Wow!!! This book is so good. Amazing characters, amazing plot, and amazing dialogue. 20 years after her mother’s murder mysterious letters show up on Sylvia’s doorstep in the middle of the night. At the same time the accused murderer, Rhett, is released from prison. I knew it was going to be a good when, at Rhetts’s parole hearing they ask if plans to harm anyone if he is released. He says no but told a lie.
My favorite character was Rhett. As much as life has thrown at him, he’s still a nice guy. He’s not perfect but his caring side comes out in the book when he looks out for others and wants to do the right thing. I don’t want to spoil the book but this is one that will take you in a rollercoaster especially at the end!

I received a free copy of, When I Disappear, by Amanda McKinney, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Sylvia Stones mother was murdered by Rhett Cohen, her testimony helped put him away. Sylvia has been receiving messages, saying he is innocent, and he is released from jail. Wow what a read, a chilling read.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Amanda McKinney and Storm publishing for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.

I will start by saying it had a great premise and started off with a bang. I feel it could have totally been a 5 star read but kinda fell flat after the beginning. I figured it out very early on which sucked because it could have been a page turner.

It was a quick read. The character development was off. Sylvia needed more depth and detail, Rhett needed something because his character really wasn’t overly realistic and Jesse’s character could have been developed so much more.

The details surrounding Detective Stroud were just left unfinished and I feel like that could have had more detail.

I read it almost like an entry level novel submitted in a class. It had value and could/should be so much more than 3 stars. Felt a little rushed maybe and so much was left out 🤷‍♀️

3⭐️⭐️⭐️

A murder mystery/ thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns that leave you wondering if the person who had been convicted of “names” murder all those years ago was really the murderer after all.

Holy cow! This book is a wild ride and an absolutely amazing read. I can usually predict the ending of a book less than halfway through but I was pleasantly surprised to make it through the book without figuring it out before hand.

The way the author writes keeps you on the edge of your seat and constantly wanting to read more, I will be adding this author to the list of my favorite authors.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves thrillers, and mystery books, even to people that just love to read in general.

When Rhett is released after serving 20 years in prison for killing her mother, Sylvia can't believe it. And then Sylvia disappears....

Wow, this was such a fascinating book. I found myself hooked right from the start and thought I knew what was going on towards the middle. While I had one aspect right, there were others that left me totally shocked by the end. This was a solid thriller that had all the elements I love - fast paced with short chapters and dual timelines. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Enjoyed the story and the twists and turns. Haven’t read a book from this author that I didn’t like. Easy to get into the plot and characters. Thank you NetGalley for this arc

This thriller was a fast paced and easy read centering around the death of the FMCs mother and the man convicted of murdering her over 20 years ago.

While the book was easy to digest I couldn’t fully get into it. I had a hard time connecting with the FMC and her motives. First, I think the switch in personalities could have been portrayed a little better in the 1st half of the book. Second, while I can see her motive being money I couldn’t fully get behind it. The author touched slightly on money problems but the situation didn’t seem that dire to me.

The drawer of pictures also seemed like a weird detail that went nowhere.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Be sure to keep the light on, I was up all night reading this thriller. A twisty tale that had a lot of moving parts, this is one that you will not want to put down. The characters are very well done and the plot is one with plenty of twists, suspense and tension. Things seem to not be adding up, the plot thickens and the list of suspects grow. I loved how the author is able to write the descriptions and feelings within the story and of the characters, some of the best written. This book kept me up wanting to see who was behind it all. Awesome read, highly recommend this stand alone thriller. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.

This is the first book I have read from the author and I will read more. 20 years after the murder of her mother, Sylvia starts getting cryptic letters that could only have come from her mother’s killer, however her mothers convicted killer was not released from prison at the time she received the first letter. This book is also narrated by Rhett who was just released from prison for killing Sylvia’s mother 20 years ago. This cleverly written thriller kept the pages turning.

Twenty years ago, Rhett Cohen went to prison for the murder of Marjorie Stone. Right around the time he gets released, Marjorie’s daughter Sylvia starts receiving threatening notes, telling her “you are next”. Rhett and Sylvia team up to try to find the anonymous sender and try to discover the truth about who really killed Sylvia’s mom.

I’ve been a huge fan of Amanda’s since reading the Mad Women novella series and A Marriage of Lies. She’s a total whiz at weaving a twisty thriller and even better at crafting an unreliable narrator. There’s the perfect amount of is-she-or-isn’t-she lying and uncertainty to keep the reader guessing. The pace is propulsive and the tension so high that I couldn’t stop reading until I got to the shocking conclusion!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Wow!! My first book by this Author and I'm addicted! The book grabs you by the first chapter and doesn't let go. The ending was absolutely shocking! Definitely add this book to your 2025 book reads! It does not disappoint!

I love a good thriller told from multiple POVs! I couldn't put this book down! I literally finished it in one day! Loved the twist and the plot. This is my first book from this author, and I definitely want more!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

I was completely into this story. It’s a page turner, gripping thriller, fast paced! I enjoyed that the characters were easy to keep up with and the story was very engaging! This was a good one!

When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you hooked from the very first page. Blending dual timelines, multiple POVs, and plenty of twists, it masterfully unravels a haunting mystery that lingers long after the last chapter.

The story centers around Sylvia Stone, whose life was shattered twenty years ago when her mother, Marjorie, was murdered. Rhett Cohen was convicted of the crime based on Sylvia’s testimony, but after his release from prison, Sylvia begins receiving anonymous letters containing details only the true killer would know. As the two unlikely allies team up to uncover the truth, Sylvia’s life is thrown into chaos, culminating in her sudden disappearance and leaving everyone wondering: has Rhett struck again, or is someone else pulling the strings?

Amanda McKinney does an excellent job weaving generational trauma and guilt into the plot. The alternating perspectives—from Sylvia, Rhett, and Marjorie—add depth and provide essential context to the unfolding mystery. The pacing is brisk, with short chapters and tantalizing clues that keep you turning the pages. The small-town setting is alive with intrigue, filled with shady characters and secrets that make everyone a suspect.

While the narrative occasionally feels overly busy with its many twists, the story’s emotional resonance and richly developed characters more than compensate. Sylvia and Rhett’s uneasy dynamic is particularly compelling, with their evolving relationship adding layers of tension and complexity to the plot. The climax, though somewhat predictable for seasoned thriller readers, still packs an emotional punch and ties the story’s many threads together.

When I Disappear is a rollercoaster of a thriller, perfect for fans of fast-paced mysteries and morally complex characters. If you enjoy dual timelines, unreliable narrators, and small-town secrets, this book will not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Amanda McKinney for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This one hits shelves on January 24, 2025—mark your calendars!

Was not expecting to be so enthralled by this book, I genuinely loved the storyline and how well it was written. With each letter I was on the edge of my seat. Every-time I thought I truly had it figured out I was shocked to see I didn't. It wasn't anything I expected as far as who dunnit and it was better!

Recommending to all my book lovers, especially those who love a great thriller!

Book Title: When I Disappear
Author: Amanda McKinney
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery
Pub Date: January 24, 2025
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 311


When Rhett Cohen is finally released from prison after spending twenty years for a murder of Marjorie Stone – a murder he didn’t commit
He goes back to the scene of the crime as he wants revenge for being set-up.
Sylvia Stone is the daughter of Marjorie and yes she testified against Rhett Cohen twenty years ago. However when she gets anonymous letters revealing details only the true killer would know, she is sure Rhett is innocent.

When Sylvia, opens her door to the man who was accused of her mother’s murder, she tells him she wants to help him - however when Sylvia is kidnapped Rhett is once being accused.
How will he save himself bow?

Story had me curious as to whodunit. I read a lot of thrillers and love the twist and turns and the cleverness of whodunit.
Have to admit I did struggle – I am sure other readers will love it but it wasn’t the thriller I was expecting.

I did enjoyed "Marriage of Lies]'and will definitely read another Amanda McKinney story.

Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 24, 2025.

This book will truly make you second guess if you know a character at all. I love all of Amanda's books and this one is just as amazing. Thank you for the chance to read and review.

It took me a long time to read this book. It wasn't anything original and the twist wasn't shocking. Definitely left some plot holes.

First book I’ve read by Amanda McKinney and I got into it quickly. Even though I’d worked out who Marjorie’s killer was before the end of the book I still really enjoyed it. If you like thrillers with plenty of twists and turns then you won’t be disappointed.

Earlier this year, my friends @thrillerbookloversthepulse introduced me to @amandamckinneyauthor and I will be forever grateful. When I start one of her books, I know I’m in for a rollercoaster of twists, OMG moments and, most importantly, fun.

When I Disappear is a twisty thriller with multiple timelines and POVs. Sylvia is a hot mess. One minute, she’s drinking wine in the morning, and the next, she’s playing Nancy Drew with the local police while crushing hard on Rhett, the man convicted of killing her mother. She’s unpredictable, keeps things interesting and makes me laugh.

One of my favourite elements of the book is how generational trauma is woven throughout Sylvia and Rhett’s family histories and how it shows up in their present-day lives. Really interesting and adds a layer of complexity to the plot.

If you’re a twisty and entertaining thrillers fan, check out When I Disappear when it comes out in January 2025!

Thank you @stormbooks_co and @netgalley for the gifted copy.