When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney was a gripping psychological thriller that was packed with brilliant twist and turns throughout that will have you gripped from the beginning till the very end.

"He spent twenty years in prison. She spent twenty years living a lie."

At 2:00 a.m. Sylvia Stone awakens to a letter on her doorstep suggesting the handsome carpenter, Rhett Cohen, who was convicted of murdering her mother twenty years earlier, is innocent. The anonymous letters continue, each one revealing details only the true killer would know, making Sylvia question her testimony years ago.

But as Rhett is released from prison, the fourth and final letter arrives with one chilling message: You’re next.
Then Sylvia disappears.

You may think you know how this story ends. . . . . . . . . . Think again.

WoW. . . . . . . I really enjoyed this book and the ending was excellent

One thing I loved about this book it had short chapters which I found great and it did not drag when you were reading or listening it to this audiobook.

I highly recommend this book.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with this ARC.

A quick read with multiple perspectives and short chapters and a few twists that may or may not be predictable, depending on the reader. I think McFadden fans will enjoy this one as it leans more towards a popcorn thriller. While there was some character development, there wasn't much descriptive writing. I enjoyed this, but I felt there were a few questions left unanswered. Overall, this was a fun quick read that I give three stars to.

Thank you, Netgalley and Storm Publishing, for this ARC.

Twenty years ago, Sylvia Stone's mother Marjorie was brutally murdered in her own home, and carpenter Rhett Cohen was convicted of her murder. However, he has always maintained his innocence. Now he's out on parole and determined to find out who set him up.

Meanwhile, Sylvia has received a series of threatening and anonymous letters, and she's determined to find the person behind them, hopefully with Rhett's help. But shortly after she receives the last letter Sylvia disappears

So Rhett, not wanting to be blamed and determined to get to the truth goes searching for answers.

But in a town full of secrets getting to the truth is no easy feat.

And with plenty of jaw dropping twists, multiple points of view, lots of potential baddies, and a gratifying ending. This was a dark, enjoyable and extremely engaging thriller. That I happily recommend to others.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. It does not go where you expect. The scene is set with the murder of Marjorie Stone by a mystery person whom she seems to know well. Rhett Cohen, the handyman working on her kitchen, is convicted and sent to jail for 25 years. When he is released after 20 years, he has nothing. He has maintained his innocence, but it seems like the whole town is against him, especially the head detective who helped to get him convicted. Turns out, they went to school together and Det. Stroud was quite the bully. Meanwhile, Sylvia Stone, Marjorie’s daughter, is a lonely, depressed woman with no family or friends living in her mother’s home.

Sylvia is a bit of a mess, but she did make me laugh a few times. Here, she arrives somewhere and prepares to exit her car: “I forced myself through the motions: Turn off Jeep, put keys in purse, check face in rear view mirror—gasp in horror.” Somewhat later, she notices the condition of her fingernails and this follows: “I make a mental note to get a manicure soon, acrylics may be. Wait. I have no money. Never mind.”

Sylvia begins to receive threatening letters and goes to the police. Rhett is bent on revenge and goes to her to see what the letters say. Sylvia feels guilty because her testimony convicted Rhett; she apologizes repeatedly. He tells her she’s forgiven and plans to search for the culprit. She keeps trying to tag along, and he keeps trying to shake her because he doesn’t quite trust her. It’s obvious she’s enamored with him and she does manage to accompany him on a few outings. At one point, they climb to a hidden cave that is known to be a hangout for the person they seek. As they crawl through a narrow section to get there, Sylvia thinks, “It's a rock sandwich, with us in the middle." It’s a great description which gave me the creeps because I refuse to enter a cave any further than where I can still see the entrance.

This is another great description from when Rhett encounters someone surprising in the dark: "It's so dark between us that although we are facing each other, we are nothing more than silhouettes. Black cardboard cutouts of two people."

It seems like Rhett has finally shaken Sylvia and she drives away from him. For three days, he’s relieved he doesn’t have to deal with her. Until Detective Stroud arrives to tell him she’s missing and Rhett is the primary suspect. Now, he has to find her to avoid jail again. And he is desperate to avoid jail.

The story is told from alternating POVs in the present tense. There’s something odd about Sylvia; that’s obvious from the start. I enjoyed the book but wasn’t sure how to feel about things at the end. Rhett definitely steals the show as the most relatable and sympathetic character, so I was rooting for him. I recommend the book because it has so many twists and turns and kept me engaged the entire time. But I was particularly struck by one of these final comments from Rhett: "Why is there such pain and sadness in this world? Why does being out feel so much like being in?"

There's so much I want to say, I can't as it'll ruin the whole thing.
I will say, trust your gut, your first guess is probably the right one.
I don't often guess right with thrillers, so I was quite pleased for myself.
While this wasn't my most favourite read by this author, it kept me captivated and second guessing myself. Despite figuring out the main twist it was still good, especially with a few extra ones added in.

This thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat. It takes you on a wild ride as Sylvia starts to get letters left at her door twenty years after her mother’s murder. Rhett who was in jail for the murder is released slightly after the letters begin to arrive. Together Sylvia and Rhett try to figure out who the real killer was and why they are now threatening Sylvia. Their story has many twist and turns that will continually leave you wondering what in the heck is going on in that town and who is the real guilty party. You will not be able to set this book down for long once you start to read it.

When I Disappear is a psychological thriller with an intriguing premise: a man, Rhett Cohen, wrongfully convicted of murder, is released after twenty years, just as Sylvia Stone, the original witness, begins receiving anonymous letters that unravel everything she thought she knew about her mother’s death. The story promises twists and turns that will keep readers guessing, and while it delivered on some fronts, it fell a bit short for me.

This was a quick read, which made it easy to breeze through in only a few sittings. However, I guessed the major twists early on, which took away from the suspense I was hoping for. The plot itself was interesting, but I struggled to connect with Sylvia and Rhett, the main characters. I found their development a bit shallow and would have liked to see more depth in their emotions and motivations.

That said, the pacing was strong, and this was a solid 3-star read for me - entertaining enough to finish but not as gripping as I had initially hoped.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing an arc of this title in exchange for my honest review!

Some surprises but with such a changeable lead character I have to say that my general opinion was that it was just too predictable.

After 20 years, Sylvia Stone’s life unravels when anonymous letters suggest that Rhett Cohen, the man convicted of her mother’s murder, may be innocent. As the letters reveal chilling details only the real killer could know, Rhett is released from prison—and Sylvia vanishes. What follows is a twisted game of truth and deception, where nothing is as it seems.

When I Disappear was an exhilarating, twist-filled ride that kept me hooked from start to finish! Amanda McKinney masterfully wove a story packed with unexpected surprises, making me question my every theory. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another shocking twist would upend my suspicions, which is exactly what I love about a good thriller. The cast of suspicious characters and cleverly planted red herrings made it nearly impossible to predict the ending—though I came close, I didn’t quite crack it.

The short, fast-paced chapters turned this book into a true page-turner, one I nearly devoured in a single sitting. McKinney’s skill at crafting flawed, realistic characters added depth to the story. I admired Rhett’s resilience and how he handled life after prison, while Sylvia’s complexity kept me intrigued, even if her quick change in attitude after Rhett’s release felt a bit abrupt. Overall, this gripping psychological thriller is a must-read for anyone who loves being kept on their toes until the very last page!

Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I'm glad I persevered with this slow-burn psychological thriller, which becomes addictive when newly paroled Rhett Cohen returns to the town that accused and convicted him of murder. Told from multiple viewpoints: Marjorie(the victim), Sylvia(the victim's daughter), and Rhett(the man convicted of Marjorie's murder), the story leads the reader into a dark web of lies and secrets. Some narrators are unreliable, but it's unclear who and how this affects the truth until the final chapters. I enjoyed unravelling the complex characters and the lies they told, the menacing ethos created in a town with long memories, and the poignant and satisfying ending.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This compelling psychological thriller drew me in right away. Sylvia and Rhett work together to find out who framed him for her mother’s murder and sent him to prison. Anonymous letters keep showing up suggesting that he might be innocent. The plot is fast paced and full of twists and turns. It kept me guessing right up to the end. A thrilling read

When I Disappear is a new thriller, I don't normally read thrillers, however, I was hooked from the very start of this book and couldn't put it down. I had to know what happened next and was kept on the edge of my seat.

This book is told from the dual points of view of Sylvia Stone and Rhett Cohen.

Sylvia's mother was murdered 20 years ago, and Rhett was sent to prison. Now Sylvia is being targeted, and Rhett is released when it's proven he wasn't the murderer.

Rhett is doing whatever he can to undercover who murdered Sylvia's mother, and who is targeting her. Can Rhett get the answers he's been seeking?

With all the secrets and lies this book had some twists and turns I wasn't expecting.

I enjoyed this book, and can't wait to see what comes from this author.

When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney is a twisty psychological thriller with an unexpected ending! Seriously, that end took me by surprise!
This is one of those stories that makes you a little bit sad about the justice system and broken lives.
Action all the way through! There was constantly something happening!

The story is presented from the past and present so we learn a lot about Sylvia and her mother who was murdered 20 years ago. Rhett who spent 20 years in prison is out now and Sylvia starts to receive letters signalling her life could be in danger... Is that a coincidence?

Wild Ride starts from there and you just keep guessing where this story is heading until you get to the chapter that makes your jaw drop!

Absolutely recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for this copy!

Amanda McKinney’s When I Disappear is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very last page. With its dark twists, morally complex characters, and unrelenting tension, this book is an excellent choice for fans of suspenseful mysteries.

The story centers on Sylvia Stone, whose testimony as a child sent Rhett Cohen to prison for the murder of her mother. The plot takes off when Sylvia begins receiving anonymous letters suggesting Rhett is innocent, leading her to question everything she thought she knew. McKinney masterfully builds the suspense, blending past and present as Sylvia’s doubts grow and Rhett’s release from prison sets the stage for a chilling game of cat and mouse.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its characters. Sylvia’s inner turmoil is compelling, as is Rhett’s quiet intensity and quest for justice. The shifting perspectives and layers of mystery add depth, keeping readers on edge. The pacing is brisk, with just enough clues to keep you hooked without giving too much away.

However, the plot’s final twists may feel a bit over-the-top for some readers, and the rushed ending leaves a few threads unresolved. While these elements don’t overshadow the book’s strengths, they do slightly detract from the overall impact.

With its atmospheric writing and edge-of-your-seat plot, When I Disappear delivers a satisfying read that’s hard to put down. It’s a thrilling exploration of guilt, redemption, and the cost of uncovering long-buried secrets.

If you like psychological thrillers, When I Disappear is for you. Jumps right into the suspense with Sylvia Stone finding an anonymous letter on her doorstep and never slowing down. And another, and another, and then after the fourth letter she disappears. Just when you think you’ve figured what really happened 20 years ago, the story takes another twist and turn and you have to guess again. It’s tense and exciting and suspenseful and will keep you turning pages – and looking over your shoulder. Well worth the read.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of When I Disappear via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️

Underwhelming start, difficult to get into with all the information given, but picks up at about 10%. Predictable, but enjoyable.

I did like the main characters, but mostly Rhett. It was very interesting to see his growth as person after he was back in the society.

Would recommend if you like twisty plot that’s not that complicated.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy!

This was a really great read. Didn’t figure out the twist till pretty close to the end. The characters were awesome. Felt like I knew them. The pace of the story was good. Overall a great read. I recommend it!

A wickedly twisted mystery of the murder of Marjorie Stone. Twenty years ago, Sylvia Stone reported the stabbing death of her mother. Local construction worker Rhett Cohen, who was working at Marjorie’s home, was arrested for the murder although he insisted that he was innocent. Now, after twenty years, Rhett is to be released from prison and Sylvia has begun receiving threatening notes about her mother’s death. The town is not ready to accept Rhett’s return, but Sylvia is. She tries to befriend him as she now believes he was unjustly convicted. Rhett wants to track down the person who killed Marjorie to clear his name and Sylvia insists on helping him. As they chase down the person who left the notes, they learn secrets about the town that are disturbing. When Rhett learns that Sylvia is missing, he is once again the prime suspect. He begins searching for her, but finding her may still leave his life in danger. Who really killed Marjorie and why? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

WHEN I DISAPPEAR will grab you from the beginning and take you on a journey you won’t believe. The interaction of past with present is nearly seamless, easily drawing you into the backstory and then leading you back into the here and now. You get glimpses of wherein the truth lies throughout the story, but it’s not until the climax that all the pieces fall into place, and boy, when they do, you may be caught off-guard, but maybe not completely. This tale will thoroughly involve you with its well-drawn characters and a narrative that will keep you glued to its pages as it slowly reveals what’s really going on.

First off, why did I wait so long to read a thriller by Amanda McKinney! Just wow, it blow my socks off. This psychological thriller was so twisted and kept me on the edge of my seat during this wild ride. I highly recommend this add McKinney’s books to your TBR.

As soon as I was done, I added all of her backlist titles to my TBR.

*****Many thanks to Amanda McKinney, Thriller Book Lovers - The Pulse and NetGalley for my gifted copy in exchange for an unbiased/honest opinion.