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A story about love, atonement and a tragic twist of fate

When Rachel, a successful art critic, attends an exhibition by an up-and-coming artist she is unsettled by the eerie familiarity of his paintings. They bring to mind a tragic event from the past and a cowardly decision she made.  As her relationship with the artist develops, she searches for a way to come to terms with this and is drawn back to a man she loved and worked with many years ago in Cairo. This man had warned her that, one day, fate may find a way to punish her.

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As the story unfolds in three different countries over fifteen years, the tension and conflict between Rachel’s relationship with two different men and two different worlds accelerates.  Eventually, she must pay a steep price to fully atone for what she did.

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Published by Blue Denim Press

October 2020

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The Way Things Fall

The Way Things Fall is available through your favourite bookstore, on Amazon (trade paperback and Kindle) and through Indigo (trade paperback and Kobo).

About the novel

The novel has elements of the known and unknown, blending into a believable and exciting work of fiction.  

Shane Joseph - Publisher's Perspective

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Tension and conflict? Big time!                                                  John Bell

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A real tour de force. I enjoyed the novel from beginning to end. Both men are beautifully drawn and one can see why the protagonist is torn. But I could never make love with Karl. I hate getting sand in my undies. 

Sophie O’Reilly

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The Way Things Fall is intriguing, the characters interesting and well-drawn. It is a very impressive, very readable debut novel.

Peter Greene

I love fiction that transports you to new worlds and The Way Things Fall does this in spades. Astronomy, Egyptian mythology and ancient astrological interpretations of the night sky mix brilliantly with art, Jungian psychology and love & lust.  This is a really smart book and beautifully written with help from Egypt’s stunning desert landscapes, the brilliant astrological night sky and panoramic, rolling vineyards of Tuscany. A wonderful pandemic escape to another world!

Debbie Gordon

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I really enjoyed and learnt a great deal about Egyptian mythology and the importance of astrology as I did about what critics look for in art. I thought the characters were very real and well developed

Malcolm Cullen

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I am not into Cosmology or ancient Egyptian archeology but I really liked the way the author wove the detail into the novel and having been to Egypt I felt transported back by her great descriptions. The characters were real and likeable and the ending is unexpected. A great read.

Roger Dacre

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I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the rich description. Once in I didn’t want it to end. I got to enjoy knowing the characters and wanted their story and my learning about a very foreign world of the stars, energy, and the powers of fate and destiny to continue.

Rhoda Payne

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For more reader reviews, go to:

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For more insight into the inspiration for The Way Things Fall and how art, the rituals of Ancient Egypt, astronomy, astrology and three very different locations are woven into the story, please read some of Liz's posts below.  And please feel free to add your own comments at the end of each post.

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Join the conversation

This is Liz's first novel. She would love to hear from you whether you do it by contacting her directly, commenting on some of her posts, sharing some of your own stories or reviewing her book on Goodreads, Amazon, Indigo or wherever you usually review or buy books.

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For occasional updates on new posts, upcoming events and other news about The Way Things Fall, just send us your email:

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If you are involved in a book club, here are some questions to help your group join in the conversation about The Way Things Fall:

About the author

Liz Torlée lived and worked in England and Germany before emigrating to Canada. During her career in advertising and market research, she has had many articles published and has enjoyed public speaking on marketing and social issues. The study of people and what makes them think and act the way they do has been at the heart of Liz’s work throughout her career and this passion is reflected in the three principle characters of her new novel, The Way Things Fall. Her fascination with the idea of predestination what is usually thought of as ‘coincidence’ fuelled the ideas behind it.

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Liz has written many short stories and poems but this story was always struggling to get out and she became serious about the possibility of getting it published three years ago. A few critical and encouraging friends and her tough but inspiring writers' group ‘First Page’ helped her immeasurably in making that dream come true. Finally, the discerning eye of Shane Joseph of Blue Denim Press gave the novel a different slant and the final boost it needed.

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Liz has always been an avid reader. Have a look at some of her favourite books here.

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​She is fascinated with the night-sky and has been a star-gazer for as long as she can remember. She supports a number of animal welfare organizations - a cause that is dear to her heart. Most of all, she loves exploring the world, and her extensive travel in the Middle East and Italy inspired many of the scenes in the book. 

Liz, with Jürgen, in Rome

​Liz lives with her husband Jürgen in Toronto.