Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on May 24, 2012
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 399
Format: E-Book
Source: Own Copy
Buy on Amazon
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Marriage can be a real killer.
One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.
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.Source: gillian-flynn.com

I am going to attempt to review Gone Girl without giving any significant plot-lines away. Which is really hard to do as the plot is tightly woven and spoilers and revelations dominate the story line.

Firstly let me explain why Gone Girl only received four stars. This book was so close to a five-star rating but then the ending appeared. The book should have ended much sooner, instead I was left with an extremely disappointing ending. There were so many places the book could have stopped that would have left me in suspense or even wishing that the writer had written more. Instead I wish Flynn had stopped sooner.

But that is the only bit of moaning that you will get from me!

The book’s narrative is divided between the two main characters – Nick and Amy. Nick’s narrative begins from the day Amy goes missing, while Amy’s narrative (her diary) starts five years ago, on the day the couple met.

The story begins slowly exploring Nick and Amy’s relationship, their marriage woes and their financial troubles. While Nick is constantly questioned by the police and by Amy’s own parents. The second half of the story speeds up the pace as the characters reveal their true personalities and motives into Amy’s disappearance – and there’s a revelation, which was a shock.

The revelations in the book make it impossible to choose who is to blame for Amy’s disappearance. You think you have it figured out. Your finger is about to point at someone. And then your theories get destroyed.

Gone Girl will make you question how well you really know someone. Do you know the real person or is it a mask? What motivates them?

Overall, you will despise the characters. You think that Nick and Amy both deserve each other. But in the end, you will be completely drawn into this book as you are manipulated by the characters and begin to attempt to solve the crime yourself.

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