Gone Tonight: A Novel

Sarah Pekkanen

Aug 2023 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

"I'm a huge fan of Sarah Pekkanen's books, and GONE TONIGHT is her best yet." —Colleen Hoover

"Jaw-dropping. Layered. Triumphant.” - The New York Times

When Ruth Sterling was a teenager, she slipped away one night, desperate to escape an abusive home and a troubling boyfriend. Pregnant, alone, and prepared to do anything to survive, she eventually makes a life for herself—and soon, for her newborn daughter Catherine. For more than twenty years, Ruth has lived quietly and has provided for her daughter. But she is always ready to run at a moment’s notice, and never allows either of them to put down roots too deeply. Now, Catherine is grown and craves a life for herself. This is something her mother will do anything to prevent—but for what reasons? It has always been just the two of them against the world. But how well do they really know each other? When Ruth’s deeply held quest to keep Catherine by her side reveals cracks in her carefully constructed world, both mother and daughter begin a dance of deception. They both have secrets. But which one of them carries the real darkness inside?

Propulsive, brilliantly layered, and a true shocker, Gone Tonight is an emotionally thrilling powerhouse of a novel about the things we do for love, and what we’re capable of when pushed to the limit.

Ratings and reviews

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.

About the author

SARAH PEKKANEN is the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of four novels of suspense including The Golden Couple and the solo author of the thriller Gone Tonight. She is also the solo author of eight internationally bestselling women's fiction books, and an award-winning former journalist. She serves as U.S. Ambassador for RRSA India and works hands-on in India to rescue street dogs. She lives just outside of Washington, D.C., with her family.