Book Review of Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee: Suspense, Characters, and Writing Takeaways
- C.C. King
- Sep 25
- 7 min read
Learning about Suspense Writing from this Thriller
As a suspense writer, I’m constantly reading thrillers with an eye toward not just what happens but how it’s told. Studying suspense writing through published books sharpens my own craft
Kimberly Lee’s Have You Seen Him caught my attention with a chilling premise: imagine spotting yourself in a missing child ad.
Instant hook, right?
I picked up the book not only as a reader eager for answers but as a writer curious about the craft behind it.
Lee takes this unsettling concept and builds a fast-moving thriller around it, one where secrets, shadowy organizations, and personal histories collide.
While the book didn’t always land in ways I hoped, it gave me plenty to chew on as a writer.
Below, I’ve pulled out a few elements that stood out to me and how they offer writing lessons for anyone working in suspense or thriller writing.
Short on time? Click the button below to jump to my "final thought."
1) A Knockout Premise
Have You Seen Him hooks readers with an irresistible starting point: what would you do if you saw yourself in a missing child ad?
It’s eerie, unsettling, and immediately pulls the reader into questions of identity and danger.
Add to that the layered settings—the city streets, the offices, the hidden corners where secrets unfold—and the book offers an intriguing backdrop for suspense.
In other words? The concept alone is strong enough to make most readers lean forward.
Opportunities for writers:
This book is a reminder that a great premise is pure gold. If you have a “what if” that makes your own pulse race, chances are it will do the same for readers.
But a strong premise isn’t enough on its own—it needs supporting depth from characters and stakes to make it sustainable. For writers, it’s key to make sure the central question of your story does heavy lifting: it should not only grab attention but also sustain momentum.
One way to do this is to continually return to that premise in fresh ways—through setting, character interactions, or escalating stakes—so that the story’s heartbeat stays steady all the way through.
My takeaway:
I left this book reminded to keep collecting high-concept ideas. A strong hook can make the difference between a reader picking up your book or passing it by.
This book reinforced how important it is to treat a story’s premise as more than just a beginning—it’s the engine.
As I think about my own suspense writing, I want to be intentional about weaving my premise into every act of the story so that it remains the core thread, keeping both me and my readers invested.
2) A Wide Cast of Characters
One thing I appreciated in Have You Seen Him was the sheer number of characters woven through the story. This gave the book scope and variety—there were many different voices and experiences to encounter, which can add richness and keep a thriller unpredictable.
A big cast also invites readers to see the story world from multiple angles, which can deepen intrigue and suspense. At the same time, I found myself wishing for more chances to connect with any one of them.
David, for instance, has a devastating backstory and a compelling role as a public defender, but his choices and personality didn’t pull me in as much as I hoped.
Gayle and Violet offered spunk and humor and warmth, and I wanted to spend more time with them. But with so many characters, no single one had the weight to anchor me emotionally.
Opportunities for writers:
A large cast can be a gift if handled with care. It provides the chance to showcase diversity of voice and perspective, and it lets readers find “their” character to latch onto.
But it also comes with the challenge of giving each character enough weight to matter. When everyone gets a little attention but no one gets enough, the emotional investment might falter in places.
Writers might consider: Who absolutely must be in this story? Who can serve as background? And how can each major character be layered with relatable flaws, motivations, or redeeming qualities?
My takeaway:
A big cast creates interest and keeps the reader paying attention. This is absolutely lesson I'm taking with me from Have You Seen Him.
At the same time, I'm reminded that in suspense writing, it's important to make sure to give each featured character I choose to include in my novels enough time that readers can feel a connection to them.
3) Important and Challenging Themes
One of the strengths of Have You Seen Him is the way it edges toward larger, thought-provoking questions.
The central mystery—the idea of seeing yourself in a missing child ad—already raises fascinating questions about identity and belonging.
On top of that, the subplot about David’s genetics and the shadowy organization tracking him points toward something bigger than one man’s story.
There’s a sense of potential here, a glimpse at themes that could ripple outward into the real world, and I want more!
Opportunities for writers:
When a story begins to explore themes tied to history or lived experience, writers have a chance to deepen their work in powerful ways. In particular, Have You Seen Him brushes against the kinds of questions raised by the historical exploitation of marginalized communities in medicine and government.
Leaning re into that parallel—or weaving in just a few more connections—could amplify the suspense (maybe this will come up in book two?!).
My takeaway:
I’m reminded that big themes matter—and that they resonate best when they’re fully embraced. I'm inspired to pay attention to moments in my own stories where I can take risks, face history, or highlight uncomfortable truths.
Those choices can challenge readers while also grounding suspense writing in something that feels deeply real.
4) Pacing that Keeps Pages Turning
If there’s one thing that kept me moving through Have You Seen Him, it was the speed. The short chapters, the clipped dialogue, and the way new complications emerged every few pages gave the novel a natural forward drive.
Suspense relies on momentum, and Kimberly Lee has a knack for knowing when to drop in a new twist or shift a scene so readers don’t linger too long in one place.
That momentum is what makes this kind of story work—it mirrors the urgency of the characters’ situation and keeps the reader wondering what’s just around the corner.
At the same time, pacing isn’t just about speed. Too fast, and readers may feel like they’re watching events flash by without time to process them. That’s where I sometimes found myself here because the story rarely slowed down for longer moments of reflection or deeper interaction.
Opportunities for writers:
Writers of suspense (or really any genre) can absolutely benefit from a brisk pace—it builds excitement, keeps energy high, and makes it easier to finish a draft.
I love that kind of page-turning story, and Kimberly Lee absolutely delivered!
At the same time, thrillers can be even more powerful when the fast beats are offset by slower ones that let emotion, character, and theme settle in. By occasionally pausing the forward rush for a quieter moment of interiority or interaction, the next twist hits even harder.
My takeaway:
As someone who struggles with faster pacing, this book helped me see some ways to move things along. In suspense writing, that forward motion is key—but it’s even more effective when grounded in character.
For that reason, I'm also looking at how I can make sure that the faster beats are anchored in moments of connection with characters, so that when readers turn the page they've invested in both the plot and the people caught up in it.
Want to connect with author Kimberly Lee? Here's what you need to know:
A versatile writer, editor, and creativity coach, Kimberly Lee, JD, has a passion for nurturing the imaginative spirit and helping others reveal their own inner wisdom. Kimberly is an Amherst Writers & Artists affiliate and serves on its board.
She is a certified facilitator of SoulCollage®, Journal to the Self, and Guided Autobiography, as well as a joyful meditation teacher and Groove Method provider. A teaching artist with Hugo House, Women On Writing, The Writing Salon, and Loft Literary, Kimberly has led events at numerous retreats and conferences. Recent collaborations include Esalen Institute, Omega Institute, Arts & Healing Initiative, the Expressive Therapies Summit, and Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.
Kimberly’s writing has appeared in a variety of publications and anthologies, and she has served on the staffs of Literary Mama, F(r)iction, and Carve Magazines. Kimberly trusts in the magic and mystery of miracles and synchronicity, and believes everyone is creative and has unique gifts to share.
Connect with Kimberly on Instagram @klcreatrix or at KimberlyLee.me.
Final Book Review Thought: Irresistible Premise Delivers a Page-Turning Read!
Have You Seen Him is built on an irresistible premise and delivers a quick, page-turning read with vividly drawn settings and an undercurrent of mystery that kept me moving forward.
Kimberly Lee captures atmosphere well, and the novel raises intriguing questions about identity, secrets, and what it means to be truly seen.
As a writer, I admired the novel’s momentum and the creativity behind its central idea. At the same time, I sometimes found myself wishing for more space: more room to connect deeply with the many characters and to see certain powerful themes explored to their full potential.
Final words from my book review?
This novel is best suited for readers who enjoy fast, suspenseful stories that keep the action moving and don’t get bogged down in exposition.
And for writers, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best way to grow in suspense writing is to notice what sparks your imagination in someone else’s work and consider how to use it to refine your own.
Have thoughts on my review? Or maybe you've read Have You Seen Him and have your own takeaways? I'd so enjoy hearing from you in the comments or through a message here!
Peace & plenty,
Comments