Rainie Conner has seen some of the worst things people can do to each other, first as a deputy in a small town and more recently working criminal investigations with her husband Pierce Quincy, an ex-FBI profiler. But she's been able to compartmentalize, to detach herself, until the death of yet another innocent child at one more bloody crime scene shatters something within her. Now Rainie is trapped in a downward spiral, cutting herself off from Pierce, drinking too much, obsessed with death and tragedy. Then, one rainy night, she's abducted from her car by a stranger, and the instinct to fight and survive takes over. But her instincts may not be enough to keep her alive.

Pierce Quincy has watched Rainie drift away from him, torn between shaking her out of her depression and giving her space to work things out. Now she's missing and he's overwhelmed with guilt and grief, but must pull himself together to profile the kidnapper and solve this very personal case. Working with local law enforcement, as well as his daughter, Kimberly, and her friend Mac, both FBI agents, Pierce races against time to save the stranger he loves.

This is a grim, intense book. Rainie is battling serious depression; Pierce is frustrated at his inability to help her and then distraught when she disappears. Rainie's kidnapper is physically violent with her (although not sexually) and a young boy is also put in serious jeopardy. I did not always enjoy reading this book, but I was compelled to keep going. I cared about these characters and what happened to them. The details about the investigative procedure are also very interesting. I do recommend GONE, particularly to Gardner fans and people who enjoy shows like Without a Trace, but it will not appeal to more sensitive readers.