Castles Don’t Cry
by Jill Gagnon
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
ISBN: 9798986568126
Print Length: 343 pages
Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt
A familiar terror, an unforgettable emotional journey
In Jill Gagnon’s Castles Don’t Cry, readers are plunged into a world where suspense meets heartbreak and the ordinary collides with the extraordinary. This pulse-pounding thriller takes you on a rollercoaster ride of fear, sacrifice, and life-altering decisions.
We meet Sarah Castle Gilbert, a resilient lawyer still reeling from the sudden loss of her father, in the throes of marital woes with her husband, and trying to hold it all together. Plagued by an urge to check on her mother in Florida, her life turns into a nightmare when on her journey home, engine troubles force her plane into an emergency landing in South Carolina. Far from home and racing against time, Sarah’s courage takes center stage as she grapples with a deadly threat.
Meanwhile, we encounter Derek caught in a perilous situation at his father’s hangar within the same terminal. A sudden fight for survival unfolds as a gang of malevolent men targets Derek’s father. Gunfire erupts, horror is unleashed, and thus begins a journey of redemption for Derek.
The chaos intensifies as the thugs burst in on the crowd from Sarah’s plane, unleashing mayhem and death. Amidst the terror, Sarah and a 5-year-old boy named Christopher must summon every ounce of courage to survive. The unexpected heroism of saving Christopher’s newborn sister adds a layer of humanity that elevates the story beyond the typical thriller fare.
Derek’s and Sarah’s paths converge in the midst of the turmoil, setting the stage for a riveting partnership. Together, they navigate the treacherous terrain, making pulse-pounding decisions that blur the lines between ally and adversary. The chemistry between the characters crackles with tension, leaving readers questioning their loyalties. Can Sarah trust Derek? Will she be able to do the unfathomable to keep them alive?
As the plot hurtles toward its climax, themes of trust and sacrifice come to the forefront, grounding the narrative in a rich tapestry of human emotion. The ruthless pursuit of survival becomes a riveting dance, with the fate of not just Sarah and Derek, but also the innocent children hanging in the balance.
The prose and dialogue are quite skillful, and the relentless pace becomes an inescapable force. What sets this novel apart is not just its unique storyline but the profound emotions that serve as the driving force behind the narrative. In particular, the perspective of a 5-year-old, an innocent thrust into unimaginable horror, adds a layer of emotional complexity that lingers in the reader’s consciousness, transcending the boundaries of the thriller genre. This isn’t just a story; it’s an immersive experience. Good luck getting on an airplane after this one.
In Castles Don’t Cry, Gagnon goes beyond the expected, crafting a narrative that blends terror and tenderness. Strap in for a white-knuckle ride and be prepared to be destroyed emotionally—which is meant as the highest of compliments. Castles crumble, emotions soar, and the line between horror and heartache blurs in a way that will leave you breathless.
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