A family vacation turns into a nightmare for Michael Hart when he discovers his wife and two children have disappeared from their New York City hotel room. Horrified, he fears they've been kidnapped. Are her fears about Michael valid or a symptom of her condition? But who can she trust when she can't even trust herself?
This is a well written, fast paced story. The novel alternates between Michael and Natalie's POVs. Secrets and a tangled web are revealed. I have read DJ Palmer's other book and have enjoyed it too. I can't wait to see what DJ Palmer comes out with next. If you love thrillers, then you will love this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy for an honest review.

This is my fourth book by Mr. Palmer, and each story he writes is unique and fascinating in its own way. My Wife is Missing was very intriguing to me, because as a mother and wife myself, I was very curious as to why a wife would suddenly disappear with her children the way Natalie does in this story. What could the circumstances be that would cause someone to make such a drastic decision?

I was drawn into this story right away, not sure whether I felt more sympathy for Natalie and what she was going through, or for Michael who was grappling with this sudden gaping hole in his family and not understanding what exactly was going on.

I could empathize with Natalie to a certain degree, but at the same time she made a lot of questionable decisions that had the potential to do more harm than good to her children. And Michael certainly had a ton of secrets that I was dying to see uncovered and worried the closer we got to the end of the book that we wouldn't get them. But we do eventually get them, after so many things go wrong because of incorrect assumptions, lack of communication, and huge trust issues within their marriage.

My ideas about what had really happened and what all the secrets were completely ping ponged back and forth the more I read. The guesses I was making fell in the vicinity of the eventual truth, but way on the outside of it, so I was at least heading in the right direction.

I felt satisfied and happy with the conclusion of Natalie and Michael's story, and deeply grateful to Mr. Palmer for the included epilogue that answered my most burning question throughout the book. Being the greedy reader I am, I really wanted a certain aspect of that question to be included in the epilogue, but I feel confident that resolution I wanted is going to take place as the events in the epilogue continue off the page.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

I loved this book! Domestic thrillers are my favorite sub-genre, and this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed the twists throughout and it had me guessing up until the very end. I also liked how the author gave the different perspectives with the husband and wife and different time periods. I highly recommend this book to all my fellow thriller lovers!

Hot damn! This book kept me up all night. I couldn’t put it down! I also couldn’t figure out which way was up. I couldn’t decide what to believe, who to believe, what was true or not. I didn’t see the end coming and admit I found it rather disappointing, but everything up until then was terrific. DJ Palmer is one of if not my most favorite author in the domestic psych thriller genre.

Book Review: My Wife Is Missing by D.J. Palmer
Published by St. Martin's Press, May 10, 2022

★★★★☆ (4.0 Stars)
Mixed

Evidently influenced by his father, medical thriller novelist cum physician Michael S. Palmer, M.D. (deceased), author Daniel James Palmer regaled his readers with heavy-hitting five-star gems in "Saving Megan" (2019) and "The Perfect Daughter" (2021), both gripping psychological thrillers based on extraordinary medical conditions: the former, "Munchausen syndrome by proxy" buttressed by a shock ER scene which singlehandedly set the tone; and the latter, "dissociative identity disorder" equally brilliant with an unforgettable courtroom finale.

Enter highly anticipated "My Wife is Missing" (2022).

A man with a past carries a piping hot Broadway pizza back to his Times Square hotel - and finds an empty room. His insomniac wife and two children had vanished...

No medical mystery this time, but as intermittent first person voices walk us through flashbacks and aftermaths pre- and post the "escape from New York", we find a trail of love, infidelity, deceit, intrigue, inanity, topped up with crimes of passion - decades apart.

Complex. Twisty. Buttered up a bit over the top. A wholly unexpected ending but far from seismic.

Not at its best vintage but still good to the last drop.

Review based on an advanced reading copy courtesy of St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.

Wow. The last 100 pages or so threw me all over the place. First it was one shock, then another. The actual killer was NOT who I thought at all. Then another twist thrown in at the very end. I’m really becoming a fan of D. J. Palmer. I’m never disappointed with any of his books. There is always at least one shock guaranteed. Thank you to Netgalley for my early read.

My Wife is Missing, by D. J. Palmer is an absolutely gripping, intriguing, twisty mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Natalie and her two children disappear one night upon their arrival in New York for their family vacation. When her husband, Michael returns from picking up pizza and finds his family missing, he is obviously frantic with worry! Though the police aren’t willing to take his concerns seriously, she is a legal guardian, afterall, and free to leave if she chooses, Michael knows something is drastically wrong and decides to pursue his family regardless of the cost. From here the tension-wrought adventure begins.

This is the kind of story that causes you to constantly question who to believe, whom you can trust, and who to root for. This story is filled with red herrings, surprises at every turn, and plenty of reasonable doubt that will keep you questioning until the very end.

My Wife is Missing held my attention throughout its entirety and I found the plot immensely fascinating. The conclusion was shocking and the epilogue, satisfying. This was yet another entertaining, well-written, cleverly-plotted novel by D. J. Palmer and one you’ll definitely want on your TBR.

Wow! DJ Palmer knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Palmer has a way of writing a story that completely blows your mind. What you think you know, you can throw completely out of the window, because he will give you an ending that's so far out of left field. You never see it coming! These characters were so convincing with their sides of the events, and that made it so hard to determine what was truth or lie. I really felt sorry for the children most of all, because they were constantly scared and confused throughout the book. Natalie felt she was doing the right thing by running with them, and as a mother I couldn't fault her. If Michael hadn't had his share of secrets then none of the events would have occurred in the first place. You never get bored reading a DJ Palmer book that's for sure. The man is pure genius when it comes to all the psychological aspects of the stories he writes. Add in the mystery, suspense, and thrills then you have the perfect book in my opinion.

As expected, it was a page turner and the last part had so many good twists. It starts off in an explosive way when Natalie runs away with her two kids without a word to her husband, Michael. he seemed shady and his secrets keep coming out one at a time causing more confusion and then he also looks connected to two gruesome murders, which sends his wife to supposedly escape from him. Her run kept me hooked but midway, the pace was missing with too much detail. The midway pace drop is literally the only issue I had with this one, other than that it was a good domestic thriller with all the drama!

I enjoyed reading this book. The plot was well thought out, it kept me turning the pages to find out what happened. There were several twists in the book, but I only figured out one of the last ones a page or two before the main character did. The medical issues that may occur when you are suffering from continuing insomnia were well defined and played a major part in the book. If you are planning on an escape trip from your spouse, here is the outline of your trip!

2.5 stars
This was a sort of mediocre story. The premise was interesting but the story seemed to be drawn out. The premise is a wife with insomnia leaves her husband after finding out he had an affair.(at least she thinks so). Natalie, the wife, is definitely not a character I felt much for as I do believe taking your children from their father without telling him you were leaving is both cruel and unfeeling. I could not wrap my arms around the fact that Natalie pretends to go on vacation in NYC with Michael and the children and then runs away. It made little sense to me. A lot gets blame on Natalie's inability to sleep. It's the baseline for their failing marriage. She withholds sex and any kind of touching from her husband. She always is reading something into what her husband Michael said.

Michael has some adverse traits as well. For one, he carries around a big secret and as he pals up with a police lieutenant (somewhat unwillingly which was strange really as they wind out of state where the lieutenant had no jurisdiction?) to try and find Nicole and his family, little bits and pieces come out about Michael.

Then there was Audrey, the supposed paramour of Michael's who is found murdered by Natalie and Nat was sure that her murder was caused by Michael.

Natalie finds solace at her friend's farm and makes some disturbing finds while at the farm. There are many ominous happenings which you are not sure if Natalie is actually hearing or is she hallucinating as she has done in the past. Her mind is exhausted and much is because of the lack of sleep. Definitely Natalie was losing it.

Was her state of mind, the culmination of the insomnia or was there something to her thoughts and musings that confirms her mistrust of Michael?

This story moved along slowly and as I mentioned my dislike of the main character probably colored my view.
Definitely recommended to those who enjoy a character who portrays so much need, she becomes annoying. 🤷‍♀️

There are many others who enjoyed this story so please do check out their reviews
Thank you to D.J. Palmer, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I read on my kindle 60% of the book and listened to the rest courtesy of Macmillan Audio.

What starts off as a normal trip quickly erupts into chaos when Michael Hart discovers that his wife, Natalie, has taken their two children and run away after he stepped out of the hotel to pick up some food. Natalie has been suffering from insomnia and Michael fears what she might do in her hallucination prone state. Meanwhile, Natalie has uncovered secrets from Michael’s past that may actually be what sent her running. “My Wife is Missing” by D. J. Palmer is a gripping must read for any thriller lover.

Whew, what a book. This fast-paced thriller had me on my toes with twist after twist. Even after I felt like I knew what was happening, there were still new secrets to be revealed as the last few chapters unfolded. Some of it was predictable, but a few aspects were surprising. I love when an author can add a new twist that I didn’t guess.

Overall, this book was definitely a 5 star read for me. The character voices were clear and interesting, leaving me hooked until the last page. In fact, most of this book was a one day binge for me, only setting it down to get some work done.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. “My Wife is Missing” by D. J. Palmer will be available May 10th, be sure to check it out!

A family of four takes a short get-away trip to NYC. When dad (Michael) returns from picking up dinner for them, he finds his family is gone without a trace except for his son's teddy bear in the hallway near their room. I was immediately drawn in by Michael's anxiety and panic when he realizes his family is missing.

Natalie, wife to Michael, and mother to young Addie and Bryce, has been suffering from insomnia for months. She stumbles through her days as a working mother exhausted and barely functioning. It's gotten to the point that even she isn't sure if her thoughts and emotions are real and valid anymore. What she does know for a fact is that her marriage to Michael is in trouble. They've tried marriage counseling which didn't work, and things are approaching the breaking point.

The story is told from the POVs of Michael and Natalie. Natalie is an unreliable narrator, but if even part of what she suspects about Michael is true, he is not to be trusted. The race is on as Michael tries to find his wife and children with the help of NY Detective Kennett, and the reader tries to determine what is true and what is not. Is Natalie paranoid if what she believes, and fears is true?

Palmer paces the book well with a feeling of tension and suspense throughout. The ending is guaranteed to surprise!!

This is a very entertaining suspense and rates 4 stars from me.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel via NetGalley. The book is scheduled for publication on 5/10/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

YOU GUYS!!!! This book was PHENOMENAL! It was my first DJ Palmer book- but I can say with certainty, it will not be my last!

This was the perfect domestic thriller with twist after twist after twist. I didn’t know what to think throughout a lot of this book- and that is just how I like it! Told from Michael and Natalie’s points of view- this gripping novel will keep you on the edge of your seat!

When a woman disappears with her two children, one husband will do anything to find them—even confront the secrets of his own past (and present.)

Go get this book on May 10 when it is released! Thank you @stmartinspress for sending me an advanced reader copy to review! I LOVED IT!!

My Wife is Missing
By D. J. Palmer

An enjoyable Runaway Family Drama With Tons of Twists

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Michael Hart is taking his family to NYC for a little vacation. When Michael returns to the hotel after picking up a pizza on their first evening in the city, he finds his wife and two children have disappeared. He fears they’ve been kidnapped but soon discovers that his wife, Natalie, appears to have left on her own, taking their children with her. The police want to know why, and so does Michael, while keeping his past a secret.

Natalie thinks she has Michael all figured out and has hatched a plan to escape from him permanently. Her plans to run away with the children, however, are threatened by her insomnia. Ever since she learned of Michael’s infidelity and his past, she has not been able to sleep more than a few hours a night, and now she is suffering from delusions. So what is real and what is she imagining, and who can she trust.

REVIEW
Both Michael and Natalie tell their version of the story. Natalie's viewpoint is from both the past and the present. Michael's version of the story is told only from his present-day journey to reunite with his family.

The characters are interesting. Natalie's insomnia and delusions make her story doubtful. But we soon learn that Michael has secrets all his own. Throughout the book, you will be questioning the integrity of every version of the story our characters tell. Everyone, even the police officer who volunteers to help Michael, seems to have an ulterior motive.

While the story is a little far-fetched at times, it was enjoyable. The writing is solid, and the pacing is quick.

Author Daniel J. Palmer Writes psychological thrillers and family dramas. His previous novels include The Perfect Daughter (2021) and The New Husband (2021).

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published May 10, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

D.J. Palmer I just finished reading my second book of yours, My Wife is Missing, and it was another roller coaster ride! It was a slow climb to the top of the roller coaster but once it hit the top it was full speed ahead with flip, after flip, after flip!

I love a great mystery to help me escape. I whacked my brain trying to figure out who murdered Brianna Sykes with no success!

3.75 stars….. thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for this book on the shelves May 10, 2022.

This is a fast-paced, action-filled thriller/mystery. This is ideal for readers who want something relatively light, quick and entertaining with a lot of heart-pounding action and suspense. The characters were relatively flat but the frenetic pace makes up for it. The ending is satisfying and has a couple of twists.

This was full of action, basically a cross country chase mixed with a mystery. It's told from 2 points of view (Natalie and her husband's) and had more than one twist at the end. I wish it made my heart pound a bit more, but it was entertaining and well written. And I really like that I didn't figure out the mysteries before the reveal, like at all.

My Wife is Missing by D.J. Palmer is a fun read. The story is full of twists and turns. I was excited to read D.J. Palmers newest thriller. I have enjoyed his other books so I was looking forward to reading this one and it did not disappoint. Natalie and Michael Hart are having marital problems. Natalie is a busing mother of two with a job outside of the house. Michael is distant and spending time at his job and the gym. I could relate to how two people with busy lives can grow apart. Natalie questions Michael's fidelity. Michael is distant and keeping secretes especially about his past. The story unfolds with many truths and lies coming out in the open.

I don't want to write a lot about this plot because many things have cause and effect and I do not want to give any spoilers away. I enjoyed the book and it kept me turning pages well into the evening and at the pool. I would like to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #DJPalmer #MyWifeIsMissing

I wish to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read the early electronic copy of this book, to be published on May 01. This was an intriguing psychological thriller and domestic drama. Its combatants are a married couple, Natalie and Michael Hart, whose marriage is deeply troubled. Natalie is stressed at work and in caring for their two young children. She has insomnia to the extent of paranoia, blackouts, and hallucinations. She has become forgetful, delusional, and often misjudged people's expressions and intentions. She is overcome with exhaustion.

I felt I should sympathize with Natalie because of her confused mental/emotional state, but I found her unlikeable and annoying. She made many reckless decisions based on some delusional beliefs. Her behaviour was stressful for the children. Michael seemed to be supportive and patient but was frustrated with her coldness towards him and accusing him of having an affair, which he insisted was unfounded. We have hints that he hides a dark secret that he wishes never to be disclosed.

Natalie fears that Matthew is having an affair with someone from her office and is convinced she knows who it is. She has a supportive and sympathetic office friend who tends to confirm Natalie's fantasies. Aiming to confront her, Natalie goes to the woman's apartment. She discovers the woman she believed was Matthew's lover lying in a pool of blood. She thinks she has been murdered by her unfaithful husband but also fears that she may be blamed for the woman's death.

In a panic, she is now afraid that Matthew plans to kill herself and their children. Natalie has carefully planned to escape with her children before Matthew can carry out murdering his family. The family goes on a trip to NYC and check-in at a hotel overlooking Times Square. She sends him out for pizza, and when he returns, he is shocked to find she has taken her luggage and fled with the children. He pleads with the police for help but is told there is little they can do.

Michael begins a lengthy search for his wife and children. A police officer accompanies him on a long cross-country trip. Natalie has made remarkable efforts to cover her tracks. The policeman drops some subtle references to Matthew's past, causing him to fear that he is being set up to be blamed for the woman's murder. When they eventually track Natalie down, Michael seems delighted that his family is safe.

Later, when back home, there is an arrest, serious injuries, and another death. It was incredible that Natalie, who was always exhausted and delusional, suddenly became more rational and gained the energy to become a vicious fighter.

I had a mixed reaction to the book. The plot was compelling, but I thought it convoluted, implausible, and repetitious. It was, at times, a tedious read.
I would have preferred a shorter book and more relatable characters. The central relationship was left unresolved. I continued with the story since I was invested in what would happen. I never guessed the final twist. The identity of the murderer made sense, but the conclusion seemed somewhat contrived.