About the Book:
The truth behind a teenage girl’s disappearance becomes something to conceal in a gripping novel about justice, lies, and impossible choices by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.
When nineteen-year-old Jill Moss goes missing near the Utah-Arizona border, everyone has an opinion. Only Norma Gallagher, a search and rescue volunteer, knows the real story.
Norma’s already found Jill, huddled in a cave and terrified that her abusive boyfriend, Jake, will kill her. If he ever sees her again. To protect Jill from a dangerous man, Norma quietly delivers the girl to her grateful parents in California, even though she’s conflicted. Keeping Jill safe and hidden from Jake, the press, and the public will be their secret. But secrets can’t last forever.
Five years later, the disappearance stirs a new media frenzy when Jake is arrested for the murder of Jill Moss—and Norma knows he didn’t kill her. As Jake is about to stand trial, lust for retribution inflames public opinion and Jill’s family refuses to come forward, forcing Norma to make a life-changing decision.
What are the consequences if she stays silent? And what are the risks if she dares to finally tell the truth?
My Thoughts:
It has been a while since I read a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde. I have been a fan of her books for a long time and was interested by the premise of this book. A Different Kind of Gone is a welcome change to the author usual style of writing. The story follows Norma and Jill, women of different ages with different perspectives who form a strong bond due to unexpected circumstances.
Norma helps Jill escape and disappear from her abusive boyfriend. No-one knows that she is still alive except her parents. Five years later, events bring them back together with decisions to be taken. In this book, we see Norma grappling with her conscience, what is right and her need to help. There are many shades to her character and as her story is revealed through the book, it becomes easier to understand her. Despite her specific morals, she decides to deviate from the usual and help Jill out.
On the other hand, Jill is young and determined, initially a victim who slowly starts to realize that her situation is not okay and she has the power to change it. She can either speak up or move away and make a new life for herself. Having tried both, she finally chooses the latter and though this seems like running, it shows strength of character.
As always, Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books are interspersed with messages and learnings, told in a way that the reader doesn’t even feel like they are being preached to. The beauty of the story lies in the plot and the characters who drive it. I absolutely loved reading this book which focuses on the women in the story, the abuse they face and how they deal with it, coming out stronger for it and with bonds that last a lifetime.
Though the book is a little slow at the start, it moves to a steadier pace towards the middle and end. This book is worth reading, just like all the other books by the author, and I truly enjoyed it.