
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you probably know I am a dyed-in-the-wool devoted fan of Kevin O’Brien. Time after time, he delivers page-turning releases. The Night She Disappeared is yet another unputdownable book from a master of domestic suspense and psychological thrillers.
BOOK BLURB:
For fans of Gone Girl and of Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay’s domestic suspense—a gripping novel by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kevin O’Brien, in which “the other woman” becomes the prime suspect when the wife goes missing.
Some nightmares you can’t forget
From the depths of sleep, Seattle TV reporter Anna Malone awakens to her phone ringing. She rarely drinks, and this hangover is brutal. Why can’t she shake the feeling that something terrible happened last night? And why can’t she recall any of it?
But even worse
What Anna does remember: an awkward restaurant meal with her married lover, Russ Knoll, and his unsuspecting wife, Courtney. Russ’s phone call reveals that Courtney is missing, and as days go by with no trace, he comes under police scrutiny. Anna’s in the spotlight too, thanks to a TV rival with a grudge. Anna’s not proud of her affair, but she and Russ aren’t bad people. They’re certainly not the killing kind.
Is the one you can’t remember . . .
Anna already suspected that Courtney—a successful, charming author—might have a darker side. Is she truly missing? Perhaps the sudden disturbances in Anna’s life aren’t accidental after all. But no scenario that Anna imagines can compare to the twisted game unfolding around her, one chilling piece at a time . . .
MY REVIEW:
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for my ARC. I am a long-time fan of Kevin O’Brien and think I’ve read nearly every book he’s written. When I saw The Night She Disappeared offered on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. Once again, O’Brien delivers a nail-biter, riddled with twists and turns that race to a stunning conclusion.
Anna Malone is a TV news reporter with a devoted local following. When she makes the mistake of becoming romantically involved with Dr. Russell Knoll, a married pediatrician, her life implodes.
Knoll is married to an up-and-coming author, beloved by the public. When Courtney Knoll vanishes under mysterious circumstances and Anna is unable to recall the events of the night, both she and Russ become suspects in his wife’s disappearance. Add in mysterious phone calls, a stalker, hypnotism, drug-addiction, and a rival reporter with a sensationalized “justice-style” TV program, and there are enough plot threads to spin a thoroughly riveting and complex web.
I waffled back and forth on the suspects in this book. At the end, I was right about one of them but not for the reasons I suspected. O’Brien definitely kept me second-guessing throughout, including not just who was responsible for Courtney’s disappearance, but also whether or not she was the person she presented herself to be. Another mystery–did she simply disappear or was there something more sinister involved?
I loved the use of Seattle landmarks and the “floating houses” where much of the action takes place. The lake setting made for a creepy environment, especially at night when Anna is in her house certain she is being watched. An excellent character, she is flawed in many respects, but as a reader it’s impossible not have sympathy for her despite the mistakes she makes.
As with all of O’Brien’s stories, this is a page-turner from beginning to end. For anyone who enjoys mysteries with fully-fleshed out characters, tight plotting and suspense that hooks you into reading “just one more chapter” despite a late hour, I highly recommend The Night She Disappeared.
Release Date is July 27 | Pre-order at Amazon
Sounds so good. This is right in my wheelhouse of what I like to read.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s great to hear, Pete. Kevin is one of my auto-buy authors and he never disappoints. I think you’d enjoy this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review, Mae 🙂 I’ll be adding this one to my TBR list.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fantastic, Denise. It’s definitely a winner. Happy reading!
LikeLike
This sounds like a book I would so enjoy. Great review, Mae. Thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an awesome read, Harmony. If it lands on your TBR, I wish you happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t read any of his but they sound like my thing, I’ll have a look and see what’s available 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You can’t go wrong with Kevin’s books, Fraggle. They’re all good. Happy browsing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got an ARC of this one as well and read it this past weekend. Kevin certainly kept me guessing. I’ll post my review soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking forward to seeing your review, Joan. I’m glad you took a chance on Kevin. He’s an awesome author!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your review, Mae. Sounds like a good one for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It kept me madly swiping my Kindle long into the night, John! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could see the red eyes from here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness–a missing wife and a mistress with motive and a memory blackout? Now that is just delicious! This is going straight to my tbr list! Thanks for the review, Mae!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! So glad I’ve enticed you with the review, Maura Beth. Happy reading!
LikeLike
I love Kevin O’Brien, but I missed this one on NetGalley. I’m heading over right now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic! I can’t wait to see your thoughts on it, Kim.
And I’m so glad to know you’re also a Kevin fan! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every time I read one of your O’Brien reviews I want to run straight to Amazon. Pushing him to the top of my TBR. Thanks, Mae!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woohoo! I think you would love his work, Sue. He is SUCH a great story teller. Happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review, MC. Sounds like a barn burner. I’ll have to look into this author.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I highly recommend him, Noelle. I get all fan-girl about his work, LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, this sounds SO good, Mae! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one. I will have to take a look at this author’s work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t recommend him highly enough, Jan. I pre-order everything he writes.
He’s got a ton of great books to choose from, so I wish you happy browsing! 🙂
LikeLike
Awesome review to share, Mae! Many thanks for the introduction to Kevin’s work. Cheers! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Natalie. Always great to have you pop in. Have an awesome day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that setup in the blurb is fantastic. Great review, Mae! (Haha, I had to look up what dyed-in-the-wool meant. Cool expression!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heehee. An old expression, Priscilla, but it fits when it comes to how I feel about Kevin’s works and his books. :).
LikeLike
You’ve been reading a lot of books that spark my interest lately. This one (again) sounds like one I’d love. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do think you’d like it, Staci.
Joan also grabbed it from NetGalley. Kevin has a ton of great books and they release straight to paperback. That’s my preference for reading them because they’re so fat and juicy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I might have to add this one to the pile. It’s nearly time to earmark a month for just reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a cool mystery, Craig. With so many great titles out there, you’re going to have an enjoyable month reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t read this author before but he does sound great. I too like guessing who done it and definitely want the author to outsmart me. Love your neologistic pithy word–“unputdownable”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been a fan of Kevin O’Brien’s for more years than I can remember, Jacqui. I don’t recall how I originally discovered his work, I just remember being hooked immediately. He went straight to my auto-buy list.
Glad you liked “unputdownable.” I see so many psychological fiction reads tagged that way on Amazon these days, but this one really is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This does sound very good. One more for the ole TBR ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you about the TBR. We have to wade through them, LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read BAD SISTER, and it was a page turner. Great suspense. This sounds like another one. Glad he didn’t disappoint.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kevin kept me glued to the pages once again, Judi. My only gripe is that now I have to wait for another one from him, LOL!
And I’m glad you checked out Bad Sister. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like ‘page-turning’ books, this one sounds like the one Mae. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love page-turners too, Balroop. This one definitely did the trick for me. Thanks for checking out the review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like books that keep you guessing, and I’d love Seattle as a setting. Sometimes I think I wouldn’t mind living in a floating house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
After reading this book, I would love to live in a floating house!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Off topic, but I couldn’t resist. I grew up about 15 miles from the Mothman site – and remember the event!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, my! I could pick your brain forever, LOL. I have given hour long talks on the Mothman and all the events that surrounded his appearances. I took two trips to the area to research my Point Pleasant series. My fascination for the folklore and the history is non-ending!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL … I may be from the area in that era, but I don’t know much. However, I appreciate your fascination!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some really cool history and folklore there. I devour folklore of all kinds, but the Mothman is my favorite!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating stuff. If he was only responsible for taking down the Silver Bridge. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. Weird, right. Two sides to that coin if you follow the train of thought of the locals at the time. Not sure what the answer is, just that it’s all weirdly interesting. Tragic too about the bridge. Lots of legends are born from events like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember the day the bridge fell and where I was when I learned about the event. It definitely changed life in the area for several years!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t imagine what it must have been like. From the research I’ve done, it forever changed the economics of Point Pleasant. To this day, I believe it remains the worst bridge disaster in U.S. History.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can say that it impacted my family. I lived in the town of the next bridge … and the temporary traffic pattern gave my dad a business idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope he was able to rise about the changes it brought. Most all were hardships.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The change was a positive one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have this author on my watchlist but haven’t had the chance to try his books yet. This sounds like a thrilling read. Great review, Mae!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’d enjoy his books, Jacquie. He has so many awesome releases. This was yet another! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a book I would enjoy. Thank you, Mae, for introducing this book to us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Karen, I really enjoyed this novel. Kevin O’Brien always tells a good tale. I’m happy to share!
LikeLike
Sounds so good! I just requested it for myself 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, you! I am so happy to see you. I hope you have been well. I’m just starting to get into doing book reviews and loving it. I am so happy I’ve enticed you. I’m like a kid in a candy store with Net Galley. Thanks for visiting, and I will be doing the same!
LikeLike
This reads like a rollercoaster without brakes! I’m sold on it. Excellent review, Mae. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Glad I sold you on it, Mark. I can’t recommend this author highly enough!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t often read thrillers, Mae, but this has caught my eye. Your review and comments about the psychological elements are very compelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad I intrigued you, Robbie. I am all fan-girl when it comes to this author and his work. He’s simply brilliant!
LikeLike