Natasha and Allie are teenage step sisters who are also best friends, so when Allie disappears one day out of the blue Natasha is devastated and desperate to find her lost sister. Natasha is so upset that she develops stress related illnesses that render her temporarily blind during stressful situations. Four years go by with no news of Allie or what happened to her, until one day a body is found in a local canyon. It is not Allie but the finding of the young woman's body reawakens all kind of emotions and fears for Natasha regarding her missing sister. She vows to continue the search for the truth of Allie's disappearance, no matter the cost.

I would really like to give this book a 5 star review but I just can't bring myself to do it because of the way the narrator butchered the pronunciation of one of the characters names. It was like fingernails on a chalk board every time she said 'Mcnamara' rather than it's correct Irish pronunciation of Mac-na-mare-uh. It made me more than a little crazy and took away from my enjoyment of the story. Sorry, I'm sensitive that way;). So I would probably recommend the written version of this book rather than the audio version I listened to. Still this was a good book that kept my attention, surprised me and entertained me throughout. Recommended. 4.5 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for a chance to listen/read an ARC version of this audio book. All opinions are my own.

After Image is a gripping, intriguing and addictive mystery/thriller. It is an easily bingeable read, once you start you can't stop. The beginning started off very strong for me and captivated my attention right away. I'd say it was a medium paced read that kept its pace.

I did feel like the characters were missing a little something to make them more memorable. They just fell a little flat for me. I felt the romance was a little unnecessary also. The middle of the book didn't hold my attention as much and then the ending felt a little rushed.

This was a very enjoyable thriller, fans of true crime and action packed reads will be charmed by this one.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @brilliance & Jaime DeBlanc for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Great audiobook with amazing narration. Interesting mystery of a woman in search of her sister who disappeared. Held my interest and was enjoyable to listen to. I love the narrator.

I recently listened to After Image by Jaime deBlanc and narrated by Vivia Font. I really enjoyed the narrator! I am not sure if I have listened to her before, but she did an excellent job with narration.

This was an interesting one. At some points, I was definitely not into the listen and restarted the book multiple times, but ultimately, I really did like it, especially the ending. (In the beginning I had a really hard time keeping all the characters straight. So many marriages, so many people!)

Natasha's stepsister, Allie, vanishes without a trace. In the wake of the mysterious vanishing, Natasha develops a neurological disorder. Natasha seeks out the comfort of the detective on the case, but ultimately, the case goes unresolved, and Natasha is left puttering along.

Four years later, the remains of a young woman are found, and Natasha deep dives back into her sister's case. The remains are not that of her sister, but a random item of Allie's in soon left at Natasha's doorstep, spurring Natasha into action.

Natasha meets up with detective, Ruiz, again, and they go on a search for answers. What happened to Allie? Why did she take off? What, if anything, do family members have to do with the disappearance? Who can Natasha trust?

I wouldn't say this is a slam dunk amazing book, but I did enjoy it. I would say 3+ stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Media for the advance listen in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Jaime deBlanc’s “After Image” is a haunting psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of family secrets and the relentless pursuit of truth. Narrated by the talented Vivia Font, this audiobook offers an immersive and emotionally charged listening experience. “After Image” is a compelling and thought-provoking journey.

Natasha is a deeply relatable protagonist, her determination and vulnerability driving the narrative forward.  The characters are well-developed, each with their own secrets and motives, making the unraveling of the mystery all the more engaging. 

Vivia Font’s narration is a standout aspect of this audiobook.  Font’s pacing and delivery are impeccable, maintaining the suspense and keeping listeners engaged from start to finish. Her performance brings deBlanc’s vivid prose to life, making the twists and turns of the plot even more impactful.

DeBlanc’s writing is evocative and precise, with a keen eye for detail that brings the settings and characters to life. The narrative is well-paced, with each revelation adding to the tension and intrigue. DeBlanc’s ability to weave psychological depth with a gripping mystery makes this audiobook a standout in the genre.

DeBlanc’s nuanced portrayal of these themes, combined with Font’s masterful narration, makes “After Image” a thought-provoking and memorable listen. The novel’s blend of psychological suspense and emotional depth ensures it resonates with a wide audience.

 “After Image” is a masterfully crafted audiobook that showcases Jaime deBlanc’s talent for storytelling and Vivia Font’s exceptional narration skills.

For fans of psychological thrillers and family dramas, this audiobook is a must-listen. I highly recommend “After Image” for its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and the immersive listening experience it provides.

Natasha takes it upon herself to uncover what really happened to her stepsister, Allie after she disappears. This is a fabulous debut by Jaime deBlanc. I really enjoyed the suspense and twists and that ending, wow! Expertly narrated on audio, this was a great one to listen to. I am looking forward to the author's next book.

I would have never guessed that After Image was Jaime deBlanc’s first novel! So well written! Natasha felt so real and fleshed out, not just another run of the mill character. I enjoyed navigating the mystery with her while learning about the effects of Allie’s disappearance on her. I don’t want to give anything away, so I will just say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be watching for the next work by this author! Brilliant debut. I also was a fan of the narration, everything flowed really well. No awkward pauses or gulp, etc. Many thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity!

Wow. I love the narration. I love the drama. I love the relationship with Ruiz. This is twisty and strange. I love the flashbacks and the current timeline. It was all wonderful! Thank you for letting me have n early listen.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BrillandPublishing for the book #AfterImage by #JaimeDeBlanc. I was totally sucked into this book and shocked with the huge twist ending. Never saw that coming. Allie has been missing for four years. Her step sister, Natasha cannot move past this and still holds out hope that she is still alive. She may be the only one that thinks that. What she find will totally shock you!

Nearly four years after Natasha’s step-sister goes missing, a body is found in the desert. Alas it is not Allie’s, but that only deepens Natasha’s psychological wounds that have not yet healed. Then a new piece of evidence lands on her doorstep and we’re catapulted back in time as she and detective Ruiz go through it all again. I enjoyed the family dynamics and how the author slowly revealed new and old clues to Allie’s disappearance. An impressive debut! I look forward to reading more by this author.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes.
Publication date: Oct. 8, 2024