What a story! Very engaging and about a part of the human experience I don't know about, so it was easy to get caught up.

Tough to read in spots but topical and important. This sadly details the grooming of young girls for sexual abuse and the efforts by a teacher to save at least one of them. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

The characters were so detailed and the entire book flowed seamlessly, which was surprising given the heaviness of the storyline. It was somewhat graphic at parts but, overall, a highly recommended read.

Exceptionally elegant writing detailing abuse, kidnapping, rape...all in today's society. Told in a very well-developed writing style, all characters are full and well described, and although graphic, the story pulls together so well. Recommended reading.

From the description of the book, I was expecting more of a "thriller" type novel then I felt this was.
"The Disappeared is a story of our times, of kidnap and rescue, of abuse and healing. It is the story of Stephen, a teacher whose love for the pupil who shares his dreams brings him face to face with ruin; of Sharon, the child of a feckless stepmother, and her criminal abusers; of Laura, the investigative high-flyer, now faced with rape and sexual slavery; of Justin, environmentalist and Heavy Metal fan, whose obsession with Muhibbah, rescued from forced marriage, spells disaster for them both. It is the story of a police force fearful of charges of racism, and a social worker, Iona, expected to make a viable community from fragments that will not join.

With dizzying speed The Disappeared uncovers the chaotic underworld of a Yorkshire city, its characters eventually stumbling across one another in a single catastrophe. A victim may bring redemption: but who will it be?"

This is what the book is about, but it delves into many cultural and societal subjects. At times, there seems to be a bit too much detail about certain things - like Justin's Heavy Metal fanaticism and environmentalism, but not enough to ruin the book for me.
Sharon to me was really the most interesting character, but I suppose that's because I am a female and can relate to some of her life experiences. I was disappointed in her teacher, Stephen, but also see it as how the type of situation would often end up in real life.
The different incidents and characters do tie up in the end, and there was some wonderful prose by author. It did lead me to looking up and reading some other material about subjects such as human trafficking.
Overall, if you're looking for a typical thriller or crime story this is probably not the book for you. It is a bit slow in a few spots, but for the most part it flowed pretty well.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in return for an honest opinion.

This was a dark book to read, not because of the writing but the subject matter. Two men caught up in trying to protect one female. What they are trying to save her from? Read the book. I have not read a book on human trafficking, abuse, and other atrocities of white women by Muslim and Asian immigrants. This book was hard to read in some spots, graphic in some parts but the ending brings it all together. Despite the subject matter, I think this would make an excellent book for a book club read., this book makes for a lively discussion. There are not too many books that stick with me, but this one will. Also, this book is not for everyone. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Good, well paced, cleverly plotted re the intersecting of the victims lives. Could have done with a firmer conclusion re the trafficking gang

While I thoroughly enjoyed the sex trafficking and mystery aspects of this book, I was constantly left with the feeling that the author genuinely believed in the enforced gender roles and anti-immigrant undertones portrayed throughout. A little research has revealed this title to be little more than an alternate stage for extreme leftist, sexist, and racist beliefs... which is a shame because the fictional elements of Sharon and Muhhibah's lives were out of this world.

Sorry, no publicly posted review available for this one.

I didn't make it past the first few pages of this because I found the direct address to the reader so annoying.