a jaw-dropping, dark, and twist-filled emotional rollercoaster of a read. PERFECTION! The ending was unpredictable! Brilliant and perfectly plotted ride of suspense. I didn’t see that coming at all!

Another fantastic story from this author, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was dark and forboding and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended, xx

I really enjoyed ‘a A Marriage Of Lies’ by Amanda McKinney so was excited for this one. It was a steady, mysterious read with plot twists and good characters.

Twenty years ago Sylvia’s mother Marjorie was murdered in cold blood in her home, the carpenter Rhett who was working on her kitchen at the time was convicted of her murder and has now been released after serving 20 years. It was Sylvia’s statement that secured Rhett being found guilty but two decades later she’s not so sure. When she receives anonymous notes in the middle of the night she partners up with Rhett as they both want to find the person responsible.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read this novel in just over a day as I found it hard to put down and the shirt, punchy chapters had me hooked and kept me entertained to the end. Sylvia’s mother was murdered twenty years ago, and the man convicted of her murder is about to be released from prison. At 2am Sylvia is woken by someone leaving a letter on her doorstep, suggesting Rhett Cohen, the man convicted of her mother’s murder is innocent. Further notes appear over the next four nights and Sylvia starts to fear for her safety. Then Sylvia disappears and you’re all set for a fast paced thriller with a great twist. Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the chance to review.

I tried very hard to love this as the premise was intriguing… but it was just not for me. Dnf-d at 60%.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Rhett spent 20 years in jail for a murder he did not commit. He is out and determined to find the real killer. Sylvia, whose mother was murdered is receiving notes that only a killer would know - and the last note said Your next! But- what the note says and what is really happening is shocking!
What a read!

I love a dual narrative, especially in mystery/thrillers and this did not disappoint. Multiple twists and turns while keeping a steady pace. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

"When I Disappear" by Amanda McKinney presents a complex narrative centered around Sylvia Stone, who receives a series of anonymous letters suggesting the innocence of Rhett Cohen, a man who has spent two decades imprisoned for the murder of Sylvia's mother. The correspondence unveils intimate knowledge that only the actual perpetrator could possess, leading Sylvia to reevaluate her previous testimony regarding the case.

The narrative employs a dual perspective, alternating between Sylvia and Rhett, which enhances the psychological tension and allows readers to engage with the characters' differing experiences. This technique cultivates an atmosphere rich in suspense, as revelations unfold in a manner that maintains intrigue throughout the storyline. The story
delves into the complexities of small-town life and the lingering effects of unresolved trauma, even after twenty years. While certain plot developments may be anticipated, the nuanced character arcs and the high-stakes climax deliver a compelling reading experience. This psychological thriller is a first rate read, with an intricate plot, engaging character development and an unexpected resolution keeps you guessing until the very end.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend this novel for anyone that enjoys psychological thrillers.

A man wrongfully convicted of murder spends 20 years in prison only to be caught up in a web of lies and secrets with the murder victim's daughter upon his release. He is hellbent on proving his innocence and exposing the truth.
I really liked this book. Character development made me love and hate them at different times and the plot twists did not disappoint.
4/5⭐️
#WhenIDisappear #AmandaMcKinneyAuthor
#NetGalley #Goodreads

*4 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

You have to feel for Rhett for what he went through for years. Sylvia was definitely a strange one but with the mother like Marjorie its no wonder she turned out how she did. Interesting story with a good ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the arc of When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney.

After losing her twin sister at a young age and then having her mother brutally stabbed to death Sylvia Stone is all alone in life. Her only friends her hairless cat and her hairdresser. Sylvia loses her job at the local paper, is slowly draining her inheritance, and is becoming a lonely alcoholic with impending debt.

Twenty years after the murder and another chance at parole for crime he knows he didn’t commit Rhett gets a chance at freedom. Being paroled back to the community with nothing he’s on a mission to clear his name and seek justice.

A missing teen and letters left at Sylvia’s door indicating: “you are next” bring Sylvia and Rhett together. Helping Rhett seek justice she begins to fall for him while they uncover their towns dirty little secrets. That is until Sylvia disappears and once again Rhett is in the spot light.

McKinney sets this novel up perfectly for a shocking end. This was a quick read with an ending that is shocking and predictable all in one. This was great first read for 2025 if you’re looking for a whodunit with a twist.

Pub Date: January 24, 2025
🌟🌟🌟.5

I spent my Saturday reading this ARC I received from NetGalley, unfortunately the description promised a lot more than it delivered.

It was a quick and light read but the twist was pretty obvious quite early on, there were plot points that weren’t ever followed up and it was told across multiple POV’s - one of which added absolutely nothing to the story.

I can see why some people enjoyed this but didn’t hit the spot for me!

When I Disappear is another book told on a dual timeline, it seems to be a theme with todays writers, The main character Sylvia is a recluse, most likely alcholic with no friends and only her cat for company, 20 years previously she found her mother murdered, A local carpenter Rhett Cohen was charged and sentenced for the killing but when Sylvia starts getting cryptic letters in the middle of the night and Rhett is realeased from prison, doubts start to form as Rhett has always maintained his innocence.
The story was okay and it quickly occured to me what had happened but I felt it was lacking something within the story to truly pull me in.

I really enjoyed this book! It had a good plot, a fast pace and short chapters! It was twisty and you really don’t know who to believe in this book psychological thriller lovers will love. I wasn’t able to untangle the mystery and even if I had the the story was told was very enjoyable.

Twenty years ago Sylvia’s mother Marjorie was stabbed to death in her home and her jewellery stolen. Rhett Cohen, a carpenter carrying out work for her, was found guilty of her murder and imprisoned. He has just been released. This coincides with letters arriving through Sylvia’s letterbox, the first three puzzling, the fourth sinister. Surprisingly, Rhett contacts Sylvia and insists he was innocent. He wants to find out who framed him. He’s looking for vengeance.
Sylvia is also convinced he didn't do it and motivated by guilt and a growing attraction to this ex-convict, decides to help him track down the culprit..

I was divided on this one. Whilst it was a good plot with many twists and turns, there was something about the way the story was structured that made it easy to guess the ending. Also, I found it difficult to empathise with the characters. I really didn’t care about them at all, particularly Sylvia, who wasn't at all likeable. There was huge potential in this story, the synopsis pulled me in, but the outcome sadly ended up a bit of a disappointment, hence the three stars..

I would like to thank Storm, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of When I Disappear in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely fantastic book! I could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

A bit of a slow burner and not as thrilling as the premise alluded to. There were some interesting parts but it was just an ok read for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Enjoyed this book. Found it full of suspense with lots of twists and turns. Was quite unbelievable in some parts but just ignored that!

The premise of this story was very interesting and intriguing. Sylvia's mother was murdered 20 years ago. She was a witness, and Rhett Cohen was convicted based on her testimony. Now she begins receiving anonymous notes under her door revealing details of the crime that only the murderer would know. Rhett is released from prison on the day that she receives the 4th note, and then Sylvia disappears.

This is told in multiple POV's. I can't say that I really liked, or even rooted for any character. Sylvia is so distracting and Rhett seemed rather bland. The motive is vague, and I figured out the killer early into the book. I am finding that thrillers are starting to have the same type of "twists", and you begin to see the signs early into a book. Some of the plot has holes and just doesn't make sense in the narrative of the story. There is lots of information given to the reader, and then it goes nowhere and isn't brought up again. (Detective Stroud!). And many of the characters actions- well I needed to suspend belief to continue reading.

There are many reviewers who liked this book, and so please read those reviews. This simply did not work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced mystery plot with building suspense and a quick read this might be one worth looking into.

I enjoyed all the twists and turns – most I had sussed early on but there was one in particular I didn’t clock until right before the reveal which was really interesting.

I also really enjoyed all the flawed characters, every single character that was introduced had something going on (no cookie-cutter characters here!). The multiple POVs were also interesting and really added to the suspense, particularly as the story went along these multiple POVs stood out as a strength.

My biggest gripe was that I felt like I had to suspend some disbelief for a good chunk of the book and that made it tricky to really get into it. Overall it’s a solid read though.

Thank you to the author, publish and NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.