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Wilton/Strait mystery #1
Vanished
Vanished! That’s what Andrea Wilton and Brian Strait discover when they come to visit their best friends one evening. Where could they be and does God answer prayers, two questions they find the answers to as they journey to another world of voodoo, murder, and more missing people. Andrea and Brian also discover each other as they learn to scuba, fight a common enemy, and search for the proverbial needle in a haystack.
360 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2009
11 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Ann Derksen
35 books50 followersSeeking to encourage, inspire, and invite, Barbara Ann Derksen writes about Kingdom living characters who live in a not-so Kingdom world. She has been scrambling letters into enjoyable fiction and non-fiction for over 20 years and a published writer since 2003. Her readers share how the books are hard to put down, keep them up at night reading long after lights out, and spur them on to a closer walk with their Lord.
Her favorite genre is mystery so, to thrill her readers, she composes a new one every year, She has just completed the four book series, The Wilton Strait Mystery Series, now available through her website, on Amazon in Canada, Europe, and the US, and through Amazon's Kindle store as e-books as well as Smashwords for e-book readers other than Kindle. Vanished, Presumed Dead, Fear Not, and Silence are a series that provides hours of entertainment, food for thought, and keep her readers wanting more. The first book in the Finders Keepers Series, Shadow Stalker, was released May 5, 2013 and is available on Amazon http://amzn.to/13pABhF. with mostly 5 star reviews. In 2014, Book 2, Essence of Evil made its appearance with mostly five star reviews and now the sequel, Wicked Disregard, released February 2016 is making its debut. A 4th book in this series is in the works with plans to publish in 2017.
Barbara has also penned a devotional series with six books, 4 children's stories and two other non-fiction books. Dance With a Broom and Second to None.
Barbara Ann Derksen has written 19 books, mystery, children's and devotions. She and her husband, Henry, have been married for 46 years, have four children, and eleven grandchildren. Henry is a singer/songwriter with 8 CDs to his name, working on his 9th.
Her favorite genre is mystery so, to thrill her readers, she composes a new one every year, She has just completed the four book series, The Wilton Strait Mystery Series, now available through her website, on Amazon in Canada, Europe, and the US, and through Amazon's Kindle store as e-books as well as Smashwords for e-book readers other than Kindle. Vanished, Presumed Dead, Fear Not, and Silence are a series that provides hours of entertainment, food for thought, and keep her readers wanting more. The first book in the Finders Keepers Series, Shadow Stalker, was released May 5, 2013 and is available on Amazon http://amzn.to/13pABhF. with mostly 5 star reviews. In 2014, Book 2, Essence of Evil made its appearance with mostly five star reviews and now the sequel, Wicked Disregard, released February 2016 is making its debut. A 4th book in this series is in the works with plans to publish in 2017.
Barbara has also penned a devotional series with six books, 4 children's stories and two other non-fiction books. Dance With a Broom and Second to None.
Barbara Ann Derksen has written 19 books, mystery, children's and devotions. She and her husband, Henry, have been married for 46 years, have four children, and eleven grandchildren. Henry is a singer/songwriter with 8 CDs to his name, working on his 9th.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 15, 2012
Vanished by Barbara Derksen has been my latest read and I was very sorry to see the last page.
“Vanished” is definitely a suspense novel in my book. From the very first page, where a young family is forced to leave their little home and go with kidnappers at gun point, I was hooked.
Brian Strait and Andrea Wilton both arrive at their friend’s house around the same time, and are very concerned at the disheveled look of the ordinarily tidy little house and the very apparent absence of it’s occupants.When a neighbor is murdered, a house burns to the ground and the police seem to be of no help, Brian and Andrea take matters into their own hands.
Following a clue from the murdered neighbor, they pack up and head to Haiti. A land of voodoo and the absence of a savior. The discovery that people are disappearing from there as well, tell them they are on the right track. How will Brian and Andrea find their friends? Are they even still alive? How about the fact that Brian and Andrea themselves are being watched constantly?
Both Brian and Andrea try to live by WWJD -What Would Jesus Do? and are convinced that He would not carry a fire arm or any sort of dangerous weapon, and yet their own lives are in danger. As they search for clues and struggle to make sense of what they are learning, Brian and Andrea find themselves relying more than ever on the Lord for strength and protection. While their relationship with each other goes from years of mutual dislike to a new-found respect and friendship.
I was certainly sorry to reach the last page, as I felt the story wasn’t complete and there were parts that I felt weren’t wrapped up quite the way I wanted them to be. However, the good news is that Barbara is working on a sequel to Vanished and I cannot wait for it to come out!
“Vanished” is definitely a suspense novel in my book. From the very first page, where a young family is forced to leave their little home and go with kidnappers at gun point, I was hooked.
Brian Strait and Andrea Wilton both arrive at their friend’s house around the same time, and are very concerned at the disheveled look of the ordinarily tidy little house and the very apparent absence of it’s occupants.When a neighbor is murdered, a house burns to the ground and the police seem to be of no help, Brian and Andrea take matters into their own hands.
Following a clue from the murdered neighbor, they pack up and head to Haiti. A land of voodoo and the absence of a savior. The discovery that people are disappearing from there as well, tell them they are on the right track. How will Brian and Andrea find their friends? Are they even still alive? How about the fact that Brian and Andrea themselves are being watched constantly?
Both Brian and Andrea try to live by WWJD -What Would Jesus Do? and are convinced that He would not carry a fire arm or any sort of dangerous weapon, and yet their own lives are in danger. As they search for clues and struggle to make sense of what they are learning, Brian and Andrea find themselves relying more than ever on the Lord for strength and protection. While their relationship with each other goes from years of mutual dislike to a new-found respect and friendship.
I was certainly sorry to reach the last page, as I felt the story wasn’t complete and there were parts that I felt weren’t wrapped up quite the way I wanted them to be. However, the good news is that Barbara is working on a sequel to Vanished and I cannot wait for it to come out!
July 20, 2012
The book takes off running with the brutal abduction of Diane, Trent, and their three-year-old son. Her terror and powerlessness grabbed me; there is something so poignant about a mother desperately wanting to find a way to comfort her frightened child in the midst of great threat to their physical safety. Their friends, Brian and Andrea, find their trashed house and are determined to find out what has happened to them. Sounds like the beginning of a thriller, and it is; but what happens next is what is special about this one. Brian and Andrea stop and pray for the family’s safety to the One who knows where they are.
Brian and Andrea bring in the police, and slowly, more information comes out. Trent was involved in something secret even though he was supposed to be a biochemist working on new laundry soap. Diane had been preoccupied recently. Lots of questions arise, but the nightmare for Brian and Andrea is just beginning. Vivid details create for the reader a sense of “being there”, as we share their paranoia, confusion, and determination. Hit and run drivers, arson, voodoo, secret safety deposit boxes, people mysteriously disappearing, pre-earthquake Haiti, and lots of bad guys all add to the excitement. At the same time, the evident poverty of Haiti and the practice of child slavery is heartbreaking.
This was a well-written book; the suspense never let up through many plot twists. As Brian and Andrea are united in the search for their friends, we come to know them as very likeable, caring individuals who might just become a couple. Their Christian faith is as naturally integrated into the story as it is in their lives. I highly recommend this thriller that happens to involve Christians.
Brian and Andrea bring in the police, and slowly, more information comes out. Trent was involved in something secret even though he was supposed to be a biochemist working on new laundry soap. Diane had been preoccupied recently. Lots of questions arise, but the nightmare for Brian and Andrea is just beginning. Vivid details create for the reader a sense of “being there”, as we share their paranoia, confusion, and determination. Hit and run drivers, arson, voodoo, secret safety deposit boxes, people mysteriously disappearing, pre-earthquake Haiti, and lots of bad guys all add to the excitement. At the same time, the evident poverty of Haiti and the practice of child slavery is heartbreaking.
This was a well-written book; the suspense never let up through many plot twists. As Brian and Andrea are united in the search for their friends, we come to know them as very likeable, caring individuals who might just become a couple. Their Christian faith is as naturally integrated into the story as it is in their lives. I highly recommend this thriller that happens to involve Christians.
September 8, 2014
Vanished is book one in the Wilton-Strait Murder Mystery series from Canadian author Barbara Ann Derksen. The novel opens with the abduction of Trent and Diane Michner and their young son, Jeffrey.
Andrea Wilton and Brian Strait, each a good friend of the Michners but not well-acquainted with one another despite attending the same church, discover the empty house and the signs of struggle, and become the newest targets of their friends’ enemies.
A dying man warns them not to trust the police, and launches them on an investigation that leads from the US to Haiti. This is pre-2010-earthquake Haiti, and the author’s knowledge of the island and of diving add a feel of authenticity.
The story is intriguing, and will especially appeal to readers who prefer a gentler mystery.
The search for the missing family is the main plot, with subplots following Andrea and Brian’s developing relationship and their friendship with a young Haitian orphan girl. Readers interested in orphanages that care for Haitian children will also find the book interesting.
Canadian author Barbara Ann Derksen is a multi-published author of fiction and non-fiction, including a series of devotional books for bikers. Book two in the Wilton-Strait series, Presumed Dead, delves into the biker world. You can learn more about the author, including her books and speaking ministry, at her website.
[Electronic review copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair review.]
Andrea Wilton and Brian Strait, each a good friend of the Michners but not well-acquainted with one another despite attending the same church, discover the empty house and the signs of struggle, and become the newest targets of their friends’ enemies.
A dying man warns them not to trust the police, and launches them on an investigation that leads from the US to Haiti. This is pre-2010-earthquake Haiti, and the author’s knowledge of the island and of diving add a feel of authenticity.
The story is intriguing, and will especially appeal to readers who prefer a gentler mystery.
The search for the missing family is the main plot, with subplots following Andrea and Brian’s developing relationship and their friendship with a young Haitian orphan girl. Readers interested in orphanages that care for Haitian children will also find the book interesting.
Canadian author Barbara Ann Derksen is a multi-published author of fiction and non-fiction, including a series of devotional books for bikers. Book two in the Wilton-Strait series, Presumed Dead, delves into the biker world. You can learn more about the author, including her books and speaking ministry, at her website.
[Electronic review copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair review.]
September 9, 2012
I stopped reading this book after a few pages because it seemed unrealistic to me. Apparently, three large men invaded Trent and Diane's home around dinner time. Two men overpowered Trent in the living room while one took Jeffrey, the three-year-old, captive and made Diane go upstairs and pack suitcases for everyone. What happened to all the noise, etc., when these men tried to break in? Or if they just walked in, why are Diane and Jeffrey still there to tamely be taken captive while Trent fights the other two men?
Then Diane is upset with Trent because he was overpowered? Then she asks one of the two men to check to see if the stove's off, and he does it? Not to mention that the chivalrous intruder lets Diane carry her son while he hefts the suitcases.
Then the two friends, Andrea Wilton and Brian Strait go over to Trent and Diane's house. Despite the obvious signs of struggle, uneaten food, etc., they decide not to contact the police until after work the next day because police don't investigate missing persons until 24 hours have elapsed.
The hackneyed interview with the police finished it for me. I can put up with some poor dialogue and grammar if the story is realistic and keeps my attention. This book didn't, I am sorry to say.
Some people may say that if I can't say something nice I shouldn't say anything at all. My opinion is that an honest evaluation, perhaps especially if it is bad, is helpful both to the author, and the readers.
Then Diane is upset with Trent because he was overpowered? Then she asks one of the two men to check to see if the stove's off, and he does it? Not to mention that the chivalrous intruder lets Diane carry her son while he hefts the suitcases.
Then the two friends, Andrea Wilton and Brian Strait go over to Trent and Diane's house. Despite the obvious signs of struggle, uneaten food, etc., they decide not to contact the police until after work the next day because police don't investigate missing persons until 24 hours have elapsed.
The hackneyed interview with the police finished it for me. I can put up with some poor dialogue and grammar if the story is realistic and keeps my attention. This book didn't, I am sorry to say.
Some people may say that if I can't say something nice I shouldn't say anything at all. My opinion is that an honest evaluation, perhaps especially if it is bad, is helpful both to the author, and the readers.
July 28, 2012
Vanished is the first book in the series of 'mysteries' starring Andrea Wilton and Brian Strait. This particular book is a little bit mystery and a little bit thriller. I was not surprised or shocked by anything that happened in the book, though some readers may be surprised. Andrea and Brian are enjoyable characters that I think anyone can relate to. They do make some mistakes, but they mean well. The banter back and forth is amusing and definitely something I would engage in with my friends. I realize I'm not saying a lot about the plot or what happens, but I don't want to give anything away.
The only thing that I just can't get out of my mind is the SCUBA diving. The little details drove me nuts, because some of them were wrong. I've been a certified diver for over 25 yrs and not once have I heard a driver call fins "flippers," for example. None of these details would be picked up on by the average person, and I know it shouldn't bug me, but it does.
Overall, I'd give this book 4 1/2 stars (out of 5). I'm interested and invested enough in the characters that I've already read the second book in the series.
The only thing that I just can't get out of my mind is the SCUBA diving. The little details drove me nuts, because some of them were wrong. I've been a certified diver for over 25 yrs and not once have I heard a driver call fins "flippers," for example. None of these details would be picked up on by the average person, and I know it shouldn't bug me, but it does.
Overall, I'd give this book 4 1/2 stars (out of 5). I'm interested and invested enough in the characters that I've already read the second book in the series.
December 4, 2015
Do you love reading books with mystery and intrigue, with a Christian theme? Then you will love reading Vanished by Barbara Ann Derksen. This fast paced novel will keep you glued to its pages.
The author has done a great job of developing a storyline that is fast past and full of plot twist and turns, which will keep you on your toes. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, off it went in another direction. Even with all this, the book was easy to read and follow.
I really like the characters Barbara Ann Derksen created for this book. They are both believable and real to life. It was easy to identify with them and follow them throughout the story.
I really liked Vanished by Barbara Ann Derksen and recommend it to all readers.
The author has done a great job of developing a storyline that is fast past and full of plot twist and turns, which will keep you on your toes. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, off it went in another direction. Even with all this, the book was easy to read and follow.
I really like the characters Barbara Ann Derksen created for this book. They are both believable and real to life. It was easy to identify with them and follow them throughout the story.
I really liked Vanished by Barbara Ann Derksen and recommend it to all readers.
July 6, 2016
Death, fire, and kidnapping send Andrea Wilton and Brian Strait to the country of Haiti where voodoo, restavic children, and scuba diving lead them to discover a diabolical plot that sets nerves on edge.
July 27, 2012
Excellent book I was captivated from the first page and it held my attention until the end. full of suspense and mystery. I love the way the gospel was submitted several times through out the story! I can see a sequel in the future and I will be watching for it.
September 13, 2015
Good but lacking
The reading was good loved the faith , clean reading. But the characters did there part and saved there friends and solved wrongs being done to others,but didn't like the fact that this child that won there hearts was left behind.
The reading was good loved the faith , clean reading. But the characters did there part and saved there friends and solved wrongs being done to others,but didn't like the fact that this child that won there hearts was left behind.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews