If I Die Tonight by Alison GaylinMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
If I Die Tonight is a mystery/suspense read that boasts a riveting plot, interesting characters and a beautifully written narrative—as well as a thoroughly disappointing conclusion that was so “all’s well that ends well” that it warranted a full star demerit.
The story is a tale of two cities—the Reed family and Pearl Maze. The Reeds are one more divorce statistic, with mom raising two brothers who couldn’t possibly be more different: the morose and somber Wade—a high school senior who is seen as a social outcast, and the sensitive and smart Connor, who until recently defended and stood by his older brother. When a local teen is killed in a hit and run, Wade becomes the primary suspect. Pearl Maze is one of the officers investigating the crime in their usually sleepy little town of Haverkill, but Pearl is plagued with demons of her own. As the story unfolds, through third person narration and Facebook posts, the truth is finally exposed— for the Reeds and for Pearl.
The characters here are three-dimensional and engaging, developed beyond the stereotypes they could have been. Wade and Connor are teens in every sense of the word, battling growing pains and trying to find their places in the world. Pearl is a study in contradiction—an honest cop who seeks out one night stands and copious amounts of alcohol in an effort to numb the pain of her past. Even the minor characters are imbued with back stories and behaviors that give them life beyond the page.
In addition to her rich characters, author Alison Gaylin has gone far beyond the typical mainstream mystery by wordsmithing prose that often sings in short, staccato bursts, and it is in these moments that the story shines.
“Back at the station, Ryan Grant’s eyes had been tear-bruised and vacant, his jaw slack, the rosiness drained out of his cheeks. Such a handsome kid and obviously popular, but his most noticeable feature had been his sadness.”
“Mason Marx was short and squat, with mean little pig eyes and the personality of bad cheese.”
“Sheila plucked one of the cookies from the tray—a powdery little thing that looked like a puff of smoke.”
This would truly have been a four star read but for the dismal conclusion. Without spoilers, it’s difficult to explain, but it felt like a Hallmark movie, all tied with a sparkly bow that somehow cheapened the journey to get there.
All in all, a read to be enjoyed for its characters, plot and phrasing—just don’t look for any true surprises at the end.
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