A really good psychological thriller that spans over several decades. It will keep you intrigued as you get pieces from the past and present to help you solve the mystery happening before your eyes between the two main characters of Sylvia and Rhett. I missed a little of the character building in the first few chapters, but once I got past that, I couldn’t put it down.
It is a quick read and it will leave you wanting to find more books by this author.

If you’re looking for a quick one setting read with MPOVS this is the thriller for you. Although to me it felt more like a whodunit than a psych thriller. The chapters are short and alternate POVS so it’s easy to flip through the pages.

20 years ago Rhett was accused of murdering a woman. Sentenced to prison and then released Rhett goes back to The scene of the crime to try and sponge his name. The daughter who testified against Rhett is now questioning everything about her testimony when she starts receiving anonymous letters on her doorstep at 4 am.

Rhett and the daughter work together to find the real killer until the daughter ends up being kidnapped. Now Rhett is back to square one and the prime suspect again? What is he going to do this time? If you’re a fan of amateur sleuths and whodunits this is a great book for you.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

Oh man this book took me by suprise. I did not expect what happened in this book.. So twisty,so thrilling and unexpected. The book starts with Sylvie who starts getting letters at 2 am offering hints on a murder that happened years ago. These letters continue until the guilty party is released and Sylvie disappears. Everything that happened in this book was so unexpected. What a read! I still think of it.

I liked the writing style and was immersed in the story. The chapters are short which I liked.The ending is good. This is a unique well written thriller I would recommend! Special Thank You to Amanda McKinney, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"When I Disappear" by Amanda McKinney is a heart-pounding psychological thriller that will keep readers captivated.

This story follows Sylvia Stone, who receives a mysterious letter at 2:00 a.m. suggesting that Rhett Cohen, the man convicted of murdering her mother twenty years ago, was not guilty of the crime.

As anonymous letters continue to arrive, each revealing details only the real killer would know, Sylvia begins to question her own courtroom testimony.

The tension escalates when Rhett is released from prison, and the final letter Sylvia receives warns her "You’re next." Before she can react, Sylvia disappears, leaving readers to unravel the chilling mystery. McKinney masterfully crafts a narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to put the book down.

The characters are well-developed, and the psychological depth adds a layer of complexity to the story. Themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of past actions are explored with nuance and sensitivity.

"When I Disappear" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

This was a really good twisty read!!! Loved how it kept me on the edge of my seat.. So many unexpected moments but totally loved it!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!!

Amanda McKinney’s When I Disappear is a riveting psychological thriller that lures the reader into a world of buried secrets, unreliable memories, and a chilling question that looms over every page—what if everything you believed was a lie? With a gripping premise and an atmosphere thick with dread, McKinney crafts a tale that is both emotionally harrowing and utterly unputdownable.

At the novel’s center is Sylvia Stone, a woman whose life has been defined by a single, horrifying event—the brutal murder of her mother. Her testimony as a young girl sent Rhett Cohen, a local carpenter, to prison for the crime. For twenty years, she has lived in the certainty that justice was served. But when an anonymous letter arrives in the dead of night, whispering of Rhett’s innocence and revealing details that only the real killer would know, Sylvia’s world fractures.

The psychological unraveling that follows is masterfully executed. Sylvia is no longer just a grieving daughter—she is now a woman forced to question everything: her own memories, the justice system, and the possibility that her testimony condemned an innocent man. The anonymous letters serve as a sinister metronome, each new message tightening the noose around her sense of security. Then, just as the mystery begins to take form, Rhett Cohen is released from prison, a man stripped of twenty years of his life, now walking free in a town that still sees him as a murderer.

McKinney excels in crafting characters that feel raw and real. Rhett is particularly compelling—a man hardened by two decades behind bars, but one who is not necessarily desperate to prove his innocence. He is neither hero nor villain, but something far more complex: a man burdened by fate, injustice, and his own secrets. As he re-enters the world, the reader is left to wonder—should Sylvia fear him? Or is he the only one who truly understands the truth?

Then comes the ultimate twist: Sylvia vanishes. The fourth and final letter arrives with a bone-chilling message—You’re next. At this point, the novel transforms from a slow-burning psychological puzzle into a full-fledged, pulse-pounding thriller. The sense of danger is palpable, as the story hurtles toward revelations that feel both shocking and inevitable.

What McKinney does exceptionally well is blur the line between perception and reality. Memory is fallible. Justice is imperfect. And truth? Truth is the slipperiest thing of all. Just when the reader settles into one version of events, the novel shifts, forcing a reevaluation of everything. The layers of deception peel back at a tantalizing pace, each chapter deepening the sense of unease. The question lingers: Did Sylvia falsely accuse Rhett, or was her childhood testimony the only thing keeping a true killer in the shadows?

Beyond its gripping mystery, When I Disappear is also a deeply atmospheric novel. The setting—a small town haunted by a decades-old crime—feels claustrophobic, its residents whispering about Rhett’s return, their judgment casting long shadows. The tension is relentless, amplified by McKinney’s taut prose and masterful pacing.

By the time the novel reaches its electrifying climax, the reader is left breathless, flipping pages in a desperate search for answers. And when the final truth is revealed, it is both shocking and deeply satisfying, a testament to McKinney’s skill in crafting a thriller that lingers long after the last page is turned.

When I Disappear is a mesmerizing, twist-filled thriller that explores the fragility of memory, the weight of past mistakes, and the terrifying consequences of uncovering the truth. With compelling characters, a mystery that keeps unraveling until the very end, and an atmosphere dripping with suspense, this is a must-read for fans of Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, and psychological thrillers that make you question everything.

Oh wow, where to start? This psychological thriller was a hard one to put down. Most of the chapters were short and pulled you into the story. The twists were amazing! I figured out what was going to happen at the end, but this was so well written that even though I figured it out I wanted to see how it would play out. .

If you're looking for a book with some mystery, some twists, great characters and a well written psychological thriller check it out! I want to read more from this author!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy

Such a twisty thriller. Sylvia Stone is a hot mess overall, but for good reason. Twenty years ago, her mother was murdered, with the convicted killer recently released. He has claimed throughout the entire journey his complete innocence. Mysterious letters are showing up on her doorstep, convincing Sylvia that there is more to this story than meets the eye.

Overall, a SHOCKING book. I enjoyed the short chapters. Some parts felt fairly unrealistic, but others drew me in, making it impossible to stop reading!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are my own

This was my first read by Amanda Mckinney and it was fantastic. This is definitely a thriller you can't put down and don't know what is happening until the end!

An excellent psychological thriller with an unexpected twist. Good, believable characters. The pages are filled with deception, danger and murder. Highly recommended. I received an ARC copy for free from Storm Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

This book was previously published as The Stone Secret. I never read that one so I can't compare the two. The author said it has an updated plot and new things were added. This is a quick read. Captivating cast of characters. Multiple POV's. Not an overly complicated plot. Fantastic story flow. Kept me hooked from the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, & the author for this ARC.

#WhenIDisappear #NetGalley

If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, twisty psychological thriller, When I Disappear might just be your next binge-read.

The story kicks off with Sylvia Stone receiving a cryptic letter at 2 a.m., suggesting that Rhett Cohen—convicted of murdering her mother two decades ago—might actually be innocent. This leads to a gripping chain of events involving anonymous letters, a chilling “you’re next” message, and Sylvia’s sudden disappearance. It’s the kind of book where just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, you’re hit with another twist.

This book is undeniably a page-turner. The short chapters and fast pacing make it an easy read that’s hard to put down. I’ll admit, the twists were a bit predictable, but they still kept me entertained. It’s perfect for fans of Gone Girl or The Perfect Marriage—even if it doesn’t quite reach those heights.

The characters are where things got interesting. Sylvia? She’s not the easiest character to like, but somehow, that worked really well for the story. Her unlikability added to the tension and mystery. On the flip side, I really felt for Rhett. His 20 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit had me rooting for him to uncover the truth and clear his name.

One of my favorite parts was how Sylvia and Rhett teamed up to play amateur detectives. There’s something so satisfying about following their investigation and piecing together the clues—it felt like I was solving the mystery right along with them.

Overall, while When I Disappear didn’t blow me away or stand out as particularly unique, it was an enjoyable and entertaining read. Perfect for a rainy day or a weekend escape when you just want something easy and engaging.

Thank you @NetGalley and @stormbooks_co for a digital copy of this book. The opinions are my own and freely given

For four nights (early mornings) in a row, Sylvia receives a letter on her doorstep. These letters have different numbers on them, and she quickly realizes these the times when her mother was attacked and killed. Sylvia testified and sent a man to prison for the murder of her mother, now he is released from prison and has resurfaced in Sylvia's life. Rhett, the man sent to prison for the murder, works with Sylvia to learn the origin of the letters and who really killed her mother.

I really liked Rhett throughout the book, and although he always maintained his innocence, way back in the corner of my mind I wondered if he was really guilty. I couldn't really get a read on Sylvia. I couldn't tell if she was just a lonely lady living alone with a cat, or if there was something more too her.

This was a really fast-paced book that I couldn't put down.

This book had me hooked and on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. There were many shocking twists and turns that I did not see coming and it had me guessing to the end.

I recommend this one.

When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney was a gripping psychological thriller that was packed with brilliant twist and turns throughout that will have you gripped from the beginning till the very end.

"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.
Then Sylvia disappears.

You may think you know how this story ends. . . . . . . . . . Think again.

WoW. . . . . . . I really enjoyed this book and the ending was excellent

One thing I loved about this book it had short chapters which I found great and it did not drag when you were reading or listening it to this audiobook.

I highly recommend this book.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with this ARC.

A quick read with multiple perspectives and short chapters and a few twists that may or may not be predictable, depending on the reader. I think McFadden fans will enjoy this one as it leans more towards a popcorn thriller. While there was some character development, there wasn't much descriptive writing. I enjoyed this, but I felt there were a few questions left unanswered. Overall, this was a fun quick read that I give three stars to.

Thank you, Netgalley and Storm Publishing, for this ARC.

Twenty years ago, Sylvia Stone's mother Marjorie was brutally murdered in her own home, and carpenter Rhett Cohen was convicted of her murder. However, he has always maintained his innocence. Now he's out on parole and determined to find out who set him up.

Meanwhile, Sylvia has received a series of threatening and anonymous letters, and she's determined to find the person behind them, hopefully with Rhett's help. But shortly after she receives the last letter Sylvia disappears

So Rhett, not wanting to be blamed and determined to get to the truth goes searching for answers.

But in a town full of secrets getting to the truth is no easy feat.

And with plenty of jaw dropping twists, multiple points of view, lots of potential baddies, and a gratifying ending. This was a dark, enjoyable and extremely engaging thriller. That I happily recommend to others.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. It does not go where you expect. The scene is set with the murder of Marjorie Stone by a mystery person whom she seems to know well. Rhett Cohen, the handyman working on her kitchen, is convicted and sent to jail for 25 years. When he is released after 20 years, he has nothing. He has maintained his innocence, but it seems like the whole town is against him, especially the head detective who helped to get him convicted. Turns out, they went to school together and Det. Stroud was quite the bully. Meanwhile, Sylvia Stone, Marjorie’s daughter, is a lonely, depressed woman with no family or friends living in her mother’s home.

Sylvia is a bit of a mess, but she did make me laugh a few times. Here, she arrives somewhere and prepares to exit her car: “I forced myself through the motions: Turn off Jeep, put keys in purse, check face in rear view mirror—gasp in horror.” Somewhat later, she notices the condition of her fingernails and this follows: “I make a mental note to get a manicure soon, acrylics may be. Wait. I have no money. Never mind.”

Sylvia begins to receive threatening letters and goes to the police. Rhett is bent on revenge and goes to her to see what the letters say. Sylvia feels guilty because her testimony convicted Rhett; she apologizes repeatedly. He tells her she’s forgiven and plans to search for the culprit. She keeps trying to tag along, and he keeps trying to shake her because he doesn’t quite trust her. It’s obvious she’s enamored with him and she does manage to accompany him on a few outings. At one point, they climb to a hidden cave that is known to be a hangout for the person they seek. As they crawl through a narrow section to get there, Sylvia thinks, “It's a rock sandwich, with us in the middle." It’s a great description which gave me the creeps because I refuse to enter a cave any further than where I can still see the entrance.

This is another great description from when Rhett encounters someone surprising in the dark: "It's so dark between us that although we are facing each other, we are nothing more than silhouettes. Black cardboard cutouts of two people."

It seems like Rhett has finally shaken Sylvia and she drives away from him. For three days, he’s relieved he doesn’t have to deal with her. Until Detective Stroud arrives to tell him she’s missing and Rhett is the primary suspect. Now, he has to find her to avoid jail again. And he is desperate to avoid jail.

The story is told from alternating POVs in the present tense. There’s something odd about Sylvia; that’s obvious from the start. I enjoyed the book but wasn’t sure how to feel about things at the end. Rhett definitely steals the show as the most relatable and sympathetic character, so I was rooting for him. I recommend the book because it has so many twists and turns and kept me engaged the entire time. But I was particularly struck by one of these final comments from Rhett: "Why is there such pain and sadness in this world? Why does being out feel so much like being in?"

There's so much I want to say, I can't as it'll ruin the whole thing.
I will say, trust your gut, your first guess is probably the right one.
I don't often guess right with thrillers, so I was quite pleased for myself.
While this wasn't my most favourite read by this author, it kept me captivated and second guessing myself. Despite figuring out the main twist it was still good, especially with a few extra ones added in.