Watch Me Disappear

A Novel

By: Janelle Brown

Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith, Tavia Gilbert

Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

The disappearance of a beautiful, charismatic mother leaves her family to piece together her secrets in this propulsive novel for fans of Big Little Lies — from the best-selling author of All We Ever Wanted Was Everything and the upcoming Pretty Things.

“Watch Me Disappear is just as riveting as Gone Girl.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

Who you want people to be makes you blind to who they really are. It’s been a year since Billie Flanagan — a Berkeley mom with an enviable life — went on a solo hike in Desolation Wilderness and vanished from the trail. Her body was never found, just a shattered cellphone and a solitary hiking boot. Her husband and teenage daughter have been coping with Billie’s death the best they can: Jonathan drinks as he works on a loving memoir about his marriage; Olive grows remote, from both her father and her friends at the all-girls school she attends.

But then Olive starts having strange visions of her mother, still alive. Jonathan worries about Olive’s emotional stability, until he starts unearthing secrets from Billie’s past that bring into question everything he thought he understood about his wife. Who was the woman he knew as Billie Flanagan? Together, Olive and Jonathan embark on a quest for the truth — about Billie, but also about themselves, learning, in the process, about all the ways that love can distort what we choose to see. Janelle Brown’s insights into the dynamics of intimate relationships will make you question the stories you tell yourself about the people you love, while her nervy storytelling will keep you guessing until the very last chapter.

Praise for Watch Me Disappear

“Watch Me Disappear is a surprising and compelling read. Like the best novels, it takes the reader somewhere she wouldn’t otherwise allow herself to go.... It’s strongest in the places that matter most: in the believability of its characters and the irresistibility of its plot.” (Chicago Tribune)

“Janelle Brown’s third family drama delivers an incisive and emotional view of how grief and recovery from loss can seep into each aspect of a person’s life.... Brown imbues realism in each character, whose complicated emotions fuel the suspenseful story.” (Associated Press)

“When a Berkeley mother vanishes and is declared dead, her daughter is convinced she’s alive in Janelle Brown’s thriller, calling to mind Big Little Lies and Gone Girl.” (Variety)

©2017 Janelle Brown (P)2017 Random House Audio

Excellent!

Excellent Story!! Once caught, I couldn't put it down!! Its been a long time since a book has so hijacked my life!!

A Wonderful Story!

A wonderful debut novel. Can't wait to hear from this author again!--Thanks Janelle!

A little draggy

The story line of Olive having visions got a little long.. and I hoped the story line would MOVE .
A story of a really fucked up chick who wanted what we all want- excitement and youth forever.

A Plot with Great Potential…

There’s so much to say, but then again-not. This book had tons of potential in terms of plot twists, but sat on the surface with the last portions more summary than plot. Janelle Brown’s writing itself is unquestionably good, and that drew me in. The arc seemed like it was going somewhere, a mom that disappeared, a daughter who sees her in a series of apparitions. A husband who finds pieces and parts of a distorted history he’d never known. But then, it sat there, like a platter of possibilities that could’ve been so juicy and engaging. Lots of explaining ensued. An epilogue that should’ve been infused within the fabric of the narrative. I will not spoil this ending. I truly hope there’s an audience out there that enjoyed this book. The Audible version was well done. But for me, I’d have to try another Janelle Brown to see if this is typical for her. Plotting is hard work—carrying it out is even harder!

Great narration, disturbing story

I was a little jarred by the ending, but overall it was a good book.

really enjoyable book

interesting characters, great storyline and multiple plot twists you don't see coming! she did an amazing job writing from the perspective of male, female, and teenager. I'd highly recommend this book.

What really happened here?

Slow start, but builds well. Keeps one guessing pretty much to the end. Characters are fleshed out beautifully. Only a slight complaint as to the performance regarding such a firm enunciation of ending syllables; but it is trivial. Overall, a great read.

Totally enjoyed...

A little slow in the middle, but the beginning and ending certainly kept me interested. Believable.

Interesting

I like the overall story, but I was not captured with the suspense. It was drawn out and predictable at times.

Entertaining and good twists

I read this because I enjoyed Pretty Things by the same author, so was looking for her previous work. This was good, but I thought not as good as that. However, it kept me guessing and I enjoyed it.
Male narrator was fine, female narrator wasn’t my favorite.