To Make Him Disappear

by Inga Jones

How far will she go to protect her daughter?

Fifty-six-year-old Audrey and her Gen-Z sidekick dive deep into the shady past of a con man who’s trying to defraud Audrey’s daughter.

The only thing beyond Audrey Levy’s iron grip on life is her daughter’s choice of men. When her daughter, Carrie, gets engaged to Derek, Audrey sees a threat. She has to get rid of him before he takes Carrie's money and destroys her heart.

Audrey breaks into his home and finds a clue linking him to a teen girl, murdered fifteen years earlier. She hires Uyanga, a young private detective. Together, they travel to small-town Pennsylvania and stay at the site of the teen girl’s murder. Now, a Bed and Breakfast themed after the crime.

Soon, the twisted game takes a darker turn.

If Audrey and Uyanga don’t outsmart the killer, they might become the next horror story in the macabre tour of the B&B.

To Make Him Disappear is a twisty, darkly humorous thriller perfect for fans of Kate Alice Marshall's and Stacy Willingham's rich storytelling style, with a hint of Jesse Q. Sutanto's playfulness. When a woman suspects her daughter's new fiancé is a conman, she must stay in a B&B themed after a murder to uncover his past, but while she's there, her own past comes calling.

It’s Mother-Daughter Murder Night meets a fifty-six-year-old woman forms an unlikely friendship with a Gen-Z private investigator when they travel to small-town Pennsylvania trying to prove the woman's soon-to-be son-in-law is a murderer.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2026

Reviews

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really glad I had the chance to review this book because, after finally reading the blurb and giving it a chance, I ended up having a really good time with it. This turned out to be such a solid and fast read.

As the blurb says, Audrey is a successful woman who built her life and wealth from nothing. But when her daughter suddenly gets engaged to a man Audrey absolutely does not trust, she decides to investigate him herself… while also hiring a PI.

And honestly, things spiral pretty quickly.

After uncovering shady financial issues and possible connections to an old murder case, Audrey and the PI travel to Derek’s hometown to dig deeper. And of course… small-town secrets are involved, because every small town in thrillers apparently survives on lies and grudges. :D

Now, this was one of those books where I absolutely did not like the FMC.

Audrey drove me insane at times. Her attitude, impatience, impulsiveness… woman PLEASE ... Money can buy a lot of things, but apparently not common sense.

On the other hand, I really liked Uyanga, the Gen-Z PI sidekick. She was smart, caring, grounded and honestly felt like she was the adult, in several situations.

Even though I disliked Audrey quite a bit (fine, fine...a lot *rolls eyes*), the story itself kept me entertained. The pacing was good, the mystery was engaging, and while parts of it felt predictable, there were still twists that surprised me and made me suspect multiple people before the final reveal.

Overall, I think this was a really solid debut, and I definitely had a good time reading it.

⭐ 4 stars

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...

[Nikki Bogard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some thrillers give you twists.
This one gives you an entire atmosphere you can feel creeping under your skin.

To Make Him Disappear pulled me in immediately with its dark humor and suspense, but what really made this story stand out was how immersive the world felt. From the eerie small-town setting in Pennsylvania to the unsettling murder-themed Bed & Breakfast built around a decades-old crime, every location carried tension and history. The setting almost became its own character — claustrophobic, secretive, and dripping with unease.

Audrey Levy is one of those characters you can’t fully trust but also can’t stop following. Her obsession with protecting her daughter adds emotional weight to every decision she makes, even when those choices spiral into morally gray territory. The deeper the investigation goes, the more the story peels back layers of buried trauma, manipulation, and generational control.

I also loved the contrast between Audrey and Uyanga. Their unlikely partnership brought depth and personality to the story while balancing the darker moments with sharp humor and emotional vulnerability. Together, they navigate a town filled with whispers, hidden histories, and people who seem determined to keep the past buried.

The writing creates such vivid tension that you feel trapped inside the mystery alongside them. Every clue, every interaction, and every secret added another layer to the atmosphere.

If you love thrillers with:
🖤 Rich atmosphere
🔪 Deeply flawed characters
🖤 Small-town secrets
🔪 Emotional tension
🖤 Dark humor mixed with suspense
🔪 Layered storytelling and immersive settings

…this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.

[Jessie Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW COMING of my Advanced Readers Copy sent by author.

HAPPY RELEASE DAY😍

This was an INCREDIBLE debut thriller. Thank you so much, Inga, for giving me the opportunity to read this early. I had a bit of a slow reading month, but this is a book I would normally binge-read. I don’t read many books where I hate the main character, but Audrey was getting on my nerves at the beginning. BUT she quickly became someone I sort of… liked and felt empathetic toward??? This book had me questioning everyone. I also adore Uyanga’s character!!! The way her style was described made her feel so young and fun! She’s just a wholesome character. You’ll seriously question everyone, and somehow it still won’t be the right person. GIVE THIS BOOK A READ. YOU WON’T REGRET IT!!

[Sammy Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

To make him disappear is gripping and intense when it starts going. The first few chapters were alittle slow but the intrigue sets in when the MC starts investigating things. There is some areas that you feel like its pretty predictable on who the killer is, but the twist was nice. I did recieve this as an advance read copy. Would definitely recommend.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild ride from start to finish. Audrey is bold, entertaining and just the right amount of unlikeable. Her determination to do whatever it takes to protect her daughter is relatable to any mother and I loved the close relationship she develops with Uyanga - who is her complete opposite. A great read for any thriller lover!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early this year, Inga Jones announced on Substack that she will be publishing her debut thriller To Make Him Disappear on May 29 and I have been eagerly watching her developments. When she put out a call for ARC readers, I signed up and was delighted to be selected! So, now that you know the BACKSTORY, onto the REVIEW.

To Make Him Disappear introduces us to Audrey, a middle-aged woman who has worked her way out of poverty and into the upper middle class. She has a prestigious role at a bank, a beautiful home in Westchester, a townhouse in the city, everything she’s ever wanted. She’s on amicable terms with her ex-husband (who is gay!) and they share a sort of bratty daughter, Carrie. Now, nothing against Carrie, but she has the air of a privileged socialite who has never had to really work for anything in her life. In the words of Lucille Bluth from Arrested Development, “good for her!”

Carrie runs a nonprofit. She is beautiful and smart and rich, yet naive. Her last partner very publicly cheated on her. It was all the gossip mags could talk about. It nearly destroyed her. So can you blame Audrey for being suspicious of the next guy who walks into Carrie’s life? On the very night she and her ex meet their daughter’s boyfriend, they learn that he is actually her fiancé and immediately Audrey’s spidey senses start tingling. Just who TF is Derek anyway? He is handsome enough, seems smart, has a good job, but there is something about him that makes Audrey tick.

But here’s the thing about Audrey: she is (intentionally) kind of annoying. She’s snooty, condescending. So at first readers may think that Audrey is just a bored rich woman trying to find something wrong with her daughter’s prospective partner. BUT THEN SHE STARTS DIGGING! AND SHE FINDS SOME INTERESTING EVIDENCE! She hires a private detective, a young woman named Uyanga, and together they set off to Derek’s hometown to uncover the truth behind the decades-old murder of his classmate.

DID HE DO IT? I mean, I’m not going to tell you. You have to read it yourself. What I will tell you is that Audrey and Uyanga are an unlikely duo, giving amateur buddy cop vibes. They stay at a B&B that has been billed as the MURDER SITE of the dearly departed, its owner the girl’s high school best friend. She’s done up the place, grotesquely decorating the Audrey’s room like the dead girls bedroom. She takes guests on tours of the murder site, dances in TikTok videos and appears on podcasts for publicity. In this age of true crime obsessives and amateur sleuths, To Make Him Disappear captures the fervor of the fandom. It toes the line between victim advocacy and freak show.

As a reader of the genre, I can confidently say I didn’t know where Jones was taking us. Was Derek a reformed teenage murderer? Was he a money launderer? Was he preying on Audrey’s family to make a buck? Or was it something else, someone else, something much more insidious? I really like to spend my time trying to figure out the TWIST before we get to it. I do it while reading, and annoyingly while watching movies and tv shows. You guys, I am really fun to be around, I swear. In To Make Him Disappear, Inga Jones manages to remain one step ahead of readers. She lays the groundwork for you to shift assumptions only to give you with whiplash as those you least suspect turn out to be the baddies.

All in all, To Make Him Disappear is a fun, twisty romp around the murder-obsessed, amateur sleuthing, podcast listening, TikTok dancing society we’ve managed to build for ourselves while making readers think about the lifelong psychological impact of childhood trauma and intricate familial relationships. It’s a welcome entry into the mystery/thriller genre and quite honestly, I think we will be seeing much more of Inga Jones as she continues to sharpen the knife of her creative output.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nearly overlooked this book because of its cover, which didn’t grab my attention. What a mistake that would have been. I ended up having a lot of fun reading it!

Audrey Levy is protective of her daughter Carrie, especially when Carrie becomes engaged to Derek, whom Audrey suspects is a conman. To uncover his shady past, Audrey breaks into his home and discovers a link to a murder case from fifteen years prior. She teams up with Uyanga, a Gen-Z private detective, and they investigate at a themed Bed and Breakfast in small-town Pennsylvania, where the murder occurred. As they delve deeper, they realize they may become the next victims in a deadly game.

The character Audrey struck me as a younger, wealthier version of Grandma Mazur from the Stephanie Plum series, and she was hilarious! With her quirky personality, a touch of uptightness, and sharp wit, Audrey made for a delightful protagonist. I found myself laughing out loud several times, especially at the beginning. Then there’s Uyanga, who serves as a trustworthy sidekick in the story. She’s intelligent with a fantastic personality, and I love how she approaches everything without judgment. There are also Carrie, Derek, and various minor characters, all of whom contribute to the rich character development. The emotional depth they each bring to the narrative resonates with anyone who has faced challenges with difficult parents, coworkers, or friends... the notion of having a change of heart and making amends really hits home.

The writing pace was just right, and it was packed with secrets! I managed to figure out each twist early on, thanks to the cleverly placed hints throughout the story. But even though I guessed the plot, I still thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the book's overall vibe. The ending turned out just as I expected since I had already anticipated most of what was coming. Still, I can’t help but feel curious about what adventures await Audrey and Uyanga next! Maybe a sequel is in order? (hint, hint)

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys amateur sleuths, quirky characters, and an intriguing murder mystery to unravel. It will also appeal to those interested in the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, long-buried secrets from the past, or anyone simply looking for a tale filled with dark humor and a strong female lead. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to dig into my husband’s past to make sure he’s who he claims to be! Ha!

Thank you, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dear new friend Inga—you did that. A debut?! I’m genuinely in disbelief. I’m a thriller girlie through and through, and I don’t rave lightly… but this one? I’m raving.

Some thrillers rely on twists. This one builds an atmosphere that slowly creeps under your skin and refuses to let go. To Make Him Disappear pulled me in right away with its dark humor and slow-building suspense—but what truly sets it apart is the setting. From the eerie Pennsylvania small town to the unsettling, murder-themed bed-and-breakfast built around a decades-old crime, every location feels rich with tension and buried history.

Audrey Levy is the kind of character you don’t fully trust, are (intentionally) annoyed by —but can’t look away from. She’s bold, messy, entertaining, and just unlikeable enough to feel completely real. Her fierce determination to protect her daughter adds emotional weight to every decision, even as those choices drift into morally gray territory. As the investigation unfolds, the story gradually reveals layers of trauma, manipulation, and generational control in a way that keeps you fully invested.

I especially loved the dynamic between Audrey and Uyanga (PI). As total opposites, their unlikely partnership brings both tension and heart, balancing the darker elements with sharp humor and moments of genuine vulnerability. Together, they navigate a town filled with secrets, whispers, and people determined to keep the past buried.

The writing builds such vivid tension that you feel immersed in the mystery alongside them—every clue, interaction, and reveal adding another layer. The plot itself is thoughtfully constructed, with secrets unfolding at a steady pace rather than relying on shock value alone. The twists feel well-placed even if you can anticipate a few as a seasoned thriller reader, the journey to get there remains engaging. It’s also an incredibly easy read in the best way—fast-paced, accessible, and still layered with emotional depth.

Overall, To Make Him Disappear is a fun, twisty ride through a murder-obsessed, amateur-sleuthing, podcast-listening, TikTok-dancing world we’ve somehow built—while still exploring the lasting psychological impact of childhood trauma and the complexities of family relationships. Perfect for readers who enjoy quirky characters, amateur sleuths (say Finlay Donovan - IYKYK), and an intriguing mystery to unravel, as well as those drawn to layered mother-daughter dynamics and long-buried secrets.

Thank you, Inga for this amazing opportunity to be an ARC reader for your debut novel!!!

[a r u s h i · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was an arc read, so thank you to inga jones, netgalley and the publisher (Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op) for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

i picked this up purely for the premise and it absolutely delivered on that initial hook. i love a good mother daughter dynamic and adding a thriller element to it made this such a compelling read. the story follows audrey, a fiercely protective mother, whose suspicion of her daughter’s fiancé slowly spirals into something darker and far more layered than expected. what really worked for me was how the narrative balances that emotional core with the investigation. it never loses sight of the relationship at the heart of it. the setting of the small town b&b themed around a past murder added such an eerie, almost ironic atmosphere that kept the tension simmering throughout. the pacing is tight but not rushed, and the writing style feels very deliberate, almost quiet in places but always building. there is a line early on that stayed with me, “men are like quicksand, waiting to swallow you whole,” and it perfectly captures audrey’s mindset and the tone of the book. another moment i loved was “a woman who knows how to pull herself together no matter how much stress she’s under is a woman who gets what she wants,” which really defines her character and drive.

the plot itself is layered and nuanced, with secrets unfolding gradually rather than relying on shock alone. the twists are well placed and feel earned, not thrown in for effect, and while some are predictable if you read a lot of thrillers, the journey to them is engaging enough that it doesn’t take away from the experience. it is also a very easy read in the best way possible. i would easily place this in a top five list for beginner friendly thrillers because it is accessible, fast paced and still manages to have emotional depth. content wise, there are themes of murder, manipulation, family tension and references to past trauma, so it is worth being mindful of that.

overall, this is a strong debut with a gripping premise, a memorable central character and a story that blends emotional stakes with suspense really well. i would recommend it to readers who enjoy domestic thrillers, character driven mysteries and especially anyone who likes exploring complicated mother daughter relationships with a dark twist.

[CrazyCatLadyReadsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey is worried that her daughter Carrie has made the wrong choice with getting engaged to Derek, she thinks he must only be after her money and will break her daughter’s heart. Audrey breaks into Derek’s home (like you do) and finds something that links him to a young girl who was killed 15 years ago. Audrey hires help - Uyanga - who is a private detective. Together they go to the site of the young girl’s murder - which has now been turned into a Bed & Breakfast, modelled on the theme of that crime! Can Audrey get to the bottom of what happened all those years ago or are they just placing themselves next on the killer’s list?

The Pros:
1) One of my favourite things about the book, were the characters. Audrey likes being control and is a little abrupt, whereas Uyanga is youthfully charming. The unlikely friendship that blossoms between them is actually really sweet.
2) I found the concept of staying in the B&B, where the murder happened, a great premise!
3) You don’t know who to trust.
4) Other aspects I enjoyed were the thrilling parts, the pacing and the storyline.

The Cons:
1) I had guessed a big plot point very early on but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book.

The Quotes:

1) Men are like quicksand, waiting to shallow you whole.

2) “Sometimes our intuition knows more than our eyes.”

3) A cornered rat will bite the cat.

The Summary:
I really enjoyed reading this story! Some of the aspects I liked included: Audrey herself - you wonder if she’s just being over protective to her daughter or whether her intuition is right throughout. Plus Uyanga is like a ray of sunshine, charming all in her vicinity.
I loved that they stayed in a B&B modelled on the murder scene at the site it happened - creepy and fun. The plotline had both thrilling parts but emotional sides too, which really helped round the story out. I think my favourite thing about the book was the friendship between the two unlikely ladies, it was genuinely really sweet.

Summed up in a sentence?:
Audrey investigates the man her daughter gets engaged to - with help

I rated the book 4.25 stars, rounded down to 4.

[Simone (mysterypageturners) Ketchum · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 ARC BOOK REVIEW 📖

🚨🚨 ‼️‼️ 5 Star Alert ‼️‼️🚨🚨

Thank you to author, Inga Jones, for providing me a gifted copy of this book.


📚Book: To Make Him Disappear
✍🏻Author: Inga Jones
🌀Genre: Thriller
📃Pages: 300
Publication Date: May 29, 2026

How far will she go to protect her daughter?
The only thing beyond Audrey Levy’s iron grip on life is her daughter’s choice of men. When her daughter, Carrie, gets engaged to Derek, Audrey sees a threat. She has to get rid of him before he gets his hands on her naive daughter's trust fund.
Audrey breaks into Derek's home and finds a clue linking him to a teen girl, murdered fifteen years earlier. To investigate further, she hires Uyanga Batbayar, a young private detective. Together, they travel to small-town Pennsylvania and stay at the site of the teen girl’s murder. Now, a Bed and Breakfast themed after the crime.
Soon, the twisted game takes a darker turn. If Audrey and Uyanga don’t outsmart the killer, they might become the next horror story in the macabre tour of the B&B.


💜What I Loved:
🌪️ Big Twist
📖 Unputdownable
🎭 Well developed characters


💔What Didn’t Work For Me:
👍🏻 Nothing


📖 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

👩🏼‍⚖️Final Word:

🚨🚨 ‼️‼️ 5 Star Alert ‼️‼️🚨🚨

Debut?!?! WOW!!! I didn’t realize this was a debut! I can’t wait to see what is next! I LOVED this book!! This book starts with what appears to be a superficial mother on the verge of destroying her daughter’s fiancé at any risk and ends with that same mother risking her life for said fiancé. Suspenseful, dark and intense, unputdownable and edge of your seat read. The big twist at the end I never saw coming. This was such a well written book! This book is perfect for any thriller reader who loves an unputdownable book and a big twist at the end!

[taes.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆
4 stars.

Review:

𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑏𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝐼𝑛𝑔𝑎 𝐽𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠, 𝑉𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝐸𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑁𝑒𝑡𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝐶𝑜-𝑜𝑝, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑒𝑡𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝐸-𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝐴𝑟𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 ♥︎

✪To be completely honest I almost passed on this book when I was requesting arcs because sadly but truthfully, I’m someone who will judge a book by it’s cover, and this cover is not the most eye catching BUT the title made me interested enough to check out the description and the description.. ‘How far will she go to protect her daughter? ‘… I’m instantly intrigued!

✪So I was 100% pulled into this story from the beginning!! From the lowkey relatable and intense Mother and Daughter relationship, to the mysterious, secretive, new almost son-in-law vs the nosy, overprotective, ‘I know best’, mother-in-law rivalry, to the sweet and salty slow burn friendship between the boomer and gen z! I seriously enjoyed and was intrigued by every relationship and individual character in this story! especially Uyanga and Audrey. I loved Uyanga from the start, I feel like I relate to her a lot! with Audrey it took a little bit for her to grow on me but the second that I understood her, I loved her!

✪The complicated, and relatable characters weren’t the only intriguing part of the story!The mysterious, and suspenseful plot was seriously entertaining! Even though I personally was able to guess the twist and turns in the book, my guesses honestly didn’t take away any of the excitement or stress from the actual reveals!

Recommend?: Absolutely! I think this was such a fun and overall great mystery that keeps you guessing and entertained at every turn!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Make Him Disappear follows Audrey Levy, who controls everything - except her daughter’s terrible taste in men. And when Carrie gets engaged to Derek, Audrey senses danger. Determined to protect her daughter’s trust fund, she digs into Derek’s past and uncovers a link to a teenage girl murdered fifteen years ago. So with young PI Uyanga, she follows the trail to a Pennsylvania B&B built on the murder site. But the twisted game soon takes a darker turn, and Audrey and Uyanga must outsmart the killer before they become the next B&B horror story…

To Make Him Disappear felt like a darker and more emotionally layered take on cosy crime, and I really enjoyed it!

Audrey was easily the standout character for me. She is flawed, messy, impulsive, occasionally insufferable, and carries a level of arrogance that is completely intentional. Her complexity alone made her a compelling character, but what really grounded the story was her dynamic with Uyanga, whose intelligence, warmth, and steadiness provided the perfect counterbalance to Audrey’s chaos.

The narrative itself is cleverly constructed, packed with twists and carefully plotted clues throughout. I did admittedly guess some of the twists, however that did not take anything away from how engaging the story was - and if anything, it only made me even more invested in trying to unravel the mystery alongside our amateur sleuths Audrey and Uyanga.

With impressive pacing, suspense, and a satisfying level of complexity, To Make Him Disappear is a thoughtful, confident, and genuinely entertaining debut.

Thank you so much to Inga Jones for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.

[TwistAndTell · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve finished *To Make Him Disappear* by Inga Jones and ended up giving it 4 stars.

What started as a mother’s suspicion about her daughter’s fiancé quickly turned into a twisty mystery packed with secrets, lies, and plenty of unexpected turns.

One of the biggest highlights for me was Audrey. She’s not always easy to like, she's controlling, stubborn, dramatic, and determined to get her way, but that’s exactly what made her such an entertaining character to follow. Underneath all of that, though, is a mother willing to do whatever it takes to protect her daughter, and I found myself invested in her journey from start to finish.

I also loved the setting. The small-town atmosphere is full of old secrets, lingering questions, and people who seem to know more than they're saying. The deeper Audrey digs, the more layers are uncovered, and it kept me guessing throughout.

The partnership between Audrey and Uyanga was another standout. Their personalities couldn't be more different, but together they brought humour, tension, and some of my favourite moments in the book.

While this wasn't a nonstop edge-of-your-seat thriller, it delivered a strong mystery, interesting characters, and enough twists to keep me turning the pages. If you enjoy character-driven thrillers, small-town secrets, and stories where everyone seems to be hiding something, this is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to Inga Jones for the ARC. I had a great time following Audrey down the rabbit hole and trying to figure out who could be trusted.

[Harini • Margins and Mysteries · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Audrey’s daughter Carrie gets engaged to Derek, all Audrey wants is the truth. Convinced that Derek is a con man, she sets out to dig up dirt on him, break off the engagement, and protect her daughter from getting hurt. What starts as a simple investigation soon turns into a deadly chase when the murder of a teenager begins to surface. Now Audrey finds herself caught in the middle of it all, while also trying to protect secrets of her own that she would rather keep buried.

This is an AMAZING DEBUT by the author. The writing is impressive and immediately captures your attention. Audrey is such an interesting character to read and the investigative duo of Audrey and Uyanga is such a fun combo. I mean, what better pair than a fifty-six-year-old woman and a twenty-three-year-old girl? Absolutely loved this chaotic duo because they are complete opposite poles in nature. They also gave me quite a few good laughs along the way.

It was also really good to witness the characters evolve, especially Audrey. Watching her attitude gradually change throughout the story was so satisfying. Good for her. I wasn’t bored for even a second as the story maintained a solid momentum throughout. The middle portion may feel a little slow for some readers, but personally, I felt it added to the overall effect of how everything turned out in the end.

This book constantly makes you want to keep reading as the mystery slowly unravels and somehow, amidst all the suspense, it also manages to swell your heart by the time you reach the final page.

[Daniel Puzzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Advanced copy kindly provided by author)

Terrific book - other reviewers have already covered various plot points, characters, story lines, twists, etc and I have nothing much to add re: the content of the book. It's finely-written, full of suspense, twists and turns and was a joy to read.
I was concerned early on when the story suddenly switched settings - we're led to believe one thing is happening (Audrey investigating this shady husband-to-be) and then we're on a different type of pursuit, a murder mystery of sorts, and I was wondering how they were going to be tied together, but the author did this masterfully and seamlessly, showing how in control of her craft she is. I personally found Audrey unlikable, but that's part of the charm of the book - whether we like her or not is not the point, she's meant to infuriate us at certain times, and she does, but the other characters balance things out, especially Uyanga, who's a nice counterfoil to Audrey, keeping her in check and giving us more of a rooting interest in their investigations.
This has such good pacing and I had to discipline myself not to finish it too soon - I tend to read multiple books at a time, from different genres - and this was my fun atmospheric mystery read. And it doesn't rely on mere twists to propel the story along, which is a bit of cop-out in my opinion. The narrative keeps us gripped and whatever twists come our way are part of the ride.
Eager to see what more Inga Jones has in store for us!

[VeroniCanRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐ ARC Review - All said, this book with all its twists and turns and character growth, was just really well done. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future!

📔 For Fans of:
- thriller
- murder mystery
- cold case
- amateur sleuth
- small town mystery
- unlikely pair
- overprotective mom

✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
Yall, I absolutely loved this one. At first, I really disliked the main character, Audrey. She’s a rich, high powered, entitled mother who doesn’t like her daughter’s new boyfriend and tries to control her daughter’s life.

Well, Audrey ends up teaming up with a 23-year-old private investigator to try to dig up dirt on him. It’s an adorably unlikely friendship that grows and starts to soften Audrey. You realize why Audrey is the way that she is while also realizing that there are so many more secrets than anyone originally thought!

It was a perfectly balanced thriller, but so heartfelt with all the relationships between each of the characters that the emotional side is just as suspenseful as the thriller plot.

All said, this book with all its twists and turns and character growth, was just really well done. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future!

🖤 Thank you to author Inga Jones for the digital advanced reader copy (ARC).
As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!

📚 Book: To Make Him Disappear by Inga Jones
📅 Release Date: OUT NOW (2026)
⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5

[Ney oh the thrill of it FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Inga Jones and Victory Editing for this complimentary advanced copy via Netgalley all opinions expressed are my own and are being left voluntarily.

Ok soo that was definitely an interesting read! 

This was such a layered whoduunit with interconnecting stories that absolutely kept me on my toes! It was just so tense and suspense filled. 

We meet Audrey, a woman who has had a hard life but has managed to turn it round and make a success of herself. Her daughter brings home a guy she intends to marry. Audrey isn't sure about him and tries to disuade her daughter, but the heart wants what the heart wants. 

In order to learn more about her son-in-law-to-be Audrey hires a pi called Uyanga. Together they set about finding out who he really is, but they inadvertently stumble into a whodunnit with potentially dangerous consequences.

The star of the show was the unlikely relationship/friendship between Audrey and Uyanga here for it all day everyday!

Audrey, driven by a need to protect her child, and Uyanga, with a need to prove herself worthy, but both with a common goal to find the truth. On paper it shouldn't work but it just does!

If you love a whodunnit mystery filled with secrets and hidden pasts, then this is the book for you. I really ended up liking this book and would reccomend.

[Matt Goncalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid mystery thriller that lives up to the "page turner" moniker of the genre. Following Audrey, a wealthy self-made woman of middle age, who doesn't trust her daughter's new fiancé. She decides to investigate into this young man with red flags and a suspicious hidden history. What she uncovers involves a cold case murder, blackmailing, betrayals and even her own dark secrets come to the surface. For a debut novel, this one is wonderfully entertaining and I couldn't catch any faults that ruined my reading experience. I think the layers of secrets and twists were a jarring but not unearned or illogical. What helps is the protagonist, who has a good balance of unlikability but redeeming qualities when you learn about her damaged past, paired with a counterpoint partner of a character to grant a kinder if naive, perspective to the pace of the mystery. It was a quick read but one I think warrants recognition and perhaps some sequels. The only drawbacks I came to notice were that side characters had a little less dimension to them or some inconsistencies. But as I mentioned above I didn't have a sour reading experience and would recommend this one for people who want to read a mystery and thriller with a strong female protagonist at the helm.

[Jordyn’s Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author Inga Jones and Netgalley for the ARC!

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a very strong debut novel. The plot was very captivating. There was a lot of plot twists and reveals, but not too many that made it feel like the story was simply relying on shock value to drive the story. Each twist worked so well and made sense within the story. I did guess most of the twists before they were revealed, but it didn’t affect my thoughts or enjoyment as I read at all. I like being able to guess the twists early, I think it means the breadcrumbs were well laid throughout the book.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Audrey and Uyanga. The older woman who’s been hardened by her past experiences and the bright, bubbly younger woman who is trying to find her way in life was such a well written balance. There were so many times that I wanted to yell at them to open their eyes to the clues that were right in front of them but they were a really strong duo and worked well together!

I did find the beginning to be a slow start, but once it picked up I was hooked! I would have liked to have seen more of the aftermath but overall, this was a really good mystery and I had a fun time reading it!

[After The Last Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review❣️

4 hearts for me

Fast pacing book, though at the starting I felt the story is slow, it picked up the pace soon

You will see a complicated relationship between mother and daughter, Audrey is emotionally distant character and you will feel sometimes that she had no empathy or she is so unemotional and robotic, makes decisions without thinking, speaking and getting angry unnecessarily, have trust issues but... You will understand why she is like that towards the end of the book, what shaped her to being that distant and strict, difficult

I loved the character development of Audrey and the trust development between Audrey and uyanga 🤍

Though the twists are predicted while you are reading as a continuous thriller reader, the path it takes to uncover these twists is great and engaging, kind of got me back to the detective mode 🕵

Inga has done a great job with the book, the writing is very engaging to keep me hooked till the end... Thank you for the arc 💞

If you are interested in murder mystery, small town mystery, complicated relationships.... This book is for you 🤍

[Jane Ruff · Rating 4 out of 5]

How far will a mother go to protect her child?

When our main character, Audrey, learns her daughter is engaged after only six months to her fiancé, Derek, she knows she has to prove he is just after her money. Audrey is extremely unlikeable and annoying but that works here.

Audrey and her newly-acquired "side-kick" Uyanga, (my favorite character) embark on a journey to find out all they can about Derek's past. Uyanga is a perfect Yin to Audrey's Yan and I just had fun getting to know her - her grit and vulnerability is endearing.

This soon becomes a twisted game of cat-and-mouse with stolen identities, secret diaries, foster families, jealousy, murder, torn pages, deceipt, hidden pasts, buried secrets, and a really strange Bed &Breakfast.

This #debut novel is twisty with dark humor and perfect pacing. The characters are well-developed, the dialogue is believable, and the humor sprinkled throughout makes this a truly enjoyable read. I am excited to see what the author will come up with next!


4.25 🌟

[Lacey Garcia (cozybooknook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for a copy of this book.

This is a debut!! I enjoyed it so much.

Audrey, a fifty-something overprotective mother, is suspicious of her daughter’s new fiancé and hires a PI firm to look into his past. Enter Uyanga, a twenty something quirky dresser with a good head on her shoulders. The duo end up in a small town investigating a 15 year old murder.

I had such a good time reading this one. It’s a little bit cozy with some darker aspects here and there. There are also some pretty big twists that kept me wondering where the book was taking me, but in the best way. I loved the layered characters and the claustrophobic small town.

I loved Audrey and Uyanga’s friendship so much. Audrey is older, a woman who has sacrificed a lot for her wealth and status. Uyanga is trying to prove herself as a PI. She is such a fun character and is mature beyond her years. Although the ending does tie up everything nicely, I am hoping we get to see this duo again solving another mystery.

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Make Him Disappear is a twisty thriller with characters you aren't sure you can trust.
Audrey believes her daughter, Carrie, is making a mistake. She is getting married to a man named Derek, that Audrey thinks is up to no good and is using her daughter for her wealth. Audrey decides to look more into her soon to be son in law and breaks into his home. While snooping though, she finds evidence linking him to a murdered teen girl from years prior. Audrey hires a private investigator to go with her to the town that the murder took place in so that they can investigate together, but once they get there, they realize they may have just walked right in to the next murder and it might be them.
This story had great pacing. The plot was intriguing enough that it kept my attention the whole way through. In the beginning, I really thought that Audrey was doing too much by taking things that far. But I'm so glad she followed her gut. The story was slightly predictable, but it didn't take away from the plot in anyway. I recommend giving this one a read.

[Kelly Veit · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, my first thought when I finished reading was how in the world is this Jones’ thriller debut novel?!! I was hooked from the first chapter. The plot is fast paced and I did not see the twists coming! There were also times when I found myself laughing out loud as Jones infuses humor into the dialogue. The characters are relatable and interesting -some likable, others not so much. I really liked how the relationship between Audrey and Uyanga developed, pairing two exact opposite personalities.

I flew through this book in one sitting because I absolutely had to know how the story was going to play out! If you enjoy suspenseful murder mystery/thrillers, with humor sprinkled in, then this one is for you. Kudos to Ms. Jones👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in her next novel.

Thank you to Inga Jones for reaching out and honoring me with an advance reader copy. I will definitely be reading everything she writes!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book. This is my honest, voluntary review.

This book had some genuinely fantastic twists and turns. A good thriller keeps you flying through the pages, desperate for answers, and this one absolutely delivers on that front. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another reveal pulled me right back in.

I went into this expecting a straightforward “make the husband disappear” type of story based on the title, but there’s so much more happening beneath those first impressions. The plot unfolds in ways I didn’t expect: blending suspense, emotion, and morality.

I especially enjoyed Audrey’s journey throughout the story. Watching her fight to protect her daughter while being pushed further and further outside her comfort zone made her character compelling to follow. The lengths a mother will go to for her family can be both deeply touching and genuinely terrifying, and I think the book balanced those two sides really well.

[Candi Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and their Victory Editing Co-op, I had a chance to read a fun dark comedy/thriller instead of my usual horror.
To Make Him Disappear by Inga Jones follows Audrey, who’s only a few years older than I am but seems to have her life together - that is, until she suspects her daughter Carrie’s new boyfriend Derek is a conman and gets embroiled in a murder mystery at a B&B trying to prove it.
Audrey hires a private eye, Uyanga, to investigate Derek, but because she’s a control freak, she insists on going with her to stay at the true crime themed B&B where the clues to his past lead them.
Thinking she would uncover just enough dirt to scare Carrie away from Derek, Audrey ends up stirring up her own past and getting involved in a complex web of schemes, lies, and murder that puts her whole family in danger.
Overall, this was a really fun thriller, with just the right amount of snark and wit and twists and turns.

[Angela Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a great debut novel!

I think I should start requesting only the books I don't care for the cover of, because so far those are the ones that I end up loving! Definitely don't judge this one by the hokey cover.

I love the different tropes working together to create this story---the generation gaps, secrets kept over time, "monster-in-law" vibes, and more.

The story kept weaving in layers and slipping things in and the pacing meant I could barely put it down. I felt there was enough background and emotion, and yet, it still continued to move at a pace that makes you race to the finish.

There is absolutely room for a sequel here and I hope she is already working on it!

Thank you to Inga Jones, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent story full of questions, secrets, and danger. I just finished it and I read the whole book today! I couldn’t put it down.

I requested an advance copy of this book, and it lived up to my expectations. The characters were complex and the layers of secrets and subterfuge pulled along to a series of twists that I didn’t see coming.

Event with the complex relationships and plot it was still easy to follow, and everyone had depth and personality. There is a strong sense of family–not only in the mother/daughter bond, but in a found family too.

The ending left me with a smile on my face too, which isn’t always the case with thrillers. I look forward to finding more books from this author!

[Bhoomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for giving me an arc copy of this book

This was such an intriguing thriller with a premise that instantly pulls you in. I really enjoyed the suspenseful atmosphere and the constant feeling that something wasn’t quite right. The mystery slowly unfolds in a way that keeps you curious, and i liked how the story mixed tension with darker moments.

One thing that stood out to me was the character dynamics and the secrets surrounding everyone involved. It definitely kept me wanting to know what would happen next. If you enjoy thrillers with family drama, hidden motives, and a twisty mystery, this is worth checking out!