The Vanishing

Julia Bishop is newly widowed after her husband, who exploited enormous amounts of money from his investors, is murdered. Utterly alone after her friends and family have abandoned her and newly penniless, Julia is desperate. When a man shows up at her doorstep offering her a home at a grand estate on Lake Superior and an opportunity to disappear while meeting her favorite horror novelist that the world had thought to be dead, Julia hesitantly accepts because she is out of options. What she finds is an estate steeped in mystery and shadows, one that she seems somehow connected to already. This is another absolutely fantastic, atmospheric novel by Wendy Webb that I just couldn't stop reading. I was completely entrapped by Julia's haunting show more journey of discovery throughout the novel and the people she met along the way. The ending had me thinking about the novel long after I finished it. I cannot wait for another novel by one of my new favorite authors!

Sarah M. / Marathon County Public Library
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Oh dear, what an unfortunate mess this is. For one thing, is there anything more cringe-worthy than an author thanking her editorial team in the acknowledgments when the book itself is so poorly written and edited that it wouldn't have passed muster in an introductory creative writing course? Webb's impoverished vocabulary (feisty old lady Amaris Sinclair is always winking with her "dancing" eyes; sad-sack narrator Julia has constantly "sunk" to the floor or into a sofa when she can no longer bear the burden of remaining upright and conscious), clunky plotting, and tin ear for dialogue made this an extraordinarily tough slog. As bland as Webb's writing is, though, I truly feel that the blame should be shared with the editors who allowed show more her to tack on multiple endings ("Just throw a few at the wall and see what sticks!") and to pull the hoary old "Maybe it was all just a dream, or maybe certain parts of it were a dream, or maybe the narrator is still on the psych ward and all of this is happening inside her fragile little head" maneuver. For shame, Hyperion, for shame! Any decent editor would also have gently suggested to Webb that this was a first draft that needed to be gutted and totally revised, because there is no excuse in the 21st century for anyone to write a book in which the crux of the narrative relies on recovery of repressed memories. If I want to reminisce about pop psychology circa 1982, I'll re-read "Michelle Remembers," which is a damn sight more entertaining. This story might have worked if Webb had told it from the beginning and moved chronologically through the events that she lazily chose to reveal in flashback toward the end; as it is, we don't have enough foreshadowing of Julia's history for these flashbacks to come across as believable, and the plodding pace kills any suspense that even threatens to build. Kudos to the graphic designer for the lovely cover: pity that there's no actual story to match. show less

From Amazon:

Recently widowed and rendered penniless by her Ponzi-scheming husband, Julia Bishop is eager to start anew. So when a stranger appears on her doorstep with a job offer, she finds herself accepting the mysterious yet unique position: caretaker to his mother, Amaris Sinclair, the famous and rather eccentric horror novelist whom Julia has always admired . . . and who the world believes is dead. When she arrives at the Sinclairs' enormous estate on Lake Superior, Julia begins to suspect that there may be sinister undercurrents to her "too-good-to-be-true" position. As Julia delves into the reasons of why Amaris chose to abandon her successful writing career and withdraw from the public eye, her search leads to unsettling show more connections to her own family tree, making her wonder why she really was invited to Havenwood in the first place, and what monstrous secrets are still held prisoner within its walls.

My Thoughts:

This was 110% more enjoyable than the la st book I read. While this is mostly a traditional gothic ghost story, Webb weaves in some compelling examinations of the ideas of leaving, vanishing and returning. Guilt and responsibility are concepts that Julia and the other characters wrestle with as the truths of the various connections become apparent. Identity, too, is something not taken for granted in the novel, and the plots twists will keep readers just as up in the air and excited as Julia herself.

The Vanishing is an entertaining read, written with both a sense of horror and a sense of fun. It is the perfect story for stormy weather, and dark and chilly nights. The Epilogue throws a bit of a wrench in and I'm really not sure exactly what it was supposed to accomplish. I guess the moral of the story is really that nothing is what it seems. show less

Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.

"No, today the sky is too blue and bright for a tale as dark as that one."

Fun fact about me: if I read a book that scares me, I will run past the windows in my house. It's been like that ever since I was super young - if I watch a scary movie, I run past the windows. It goes both ways - and let me tell you, The Vanishing definitely incurred some window-running. Which in my mind, is always a good thing!

I picked this one up on a whim, and I'm glad I did! Because it turned out to be a fantastic read, with a wonderful atmosphere! It reads like a modern gothic novel, taking place in an old old house. The writing alone was enough to give me chills. (And it did, repeatedly.) I found myself show more constantly questioning each decision made, and each and every character. I felt like I couldn't trust any of them, so I just... didn't.

The premise intrigued me - a woman who's supposed to be dead, living out in a haunted house, and her son who arranges for a caretaker - who doesn't really appear to be needed. I found Julia to be a rather likable character. She just... aside from seeing things and hearing things, she seems like a fairly normal person. When the house is empty and something talks to her... she runs. Like any sane person in her situation would do! I just nearly clapped when that happened - I was afraid that she might try to go all paranormally and talk to it - but no. She did good.

I also liked the "love interest", Andrew McCullough. He was super adorable, and really very sweet. He was all Scottish and manly and just adorable - I have such a weakness for the Scottish.

I enjoyed Mrs. Sinclair - she was eccentric as all get out, but she had a good heart, even if it was hidden in a delightfully weird packaging. I hope I'm a cool old lady like her - when I get that old, of course. ;)

Serious chills happened with the ghosties, though. Serious chills. There was a moment in the beginning - a little girl, floating, singing. "Sing a song of sixpence / A pocketful of rye". That's pretty much imprinted in my mind. There were several moments that made me freak out - in a good way.

I loved the fact that the whole novel was focused on the build-up, but I feel like the end scene was a little rushed. The epilogue completely made up for it, though. It left me with a sense of not everything adding up - and it was good. It made me wonder how crazy our main character was; and I just didn't want it to end.

All in all, I definitely recommend The Vanishing. I want you all to read it, because I loved it. I tweeted this when I finished, and it definitely still applies.

I am literally terrified right now. @wendykwebb 's The Vanishing is genius you guys, genius. That ending was fantastically creepy. O.o
— Megan@The Book Babe (@MVTheBookBabe) December 10, 2013 show less

I love creaky old houses, dusty attics and ghost stories. So does Wendy Webb. She's taken on the modern Gothic in her last two novels and again with her latest book, The Vanishing.

Webb sets the stage with a prologue from 1875 - a seance gone horribly wrong in the mansion known as Havenwood.

Present day. Julia Bishop's life is a mess. Her husband has died - but not before he swindled hundreds of people of their savings. He's gone, the money is gone and any friends Julia had are gone. She has no family either. So, when a stranger shows up offering her a job as a companion to his reclusive mother, she has nothing left to lose by saying yes. He's offering her the opportunity to start again and completely vanish from her current life. Oh, show more the job just happens to be at Havenwood....

Now, there's nothing better than immersing yourself in a spooky tale on a cold winter's night. So, although I found the premise a little bit flimsy and questioned some of Julia's actions, I just went with it. Because, I really wanted to see what secrets the mansion held. What happened there in 1875? Why has Julia been sought out as a companion? Where would Webb take her story from this beginning?

I had great fun imagining walking through the many wings of Havenwood - the library particularly caught me! All the hallmarks of a great ghost story are here - mysterious family matriarch, son who travels a lot but discourages others from leaving the estate, handsome stable hand, a wonderful set of dogs who can sense things not seen and more.

While not overly frightening, The Vanishing was a lovely, atmospheric read for a miserable day. (The power goes out during a snowstorm at the mansion. This actually happened at my house that day as well!) Webb throws in a delicious twist at the end that was perfect. show less

"OH, DEAR, ADRIAN, I AM SO FRIGHTENED"
::clutches pearls::
"Oh Julia, you look as though you have seen a ghost!"
::runs down pitch black foyer in a big huge scary mansion with a long silky red robe, searching for big strong handsome Scottish man, while holding a lantern::

Yes, This was your typical Victorian gothic ghost story. ALL the clichés included.
If you need a plain story with a pretty heroine and a dashing gentleman, as typical gothic mansion plotline without much element surprise, and a bit of cheesy eye rolling and pearl clutching- here is your book.
I predicted this book halfway through, so as the story laid out, so... well I was not surprised. If you know one gothic romance, you know them all. lol

Daphne DuMaurier and show more Victoria Holt are the masters of this sort of story telling, and, well, I must admit, I am that ridiculous of a woman who needs a good gothic romance with a beautiful creepy house and a dashing gentleman that always comes to save the day - once in a while.

So after you read the masters of such, and you desire more, this book is a nice place to continue to get your fix.

Its a nice reprieve and break from reality where I currently reside apartment dwelling with a wonderful boyfriend, demanding children and yet also live as a strong independent woman who doesn't clutch her pearls and seeks thrills.
The setting of a haunted manor was very intriguing and the characters were mildly interesting but one dimensional, and I especially really really enjoyed the beautiful malamute dogs and gentle horses. show less

The Vanishing
3 Stars

After the revelation of her husband's criminal activities and his subsequent suicide, Julia Bishop is left friendless and penniless. So, when a stranger appears on her doorstep offering a position as a companion to a well-known writer whom the world believes is dead, Julia jumps at the chance. However, upon her arrival at the Woodhaven estate, she quickly comes to realize that there is something decidedly odd and perhaps even sinister occurring. Why did Amaris Sinclair abandon her successful career? Why was Julia offered this job? And who or what is behind the series of mystifying and frightening events in the house?

Putting aside Julia's TSTL decision to accept the offer of a questionable position from a complete show more stranger and leave her entire life behind at his suggestion, the underlying plot revolving around an eccentric and reclusive author living in a huge gothic mansion with a mysterious history has a certain appeal.

The gothic elements interspersed throughout the book are well-developed, and the kernels for several intriguing explanations, including Native American folklore, reincarnation, hallucinations, and even an ancient evil, create a somewhat spooky atmosphere. Unfortunately, the story progresses at such a slow pace that by the time anything truly interesting happens it is too late to actually care about the fates of any of the characters. Moreover, despite one or two good twists, the ultimate resolution is anti-climactic and lackluster.

Finally, the weird epilogue is superfluous and adds little to a story that has already been resolved, albeit not satisfactorily. Despite these issues, I am interested enough in this author's style to try another of her book in the future. show less