Catch Me When I Fall
{{short description|2005 novel by Nicci French}}
{{About|the Nicci French novel|the Ashlee Simpson song|I Am Me}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox book |
| name = Catch Me When I Fall
| title_orig =
| translator =
| image = Catch Me When I Fall.jpg
| caption = First edition
| author = Nicci French
| cover_artist =
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| series =
| genre = Thriller, Mystery novel
| publisher = Michael Joseph
| release_date = March 2005
| media_type = Print (Hardcover, Paperback)
| pages = 336 pp
| isbn = 0-7181-4522-4
| oclc= 57167611
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
Catch Me When I Fall (2005) is a psychological thriller novel by Nicci French, about a woman unknowingly afflicted with bipolar disorder, and how this sets her life on a spiral of self-destruction, as well as pitting her against a shadowy antagonist.
Plot summary
Holly Krauss, a successful married woman who runs her own business with best friend Meg, finds her perfect life deteriorating as a result of foolish actions made almost subconsciously, including an alcohol fuelled one night stand and arguments with potentially dangerous men. After a mysterious stranger from one such incident begins imposing himself on her life, first through stalking and then physical intimidation, she wonders if she really is going insane, before inadvertently causing even more trouble by losing £11,000 in a poker game.
While good-natured and thoroughly empathetic, her artist husband Charlie is a procrastinator and therefore incapable of providing her with the support she needs. Only when Holly finally attempts suicide does she realise that all of her problems may not be simply a result of her own foolhardiness, but the work of a devious and determined psychopath intent on tearing her life apart...
Critical reception
Sandy Amazeen of Monsters and Critics said "the ending is satisfying though predictable" and that "while not French's best work, overall this is an enjoyable read".{{cite web |url= http://www.monstersandcritics.com/books/fiction/reviews/article_1072899.php/Book_Review_Catch_Me_When_I_Fall_by_Nicci_French |title=Book Review: Catch Me When I Fall by Nicci French |author=Sandy Amazeen |date=January 2, 2006 |work= |publisher=Monsters and Critics |accessdate=October 23, 2010}} The review in Publishers Weekly says "the muddled plot and unsympathetic heroine make this suspense thriller less satisfying than others by French".{{cite journal |title=Catch Me When I Fall |journal=Publishers Weekly |volume=252 |issue=36 |date=September 12, 2005 |pages=38}} The review in Kirkus Reviews states that the author French "performs as expected".{{cite journal |title=Catch Me When I Fall |journal=Kirkus Reviews |volume=73 |issue=20 |date=October 15, 2005 |pages=1100}}
References
{{reflist}}
- {{cite journal |first = Jane|last=Gardam |title=Looking for trouble and finding it |journal=Spectator |issn=0038-6952 |date=November 5, 2005 |pages=63–64}}
- {{cite journal |first = Jenny|last=McLarin|title=Catch Me When I Fall |journal=Booklist |volume=102 |issue=4 |date=October 15, 2005 |pages=32}}
Category:British thriller novels
Category:Novels about bipolar disorder