Before the Fall centers around a private jet crash just off of Martha's Vineyard. The jet is carrying a handful of rich, important people, including a distinguished public figure -- David Bateman -- and his family. On board, there is one man who doesn't fit. His name is Scott Borroughs, and he's a struggling artist. When the plan goes down sixteen minutes into the flight, everyone except for Scott and the Bateman's son tragically die.
With a dislocated shoulder, Scott manages to swim with the boy back to the land. He was a swimmer as a youth because he was inspired by watching Jack LaLanne swim pulling a boat from Alcatraz. They are both rescued, after which a media frenzy begins because neither can remember what happened to cause the plane to crash. Scott receives visits from family, reporters, families of the other victims, and even the FBI. As the story circulates, people start demanding answers. How could Scott and the boy be the sole survivors? And why did the plane crash? Some theories include bombing, pilot error, terrorism, and eventually Scott.
A talk show host named Bill Cunningham, known for controversy, takes a particular fascination in Scott's story. He spreads rumors that Scott was having an affair with the boy's mother. And he raises the public into a panic over potential terrorism to follow. Unbeknownst to the public, Cunningham's career is on the line over this story, so he will not stop until he's milked it for all it's got.
As the book progresses, readers learn more details about the crash and the plane's passengers. One of the men on board had just been convicted of laundering enormous amounts of money and destined for jail. Bateman's wife and family always travel with armed guards and takes every precaution since their daughter was kidnapped 3 years earlier. Adding to all the confusion, Scott learns that JJ Bateman, the boy, is going to be handed over to his aunt and ruthless uncle. Finally, the authorities track down the flight recorder and learn that the co-pilot crashed the plane because he his rude sexual advances were rejected by Maggie Bateman.
