After leaving her son’s football game, Molly runs out of gas on her drive home. It’s raining and she’s now stuck in a small, quiet town. Soon enough, a pickup truck stops with a man and nine-year-old girl, Alice, inside. The man is quick to offer Molly a ride to the gas station. And that’s the last time she’s seen.

With the local police department slowing their search, Molly’s daughter Nicole is the only one still looking for the missing woman. As she spends more time in the town where her mother was last seen, Nicole finds herself entangled in drama and gossip as she fights to find her mother.

Wendy Walker knows how to write a suspenseful thriller. I flew threw this book – I couldn’t wait to see how it all resolved. Everyone was so creepy (Alice in particular!) and everyone had a motive. Who kidnapped Molly? And why?

“Don’t Look for Me” is the story of grief, family and strength. Neither Molly nor Nicole gave up on their fight, which was really refreshing. And with such a loss in the family (I don’t want to spoil anything!), Walker handles it in a really solid way.

The chapters told from Molly’s point of view were so stressful and claustrophobic. My heart was pounding. Sure, I was side-eying some (okay, a lot) of Molly’s actions, but it never diminished the suspense. In fact, all her crazy decisions made it more gripping, just to see what would happen as a result. And I loved how Walker weaved in Molly’s past as a chemistry teacher.

As thrillers maintain their popularity, it can be hard to find something new, but Walker succeeds with “Don’t Look for Me.” The story is genuinely really entertaining – I finished it all in one sitting. I just had to see what happened to Molly and Nicole, and if my theories were right. “Don’t Look for Me” is the perfect escapist read. It’s absolutely wild.

Pretty good, I don't want to give much away but I would say this book was well worth a read.It wasn't the most intense book I have read, but it did grab me, and I think it is well worth a read.

This is the first title I have read by Wendy Walker and it was really good! I read it in one day - totally kept me going. I would classify it as more of a thriller, but at the heart it was a bit of a who-done-it. Highly recommended and would be a great vacation read. Thanks to NetGalley for the preview copy.

Unfortunately, I am in the minority with my negative review but I truly did not enjoy this novel. The premise of it is intriguing: a mother walking away from her life, not wanting to be found. That, at least, is the story based on the evidence. Her car is found abandoned miles from home, a note is found at a nearby hotel. Molly Clarke's relationship with her husband and children has been fractured for years; could anyone blame her if she decided to change direction? Her daughter, Nicole, though, refuses to believe her mother could have just walked out on them and is determined to get to the bottom of the disappearance.

The beginning and early middle of the story was intriguing but I felt like the story went off the rails at a certain point. There was too much happening with the characters, too many things added to the plot that didn't work for me, and then that end. It was just so strange, and not in a good way. Like I said, I am in the minority with my feelings about the novel so if the plot and this author is someone you like, you should give it a try.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy, scheduled for release on September 15th.

Super entertaining! Told from multiple points of view, we’re following a missing mother and her daughter’s search for her. Full of twists and turns that kept me guessing and one that really surprised me!

Molly Clarke's family was destroyed by a terrible accident, with the exception of her daughter and husband. Years have passed, and these surviving family members can’t forgive her. Molly spirals as she deals with this emotional torture, and talk about leaving. When she disappears in the midst of a storm, the police assume she left of her own accord - but her surviving daughter Nicole suspects otherwise. Told in dual POV, we see both Molly and Nicole deal with grief and loss while Nicole searches for Molly.

This book is a twisty thriller, but also appeals to the reader emotionally. The suspense will make this a FAST read. I recommend it!

This was a well-plotted, suspenseful read that did grip me, especially in the beginning. I haven't read any of Wendy Walker's previous books, but I might give them a try because I love a good psychological mystery.

I know, from Goodreads and NetGalley reviews I have read, that I am in the minority with my rating. I feel that it's edging toward 3.5 stars but, for me, is not quite a 4-star read.

Let me explain why. I was a bit put off right at the beginning with one of the two main protagonists agonizing over how her family didn't love her any more and how she hated herself, because of a horrible tragedy involving the death of a child. Molly agonized about all of this while driving in a remote area of...oh hell, some NE state...where she is returning home from watching her son play football at a private school and he has totally rejected acknowledging her, thus confirming her worthlessness as a mother who has failed her children.

As she drives into a huge storm, with her gas tank on empty, she heads from the highway to a small town, running out of gas just before the only gas station, which, of course, is boarded up on account of the storm. As she gets out of her car, she can only think that it would be best for everyone (the husband she believes doesn't love her anymore, the son at school who is embarrassed by her, and the daughter who has gone off the rails in her life and who screamed at her that very morning that she was a horrible mother) if she simply kept on walking, disappeared from their lives.

And then. She does disappear. A man in a truck with a little girl stops. She gets in. A few days later, a note is found in a hotel room that was paid for by her credit card.

This is where the plot gets interesting. Her daughter, Nicole, an athlete and good student, who has been wasting away her life since the death of her little sister, and after being suspended from high school for drinking and bad behavior, decides to take another look at what 'supposedly' happened after her mother disappeared.

No spoilers but suffice to say that Nicole discovers several interesting, strange people in the town of Hastings when she goes back to investigate. Narrated in alternate voices, the plot gets creepier and creepier. I could not stop reading. Until I did, for a couple of days, which is unusual for me. Perhaps it had more to do with what I was experiencing in life, but I just didn't want to visit that creepy world for a while.

Once I got back to it, I did feel a little bored by how things were kind of the same for quite a while. And then, I had an epiphany. Ah, oh, I had forgotten that Molly had been a science teacher! Aha, now that suddenly is prominent in the plot. She understands poisons. And., we need to also understand that she really does remember how to act like a 'good' mother. This all figures into what happens next, even if it does go on a bit long.

The author did a good job of presenting several people who 'might' be the bad guy, and I honestly was not sure who it was for a good part of the book. Once it was revealed, though, I thought I'd been a bit naive and that other readers probably figured it out way before I did. Hah.

I wasn't crazy about the ending, with a minor character coming back in evil form, nor with the quickly wrapped-up ending. Other than that, though, it was a good read. I do recommend it for those who like suspense and don't question details too much.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. I enjoyed it.

Don’t Look for Me is a fast paced thriller with many twists! I didn’t know much about this book before reading it and highly recommend going in not knowing anything about it.

Well that was unexpected! This psychological suspense could have gone down the expected path...and it initially seemed like it was. Until Wendy Walker threw in a major twist that literally had me saying “oh sh*t!” out loud. Then came another major twist that had me stop reading so I could pick up my jaw.

If you like to be held hostage (pun intended) by a good book, this is it.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

So I was emotionally invested in this book because I have the same family dynamic. My kids are girl, boy, girl. Also, my biggest fear is being kidnapped and forgotten about.

Walker had me feeling like I was being paranoid as well as Molly! Like c’mon girl, don’t be silly, this isn’t what every kidnapped movie and book says it is. You are overreaching. I kept thinking oh I’m reading way too into this it, this isn’t what I think it is, and it was! That art of second guessing and deception was masterfully crafted in this plot. I couldn’t trust a single person in this book, and everyone became suspect. It was a page turning experience just to be able to eliminate someone. I furiously turned in suspense trying to figure out who is trustworthy.

This was such a good, suspenseful book. I’m still in shock about the bombs being dropped! I sat up a few times in bed (this is one you’ll stay up extra late to finish) and had to reread to make sure I read right!


Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this copy! This one is out September 15th.

This was a fantastic psychological thriller. It was fast paced and kept me guessing the entire time. I kept changing my mind on which characters I trusted and which I found suspicious. There were lots great and surprising twists. It was well written and were believable and interesting. I hadn't read anything by Wendy walker before but I look forward to reading her other books. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

“One night, Molly Clarke walked away from her life. Or at least, that's the story.
The car abandoned miles from home. The note found at a nearby hotel. The shattered family that couldn't be put back together.
It happens all the time. Women disappear, desperate to leave their lives behind and start over.
But is that what really happened to Molly Clarke?”

Big thanks to NetGalley for ARC. I was so excited to get my hands on this book and it did not disappoint! I immediately loved the author’s writing style and prose. Not overly descriptive and the short, punctuated phrases made you feel like you were right inside the characters’ heads. The story was real, and gritty with just enough triumph to balance the heartache.
There were plenty of suspicious characters to keep you guessing and lots of jaw-dropping reveals woven in, but nothing too over the top or unrealistic. This is a story I will continue to remember and think about for a long time because of the connection the writing created and the relatable nature of both Molly and her daughter. I don’t want to say too much so as not to give away more of the plot, but do yourself a favor and read this one!!

This is creepy good! I was reminded of Room while reading #dontlookforme and enjoyed this a lot. The back and forth of the chapters being narrated by different characters and from different points in time was very effective at making you feel part of the action and the teenyist bit out of control. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for this ebook to read and review ahead of publication.

Like wine, Wendy Walker's books just keep getting better and better. A story full of suspense, insecurity and tension where two lives, mother and daughter, face uncertain situations that lead the reader to keep reading to know what the outcome will be. Heart-pounding and mysterious, excellently written in a fast pace and with very good elements, plot, atmosphere and characters. I love Walker's books, Emma In The Night is one of my favorite thrillers, Don't Look For Me is added to this list. My favorite suspense book of 2020. Bravo Wendy Walker.👏👏👏

Really enjoyed! This was a cleverly written psychological thriller that had me guessing who was involved the entire time. Only thing I that bothered me a bit was I thought Nic’s character was written too old for her 21 yrs. I have daughters this age and her actions seemed more appropriate for an older 20-something rather than younger. Overall, a good story that had just enough twists to keep it interesting but not overwhelming. 4 stars.

Molly Clarke is living her life buried under the constant pain of her grief, and I felt it. Her days are endless guilt and torment. Knowing that her husband doesn't love her anymore but still loving him anyway. Believing that her children would be better off without her, and they certainly act as if they wish she were gone. It is on one such night, in the height of a storm, when she considers the possibility of walking away from her life. That is the question, should she stay or should she go? But that choice is taken from her, it is not she who decides whether she will return home on this night. I loved probably the first half of this book. I believed in Molly and her pain was real to me. The twists and turns took my breath away, but as we reached the final reveal the reasoning behind what happened to Molly felt foolish and senseless, and largely disappointing.

Wendy Walker has done it again! Her latest, Don’t Look for Me is a cleverly plotted story that starts with a bang, with Molly’s car found abandoned on the side of the road...but what happened to Molly? Where is she? Read it like I did, with a race to the finish line. An action-packed, heart-pounding thrill-ride.

Did Molly Clarke really just walk away from her whole life? This was a page turner that held my interest. Wendy Walker has written a really entertaining book and I will be watching for her next one.

A good mystery/thriller that kept my interest. I have three criticisms: a nine year old character who seemed way too schizoid to be real; the unexpected return of a character at the climatic conclusion that made me laugh and shake my head (Okay, author, you’re trying a little too hard here.”); and repetitive “angsty” self-talk which is one of my pet peeves. That being said, I did find it hard to put down ... so I’m giving the benefit of the doubt with a four star rating. Overall, it was a worthwhile read.

Thanks Net Galley for opportunity to read and review.

Wendy Walker specializes in books about broken people. In Don’t Look for Me, Molly Clarke is still grieving the loss of her youngest daughter, five years earlier. A daughter she accidentally killed. So, when she goes missing one night returning from her son’s football game, the police call it “a walk away”. But her older daughter, Nic, doesn’t believe it and continues to look for her. Because Nic also feels to blame for Annie’s death. “Maybe Nic wasn’t her mother but they were bound together by their guilt, the bow and stern of a sinking ship.”
The twists in this book come frequently and I love that I didn’t see them coming. I must have suspected every male character in the book at some point. The entire book has a wonderful sense of creepiness to it, just like a well done psychological thriller should.
The book’s narration veers between Molly and Nic. Both are well defined characters. They may have their faults, but both know how to use their brains and use them, they do.
So often, I am disappointed by psychological thrillers. But not this one. The one final twist was a bit over the top, but not enough to mar the overall experience of the book. Great fun for when you need an engaging suspense novel.
My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.