Where Did You Go?

by Max China, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

Two men. One dark secret. A mystery buried for two decades.

John Mason thought he’d left the past behind—until an old friend drags him back into a deadly game. As long-buried memories resurface, so do dangerous What really happened to Julie Sanderson, the girl who vanished all those years ago? And why does Jim, once a mentor, now seem determined to pin the past on him?

To protect those he loves, John must confront the truth. But in a world where trust is shattered and loyalties are tested, how far will he go before he loses everything?

A gripping psychological thriller about love, guilt, and betrayal that will keep you guessing until the final page.

Audible Audio

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Max China is a British author known for crafting gripping tales that blur the line between psychological suspense, crime, and the supernatural. His stories pull readers into intricate plots and richly drawn characters, peeling back the layers of human nature’s darker side while grounding them in sharp realism.
His debut novel, The Sister, earned critical acclaim for its taut narrative and haunting atmosphere, marking him as a master of suspense. Max’s works explore themes of resilience, morality, and the weight of past decisions, delivering stories that linger long after the final page.
With titles like The Night of the Mosquito and The Crane Wife, Max weaves multi-layered narratives that keep readers guessing until the very end. His evocative prose and immersive settings transport readers into worlds that feel both vivid and unsettling.
When not at his desk, Max finds inspiration wandering the British countryside, where history and nature provide fertile ground for his imagination. A storyteller at heart, he strives to create books that challenge, captivate, and resonate deeply with his audience.
Writing from his home in the UK, Max China is hard at work on his next highly anticipated novel.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 4 Stars

Where Did You Go? by Max China is a gripping and atmospheric “whodunit” that hooked me from the very beginning. The story blends mystery, suspense, and a touch of psychological tension in a way that kept me guessing at every turn. The plot revolves around a disappearance that quickly spirals into something much more complex, pulling you into a web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives.

What really stood out was the pacing while it’s steady enough to build tension, it also ramps up at just the right moments to keep you fully invested. I loved how each character felt layered and believable, with subtle clues woven throughout their actions and dialogue. The shifting suspicions kept me on my toes, and just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist would hit.

China’s writing style is sharp and atmospheric, drawing you into dark corners and creating a sense of unease that lingers. The ending was satisfying and tied up the central mystery well while still leaving me thinking about the story long after I finished.

If you love a well-constructed mystery with strong character dynamics, unexpected turns, and that classic “who can you trust?” vibe, this is a fantastic pick. It’s a compelling read that feels like peeling back layers of a puzzle one piece at a time.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows John and his friend, Jim who has alzhemers, is adamant that John committed murder. The chapters alternate between his dark past and the present. A psychological thriller where John only wants to know the truth of a hazy memory. I loved the twist at the end.

Thank you to Book Sirens for the ARC. My review is voluntary and honest.

[Sage Calhoun · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if you had a bad past and a friend with Alzheimer’s who is pushing information about a cold case from you? What lengths would you go to clear your name, to protect the family you have left?

John has gone through it all and man does he find a way to persevere through all of his struggles!

I enjoyed this story and seeing how John navigated his buddy, Jim’s, allegations. I also really enjoyed the few twists and leading statement that were left.

“…When you find out who did it, let me know. I’d like to shake his hand…”

*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*

[Audi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book follows the main character, who is trying to escape the ghosts of his past, and his friend with Alzheimer’s whose recollection of the past stirs up unwanted emotions. The book follows two timelines, the past (that made the main character who he is today) and the present. Overall, it was a quick read that read like a BBC crime drama trying to solve a decades old cold case.

**I received this book as part of a giveaway. Thank you for the read.

[CarolinaBookBliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where You Go by Max China is a psychological suspense novel with a compelling premise.
The slow burning tension effectively built anticipation, and the characters were well developed and likable.
While I appreciated the descriptive writing, I felt that some plot points strayed into unrealistic territory. Overall, it was an engaging read that held my attention, despite a few reservations.
Thanking NetGalley and Skinny Bird Productions for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Glenna Turney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this crime book. The ties of two people and the shared traumas. A manipulative friend that would do anything to not accept responsibility.
So many twist and turns in relationships all tied together by murder.
If you like crime, I think you my enjoy this book.

*I won this Kindle Book from Goodreads. Thank you!

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, confusing me at times as to who was who with name changes in the book. On occasion that threw me off as to who was who and what in the past had caused them to have the name change. It was also different from most books I read with a much darker side to it. Child abuse at a young age and how it affects the child for the rest of their lives. And it’s how people slip through a well-intentioned system regardless of how well meaning the people are. There are just too many of them and some don’t get the help they need or all the help they could use.
It’s about a story of John who says his drunken abusive father takes his mother’s and sister’s life and blames them naturally and then starts in on Billy/ John for his drunken rages. It follows John as he manages as best he can and how he was taught (with his fists and anger) to live in a very difficult world. And how he learns to stay clean and build an auto repair business and help those he promised to help.
This book is difficult to read at times mostly because of the system that lets things like what happen to Billy and Tammy happen to kids all over the place. It has a relatively happy ending but lots of damage done throughout the book. It’s one that will stick with me for a while.

[Tonya DeVito · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a bit hard to follow…

[Catherine Corry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Well written and great storyline.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if you friend was trying to pin an unsolved murder on you? What would you do if someone hurt someone you loved? What would you do to protect the ones you love and yourself? This book is beautifully crafted, yet it won't leave you quite the same. The book is a multi layered narrated novel, which allows the readers to get a look into the characters mind and see things from their view point. The only thing I wished was the story of one character was explored, or maybe that will be a future book? It didn't the story, it just left me wanting more.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

John and his foster sister Tammy are both trying to forget dark pasts. But when Jim, John's long time friend who has alzheimer's, starts questioning their past John must try and uncover the truth about what happened all those years ago. This was a slow burn that had real potential and some engaging narrative. However it almost felt like reading two books in places. The Tammy/Danny story didn't really fit with the John/Jim story well as neither were (really) of any consequence to the other. Overall a good read, but some structural tweaks would make this a more cohesive story

[Queenkeevs · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when you’re trying to navigate the past alongside someone who has a faulty memory due to Alzheimer’s disease?

Are their recollections more prevalent than your own? This was an emotional roller coaster and definitely bakes the question. What would you do? Running from the past and secrets all while trying to keep yourself and your family safe.

This was a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Allegra Findeis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was my first book by this author and I will definitley be reading more. Initially I was a bit thrown, but by the 5th chapter I was hooked. That ending as well, it just made me so emotional.

thanks to NetGalley for the free arc in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Samantha Pace · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has the potential to be good with more editing but as it stands, it felt all over the place.