Member Reviews

When I Disappear is a fast-paced twisty suspense novel that will keep you turning the pages!
Marjorie Stone was murdered in her home and her carpenter neighbor was arrested and convicted despite declaring his innocence. Twenty years later, her daughter Sylvia receives a letter that has her questioning her testimony that sent Rhett Cohen to prison. When Rhett is released from prison, he’s bent on revenge. When Sylvia disappears, Rhett is the assumed suspect.
With multiple POVs and dual timelines, and plenty of suspects to choose from, you will be pulled in from the very first pages. I was kept guessing until the very end when it all came together.

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This was my first by Amanda McKinney. Thank you so much for the advanced copy. This book starts off a little slow but then packs a punch at the end. The premise is definitely thriller worthy and you want to keep reading to find out answers.

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When I Disappear was so propulsive, I couldn't put it down. Amanda McKinney had a knack for crafting the perfect chapter endings to keep you reading non-stop.

Rhett, convicted 20 years ago for killing a woman, has never stopped claiming his innocence. Before he is released from jail, the victim's daughter, Sylvia, gets some letters suggesting Rhett is innocent.

Upon his release, Sylvia befriends him as he tries to find out who framed him.

Rhett is an amazing character and I loved how he interacted with everyone in this story.

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20 years ago, a murder in this small town was national news. Sylvia's mother was brutally murdered in her home, and the local carpenter (Rhett Cohen) was sent to prison. Sylvia moves back, and soon receives a note on her doorstep in the dark of night. As she continues to receive more anonymous notes, she starts to second guess her recollections and testimony from the trial. As Rhett's released from prison, she receives another note that simply says "You're next." Fearful, she enlists the support of the local police, but they don't take her seriously. Until she disappears!

This definitely had it's fair share of twists, and I was not confident about the ending at all.

Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Amanda McKinney for the eARC.

Previously published as The Stone Secret. This version includes updated plot and new content.

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The description is what got me excited to read this book. Unfortunately, I did not get into this book/care about the characters until about 40% in. I am not sure what pressed me to keep reading but I did. After about 40% I did get sucked in and read from 40%-85% in one night. I did end up figuring out the ending and I wish the author would have made the characters more likable. I feel like If Rhett was a more likable character I would have enjoyed more of the book. Sylvia was a hot mess, and I did not really care about her. I feel like this book just needs more twists. There was something about this book that kept me reading but it will most likely be a book I forget that I have even read. Thanks for keeping me entertained.

Thank you, Net Galley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This fast-paced thriller grabs you from the first chapter and doesn’t let go. With twists, anonymous letters, and a flawed original investigation, it’s an intense ride. While the middle dragged slightly, the shocking ending made it all worthwhile. Rhett and Sylvia’s quest for the truth is filled with tension, surprises, and a killer you won’t see coming.

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I really liked this one. I thought it was dark and suspenseful with complex characters who you really could gel with. Classic thriller vibes with a modern twist and a riveting read.

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What a brilliantly plotted story which had me enthralled from the first chapter. Sylvia’s mother was murdered and her killer has already spent 20 years imprisoned, mainly due to bad policing but also Sylvia’s own testimony. He gets parole and she gets a series of letters that contain information that only the killer would know and she realises she might have been responsible for helping to convict an innocent man. The twists are unexpected and the tension mounts. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book !.

I was intruiged by the unique characters in this novel and keen to discover what was going to unfold and what really happened 23 years ago.

I tend to find that humour in novels doesn't come across very well but in this novel it fit well and wasn't over done.

A huge positive for me was how the plot seemed to be heading in one direction and then changed.

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Wow what an amazing book . I couldn’t read this quickly enough and it kept me up most nights until it was read . I loved the characters and that storyline , wow . Definitely a book to watch out for and I’ll certainly be recommending this book far and wide . Massive 5 stars from me

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Thank you to Amanda McKinney and Storm Publishing for the ARC!

Twenty years ago, Sylvia’s mother was killed, and Rhett Cohen went to prison for the crime. Now, she finds a letter at her door suggesting he could be innocent. When Rhett is released from prison, the letters increase in frequency, saying that Sylvia “will be next”. Sylvia ends up working with Rhett to try to determine the truth about the murderer.

We at The Pulse are big fans of Amanda McKinney! Her last book, “A Marriage of Lies”, had me on the edge of my seat and this one was no different. With its unique plot, I was completely drawn into this story. The fast pace kept my attention held, as I tried to figure out who the murderer really was. Though I had my guesses, I enjoyed the ride it took to get to the end. Another five-star read from a favorite author!

“When I Disappear” will be released January 24, 2025. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

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This review is my honest opinion.
Seven chapters in and the tension has built, I have to look away from the pages. That is how this book started. Then the middle started to drag, but the ending made up for it. Sylvia Stones mother, Marjorie has been killed and carpenter, Rhett Cohen has been incarcerated for 20 years for the killing. But now Rhett has been paroled and he only has revenge on his mind to find the real killer. Sylvia joins him and as they hunt the killer another possible killer surfaces. Twists, a personal lackluster investigation by the original investigator, anonymous letters and a shocking ending make this a decent psychological thriller. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy.

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Another upcoming thriller that everyone at @thrillerbookloversthepulse can’t stop raving about!

Thanks to @amandamckinneyauthor for an advance copy!

This is one of those books that grips you immediately. It’s short chapters and fast pace make it a quick, easy read. The dual timeline intensifies the suspense and intrigue. And the twists keep you guessing! Solid thriller that I highly recommend adding to your TBR!

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This is a totally gripping story that will engage readers from the onset. It is a psychological mystery that tells the story of Rhett who spends twenty years in prison wrongfully convicted of murder. The story is told from the point of view of several characters. Readers will be totally engaged as they try to uncover the clues. Get ready to be surprised as the plot unfolds to the end.

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This book is fast paced and has me hooked that I just couldn’t put it down, it was very good and I will be recommending it to others in my book club once released.

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WHEN I DISAPPEAR - Interesting enough that I read WID in one sitting. It was easy to figure out the killers, but WID still held my interest. Good characters that aren't all they appear with interesting but average story lines. Source: Netgalley. 3*

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This book instantly gripped me until the end

Sylvia stones mother was murdered but it was a wrongful arrest. 20yrs later, Rhett Cohen walks out of jail determined to find the killer..

I actually really enjoyed this classic thriller . The end was unpredictable and surprising.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

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While a fast-paced book and an enjoyable story, I struggled to dive in. I found the character development didn’t occur enough to make me believe these two would actually work together that quickly, and trusting so I wasn’t sold. An enjoyable read but not enough that I'm still thinking about the book now.

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It was just ok to e. It was predictable. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review!

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When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney is an intense, edge-of-your-seat thriller that I couldn’t put down. The story is packed with suspense, emotional depth, and unexpected twists that kept me hooked until the very end. The characters felt real and raw, and the dark, haunting atmosphere made the tension even stronger. If you love thrillers that keep you guessing, this one is a must-read!

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