Amanda McKinney knows how to grab your attention immediately so that you remain hooked until you read the last page. The two main characters are as different as night and day, and each have their own set of problems. This makes the characters easier to relate or get to know as you read about their lives because although they are fictional characters, they seem real.

Sylvia Stone does not really care about anything or anyone since she lost her job. She only cares about her bottles of wine. Hygiene, makeup and hair went out the window a while back, except for an occasional visit from her local hair stylist. Her dull life is about to get interesting when she starts receiving strange letters with very little typed on them. It was just enough to intrigue and frighten her. Then she receives the news that the man who is in prison for killing her mother is being released. Rhett Cohen has spent 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit and Sylvia helped put him there. When he shows up at her door, she is not sure whether to run and hide or invite him in.

This was a strange partnership, but as it ends up, it was completely necessary. One convicted felon and one wino have found a kinship and a mystery to solve.

The short chapters made this a quick read for me. The end of each chapter made you hunger for more, so you had to read the next one, and then next one, until I found myself awake at 2:00 a.m. finishing this mystery. I had a good idea of where this book would end up, but I was still a little shocked at some of the reveals. Regardless, it was still worth the time reading it because it was that good and exceptionally chilling as well.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Firstly thank you to the publishers for my early access in exchange for a review.
I’ve reviewed a few of this authors books and this is definitely one of their strongest .
Thought provoking and well written

When I Disappear
Amanda McKinney
Storm Publishing
01/24/2025

Amanda McKinney continues to give readers that over the top psychological thriller that we love to devour!

The story starts and I am 100% certain that I am in this story. Told directly to me from the perspective of the killer. I was even thinking ‘oh yeah I get that’. Like how did I find myself sympathetic to a murderer (but I did - facts)

Told between alternating time lines and POV’s this is a barn burner that you could easily read in one sitting. I can’t wait to see what she writes next !

I was really intrigued by this book When I Disappear by Amanda McKinney. I enjoyed reading about the characters and how they are connected along with diary entries from the victim. The diary entries gives the reader insight into their relationships and life before death yet gives slight clues of what caused why they were murdered. Has twists and turns which keeps you guessing on what occurred. I rather liked on how the story ended

This book started off with an intriguing premise that drew me in with a promise of mystery and spine tingling suspense, wondering who was leaving Sylvia those notes and the threat on her life? And what about Rhett... will he want revenge for the 20 years he lost?

While it started off intriguing, I found the narrative became predictable , some things felt a little off, and overall, it fell short of my expectations.

Sylvia's character seemed all over the place, and I couldn't connect with her. I think she would have benefitted from more development.

There were some good twists that kept me reading , but the final reveal just needed something more to hit that level of utter shock and disbelief one hopes for in a thriller.

Overall, that being said, the book was an entertaining mystery, and I will certainly pick up her future books.

When I Disappear will be out January 24, 2025

My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my gifted copy. My review was voluntary.


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I am grateful to have received an advanced copy, and to have been given the opportunity to offer an honest review. I LOVED this book. It was an easy, smooth, entertaining read. The novel easily and clearly shifts between time periods, which adds to the development of the story. I greatly appreciated the lead up to the climax, and felt it was well paced and built up, as opposed to many books I have read that seems to just desperately crash at the end. I was able to predict the ending and outcome of the mystery, however, that did not take away from my enjoyment of the book whatsoever. In fact, it was fun to find the little breadcrumbs of hints left by the author that lead me to be able to solve the mystery. It was a great read!

I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller. It’s 20 years later and letters start arriving on Sylvia’s doorstep, the man who murdered her mother has just been released. Rhett who was convicted for the murder comes to help Sylvia. A throughly enjoyable story that will keep you reading. It’s a gripping thriller that got me hooked, the main character is believable and the twist at the end got me. A 4 star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

The second book from Amanda McKinney I have read and another brilliant psychological thriller. It kept me gripped from first to last page. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley the chance to ARC this book.

Literally jaw dropping is how I would describe this book!!

I was instantly hooked when I started reading. Twenty years ago, Sylvia’s mom was murder and the man convicted for her murder is about to be released. Sylvia starts receiving anonymous notes, which lead her to think maybe the police got it wrong all those years ago. A few days after receiving those letters Sylvia disappears, we are left to question who might be behind her disappearance and why is she next after so many years have passed since her mom’s murder.

The story is dark, twisted and super fast paced. It gripped me from the moment I grabbed my kindle. We get to see multiple POVs in the story and are left to wonder if where we are being lead to is the actual truth. I went through so many emotions as I was reading this book and completely enjoyed it on a rainy day.

Thanks Netgalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.

I wanted to like this one but unfortunately I didnt. I like my books unpredictable and this one was just too predictable. It just didnt have the wow factor for me.

a jaw-dropping, dark, and twist-filled emotional rollercoaster of a read. PERFECTION! The ending was unpredictable! Brilliant and perfectly plotted ride of suspense. I didn’t see that coming at all!

Another fantastic story from this author, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was dark and forboding and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended, xx

I really enjoyed ‘a A Marriage Of Lies’ by Amanda McKinney so was excited for this one. It was a steady, mysterious read with plot twists and good characters.

Twenty years ago Sylvia’s mother Marjorie was murdered in cold blood in her home, the carpenter Rhett who was working on her kitchen at the time was convicted of her murder and has now been released after serving 20 years. It was Sylvia’s statement that secured Rhett being found guilty but two decades later she’s not so sure. When she receives anonymous notes in the middle of the night she partners up with Rhett as they both want to find the person responsible.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read this novel in just over a day as I found it hard to put down and the shirt, punchy chapters had me hooked and kept me entertained to the end. Sylvia’s mother was murdered twenty years ago, and the man convicted of her murder is about to be released from prison. At 2am Sylvia is woken by someone leaving a letter on her doorstep, suggesting Rhett Cohen, the man convicted of her mother’s murder is innocent. Further notes appear over the next four nights and Sylvia starts to fear for her safety. Then Sylvia disappears and you’re all set for a fast paced thriller with a great twist. Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the chance to review.

I tried very hard to love this as the premise was intriguing… but it was just not for me. Dnf-d at 60%.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Rhett spent 20 years in jail for a murder he did not commit. He is out and determined to find the real killer. Sylvia, whose mother was murdered is receiving notes that only a killer would know - and the last note said Your next! But- what the note says and what is really happening is shocking!
What a read!

I love a dual narrative, especially in mystery/thrillers and this did not disappoint. Multiple twists and turns while keeping a steady pace. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

"When I Disappear" by Amanda McKinney presents a complex narrative centered around Sylvia Stone, who receives a series of anonymous letters suggesting the innocence of Rhett Cohen, a man who has spent two decades imprisoned for the murder of Sylvia's mother. The correspondence unveils intimate knowledge that only the actual perpetrator could possess, leading Sylvia to reevaluate her previous testimony regarding the case.

The narrative employs a dual perspective, alternating between Sylvia and Rhett, which enhances the psychological tension and allows readers to engage with the characters' differing experiences. This technique cultivates an atmosphere rich in suspense, as revelations unfold in a manner that maintains intrigue throughout the storyline. The story
delves into the complexities of small-town life and the lingering effects of unresolved trauma, even after twenty years. While certain plot developments may be anticipated, the nuanced character arcs and the high-stakes climax deliver a compelling reading experience. This psychological thriller is a first rate read, with an intricate plot, engaging character development and an unexpected resolution keeps you guessing until the very end.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend this novel for anyone that enjoys psychological thrillers.

A man wrongfully convicted of murder spends 20 years in prison only to be caught up in a web of lies and secrets with the murder victim's daughter upon his release. He is hellbent on proving his innocence and exposing the truth.
I really liked this book. Character development made me love and hate them at different times and the plot twists did not disappoint.
4/5⭐️
#WhenIDisappear #AmandaMcKinneyAuthor
#NetGalley #Goodreads

*4 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

You have to feel for Rhett for what he went through for years. Sylvia was definitely a strange one but with the mother like Marjorie its no wonder she turned out how she did. Interesting story with a good ending.