Gone Girl- Love it or Leave it?

I'm still not completely sure I have the answer to this burning question.  Have any of you read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn yet?

It was supposedly one of this summer's must-reads, and of course, I jumped right on it.  Incidentally, I also read the "50 Shades" trilogy, and am still trying to understand the hype around that, too.

Here's the synopsis:

  Marriage can be a real killer. 

   One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn. 

   On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? 

   As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

   With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

So, here are a few of my thoughts...

The Pros:

I absolutely agree that the writing in Gone Girl is really good.  This was the first time I've read anything by Gillian Flynn, and I was impressed. And, there are some major twists and turns to the plot that keep the story line REALLY interesting.

I won't give anything away, but if this is your kind of thing, you might really enjoy this read. It was definitely a little dark and at times, very suspenseful.  For me, it was not one of those predictable books that you automatically know how it will end.

The Cons:

Gone Girl had a really slow start, in my humble opinion.  Once it got cranked up, I was totally wrapped up in it, but it took a while to get there.  On that note, my mother-in-law actually tried to read this book before I did and never made it to the good part.  :)

Even though I was tempted, I'm not one to end a book early, so I stuck it out, and was pretty glad I did...BUT, I didn't like the ending.  Don't you hate that?  When you make it to the end of a book, and it doesn't end the way you want it to??  Although, it did seem pretty clear that there may be a sequel in the works, which at the end of the day, if there was, I would likely give that a try, too.

If you have read this one, I would love to hear your opinions, too.  Or, if you have any suggestions for what to read next. let me know; I'm always on the look-out for my next great read.  Leave your thoughts in the Comments Section below.  Can't wait to hear if any of you have read this one (or any other good books) lately!

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