in a car accident along with an unknown woman in his copilot seat, Ellie narrates her first person account of her refusal to believe that Greg had been cheating on her with the woman in his car, and of how she resorted to all sorts of things to prove his innocence.
Ellie doesn't ever cry, not when she is first told of her dead spouse, not during his funeral, not when most people would be bawling their eyes out. I did understand that part of her, as she conveyed more than enough grief and sadness for someone who went through what she did, and she didn't need to cry in order to feel utterly lost without Greg there with her. What I didn't identify with was her methodical asperity even in the first paragraph of the book before she finds out that her husband is dead, and that threw me off a little bit in the beginning, but not for long.
What To Do When Someone Else is a mixture of thriller and love story - albeit one that ends as the book begins - but in spite of the thriller parcel of the book being vaster, it is Ellie's and Greg's doomed relationship that truly shines and marks What To Do When Someone Dies as not just another thriller to spend a rainy afternoon on, but also an exposure of how deeply-rooted love can be.
Something confessed by Ellie herself and that basically sums the book up to me, is that Greg was her happiness, his presence changed her dry demeanor to a cheery one, so full of life he was. The glimpses we get of Greg through Ellie's memories of him are few and far between, but they're enough to show that he was one of those rare people that can light up a room simply by entering it. Ellie's quest to find out what truly happened in his last day alive has her lying, deceiving, and stealing identities just to clear up Greg's name, but while it doesn't make for a bad thriller, it's fairly humdrum stuff we've seen before.
No, what I loved about this book was that even through all the twists and turns and all the doubts Ellie had about Greg's loyalty, the sense that she needed him in order to properly function was so strong, I ended up grieving that I never got to know him better, too. What To Do When Someone Dies won't flip your world upside down, and as a thriller it's just good, but it is one of the few books that have portrayed love and the ties of dependency it creates in such a truthful and realistic way, I couldn't help but feel utterly lost when I read the last sentence in the book, which was probably one of the simplest, truest forms of haunting endings ever to be written.
Ellie doesn't ever cry, not when she is first told of her dead spouse, not during his funeral, not when most people would be bawling their eyes out. I did understand that part of her, as she conveyed more than enough grief and sadness for someone who went through what she did, and she didn't need to cry in order to feel utterly lost without Greg there with her. What I didn't identify with was her methodical asperity even in the first paragraph of the book before she finds out that her husband is dead, and that threw me off a little bit in the beginning, but not for long.
What To Do When Someone Else is a mixture of thriller and love story - albeit one that ends as the book begins - but in spite of the thriller parcel of the book being vaster, it is Ellie's and Greg's doomed relationship that truly shines and marks What To Do When Someone Dies as not just another thriller to spend a rainy afternoon on, but also an exposure of how deeply-rooted love can be.
Something confessed by Ellie herself and that basically sums the book up to me, is that Greg was her happiness, his presence changed her dry demeanor to a cheery one, so full of life he was. The glimpses we get of Greg through Ellie's memories of him are few and far between, but they're enough to show that he was one of those rare people that can light up a room simply by entering it. Ellie's quest to find out what truly happened in his last day alive has her lying, deceiving, and stealing identities just to clear up Greg's name, but while it doesn't make for a bad thriller, it's fairly humdrum stuff we've seen before.
No, what I loved about this book was that even through all the twists and turns and all the doubts Ellie had about Greg's loyalty, the sense that she needed him in order to properly function was so strong, I ended up grieving that I never got to know him better, too. What To Do When Someone Dies won't flip your world upside down, and as a thriller it's just good, but it is one of the few books that have portrayed love and the ties of dependency it creates in such a truthful and realistic way, I couldn't help but feel utterly lost when I read the last sentence in the book, which was probably one of the simplest, truest forms of haunting endings ever to be written.
April 1, 2009
I'd have given this 2 and a half stars if possible but since it's not worth three I went with this rating. It's different from other NF novels in my opinion.
The first few dozen pages are ok and interesting but the entire middle part bored me endlessly. I love Nicci French novels so this was quite the let down. In the end, I thought the plot was actually good and liked the way everything folded out. It was just getting there that was too painful.
The first few dozen pages are ok and interesting but the entire middle part bored me endlessly. I love Nicci French novels so this was quite the let down. In the end, I thought the plot was actually good and liked the way everything folded out. It was just getting there that was too painful.
August 18, 2021
Ellie Falkner was standing in the kitchen when the knock came. Standing at the door were two policemen. They inform her that her husband, Greg, died in an auto accident ... and he wasn't alone.
Those closest to her whisper their suspicions .... was he having an affair? Why else would he have some woman in his car when he should have been heading for home? And what kind of woman was Ellie not to have known or suspected?
When police determine the deaths were a part of an accident, Ellie is determined to discover whether her husband had been unfaithful. Before too long, she comes to the conclusion that her husband and the other woman were murdered.
As a psychological thriller, it was rather a slow beginning, that improved somewhat, but never reached the height of intense suspense. The reader is treated to Ellie's every memory, of every thought ... almost to the brink of boredom. There were only slight twists that lead to an ambivalent conclusion. The author's Freida Klein series is much more robust, suspenseful, and I loved the characterizations. I was disappointed in this one as I know Nicci French can write much better than this.
Many thanks to the author / William Morrow and Custom House / Netgalley for the digital copy of the psychological thriller/crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Those closest to her whisper their suspicions .... was he having an affair? Why else would he have some woman in his car when he should have been heading for home? And what kind of woman was Ellie not to have known or suspected?
When police determine the deaths were a part of an accident, Ellie is determined to discover whether her husband had been unfaithful. Before too long, she comes to the conclusion that her husband and the other woman were murdered.
As a psychological thriller, it was rather a slow beginning, that improved somewhat, but never reached the height of intense suspense. The reader is treated to Ellie's every memory, of every thought ... almost to the brink of boredom. There were only slight twists that lead to an ambivalent conclusion. The author's Freida Klein series is much more robust, suspenseful, and I loved the characterizations. I was disappointed in this one as I know Nicci French can write much better than this.
Many thanks to the author / William Morrow and Custom House / Netgalley for the digital copy of the psychological thriller/crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 25, 2017
What to do when Someone Dies is a novel with a gripping plot by Nicci French. It is aCrime Fiction, which keeps you engaged till the end. It is, indeed, a compulsive page- turner.
*The after and the before…
What to do when Someone Dies is the story of Ellie Faulkner after her husband, Greg dies in a car crash. What makes this accident interesting is an unknown lady who was found dead along with Greg in his car. Ellie knows nothing about this mysterious lady called Milena Livingstone. Everyone comes to the obvious conclusion that Greg was having an affair with Milena. But Ellie refuses to accept this.
While people are mourning Greg’s death and offering condolences to Ellie, she is determined to prove Greg’s innocence. She sheds no tear and behaves rather abnormally in this situation. What happens next is all about the story of the novel. Now obviously it is not going to be an accident because this is a crime fiction (so there has to be a crime… lol).
The novel as a whole is complete package of elements like Love, Sex, Infidelity, Treachery, Impersonation, Forgery, Murder, etc. It keeps our interest till the end just the way a crime fiction does. We do not get even the slightest clue about the real culprit.
*Final Verdict
The first half of the novel seemed to be unamusing and slow. However, the later half is full of unexpected twists and turns. It becomes an unputdownable book as we move towards the mid of the novel. For me, the real action began when Ellie started visiting Milena’s office. She goes there impersonated as Gwen- her own friend.
I liked the opening line of the novel very much. It starts with ” Moments before your life changes: there will always be a before and an after, separated, perhaps, by a knock at the door.” And there was actually a knock after this line. The novel is basically all about what Ellie finds out by relating the before and the after.
The ending of the novel, though quite surprising, was not a very good one. It seems the authors have written the ending without putting any efforts, after writing such a fascinating novel. I did not find the writing style to be engaging. I was neither gripping nor very lame. The writing style is somewhat deterring.
The final revelation was very much disappointing for me. The other twists and turns were much better than the final one. All in all, it was not a great book. I don’t think I’ll pick up any book by the author, in future.
My Rating: *** (3/5)
Read more such reviews at https://BooksNMyself.wordpress.com
*The after and the before…
What to do when Someone Dies is the story of Ellie Faulkner after her husband, Greg dies in a car crash. What makes this accident interesting is an unknown lady who was found dead along with Greg in his car. Ellie knows nothing about this mysterious lady called Milena Livingstone. Everyone comes to the obvious conclusion that Greg was having an affair with Milena. But Ellie refuses to accept this.
While people are mourning Greg’s death and offering condolences to Ellie, she is determined to prove Greg’s innocence. She sheds no tear and behaves rather abnormally in this situation. What happens next is all about the story of the novel. Now obviously it is not going to be an accident because this is a crime fiction (so there has to be a crime… lol).
The novel as a whole is complete package of elements like Love, Sex, Infidelity, Treachery, Impersonation, Forgery, Murder, etc. It keeps our interest till the end just the way a crime fiction does. We do not get even the slightest clue about the real culprit.
*Final Verdict
The first half of the novel seemed to be unamusing and slow. However, the later half is full of unexpected twists and turns. It becomes an unputdownable book as we move towards the mid of the novel. For me, the real action began when Ellie started visiting Milena’s office. She goes there impersonated as Gwen- her own friend.
I liked the opening line of the novel very much. It starts with ” Moments before your life changes: there will always be a before and an after, separated, perhaps, by a knock at the door.” And there was actually a knock after this line. The novel is basically all about what Ellie finds out by relating the before and the after.
The ending of the novel, though quite surprising, was not a very good one. It seems the authors have written the ending without putting any efforts, after writing such a fascinating novel. I did not find the writing style to be engaging. I was neither gripping nor very lame. The writing style is somewhat deterring.
The final revelation was very much disappointing for me. The other twists and turns were much better than the final one. All in all, it was not a great book. I don’t think I’ll pick up any book by the author, in future.
My Rating: *** (3/5)
Read more such reviews at https://BooksNMyself.wordpress.com
August 5, 2019
That was a wonderful diversion from real life.
I love the idea of the French novels being written around and between and during family life. Sort of the opposite of work/life balance, or a return to an earlier version along the cottage industry model.And now I picture all the kids having their regular novel-production chores to do: and it's very silly, along the lines of gathering up the fresh supply of adjectives every morning, or by analogy with film making, doing the establishing shots without the star (it's first person, there aren't any scenes without the star).
Random, pointless speculation of this sort, unrelated to the actual novel I just finished, is possible because I rate the French novels so highly that I read every single word of the bonus material at the end, including the ad for the contest a decade back.
Anyway, no doubt I will elaborate on the image next time the King family of writers comes up, or Laura Lippman and her husband, and so on.
Personal copy.
I love the idea of the French novels being written around and between and during family life. Sort of the opposite of work/life balance, or a return to an earlier version along the cottage industry model.And now I picture all the kids having their regular novel-production chores to do: and it's very silly, along the lines of gathering up the fresh supply of adjectives every morning, or by analogy with film making, doing the establishing shots without the star (it's first person, there aren't any scenes without the star).
Random, pointless speculation of this sort, unrelated to the actual novel I just finished, is possible because I rate the French novels so highly that I read every single word of the bonus material at the end, including the ad for the contest a decade back.
Anyway, no doubt I will elaborate on the image next time the King family of writers comes up, or Laura Lippman and her husband, and so on.
Personal copy.
July 19, 2011
I'm not entralled by the ending at all. I feel like I've just read words on a page, and it has been a waste of my time. I don't think I will pick up a Nicci French book up again.
January 29, 2025
I don't even remember what I've read, this book couldn't get my attention, sorry
It was too dragged out but I've also been in de reading slump, so that can have something to do with it
It was too dragged out but I've also been in de reading slump, so that can have something to do with it
February 18, 2017
I learned that Nicci French is a good writers duo.
What To Do When Someone Dies had a similar set-up as Catch Me When I Fall, and I'm sure other novels of theirs.. opening with an event, in this novel, a woman losing her husband in a car crash.
From the beginning the plot thickens as the husband didn't die alone, another woman was sitting in the car at the moment of the accident. A woman not known to anyone.
For the wife left behind this is the start of a frenzied search to who the woman is and what she meant to her husband. Her friends try to be there for her, even though they all believe he was having an affair with the woman, she remains confident of his innocence.
She digs deeply, even goes by a different name for a while to infiltrate into the other woman's life.
Then the table turns. Another death. She becomes a suspect.
It all ends in a confession, someone who you never would have thought off, (unless of course you have read other novels by Nicci French, then you already know to look for the least convenient suspect, and yes, I admit, I had my suspicions very early on and was right on the dot).
The formula of their books, is simple, the pretext is simple. It's plain pleasure to read their novels, the sheer joy to not moil and toil about it, it's presented in clear facts, no hidden messages, no reading between the lines. Lazy reading, is what I call it. =)
What To Do When Someone Dies had a similar set-up as Catch Me When I Fall, and I'm sure other novels of theirs.. opening with an event, in this novel, a woman losing her husband in a car crash.
From the beginning the plot thickens as the husband didn't die alone, another woman was sitting in the car at the moment of the accident. A woman not known to anyone.
For the wife left behind this is the start of a frenzied search to who the woman is and what she meant to her husband. Her friends try to be there for her, even though they all believe he was having an affair with the woman, she remains confident of his innocence.
She digs deeply, even goes by a different name for a while to infiltrate into the other woman's life.
Then the table turns. Another death. She becomes a suspect.
It all ends in a confession, someone who you never would have thought off, (unless of course you have read other novels by Nicci French, then you already know to look for the least convenient suspect, and yes, I admit, I had my suspicions very early on and was right on the dot).
The formula of their books, is simple, the pretext is simple. It's plain pleasure to read their novels, the sheer joy to not moil and toil about it, it's presented in clear facts, no hidden messages, no reading between the lines. Lazy reading, is what I call it. =)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2017
Ellie's husband dies in a car crash with a woman who she has never heard of. She refuses to accept he was having an affair and dedicates her time to proving this.
Some twists make this a readable crime story although not always believable in parts.
Some twists make this a readable crime story although not always believable in parts.
July 9, 2021
Achter de naam Nicci French schuilt eigenlijk een auteurskoppel. Nicci Gerrard en Sean French schrijven samen psychologische thrillers. Het is maar vanaf hun vierde boek dat Sean mee op de foto stond en daarmee duidelijk werd gemaakt dat Nicci niet alleen schreef aan deze boeken.
In Wat Te Doen Als Iemand Sterft volgen we Ellie. Haar leven neemt een dramatische wending wanneer haar man, Greg,omkomt in een auto-ongeval in het bijzijn van een, voor haar en de omgeving, onbekende vrouw. De vrouw wordt geïdentificeerd als Milena Livingstone. En alles wijst erop dat Greg en Milena een verhouding hadden. Maar klopt dit wel of niet? Ellie start een obsessieve zoektocht naar de waarheid. En hoe minder ze geloofd wordt hoe meer de vraag moet gesteld worden wat de waarheid waard is.
Het verhaal wordt zeer mooi verteld en is volledig in de ik-vorm geschreven. Hierdoor zit je het volledige verhaal op Ellie haar schouder mee te zoeken naar de waarheid.
Het personage van Ellie is subliem neergezet. Een zeer goed uitgewerkt karakter. Ze straalt een loyaliteit uit aan haar overleden man. De doorzetting om de waarheid naar boven te brengen. Haar sterktes komen aan bod maar haar zwakke plekken worden ook niet vergeten. Na verloop van tijd leren we ook wel meer over Milena en Greg. Hoe zij als persoon waren.
De rest wordt wat minder uitgewerkt maar dit is verre van een minpunt voor het verhaal. Zo is het ook echt wel duidelijk wie de hoofdpersonen zijn in dit boek.
Tijdens het verhaal word je hier en daar getrakteerd met een verrassing, maar de grootste zat voor mij toch op het einde van het boek. Bepaalde slotwendingen had ik nu eens niet zien aankomen. En voor je het weet is het boek uit en zit je verbaasd voor je uit te staren.
Conclusie
Mijn eerste boek van Nicci French, maar het zal vooral niet het laatste zijn. Een zeer mooi verhaal, zeer goed geschreven met goed uitgewerkte hoofdpersonages. Een voordeel van dit boek zijn de korte hoofdstukken waardoor je het net iets makkelijker aan de kant kunt leggen. Alhoewel aan de kant leggen deed ik toch niet graag, ik wou liever verder lezen.
Engels
Behind the name Nicci French is actually an author couple. Nicci Gerrard and Sean French write psychological thrillers together. It is only from their fourth book that Sean was in the picture and it was made clear that Nicci was not only writing these books.
In What To Do When Someone Dies we follow Ellie. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her husband, Greg, is killed in a car accident in front of a woman unknown to her and the environment. The woman is identified as Milena Livingstone. And everything points to Greg and Milena having an affair. But is this true or not? Ellie embarks on an obsessive search for the truth. And the less it is believed, the more the question must be asked what the truth is worth.
The story is beautifully told and written entirely in the first person. This puts you on Ellie's shoulder for the full story to find the truth.
Ellie's character is superbly portrayed. A very well developed character. She radiates a loyalty to her late husband. The perseverance to bring out the truth. Her strengths are discussed, but her weaknesses are not forgotten either. Over time, we also learn more about Milena and Greg. How they were as a person.
The rest is less elaborated but this is far from a negative for the story. This makes it really clear who the main characters are in this book.
During the story you are treated with a surprise here and there, but the biggest one for me was at the end of the book. Certain closing twists I hadn't seen coming. And before you know it, the book is over and you're staring in amazement.
Conclusion
My first book by Nicci French, but it certainly won't be the last. A very nice story, very well written with well developed main characters. An advantage of this book is the short chapters that make it a little easier to put it aside. Although I did not like to put it aside, I would rather read on.
In Wat Te Doen Als Iemand Sterft volgen we Ellie. Haar leven neemt een dramatische wending wanneer haar man, Greg,omkomt in een auto-ongeval in het bijzijn van een, voor haar en de omgeving, onbekende vrouw. De vrouw wordt geïdentificeerd als Milena Livingstone. En alles wijst erop dat Greg en Milena een verhouding hadden. Maar klopt dit wel of niet? Ellie start een obsessieve zoektocht naar de waarheid. En hoe minder ze geloofd wordt hoe meer de vraag moet gesteld worden wat de waarheid waard is.
Het verhaal wordt zeer mooi verteld en is volledig in de ik-vorm geschreven. Hierdoor zit je het volledige verhaal op Ellie haar schouder mee te zoeken naar de waarheid.
Het personage van Ellie is subliem neergezet. Een zeer goed uitgewerkt karakter. Ze straalt een loyaliteit uit aan haar overleden man. De doorzetting om de waarheid naar boven te brengen. Haar sterktes komen aan bod maar haar zwakke plekken worden ook niet vergeten. Na verloop van tijd leren we ook wel meer over Milena en Greg. Hoe zij als persoon waren.
De rest wordt wat minder uitgewerkt maar dit is verre van een minpunt voor het verhaal. Zo is het ook echt wel duidelijk wie de hoofdpersonen zijn in dit boek.
Tijdens het verhaal word je hier en daar getrakteerd met een verrassing, maar de grootste zat voor mij toch op het einde van het boek. Bepaalde slotwendingen had ik nu eens niet zien aankomen. En voor je het weet is het boek uit en zit je verbaasd voor je uit te staren.
Conclusie
Mijn eerste boek van Nicci French, maar het zal vooral niet het laatste zijn. Een zeer mooi verhaal, zeer goed geschreven met goed uitgewerkte hoofdpersonages. Een voordeel van dit boek zijn de korte hoofdstukken waardoor je het net iets makkelijker aan de kant kunt leggen. Alhoewel aan de kant leggen deed ik toch niet graag, ik wou liever verder lezen.
Engels
Behind the name Nicci French is actually an author couple. Nicci Gerrard and Sean French write psychological thrillers together. It is only from their fourth book that Sean was in the picture and it was made clear that Nicci was not only writing these books.
In What To Do When Someone Dies we follow Ellie. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her husband, Greg, is killed in a car accident in front of a woman unknown to her and the environment. The woman is identified as Milena Livingstone. And everything points to Greg and Milena having an affair. But is this true or not? Ellie embarks on an obsessive search for the truth. And the less it is believed, the more the question must be asked what the truth is worth.
The story is beautifully told and written entirely in the first person. This puts you on Ellie's shoulder for the full story to find the truth.
Ellie's character is superbly portrayed. A very well developed character. She radiates a loyalty to her late husband. The perseverance to bring out the truth. Her strengths are discussed, but her weaknesses are not forgotten either. Over time, we also learn more about Milena and Greg. How they were as a person.
The rest is less elaborated but this is far from a negative for the story. This makes it really clear who the main characters are in this book.
During the story you are treated with a surprise here and there, but the biggest one for me was at the end of the book. Certain closing twists I hadn't seen coming. And before you know it, the book is over and you're staring in amazement.
Conclusion
My first book by Nicci French, but it certainly won't be the last. A very nice story, very well written with well developed main characters. An advantage of this book is the short chapters that make it a little easier to put it aside. Although I did not like to put it aside, I would rather read on.
February 11, 2024
One of the most easy thriller reads ever. Though I could see the plot twist from the beginning, it’s such a fun read because of the writing. I love this specific edition because of the cover as well as the very readable font.
March 26, 2019
This is the first time I've read one of Nicci French's book, and I really enjoyed this book. It took me completely by surprise how the book finished. When Ellie started looking into the death of her husband, Greg, I really thought he was having an affair with another woman. What was interesting how the book explains what someone goes through when someone experiences a sudden death in the family. Yes, we can all come across as a bit mad and crazy when really it's grief. She clearly loved her husband and did anything it took to find how what happened at the end. She had close friends by her side who stood by her. Some of her actions may seem a bit extreme, but to be honest, I think anyone in the same boat as her would do the same thing.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I think I shall continue to read more of her books in the future.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I think I shall continue to read more of her books in the future.
September 18, 2013
A competently written thriller undermined by the fact that after 5 pages you can pretty much figure out what will happen an 100 pages in you know with certainty. I guess the lack of surprises could be a surprise. But for much of book it's like there is a purple imp screaming from the pages it's me I did it look at me!.
In short the story starts when a woman is informed that her husband has died in a car crash and what appears to be worse is that there was a woman in the car with him. Everyone pretty much, rather tactlessly, decides that he no doubt was having an affair. Our heroine struggles with the idea that it was an accident or that her husband was having an affair. Guess what turns out to be the case
In short the story starts when a woman is informed that her husband has died in a car crash and what appears to be worse is that there was a woman in the car with him. Everyone pretty much, rather tactlessly, decides that he no doubt was having an affair. Our heroine struggles with the idea that it was an accident or that her husband was having an affair. Guess what turns out to be the case
June 19, 2024
A very nice and interesting book that i only read because it was in one of those free libraries when visiting Rotterdam.
The book follows the life of Ellie who has just found out that her husband died in a car crash alongside a woman nobody seems to have heard of.
As the story progresses Ellie cannot accept the fact that her husband had been cheating on her with this woman and tries to solve the mystery of their relationship, although as the story goes on she find out more than she’s expected.
The story itself was very interesting and the plot twist were truly not expected.
I enjoyed Ellie’s character because even though she realized she seems crazy to all her friends and people around her, she still didn’t let the mystery go.
It felt unique, because often i forgot that i was reading a mystery because the story just seemed so down to earth and that’s exactly one of the things i most enjoyed.
It wasn’t a black and white story, but a story where I was left wondering throughout the whole book if Ellie was crazy or not or if her husband did actually cheat on her.
So it sum it up, it was a very nice read, nothing crazy that left me with my mouth open but still very enjoyable.
The book follows the life of Ellie who has just found out that her husband died in a car crash alongside a woman nobody seems to have heard of.
As the story progresses Ellie cannot accept the fact that her husband had been cheating on her with this woman and tries to solve the mystery of their relationship, although as the story goes on she find out more than she’s expected.
The story itself was very interesting and the plot twist were truly not expected.
I enjoyed Ellie’s character because even though she realized she seems crazy to all her friends and people around her, she still didn’t let the mystery go.
It felt unique, because often i forgot that i was reading a mystery because the story just seemed so down to earth and that’s exactly one of the things i most enjoyed.
It wasn’t a black and white story, but a story where I was left wondering throughout the whole book if Ellie was crazy or not or if her husband did actually cheat on her.
So it sum it up, it was a very nice read, nothing crazy that left me with my mouth open but still very enjoyable.
August 7, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I’m a huge Nicci French fan and my absolute favorite is their Frieda Klein’s series
Ellie, widowed at the start of this book, reminds me of Frieda. She’s independent, obsessive and determined to find the truth. Her group of friends also remind me of Frieda’s friends even though they’re a lot more ‘normal’… I actually would have liked a little more quirk, but that’s just a personal preference
I totally loved how Ellie spiraled. It was so effortless and deliberate that by the time is was nutty, it totally made sense!
I couldn’t put this book down. I read it so quickly, desperate to discover what had happened to Ellie’s husband and the mysterious Milena whom he died with
I didn’t work out whodunnit even though the clues were all there!
I love (need) a resolved ending and this was definitely that but I’m wondering if it could have been written in a more satisfactory way. Maybe a Poirot style gathering of suspects with Ellie finally revealing the truth… or even just a little more drama
#QOTD how much drama do you like in your books?
Author: Nicci French
Narrator: Tania Rodrigues
Goodreads: 3.58
Audiobook: @libby.app
Publication Date: 06/21/21
#bookstagram #bookreview #audiobook #audiobookstagram #audiobookreview #whattodowhensomeonedies
I’m a huge Nicci French fan and my absolute favorite is their Frieda Klein’s series
Ellie, widowed at the start of this book, reminds me of Frieda. She’s independent, obsessive and determined to find the truth. Her group of friends also remind me of Frieda’s friends even though they’re a lot more ‘normal’… I actually would have liked a little more quirk, but that’s just a personal preference
I totally loved how Ellie spiraled. It was so effortless and deliberate that by the time is was nutty, it totally made sense!
I couldn’t put this book down. I read it so quickly, desperate to discover what had happened to Ellie’s husband and the mysterious Milena whom he died with
I didn’t work out whodunnit even though the clues were all there!
I love (need) a resolved ending and this was definitely that but I’m wondering if it could have been written in a more satisfactory way. Maybe a Poirot style gathering of suspects with Ellie finally revealing the truth… or even just a little more drama
#QOTD how much drama do you like in your books?
Author: Nicci French
Narrator: Tania Rodrigues
Goodreads: 3.58
Audiobook: @libby.app
Publication Date: 06/21/21
#bookstagram #bookreview #audiobook #audiobookstagram #audiobookreview #whattodowhensomeonedies
May 22, 2021
I usually love any book by Nicci French but this one did not blow me away or make me go "OMG." like her other books. The premise and cover drew me plus it was also another book by her. I thought Ellie was a great character and well written but I did not understand all of her choices in the novel. Did her husband really cheat or not with the woman who was killed in a car crash with him? I did enjoy most of the twists and the ending was suiting, thank heavens.
The whole story was more of slow burn with elements of suspense. It was not like edge of your seat, OMG, like some of her previous books. I still enjoyed it nonetheless.
Overall, still a recommended book by NIcci French and I hope her next book is better than this one.
Thanks to Netgalley, Nicci French and William Morrow and Custome House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 6/22/21
The whole story was more of slow burn with elements of suspense. It was not like edge of your seat, OMG, like some of her previous books. I still enjoyed it nonetheless.
Overall, still a recommended book by NIcci French and I hope her next book is better than this one.
Thanks to Netgalley, Nicci French and William Morrow and Custome House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 6/22/21
May 13, 2022
This was just ok. I've enjoyed Nicci French in the past, but this one had a long middle section that took ages to get anywhere, and some patches of writing that I thought were terrible.. Would have been a lot better if it had had a hard edit.
April 4, 2021
2.5 stars
I only read this so I could watch the mini series on Acorn TV 😄.
I only read this so I could watch the mini series on Acorn TV 😄.
May 19, 2021
A bit of a slow burner for me, I enjoyed it despite not feeling that connected to the main character Ellie and her questionable behaviour trying to find answers.
June 9, 2025
Saaaaaai
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