A Catherine Ryan Hyde novel about justice, involving lies and impossible choices.
Synopsis of ‘A Different Kind of Gone’
What if ‘missing’ doesn’t mean ‘never found’. What if a search and rescue volunteer searching for the missing teenager in the mountains near the Utah-Arizona border finds her and discovers she is actually in hiding, as she fears her abusive boyfriend will kill her for trying to leave him.
The search and rescue volunteer, Norma Gallagher, finds Jill huddled in a cave, terrified that Jake will kill her if he ever sees her again. Norma has to make a difficult decision. Does she try to help this girl by secretly returning her to her grateful parents and keeping silent about it, or returning with her so law enforcement and the rescue personnel can stop looking.
Eventually, to protect Jill from a dangerous man, Norma secretly takes her home to California. Keeping her safe and hidden from Jake, the press and the public, this act will remain a secret between Jill, her parents, and Norma. But, secrets cannot last forever.
Five years go by, when Jake is arrested for severely beating his wife, a girl he met during the time of the search for Jill. Because Jill Moss has been declared legally dead after five years, in addition to a trial for the attempted murder of his wife, Jake will also be tried for the murder of Jill Moss.
Jill’s family, who has successfully hidden her away all these years, refuses to come forward. This leaves Norma with a life-changing decision.
Summary
Jake’s jail term for the beating will no doubt be short-term. What happens when Jake is released from prison? On one hand, there is the danger to Jill if Jake finds out she is still alive. Then there is also the possible danger down the road to his wife, who we discover is pregnant, for turning him in. But, should a man be put on trial for a murder that never happened?
Norma Gallagher has to weigh the consequences if she keeps quiet, and the risks if she dares to finally tell the truth.
A Different Kind of Gone is an interesting exploration of domestic violence with a compelling look at women married to abusers. The author explores the situation of domestic violence in sensitive and gentle ways, making the story one that is very readable.
If you were Norma, how would you decide?
*Book Review of “A Different Kind of Gone”, written by Wednesday Elf
