When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney is a highly recommended psychological suspense novel. (Previously published as The Stone Secret, this version has an updated plot and content.)

Sylvia Stone lives an isolated life ever since her mother, Marjorie, was killed twenty years ago. Now she has received four separate typed notes, all delivered around 2 o'clock in the morning, containing information that only the killer would know. The final note is a direct threat to her life. Sylvia takes the notes to the police and also begins to question what really happened years ago.

Rhett Cohen, who always maintained his innocence, was convicted of the murder based on Sylvia's testimony and is being released. Now Sylvia also thinks he is innocent and the two begin to work together.

Chapters are presented through the point-of-view of Sylvia and Marjorie, and later Rhett. Sylvia's chapters, and later Rhett's, are all in the present day. Obviously, Marjorie's chapters are from the past, mainly when Sylvia was a child. The short chapters help the novel move at a fast pace.

There are several things going on at the same time in the novel and suspicions run high, including the police and a young man who went missing on purpose, Jesse. The main goal of the plot is to entertain and keep building suspense right to the end. Character development is light, but enough is provided to get a good sense of those involved.

While reading When I Disappear, you can tell there is more going on than is revealed, but enough hints are provided to hold your interest. Some readers will figure out the twists before they happen but the quick pace will still hold your attention to the end.
Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Well now this was a wild rollercoaster from the first page!... So many twists and yet the twists and turns just kept on coming. An amazing page turning psychological thriller that had my brain blown away. A definite recommend.

Thank you storm and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

4.5 Stars Rounded Up

As soon as I heard there was a new book by Amanda McKinney, I was looking forward to reading it! I knew it would be a good one and it did not disappoint!

Synopsis:

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?

My Thoughts:

As expected, Amanda 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!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Amanda McKinney’s When I Disappear is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very last page. With its blend of buried secrets, unreliable memories, and spine-tingling twists, this story is a must-read for fans of dark, twisty narratives like Gone Girl and The Perfect Marriage.

Sylvia Stone is a compelling and complex protagonist, grappling with the fallout of a crime that shaped her life. Her journey from being confident in her testimony about her mother’s murder to questioning everything she thought she knew is both chilling and deeply human. The arrival of anonymous letters throws her into a psychological tailspin, making her doubt not just Rhett Cohen’s guilt but also her own memories. This unraveling of certainty creates a tense, immersive reading experience.

Rhett Cohen, recently released from prison after serving 20 years for a crime he may not have committed, is equally intriguing. McKinney masterfully keeps the reader questioning his innocence, layering in moments of sympathy, suspicion, and ambiguity. Rhett’s interactions with Sylvia are electric, brimming with unresolved tension and years of pain.

The plot is fast-paced and taut, with every chapter adding a new layer of intrigue. The anonymous letters are a particularly effective device, each one dropping breadcrumbs of truth while ratcheting up the tension. The final letter’s chilling message, “You’re next,” is a brilliant turning point that pulls the rug out from under both Sylvia and the reader.

Favorite moments? The dual unraveling of Sylvia’s and Rhett’s stories is mesmerizing, particularly in the moments where their paths cross, and their shared pain comes to the surface. The scene where Sylvia begins to piece together discrepancies in her memory is both heartbreaking and thrilling, as it forces her to confront uncomfortable truths about her past.

The novel’s twists are its greatest strength. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, McKinney throws another curveball that upends everything. The final reveal is both shocking and satisfyingly earned, making this a thriller that sticks with you long after you’ve finished reading.

If there’s a critique, it’s that the fast pace sometimes comes at the expense of character development for the supporting cast. While Sylvia and Rhett are well-rounded, some of the secondary characters feel more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. Additionally, the novel’s rapid-fire twists might overwhelm readers who prefer more time to process the narrative’s turns.

Themes of guilt, memory, and the search for truth are woven throughout, giving the story emotional weight beyond its thrilling surface. McKinney expertly explores how trauma shapes perception and the fragility of the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

Final verdict? When I Disappear is a tightly crafted psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its well-executed twists, morally complex characters, and chilling premise, it’s perfect for fans of suspenseful, “I didn’t see that coming” reads. Cancel your plans—you won’t want to put this one down!

It was an interesting read about a murder in the past and a possible wrong conviction, with an impact today. It kept me guessing while it did pace up and down at times. It is quite gripping and an enjoyable thriller.

Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

We see a dual timeline and Pov setting in action here. I think it worked well for this kind of book. As not all Is as it seems. And of course many of our characters have different points of view. Especially when it comes to what happened surrounding the victim.
Could a man have been wrongfully sent to jail?
What about the daughters testimony that sealed his fate?
And what really happened to our victim.

This is a twisty paced thriller. And one where dual Pov made it all the more inviting to keep reading the pages. I wanted to know the ending but equally wanted to know how we got there.

This is a fast paced easy read with an interesting plotline. It started off with a punch, but failed to deliver and I didn't like the characterisation. Rhett was a bit unbelievable, the twists were predictable and I struggled to finish the book but I would read another by the author. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

WHEN I DISAPPEAR BY AMANDA MCKINNEY.
Release date set for the 24th of January 2025.
This is an interesting thriller.
It was a little slow for me personally but the second part of this book held my attention.
I predicted the ending and the twists which sometimes i enjoy doing.
Thank you to Storm publishing, Netgalley and Amanda McKinney for this ARC.

If I have an enemy, and would like to ruin their Christmas, this is the book that I will gift them. Never have I felt so angry at myself for finishing a book. The plot was all over the place with so many loose ends, the ending was ridiculous, the dialogues were shallow and unnatural, and the characters’ development were nonexistent.

Some questions I had as the book progressed: even in real life, how is it possible for someone who spent 20 years of jail time due to a wrong conviction be so calm and willing to spend time with the one whose testimony sealed his fate? What happened to Stroud? One small talk from Rhett, and Jesse experienced an instant revelation and life-changing moment?

Also, I don’t think the multiple POVs worked out too well. If the author wanted to do multiple POVs, I would have suggested she did Sylvia’s till the end as well. Otherwise, it was just too obvious: she no longer had a voice because she knew something. Marjorie Stone’s POV proved no significant impact to the overall of the story. In fact, I think the story would go on just fine too without it. One fatal flaw of the entire POVs for me was that there was no distinction between Rhett and Sylvia’s tone. It felt like it was the same person speaking, which felt more like the author’s thought process when writing. I couldn’t sympathize and connect to the characters.

Overall, the content of the book did not at all live up to the intriguing synopsis at the back of the book. It was supposed to be a thriller mystery, but as a reader, I don’t feel included in the chase and thrills of it.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC!

Gripping and wholly unsettling, When I Disappear is a thriller I couldn’t put down. A semi-dual timeline story of a woman murdered, her surviving daughter, and the man accused. Perfect for fans of Georgina Cross, Liz Alterman, or A.R. Torre.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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