A private jet carrying eight passengers and three crew members is flying from Martha’s Vineyard to New York City when it crashes into the Atlantic Ocean.  Miraculously, two people survive-a painter who is on the verge of “making it” and the four year old son of a television news executive.  Writing about each passenger before the crash, Hawley is able to flesh out each character and describe what happened in that airplane minutes before the disaster.  Depicting what happens to the two survivors after, he creates conflict, suspense and intrigue.

Before the Fall is a good read but not a book club read.  After it’s been read. there’s not too much to think about.