Gone Too Long

A Novel

By: Lori Roy

Narrated by: Catherine Taber, Dorothy Dillingham Blue, Christopher Gebauer

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Two-time Edgar Award-winning author Lori Roy entangles listeners in a heart-pounding tale of two women battling for survival against a century's worth of hate.

On the day a black truck rattles past her house and a Klan flyer lands in her front yard, 10-year-old Beth disappears from her Simmonsville, Georgia home. Armed with skills sharpened while caring for an alcoholic mother, she must battle to survive the days and months ahead. 

Seven years later, Imogene Coulter is burying her father - a Klan leader she has spent her life distancing herself from - and trying to escape the memories his funeral evokes. But Imogene is forced to confront secrets long held by the town and her own family when, while clearing out her father's apparent hideout on the day of his funeral, she finds a child. Young and alive, in an abandoned basement, and behind a door that only locks from the outside. 

As Imogene begins to uncover the truth of what happened to young Beth all those years ago, her father's heir-apparent to the Klan's leadership threatens her and her family. Driven by a love that extends beyond the ties of blood, Imogene struggles to save a girl she never knew but will now be bound to forever, and to save herself and the ones dearest to her. Tightly coiled and chilling, Gone Too Long ensnares, twists, and exposes the high price we are willing to pay for the ones we love.

Praise for Gone Too Long:

“Florida writer Lori Roy brings a powerful literary voice to the crime genre with this dark, corrosive tale.... Gone Too Long is a hauntingly detailed story of survival.” (The Chicago Tribune, "What to read this summer: Best books by genre") 

“This compelling, issue-oriented story by Edgar Award-winning author Roy is a creepy, eerie account of a young girl and a community held hostage by the Klan.” (Library Journal, starred review)

©2019 Lori Roy (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Ms. Roy excels at depicting scenes of consummate tension involving a heroine whose courage has long lain dormant." (Wall Street Journal) 

"Quietly unnerving...a niche for lyrical prose in a noir story.” (The Sun-Sentinel) 

“[Roy] has always been deft at creating suspense, but she hits a new level with this finely crafted thriller.... Roy crafts the book’s triple plots with skillful misdirection and sure timing.... Gone Too Long is a compelling thriller, and it’s also a story of how hatred and violence toward the other create a legacy that follows those who hate home.” (Tampa Bay Times) 

Could not stop listening

Catherine Taber’s voice, as well as Dorothy Dillingham Blue’s, was so mesmerizing. I used every free moment over only a couple days listening to this book. Chilling, heart-wrenching, hopeful and brave.

Disturbing, but not gory.

I had a hard time putting it down. Compelling story told in diverse voices. Sometimes a little confusing as the story jumped from person to person. A good read.

Very Depressing

I was disappointed with the amount of sadness, hurt, and lack of redemption in this book. The fate of the innocent characters was so unsatisfying! I was left flat and even a little sad by the ending.

an interesting view of Klan life from the inside

a good read. good character development. the switch between past and present is a bit tiresome.

loved it!

Loved it! will make you laugh and cry and finally rejoice for the good people ....

Seemed to drag, and go off in 3 directions

Although, it's a good story, with surprises, and twist, & the narration was super - I personally, kept getting lost in the different directions the story would go. Often times, I would have to go back and re-listen, (a few times), to what I had just heard. Because the book goes back and forth, and back again in time, and with different characters, I would get lost as in to, who's who. There were a few parts, that I was left wondering - when did that happen, - or - what did I miss; because I heard no mention of it in the story. I found myself wanting the book to be done, partly, due to the fact I was getting lost, but also partly, because I wanted to know Beth's story, (she the ONE I could keep track of the easiest). I love Catherine Tabor as a narrator, but it was the narrator for Beth that was easier for me.

Summary

Sad but true story about the KKK. They took off their hoods and put on suits.

Could have moved faster

The author got very bogged down in repetition of character thoughts and background story and lost the forward momentum and intrigue

Too many characters

The narrators (besides the male narrator) were very good. But each chapter was a different person and keeping all the characters separate was a little confusing in the beginning. The storyline was interesting.