Have You Seen Him

by Kimberly Lee

What if everything you believed about yourself was totally wrong?

For David Byrdsong, life is a series of daily obligations. An attorney, he lacks both ambition and the ability to commit to a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Gayle. Abandoned by his family at an airport when he was eleven, he learned to blunt his feelings, despite his subsequent adoption by a loving couple.

Until one day, when David discovers his own face in a missing child ad. Suddenly driven to uncover the truth about his past, he is forced to tap into his inner strength as he encounters corporate conspiracies, murdered bystanders, and distressing suspicions about the only family he’s ever really trusted. David enlists Gayle's help—and the help of an unlikely stranger with secrets of his own—as he attempts to find his true family, whoever they are.

Thrilling, exploratory, and propulsive, Have You Seen Him is a story of lost identity, dangerous secrets, and a deeply personal pursuit of the truth.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Ebooks

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ | This story took a completely different turn than I was expecting, and I loved every tense and shocking moment. Imagine going through life, only to see your 11-year-old face on a missing person’s ad. You clearly think this was a mistake, but you know exactly what you looked like at 11. This is what happens to David after a rough day in the courtroom.

Once the layers in the story started to unfold, no one could have predicted how this would turn out, nor the purpose behind his “supposed kidnapping.” I especially loved the different POVs, especially from Hersh & Gayle. I liked Alejandro’s character as well, but Gayle was my absolute fav. She exuded bad ahh from the pages, I truly feel she was the toughest one lol.

Overall the story was simply amazing and everyone needs to read it. There was nothing slow burn about this one, it came in hot!

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have You Seen Him — Kimberly Lee (aka: “A man losing everything he knows, and you feel every second of it.”)
This book hits with a quiet, creeping devastation that doesn’t rely on jump scares or dramatic twists — it’s the slow, suffocating unraveling of a man’s life, and you feel it in your bones. David isn’t just a character you observe; he’s someone you ache for. From the very beginning, you can sense the wrongness closing in around him, and the worst part is that he feels it too but can’t name it. That helplessness is brutal.
What makes this story so powerful is how intimate the fear is. It’s not monsters or shadows — it’s identity, memory, belonging. It’s the terror of looking at your own life and realizing pieces don’t fit anymore. You watch David try to hold onto the edges of who he thinks he is, and the more he reaches, the more everything slips through his fingers. It’s horrible for him, and the book doesn’t shy away from that emotional violence.
The corporate conspiracy thread adds this cold, clinical layer of dread — the sense that he’s up against something bigger, smarter, and completely indifferent to his suffering. Every new clue feels like a breadcrumb dropped by someone who wants him to follow but not survive the journey. You’re right there with him, questioning every person, every motive, every memory. It’s unsettling in the best way.
But the heart of the book — the part that sticks with you — is David himself. His confusion. His fear. His stubborn hope. His desperate need to understand what’s happening to him. You feel for this man because the story makes you sit in his skin, and it’s uncomfortable, heartbreaking, and deeply human.
By the end, you’re not just reading a thriller — you’re witnessing a man fight for the truth of his own existence. And that’s what makes it a 4.5 star emotional experience wrapped in a 4 star thriller package. It lingers. It haunts. It makes you think about how fragile identity really is.
A gripping, unsettling, compassion demanding read that leaves you staring at the wall afterward, still thinking about David and everything he lost.

[Aqeelah✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the start! It's split into parts, and honestly, Part One ends with such a good cliffhanger that I immediately had to start Part Two. The story mainly revolves around this guy, David, and there's just so much mystery around him. Everyone's either looking for him, hiding something, or keeping secrets •.. The first part focuses on getting to know all the characters (and there's a lot going on), but once things start connecting, it all starts making sense.

As the story unfolds, the tension builds and every new chapter adds another layer to the mystery.

Read this if you like:
- Hidden Identities and buried secrets
- Conspiracy style plots with science
- Action
- slow burn mysteries

[Manon (mysterymanon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleverly written and thoughtfully crafted, Lee’s debut is action-packed and entertaining with enough emotion and depth to hook you.

It has some of my favorite thriller elements: multi-POV, unknown identity, unearthed secrets. I struggled with the plausibility of the story at the beginning, but it progressed quickly and soon I was binging the whole thing. The ending is satisfying and answered all of my questions. The twisty and complex plot was deftly handled, which imo is one of the most important qualities of a solid thriller.

Gayle was my favorite character—she kicks ass.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

David Byrdsong’s journey through life so far hasn’t been smooth. When he was 11, his family left him behind at an airport. A caring couple adopted him, but he has had emotional issues ever since.

Much time has passed when David finds his own face looking back at him in a missing child flyer. Stunned, he sets out to find the truth about his past. He soon finds his task isn’t going to be easy. He will have to dig deep to find the strength to endure everything thrown his way, hoping that finding his true family will be a great reward.

Kimberly Lee has created a complex puzzle. It pulled me in from the moment I read the synopsis and held on tight until the very last word. She has a distinct writing style with descriptive details that bring each scene to life. Her insights bring depth to the story. There is a constant tension, but it ebbs and flows in ways that can pull at your heartstrings or can pack a punch. Each precisely placed twist does its job as each puzzle piece snaps into place. I can’t believe this is her first venture into this genre.

The book is told from multiple points of view and broken down into three parts. Juvenile court attorney David Byrdsong’s life has been turned upside down. His girlfriend, Gayle, is a strong woman, but she wants a commitment from David that he was not ready to give, even before seeing his face on the flyer. His adoptive parents had been supportive; it is now just his father, Hersh, but could David trust him? Gayle’s friend Violet, unwillingly finds herself caught up in the chaos, as does a man just trying to do the right thing. Add to this several characters; some have been searching for David for years, and others have been enlisted to facilitate his capture. There are many characters to keep track of, but the author gives each a unique voice and purpose in the story. No meaningless characters are floating around in the background.

Have You Seen Him is a powerful, action-packed read. A character-driven story that will stick with you. An excellent debut. It could easily be developed into a Netflix movie. Ms. Lee has my attention. I am excited to read her next story and more after that.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down after the 1st page. A multi POV, hidden secrets, and unknown identities kept me pulled in. There are a lot of twists and surprises, especially at the end.
I loved the character Gayle, a strong female role.

Thank you to Book Sirens for the ARC for an advanced copy and this review is an honest and voluntary.

[Eclectic Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, where do I even start? What would you do if you saw your face in a missing children ad? This is another book I started without any expectations, and the fast-paced action and terrifying suspense kept me glued to the pages! In the end, you will understand that there is no such thing as a coincidence.

At the heart of it all is David Brydsong, a juvenile court attorney who finds himself in a verifiable shit show after finding out he is not who he thought he was. David's life, as he knows it, is about to spiral out of control, and it's clear that danger is lurking around every corner. This guy is a tough nut. He's critical, particular, and a bit of an ahole, really. He struggles to commit to his girlfriend, Gayle, and prefers to work with misfit juveniles, just like his adoptive parents did for him.

What I enjoyed about this book is how it isn't just David's story, it includes many characters that bring so much to the table. Gayle's fearless spirit really stood out for me, and Violet, Gayle's gothic friend who was stuck in the hospital with a broken leg, certainly earned her stripes for bravery and determination. And then there's Alejandro, the good Samaritan who risks everything to do what's right. Each of these characters adds layers of depth that kept me utterly invested in their journey

Overall, this story was intriguing. Forget any slow buildup, this one comes in hot right from the get-go! So, if you're itching for an exhilarating read packed with action and adventure, put this one on your list.

Thank you to Ms. Lee for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have You Seen Him

From the very first page, Have You Seen Him pulled me in. I was immediately curious and eager to discover where the story would lead—but I wasn’t prepared for the many twists and turns that followed. What unfolded was a tense story filled with action, secrecy, danger, greed, and a government agency willing to stop at nothing.

And yet, despite all of that intensity, there were moments when I burst out laughing and truly appreciated the surprising ways love makes itself known.

As I read, I found myself reflecting on how little we sometimes know about the people around us. The story reminded me that even in the most extreme or threatening situations, something good—an unexpected change of heart—can still emerge. It also left me contemplating the unsettling truth that we often don’t realize how much lies beyond our awareness. There is so much we don’t know that we don’t know.

While the central mystery is ultimately resolved, some questions remain unanswered, deepening the novel’s emotional impact. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I had to keep turning the pages, eager to discover what would be revealed next.

This novel stayed with me long after I turned the final page—and that, to me, is the mark of a powerful read.

[Kristen C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one overall. The writing is smooth and easy to fall into, and there’s a steady, creeping tension that kept pulling me back whenever I had to put it down. Some choices and moments felt a little uneven here and there, but the emotional beats landed enough that I stayed invested in seeing where it all went. Definitely glad I picked it up and would recommend it if you’re in the mood for a twisty, slightly unsettling read that still feels grounded.

[Danielle McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page turner alert!!! I enjoyed this read and found myself thinking about it in my off time wondering where the story was headed. I liked how it bounced around from different perspectives to clue you into the story at large.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review. David Byrdsong's life already had a bizarre past that he has to handle when the family he knew and loved up and abandoned the young man when he was twelve. And while David was able to find stability in his adoptive family; the man couldn't be prepared to discover he's a missing person... let alone the harrowing adventure that he gets thrusted into. What David's birth parents were into puts many innocent lives into the cross-hairs of a secret organization and their shadowy experiments... and not above doing dangerous things to keep their practices silent.

Highly recommended.

[AshleeInPages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this Advanced Reader copy. This book didn’t grab my attention in the way I thought it would. The characters were not likable so I didn’t really care what happened to them. Also, the writing felt a little choppy. I understand the author was trying to maintain the mystery and suspense but it seemed to fall flat. My curiosity was piqued to see how the story would end but I was not really invested in the story and the end was a little anticlimactic. The lack of character depth was bothersome, which lent to not having any connection with the characters. Even the relationships between Hersh and David as well as David and Gayle did not seem real. There didn’t seem to be a real emotional connection among them. As much as I loved the premise of the story, this book just wasn’t for me.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee.

The synopsis completely hooked me—just imagine going through your junk mail one day and finding a missing persons flyer with your childhood photo on it… next to a computer-generated image of what you might look like today. That’s the moment everything changes for the main character, and it sets off a chain of events that uncovers secrets and hidden truths.

The premise is original and full of potential. There’s mystery, suspense, and a strong emotional core about identity and belonging. I kept reading because I truly wanted to know how it would all end—and I have to say, the ending gave me a decent sense of closure.

That said, I’m giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars. While I appreciated the concept, I struggled to stay fully invested in the story. There were quite a lot of characters, and I didn’t feel like I had the chance to truly get to know or connect with them. I missed that emotional attachment that makes you root for them or miss them once the book is over.

Still, if you enjoy fast-paced stories with layers of mystery and a twist on the theme of identity, it’s worth checking out. Just go in knowing that it’s more about plot than deep character development.

[Carla]

For David Byrdsong was abandoned at the airport when he was only 11 years old. He was adopted by Hersh Byrdsong and his wife. He is now an attorney working in the youth courts, seeing a lovely lady named Gayle, and not able to make any commitment to her or his future. He still doesn't know why the Goodwins left him and were never seen again. On the night he is supposed to pick Gayle up at the airport, he goes through the mail and sees a missing child ad. It's a picture of himself as a child and an age progressed photo of him as he looks now. He is stunned, but wants to find out what is behind the ad. He shows it to Gayle and together they check out the website. They don't realize that someone is monitoring that site, and when they click on it, they set in motion an unbelievable chain of events that end up with Gayle's best friend in the hospital, other people killed and David, Alejandro, a young man who was monitoring the computer site and Gayle running for their lives. Who is after David and why?

Have You Seen Him is a combination of thriller, adventure, mystery, and corporate conspiracy. Although David was the MC in this story, he was hard to get to know. He had shut down because of his past, so it was reasonable that he didn't let anyone get close. I was rooting for him, even though I wasn't sure what those after him planned to do with or to him. Gayle and her best friend Violet, were great characters, likable and relatable, who do a lot to help David solve the mystery. I really liked Alejandro. He was just trying what he thought was right, but almost loses his life. I liked his friends that were part of the underground and their stunts to help both David and Alejandro out. They had me holding my breath more than once. There are a lot of secrets in both David's and Hersh's past that come to light in this book. With great pacing that moves this story quickly, strong female characters, an interesting plot and wonderfully developed characters, this book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I definitely recommend Have You Seen Him, Kimberly Lee's debut novel. I will definitely watch for more from this talented author.

Until one day, when David discovers his own face in a missing child ad. Suddenly driven to uncover the truth about his past, he is forced to tap into his inner strength as he encounters corporate conspiracies, murdered bystanders, and distressing suspicions about the only family he’s ever really trusted. David enlists Gayle's help—and the help of an unlikely stranger with secrets of his own—as he attempts to find his true family, whoever they are.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimberly Lee’s Have You Seen Him opens with a brutal bank scene and spirals into a decades-later mystery that tangles grief, identity, and moral reckoning into a slow-burn thriller. The story follows David Byrdsong, a weary public defender who discovers a missing-person ad bearing his childhood face and a stranger’s name. That bizarre discovery unravels a buried past, a vanished family, secrets hidden by his adoptive father, and a network of people who’ve been searching for him for decades. Lee layers the suspense with emotional depth, flipping between timelines and perspectives to show how loss ripples across generations.

I was hooked from the first chapter. Lee writes with an intensity that sneaks up on you. Her sentences are clean but punch hard, and her dialogue feels lived-in, not polished. The tension never drops, but it’s not all fear and chase scenes. It’s the quiet unraveling of a man realizing his life might have been built on a lie. Some sections hit me right in the chest, especially the flashbacks to David’s childhood. There’s a sadness there, a kind of ache that sticks. I found myself pausing just to think after some of the reveals. The pacing dips here and there, but that slower rhythm gave me time to absorb the emotion under the mystery.

What I admired most was how human the story felt, even when it got dark. Lee doesn’t rely on shock for impact. She writes about fear the way it really works—slow, creeping, sometimes disguised as routine. The villains aren’t cartoonish, and even the side characters have small flickers of truth. David’s hesitation, his guilt, his strange calm in chaos made me want to shake him. But maybe that’s the point. He’s not an action hero. He’s someone who’s survived by pretending he’s fine, and that resonated with me.

Have You Seen Him is about finding yourself after everyone else thought you were lost. I’d recommend it to readers who love stories that balance plot with heart, especially fans of psychological thrillers like Gone Girl or Everything I Never Told You. If you like your thrillers with a pulse and a conscience, this one’s worth every page.

[Leslie Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have You Seen Him, by Kimberly Lee, had me hooked even “Before” the first chapter, with the bank scene.

My first OMG moment was when David saw an image on a Missing Child ad he normally would have considered junk mail. The author takes the reader through significant moments and decisions of the protagonist—from his revelation about the ad, to girlfriend troubles, to his job as a government attorney, and then the all-important self-discovery. We learn through clever writing techniques in character development, that at his core, David has admirable and relatable traits. His voice is real on the page—at times naïve, suspicious, sarcastic and snarky, but mostly a good guy with great intentions.

A scene that caught my attention, among many, was the restaurant scene with Hersh and Margaret, when I as a reader realized her role in the story. Each new chapter adds a new puzzle piece, and I found myself trying to solve the mystery. Throughout, I considered the motives of all the characters, and I became suspicious myself at times. The imagery and description used in this book had me right in the scene with the characters, kind of like a motion picture in my head. I felt the emotions of anticipation, fear, desperation, as well as kindness and love. The humor sprinkled about here and there made me laugh a few times to lighten the tension. There were many times I gasped, audibly, with a new discovery. And toward the end with David’s discovery at Don Bernardi Drive, I felt his sadness and disappointment. But the final ending resolved all of that.

The Book Cover design is perfectly aligned with the story. Also, I realized that the title, Have You Seen Him, is interesting not only because it is relative to the story, but in the end, I believe David can finally see his true self.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! Kimberly Lee is a talented writer and storyteller. (I hope I haven't given away any spoilers!)

[Elina Vaysbeyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have You Seen Him is a gripping and emotionally driven thriller that explores identity memory and truth through a tightly woven and engaging narrative. From the very beginning the story presents a compelling premise that immediately draws the reader into David Byrdsong’s uncertain and shifting reality.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its central character. David is portrayed with depth and vulnerability as he begins to question everything he believed about his life. His emotional journey from detachment to active pursuit of truth creates a strong anchor for the story and makes his transformation feel authentic and engaging.

The mystery at the heart of the novel is well constructed with layers of conspiracy and personal history gradually unfolding. The discovery of his face in a missing child ad serves as a powerful catalyst that drives the narrative forward and raises the stakes significantly.

The pacing is steady and effective balancing moments of tension with character development. Each new revelation adds complexity to the story while maintaining clarity and momentum. The inclusion of external threats such as conspiracies and violence heightens the sense of urgency without overwhelming the central emotional arc.

The supporting characters add further depth to the narrative particularly in how they influence David’s search for truth. Their presence helps expand the scope of the story while maintaining focus on his personal journey.

Overall Have You Seen Him is a compelling and well crafted thriller that combines identity driven storytelling with suspense and emotional depth. It has strong potential to resonate with readers who enjoy mysteries that are both personal and high stakes.

[Angela Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

David is living life in LA as a Juvenile Court Attorney who deals with children's trauma and feelings everyday but inside he is closed off and emotionally guarded from the traumas of his own childhood.

Abandoned at the airport at the age of eleven he has always wondered about what happened at that why hid family had not thought to try and find him, although he was adopted by a loving family he has always found that he has built his life around structure, routine and to be emotional distant in many ways.

But one day that carefully constructed balance in his life is turned upside down, all because of a missing persons flyer.

This flyer identifies David as a missing child Leonard Goodwin and takes him down a path of half truths but when him and his girlfriend decide to investigate via the website on the flyer, both there lives are in danger and there worlds are in turmoil, because once they log in and search it triggers a path of danger.

This is a great book with intrigue and thrilling twists and turns. The main characters are brilliant and drive the story along with the discoveries they have along the way. The book is fast paced and draws you into the world and keeps you moving along with the story.

I love the way Kimberly has constructed the base of the story as David is playing this huge house of cards and that one card pulled away would totally disrupt his whole life and what he has believed actually happened. Gayle is a brilliant character to counter act against David and is probably my favourite character in the story, with the addition of the secondary characters which add to the story.

I recommend this book if you love the thrill and drama in a fast paced book.

[Carla Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimberly Lee had me at the first line: “Any dead bank employee will tell you this simple fact—bullet-proof glass only works if you’re standing behind it.” And with that, she launches us into a fast-paced mystery/adventure that had me reading late into the night. Lee has crafted a non-stop thriller/mystery that has her readers whisking around locations in Los Angeles and Long Beach. There is even a motorcycle chase scene through the Queen Mary! Lee has created perfect-pitch characters whose lives are disrupted by an ad for a lost child, sending them on a journey to find the truth. I love the multiple points of view, which added texture to the story. In Have You Seen Him?, we are introduced to a gutsy school teacher, an obsessive attorney, a disillusioned hitman, and a Good Samaritan who has ties to a well-connected motorcycle gang. Add to the mix a secretive organization that performs seemingly nefarious biological experiments and uses the latest in technology to pursue its prey. How could that combination not yield a story jam-packed with action and suspense? But this book is more than a thriller; it has elements that remind me of the Henrietta Lacks story. Lee offers subtle social commentary, giving this book additional depth. Although the ending satisfied me, I know this is the beginning of a series and saw some carefully laid crumbs in this story that will surely be developed in the next installment. I hope that Lee already has that sequel in the pipeline because I can’t wait to read her next book.

[a r u s h i · Rating 3 out of 5]

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.8/5)

review title: a slow-burn thriller about identity, memory, and unanswered questions

i received an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. thank you booksprout

have you seen him is one of those thrillers that quietly pulls you in and then keeps tightening its grip as the story unfolds. it leans more into atmosphere, identity, and unraveling truths rather than nonstop action, which really worked for me. the pacing is deliberate, but the story progression is steady and purposeful, and every section feels like it’s adding another layer to the bigger picture.

what stood out most was the central idea of identity who we are, who we think we are, and how fragile that sense can be when the past refuses to stay buried. the tension builds in a subtle way, and i liked how the narrative trusted the reader to stay curious rather than spelling everything out too quickly. there’s a thoughtful balance between personal stakes and the wider, more unsettling implications of what’s being uncovered.

this won’t be a book for readers looking for an ultra-fast, twist-every-chapter thriller, but if you enjoy character-driven suspense, slow revelations, and stories that sit with you as you read, this one is worth picking up. i can definitely see fans of introspective thrillers and mysteries centered around lost identities and long-held secrets really enjoying this.

overall, a solid and engaging read, and i’m excited for more readers to discover it when it’s out in the world.

[Nanasbookreviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee is a mystery thriller that pulls you into a quiet life that suddenly fractures.

The story follows David Byrdsong, a lawyer who feels mostly content and slightly bored with his routine existence. Everything changes when he discovers that, as a child, he was once declared missing. Shocked by this revelation, David and his girlfriend Gayle decide to investigate, unknowingly placing themselves in serious danger.

As they dig deeper, strange “accidents” begin to happen, and it becomes clear that multiple people are watching them. Some seem to want to help, others clearly do not. Trust becomes a luxury they can’t afford, and the question lingers throughout the story: will they uncover the truth before it’s too late?

The novel delivers steady suspense with touches of action that keep you alert. The mystery surrounding why David is being targeted unfolds gradually and comes together toward the end. The constant sense of danger is what truly drives the tension.

Of the two main characters, Gayle stood out the most. She is fearless, sharp, and brings an engaging energy to the story. David, by contrast, felt a bit dull for much of the book, though the emotional weight of his past and the truth behind his disappearance were handled well and added depth to his character.

Overall, this is an intriguing thriller with emotional moments and a mystery that rewards patience. If you enjoy suspenseful stories with hidden pasts and escalating danger, this one is worth picking up.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
💨 enjoy fast paced mysteries
🥛 have ever seen a missing child from a milk carton
👀 love multiple characters
🫥 look at the world in shades of gray

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

For David Byrdsong, life is a series of daily obligations. An attorney, he lacks both ambition and the ability to commit to a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Gayle. Abandoned by his family at an airport when he was eleven, he learned to blunt his feelings, despite his subsequent adoption by a loving couple.

Until one day, when David discovers his own face in a missing child ad. Suddenly driven to uncover the truth about his past, he is forced to tap into his inner strength as he encounters corporate conspiracies, murdered bystanders, and distressing suspicions about the only family he's ever really trusted. David enlists Gayle's help-and the help of an unlikely stranger with secrets of his own-as he attempts to find his true family, whoever they are.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was a fast paced read that boasted a lot of action. In part one, we get introduced to all kinds of different characters and I was curious as to how they could possibly be connected. The main mystery about David and his life intrigued me the most, especially considering that he was 11 when he was adopted. It made me wonder how he couldn’t possibly know what was really going on. The plot moved like an intense action movie, so if you love those kinds of films, I’d recommend this one!

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee is a suspense thriller filled to the brim with secrets, mystery, and so many twists that it will leave you tangled up. Following the story of David Byrdsong, after a shocking discovery that connects him with a missing child. This mystery will force him to question everything he knows about himself, his childhood, his family, even down to his basic identity. The deeper he is pulled into the unknown, the more willing David will have to be to go to any lengths to save his family and to find himself in the wreckage.
What really pulled me into the book was the emotional rollercoaster, and the suspense just kept me racing through this one. Being a witness to the story of David, who is flawed and guarded, really pulled me deeper into it. His story is not just about solving a mystery; it’s about facing painful memories, questioning the people he should be able to trust, and ultimately deciding to uncover all the dark secrets of his past. The ending took me completely by surprise and made this one of the best books I have read lately.
Overall, Have You Seen Him is a gripping read for anyone, especially for those who love suspenseful stories that focus on family secrets, mission-person stories, and questions about the identities of our characters. Kimberly Lee is a new-to-me author, and I can’t wait to see what else she comes up with in the future.

[John Kamande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimberly Lee’s Have You Seen Him is an exciting and fast moving thriller that grabs your attention from the first sentence and doesn’t let go. It tells the story of David Byrdsong, a government lawyer who is shocked to see his own face on a missing child poster. This discovery sends him on a dangerous journey full of secrets and personal discovery.

The book stays intense throughout, with each chapter revealing new clues that make the mystery deeper. The plot has surprising twists, moves quickly, and keeps you hooked. Lee’s writing feels like a movie, showing vivid scenes in Los Angeles and Long Beach, from courtroom battles to a thrilling motorcycle chase near the Queen Mary.

The story is told from different points of view, which adds variety and helps readers understand the characters better. One standout character is Gayle, David’s brave and smart girlfriend, who many readers will love.

What makes Have You Seen Him special is how it mixes action with emotion. Underneath the suspense is a story about facing the past and finding your true self, with moments of humor, love, and thoughtfulness. The ending leaves a strong impression and hints at more stories to come.
With fresh ideas, vivid writing, and memorable characters, Kimberly Lee’s debut novel is one that thriller fans will really enjoy.

[Angela Mackintosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a rush! Have You Seen Him is everything I want in a thriller: expertly crafted, deliciously layered, and psychologically suspenseful. It’s brimming with tension, a fast-paced thrill ride with short chapters I devoured in one sitting, which is rare for me. The multi-POV characters are distinct and interconnect to reveal plot surprises, and my favorite character is definitely the smart and gutsy Gayle, whose insights rang true. I could follow her around for an entire book!

The story takes place in my old stomping grounds, Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the setting works well to strengthen the storyline. Kimberly Lee’s writing has a cinematic quality, and I could easily see this as a Netflix movie! I wonder who would play David and Alejandro, two of my other favorite characters besides Gayle. Suspense fans will appreciate the surprise ending! The final image made me smile and reflects back on the entire story, widening the lens and adding meaning and complexity to the theme.

I read a lot of thrillers and many are the same in terms of tone, characters, and plot. Kimberly Lee adds a fresh voice and original characters to the genre, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next! Have You Seen Him is a page turner and a good time.

[Sachin Karnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Book Review: Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee

What if the life you’re living isn’t truly yours? Kimberly Lee’s Have You Seen Him opens with a chilling premise — attorney David Byrdsong sees his own face on a missing-child poster. What follows is a gripping unraveling of truth, identity, and the buried secrets that link his present to a haunting past.

The author expertly blends emotional depth with thriller intensity. Each chapter peels back another layer of David’s confusion and fear, drawing readers into a maze of betrayal, family lies, and a decades-old conspiracy. Lee’s writing keeps you on edge, balancing raw emotion with moments of quiet reflection — just enough to make you pause before the next twist hits.

This book is more than a mystery; it’s a psychological exploration of who we become when everything we know is stripped away. The pacing is sharp, the tension addictive, and the story delivers an emotional punch that lingers long after the last page. While a few transitions move quickly, the suspense never loses grip.

If you love thrillers with heart, moral complexity, and a touch of paranoia, this one’s a page-turner worth reading. Kimberly Lee has crafted a book that’s both thought-provoking and chillingly human.

[Seablues · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I read further into “Have You Seen Him” by Kimberly Lee, I thought ‘what a unique plot’. The story is about a man, David Byrdsong, that was left at an airport by is family when he was 11 without any reason. He moved through the foster child system until he was adopted by Hersh and Regina Byrdsong. David finds a missing person flier in his mail and the age enhanced photo is him. He shows the flier to his girlfriend Gayle who checks the website listed and the pursuit by the bad guys and the saving of David begins.
It did not take me long to dislike the main character simply because he is a weak man that appears to be uncaring about others, unable to make or prefers to delay a decision about his responsibilities unless it is about his work which he does not seem to really care about. Without the support and rescues of the other characters, David would have ended up as a research specimen.
The story was plotted well although there were too many coincidences that saved most of the main characters from harm. The writing and the character descriptions were done well. The ending left me somewhat confused until I went back and read the last few chapters until I think I understood it.
It is worth the read because of the plot.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun-- breakneck pacing and taut suspense in an ensemble piece-- and most of all, juicy character development! Breathless action from page 1 sets the stage and then a host of endearing and complex characters emerge to build a vibrant eco system where David, Gayle, Alejandro and those they love are thrown into peril.

The book has a cinematic quality and one of the most entertaining things was every character and interaction was brought to life with careful detail. Even characters in passing had the personality and verve usually reserved for characters in a good tv series or film, it gave it all an ensemble feel-- as though if you were an actor auditioning you could enjoy submitting to any of over a dozen roles because even the small parts were juicy.

Humor is sprinkled throughout and the awkward beauty of being human is interwoven throughout this evolved and fascinating tapestry of action and suspense. While the story evolves with clarity and simplicity each of the characters is multilayered. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Josephs · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of many great lines in this book: “You’re either a man in action or a man in traction,” and David is the latter. Stymied in his relationship to his girlfriend, indifferent to being promoted at his job, David is stuck in place, hampered by the unhealed trauma of having been abandoned by his family at age 11. When he sees his own face staring out from a missing persons ad, a story of unpredictable, unstoppable action is put in motion by a cast of well-drawn, memorable characters. You will quickly root for the protagonists, despise the antagonists, and think deeply about the motivations of the characters who blur those lines. Full of twists and turns, depth and intrigue, I found this book to be the rare mystery-thriller with fully realized characters to whom I attached deeply. The death of one particular character (no spoilers!) left me bereft! This book is lively, well-written and cinematic in scope, a winning addition to the genre. Highly recommend. I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being abandoned by his family at the airport when he was 11, David was adopted by a loving couple and grew up to be an attorney. His entire life is turned upside down, however, when one day he sees a photo of himself in a missing child ad - making him question everything. He is drawn into a web of secrets, medical mysteries, and danger, all while trying to figure out who he truly is. Lee starts the story off with a bang and doesn't let up from there. The story is quick-paced as we meet David, his girlfriend Gayle, his adoptive father, and others, and they all find themselves on a hunt for David and the reason why other (seemingly dangerous) people are searching for him. I was intrigued to find out David's past and was not disappointed by Lee's twists and turns, although I do wish at times that the story would slow down a bit and incorporate more backstory or some more explanation. Everything was wrapped up pretty quickly but also a bit open-ended, which left me wanting more. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.