The Vanishing Bookstore by Helen Phifer

5*

Helen has done an amazing job of weaving truth with fantasy to create this masterpiece of a book.
I really enjoyed this tale of a family of resilient witch members that have one agenda... Revenge.

Strong family connections plays a huge part whilst Dora one of the witches really shines through in this story while being fiesty and never giving up. There are some other very fun and influential characters that pop up through the book who you learn to love as well. Hades is especially a favourite of mine.

Themes of finding ones true self, death, witches, witch trials and most importantly hope and love.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ARC of an honest review.

In a Nutshell: A contemporary fantasy about facing your fears to reach a happy ending. Interesting characters and plot, but somewhat YA in approach. The magic had potential but the logical loopholes were distracting. The titular bookstore is not the central part of the story. You might like the book better if you take off your thinking cap before reading.

Plot Preview:
Present day, London. Thirty-three-year-old Dora English, a florist, is stunned when her aunt plans a trip to Salem to visit their family. Dora always assumed that the two of them had only each other. Now, she discovers that even her mother, whom she had presumed dead, is alive. But the reunion isn’t a happy one. Dora discovers that her family has been hiding certain secrets from her. The most shocking one is that their survival hinges on finding a bookstore that no one in the family has seen for generations. Now Dora has to do whatever she can to keep her family alive and together.
The story comes to us in the limited third-person perspective of various characters over multiple timelines.


Author Helen Phifer is a proficient writer of crime thrillers, police procedurals, and horror. This is her first foray into fantasy. While this book shows glimpses of her talent on the thriller side, the fantasy part could have been finetuned.

Bookish Yays:
🔮 The prologue coming from Salem in 1692, which establishes the foundation for the contemporary events excellently.
🔮 Lucine, Seraphina and Lenora – three sisters with distinct personalities that stay true throughout the plot. I loved how well their character sketching was done. Lenora was my favourite of the trio.
🔮 The male characters. One was a bit too sugary-sweet, but the plot needed that reliable vibe. The antagonist was perfectly creepy!
🔮 Quite a few third-person perspectives but never confusing. Each contains a good mix of thought and plot. I like how well this narrative choice was used. (Those who don’t like multiple character voices might find it bothersome.)
🔮 The portrayal of Salem, both historical and contemporary, is brilliant. Not only is the setting used well in the plot, but it also highlights the insensitivity displayed by those indulging in dark tourism.
🔮 The two non-human characters - Hades and Ophelia. Both were so good! I wish there had been more of Ophelia, but Hades more than made up for it with his *chirpy* personality.

Bookish Mixed Bags:
💫 The pacing gets a bit slow and repetitive in between, but the ending saves the overall average tempo.
💫 There are two threads of suspense. The bookstore one is a bit meh but the character-connected one is intriguing, even if it is more about “how” than “who”.
💫 The romance was a bit too much for my liking. But it doesn’t overpower the core plot especially in the crucial scenes, which is always good.
💫 Two interesting female supporting characters have a good role to play in the initial few chapters. But they are forgotten after a certain point. I’d have loved to know more about their fate later in the story.
💫 There are a couple of chilling scenes but these occur only in the background. We don’t get to see the action on page. This is especially disappointing considering the oeuvre of the author. Her experience in writing crime thrillers shows even in the limited content, so I wish those scenes had more on-page elaboration. This would have been easily possible thanks to the multi-character third-person approach.

Bookish Nays:
🧹 The title – very misleading and totally wrong for the book. The bookstore hardly has any page space. Most of the story is more about Dora and her family and their problems than about the bookstore itself. More importantly, the word “vanishing’ makes it sound like the bookstore appears and disappears regularly throughout the story. Inaccurate!
🧹 Dora's age isn't revealed until well into the second half so it came as a big shock to me that she was in her thirties. She feels too naive for her age, giving the book somewhat YA feels.
🧹 The dialogues are somewhat cheesy at times, further enhancing the YA vibe.
🧹 Quite a few logical loopholes and unanswered queries connected to the fantasy part of the plot.
🧹 I didn’t get the epilogue despite reading it twice! 🤔
🧹 A pedantic complaint, this. But I was peeved by the repeated use of the phrase "the English women". Dora’s family was “English” by name, not by nationality or language. So this recurring method of referring to them created quite some confusion in my head in the initial chapters.
🧹 Another pedantic complaint: There were way too many sorrys and pleases and thank yous in the dialogues. Even when there were no magic words needed and the action was quite high, the characters stopped to exchange such pleasantries. C’mon!


There have been a plethora of titles in the last few year referencing a “lost” something, one of which was Evie Woods’ “The Lost Bookshop”. It had been a decent novel, and I was hoping for similar magical vibes from this one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.

To be clear, this isn’t not a bad book, but it doesn’t fulfil its promise. By leaving many things unexplained and restricting the bookstore to a minimal appearance, the book kept me from reaching greater satisfaction. However, if you can go with the flow and not question anything too much, you might still enjoy this story, especially for its characters.

Recommended to those who enjoy contemporary fantasy with multiple character perspectives, as long as you remember that the bookstore is not the focus of the plot.

3 stars, as my feedback is mostly balanced across the three sections.

My thanks to Bookouture for providing the DRC and ALC of “The Vanishing Bookstore” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I have enjoyed Phifer's thrillers for a long time, but as soon as I saw the cover, I was in.
Then I saw it was set in 1692 in Salem, and I was ready for it. A witchy read.
Then I saw there was a dual timeline, and I was obsessed.
This was so entertaining. The audiobook narrated by Stephanie Cannon was fabulous. It was just what I needed to start the year of my reading.
Some authors change genres, and have excelled, and Phifer has certainly added herself to this list. Cannot wait to read more from the author, whatever genre is next.
There was mystery, magic and SO much more.

This book was a change of pace for this author, who usually writes thrillers! I really enjoyed it :)

Dora is a woman who lives with her aunt Lenny in London, and she runs a flower shop. One day, a man comes into the flower shop and although he is charming and wears expensive cologne, her instincts tell her that something is wrong.

Lenny and Dora head off to Salem, where Dora meets her aunts Lucine and Sephy for the first time. Gradually, her past is revealed to her, by way of her aunts stories and her own memories which are starting to come through. She realises the danger they are all in and if they are to fight this threat, she needs the book - but the book is in the bookstore which has been hidden for centuries......

I enjoyed this story very much. The story of the Salem witch trials is woven into the novel as well, but in a secondary way, in terms of there not being any horror or scary passages regarding this awful phase of Salem's history.

Dora is a lovely character and her friendship/romance with Ambrose is very sweet :)

All in all, I think this was a great read although it felt like it needed a bit more depth. Can't quite put my finger on it though. So, for that reason, I am giving it a 4.5 stars out of 5 :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

The Vanishing Bookstore
By: Helen Phifer

5 Stars

I love anything and everything to do with Salem, and this book was just up my alley. It was magical and full of both danger and drama. It surrounded the English sisters who have lived many lifetimes because of a curse they have yet to break. Together, they work to beat a curse that has left them near powerless, until now.

I loved this story from the title to the context to the amazing and epic characters. This story was fantasy and magic from page one, wrapped in a dark and twisted history. I loved Dora and all the aunts. I found a special place for Hades because I love birds and have 3.
This book really brought Salem to life. It was descriptive, historical, and mysterious. It brought a traumatic time in history to life and made it artful and informative. I can't leave and not mention the ending that was neat and seemed to be leading into another story, maybe? I really hope so.


*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

The Vanishing Bookstore delivers a lovely cozy fantasy with a higher stakes plot that felt at odds with the softer writing style.

There's nothing inherently wrong with this story, the characters and atmosphere are easy to fall in love with. Fans of Phifers past works will feel at home within these pages. Unfortunately, for my personal tastes, the plot itself felt sinister and dark while the writing felt sweet and whimsical. The juxtaposition made the overall story feel off kilter for me.

The narration on the other hand was really well done, and I think in the end, the nuance and depiction that the narrator brought to the story was what kept me engaged throughout.

"The Vanishing Bookstore" is a really engaging story that mixes the old and the new in a magical, mysterious way. It’s about this girl named Dora who finds out that her family's survival depends on uncovering a hidden bookstore that's been missing forever. As she digs into her family's secrets, she stumbles upon links to the Salem Witch Trials and a creepy figure that’s been after her family for ages. Her adventure to locate the bookstore isn’t easy either—someone’s keeping a close eye on her.

Dora is a brave and determined lead character, and her emotional journey is at the heart of the story. Her mission to save her mom and figure out her family's past is portrayed really well. The other characters, like her mom and the mysterious figure, add extra layers of suspense and intrigue to the plot.

Helen Phifer's writing is totally captivating and brings a cool mix of history, fantasy, and mystery to life. The words are full of vivid imagery and deep feelings that pull you right into the story. It flows really well, balancing nail-biting suspense with quiet, reflective moments that make you want to keep reading.

The book digs into some pretty big themes like searching for the truth, how history shapes our lives today, and the strength of family ties. It shows how tough it can be to deal with your past and the bravery it takes to face new challenges. Plus, it really emphasizes the importance of finding hidden truths and the power that comes from family connections.

Helen Phifer has a bunch of cool writing tricks up her sleeve that really bring the story to life—like using awesome descriptions, deep emotions, and a solid sense of where everything's happening. She also mixes in different viewpoints and flashbacks, which makes things a bit more complicated and lets us unravel the mystery with Dora.

The book moves at a nice pace and has a clear structure that keeps you interested the whole time. It's easy to read too, with straightforward writing that anyone can dive into.

"The Vanishing Bookstore" is an incredible read that mixes fantasy, history, and mystery all in one. Helen Phifer really knows how to tell a story that hooks you in and makes you think, so if you’re into magical realism or historical mysteries, you definitely want to check this out. It sticks with you, getting you to think about ideas like truth, resilience, and family.

I totally recommend "The Vanishing Bookstore" to anyone who likes fantasy, historical fiction, or mystery. It’s got a great story that will stay with you even after you finish it!

This book was phenomenal. I loved the writing style, the characters, everything! I was sad to put this book down. I wish I could re-read it for the first time. I loved the character of Dora, I thought she was written really well and I loved following her in this story. Brilliant book!!!!

A book about a vanishing bookstore and the witchiness of Salem and the infamy of the witch trials....sign me up!

Whilst it's not a fast paced read, it's certainly addictive and my poor kindle took quite the battering as I raced through the pages.

It's a dual timeline story that flips between 1692 and present day. It's atmospheric and the imagery really brings the story to life, along with characters that are written with depth and personality.

An enjoyable and entertaining read steeped in mystery and magic.

I am a sucker for bookstores and I think even the regular ones are magical. Taking place in dual times, this bookstore is extra special because it it really is magical and the key to unlocking the past is locating it again, with the journal that was hidden inside. Add in witches cursed to live time and again with a horrible guy hunting them down the whole time and I was sold on the book! I rooted for Dora to discover all the clues, even if the remembering was hard and I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even if I did wish that it had a bit more on the bookstore and its own magic.

The book had a great plot, but a poor execution.

The Salem Witch Trials, the blurb and the cover enticed me to read this, but it was so hard to read and go on with the book. The writing was flat and so were the characters. I could neither feel the high stakes, nor care if they actually succeeded.

Dora does not act her age and the biggest moments like meeting her mother also do not invoke any emotions. Also why would you keep her away for 33 years, then just tell her she is a witch and not let her remember?

The bookstore in itself didn't really make an appearance till 60% of the book and the end of the book was pretty hurried. The sex scenes also didn't add anything to the story. I also felt that the narrative was pretty confusing at times, especially when so many characters were mentioned and not really introduced.

I think if the book was probably 100 pages shorter, I would have still given the author the benefit but it was difficult to finish this book.

This book took me a minute to get into but it turned out to be a cozy little story. The story follows sisters from Salem who lived in the 1600s and then continued to be "reborn" due to a curse that they are trynig to break. The book has so much potential but I needed more character development and the plot jumped around a little too much for my liking. I felt it unrealistic how Dora reacted to being told she has been reincarnated multiple times in the last several hundred years and that she has a mother she had "forgotten" about. It was just kinda brushed over and it really made me lose interest.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

Dora English feels like something is missing from her life but can’t quite figure out what it is. When her beloved Aunt Lenny invites her to the United States for a work conference, Dora’s life is turned upside down.

In an unexpected twist, Dora uncovers hidden truths about her heritage, her identity, and even her own heart. As she begins to piece together her past, she finds herself in the midst of a dangerous situation with someone intent on ending her life. With time running out, Dora must navigate a labyrinth of secrets while discovering what truly matters.

The suspense and tension build as the plot unfolds, keeping you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The blend of mystery, personal growth, and romance makes "The Vanishing Bookstore" a compelling and unforgettable read. I couldn't put this book down and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a gripping story with heart.

What a delightful story Helen Phiefer has woven! This dual timeline novel, set in the 1690s during the Salem witch trials and present day London and Salem follows the English sisters & their niece, Dora. Turns out, the English sisters aren’t your usual family — they’ve lived numerous lifetimes, always helping those in need, but cursed to be hunted in every lifetime. Only the youngest English, Dora, can break the curse, with the help of a spell book she hid in the 1690s, and which the sisters have never been able to find. But as Dora begins to remember who she is, and manages to finally find the vanishing bookstore, will the English sisters finally be able to break the curse, or will they be doomed to be hunted yet again?

I loved the blending of the Salem witch trials with present day Salem, the little spells and magic woven through the story, and Hades, Dora’s familiar. The Vanishing Bookstore has a small but mighty role, and perhaps there is a hint of another story featuring the sisters?

It’s a delightful weekend read, perfect for lovers of magical, witchy, fantasy novels.

This a a fantastic book. I didn’t realize before reading it that it would span so many years and continents.
The story at the beginning was so intriguing that I kept asking myself how this would lead back to the vanished bookstore. Quite clever how it’s all laid out.
The sister’s and mother’s will was always strong and you find out just how strong. This book has mystery, magic and a families love and connection. just showing if you work together you can defeat evil and save your community.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

Dora believes she lives a normal life running her flower shop in London with her aunt Lenny, but her life turns upside down when they take a trip to Salem, Massachusetts together. Dora learns the truth about her family’s history and works with them to end the curse set upon them once and for all.

Based on the beautiful cover and title of this book, I expected the plot to revolve more around a vanishing bookstore than it really did. I enjoyed the flashbacks to 1692 Salem, but these moments were few and far between. The present day storyline lacked a little something but I can’t place my finger on what it is. I just wasn’t completely immersed in the plot, I didn’t feel fully connected to the characters, the relationship between Dora and Ambrose didn’t feel as “tale as old as time” as it was described to be, and 33-year-old Dora felt more like a 21-year-old coming of age character than a grown adult most of the time. Overall, the story started off very promising, but it lost its luster halfway through. I pushed through and made it to the end because I was interested enough to see how it would play out, but the ending left something to be desired. If you enjoy historical fiction and you’re looking for a simple read you’ll probably like this one.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Helen Phifer for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Vanishing Bookstore out January 7, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’ve always been really interested in the Salem witch trials. I’ve visited Salem and really love being there. I’ve read a lot of books about the history of Salem. I think the timeline in 1692 was a lot more interesting to me than the modern timeline. I’m not sure if the two timelines really flowed together for me. But I really enjoyed the Bookstore plot. I would definitely read more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books about the Salem witch trials!

Such a lovely narrator for this audiobook, which is such a great bonus to a wonderful book! Follows a family of witches who keep living new lives after death since Salem, trying to break the curse that haunts them. Very reminiscent of Weyward. Very good!

3.75 stars for me this was a great mix of historical fiction witches and I adored the dual timeline USA to London perfection. Honestly if you’re after a witchy read then this is for you! It’s kind of giving Sabrina the teenage witch vibes.

Author did a great job a with this book the audio was just unreal!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Now it took me a minute to get fully into this page turner. It’s a dual timeline story set in London, UK in the now and in Salem, USA in the 1700s.
We follow Isadora aka Dora in the present day, who has a simple life running her small but much-loved flower shop. Her dreams are laced with peculiar memory like moments, she lives with her Aunt Lenny who is a bit of a sourpuss.
A random but handsome man named arrives to look at flower arrangements for his girlfriend’s coffin, there’s a moment of recognition when their eyes meet but she cannot place him.
Her Aunt Lenny is desperate for her to come on a trip to Salem, USA, to break a 100s of years old spell that her and her two sisters have been haunted by and Dora too, if only she’d remember.
Leaving her friend Katie in charge of the shop, Dora is about to discover some truths she can’t settle into as her memory is still blocked, and yet Salem feels like home.
Will her memory return, can she break the spell and save some lives? To find out, you’ll have to pick up a copy. If you do, I hope you enjoy the read, magic and suspense as much as I did.