Vanished

Maggie McKenzie Mystery #1

by Lynn Gardner

There is a saying that everyone has a double. In Maggie McKenzie's case, the saying is not only true, but the starting point for a troubling--and deadly--mystery.
Maggie has just begun her first job as a full-fledged newspaper reporter. It’s a dream come true. But soon the young journalist finds she is captivated by what should be old news – a girl who vanished years ago – who looks amazingly like her. Intrigued by what she has heard about the missing girl, Maggie takes advantage of her travels for another assignment to try to solve the mystery of Alyssa Lawson’s disappearance. While on her cross-country quest, Maggie meets psychologist Dr. Flynn Ford, who is interested in helping her solve the puzzle--and in getting to know Maggie better. But as the pair inches closer to the truth, witnessed begin turning dead. And it appears Maggie and Flynn could be next. Could the woman Maggie thinks might be her sister be trying to kill her?

Genres: Mystery, Lds Fiction, Suspense, Lds, Fiction, Romance, Audiobook

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Hollie Robb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess it was mystery. Well a lot of it was just a little too out their for me. The whole mind projection thing was too radical for me to believe that could happen; but again I am not a twin, so maybe it could happen??? A twin taking over the other twin's mind, or communicating with the mind??? That is the thing you see in Xmen, other kind of cartoons, and things.

All in all I did thought that the story was a little slow, maybe because I had a hard time believing some the content.

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be fair, I have a difficult time with LDS fiction and this book was no exception. I did think the characters were fine, even though Maggie (the main character) is a little too perfect as is her family. The biggest problem with this book, however, was not the LDS angle, it was the story. Maggie solves a mystery that neither the police nor private detectives could figure out. Not that it was very surprising that Maggie could figure it out...she just had to follow very obvious clues. What was surprising and completely unbelievable for me was that the private detectives, the missing girl's dad, the police, even the neighbor down the street couldn't figure it out. All they had to do was visit the places that a missing girl was last sighted and talk to the people who saw her. I thought that was basic 101 detective work.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the book. It was interesting and fun, and the characters were well developed. Only thing... I think there is supposed to be a sequel which is yet to be written.

I think I like this book better than Gardner's "Emeralds and Espionage" series with Allison and Bart. I really enjoy those, but this wasn't nearly so cheesy romance-wise. At least, the hero isn't calling the heroine "Princess"...

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book, it was exciting, heartbreaking, funny. I really liked the historic tidbits woven into the story, it was really fun to learn about Lewis and Clark. I really couldn't put this book down. The typos were a bit distracting (one of my pet peeves) but still a good story that made me want to scream NOOOOOO when it left me hanging at the end. I guess I will have to dive into the next one to get the rest of the story.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynn Gardner is one of my guilty pleasures. Action, adventure, gratuitous information about Stockholm Syndrome...who could pass that up? She has a captivating writing style that sucks you in. And I feel it has been an educational experience - now I know exactly what to do if my previously-unknown identical twin sister, from whom I was separated at birth, begins controlling my mind so I will rescue from the man who has held her hostage for years.

[Jenny Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though I rated this a "2" I did stay up until 2 am, just so I could finish it and not have it take up any more time. (Really, the logic makes sense!)
It was a quick, fun, not terribly predictable mystery.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but the premise seemed really far fetched. I don't really believe twins can get in to each others minds like that.

[AriannaParker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally, when I pick out a book I head right to the Fantasy genre. I love fantasy very much. Lately I have really loved reading Historical Fiction and Realistic Fiction as well. As a bit of a challenge, I decided to read a mystery novel. I have read mystery books before, however I have not read one for many years now. I was excited to try out this genre for the first time in many years. I have always loved mysteries. However, I always assumed that my lack of patience would prevent me from ever enjoying a mystery novel.
I absolutely loved Vanished. It is about a woman from Idaho who gets sent on a crazy journey on the day she walked into her new job. Maggie, the woman is a very interesting character to get to know. I loved the story and the way it turned out. However, this book wasn’t what I expected to be considering it was of the mystery genre. I would have loved to read about a more complex mystery, with a little bit more adventure when it came to solving it. This is a fantastic book and I would recommend it to people who are generally opposed to mysteries, as it is a fantastic book to start with. I rate this a four out of five stars.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew! I was surprised how intense this book got! It had me guessing the whole way which is why I was, once again, disappointed by the ending. I like a clear resolution apparently and this one could go different ways. Spoiler alert--I must say I have a hard time believing someone would sell their child to a total stranger in a hospital (though the nasty guy doing the selling would sell his own mother in the bargain) and that someone would buy a child, particularly an LDS father, no matter what his good motives. And that a nurse would forge the papers risking her job and jail time probably.

[Tenielle Honeycutt · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing story. As I got in to it I realized i have read it before. Probably would have liked it better if I had actually read it this time instead of listening to the audiobook. Parts of it were just a little too out there for me...and other parts were a little too perfect. A good read, just not a keeper for me. However, I will still read the next one.

[Shae Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved Lynn's gem series and was excited to start this one. I have to admit, she does her research. This book, however, was extremely intense. Really taking you to the edge, in fact. So while the book was really well done, I would not recommend this book for anyone under 21. The content is much too serious and intense.

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this - the twin telepathy was a little bizarre & that Maggie went so fast from her assignment on Lewis & Clark to not even on their path with it was a little out there but I liked the exciting story.

[Bettyjo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a great story, but a bit preachy.

[Haddie Quinney]

#1, Maggie McKenzie Mystery

[Joslyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy it, couldn't even get to the end.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audiobook. Kind of an odd story. Happy ending, but a reporter discovers some strange things as she is researching.

[Aapree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good winter mystery. I finished on a day that was incredibly snowy and wintery ... very fitting for the book. It takes place in the winter and she makes reference to the biting wind and cold often, so it helps when you can relate. :)

Anyway, back to the book. It was a really good mystery. I would have given it four stars, but I felt at times that it was a little slow, and towards the end it seemed as if the author was dragging the ending out a little bit. But it did leave you wanting more. So because I didn't give it four stars I think it merits a little longer review. I think this is a new series for this author, but I have yet to hear of a sequel. Which I am anxious for. The author leaves the ending completely open ended.

It's about a girl, Maggie Mckenzie, who just gets out of college and gets her dream job of being a newspaper journalist. She has a passion for Lewis and Clark and investigative reporting. She suddenly finds herself in the middle of mystery, trying to uncover the truth about the disappearance of her boss' daughter seven years previous, who happens to be a dead ringer of a look alike to Maggie. As she starts unraveling clues, thoughts and ideas pop into her head that aren't hers. The author taps into the realm of mental connectivity with medical facts and evidence as well as sound LDS doctrine. An interesting twist I wasn't quite expecting, but it added an element of intrigue to the story. Also you romance lovers, there is a little romance entwined in the story satiating your thirst for a little love. But be warned, like I said, the ending is resolved but it leaves you wanting more.

The hook for the book ... "There is a saying that everyone has a double. In Maggie McKenzie’s case, the saying is not only true, but the starting point for a troubling—and deadly—mystery."

[Amy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was different. Mormon psychic is kind of an oxymoron in the culture and was off-putting for me. Reminded me very much of Stranger with My Face by Lois Duncan, but with a stronger Christian/Mormon overtone. Also there was a whole bunch of Lewis and Clark trail travelogue that sort of filled in the story but also felt kind of forced to fit into the gaps. What was up with leaving the scenes of violent tragic deaths with a 'you'ge-got-to-try-the-seafood-at-the-next-stop' attitude? Grab the dog, we're moving on. Most of the mystery is solved by the end. I guess the next book in the series solves the pieces left open and maybe goes somewhere with the flirtation/romance.

Violence including a gory death scene, no sex, no swearing, psychic mind control/possession-y stuff

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

OTHSB Good Book. 12/2010 i cannot find this book So I checked it out of the library. It is about a girl Maggie who goes for her dream job in California and Lila thinks she is someone else. Alysa her bosses daughter who was kidnapped seven years earlier. Shse is given assignemnt to go and right articles on the Lewis and Clark adventures and goes looking for Alysa. She goes where they have recieved letter from people that thougth they had seen Alysa. They think maggie is here but call her Katie. She mets a physitrist and falls in love with him. I could not remember most of the story but there was some I could remember. Good book. I wish I could find the book it is Darlene and she has been looking for it also so we can read the next book.

[Sep · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the mystery of this book. Maggie, a reporter on her first assignment, is looking for a missing girl who looks just like her. The clues are delightful and Maggie's energy and enthusiasm kept me turning pages.

I did not like the romance. Flynn started off kind of creepy because he secretly follows her for miles. Maggie won't sleep with him because of her religious beliefs and he turns around and "tests" her convictions. (Sort of like a 1950's screwball comedy where the hero marries the girl who DOESN'T let him catch her because he then "knows" she'll make a virtuous wife.) I think she should have dumped him at that point - just saying.

He does improve a tiny bit and I approved of the open-ended ending.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the most part. There were a couple of times I felt like the story kinda dragged on and some of the plots in the story bugged me. Like when the "true mother" of the girls is revealed. I just thought it was a little weird that the mother gave her daughter to a rich couple to raise, but then stayed on with them as their nanny,and no one ever tells the girl the big secret. Even after her adoptive mother dies. I can kinda understand it, but not really. The mystery was solved a little to easily too. Funny how the professional detectives missed all the obvious clues and weren't able to solve the case as quickly as Allison.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would call this a chic book, but I loved it. It was exciting, and it took me away from the everyday. It has a little bit of romance, a lot of suspense, and the main character is LDS so I loved it. It is a little bit educational as well. There are a few facts on Lewis and Clark and some information about psychology and twin studies which I found interesting. I wished the ending was a bit different because it kind of leaves you to decide for yourself what happens, but it isn't like a huge cliffhanger or anything.

[Gkeller123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe that I have had this book on my shelf since it first came out, and hadn't read it until now. A great, fun read that I finally started only because a sequel is out and I heard that it was good. I needed to read the first book first. Once I started it, I could hardly put it down. Now I want to go buy the second to pick up where the first book ends. I wonder how many books there will be in the series?

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of another Lynn Gardner series I hope. She certainly did her research on this one. I wasn't prepared for the ending, but you can feel the happiness between Maggie and Alyssa when they are finally together. My heart ached for Flynn and I'm hopeful that he'll become Maggie's future. I love that she won't compromise her church standards and dream of a Temple marriage even for a man she loves.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read the end 3 times. I was about 1/4 of the way through when I read the end the first time. (I don't do well with suspense anymore.) Then I read it again when I was about 1/2 through and then I read it again when I got to the end. It was a page turner. This morning I thought of a plot hole but I still loved the book.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

As exciting as this mystery sounded reading the cover, it is not worth the read. Very trite and predictable. With too many "coincidences". Newbie reporter Maggie is handed a plum assignment that takes her out to explore the trail of Lewis and Clark's historical journey and puts her on the path of a missing woman.

[Hilary Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just noticed this book in my to-read section. I actually read it before Melissa was born. I don't remember specific details, but I remember I really enjoyed the book. In fact, I think it was one of my favorite Lynn Gardner books. Man, with a memory like this I might as well just start over reading all the books I've already read... :)

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about a young journalist who discovers that she has a twin and goes on a search for her. I liked the way she very naturally used her gospel principles as a guideline when making choices--the book was not "preachy". I'll definitely look for more in the Maggie McKenzie series!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I've been reading a few Christian fiction items lately, I thought I'd try an LDS author again. I really liked the mystery aspect of this one & the whole ESP twin communication thing. Although kind of farfetched as a theory, I tried to think of it as a Harry Potter/Voldemort thing. :) A fun summer afternoon read.

[Kamicarlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

REALLY REALLY GOOD MYSTERY...one problem though...the end leaves you hanging. I think there was supposed to be a sequel to the book but it wasn't ever written. Maybe we should email Lynn Garnder and get her to write the sequel.