GONE GIRL
By: Gillian Flynn
Publisher: Crown Publishing
Pub. Date: June 5, 2012
Formats: Hardcover, Electronic
Pages: 415
Genre: Adult Thriller
Age Group: 18+
Source: Publisher
Learn more about Gillian Flynn on: Website | goodreads
Goodreads Synopsis: On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy’s diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?
As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?
Review: I’d first like to thank TLC Book Tours for having me be a part of the tour and Crown Publishing for and sending me the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
If you’ve ever read a Gillian Flynn novel, you’d know they feature grisly topics — ripped from the headlines — and are creepier than all get out. GONE GIRL, Flynn’s third thriller, is a chilling who-done-it with fascinating characters who beg you to figure out the mystery. I’m a huge fan of her first novel, Sharp Objects, which is spooky and has an original multi-dimensional character who is a cutter.
GONE GIRL features two protagonists — Nick, serious and down-to-earth and Amy, his wife, effervescent and happy-go-lucky…at least that’s what it appears to be on the surface. But like with any Flynn novel, appearances can be deceiving. Both of them are writers, which as a writer myself, I became instantly glued to their intriguing relationship and story. Nick is a former magazine writer and journalism teacher who now owns a bar (aptly called, The Bar) — he tells the story in present day. Amy is a quiz writer for magazines — she tells the story in old diary entries.
The diary gives the reader a peek into Amy’s thoughts, feelings, dreams, and worries about her life, Nick and their marriage. It also sets up Amy and Nick’s back-story and how they met. Amy instantly connects with Nick, and so does the reader.
In present day, Nick works at The Bar with his sister, Margo “Go”, and has an ordinary day — although, it’s Nick and Amy’s anniversary — until he discovers his wife is missing. Nick also recalls their relationship via quick glimpses and flashbacks. Questions about Amy’s sudden disappearance begin to unravel. Where did Amy go? Was she really happy? She had to move to Missouri with her husband when his parents became ill. She had to leave her New York life behind. Nick states…something is amiss. And we soon feel that too — with the whole story.
I enjoyed the writer in both of them. Nick and Amy’s writing innuendos are in all the right places in the story, especially their sarcastic wit. The police question Nick and begin investigating the crime. The story builds in intensity. With each turn of the page, the drama and mystery is heightened. Nick is the worried husband trying to think things through logically. Amy is super funny, but is very different from Nick. Even though, they seem to get along, there’s more to their idyllic marriage. Nick and Amy both begin revealing problems in their lives. Nick fears Amy is becoming angry with her life. He’s also got a lot on his plate.
Nick’s anguish for his missing wife is palpable throughout the novel. He certainly makes a lot of mistakes. His cop television show analysis is spot on and, often times, gives comedic timing to the book. For instance, “It’s always the husband. Just watch Dateline.” Or when he’s being questioned by the cops at the station for the first time: “Let’s play the missing wife game!” Not that Nick doesn’t care about his wife nor how he’s not worried about her strange disappearance – it’s just the way he deals with the issues. Amy, on the other hand, tries to make sense of the world by putting everything into quiz format.
But as I was reading, I began questioning everyone, including Nick and Amy. Who’s telling the truth? Who knows more than they are saying? What happened to Amy? And what’s inside a silver gray box found in the Dunne’s closet that appears to be an anniversary gift? Do we really wat to know? All I kept thinking was Seven, anyone? The story digs deep into Amy and Nick’s past. Who are they really? You can never tell who to believe in Flynn’s dynamic novels. This feature makes her one of the best and imaginative thriller writers today.
I’m giving GONE GIRL 5 “Relaxing with a Good Book” retro pictures for being suspensational!
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This sounds really good but Carthage, MO isn’t on the Mississippi it’s across the state near Joplin. As a local from that area I have to say it just killed this book for me.
They live in a fictional town of North Carthage near Hannibal…which is on the Mississippi River. I’d suggest reading the book before saying you’d kill it. The book is really good!
Hmm, I’ve never read anything by Gillian Flynn (probably because I really don’t follow adult books being published). I might be a bit squeamish with this one – then again, I read the first two books of the Millennium trilogy, both featuring some pretty horrific abuse towards women, and I made it through them okay, so maybe I could handle this one too.
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I’ve never read a Gillian Flynn novel so I’m especially happy to read your review. I’m quite intrigued and drawn in by this read. I’m curious about what makes it grisly and I’m wondering about the complicated relationship. Great review!
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“suspensational” is a GREAT word – love it!
Thanks for being on the tour.
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