Title: Castles Don’t Cry

Author: Jill Gagnon

Genres: Suspense / Psychological thriller

 

In Castles Don’t Cry by Jill Gagnon, Sarah is on her way home on a plane from visiting her recently widowed mom in Florida when an emergency landing in South Carolina at an old airport changes everything for the worse. Meanwhile, a young, troubled man named Derek is visiting his dying father at the same airport, only to find himself on the run from a group of bad guys with guns who have come calling. After a shootout that leaves many of the passengers from Sarah’s plane dead, Sarah is left with two kids, along with Derek, just trying to survive until their rescuers come.

Although Castles Don’t Cry is the second book in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Reading the first novel, When Castles Fall, enhances the story because we have met Sarah in the first novel. While the first novel revolves around Sarah’s mom, Jade, the second novel is mostly about Sarah. In addition, Gagnon employs several characters’ points of views throughout to give the reader a better gauge of the unfolding events. Derek is the secondary main character, and his viewpoint gives us insight into how someone else sees Sarah as a capable, young woman whose selflessness goes so far as to rescue two kids who aren’t her own. On the flip side, Sarah’s initial assessment of Derek remains wary, for how can she be sure he is a good guy or a bad guy?

Gagnon knows how to keep the reader turning the pages. Just like with book one of the series, she uses a lot of action sequences and dialogue to drive the momentum forward. Although many thrillers are plot-driven, her characters are also well rounded, believable, relatable, and realistic. Besides Sarah and Derek, we meet a womanizer named Robert from the plane who no one likes, and when our heroes meet up with the few remaining survivors hiding in a closet, Robert is among them. There is that dark part of even people like Sarah who are left wondering why someone as despicable as Robert had to survive when plenty of seemingly better people tragically died. Her guilt that follows is real.

As for why the antagonists are attacking innocent people at an old airport, the reader must keep reading to find out. Some suspicion that they are connected to Derek surfaces early in the narrative, but perhaps more clues interspersed throughout the story or a point of view from one of the villains would provide more insight into their motive. Although motive doesn’t necessarily need to be defined for the antagonist, giving the reader a reason for their evil renders their actions more sinister.

The old airport being used as an emergency landing spot also feels like a strange choice. It isn’t completely clear whether the airport is completely abandoned from commercial airlines or not.

In Castles Don’t Cry, we see the best and the worst of people. Gagnon’s novel is a stark reminder to everyone that everyday people choosing to do what is right can go a long way. For lovers of action-packed thrillers, Castles Don’t Cry is sure to be a new favorite.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.