When She Disappeared

When She Disappeared was a dark and atmospheric thriller that kept me up reading late into the night. From the cryptic first pages that draw you into the story, to the twisted and unexpected ending that will leave you breathless, this is one book not to be missed. Congratulations to the authors on another fantastic novel!

A pretty decent thriller/mystery about a a girl who went missing years ago and how it ties to the present day. This book kept my attention pretty well and I had twists and turns and a definite surprise that I did not see coming! My only criticism is the dialogue was a bit wordy and I tended to skim those passages. But all in all I would recommend for anyone that's looking for a quick read. Thank you to not Kelly and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a honest review

The ‘she’ from the title, who disappeared, is Jessie, a normal senior pupil with the usual catalogue of friends and enemies at school. Then she disappears, generally believed to have left the area after a fall out with her boyfriend. Years later, at the beginning of the book, her body is found when school leavers are meeting a challenge to jump into a local pond. The small local area has many theories and rumours as to who would want rid of her. Margo, a close friend, finds herself back home looking after her father when another former pupil, Austin, recruits to help a television program investigating the death. Margo is a troubled character ,very well used in the book. The story takes the reader through the circumstances leading up to Jessie’s death, tantalising you with suspects. The characters are convincing and the story well told. Then there is a surprise ending. This is a story that keeps you reading. I recommend it.

I enjoyed this book. The flashbacks/diary entries provided some fun clues to follow, and the pacing was taut. My only real issue with it is that the dialogue was relentlessly verbose. This conversations among characters felt stilted at times, as most people do not speak that formally all the time. I still recommend it!

This book was fast paced and tese with a great storyline. I was gripped right from the start and compelled to keep reading so I read it in one sitting as I needed to know what happened. It was full of tension and suspense with twists that were so good I didnt see them coming. I really enjoyed it.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Avon Books UK and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


Thriller that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat.

Wow! Amazing! Be ready for surprises...I guessed one of the ending surprises, but the other one totally wowed me. Never figured...these authors are amazing. I could not put this book down. This book was sent to me Electronically by Netgalley for review. I can’t wait to read more from these authors and hopefully a sequel. Spellbinding. Although the story moves somewhat slowly Witt the interviews. The ending makes up for that. The characters are believable and memorable.

A delicious thriller I will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. I truly enjoy the story of the characters. Highly recommend.

Margo has returned to her hometown after the breakdown of her marriage. Lake Moss holds nothing but bad memories since the disappearance of Margo’s friend Jessie back in 2004. But now Jessie has been found in the lake where she has lain for 15 years. Margo agrees to help a documentary crew examine the facts of the case that the local police force failed to solve. Using her old diary and her memory, Margo pieces together what happened that long ago May, she hopes to solve a murder but ends up attracting the attention of a killer. Taut and suspenseful

Now that's the way you do a who done it!! Lol m usually really good at guessing who the bad guy is and in this one, I thought I had it but then right at the end?! BAM! That was a shocker!! This book was really goid it had suspense intrigue, and as I said a great! Who done it! I highly recommend reading this book! Its well worth reading! Its a great storyline and mystery! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my copy of When She Disappeared. This is a difficult book to review without spoilers. It has a very unique twist which I felt I was aware of from pretty early on but it seemed so unlikely plot wise that I didn't trust my instinct. An interesting, atmospheric read overall.

“When She Disappeared” by Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry is a tightly-wound thriller with a plot twist readers won’t see coming. The novel digs deep into a small-town community where residents thrive off gossip, the rich pay to keep their secrets, and past betrayals are bound to come to light. This psychological murder mystery will have readers gripped the whole way through.

When Jessie Germain disappeared without a trace, the residents of Lake Moss thought Jessie grew sick of the small-town life and ran away. Except, fifteen years later remains are found, revealing Jessie never left town the night she went missing.

Unforeseen circumstances bring Margo back to Lake Moss fifteen years later, just in time for a crime series crew to show up with the hopes of bringing Jessie’s case to a close. After running into an old childhood friend who is part of the tv crew, Margo joins the investigation. Diving back into the past means dredging up some painful memories and ticking off the wrong people. Despite the threats she receives, Margo refuses to back down, especially if digging into other people’s business means she can learn more about what happened to her childhood friend Jessie on the night she went missing.

Mullin and Mabry do a brilliant job of what people do when they suddenly find themselves prime suspects in a riveting case that is quickly turning chaotic and unpredictable. In this intense and fast-paced read, everyone is connected to Jessie’s disappearance and they refuse to share what happened when they last saw her alive. While this novel is nothing short of gripping, there is a very noticeable lack of remorse and grief from the characters. Though Jessie’s personality is brought to life through Margo’s memories of her childhood, it doesn’t explain why Jessie’s close friends seem more inconvenienced by her death than anything else.

“When She Disappeared” is an intense and fast-paced mystery that will prevent readers from putting down this book until they find out what truly happened to Jessie. For those who love a good mystery with a major twist at the end, this is a book worth adding to your reading lists. Look out for this novel on its expected publication date of March 3rd, 2022.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with a free e-arc of this novel and the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.

Well Paced, Immersive Suspense…
Will facing the ghosts of the past throw up long buried secrets? Tense, atmospheric mystery with a credible cast, a keen sense of time and place and an intriguing storyline. Laced with twists and turns and red herrings aplenty and leading to a, perhaps, unexpected denouement this is a well paced, immersive suspense.

I really liked this book, I read it quite quickly because it got under my skin in the first few pages and I had to find out what was going on. Margo is a great character and the story is interesting with plenty of twists. I was a bit disappointed with the ending but it didn't spoil the whole story.

Margo is back in her home town to look after her dad, when a body is discovered. Jessie had been Margo's friend and had been missing for 15 years. When a TV company comes to town to do a follow up on their original investigation into Jessie’s disappearance, Margo helps her old friend Austin interviewing locals to try to find the truth of what really happened. Unfortunately it drags up bad memories for Margo, and then she starts receiving threats.

This is a really taut murder-mystery, come psychological thriller, with a really believable story running through it. Margos’ fragile mind and recurrence of old nightmares makes for dramatic reading, especially as the story goes on. There is a lot of new information being turned up during this investigation and you begin to think you’ve got a handle on what happened all this years ago, until the ending, which totally surprised me.
Well worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

I loved this one. Very fast paced, had me turning pages as I tore through it – I had to see how it would end. The characters were well rounded and the narrative felt believable. Gave me chills. Solid five

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book Margo returns home to help her father who is recovering from surgery. While honeca friend from high schools body us found. This book captured my attention from the beginning.

First you haven't read The Family Tree, you should! Freaking phenomenal!

When She Disappeared
by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry

This book was such a fun ride I had a hard time putting it down!
I was immediately interested in the disappearance of Jessie Germaine back in 2004.
And having her best friend Margo, come back home to Lake Moss for the first time in fifteen years. Margo starts digging for answers and helps a documentary crew investigate the infamous case the police buried.
In this sleepy town everyone has secrets and maybe the killer is closer to home than Margo realizes!

A captivating, dark and twisted story! These two ladies can hook any reader.
The narrative is believable and terrifying.
Our characters were well developed. And I enjoyed being right beside Margo the entire way, as she discovers who killed her best friend so many years ago!
Twists and turns around every corner. Which was exciting.
This book encapsulated every feeling I had at that time.
The authors paint such a vivid picture that it's such atmospheric storytelling and stellar writing which was spot-on.
A wonderful story that drew me in quickly and didn't let me go.
I'm still feeling it hours after finishing this story.
These two are amazing and I'm most certain they could write anything and it be phenomenal.

Avon & NetGalley,
Thank You for this eARC.
I will post and tag to my platforms closer to pub day.

a completely unexpected ending to an excellent story, centred around Margo and her return to her childhood home to care for her incapacitated father and unearthing the ongoing saga of the school girl who went missing way back when.
Full of characters you just do not feel you can trust leaving you anxious for Margo at every page turn this is one you will not be able to put down!

Margo was just getting close to her former best friend Jessie Germaine again when Jessie suddenly disappeared, seemingly into thin air, one day after school. With no clues and no body, the case quickly went cold; Margo left the small mountain town of Lake Moss shortly thereafter and never looked back. Now, 15 years later, Margo returns to town to take care of her father after he has knee surgery, just as Jessie's body is found. Soon, an old friend from high school returns along with a film crew from a true crime show to reexamine Jessie's disappearance and Margo volunteers to help thinking this could be her one chance to get answers. But someone is determined to keep things quiet and who knows how far they will go to keep certain secrets buried.

This is a classic "cold case gets hot again" storyline, with a modern twist that a true crime show has taken up the case, putting our main character right in the center of the action in a convenient wa, giving us access to the main players in the drama, with all their secrets - and trust me, there are a ton of them! as with any high school friends group, things were not really as they seemed and figuring out what was what is a big part of unraveling this one.

There's a big cast of characters and suspects to keep you guessing at who could be the ultimate bad guy, and with someone like the victim (let's just say she wasn't going to win Miss Congeniality at any of the beauty pageants she entered) there were plenty of motives. There's also a good number of twists thrown in there to keep things interesting.

However, I do have to say I had an inkling of the ultimate ending. Not the full details, but there were certainly enough clues there to ultimately point to the right ending, so it doesn't come out of left field. I can't say too much more without giving anything away, but if you want to deduce things, just pay attention (dun dun dun!)

But either way, I still really enjoyed the ending. It was really well done. Enough answers and enough of a little opening. Perfect.

This is a great mystery/thriller for anyone looking for a suspenseful, twisty read. I really enjoyed this one and would definitely read more from this author.

WHEN SHE DISAPPEARED is a twisty mysterious follow-up to these authors' first book, THE FAMILY TREE. Margo, the main character, returns home to help her father who needs to have knee surgery--and also to face the ghosts of her past. When the body of her best friend is uncovered, she must team up with a local guy to figure out what happened. There's a big twist at the end I guarantee you won't see coming!

Margo returns to her hometown after a messy failed marriage. The same timeframe that she arrives back home, a body is found in a swimming hole that is the high school hangout. It turns out that the body was Margo’s “best friend” from high school (15-years ago), that disappeared without a trace. As Margo is back in town, she assists a film crew who are investigating the murder and she begins to be the subject of threats. It’s a whirlwind of a mystery and leads down multiple paths and reveals lots of secrets!

Wow, this was a great who-dun-it mystery that you will not see the final twist coming! I thought for sure I figured out the mystery of the murderer several times thoroughly the books and I was completely wrong! This was a well-paced suspenseful read. If you liked Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10, you will enjoy this suspenseful mystery!

***** I received an ARC from NetGalley, publisher and the author, in turn for my honest review.

This book flowed well. I never felt like it was taking too long to read, which is a common complaint I have with books. However, what took me out of it sometimes was the dialogue. Lots of the dialogue felt fake to me. I also found a few spelling errors and many places that I felt could use commas. Overall, I enjoyed the book and the ending.

4.5 stars. Did not see that ending coming which is exactly what I enjoy. I’ve recently discovered I love books that involve a podcast or show diving into a mystery and this did not disappoint. Will be adding it to my list of weirdly specific book recommendations. And for once the romance didn’t distract me from the overall plot or take me out of the story. Will continue to pick up from this author

Wow, just wow! Steph and Nicole have done it again! This book was brilliant. It had a great suspensive atmosphere, that flowed well throughout the book. The character development was spot on and as I read through the chapters it would have me second guessing my theories behind who the killer was. It ends on a cliff hanger that has you thinking wait, what? As it’s so abrupt but where others found that frustrating, I found it amusing. I was so invested in the book by then, I thought it was a great way to end it, leaving that uncertainty pending.

I found as the book progressed along with the main character develops and we get to know her more, I became very invested in her journey and absolutely rooted for her to figure out who the killer was. The twist that came from it was fab, although once I got closer to the end and stories and events started lining up more clearly, I more or less had guessed who it was, but it still didn’t take away the twist to the story line.

Another fab story from this writing duo! I now can’t wait until their next book comes out to play. Thanks Ladies, for this amazing literary escape, now go grab yourself a copy and get lost in the pages of this suspenseful, whodunnit of a thriller!

** I received an advanced copy of this ebook to read and review. Thank you NetGalley, the authors and the publisher for allowing me this opportunity **

When She Disappeared is another creepy, eerie and mysterious thriller that brings back the “true crime” vibe to the table.

Margo returns back to her hometown to take care of her father. She left this town after two incidents that shocked her life; the disappearance of her best friend and the loss of her mother. Her return to the town after years coincided with the discovery of Jessie’s dead body. Bringing back the secrets of the past and the unanswered questions, Margo tries to solve the mystery behind and find the culprit.

This book is a well-written one. Although the plot line is the usual form of suspense found in a mystery thriller, the book keeps the reader on toes. But what falls short is the final reveal which doesn’t come as a surprise. It might be just me who reads too much of books with the similar plot lines but I could easily see the red flags from the start.

Yet another mystery to keep you hooked to the book, this might just be the perfect book for a true crime or thriller lover.

All thanks goes to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.

After reading The Family Tree, written by the very same authors, I got an invitation from the publisher to review their latest book, When She Disappeared, about a high school student named Jessie who went missing years ago.

The story starts with a couple of teenagers who go cliff jumping and finds the skeletal remains of a girl stored in a cooler. The girl is Jessie Germaine who disappeared years ago. Margo after dealing with Jessie's disappearance and her mother's death returns back to Lake Moss after being away for years and her failed marriage. She along with Austin sets out to question a few of Jessie's friends for their podcast. But Margot receives threatening messages from someone, who does not want them to dig into the past.

Initially, the story started out a little boring. But soon, it gained momentum towards the middle, became fast paced. However, there were not much twists and turns you would expect in a thriller but nonetheless, the authors managed to draw the reader into the story. The ending...now that's what I want to talk about. The ending was totally unexpected and for a moment I couldn't even believe that the book ended in that way.

Overall, this is a good thriller book, quiet unputdownable that will keep you up all night--worth five stars

Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon the for ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Overall this was an enjoyable story, but it felt really predictable. I figured out who the killer was very early on and wish that there had been a little more mystery to it, but still had fun watching the pieces all come together.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I loved this book! It's amazingly well written and had me forgetting the dinner in the over because I just couldn't step away. I flew through it in a day and what an enjoyable day it is. The characters are well written and the story itsself keeps up a decent pace and never allows itsself to drag on or for the reader to get bored. It's so engaging and not entirely unexpected twist at the end but never the less, its not about sussing out who did it, its about enjoying the journey the author takes you on to get there.... and this was a journey I absolutely loved every second of

I really had a hard time with this one. Don’t know if it is the characters or what but I did not look forward to reading it and finishing it seemed to take forever. The premise is good but the style of writing didn’t have me on the edge of my seat like it should have. Still, I will suggest this title to those I know who will enjoy it.

Margo's childhood friend Jessie disappeared just before high school graduation in 2004. The shock of Jessie's disappearance coupled with her mother's tragic death has kept her away from her small mountain town of Lake Moss for 15 years. Now she's back to take care of her dad after his knee surgery and by coincidence, Jessie's body is discovered inside a cooler in a secret swimming hole just as she arrives in town. Determined to find out what happened to her friend, she teams up with an old classmate who is working on a documentary about Jessie's case. However, someone is equally determined to drive Margo out of town, and just how far are they willing to go to make sure she stops digging up the past?

When She Disappeared is a twisty, atmospheric read set in a small town with plenty of secrets and suspicious characters. The story has a true crime feel to it, with the documentary playing a big role in the plot. I enjoyed that aspect as I am a true crime fan myself. As for the big twist, I thought it was really clever. It didn't shock me though as there were a few red flags about that particular character from the start. I think if you pay close attention to certain details, it's pretty easy to figure out the killer's identity. The ending might be a hit or miss with readers depending on how you like your stories wrapped up. This one leaves an open ending and lets the reader decides if they think there will be justice for Jessie.
Overall, I enjoyed this thriller. Despite the slower pace, I was never bored while reading and it held my interest until the end. I won't mind reading more from these authors.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found the beginning of this story rather slow. It was easy to get into the characters and the story but it felt somewhat dull with a lot of text adding extreme detail in the descriptions and the dialogue.
The writing continues this way as the reader makes progress towards the final 25%. The unraveling provides a surprising twist. I had identified my possible murderer from the characters but while the individual that I chose was implicated in the final twist, I was wrong.
The final outcome is a clever finale to the issues of mental health struggles described throughout.
Recommended

Jessie disappeared 15 years ago and no one knew what happened to her. Margo returns to Lake Moss to help her dad who is convalescing, news breaks that some high school kids have found a Jessie’s remains while diving in the local swimming hole. Margo finds her old diary and relives some memories, she also hooks up with an old high school acquaintance to help interview the local residence from 15 years ago. Will the unearth the killer???
I really enjoyed the book and the view points it is told from. Keeps you needing to read the next chapter with plenty of twists. Another great read by Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry!

Really enjoyed this book, the author kept me guessing right up to the end! I thought I had it sussed half way through but definitely wasn't expecting the way it ended! Great read!

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I saw that the authors of The Family Tree had a new book coming out, I knew I needed to add it to my TBR right away! When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry is an unputdownable thriller that will appeal to fans of Serial: The Podcast and true crime documentaries. The story revolves around Margo, whose best friend Jessie disappeared 15 years ago. Now, margo is back in her hometown and helping a documentary crew review the case. Will she find out more than she's looking for?

Here is a chilling excerpt from the Prologue:

"'I found your bow,' he said triumphantly, holding it in the air.
Farrah beamed, looking at his hand in excitement, but then her smile dropped. The color drained from her face, and her high-pitched scream ricocheted off the rocks. Lenny looked at his classmates, confused. Tamra's mouth was hanging open and Justin said, 'Dude,' as he shook his head, his eyes wide open in shock. One by one, more screams erupted around him.
Lenny looked at his fister and his stomach contracted into knots. Blonde hair draped over his arm, a dirty red bow holding its loose strands together... the remnants of a scalp."

Overall, When She Disappeared is an absolutely amazing thriller full of twists and turns. I could not stop reading this book and ended up finishing it in a day. One highlight of this book is that it is extremely well-written, which is rare for a thriller. Instead of just stating the facts, the author includes lots of realistic details to make you feel like you're right there with Margo as she investigates her friend's murder.

Another highlight of this book is the main character, Margo. I love thrillers where the protagonists try to solve the case themselves, Nancy-Drew style. Margo is a strong protagonist, and I loved reading this book. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in March!

In May 2004 Jessie Germaine had a normal day at school in Lake Moss. She attended the end of year rally and cheered at it as she always did. She rode her bike home after, and was never seen again. Margo has not been back to Lake Moss since her best friend went missing. But after her dad needs help following some surgery, and her marriage has broken down, she comes home to support her dad, and to get some space for herself.
Then the news comes out - Jessie’s body has been found in the secret swimming hole that is a rite of passage for all high school seniors. Margos nightmares come back with a vengeance. She starts to feel like she is being followed. Someone is out to get her. She gets out her old diary to try and recall what happened back then. She also works with the documentary team who are working to try bring light to the mystery of Jessies murder. After all, she didn’t put herself in the swimming hole in that manner, did she? The more digging that happens, the more ghosts from Margos past get stirred up.
I devoured this book. I had read Mullin & Mabrys previous book (The Family Tree) and really enjoyed it, and this book was no different. An absolute page turner. Just when you think you have it figured out, then the twist at the end will shock you. I could not put this book down, it is a stay up all night until you have finished it kind of read. I can’t wait for the next instalment from this writing duo!

*I received this copy from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Margo returns to her hometown Lake Moss, NC after years away. Upon her return, the body of her childhood best friend is found after going missing back in high school. After years of suppressing memories of family tragedy and loss of her friend, Margo is thrown back into the case to help a TV series collect information to fill in the gaps the police have missed. Along the way, she finds herself threatened.

This was a fast, easy thriller that was instantly captivating from the first scene. I was drawn in to the setting quickly as I previously had a vacation home in Lake Lure, a small NC town outside of Asheville. I was able to picture the winding roads, small town feel and lakes clearly and that added so much to the story. I loved the setting and the story kept me so interested. I started to guess the culprit by the middle of the story with some small clues and while on the right track, the ending twisted and proved me wrong. I think the ending was okay but somewhat surprising with all the build to the list of culprit and the mystery to her family drama. I wasn’t as big a fan of the amnesia like factor to the main character because at times she was so reliable and then you’d feel she was turning unreliable. It felt “added” so to speak as the story flowed well with character interviews and suspense. It was as though the authors wanted to add an unreliable narrator after the fact. But overall, I flew through this book and enjoyed the ride. I recommend to thriller/mystery lovers, just wait for that first scene…

Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for a eARC copy of this novel in exachange for my honest review. I appreciated it!!

I always love a good writing duo so I was interested to read this eARC. This one did not disappoint! It was full of twists and turns. A great fast paced thriller.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced thriller that has lots of twists and turns. It is written by two authors which is unique in itself but really works. The story is a great one with lots of tense parts and also parts that will make you on edge. I couldn't read this one before bedtime as it is very dark and creepy, even the cover creeped me out a little. The twists just keep coming, I think half of this book I was left open mouthed thinking did I really just read that. It all comes to a close at a dramatic ending. I look forward to reading more books by these two authors.

A great story with so many twists and turns throughout. This story leaves you suspecting many people but not everyone you needed to think about....

Margo returns home after 15 years to her hometown of Lake Moss. She left after the death of her mother and the disappearance of her friend Jessie. She returns home to look after her father after a knee operation.
At the same time, some kids are swimming in a private watering hole. When they discover body remains in a water cooler that sits at the bottom. They turn out to be the remains of Jessie. Who many locals just thought she has run away?
She meets her old classmate Austin who has come back to lake Moss who is a sound engineer for a documentary called Into the Air that investigate cold cases of murder and in the past has resulted in finding the perpetrators. Margo is and ex Court typist. So, Austin asks her to help her document any interviews that he partakes in. She agrees. But someone doesn’t want her to participate and sends her texts and emails to warn her of doing so or something bad will happen to her and her dad.
Thank you, Avon, for a copy of When she disappeared. I was looking forward to reading this after reading their previous novel. The family tree. I found this an intriguing story and I liked the aspect of them interviewing each of Margo’s old classmates an assuming they are all in the frame for Jessie murder. A different way of a whodunnit mystery. But I was disappointed with the ending as the rest of the story was good. 4 stars from me.

A good thriller that is fast paced and keeps you guessing until the end. With good character development, we see all sorts of emotions when a film crew arrives that is intending to look at the circumstances of Jessie, a local who it was thought had upped and run away 15 years ago. Could there be more to this than meets the eye, or is this just muck raking with no good reason? Very well constructed and well worth a read. Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books, HarperCollins for the advanced read.

OMG !! This is one hell of a terrific read it kept me gripped till the end and what an end it was it was astounding good.
So I have to say I had a sneaky suspicion throughout the book but although I was partially right I was a whole lot wrong also and it’s impossible to say more without spoiling the read for others. These two authors Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry have formed a brilliant partnership and I loved their last book The Family Tree but I think this latest offering is even better.
I said the last book should come with a warning as I couldn’t put it down bit then this book need a double warning as not only is a compulsive read it’s a twisty, evil and extremely clever read that had me racing to the finish and ignoring everything else I was supposed to be doing, it’s such a well crafted book with some great characters, red herrings, superb writing and much much more I really can highly recommend it.
No rehash of the overview just pick the book up and dive in but as I say be warned this read will take over your life ! Many thanks to Steph and Nicole I’m looking forward to more from you and long may your partnership last.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Last year I read and loved The Family Tree by Steph Mullins and Nicole Mabry, so it was a no brainer that I would jump at the chance to read their second book. Once again, I was completely hooked from the start. Full of unlikeable and unreliable characters, this one will keep you reading into the night. Although I picked the ending this time, it did not take away from my enjoyment of this intense murder mystery. It is fast paced and told in the present day and also in diary entries from 15 years earlier. We learn about the town of Lake Moss, and those that live there throughout the story.

Our main character is Margo, who is returning to town to help look after her father who has recently had surgery. She does not have fond memories of the place, it was a living hell for her growing up. Her best friend Jessie Germaine, was the most popular girl at school and she went missing 15 years ago. As she is driving into town, she learns that her body has just been discovered and the case has been re-opened. A true crime documentary team have also arrived in town and Margo finds herself helping out. Who killed Jessie and why? Trust me, there are plenty of answers for both questions.

Thanks to Avon Books UK for my advanced copy of this book to read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Steph Mullin, Nicole Mabry, and the publisher for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.

'When She Disappeared' is a thriller that had me hooked from the beginning. The descriptions of everything were so intense I felt like I was part of it. Everyone is a suspect, so it keeps you guessing throughout. The ending is a major plot twist too. I recommend!

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK, Avon for the copy of this book. I liked the story, and the opening scene was masterful! The rest of the book was pretty good, but not great for me. I’m not sure why I didn’t love it, but maybe it was because it felt like some incidents were just thrown in for no reason. It was also tiring to hear about what makeup Margo put on and other details like that.
The characters were well-written and I liked how the book showed how many people didn’t move on from High School and what happened there. I did think Austin went too far in his ‘pre-interviews’ and he kept asking questions that would have been better in the real interview, but he was obviously trying to solve the case himself.
I look forward to more books by these authors because I’m sure I will love the next book more. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Wow what an exciting read ,a real roller coaster of a ride .The story is fast paced ,gripping ,full of suspense and mystery. I really enjoyed this book ,the characters were good and the ending was such a surprise ,I really didn't see it coming .Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my free copy in return for an honest review .

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

On May twenty six, 2004, Jessie Germaine went to school as normal and cheered at the end of year rally. That evening, she rode her bike into the forest and disappeared into thin air. Margo hasn't been back to Lake Moss since her school friend went missing. But as she returns, running from a failed marriage, the news breaks. Her hometown's swimming hole has been Jessie's grave for fifteen years. In a town where everyone know everyone = but they all have secrets - the killer is certain to be close to home.

When Jessie's body is found fifteen years after she disappeared, a TV crew want to talk to people that knew Jessie. The story started off slowly but the pace had picked up by the middle. There's not a lot that I can tell you about this book as I would spoil it for potential readers. There isn't a lot of twists but there's something captivating about this book. The ending was unexpected and worth sticking with the book for. It also left us with a bit of a cliff hanger,

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #StephMullins #NicoleMorby for my ARC of #WhenSheDisappeared in exchange for an honest review.

Not you normal missing child story. This is a missing school girl mystery with a few astonishing twists you don’t expect during the two timelines and you are completely immersed in both and I didn’t want it to end. Sold writing, solid plot, solid four stars!

This is a creepy and heart stopping mystery thriller I could not put down. I have read many books with the same premise and for me it was one of the better ones. This book had me reading late into the night. I did guess who the killer was but in no way did it detract from my reading pleasure. A really good read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

I previously enjoyed The Family Tree by these authors and was looking forward to reading When She Disappeared. Margo returns to Lake Moss where she grew up to help her father after surgery. Lake Moss was also the place where her mother died in a car crash and where her friend Jessie mysteriously disappeared fifteen years previously. Upon returning she learns that Jessie’s body has been found. It immediately throws her life into turmoil. Trying also to cope with a divorce it almost becomes too much and her childhood nightmares return. She meets up with Austin Hughes, a schoolgirl crush of hers who is back making a programme about missing people. They pool their resources and begin to interview those who were around Jessica when she disappeared. A web of secrets and lies are gradually revealed, culminating with a massive twist. I enjoyed the different characters and the images of how teenagers behave towards one another but felt it dragged a little and seemed to go round in circles. The ending, while explaining what happened, left too much unanswered for my liking and seemed a little rushed compared to the rest of the book. However, a decent enough story that certainly makes you want to discover the truth.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You know those kinds of thrillers that make you conscious that you are the only one in the room, this was it.
It excited me.
And at some point, I was confident that I knew who the killer was but I was wrong. This book was written well and it is enjoyable.

When She Disappeared is a gripping thriller with plenty of unexpected twists and an explosive ending. I was completely convinced that I knew who the murderer was and that I'd be disappointed that I had figured out the big twist so early on - I was very wrong! When She Disappeared follows Margo, who comes back to her home town after over a decade away to take care of her father. Upon returning home, the body of one of Margo's former classmates, who disappeared 15 years ago, is discovered. Margo inserts herself into the investigation, interviewing past classmates and others who may have known Jessie. The dialogue throughout the book is a bit forced, but other than that, the book is well-written and well-paced. I will definitely recommend When She Disappeared to anyone looking for a can't-put-down thriller/mystery.

Margo is returning to her hometown to help her father after surgery. At the same moment, her best friend's body is discovered after she disappeared and everybody thought that she ran away. Margo is going to look into her death. I did not like Margo much, she feels like a failure because she is divorced 🙄, why a failure???
Thanks to NetGalley for this book.

Some secrets are best left buried. Margo returns to her home town, after a failed marriage. Her return is marked by the auspicious discovery of a clsssmate who had disappeared years before.
The cobwebs of the past are swept away as a podcast probe unravels the sordid secrets. Margo also discovers some painful truths about her family.
The ending is a stunner. I marveled at how well everything came together. The ending alone is a showstopper.

4 ⭐️

I really enjoyed the storyline and how it tied in with a true crime podcast. It gave me “the night swim” vibes by Megan Goldin. I thought i had the “who done it” figured out, was even kinda impressed with myself because I was putting together tiny clues throughout the book and than the last couple pages said “ha fooled you”. The ending however left me wanting more and I am not a fan of that. Like is there going to be a second book?! Probably not so why leave us all hanging like that. I am not one that can leave it up to my imagination but it is a good ploy by the authors because now I’ll be thinking about their book for a while.

Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry if you’re seeing this can you personally send me an ending ;) but in all seriousness this was my first book by the authors and I’ll be sure to pick up another!

Thank you #netgalley for this advanced copy

After reading The Family Tree by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry I immediately came on Goodreads to see if they had any other books. Which led me to When She Disappeared on Netgalley.

Margo has returned home to Lake Moss after a messy divorce to help her father recover from surgery. Her first day back Jessie, her best friend who has been missing since 2004 is found in a local watering hole.

When Margo reconnects with her high school crush, who's now working for an ID channel type show, they start working together to figure out who killed Jessie.

When She Disappeared was so well done! I had so many suspects I was sure were the murderers throughout the book but definitely did not see that ending coming! Not only were the twists well done, this thriller also creeped me out, which I enjoy in thrillers.

I can't wait to see what these authors write next!

This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2022, and it lived up to the hype. While I didn't like it as much as The Family Tree, it still hooked me in right from the start & didn't let go until the last page. There were so many unlikeable & unreliable characters, it made it hard to know who was telling the truth about the last time they saw Jessie. There's lots of twists & secrets revealed as Margo works with a documentary crew who is revisiting the case now the Jessie's body has been found. With many people having a motive for killing Jessie, I could not pick who did it - I had an inkling, but I was wrong & shocked! I liked the ending even though I wanted a definitive answer - was justice going to be served or would the killer get away with it?

When She Disappeared is set in a small town, which like all gatherings of humanity, has plenty of secrets. The novel has a "cold case” gets hot again storyline, but with a more contemporary twist in that, after fifteen years, a true crime show takes up the case and stirs up the pot. Back then, Jessie, a beautiful high school student disappears. Everyone seems to have an alibi, and the case rather quickly turns cold.

The main character, Margo, left the area way back then and has returned for two reasons: her divorce and her father needing care after hip surgery. When she reunites with Austin, her former high-school lab partner, who is now working for the television show. With that action, she moves into the cross-hairs of the various unreliable and unlikeable potential suspects.

The story is told in Margo’s point of view and includes epistolary chapters taken from the diary she kept as a teenager. There is a clever twist at the rather open-ended conclusion.