Book Review: When You Disappeared | John Marrs

The novel When You Disappeared 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.

About the Book | When You Disappeared

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.