When I picked up Gone Before Goodbye, I was intrigued by the collaboration between Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben. Reese is well known for her book club and her passion for uplifting female voices, while Coben is a master of the thriller genre. Together, they’ve created a medical thriller that is imaginative, twisty, and at times, a little far-fetched; but certainly engaging.
The story follows Maggie McCabe, a decorated combat veteran and restorative surgeon. Alongside her husband Marc, she co-founded a surgical non-profit, World Health Alliance, dedicated to helping those in poverty. But tragedy strikes when Marc is brutally murdered in a refugee camp. Spiralling into grief, Maggie loses her medical licence and begins searching for answers. Her journey takes a darker turn when she is hired by a wealthy oligarch for discreet surgery, pulling her into a web of conspiracies that stretch across borders.
There’s also a surreal element: Maggie finds herself comforted by a digital grief bot of her late husband. This AI-driven subplot adds a fascinating, if unsettling, layer to the narrative, raising questions about technology, ethics, and the human need for connection. From refugee camps to Russian oligarchs and illegal surgeries, the plot is wildly imaginative, though it does require a hefty suspension of disbelief.
Themes
ThemesThe novel explores grief, resilience, and the ethical dilemmas of advancing medical technology. It touches on the power dynamics of wealth and how the rich often dictate the course of medicine. There’s also commentary on family, loyalty, and the blurred lines between love and obsession. The AI subplot could have been explored more deeply, especially around the ethics of digital grief, but it still added intrigue.
What Worked For Me
The opening was compelling, pulling me straight into Maggie’s world of loss and determination. The medical details felt well researched, grounding the story in reality even when the plot veered into the extraordinary. Maggie herself, along with her loyal companion Porkchop, were characters I found easy to root for. The pacing picked up in the middle, and despite some predictable twists, the thriller elements kept me turning the pages.
I also appreciated the ambition of the plot, it’s not every day you read about a combat surgeon entangled with Russian oligarchs and AI grief bots. The uniqueness of the premise made the book stand out from other thrillers I’ve read recently.
Who May Enjoy This Book
Who May Enjoy This BookFans of fast-paced thrillers with medical and technological twists will find plenty to enjoy here. If you like action-driven plots with international settings and conspiracies, this will be right up your street. Book clubs may also find it a good pick, as the themes of grief, ethics, and resilience offer plenty to discuss.
The Final Word…
Overall, Gone Before Goodbye is a creative and entertaining thriller, though not without its flaws. The middle section dragged a little, and I would have liked more character development for Maggie beyond her professional brilliance. The ending left me wanting more closure, with a few loose ends dangling even after the epilogue. Still, it’s a page-turner that blends medical drama, action, and speculative technology in a way that kept me hooked.
It may not be the strongest of Coben’s thrillers, and Reese’s influence felt subtle, but together they’ve delivered a bold, imaginative story. If you’re willing to suspend disbelief and dive into a world of conspiracies, grief bots, and surgical intrigue, Gone Before is worth the read.
With thanks to Penguin Random House SA
