I LOVED this. Can't believe I haven't read any Amanda McKinney books before. This is a cracking psychological thriller with a great plot, a big heart, fantastic characters and an absolutely BRILLIANT twist that literally had my jaw dropping. Set in small-town America, the novel 's two central characters are Rhett and Sylvia. Rhett has spent twenty years in prison after being wrongly convicted of murdering Sylvia's murder. Shortly after he's released, Sylvia receives several anonymous letters that suggest Rhett is innocent. What follows is a brilliantly twisty tale as Sylvia and Rhett join forces to try to uncover the truth about the murder.
A fabulous read.

Whelp… didn’t see that coming!!! What the heck did I just read?!! 
A Creepy, crawly, brain eating worm! Yep that’s how my brain felt after finishing this book! WHAT THE HECK?! Afraid to finish without the lights on? Yeppers! Creepy, spine tingling - an overused phrase I know - but no other phrase really describes this book, it is truly spine tingling! Hold on to your hats dear ones! So many twists and turns in this spectacular, heart pounding, pull your hair out by the roots, throw your Kindle into the fire good book!
Please don’t read the spoilers, you won’t be disappointed. Author’s summary give you enough deets. 
Brain eating worm potentially, but not disappointed:).

Riveting. Heartstopping. Drama.
I still can't believe that ending.
I was rooting for the girl to get the guy the whole time.
And then I wasn't.

This wasn’t bad.

I mean…I read it and promptly forgot about it within two days, so it’s definitely not a stay with you kind of book.

Our main characters are a little frustrating because they don’t really seem to do logic. But I wanted to know how it would end and if I was right about the twisty bits (I was).

It’s a beach read and I wasn’t sorry I read it. I just may not ever think about it again.

• ARC via Publisher

Imagine waking up to a letter that suggests the man you helped convict for your mother's murder might actually be innocent. That's Sylvia Stone's reality. As anonymous letters pile up, each more revealing than the last, Sylvia's world turns upside down. And just when you think things couldn't get more intense, the final letter arrives with a bone-chilling message: "You're next."

This book is a wild ride, packed with twists that kept me guessing until the very end. Clear your schedule because once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down!

I absolutely LOVED A Marriage of Lies, so I was very excited to read Amanda McKinney's latest thriller! When I Disappear did not disappoint! I really love Amanda McKinney's writing style. And she has a real knack for coming up with super crazy and creative plots!

Sylvia receives a series an anonymous letters in the middle of the night. These letters suggest that her mother's murderer, Rhett, was innocent and spent 20 years in jail for nothing. When Rhett is released from prison, Sylvia receives another letter saying, "you're next". Shortly thereafter, Sylvia disappears.

This was a pretty crazy read! I was constantly changing my theories and unsure where the novel was heading. The ending was really great - I didn't guess it at all! Although I did prefer A Marriage of Lies to this one, When I Disappear is still really good!

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.w

Great story that I just wanted to keep on reading. Rhett had been convicted of killing Sylvia's mother 20 years ago and what she had stood up and said in court had helped him get sent down. He has always denied doing it and when a letter is left at her house it changes things.
A fast paced book throughout with plenty of suspects to keep you guessing.

This was an interesting story, light and easy to read, but not quite living up to the promise. The premise was intriguing, with anonymous letters that threatened to unravel the past, but it came out very predictable. Throughout the book, I kept expecting some kind of twist or unexpected happening, but it never came.

There were also a few things that didn't sit well with me, like Rhett finding out about the letters through gossip. That felt off and a little too convenient. Then there's Sylvia. She's not the easiest character to like, and some of her early thoughts and behavior raised red flags that made it hard to connect with her as the story progressed.

All in all, it is not a bad book; it is fast-paced and keeps you turning the pages, but not one that will remain in my head for very long.

This story was previously published as The Stone Secret, an Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal Winner - 2024. The new version includes an updated plot and new content.

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up

I really enjoyed Amanda McKinney’s “Mad Women” series, so I was eager to download the latest from this author when offered an ARC. But, unfortunately, this one wasn’t quite as satisfying for me. I think she has grown as an author since she originally penned this story-which seemed simplistic and sometimes predictable as compared with the others that I have read.

At 2:00 A.M., on 4 consecutive nights, Sylvia Stone receives 4 anonymous letters revealing details that only the true killer of Marjorie Stone would know. The first three contain numbers: 3:02, 3:04 and 3:11. The last contains just three words: “You are Next”.

Does this mean that Rhett Cohen, the man who was convicted of murdering her mother twenty years ago-really was innocent as he had always maintained?

And, if he is, then why does Sylvia disappear shortly after he is released from prison?

The story unfolds from multiple POV’s including those of Sylvia, Rhett and Marjorie.

“When I Disappear” is described by the Publisher as a twisty psychologist thriller perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, and I would agree! I have just personally outgrown the very OVER THE TOP popcorn 🍿 thrillers that these authors write, but for readers who LOVE these types of stories this will score much higher!

If you are intrigued you can get a copy on January 24, 2025.

Thank You to Storm Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always these are my candid thoughts.

I had great time reading this 😎✨. I rushed through this book in a two days as the plot had me captivated and I needed to know how the whole thing would turn out.
When I Disappear was gripping 😲😧 also not gripping 😑. There is suspense of what is going, whats happening but I wish it had more depth to it.
Anyhow I was hooked to the plot and characters. I loved the writing and the way story was layered.
But I did guess the plot twist very soon so the ending chapters didn't hit me that much. Also there were few plot holes which I felt were left unexplained.
3.75 🌟.
When I Disappear is perfect for fans of Fredia McFadden or if you are looking for binge worthy book, this is it.
📚
BLURB :
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 You’re next.
Then Sylvia disappears.
You may think you know how this story ends. Think again.
.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC

I thought this book started really well. However it became a bit convoluted for me and I started to dislike the main character. It is a shame I disconnected with it after that ,hope others enjoy it more.

What happens when the man you put in prison for murdering your mom, gets out, and you realize he didn't do it? Read this book and find out! Slow burn thriller, I read this one in a day.

The story follows a man called Rhett you has just served 20 years for murdering a local women after helping her do repairs in her home

Then 20 years later her daughter Sylvia who's testimony sealed his fate for 25 yrs in prison starts receiving letters in relation to her mothers death details only the killer or people close to the case would know !
She starts to question if the man she helped send to prison is indeed the person that killed her mother 20 yrs earlier or is he completely innocent and they have the wrong person

They both want and need the truth
I found this book kept me interested throughout i did find I kind of figured out what was happening
But even so I did enjoy the read and would recommend reading

*I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Sylvie Stone's mother Marjorie was murdered twenty years ago. With the accused killer Rhett Cohen locked up in prison, Sylvie has been floundering. Recently let go from her job, she spends much of her days watching reality TV and talking to her half blind hairless cat. Her routine changes when she begins to receive letters on her doorstep that have information in them only the killer of her mother could know. The last letter says "you are next". These letters point to Rhett actually being innocent. When he gets released, Sylvie and Rhett try to work together to solve Sylvie's mothers murder. Until Sylvie goes missing... This psychological thriller is a quick read that kept me entertained. The pace of the book is good and there are the usual red herrings and twists. I was able to figure out the twist pretty early on but that did not stop me from finishing it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda McKinney, and Storm Publishing for this ARC. Expected publishing date is January 24th 2025.

Amanda McKinney is a thriller queen! I’ve read several of her books now and all of them have been completely engrossing. This particular book was full of contradictions and surprises and I couldn’t stop once I started! This story is told through multiple POV and one of them is a very unreliable narrator. McKinney did an excellent job keeping the reader from figuring out which one!

Edgy, Compelling..
Anonymous letters, a conviction for murder, a devastating testimony. Is everything as it seems in this fast paced, engaging and compelling psychological suspense? Perhaps not. With a well drawn cast of characters, a pacy narrative and a plot littered with twists, an edgy and compulsive read.

Rhett Cohen, after spending nearly two decades in prison for the murder of an elderly woman, returns to confront the person whose testimony sealed his fate. This testimony cost him everything: his business, his home, his friends, and his family.

Now driven by a thirst for vigilante justice, Rhett begins unraveling his past, determined to ensure that the real murderer who framed him for the death of Marjorie Stone pays the ultimate price.

Review:
This is undoubtedly a fast-paced psychological thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling and the writing style, which kept me engaged throughout. However, I found the plot somewhat predictable. I kept anticipating a shocking twist at the end, but it never came.

In my opinion, the story could have been more gripping if Rhett himself had been the actual murderer, with the details of the crime revealed in a shocking twist. Additionally, I think adding one or two chapters from Anna's perspective would have enriched the narrative. Insights into Sylvia's character as a sister or a darker, more twisted point of view from Sylvia herself could have added depth and complexity.

That said, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book! This is the second book I’ve read by the author, and I’m excited to explore more of her work.

Lastly, I’d like to express my gratitude to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Amanda McKinney for the opportunity to read this ARC.

When I Disappear is a fast paced read that will send chills down your spine.

Forty years ago Sylvia Stones testified at her mother's murder trial sending the accused Rhett Cohen to prison.

Rhett proclaims his innocence and when he is paroled after twenty years he is headed back to town for revenge.

Sylvia receives anonymous letters saying she is next with clues only the murderer would know.

Oddly enough Rhett and Sylvia work together to clear his name.

This a town with secrets and lies and bodies are piling up.

Twists and turns keep those pages turning and the ending is a crazy one but oh so good.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review When I Disappear.

Rhett fue acusado de asesinato, pero él no lo cometió. Ahora, que está en libertad, quiere encontrar al verdadero asesino y hacerle pagar por arruinarle la vida.
Sylvia es periodista y su madre fue asesinada hace 20 años. Su testimonio fue clave para que encarcelaran a Rhett, pero justo antes de su liberación, empieza a recibir una serie de cartas en las que la amenazan y contienen información que solo el asesino podría saber. Entonces, se da cuenta de que ayudó a encerrar a un inocente. Se siente culpable por lo que hizo y decide ayudar a Rhett a descubrir la verdad.

A pesar de que era muy obvio quién era el culpable, la autora logró mantenerme atrapada en la historia para ver cómo los demás descubrirían todas esas mentiras.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found Sylvia a difficult character to get behind but really enjoyed the storyline and the supporting characters!
The twist was slightly less twisty than promised, I had all but worked it out some time previously but the excellent writing will still carry you through to the end, at which point you can be smug about your prowess as a case solver!