The Next Time You See Me

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!

Jones manages to create a town full of heartbreakingly real characters. The Next Time You See Me reminded me a bit of Stephen King's The Body. In both stories a young person discovers a dead body and uses the discovery to impress their classmates. There is Emily, the middle school girl known as a freak in her school, who indeed turns into a freakish character when she keeps revisiting the dead body she discovered in the woods. She wants to observe the changes as the body decomposes. At school she is mercilessly bullied and taunted.

Meantime, Susanna, Emily's desparately unhappy middle school teacher, tries to discover what happened to her sister who disappears after a night out at the bars. She contacts Joe, her former classmate, now turned detective for help. He is equally isolated by his pain and his race. As they investigate Ronnie's activities leading up to her disappearance, Susanna and Joe rekindle a flame from high school.

Over in the local factory, Wyatt, an overweight older man, provides comic fodder for the young bucks at the plant. However, his life is no joke. His own dog won't even come near him, for he has a horrible secret of his own.

Between the factory, the middle school, Susanna's home and the bleak countryside, this book explores the despair and misery of the town's residents.
Jones does an excellent job of delving into the hearts of the characters to reveal both the good and bad. She made them so real, that I couldn't really condemn even the worst of the deeds committed in this book. So the next time you see any of these characters, you'll know their hearts. The images in this book will haunt you long after you listen to the last word.

Gillian Flynn's high praise in reviews pulled me in and was what encouraged me to take a chance on this book. I can see why Gillian Flynn enjoyed it for I saw many similarities in their styles.

You will be shocked when I tell you that the ending of this book is the books weakness. It doesn't end badly, just not very inventive, surprising or powerful. Kind of ho hum. Don't let that stop you though. All the other parts of the book are mind blowing. The fact that this is the author's debut novel will have me watching her for years to come.


A large cast of complex and deep characters that range from 13 years old to 60. They are cleverly woven in such an impressive manner. The author really nailed each character "spot on". Cassandra Campbell was just masterful in her narration. Together they really spoke for those characters and brought them to life. Not a weak or boring one in the bunch.

How the author chains one character to another was keen and my favorite part. It's pure art how she did that. The author draws for you one character then hints to you the possible connection to a previous character in such a teasing slow method that allows you to slowly think ahead or assume that you have seen the relationship - sometimes you get ahead of yourself and you are wrong, other times you see it coming. A stunning novel.

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

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.

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.

Its the best book I've listened to this year

Its a very iteresting story & the way its written keeps you going

NA

NA

audible recommended this book & I am very happy. Thank you!!!

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.

Kept hoping for a different ending. She did a good job of going back and forth between characters but did not like how it ended.

If you are looking for an action-packed thriller, this isn't for you. However, if you are looking for a good story with perfect character descriptions, mystery and a great voice, I recommend this. I am a big fan of Laura Lippman. If you like her books, you will like this one too.

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

Excellent performance...look forward to her next performance

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

I believe that the reader destroyed the essence of this book. Her voice is better suited to The Velveteen Rabbit than for a look at Kentucky, small town people.

The most interesting aspect of the book is the Kentucky setting. (I am from Kentucky and also an English teacher like the main character.). The least interesting parts were the stereotyped characters.

Nobody in Kentucky has diction consisting of overpronounced words, fake southern accents that make the reader cringe, and a prissy tone...think Nellie Olsen.

Sorry, but the novel was a disappointment.