Gone for Good

By: Harlan Coben

Narrated by: Jonathan Marosz

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

Harlan Coben earned the raves of critics everywhere for his New York Times best-selling thriller Tell No One, hailed as “pulse-pounding” (People), “compelling and original” (Los Angeles Times), and “a thriller of runaway tension” (Iris Johansen). Now, in a bold new novel, Coben continues to stake out new ground in suspense, unleashing a haunting tale of secrets and betrayal...and of one man’s search for his missing brother that spirals into a breakneck hunt for a killer, a victim, and the truth.

As a boy, Will Klein had a hero: his older brother, Ken. Then, on a warm suburban night in the Kleins’ affluent New Jersey neighborhood, a young woman - a girl Will had once loved - was found raped and murdered in her family’s basement. The prime suspect: Ken Klein. With the evidence against him overwhelming, Ken simply vanished, spending the next decade as the elusive subject of rumors, speculation, and an international manhunt. When his shattered family never heard from Ken again, they were sure he was gone for good.

Now, eleven years have passed. And Will, who always believed in his brother’s innocence, has found evidence that Ken is alive - even as he is struck by another act of betrayal. His girlfriend suddenly disappears, leaving behind compelling evidence that she was not the person Will thought she was. As two dark dramas unwind around him, Will is pulled into a violent mystery, haunted by signs that Ken is trying to contact him after all these years. Will can feel himself coming closer and closer to his brother...and to a terrible secret that someone will kill to keep buried. And as the lies begin to unravel, Will is uncovering startling truths about his lover, his brother, and even himself. He knows he must press his search all the way to the end. Because the most powerful revelations are yet to come....

Gone for Good is at once a powerhouse of suspense and a haunting tale of love - the love between brothers, between lovers, between family members. It is one of those rare thrillers that not only make the pulse pound but stir the heart as well.

©2002 Harlan Coben (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"The clockwork plot keeps picking up speed...breathtaking." (Booklist)

"Coben has written another winner, guaranteed to keep readers awake all night." (Library Journal)

"A tale of manifold deceptions guaranteed to show its readers up as suckers, and to make them love every moment of the experience." (Amazon.com)  

"A compelling and original suspense thriller...intriguing, clever and unique." (Los Angeles Times)  

Coben Can REEEEELY Tell A Story

More twists than spiral staircase, yet the all lead to a well plotted end. The characters are interesting and even tug at heart strings at times. If you're looking for a nice gym/pool/driving listen that will entertain you throughout.... This will do it. This was my first Harlen Coben. I'll listen to another, especially if it's read by Jonathan Marosz.

Very interesting book

The book keeps your interest and is a first rate mystery. Maybe too many twists, but put your analytical magnifying glass aside and its a great story.
(unfortunately no Myron Bolitar!)

Excellent twists and turns

Don't really understand the few negative customer reviews this book received. This is the third Coben book I've listened to and they keep getting better. I had one of the major twists figured out about three quarters of the way through the listen (the final twist) but the other twist surprised me. Coben created some really evil characters in this book. Or did he? That's all I can say about it without providing a spoiler. Also, I found the narration right on. The reviewer who complained of an indistinguishable monotone throughout must have listened to another book. Marosz didn't have extreme variations in tone, but you certainly knew when certain characters (John, e.g.) were speaking. I can't wait until if and when Audible gets the audio problems with another of Coben's books (Just One Look) ironed out so I can download and listen to that one. Spend a credit on Gone for Good. It's definitely worth the listen.

Fantastic Story

This book was recommended to me, I, in turn, recommend it to anyone that would like a good thriller. Narration was superb. The story kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and I actually shed a tear of joy at the end. Great read!

A rollercoaster ride

I really enjoyed this book. Althought the story line seems to be all over the place at times and you find yourself wondering how it could ever all come together for an interesting ending, it does. And no matter how you think it will end, it doesn't end that way at all. Many, many twists & turns and then, and then....well, I guess you'll just have to read it to find out. Enjoy.

What an Audiobook should be!

This is about as exciting and mysterious as possible, and it is read by a master.

Can't wait for the next unabridged Coben.

oldebailey

Narration Annoying

I enjoyed the story but did not like the narrator's reading of the story. He sounded the same all the way through-whether he was talking about being beaten up, his lover, his long-lost brother, or the fruit basket brought over by a neighbor. I almost gave up. I think this narrator might have done better reading the few chapters in the book written in 3rd person, and a younger, more enthusiastic reader should have read the parts in 1st person. I will check the next book I download, and will not download one by this narrator.

Good story, terrible narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Probably not, I liked the book although not Harlan Coben's best.

What did you like best about this story?

Kept you on your toes - it seemed to wrap up too soon only to take a sharp turn at the end.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Jonathan Marosz?

Scott Brick. Jonathan Marosz is a terrible narrator, I had to play at the "faster" setting on my iPod to make it tolerable to listen to.

Was Gone for Good worth the listening time?

Yes

Gone for Good

I love this book. It was suspenseful, intelligent, romantic... just about every characteristic you want in a novel put together in a brilliant storyline. I highly recommend it to everyone

buyer beware audio issue

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

There is another audio book playing in the background at a much lower volume than the real narration I could not adapt its way to annoying how did this even happen I've never heard that happen before.