It starts off with Molly‘s family thinking that she just abandoned her car and walked away from her life due to her depression. Also that this happened around the death anniversary of her youngest daughter Annie, is kind of understandable for them. The first half of the book is absolutely crackling with twists again and again. Fortunately for Molly, her first child Nicole is earnestly searching for her mother as she’s not satisfied with the conjecture that her mother could just walk away leaving her family.

On the other side Molly is now with a seriously deranged man as a hostage and the behavior of this man and his kid, Alice are completely creepy. So the first half of the book is more like a survival story of Molly and is absolutely gripping. The second half is for Nicole as she suspects literally everyone in the plot as every character has secrets and they keep lying to her on and on. She catches on pretty soon with their lies.

Overall, a great thriller that will keep you on your toes with its regular twists and I can totally see this as a movie. The ending felt like it wrapped up the mystery a bit too quickly. Literally, every chapter ends with a cliffhanger like situation and you are going to be forced to read on and on till the end! So just go for it!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy!

Molly Clarke killed her child...

That was an opening line wasn't it?
Dangg that book was fun and creeeepyyy. Not like Stephen King creepy but eek...I don't ever want this to happen to me.
Molly Clarke was driving home to check up on her children, eldest in charge; however, the blind spot of the driveway got her which led to her nine year old daughter death. Molly blames herself as well as Nicole, the eldest child who was watching her. Molly now lives with it every day, going from three children down to two. Her husband is probably having an affair, Nicole was expelled and is drinking all the time now, and her youngest ignores her when she comes to visit.
On her way home from her youngest's school, her vehicle runs out of gas during a hurricane and she is now stranded on the side of the road.
Fast-forward, Molly seems to have disappeared. Everyone thinks she ran away from her depressing life to start a new one. Her credit cards were used a couple of days after her sudden disappearance so there wasn't any reason to think that anything had happened to her. It honestly seems like no one cares, except for Nicole. Nicole, even though she has resentment for her mother for "killing" her sister, thinks that something is going on where her mother has disappeared. She travels out to where her mom supposedly had left her and her family; but, when she gets there, something is going on that doesn't sit well.

So...
Like I said I loved it. I would have HATED to be in the position that anyone was in during this book. I have never read anything from Wendy Walker before this one. This book has turned me into looking into some more works by her.
Bravo!

As always, THANK YOU NETGALLEY!

I'm a big Wendy Walker fan so needless to say I was excited to read her latest book. Once again, she has come up with a story that feels unique. I love how her books have suspense and thrilling elements but they also have substance. I felt equally invested in what was going to happen next as I was about learning how the family dealt with such a tragic loss years ago.

Molly Clarke has gone missing. Her car has been abandoned and a note was left at a nearby hotel. Tragedy struck the Clarke family about 5 years ago so authorities think Molly might have wanted a fresh start and therefore disappeared on purpose. Did she? The story alternates between the perspectives of Molly and her daughter, Nicole, who is searching for answers.

I'm trying to be somewhat vague with what happened years ago because as of right now the publisher synopsis doesn't get into specifics. With Molly and Nicole as the main characters you got a good look at how it impacted them as individuals but also as a family unit. The rich backstory was weaved seamlessly into the present day with everything going on surrounding Molly.

So why did I rate this book at 4 stars instead of 5? Well, as much as I was into the story I just have mixed feelings about the big reveal and the ending. It wasn't a horrible way to wrap everything up but I can't say I was amazed by it either. I think I needed something spectacular to happen to match the level of enthusiasm I had while I was reading the rest of the book.

I might not have loved the last few chapters of the book but I overall enjoyed this one. Definitely put this one on your to be read list.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

Molly seemed to have it all from what we can tell until one of her children died five years ago. She has a husband and two kids remaining and it appears that the family has been torn apart by this tragedy. Molly feels that they don't really want her around and she irritates them. She leaves the house and runs out of gas and that is where this story begins within the first couple of chapters. Molly is gone!

What I like about this book from the beginning is that it starts off with action so there is so down time. As the story progresses people's feelings begin to change while Molly is gone. Maybe the family could have gotten through things together had they tried harder. I thought I had the mystery figured out but the story curved and moved in all different directions causing me to stay up late several nights longing to see what would happen next.

Great book and great writing. Never a dull moment in this book and I highly recommend it to psychological thriller and mystery lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC and trusting in me to give an honest review.

A big thank you to Net Galley & St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
**
To say this book will put you through a roller coaster of emotions would be an understatement.
You first meet Molly Clarke, driving home from 'visiting' her son at school . Molly is driving home is what could be classified as a category 4 hurricane/storm. In reality you could say it was the perfect storm for Molly. You see Molly never made it home that night. When her family finally alerted the police, they started their search. They knew what route she would be coming home from visiting Evan. However, when they got to the small town of Hastings they found Molly's car, dead with no gas left, and her phone still on the charger. 4 days after searching with no results, the cops find a letter in a casino close by. It's basically a goodbye letter; stating she had to leave and not cause her family any more harm.
The heart wrenching twist? The day Molly disappeared what the 5 year anniversary for her youngest, Annie's, death. How Annie died? Worst scenario. Molly was rushing home when Nicole, her oldest who was babysitting, didn't answer. As she was pulling into their driveway, from a blind turn, she ran over and killing Annie.. who was only 5 at the time. Another heart wrenching aspect, Nicole blamed herself for her mother leaving. Why you may ask. All the horrible things Nicole said to her mother on that last morning.
If you think all of that is crazy, just you wait. Read this tale of Hastings and its inhabitants. Read about the search Nicole went on for her mother. I can promise you this, it. gets. crazier.

My hats are off to you Wendy Walker. You grabbed my attention and held on tight!

This twisted, scary, gripping book fits into multiple genres. It is a thriller, psychological suspense and mystery all rolled into the pages of a book that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The story is a complicated one about a family that has suffered a tragedy and lost themselves in the midst of it. Molly Clarke’s daughter Annie was killed in a terrible accident, and Molly and Nicole both blame themselves. Molly’s husband becomes distant, her son ignores her and Nicole withdraws. One night, Molly leaves her son’s football game and goes for a drive. Like in all of the Snoopy novels, “it was a dark and stormy night.” It is unimaginable what happens to Molly! She runs out of gas and gets a ride with a truck driver and his daughter Alice. Then, she just disappears. There is a note left in a hotel that she booked and the note tells her family, “Don’t look for me.” Nicole is not satisfied with that and is determined to find her mom, thus endangering her own life since Molly was actually kidnapped by a seriously deranged man. The emotions that I felt as I read this creepy book were terror, hatred, hope, and awe. I think that these were the same emotions that the narrators, Molly and Nicole, were feeling as they traversed the journey to find each other again. Action packed and filled with family drama, this was a really original look at what happens when you decide to walk away from your old life and try to start a new one. The surprising twists kept me absorbed in the stories of Nicole and Molly as I gasped at each new turn in this strange roller coaster ride. Fans of psychological suspense, mystery and thrillers will really enjoy this book but will need to set aside time to read it in one setting because it will be hard to put down!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

"Woman goes missing" is the premise of so many thrillers these days but this book sets itself apart from the rest. At its core, it's the story of a mother and daughter dealing with grief and guilt. It's also filled with supporting characters who can't stop lying and lots of twists and turns along the way.

Within the first few chapters I was on edge and so nervous for everyone. I got sucked into this fast-paced story and couldn't put it down until all of my questions for answered.

What happened to Molly Clarke? Don't Look for me is told in alternating views by Molly herself and her daughter Nicole. Both are dealing with a past trauma that has pushed them (and the entire family) apart. But did Molly leave her family on her own accord?
This is a clever, creepy suspense story that will keep you guessing. Each chapter ends in a cliff-hanger that makes you want to keep reading. While I thought the ending was a little far-fetched, I really enjoyed the book. And Alice is one creepy little girl! Highly recommend!

Don't Look For Me is an exceptional psychological thriller! Captivating and suspenseful, I was hooked from start to finish. Fast paced and unpredictable, it will keep you guessing until the very end. Definitely recommend.

I have become a big fan of Wendy Walker over the years. Her novels grab a reader right from the first pages, and don’t allow for you to let go until the end. Don’t Look for Me fits right in, full speed ahead this book takes a reader on a ride.
In Don’t Look for Me, Molly Clarke has been trying for years to pull her family back together after the accident that killed her youngest child. In an attempt to bridge relationships, Molly dutifully drives hours each week to attend her son’s football games. Upon returning from a game, Molly’s car runs out of gas, and she is stranded outside in the approaching storm. Fourteen days later, Molly’s family is wondering what happened to her. There was a note at a local hotel which appeared to be written by Molly stating, “Don’t look for me.” Molly’s daughter can’t let that rest, would her mother truly abandon her car and her cell phone and take off to start over? Or is there something suspicious going on? What happened to Molly and where is she?

This novel bounced between the present time with Molly’s daughter searching for her, trying to find the truth and Molly’s perspective of the after her car stalls. Wendy Walker flawlessly created a suspenseful tale while still showing multiple perspectives of the events. It was quite literally impossible to put down. A definite must read!

Don't Look for Me is comprised of a compelling cast of suspicious characters as seen through the lens of two narrators. In first person, there is Molly Clarke. Molly is the mother of three. Her youngest child, Annie, died when Molly accidentally hit her with her car. This incident has caused a lot of grief and strained relationships in her family. On the day Molly disappears, she has a lot on her mind and contemplates running away, leaving her family behind - surely they'll be happier without her. Of course, it's a fleeting thought, but with her car out of gas, she finds herself running down the rural road in search of help. She's wary, but thinks it might come in the help of a man and a young girl who reminds Molly of Annie when they pull over and take her home with them. However, the man's intentions are far more sinister, and picking up Molly did not happen by chance.


Alternating chapters are told in third person from the point-of-view of Nic, Molly's eldest daughter. Nic is 21 and has been a mess since her sister died. Like Molly, she feels a ton of responsibility and has spent recent years drinking herself into oblivion and sleeping around. She came to Hastings, the town here Molly disappeared, to search for her mother alongside her father, but the search was called off when a note is found in Molly's handwriting insinuating that this was a "walk away" and that she doesn't want to be found. But then a possible witness contacts Nic, and she returns to Hastings a few days later, determined to find her mother, whether she is kidnapped, dead, or ran away. Nic discovers some hidden secrets in the small town, including the strange departure of a teenage girl some years ago that ties together a number of the men she suspects as having played a role in her mother's disappearance.

There are so many suspicious characters in Hastings, from washed up small town royalty to a bartender to a dirty cop and more. Early on in the novel, I had four suspects in mind, and I finally narrowed it down to one about halfway through. I was right - to a degree. In classic Wendy Williams style, there was a big twist at the end that I was not expecting.

The characters are rich and complex. I found Nic so easy to relate to and was rooting for her and Molly the entire time. And Molly's feelings towards Alice, the young girl who picks her up with the man, are so complex and compelling. I found myself loving Alice and then hating her moments later, just like Molly, even though she is just a child.

Overall, this was a great thriller, and I give it 5 stars. I highly suggest you preorder this novel if you are looking for a great mystery. Walker writes like she is creating her novels with the plan for an HBO show in mind. You can almost hear the soundtrack, and her characters are written with the depth only an A-list actor could portray.

This novel totally hooked me from the very first chapter. I had heard from a few other reviewers that it was addicting but I wasn’t prepared for just how addicting it would be. I thought the plot was extremely well thought out and even though I was able to guess a few of the twists, there were still plenty that I was left shocked!

The pacing in this novel was spot on with lots of ups and very few downs. I never wanted to stop reading and I was constantly thinking about the characters even when I didn’t have the book in my hand.

I would highly recommend this one to readers who have enjoyed Walker’s books in the past or if they enjoy suspense novels. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed "Don't Look for Me" by Wendy Walker. This book kept me on my toes and the plot twists were wonderfully terrifying. Trying to figure out what happened to Molly Clarke kept me up WAY past my bedtime! 4.5/5

This book literally gave me heart palpitations. At night, I had to put it down and remember to breathe and remind myself that it's just a book (and then maybe pick up.a romance to calm down) but it is THAT GOOD. I had chills on top of my goosebumps.

Walker does a masterful job at chronicling the disappearance of a mother as well as her adult daughter's quest to find her. We alternate timelines and perspectives between the two - if you are anything like me, you will be theorizing, screaming, guessing, gasping and overall, LOVING this book!

I urge you to read this book when it releases in September - you don't need any more background information, just crack that book open and enjoy (and thank me after)!

Molly Clarke had been going through a lot the night she vanished into thin air. Her car ran out of gas, the gas station was closed, a major storm was tearing through Hastings as she stumbled down the road looking for help...or a way out? Her husband was having an affair, her children didn't love her anymore and she's to blame for the horrific death of her youngest daughter when she ran into the street and was struck by a car...Molly's car. It's perfectly believable that this tortured mother just wanted to run away, find a new life and start over.

That's what Molly's family has been told; she took off to start a new life and left them all behind. There's even a note to prove it. The novel is told in alternating POV's between Nicole, the daughter searching for her mother and Molly, the mother in despair. I liked the way it was told between the two women and felt a connection to their individual stories.

As a mother myself, I was horrified and disturbed by what happened to Molly Clarke when her daughter died. I could relate to her character. I found the character of her other daughter, Nicole, relatable as well. They're both stricken with grief and self blame. The novel is more than a tear jerker though, it's a mind bending, thought provoking, twisty psychologically thriller that has you trusting nobody and tearing through the pages quickly to find out what could possibly happen next. The ending was a complete jaw dropper that left me with a book hangover, unable to start a new book until I could process what I just read. I highly recommend this Wendy Walker classic! 4.5 stars! Thanks to #stmartinspress and #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found this thriller to be gripping from the start. As a mother of 3 , I felt a sympathy to our MC , Molly. She's at a point in her life that she feel grief and completely alone in her family. She lives day to day just trying to survive, until she disappears.

This book was well tied together, leaving red herrings throughout it kept me guessing and second guessing throughout the entire story. And don't forget the moments of Ah ha! and Gasps of disbelief. Excellent psychological thriller that left me breathless.
Recommended for those fans of crime stories, thrillers and mysteries. This book does not disappoint!

I've not been a huge Wendy Walker fan in the past, but this book was SO GOOD. There were so many twists and turns, and given that I'm ranking books purely on the entertainment factor right now, I'm going with a solid 4 stars. Outlandish and far fetched, but in the most novel-fun way if you can suspend disbelief.

Fantastic thriller! Lots of twists throughout, especially the big one at the end--definitely did not see that coming. Told by mother/daughter POV. A must read if you love thrillers.

This is for those readers who love psychosocial thrillers! Many twists and turns that will leave readers on their toes trying to find out the truth behind the disappearance of Molly. There are so many lies told in this drama, it's hard for Nicole, Molly's daughter to see beyond. Will she succeed in finding her mother? And what about Alice? Where will all this deceit leave her? Recommended!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title in advance.

Wow, just wow! What a suspenseful read! I was glued to my kindle absorbing every word of this thriller from Wendy Walker.

A family in need of healing. An opportunistic predator. Deep and twisted in the most fun way, you are guessing and second guessing at every turn. Did struggling mother Molly disappear on her own? Does reckless daughter Nicole know more than she thinks? What does the small town Sheriff know? How about his deputy? Did the innkeeper know something? Does Alice know something? And who the hell is Daisy?

It’s a fast paced, absorbing read. The twist with a twist ending was a little more than it needed to be but it was inventive, much like the rest of this book.

It’s a wild ride. Just make sure you have enough gas in your car before you get underway.