Gone to Ground by Morgan Hatch

A suspense novel like an ornate mirror, reflecting what needs to be changed

Gone to Ground follows Javier Jimenez, a young, smart kid on the brink of graduating high school. His dedication to furthering his education is complicated though by his younger brother Alex who is being entranced into criminal activities and by his mother’s unrelenting work schedule to pay off medical bills.

Javier’s struggles are echoed in his community of Horseshoe Barrio; many are stuck in an unforgiving poverty loop. To make ends meet, Javier often works with his sister Betzaida, towing cars and trucks. During one of their jobs, Javier innocuously pockets a phone found in one of the cars.

Without realizing it, Javier becomes entangled in a gentrifying bloodbath scheme to devour his community and regurgitate a tech community. He’s determined to put an end to it, but the cost could be fatal.

The beginning sequence, describing a factory fire, “charred corpses,” and manipulation, forewarns the reader of the travesty ahead. The writing is bewitching from the first page. After this explosive beginning, the book switches to Javier pondering his future. One of the many things that Hatch does well is make Javier’s mind a fascinating hub of observation and emotion. His descriptions of his surroundings are humorous and graphic, and as a protagonist, he connects well with us through his intelligence and sensitivity.

Gone to Ground delivers in all aspects of suspense too. Jones, the antagonist, is calculating, threatening, and yet scarily familiar. The book teases just enough to make him slightly sympathetic and complex, but it simultaneously reminds us of his atrocious nature. He functions solely on benefit with no regards to morality, treating corrupted politicians and innocent, impoverished people the same. He is nearly omnipresent, representing the greedy, lecherous system that prioritizes quick profit well.

I love how layered and well-crafted these characters are. Each character has a distinct voice, story, and relevance to the story. Patel, Javier’s teacher, is a perfect example of this. Although he’s not featured often, his short interactions with Javier ripple through the book, written with an air of nostalgia as many readers will remember a Patel-like teacher in their life. Characters like Patel and Gio are easy to like and root for.

In the end, I was quite amazed by Gone to Ground. It’s a suspense book that captivates while it brings forth an important conversation about shelter, community, and commodity.