Gone Girl by Jillian Flynn

I wondered how in the world I would start this book review because this book had me gripping my Nook from about page 100 on and I just knew the twists and turns would deem it worthy of a five-star review.  And I did indeed give it five stars on Goodreads.  However, after pondering the ending and discussing with a few friends I am conflicted.  Should you read the book?  YES!  But there are some things that I had hang-ups with.

About the Book:

Marriage can be a real killer.

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?

With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

About the Author:

"Gillian Flynn is the real deal, a sharp, acerbic, and compelling storyteller with a knack for the macabre."
–Stephen King

Gillian Flynn is an American author and television critic for Entertainment Weekly. She has so far written three novels, Sharp Objects, for which she won the 2007 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for the best thriller; Dark Places; and her best-selling third novel Gone Girl.

Her book has received wide praise, including from authors such as Stephen King. The dark plot revolves around a serial killer in a Missouri town, and the reporter who has returned from Chicago to cover the event. Themes include dysfunctional families,violence and self-harm.

In 2007 the novel was shortlisted for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar for Best First Novel by an American Writer, Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie, CWA New Blood and Ian Fleming Steel Daggers, winning in the last two categories.

Flynn, who lives in Chicago, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated at the University of Kansas, and qualified for a Master's degree from Northwestern University.

My Thoughts:

Well, first of all - THE GIRL CAN WRITE!  The story is unbelievable (literally) at times and I wonder what kind of creative genius it takes to come up with a plot and characters like this!

I was literally gripping the sides of my Nook, furiously flipping pages trying to figure out where in the world this story was going - I had no idea.  From about page 160 on there were literally twists and turns and angles that I never could have imagined all the way through the end of the novel.

I loved how the author took two characters and made me as a reader figure them out - and then by the end of the novel there were complete 180 degree turns in my thoughts on them.  She paints Amy in a way that only someone with a touch of creative genius could.  I loved it.

My issues are with the language - I get that she was trying to drive the point home about how these characters would have been speaking and thinking in real life but I just felt it unnecessary.  The story is a winner, without the frequent cursing.

I also had a hard time with the ending - talk about leaving you hanging!  I imagine that is because the author has big plans for a sequel so we can find out what becomes of this crazy couple in the future.  I sure hope so because there is no way you can figure it out from the way this novel ends!

I am a Gillian Flynn fan and I look forward to reading more from her!