When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you hooked from the very first page. Blending dual timelines, multiple POVs, and plenty of twists, it masterfully unravels a haunting mystery that lingers long after the last chapter.

The story centers around Sylvia Stone, whose life was shattered twenty years ago when her mother, Marjorie, was murdered. Rhett Cohen was convicted of the crime based on Sylvia’s testimony, but after his release from prison, Sylvia begins receiving anonymous letters containing details only the true killer would know. As the two unlikely allies team up to uncover the truth, Sylvia’s life is thrown into chaos, culminating in her sudden disappearance and leaving everyone wondering: has Rhett struck again, or is someone else pulling the strings?

Amanda McKinney does an excellent job weaving generational trauma and guilt into the plot. The alternating perspectives—from Sylvia, Rhett, and Marjorie—add depth and provide essential context to the unfolding mystery. The pacing is brisk, with short chapters and tantalizing clues that keep you turning the pages. The small-town setting is alive with intrigue, filled with shady characters and secrets that make everyone a suspect.

While the narrative occasionally feels overly busy with its many twists, the story’s emotional resonance and richly developed characters more than compensate. Sylvia and Rhett’s uneasy dynamic is particularly compelling, with their evolving relationship adding layers of tension and complexity to the plot. The climax, though somewhat predictable for seasoned thriller readers, still packs an emotional punch and ties the story’s many threads together.

When I Disappear is a rollercoaster of a thriller, perfect for fans of fast-paced mysteries and morally complex characters. If you enjoy dual timelines, unreliable narrators, and small-town secrets, this book will not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Amanda McKinney for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This one hits shelves on January 24, 2025—mark your calendars!

Was not expecting to be so enthralled by this book, I genuinely loved the storyline and how well it was written. With each letter I was on the edge of my seat. Every-time I thought I truly had it figured out I was shocked to see I didn't. It wasn't anything I expected as far as who dunnit and it was better!

Recommending to all my book lovers, especially those who love a great thriller!

Book Title: When I Disappear
Author: Amanda McKinney
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery
Pub Date: January 24, 2025
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 311


When Rhett Cohen is finally released from prison after spending twenty years for a murder of Marjorie Stone – a murder he didn’t commit
He goes back to the scene of the crime as he wants revenge for being set-up.
Sylvia Stone is the daughter of Marjorie and yes she testified against Rhett Cohen twenty years ago. However when she gets anonymous letters revealing details only the true killer would know, she is sure Rhett is innocent.

When Sylvia, opens her door to the man who was accused of her mother’s murder, she tells him she wants to help him - however when Sylvia is kidnapped Rhett is once being accused.
How will he save himself bow?

Story had me curious as to whodunit. I read a lot of thrillers and love the twist and turns and the cleverness of whodunit.
Have to admit I did struggle – I am sure other readers will love it but it wasn’t the thriller I was expecting.

I did enjoyed "Marriage of Lies]'and will definitely read another Amanda McKinney story.

Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 24, 2025.

This book will truly make you second guess if you know a character at all. I love all of Amanda's books and this one is just as amazing. Thank you for the chance to read and review.

It took me a long time to read this book. It wasn't anything original and the twist wasn't shocking. Definitely left some plot holes.

First book I’ve read by Amanda McKinney and I got into it quickly. Even though I’d worked out who Marjorie’s killer was before the end of the book I still really enjoyed it. If you like thrillers with plenty of twists and turns then you won’t be disappointed.

Earlier this year, my friends @thrillerbookloversthepulse introduced me to @amandamckinneyauthor and I will be forever grateful. When I start one of her books, I know I’m in for a rollercoaster of twists, OMG moments and, most importantly, fun.

When I Disappear is a twisty thriller with multiple timelines and POVs. Sylvia is a hot mess. One minute, she’s drinking wine in the morning, and the next, she’s playing Nancy Drew with the local police while crushing hard on Rhett, the man convicted of killing her mother. She’s unpredictable, keeps things interesting and makes me laugh.

One of my favourite elements of the book is how generational trauma is woven throughout Sylvia and Rhett’s family histories and how it shows up in their present-day lives. Really interesting and adds a layer of complexity to the plot.

If you’re a twisty and entertaining thrillers fan, check out When I Disappear when it comes out in January 2025!

Thank you @stormbooks_co and @netgalley for the gifted copy.

Absolutely loved this read. Definitely recommended!
The characters were easy to get to know and the plot kept me interested! I don't want to give spoilers out! But give this a read!

This was my First Amanda McKinney book.
This is a must Read, I really enjoyed the story line of this book ,with all the twist and turns . I did not expect the ending at all

This book sounded like everything I love from the description so I was very excited to have been gifted this from the publisher. As soon as I started this book I was swept up into it and I found myself lost in that world, completely oblivious to everything else going on around me. That was exactly how I knew that this was going to be a book that I would love and I wasn't wrong. There was so much mystery in this that I was second guessing everything I thought I knew every time I turned the page. The characters were great, but it was the plot that left me speechless. I loved trying to figure everything out. I was a little confused at the beginning with all of the time changes and character switches however the best books are written this way and the author was very clear each time it switched so it made it so much easier to get lost in the story. When our main character Sylvias mother was killed, twenty years, prior her whole life went down the drain. Now, with the murderer, Rhette, up for parole and about to be released she doesn't know what to do. With anonymous notes being left on her doorstep and the convicted murderer vehemently denying his involvement in the case Sylvia is determined to get to the bottom of who really harmed her mother. When Sylvia gets a threatening letter in the mail she realizes they are all connected to her mother's case. With Rhette by her side she's determined to figure out who the real killer is and set it innocent man free. With short chapters it really allowed the reader to get involved in the story and not be too overwhelmed by the complexity of it. With great characters and a very unique plot I was very glad to get the chance to check this book out it really grabbed my attention and I loved all the twists and turns that were delivered. There were a few slow parts however that I did find a little hard to get over but once you surpass those it gets a lot better. I loved Rhettes and Sylvia's character interactions. They seem so genuine and I love the banter that the two of them had with each other. These two characters took what was an already fantastic book and pushed it over the edge. I find a character can make or break a story and these two definitely made it. This was the first book I've ever read by this author however after one like that I cannot wait to see what else she comes out with. Great read that really left me on the edge of my seat and charging my mind on the outcome after every chapter. I can't wait to see this on hit shelves. The ending was the best part I couldn't have seen any of it coming. Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this one early I feel very thankful.

ARC Review- Pub Date 01/24/2025

I loved this book. Lots of suspense and it held my attention from the very beginning. I did figure out the ending before I got there, so minus 1 star for the predictability. But overall, a great read!

Thank you to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for this advanced copy!

This had so many twists and turns, and kept me guessing throughout it all. Its stars with Rhett Cohen being released from prison after serving twenty years for the murder of Marjorie Stone. He’s been adamant he’s innocent from the beginning.

At the same time, Marjorie’s daughter, Sylvia, receives chilling letters seemingly from the killer and a threat: You are next. When Rhett visits Sylvia to ask about the letters, the two set out to find the real killer, until Sylvia disappears.

With the whole town and police accusing Rhett as suspect number one, Rhett races to find Sylvia before it’s too late.

Hands down one of the best books I have read in 2024! It earned the complete 5 stars! It actually got me thru a really rough period in my life! Once I picked it up I did not want to put it down. The storyline was full of twists and turns that I did not expect! You will not regret reading this one!

This being my second read of Amanda McKinney, I went into this book with high expectations and it didn't disappoint.

Sylvia lives like a recluse after her mother's murder. She starts receiving threatening letters which alludes to the fact that the convicted killer Rhett was not actually guilty who is then released on parole. Thus begins a quest to find the real killer.

The double POV's of Rhett and Sylvia in the book kept things interesting. You start learning about the characters and the plot thickens. I do feel however that Marjorie's POV made predicting the ending easier. The overarching plots all wove seamlessly and came together well in the end.

Highly recommend!!!!

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a wild ride. From the accusations of false imprisonment to Sylvia’s a disappearance it was all crazy. Also can I just say the idea of the “real” killer being out there free is such a scary thought to me. I loved it

I was hooked 10 minutes into this one. This isn't groundbreaking, but it is a solid psychological thriller. Yes, there were a couple of twists, but for me I was more interested in the portrayals of the multiple points-of-view.

I liked this, and I would read more from the author.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Sylvia’s mother was killed 20 years ago and after some mysterious letters arrive at her doorstep, the man who was convicted of her murder is released.
This was a fast paced book which I almost read in a day as I couldn’t wait to find out what happened
The 2 main characters Rhett and Sylvia were interesting and I didn’t work out the ending until it was revealed which i feel is a sign of a good book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Storm publishing and Amanda McKinney for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A page turner I kept coming back to. 20 years after her Mother’s murder and following the release of her mother’s killer Sylvia receives a threat. Rhett who always claimed his innocence makes an unlikely pair with Sylvia to solve who really killed Marjorie and will Sylvia be next? With just enough side stories and characters to keep things interesting this book is a solid read. Thank you to the publisher, Net Galley, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! If you like Freida McFadden, Lucinda Berry, or A.R. Torre this is the book for you. I have not read anything from this author before this one and now I've added multiple to my TBR list. What a great psychological thriller that is fast paced with twists that had me guessing. A solid 4.75 stars.

Synopsis: 20 years ago, Sylvia Stone’s mother was killed, and Rhett Cohen was convicted of killer her. Rhett has recently been released and Sylvia opens her door to find a letter suggesting that Rhett was innocent. A series of letters arrive with the last claiming Sylvia is next. Rhett is a man driven by vengeance trying to find the man that framed him... and kill him. Sylvia seems to have guilt because her testimony is the reason he was locked up.. She teams up with Rhett to find the real killer. She feels like she owes him... Or does she?

Loved this book. Multiple POV, dual timeline, journal entries. and twists. Highly recommend this thriller when it releases in January 2025!

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy.

This was a fantastic read! It kept you guessing throughout and the ending did not disappoint! There was a point where I had an inkling of who did it; however, I didn’t expect the tangled web that was created. I would absolutely recommend this book.