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When She Disappeared
‘On May 26, 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.
Digging out her old diary, and steeling herself to face unfriendly ghosts of the past, Margo sets out to help a documentary crew as they investigate the infamous case the police bungled.
In a town where everyone knows everyone – but they all have secrets – the killer is certain to be close to home…
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.
Digging out her old diary, and steeling herself to face unfriendly ghosts of the past, Margo sets out to help a documentary crew as they investigate the infamous case the police bungled.
In a town where everyone knows everyone – but they all have secrets – the killer is certain to be close to home…
378 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
October 2, 2024
3⭐
Genre ~ crime fiction
Setting ~ North Carolina
Publication date ~ March 3, 2022
Publisher ~ Avon, Harper Collins
Est Page Count ~ 388 (p+ 25 chapters)
Audio length ~ 12 hours 28 minutes
Narrator ~ Laurence Bouvard
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ documentary, 15 year old cold case, slow moving
Margo is back in her hometown to help her father recover from knee surgery when news breaks that the body of Jessie Germaine has been found in a lake. Jessie was the most popular girl in high school and has been missing for 15 years without any leads. Margo's old friend, Austin, is in town filming a documentary about the case and she helps him with interviews.
With some long chapters (over 20 pages/30-40 mins is long to me), flashbacks with diary entries and an abundance of unlikable suspects this felt like a long winded mystery. The culprit wasn't overly surprising, but there was a little twist I hadn't guessed.
Overall, the pace is steadily slow. The ending was quite interesting and I'm not sure really what it means. It's sort of cliffhanger-ish, but this book is over 2 1/2 years old now, so that does seem like a long time without a sequel. Also, I love the eerie vibes of the cover.
✔ed another old one off the list.
I had the ebook, paperback and I listened to some on audio.
Narration notes:
She gave quite a performance of many different characters voices. The women were okay. The men all sounded very grating to my poor ears.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
Genre ~ crime fiction
Setting ~ North Carolina
Publication date ~ March 3, 2022
Publisher ~ Avon, Harper Collins
Est Page Count ~ 388 (p+ 25 chapters)
Audio length ~ 12 hours 28 minutes
Narrator ~ Laurence Bouvard
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ documentary, 15 year old cold case, slow moving
Margo is back in her hometown to help her father recover from knee surgery when news breaks that the body of Jessie Germaine has been found in a lake. Jessie was the most popular girl in high school and has been missing for 15 years without any leads. Margo's old friend, Austin, is in town filming a documentary about the case and she helps him with interviews.
With some long chapters (over 20 pages/30-40 mins is long to me), flashbacks with diary entries and an abundance of unlikable suspects this felt like a long winded mystery. The culprit wasn't overly surprising, but there was a little twist I hadn't guessed.
Overall, the pace is steadily slow. The ending was quite interesting and I'm not sure really what it means. It's sort of cliffhanger-ish, but this book is over 2 1/2 years old now, so that does seem like a long time without a sequel. Also, I love the eerie vibes of the cover.
✔ed another old one off the list.
I had the ebook, paperback and I listened to some on audio.
Narration notes:
She gave quite a performance of many different characters voices. The women were okay. The men all sounded very grating to my poor ears.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
January 25, 2022
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.
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.
January 23, 2022
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.
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.
February 13, 2022
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. I a town where everyone knows everyone - but hey 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 wants 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 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 #NicoleMarby for my ARC of #WhenSheDisappeared in exchange for an honest review.
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. I a town where everyone knows everyone - but hey 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 wants 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 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 #NicoleMarby for my ARC of #WhenSheDisappeared in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2022
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.
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.
March 4, 2022
A joint authorship, this crime thriller by Steph Mullin Nicole Mabry, When She Disappeared is their first novel. Margo’s best friend disappeared in 2004 and fifteen years later she returns to her home town to care for her recuperating father. A body is discovered by a group of celebratory students and the mystery that affected so many lives is back. Struggling with her demons, Margo assists a documentary crew returning to update their original broadcast that the Sherriff declared unsuspicious and voluntary. The locals all have opinions on what happened and the reopened investigated causes much angst. The narrative includes diary flashbacks and a nice tension build up to the sudden final revelation. With lots of twists and turns, this is an enjoyable three-and-a-half star read rating. With thanks to Avon Books UK and the authors, for an uncorrected advanced copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given, without obligation.
January 25, 2022
Margo returns to her home town to look after her father after his knee operation. On the way into town she hears on the radio that the body of her childhood friend who went missing fifteen years ago has just been found.
There is lots of excitement and gossiping in the town about what they thought had happened.
A TV crew turn up to gather evidence to do a follow up on the case.
A found this story to be slow and predictable and I was disappointed in the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books, HarperCollins for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
There is lots of excitement and gossiping in the town about what they thought had happened.
A TV crew turn up to gather evidence to do a follow up on the case.
A found this story to be slow and predictable and I was disappointed in the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books, HarperCollins for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2022
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.
Thanks to NetGalley for this book.
January 14, 2022
Lake Moss has everything that I normally love in a read - an unsolved mystery (check!), an unreliable narrator (check!), suspects coming together after 15 years (check!) and an insider trying to figure out whodunit once and for all (check, check, check!).
Unfortunately, the elements did not all come together and the book felt flat, and a bit off, for me.
When Margo returns to her small-town roots to take care of her post-surgery father following her divorce, she's not looking for drama. Of course, since she's our main character, it finds her right away. The body of Margo's childhood best friend, Jessie, has been found in the lake. Jessie was beautiful, popular - and mean. What happened to her 15 years ago, and who is going to pay for it now?
There were plenty of clues and I figured out the mystery early on - which is never fun. But beyond that, the motivations of some of the characters do not jive with how they are portrayed on the page. Perhaps more scenes from the past would have flushed this out a bit.
Overall, most everyone in Lake Moss is pretty miserable even with the mean girl gone, which shows Jessie left a lasting impression. When She Disappeared does not do the same in a sea of similar works.
Thank you Netgalley for the preview!
Unfortunately, the elements did not all come together and the book felt flat, and a bit off, for me.
When Margo returns to her small-town roots to take care of her post-surgery father following her divorce, she's not looking for drama. Of course, since she's our main character, it finds her right away. The body of Margo's childhood best friend, Jessie, has been found in the lake. Jessie was beautiful, popular - and mean. What happened to her 15 years ago, and who is going to pay for it now?
There were plenty of clues and I figured out the mystery early on - which is never fun. But beyond that, the motivations of some of the characters do not jive with how they are portrayed on the page. Perhaps more scenes from the past would have flushed this out a bit.
Overall, most everyone in Lake Moss is pretty miserable even with the mean girl gone, which shows Jessie left a lasting impression. When She Disappeared does not do the same in a sea of similar works.
Thank you Netgalley for the preview!
September 30, 2022
Where to start with this one….I didn’t hate it. But I also didn’t love it. I honestly felt this one just went on forever. It was a slow burn and an overused trope. The ending was surprising for me which bumped my rating up to 3 stars, but overall, I it just didn’t pull me in. While it missed the mark with me, anyone who enjoys police procedurals or investigating a murder from the past will like this one. And the ending will be a great shock after all the questioning and suspects!
Thank you to Avon for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Avon for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 8, 2021
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.
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.
March 3, 2022
I must confess, every once in a while I scroll through NetGalley to see what’s available. When I saw the cover and title for When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry, I thought OK. Then I read the blurb and I had to have it.
I love small towns, where everyone knows your name…and all the secrets. How can a killer hide in plain sight? I got curious to see if the author(s) could pull off the mystery of the culprit, or, at least, get and keep the suspense to a high level that would keep me flipping the virtual pages. No worries there. These ladies did that very well.
After her failed marriage, Margo put Wilmington in her rearview mirror and headed home, to Lake Moss and her ailing father. Memories flood her, and, as she pulled into the driveway, the radio announced that her best fried, who had been missing for many years, had been found. What a homecoming.
I wish Margo would confide in Austin about her fears. I would, and I fear it may be in her best interests if she does. I feel she is in danger, alone, vulnerable and by hanging her out there by herself, Steph and Nicole had me fretting more and more…every time there was a noise in the house, a light flickered, a dog barked, a bush rustled….
When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry was so much more than I expected. The book was long enough that I had to put it down, unable to finish it in one sitting. I fought the urge to know…to finish the twisty trail to the end.
Well done ladies. I LOVED it.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry.
See more at fundinmental
I love small towns, where everyone knows your name…and all the secrets. How can a killer hide in plain sight? I got curious to see if the author(s) could pull off the mystery of the culprit, or, at least, get and keep the suspense to a high level that would keep me flipping the virtual pages. No worries there. These ladies did that very well.
After her failed marriage, Margo put Wilmington in her rearview mirror and headed home, to Lake Moss and her ailing father. Memories flood her, and, as she pulled into the driveway, the radio announced that her best fried, who had been missing for many years, had been found. What a homecoming.
I wish Margo would confide in Austin about her fears. I would, and I fear it may be in her best interests if she does. I feel she is in danger, alone, vulnerable and by hanging her out there by herself, Steph and Nicole had me fretting more and more…every time there was a noise in the house, a light flickered, a dog barked, a bush rustled….
When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry was so much more than I expected. The book was long enough that I had to put it down, unable to finish it in one sitting. I fought the urge to know…to finish the twisty trail to the end.
Well done ladies. I LOVED it.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry.
See more at fundinmental
February 25, 2022
Oh what a tangled web we weave…..
When first we practice to deceive…..
When She Disappeared is certainly full of lies, secrets and deceit.
I have to say, when I began reading the book, I had a slight inkling of what the ending was going to be. But, the author did a great job of keeping me in suspense right up to the end.
I did feel that the main character was pretty immature in what she did and in her thinking/reasoning abilities.
Overall, a twisted suspense/thriller/mystery that will keep you engaged.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
When first we practice to deceive…..
When She Disappeared is certainly full of lies, secrets and deceit.
I have to say, when I began reading the book, I had a slight inkling of what the ending was going to be. But, the author did a great job of keeping me in suspense right up to the end.
I did feel that the main character was pretty immature in what she did and in her thinking/reasoning abilities.
Overall, a twisted suspense/thriller/mystery that will keep you engaged.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
February 10, 2022
Ah, who does not love small town vibes? Home to friendly folks, picturesque scenery and murder? What?😲
Margo has not been back to her hometown since her good friend Jessie disappeared 15-years ago. Margo is now having to face the painful childhood memories of May 26th, 2004, because Jessie's body has been recently found in Lake Moss. While back home, Margo teams with her old school friend Austin to search for missing clues about the case. Austin is in town filming a documentary called "Into Thin Air" featuring facts about Jessie's 15 year disappearance and murder. However, Margo and Austin soon discover some of the local residents do not welcome old secrets coming to light.
This book has a large cast of characters but do not let that deter you. You can easily sort them all out. The author starts off with a very strong intriguing beginning. The middle is a bit slower getting into some town "he said, she said", but the ending is a mind-blowing plot twist that will leave you reeling!
"When She Disappeared" will be published March 3, 2022.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for allowing me to review this thrilling e-book. I appreciate it very much.
Margo has not been back to her hometown since her good friend Jessie disappeared 15-years ago. Margo is now having to face the painful childhood memories of May 26th, 2004, because Jessie's body has been recently found in Lake Moss. While back home, Margo teams with her old school friend Austin to search for missing clues about the case. Austin is in town filming a documentary called "Into Thin Air" featuring facts about Jessie's 15 year disappearance and murder. However, Margo and Austin soon discover some of the local residents do not welcome old secrets coming to light.
This book has a large cast of characters but do not let that deter you. You can easily sort them all out. The author starts off with a very strong intriguing beginning. The middle is a bit slower getting into some town "he said, she said", but the ending is a mind-blowing plot twist that will leave you reeling!
"When She Disappeared" will be published March 3, 2022.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for allowing me to review this thrilling e-book. I appreciate it very much.
May 2, 2022
Although I guessed a significant plot development quite early on in the story, this was still an enjoyable read from this writing pair. I liked the previous book by these authors so I knew this tale would be a developing burner with plenty of twists and turns.
Margo’s return to her home town coincides with the discovery of her best friend’s body, who has been missing, presumed dead, for many years. Although she says she is returning to Lake Moss to help her dad recuperate after surgery, it is evident that Margo has left her own home for very good reasons. They soon become clear in the story and this develops a sub-plot to the narrative that explores Margo’s mother and demons that run in the family. When Margo’s dad reveals more truths about her mother, I found it interesting to draw parallels between mother and daughter. I think it would have added an extra element of suspense if this was developed further in Margo’s character.
Early on, Margo bumps into an old childhood friend, Austin, who is filming with a television company about Jessie’s disappearance. With her body discovered, Austin and the production team are revisiting key suspects in Jessie’s case, interviewing them to help uncover key evidence. Margo tags along to these pre-interviews, making notes and keeping on top of the re-opened case, trying to find out what actually happened to her best friend during that fateful night.
Therefore, the majority of the story follows Margo and Austin as they interview different characters. Revisiting their old circle of friends, the list of suspects does not seem to narrow as further questioning reveals that so many people could have held a grudge against Jessie. Coupled with the fact that Margo is receiving threatening messages and keeps running into old enemy, Charlie, this investigation shows that there are plenty of people who have truths to hide. I liked this ambiguity because the writers make it clear that no one can be trusted and they all seem pretty squeamish during their interviews.
However, having deduced a major plot development, I did start to grow frustrated at how long it took to reach this revelation. Yet, when the writers do reward readers with this, I found the plot really started to pick up pace with many unexpected developments. Therefore, I would consider this to be a slow-burner of a tale but it is worth persevering for the final truths towards the end of the novel. Some of them were quite unexpected and I think this part of the novel echoed more of the previous book and show cased their suspenseful writing.
I liked the concept of old school friends being interviewed because, despite many years passing, there are still grudges and a desire to withhold the truth. Although the characters have aged and are at a different stage in life, there are still criticisms towards one another, giving enough fuel to question who was really behind Jessie’s murder?
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Margo’s return to her home town coincides with the discovery of her best friend’s body, who has been missing, presumed dead, for many years. Although she says she is returning to Lake Moss to help her dad recuperate after surgery, it is evident that Margo has left her own home for very good reasons. They soon become clear in the story and this develops a sub-plot to the narrative that explores Margo’s mother and demons that run in the family. When Margo’s dad reveals more truths about her mother, I found it interesting to draw parallels between mother and daughter. I think it would have added an extra element of suspense if this was developed further in Margo’s character.
Early on, Margo bumps into an old childhood friend, Austin, who is filming with a television company about Jessie’s disappearance. With her body discovered, Austin and the production team are revisiting key suspects in Jessie’s case, interviewing them to help uncover key evidence. Margo tags along to these pre-interviews, making notes and keeping on top of the re-opened case, trying to find out what actually happened to her best friend during that fateful night.
Therefore, the majority of the story follows Margo and Austin as they interview different characters. Revisiting their old circle of friends, the list of suspects does not seem to narrow as further questioning reveals that so many people could have held a grudge against Jessie. Coupled with the fact that Margo is receiving threatening messages and keeps running into old enemy, Charlie, this investigation shows that there are plenty of people who have truths to hide. I liked this ambiguity because the writers make it clear that no one can be trusted and they all seem pretty squeamish during their interviews.
However, having deduced a major plot development, I did start to grow frustrated at how long it took to reach this revelation. Yet, when the writers do reward readers with this, I found the plot really started to pick up pace with many unexpected developments. Therefore, I would consider this to be a slow-burner of a tale but it is worth persevering for the final truths towards the end of the novel. Some of them were quite unexpected and I think this part of the novel echoed more of the previous book and show cased their suspenseful writing.
I liked the concept of old school friends being interviewed because, despite many years passing, there are still grudges and a desire to withhold the truth. Although the characters have aged and are at a different stage in life, there are still criticisms towards one another, giving enough fuel to question who was really behind Jessie’s murder?
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2022
I hate it when I figure out the ending of a thriller too early! This novel felt familiar, like a Lifetime movie that I've already seen. I loved Margo's relationship with her father; it's the heart of the novel and frankly the only thing that kept me reading once I figured out who the killer was. The twists are contrived and not believable, and every character is made to appear just a bit too conspicuously guilty.
January 14, 2025
Darn! I was really invested and then, I kept thinking "surely it won't be ....."
And sure enough, SURE ENOUGH, a predictable, overdone, eye rolling, WHY DID I WASTE MY TIME.... ending. Argh. 🫠
And sure enough, SURE ENOUGH, a predictable, overdone, eye rolling, WHY DID I WASTE MY TIME.... ending. Argh. 🫠
December 15, 2021
Loved the premise of this book. The writing was great and the authors wove the tale expertly. The setting and character development really brought this story to life. Highly recommend!
March 2, 2022
When She Disappeared is written by two kick butt female authors, Nicole Mabry and Steph Mullins. This to me was undebatable. What organ could I sell to get my hands on this book? Having read The Family Tree, by these two standouts this summer I knew that When She Disappeared, could never disappoint and boy oh boy was I right.
This book right here... bestseller!
I was hooked from page one. I love the writing style that transpires between this dynamic duo. The flow is executed perfectly. The character development is on point. The twists and buried secrets that reveal themselves throughout the book keep you begging for more. There was not one thing that I did not love about this book or the two women behind it.
The story is narrated between a dual time line, jumping between present day and journal entries from 15 years ago. This was such a great touch!! There were so many twists that I was unable to anticipate that I was on the edge of my seat as each chapter concluded.
The end ties everything together and has major shock value.
Are you ready for this one folks? You do NOT want to miss this! Due out March 3, 2022. If you have not already pre-ordered, you should do so now!
This book right here... bestseller!
I was hooked from page one. I love the writing style that transpires between this dynamic duo. The flow is executed perfectly. The character development is on point. The twists and buried secrets that reveal themselves throughout the book keep you begging for more. There was not one thing that I did not love about this book or the two women behind it.
The story is narrated between a dual time line, jumping between present day and journal entries from 15 years ago. This was such a great touch!! There were so many twists that I was unable to anticipate that I was on the edge of my seat as each chapter concluded.
The end ties everything together and has major shock value.
Are you ready for this one folks? You do NOT want to miss this! Due out March 3, 2022. If you have not already pre-ordered, you should do so now!
December 1, 2021
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.
Thriller that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat.
December 3, 2021
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.
February 6, 2023
When she disappeared was a tense experience a an atmospheric book with a gripping plot! Having read only thriller/suspense books I was able to guess some parts but a few still took me by surprise. I thought the main character was great! I loved how the author didn't strive for perfection from her but then neither went the other way and made her out to be unrealistically flawed. Margo is an average, next door girl, pretty much content with being a wallflower. I was very interested in knowing how her story panned out and offcourse wanted to see her solve the Jessie Germaine case which kept me turning those pages. Towards the end of the book, the plot got more compelling for me! I really liked all characters in the book but especially Margo. The storyline felt familiar but because of the unique characters, this was a good experience. I would recommend reading this book!
Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books UK, Steph Mullins & Nicole Mabry for this arc.
Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books UK, Steph Mullins & Nicole Mabry for this arc.
September 6, 2022
I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The prologue was great, and then it all went downhill from there. From long, useless descriptions of non-important things, to juvenile conversations between the characters, I just could not get into it. I also figured out pretty early on who the murderer was – I just didn’t figure out the why. I also figured out one the reveals pretty early as well. The book was not suspenseful to me, and because I was able to figure things out, it was also not twisty.
That being said. For someone who is new to reading thrillers, I think you would like this one. I’ve read so many that sometimes I am able to figure things out. For newbies, I really do believe you can be shocked.
That being said. For someone who is new to reading thrillers, I think you would like this one. I’ve read so many that sometimes I am able to figure things out. For newbies, I really do believe you can be shocked.
February 15, 2022
When She Disappeared follows Margo, a thirty something who returns to her hometown after a long time away to help her Dad recover from a surgery. Upon her arrival, she finds out that the body of Jessie Germaine, her formed best friend, has been discovered in the town after being missing for a number of years. The disappearance of Jessie was never solved, and a TV show called Into Thin Air did an episode on it. With the discovery of the body, the TV show returns into town, with Austin, Margo's high school friend and crush, to do a follow up episode. Margo is offered to help solve the murder/create the episode, interviewing leads and trying to find as much information as possible to hopefully avenge her friend.
This review has spoilers! I want to start by saying I really enjoyed Family Tree last year-it was a great read. This unfortunately was extremely disappointing. I think the idea behind the story was really good and had so much potential, enough to keep me reading until the end. But the execution of this was so poor. The writing felt extremely amateur, if you took away Austin and Margo's names, you couldn't tell who was who. None of the characters have any personality whatsoever, and Austin was written to sound exactly like Margo, very feminine sounding (even though he was not described that way) and unrealistic. Half of this book could've been cut and you would've ended up in the same place, there were so many added details that added nothing to the story. I guessed the ending right away. It was almost too obvious because literally nothing is happening throughout the entire story except these minor throwaway details. Margo is horrible! Like this is so unrealistic. She kills her former best friend, by accident, in regard to this horrible situation and she's just able to recover? And all that happens is she has bad dreams? Like, what? She can't be that good of an actress, sorry. She's able to go on and be around her Dad, live her life and just nothing happens? I just can't buy it. It was so predictable, especially her Dad's involvement in everything. I thought the stuff with her ex husband was so unnecessary because it never talks about her doing it in the present, so why mention it at all ? To show how she does questionable things but doesn't remember, or realize, but then she does remember the murder? And then she goes and visits the site, relives it, burns her stuff and she's over it and feels alive? No. Super disappointed in this one, it took me forever to get through, I would literally read a couple pages, get bored and exit out. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
When She Disappeared follows Margo, a thirty something who returns to her hometown after a long time away to help her Dad recover from a surgery. Upon her arrival, she finds out that the body of Jessie Germaine, her formed best friend, has been discovered in the town after being missing for a number of years. The disappearance of Jessie was never solved, and a TV show called Into Thin Air did an episode on it. With the discovery of the body, the TV show returns into town, with Austin, Margo's high school friend and crush, to do a follow up episode. Margo is offered to help solve the murder/create the episode, interviewing leads and trying to find as much information as possible to hopefully avenge her friend.
This review has spoilers! I want to start by saying I really enjoyed Family Tree last year-it was a great read. This unfortunately was extremely disappointing. I think the idea behind the story was really good and had so much potential, enough to keep me reading until the end. But the execution of this was so poor. The writing felt extremely amateur, if you took away Austin and Margo's names, you couldn't tell who was who. None of the characters have any personality whatsoever, and Austin was written to sound exactly like Margo, very feminine sounding (even though he was not described that way) and unrealistic. Half of this book could've been cut and you would've ended up in the same place, there were so many added details that added nothing to the story. I guessed the ending right away. It was almost too obvious because literally nothing is happening throughout the entire story except these minor throwaway details. Margo is horrible! Like this is so unrealistic. She kills her former best friend, by accident, in regard to this horrible situation and she's just able to recover? And all that happens is she has bad dreams? Like, what? She can't be that good of an actress, sorry. She's able to go on and be around her Dad, live her life and just nothing happens? I just can't buy it. It was so predictable, especially her Dad's involvement in everything. I thought the stuff with her ex husband was so unnecessary because it never talks about her doing it in the present, so why mention it at all ? To show how she does questionable things but doesn't remember, or realize, but then she does remember the murder? And then she goes and visits the site, relives it, burns her stuff and she's over it and feels alive? No. Super disappointed in this one, it took me forever to get through, I would literally read a couple pages, get bored and exit out. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2022
Creepy, tense, and utterly gripping, WHEN SHE DISAPPEARED expertly weaves the past and present through the eyes of a complex, beautifully drawn protagonist. The writing is vivid and twisty, with an undercurrent of dread, and the lead character is so well-developed that her struggles and fears leap off the page and burrow in your skin. I savored every superb word of this hypnotizing, unpredictable thriller.
December 15, 2021
Woah! These two really know how to write suspense! Margo Sutton goes back to her small hometown Lake Moss after 14 years. Right before she left, her childhood friend, Jessie Germaine, went missing. On the day Margo returns home, Jessie's remains are discovered in a secret swimming hole. I loved the way this story was told through Margo and her friend Austin doing pre-interviews for the show Into Thin Air, who is back in town to tell Jessie's story on film. I didn't guess the ending and was completely shocked. Well done! Can't wait to see what these two authors do next.
December 15, 2021
I was a little worried when I saw low ratings on this book. I read their first and loved it so I had high hopes. But I shouldn't have been worried because this book is DIVINE. It's exactly what I love about suspense books. Twisty, atmospheric and kept me guessing until the end.
December 15, 2021
Found this on Netgalley and the plot sounded interesting. I really enjoyed the style of the story and the mystery. I see that these authors have another book out. I will definitely pick up The Family Tree after reading this!
December 2, 2022
With a memorable, shocking opening scene, When She Disappeared is a beautifully written mystery about the 15 year old disappearance of a woman’s childhood friend. A gorgeous slow burn thriller that intricately extracts all of the details of what happened that night all those years ago. An excellent read with twists and buried secrets throughout, this writing pair goes from strength to strength.
January 19, 2022
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.
https://www.instagram.com/thriller_bo...
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.
https://www.instagram.com/thriller_bo...
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