When I'm Gone

Wow! WRECKAGE- Bleeker's first book- was more powerful, but that is the only book I can really compare this to - this book is that good. And it may even be as good as/ better than WRECKAGE - which is about the highest praise I can possibly give. Certainly in this genre, possibly in books in general. At first, you're in it to see how Luke and family cope - you're introduced to them on the first pages as they enter their garage after Luke's wife's (and the kids' mother's) funeral. While hints are dropped to the mysteries to come early, you really don't get to the mystery aspect of this until around halfway in - then it starts building on itself, as Luke and family are finally healing enough for Luke to start asking questions and being more observant. From then on... watch out!

At first I thought this was very much like PS I Love You - letters from the now deceased loved one arriving on a pre-defined schedule... This one wasn't all-romantic though. The letters started out with small talk, how she hated her cancer, that she didn't want to go and pass on, especially with the children to be left behind, but there wasn't really any choice. What she had was time, albeit very little, that she spent writing to his soon to be widowed husband. Only she kept the letters a secret, arranging for their delivery starting on the day after her funeral, with the last one to be sent on the first anniversary of her death. She thought that after a year, with all the other letters as a prelude, he would have been well prepared for the big reveal.

The story has a very good twist. I thought I saw what was coming, only to be blindsided. Pick up this book if you're in the mood for a lot of family drama, grief over the loss of a loved one, surprises, and moving on.