This murder mystery is a real humdinger. Lots of organic twists and turns and a superb ending. The use of multiple character perspectives drives the suspense of this page turner. ( )

I know DID is all the rage these days, but really? Does it have to infest the trashy thrillers I love as well? If nothing else this book will prove educational to those who larp over social media as sufferers of DID. Can't wait to see an Annie pop up as part of a 'system' on TikTok!

This book started out okish and went downhill. I kept reading to see how absurd the story would become. In that regard it did not disappoint. ( )

This story has it all. Family dysfunction...substance abuse...old secrets...betrayal... madness... and a missing husband. This is a debut novel by this talented author. I just finished his second book Bath Haus and immediately decided to search to see if he had any more. This one is so different than Bath Haus but it is every bit as entertaining and absorbing. We quickly realize that this family has secrets that are as rich as their estate and deeply buried with the hope they will never see the light of day. I never saw the ending coming. P.J. Vernon has produced a chilling...twisted, and dark thriller that is very hard to put down until the last page is turned. ( )

Gray Godfrey and her husband, Paul, are visiting her family's estate in South Carolina. After waking from a night of heavy drinking she finds that she's alone in bed. In fact, Paul isn't even in the house and hasn't been all night. She remembers bits and pieces of their trip to the local bar, so maybe Paul went somewhere to cool off. But when their rental car is found abandoned on the highway Gray is relieved - Paul is gone. Gray receives a call from a stranger named Annie who claims to know his whereabouts. Gray reluctantly accepts her help, but soon Annie begins to reveal secrets only Gray knows. Nobody seems to know anyone named Annie. Who is she and what does she want? Paul still hasn't been found and Gray's world is falling apart.

The blurb sounded good, but it was the cover that made me request this - it's gorgeous! The story grabbed me from the start. The writing is good and it was easy to fall into the privileged yet damaged world of Gray. She's a drinker and as the story goes on we uncover what made Gray who she is today. What a big mess - poor Gray. And poor Paul. What happened to him?! I couldn't wait to find out. At about 70% something happened that I really did not like and I couldn't get into the story again. I understand how it ties in to everything and I can appreciate it but I can't help it - I don't like when stuff like that happens. Overall though this was really good. It was compulsive, suspenseful and interesting to get into the mind of Gray.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC. ( )

4.5 stars.

When You Find Me by P.J. Vernon is a chilling domestic mystery.

Gray Godfrey reluctantly agrees to spend Christmas with her family in South Carolina along with her husband, Paul. To shore up her courage, Gray begins drinking before their plane trip and ends up blackout drunk after she, her sister, Charlotte and Paul end up at a local bar after Christmas Eve services. Waking up on Christmas Day with a massive hangover, Gray has few memories of the evening before and she is rather stymied by Paul's absence. She and Charlotte are in the midst of calling local hotels to locate Paul when Detective Nina Palmer informs them Paul's rental car has been found abandoned on the highway. Gray has no idea what could have happened to Paul and the case takes a complicated turn when she receives mysterious voicemail messages from a woman named Annie. The investigation uncovers shocking information about Paul but are these revelations a motive for murder?

Gray is an alcoholic whose thoughts revolve around how she is going to get her next drink. Charlotte and their mother, Paula King, are well aware of her drinking problem and they have ensured she will have no access to alcohol at the family home. The invitation to a reunion at a local hangout is a godsend and Gray plots and schemes her way to downing as much booze as possible before Paul drags her home. Their departure is fraught with tension since Paul found her and a former friend-with-benefits in a scandalous clinch on the dance floor. This is the point where Gray's memories go dark and she absolutely no idea how she got home or who helped her to bed.

Nina and her Aunt Tilda have a rather fraught history with King family. Nina is mostly successful as she tries to remain impartial throughout the investigation. She is diligent as she chases down leads and follows the scant clues she unearths. Nina has reason to fear for Gray's safety when stunning information comes to light about Paul. She grows even more concerned when she finds out the King family's darkest secret. But Nina is ill-prepared for the scene that awaits her once she learns the complete truth about Gray and her past.

When You Find Me is a twist-filled mystery that is quite riveting. The novel is tautly plotted and the storyline is clever and brilliantly executed. Gray is a surprisingly sympathetic character and her confusion about Paul's whereabouts rings true. Nina is an excellent detective whose investigation into Paul's disappearance is thorough despite a bit of a slow start. With breathless twists and dramatic turns, P.J. Vernon brings this intriguing mystery to a stunning but very satisfying conclusion. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this phenomenal mystery to fans of the genre.
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