I almost didn't finish this. The mystery was interesting enough, but the main character was so naive and annoying that I considered putting the book down several times.

After Image by Jaime deBlanc is a fascinating and emotional story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The book explores themes of memory, identity, and reality in a way that engages you and makes you want to keep reading. DeBlanc’s writing is vivid and descriptive, making it easy to picture the scenes and feel connected to the characters. I felt like I was right there with Natasha while she followed the clues in the case of her missing stepsister, Allie. To me, that’s what makes a good thriller. I did figure out who the villain was, but the twists didn’t make it easy, and I kept changing my mind. Overall, After Image is a beautifully written and unforgettable mystery that’s well worth your time. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Step-sisters and best friends, Natasha has been trying to rebuild her life after the disappearance of Allie four years ago. But her fragile mental state is shattered when a woman's body is discovered nearby and all thoughts immediately go to her missing sister - is it her? Have they finally found her after all this time? Natasha reconnects with the detective initially assigned to her sister's case all those years ago, and she starts back down a path of recklessness and desperation in trying to gather more evidence about Allie's disappearance, who could have taken her, and why. Secrets come to light, newfound evidence leads to unexpected places, and the lives of the people closest to the sisters will never be the same again.

I enjoyed the storyline and pacing - everything moved faster and faster as the plot wound its way to a heart-shattering conclusion. I was shocked by the ending yet not entirely surprised; reading a lot of crime thrillers and mysteries will have you piecing together elements pretty quickly in regards to whodunnit and why. But the ride to get there was well done and an overall entertaining read.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Jaime deBlanc, and Thomas & Mercer publishing for giving me a free digital advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

First I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this advanced copy of Jaime deBlanc’s debut novel After Image. I found it very intriguing. Such a rollercoaster of emotions going on throughout this book. I seriously did not want to put it down. I flew through it so yes, I definitely recommend this novel. Though I was left wanting just a little bit more at the very end. Read it and you’ll know what I mean!

I liked this and thought it was an overall good debut. Natasha's temporary blindness was a unique addition to the story that helped to create some tense moments. I also liked how the author incorporated online discussion and speculation about the case, which felt really true to life. The ending did feel very rushed to me though, and I felt like this book could have benefitted from an extra 25-50 pages to properly wrap things up.

A fast-paced debut novel with dual timelines and an unreliable narrator made this a great read for any mystery lover. This kept me questioning every detail and suspecting every character. The author did an amazing job crafting this story and left me highly impressed with her meticulous writing. This was thought-provoking, intense, and satisfying with an epilogue that left me speechless. I highly recommend this one and give it four and a half stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer, for this ARC.

Great character driven story! Add in a beautiful setting and a fast paced mystery….clear your weekend for this one!

After Image by Jaime DeBlanc is a must-read 👏🏽 From the first page, the gripping plot pulls you in with unexpected twists and well-crafted characters, each hiding their own secrets. If you want a mind-bending thriller that keeps you hooked until the end, this one is five stars all the way!

Synopsis-

Four years ago, beautiful yet troubled Allie Andersen vanished without a trace. The twenty-one-year-old daughter of an acclaimed actress, her disappearance captivated the media, left her family distraught, and became a fixation for online theorists, who implicated everybody Allie knew and loved. Everyone, including her devoted stepsister, Natasha.

Now, Natasha is finally trying to move on. The panic attacks and episodes of hysterical blindness she has suffered since her stepsister’s disappearance have diminished, and she no longer obsesses over the speculations of strangers. Until the remains of a young woman’s body are discovered in a lonely mountain canyon.

As Natasha reconnects with the sympathetic Detective Ruiz, inexplicable pieces of evidence surface that open her eyes to a family she thought she knew. It seems that everyone in Allie’s life had a credible motive for wanting Allie to vanish. Following each new clue, Natasha is determined to finally find the truth, wherever it leads, and whatever the cost.

This one is out now!

A really great debut thriller that is told from a past present perspective. It was engaging and well plotted and it is a good addition to the genre
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

I read this book pretty fast. It follows a template that I enjoy - mysteries in the past and present. The writing is strong but the end did not hit the right notes. It felt like the editor asked to add every mystery/thriller trope in there. Overall, I am excited for this author!

I truly think this slowly became one of my favorite thrillers I have read this year. It reminded me of Pretty Little Liars but in the best way.

Four years ago, beautiful yet troubled Allie Andersen vanished without a trace. The twenty-one-year-old daughter of an acclaimed actress, her disappearance captivated the media, left her family distraught, and became a fixation for online theorists, who implicated everybody Allie knew and loved. Everyone, including her devoted stepsister, Natasha. Now, Natasha is finally trying to move on. The panic attacks and episodes of hysterical blindness she has suffered since her stepsister’s disappearance have diminished, and she no longer obsesses over the speculations of strangers. Until the remains of a young woman’s body are discovered in a lonely mountain canyon. As Natasha reconnects with the sympathetic Detective Ruiz, inexplicable pieces of evidence surface that open her eyes to a family she thought she knew. It seems that everyone in Allie’s life had a credible motive for wanting Allie to vanish. Following each new clue, Natasha is determined to finally find the truth, wherever it leads, and whatever the cost.

This gripped me from the very beginning. I honestly had no idea where it was going to go in terms of figuring out what actually happened to the main character. You have an unreliable narrator all the way through and that’s always my favorite part of thrillers that include them. During the middle it became a tad bit slow, but it doesn’t last long and the ending is worth pushing all the way through.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4!!! This was published a few days ago on October 8th, 2024.

This mystery/ suspense has you questioning everything all throughout. Is Allie dead or is she the one that left the keychain? If she is dead who did it? If she isn’t then where did she go and how did she get there? I had so many thoughts all through the book of what could have happened and I loved that the Author was able to get my head really thinking like that.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
"After Image" by Jaime deBlanc was an intriguing & unique debut mystery/suspense novel.
The storyline & characters were great.
There were alot of unexpected twists & a surprising ending.
I'm interested in reading what the author decides to write next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jamie DeBlanc, and Thomas & Mercer for the ebook. This was an engaging read filled with unexpected twists. I truly empathized with Natasha as she struggled with the uncertainty surrounding her sister's fate. Her determination to uncover the truth, despite the challenges, was inspiring. The ending is bound to bring some tears.

After Image by Jaime deBlanc was an amazing debut suspense novel.
The storyline was great and I flew through this book in one sitting. Kept me turning the pages late into the night.

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Jaime deBlanc's debut novel, 'After Image,' immediately captivates with its enigmatic narrative that revolves around Natasha's search for a missing loved one. deBlanc artfully weaves a web of clues, drawing readers into a world rife with secrets and perils. Each carefully crafted scene beckons readers to unravel the intricate web of mystery, keeping them on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns.

The author's skillful manipulation of tension and intrigue ensures that the reader is constantly engrossed in the narrative. The final chapters, along with a meticulously crafted epilogue, bring a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion to the story, leaving a lasting impact.

I'd like to express my gratitude to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance copy of this book. It's a rare delight to stumble upon a five-star thriller, and deBlanc undoubtedly delivers an exceptional reading experience.

With the publication date just around the corner (Oct 08, 2024), I highly recommend adding 'After Image' to your TBR list if you're a fan of compelling mystery and thriller genres.

Jaime DeBlanc’s After Image had me at the get go, and I could not put it down until I had finished every carefully considered word. Her concise, elegant writing- like a feminine Raymond Chandler- and beautifully drawn characters kept me emotionally invested throughout the page-turning plot of this psychological thriller. The story is so meticulously crafted that I was continually turning my head in suspicion to each character as the plot unfolded. The star of the book for me was how the author handled the relationship between the sisters, and it has stayed with me ever since. It is rare to find a book that is a keep-you-up-page-turning-until-4am mystery with characters that speak to your soul. The momentum of the story held from the first page right through the nail-biting and poignant ending. This book is a masterpiece of the mystery genre, and it is tough to believe it’s a debut novel. I hope there will be many more to come from this incredibly talented author.

Jamie deBlanc does an admirable job in the debut thriller After Image.I was immediately drawn into the world of Natasha and her quest to find out what really happened to her stepsister after her disappearance four years ago.

Read this if you like:
-the glamorous world of Hollywood', celebrity and fame and its underlying toxicity
-dual timelines
-complicated family dynamics of blended families and sister bonds
-secrets and lies
-deceptive appearances and how well do you really know people
-missing person cases
-amateur sleuthing with true crime forums to add interest in storytelling
-hint of romance
-satisfying ending that’s open for interpretation

My rating 3.5 out of 5

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC that will be published October 8 2024.

After Image is a really compelling and enjoyable thriller, and a very strong debut by Jamie deBlanc.

While there were lots of difference, it gave me Veronica Mars vibes, which I loved - the flashbacks to the time Allie went missing, the errant investigation by Natasha, the complicated family dynamics. The author did an excellent job in guiding readers through seamless flashbacks by linking common threads of the case. The characters were well fleshed out, and the various twists and turns, and red herrings served to build a strong sense of suspense.

The ending was very satisfying and tied off the story well, though I would have loved to have read a bit more after the final twist!

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Allie and Tasha are step-sisters and best friends. After Allie’s disappearance, Tasha is a wreck. Four years have passed and they still don’t know what happened to her. Then some mysterious things begin happening and Tasha is determined to discover the truth. Great story!