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.

3.5 stars rounded up

A fast-paced page turner... this is the kind of popcorn thriller Freida fans will love! I devoured this book in one sitting and enjoyed it overall, but it's not memorable. It would have easily been 5 stars had it contained more depth and background as the plot has so much potential however, I think it served the exact purpose the author was going for. With that said, if you're in a reading slump or looking for a palate cleanser... When I Disappear is the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I Disappear
by Amanda McKinney
Pub Date: Jan 24 2025

"When I Disappear" was previously published as "The Stone Secret", an Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal Winner - 2024. The new version includes an updated plot and new content.

The story is told from multiple POV’s including those of Sylvia, Rhett and Marjorie. Each chapter was a short one, very easy and quick to read full of suspense, about a 20 year old murder case. I loved the fact the story timeline went back and forth from the murder of 20 years ago to the current time line. If you're a thriller lover I highly recommend you pick up this book and definitely read it with the lights on!

Synopsis: 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.

Many thanks to #WhenIDisappear #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for providing me with an E-ARC of this 5 star book!

Twenty Years ago, Sylvia's mother was brutally murdered in what looked like an attempted burglary. The man who is working around her mother's house, Rhett was found guilty and was sentenced to prison. But twenty years later, he was released on parole and he was determined to clear his name. Meanwhile, Sylvia is receiving threatening messages from someone with only simply words. When Rhett is released from prison, Sylvia disappears after receiving the fourth letter.

This was a fast paced thriller and a page turning one. The story is told in the POVs of Sylvie and Rhett so we can get alternating views of the two main protagonists. There were twists and turns along the way and the writing was well done as the author knows how to draw the reader into the story. The ending, the most unexpected twist at the end was what I enjoyed the most. It was completely unexpected. This is the first book I have read from this author, and I highly recommend this book. Worth four stars.

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

This is crazy. I love it. The ending was so unexpected! I am blown away. I don't want to reveal anything at all but you will love both perspectives.
I recommend this one.

The story stars with a man turning up Sylvia's house, the man in question served time for killing her mothers 20 years ago.
Sylvia receives 4 letters, with details that only the true killer of her mum would know, and the final letter states "you're next" just as the killer is released from prison..
Then Sylvia disappears, however it's not that simple and the duo end up together in the most unlikely way!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Wow, this book had me hooked... I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading the whole thing in a single day. The suspense, the twists, and the fast-paced writing made it such an addictive read.

The main character immediately drew me in. I felt connected to their struggles and invested in their journey, and as the story unraveled, I was right there with them guessing, doubting, and eagerly flipping the pages to see what would happen next.

McKinney does such a great job of balancing mystery, emotion, and tension. The small-town setting added great atmosphere, and every twist felt perfectly timed. Just when I thought I had things figured out, something new would come to light and completely change the game.

If you’re looking for a thriller that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, this is it. I’m already looking forward to reading more from Amanda McKinney!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm for the Advanced Reader Copy of this novel, releasing today!

I recently picked up "When I Disappear" by Amanda McKinney, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride from start to finish. The premise is gripping—Sylvia Stone, who has lived under the shadow of her mother’s brutal murder for twenty years, finds herself reevaluating everything she thought she knew when she begins receiving anonymous letters suggesting that Rhett Cohen, the man convicted of her mother's murder, might actually be innocent. As the plot unfolds, the tension escalates with every new letter, each revealing chilling details that only the real killer would know.

I was immediately drawn into the narrative, and McKinney's writing style made it impossible to put the book down. The short chapters made for a quick read, and I found myself binge-reading late into the night. The way the story unfolded kept me on my toes; just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist would arise, making me second-guess my assumptions.

However, I did have a few reservations. Though I enjoyed the pace and the overall concept, I felt that the character development—especially Sylvia's—was somewhat lacking. At times, her reactions felt abrupt and jarring, as if she transformed too quickly from one emotional state to another. This shift made me feel disconnected from her character in moments when I wanted to empathize with her plight.

Moreover, while I did predict some of the plot twists early on, that didn't detract too much from my enjoyment of the story. Despite feeling ahead of the game, I was still invested in the outcome and eager to see how McKinney would bring everything together.

In the end, "When I Disappear" is an engaging psychological thriller that kept me guessing, even if I caught on to certain aspects sooner than I'd hoped. I appreciated the fresh take on a decades-old mystery and the exploration of how trauma and time can alter perceptions of truth. I may have had some minor issues with character transitions, but overall, this was an entertaining read that solidified Amanda McKinney as one of my favourite new authors. I’m looking forward to her next thriller!

When I disappear by Amanda McKinney is a fast paced thriller with short chapters, that keeps you on your toes!

The book opens with a murder, but doesn't tell you who got murdered or who committed the murder. From there it jumps 20 years later, into the present day where you meet Sylvia and her cat Shirley. Soon Sylvia begins to receive threatening letters in the mail and she thinks the person that killed her family member all those years ago is now back for her.

Alternatively we hear from Rhett, a former carpenter who was wrongly convicted of a murder and recently released. But the answer to who sent the letters couldn't be that easy right?

The book jumps around in time, but it is still easy to keep track of when it is in the present and when it is a flashback.

Thank you to Amanda McKinney and Storm publishing for giving this book to NetGalley. I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of When I Disappear.

Sylvia is struggling to find her way-she was laid off six months ago, she has run out of money, and she has no friends or family. Life could not get any worse until she starts to receive letters from an anonymous person and then finally a threat. Her mother was murdered twenty years ago but her killer is in prison but he always said he was innocent and maybe he really is. Can she find the truth before she is the killers next victim.

I was really invested in the beginning but then about halfway through I figured the twist out. The twist seemed odd and out of left field to me. Overall an okay read for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

When I Disappear is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows Sylvia Stone, who receives anonymous letters suggesting that Rhett Cohen, the man convicted of murdering her mother twenty years ago, is innocent. As Sylvia begins to question her own testimony, Rhett is released from prison, and the letters take a chilling turn: "You’re next."

The plot twists and turns, making it hard to predict the outcome. McKinney skillfully weaves multiple perspectives and secrets, keeping me guessing until the very end. The book explores themes of justice, redemption, and the impact of past decisions on the present.

Overall, it's a compelling read with a mix of suspense and intrigue. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unexpected twists, this might be a great pick for you!

I couldn’t put this one down! McKinney weaves an intricate web of suspense, full of twists that completely blindsided me just when I was sure I had it all figured out. The story keeps you guessing at every turn, and that unpredictability is part of what makes it so thrilling.

From the very first chapter, I found myself rooting for Rhett. His unrelenting determination pulled me in, and I couldn’t help but hope that he and Sylvia would not only solve the mystery but also find a meaningful connection amidst the chaos. Yet, as the story unfolded, that sense of hope began to flicker. Certain moments carried an eerie, unsettling edge that left me questioning everything I thought I understood. It’s the kind of story that burrows into your mind and makes you second-guess even the smallest details.

The story begins when Sylvia starts receiving mysterious letters on her doorstep for three consecutive nights, revealing the exact hour of her mother’s murder twenty years ago. The chilling final note warns her that she’s next. Her mother’s murderer, Rhett is about to be released on parol. But did he really kill her? Sylvia starts to think it can’t have been him.

All in all, this was a gripping, masterfully written thriller that fans of the genre won’t want to miss.
McKinney’s storytelling shines, delivering a read that’s as captivating as it is haunting. Highly recommended!

Sylvia has lost her job and is staying mainly at home avoiding people and then she starts receiving letters she does not entirely understands but is sure are related to her mother's murder. At the same time the man convicted for that murder, Rhett, is released on parole and she receives a letter saying she'll be next. The story is fast-paced and told from Sylvia's and her mother's perspectives and an unexpected alliance is formed between Sylvia and Rhett to find the culprit. The story has a lot of emotion, twists and turns and will keep you reading through the night.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

I will admit in the opening chapters I wondered if I could finish. By the 3rd chapter I was hooked.
I needed to know the end of this mystery, who the murderer really was and all the details.

The story weaves between the present day and 20 years ago when the crime happened. Was the murderer who served 20 years actually innocent..so who framed him is the base of this story?

Actually a pretty good story and I will look at this authors other books.
This is my first time reading this author and she led us on a merry chase.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one sitting. I could not put it down. The twists in this book I never saw coming! I would definitely recommend this book and suggest you run to your nearest bookstore to buy it!!!

When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney

Wow an edge of your seat book , just when you think you have an idea of the ending , nope , it suddenly takes off in another direction .

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.
Start reading this when you have plenty of time because you are not going to want to put it down.

Fast paced thriller- small town murder resurfaces 20 years later after the accused is released and wants to clear his name. Follows multiple POVs. One POV from Sylvia, her mother was the one murdered and she’s been getting notes about secrets related to those events from long ago.

Did both audiobook and ebook for this one and I must say..10/10 narration- excellent pacing and expression

Quick read, short chapters, would read more from this author. It just didn’t make my jaw drop or have me gasping/ obsessing over the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, release date 1/24/25