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The Wronged Sons
What would you do if the person you loved suddenly vanished into thin air?
Catherine’s cosy life as a housewife and mum-of-three is quickly thrown into disarray when husband Simon disappears without explanation.
She is convinced he hasn’t left by choice as confusion and spiraling debts threaten to tear her family apart.
Meanwhile Simon has begun a carefree new life travelling the world. And he’s determined not to disclose his past to all he meets, even if it means resorting to extreme and violent measures.
But why did he leave?
Catherine only gets her answer 25 years later when Simon suddenly reappears on her doorstep.
During their furious final confrontation, they discover the secrets, lies and misunderstandings that tore them apart, then brought them face-to-face one last time.
Catherine’s cosy life as a housewife and mum-of-three is quickly thrown into disarray when husband Simon disappears without explanation.
She is convinced he hasn’t left by choice as confusion and spiraling debts threaten to tear her family apart.
Meanwhile Simon has begun a carefree new life travelling the world. And he’s determined not to disclose his past to all he meets, even if it means resorting to extreme and violent measures.
But why did he leave?
Catherine only gets her answer 25 years later when Simon suddenly reappears on her doorstep.
During their furious final confrontation, they discover the secrets, lies and misunderstandings that tore them apart, then brought them face-to-face one last time.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
11620 people are currently reading
63341 people want to read
About the author
John Marrs
23 books24.8k followersJohn Marrs is the author of #1 bestsellers including The One, The Good Samaritan, When You Disappeared, The Family Experiment, The Marriage Act, The Passengers, What Lies Between Us, Keep It In The Family and The Stranger In Her House. His next book, You Killed Me First, is out in March 2025.
What Lies won the International Thriller Writers' Best Paperback of 2021 award.
The One is a million-copy seller and has been translated into 35 different languages. It was also a Number One Netflix series.
After working as a journalist for 25-years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time writer.
Follow him on Twitter @johnmarrs1 Facebook: @johnmarrsauthor Instagram: @johnmarrs.author website: johnmarrsauthor.co.uk
What Lies won the International Thriller Writers' Best Paperback of 2021 award.
The One is a million-copy seller and has been translated into 35 different languages. It was also a Number One Netflix series.
After working as a journalist for 25-years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time writer.
Follow him on Twitter @johnmarrs1 Facebook: @johnmarrsauthor Instagram: @johnmarrs.author website: johnmarrsauthor.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,567 reviews
August 4, 2025
Men will literally do *anything* except just go to therapy. This was so messed up.
August 14, 2017
2.5 Stars
Having read glowing reviews from some of my GR friends, I wanted to love When You Disappeared. But of course, I have to be the person who didn’t love this book!
Married for 10 years with three children, it might seem like Catherine and Simon have the perfect marriage. But when Simon disappears without a trace, Catherine comes to learn that she never really knew the man she married. Flash forward 25 years, Simon has returned determined to punish Catherine for her wrongs. The two share with one another what happened over the course of their time apart, and buried secrets begin to emerge. At this point, it seems as if the reader is being set up for an expert game of cat and mouse.
But as they share more and more, and tell and tell and tell, NOTHING really happens. And things move SLOWLY. All I wanted to know was why Simon left?! Little clues do emerge, and I was hoping I was being teased for a big reveal. But as I read more and more, and NOTHING happened, I grew rather frustrated. And once Simon finally told Catherine his rationale for leaving, I wanted to jump in the book and beat the crap out of him! Not because of why he did what he did (which is just stupidly awful), but because I had to wait so freakin long to find out!
Sadly, it all just felt so contrived.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Having read glowing reviews from some of my GR friends, I wanted to love When You Disappeared. But of course, I have to be the person who didn’t love this book!
Married for 10 years with three children, it might seem like Catherine and Simon have the perfect marriage. But when Simon disappears without a trace, Catherine comes to learn that she never really knew the man she married. Flash forward 25 years, Simon has returned determined to punish Catherine for her wrongs. The two share with one another what happened over the course of their time apart, and buried secrets begin to emerge. At this point, it seems as if the reader is being set up for an expert game of cat and mouse.
But as they share more and more, and tell and tell and tell, NOTHING really happens. And things move SLOWLY. All I wanted to know was why Simon left?! Little clues do emerge, and I was hoping I was being teased for a big reveal. But as I read more and more, and NOTHING happened, I grew rather frustrated. And once Simon finally told Catherine his rationale for leaving, I wanted to jump in the book and beat the crap out of him! Not because of why he did what he did (which is just stupidly awful), but because I had to wait so freakin long to find out!
Sadly, it all just felt so contrived.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2017
A Traveling Sister read with Brenda and Lindsay!
3.5*
Catherine wakes up in the morning oblivious that her world is about to change forever. Her husband is gone! And she is frantic! He never showed up to work…maybe lying injured or dead in a ditch somewhere. The hours turn into days and eventually fall away into years. Simon has never been heard from again…until now!
We’re also given a view into Simon’s world during his disappearance. What would have motivated him to leave his family? What is the unforgivable act that triggered his vanishing act? And why stay away so long? There are whispers throughout this book of what drove a wedge between Catherine and Simon and eventually led to Simon leaving. There-in lies the mystery, buried deep within the pages. (Unfortunately not deep enough for me as I guessed most of it early on. I know…junior detective in the makings…Lol!).
Told in past and present tense from the POV of both Catherine and Simon. Including the journey Simon traveled to find himself in his new life. Which at times became soooo far-fetched! He was not at all a likable character.
In fact, I ended up having a love-hate relationship with this book. I absolutely loathed everything about Simon, wishing him ill-will at every turn. Yet, I couldn't pull myself away from tale he told.
Aren't the best books the ones that make you feel unsettled, setting off a wave of emotion within you? Especially if that emotion may be a troubling one. Well this book did just that!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas &Mercer and John Marrs for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For this review and our Full traveling sister review please visit Norma and Brenda’s fantastic book blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
3.5*
Catherine wakes up in the morning oblivious that her world is about to change forever. Her husband is gone! And she is frantic! He never showed up to work…maybe lying injured or dead in a ditch somewhere. The hours turn into days and eventually fall away into years. Simon has never been heard from again…until now!
We’re also given a view into Simon’s world during his disappearance. What would have motivated him to leave his family? What is the unforgivable act that triggered his vanishing act? And why stay away so long? There are whispers throughout this book of what drove a wedge between Catherine and Simon and eventually led to Simon leaving. There-in lies the mystery, buried deep within the pages. (Unfortunately not deep enough for me as I guessed most of it early on. I know…junior detective in the makings…Lol!).
Told in past and present tense from the POV of both Catherine and Simon. Including the journey Simon traveled to find himself in his new life. Which at times became soooo far-fetched! He was not at all a likable character.
In fact, I ended up having a love-hate relationship with this book. I absolutely loathed everything about Simon, wishing him ill-will at every turn. Yet, I couldn't pull myself away from tale he told.
Aren't the best books the ones that make you feel unsettled, setting off a wave of emotion within you? Especially if that emotion may be a troubling one. Well this book did just that!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas &Mercer and John Marrs for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For this review and our Full traveling sister review please visit Norma and Brenda’s fantastic book blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
August 30, 2024
Such a long backstory and it was all because of that ?
March 26, 2021
Traveling Sisters NetGalley Sister Review by Brenda with Lindsay and Kaceey’s thoughts.
When You Disappeared started off with seven of us for a Traveling Sister Group read, and then they started to disappear with three sisters dropping out and the thread started to read like a thriller itself. Norma with a full weekend ahead had to drop out as well, leaving Kaceey, Lindsay and me as the last standing Sisters for this read
When You Disappeared is a family drama thriller that is heavy on the drama and light on the thrills. Some parts of the story dragged and were unrealistic for us. We had the believability police on duty for this one and reporting back to the rest of us. We found much to be unrealistic but came to the conclusion it was for the convenience of the story and thought it was written more for drama than believability.
The story is told by Catherine and Simon in two different timelines which we all enjoyed. At times when the story dragged we really wanted Catherine to put down the wine and do something. We really had some strong feelings of dislike for Simon and there was nothing likable about his unlikeable character for us.
The story had no suspense for me and I was rushing to get to the end but for Kaceey and Lindsay the suspense kept them turning the pages to see how it ended. In the end, we all found the ending to be over the top and underwhelming. We still recommend for thriller lovers who really like a lot of drama to their thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas &Mercer and John Marrs for a copy of this book to read and review.
When You Disappeared started off with seven of us for a Traveling Sister Group read, and then they started to disappear with three sisters dropping out and the thread started to read like a thriller itself. Norma with a full weekend ahead had to drop out as well, leaving Kaceey, Lindsay and me as the last standing Sisters for this read
When You Disappeared is a family drama thriller that is heavy on the drama and light on the thrills. Some parts of the story dragged and were unrealistic for us. We had the believability police on duty for this one and reporting back to the rest of us. We found much to be unrealistic but came to the conclusion it was for the convenience of the story and thought it was written more for drama than believability.
The story is told by Catherine and Simon in two different timelines which we all enjoyed. At times when the story dragged we really wanted Catherine to put down the wine and do something. We really had some strong feelings of dislike for Simon and there was nothing likable about his unlikeable character for us.
The story had no suspense for me and I was rushing to get to the end but for Kaceey and Lindsay the suspense kept them turning the pages to see how it ended. In the end, we all found the ending to be over the top and underwhelming. We still recommend for thriller lovers who really like a lot of drama to their thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas &Mercer and John Marrs for a copy of this book to read and review.
August 17, 2017
3 stars. This novel had such potential with a highly enticing premise, however, the extreme lack of believability meant the story fell flat for me.
I enjoyed the way the story unfolded. The novel was told through Catherine and Simon’s perspectives ranging from 28 years ago to a present-day meeting. The author, John Marrs, does a great job revealing pieces of the story in a suspenseful and intriguing way, all the while making me curious to see how the story would play out. Unfortunately, many of the situations, particularly those involving Simon seemed highly unlikely and absurd. Believability is a huge requirement for my reading enjoyment - I have a hard time truly immersing myself within a story that isn’t realistic (the “believability police” within me kicks in quickly!). My reading mind can stretch to accept slightly exaggerated situations, but the list is fairly long of the things that I found far-fetched within this novel.
There were some very serious parts to this story that really pulled at my emotions and maternal instincts. I had a hard time reading some pages as there is such a devastating family loss that deeply affected me.
Overall, I found this to be an averagely enjoyable read with nothing that truly made it stand out other than its lack of believability.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and John Marrs for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
To find this review along with our Traveling Sister Read review, please visit Brenda and Norma’s fabulous blog at:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
I enjoyed the way the story unfolded. The novel was told through Catherine and Simon’s perspectives ranging from 28 years ago to a present-day meeting. The author, John Marrs, does a great job revealing pieces of the story in a suspenseful and intriguing way, all the while making me curious to see how the story would play out. Unfortunately, many of the situations, particularly those involving Simon seemed highly unlikely and absurd. Believability is a huge requirement for my reading enjoyment - I have a hard time truly immersing myself within a story that isn’t realistic (the “believability police” within me kicks in quickly!). My reading mind can stretch to accept slightly exaggerated situations, but the list is fairly long of the things that I found far-fetched within this novel.
There were some very serious parts to this story that really pulled at my emotions and maternal instincts. I had a hard time reading some pages as there is such a devastating family loss that deeply affected me.
Overall, I found this to be an averagely enjoyable read with nothing that truly made it stand out other than its lack of believability.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and John Marrs for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
To find this review along with our Traveling Sister Read review, please visit Brenda and Norma’s fabulous blog at:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
June 16, 2018
DNF.... 50 percent in and just can't anymore.
Boring boring boring.... and plot is just unbelievable and stupid. No thanks 👋🏻.
I did win this in a goodreads giveaway which I was happy about but I Just couldn't finish this book :(. Sorry!!
Boring boring boring.... and plot is just unbelievable and stupid. No thanks 👋🏻.
I did win this in a goodreads giveaway which I was happy about but I Just couldn't finish this book :(. Sorry!!
September 6, 2020
Have you ever attended a blind wine tasting event?
The bottles are covered with brown paper bags and you have to taste the wines without seeing the label, and identity the varietal. Or perhaps the region. 🍷
Well, let’s just say, that if you had handed me this book, with the cover and title page covered, and asked me to identify the author...I would have never guessed John Marrs.
His style has evolved so much since this was written.
His work is now darker.
Or more futuristic.
And, I LOVE it! ❤️
But, I didn’t love this.
This book reads more like a family saga.
Catherine’s life after her husband Simon disappears.
Simon’s life after he disappears.
And, Simon’s confession when he reappears.
(not a spoiler-the narratives alternate from the start)
The problem is-the REASON he chose to leave, isn’t revealed until the last 3 chapters...and the story till you get there...just wasn’t captivating enough for me, to make the reveals worth it!
With that said, I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of his latest, “The Minders”, as soon as it becomes available in the U.S. !
The bottles are covered with brown paper bags and you have to taste the wines without seeing the label, and identity the varietal. Or perhaps the region. 🍷
Well, let’s just say, that if you had handed me this book, with the cover and title page covered, and asked me to identify the author...I would have never guessed John Marrs.
His style has evolved so much since this was written.
His work is now darker.
Or more futuristic.
And, I LOVE it! ❤️
But, I didn’t love this.
This book reads more like a family saga.
Catherine’s life after her husband Simon disappears.
Simon’s life after he disappears.
And, Simon’s confession when he reappears.
(not a spoiler-the narratives alternate from the start)
The problem is-the REASON he chose to leave, isn’t revealed until the last 3 chapters...and the story till you get there...just wasn’t captivating enough for me, to make the reveals worth it!
With that said, I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of his latest, “The Minders”, as soon as it becomes available in the U.S. !
June 3, 2018
This is a really lovely book by John Marrs, and I have to admit, it was difficult to put down. I saw many reviews and it does seem this is a polarizing book. Some hated it, some loved it, and most hate-loved it. Having read it, I can understand these opinions. I will say that even those who seemed to dislike the book the most, admitted that it really made them feel something, and that is a marker of a great book in my opinion. This is a book I won't soon forget.
I would not characterize this book as a psychological thriller, or even really a domestic thriller. Though there are secrets not unveiled until the end, you understand from early on much of what is going on. You know where Simon went the day he disappeared, and you know what Catherine went through as she struggled to find her footing. As the blurb says, Catherine of course is a mother of three who wakes up one day to find her husband missing. In a very real way, she does not initially really think of him as missing. From early in the day, there is a very reasonable explanation for why he is not there.
But as the first chapter unfolds, we see Simon returning to visit Catherine 25 years after his disappearance. She's in the same cottage where they made their home. Simon is in a bespoke suit. These are two people who have lived very different lives from the ones they pictured when they were first newlyweds.
The story moves back and forth between Simon and Catherine, and begins the day he disappeared and then flashes forward to present day, when Simon and Catherine are telling their stories of where they have been and what happened to them. This is a book that is completely about the journey. At times it is difficult to read. Simon seems so selfish and Catherine seems so wounded. But ultimately, it was hard to clearly decide who to blame until the very end of the book.
I don't want to spoil anything, because this is really a good read. I will say that contrary to many readers, I wasn't left completely hating either Simon or Catherine. There were of course things that I hated about them (one in particular), but mostly I just felt sorry for them. This is a novel about the lasting damage that can occur through our childhood. Our parents, our environment, our friends, and our experiences from a young age truly shape how we approach situations as adults. We see this theme not just through Simon and Catherine, but through other characters as well: Sophia and Luca; James, Robbie, and Emily; Dougie; Doreen.
I recommend this book fully, with the caveat that there are some sensitive topics that arise throughout.
I would not characterize this book as a psychological thriller, or even really a domestic thriller. Though there are secrets not unveiled until the end, you understand from early on much of what is going on. You know where Simon went the day he disappeared, and you know what Catherine went through as she struggled to find her footing. As the blurb says, Catherine of course is a mother of three who wakes up one day to find her husband missing. In a very real way, she does not initially really think of him as missing. From early in the day, there is a very reasonable explanation for why he is not there.
But as the first chapter unfolds, we see Simon returning to visit Catherine 25 years after his disappearance. She's in the same cottage where they made their home. Simon is in a bespoke suit. These are two people who have lived very different lives from the ones they pictured when they were first newlyweds.
The story moves back and forth between Simon and Catherine, and begins the day he disappeared and then flashes forward to present day, when Simon and Catherine are telling their stories of where they have been and what happened to them. This is a book that is completely about the journey. At times it is difficult to read. Simon seems so selfish and Catherine seems so wounded. But ultimately, it was hard to clearly decide who to blame until the very end of the book.
I don't want to spoil anything, because this is really a good read. I will say that contrary to many readers, I wasn't left completely hating either Simon or Catherine. There were of course things that I hated about them (one in particular), but mostly I just felt sorry for them. This is a novel about the lasting damage that can occur through our childhood. Our parents, our environment, our friends, and our experiences from a young age truly shape how we approach situations as adults. We see this theme not just through Simon and Catherine, but through other characters as well: Sophia and Luca; James, Robbie, and Emily; Dougie; Doreen.
I recommend this book fully, with the caveat that there are some sensitive topics that arise throughout.
March 14, 2020
Audible version .
When Catherine wakes up alone one morning, she thinks her husband has gone for a run before work. But Simon doesn’t come home and never makes it to the office. Over the years Catherine does everything to find her husband and is determined to stay positive for their children.
However, Simon is living on the other side of the world, he does not want to be found. He has walked away from his family and his old life.
When Simon appears in Catherine’s life again 25 years later we slowly get to hear why he left and what he did over the missing years.
Simon was a particularly dislikable character ..... self obsessed and egotistical. As I listened, I did not really care how it was going to end.
I would also say that I thought the plot unimaginative in places, by that I mean that one thing after another seemed to go wrong in a persons life.... then repeat! It felt like everything was thrown into the mix. In the end it felt like ....... ‘what now’ and a roll of my eyes!
Who knows, maybe I would have enjoyed it more if had read the book rather that listened but as it stands I can only give it 2.5⭐️
Overall a disappointing read.. ops listen.
When Catherine wakes up alone one morning, she thinks her husband has gone for a run before work. But Simon doesn’t come home and never makes it to the office. Over the years Catherine does everything to find her husband and is determined to stay positive for their children.
However, Simon is living on the other side of the world, he does not want to be found. He has walked away from his family and his old life.
When Simon appears in Catherine’s life again 25 years later we slowly get to hear why he left and what he did over the missing years.
Simon was a particularly dislikable character ..... self obsessed and egotistical. As I listened, I did not really care how it was going to end.
I would also say that I thought the plot unimaginative in places, by that I mean that one thing after another seemed to go wrong in a persons life.... then repeat! It felt like everything was thrown into the mix. In the end it felt like ....... ‘what now’ and a roll of my eyes!
Who knows, maybe I would have enjoyed it more if had read the book rather that listened but as it stands I can only give it 2.5⭐️
Overall a disappointing read.. ops listen.
September 13, 2017
I found this book very hard to read as the characters were very unlikeable. I did feel sorry for Catherine who was abandoned by her husband. She did not know what happened to him and she was left struggling to look after her three children. Her husband Simon was a very selfish man, not caring about his wife and children and taking advantage of everyone. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for my e-book in exchange for a honest review.
May 1, 2018
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books I’ve read by John Marr but this one for me was by far the best. The novel has two main characters- Simon and Catherine. Simon left her and their three children and disappeared 25 years ago and then suddenly reappeared on Catherine’s doorstep. The story is told from both their perspectives then and now and it is a fascinating and shocking tale. They both made mistakes but let’s just say Simon makes some absolutely catastrophic ones. I couldn’t put it down.
August 13, 2017
At first I was not going to rate this because I felt I would not be able to separate my feelings for the characters from the overall story, then I decided to sod all and rate.
Have you ever read a book where you hated the MC, absolutely hated. I hated Simon, I hope he is in the hottest place in hell.
Before I get into the why of my hatred let me talk about the book. I didn't like the back and forth time jumps to be honest, I almost gave up. I hated being yanked out of the story. Secondly, it was slow, so slow. I kept reading because I wanted to know what happened but christ was it slow.
Now onto the plot
Having said all that, it was a pretty good book , reason being, it made me hate a character so much I didn't think it was possible.
Have you ever read a book where you hated the MC, absolutely hated. I hated Simon, I hope he is in the hottest place in hell.
Before I get into the why of my hatred let me talk about the book. I didn't like the back and forth time jumps to be honest, I almost gave up. I hated being yanked out of the story. Secondly, it was slow, so slow. I kept reading because I wanted to know what happened but christ was it slow.
Now onto the plot
Having said all that, it was a pretty good book , reason being, it made me hate a character so much I didn't think it was possible.
July 7, 2018
The misadventures of a butthurt narcissist.
July 3, 2023
No bells and whistle, but an interesting disappearing act! I enjoyed the insane story Simon concocted of why he chose to leave his family behind 25 years ago. I was floored by his solutions to stay hidden but nothing that surprised me or would call a twist. I did not like his character or the belief anyone else would fall for him, but it is fiction… and great writing!
My heart broke for his wife and kids that presumed he was dead. I have downloaded many more of John Marr books so I hope the next one is more entertaining!
My heart broke for his wife and kids that presumed he was dead. I have downloaded many more of John Marr books so I hope the next one is more entertaining!
October 5, 2020
For a debut novel this is quite good but i think i expected more because of all the hype. Its good but felt quite dry and while the main character is meant to be unlikable, i disliked everyone so this wasn't the best reading experience for me.
July 29, 2017
Catherine wakes up one morning to find her husband gone. She checks his shoes .. no, his running shoes are right where they always are. His car is still there, his keys are not missing. His wallet is on the dresser. Where is he and what has happened to him?
Twenty Five years later Simon appears on her doorstep. He has all the answers, and he knows it's time that Catherine had them, too.
But neither of them know the whole truth!
The story line is perfect. When Simon shows up, he confesses to all he's done in the past years. Every other chapter or so the reader hears Catherine's voice .. to learn how her life has turned out. And of course, the one question she wants answered ... Why?
I have to share with you .. I did not like Simon. I could not find any redeeming qualities. His total disregard of his family .. just disappearing. Did he never think about how they were .. were they eating... where were they living? It got worse with each story that Simon had to share.
The ending is stupendous. Never, ever had any inkling of what was coming. Excellent writing.
Revised edition: Previously published as The Wronged Sons, this edition of When You Disappeared includes editorial revisions.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer /Negalley for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Twenty Five years later Simon appears on her doorstep. He has all the answers, and he knows it's time that Catherine had them, too.
But neither of them know the whole truth!
The story line is perfect. When Simon shows up, he confesses to all he's done in the past years. Every other chapter or so the reader hears Catherine's voice .. to learn how her life has turned out. And of course, the one question she wants answered ... Why?
I have to share with you .. I did not like Simon. I could not find any redeeming qualities. His total disregard of his family .. just disappearing. Did he never think about how they were .. were they eating... where were they living? It got worse with each story that Simon had to share.
The ending is stupendous. Never, ever had any inkling of what was coming. Excellent writing.
Revised edition: Previously published as The Wronged Sons, this edition of When You Disappeared includes editorial revisions.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer /Negalley for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 14, 2023
Story3.75 stars
Narrators Simon Mattacks 4 stars**
Elizabeth Knowelden 4.5 stars**
Narrators Simon Mattacks 4 stars**
Elizabeth Knowelden 4.5 stars**
December 2, 2020
I really liked this book, how it goes from the time Simon went missing - from his point of view and from Catherine's and also the time now, 25 years later, when Simon has gone back to his old home to explain why he left.
This author is unbelievably good at making characters be hated. Even with the sad past of Simon's I had no sympathy for him. Even less so when it goes back to how Billy died. That was the worst part in the book for me because I hate reading things like that, I had to skip over it because I just can't read them. However, the rest of the book is so good!
I loved how Catherine picked herself up, how she found strength and how she really made a home for her children again despite how Simon left her.
The excuse he finally gave Catherine on why he left her - WOW! I didn't see it coming, how wrong he obviously was. When her version of what happened was told, and he finally realised noone was to blame but himself - that was a very satisfying ending! He was a bad character in the sense of how he was portrayed, but it takes a really good author to make characters as believable as these were.
This author is unbelievably good at making characters be hated. Even with the sad past of Simon's I had no sympathy for him. Even less so when it goes back to how Billy died. That was the worst part in the book for me because I hate reading things like that, I had to skip over it because I just can't read them. However, the rest of the book is so good!
I loved how Catherine picked herself up, how she found strength and how she really made a home for her children again despite how Simon left her.
The excuse he finally gave Catherine on why he left her - WOW! I didn't see it coming, how wrong he obviously was. When her version of what happened was told, and he finally realised noone was to blame but himself - that was a very satisfying ending! He was a bad character in the sense of how he was portrayed, but it takes a really good author to make characters as believable as these were.
September 16, 2017
3.5 I've been told that the secret to a lasting relationship is communication. So it's the same with Catherine and Simon.
Alternating from the perspective of Catherine and Simon 25 years ago to present. Simon is the perfect father and husband. One day he doesn't come home. The police are called, the community rallies up search parties with no luck. Family and friends start to suspect Catherine has something to do with it. Over time he's presumed dead and Catherine and their 3 children try to move on with no answers. However, Simon is out there and he can't live with who Catherine says she is. He contemplated suicide, but leaving without a trace would be easier. We see how each of them cope over the 25 years.
It's an interesting premise for a novel and Marrs does a good job with the characters. I haven't come across a novel that I have completely despised a character as much as I despise Simon. Does this man have any redeeming qualities? No. I read on hoping for a twist. No, still an ass.
Thank you Net Galley, John Marrs, and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity.
Alternating from the perspective of Catherine and Simon 25 years ago to present. Simon is the perfect father and husband. One day he doesn't come home. The police are called, the community rallies up search parties with no luck. Family and friends start to suspect Catherine has something to do with it. Over time he's presumed dead and Catherine and their 3 children try to move on with no answers. However, Simon is out there and he can't live with who Catherine says she is. He contemplated suicide, but leaving without a trace would be easier. We see how each of them cope over the 25 years.
It's an interesting premise for a novel and Marrs does a good job with the characters. I haven't come across a novel that I have completely despised a character as much as I despise Simon. Does this man have any redeeming qualities? No. I read on hoping for a twist. No, still an ass.
Thank you Net Galley, John Marrs, and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity.
February 4, 2019
WHEN YOU DISAPPEARED is a family drama debut novel by John Marrs.
Catherine wakes up alone one morning, to find she and her three children had been abandoned by her husband, Simon. He had gone for a run before work, but never makes it to the office. Man Missing in Action!
But Why would Simon do this to his family? What a selfish man. He 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. Her memories are all based on lies.
While Catherine deals with the consequences, Simon is alive and living halfway around the world.
But then Simon reappears twenty-five years later, and Catherine will finally learn who he is.
With alternating POV’s from both Catherine and Simon in two different timelines, we start to put the pieces together.
I found this novel a little slow, and the characters especially Simon, unlikable.
This is a well written novel with flawed characters and an enjoyable ending.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for my digital copy.
Catherine wakes up alone one morning, to find she and her three children had been abandoned by her husband, Simon. He had gone for a run before work, but never makes it to the office. Man Missing in Action!
But Why would Simon do this to his family? What a selfish man. He 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. Her memories are all based on lies.
While Catherine deals with the consequences, Simon is alive and living halfway around the world.
But then Simon reappears twenty-five years later, and Catherine will finally learn who he is.
With alternating POV’s from both Catherine and Simon in two different timelines, we start to put the pieces together.
I found this novel a little slow, and the characters especially Simon, unlikable.
This is a well written novel with flawed characters and an enjoyable ending.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for my digital copy.
July 24, 2020
Another exceptional read by John Marrs. I only recently finished What Lies Between Us and thoroughly enjoyed it and then this...wow...if you are a psychological drama fan then read this one.
I'm not going to go into the story itself...but just so you know I really hated Simon BUT I did find it interesting to find out the reasons for his abhorrent behaviour.
This is a 'mouth open, eyes wide, nooooooooo' kind of read. Soooooo good.
Yes the characters are unlikeable but if you can let that go (it did make my blood boil though) then the story as a whole is sublime. So much to think about; so much to discover.
This book really appealed to me.
I'm not going to go into the story itself...but just so you know I really hated Simon BUT I did find it interesting to find out the reasons for his abhorrent behaviour.
This is a 'mouth open, eyes wide, nooooooooo' kind of read. Soooooo good.
Yes the characters are unlikeable but if you can let that go (it did make my blood boil though) then the story as a whole is sublime. So much to think about; so much to discover.
This book really appealed to me.
December 6, 2020
Holy crap Dita! You weren't joking when you said there is a trigger warning for any and everyone in this book.
This was so dull for the first 50% then ridiculous after ludicrous twist started popping off until the absurd, appalling ending.
I am shocked this is John Marrs. The One was one of my favorites from last year and I really really enjoyed The Passenger. If you've never read Marrs, DO NOT READ THIS AS YOUR FIRST (or ever, honestly). This is not the same author.
Maybe this is a silly thing to say because I've read a lot of questionable books but I'm at loss for why you would want to create and share this story with the world. Yikes.
This was so dull for the first 50% then ridiculous after ludicrous twist started popping off until the absurd, appalling ending.
I am shocked this is John Marrs. The One was one of my favorites from last year and I really really enjoyed The Passenger. If you've never read Marrs, DO NOT READ THIS AS YOUR FIRST (or ever, honestly). This is not the same author.
Maybe this is a silly thing to say because I've read a lot of questionable books but I'm at loss for why you would want to create and share this story with the world. Yikes.
August 25, 2020
"Once again he was disappointed by her reaction. He thought he’d explained... But repeatedly, she’d chosen to focus only on the negative. He began to feel tired and disappointed that even after all this time, she was still so bitter."
Have you ever read a book so bad that it made you angry for the hours you spent reading it? That was this book... I started off and as soon as Simon was basically like, "I need to tell you every facet of my life for the past 25 years that I've been away before I tell you why you deserved everything that came to you..." I knew I was in for a bumpy ride... If I weren't such a fan of Marrs' other works and on a completionist goal with him, I'd have put the book down there. It only got worse from there...
Basically this piece of trash abandons his wife and three young kids to start a new life boinking his way across the globe while she is left at home struggling to survive, and find him, and get jobs, and keep their house, and battle depression from his disappearance and the previous death of her child, and more... He then details how he
The whole time I was just getting angrier and angrier and honestly, Catherine was basically a stand-in for the reader because she kept pointing out how nothing made sense and how he was a trash monster and he was like, "Man... she just doesn't understand... why is she so bitter~~" Hmm... I wonder why~~~ >.> I just kept wanting to throw my phone out the window the entire time and if that was the desired effect... bravo. This was a total waste of time and is not a thriller at all... it's a Lifetime movie on why men are trash that even they rejected for being too unbelievable. #CatherineandLucianadeservedbetter #almostanyotherMarrsbookisbetterthanthisnonsense
Have you ever read a book so bad that it made you angry for the hours you spent reading it? That was this book... I started off and as soon as Simon was basically like, "I need to tell you every facet of my life for the past 25 years that I've been away before I tell you why you deserved everything that came to you..." I knew I was in for a bumpy ride... If I weren't such a fan of Marrs' other works and on a completionist goal with him, I'd have put the book down there. It only got worse from there...
Basically this piece of trash abandons his wife and three young kids to start a new life boinking his way across the globe while she is left at home struggling to survive, and find him, and get jobs, and keep their house, and battle depression from his disappearance and the previous death of her child, and more... He then details how he
The whole time I was just getting angrier and angrier and honestly, Catherine was basically a stand-in for the reader because she kept pointing out how nothing made sense and how he was a trash monster and he was like, "Man... she just doesn't understand... why is she so bitter~~" Hmm... I wonder why~~~ >.> I just kept wanting to throw my phone out the window the entire time and if that was the desired effect... bravo. This was a total waste of time and is not a thriller at all... it's a Lifetime movie on why men are trash that even they rejected for being too unbelievable. #CatherineandLucianadeservedbetter #almostanyotherMarrsbookisbetterthanthisnonsense
December 16, 2017
My new favorite English author!
I have now read two John Marrs novels and have thoroughly enjoyed both of them. “when you disappeared” is the type of book you can’t put down because it offers so many twists and turns you will not see coming. Both of the main characters are well written and the shocking end was the perfect resolution to a great book. Although Marrs is British in both terminology and spelling, he is thoroughly accomplished in keeping all readers up till late trying to find a stopping point in a brilliant book that I would recommend to everyone
I have now read two John Marrs novels and have thoroughly enjoyed both of them. “when you disappeared” is the type of book you can’t put down because it offers so many twists and turns you will not see coming. Both of the main characters are well written and the shocking end was the perfect resolution to a great book. Although Marrs is British in both terminology and spelling, he is thoroughly accomplished in keeping all readers up till late trying to find a stopping point in a brilliant book that I would recommend to everyone
June 12, 2020
3 Stars
While some aspects of this Brit-Lit Thriller were good and extremely captivating, others were a bit far-fetched.
SUMMARY
Catherine and Simeon have known each other since they were eleven years old, have been a couple longer than most people can remember and are now married with three children. Although their family recently suffered a devastating loss, their marriage seems incredibly solid. Just when they seem to be healing from their loss and the whole family is beginning to move forward, Simeon goes out for his morning run and never comes back.
The police are alerted, the whole area is searched over and over again. Finally, after months of investigating, the police stop searching and the whole village is left to assume he either had an accident of some kind and his body never surfaced or he abandoned his family. Catherine just knows he would NEVER leave them and continues to search for years.
Pretty early in the story we learn that he purposely left this family but the question of 'why' he left continues to haunt the reader until the very end of the book. What could have been so bad that he would leave Catherine, their three children and the life they build together????
The book is written from the POV of both Catherine and Simeon, skipping back and forth in time from the events leading up to Simeon's disappearance to the present day, 25 years later. It works well for the story and was never confusing.
WHAT I LOVED
I have to say I absolutely adore Brit Lit!!!! I love the variations in the wording - mum for mom/ jumper for sweater etc. I love both quaint countryside settings and the large city feel of London. I just find it all so charming. This book was gave me my much loved British experience.
I found the character study portions of the book fascinating!!! Loved Catherine's metamorphism from a dependent housewife to the sole family breadwinner, I was impressed with how she adapted to her change in circumstances even though she had a rough start. Learning of Simeon's childhood; how his mother was in and out of his life and the long term effects it had on his life made me feel badly for him BUT didn't excuse any of the sociopathic things he did. Most of all, I found the parts about how someone can be so different at various stages of their live / circumstances fascinating and the concept of how you can think you know a person and they can do something you NEVER imagined possible. Definitely thought provoking material.
It was addictively readable. I was glued to it from page one to the very last sentence. I ABSOLUTELY needed to find out why Simeon left, what he did while he was gone and how Catherine and their children made it without him.
While I totally and completely hated Simeon as a person, he did make a very despicable yet interesting character so I cannot count it against the book.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
Toward the end, the story was told of what exactly the family's the devastating loss was and how it occurred. Those chapters were incredibly hard to read. I had to skim it because it was WAY too disturbing for me to read in it's entirety and then I had to remind myself over and over that it was just a work of fiction.
There were several things in the book which seemed highly improbable and made me roll my eyes. The biggest issue was Luciana's story. I highly doubt her situation has even once happened in real life to anyone ever in the history of the world. I can't say more without a spoiler but you will know what I'm referring to if you read it. Then, the very last couple of pages involving Simeon's reaction to everything made me roll my eyes too. Just kind of a weird way to end the book. I would say melodramatic, but considering what all happened, maybe calling it 'weird' or an 'odd choice' is the correct description.
OVERALL
This is a book I would recommend for people who like thrillers and are either okay with a few disturbing elements or are able to skim through the more disturbing passages. It is well written enough so the reader has a growing sense of fascinated unease starting about a third of the way through the book and gaining momentum as it progresses. In the end, it leaves the reader feeling like they have been on a long rough journey.
While some aspects of this Brit-Lit Thriller were good and extremely captivating, others were a bit far-fetched.
SUMMARY
Catherine and Simeon have known each other since they were eleven years old, have been a couple longer than most people can remember and are now married with three children. Although their family recently suffered a devastating loss, their marriage seems incredibly solid. Just when they seem to be healing from their loss and the whole family is beginning to move forward, Simeon goes out for his morning run and never comes back.
The police are alerted, the whole area is searched over and over again. Finally, after months of investigating, the police stop searching and the whole village is left to assume he either had an accident of some kind and his body never surfaced or he abandoned his family. Catherine just knows he would NEVER leave them and continues to search for years.
Pretty early in the story we learn that he purposely left this family but the question of 'why' he left continues to haunt the reader until the very end of the book. What could have been so bad that he would leave Catherine, their three children and the life they build together????
The book is written from the POV of both Catherine and Simeon, skipping back and forth in time from the events leading up to Simeon's disappearance to the present day, 25 years later. It works well for the story and was never confusing.
WHAT I LOVED
I have to say I absolutely adore Brit Lit!!!! I love the variations in the wording - mum for mom/ jumper for sweater etc. I love both quaint countryside settings and the large city feel of London. I just find it all so charming. This book was gave me my much loved British experience.
I found the character study portions of the book fascinating!!! Loved Catherine's metamorphism from a dependent housewife to the sole family breadwinner, I was impressed with how she adapted to her change in circumstances even though she had a rough start. Learning of Simeon's childhood; how his mother was in and out of his life and the long term effects it had on his life made me feel badly for him BUT didn't excuse any of the sociopathic things he did. Most of all, I found the parts about how someone can be so different at various stages of their live / circumstances fascinating and the concept of how you can think you know a person and they can do something you NEVER imagined possible. Definitely thought provoking material.
It was addictively readable. I was glued to it from page one to the very last sentence. I ABSOLUTELY needed to find out why Simeon left, what he did while he was gone and how Catherine and their children made it without him.
While I totally and completely hated Simeon as a person, he did make a very despicable yet interesting character so I cannot count it against the book.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
Toward the end, the story was told of what exactly the family's the devastating loss was and how it occurred. Those chapters were incredibly hard to read. I had to skim it because it was WAY too disturbing for me to read in it's entirety and then I had to remind myself over and over that it was just a work of fiction.
There were several things in the book which seemed highly improbable and made me roll my eyes. The biggest issue was Luciana's story. I highly doubt her situation has even once happened in real life to anyone ever in the history of the world. I can't say more without a spoiler but you will know what I'm referring to if you read it. Then, the very last couple of pages involving Simeon's reaction to everything made me roll my eyes too. Just kind of a weird way to end the book. I would say melodramatic, but considering what all happened, maybe calling it 'weird' or an 'odd choice' is the correct description.
OVERALL
This is a book I would recommend for people who like thrillers and are either okay with a few disturbing elements or are able to skim through the more disturbing passages. It is well written enough so the reader has a growing sense of fascinated unease starting about a third of the way through the book and gaining momentum as it progresses. In the end, it leaves the reader feeling like they have been on a long rough journey.
June 10, 2020
Leaving the final reveal aside, I was consistently impressed by how easily I was drawn into the characters, made to identify with them, and how smoothly I was led to give both sides the benefit of the doubt...
Even when the slow, out-of-order reveals gave me a very disturbing sense. It's one thing to know it's a thriller, that there are some really horrible secrets buried in the tale somewhere, but it's another to find just how deep the hole goes.
The order of the tale matters so much more than the actual events. The biggest reveals are often just around the corner.
I admit I was rather horrified. I got sucked right in.
Putting it this way, I think this is a very, very fine tale that does exactly what it intends to do. :)
Saying more gives away way too much of the tale. So simple. And yet so circuitous.
Even when the slow, out-of-order reveals gave me a very disturbing sense. It's one thing to know it's a thriller, that there are some really horrible secrets buried in the tale somewhere, but it's another to find just how deep the hole goes.
The order of the tale matters so much more than the actual events. The biggest reveals are often just around the corner.
I admit I was rather horrified. I got sucked right in.
Putting it this way, I think this is a very, very fine tale that does exactly what it intends to do. :)
Saying more gives away way too much of the tale. So simple. And yet so circuitous.
April 27, 2023
This book has been on my TBR for AGES, and I'm not sure why I never picked it up before now. The premise intrigued me, and I am a big fan of multiple POVs (when done capably) and different points in time. Marrs does, indeed, do a good job at this and the voices of Simon and Catherine alternate seamlessly. I did think it was off to a pretty slow start and it took me around 100 pages to really get into it, but at the halfway point, I was sucked in and couldn't put it down. I don't want to give anything away, but I will say, the final twist really surprised me, which has sadly become rare when I read crime fiction. I give Marrs a lot of credit for that and anticipate I will read more books by him in the future. My only, admittedly petty, niggle is that on several occasions, Catherine uses the phrase "Simon and I's relationship", which hurt my eyes. We are not on the bachelor, where such phrases are borderline acceptable. This is a novel! I truly don't care about the odd typo, but which editor missed this? Sorry, sorry, mini-rant over. Apart from that, it's a really entertaining book and I will gladly take recommendations for other John Marrs books, if you have them!
May 21, 2020
Audio...5 Stars
Story...3 Stars
I need to do better with my John Marrs book selection, because for such a popular author, I'm only mildly impressed so far.
What I liked about this story was that it kept me guessing. That in itself is a huge plus. But the way the story was told was frustrating as heck, and very confusing in the beginning. Once I got used to the pattern, the story was easier to follow, but it was no less frustrating.
The chapters are long, and within each chapter there are past and present scenes. While in a past scene, there are flashbacks of events even further in the past. There are two POVs being given of the past, present, flashback mixture. And sometimes the voice of the person in the present isn't that of the person whose POV is being given. 😳 Confused? Yeah, well, you've been warned.
Overall, I really didn't like either the h nor the H, and the story was pretty depressing.
Story...3 Stars
I need to do better with my John Marrs book selection, because for such a popular author, I'm only mildly impressed so far.
What I liked about this story was that it kept me guessing. That in itself is a huge plus. But the way the story was told was frustrating as heck, and very confusing in the beginning. Once I got used to the pattern, the story was easier to follow, but it was no less frustrating.
The chapters are long, and within each chapter there are past and present scenes. While in a past scene, there are flashbacks of events even further in the past. There are two POVs being given of the past, present, flashback mixture. And sometimes the voice of the person in the present isn't that of the person whose POV is being given. 😳 Confused? Yeah, well, you've been warned.
Overall, I really didn't like either the h nor the H, and the story was pretty depressing.
September 22, 2023
4.5 Stars
Very much a page turning suspense. The only thing is you really have to pay attention as the timeline and dates change fast.
Katherines husband Simon goes missing while on a run.
After the police find nothing, Katherine is left alone with her 3 young children.
The timeline goes back and forth from 25 years ago until the present but not always in sequence.
I have to say it was brilliantly written.
There are lots of plot twists in this book, and it's quite disturbing at times.
All in all, it was an excellent read, and I'd recommend it.
First time reading this author. Very impressed.
Very much a page turning suspense. The only thing is you really have to pay attention as the timeline and dates change fast.
Katherines husband Simon goes missing while on a run.
After the police find nothing, Katherine is left alone with her 3 young children.
The timeline goes back and forth from 25 years ago until the present but not always in sequence.
I have to say it was brilliantly written.
There are lots of plot twists in this book, and it's quite disturbing at times.
All in all, it was an excellent read, and I'd recommend it.
First time reading this author. Very impressed.
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