My Wife Is Missing: A Novel

This book made my heart race and my pulse pound as I raced through the pages to the satisfying conclusion. The story of Natalie, an insomniac who does not trust her husband and Michael, the husband who has many secrets to hide from her, is mesmerizing. Neither narrator is particularly reliable since Natalie never sleeps more than a couple of hours per night and Michael has a vested interest in hiding his past. I totally enjoyed getting to know the characters and guessing what their next step in the twisted plot would be. The fact that Natalie flees from her husband because of her suspicions and that Michael pursues her and the children had me absorbed and waiting for the next red herring to be thrown into my path. I really liked the character of Kate, a former classmate of Natalie’s who lives on a farm and who agrees to shelter her. She seemed strong and reliable whereas Natalie seemed somewhat weak and undecided about some of her actions. Michael teams up with a police detective from his past, Amos Kennett, to track down Natalie and the twist there was worth reading the whole book. In fact, this is one of the best books that the author has written (and I have read all of his psychological thrillers), with an endangered family and deceptive spouses making me wonder who could be trusted. Excellent book with lots of action, great characterization, plenty of mystery and suspense and thrills! Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This book has more twists and turns than a winding country road. Just when you think you have it figured out..you don't. Do we really know someone..a good friend..a loved one? What secrets are kept and what lies are told? This book is exciting and suspenseful throughout the book. You start reading and you won't be able to put it down. It moves at a fast pace from the start and keeps you wondering until the end and then it really throws you a twist. A family vacation, a missing family and a man determined to find them no matter what. Michael goes for pizza and returns to an empty hotel room with everything gone, his family and all their luggage. Then the search begins. The hotel footage shows Natalie leaving with the children. Why would she leave him and where did she go? Does she know his darkest secret? Natalie, plans the escape from her husband. She has found out a horrible secret he has kept from her and is now frightened of him. She is running away to keep her children safe. What is really the truth? Is Michael really guilty or is it her imagination brought on by her insomnia? The story is told from Natalie and from Michael's viewpoints, and Natalie goes back and forth from before she left to present time. It is very easy to follow. I enjoyed reading this suspenseful escape and I would recommend it. Thanks to J.D. Palmer for writing a great mystery, to St. Martin's Press for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me to read and review. All thoughts and comments in the review are my own.

Michael and Natalie seem to have it all together. They have successful jobs, two kids, and a nice house. But looks can be deceiving. Natalie is having bouts of insomnia, driving a wedge between her and Michael. However, when Natalie does some digging, she finds that Michael has some secrets. After all, even the deepest buried secrets will rise to the surface. Afraid for their safety, Natalie takes the kids and flees. Will Michael find her and if he does, what will he do? Mr. Palmer weaves together a spine-tingling thriller with solid characterization, stellar storyline, and a twist you won’t see coming. A must read for all fans of suspense!