An enjoyable psychological thriller wherein the disappearance of a teenager is revisited by a documentary team decades later.

An intriguing small town vibe and a character driven mystery keeps you turning those pages and overall this is an addictive and engaging read that holds the attention throughout.

The one personal downside for me was the predictability of it, I did think that the perpetrator was obvious very early on but it was still an entertaining read.

Unfortunately, I was not a fan of this book. The story and writing seemed to move along very slowly for me. I seemed to lose interest pretty quickly. I’d still consider other books by this author in the future given the chance.

After reading The Family Tree, written by the very same authors, I got an invitation from the publisher to review their latest book, When She Disappeared, about a high school student named Jessie who went missing years ago.

The story starts with a couple of teenagers who go cliff jumping and finds the skeletal remains of a girl stored in a cooler. The girl is Jessie Germaine who disappeared years ago. Margo after dealing with Jessie's disappearance and her mother's death returns back to Lake Moss after being away for years and her failed marriage. She along with Austin sets out to question a few of Jessie's friends for their podcast. But Margot receives threatening messages from someone, who does not want them to dig into the past.

Initially, the story started out a little boring. But soon, it gained momentum towards the middle, became fast paced. However, there were not much twists and turns you would expect in a thriller but nonetheless, the authors managed to draw the reader into the story. The ending...now that's what I want to talk about. The ending was totally unexpected and for a moment I couldn't even believe that the book ended in that way.

Overall, this is a good thriller book, quiet unputdownable that will keep you up all night--worth five stars

Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon the for ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Overall this was an enjoyable story, but it felt really predictable. I figured out who the killer was very early on and wish that there had been a little more mystery to it, but still had fun watching the pieces all come together.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I loved this book! It's amazingly well written and had me forgetting the dinner in the over because I just couldn't step away. I flew through it in a day and what an enjoyable day it is. The characters are well written and the story itsself keeps up a decent pace and never allows itsself to drag on or for the reader to get bored. It's so engaging and not entirely unexpected twist at the end but never the less, its not about sussing out who did it, its about enjoying the journey the author takes you on to get there.... and this was a journey I absolutely loved every second of

I really had a hard time with this one. Don’t know if it is the characters or what but I did not look forward to reading it and finishing it seemed to take forever. The premise is good but the style of writing didn’t have me on the edge of my seat like it should have. Still, I will suggest this title to those I know who will enjoy it.

Margo's childhood friend Jessie disappeared just before high school graduation in 2004. The shock of Jessie's disappearance coupled with her mother's tragic death has kept her away from her small mountain town of Lake Moss for 15 years. Now she's back to take care of her dad after his knee surgery and by coincidence, Jessie's body is discovered inside a cooler in a secret swimming hole just as she arrives in town. Determined to find out what happened to her friend, she teams up with an old classmate who is working on a documentary about Jessie's case. However, someone is equally determined to drive Margo out of town, and just how far are they willing to go to make sure she stops digging up the past?

When She Disappeared is a twisty, atmospheric read set in a small town with plenty of secrets and suspicious characters. The story has a true crime feel to it, with the documentary playing a big role in the plot. I enjoyed that aspect as I am a true crime fan myself. As for the big twist, I thought it was really clever. It didn't shock me though as there were a few red flags about that particular character from the start. I think if you pay close attention to certain details, it's pretty easy to figure out the killer's identity. The ending might be a hit or miss with readers depending on how you like your stories wrapped up. This one leaves an open ending and lets the reader decides if they think there will be justice for Jessie.
Overall, I enjoyed this thriller. Despite the slower pace, I was never bored while reading and it held my interest until the end. I won't mind reading more from these authors.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found the beginning of this story rather slow. It was easy to get into the characters and the story but it felt somewhat dull with a lot of text adding extreme detail in the descriptions and the dialogue.
The writing continues this way as the reader makes progress towards the final 25%. The unraveling provides a surprising twist. I had identified my possible murderer from the characters but while the individual that I chose was implicated in the final twist, I was wrong.
The final outcome is a clever finale to the issues of mental health struggles described throughout.
Recommended

Jessie disappeared 15 years ago and no one knew what happened to her. Margo returns to Lake Moss to help her dad who is convalescing, news breaks that some high school kids have found a Jessie’s remains while diving in the local swimming hole. Margo finds her old diary and relives some memories, she also hooks up with an old high school acquaintance to help interview the local residence from 15 years ago. Will the unearth the killer???
I really enjoyed the book and the view points it is told from. Keeps you needing to read the next chapter with plenty of twists. Another great read by Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry!

This was an interesting read which kept me hooked. Set in a small town around the disappearance of a young girl around 15 years back, this thriller was an engaging read. When Jessie’s body is found after 15 years, a tv crew comes into town to talk to the people who knew her and were part of her circle all those years back. Margo now back to town after a failed marriage and who was also Jessie’s classmate at one point in time takes part in the investigation. Now, I don’t want to give away anything but let me just say that even though I was able to guess who had done it, I enjoyed the process of going through the book, talking to the characters. All in all, an enjoyable read. The ending to leaves you with a wriggle room. So, yes, if you like thrillers set in small towns, this one is for you.

I was kindly sent this book to read and review. My first read of 2022. It was engaging and an easy read and I managed to finish it in two sittings.

The storyline is great, a missing girl from the past, a body found in the present and now a murder mystery.

The ending was great and I loved the ‘twist’. It also ended on a bit of a cliff hanger so I’d be interested to know if there will be a sequel to find out if the true murderer is found out publicly.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this title.

Really enjoyed this book, the author kept me guessing right up to the end! I thought I had it sussed half way through but definitely wasn't expecting the way it ended! Great read!

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I saw that the authors of The Family Tree had a new book coming out, I knew I needed to add it to my TBR right away! When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry is an unputdownable thriller that will appeal to fans of Serial: The Podcast and true crime documentaries. The story revolves around Margo, whose best friend Jessie disappeared 15 years ago. Now, margo is back in her hometown and helping a documentary crew review the case. Will she find out more than she's looking for?

Here is a chilling excerpt from the Prologue:

"'I found your bow,' he said triumphantly, holding it in the air.
Farrah beamed, looking at his hand in excitement, but then her smile dropped. The color drained from her face, and her high-pitched scream ricocheted off the rocks. Lenny looked at his classmates, confused. Tamra's mouth was hanging open and Justin said, 'Dude,' as he shook his head, his eyes wide open in shock. One by one, more screams erupted around him.
Lenny looked at his fister and his stomach contracted into knots. Blonde hair draped over his arm, a dirty red bow holding its loose strands together... the remnants of a scalp."

Overall, When She Disappeared is an absolutely amazing thriller full of twists and turns. I could not stop reading this book and ended up finishing it in a day. One highlight of this book is that it is extremely well-written, which is rare for a thriller. Instead of just stating the facts, the author includes lots of realistic details to make you feel like you're right there with Margo as she investigates her friend's murder.

Another highlight of this book is the main character, Margo. I love thrillers where the protagonists try to solve the case themselves, Nancy-Drew style. Margo is a strong protagonist, and I loved reading this book. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in March!

In May 2004 Jessie Germaine had a normal day at school in Lake Moss. She attended the end of year rally and cheered at it as she always did. She rode her bike home after, and was never seen again. Margo has not been back to Lake Moss since her best friend went missing. But after her dad needs help following some surgery, and her marriage has broken down, she comes home to support her dad, and to get some space for herself.
Then the news comes out - Jessie’s body has been found in the secret swimming hole that is a rite of passage for all high school seniors. Margos nightmares come back with a vengeance. She starts to feel like she is being followed. Someone is out to get her. She gets out her old diary to try and recall what happened back then. She also works with the documentary team who are working to try bring light to the mystery of Jessies murder. After all, she didn’t put herself in the swimming hole in that manner, did she? The more digging that happens, the more ghosts from Margos past get stirred up.
I devoured this book. I had read Mullin & Mabrys previous book (The Family Tree) and really enjoyed it, and this book was no different. An absolute page turner. Just when you think you have it figured out, then the twist at the end will shock you. I could not put this book down, it is a stay up all night until you have finished it kind of read. I can’t wait for the next instalment from this writing duo!

*I received this copy from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Margo returns to her hometown Lake Moss, NC after years away. Upon her return, the body of her childhood best friend is found after going missing back in high school. After years of suppressing memories of family tragedy and loss of her friend, Margo is thrown back into the case to help a TV series collect information to fill in the gaps the police have missed. Along the way, she finds herself threatened.

This was a fast, easy thriller that was instantly captivating from the first scene. I was drawn in to the setting quickly as I previously had a vacation home in Lake Lure, a small NC town outside of Asheville. I was able to picture the winding roads, small town feel and lakes clearly and that added so much to the story. I loved the setting and the story kept me so interested. I started to guess the culprit by the middle of the story with some small clues and while on the right track, the ending twisted and proved me wrong. I think the ending was okay but somewhat surprising with all the build to the list of culprit and the mystery to her family drama. I wasn’t as big a fan of the amnesia like factor to the main character because at times she was so reliable and then you’d feel she was turning unreliable. It felt “added” so to speak as the story flowed well with character interviews and suspense. It was as though the authors wanted to add an unreliable narrator after the fact. But overall, I flew through this book and enjoyed the ride. I recommend to thriller/mystery lovers, just wait for that first scene…

Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for a eARC copy of this novel in exachange for my honest review. I appreciated it!!

Meh . . . Not an original storyline and no surprising twists until the very end. It got quite boring in places, bogged down by conversations that did not forward the plot. And while the ending was unexpected and a surprising twist it failed to explain some key things and I think needs to be further fleshed out.

I always love a good writing duo so I was interested to read this eARC. This one did not disappoint! It was full of twists and turns. A great fast paced thriller.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced thriller that has lots of twists and turns. It is written by two authors which is unique in itself but really works. The story is a great one with lots of tense parts and also parts that will make you on edge. I couldn't read this one before bedtime as it is very dark and creepy, even the cover creeped me out a little. The twists just keep coming, I think half of this book I was left open mouthed thinking did I really just read that. It all comes to a close at a dramatic ending. I look forward to reading more books by these two authors.

A great story with so many twists and turns throughout. This story leaves you suspecting many people but not everyone you needed to think about....

Margo is heading back to her home town to look after her dad after any operation. Her hometown isn’t a comfortable place for her – her mum was killed in a car accident there and her friend went missing in a cold case 15 years ago. Just as she arrives, the body of her friend is pulled from the lake.

On a mission to find out what happened to her friend, Jessie, Margo teams up with an old school crush, who is working on a true crime show. But as they get closer to the truth, someone is making it clear they want them to back off.

I have to say, the ending saved this book. There was a fair amount here that had me struggling to make it through but the finale was something I never saw coming and Im glad I finished it! However, I felt like there was just far too much waffling conversation and descriptive language along the way. I mean, I know that can be a good thing, and if I’m reading a fantasy, it’s great to have excellent world building descriptions to help visualize the world in your mind, but in a murder mystery, set in the everyday world? Not so much. I don’t need an in-depth description of every table they sit at, every drink they order, every time Margot puts on a bit of make-up, every single thing they do. It detracts from the story and I found myself just wading through trying to get to the point of who did it. The ‘romance’ aspect of the story was a bit flat and seemed to be there just to ‘add a love interest’. It would have worked just as well, if not better, with them just being friends and ‘co-detectives’

This was not a bad book, but it definitely would have benefited from less discussion of the town gossip, the day to day boring bits of Margot’s life and more excitement. There were a few red herrings along the way, but they didn’t build up enough for that real “oooh” moment I want in a thriller. The final twist was fantastic, but it was right at the very end of the book and I felt like I just had to slog through too much to get there.