I thoroughly enjoyed the central storyline in this book - I liked the vibe of 'Gone Girl' mixed with 'Double Jeopardy' and a little game of Cat and Mouse. It absolutely got me hooked and made me want to read on. I love love loved that the only person ranting about the "crazy white female" was the husband - this was welcomed from a male author after the BS I've read in other books. I found the whole story enthralling until it became twist on twist on twist. I found that it was too many, and it seemed like a "how do we get this character involved" "and also this one" "and how could this one be in it too" - and for me it was a little much.

Michael's wife is missing. Along with his two young children. Michael thinks his wife is unstable. His wife thinks that Michael is a cheater, and also possibly a murderer. Whose story do you believe?
I really enjoyed this novel with not one, but two unreliable narrators. It was a quick read with much suspense and a couple of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I really liked Palmer's first novel, Saving Meghan (see: Munchausen's, a top 5 favorite book topic) but his most recent two fell flat for me. I was happy to come back around with My Wife Is Missing. 5 stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest feedback.

A solid domestic suspense novel.
I really liked the twists and turns Palmer threw at the reader. I thought I had it all figured out. There were times when I felt the book was too predictable, but I was wrong. I didn’t see the ending coming and those are my favorite endings.
It did feel like it could have been pared down a bit. Without giving any spoilers, I felt that the middle of the book was a little repetitive. A bit of an “are we there yet?” moment for me.
It is a good read and those that enjoy domestic suspense will enjoy this book. I think it would make a good movie as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC!

Wow. This is my first novel by D.J. Palmer and it definitely won’t be my last. I was immediately drawn into this storyline - like could not put it down 4 chapters in.

I usually write a small summary of the book before I review… not this time. Everyone deserves to go into this book blind!!

Everything that happened was so unexpected. Nothing was as it seemed. As soon as I thought I’d figured everything out, the rug was ripped out from under me. Books like this are my absolute favorite!

Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martins press for an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Quite a fast paced, easy to read murder mystery/ thriller. The chapters alternate between Michael and Natalie, a couple whose marriage is falling apart. They live and work near the Boston area. The setting will bounce from their vacation with the kids in New York City to numerous other states before a dramatic finale.
Natalie has insomnia which contributes to the lack of intimacy in their marriage. She is frequently confused, forgetful, and panicky. She suffers from anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, nightmares, exhaustion, fatigue and is constantly drinking too much coffee. She's convinced her husband is unfaithful.
Michael tries to be understanding and helpful but, he is far from blameless. He has many secrets and is not truthful. He denies an affair.
One of Natalie's co-workers, Audrey, is found murdered. There are no suspects. Michael and Natalie's marriage is going from bad to worse. 
Natalie, kids and luggage are gone from their NY hotel room when Michael returns from an errand. He's frantic, thinking the worst, calls, searches and tries to file a missing persons report.
NY Detective Sergeant Kennett is called into the case early on. He's a fully developed character as he insinuates himself more and more into helping Michael find his missing wife and children. After all, Natalie might be unstable and the children could be in danger.
I teetered back and forth between several characters as the guilty party for Audrey's killer, was stunned by the reveal.
The twists in this murder mystery are sharper than a hairpin turn on a mountain road, lots of layers and misdirection. It exceeded my expectations, highly recommend.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley, D. J. Palmer and to St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy of "My Wife is Missing". These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.

First let me say I enjoyed The New Husband and was disappointed by The Perfect Daughter, so I was a little nervous going into My Wife Is Missing. Friends, D.J. Palmer has won me over yet again. While I haven't read a ton of thrillers this year, this one is my favourite so far. I was captivated from the first page, and I gobbled this one up in a single sitting. I kept flipping back and forth between a few guesses as to what the heck was going on, and I was wrong on all counts. I love me some good twists. Make sure to add this page-turning domestic thriller to your want to read this! You won't regret it!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, D.J. Palmer, and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Wife is Missing is an intense, twisty, domestic psychological thriller that starts off with a bang and doesn't let up. Michael and Natalie Hart and their two children, Addie and Bryce, live in Massachusetts. Their marriage is shaky at best, when Natalie, already under a great deal of stress from her job and taking care of the kids, develops insomnia after learning her husband is possibly having an affair. Their marriage counselor suggests that the two of them to take a trip and spend some time alone together, but instead Natalie books a family vacation to New York.

The evening they arrive in New York, Michael goes out to pick up dinner and upon his return he sees his son's teddy bear - the one he won't go anywhere without - laying on the floor outside their hotel room. Michael, at first annoyed that his wife didn't pick up the bear when his son dropped it, is shocked after he steps inside to discover an empty hotel room. His family is gone.

I've enjoyed reading all of D.J. Palmer's books, so I was excited to get my hands on a copy of his latest novel. Right from the start the book has this high paced, frantic energy which instantly draws in and you say to yourself "I definitely want - no HAVE - to read this book." The book is well written and the plot engaging. I spent the whole book guessing who the "bad guy" was. Everytime I thought I had figured everything out, something happened that caused me to change my mind. For me, the ending is completely unexpected.

I really enjoyed this one. The Perfect Daughter is still my favorite, though this is a close second. The only dislike I have is the epilogue, which is why I can't give it five stars. It felt like it was just a way to tie up an unfinished loose end and made me feel a little unsatisfied at the end.

Four stars
Recommended for readers of: psychological suspense/thrillers, mystery, women's fiction, general fiction

Very fun book! Super twisty and I had no idea what to believe. I will be reading more of DJ Palmers books after this. Very likable characters. The twists when all is revealed is mind blowing to say the least. I will definitely be recommending this book to others.

This was a fairly decent psychological thriller. When Michael’s wife suddenly disappears with their two children, he immediately knows something is wrong and will do anything to find them. Was she kidnapped or did she leave willingly? And is her insomnia making her paranoid and putting their children in danger?

There were a few twists near the beginning and end that I really enjoyed, however I felt the middle of the book was rather slow and didn’t hold my attention very well. The ending was satisfying and exciting, but there were a lot of overused tropes along the way that didn’t do much for the overarching story.

Overall, this is a solid read for those who enjoy the genre, but it’s not incredibly unique.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While I did enjoy, this book was a bit slow to get into for me. About 2/3 of the way through it became interesting and I was able to read it more quickly.

Natalie and Michael Hart have 2 children. Natalie starts to suspect that Michael is cheating and starts to do some sleuthing on her own.

When she finds out that her husband is not who he seems to be and that cheating is just the tip of the iceberg, she takes her children to flee to safety.

What has Michael done? What is he hiding?

You'll have to read to find out!

I loved going into this one blind. This book kept moving on roads I could not see, we’ll other than the fact that the wife goes missing. The deeper you go in the book the deeper the ish gets. And boy do I have to warn you, put your rain boots on because ish gets deep. This one was a roller coaster ride and I did not see that ending.

⚠️ murder. Infidelity, suicide

This one will keep you guessing until the end. I have read a few books by this author and I'm really liking him! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fantastic read which, in my opinion, is no surprise with this author. I absolutely love their work so it was an automatic to me that this book was most likely going to be a good read. I admit that initially I was worried the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place a little too easily, but in the end I was not disappointed at all!
This book follows Natalie, her husband Michael, and their two children Addie and Bryce. The beginning starts out with Natalie and Michael checking into a hotel on their family vacation to NYC, and as Michael returns to the hotel from making a pizza run, he realizes his family has disappeared. It takes a review of the CCTV footage to reveal that his wife has disappeared with their children purposely. What Michael can't figure out is why; although it appears she may have dug up some long buried secrets from his past that he was hoping he would never revisit.
Definitely a fun read!

My Wife Is Missing, by DJ Palmer

Short Take: A great game of cat and mouse, in which you don’t know which is which.

(*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*)

Ok duckies, we have a situation here. WHO TOOK MY WARM WEATHER?? I promise I won’t be mad if you bring it back, but I really need it as soon as possible. So would the person or persons who set the outdoor thermostat to “freezing” please turn it back up to “livable”? Thanks in advance!

I must admit, however, that if I am forced to spend a few days hiding under the blankets, there are far worse books to keep me company than My Wife Is Missing. As with all the best thrillers, the setup is a simple one: Michael Hart is on vacation in the Big Apple with his wife and two kids. He dips out of the hotel briefly to grab a pizza, and when he comes back, they are all gone.

Now obviously, Michael is the Concerned Husband who just wants his beloved family returned safely to him.

Or is he?

His wife Natalie has been suffering from terrible insomnia, and she has some ideas of her own of who and what Michael really is. But is that reality, or delusions sprouting from her extreme sleep deprivation?

Oh my sweet nerdlings, I’ve read a few of Mr. Palmer’s works, and as always, he does not disappoint. He captures the nuances of marriage, the good, bad, and ugly of kids and bills and arguments. But it’s the sections dealing with Natalie’s insomnia that really shine. I’ve had sleep issues since I was a toddler, and although I finally have a prescription that works (thanks Dr. M!) I remember all too well how it feels. The eye-burning, body-aching, foggy-brained sensation that reality isn’t real. The 3 AM racing thoughts and doubts, the irritability and bursting into tears over a missing sock.

And of course, because this is a DJ Palmer novel, there are twists and turns aplenty, and shocks and stunners. Seriously, this dude ALWAYS keeps me guessing till the end.

My only nitpick is that the pacing of the third quarter felt kind of sludgy. I don’t want to bring up any specific plot points (this is a spoiler free zone), but it felt like certain things were gone over and over, that some bits could’ve been left out all together. And the final chapter was kinda cheesy, but the romantics out there will probably enjoy it.

But hooooo boy that ending!! I may have given a little fist pump and an out-loud “OH YESSSS!” when [spoiler] hit the [spoiler].

The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and ALL the NYC pizza.)

What happens when your wife and children disappear? Were they kidnapped or did she run away with your kids? What if you did something to make her run away? This is my first book I've read by DJ Palmer and I enjoyed it. There were two points of view telling the same story...which always makes for a more interesting read. The secret backstory was introduced too late, IMO, but it brought everything together. Recommended.

MY WIFE IS MISSING
by D.J. Palmer
Publish date May 10
Publishers St. Martin's Press

Michael is freaking out as his wife who has not been herself lately just disappeared with the kids and he's not sure if they are safe.
Natalie has been having insomnia ever since she recieved a note that Michael has been having an affair. She is pretty sure she knows who it is and just needs to prove it.
This is one of those stories that left me completely in the dark as to what was what was really going on till the end. I'm a reader that usually can figure out the ending but not this one! Great job DJ Palmer. I have read a book or two before by her and I think I'm going to continue reading. I've always have been pleased.

I was beyond thrilled when I was approved for an e-ARC of MY WIFE IS MISSING. I thoroughly enjoyed THE NEW HUSBAND and this one is equally as good.

Michael and his wife Natalie and their two children, Bryce and Addie are vacationing in New York when Michael leaves to pick up a pizza for dinner. When he returns, he finds his son’s favorite teddy bear lying outside the hotel room and his wife and children missing. Security footage shows Natalie and her children leaving willingly. Natalie suffers from severe insomnia and Michael fears she is not in her right mind, and he fears for his children’s safety.

What follows is a wild goose chase. Michael along with a detective are on the hunt for Natalie and her children. The book is told from Michael’s POV and Natalie’s perspective both before and after she goes on the run. We also learn throughout the story that Michael has A LOT of secrets.

I loved everything about this book. It was a thrilling ride from beginning to end. The story went in directions I did not see coming and all the WFT moments made my jaw drop. And that ending! I loved it! Also having severe insomnia myself, I felt the author did a great job of portraying Natalie’s mindset after days of no sleep.

This is a well written, fast paced story that fans of domestic thrillers will love!

I cannot wait to see what this author comes out with next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC.

Michael, his wife Natalie and their two kids go on vacation to New York City.

When Michael returns to their hotel room with dinner, he finds the room empty…. His wife and kids are gone.

He is certain they have been kidnapped. After frantically searching for them, he contacts the police. The police are suspicious of Michael….

It becomes apparent that Natalie left of her own accord..

* Cue Natalie’s POV….

The story then alternates between Michael and Natalie’s POVs.

As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed…

Michael will stop at nothing to find his family….

Natalie will stop at nothing to keep her children safe…

Underlying the two narratives is a tangled web….
__________________________________

There are some breath-holding moments in this book! It kept me guessing and I definitely did not have it figured out!
This is my favorite book by this author, it’s more layered and complex than his previous books. It’s entertaining, fast-paced and suspenseful.

Clear your schedule, settle in and DEVOUR this book! I had high hopes because I enjoyed his previous books but Mr. Palmer far exceeded my expectations with this one!

Natalie and Michael are married and going through a rough patch. She’s suffering from insomnia and possibly hallucinations which is making it harder on their marriage. She suspects Michael may also be having an affair. They decide to go on a family vacation to New York in hopes of reconnecting with their two children in tow. When Michael returns with dinner to their hotel, he finds his wife and children missing. He immediately suspects they’ve been kidnapped or worse. When he finds out his wife willingly left with their kids, he is upset and determined to find her. But along the way, we learn so many secrets. Secrets they have BOTH been hiding. There are SO many ups and downs and twists and turns that it feels cliche to call this a rollercoaster ride of a book but it truly is! You will read this and think you know everything, but, you will be wrong. Every chapter had me racing for the truth! I would LOVE to see this as a limited series! Fingers crossed!

This book is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. Suspense, mystery, martial disputes. Murder. Suspicion. It has it all. Including a few twists I did not see coming and left my jaw literally hanging open. This book will forever be one I think back on often.