Long Time Gone by Hannah Martian

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The details…

  • Title: Long Time Gone 
  • Author: Hannah Martian
  • Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
  • Publication date: October 15, 2024 
  • Available formats: ebook, hardcover, audio 
  • Print length: 288 pages
  • Audio length: 7 hours and 11 minutes; narrated by Heather Nichols
  • Genre: romantic suspense  
  • Themes: women loving women, family, love, sapphic romance, secrets, murder, lies
  • Tropes: close proximity

The blurb from the publisher…

In the small town of Wonderland, Wyoming, the truth is whatever the Coldwater family says it is. When their prodigal daughter, Jessica, was murdered forty years ago, their truth was that Holly Prine killed her—regardless of Holly’s innocence.

But the Coldwaters aren’t the only reason private investigator Quinn Cuthridge hasn’t set foot in the town in nearly a decade. After her aunt sent her away when she was a teen, Quinn swore she’d never return. When she gets an unexpected call from her aunt’s ranch hand, Hunter, Quinn learns that her aunt has gone missing. Reluctantly, she returns to Wyoming to investigate and soon realizes that her aunt was getting dangerously close to long-buried Wonderland secrets, including who really murdered Jessica Coldwater.

As Hunter and Quinn dig into what lies in the Wyoming backcountry, attraction flares between the two women, complicating their investigation—and Quinn’s steadfast refusal to have any ties to Wonderland. With someone threatening Quinn and her own dark past echoing in the present, Quinn must struggle against her hometown and herself to find the truth in this rich queer mystery.

My thoughts…

This is the debut book for Hannah Martian, and she does a decent job with it. Like most debuts, it isn’t perfect, but it is captivating for several reasons. First of all, the narrative employs a dual-timeline structure. This enriches the story by allowing readers to unravel the past and present concurrently. This technique fosters deeper engagement, encouraging readers to actively piece together the unfolding mystery. It draws readers into the storytelling, allowing for an immersive reading experience. Therefore, when the end comes, readers don’t feel duped by the surprising family secrets and lies that are revealed; instead, they feel as if they’ve helped unveil them.

As I mentioned, family secrets and lies are a big part of Long Time Gone’s plot. The Coldwater family’s dominance over the town introduces critical themes of power and manipulation, highlighting the lengths individuals go to make sure their secrets stay buried. When the intricate web of relationships within the town and family become stressed, the fragility of trust is revealed. Each character harbors hidden truths, and as these secrets slowly unravel, the tension escalates. As the threat of exposure looms large, characters must confront not only their own moral dilemmas but the repercussions of their actions on others. Martian showcases this in well-crafted scenes, accelerating the drama in a steady pace that leaves readers racing ahead to uncover lies that have been denied justice.

The setting plays a pivotal role in this complex tale. Martian uses it effectively, pushing the plot forward in interesting ways. Wonderland, Wyoming, is a seemingly quaint town, but beneath its surface lies a darker undercurrent, one that reflects the Coldwater family’s vast influence. As the narrative unfolds, readers are drawn into a world where the past refuses to stay buried, and the consequences of long-held secrets ripple through generations. Dark and mysterious themes emerge, heightening the tension and demonstrating why readers find these kinds of dramas appealing.

Although the Coldwater family’s grip on the town is quite compelling, it’s Quinn Cuthridge’s return to Wonderland that really stirs things up and raises the stakes for all involved. Her complicated past with the town—as well as her aunt—adds layers of emotional depth. Readers are drawn into her internal conflict as she grapples with coming back to a place filled with painful memories. Her journey resonates with readers, causing them to connect with her as she searches for answers. Ultimately, her quest for the truth is not just about solving a mystery but about self-discovery and healing, the flip side to this very complicated story.

Final remarks…

The interplay of loyalty and deceit creates a gripping atmosphere in this debut novel by Hannah Martian. The allure of deep-seated secrets is hard to resist, and Martian makes it nearly impossible to predict who will ultimately prevail. With each turn and revelation, the stakes grow higher, ultimately leading to a climax that is as shocking as it is inevitable. For those who enjoy narratives that are rooted in the darker sides of family loyalty, Long Time Gone’s twisty, turny plot will hit the spot.

Strengths…

  • Entertaining, suspenseful story 
  • Compelling storyline 
  • Intriguing characters 
  • Promising debut

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A bit about the author…

Hannah Martian (they/she) is a writer of queer crime fiction. She is a two-time graduate of Washington State University (MA ’24, BA ’20) and large portions of Long Time Gonemay or may not have been written in class while “taking notes.” Hannah currently lives in eastern Washington and is hard at work plotting her next (very gay) mystery. To learn more about her, check out her website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Goodreads Page, and Amazon Author Page.

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