4.75 stars! I received and arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Pelayo hits it out of the park again! She has easily become one of my favorite authors. I love how she seamlessly intertwines fantasy with horror, and Vanishing Girls is no exception! I never knew I needed a true crime interpretation of Sleeping Beauty until now!

Another beautifully-written read from Cynthia Pelayo! This one is a mix of fairy tale, serial killer, Chicago history and lore, and grief! I was really hooked from the get-go and of course I absolutely loved all of the Chicagoland references throughout! 🙌

I did feel the pace slowed a bit halfway through, and some things were a little bit repetitive. But I still really enjoyed the read and definitely recommend checking it out! 👏

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Cynthia Pelayo for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

Vanishing Daughters comes at you with a contemporary twist on fairy tales and folklore set in Chicago. With the backdrop of a grieving protagonist, we see the consequences of such grief on the mind and the manifestations that occur due to this. Briar is suffering after her mother's passing, and she stays stuck in a sort of cycle as she wonders about the last thing her mother told her. Add a serial killer on the loose, dead girls popping up everywhere, and nightmares and night terrors spilling into the real world.

I think the concept of this book was very intriguing. Just a quick read over the blurb had me wanting to get my hands on this book. However, I think if you want to read something with more suspense, then this might not be for you. The format of this book alone is more stream of consciousness at times and very philosophical. Unfortunately for me, I tried to immerse myself in the writing and this world, but the style didn't allow me to really get in there. There was only a single chapter where I felt fully immersed and I was so interested, but everything around it felt more surface level than anything else. I wish I could've enjoyed it more because I did love all the characters and how they were presented in the story, but I struggled to fully get into this book.

At the end of the day, this was an incredible concept, but the execution isn't typically what *I* tend to read.

While this felt a little all over the place at time- it was a super solid story and was a really fun read. I found myself challenged to put it down and needing to know the outcome and if I was right about the twists and turns! Absolutely worth the recommendation!

3.25 Stars 🌟 A huge thanks to Thomas & Mercer & NetGalley for the ARC! 💌

Vanishing Daughters by Cynthia Pelayo was definitely a wild ride. The premise was sooo intriguing 😲 – a haunted woman + serial killer + fairy tale vibes? YES, PLEASE! But... there’s a but.

So, Briar Thorne’s life is a mess after her mom’s death 💔. She’s stuck in their creepy mansion, haunted by her mother’s ghost and weird happenings around the house. Sounds exciting, right? Well, that’s where it kind of lost me. The execution was a bit all over the place – like, we start with this intense ghostly setup, but then we’re thrown into these philosophical musings about grief, dreams, and consciousness... and I’m like… wait, what just happened to the creepy serial killer plot?

Don’t get me wrong, the atmosphere was AMAZING. The mansion, the weird occurrences, the eerie vibes, all of that had me hooked. But, then the pacing... Ugh. Snooze fest in the middle of the book. I was literally waiting for the thriller to kick in, but it was like watching paint dry until the last 10 pages, where everything goes CRAZY (in a good way).

Now, I do love a good dark twist, and this book had some cool ones, but the fairy tale connection? Eh. 💤 It felt forced at times, and the serial killer just didn’t have the oomph I was expecting. He was more of a mystery in himself, which was cool, but I was hoping for more edge-of-my-seat moments.

Let’s talk about Briar. She’s a journalist, super smart, but honestly, she frustrated me at times. Her grief felt over the top, and I get it—losing someone sucks, but it seemed like she was just stuck in a loop of reflection. I wanted more action!

In the end, if you love dark, supernatural thrillers with a philosophical twist and fairy tale inspirations, then you’ll totally vibe with this. 🌙 But if you’re expecting a straight-up edge-of-your-seat thriller, you might wanna pass. 🙅‍♀️

Overall, it’s a good read but just not my cup of tea! ✨

Tropes:
🏚️ Haunted House
🌙 Grieving Protagonist
🏚️ Serial Killer
🌙 Supernatural Thrills
🏚️ Philosophical Musings
🌙 Fairy Tale Inspirations

CW: Grief and loss, Ghosts, Serial Killer

This wasn't for me- there was too much going on what with the ghosts, the serial killer, and so on. Briar's mourning her mother and struggling with nightmares that might be true. Or not. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

This one was very different from what I usually read. It’s a bit of a slow burn at first, so it took until about 25% before the pace started picking up. The story itself was really well-written and Cina did a great job of portraying an MC who is an absolute basket case. While the writing seems very disjointed at first (kind of similar to Requiem for a Dream), it is actually us being thrust into the MC’s descent into madness. It was a stellar strategy, despite being a bit confusing at first. By the time the ending came about, it was hard to know which events she was actually experiencing and which were in her head, which was the whole point of this novel. This was a very character driven story, so if that’s your jam, you should definitely pick it up, especially if you’re looking for something with a modern gothic horror feel to it!

Huge thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

This is my first book by this author, and it grabbed me from the first page and kept its grip until the very end. The cover is gorgeous and was what caught my attention along with the title. Vanishing Daughters combines a modern psychological thriller with our oldest fairytales and stories, resulting in an entirely new experience. I truly enjoyed this book, but I don't think it will appeal to every reader. The writing style is dreamy and wandering, with certain chapters resembling a stream of consciousness from our main character Briar. And, as I noted in the first part of the review, this book covers a wide range of subjects and topics, and while they're all handled brilliantly, it can feel a little overwhelming at points. However, if you favor dark modern magical realism and prefer atmospheric over fast-paced stories, I believe you will enjoy Vanishing Daughters.
Overall, I appreciated this darkly gorgeous novel. I believe the story will stick with me for a long time, and it has even influenced my perspective on several issues. This book is an example of a completely unique story. Vanishing Daughters is recommended to those who appreciate magical realism, fairy tale and myth-inspired novels, and one-of-a-kind reading experiences.

I’m in a pickle. This is an undoubtedly amazing book, well written and with intriguing ideas and characters. Objectively, I should give it 5 stars, excellent, magnificent. Now, for whether I liked it or not, I’m afraid that it was not for me. All these philosophical concepts about dreaming and consciousness, the ghostly apparitions, the fairy tales… it is not something I enjoy, and I had a hard time reading this. Briar just lost her mother, and she’s stuck in her family’s dilapidated mansion grieving and plagued by nightmares. She dreams or hallucinates, walks her (adorable) dog and talks to her (super-likable) friends. There is also a serial killer who’s stalking her. This is a story that has been repeating itself forever and she needs to listen to her mother’s voice (in her head?) to break the circle. I loved the descriptions of the house, as well as the stories about Chicago. I could even relate to Briar’s recent loss, having lost my dad last year, but I still couldn’t connect with her – her grief seems too out of proportion for something we all know will eventually happen. I hope many readers will love this. Based on my enjoyment, though, I’d have to give it 2 stars. Rounding out, I’m settling on 3.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer.

I love Cynthia Pelayo for the tone of her stories. This cross of modern and dark fairy tale has such atmosphere and mood that it makes for a very engaging read. Vanishing Daughters does this so well that I have very few complaints. The one thing would be that this type of story always has a sense of disjointedness to it, and for this story that didn’t come together quite as well as it did in Forgotten Sisters.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Sleeping Beauty retelling with a serial killer twist...I'm so here for here for it!

Vanishing Daughters was completely unexpected and I couldn't put it down. I loved the web of mystery and intrigue the author created. This story was bizarre, yet utterly fascinating. I was completely invested and couldn't wait to see how everything would come together in the end.

If I had to make a complaint about anything, it would be that I wished that Emily and Daniel would have been featured a little more. I felt like we got little glimpses of them, but they were ultimately an afterthought.

Overall, I thought Vanishing Daughters was a unique gothic thriller with an unexpected fairytale twist. This book is quite a departure from the books I normally read and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Vanishing Daughters by Cynthia Pelayo is a chilling, atmospheric thriller that combines elements of horror with a tense, edge-of-your-seat mystery. The story follows Briar Thorne, a journalist who has been haunted by strange and terrifying dreams ever since her mother's death in their old Chicago mansion. As Bri confronts the lingering grief from her mother's passing, she begins to suspect that the eerie experiences in her home might not just be figments of her imagination, but something far darker and more dangerous.

When Bri starts investigating the grisly murders of fifty-one women at the hands of a serial killer, her search for answers leads her to a stranger who suggests that the key to solving both the murders and her own nightmares lies within her ability to connect with the dead. As the killer becomes more aware of Bri's research, the stakes intensify, and she finds herself in a race against time to stop a murderer before she becomes his next victim.

Pelayo expertly weaves together a tale of supernatural suspense and real-world terror. The sense of dread and foreboding is palpable throughout, keeping readers hooked as Bri uncovers chilling truths that blur the lines between the living and the dead. With a strong, determined protagonist and a gripping narrative, Vanishing Daughters is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural mysteries alike. It's a dark, haunting journey that will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page.

Overall the book/story was decent. The characters were very descriptive and very interesting.
I liked the way the story was told and the fairy tale aspect to it.
I definitely think this book should have been longer. There were times that the story was leading somewhere then it just didn’t get brought back up. Like it was an unfinished thought or they meant to go into more detail but then decided not to.
I really felt like the ending was missing something as well. The story had so many twists but they didn’t lead anywhere.
Hopefully there will be a sequel or so to fill in those blanks.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the copy

Vanishing Daughters really intrigued me with its plot from the start - blending fairy tales, urband legends, serial killers and grief. The themes were extremely compelling but, as the story progressed, it started to lose its momentum.
The pacing felt off and by the halfway point it seemed like there was a lot happening but somehow nothing at all. The narrative became repetitive at times and the conclusion felt rushed, wrapped up in what seemed like only a couple of pages.
While the plot is intriguing, the final product left me feeling like it was both too much and not enough at the same time.

So many things going on in this book! Mystery, intrigue, fantasy, grief….to be honest I struggled to get into it. But I am SO glad I stuck with it! It starts out very descriptive and a little difficult to tell whose viewpoint you were reading—Briar or the killer! Ad the story continues, it felt a little repetitive at times, but the wrap up of all the story pieces was so well done I’d definitely recommend! Thank you for this ARC!

I could not finish this book, not because i thought it was bad but because i couldn't quite get into the story

Unfortunately, Vanishing Daughters by Pelayo didn't work well for me. It was more of a fairy tale or magical realism novel with dealing with the grief of losing a parent versus a horror. There is a lot of local knowledge of Chicago urban legends that I thought was interesting. However, the parallels to Sleeping Beauty were too many and the theme kind of went everywhere which made it feel incohesive.

Vanishing Daughters is a haunting and deeply atmospheric novel that straddles the line between surrealism and paranormal horror, offering a reading experience that feels more like wandering through a dream than following a linear story. Set in Chicago, the book layers history, folklore, and ghostly elements with an undercurrent of true crime.

The narrative leans heavily into its dreamlike quality, often blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination. The prose is lyrical and rich with symbolism, creating a moody and immersive atmosphere. The book also delves into historical details about Chicago and even touches on the Manhattan Project, offering unexpected avenues for readers with a taste for history.

That said, this is not a traditional thriller. While there is a serial killer storyline, it feels like a faint shadow in the larger tapestry of the book. Readers who enjoy clear-cut plots or resolutions might find the story challenging, as it often prioritizes mood and abstraction over direct answers.

For readers who thrive on ambiguity, love history intertwined with the paranormal, and don’t mind letting go of the need to know exactly what’s going on, Vanishing Daughters might be a mesmerizing experience. For others, it’s a book that demands patience and an appreciation for the surreal.

Chicagoland meets Ghostland meets Serial Killerland.

Like tunbleweeds being tossed across the Midwestern prairies, Vanishing Daughter is picking up elements of dark mossy things that grow unchecked in the corners of the mind. Cynthia Pelayo knows how to rip out a good yarn. Check out her previous novel Forgotten Sisters (2024).

Pelayo knows her stompin' grounds of the Chicago area with all of its highlights and lowlights. She will thread Vanishing Daughters with the footwork of deep research. Pelayo emphasizes the "thin place" where logic leaves its hat on a peg and the supernatural and unexplainable step through the door. Chicago is rich with ancient lore and tales of things that go bump in the night. And the shoulders of this great old city are hunched over and quite amused.

Briar Rose Thorne lives in a worn-down mansion on the south side of Chicago near Jackson Park. The home has been in the family for eons. Usually Briar is in the midst of research for her science based columns as a journalist. But Briar is bogged down with the weight of extreme grief. Her mother has passed away recently and Briar can't seem to put one foot in front of the other. In fact, she suffers from extreme sleep deprivation. It has affected her relationships with Emily, her best friend, and with Daniel, her boyfriend. And in the midst of all this, the mansion is speaking to her of its own grief.

Cynthia Pelayo writes with deep commitment. She parallels regional lore with fanciful fairy tales in this one. Her prose is magnificent especially in regard to grief in general. But she can labor a point which may turn away some of the more rigid readers. Pelayo injects a very curious thread of the Chicago Strangler who has murdered 51 women. Just how all these jagged pieces come together is worth a looky-look. Pack your parka. Gonna get cold to the bones in this one.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to Cynthia Pelayo for the opportunity.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Cynthia Pelayo for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Vanishing Daughters coming out March 11, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It seems to be a modern adaptation of Sleeping Beauty. I usually love mysteries and thrillers, but this didn’t feel like that to me. It wasn’t really my cup of tea. The first half of the book was really interesting, but I lost interest in the second half. The plot wasn’t for me. I would check out other books by this author though.