A Jacket Off the Gorge: True Story of the Biggest Liar

by Susan Ashline

Reality becomes more dangerous than fiction when an author is pulled into the secrets and deceptions of an enigmatic con man who faked his own death and stole a treasure of ancient gold and silver coins that are still missing to this day.

A Jacket Off the Gorge is a page-turning real-life psychological thriller that tells the story of a journalist who crosses paths with a master manipulator—exposing the shortcomings of a criminal justice system that failed them both.

Jon Fontaine’s teenage years are shaped by his motivation to run a lucrative drug-selling enterprise. Despite the many tricks up his sleeve, the law catches up with him time after time. To escape a lengthy prison sentence, Jon bails out of jail and fakes his own death. He throws his jacket off a gorge, the pinnacle of a meticulously staged suicide. Police find the jacket and declare him dead, only to capture him later as a fugitive from justice.

Seven years after the ruse, Jon meets Susan, who is unaware of his criminal past. And he’s keeping a he’s stolen a treasure of ancient gold and silver coins. He will never give away its location. Jon is artful in deception and manipulation, particularly of the women who love him. Susan has the professional connections, resources, and intelligence that could benefit him. Will he take advantage of her trust for personal gain?

Jon sends Susan on a roller-coaster of love and fear, and exploits the weaknesses in the criminal justice system to work his biggest cons yet, ending in a trail of victims—and death.

A Jacket Off the Gorge peels back the layers of the criminal mind, revealing a fascinating look at one man’s struggles within himself and with others. Jon’s story raises questions about incarceration versus rehabilitation, lack of mental health treatment for offenders, and abuses by those we entrust to uphold the law.

Genres: Memoir

420 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2023

About the author

Susan Ashline is the author of A Jacket Off the Gorge, the nationally acclaimed true crime book Without A Prayer, and the forthcoming Ungrateful Bastard. She is featured in two Hulu docuseries: “How I Escaped My Cult” and “Cult Justice.” The episodes are based on her book Without A Prayer. Susan’s journalism career spans more than twenty-five years and includes news reporting for most of the major television networks. She has covered everything from breaking news to politics. Her long-time role as a court correspondent sparked a deep interest in law and the criminal justice system. Susan has worked as a radio reporter, talk show host, television news anchor, magazine editor, website manager, and staff newspaper columnist for publishing juggernaut, Gannett. Her work has received major awards, including an Emmy nomination for a public broadcasting societal concerns program, a first place Associated Press award for general excellence in individual reporting, and a Gold Medal Award for Democrat and Chronicle online excellence. She graduated from Gloversville High School (NY), earned a BA in Mass Communication from the University of Massachusetts, and studied at the University of New Mexico and State University of New York.

Reviews

[Aaron Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely blindsided me. I thought I was picking up a typical true crime story, but it turned into something way more personal and haunting. Susan Ashline’s storytelling is raw and fearless, and the twists left me stunned. One of the best I’ve read all year.

[Kent Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rollercoaster. I devoured this in two sittings. The layers of deception, trauma, and truth-telling had me hooked. I still can’t get over how real this story is. A chilling reminder that sometimes, the biggest lies aren’t the ones we expect.

[Nancy Peers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible true story and fast read as I could not put this book down. The author's details and dated entries helped to guide the reader through timelines & understand the lies & manipulations as they escalated as well as the crimes. Sad is trusting someone you love. Sadder still is trusting in the legal system & domestic violence "advocates". This is not only a book of nonfiction, but one that should be a textbook example for criminal justice coursework. I will say no more as I will spoil the book for future readers; except to say A MUST READ!

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbelievable story and characters. Very detailed book. Met the author and learned even more.

[Stephanie LeRoy · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give this book zero stars I would. This book was not good at all. I met the author at a book signing and thought it would be cool to read about true crime from the county I grew up in. Boy was I wrong. First off, who just lets a felon come in and out of your kids life like it’s no problem at all? Second, how do you possibly call yourself a victim then just go right back to the toxic environment you just claimed to want to be done with. The whole book she just enabled him and it was nothing but drama between the relationship and it got old. Yes there were flaws with the criminal justice system and how the case was handled, but this was just a struggle to get through just because oh how contradicting it was. Do not recommend.

[Martin B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in the premise of this book as I heard an interview with the author on local radio plus it takes place in my local towns. I expected a story about the faking of a characters death and his stealing of coins. It was about that but it was more about the relationship between the author and this man as well as his and her interactions with the justice system and how it failed them. In the end it just got to be too much drama between the author and the various people in their lives. I found myself skipping sections simply to get to the end.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Ashline wrote an absolute epic page turner with A Jacket Off The Gorge.. Keeping you on the edge the entire time, losing sleep so that i could turn and read the next page to find out what was going to happen next. What was the next trick up his sleeve. Im sure I felt the same way Susan felt throughout the majority’s of this book, minus the stress & anxiety, in the sense of WHATS NEXT?!! Being from the Rochester NY area this book piqued my interest even more. If you want to read a great book. This is one you should definitely give that chance!
FYI I liked the way this book was written so much so that ive purchased her previous book “Without a Prayer”

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title says it all, right? Not really, this was truly a disturbing story about a psychopath, and how he manipulated the women around him by gaslighting them. It was very difficult to read. I took many breaks to read other things to lighten my mind. I yelled at the author many times as I read this, for falling for his charm and lies. I’m not sure I would recommend this to others, but I dislike true crime, violence against women, etc. so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I met the author at an art fair, and I like to support local authors. The area in the book is one I’m familiar with. And the gorge with the jacket is very close to where I grew up. A treasure… I had to read it.

[Deena Lipomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 2011 when Susan met Jon Fontaine, she didn't know that seven years earlier he had faked his death in order to avoid jail time for a variety of crimes. All she felt was a connection that led to a second date, then an on again/off again relationship through times she thought was good and those that were certainly bad, which ended in a police encounter that would throw her credibility down the drain. The author's honest look at how she was hooked into this abusive relationship shows his enterprising manipulation and how she knew this story might end. The memoir/crime narrative becomes more intense and personal as it progresses and shows the failed parts of the police and justice systems.

[Mia Korrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down! The story of Jon Fontaine is wild, almost unbelievable, but told in such a raw, honest way that you’re pulled right into the chaos. The author does a great job showing the complexity of Jon's character without ever excusing his actions. I especially appreciated the deeper themes about the justice system and mental health woven into the narrative. It’s intense, unsettling at times, but totally worth the ride. If you’re into true crime with a psychological twist, this one’s a must-read.

[stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author at a book event, and I was so intrigued by the book's description that I had to read it. This book did not disappoint! It was a page-turner that had important themes about the poor state of our criminal justice system; most notably how we fail in the handling of domestic violence incidents. This is the kind of book that calls for a reader with an evolved intellect, capable understanding and appreciating deep and complex themes. It is also highly entertaining.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is filled with misinformation about the authors life and the life of Jon. The story would be more accurately labeled as 'based on a true story' not 'a true story'. Although the person Susan is writing about was a bad person, he was mentally ill. Shame on the author for using this family's grief to profit.

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t believe how far this guy went—fooled even the cops. And the way some of the police acted? Honestly just as shocking as the crimes. Wow… just wow. This woman is so brave and strong for telling her story. I don’t know how she even found the words after what happened. Some parts broke my heart, some parts made me angry, but I couldn’t stop reading.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Ashline reveals what it is to live through and survive a whirlwind relationship. A relationship that to many, would seem bizarre. Suspenseful, insightful and raw. A love story, true crime, the failures of the justice system, all in one and wonderfully written.

[Sophie Blevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very different than the author's other book, which I also loved. This one reads just like fiction and is very fast paced. So many twists and turns keep the action going. I hope she has another book forthcoming. I want to see more from this author.

[Brittany Stranz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly suggest this book to true crime fans! If you’re looking for a book where the author is actually the one who went through the ordeal, this is it! The book was way too good to put down! I will gladly read more books from Susan!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating true crime story.

[Kristi Wenner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would never get through this very long stream of consciousness book! The last several pages were good though, but it still left me hanging. Where are the coins?