Jessie Sloane is on the path to rebuilding her life after years of caring for her ailing mother. She rents a new apartment and applies for college. But when the college informs her that her social security number has raised a red flag, Jessie discovers a shocking detail that causes her to doubt everything she’s ever known.
Finding herself suddenly at the center of a bizarre mystery, Jessie tumbles down a rabbit hole, which is only exacerbated by grief and a relentless lack of sleep. As days pass and the insomnia worsens, it plays with Jessie’s mind. Her judgment is blurred, her thoughts are hampered by fatigue. Jessie begins to see things until she can no longer tell the difference between what’s real and what she’s only imagined.
Meanwhile, twenty years earlier and two hundred and fifty miles away, another woman’s split-second decision may hold the key to Jessie’s secret past. Has Jessie’s whole life been a lie or have her delusions gotten the best of her? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)
I've been a fan of Mary Kubica's writing ever since reading Pretty Baby in 2015. With When the Lights Go Out, Mary delivers a suspenseful and haunting story that I can't stop thinking about.
I like how Mary shifted between two perspectives, one in the not-so-distant past and one in the present. I had no idea what to expect from this novel and was definitely surprised. I was so nervous for Jessie and Eden the entire time and kept guessing what was going to happen for both of them. I also like that the story took place in Chicago, as most of Mary's novels do. Having lived in the area for most of my life, it was easy to visualize some of the city locations that were mentioned.
My only concern is that after all the build-up, the ending felt a bit anticlimactic. However, I didn't see it coming either.
This novel will give you the chills during what is looking like an unseasonably warm autumn.
Suggestions for Hollywood's consideration:
Jessie: Chloë Grace Moretz
Eden: Brie Larson
Aaron: Michiel Huisman
Liam: Jack Reynor
Miranda: Aly Michalka
Mrs. Geissler: Fionnula Flanagan
Thanks to Park Row for the book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks also to Mary Kubica for sharing one copy with a lucky reader.
How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway ends September 11th at midnight EST.
More by Mary Kubica:
I went a couple of days without sleeping when I was younger. I definitely couldn't do it now.
ReplyDeleteLove her books, thank you!
ReplyDeleteAbout 36 hours, I think. Couldn't possibly do that now!
ReplyDelete48 hours and more when I had insomnia from treatment.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the longest amount of time you have gone without sleeping?
ReplyDeleteI guess 30 hours, but I cannot do it now anymore
This story with dual timeline sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteI think I was probably rubbish at going without sleep. Possibly about 30 hours a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteI went about 36 hours without sleep when my mother was on life support.
ReplyDeleteI guess I've gone over 24 hours without sleep when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Probably a couple of days when my kids were sick, but generally I need sleep.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a 24 hour period when I was travelling.
ReplyDeleteProbably about 24 hours when I was traveling.
ReplyDeleteJust picked it up from my local bookstore today. P.S. Finished Ghosted yesterday. 3.5/4. It definitely got better as it went along, I thought. Keep 'em comin'.
ReplyDelete24 hours?
ReplyDeleteProbably 24 hours.
ReplyDeleteTwo days. Usually when we fly back from the Far East and I can’t sleep on the plane.
ReplyDeleteI probably went a day and a half when I was young and foolish but, fortunately, those days are passed.
ReplyDelete24 hours
ReplyDeletemaybe a day
ReplyDeleteThe longest I've gone without sleep is 39 hours. It was awful!
ReplyDeleteI believe close to 24 hours.
ReplyDeleteBack in college there was more than one all-nighter so I would say around 24 hrs.
ReplyDeleteI think a couple of days.
ReplyDelete