Amanda McKinney's "When I Disappear" is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into themes of justice, memory, and the complexities of truth. The narrative centers on Sylvia Stone, who, two decades after testifying against Rhett Cohen—the man convicted of her mother's murder—begins receiving anonymous letters suggesting his innocence. As these letters reveal details only the true killer would know, Sylvia is compelled to reassess her past testimony and confront unsettling questions about the events that shaped her life.

McKinney masterfully crafts a suspenseful atmosphere, keeping readers engaged through unexpected twists and a steadily building tension. The characters are richly developed, with Sylvia portrayed as a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist. Her journey from skepticism to a relentless pursuit of truth is both compelling and emotionally resonant. Rhett Cohen, depicted with nuance and depth, adds complexity to the narrative, challenging readers' perceptions of guilt and innocence.

The novel's pacing is well-executed, balancing introspective moments with action-packed sequences that drive the plot forward. McKinney's prose is both evocative and accessible, immersing readers in the small-town setting and the intricate web of secrets that bind its inhabitants. The climax is particularly noteworthy, delivering a series of revelations that are both surprising and satisfying, ensuring that readers remain on the edge of their seats until the final page.

Overall, "When I Disappear" is a standout addition to the psychological thriller genre, offering a thought-provoking exploration of truth and the lengths one will go to uncover it. Fans of authors like Freida McFadden and novels such as "Gone Girl" will find much to appreciate in McKinney's latest offering.

Just when Sylvia thought she could finally move on, she finds herself dropped into a nightmare.

Twenty years after she testified against Rhett Cohen for her mother’s murder, Sylvia starts receiving anonymous letters claiming he’s innocent—each one more disturbing than the last.

When Rhett is released and a final letter arrives that says, “You’re next,” everything she thought she knew is thrown into question.

Is the real killer still out there… and is Sylvia their next target?

This thrilling four star read released in January and is available in print and audiobook. If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free - go check it out!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Amanda McKinney, and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for a review.

As always, Amanda McKinney delivers a twist, fast-paced, unpredictable thriller. I do suggest going in blind and knowing very little about the book in order to make the mystery so much more exciting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Twenty years earlier Sylvia's mother was murdered and the man who was convicted has just been released. In the middle of the night she receives a mysterious note saying he wasn't the murderer. It was her testimony that put him away, was she wrong? Rhett has always proclaimed his innocence, Sylvia was wrong and he intends to figure out who framed him. But now Sylvia has disappeared. He will have to save her to clear his name.

I am a huge fan of Amanda McKinney's and didn't realize I had already read this book when it had been released under the title The Secret Stone. The story is told with dual POVs from Sylvia and McKinney is good at romantic suspense stories and this was a good one but not one of my favorites. The twist is predictable and the relationship between the two main characters is a little bit forced considering the stories premise. Overall it is a decent suspense.

When I Disappear is a fantastic read that I would recommend adding to your TBR! This is a psychological thriller with shocking twists that made it almost impossible to put down. Imagine your mother getting murdered and thinking they had the killer, and he stated from day one he was innocent. Then after years of him being behind bars you start receiving letters making you question everything you thought you knew. That's exactly what the FMC is dealing with. Who is the killer? Is the man behind bars the killer or is someone else? Or is there just a copycat playing games with her head? Guess you better read to find out!

I'll admit, this book started off slow for me. I wasn't sure I liked Sylvia and I wasn't sure how I felt about the storyline.

Until Rhett gets out of jail and he and Sylvia team up to figure out who framed him (if he really was framed) and who the true killer of Sylvia's mother is.

This book takes you on many twists and turns, it's the kind of book that you finally think you know who the killer is and then BAM, that theory and blown right out of the water.

By the end of the book I had slowly figured out what was going on, and it's just a little bit insane.

Sounds intriguing. Go read for yourself!

A brilliant fast paced read that I loved from the very first page. So hard to put down once I started.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and Macmillan Audio for the digital and audio copies to review.

This was a quick and fun popcorn thriller that I enjoyed reading, and I am a fan of McKinney two books in. When I Disappear was fast paced but a little predictable. The audio was great, I enjoyed reading it this way and I finished this in one sitting.

Quick easy read that is hard to put down.

Characters were pretty interesting.

The relationship between Sylvia and Rhett is strange and I don’t understand how they were able to bond so quickly. That part wasn’t too believable.

The twist was a little predictable, definitely knew something wasn’t right.

Otherwise good read.

Thanks NetGalley for the copy.

Amanda McKinney's When I Disappear is a thrilling and suspenseful psychological drama that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With its well-paced plot, unexpected twists, and strong character development, McKinney crafts a gripping story that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers.

The novel follows a protagonist who is struggling with the fallout of a traumatic event in her past. As she attempts to rebuild her life, she is pulled into a mystery that forces her to confront not only the secrets surrounding her disappearance but also her deepest fears and desires. McKinney expertly builds tension throughout, gradually unraveling the layers of the plot with each chapter.

One of the book’s strengths is McKinney’s ability to keep the reader guessing. The twists and turns are well-executed and often unpredictable, maintaining an air of suspense that propels the story forward. The pacing is tight, with just enough mystery and intrigue to keep readers invested while allowing the emotional depth of the characters to shine through.

The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist, whose internal struggles and emotional complexity add depth to the thriller aspect of the story. McKinney does a great job of creating a character who is both relatable and enigmatic, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in her journey. The supporting characters, too, are well-rounded, adding to the overall tension and intrigue.

While the plot is engaging, there are moments where the story can feel a bit predictable for seasoned thriller readers, especially in terms of certain plot points. However, McKinney's strong writing, emotionally charged scenes, and the overall suspense make up for these familiar elements.

In conclusion, When I Disappear is a solid psychological thriller that delivers on its promise of twists and suspense. Amanda McKinney's ability to blend tension with emotional depth makes this a gripping read that will satisfy fans of the genre. It’s a story full of surprises and intrigue that will keep you hooked until the very end.

Kept me on my edge of the seat the whole time!!!!
The whole time I was empathising with slyvia.....but the PLOT TWIST 😭😭😭
Extremely well written!
Definitely a must read for readers who love psychological thrillers!
Loved it!

This story was TWISTY and I liked it!

Rhett Cohen was accused/charged with the murder of Sylvia's mother. 20 years have now passed and she starts getting mysterious letters dropped off at her door. The last one is threatening so she begins to investigate on her own and then with the help of Rhett. Sylvia then begins to realize that Rhett was actually innocent all this time and someone else murdered her mother. Who is the main question and are they back now to do the same to Sylvia? Is she safe? I don't want to say too much as I don't want to spoil anything but this book is definitely a must read!

This is a quick and easy read that basically gives the basic essentials of a thriller but without giving even one bit more than that! The chapters are short and it doesn't take long to read. The characters are all lacking dimention or growth and i just want interested in any of them. I didn't feel there was much tension built or any big reveals at the end. It was all just a bit bleugh.....

On the 20 year anniversary of her mother’s murder, Sylvia is scraping by. To make matters harder, the man she testified against and being his nail in the coffin is set to be released from prison. To make matters even worse, she starts to receive threatening letters claiming she is next.. who is threatening her? Him?

While I enjoyed the book overall, there was one part of the story that I struggled with. The main character's sudden shift from one extreme to another felt unnatural to me, almost as if a switch had been flipped, and she became an entirely different person... perhaps that was intentional?

This was a fast-paced, gripping thriller that was fun to read, although it was easy to place the places, still presented itself as an interesting read.

That said, the premise itself was interesting, and the concept had potential. I just feel like it could have been executed with more fluidness.

Also what happened to the cat?! Why didn't he take her?!

This ended exactly how you think it is. There is no big reveal, no plot twist. It's so obvious the entire time what's happening. I hated every character but no one more than our fmc because not only does she make some dumb decisions but she's also just a weird person.
Girl, the vibes were weird.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy.

When I Disappear is a thrilling, fast-paced mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Sylvia’s journey of doubt and unraveling secrets is both gripping and emotional, as she confronts the past and her role in the conviction of Rhett Cohen, the man she now believes might be innocent.

The suspense builds with every anonymous letter, and the chilling twist of Sylvia’s disappearance adds an extra layer of tension. The writing is sharp, and the twists are unexpected, challenging readers to question everything they thought they knew. The complexity of Sylvia’s character—caught between guilt, guilt over her own past, and the haunting possibility of a miscarriage of justice—adds depth to the plot.

While the book is a compelling page-turner, some of the reveals felt slightly rushed, leaving some emotional payoffs a bit underdeveloped. However, the ending will leave you reeling and questioning every detail. It’s an excellent choice for fans of psychological thrillers and intricate mysteries with a twist.

I gave When I Disappear ★★★★☆. This fast-paced thriller kept me hooked from start to finish. The story alternates between Sylvia, who starts receiving mysterious letters about her mother’s murder, and Rhett, recently released after serving twenty years for that crime. The dual perspectives added depth, and the unexpected twists, especially the ending, made it a compelling read. If you’re into suspenseful mysteries with well-developed characters, this one’s worth picking up!

Long-buried secrets are one of my favorite thriller tropes, so I was super excited to get an ARC of When I Disappear. The writing style wasn't a fit for me. The perspectives came off jumpy and none of the voices felt unique. Sadly, it was a DNF for me.

A psychological thriller you won’t want to put down. Amazing work by author Amanda McKinney. I loved it and highly recommend it.

Sylvia Stone is living a lie. Her mother murdered and her killer, Rhett Cohen sent to prison 20 years ago. Now a series of letters appear on Sylvia’s doorstep with details which leads her to believe Rhett was NOT the killer. The last note says “you’re next”. The first note came before Rhett was released leaving Sylvia wondering who the “real” killer is! So many things play into the plot including adultery, a teen runaway, a police chief who does questionable things and Sylvia’s introverted recluse personality stemming from an abusive and neglected upbringing .
A novel of suspense,, innuendos and shocking twists.

When you think you have it figured out , you don’t! Such a clever and twisted angle at the end, so good!

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you love:
🔪 Fast Paced
🔪 Short Chapters
🔪 Amateur Sleuths
🔪 Shocking Endings

He spent twenty years in prison. She spent twenty years living a lie….

At 2:00 a.m. Sylvia Stone awakens to a letter on her doorstep suggesting the handsome carpenter, Rhett Cohen, who was convicted of murdering her mother twenty years earlier, is innocent. The anonymous letters continue, each one revealing details only the true killer would know, making Sylvia question her testimony years ago.

But as Rhett is released from prison, the fourth and final letter arrives with one chilling message: You’re next. Rhett is determined to prove he is innocent…. but then Sylvia disappears! Who really killed Sylvia’s mother and is history about to reiterate itself?

This had me up late at night turning the pages to see how this story unfolds. This is such a twisty thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. My opinion about many of the characters changed throughout the book as I tried to figure out what was really going on! I loved the short chapters, multiple points, of view and dual timelines. The glimpses into the past, alternating with the present day storyline, really help bring it all together, culminating in one twisty suspenseful ending! I definitely recommend this one. Once you read one of Amanda McKinney’s books, you will definitely want to read more!

Thank you to Amanda McKinney, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this advance reader’s copy!

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