
Member Reviews

This is my second book by this author and I believe I have found a new author to read! I love her writing and the way she tells the stories. Very fun and I find them to be fast-paced, which I love.

I liked this book! It was a good read with the elements that make a thriller a good read. It was missing a few key elements that could have raised it from a 3 to a 4 star.

I loved how this book really had me second guessing myself the whole time. I had my initial thoughts about who the killer was, but the way the characters acted had me second guessing the responsible party. Also loved that it was a fast read!!

It's been 20 years since Sylvia Stone's mother was murdered. In fact, it was Sylvia's testimony that helped put the killer behind bars but now she is getting envelopes left at her doorstep. Letters that say little but a content that only the police team or the murderer, himself, would know about. The fact that one says "your next" rattles her. It's not just the message but how could the killer be delivering doorstep letters while he is still in prison. Did she help convict the wrong man?
Rhett, the convicted killer, is released on parole and still maintaining his innocence. He exits with a mission. To find who the real killer was and sentenced him to all those years in prison.
Through an odd set of circumstances they meet and the hunt is on for the real killer. Their relationship is interesting. Is hers born in guilt? Is he so socially removed from the world his reactions are marked by fear of returning to that cell?
Their connection changes the dynamics of what you would expect of a new parolee and the woman who helped put him there. It's an unconventional combination that keeps the pages turning.

So many good twists, and turns. Kept me guessing the whole time. If you like a good suspenseful thriller, look no further!

When I Disappear is a dark, gripping psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first chapter. The premise is immediately chilling—Sylvia Stone receives anonymous letters hinting that the man convicted of her mother’s murder, Rhett Cohen, may have been innocent all along. As each letter peels back another layer of the past, the tension builds steadily toward a jaw-dropping climax.
The pacing is razor-sharp, with enough twists and turns to keep even the most seasoned thriller reader second-guessing everything. I particularly appreciated how the author weaves together past trauma, unreliable memories, and the weight of guilt and truth over time. The characters, especially Sylvia and Rhett, are complex and layered, and their shared history adds real emotional depth to the suspense.
While a couple of the twists felt slightly implausible, they were still undeniably entertaining—and the final reveal? I truly didn’t see it coming. The ending sticks the landing and leaves you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page.
Fans of Freida McFadden and Gone Girl will find plenty to love here. A compelling, binge-worthy read that kept me up way past bedtime.

I found Rhett and Sylvia’s relationship a little weird. There were some twists but they were a bit predictable. An enjoyable, easy enough read but not a book I’ll remember for long.

This book had too many predictable twists and turns. I enjoyed the writing style, but the story did not offer anything that hasn't been done before. The characters fell flat. Overall, an easy read - but even easier to forget it once the book is closed,

Amanda McKinney's When I Disappear is a masterclass in psychological suspense, a chilling descent into a labyrinth of secrets where nothing is as it seems, and everyone is a suspect. This isn't just a thriller; it's an immersive experience that will leave you breathless and reeling long after the final page is turned.
McKinney expertly crafts a world where shadows dance and truth hides in plain sight. From the very first page, a sense of unease settles, growing with each twist and turn as the reader is drawn deeper into a mystery that's as complex as it is captivating.
When I Disappear is a relentless, heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. McKinney's ability to create an atmosphere of creeping dread, combined with her knack for crafting compelling, flawed characters, makes this a truly unforgettable read. Prepare to be consumed by a story that will haunt your dreams and leave you questioning the very nature of reality.

Suspense and drama are the main ingredients in this psychological thriller. As usual I enjoyed Amanda's excellent writing skills and her ability to keep you hooked into reading late at night. My two cents? Sometimes we don't need the twist if the twist is real obvious from the start. I still enjoyed the book but it got really predictable near the end..

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC which was very much appreciated.
Whilst the premise of the story drew me in I didn't get a proper feel for the characters. Sadly this resulted in my not being overly invested in what happened to them
This doesn't mean that it isn't a good novel, just that we didn't gel.

Amanda McKinney's "When I Disappear" is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into themes of justice, memory, and the complexities of truth. The narrative centers on Sylvia Stone, who, two decades after testifying against Rhett Cohen—the man convicted of her mother's murder—begins receiving anonymous letters suggesting his innocence. As these letters reveal details only the true killer would know, Sylvia is compelled to reassess her past testimony and confront unsettling questions about the events that shaped her life.
McKinney masterfully crafts a suspenseful atmosphere, keeping readers engaged through unexpected twists and a steadily building tension. The characters are richly developed, with Sylvia portrayed as a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist. Her journey from skepticism to a relentless pursuit of truth is both compelling and emotionally resonant. Rhett Cohen, depicted with nuance and depth, adds complexity to the narrative, challenging readers' perceptions of guilt and innocence.
The novel's pacing is well-executed, balancing introspective moments with action-packed sequences that drive the plot forward. McKinney's prose is both evocative and accessible, immersing readers in the small-town setting and the intricate web of secrets that bind its inhabitants. The climax is particularly noteworthy, delivering a series of revelations that are both surprising and satisfying, ensuring that readers remain on the edge of their seats until the final page.
Overall, "When I Disappear" is a standout addition to the psychological thriller genre, offering a thought-provoking exploration of truth and the lengths one will go to uncover it. Fans of authors like Freida McFadden and novels such as "Gone Girl" will find much to appreciate in McKinney's latest offering.

Just when Sylvia thought she could finally move on, she finds herself dropped into a nightmare.
Twenty years after she testified against Rhett Cohen for her mother’s murder, Sylvia starts receiving anonymous letters claiming he’s innocent—each one more disturbing than the last.
When Rhett is released and a final letter arrives that says, “You’re next,” everything she thought she knew is thrown into question.
Is the real killer still out there… and is Sylvia their next target?
This thrilling four star read released in January and is available in print and audiobook. If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free - go check it out!
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Amanda McKinney, and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for a review.

As always, Amanda McKinney delivers a twist, fast-paced, unpredictable thriller. I do suggest going in blind and knowing very little about the book in order to make the mystery so much more exciting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Twenty years earlier Sylvia's mother was murdered and the man who was convicted has just been released. In the middle of the night she receives a mysterious note saying he wasn't the murderer. It was her testimony that put him away, was she wrong? Rhett has always proclaimed his innocence, Sylvia was wrong and he intends to figure out who framed him. But now Sylvia has disappeared. He will have to save her to clear his name.
I am a huge fan of Amanda McKinney's and didn't realize I had already read this book when it had been released under the title The Secret Stone. The story is told with dual POVs from Sylvia and McKinney is good at romantic suspense stories and this was a good one but not one of my favorites. The twist is predictable and the relationship between the two main characters is a little bit forced considering the stories premise. Overall it is a decent suspense.

When I Disappear is a fantastic read that I would recommend adding to your TBR! This is a psychological thriller with shocking twists that made it almost impossible to put down. Imagine your mother getting murdered and thinking they had the killer, and he stated from day one he was innocent. Then after years of him being behind bars you start receiving letters making you question everything you thought you knew. That's exactly what the FMC is dealing with. Who is the killer? Is the man behind bars the killer or is someone else? Or is there just a copycat playing games with her head? Guess you better read to find out!

I'll admit, this book started off slow for me. I wasn't sure I liked Sylvia and I wasn't sure how I felt about the storyline.
Until Rhett gets out of jail and he and Sylvia team up to figure out who framed him (if he really was framed) and who the true killer of Sylvia's mother is.
This book takes you on many twists and turns, it's the kind of book that you finally think you know who the killer is and then BAM, that theory and blown right out of the water.
By the end of the book I had slowly figured out what was going on, and it's just a little bit insane.
Sounds intriguing. Go read for yourself!

A brilliant fast paced read that I loved from the very first page. So hard to put down once I started.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and Macmillan Audio for the digital and audio copies to review.
This was a quick and fun popcorn thriller that I enjoyed reading, and I am a fan of McKinney two books in. When I Disappear was fast paced but a little predictable. The audio was great, I enjoyed reading it this way and I finished this in one sitting.

Quick easy read that is hard to put down.
Characters were pretty interesting.
The relationship between Sylvia and Rhett is strange and I don’t understand how they were able to bond so quickly. That part wasn’t too believable.
The twist was a little predictable, definitely knew something wasn’t right.
Otherwise good read.
Thanks NetGalley for the copy.