When You Disappeared

By: John Marrs

Narrated by: Simon Mattacks, Elizabeth Knowelden

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

All she wanted was the truth, but she'll wish she never found out.

When Catherine wakes up alone one morning, she thinks her husband has gone for a run before work. But Simon never makes it to the office. His running shoes are by the front door. Nothing is missing - except him.

Catherine knows Simon must be in trouble. He wouldn't just leave her. He wouldn't leave the children.

But Simon knows the truth - about why he left and what he's done. He knows things about his marriage that it would kill Catherine to find out. The memories she holds onto are lies.

While Catherine faces a dark new reality at home, Simon's halfway around the world, alive and thriving. He's doing whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of the truth.

But he can't hide forever, and when he reappears twenty-five years later, Catherine will finally learn who he is.

And wish she'd stayed in the dark.

©2017 John Marrs (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

I BEG YOU NOT TO!

Oh so bad. Not a mystery. Not a thriller. No likable characters. Not even interesting to the normally competent narrators whose performances get
less energetic as the novel drags its way to the ending. Simply a boring and "who-cares" story covering 25 wholly uninteresting years of a bland and cliched couple's life. I beg you NOT to purchasing this audiobook; just check out other novels that are hopefully not as mis-catagorized as this one was. Or re-read a good book you've previously read -- it will certainly be better time spent than "When You Disappeared".

This novel has issues!

When You Disappeared could have been a great novel if a competent author had taken the plot concept and written the novel. it is still a marginally good psychological thriller. The story is told in the first person of the female protagonist and the male antagonist with Elizabeth Knowelden reading the female part very well and Simon Mattacks reading the male part not so well. My main issue with the novel is that it is so chopped up that it's difficult for the listener to keep pace as the novel goes back and forth constantly over a 28 year time period. The novel hits the time periods in seemingly random order.

Summary: Great plot concept with poor implementation due to dizzyingly frequent skips back and forth over 28 years; poor narration by the male narrator.

Wow- I Was Not Prepared for This

There are very few bright/ happy spots in this novel. So if you're looking for a HEA- you won't find one here. I was hooked until the end, but wanted to take a shower afterwards. I would like to say most of the male lead characters actions are nonsensical and immature but they go to show how far assumptions, disillusionment and unresolved childhood trauma can take one.

Much to discuss

If you could sum up When You Disappeared in three words, what would they be?

childhood experiences speak

What other book might you compare When You Disappeared to and why?

The glass castle

Which character – as performed by Simon Mattacks and Elizabeth Knowelden – was your favorite?

no favorites

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

Neither, it affirmed

Any additional comments?

This s book speaks to the long term consequences of childhood. It shows how deceptive thoughts can be. It makes clear how being transparent can prevent so much.

whoa

I listen to 20-40 Hours of audible per week and this is the first review I've bothered writing. If you like mysteries and relationship based novels, this is a goodie.

When You Disappeared by Ohn Marris

Always tell the truth, always before the lies are as difficult to discover as they are in When You Disappeared. Ah what an awesome novel this will keep you rivited to whereevre you are when you begin listening. So stock up on tissue paper, ice cream, chocolate or beer or wine or potato chips. You will need the comfort food.

Twisted!

Surprises all throughout this book! It had twists and turns until the end. I enjoyed it.

Amazing

This book is one of the best I've read in awhile. beginning starts out slow but stick with it, crazy, head shaking ending makes it one of the best.

Wow Crazy!

Can’t believe anyone could even imagine all that went on in this book! I can’t say I enjoyed it, but I had to finish it to find out the ending.

Bizarre

At times the book was hard to follow with the back and forth of time. As with other books I have read I️ fail to understand how so much dysfunction could exist in so many
adults. At times it just seems common sense would dictate better choices but then again I suppose common sense and wisdom probably don’t make for good books. Having said this the book was a good read and kept me listening.

NASTY LITTLE BOOK UNEXPECTED VIOLENCE AND CARDBOARD CHARACTERS

Avoid . Rushed male narration . Kitty strangely one dimensional . Simon just weird! Lots of violence . Hugely depressing!

Disappointing - don't waste your credit

I got this on a 2 for 1 credit deal. It sounded interesting so I bought it.

I found it dull. I didn't like any of the main characters. It dragged on for ages and then when the mysteries were finally revealed I found that I couldn't care less. It jumps around in time which could be fun in a better written story but didn't work for me here.

I was also left with lots of questions about characters but not in a good way.

I think the author is a guy with some killer ideas but lacks the flair to do them justice.

Exceptional

I rarely give 5 star reviews but this book is so worth one. I listened to the book in one day as it was so enthralling. Yes, parts are a little far fetched but this is fiction after all.
some parts are pretty uncomfortable listening but overall one of the best I've had so far, definitely looking at future books by the author.

Decent story shame about the grammar

This was an entertaining story, if rather far fetched, it was cleverly conceived. I would have enjoyed it much more if the incessant poor grammar hadn’t grated so much: “Simon and I’s.....”

V good

Really v good, keeps you guessing right till the end , would highly recommend and I don't usually bother leaving a review.. great story

Excellent

Well written and narrated with twists & turns in every chapter. Would definitely recommend this book to lovers of psychological thrillers.

Buy this!

Where does When You Disappeared rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I LOVED this book - one of the top three I've listened to on Audible and I've listened to a lot!

What did you like best about this story?

The plot - excellent writing and story - the male character, oh I didn't like him at all. If someone can make you love or loathe their characters then they are a good writer.

Which character – as performed by Simon Mattacks and Elizabeth Knowelden – was your favourite?

I can't decide! I really was on her side but his character is so compelling and I had a love/hate relationship with the male character.

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

It didn't make me cry but I did feel emotional.

Any additional comments?

I have never left a review before but this book really is excellent. I have and will recommend to my friends.

dark. shocking. enthralling.

what a story. each time when I thought I knew the characters I was proved wrong. this is a great story. unique, well narrated. couldn't stop listening. it stayed with me for a long time, how wrong people can be and how stupid men are.

Superb!

This is one of the best I’ve listened to in a good while, gripping right to the end.

Please disappear from my audible library!

Having put up with this for almost four hours, I am going to return it. I do not understand the positive reviews I have read - I have just had to re-read them, and am dumbfounded we are talking about the same book.

The narration is awful. I have to slow down the male's playback speed, and speed up the woman's, which is very frustrating.

As far as I can see a third of the way in, Simon is some sort of sociopath since he has no emotions or feelings.

Far too many chapters start '25 years ago' - get over it, and let us know what's happening now.
Although it makes no difference to me now, as I am going to stop listening and, fingers crossed, replace it with a good book.