Gone Before Goodbye

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your initial reaction to the high-concept premise of Gone Before Goodbye, which blends a medical thriller with conspiracy and advanced AI? Which elements did you find most compelling or perhaps unbelievable?

2. For those who have read other Harlan Coben thrillers, like Tell No One or I Will Find You, how did this collaboration with Reese Witherspoon feel similar to or different from his solo work? If you’re new to Coben, how did the novel compare to other books you’ve read in the suspense genre?

3. The Marc griefbot is central to Maggie’s journey. How effective did you find this technology as a plot device? Did it enhance the story’s emotional depth and mystery, or did it feel more like a convenient tool to move the plot forward?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. In the prologue, Marc states, “We don’t fear danger. We fear normalcy” (3). This idea drives many of the characters to seek out high-stakes environments. Think about the balance between security and excitement in your own life. Do you find yourself drawn more toward one than the other, and why do you think that is?

2. How do you feel about the concept of a griefbot that allows someone to “talk” to a deceased loved one? Do you see it as a helpful tool for processing loss, a potentially unhealthy crutch, or something else entirely?

3. Maggie’s idealized image of her husband is completely shattered by the end of the novel. Has there ever been a time when your perception of someone or something changed dramatically after learning new information? How did that experience reshape your understanding?

4. Nadia argues that ethics are a luxury for those living in comfort, defending her family’s decision to sell her kidney as an act of survival. When have you faced a situation where the “right” choice was complicated by difficult circumstances?

5. Porkchop’s actions are driven by a fierce, protective loyalty that operates outside the law. How did Porkchop’s final confession complicate your view of his actions? Where do you draw the line between loyalty and justice?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Gone Before Goodbye taps into the real-world trend of billionaires funding unregulated longevity research and “concierge medicine.” What does the novel suggest about the ethical dangers that arise when immense wealth can bypass traditional medical and legal systems?

2. The novel explores the idea of a “god complex” among brilliant surgeons like Marc and Trace, who believe their mission allows them to bend the rules. In what real-world professions or situations have you seen a similar dynamic, where great skill leads to a sense of being above ordinary ethical constraints?

3. The griefbot technology reflects actual advancements in AI. What broader societal implications do you foresee if this kind of technology becomes widely available? Could it change how our culture approaches death and mourning?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The THUMPR7 artificial heart begins as a symbol of hope and medical innovation. How does its meaning shift throughout the story?

2. Consider Maggie and Nadia as foils. In what ways do their parallel journeys of grief and their different approaches to survival highlight the novel’s exploration of agency and victimhood?

3. The narrative alternates between fast-paced action sequences, like Maggie’s escape from Oleg’s palace, and slower, dialogue-heavy scenes of exposition. What effect did this shifting pace have on your reading experience and your understanding of the central mystery?

4. The epilogue ends not with a clean resolution but with a sense of moral unease. Did you find this an effective ending for the story? What do you think it suggests about the cyclical nature of vengeance?

5. The Serpents and Saints tattoo is a small detail that becomes a massive clue. What is the significance of this symbol? How does its dual imagery of innocence and menace connect to the novel’s exploration of corrupted idealism?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. You’re tasked with designing a memorial for Marc Adams that captures the two conflicting sides of his life: the heroic humanitarian surgeon and the man entangled in a dark criminal enterprise. What would this memorial look like, and what materials would you use to represent that duality?

2. Suppose you were a developer on Sharon’s team, tasked with adding a feature to the Marc griefbot. What new function would you design to help Maggie move through her grief, rather than just remain in conversation with the past, and why would you choose it?