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Andras döttrar
När Julie är tretton år blir hon bortförd och kidnappad från sitt hem. Familjen blir djupt skakad men lyckas ändå behålla hoppet om att Julie en dag ska komma tillbaka.
Plötsligt en kväll många år senare ringer det på dörren och en ung kvinna som presenterar sig som Julie stiger på. Den försvunna flickan är mirakulöst nog tillbaka igen och familjens lycka vet inga gränser, men snart börjar Julies mamma Anna mot sin vilja att tvivla på om flickan verkligen är deras försvunna dotter. Hon försöker att förtränga sina känslor men det går inte och när hon blir kontaktad av en privatdetektiv som intresserat sig för ärendet börjar ett smärtsamt sökande efter sanningen om den flicka hon hoppas är hennes försvunna dotter.
Med högt tempo, uppdriven spänning, karaktärer som stannar kvar och ovisshet in i det sista är Andras döttrar en bok för alla som läst och älskat titlar som Kvinnan på tåget och Gone Girl. Författaren Amy Gentry har inspirerats av fallet med den kidnappade flickan Elizabeth Smart i Utah 2002.
Plötsligt en kväll många år senare ringer det på dörren och en ung kvinna som presenterar sig som Julie stiger på. Den försvunna flickan är mirakulöst nog tillbaka igen och familjens lycka vet inga gränser, men snart börjar Julies mamma Anna mot sin vilja att tvivla på om flickan verkligen är deras försvunna dotter. Hon försöker att förtränga sina känslor men det går inte och när hon blir kontaktad av en privatdetektiv som intresserat sig för ärendet börjar ett smärtsamt sökande efter sanningen om den flicka hon hoppas är hennes försvunna dotter.
Med högt tempo, uppdriven spänning, karaktärer som stannar kvar och ovisshet in i det sista är Andras döttrar en bok för alla som läst och älskat titlar som Kvinnan på tåget och Gone Girl. Författaren Amy Gentry har inspirerats av fallet med den kidnappade flickan Elizabeth Smart i Utah 2002.
263 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2016
About the author
Amy Gentry
10 books542 followersAmy Gentry is the author of the novels Good as Gone, Last Woman Standing, and Bad Habits, as well as the 33 1/3 book about Tori Amos's Boys for Pele. Also a critic, she has reviewed for the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Review of Books, Paris Review, LitHub, and Electric Literature, as well as writing introductions for two books in the NYRB Classics line. She holds a PhD in English from the University of Chicago and lives in Austin, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,413 reviews
February 15, 2017
Absolutely hated this book (really ZERO stars).
What a jumbled mess.
Alternating chapters between a first person narrative
by a mother, and then a third person narrative told
chronologically backward and then overly
complicated by a hodge podge of different names
for the same character. Some reviews indicate there
is a twist at the end but I did not really view it as such;
they explain what happened but it felt fairly
trite/mundane in my opinion.
Very poorly written in my view; I don't understand
why this is getting any good reviews.
What a jumbled mess.
Alternating chapters between a first person narrative
by a mother, and then a third person narrative told
chronologically backward and then overly
complicated by a hodge podge of different names
for the same character. Some reviews indicate there
is a twist at the end but I did not really view it as such;
they explain what happened but it felt fairly
trite/mundane in my opinion.
Very poorly written in my view; I don't understand
why this is getting any good reviews.
August 22, 2016
i reviewed this for the L.A. review of books. i will post a link when it runs.
it runs NOW
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/h...
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i love how generic the cover for this arc is, settling for the most basic description of content on the front and "untitled" inside, before the title was revealed,
but i don't love the nagging suspicion i have that the final title is meant to make you whisper-in-the-blank: "good as gone (girl)…. good as gone (girl)…" this might just be the readers' advisor in me bristling over the invocation of Gone Girl as a readalike for every single psychological suspense book published in the past four years, and may not be intentional at all, but i'm getting cynical in my old age, and i can't help but narrow my eyes suspiciously at the world around me.
it's a good read, and a full review is coming - i just needed to get that out of my brain and into the world for others to narrow their eyes at.
it runs NOW
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/h...
*******************************************
i love how generic the cover for this arc is, settling for the most basic description of content on the front and "untitled" inside, before the title was revealed,
but i don't love the nagging suspicion i have that the final title is meant to make you whisper-in-the-blank: "good as gone (girl)…. good as gone (girl)…" this might just be the readers' advisor in me bristling over the invocation of Gone Girl as a readalike for every single psychological suspense book published in the past four years, and may not be intentional at all, but i'm getting cynical in my old age, and i can't help but narrow my eyes suspiciously at the world around me.
it's a good read, and a full review is coming - i just needed to get that out of my brain and into the world for others to narrow their eyes at.
September 24, 2016
I'm going to start this by saying that this is one of the best books I've read in a while. Yes, I'm a suspense junkie, but I thought this one was especially well done. If ever I find myself trying to piece things together as I go and feel like I just can't quite figure it out, I know it's something that I enjoy.
Good as Gone is the story of Julie, a girl who was kidnapped from her home as a child, and her family. As the events of Julie's disappearance unfold around them, their bonds as a family are questions, as well as their own personal identities and motives. What does it mean to be a family? What does it mean to even be yourself when being you isn't easy?
If you like suspense novels, this one is fast paced and easy to get through. I finished it in a couple nights and found it truly hard to put down. I liked the shifting of perspectives as I felt it allowed me to get a better glimpse into what everyone was feeling. Even if given a single perspective option, I think I'd still prefer to do it as the author did. It never felt forced or awkward or confusing, only highly enjoyable.
What did I think?: I really did love this book. It'll go to the top of my list in regards to books I recommend, and it'll be hard to top when choosing my next book. I thought the characters were fantastically multi-faceted, and if staying up until 2am reading is any proof of a good book then this one passes that test.
Who should read it?: If you enjoy suspense novels or stories of kidnappings, then I recommend this one for you. It's not action packed necessarily, more a reverse telling of a truly life changing event.
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Good as Gone is the story of Julie, a girl who was kidnapped from her home as a child, and her family. As the events of Julie's disappearance unfold around them, their bonds as a family are questions, as well as their own personal identities and motives. What does it mean to be a family? What does it mean to even be yourself when being you isn't easy?
If you like suspense novels, this one is fast paced and easy to get through. I finished it in a couple nights and found it truly hard to put down. I liked the shifting of perspectives as I felt it allowed me to get a better glimpse into what everyone was feeling. Even if given a single perspective option, I think I'd still prefer to do it as the author did. It never felt forced or awkward or confusing, only highly enjoyable.
What did I think?: I really did love this book. It'll go to the top of my list in regards to books I recommend, and it'll be hard to top when choosing my next book. I thought the characters were fantastically multi-faceted, and if staying up until 2am reading is any proof of a good book then this one passes that test.
Who should read it?: If you enjoy suspense novels or stories of kidnappings, then I recommend this one for you. It's not action packed necessarily, more a reverse telling of a truly life changing event.
*I was provided with a copy of this book in order to conduct this honest review.*
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
September 11, 2016
3.5 At the age of thirteen, Julie is believed to be kidnapped at knife point by an unknown stranger. The only witness her younger sister, Jane, hidden in a closet. Eight years later she returns with a story about being imprisoned by the leader of a drug cartel? But.... is any of this true? Anna, her mother begins to have doubts, is this really her daughter? Her husband has no doubts and welcomes back his lost daughter unreservedly.
I really liked how this book was set up, kept me guessing, going one way and then another. Suspenseful, realistic I thought with the involvement of social media. Things we see weekly on the news. The stress on the family, the somewhat neglected younger daughter and her bitterness, all rang true. Still, I could not understand why the police were not more involved, didn't try to get to the bottom of Julie's story, that struck me as unrealistic. Though it was suspenseful, I did want to know what was going on and the author did good job maneuvering the reader through the various threads. Will more than likely read this authors next book.
ARC from publisher.
I really liked how this book was set up, kept me guessing, going one way and then another. Suspenseful, realistic I thought with the involvement of social media. Things we see weekly on the news. The stress on the family, the somewhat neglected younger daughter and her bitterness, all rang true. Still, I could not understand why the police were not more involved, didn't try to get to the bottom of Julie's story, that struck me as unrealistic. Though it was suspenseful, I did want to know what was going on and the author did good job maneuvering the reader through the various threads. Will more than likely read this authors next book.
ARC from publisher.
February 7, 2017
Good as Gone by Amy Gentry is a 2016 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publication.
This novel is deeply consuming and thought provoking.
At the age of thirteen, Julie is kidnapped, while her sister, Jane watches from her hiding place. Her parents, Tom and Anna, struggle for years, caught in the limbo between hope and the reality of Julie’s probable death, which Jane pulls out of the stops just trying to live up to her sister’s mythological perfect, just trying to be noticed.
But, when Julie suddenly reappears, the apparent victim of sexual abuse a trafficking, the family is once more thrown into an unusual tailspin as hope once more contrast with disturbing information about Julie’s sudden return and the truth of how and why she was kidnapped.
For Anna, the only way to reestablish a relationship with Julie and hopefully heal the rift with Jane someday, will be to uncover the grim truth, not matter what that might be.
Once again, we have the ‘Gone Girl/Girl on a Train’ comparison from the publisher, and once again, I’m going to tell you to blow that off.
This is a solid and compelling psychological thriller, very moody and atmospheric, and emotional. I was impressed by some of the unique tactics the author used to weave the complex tale of Julie’s past together, but the switches in time and directions occasionally jarred. I also guessed some of the plot twists before they were revealed, but could not have worked out all the details and so it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book.
This is an effective and compelling read, and is a notable debut. I will definitely read more books by this author.
3.5 stars
This novel is deeply consuming and thought provoking.
At the age of thirteen, Julie is kidnapped, while her sister, Jane watches from her hiding place. Her parents, Tom and Anna, struggle for years, caught in the limbo between hope and the reality of Julie’s probable death, which Jane pulls out of the stops just trying to live up to her sister’s mythological perfect, just trying to be noticed.
But, when Julie suddenly reappears, the apparent victim of sexual abuse a trafficking, the family is once more thrown into an unusual tailspin as hope once more contrast with disturbing information about Julie’s sudden return and the truth of how and why she was kidnapped.
For Anna, the only way to reestablish a relationship with Julie and hopefully heal the rift with Jane someday, will be to uncover the grim truth, not matter what that might be.
Once again, we have the ‘Gone Girl/Girl on a Train’ comparison from the publisher, and once again, I’m going to tell you to blow that off.
This is a solid and compelling psychological thriller, very moody and atmospheric, and emotional. I was impressed by some of the unique tactics the author used to weave the complex tale of Julie’s past together, but the switches in time and directions occasionally jarred. I also guessed some of the plot twists before they were revealed, but could not have worked out all the details and so it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book.
This is an effective and compelling read, and is a notable debut. I will definitely read more books by this author.
3.5 stars
May 20, 2016
"The first twenty-four hours after Julie's reappearance are oddly similar to the
first twenty-four hours after her disappearance, a mirror symmetry that lends extra
significance to every detail".
Julie was taken from her home when she was 13 years old. Her younger sister June, was in a closet and was the only witness. June didn't move from that closet for about three hours. Eight years later Julie comes back-- 21 years old--she literally shows up on the doorstep.
It's assumed Julie had been sold to a human trafficking ring, then to some drug lord.
Other than a little dehydrated, and not having eaten much in days....
"She seems fine, all things considered", one of the detectives told Julie's parents. She's in shock and needs to see a therapist. So... therapy is part of the immediate plans.
To get through the first week, Julie's mother takes her shopping.... She doesn't know what else to do with the 21-year-old woman who shows up to replace her missing 13-year-old daughter. As you might image - adjusting to the happiness of having their daughter home is actually traumatic. Normal routines just don't feel normal. Jane is in college...but is home. She is taller than her older sister. There is suppressed communications -from each of the family members. And...something is very fishy!!!
Something is 'off'. Is Julie even their daughter? The mystery- storytelling will keep you turning pages. I was tucked under my covers during the dark quiet hours, 'having' to know what the hell was going on. I had an idea things were not as they seemed - however - I did not - at all - guess the theme from where this story grew. It was damn interesting. I'm still thinking about it.
The author did something at the beginning of the book, though, which I can't decide if I see it as a strength or a flaw. I know I thought about it ( certainly it was a choice).
She didn't go much into vivid details of how deeply the family members were emotionally affected from the inconceivable and debilitating shock during their 8 years Julie was gone.
Rather... the story moved rather quickly into the 'return' of Julie.
And then it's a mystery-ride....who? what? when? and why?
It's GOOD! Quick read ... keeps you thinking!
Thank You Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Netgalley, and Amy Gentry
first twenty-four hours after her disappearance, a mirror symmetry that lends extra
significance to every detail".
Julie was taken from her home when she was 13 years old. Her younger sister June, was in a closet and was the only witness. June didn't move from that closet for about three hours. Eight years later Julie comes back-- 21 years old--she literally shows up on the doorstep.
It's assumed Julie had been sold to a human trafficking ring, then to some drug lord.
Other than a little dehydrated, and not having eaten much in days....
"She seems fine, all things considered", one of the detectives told Julie's parents. She's in shock and needs to see a therapist. So... therapy is part of the immediate plans.
To get through the first week, Julie's mother takes her shopping.... She doesn't know what else to do with the 21-year-old woman who shows up to replace her missing 13-year-old daughter. As you might image - adjusting to the happiness of having their daughter home is actually traumatic. Normal routines just don't feel normal. Jane is in college...but is home. She is taller than her older sister. There is suppressed communications -from each of the family members. And...something is very fishy!!!
Something is 'off'. Is Julie even their daughter? The mystery- storytelling will keep you turning pages. I was tucked under my covers during the dark quiet hours, 'having' to know what the hell was going on. I had an idea things were not as they seemed - however - I did not - at all - guess the theme from where this story grew. It was damn interesting. I'm still thinking about it.
The author did something at the beginning of the book, though, which I can't decide if I see it as a strength or a flaw. I know I thought about it ( certainly it was a choice).
She didn't go much into vivid details of how deeply the family members were emotionally affected from the inconceivable and debilitating shock during their 8 years Julie was gone.
Rather... the story moved rather quickly into the 'return' of Julie.
And then it's a mystery-ride....who? what? when? and why?
It's GOOD! Quick read ... keeps you thinking!
Thank You Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Netgalley, and Amy Gentry
September 8, 2016
What did I just read? This novel is all over the place, characters come and go without further explanation, the 'plot twist' is not a plot twist worth reading and the writer didn't make me care about any of the characters. I don't recommend this book at all.
September 14, 2016
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
This is a prime example of why quality Goodreads friends are so important. The blurb states . . . .
“Good as Gone will appeal to fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train”
Which pretty much causes this sort of reaction by me . . . .
Lucky for me I saw Bonnie’s review instead of that crap.
So what’s this one all about???
“The statistics say that most abducted children are taken by people they know; Julie was taken by a stranger. The statistics say that most child abductors attempt to lure their victims into a vehicle; Julie was taken from her own bedroom at knifepoint in the middle of the night while my other daughter, Jane, watched from a closet. And finally, the statistics say that three-quarters of abducted children who are murdered are dead within the first three hours of being taken. Three hours is just about how long we think Jane sat in her closet, rigid with fear, before rousing Tom and me with panicked crying. By the time we knew Julie was gone, her fate was sealed.”
There’s the basics. If you think this sounds like a regurge of the details of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapping you’re correct. Up to the point where . . . .
“And just like that, the worst unhappens. Julie is home.”
Eight years later with tales of being sold to a human-trafficking ring and later to a drug lord.
And that’s all you get because spoilers aren’t cool. All I can say is I’m pretty hard to please when it comes to mystery/thrillers and find the majority of them to be quite meh. That wasn’t the case with this one. I read it in one sitting and couldn’t stop turning pages. 3.5 Stars, rounded up.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
This is a prime example of why quality Goodreads friends are so important. The blurb states . . . .
“Good as Gone will appeal to fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train”
Which pretty much causes this sort of reaction by me . . . .
Lucky for me I saw Bonnie’s review instead of that crap.
So what’s this one all about???
“The statistics say that most abducted children are taken by people they know; Julie was taken by a stranger. The statistics say that most child abductors attempt to lure their victims into a vehicle; Julie was taken from her own bedroom at knifepoint in the middle of the night while my other daughter, Jane, watched from a closet. And finally, the statistics say that three-quarters of abducted children who are murdered are dead within the first three hours of being taken. Three hours is just about how long we think Jane sat in her closet, rigid with fear, before rousing Tom and me with panicked crying. By the time we knew Julie was gone, her fate was sealed.”
There’s the basics. If you think this sounds like a regurge of the details of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapping you’re correct. Up to the point where . . . .
“And just like that, the worst unhappens. Julie is home.”
Eight years later with tales of being sold to a human-trafficking ring and later to a drug lord.
And that’s all you get because spoilers aren’t cool. All I can say is I’m pretty hard to please when it comes to mystery/thrillers and find the majority of them to be quite meh. That wasn’t the case with this one. I read it in one sitting and couldn’t stop turning pages. 3.5 Stars, rounded up.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
November 21, 2016
Things are not always as they seem.
Tom and Anna's daughter Julie is kidnapped from their home at knifepoint 8 years ago when she was 13 years old. They think she's gone forever, until one day she shows up on their doorstep. Is it really her? Could she just come back on her own after all these years? The author weaves a tale of Anna trying to chase down the truth of what happened to her daughter, where she's been and who is responsible. The story is told from different points of view as the disappearance is peeled back in layers.
Just when you think you know where the author is taking you … you are taken in a completely different direction, one I did not expect. This book absolutely keeps you guessing till the end.
Highly recommend!
Tom and Anna's daughter Julie is kidnapped from their home at knifepoint 8 years ago when she was 13 years old. They think she's gone forever, until one day she shows up on their doorstep. Is it really her? Could she just come back on her own after all these years? The author weaves a tale of Anna trying to chase down the truth of what happened to her daughter, where she's been and who is responsible. The story is told from different points of view as the disappearance is peeled back in layers.
Just when you think you know where the author is taking you … you are taken in a completely different direction, one I did not expect. This book absolutely keeps you guessing till the end.
Highly recommend!
March 7, 2017
3.5 stars
Review to come.
Review to come.
August 7, 2016
GOOD AS GONE by author Amy Gentry is a female psychological thriller set in Texas. It is the story of a kidnapping of a thirteen year-old girl, Julie from her bedroom in the middle of the night, while her younger sister, Jane witnessed the episode from her closet. This book is an emotional journey into a mother-daughter relationship faced by tragedy. It is a short read at 288 pages.
“Julie and the strange man moved together in slow motion, as if his long arm and hairy hand were a chain binding them together. The man held the tip of a long, sharp knife to her back.”
The story is told through multiple POV’s: the mother, Anna, and daughters Jane and Julie.
“And that is the story of how I lost my daughter-both my daughters, everything, everything-in a single night.”
Her family was devastated but hoping that Julie is still alive. And then one night, the doorbell rings, when they are sitting down for dinner. Julie is at the door…she is home eight years later! But Anna, has her doubts…and has to face them. It appears that Julie was sold to a human-trafficking ring, then to a drug lord.
Then Anna is contacted by a private investigator, Alex Mercado who feels there are inconsistencies in Julie’s story, she gave to the police. Now Anna must search for the truth about the woman who says she is her daughter.
The reasons I didn't give this novel 5 stars is because I felt the ending was a little rushed and also I would have like the character of Jane to be more fleshed out.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
Many thanks to Amy Gentry, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Julie and the strange man moved together in slow motion, as if his long arm and hairy hand were a chain binding them together. The man held the tip of a long, sharp knife to her back.”
The story is told through multiple POV’s: the mother, Anna, and daughters Jane and Julie.
“And that is the story of how I lost my daughter-both my daughters, everything, everything-in a single night.”
Her family was devastated but hoping that Julie is still alive. And then one night, the doorbell rings, when they are sitting down for dinner. Julie is at the door…she is home eight years later! But Anna, has her doubts…and has to face them. It appears that Julie was sold to a human-trafficking ring, then to a drug lord.
Then Anna is contacted by a private investigator, Alex Mercado who feels there are inconsistencies in Julie’s story, she gave to the police. Now Anna must search for the truth about the woman who says she is her daughter.
The reasons I didn't give this novel 5 stars is because I felt the ending was a little rushed and also I would have like the character of Jane to be more fleshed out.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
Many thanks to Amy Gentry, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2016
Wonderful writer, but disjointed story. Would have loved to recommend this book as the writer knows her craft, but just finished it and I felt unmoved. What could have been a taut thriller filled with emotion proved to be a jumpy, choppy, weirdly paced novel. The writer keeps jumping between the view of the kidnapped girl and the mother and it's hard to keep track. I've read other novels with different points of view but I followed them easier. There is a lot of emotional material here, maybe too much. You don't really connect with the victim, the mother, the father, the detective, the sister ... well, you get the idea. BUT - I finished the whole book, so the deft writing style kept me going. Please try again Amy Gentry. I promise to read your next book too.
June 28, 2018
I had a hard time deciding what to rate this. After giving it 4 stars last night and thinking about how I wanted to review it I have settled on it being more accurately rated for me as a 3 star book.
The first third of the book was a knock out that immediately had me rapt from the prologue. It was extremely compelling, highly emotional and even as someone who does not have kids I really felt for Anna, Tom and Jane. The book packs a wallop of a punch right out of the gate but I felt once things got moving we stalled a bit in the middle.
This is told from many POVs and it was a bit jarring at times to switch between known characters to unknown, seemingly unrelated people and our MCs. Within the chapters with characters we were unfamiliar with, we are introduced to even more characters that really end up not playing a role in the plot and it created a bit of a jumbled timeline that was difficult to follow.
All in all this was a captivating read that was difficult to put down. Gentry is an excellent writer and I will definitely be picking up more of her books. I was left a bit disappointed by the ending of this story in comparison to the way it began but it was certainly "a novel of suspense".
The first third of the book was a knock out that immediately had me rapt from the prologue. It was extremely compelling, highly emotional and even as someone who does not have kids I really felt for Anna, Tom and Jane. The book packs a wallop of a punch right out of the gate but I felt once things got moving we stalled a bit in the middle.
This is told from many POVs and it was a bit jarring at times to switch between known characters to unknown, seemingly unrelated people and our MCs. Within the chapters with characters we were unfamiliar with, we are introduced to even more characters that really end up not playing a role in the plot and it created a bit of a jumbled timeline that was difficult to follow.
All in all this was a captivating read that was difficult to put down. Gentry is an excellent writer and I will definitely be picking up more of her books. I was left a bit disappointed by the ending of this story in comparison to the way it began but it was certainly "a novel of suspense".
April 9, 2017
Honestly, this book was a disappointment. The book begins with the mother's point of view and this was the only POV I enjoyed, or cared, to read. After that, every other chapter is through the POV of the different identities of this "Julie" and that is where the book gets more complicated than it is truly worth. Any time a chapter was in Julie's POV I found myself confused trying to keep up with, not just her many identities, but the time line. When in the mother's POV, the chapters were organized and easy to understand. In the end, with everything out in the open, I am left unsatisfied and frustrated. All of the chapters in the POV of the various identities of "Julie" were completely unnecessary and a waste of time. The author tried too hard to mislead the readers and ended up writing a story that fell flat.
August 14, 2016
I thought this book was going to be basically another version of The Imposter (on Netflix - watch it if you haven't seen it!). Spoiler alert: it wasn't. So that was good. But there were so many other things that just really bugged me. DNA testing could have resolved the story in about 5 pages. But no. Didn't do that. People answering phone calls from numbers they should have known and saying the wrong things. Aaarghh! Really?? Lousy explanation for why the kidnapped girl didn't come right home after she was freed. If I had read a draft of the novel I would have said "no way". But clearly somebody else said, "sure". Quick summer read.
April 19, 2017
Ohne jede Emotion, unfassbar unglaubwürdig, gezwungen verwirrend konstruiert und schlecht geschrieben. 'Good as Gone' ist definitiv schon jetzt ein heißer Kandidat für den Titel 'schlechtestes Buch 2017'.
May 22, 2017
“I thought about how there are two types of secrets: the kind you want to keep in, and the kind you don't dare to let out.”
----Ally Carter
Amy Gentry, an American author, pens her debut psychological thriller called, Good as Gone which is nothing close to Flynn's Gone Girl instead it has a killer plot that revolves around a daughter and a mother, whose elder daughter gets abducted from her home at the age of 13 without a trace and with an eye witness of her younger sister, but eight years later, on the homecoming day of the younger sister from her summer break in her college, someone rings the doorbell of that home, where the elder girl was abducted from.
Synopsis:
Eight years ago, thirteen-year-old Julie Whitaker was kidnapped from her bedroom in the middle of the night.
In the years since, her family have papered over the cracks of their grief – while hoping against hope that Julie will still arrive.
And then, one night, the doorbell rings.
Gripping, shocking, and deviously clever, Good as Gone is perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train and The Ice Twins – and will keep readers guessing until the final page.
13 year old Julie Whitaker was kidnapped from her home under her parent's noses without a trace yet leaving behind an eye witness of her younger sister, who watched Julie getting abducted by a man on knife point from a closet. Now 8 years has passed, and police has found no trace of Julie yet her parents, especially her mother, Anna, never lost hope that someday Julie might come back. And that her hope comes true on the day of arrival of her younger daughter from her college for the summer break, when the doorbell rings and opening the door, they are welcomes by the sight of a shabby and pale looking girl with Julie's attributes. The whole family is equally perplexed and excited upon Julie's arrival, even though the eight long years gap has perturbed the bond of relationship between Ann and her younger daughter and also her marriage with her husband has become heavy upon her. Little did Anna knew that the worst is going to unhappen and that, with the arrival of Julie, her whole world might change for the worse.
The mystery concocted by the author is really brilliant as the plot only gets thicker with tension and suspense gradually through the course of the story line and the major twist or rather say the unraveling of that major twist is strikingly done, and the readers will be left anticipating till the very last page. There are so many small plot twists, that makes the story even more intriguing and engaging enough to keep the readers glued into the pages of this book. Not only that, the author has crafted this mystery with enough emotions so that the readers will be able to connect with the thriller's flow and the characters' actions.
The suburban backdrop of Houston neighborhood plays slightly an important role in the story line that the author has depicted vividly and intricately that will let her readers visualize the scenes from the books unfolding right before their own eyes, not only that, the whole neighborhood will make the readers feel like they are standing right in middle of a quaint and sleepy neighborhood with pools, swing sets, malls, coffee parlors and huge billboards.
The author's writing style is appealing to the very core, as it will only tempt the readers from the very first page to drown into its depth. The dialogues are laced well and strongly with emotions and cutting edge suspense and in short, they are very sharp and that will allow the readers to contemplate with the character's voice and thoughts. Told from the perspective of the main character, Anna and with occasional flash backs and narratives of either the same or some distinct abducted characters, the plot is thorough and has depth. The pacing is really fast, as I finished reading the book in just a couple of hours, thanks to the story's rush and the gripping tension, it kept me on my edges pretty much the entire length of the novel.
The characters are well developed and has enough realism in their demeanor. The main character, Anna, is a sympathetic character, whose life turns upside down, when her daughter is kidnapped and so her relationship with her younger daughter and with her husband goes haywire after the kidnapping, the readers are forced to feel sorry for her. But once the arrival of the daughter, Anna becomes headstrong and begins to see the grays amongst the myriad colors of emotions upon her daughter's arrival.
In a nutshell, this is an immensely interesting and mind-blowing emotional psycho thriller that depicts the bond of a mother-daughter relationship under complex light with a slight touch of slavery and forced prostitution.
Verdict: A riveting psychological thriller about a mother and her once-upon-a-time kidnapped daughter.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Harper Collins India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Ally Carter
Amy Gentry, an American author, pens her debut psychological thriller called, Good as Gone which is nothing close to Flynn's Gone Girl instead it has a killer plot that revolves around a daughter and a mother, whose elder daughter gets abducted from her home at the age of 13 without a trace and with an eye witness of her younger sister, but eight years later, on the homecoming day of the younger sister from her summer break in her college, someone rings the doorbell of that home, where the elder girl was abducted from.
Synopsis:
Eight years ago, thirteen-year-old Julie Whitaker was kidnapped from her bedroom in the middle of the night.
In the years since, her family have papered over the cracks of their grief – while hoping against hope that Julie will still arrive.
And then, one night, the doorbell rings.
Gripping, shocking, and deviously clever, Good as Gone is perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train and The Ice Twins – and will keep readers guessing until the final page.
13 year old Julie Whitaker was kidnapped from her home under her parent's noses without a trace yet leaving behind an eye witness of her younger sister, who watched Julie getting abducted by a man on knife point from a closet. Now 8 years has passed, and police has found no trace of Julie yet her parents, especially her mother, Anna, never lost hope that someday Julie might come back. And that her hope comes true on the day of arrival of her younger daughter from her college for the summer break, when the doorbell rings and opening the door, they are welcomes by the sight of a shabby and pale looking girl with Julie's attributes. The whole family is equally perplexed and excited upon Julie's arrival, even though the eight long years gap has perturbed the bond of relationship between Ann and her younger daughter and also her marriage with her husband has become heavy upon her. Little did Anna knew that the worst is going to unhappen and that, with the arrival of Julie, her whole world might change for the worse.
The mystery concocted by the author is really brilliant as the plot only gets thicker with tension and suspense gradually through the course of the story line and the major twist or rather say the unraveling of that major twist is strikingly done, and the readers will be left anticipating till the very last page. There are so many small plot twists, that makes the story even more intriguing and engaging enough to keep the readers glued into the pages of this book. Not only that, the author has crafted this mystery with enough emotions so that the readers will be able to connect with the thriller's flow and the characters' actions.
The suburban backdrop of Houston neighborhood plays slightly an important role in the story line that the author has depicted vividly and intricately that will let her readers visualize the scenes from the books unfolding right before their own eyes, not only that, the whole neighborhood will make the readers feel like they are standing right in middle of a quaint and sleepy neighborhood with pools, swing sets, malls, coffee parlors and huge billboards.
The author's writing style is appealing to the very core, as it will only tempt the readers from the very first page to drown into its depth. The dialogues are laced well and strongly with emotions and cutting edge suspense and in short, they are very sharp and that will allow the readers to contemplate with the character's voice and thoughts. Told from the perspective of the main character, Anna and with occasional flash backs and narratives of either the same or some distinct abducted characters, the plot is thorough and has depth. The pacing is really fast, as I finished reading the book in just a couple of hours, thanks to the story's rush and the gripping tension, it kept me on my edges pretty much the entire length of the novel.
The characters are well developed and has enough realism in their demeanor. The main character, Anna, is a sympathetic character, whose life turns upside down, when her daughter is kidnapped and so her relationship with her younger daughter and with her husband goes haywire after the kidnapping, the readers are forced to feel sorry for her. But once the arrival of the daughter, Anna becomes headstrong and begins to see the grays amongst the myriad colors of emotions upon her daughter's arrival.
In a nutshell, this is an immensely interesting and mind-blowing emotional psycho thriller that depicts the bond of a mother-daughter relationship under complex light with a slight touch of slavery and forced prostitution.
Verdict: A riveting psychological thriller about a mother and her once-upon-a-time kidnapped daughter.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Harper Collins India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
December 6, 2022
Good as Gone starts off with a bang and had me hooked for quite awhile....and then it got confusing with so many characters and trying to determine who was who, especially since there were impersonators.
The storyline is terrific....a girl goes missing and then returns home eight years later....but is it really her?
For me, it was still somewhat confusing as all the loose ends came together at the end.
The storyline is terrific....a girl goes missing and then returns home eight years later....but is it really her?
For me, it was still somewhat confusing as all the loose ends came together at the end.
July 1, 2017
Jane watches as a kidnapper takes her sister Julie out of the house at knifepoint when she was just a small child. She hesitates before waking up her parents and Julie remains missing. Suddenly, what feels like a lifetime later, the doorbell rings and "Julie" miraculously shows up. The rest of the book moves at a fast pace between past & present and ultimately Anna (the mother) on the hunt to discover if this is really their missing Julie.
The "Anna" chapters left me on the edge of my seat, always ending on a mini-cliffhanger. The other chapters, different versions of who the girl that shows up actually is, showing coming to a revelation between the two storylines. It was difficult to follow along with these sections, the names, dates all blurred together and it was hard to remember who was who and in what order they happened. The ending was a bit over the top and unrealistic, but certainly a worthwhile thriller to get to the end.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt & Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The "Anna" chapters left me on the edge of my seat, always ending on a mini-cliffhanger. The other chapters, different versions of who the girl that shows up actually is, showing coming to a revelation between the two storylines. It was difficult to follow along with these sections, the names, dates all blurred together and it was hard to remember who was who and in what order they happened. The ending was a bit over the top and unrealistic, but certainly a worthwhile thriller to get to the end.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt & Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2018
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3.5 stars
Over the holiday period I indulged in a couple of non review book reads. One of these was a thriller novel, Good as Gone, by Amy Gentry. The book’s premise, the story of a missing girl, who returns home nearly a decade later, caught my attention. Kidnapping stories never fail to capture my interest and Good as Gone was no exception. Although this isn’t a fast paced novel, expect a well plotted suspense novel instead. Gentry’s narrative unfurls the story of a teen on the run, which is fascinating to unpack. It is a novel filled with side stories of Mexican drug rings, sexual exploitation, foster homes and organised religion. While reading this novel, I found my suspicions were constantly on high alert, as a mother and daughter try to re-establish their relationship after years of turmoil and emotional anguish. Good as Gone was a puzzling and intelligent read, which intrigued me from start to finish. If you are a fan of domestic thrillers, I encourage you to put this one on your reading list.
3.5 stars
Over the holiday period I indulged in a couple of non review book reads. One of these was a thriller novel, Good as Gone, by Amy Gentry. The book’s premise, the story of a missing girl, who returns home nearly a decade later, caught my attention. Kidnapping stories never fail to capture my interest and Good as Gone was no exception. Although this isn’t a fast paced novel, expect a well plotted suspense novel instead. Gentry’s narrative unfurls the story of a teen on the run, which is fascinating to unpack. It is a novel filled with side stories of Mexican drug rings, sexual exploitation, foster homes and organised religion. While reading this novel, I found my suspicions were constantly on high alert, as a mother and daughter try to re-establish their relationship after years of turmoil and emotional anguish. Good as Gone was a puzzling and intelligent read, which intrigued me from start to finish. If you are a fan of domestic thrillers, I encourage you to put this one on your reading list.
August 7, 2016
Anna's worst nightmare happens one night when her daughter Julie is kidnapped from her own bedroom at knifepoint. Her youngest daughter Jane is the only witness. Terrified beyond belief she waits for three hours to come out of her hiding place and alert her parents. Chances for Julie's survival are slim. Her parents struggle with maintaining hope that she is alive. Her mother's appeal - "I just want a body to bury." Eight long years later, a young woman arrives at their doorstep. Is the nightmare finally over? Anna has her doubts. But what motive could this Not-Julie imposter have?
I have started to avoid books that are compared to Gone Girl and Girl on the Train as I am usually woefully disappointed. This book however I found hard to put down. The plot was well paced with good character development and psychological analysis. I kept trying to reconcile that this gem was a debut novel as it was so well written. I can't wait to see what else Amy Gentry has in store for the literary world.
I have started to avoid books that are compared to Gone Girl and Girl on the Train as I am usually woefully disappointed. This book however I found hard to put down. The plot was well paced with good character development and psychological analysis. I kept trying to reconcile that this gem was a debut novel as it was so well written. I can't wait to see what else Amy Gentry has in store for the literary world.
July 28, 2016
Quick, captivating read. Emotionally disturbing.
February 13, 2023
GRADE: B+
Eight years ago Julie was kidnapped at knifepoint in the middle of the night, the only witness, her younger sister Jane. Now, eight years later she's back. Their mother Anna catches Julie in multiple lies and she begins to wonder whether the young woman she welcomed home is actually her daughter.
Told in Anna's first person and Julie's (mostly) third person POVs, GOOD AS GONE had me guessing and most of my theories were wrong. "Julie's" (is she really Julie?) chapters were in reverse chronological order. That took me a about 1/4 of the book to figure out so I was thoroughly confused. Neither mother or daughter was particularly likable, although I understood why Anna was the way she was. I had a bit more trouble with Julie. I wished Jane also had a POV in the story. All of the characters could have used more development.
I enjoyed GOOD AS GONE, but didn't love it. With a better book I would have immediately reread, but in this case I didn't care enough to see what clues I missed. I later reread and enjoyed it much more.
I enjoyed the audiobook as well.
Eight years ago Julie was kidnapped at knifepoint in the middle of the night, the only witness, her younger sister Jane. Now, eight years later she's back. Their mother Anna catches Julie in multiple lies and she begins to wonder whether the young woman she welcomed home is actually her daughter.
Told in Anna's first person and Julie's (mostly) third person POVs, GOOD AS GONE had me guessing and most of my theories were wrong. "Julie's" (is she really Julie?) chapters were in reverse chronological order. That took me a about 1/4 of the book to figure out so I was thoroughly confused. Neither mother or daughter was particularly likable, although I understood why Anna was the way she was. I had a bit more trouble with Julie. I wished Jane also had a POV in the story. All of the characters could have used more development.
I enjoyed GOOD AS GONE, but didn't love it. With a better book I would have immediately reread, but in this case I didn't care enough to see what clues I missed. I later reread and enjoyed it much more.
I enjoyed the audiobook as well.
December 10, 2016
My thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for my copy.
3.5
Although I enjoyed the reading of this and the plot involved it dipped in some places and frustrated me in others where I had to fully try to focus in wanting to continue at times.
A young girl gets dragged out of her house at night at knife point.
Her sister sees this and is hiding in a closet.
I was perturbed by that as to the reaction of this sister hiding.
I accepted it and moved on.
Because the chapters flick back and forth it has to be very well timed so not to confuse the reader. Either I'm easily confused or it wasn't timed enough for the reader to accept the next change on route of the story.
I have read many other books similar and didn't have much of a problem.
This is of course my own review and my own thoughts, by no means am I saying it wasn't an enjoyable read because it was.
It was just hard work to follow.
September 2, 2016
Well this was a very fast paced book, the story it's very stressing and disturbing at some points , you get confused but the ending ties some of the loose ends you get through the book. Be warned that this book deals with a very delicate issue and it does have some graphic scenes, you will be left satisfied by the ending , all in all a good book albeit a little hard to digest .
January 1, 2018
At age thirteen Julie Whitaker was taken from her bedroom in the middle of the night. Despite numerous appeals for information, nothing happens. The family, consisting of parents Anna and Tom, and Jane, the younger of the two Whitaker girls, has tried to move on with their lives. Guilt eats away at some of the family members for various reasons. And then eight years after she disappeared, a woman appears at the Whitaker home claiming to be Julie. But is she? Or is it some sort of hoax? Suspicions mount when certain aspects of her story do not appear to ring true.
I was really interested in this book for the first 80 or so pages, then it moved into areas which were uncomfortable to read. This pattern continued throughout the book, some parts I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. Others I found dragged and I considered giving up. These were the passages I skimmed. Did I enjoy it? Enjoy is hardly the word but I was interested enough, despite the skimming, to keep reading and see how it panned out. I do think though that all the various name changes of character and change of point of view added to the confusion and at times made it an awkward read. For some reason I never really became invested in these characters. They left me standing emotionally outside.
I was really interested in this book for the first 80 or so pages, then it moved into areas which were uncomfortable to read. This pattern continued throughout the book, some parts I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. Others I found dragged and I considered giving up. These were the passages I skimmed. Did I enjoy it? Enjoy is hardly the word but I was interested enough, despite the skimming, to keep reading and see how it panned out. I do think though that all the various name changes of character and change of point of view added to the confusion and at times made it an awkward read. For some reason I never really became invested in these characters. They left me standing emotionally outside.
October 3, 2019
Trigger warnings: assault, drugs, miscarriage, rape, kidnapping, child grooming
Once I started this book I knew I was going to have to stay up all night to finish it. Every chapter kept me on my toes and challenged what I thought I knew. On the other hand, the “characters” were hard to keep track of and maybe it was just my 3am brain but it seemed a little messy towards the end. Not sure how I feel about the ending either, but overall this book was like candy for me and now I need more thrillers immediately.
Once I started this book I knew I was going to have to stay up all night to finish it. Every chapter kept me on my toes and challenged what I thought I knew. On the other hand, the “characters” were hard to keep track of and maybe it was just my 3am brain but it seemed a little messy towards the end. Not sure how I feel about the ending either, but overall this book was like candy for me and now I need more thrillers immediately.
June 11, 2018
I really enjoyed the start of this book and the narrator was great. However the story went way off about halfway through and I struggled with the rest of the book.
October 31, 2016
I'm pretty sure Amy Gentry doesn't know the difference between being suspenseful and straight up confusing. There was so much time spent on details that ended up not mattering at all (the Mexican drug ring? What?) and a really confusing structure (chapters alternating between the mom's POV and various other third-person POVs but those chapters went BACKWARDS IN TIME). Which all would have been fine, but then at one point I said out loud "please don't tell me this is going where I think it's going."
And you guys. It was going. And that's how it ended. So many better possible endings, and she chose that one.
Ugh.
And you guys. It was going. And that's how it ended. So many better possible endings, and she chose that one.
Ugh.
December 10, 2017
Hooked me from the start, and then lost me near the end.
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