
Member Reviews

Wow, what a wild ride this one was! I really want to give all of this to you all but that would not be fair to you. So, I will just say that you really need to read this one it is that good. You won't want to put it down and you will be guessing who it is all the way through! I know I was.
So, four letters and she goes missing who could it be? Is she dead or alive? Is it the real killer or the one who just got out of prison? Or are they one in the same? Yes, questions and more questions! You will be asking yourself these and so much more. Have a great time reading this one I know I did.
Thank You to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read this book before the general public.

Amanda McKinney's newest psychological thriller does not disappoint! Set in a small, remote town in Vermont, this dual-timeline novel tells the story from both Sylvia and Rhett's point of view. Sylvia, a young woman with her only companion being her cat, Shirley, moved back to her hometown. After being layed off from her job as an editor for a newspaper, she has not been keen on finding another job.
Shortly after the town's doctor finds his son missing, Sylvia starts receiving anonymous letters at her doorstep. Around this time, the man accused of killing Sylvia's mother, Rhett, is released from prison. Speculation amongst the town is that Rhett is responsible for the letters, as well as having some part in the disappearance of Jesse Taylor.
The twists and turns do not end there; once several deaths occur and Sylvia goes missing, they are at the mercy of time to figure this mystery out before it is too late. Is Rhett responsible? Who actually killed Sylvia's mother, Majorie?
I promise you, you will not be able to put this novel down. You will find yourself blindsided by the events in this thriller, written by a #1 bestselling author.

A really easy read which was well written and interesting.
I want to give 4 stars but something didn't quite gel for me so it would be 3.5 stars
Id be interested in reading more by this author.

I forget to publish my review here but I didn't like it as much as I want ( I dnf 45%)
Thank you for the book

I really enjoyed this book and was kept guessing throughout. I will look out for more books from this author.

I thought this was suspenseful but also a fun, easy read. There was some things to pick up on within the writing that helped me solidify “who” it was but I didn’t decide until I was about 75% in; I kept going back and forth. I do enjoy the author’s writing.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my DRC in exchange for my honest review.

Amanda McKinney's When I Disappear is a twist-rich psychological thriller that hooks you from the first eerie letter. Sylvia Stone awakes one night to a note claiming the man convicted of her mother’s murder is innocent—followed by a chilling warning: “You’re next.” As the wrongly imprisoned carpenter is released, Sylvia vanishes, unveiling a tense mystery tangled with grief, secrets, and deception.
The novel slowly builds tension, with short, addictive chapters that escalate into a binge-read experience. While the middle sections pace more deliberately, the rapid-fire twists and emotional stakes deliver a gripping payoff .
A potent blend of family trauma, unreliable testimonies, and shocking twists, When I Disappear is ideal for fans of binge-worthy psychological mysteries.

A relentless thriller that grabs you by the collar and drags you through a maze of secrets, lies, and breathtaking twists. The plot is intricately crafted, with every clue and reveal perfectly placed. The characters are raw and real, making the danger feel personal and urgent. It’s a heart-racing, unforgettable read from start to finish.

This is my second book by this author and I believe I have found a new author to read! I love her writing and the way she tells the stories. Very fun and I find them to be fast-paced, which I love.

I liked this book! It was a good read with the elements that make a thriller a good read. It was missing a few key elements that could have raised it from a 3 to a 4 star.

I loved how this book really had me second guessing myself the whole time. I had my initial thoughts about who the killer was, but the way the characters acted had me second guessing the responsible party. Also loved that it was a fast read!!

It's been 20 years since Sylvia Stone's mother was murdered. In fact, it was Sylvia's testimony that helped put the killer behind bars but now she is getting envelopes left at her doorstep. Letters that say little but a content that only the police team or the murderer, himself, would know about. The fact that one says "your next" rattles her. It's not just the message but how could the killer be delivering doorstep letters while he is still in prison. Did she help convict the wrong man?
Rhett, the convicted killer, is released on parole and still maintaining his innocence. He exits with a mission. To find who the real killer was and sentenced him to all those years in prison.
Through an odd set of circumstances they meet and the hunt is on for the real killer. Their relationship is interesting. Is hers born in guilt? Is he so socially removed from the world his reactions are marked by fear of returning to that cell?
Their connection changes the dynamics of what you would expect of a new parolee and the woman who helped put him there. It's an unconventional combination that keeps the pages turning.

So many good twists, and turns. Kept me guessing the whole time. If you like a good suspenseful thriller, look no further!

When I Disappear is a dark, gripping psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first chapter. The premise is immediately chilling—Sylvia Stone receives anonymous letters hinting that the man convicted of her mother’s murder, Rhett Cohen, may have been innocent all along. As each letter peels back another layer of the past, the tension builds steadily toward a jaw-dropping climax.
The pacing is razor-sharp, with enough twists and turns to keep even the most seasoned thriller reader second-guessing everything. I particularly appreciated how the author weaves together past trauma, unreliable memories, and the weight of guilt and truth over time. The characters, especially Sylvia and Rhett, are complex and layered, and their shared history adds real emotional depth to the suspense.
While a couple of the twists felt slightly implausible, they were still undeniably entertaining—and the final reveal? I truly didn’t see it coming. The ending sticks the landing and leaves you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page.
Fans of Freida McFadden and Gone Girl will find plenty to love here. A compelling, binge-worthy read that kept me up way past bedtime.

I found Rhett and Sylvia’s relationship a little weird. There were some twists but they were a bit predictable. An enjoyable, easy enough read but not a book I’ll remember for long.

This book had too many predictable twists and turns. I enjoyed the writing style, but the story did not offer anything that hasn't been done before. The characters fell flat. Overall, an easy read - but even easier to forget it once the book is closed,

Amanda McKinney's When I Disappear is a masterclass in psychological suspense, a chilling descent into a labyrinth of secrets where nothing is as it seems, and everyone is a suspect. This isn't just a thriller; it's an immersive experience that will leave you breathless and reeling long after the final page is turned.
McKinney expertly crafts a world where shadows dance and truth hides in plain sight. From the very first page, a sense of unease settles, growing with each twist and turn as the reader is drawn deeper into a mystery that's as complex as it is captivating.
When I Disappear is a relentless, heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. McKinney's ability to create an atmosphere of creeping dread, combined with her knack for crafting compelling, flawed characters, makes this a truly unforgettable read. Prepare to be consumed by a story that will haunt your dreams and leave you questioning the very nature of reality.

Suspense and drama are the main ingredients in this psychological thriller. As usual I enjoyed Amanda's excellent writing skills and her ability to keep you hooked into reading late at night. My two cents? Sometimes we don't need the twist if the twist is real obvious from the start. I still enjoyed the book but it got really predictable near the end..

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC which was very much appreciated.
Whilst the premise of the story drew me in I didn't get a proper feel for the characters. Sadly this resulted in my not being overly invested in what happened to them
This doesn't mean that it isn't a good novel, just that we didn't gel.

Amanda McKinney's "When I Disappear" is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into themes of justice, memory, and the complexities of truth. The narrative centers on Sylvia Stone, who, two decades after testifying against Rhett Cohen—the man convicted of her mother's murder—begins receiving anonymous letters suggesting his innocence. As these letters reveal details only the true killer would know, Sylvia is compelled to reassess her past testimony and confront unsettling questions about the events that shaped her life.
McKinney masterfully crafts a suspenseful atmosphere, keeping readers engaged through unexpected twists and a steadily building tension. The characters are richly developed, with Sylvia portrayed as a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist. Her journey from skepticism to a relentless pursuit of truth is both compelling and emotionally resonant. Rhett Cohen, depicted with nuance and depth, adds complexity to the narrative, challenging readers' perceptions of guilt and innocence.
The novel's pacing is well-executed, balancing introspective moments with action-packed sequences that drive the plot forward. McKinney's prose is both evocative and accessible, immersing readers in the small-town setting and the intricate web of secrets that bind its inhabitants. The climax is particularly noteworthy, delivering a series of revelations that are both surprising and satisfying, ensuring that readers remain on the edge of their seats until the final page.
Overall, "When I Disappear" is a standout addition to the psychological thriller genre, offering a thought-provoking exploration of truth and the lengths one will go to uncover it. Fans of authors like Freida McFadden and novels such as "Gone Girl" will find much to appreciate in McKinney's latest offering.