London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth

"London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth" is Patrick Radden Keefe’s latest journalistic venture. I’m new to Keefe’s narrative investigative style, and this was the first of his books that I’ve read, though it certainly won’t be the last. London Falling tells the story of Zac Brettler, a teenager navigating the luxurious yet deeply dangerous underworld of London. Without giving too much away, Zac becomes entangled in a web of lies while leading a double life and facing some of the city’s most ruthless criminals. The story often feels almost fictional, but the fact that these events truly occurred makes it all the more fascinating and heartbreaking. London serves as a particularly compelling backdrop because it attracts people from all over the world seeking reinvention. At the same time, that global influence can create an environment where corruption, organized crime, and financial exploitation thrive beneath the city’s polished exterior. Having spent four years living in London myself, the familiarity made the story feel even more unsettling and immersive. Viewers of the hit 2014 reality series Ladies of London may recognize the book’s mention of Scot Young, one of the so-called Cipriani Five, whose alleged financial crimes and mysterious death mirror the atmosphere of wealth, silence, fear, and corruption that defines London Falling. What makes the book especially shocking is its portrayal of how many of London’s high-stakes crimes seem to trace back to a surprisingly small circle of powerful figures who, time and again, manage to evade conviction. This book is an excellent choice for readers interested in history, true crime, mystery, finance, or investigative journalism. We also carry Empire of Pain, another outstanding read from Patrick Radden Keefe, for those interested in an investigation of the opioid epidemic in America.

reviewed by Abbie Lockridge