Book Log 2009 #56: Stone's Fall by Iain Pears

If you've got the time to settle in to a 500-plus page mystery whose solution is unveiled by moving backwards into the 19th century, then this book is highly recommended. Industrialist John Stone is found dead, presumably from a fall out of a second story window. This doesn't quite add up for his widow, and combined with an unusual bequest in Stone's will, she hires a reporter to investigate. The reporter's story leads to the story of a British agent, which then leads back to Stone's own story.

Pears like to play with time and perspective, and this set up allows him to show his skill. He layers on the period detail, but never at the expense of the characters or the mystery (in fact, they help to develop Stone's widow, who comes to be the book's main character). Very much worth the read.