Fall from Grace

Legal questions hang on every twist and turn of this tightly woven nonlegal thriller, bestseller Patterson’s best novel since 2009’s Eclipse. After 10 years away from home, Adam Blaine returns to Martha’s Vineyard after his estranged father, world-famous writer Benjamin Blaine, is found dead at the bottom of a high promontory overlooking the sea. Survivors include Adam’s mother, Clarice; his gay brother, Teddy; his old girlfriend, Jenny Leigh; and his father’s movie star girlfriend, Carla Pacelli, all of whom had reason to have shoved Ben off the cliff. Ben’s recently amended will leaves $10 million to Carla, $1 million to Jenny, and $100,000 to Adam, who’s also named the executer of the estate. Clarissa and Teddy inherit nothing. The mysterious Adam, who’s ostensibly working for an agriculture company in Afghanistan, must figure out who killed Ben and break the will. Readers will enjoy unraveling the tangled mystery alongside Adam right up until the last revelation. Agent: Bonnie Nadell, Hill Nadell Literary Agency. (Mar.)