When I started reading Gone Tonight, the new thriller by Sarah Pekkanen, I thought that the story was going to be completely different than what it actually turned out to be.
I assumed it was going to be a mother/daughter story detailing a mother’s declining health. Maybe some psychological twists along the way.
What it was instead was a story of resilience, deceit, and a little bit of farfetched mayhem.
All of it made for a good story that kept me guessing.
I particularly liked how the author took the reader along with Catherine through her journey with her mom, Ruth. Then there is a transition before focusing more on Ruth’s point of view.
The switch is gradual, so it is not jarring. In fact, I really didn’t even register it until I began writing this review. It was sly and very effective.
I don’t want to give plot points away. There are enough subtle twists (along with bigger ones) that can easily be identified. And that would ruin the carefully planned surprises.
The way Ruth’s story unfolds was realistic. If someone has a deep, dark secret hidden for many years, it isn’t easy to reveal it. The way the reader learns Ruth’s history leads to the gut-wrenching impact of a formative event.
This reveal is written in a way that totally takes the reader by surprise, both in its intensity and ferocity. It also lays a foundation for why Ruth does not want her secret to be known. Even by her own daughter. Because, reasons.
While there were some moments that required a suspension of disbelief, I thought that it all wrapped up neatly. Well, not exactly. Because the author wisely leaves both Ruth and Catherine’s futures open to interpretation.
And that’s life. Even if one problem is resolved, that doesn’t mean life is smooth sailing. In fact, there may be more questions that arise.
That’s all I’m going to say about that (before I DO start to give things away).
Sarah Pekkanen is one of my favorite authors. Gone Tonight is the kind of thriller that keeps me coming back for more of her work.
