✨ First read of the year, and it did NOT disappoint! ✨
This quick, suspenseful read was packed with surprises, twists, and unpredictability. It was my first Amanda McKinney book, and now I’m hooked—this definitely won’t be my last!
The story is set in a small, atmospheric town, following Sylvia, whose life has been shadowed by the brutal murder of her mother. The case seemed closed when Rhett Cohen, the ruggedly handsome carpenter, was convicted of the crime. 20 years later, everything changes when Sylvia receives an anonymous letter suggesting Rhett might be innocent. As more letters arrive, secrets unravel, and Sylvia begins to question everything she thought she knew about her mother’s death. If you love multi-POV, multi-timeline mysteries that keep you guessing, When I Disappear is a must-read. It’s a perfect blend of suspense, revenge, emotional depth, and a touch of obsession that will have you hooked from start to finish.

📚 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date: January 24, 2025

QOTD: If someone you thought was guilty was proven innocent years later, how would you react?

Although I feel this book is worth reading, I felt it was lacking in some areas. For example, I didn’t find it to be very thrilling. I felt the story wasn’t exactly as described in the blurb, which was disappointing. But I did enjoy the dual timelines and some twists I didn’t guess.

At 2:00 a.m. Sylvia Stone awakens to a letter on her doorstep suggesting the handsome carpenter, Rhett Cohen, who was convicted of murdering her mother twenty years earlier, is innocent. The anonymous letters continue, each one revealing details only the true killer would know, making Sylvia question her testimony years ago.
But as Rhett is released from prison, the fourth and final letter arrives with one chilling message: You’re next.
Then Sylvia disappears.

Wow, oh wow!! This one one of those stories that keep you guessing as you are reading it and don't want to put it down! Yes, I was up WAY To late reading this cause I had to finish it. You keep wondering, is he innocent, what happened back then, where is Sylvia, what is going on??

Total mind blown!! And I loved it!!! You have to read this one!!

What a wild ride! This is the first book I’ve read by Amanda McKinney, and once I got into it, I flew through it! This multi-POV, multi-timeline story takes place in a small town where secrets run deep. After the murder of her mother, Sylvia seals the fate of the accused, Rhett, and he serves his 20 year sentence. Upon release, he returns to clear his name once and for all.

This story had a lot of different paths to go done. I found the pacing a little bit off, slow and building excitement, then ended quickly and almost nonchalantly. I could see the story going in multiple different directions, but the end was clear and wrapped up nicely. Overall a good story, you just have to suspend belief for some of the more mundane tasks that are apart of life.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.
Wow! What a fantastic story! It hit all the right places for a thriller. It was fast-paced, suspenseful with lots of twists and turns. I loved the characters. I didn't know what was going to happen next so it kept me sucked in.

The blurb - wow! I was all in for this one!

Unfortunately, it appears the blurb was written for a different book as I struggled to engage with this at all and I lost interest very quickly.

Sylvia's mother was violently murdered 20 years ago and the man she helped convict is now thought to be innocent. Much of the story was randomly based around Sylvia fancying this bloke and the plot was messy and didn't really make a lot of sense.

Ok for a holiday read if there's nothing much else going on.

2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This was a story full of suspense and lies. Very emotional read that keeps its secrets right to the end. A variety of characters most of whom have faults of one kind or another. Fascinating conclusion that turns everything on its head.

Lots to love about this book, it kept me turning the pages and unsure of where it was going to end up. Sylvia is a hot mess but an interesting character. The author’s use of past vs. current plot lines was well-done and added to the mystery. The last 20 percent was especially excellent! Thanks for the advance review copy.

Sylvia Stone's mother was murdered and the killer was sent to prison. 20 years later, Sylvia receives four mysterious letters left on her doorstep. Each contains information about her mother's death, only the killer would know. Sylvia is now doubting her own testimony.

Rhett Cohen was convicted of a murder he claims he didn't commit. After serving 20 years in prison, he is granted parole. There is only one place he is headed for, with revenge on his mind.

Wow! This book was a real page turner, addictive and such a fantastic read. I sailed through this story in two evenings. It had me up well past my bedtime. It had me gripped from the beginning with its short chapters filled with suspense and tension. It's one hell of a ride. Full of plot twists and red herrings, it wasn't until about 75% that I started to piece it all together.

I loved the characters and learning about their stories. We get to learn more from flashbacks told from Marjorie's pov, who is Sylvia's mother. I liked how Rhett and Sylvia are completely different but are going through the same situation of being alone, isolated, and trapped within their lives, having lost everything.

I rarely use the word "exciting" when describing a book I've just read, but this was. A fast-paced binge-worthy psychological thriller that is a must-read.

My last book of 2024, and what a book it is!

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing for this ARC to review.

Sylvia, Rhett and Marjorie each have a voice telling this story. This gives it such pace and dimension that it is impossible to put down. The twists are incredible. A must read.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. It is a real psychological thriller that held my interest to the end. However, I felt some of the storyline was predictable. Sylvia and Rhett are the two main characters. He was imprisoned for the murder if her mother, despite his innocence. After his release he sets out to find the true murderer. This brings him to Sylvia , who has received threatening letters.
The characters are well written and the small American town feels real. The story has some interesting twists and turns, but others I could see coming. Some readers will love this story, whilst others nay feel frustrated by it.

A fantastic read, fast paced and full of tension this book gave me whiplash from all the twists. I loved it

What a twisted and suspenseful ride! The mystery deepens through the perspectives of Rhett, Sylvia, and Sylvia's dead mother Marjorie. You can't help but keep turning the pages to see how everything plays out. I highly recommend this book for fans of psychological thrillers.

Rhett Cohen was convincted of killing Marjorie Stone 20 years ago. He is set to be released soon just as Sylvie, her daughter, has started to receive suspicious letters detailing facts about her mother's death that only the killer would know.

Sylvie Stone has believed that her mother's killer has been in jail and was rightly convicted. Until the alleged killer shows up at her door seeking to find the real killer so that his name can be cleared and he can move on. Sylvie believes Rhett and together they seek out to find her mother's real killer, and who's identity Sylvie may or may not already know. Rhett ends up embarking on the journey of finding the killer on his own because Sylvie gets kidnapped. Pick up When I Disappear if you enjoy unreliable characters, twisted minds and an ending you will not see coming!
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney is an exciting thriller which will keep you guessing until the end.

20 years ago Rhett Cohen was falsely accused, and imprisoned for the murder of Sylvia Stone's mother, and it was her testimony that put the final nail in his coffin. Now he's been released and he shows up at her door, determined to find the real killer and make him pay.

Just before his release, Sylvia started receiving threatening letters, making her believe that Rhett is innocent and she vows to help him clear his name.

This was such an interesting read. There is another mystery from Sylvia's past and it soon becomes clear that everything is not as it seems. Soon we have to wonder who to believe in this story, and the ending is a shocking twist. (Or maybe not so shocking if you're paying attention.)

I really enjoyed When I Disappear, it had some interesting twists that I wasn't expecting, and kept me glued to my ereader until the end. I will look up more books by this author, as I haven't read any of her previous work.

Amanda McKinney, When I Disappear, Storm Publishing, expected publication date January 24, 2025.

When I Disappear: A Solid Start with Room for Suspense

Amanda McKinney's When I Disappear is a psychological thriller that intertwines the themes of revenge, redemption, and the haunting echoes of the past. Set against the backdrop of a small town, the novel follows Rhett, a man recently released after serving a two-decade sentence for a murder he insists he didn't commit. As he returns to the scene of the crime, he seeks the help of Sylvia, the daughter of the victim, to uncover the truth behind the web of lies that led to his conviction.

From the outset, McKinney crafts an intriguing premise that draws readers in with its promise of mystery and suspense. Sylvia's receipt of ominous notes linked to her mother’s murder adds an additional layer of tension, particularly when one chilling message threatens her life. This setup creates a compelling foundation for the story, as the reader is left wondering who could be behind the threats and what really happened all those years ago.

However, while the narrative is engaging, it often falls into predictable patterns that detract from the potential thrill. The plot unfolds in a straightforward manner, with few unexpected twists to keep readers on edge. The eventual reveal in the final chapters, while satisfying, does not hit the highs of suspense that one might hope for in a thriller. The absence of Det. Stroud, a character introduced earlier in the story, is particularly noticeable. His sudden disappearance from the narrative leaves a gap that could have been filled with further development or insights, perhaps even offering a twist that would have elevated the story.

Despite these shortcomings, When I Disappear is an entertaining read that captures the complexities of human relationships and the scars left by trauma. McKinney’s writing is accessible, and she effectively conveys the emotional weight of Sylvia's journey as she grapples with her mother’s legacy and the threat looming over her. The exploration of Rhett's character also adds depth, allowing readers to empathize with his plight and the quest for justice he undertakes.

In conclusion, When I Disappear is an enjoyable thriller that, while lacking in suspenseful twists, still draws readers into its web of intrigue and emotional turmoil. For those who appreciate a straightforward mystery with a touch of psychological depth, McKinney’s latest offering is worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

Sylvia isn't living life. She exists. She has no job or friends and lost her twin sister at a young age. Not only that but her mother was murdered twenty years ago. As Sylvia goes through the motions, she finds ominus notes left on her doorstep which she takes to the police. When the man imprisoned for her mother's murder is released from prison, the two join forces. He has maintained his innocence all along and is as eager as she is to do some digging. The past collides with the present and guilt and deceit manifest in interesting ways. When someone disappears, more layers of secrets are revealed.

The punchy quick dual timeline chapters pulled me in and kept me engaged. The twists came from all angles and though I guessed some aspects, others caught me off guard. I like that the list of characters is short.

What didn't work as well for me is unconvincing characters and their actions. I really had to suspend belief. Still, this is a solid worthwhile read.

My sincere thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating novel.

When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney is a highly recommended psychological suspense novel. (Previously published as The Stone Secret, this version has an updated plot and content.)

Sylvia Stone lives an isolated life ever since her mother, Marjorie, was killed twenty years ago. Now she has received four separate typed notes, all delivered around 2 o'clock in the morning, containing information that only the killer would know. The final note is a direct threat to her life. Sylvia takes the notes to the police and also begins to question what really happened years ago.

Rhett Cohen, who always maintained his innocence, was convicted of the murder based on Sylvia's testimony and is being released. Now Sylvia also thinks he is innocent and the two begin to work together.

Chapters are presented through the point-of-view of Sylvia and Marjorie, and later Rhett. Sylvia's chapters, and later Rhett's, are all in the present day. Obviously, Marjorie's chapters are from the past, mainly when Sylvia was a child. The short chapters help the novel move at a fast pace.

There are several things going on at the same time in the novel and suspicions run high, including the police and a young man who went missing on purpose, Jesse. The main goal of the plot is to entertain and keep building suspense right to the end. Character development is light, but enough is provided to get a good sense of those involved.

While reading When I Disappear, you can tell there is more going on than is revealed, but enough hints are provided to hold your interest. Some readers will figure out the twists before they happen but the quick pace will still hold your attention to the end.
Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Well now this was a wild rollercoaster from the first page!... So many twists and yet the twists and turns just kept on coming. An amazing page turning psychological thriller that had my brain blown away. A definite recommend.

Thank you storm and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

4.5 Stars Rounded Up

As soon as I heard there was a new book by Amanda McKinney, I was looking forward to reading it! I knew it would be a good one and it did not disappoint!

Synopsis:

He spent twenty years in prison. She spent twenty years living a lie….
At 2:00 a.m. Sylvia Stone awakens to a letter on her doorstep suggesting the handsome carpenter, Rhett Cohen, who was convicted of murdering her mother twenty years earlier, is innocent. The anonymous letters continue, each one revealing details only the true killer would know, making Sylvia question her testimony years ago.
But as Rhett is released from prison, the fourth and final letter arrives with one chilling message: You’re next. Rhett is determined to prove he is innocent…. but then Sylvia disappears! Who really killed Sylvia’s mother and is history about to reiterate itself?

My Thoughts:

As expected, Amanda had me up late at night turning the pages to see how this story unfolds. This is such a twisty thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. My opinion about many of the characters changed throughout the book as I tried to figure out what was really going on! I loved the short chapters, multiple points, of view and dual timelines. The glimpses into the past, alternating with the present day storyline, really help bring it all together, culminating in one twisty suspenseful ending! I definitely recommend this one. Once you read one of Amanda McKinney’s books, you will definitely want to read more!