Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

For some authors, the third time is the charm. In Gillian Flynn‘s case, all three of her novels have been deliciously dark, critically acclaimed and unique, heart-pounding experiences. In her latest book, GONE GIRL, Flynn explores the dark side of relationships; how marriage, in some cases, can be murder.

A literary golden couple that seem to have it all, Nick, an out of work journalist, and Amy, the inspiration for the beloved children’s series, Amazing Amy, are forced to leave their charmed New York City life behind after the recession hits and an illness in the family takes precedence. The Dunnes must learn to deal with each other (and their growing resentments) with the lackluster backdrop of Missouri as their new normal. Nick’s mom is battling cancer, his father is angrily dealing with dementia and Nick’s sister Go (Margo) needs help handling family obligations. But as the pressure mounts for them, marital bonds seem to have taken an abnormal toll on both of their psyches. This toxic situation is forced to a head when Amy disappears. Nick is fumbling through the ramifications of the disappearance (trying to put the pieces together, going along with the police investigation, and helping Amy’s parents deal with the emotional upheaval), until he is suddenly the focus of the investigation. What happens when a seemingly perfect relationship is coming apart at the seams? And when one of those two people goes missing, isn’t it always the spouse to blame?

Told from both points of view — Nick’s slightly chauvinistic, self-centered attitude versus Amy’s hopeful, yet tinged with sadness journal entries — the reader is taken along for a ride with constantly shifting allegiances to the narrators. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Flynn turns the story on its head.

An intense and meticulously plotted novel — one that will make you re-read chapters just to get a sense of equilibrium — GONE GIRL may be the best and darkest exploration of a marriage gone bad.