Member Reviews

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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Thank you to Storm Publishing for providing me with this ARC. The publication date is expected to be January 24, 2025.

This book instantly grabbed my attention and kept me hooked until the end. I especially enjoyed the multiple POVs and how the timeline shifted between past and present. The only downside was I did predict the twist but to the author's defense, I read quite a lot and find only a few authors can really stump me.

If you love a classic thriller, I definitely would recommend adding this one to your TBR.

As always, all thoughts are my own. ✨🖤

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After spending 20 years in prison for a crime he may not have committed, Rhett Cohen is released, and Sylvia Stone starts receiving anonymous letters suggesting he is innocent. As Sylvia starts to question her own past testimony, she suddenly goes missing, leaving behind a chilling message indicating that she might be the next target.

I recently discovered this author, and I must say that the book and writing provided a top-notch experience. From the moment I delved into the pages, I found myself completely engrossed and struggled to set the book aside. In fact, I managed to finish the entire book in just half a day.

The storyline was cleverly crafted, keeping me guessing until the very end. The main character was instantly likable, and I couldn't help but root for her, although my perception shifted by the conclusion. I appreciated how the author skillfully revealed key details only in the final chapters, creating a sense of satisfaction and intrigue.

With multiple points of view, the book allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the timeline and events, adding depth to the story's suspense. The unexpected twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating each new development until the very last page.

In conclusion, I highly recommend diving into this book without reading a synopsis, as the intricate plot and well-developed characters make for a truly captivating read.

Thank you, Storm Publishing for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney is a twisty, knock-your-shoes-off thriller that grabs you and won't let go to the very end.
The question of who really killed main character Sylvia's mother twenty years ago and framed an innocent carpenter for the crime is at the heart of this suspenseful and surprising tale. Well-written, with a wide cast of characters, the book whisks you along on a thrill ride that will stick with you long after you read the final page. Although I started to suspect the culprit about half way through, my suspicions did nothing to deter from the enjoyment of the book.
I am thankful for the ARC of #WhenIDisappear, courtesy of #StormPublishing and #NetGalley.

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When I Disappear
By: Amanda McKinney

5 Stars

This book has a crazy grab factor. All I can say is that when I started this book, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Sylvia is just trying to get by living in the town where her mother was murdered, and now it seems she will be too when mysterious letters begin arriving.

This whole book is a crazy ride. It gives you a look into the life of an ex-con as well as a daughter of a murder victim. It also provides the mysteriousness that comes from the odd chapter from the mom. This book was written well and had me wanting more. It left me shocked by the end when the truth came out.

Interesting and mysterious from start to finish. It was an awesome read.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

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When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney is a page-turner with several surprises.

I assumed I knew exactly who was responsible for the murder, but McKinney threw in various angles and points-of-view that had me questioning my detective skills. She provided a few viable options for the identity of the true murder throughout the story, up to the very end. It took me quite a few chapters to piece together the other mysteries of the town, and how they did or did not connect to the mystery of Marjorie’s death.

From the premise of When I Disappear, we’re all but certain that someone besides Rhett killed Marjorie. Included in the premise, is that someone is harassing Marjorie’s daughter Sylvia, two decades later that “she’s next”. An unlikely alliance is formed between Rhett and Sylvia to discover who is sending threatening letters to her, and why they decided to draw attention to themselves when they clearly got away with a murder. 

There’s a lot of players to this story, each of them with their own secrets.

More than one crime is discovered in this book, and something that deserves attention is how easily a little misstep can place the wrong person behind bars. While it wasn’t the focus of the book, Rhett’s reentrance to society after twenty years in prison was quite thought provoking. 

I recommend When I Disappear to any reader looking for a bit of intrigue from multiple points-of-view. If you need more of this kind of thriller, Amanda McKinney has quite a backlist of other thrillers too!

(This review will go live at thelitbuzz.com on 01/20/2025)

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I enjoyed this one...Rhett was in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s paroled early he wants revenge. He goes to see Sylvia, the daughter of the woman he was charged with murdering.

Sylvia and Rhett start working together to find out who the killer is.... this story has a lot of twists that will keep you engaged throughout the book and make you turn pages just to see how everything will end... if you are good at guessing you will find very quickly who the real villain is. I felt bad about Rhett spending twenty years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, and losing everything even his family,.. this was a great read... loved the complexity and the flaws of the characters, the trauma that makes them relatable, the multiple POVs with flashbacks but easy to follow, well-written, the tension, and the twisty element, makes this a great read.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the eARC.

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This was the perfect palate cleanser that I needed! I needed a quick break from fantasy and dark romance and this was perfect. This hit all the right spots for me. It was unputdownable!

I loved every bit of this. Did I see the twist at the end coming, yeah I did but it was such a perfect delivery of the ending that it just made total sense.

I didn’t like the FMC though, she was off to me from the beginning but I loved Rhett, I felt so bad for him.

I definitely need to pick up more thrillers, this was great!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for sending me this ebook!

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The Prologue pulls you in from the first line, setting a chilling atmosphere for a brutal murder that will keep you on the edge.

It's been twenty long years since Sylvia's mother was viciously murdered, and Rhett has served his time behind bars, convicted of that terrible crime. But everything changes when Rhett is released from prison, igniting a fresh chapter in Sylvia's life—one drenched in mystery and danger.

As unsettling letters and threatening messages flood in, Sylvia struggles with her belief in Rhett's guilt. Doubts creep in, pushing her to seek Rhett's aid to uncover the truth behind the letters, convinced that the real killer is lurking in the shadows. And adding to the intrigue, Sylvia can't deny a strange crush on the man accused of her mother's murder. What!?! While reluctant to be around her, Rhett is determined to clear his name.

When it seems they might be on the cusp of unveiling dark secrets, Sylvia mysteriously disappears, with all evidence pointing straight at Rhett.

Sylvia stands out as an eccentric character in this town filled with secrets. Since losing her mother, she has become isolated, relying solely on her hairdresser for companionship. Her crush on Rhett adds an extra layer of complexity to the story. Sylvia's existence is so bleak that it almost seems sad compared to an ex-convict's! While I predicted one of the major twists, it didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the wild ride through crazy town!

This is my first taste of the author's work; she has a knack for delivering jaw-dropping shocks that keep the pages turning! I can't wait to see what twists and turns she has up her sleeve next!

Thank you to the author and Storm Publishing for providing this gifted ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
#amandamckinney #stormpublishing #netgalley

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A twisty murder mystery in the past and the present, this book follows Sylvia Stone, whose mother was killed violently and is now receiving threatening letters that know too much about the case. It also tells the story of the man who was imprisoned for it, based on her testimony. It started out strong, if a little erratically. Unfortunately, I lost interest quite early on and couldn’t get back into it. The tone never locks into one mode or another. Some parts read like cozy mystery, others like true crime with some elements of the psychological thriller and even romance. The characters keep going from one extreme to the other, so I never connected with anyone. The twist and the motivations behind the crime(s) didn’t make sense to me. It must be very hard to write a novel, so I really hope other readers enjoy this more. It just wasn’t for me.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Storm Publishing.

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This was my first time reading anything by Amanda McKinney, and I was impressed. This was a chilling, moody read that was able to keep my attention. I love a small town psychological thriller and I will add this to my recommendation list.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.



Pub date- Jan 24th, 2025

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