GONE FOR GOOD is a fast paced thriller with at least 60 plot twists, turns or startling revelations (I catalogued them.) Typical of the genre, it is plot rather than character driven. Even the best characters are a bit shallow, and you will have to accept some improbable ones. Dialogue is written well. Otherwise, the writing is simple - if you got through third grade you won't need a dictionary - although after some stretches of short choppy sentences and dangling phrases you might wish for something more mature. There is unnecessary violence and implausibility both of character and event. Again, that seems typical of the genre.The story is fast paced not just because the author uses cliff hanging chapter endings and plot twists. He dribbles out information. First there is a limousine, then a man in the back seat, then a man sitting next to him, then a driver, then the relationship suggesting they are hoods, and then finally they are. You have to turn pages to get this. Another technique is to insert a short chapter of a seemingly unrelated event, an incomplete scene, and leave it to be developed later, maybe much later. Also, Coben will interleave chapters with two or more related plot elements as he develops the story.This is a four star read in the thriller genre - put "thriller genre" in bold italics and underline it. The reviewers who did not like this novel, in general, dislike violent thrillers without well developed characters. A few who do read thrillers found the plot too much like Coben's first thriller, TELL NO ONE. I agree with that.TELL NO ONE opened with a juxtaposition of love and tragedy that was well done and grabbed me in the gut, as it did many other reviewers. As I read GONE FOR GOOD, I wanted to feel the relationship between Will and Sheila, but it wasn't there. That disappointed. For me, the ending in TELL NO ONE was, to be diplomatic, moronic. As I read the startling ending of GONE FOR GOOD, it seemed too far over the top, but when I got to the one page epilogue, my stomach settled and I smiled
Another brilliant novel by Harlan Coben. As per usual, he weaves along multiple plot lines and somehow connects them all at the end, leaving no unanswered questions. As a big fan of Coben and his other works, there are a couple of things I didn't like that held be back from giving this a 5 star rating.1) There were too many similarities in premise to some of his other books - missing people, for example.2) For some reason, I struggled to connect with the protagonist, Will Klein, for a good chunk of the book, although I did come around toward the end. I think a part of it was that I didn't have much interest in his career (in terms of excitement), and it did play a big part early on.On a positive note, who some of the characters were at their core - mainly John, Ken, and Nora - were big surprises. I did sense the big reveal at the end coming, although I was a bit surprised to find out who was...responsible (trying to chose a word carefully so I don't give anything away) for it. All in all, I would have been satisfied with the book had the very end not happened (having it end at the old camp would have been fine), but I don't think the actual ending ruins anything - just a final twist to change everything, again. Overall, I really enjoy weaving through Coben's labyrinth of plots and needing to sit there for a moment at the end and think about what just happened. The prologue confused me pretty good, but I found a couple of spoilers that cleared it up and had it make a lot more sense. Nonetheless, another terrific book from a great thriller and mystery writer, and it's one in which I would certainly recommend.
What do You think about Gone For Good (2003)?
I really liked this one more than some of Coben's books which I've read earlier. This is also voted as the third favourite Coben book by users of Goodreads. However, I couldn't give it a 5 star rating because:a) Although it is a stand-alone novel, it felt as if the two main characters, Will and Squares, had some kind of similarities with Myron and Win. b) I'm beginning to suspect that all of Harlan Coben's books have the same storyline pattern (with the same amount of violence in the action part). c) There's always some sort of 'gang' involved as the bad guys. Don't get me wrong, I still keep on reading and buying more of his books because they're entertaining. I love the humour and the way Coben makes his books so easy to read. He doesn't seem to try too hard to be funny and I actually like the way he writes--it appears to me that he's comfortable of keeping his own style and he's not trying to copy what is usually being taught to English majors or those who study creative writing. In other words, his writings seem natural and that's actually a good thing.Overall, this book isn't actually bad at all. The beginning was a bit boring to me but it just got better. I love the case and how the layers of truth were slowly revealed towards the end. The storyline and the details of the case were still something very creative to think up of, so I guess I'm not even mad about the three things I mentioned earlier. Now I think it even deserves 4.5 stars.P.S. I think he used the verse "the ugliest of truth is still better than the prettiest of lies" before. I swear it was in one of his books that I've read recently. Not sure which one though. Too lazy to look back.
—Fiona A
I just finished this book and I feel like I've gone on a hell of a roller coaster ride without even leaving home. WOW! This book was absolutely incredible! Every time I thought I had it figured out, Coben came up with another twist to make me question my theories or spin them into nothing but complete chaos. The man is absolutely genius when it comes to thinking up plot twists and turns to keeping the reader second-guessing. If you like a book that will keep you guessing all the way to the very last page, then run - don't walk - to your nearest library or book store and get your hands on this book! If you want something a little more sedate and bland, then you may wish to just leave this book alone because once you start reading, you won't be able to stop -- just like when you strap in to a real roller coaster ride.
—Angie
Please don't take the length of time it's taken me to complete this book as any indication of how good the book is...sometimes life and responsibilities just get in the way of reading, dammit. Anyway...The mark of a really good thriller to me is one is which it gives me little pieces of the puzzle to put together over the length of the book. Too many too soon, and I'll figure it out and be disappointed or bored. This book doles them out just right, with a few storylines going on at once, leaving the reader to try to figure out how all the pieces fit together...and I still couldn't put them all together correctly before the end of the book, which is the most satisfying type of thriller for me. Just when I thought I could see how things were developing, something unexpected would happen, and I would have to reconsider my puzzle pieces. All in all, a really enjoyable book.
—Michelle
