Don't Look For Me is a twisted thriller that will give you whiplash from the plot turns. Molly Clarke goes through life in a fog of grieve for she accidentally caused the death of her youngest child. Her husband and her children seem angry and embarrassed by her. Out of gas and sitting on the side of the road, Molly considers walking away from it all but knows she cannot. A stranger in a pickup stops and offers a ride. Molly is gone and her daughter Nicole seems to be the only one looking for her. In a town where everyone is a suspect, Nic follows every lead even straight into danger. Just when you think you have things figured out, the ending smacks you upside the head in a shocking twist. Pulse pounding and hard to put down, the story is a page turner of a good read. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Molly Clarke runs out of gas in a major storm on her way back home from watching her son’s game in a town several hours from home. Her car is abandoned. There is a note telling her family not to look for her. Considering that the family is still reeling from the death of the youngest daughter, they initially think maybe she did leave, but the eldest daughter, Nic decides to search anyway. Her death takes her to the nothing town of Hastings, where her mother disappeared.

This book alternated between Molly’s point of view, starting just before her car broke down and Nicole’s point of view starting a few days after the disappearance of her mother. This was an effective structure because even though we knew things Nicole didn’t know, we still really had no idea what was actually going on and why. This was another solid novel from Wendy Walker. I gave it a 4 rather than a 5 because my interest waned just a bit after the really gripping start of the book but then by 50%, I was totally reengaged. There was a fair amount of tension and suspense and overall, I enjoyed it.

What would you endure to save your family from your demons?
How much pain is too much?
How far would you go to save your mother, when you blame her?

Don’t Look for Me by Wendy Walker is a page-turner, gripping, a thriller for sure BUT it is also a tale about grief, heartbreak, and the damage we inflict on the people we are supposed to love the most. After reading several of Wendy’s books, this is part of the beauty of her writing.

The story itself is told from two different perspectives, the mother Molly and her daughter Nicole. The time line shifts with each perspective, from past to present. I found this style interesting, it kept me focused as I puzzled together details from each point of view.

“Don’t Look for Me” is set in a small, decaying town that holds many secrets. As the story unfolds it is difficult to tell who you can trust. Tragedy, a missing person, small town secrets, lies, money, family-drama...this book has everything you’d expect and more from a domestic thriller!
As I read the book I questioned so many things; how often do I jump to conclusions, judge others, say things I don’t mean before I think of the implications of my words? How deep does my love for my spouse go versus my love for my children? Anytime a book makes me question my perspectives, I am impressed. In the suspense and thriller genre sometimes stories can be quick and very predictable. Wendy always seems to have that one small plot twist you don’t see coming right along with the big one! I LOVE THAT!

For me this was a 5/5 stars!
I enjoyed this book, I read it in just a few days! Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinspublishing for providing an advanced copy for me to review!

The book will be out on Sep. 15, 2020.

I love Wendy Walker's Books and this one was no exception. Walker provides the backdrop and characters for perfect suspense. When Molly Clarke disappears, the authorities call it a walk away. Everyone except her daughter believes that she had given up on her loveless marriage and children and left. But, in reality, Molly finds herself trapped in a house and at the mercy of a man and a nine-year-old girl. She tries to figure out how she can escape and know, she might never see her family again. With her brilliant storytelling along with twists and turns, Walker has another book that kept me on my toes from the first page to the last.

Was just an ok read for me. Didn't love any of the characters and it seemed to drag. A few twists but had it figured out
Made myself finish this one. Hope others find it as a better read than I did.


Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an early release of this book.

Really enjoyed this one. I was super annoyed with Molly at the beginning - how stupid could she be? But I got over that and got tugged along through each twist and turn! Highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher for a free physical galley for review!

I read this in a day and a half. I just couldn’t put it down. I really wanted to know what happened to Molly Clarke. I really enjoyed the pacing and the twists. This book kept me entertained throughout.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
Wow!!! What a book!!!
A concerned mother rushes home as her children aren't where they are suppose to be and don't answer the phone. An accident happens. The family begins falling apart, husband doesn't come home and when he does he is aloof, daughter begins drinking etc.
Molly, filled with grief attends her son's game at college and when the son won't even look at her she leaves with a heavy heart. Her car runs out of gas and a black truck with a man and a child stop for her.
And then - no one knows where she is - Did she leave, not wanting to be found? Was she abducted?
Nic, the daughter trys to follow the leads to find her mother each one leading to more questions.
Will she ever find her mother? Does her mother want to be found?
A heartbreaking story of a family coping with grief...…. A great psychological thriller!

I am a big fan of Wendy Walker and this book did not disappoint. The main character, Molly Clarke, is still reeling from the horrible accident that killed her youngest daughter. The remaining children are mean to her, blaming her for their sister's death. Her husband is also distant with her. After attending her son's game, Molly disappears. It is understandable that she might run away from her life so only a cursory investigation is performed.

Did Molly really run away from her family or is something more sinister at work? This book is unusual and unpredictable with plenty of twists and surprises thrown in. Highly recommended!

Wow, just Wow!
A psychological thriller that had me on on the edge of my seat thru each chapter!
Wendy Walker makes it impossible to relax while thinking of these amazing characters even after this book has been finished!
Molly and her family have lived thu, yet not moved on from a horrendous family tragedy.
Her daughter Nicole wants to blame her mom, yet blames herself for the tragic death of her sister.
When Molly suddenly disappears one evening, one must wonder, is it by choice? How could she leave her broken family and why? Her daughter must and will find out the truth!
I loved how the suspense built up chapter by chapter! I would not believe the ending had I not read it for myself!
Truly and intense and well written intricate drama!

Nic (Nicole) arrives in the small town of Hastings to investigate her mother Molly’s disappearance after her car was found abandoned by the side of the road. The authorities are calling it a walk-away, a mom who left her family as the result of grief and guilt after a family tragedy. Nic doesn’t believe it and perseveres in her search for her mom.

The reader knows what has happened to Molly and we follow her ordeal and Nic’s investigation and search in alternating chapters. I was captivated from the first page with heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat tension. I simply couldn’t put it down and read it in two sittings.

One of the things I enjoy most about a Wendy Walker novel is the way she delves into the psychology of her characters. People are complex and life is full of shades of gray. The way Molly and Nic suffer and cope after their tragedy is done with skill and empathy.

The small town has a dark underbelly with secrets and untrustworthy characters. I did guess one twist but the tension as to how it would be resolved remained, so it didn’t ruin the story for me. I found the ending somewhat convoluted, or this would have been an easy 5 stars.

Still, this is a terrific psychological thriller that I highly recommend!

I'm not...sure about this one. I don't want to give plot points away so I'll just say: the plausibility of this is iffy at best. I found myself rolling my eyes a little too often. I really enjoyed The Night Before so I was disappointed in this follow up, but it won't deter me from reading the next Wendy Walker book. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy.

What a page turner! From the storm, to Molly being picked up by Mick and Alice, to the climactic scene in the woods, I couldn’t put this one down. Not only was it suspenseful, it was also a tale of love and just how far you would go to find someone you love. This book, I can honestly say, I loved!

A bit slow in the beginning and then more than a bit unbelievable as it went forward. However, I did read the entire book and I did want to know what happened. In the end the author ties up the book by bringing all the answers together in a dialogue between the main characters. The author also left it open to have a second book thereby making this a series. I like Mark Edwards writing and will read some of his other novels. I was give an copy of this book by NetGalley.

Lots of twists and turns in Don’t Look For Me, the new book from Wendy Walker. Molly Clarke has disappeared, and all signs point to her walking away from her family after a tragedy, but is there more to the story? Walker crafts a spellbinding thriller, told masterly in alternating chapters from different perspectives and days apart. Great characters, roller coaster crazy, and a great ending. Excellent story, 5 bright stars!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book "Don't Look For Me" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. I love Wendy Walker's books. This was an amazing book. You really can't put this book down. Fast paced and suspenseful for sure.

Wendy Walker once again delivers a first-rate sizzler of a novel sparked by a fascinating premise and peopled by richly developed and instantly recognizable characters. This is a read that delivers on every level--pacing, characterization, setting--and sets the bar high for other suspense writers.

Jayme C (Brunettes like books too!)'s Reviews > Don't Look for Me

Don't Look for Me
by Wendy Walker (Goodreads Author)

Jayme C (Brunettes like books too!)'s review
Mar 07, 2020 · edit


it was amazing




bookshelves: buddy-read, mystery-suspense, netgalley, publisher-s-invitation, publisher-s-request


WALK AWAY : To stop being involved in a situation because it is difficult to deal with

That is what the police decide that Molly did, just 4 days after her car was found abandoned after a storm. After all, there was a note...

And, she certainly had a valid reason to leave...GUILT.
And, the blame and scorn of her husband and children.

But “there was also the reward money. A million dollars for her mother’s safe return. Five hundred for tips leading to her (whereabouts).
Nothing brought out a liar like cash.”

So when a tip came in, two weeks after Molly’s disappearance, one that sounded legitimate to her daughter, Nicole- Nic returns to the dying town of Hastings to investigate on her own.

The story is told in two narratives, both equally compelling.
Molly’s which begins the night of the storm.
And Nic’s which begins two weeks later after the “tip” comes in.

But, who, if anyone, can Nic trust?

For me, Wendy Walker’s biggest strength is her characters. They are REAL, they are FLAWED, and they make me FEEL.

I preferred “The Night Before” just slightly...as I struggled a bit with the explanation given at the conclusion of this one.. (minus .5 stars) so, I am going with 4.5 stars rounded up!

Thank You to the publishers at St. Martin’s Press for inviting me to read and review this book early, with a digital copy provided through NetGalley.

It will be available on September 15, 2020 so mark your calendars or pre-order now!

And, if you haven’t already done so, read “The Night Before” while you are waiting!

Could you ever forgive yourself if your actions lead to the death of your daughter? Five years ago, Molly was coming home when Annie ran into the road, and she hit her. The what-ifs are brutal. What if she was a minute earlier, or a minute later? Would Annie still be alive?
Her family isn't much help. Her son barely tolerates her, her once academically and athletically brilliant older daughter is spiraling out of control, and her husband can barely stand to be in the same room as Molly. What if she just walked away? Might it be the right thing to do for her family?
If you have ever read a Wendy Walker book, you'll be thinking at this point, nothing good can come from Molly's musings. One night, Molly runs out of gas during a terrible storm, and the only trace of her is her abandoned car on the side of the road. A note suggests that Molly did just walk away, but a tip suggests that she was given a ride near the town of Hastings.
Nicole decides to head back to Hastings to see if she can pick up her mother's trail. She soon realizes that she is being told one lie after another, and vows to find out what happened to Molly. Nicole keeps searching for answers and has no idea how close the truth is.
Told in alternating chapters from Molly and Nicole's perspectives, we learn whodunnit, and why. I had my ideas about who had taken Molly, and I was 100% wrong! A family torn apart by tragedy might never get the chance to recover. I could feel the pain these two women were experiencing, and nobody writes better-developed characters that you care about than Wendy Walker. I loved Emma in the Night and Don't Look For Me was a close second .4.5 stars.

5 “You’d Better Look for Me” Stars

Things have not been easy for Molly. After a tragic accident that took the life of her youngest child, things have fallen apart with her husband and other children and she’s wracked with guilt.

It almost makes sense that she walked away from her life when she ran out of gas during a storm. She left a note for her family and after a few days of searching, they try to get back to their lives.

This excellently paced and written story is told from both Molly’s perspective and her daughter Nic’s perspective. Nic isn’t quite sure her mom could just walk away, so she’s back to investigating some new leads. Will she discover the truth or is she walking into danger as well?

This one kept my interest for the whole book and the twists just kept coming. I was truly surprised at the conclusion of this one, and I thought I had figured it out, nope, not even close! This is my third Wendy Walker book and I feel like she delivers a solid read every time.