This beautifully written novel unfolds through dual timelines, telling a haunting tale of a young girl who emerges from the New Zealand bush, starving and bloodied. Who is she? Where did she come from? Why does she bear such a strong resemblance to another girl who stumbled out of the same bush under similar circumstances 17 years ago? The story captured my attention from the very first pages and held it throughout.

My only complaint is that the author seems to have started down one path but then shifted direction. As a result, there are several loose ends and unresolved issues that definitely need clarification.

Thanks NetGalley for the free ARC! I liked this novel, it was interesting reading about the siblings’ life in the bush. I liked that the main protagonists were both police officers, but it wasn’t a police procedural and focused on the bush life. I liked how it all came together in the end, but I’m still confused about what happened in the room the day Four was born. I wish there had been more clarification about that situation. These are my honest opinions and I’m voluntarily leaving this review.

I think one word best describes this book: engrossing. What a story, what a cast of characters, what a setting! Zoe Rankin is the Kiwi Harlan Coben. I hate to exercise and I rode my stationary bike for an extra 5 minutes to finish a chapter of this book. It is excellent.

I had hard time getting into this book but about halfway through I was hooked. The story goes back and forth in time focusing on a traumatized young girl who suddenly shows up in town having run away from the bush. The girl looks almost identical to another girl who years before suddenly appeared from the bush. The story is told from the perspective of Effie, the first runaway found. The story slowly unfolds and reveals how the two girls are connected.

#TheVanishingPlace #NetGalley
Outstanding. 5 ⭐
Zoe Rankin’s The Vanishing Place is a chilling journey into the heart of the New Zealand wilderness—and the even darker wilderness of childhood trauma. Through Effie, a woman forced to confront a past she tried to leave behind, Rankin crafts a suspenseful and emotionally resonant thriller that lingers long after the final page
What I Liked: :-
1 Atmospheric Setting: The remote New Zealand bush is vividly drawn, becoming a character in itself—both beautiful and terrifying.
2 Unique Premise: The blend of wilderness survival, family secrets, and psychological tension makes for a gripping and original story.
3 Emotional Depth: Effie’s trauma is portrayed with raw honesty. Her return home is not just about uncovering a mystery, but about reclaiming her identity.
Overall, The Vanishing Place is a haunting and intelligent thriller that tackles trauma, memory, and the shadows of childhood. Zoe Rankin delivers an emotional and unsettling narrative that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers with a literary edge.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me an advance copy.

Effie had a happy childhood in a remote hut with her siblings, but everything changed after her mother died. Their father took a dark turn, and life changed. Effie eventually left that world behind, but years later Constable Lewis calls with news of a girl named Anya who looks just like her. Effie knows it is time to go back and face the past she tried to forget. A twisty, tense, and emotional read. And it’s always a fun surprise when a character shares my name! ☺️

What a wild, atmospheric ride.
Set in the haunting, untamed landscapes of New Zealand, The Vanishing Place is a tense and lyrical thriller about family, survival, and the truths we bury to survive.

Effie grew up deep in the bush, raised to believe her parents chose an off-grid life out of love for nature and to shield their children from the ugliness of the outside world. But at 18, she escapes to Scotland, trying to outrun the shadows and traumas of her childhood.

Years later, Effie is pulled back to New Zealand when a bloodied, confused girl who looks disturbingly like her, turns up alone at the sheriff's office. What follows is a journey into the heart of the wilderness and into Effie’s past, where dangerous secrets lie hidden among the trees.

This book is eerie, beautifully written, and emotionally sharp. The Vanishing Place lingers like a bruise—quiet but unforgettable.

#TheVanishingPlace #ZoeRankin #BerkleyBooks #ThrillerReads #PsychologicalSuspense #AtmosphericFiction

I was completely captivated by this book! From the very beginning, I felt the weight of Effie’s childhood—the isolation, the quiet desperation, and the growing need to escape. I appreciated how the story moved between timelines, letting me experience both the fear of her past and the shock of what was happening in the present. I felt the tension build with every chapter, and I found myself questioning everything. I loved how the mystery unraveled in unexpected ways, keeping me on edge as Effie confronted the truth she had spent years avoiding. I connected deeply with her journey—the emotional pull of returning home, the fear of what she might uncover, and the strength it took to face it all. By the time I reached the final pages, I was completely immersed. The twists and revelations hit hard, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the story long after I finished.

This book was atmospheric, gripping, and packed with emotion, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves a thriller with depth and unforgettable tension.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

This story is a perfect cliffhanger of a mystery about a few megalomaniacs - one of which who thinks he is basically the right hand of God - and the devastation left in their wake.

A real nail-biter of a thriller - I read this one in a day, and this reviewer rated it a resounding five stars,

I read this book really quickly and enjoyed it. The description of the location, on the west coast of New Zealand, was specific and evocative, creating a great sense of place. The story, told in two time lines, was layered in a way that really kept my interest, yet didn't follow the typical thriller tropes. There were some aspects I wasn't as sold on, the romance felt a little forced for me, especially considering how young the characters are in the past timeline, and the final action bit dragged on a little long for me. However I thought the conclusion worked fairly well, wrapping up the storylines without throwing in unnecessary twists. Overall enjoyed and would recommend.

Very enjoyable. Great writing, great plot, great characters. Everything a reader could wish for! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book took me on a crazy ride. I thought it was just a book about a family that grew up off the grid and their struggles, but it turned out to be way more than that. The storyline was unique and just hooked me in from the beginning and I went through it so fast.

This book was off the charts amazing. I loved every single minute of it. I do not think I could recommend this book enough. I am thinking this might be the best book of the year.