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And Then He Was Gone
Where is Adam? Julie Raynes’ husband has been missing for six months. Devastated and confused, she refuses to believe that he would leave her voluntarily, though her best friend thinks differently. However, her Aunt Alice, a psychic, tells her Adam has been murdered, and when she reveals how she knows this, any hope that Adam is still alive, dissipates. The police are also beginning to believe that Adam Raynes was murdered. And Julie is their prime suspect. Her life in ruins, Julie vows to hunt down whoever is responsible for Adam’s murder and make them pay for their crime. In the meantime, David Gray, a young man who was pulled from a lake by a fisherman when he was 9 years old, wakens from a coma after nearly two decades. Unknown to Julie, Adam and David share a dark connection, a darkness that threatens to devour both of them, in a terrifying race with death. If you liked Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke's best-selling psychological suspense The Widow, you're going to love Joan Hall Hovey's And Then He Was Gone.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2016
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111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 16, 2018
I first wanted to say that I got a kick out of some of the character names. My favorite is probably the cat named Endora, because I loved watching Bewitched. It also alludes to some small pieces of the plot. I also did a few double takes while reading about Detective Regan being on the case, as I am a big fan of Blue Bloods. And then, of course, there is the character of David Gray. The name just rolls right off the tongue and is used in full a lot throughout the story. It also happens to be the name of one of my favorite singers.
And now for the story itself. I felt like it started out really strong. I could really feel Julie's pain in not knowing where her husband is. Everyone assumes that he just left her, and she is even under suspicion for being the cause of his disappearance. She is absolutely beside herself. And she's fighting with her best friend Carol over it. Her life is just a mess.
And then she has a visit with her Aunt Alice, who is blessed with some powers with precognition. For the first time, she truly believes that Adam isn't coming back, but not by his choice. We as the readers already know what really happened to Adam, and we know who did it. But of course Julie has no idea, nor does anyone else in the story, as far as we know. So part of the fun in reading this book is seeing how the mystery unravels to the rest of the characters.
Then there is the plot line about David, Rath's brother, who had miraculously woken up from a coma after 19 years. I admit it's hard to believe that part of it, but with a story tinged with the supernatural, you have to suspend a bit of reality. We also know the truth behind what really happened to David 19 years ago to put him in that coma. The two mysteries are actually quite intertwined, only no one realizes to what extent.
And though we know all of this, there are a few surprises that pop up as the truth is slowly being revealed. I did feel like the latter half of the book moved a lot more slowly than the first half, but those twists helped to balance that out a bit.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
And now for the story itself. I felt like it started out really strong. I could really feel Julie's pain in not knowing where her husband is. Everyone assumes that he just left her, and she is even under suspicion for being the cause of his disappearance. She is absolutely beside herself. And she's fighting with her best friend Carol over it. Her life is just a mess.
And then she has a visit with her Aunt Alice, who is blessed with some powers with precognition. For the first time, she truly believes that Adam isn't coming back, but not by his choice. We as the readers already know what really happened to Adam, and we know who did it. But of course Julie has no idea, nor does anyone else in the story, as far as we know. So part of the fun in reading this book is seeing how the mystery unravels to the rest of the characters.
Then there is the plot line about David, Rath's brother, who had miraculously woken up from a coma after 19 years. I admit it's hard to believe that part of it, but with a story tinged with the supernatural, you have to suspend a bit of reality. We also know the truth behind what really happened to David 19 years ago to put him in that coma. The two mysteries are actually quite intertwined, only no one realizes to what extent.
And though we know all of this, there are a few surprises that pop up as the truth is slowly being revealed. I did feel like the latter half of the book moved a lot more slowly than the first half, but those twists helped to balance that out a bit.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 4, 2018
And Then He Was Gone by Joan Hall Hovey
Joan Hall Hovey is well named as Canada’s Mistress of Suspense with And Then He Was Gone. In typical Hall Hovey fashion, And Then He Was Gone is an edge-of-your-seat read, a well-written book that’s impossible to put down. Oh and make sure you have a sweater handy for the inevitable chills. Add unsettling elements of the supernatural and this book is just plain scary.
Joan Hall Hovey is a consummate storyteller, a master of vivid imagery - and she knows how to spin a dark tale. You’ll cheer for the heroine, a strong woman victimized by fate, and be truly afraid of the evil predator set loose in the pages of And Then He Was Gone.
This book will keep you reading into the wee small hours – and then you’ll have to turn out the light…..
Joan Hall Hovey is well named as Canada’s Mistress of Suspense with And Then He Was Gone. In typical Hall Hovey fashion, And Then He Was Gone is an edge-of-your-seat read, a well-written book that’s impossible to put down. Oh and make sure you have a sweater handy for the inevitable chills. Add unsettling elements of the supernatural and this book is just plain scary.
Joan Hall Hovey is a consummate storyteller, a master of vivid imagery - and she knows how to spin a dark tale. You’ll cheer for the heroine, a strong woman victimized by fate, and be truly afraid of the evil predator set loose in the pages of And Then He Was Gone.
This book will keep you reading into the wee small hours – and then you’ll have to turn out the light…..
August 9, 2019
Ms. Hovey's And Then He Was Gone is a very compelling and dark thriller about a woman's husband who goes missing. Not necessarily a "whodunnit," but more of a "whydunnit," and the answer is equally as provocative. Although Hovey's tale details an all too realistic and frightening sociopath, what I found most remarkable about the book is how interconnected events and people are to one another, sometimes offhandedly so, other times not. A sort of humanistic statement that we're all in it together. Beyond the intriguing thriller trappings, Hovey brings a remarkable warmth and humanity to the creepy narrative. Highly recommended.
January 8, 2018
Joan Hall Hovey is a master story teller. The twists and turns of the plot keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The tale comes to an end and there is a feeling of regret because you have to close the cover. But on the bright side, Hall Hovey has a treasure trove of other titles so the reader can go back to the well and immerse themselves in another of her stories. Highly recommended read.
June 14, 2017
This was a well written, riveting, page turner. It kept you guessing and all the characters were nicely fleshed out and relatable. I love how this author always adds a touch of the paranormal. Makes it even more layered and interesting.
I was so impressed that I did this as a book club selection.
I was so impressed that I did this as a book club selection.
November 6, 2017
please see my review on MyShelf.com
October 9, 2018
Enjoyed this book! Love the suspense of it all! The characters and plot keeps you going from the beginning to the end. Looking forward to reading more by this author!
February 7, 2021
Riveting
I enjoyed reading very much. Kept my attention and just good reading...I would recommend to anyone that it is worth reading...
I enjoyed reading very much. Kept my attention and just good reading...I would recommend to anyone that it is worth reading...
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November 30, 2021Very good book, love this author. Actually have met her a few times. Lovely lady.
January 12, 2017
And Then He Was Gone - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of: Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish
His hands still on the rope, then dropped away as he stared with shock and terror, mouth agape, at the water. As if the table had suddenly transformed into a deep reservoir, water gushed from it, spilling onto the floor, flooding it, then spiking up suddenly as if alive, like thrusting fingers, reaching for him. He gasped and lost his footing, tumbling off the ladder and bringing it down on top of him. Laying on his back on the floor, his terror-filled eyes were riveted on the horror unfolding before him. Even as he managed to get back up on his feet, his eyes never once left the visage that Julie thought had to be the results of some sort of conjoined hysteria, since they were both witnessing it...As he backed away from what her rational mind insisted had to be some trick of the imagination, long skeletal fingers shot out of the water and clamped around his wrist. Beneath his screams, she heard the sirens in the distance, but that did not quite register, perhaps only existed in some other realm, some alternate universe, for Julie was aware of nothing except what was happening here and now... Adam was here.
Julie's husband Adam went missing on July 14th, her birthday. He was supposed to take her out to dinner but he never showed. She drove around town looking for him and even submitted a missing person's report with the police department. Six months later they were still questing and accusing her of murdering her husband and doing something with his body.
Many years earlier a boy named David was found in the lake after someone tried to drown him. He didn't die but ended up in a coma for what was the better part of his life. After all those years he has finally awaken to a life with no memory.
So, what does a missing husband and a boy that has been in a coma for 19 years have in common? As I read the story of both I saw a very twisted mind that reeked pure terror on both families. It held me in suspense to see what this sick mind would do next. I have to say that I had a hard time putting this book down.
His hands still on the rope, then dropped away as he stared with shock and terror, mouth agape, at the water. As if the table had suddenly transformed into a deep reservoir, water gushed from it, spilling onto the floor, flooding it, then spiking up suddenly as if alive, like thrusting fingers, reaching for him. He gasped and lost his footing, tumbling off the ladder and bringing it down on top of him. Laying on his back on the floor, his terror-filled eyes were riveted on the horror unfolding before him. Even as he managed to get back up on his feet, his eyes never once left the visage that Julie thought had to be the results of some sort of conjoined hysteria, since they were both witnessing it...As he backed away from what her rational mind insisted had to be some trick of the imagination, long skeletal fingers shot out of the water and clamped around his wrist. Beneath his screams, she heard the sirens in the distance, but that did not quite register, perhaps only existed in some other realm, some alternate universe, for Julie was aware of nothing except what was happening here and now... Adam was here.
Julie's husband Adam went missing on July 14th, her birthday. He was supposed to take her out to dinner but he never showed. She drove around town looking for him and even submitted a missing person's report with the police department. Six months later they were still questing and accusing her of murdering her husband and doing something with his body.
Many years earlier a boy named David was found in the lake after someone tried to drown him. He didn't die but ended up in a coma for what was the better part of his life. After all those years he has finally awaken to a life with no memory.
So, what does a missing husband and a boy that has been in a coma for 19 years have in common? As I read the story of both I saw a very twisted mind that reeked pure terror on both families. It held me in suspense to see what this sick mind would do next. I have to say that I had a hard time putting this book down.
January 16, 2017
Good suspense filled mystery with some paranormal elements. The protagonist determines to find out who killed her husband. Good character development and storyline.
April 5, 2017
This book was okay. I read it because I did want to know what happened but there were many mistakes and a few things that just didn't make sense. The overall story line was good but predictable.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews