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A review by tessa_talks_books
Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen is a unique psychological thriller that might more aptly be classified as a suspenseful women’s fiction story with thriller elements. But you know what? I loved the unique qualities! This mother/daughter story, told in alternate chapters by Ruth, the mother, and Catherine, the daughter, reads in many ways relatable and is thoroughly compelling.
The story has a prolonged beginning that is kept fast in reading pace due to short chapters and loads of suspense. This is one of the unique qualities. I’ve never differentiated between story and reading pace, but you have to with this novel. Even though the story starts slow, it works in teasers about secrets like a leaky faucet - drip, drip, dripping the secrets in a slow, methodical rhythm that held me thoroughly engrossed. I especially loved Ruth’s back story, where most thriller elements come in. And, if you are wondering, the story does pick up drastically around the 40% mark.
I also enjoyed how totally clever this story is. Subterfuge isn’t derived via dumb luck, as I’ve seen in many stories. Instead, it is very cleverly crafted with subtle slights of hand that, on a psychological level, would work. This fascinated me and demonstrated how well-developed Catherine and Ruth are as characters. Some so many layers and nuances are beautifully written and artfully delivered.
Lastly, that ending! It is a genuinely creepy ending to a thriller, and I adored it!
The story has a prolonged beginning that is kept fast in reading pace due to short chapters and loads of suspense. This is one of the unique qualities. I’ve never differentiated between story and reading pace, but you have to with this novel. Even though the story starts slow, it works in teasers about secrets like a leaky faucet - drip, drip, dripping the secrets in a slow, methodical rhythm that held me thoroughly engrossed. I especially loved Ruth’s back story, where most thriller elements come in. And, if you are wondering, the story does pick up drastically around the 40% mark.
I also enjoyed how totally clever this story is. Subterfuge isn’t derived via dumb luck, as I’ve seen in many stories. Instead, it is very cleverly crafted with subtle slights of hand that, on a psychological level, would work. This fascinated me and demonstrated how well-developed Catherine and Ruth are as characters. Some so many layers and nuances are beautifully written and artfully delivered.
Lastly, that ending! It is a genuinely creepy ending to a thriller, and I adored it!