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Gone Too Long
On the day a black truck rattles past her house and a Klan flyer lands in her front yard, ten-year-old Beth disappears from her Simmonsville, Georgia, home. Armed with skills honed while caring for an alcoholic mother, she must battle to survive the days and months ahead.
Seven years later, Imogene Coulter is burying her father--a Klan leader she has spent her life distancing herself from--and trying to escape the memories his funeral evokes. But Imogene is forced to confront secrets long held by Simmonsville and her own family when, while clearing out her father's apparent hideout on the day of his funeral, she finds a child. Young and alive, in an abandoned basement, and behind a door that only locks from the outside.
As Imogene begins to uncover the truth of what happened to young Beth all those years ago, her father's heir apparent to the Klan's leadership threatens her and her family.
Seven years later, Imogene Coulter is burying her father--a Klan leader she has spent her life distancing herself from--and trying to escape the memories his funeral evokes. But Imogene is forced to confront secrets long held by Simmonsville and her own family when, while clearing out her father's apparent hideout on the day of his funeral, she finds a child. Young and alive, in an abandoned basement, and behind a door that only locks from the outside.
As Imogene begins to uncover the truth of what happened to young Beth all those years ago, her father's heir apparent to the Klan's leadership threatens her and her family.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2019
324 people are currently reading
2989 people want to read
About the author
Lori Roy
13 books302 followersLori Roy’s debut novel, Bent Road, was awarded the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel by an American Author. Her work has been twice named a New York Times Notable Crime Book and has been included on various “best of” and summer reading lists. Until She Comes Home was a New York Times Editors’ Choice and a finalist for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel.
Let Me Die in His Footsteps was included among the top fiction of 2015 by Books-A-Million and named one of the best fifteen mystery novels of 2015 by Oline Cogdill. The novel also received the 2016 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel, making Lori the first woman to receive an Edgar Award for both Best First Novel and Best Novel—and only the third person ever to have done so. Gone Too Long was named a People magazine Book of the Week, was named one of the Best Books of Summer 2019, and was excerpted by Oprah magazine.
Lori's latest, THE FINAL EPISODE, will hit stores June 25, 2025.
Lori lives with her family in west central Florida.
Let Me Die in His Footsteps was included among the top fiction of 2015 by Books-A-Million and named one of the best fifteen mystery novels of 2015 by Oline Cogdill. The novel also received the 2016 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel, making Lori the first woman to receive an Edgar Award for both Best First Novel and Best Novel—and only the third person ever to have done so. Gone Too Long was named a People magazine Book of the Week, was named one of the Best Books of Summer 2019, and was excerpted by Oprah magazine.
Lori's latest, THE FINAL EPISODE, will hit stores June 25, 2025.
Lori lives with her family in west central Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
August 16, 2019
Had it not been for the copy shelved unassumingly in the new release section of my local library, Gone Too Long and I may have never crossed paths. Although, in hindsight, maybe that wouldn’t have been the worst thing.
Set amongst the pecan trees in rural Simmonsville, Georgia, Gone Too Long offers an incredibly intriguing premise. And yet somehow, the storyline fails to deliver much more than what’s laid out on the inside flap of the dust jacket.
Told almost entirely through Imogene, a woman barely existing in life, and Beth, a young kidnapping victim, this novel is at times a tedious undertaking. The bulk of the pages have a stagnant feel, perpetuated by the internal monologues, the density of the author's words and the number of revisited themes. The storyline screams for more character interaction and concrete answers to the multiple whys left on the table.
Imogene Coulter’s tragic past and family dynamics managed to pique my curiosity initially. Five years following the tragic accident that took her husband and young son, she’s still a complete mess. For Imogene, boozy nights and nameless men have become her coping mechanisms of choice.
On the night of her father’s funeral, and at her mother’s behest, Imogene lands herself on the threshold of her grandfather’s abandoned house. Much to her surprise, she finds a young boy locked away in the basement. He's reluctant to leave with Imogene, and insistent his mother Beth will return soon, despite being *gone too long* with an unknown man.
Being the only member of her family to shun a Ku Klux Klan hood, adds a sort of gutsy facet to Imogene’s character. And an assumption that with all of the talk of the KKK and familial lineage, there would be some exploration of the inner workings of the cause or even the Coulter family. In actuality, as Imogene puts forth a meager attempt to pinpoint the identity of the male captor, her siblings, and higher-ranking Klan members offer little if anything to the storyline. Sure, sinister glances are exchanged and fear alluded to, but in all honesty, the KKK angle comes off as little more than a cursory idea. Making the Klan history lessons interjected between select chapters feel a bit out of place.
And while I hate to diminish Beth’s plight, her view of the world doesn’t offer many surprises or inspire much emotion from the reader. One of the biggest head-scratchers is the author’s attempt to sell this unwavering connection and trust that Beth feels for Imogene. Considering Beth's knowledge of Imogene comes entirely from her captor's shared words and stories—conversations the reader is never made privy to—there's little believability there. Maybe, by some stretch of the imagination, Imogene represented a beacon of hope for Beth, but her assumptions and feigned knowledge felt largely unfounded.
And still, despite my discontent with the execution, I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy internal monologue centric plots. Readers with a tolerance for repetitive thought patterns, sparse dialogue and a slow moving storyline are sure to fair well.
*Thank to you to my lovely local library for the lended copy and the extensive “new release” offerings.
Set amongst the pecan trees in rural Simmonsville, Georgia, Gone Too Long offers an incredibly intriguing premise. And yet somehow, the storyline fails to deliver much more than what’s laid out on the inside flap of the dust jacket.
Told almost entirely through Imogene, a woman barely existing in life, and Beth, a young kidnapping victim, this novel is at times a tedious undertaking. The bulk of the pages have a stagnant feel, perpetuated by the internal monologues, the density of the author's words and the number of revisited themes. The storyline screams for more character interaction and concrete answers to the multiple whys left on the table.
Imogene Coulter’s tragic past and family dynamics managed to pique my curiosity initially. Five years following the tragic accident that took her husband and young son, she’s still a complete mess. For Imogene, boozy nights and nameless men have become her coping mechanisms of choice.
On the night of her father’s funeral, and at her mother’s behest, Imogene lands herself on the threshold of her grandfather’s abandoned house. Much to her surprise, she finds a young boy locked away in the basement. He's reluctant to leave with Imogene, and insistent his mother Beth will return soon, despite being *gone too long* with an unknown man.
Being the only member of her family to shun a Ku Klux Klan hood, adds a sort of gutsy facet to Imogene’s character. And an assumption that with all of the talk of the KKK and familial lineage, there would be some exploration of the inner workings of the cause or even the Coulter family. In actuality, as Imogene puts forth a meager attempt to pinpoint the identity of the male captor, her siblings, and higher-ranking Klan members offer little if anything to the storyline. Sure, sinister glances are exchanged and fear alluded to, but in all honesty, the KKK angle comes off as little more than a cursory idea. Making the Klan history lessons interjected between select chapters feel a bit out of place.
And while I hate to diminish Beth’s plight, her view of the world doesn’t offer many surprises or inspire much emotion from the reader. One of the biggest head-scratchers is the author’s attempt to sell this unwavering connection and trust that Beth feels for Imogene. Considering Beth's knowledge of Imogene comes entirely from her captor's shared words and stories—conversations the reader is never made privy to—there's little believability there. Maybe, by some stretch of the imagination, Imogene represented a beacon of hope for Beth, but her assumptions and feigned knowledge felt largely unfounded.
And still, despite my discontent with the execution, I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy internal monologue centric plots. Readers with a tolerance for repetitive thought patterns, sparse dialogue and a slow moving storyline are sure to fair well.
*Thank to you to my lovely local library for the lended copy and the extensive “new release” offerings.
July 10, 2019
“Gone Too Long” is a gripping and heart-wrenching story about a small town in Georgia run and terrorized by Ku Klux Klan group of men and women. The community of this small town is under the Klan’s almost a “gang” like influence, and for anyone that tries to live a life separate from the Klan’s ideas and influence it is almost impossible. The story is interspersed with historical facts, which gives a realistic feel to the plot.
Even though the writing style was truly beautiful and the characters were well-developed, I found this book to be a little slow and overwritten at times (hence the 4 instead of 5 start review). However, I am glad I stuck with it, because I ended up really loving this book. It was a disturbing, horrifying, and sadly to say, very relevant read, but so worth the time to read it.
Thank you NetGalley, Dutton Books, and the author, Lori Roy, for giving me an opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Even though the writing style was truly beautiful and the characters were well-developed, I found this book to be a little slow and overwritten at times (hence the 4 instead of 5 start review). However, I am glad I stuck with it, because I ended up really loving this book. It was a disturbing, horrifying, and sadly to say, very relevant read, but so worth the time to read it.
Thank you NetGalley, Dutton Books, and the author, Lori Roy, for giving me an opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 10, 2019
Beth is 10 years old and lives with her alcoholic mother in Georgia. She’s been told to stay in the house and not go to the door when she’s home alone. But she’s not alone one fateful day. Her babysitter is there and that babysitter does go to the door and opens it. That’s the day Beth disappears and thus begins a horrendous journey for her.
Imogene Coulter’s family is known for its connections to the Ku Klux Klan. Edison Coulter, the man she calls Daddy, is one of its local leaders. He’s being buried now but his legacy with the Klan continues with his son, Eddie, his daughter, Jo Lynne, and her husband, Garland. Imogene tries to distance herself from this part of her family but when she’s asked by her mother to get rid of a wire that leads to her grandfather’s house, she’s tragically pulled into the family’s past and history.
This is a dark, chilling tale of violence against race. This isn’t a typical thriller but rather an in depth character study of people whose oppose all that the KKK stand for but whose family members are involved in it. Their lives and families are torn between these opposing forces. My heart broke for Beth and the life she led after being taken from her home. And Imogene, who is no stranger to tragedy herself, is so courageous and broken, she’d melt anyone’s heart.
What makes this book even more disturbing are the true life historical references the author places between chapters telling the history of the KKK. The most chilling historical fact of all is the most recent one – the 2017 United the Right rally in Charlottesville.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Imogene Coulter’s family is known for its connections to the Ku Klux Klan. Edison Coulter, the man she calls Daddy, is one of its local leaders. He’s being buried now but his legacy with the Klan continues with his son, Eddie, his daughter, Jo Lynne, and her husband, Garland. Imogene tries to distance herself from this part of her family but when she’s asked by her mother to get rid of a wire that leads to her grandfather’s house, she’s tragically pulled into the family’s past and history.
This is a dark, chilling tale of violence against race. This isn’t a typical thriller but rather an in depth character study of people whose oppose all that the KKK stand for but whose family members are involved in it. Their lives and families are torn between these opposing forces. My heart broke for Beth and the life she led after being taken from her home. And Imogene, who is no stranger to tragedy herself, is so courageous and broken, she’d melt anyone’s heart.
What makes this book even more disturbing are the true life historical references the author places between chapters telling the history of the KKK. The most chilling historical fact of all is the most recent one – the 2017 United the Right rally in Charlottesville.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
May 14, 2020
A story based on the lifestyle of the KKK. So sad but true. They truly hated, tortured, and killed people outside of their race. Amazes me when people of any color and race feel as though they are superior than others. Unfortunately the hate crimes still continue in today's society. They took off the sheets and hoods and put on suits and ties.
May 6, 2019
“Gone Too Long” is a Page-turning story about a small Southern town still haunted by the cruel ghosts of its past. It is told through a currently popular technique of alternating timelines and points of view. Imogene is haunted by a family past steeped in Klan leadership and the cruel games the town bullies played. Sort of separate from her family, not wanting to bury secrets, Imogene stumbles on a cellar where a young boy had lived secretly until Imogene busted In after her father’s death. Beth’s point of view alternates beginning with her home life years ago and one night of horror that resulted in her imprisonment in the cellar and her dreams of one day escaping.
Both narrators speak without a full understanding of what has transpired and why. The reader therefore might be forgiven for being a little confused about what’s going on for a while.
Although an effort has been made to tie the story into historical context, the background and the history only serve as a context for the atmosphere and the closed-in feeling the characters have. It’s not necessarily a civil rights story so much as it is a haunting atmospheric tale. It’s a small glimpse into two intersecting lives, not a big earth-shattering thriller.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
Both narrators speak without a full understanding of what has transpired and why. The reader therefore might be forgiven for being a little confused about what’s going on for a while.
Although an effort has been made to tie the story into historical context, the background and the history only serve as a context for the atmosphere and the closed-in feeling the characters have. It’s not necessarily a civil rights story so much as it is a haunting atmospheric tale. It’s a small glimpse into two intersecting lives, not a big earth-shattering thriller.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
July 19, 2019
Here's the thing with this read. It is interspersed with real history of the KKK, which I always find fascinating and really did add to this story. The story goes from Imogene in the present to Beth in the past and then how they collide later. The writing is fantastic - this is my first by this author and I can understand the accolades given to her for her talent. However, for me personally, this story did drag on a bit. I was more fascinated and invested in Beth's side of the story. Being inside Imogene's head was painful at times.
This story is a bit haunting and certainly isn't an easy one to read. The KKK has held a prominent place in our history. Growing up in the south (and by south, I mean deep real south of Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, etc...), I've certainly been privy to their stupid and scary klan. Unfortunately in today's climate, they're popping back up more in the public eye and it's terrifying... absolutely terrifying. But this story is more than just about the KKK. It's about being a part of a family, being scared, dealing with loyalty and WANTING to be "good", but knowing you really can't.
It's harrowing and timely and not an easy one to get through. I struggled at times with the pacing and it didn't QUITE hit the mark for me.
This story is a bit haunting and certainly isn't an easy one to read. The KKK has held a prominent place in our history. Growing up in the south (and by south, I mean deep real south of Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, etc...), I've certainly been privy to their stupid and scary klan. Unfortunately in today's climate, they're popping back up more in the public eye and it's terrifying... absolutely terrifying. But this story is more than just about the KKK. It's about being a part of a family, being scared, dealing with loyalty and WANTING to be "good", but knowing you really can't.
It's harrowing and timely and not an easy one to get through. I struggled at times with the pacing and it didn't QUITE hit the mark for me.
March 28, 2019
The storyline was excellent, but the writing dragged on and on...There needed to be more character dialogue and less time spent in Imogene's head.
July 3, 2019
3.5 stars
February 26, 2019
Such an amazing story about strength in the face of adversity. Overcoming hatred with love. The power of a woman and what she will do to stand up for her family.
This story is told from multiple perspectives and unlike most books it doesn’t become confusing. It adds to the story, making it more personable.
This story is told from multiple perspectives and unlike most books it doesn’t become confusing. It adds to the story, making it more personable.
July 28, 2019
I LOVE Southern fiction and I had really high hopes for this one especially since it was marketed as a Southern gothic thriller. However, Gone Too Long missed the mark a bit for me. While the mystery element had me curious at first, I found the overall execution of the story as a whole to be lacking. I appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish by tying in the very real issue of white supremacy both from the past to the present day, and the snippets of history sprinkled throughout were informative and chilling. The flow and the pace of the story were very inconsistent for me and in the end I settled on three stars for this one. Many thanks to Dutton books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 15, 2019
The story is told in alternating viewpoints also in past and present between Beth, a young girl who is kidnapped and thrown into a basement and Imogene, a woman who was raised in a family where her stepfather was in the Klan, and her mother was against it but scared to speak up.
As if keeping Beth locked away in a basement wasn't enough, her captor throws in a young mother and her newborn son. Beth tasks herself with raising the baby, Christopher, as his mother has lost all hope of escaping and isn't a mother at all. We watch Imogene fight her way through puzzling out what is going on in what turns into a tense "who is at fault."
I liked both Imogene and Beth because they were both strong, assertive, women. Imogene never participated in the hatred her step-brother and step-sister did. Beth is a fighter who arms herself with knowledge in what seems an impossible situation. From the moment Roy introduced Jo Lynne I knew I didn't like her. She was proud of her family's involvement in the Klan, she treated Imogene poorly under the guise of caring. Her husband is what I would describe as gross, a man who is supposedly an upstanding citizen and a Klan member in secret.
Gone Too Long is a bit like Room but with racism at its roots, in fact, I felt that while the racism was the reason that the story happened the way it was, the story could have still happened without it (but then it would be way too similar to Room). The story was a bit repetitive at times but the characters were rich and the message is strong.
As if keeping Beth locked away in a basement wasn't enough, her captor throws in a young mother and her newborn son. Beth tasks herself with raising the baby, Christopher, as his mother has lost all hope of escaping and isn't a mother at all. We watch Imogene fight her way through puzzling out what is going on in what turns into a tense "who is at fault."
I liked both Imogene and Beth because they were both strong, assertive, women. Imogene never participated in the hatred her step-brother and step-sister did. Beth is a fighter who arms herself with knowledge in what seems an impossible situation. From the moment Roy introduced Jo Lynne I knew I didn't like her. She was proud of her family's involvement in the Klan, she treated Imogene poorly under the guise of caring. Her husband is what I would describe as gross, a man who is supposedly an upstanding citizen and a Klan member in secret.
Gone Too Long is a bit like Room but with racism at its roots, in fact, I felt that while the racism was the reason that the story happened the way it was, the story could have still happened without it (but then it would be way too similar to Room). The story was a bit repetitive at times but the characters were rich and the message is strong.
May 31, 2019
When I first started this I actually didn't think I was going to like it. Something felt off. Maybe a bit slow or disjointed? I'm not sure what. But now I am grappling between a 4 or 5 star read! This book was so many things - sad, shocking, disgusting and disturbingly relevant. The story really could have been told in many settings but the author chose to place it just right on the edge of the world of the KKK. It really made for an interesting plot and showed the truth of how truly horrible people actually live right inside the boundaries of normal life. I think the word that sits with me best to describe this novel is haunting. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and the opinions are my own.
August 7, 2019
‘Gone Too Long’ by Lori Roy is a character sketch that is wrapped up in historical facts and a mystery. Set in Simmonsville, Georgia, it is about a clan called Ku Klux Klan and people who are against everything they stand for and yet, their lives are intricately entangled with them.
Imogene, with her horrid past, is the primary narrator of this story. She is joined by Beth, the victim of a gruesome kidnapping, whose personal experiences are sure to affect your fragile heart. Imogene is against Ku Klux Klan, but how does she run away for something that is deeply rooted in her family? Her father was the chief of the clan and after his death, it’s his son who has to carry the mantle.
This story throws light on violence against race through Beth’s story and Imogene’s personal encounter with the clan’s members. The insights into their conscience build up the story perfectly while maintaining a secretive and violent atmosphere. The story is accompanied by true-life facts, events and a brief history of the KKK which makes is all the more real.
Imogene’s conflicting emotions and her struggles to break away from the family ties is explored in depth. But even then, the book feels cumbersome at places. Most characters, especially the clan members contributed very little to the plot and that slowed down the book. Nonetheless. this thriller cum character sketch is worth a read because if you have ever had conflicting emotions over something that contributed immensely to the society, you’ll find the protagonist very relatable.
Imogene, with her horrid past, is the primary narrator of this story. She is joined by Beth, the victim of a gruesome kidnapping, whose personal experiences are sure to affect your fragile heart. Imogene is against Ku Klux Klan, but how does she run away for something that is deeply rooted in her family? Her father was the chief of the clan and after his death, it’s his son who has to carry the mantle.
This story throws light on violence against race through Beth’s story and Imogene’s personal encounter with the clan’s members. The insights into their conscience build up the story perfectly while maintaining a secretive and violent atmosphere. The story is accompanied by true-life facts, events and a brief history of the KKK which makes is all the more real.
Imogene’s conflicting emotions and her struggles to break away from the family ties is explored in depth. But even then, the book feels cumbersome at places. Most characters, especially the clan members contributed very little to the plot and that slowed down the book. Nonetheless. this thriller cum character sketch is worth a read because if you have ever had conflicting emotions over something that contributed immensely to the society, you’ll find the protagonist very relatable.
June 24, 2019
I loved this book so much! It captivated me from the first sentence, and I kept trying to figure out what was going on with Beth and who the child was and how Imogene was connected. Throw in the fact that Imogene's family has a horrible legacy and it was just an amazing book.
I was reading this over the course of ALA, and it was the first time I've been able to read at a book conference. (This is probably the highest praise I can give, because it usually takes a day or two for me to be able to read again.)
This is the book everyone should be talking about this summer. It's incredibly smart but it's also got something to say. Highly recommended.
I was reading this over the course of ALA, and it was the first time I've been able to read at a book conference. (This is probably the highest praise I can give, because it usually takes a day or two for me to be able to read again.)
This is the book everyone should be talking about this summer. It's incredibly smart but it's also got something to say. Highly recommended.
October 21, 2019
A blatant ripoff of Emma Donohue's Room (a vastly better book) where the setting is changed to a Georgia town dominated by the KKK. So much about this novel rings false and there are so many plot holes that I really don't know where to start and I don't want to waste any more time on this book than I already have. You have been warned.
December 14, 2019
This was a really good book--a mystery or thriller, but good in a "how awful" kind of way. Takes place in Georgia, in a community dominated by KKK history and active members. Imogene is grieving the deaths of her husband and son and struggling to find her place in her family. After her father (way high up in the local KKK) dies, she and her mother discover an electrical wire to an abandoned house on the property. Imogene discovers a boy locked in the basement. There are many horrible things happening here, but Roy does not get graphically descriptive, thank goodness. It was a good thriller I thought.
July 12, 2019
Wow, once again, Lori Roy does not disappoint. I really enjoy her easy style of writing. There were a lot of characters to follow in this book but I loved how each of them were developed; I felt like I knew the good, the bad, and the ugly about each one. And trust me, there was A LOT of ugly as one might suspect of a novel that revolves around the KKK.
June 19, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A story from a different time and place, which I would call historical fiction / suspense. Gone Too Long is a bit of a mystery but the feel is more historical fiction. It does feel like something which could happen, sadly.
The uglier side of humanity is clear (KKK) and various human weaknesses in morals and integrity. Our main narrator, Imogene, is somewhat unreliable initially as she is hiding in grief with alcohol. Her voice tells the story of the present day, contrasted with Beth's voice starting 7 years ago and working its way to the present. Christopher has a very small point of view in the present which I appreciated knowing.
Both women break my heart, but especially Beth. She never gets a real chance with an alcoholic single mother, abducted at 10 by a KKK lackey, and living in a basement, locked in for 7 years. I admire her intelligence, patience, courage and strength of spirit. She read and kept herself knowledgeable, remarkable for one so young and isolated.
Imogene has not had an easy life either. She suffered some losses which had her retreating from life. Now there is a child and she rouses herself to deal with the horrors of the past to save his future. Beth and Imogene risk much to try to save him. The evil is chilling and the disregard for other's lives and health is disturbing.
Narration:
There are three narrators. The two women sound appropriate in age, slight southern lilt and emotional authenticity. The male voice for the child was very little of the audio but it felt too old and too confident for the terror he must have been feeling. I enjoyed the performance at a comfortable 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/penguin-audio/...
COYER: Read a book no living thing on the cover. PTS: 3
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A story from a different time and place, which I would call historical fiction / suspense. Gone Too Long is a bit of a mystery but the feel is more historical fiction. It does feel like something which could happen, sadly.
The uglier side of humanity is clear (KKK) and various human weaknesses in morals and integrity. Our main narrator, Imogene, is somewhat unreliable initially as she is hiding in grief with alcohol. Her voice tells the story of the present day, contrasted with Beth's voice starting 7 years ago and working its way to the present. Christopher has a very small point of view in the present which I appreciated knowing.
Both women break my heart, but especially Beth. She never gets a real chance with an alcoholic single mother, abducted at 10 by a KKK lackey, and living in a basement, locked in for 7 years. I admire her intelligence, patience, courage and strength of spirit. She read and kept herself knowledgeable, remarkable for one so young and isolated.
Imogene has not had an easy life either. She suffered some losses which had her retreating from life. Now there is a child and she rouses herself to deal with the horrors of the past to save his future. Beth and Imogene risk much to try to save him. The evil is chilling and the disregard for other's lives and health is disturbing.
Narration:
There are three narrators. The two women sound appropriate in age, slight southern lilt and emotional authenticity. The male voice for the child was very little of the audio but it felt too old and too confident for the terror he must have been feeling. I enjoyed the performance at a comfortable 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/penguin-audio/...
COYER: Read a book no living thing on the cover. PTS: 3
June 28, 2019
Visit the locations in the novel
This is a heartbreaking read of a community held hostage by the Ku Klux Klan. A daughter of a klan member finds out something about his past and it's even more horrifying that she could ever imagine.
This is the community where black vans drive around the streets dropping out leaflets advertising and recruiting for the KKK. Black vans of hatred. One woman in the book has seen her whole family swallowed up by this group, yet she has taken a different path. How far can you ever escape though and which group loyalty will claim you in the end?
Following a shocking (and I mean SHOCKING) revelation, the KKK descend on this family home. There's the reputation of the clan leader to maintain after all. And now someone who has avoided this hatred now becomes embroiled in it.
Historical references to true life events make this all too real and raw. I'm not going to lie, there are some tough 'scenes' to witness and some harsh truths to swallow. But I think it's an important read. Hatred and abuse in any form is wrong. Who ever you are, what ever you wear, look like, pray to, identify with etc...we're all human at heart. One event in the book took place as recent as 2017. That made me think even more than I had done before.
This is a heartbreaking read of a community held hostage by the Ku Klux Klan. A daughter of a klan member finds out something about his past and it's even more horrifying that she could ever imagine.
This is the community where black vans drive around the streets dropping out leaflets advertising and recruiting for the KKK. Black vans of hatred. One woman in the book has seen her whole family swallowed up by this group, yet she has taken a different path. How far can you ever escape though and which group loyalty will claim you in the end?
Following a shocking (and I mean SHOCKING) revelation, the KKK descend on this family home. There's the reputation of the clan leader to maintain after all. And now someone who has avoided this hatred now becomes embroiled in it.
Historical references to true life events make this all too real and raw. I'm not going to lie, there are some tough 'scenes' to witness and some harsh truths to swallow. But I think it's an important read. Hatred and abuse in any form is wrong. Who ever you are, what ever you wear, look like, pray to, identify with etc...we're all human at heart. One event in the book took place as recent as 2017. That made me think even more than I had done before.
May 30, 2019
When I started this book I thought it was kind of boring. Boy was I wrong. This is an amazing story with a few true facts thrown in about the Klu Kluck Klan and the things that had happed in the 60 's, 70's and even 2017. It was for me a mystery and a thriller not knowing what was going to happen next. I was a little disappointed in the end. Because I always want things to turn out good for everyone. I really liked the main characters and was pulled into there lives. I would definitely recommend this book. 4 stars for sure.
May 30, 2019
Good story but a very difficult read for me as it invoked the kidnapping of a child and the KKK. Very touching writing from the viewpoints of multiple characters. Not a mystery or suspense novel, but some “ah ha” surprise moments.
I decided to post my thoughts and chose leave a review after reading the advance e-copy of this book I received, courtesy of Penguin Random House’s First
To Read Program. Thank you to Dutton Books, the Publisher for sending this book to me and giving me an opportunity to read it before the publication date.
@DuttonBooks @LORIROYauthor
I decided to post my thoughts and chose leave a review after reading the advance e-copy of this book I received, courtesy of Penguin Random House’s First
To Read Program. Thank you to Dutton Books, the Publisher for sending this book to me and giving me an opportunity to read it before the publication date.
@DuttonBooks @LORIROYauthor
March 2, 2019
I liked the style in which this book was written. The multiple perspectives and inserts of history kept the flow interesting and smooth. There was a little bit of redundancy with certain things being repeated almost verbatim fro. Previous sections, but this is an ARC that I read, so I’m sure final print will be ironed out. The cultural relevance and message of this book to never forget hate is out there simmering and can be in a cape and hood, or a business suit to appeal more to the masses. You don’t know how quickly that hate can boil over into something unimaginable. We CANNOT accept that people with that degree of hatred in them are to just be expected and turn a blind eye! I hope people read this book and send its message into the world and our world can stop having a huge undercurrent of fear always bubbling just below the surface.
February 14, 2020
Thank you First to Read for the opportunity to read Gone Too Long by Lori Roy. This is a deep and sometimes disturbing novel. Written in different POV's and timelines, the author tells a story of family trama and drama.
Imogene has always challenged her father's politics - he was a member of the KKK and when he dies, she discovers a secret room. It's not what she finds it's WHO and this opens a box of secrets that she is horrified by all the deep rooted family dynamics she uncovers.
Imogene wants to know the truth, but in knowing what happened, she may just put herself and family in harms way.
Good Book - 3 stars.
Imogene has always challenged her father's politics - he was a member of the KKK and when he dies, she discovers a secret room. It's not what she finds it's WHO and this opens a box of secrets that she is horrified by all the deep rooted family dynamics she uncovers.
Imogene wants to know the truth, but in knowing what happened, she may just put herself and family in harms way.
Good Book - 3 stars.
July 12, 2019
I could have done without the Tillerson family plot. Too many characters.
August 12, 2019
Usually I write a review right after I finish a book, but this one took me a little time to process. I really don't know that I'll ever find the words to describe how much it affected me, though. I don't know the last time I cried this hard over a book!
This story is incredibly dark, disturbing, and heartbreaking. It's also suspenseful and a little mysterious- and, of course, it has an important message behind it that's woven throughout the entire story. I honestly feel a little naive for believing, based on the description, that this book is set many years ago. Don't make the same mistake I did: this book is set in present-day America, which makes it even more horrifying. Just because they don't wear white hoods anymore doesn't mean the KKK does not exist.
While the KKK does feature prominently in this book, I would say it becomes more of a background element and isn't as important to the main storyline as I thought it would be. I did find it fascinating how Imogen dealt with her family's history. There were times I wondered, "why does she even speak to these people? Why doesn't she take off and never see them again?" But as the book continues you understand a little better the constant battle Imogen faces between the love she has for her family and the hatred she has for the things they believe in and do. I'm not saying I would do the same thing in Imogen's situation, but I can see why she doesn't just walk away.
Beth, the other main character, was my favorite. She is strong and smart and resourceful. But what she went through absolutely ripped my heart to shreds. I feel like Beth and her story will stay with me for a long time. And that's due to Lori Roy's writing, which I felt was amazing, particularly during Beth's narration. She has a way of breaking my heart with just a few well put-together words.
I almost, almost rated this five stars. It came very close for me, but I did have one big issue with it that made me take one star away- there is a subplot involving some minor characters that felt completely unnecessary. I kept thinking it had to connect and be meaningful somehow, but when I finished the book, I felt like the subplot had done nothing to affect or enrich the main plot in any way. I'm really not sure why it was included at all. For me, it took away from the rest of the book instead of adding to it, and felt like a waste of time when I would have rather been reading about Imogen and Beth.
Overall, I loved this book. But it is not a book to go into lightly- I would say that if you're going to pick this one up, be prepared to feel angry and devastated and heartbroken, sometimes all at once.
This story is incredibly dark, disturbing, and heartbreaking. It's also suspenseful and a little mysterious- and, of course, it has an important message behind it that's woven throughout the entire story. I honestly feel a little naive for believing, based on the description, that this book is set many years ago. Don't make the same mistake I did: this book is set in present-day America, which makes it even more horrifying. Just because they don't wear white hoods anymore doesn't mean the KKK does not exist.
While the KKK does feature prominently in this book, I would say it becomes more of a background element and isn't as important to the main storyline as I thought it would be. I did find it fascinating how Imogen dealt with her family's history. There were times I wondered, "why does she even speak to these people? Why doesn't she take off and never see them again?" But as the book continues you understand a little better the constant battle Imogen faces between the love she has for her family and the hatred she has for the things they believe in and do. I'm not saying I would do the same thing in Imogen's situation, but I can see why she doesn't just walk away.
Beth, the other main character, was my favorite. She is strong and smart and resourceful. But what she went through absolutely ripped my heart to shreds. I feel like Beth and her story will stay with me for a long time. And that's due to Lori Roy's writing, which I felt was amazing, particularly during Beth's narration. She has a way of breaking my heart with just a few well put-together words.
I almost, almost rated this five stars. It came very close for me, but I did have one big issue with it that made me take one star away- there is a subplot involving some minor characters that felt completely unnecessary. I kept thinking it had to connect and be meaningful somehow, but when I finished the book, I felt like the subplot had done nothing to affect or enrich the main plot in any way. I'm really not sure why it was included at all. For me, it took away from the rest of the book instead of adding to it, and felt like a waste of time when I would have rather been reading about Imogen and Beth.
Overall, I loved this book. But it is not a book to go into lightly- I would say that if you're going to pick this one up, be prepared to feel angry and devastated and heartbroken, sometimes all at once.
July 11, 2019
Thanks to the publisher for my free copy in exchange for my honest review
This was my second outing with Lori Roy and once again, I loved her writing! I need to pick up more from Roy the next time I’m browsing through the bookstore. This wasn’t what I was expecting it to be – I was expecting more of a thriller but I got so much more! A woman that spent her life desperately trying to distance herself as much as possible from her father and his strong connections to the Klan must now face his past.
Imogene has to come home to bury her father. A man that she spent her life distancing from because of his involvement with the Klan. After the funeral, Imogene needs to clear out his possessions from his hideout – what she found changes things forever. Behind a locked door in the basement was a young girl, Beth, and she was alive and well. How did she get there? How long as she been there? What was her father doing? So many questions.
We get to see through Beth’s perspective and Imogene’s as the story progresses. While there is a mystery element to it and some suspense, there is also the historical aspect to this book. The author does include real events, and unfortunately there are still events as recent as 2017 with the Klan. I think the only thing that dropped my rating down a little bit was that there were some parts that really slowed down for me, otherwise I would highly recommend it!
This was my second outing with Lori Roy and once again, I loved her writing! I need to pick up more from Roy the next time I’m browsing through the bookstore. This wasn’t what I was expecting it to be – I was expecting more of a thriller but I got so much more! A woman that spent her life desperately trying to distance herself as much as possible from her father and his strong connections to the Klan must now face his past.
Imogene has to come home to bury her father. A man that she spent her life distancing from because of his involvement with the Klan. After the funeral, Imogene needs to clear out his possessions from his hideout – what she found changes things forever. Behind a locked door in the basement was a young girl, Beth, and she was alive and well. How did she get there? How long as she been there? What was her father doing? So many questions.
We get to see through Beth’s perspective and Imogene’s as the story progresses. While there is a mystery element to it and some suspense, there is also the historical aspect to this book. The author does include real events, and unfortunately there are still events as recent as 2017 with the Klan. I think the only thing that dropped my rating down a little bit was that there were some parts that really slowed down for me, otherwise I would highly recommend it!
January 19, 2020
This is not a book that everyone will want to read. It’s a sad, devastating story, but it is well written. The writing is vivid and descriptive.
At some point I wondered if I wanted to continue, and I decided I did. I was invested in the characters and wanted to find out what would become of them. I felt bad for one of the main characters, Beth, but my heart broke toward the end when I read, “I know that sound. It’s like childhood sneaking up on me. It’s tires on a gravel road. I think of Ellie and Fran. They’ll be big as me now. I imagine they’re still riding on that bus to Macon for the field trip. They’re sipping sweet tea from a can and their heads are tipped together and they’re telling stories about the day they’ll finally see me again. They’ll tell me all about the things I’ve missed, the names of every teacher and the jobs they had each summer and what color they painted their bedrooms. I can’t remember their last names anymore, but I think I’ll know them when I see them. I think they’ll know me too.” Beth’s childhood was stolen from her and the passage made it real.
I started with the audio version, which was nice because I then had the voices of the characters with their Southern drawl in mind when I transitioned to the hard copy. I toggled between the two.
At some point I wondered if I wanted to continue, and I decided I did. I was invested in the characters and wanted to find out what would become of them. I felt bad for one of the main characters, Beth, but my heart broke toward the end when I read, “I know that sound. It’s like childhood sneaking up on me. It’s tires on a gravel road. I think of Ellie and Fran. They’ll be big as me now. I imagine they’re still riding on that bus to Macon for the field trip. They’re sipping sweet tea from a can and their heads are tipped together and they’re telling stories about the day they’ll finally see me again. They’ll tell me all about the things I’ve missed, the names of every teacher and the jobs they had each summer and what color they painted their bedrooms. I can’t remember their last names anymore, but I think I’ll know them when I see them. I think they’ll know me too.” Beth’s childhood was stolen from her and the passage made it real.
I started with the audio version, which was nice because I then had the voices of the characters with their Southern drawl in mind when I transitioned to the hard copy. I toggled between the two.
August 23, 2020
3.5 Stars
I read this one aloud to my husband. That process brings something unique to the book. We can take two days to read a book or over a year. We started this one last December and I had forgotten a lot of the beginning when we picked it up again. I was very confused by Beth’s race and the story didn’t make much sense to me until I figured it out. The book takes place mostly over a day or two except when it goes back in time. The descriptions are long and vivid. The voices are clear. I liked the book but the ending was too tightly sewn up for me.
I read this one aloud to my husband. That process brings something unique to the book. We can take two days to read a book or over a year. We started this one last December and I had forgotten a lot of the beginning when we picked it up again. I was very confused by Beth’s race and the story didn’t make much sense to me until I figured it out. The book takes place mostly over a day or two except when it goes back in time. The descriptions are long and vivid. The voices are clear. I liked the book but the ending was too tightly sewn up for me.
July 11, 2019
The problem I had with this book is that it went back and forth in time which bothered the flow of the book for me. Other than that this book was not too bad at all. It kept me engaged for the most part! (Gerard’s review,
September 16, 2019
4...A Real page turner! I enjoyed everything about this book BUT still don't understand how the KKK stuff was at all necessary...At first the timeline jumps were annoying but once the book got going it made the novel more suspenseful! Nicely done.
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