Reese Witherspoon on writing a thriller: 'What do girls in bikinis have to do with solving crime?'
Original story by: BBC News
Last updated: Oct 16, 2025
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- Context: Reese Witherspoon, known for her acting career, has co-written her debut adult fiction novel, "Gone Before Goodbye," with bestselling author Harlan Coben. The novel features a skilled female surgeon as its protagonist, a deliberate choice by Witherspoon to focus on a character's unique abilities rather than her sex appeal, inspired by her childhood observations of female characters in films.
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- Detailed Summary:
- Reese Witherspoon's new thriller, "Gone Before Goodbye," co-written with Harlan Coben, centers on Maggie, a surgeon facing a deadly conspiracy after losing her medical license due to past tragedies.
- Witherspoon's own career setbacks and her parents' medical backgrounds inspired elements of the novel, reflecting themes of resilience and service.
- The author explicitly aimed to create a female protagonist whose strength lies in her intelligence and skills, diverging from stereotypical portrayals often seen in media, particularly highlighting her childhood questioning of female characters in James Bond films.
- Witherspoon, who already runs a successful book club and a production company, Hello Sunshine, dedicated to showcasing complex female characters, views this novel as an extension of her commitment to elevating women's stories.
- The collaboration with Harlan Coben, who shares a similar view of doctors as heroic, further underscores the importance of professional prowess in the narrative.
- Journalist Lauren Morris notes Witherspoon's strategic business model, which integrates her book club, production company, and acting career to promote female-centric stories.
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