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Disappear
On a rain-drenched night, a young husband runs to the corner shop - and never returns.
Eighteen years later, his body reappears.
-Reappears, wearing the same clothes, and on the same street from which he went missing.
-Reappears, and is the victim of a hit/run driver.
He looks exactly the same now as when he vanished.
His widow, Jennifer Parkes, is determined to solve this enigma once and for all.
Other bodies are found, all missing eighteen years. None seem to have aged.
On the trail of a vicious killer, Jennifer and homicide detective Neil Lachlan are drawn into a human minefield of deception and terror; into the depths of a mystery that baffles the police and defies logic. Investigating at the forefront of scientific and medical technologies, they confront a threat that is closer than either of them could ever have imagined.
Eighteen years later, his body reappears.
-Reappears, wearing the same clothes, and on the same street from which he went missing.
-Reappears, and is the victim of a hit/run driver.
He looks exactly the same now as when he vanished.
His widow, Jennifer Parkes, is determined to solve this enigma once and for all.
Other bodies are found, all missing eighteen years. None seem to have aged.
On the trail of a vicious killer, Jennifer and homicide detective Neil Lachlan are drawn into a human minefield of deception and terror; into the depths of a mystery that baffles the police and defies logic. Investigating at the forefront of scientific and medical technologies, they confront a threat that is closer than either of them could ever have imagined.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2012
72 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 20, 2013
Hmmm, what to say. I can tell the author has a wicked brain just from this book, some crazy weird ideas! But i found this book confusing from the start. To many characters made it a long hard read - not good for a speed reader!! I like the crazy pycho freezing his victims and the men in black stopping him. But altogther it was very long winded
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2013
(This review may contain spoilers).
The storyline behind this book was relatively unique. It was interesting enough for me to choose to purchase it on my Kindle. Unfortunately, it fell into the lack of proofreading category - questions didn't have question marks (even rhetorical questions need to have question marks) and there was a lot of switching between POVs.
There were also too many characters that weren't connected to each other. The story changed characters and scenes so much, I was starting to get dizzy.
I also figured out who the jogger was fairly early on, though I did get a bit confused. The writing indicated that one of the characters found the daughter of his friend attractive and seemed to lust after her (maybe it was just me, but he did talk about how attractive she was, so...)
The characters - the main ones - that I could emphasise with were interesting enough. There was a lot about the book that was quite boring, though - there seemed to be a lot of info-dumping. All told, it was another fairly disappointing read. I hope the next book I read will be better.
The storyline behind this book was relatively unique. It was interesting enough for me to choose to purchase it on my Kindle. Unfortunately, it fell into the lack of proofreading category - questions didn't have question marks (even rhetorical questions need to have question marks) and there was a lot of switching between POVs.
There were also too many characters that weren't connected to each other. The story changed characters and scenes so much, I was starting to get dizzy.
I also figured out who the jogger was fairly early on, though I did get a bit confused. The writing indicated that one of the characters found the daughter of his friend attractive and seemed to lust after her (maybe it was just me, but he did talk about how attractive she was, so...)
The characters - the main ones - that I could emphasise with were interesting enough. There was a lot about the book that was quite boring, though - there seemed to be a lot of info-dumping. All told, it was another fairly disappointing read. I hope the next book I read will be better.
August 2, 2012
This was an interesting book. A young husband nips out for some fags and disappears. Eighteen years later his body is found, the victim of a hit 'n' run in the same street he was last seen in. Bizarrely he's wearing the same clothes and hasn't aged in the least !!
His widow enlists the help of a police detective to help her get to the bottom of the whole mystery. Then other bodies also having been missing almost two decades start emerging.
While this is going on there's also a serial killer on the loose that chooses to garotte his victims.
The author had a lot of misplaced or missing apostrophes and also a LOT of added hyphens too peppered throughout which were annoying but it was a very good tale.
His widow enlists the help of a police detective to help her get to the bottom of the whole mystery. Then other bodies also having been missing almost two decades start emerging.
While this is going on there's also a serial killer on the loose that chooses to garotte his victims.
The author had a lot of misplaced or missing apostrophes and also a LOT of added hyphens too peppered throughout which were annoying but it was a very good tale.
September 19, 2012
TERRIFIC - a stylish, craftily worded thriller, that just draws you in by the sheer inventiveness of the premiss. In this book Iain Edward Henn has managed to draw upon all the elements that makes for intriguing thriller writing - crossing time, social class, love, loss, indulgence, greed, and - to top it off - pure evil.
This is a fantastic read - totally suited to those who like their novels to come jagged, and the with ability to tweak the mind and unsettle the soul.
My main recommendation - just read it.
Martin Treanor
This is a fantastic read - totally suited to those who like their novels to come jagged, and the with ability to tweak the mind and unsettle the soul.
My main recommendation - just read it.
Martin Treanor
June 9, 2013
The premise of this book intrigued me. A man disappears one day and turns up dead in the exact same place 18 years later, in the exact same clothes. It reeked of sci-fi but the blurb said not. It kept my attention nearly all the way through, although I did find the ending a little disappointing. Perhaps there were a few too many characters and it might have been a better idea to flesh out some of the main players more. That being said it moved along at quite a pace and did mostly keep me guessing.
November 17, 2012
What a cracking good read! Highly recommended for thriller fans.
I don't have time to write a long review (want to go buy and read Henn's other novel, The Delta Chain) so just a few notes:
1. Very likeable and believable main characters.
2. Set in Australia, has more of a British than US feel to it, something I'll definitely look out for more of in the future.
3. The victims are people, not just bodies. I read a lot of thrillers and this can be a problem, as the body count soars, compassion for the victims seems to drop at a corresponding rate. Not so here.
4. Very happy to have discovered this on a day it was offered free, would be just as happy and rated it at a five star if I'd bought it.
Nitpickety:
1. Kaplan's first wife is in an "hospitable for the insane"? I think that should be hospital.
~grin~
2. Lachlan's son, Todd, slams the phone down during a conversation with his father... how can you slam down a cell phone?
3. Neither of the above spoiled my enjoyment of the book (on the contrary!), just thought the author/publishers might want to fix them for the next print (and/or update the ebook).
I don't have time to write a long review (want to go buy and read Henn's other novel, The Delta Chain) so just a few notes:
1. Very likeable and believable main characters.
2. Set in Australia, has more of a British than US feel to it, something I'll definitely look out for more of in the future.
3. The victims are people, not just bodies. I read a lot of thrillers and this can be a problem, as the body count soars, compassion for the victims seems to drop at a corresponding rate. Not so here.
4. Very happy to have discovered this on a day it was offered free, would be just as happy and rated it at a five star if I'd bought it.
Nitpickety:
1. Kaplan's first wife is in an "hospitable for the insane"? I think that should be hospital.
~grin~
2. Lachlan's son, Todd, slams the phone down during a conversation with his father... how can you slam down a cell phone?
3. Neither of the above spoiled my enjoyment of the book (on the contrary!), just thought the author/publishers might want to fix them for the next print (and/or update the ebook).
February 5, 2013
If I was an Australian I would have liked it for the locations but as I'm not I didn't.
Problem 1. It meandered on and on until about 70% when the author remembered that ending chapters with a bit of suspense is a thing good books tend to do. There was no hint or clue as to who did it until about 75% of the way though and then there may as well have been a big giant flashing neon sign saying X did it.
Problem 2. One of the main characters was clearly an alternative reality version of Rupert Murdoch.
Problem 3. The sex scenes were god awful and unnecessary, I'm no prude but they read like they had been written on the bus on the way to school and then shoehorned in, because he had been told to spice it up a bit for a "modern readership".
This just felt like someone had had one good idea which would have made a fantastic short story but it just didn't have enough meat to it to make it work as a novel, the lack of any twists or red herrings was it's undoing I'm afraid.
Problem 1. It meandered on and on until about 70% when the author remembered that ending chapters with a bit of suspense is a thing good books tend to do. There was no hint or clue as to who did it until about 75% of the way though and then there may as well have been a big giant flashing neon sign saying X did it.
Problem 2. One of the main characters was clearly an alternative reality version of Rupert Murdoch.
Problem 3. The sex scenes were god awful and unnecessary, I'm no prude but they read like they had been written on the bus on the way to school and then shoehorned in, because he had been told to spice it up a bit for a "modern readership".
This just felt like someone had had one good idea which would have made a fantastic short story but it just didn't have enough meat to it to make it work as a novel, the lack of any twists or red herrings was it's undoing I'm afraid.
August 13, 2012
This book starts off with an intriguing premise, but then really rambles for a while. As another poster noted, new characters appear in almost every chapter, making it a little hard to keep track of. (Hint: when reading on the Kindle, you can search for the name to refresh your memory of the other times they were mentioned.) I almost stopped reading, but kept going because the mystery was compelling, and I really wanted to see how it would all fit together in the end. And the end was quite satisfying (although there is one detail that nags at me that I think was not consistent).
Note: I received a free review copy of the ebook.
Note: I received a free review copy of the ebook.
October 17, 2012
I think that this well written tale is so misleading that it makes for a great escape. When you get about 50% or 60% done, you will have reached several different conclusions. But just wait. It "ain't over 'til the plump lady sings!" There are times that the characters do something and as the reader you will yell, "NO!' They do it anyway and the story builds to a hilltop from which there is only one way down and that is plummeting through crazy turns and dangerous obstruction. Read it and have fun! I did.
August 10, 2012
This is an interesting and complex mystery story. It was well written, and very well edited, which made for an enjoyable read. I guessed and second-guessed myself throughout, too. I love that! I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. I liked it so much that I'm going to look for more titles by this author.
July 15, 2013
Too many stock characters (friendly rumpled cops, hard driving fashion house owner, ruthless tycoons and their worthless sons etc) with insufficient story to keep them busy; noticeably poor copy editing with enough cliches, tautologies and the rest to stock an entire creative writing course. Kindle has lowered the bar to getting published and this book is evidence of that.
March 26, 2025
Five star
The story took me almost the entire book to even get an idea on who the murderer was. Normally i get the much quicker
The story took me almost the entire book to even get an idea on who the murderer was. Normally i get the much quicker
March 7, 2013
Well, I enjoyed this book, but did find it a little hard to follow with all the financial dramas. There appeared to be two separate storylines which didn't seem to marry up until right at the end.
Jennifer Parkes sees her young husband leave the house one rainy night. He disappears for eighteen years and then is found, a hit and run victim in the same place he disappeared, dressed in the same clothes and looking exactly the same as the night he disappeared. From then on, the mystery deepens, as more people who vanished at the same time, start to appear. In amongst this is a serial killer garrotting victims at random.
Ian Edward Henn has woven a twisted tale, well written with believable characters, but I have to say that the murderer was unconvincing for some reason. I knew it had to be someone close to the main protagonists, but it just didn't "gel" somehow. This is did not detract from my enjoyment of the story because - as is customary - the murderer was not unmasked until the final stage of the book.
It was a pleasure to read an Australian novel with recognisable spelling and locations.
Jennifer Parkes sees her young husband leave the house one rainy night. He disappears for eighteen years and then is found, a hit and run victim in the same place he disappeared, dressed in the same clothes and looking exactly the same as the night he disappeared. From then on, the mystery deepens, as more people who vanished at the same time, start to appear. In amongst this is a serial killer garrotting victims at random.
Ian Edward Henn has woven a twisted tale, well written with believable characters, but I have to say that the murderer was unconvincing for some reason. I knew it had to be someone close to the main protagonists, but it just didn't "gel" somehow. This is did not detract from my enjoyment of the story because - as is customary - the murderer was not unmasked until the final stage of the book.
It was a pleasure to read an Australian novel with recognisable spelling and locations.
December 10, 2012
It's always exciting to come across a story that sounds really different and, for me, Disappear was one one of them. The idea that someone might go missing and reappear 18 years later looking completely unchanged (though dead) is intriguing. Even as I started to read this book I was asking myself how the author was going to answer this question and, as it turned out, I really liked that the solution wasn't one that I guessed!
It is far - fetched and there was a strong element of caricature about some of the characters, especially the killer. The 'baddie' was fairly obvious quite early on in the story though it didn't spoil my enjoyment. Sometimes the narrative was slowed down by the introduction of new characters; this happened throughout the story, probably too many times. There were times when I felt that too much background was explained. However the book is a good, solid and entertaining thriller of the maniacal, serial killer variety. I will look out for this author again.
It is far - fetched and there was a strong element of caricature about some of the characters, especially the killer. The 'baddie' was fairly obvious quite early on in the story though it didn't spoil my enjoyment. Sometimes the narrative was slowed down by the introduction of new characters; this happened throughout the story, probably too many times. There were times when I felt that too much background was explained. However the book is a good, solid and entertaining thriller of the maniacal, serial killer variety. I will look out for this author again.
October 15, 2013
Disappear is clever novel that follow the events that unfold after a hit and run victim is found to be a man who disappeared decades ago after leaving home for what was suppose to be a quick run to the store. The startling thing is that he has not aged, is wearing the same clothing and is found blocks from his home on a street that had been searched thoroughly. After years of grieving as she raised her daughter to adulthood, the victims wife sets out to find the truth about what happened to her husband. Then five other bodies are found under similar circumstances. With the exception of one curious detective the police seem to be withholding information. The detective becomes her ally and begin a relationship that unravels a complicated psychological thriller. The story is well written, with interesting subplots that round out the characters. Its a good rainy, Saturday with a glass of wine book.
February 12, 2017
Well written book that encourages you to build relationships with the characters. Although parts of the plot are a bit unusual, I enjoyed uncovering the killer alongside the detective.
September 22, 2012
I really liked this book. I wondered how the supernatural seeming element would be reconciled. Some parts of the book were kind of farfetched and the killer kind of deviated from how a serial killer M. O. is usually done, but the book was extremely hard to put down. For the story, I would have given it a 5, but because-as usual the author had to add some elements I did not care for which brought it down to a 3. so I gave it an average 4.Also at the end of the book was a tidbit of the next book. It sounded really inducing to read, but this one was free and because of the language I did not care for, I doubt if I will spend money on any for that reason.
September 17, 2013
Jennifer's husband goes to the corner shop one evening in the rain and never comes home. She creates a new life for herself, then one day, 18 years later, her husband turns up not far from their home, a hit and run victim, but he still looks the same age as when she last saw him and still wearing the same clothes. The police are baffled. Then another body is discovered, again missing for 18 years, but this time the victim has been garrotted. An incredible set of circumstances begin.
It becomes obvious why the bodies have not aged, but as to the motive and who is behind it keeps the reader guessing to the end.
An intriguing story, well written, with believable characters.
It becomes obvious why the bodies have not aged, but as to the motive and who is behind it keeps the reader guessing to the end.
An intriguing story, well written, with believable characters.
October 2, 2013
Sometimes life is too short.
I read almost half of this book before coming to that conclusion. Compared to all the great edge-of-your-seat thrillers out there, this one just seemed to take far too long to get anywhere and none of the characters were rounded enough to become memorable.
In a nutshell, there were a few murders, one or two of which resulted in victims who had, inexplicably, not aged between the time they went missing and were found murdered years later. A strange jogger makes various appearances as the anonymous murderer and some equally strange, silent men thwart his actions in earlier years. Sci-fi? Or just a confusing plot?
I read almost half of this book before coming to that conclusion. Compared to all the great edge-of-your-seat thrillers out there, this one just seemed to take far too long to get anywhere and none of the characters were rounded enough to become memorable.
In a nutshell, there were a few murders, one or two of which resulted in victims who had, inexplicably, not aged between the time they went missing and were found murdered years later. A strange jogger makes various appearances as the anonymous murderer and some equally strange, silent men thwart his actions in earlier years. Sci-fi? Or just a confusing plot?
March 10, 2013
This was a pretty good mystery. I was engaged until the very end. It was not one of those books where I could tell where it was headed. There were so many pieces and seemingly separate story lines in play that I was curious as to how the author was going to tie everything up. No worries - he did. Some of the police procedures I questioned - but I chalk that up to carrying along the story line or "they do things different in Austrialia." After reading this, I would read more from this author.
July 20, 2014
The book was intriguing and the plot was great. But it was a little confusing. The author had a great idea with this book but the jumping back and forth was irritating. I think someone put it into these terms with explains the book in my opinion. Perhaps there were a few too many characters and it might have been a better idea to flesh out some of the main players more. But all in all it keep me reading to see what would happen.
August 23, 2015
The mystery surrounding the re-appearance of Brian Parkes 18 years after he vanishes lies at the heart of this crime thriller. The work of the police and Parkes' wife and daughter to uncover what happened is interspersed with dialogue from a faceless serial killer and although I guessed the killer well before his unveiling, it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. Good poolside reading if you are looking for a pacy page-turner to while away your holiday.
January 25, 2017
Jennifer's husband goes missing and 18 years later turns up looking exactly the same but dead. A man is going around kIlling people and it is Detective Lachlan job to link the cases and find the killer. Based in Sydney, this story is full of twists and turns, although I had worked out what was going on before the big reveal. Not quite up to Peter James or Jo Nesbo standards but never the less would read another book by this author.
February 4, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well written and fast paced. It was a little confusing at times when it seemed like new characters were being introduced on every page, but in the main these were just short term characters and the confusion never lasted long enough to spoil the enjoyment of the story. I would definitely read more from this author.
February 24, 2013
I really enjoyed this one: no one thing stood out, the romance was formulaic, police procedural with a curve but otherwise unremarkable. And yet something, be it the strength of characterisation or even the setting meant that I was kept interested and reading. I'd certainly enjoy more in a series, even if I can't quite detail why!
June 2, 2013
This book wasn't quite what I expected and I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. Some of the characters were a bit too predictable for me and I didn't really warm to the main character. Saying that though it did keep me hooked until the end, and it wasn't right until the very end that I guessed who "The Jogger" was.
May 14, 2013
Liked this one a lot. Good premise and a plot that fairly flew along. No real suprise regarding the baddie and the ending turned a little Scooby-doo but I guess that is the difficulty facing all thriller writers trying to tie up the ends. I will read more by this author and tend to ignore complaint(s) about being Australia-centric, I didn't notice that at all.
December 6, 2013
A quite interesting premise, a young husband disappears and eighteen years later is found dead without having aged. The entire concept is intriguing. The story goes a bit haywire near the nd and the intrigue that made it all so interesting turns to absurdity. Still, the book was a good diversion, not Dean Koontz, but still worthy of a read if one is into thrillers.
November 30, 2014
Simply got hooked in by the premise of a husband going to the local shop and disappearing, whereupon his body turns up 18 years later, apparently not aged at all.
So glad I followed up on my inquisitiveness because the story is gripping right from the start, the characters are well defined, and the pace keeps you turning the pages.
Yes, a memorable read.
So glad I followed up on my inquisitiveness because the story is gripping right from the start, the characters are well defined, and the pace keeps you turning the pages.
Yes, a memorable read.
September 1, 2016
This is very long winded and drags on for the first 70% of the book. There are way to many characters I got so confused with who was who and what there role was in the story a lot of the characters I felt were irrelevant. The whole story and idea behind it was good, just wish it was a bit more intresting
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews