The Vanishing in Pick-a-Shelf

Jan 02, 2014 Kathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, setting-as-a-character, ghost-stories, supernatural

The Vanishing is the second ghost story by Wendy Webb that I have read, and I can conclude that she definitely knows how to create the perfect atmosphere for a deliciously ghostly tale. In this latest tale, the Gothic setup will reel the reader in and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The centuries old mansion and its other world connection to seances and spirits becomes a character itself, as alive in its undercurrents as the living occupants.

Julia Bishop comes to Havenwood The Vanishing is the second ghost story by Wendy Webb that I have read, and I can conclude that she definitely knows how to create the perfect atmosphere for a deliciously ghostly tale. In this latest tale, the Gothic setup will reel the reader in and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The centuries old mansion and its other world connection to seances and spirits becomes a character itself, as alive in its undercurrents as the living occupants.

Julia Bishop comes to Havenwood in the wilderness of Lake Superior after her life in Chicago is in shambles from a ponzy-scheming husband who killed himself and left her to face the shame and consequences of his actions. Literally at her wit's end, Adrian Sinclair appears on her doorstep and offers to make her nightmare life go away if she will come with him to be his reclusive mother's companion at Havenwood. His mother is no other than the famous horror novelist Amaris Sinclair, an author that Julia holds in the highest esteem and whom the world thinks is dead. Julia seems to settle in rather quickly in the enormous house, and meets the other resident, Drew McCullough, great-great grandson of the Scottish lord who built Havenwood. Soon, Julia begins to hear and see things that begin a nightmare of a different sort for her, as the past of the old house demands to be confronted. To gain real peace, Julia will have to endure a hellish trip to a past that includes a world once fascinated with spiritualism and her connection to it. Whether she can survive the evil that haunts her efforts will be a battle indeed.

Mostly, I was pleased with this ghostly tale, but the ending, which I won't spoil, really had me shaking my head. I think I said something like, "What?". It didn't by any means ruin the story or book, but I'm confused as to its purpose. It seemed to introduce an element that wasn't hinted at in the book, so it struck me as a bit unfair. However, the book was a good story and a good read for those of us who enjoy ghost stories and being slightly spooked. ...more

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Apr 09, 2022 Lauren rated it liked it

Shelves: widow-widower, audiobooks, scribd-everand, amnesia, ghosts, gothic, governess-companion-housekeeper, paranormal-mystery, ancient-evil, native-american

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 abando ...more

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Jan 09, 2025 emily rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction-contemporary, ghosts-and-haunted-houses, thrillers-and-suspense, 2025, mystery-and-crime, horror

This was a really, really good book. Its ending was MUCH more benevolent than I expected it to be, so if you're looking for a really good spooky book with a happy ending, this is your guy!

Here's where I had convinced myself the book was going : (view spoiler) This was a really, really good book. Its ending was MUCH more benevolent than I expected it to be, so if you're looking for a really good spooky book with a happy ending, this is your guy!

Here's where I had convinced myself the book was going : (view spoiler) Now, don't get me wrong, the benign ending (with a small "or IS IT" wink that I didn't believe for a second) is really good. The twist/reveal is solidly explained, it makes sense, and the secrets people were keeping the whole time and why made sense. I had just set my sights on a much more sinister final act than what I got, lol.

The only parts of this that I didn't vibe with were twofold: one, the deal with Julia's medication. Her not remembering what the pills are, not having any urge to try and find out especially after she finds that someone has dumped them, and her blithe acceptance of Adrian dismissing them as unimportant, were so maddening. Taken alongside her suspicion that she'd been drugged, WHY would she not think getting to the bottom of that was important? And two, the literal last-minute introduction of Adrian's ex-wife and kid. With all the focus on family, they should've been brought up WAY sooner in the book than they were, especially if being estranged from Audra was causing Amaris so much sorrow. And (okay I guess threefold) I wanted the climactic seance/banishment scene to be longer and more serious. You're telling me in the span of one afternoon Julia goes from resisting the idea that she's descended from a medium to popping up ready to exorcise a demon from the house with just her two hands and a necklace? It's giving Beni from The Mummy. I get that they wanted to leave more uncertainty at the end about whether or not she succeeded, but it just felt rushed.

Still-- this is a case where I'm nitpicking because there are so few things to find fault with. I really enjoyed this book and definitely want to read more of Webb's work. ...more

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Jan 20, 2014 Stephanie rated it liked it

Shelves: horror, thriller, adult-fiction, mystery, paranormal

I loved the concept, and the book appealed to me in a lot of ways. In some way it was kind of perfect for me - - a chicken who still loves a good spooky story! But it did get corny at times.

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