At the age of seven, Libby's mother and two older sisters were murdered in what seemed to be a satanic bloodbath orchestrated by her older brother Ben. Libby managed to escape and played a crucial role in getting him incarcerated, thanks to a coercive interrogation tactic. Fast forward twenty-five years, and Libby is a struggling, penniless kleptomaniac harboring resentment towards the world. Her life takes a turn when she's approached by a group fascinated by violent crimes, engaging in activities like studying them, trading memorabilia, and constructing alternative horror scenarios. In exchange for funds, Libby agrees to delve into the crime she survived, aiming to reconnect with her estranged brother and father while attempting to solve a case she believes has already been closed.
I've observed that Gillian Flynn employs a deliberately unhurried writing style, and while it generally tends to be slow-paced, I found it particularly effective in this narrative. The leisurely pace contributes to character development, sets the timeline for the day of the crime, and offers subtle clues throughout. Although the conclusion isn't as startling as I might have desired—given the unhurried pace making the direction quite discernible—I believe it aligns well with the overall tone and nature of the story.The suspense lingered until the very end, and it improved for me around the 85% mark as all the details unraveled. While some aspects of the major revelation were unpredictable, a portion tied to another character's decision felt highly unrealistic and disrupted the flow for me.