Gone Tonight: A Novel

I have read previous works by this author and was happy to get an early opportunity at reading her new effort. The chapters alternate between the two main characters. Ruth has constructed impenetrable walls and safeguards around herself and daughter to prevent dangerous consequences. But where is the line between manipulation, protecting someone you love and keeping them safe? When are the lies and deceit too much? Ruth is a single mom, pregnant too young, a middle-aged waitress barely getting by. She and daughter Catherine move often in the middle of the night. Catherine is studying to become a nurse and works in the memory care unit for a facility. She’s recently noticed some lapses and telltale conditions of early onset Alzheimer’s with her mom. The author uses well researched and knowledgeably described signs and symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease throughout. With over fifty years of personal experience in the long term care industry, I felt the scenarios and events were

The main characters were tightly wound and their inner musings and interactions were tautly written and fraught with tension. The writing style and storylines were evocative and intriguing and I quickly tumbled into the characters’ dark vortex each time I picked up my Kindle. The narratives were painfully perceptive yet not entirely forthcoming until the final chapters which were full of unexpected surprises. Sarah Pekkanen is a clever minx and has mad skills.