Perfect Family. Perfect Weekend. Perfect Crime.
Stay up all night with this twisting thriller… perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Liane Moriarty and Ali Lowe.
Turner Corp, a luxury goods empire, has been rocked by the death of its founder. As his three sons gather at the family’s opulent estate for a long weekend, tensions rise when an illegitimate heir is introduced – and no one could predict the tragedy that follows.
Skye, who married into the dynasty, is uneasy in her husband’s world, hiding her own secrets while trying to maintain a normal life for their six-year-old daughter. The weekend quickly morphs into any parent’s worst nightmare, leaving Skye desperate to uncover the truth about the Turner family.
Mei, the detective assigned to the case, is pressured by her superiors to close the investigation swiftly. However, as she begins to unpick the complex web of lies and betrayal, she realizes that pulling at these threads might just bring down an empire.
A gripping thriller with sumptuous settings, breathless plotting and twists you won’t see coming – you’ll stay up all night to race to the end.
‘Beautifully evoked, pacy and unpredictable’ ROSE CARLYLE
Rachel Paris won the Phoenix Prize for the best manuscript in her Masters at Auckland University. She came to writing after a highly successful 20-year law career, specialising in fintech. She gained her Masters in Law at Harvard University. See How They Fall is her debut novel.
(4/5)
This is one family you should avoid – don’t marry them, don’t do business with them and don’t ever accept their invitation to a family dinner! This book was a lesson in strong women that don’t give up, competing with hidden agendas in a novel that raced along, diverting at every turn.
The writing was engaging, the characters believable and the shock ending was well executed. A great read – you won’t regret this choice of a thriller. A fantastic debut novel.
(3/5)
Skye Turner appears to have it all – a perfect husband who just happens to be the middle son of an outrageously wealthy family, plus a gorgeous child, a huge house and a career as an artist. But she’s a misfit in her husband’s family, always conscious of being an outsider with a troubled past to hide. On a weekend visit to the family’s country estate, a poisoning leaves one person dead and Skye’s daughter fighting for her life. Enter Mei O’Connor, a detective known for thorough investigations who is, coincidentally, also hiding her share of troubles and demons. We follow Skye and Mei as they live through the days after the poisoning and eventually solve the crime.
See How They Fall is easy to read and well paced. It follows the conventions of its genre in a way that some readers will enjoy, but I found the plot predictable and the themes tired – though I did appreciate the final twist. It offered a few hours of entertainment, but gave me nothing new to think about. If you like the thriller genre and you like to feel in safe hands, this one won’t disappoint. Just don’t expect anything more.
(2/5)
Ultimately, I was disappointed by this debut novel from Rachel Paris. I wanted to like it, as I always want to like a first effort from a new author, but for me this was very forgettable. The two voices relating the story were ones I’ve heard many times before. And in particular Mei, a troubled female detective with a lot of personal issues and working with misogynistic colleagues, is a trope all too familiar in books and on the screen. The naiveté of both main characters at key points became annoying, and the sad reality is that my care factor was close to zero as I came to the final pages. Some of the lesser characters were only briefly sketched, and greater depth could have been given to them to give more complexity to the overall story.
(5/5)
I do not read many books in the mystery/police procedural type genre so when I do, they need to get me in from the very start and that is what See How They Fall did for me. With the author’s legal background giving insight into not just police procedure but also custody issues, she has put together a well-told, well-paced, at times stressful, story that was believable all the way through. Although I did not see that ending coming! There are many twists and turns throughout this fast-paced thriller and I often wondered just who Skye could trust, if anyone.
The moneyed enclaves of Sydney and its outer reaches are so well described and a great setting for this book. My favourite character is Detective Mei O’Connor, flaws and all I always felt she would go that extra mile, risking her own life and career and she came through. I feel there is much more to Mei that could have been explored a little more.
(4/5)
In this page-turning Australian whodunit, written from the perspective of two alternating characters, Skye and Mei, we are introduced to the outwardly perfect Turner family as they gather to cleave up the family corporation created by their late father, the intimidating Sir Campbell Turner, one of Australia’s wealthiest and most influential businessmen.
We meet Skye, an artist with a concealed and uncomfortable past, her husband Duncan Turner, the apparently charming middle son, their delightful young daughter, Tilly, and Duncan’s freshly discovered illegitimate son, Cody; Duncan’s older brother Jamie, imbued with a sense of heightened superiority and Jamie’s seemingly straightlaced wife, Nina; and Duncan’s younger brother, Hugo – arrogant, single and sleazy.
By the end of the first chapter, a poisoning has occurred. Nina is dead, Tilly is in an induced coma and cracks slowly appear in the Turner family’s veneer, revealing them each to be potentially capable of heinous criminal acts, even to their own family. Enter Detective Mei O’Connor who is determined to solve the case, despite ongoing police corruption, intimidation and violence, and her own downward spiral due to childhood trauma, a recent betrayal, subsequent break-up and a terminally ill mother. A fantastic, fast paced and compelling debut novel.
(5/5)
What an absolutely intense, edge-of-seat, rollercoaster ride thriller! I found myself holding my breath with every page, through every chapter. Rachel Paris’ debut is a perfectly paced crime thriller, I couldn’t put it down!
From shady filthy rich characters to tough determined detectives fighting for respect, you will be hooked until the epic conclusion!
For Skye, it’s just another long weekend away at her in-laws luxury property north of Sydney. Sadly, the patriarch Sir Campbell Turner has recently passed away, and there is the matter of his estate to discuss. His three sons Jamie, Hugo & Duncan (who is Skye’s husband) think this is the perfect private location.
When tragedy strikes and one family member is found dead and another is taken to hospital in an extremely critical condition, the Turners are thrown into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Detective Mei O’Connor can see something isn’t right from the beginning, but her boss is keen to close the case and is not interested in her theories.
The story is told from Skye & Mei’s POV, who are both determined yet battling demons while fighting for their families. You become invested in both equally very quickly.
See How They Fall will absolutely be one of my top thrillers for the year, what an amazing debut! I can’t wait to read Rachel’s next book
(4/5)
I was intrigued by the title and blurb as we all know families are complicated and when money and power are thrown into the mix it then becomes very messy. The characters I felt were authentic with Duncan and Jamie being very easy to detest. Nina’s character was a complete surprise the glamourous wife, doting mother and head of numerous charity boards for the family. However, all is not what it appears. Skye struggles with insecurities and must battle her own demons to find the strength and will to fight for the truth. It was frustrating at how easy Duncan and Jamie were able to manipulate circumstances to suit themselves at the detriment to those around them. The Homicide squad with Wilson and Macca at the helm was disturbing. Thank goodness for Senior Constable Dixon and Cyrus as their characters were more believable under the circumstances. Mei wastes too much time escaping her problems with alcohol, drugs and one night stands instead of dealing with them and moving on.
(5/5)
Wow – I was hooked on this story from the very start. I loved how the book switched between the two viewpoints of Skye & Mei – these kept things interesting and gave great insight. I was kept guessing the whole way with so many twists & turns.
I love a good page-turner & couldn’t wait to keep reading – I was kept on the edge of my seat! A really good read about family, secrets, and loyalty.
(4/5)
This was a great read! The story of who, how and why Nina, a young mum, and her niece, 6-year-old Tilly, were poisoned at a family dinner.
The background of power, wealth and international crime was believable and compelling, with many sinister characters connected to the family. The story slowly let you into everyone’s secrets and how they came to be involved.
The male characters were all toxic, misogynistic, narcissists – except for the Aksel, the backpacker, and Cody the mysterious new addition to the family who both seemed to be the only honest males in the book.
The two main women in the story were flawed, overly trusting and then fearful of what was out of their control, but eventually they came together to get to the truth.
Mei was an excellent detective who was let down badly by her male colleagues. Luckily, she knew to trust her instincts, no matter what, or things would have turned out much differently for Skye, who also had to step-up and take some risks to get to the truth of who and how Tilly and Nina had been poisoned. I hope we see more of Detective Mei O’Connor.
(4/5)
See How They Fall is a fast-paced debut thriller that takes you on a twisty ride with Sydney’s super-wealthy Turner family. After a family tragedy, we follow Skye Turner’s attempts to protect her ill daughter along with police detective Mei who is fighting to keep control of the case. There are a lot of unlikeable characters here with gaslighting, coercion, and misogyny for both women to fight against. I enjoyed the alternating points of view and you could really feel the anger and desperation of both women with being lied to on many fronts. I was rooting for them both to come out on top through all the twists and turns. This is a really enjoyable read that will keep you turning the pages. I look forward to reading more from this author.
(5/5)
I loved See How They Fall and boy did I fall into this page-turner right from the start. The are so many twists and turns, it kept me guessing right till the very end. I did not want to stop reading! Even though this was a story about the super-rich untouchables, it still felt relatable and had me wanting to have Skyes back. This was a perfect debut novel, I can’t wait to see more from Rachel Paris.
(4/5)
Rachel Paris’s debut is a fast-paced and tension-filled book, told from the dual POVs of two strong female leads.
Skye is married to Duncan, son of the famously wealthy Sir Campbell Turner. When Sir Campbell passes away, Duncan, his two brothers, and their respective families, meet in one of their palatial Sydney estates to discuss their succession plan. Their first night together, however, starts with arguments and accusations, and ends with two members of the family falling victim to arsenic poisoning.
Mei O’Connor is the police detective brought in to investigate the poisoning. We soon learn Mei has her own personal problems which, of course, leads to further complications with the case. I really liked Mei and hope Paris will consider making her the star of a series.
As Skye and Mei uncover more and more of the Turners’ secrets, Paris built the tension beautifully and I really had no idea how they would manage to extricate themselves from the family’s evil clutches.
With topical serious themes of domestic violence, sexual abuse and gas lighting, Paris has written a modern domestic thriller which would be perfect for fans of authors like Sally Hepworth and Liv Constantine.
(5/5)
See How They Fall by Rachel Paris is a debut novel that I could not put down and left me reading the ending twice in disbelief.
It is set in the glamorous world of the Turner family, who have gathered together after the death of their father. There is tension between the brothers and all the guests have secrets, which will impact the get-together. By the end of the weekend, one character will be dead and a 6-year-old is critically ill.
The story is told through two characters. Skye is married to Duncan and it is their daughter, Tilly, who is hospitalised. Mei is a police officer on the case who is dealing with issues of her own.
The characters are well written and they all brought out different emotions in me which I liked. As a parent, the panic and pain Skye was feeling were very relatable.
The pace of the storyline was fantastic. It was fast, flowed well, and made me want to keep reading.
This is a brilliant book that I would highly recommend. I look forward to any future novels by this author.
(5/5)
Skye is a flawed character from a humble and dysfunctional background who married Duncan Turner, one of the wealthy sons of the recently deceased Sir Campbell Turner, the well-known powerful patriarch of a global luxury goods company. Mei is also, in a different way, a flawed character who works as a Detective Senior Sergeant in Homicide. Their paths intersect when a Turner family gathering on their secluded north Sydney estate ends with one of the very wealthy family members dead from arsenic poisoning and Duncan and Skye’s young daughter in an induced coma critically ill from arsenic poisoning. Only one of the family could have done it and the book unravels the secrets, lies and the culprit from the different points of views of Skye and Mei in alternating chapters. As the denouement and great twisting reveal approached, the pace quickened, and I had to stay up late to finish reading it as I was totally enthralled in this Antipodean Succession-type thriller. This is a wonderful debut from a new author and one that I totally recommend, although it would perhaps benefit from some trigger warnings for those of a less robust disposition.
(5/5)
Rachel Paris’s debut thriller See How They Fall is a gripping exploration of wealth, power, and the secrets lurking behind the polished facades of Sydney’s elite. The story begins with the death of Sir Campbell Turner, the patriarch of a wealthy family, which sets off a chain of tragic events. During a family gathering to discuss his will, a poisoning leaves one member dead and another fighting for her life, prompting an investigation led by the determined Detective Mei O’Connor.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Skye, a wife and mother caught in a web of deceit, and Mei, the relentless investigator, the narrative unravels the dark complexities of a family empire built on lies. Paris masterfully builds suspense, with each chapter peeling back layers of secrets and revealing new twists. The tension between the characters, especially Skye’s struggle within the toxic Turner family, and Mei’s battle for respect in a male-dominated world, adds depth to the thriller’s fast-paced narrative.
See How They Fall combines the glamour and corruption of wealth with intense psychological tension, making it an unmissable read for fans of Liane Moriarty and Succession. I was hooked from page one to the revelatory plot twist at the end.
Brilliant read!
(5/5)
See How They Fall is a gripping family drama woven with mystery, betrayal, and deep-seated secrets. When the funeral of Sir Campbell Turner is over, his three sons- Duncan, Jamie and Hugo, gather at Yallambee to raise a final toast to their father. But tensions run high when Hugo accuses Duncan’s newly discovered son, Cody, of showing up solely to claim an inheritance. A heated war of words ensures, setting the stage for a night where long-buried truths begin to surface.
Detective Mei is soon drawn into the case under the guidance of her supervisor and colleague, unravelling a complex web of corruption, control, and entitlement within the Turner family. The novel balances multiple plot-lines, keeping readers guessing until the very end
One of the most compelling aspects of the story is the resilience of Duncan’s wife, Skye. Her unwavering determination in the face of heartbreak – particularly with a child being withheld from her – adds emotional depth and strength to the narrative.
Paris crafts a compelling tale of family dysfunction, deception, and power struggles, with well-developed characters and a plot that holds readers in suspense. The title, See How They Fall, takes on a greater meaning as the story unfolds, making for a satisfying and thought-provoking read.
A gripping and emotional novel that delivers both mystery and drama. I highly recommend it.
(5/5)
This story is an unflinchingly tense and gripping psychological thriller that drew me into the dark, manipulative, and complex world of the characters. From the very first page, the story took me on a thrilling ride of twists and dark secrets.
What sets this book apart is its multidimensional characters. The story had me guessing and engaged throughout.
The author’s writing is sharp and evocative, pulling you deeper with every turn of the page. Her ability to weave suspense and create atmospheric tension is a standout in this book.
A must-read for psychological thriller and mystery fans and I loved reading this book, which kept me on the edge of my seat. Rachel Paris has solidified herself as a formidable force in the thriller genre.