The Next Time You See Me

By: Holly Goddard Jones

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 14 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

A debut novel by award-winning author Holly Goddard Jones, about the people surprisingly connected to the discovery of a dead woman’s body in a small town.

Thirteen-year-old Emily Houchens doesn't have many friends. She finds more comfort playing make-believe in the woods near her house in Roma, Kentucky, than with her classmates, who find her strange and awkward. When she happens upon a dead body hidden in the woods one day, she decides not to tell anyone about her discovery—a choice that begins to haunt her.

Susanna Mitchell has always been a good girl, the dutiful daughter and wife. While her older sister Ronnie trolled bars for men and often drove home at sunrise, Susanna kept a neat house, a respectable job, and a young daughter. But when Ronnie goes missing and Susanna realizes that she’s the only person in Roma who truly cares about her sister’s fate, she starts to question her quiet life and its value.

The Next Time You See Me is the story of how one woman’s disappearance exposes the ambitions, prejudices, and anxieties of a small southern town and its residents, who are all connected, sometimes in unexpected ways: Emily; Susanna; Tony, a failed baseball star turned detective, aspiring to be the county’s first black sheriff; and Wyatt, a 55-year-old factory worker tormented by a past he can’t change and by a love he doesn’t think he deserves. Their stories converge in a violent climax that reveals not just the mystery of what happened to Ronnie but all of their secret selves.

©2013 Holly Goddard Jones (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc

Critic reviews

"The residents of a small Kentucky town react to the disappearance of a local woman in this first novel by short-story writer Jones…. [The author] builds intense tension surrounding the choices her flawed but compellingly sympathetic characters make as they fight against lonely isolation within the tight confines of small-town America." (Kirkus Reviews)

Life

Any additional comments?

There is an air of expectancy all through the story. Cassandra Campbell's narration draws you in with her softness and easy flow. This is a quiet story, yet you don't want to stop listening because you have been drawn into each character's life. Some say they figured it out before the end, but you are giving just enough to think "maybe not". You realize that as you walk through your day you are intersecting with a drama all your own. This is one of those rare stories where you become attached to the characters and you know you will miss them tomorrow.

The trip was great but the destination lacking

What did you like best about The Next Time You See Me? What did you like least?

I loved the detailed characters and the story was great BUT the ending was so "nothing" I went back and listened to the last 6 chapters thinking I missed something.

Which character – as performed by Cassandra Campbell – was your favorite?

Everything, she is why I bought the audible.

Was The Next Time You See Me worth the listening time?

Yes, I enjoyed the story but I needed a more concrete ending.

Any additional comments?

I had 3 possible endings in my head that would have been better better. I think the writing and creativity were there and an editor butchered it.

loved this book

I have tried to listen to so many book as that were so bad , I usually never finished. The narrator was excellent.

Almost gave up on it once

I almost returned this book to Audible, for the second time in all my years with them, a few chapters in. Goddard Jones penchant for describing every little detail was driving me up the wall. But then the details started building some very believable characters, so I stuck with it - only to be disappointed, as some reviewers have said before me, by the ending. It struck me that is was the same way I felt after I listened to Tana Rogers' book, In the Woods. A lot of emotional investment in the characters, only to be stunned by a "That's it?" Sort of ending. I obviously like my characters to go through a bit more dynamic change, and a bit more redemption in the resolution. Not here.

I did like Cassandra Campbell's narration.

Not a mystery or thriller...

This book was more about the lives of people and how they intertwine, the mistakes and decisions they make, consequences of all those things. I didn't find it intriguing or even find myself trying to guess the who dunnit. Was not mysterious at all. That being said, the characters were well developed and the relationships between them were established in a way that flowed. Liked the narrator, very engaging. So I give it 3 stars, but not for being a well written mystery but because the players were well written. Not for you if your wanting anything gripping.

Scary possibility

What other book might you compare The Next Time You See Me to and why?

Similar to Gone, Girl in the story...but also much different.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

Excellent performance...look forward to her next performance

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Frightening that this could happen...but we hear the news with way too many of this type of story.

excellent development of characters and story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are craving to be pulled into a book, listen to or read this intriguing gem. This book is very well done. The audio narration is excellent.

Fascinating Characters - Great Book!

The Next Time You See Me is an outstanding example of a well-crafted character driven novel. The plot centers on the mysterious disappearance of one of the residents of a small town, Roma Kentucky, and is sufficiently interesting to keep the narrative moving. But the plot in this book primarily serves as a means to intertwine the lives a large disparate group of people and bring each of them to a crossroads in his or her personal development. Solving the mystery of the disappearance of Ronnie creates the action, but the real secrets in this novel are hidden in the cast of intriguing characters that populate the town and the pages of the book. Goddard Jones begins the big reveal from the first page, but manages to sustain the suspense of each character almost to the end of the novel with amazing pacing. She is always pulling back just enough layers through each chapter to keep the reader's interest piqued until all the story lines of the characters converge at the end of the novel. There are no real heroes or villains in this book, just complex, multi-dimensional people reacting from their personal histories in ways that are identifiable and authentic. Goddard Jones presents each character with detail and compassion - the reader may identify with several and will probably sympathize with most. (Even the dogs in Goddard Jones' book had their own individual personalities, talents and peculiarities.) Goddard Jones is such a character author that she gives dimension even to the bit players - the night cashier at the gas station, the dog handler - that probably only appear on a page or two of the book. I was "involved" with these characters in a way that most authors never make me feel and the book ends at a point where several of the characters are right at the cusp of making big decisions for their lives and now I so want to know what they decided. If you are looking for a mystery/thriller, this won't satisfy - you will have the answer to "what happened to Ronnie" early on. But if you've been waiting to meet some new characters that will take you on fascinating internal journeys and stay with you when you finish the book, The Next Time You See Me will be a big hearty meal!

Cassandra Campbell does a good job with the narration. I adore the timbre of this woman's voice - very rich, almost smoky lush, and very suited to a dark, mysterious story like this. She does sometimes put rather dramatic pauses in paragraphs, sentences, and even within a single word (saying worst as wor-s-t or hitched as hit-ched) that might bother me more if this book weren't so engrossing. I'm no judge of an authentic Kentucky accent so I can't say if she got that right, but Campbell definitely does a first rate job of providing unique voices for all characters and this book has many. (She voiced one of the characters much like the voice of Luanne from King of the Hill - I'm sure that was accidental, but it was a little distracting since the cartoon girl image didn't fit with this story at all.)

Overall, I was very impressed by this debut novel by Holly Goddard Jones and hope to see more from her soon. Recommended!

Compelled me to listen at all hours.

What did you love best about The Next Time You See Me?

The story kept me engrossed from page 1. Awesome connection to the characters through the author.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I'm a commute listener and I found myself listening in the evenings and on weekends. I couldn't stop.

Any additional comments?

Another reviewer stated that the ending was flat, and I have to agree, the ending was a bit flat. But, I think it would have been impossible to have an ending that trumped the rest of the book. Every moment in this book counted.

Predictable, but a sincerely emotional read

The main players in this novel are a collection of lost souls in the small town of Roma, Kentucky. The disappearance of one of its citizens causes major upheaval in their lives. The story explores the insecurities, hopes, and delusions of several characters ranging in age from middle school school to near-retirement. I felt invested in the these people, but I felt that a few could have been developed a little more. It's definitely not a read that will have you skipping away with a smile on your face, but the author does a good job of delving into the quiet despair that we can create within ourselves when we choose one path and abandon another.