The Vanishing

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

Publication Date: 07 January 2020

Genre: Adult Fiction – Paranormal Thriller/Romantic Suspense

Pages: 304

Publisher: Berkley

From New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz comes a new gripping romantic suspense trilogy fraught with danger and enigma.

Forty years ago in the small town of Fogg Lake, “The Incident” occurred: an explosion in the cave system that released unknown gases, causing peculiar effects on its residents, such as strange visions and ominous voices. Not wanting the government to get involved, they chalked it up to the hallucinogenic effects of mushrooms. Little did they know these effects would linger through the generations….

Residents Catalina Lark and Olivia Dayton have been best friends for years and own an investigation firm together, using what they call the “other sight” to help with their business. When Olivia goes missing, Cat frantically begins the search for her alone when the town does nothing about it. When scientist Slate Trevelyan shows up, she has no choice but to accept his help even though there’s something about him she just can’t trust. The duo discovers someone is hunting the two witnesses of a murder in Fogg Lake fourteen years ago—the very one Cat and Olivia witnessed as teens, one that they couldn’t prove happened. Cat and Slate’s search for Olivia takes them down a rabbit hole that is far more dangerous and mysterious than they ever expected, and with a killer in their midst, neither of them can foresee who will come out alive.

I recently discovered romantic suspenses within the past year, and I have to say that they have become a fast favorite for me. Prior to The Vanishing, I hadn’t read any of Jayne Ann Krentz’s books, but after finishing this one, I will definitely be remedying that.

The inhabitants of Fogg Lake prefer you to not know about The Incident. The Incident was a gas explosion that resulted from a scientific experiment that took place in the caves, which left some of their people with the ability of ‘other sight’. Both Catalina Lark and Olivia LeClair were in the caves when the explosion took place, and now they both have the ability to see auras. The night of that fateful accident, both of them swear they witnessed a murder, but with half the town hallucinating and no sign of a body, everyone decided it was best to just leave the past in the past.

Fast forward 15 years, Catalina and Olivia have mastered control over their abilities and use them to successfully run a private investigation firm in Seattle. One night when Olivia is on her way to a date, she gets kidnapped. Catalina must do whatever it takes to find her friend, which includes teaming up with Slater Arganbright who was sent on behalf of the Foundation…an organization that has always been an enemy to the residents of Fogg Lake. Cat must get past her prejudices against Slater and his family if they are to find Olivia before it’s too late.

The Vanishing is a hang onto your seats, fast-paced thriller with bits of murder mystery, supernatural elements, and a dash of romance sprinkled in between. I was initially drawn to the plot because of the paranormal theme, and I thought that the way that the psychic abilities were addressed was done in a tasteful and intriguing manner. I absolutely loved Catalina as a main character. She is fierce, independent, and unafraid to go after what she believes in (also, none of that broken female trope here!). The chemistry between Slater and Catalina was palpable, but not in a love at first sight/over the top type of way. I enjoyed watching them work together and break down the barriers that both of them have learned to put up after having the abilities that they do. The murder mystery offered lots of twists and turns along the way, which left me guessing up to the last pages.

Overall, if you’re a murder mystery or thriller junkie that also appreciates a bit of sixth sense and a little steam, definitely check this one out! I can’t wait to see where Catalina and Slater’s journey takes them next.

Thank you to Berkley for providing an ARC for review. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

Get your copy of The Vanishing here.