London Falling
What it's about
In the early hours of November 29, 2019, cameras at MI6 headquarters recorded a young man pacing a high balcony of a luxury tower across the Thames. At 2:24 a.m., he jumped. Days later, Rachelle Brettler learned that her son Zac was dead. Refusing to accept the official story, she began her own investigation, and Patrick Radden Keefe follows the trail into London's underworld of money and secrets.
Why it's worth reading
It was a finalist for the Baillie Gifford Prize, Britain's leading nonfiction award, and has spent 25 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. Keefe, the author of Say Nothing and Empire of Pain, is one of the best narrative journalists working today.
You'll love it if you liked
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty or Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
Good to know
It reads like a mystery, so it's best not to look up the case first. It deals with suicide and grief.
Quick answers
Is London Falling worth reading?
Yes. It was a finalist for the Baillie Gifford Prize, Britain's leading nonfiction award, and has spent 25 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It ranks #274 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 82.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is London Falling about?
In the early hours of November 29, 2019, cameras at MI6 headquarters recorded a young man pacing a high balcony of a luxury tower across the Thames. At 2:24 a.m., he jumped. Days later, Rachelle Brettler learned that her son Zac was dead. Refusing to accept the official story, she began her own investigation, and Patrick Radden Keefe follows the trail into London's underworld of money and secrets.
How long does it take to read London Falling?
About 9 hours (361 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after London Falling?
If you liked it, try Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe, Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe or Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou.
By the numbers
- Readers76 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics24 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller49 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz100 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Baillie Gifford Prize finalist (2026). 25 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2026.
Where it ranks
Bestseller
- 25 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2026
Shortlisted
- Baillie Gifford Prize finalist (2026)
Reads as
True story, Gripping, Dark
More by Patrick Radden Keefe
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler DynastyIf you like this, read next
The Correspondent
The Housemaid
Remarkably Bright Creatures
The Tainted Cup
The Frozen River
The Will of the Many