John Stone, a man so wealthy that in the years before World War One he was able to manipulate markets, industries and indeed whole countries and continents, has been found dead in mysterious circumstances. His beautiful young widow commissions a journalist to carry out an unusual bequest in his will but as he begins his research he soon discovers a story far more complex than he could have ever imagined...

As the story moves backwards through time, from London in 1909 to Paris in 1809, before concluding in Venice in 1867, the mystery of John Stone's life and loves begins to unravel. The result is a spellbinding novel that is both a quest for the truth, a love story that spans decades and a compelling murder mystery.

I cannot remember enjoying a book as much as Stone's Fall -- Malcolm Gladwell * Observer *
The assurance and invention with which the novel is written are alike remarkable. Utterly absorbing and a rare delight -- Alan Massie * Scotsman *
Engrossing and intelligent, it's the best sort of page-turner -- Amber Pearson * Daily Mail *
A juicy mystery with lashings of period detail * Daily Telegraph *
The novel is above all a romp, albeit an exceptionally intelligent and entertaining one -- David Robson * Sunday Telegraph *
Absorbing and also timely -- Jessica Mann * Literary Review *
Iain Pears has an uncanny historical sense ... splendid return to the grand 19th-century novel -- Jane Jakeman * Independent *
Fireworks, inventiveness and excitement of part three and a curmudgeonly inventor of torpedoes -- Philippa Stockley * Evening Standard *
An indefatigably clever storyteller...witty, laconic dialogue; a galloping pace, particularly in the first and third narratives; the author's silky, fluid prose; and above all the concluding passages, which detonate a series of surprises as poignant as they are grim -- Daniel Mallory * Times Literary Supplement *
A complex novel of mystery and suspense narrated by three fascinating characters...I thoroughly recommend this title -- Landers Bookshop * Independent on Sunday *

Iain Pears was born in 1955. He is the author of seven detective novels, a book of art history and countless articles on artistic, financial and historical subjects, and three novels, An Instance of the Fingerpost, The Dream of Scipio and The Portrait.