Vanished

by Graham Wilson

Four missing girls - where have they gone? There passports were found amongst the possessions of a now dead man who travelled widely across the Australian outback. And the person who found the passports has vanished too.
The dead man's diary gives tiny clues. But the reals stories remain elusive. Police search and families search. But yet they all remain missing, each one's fate unknown. Finally a new clue emerges about one, could this person still be alive?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2023

About the author

Graham Wilson lives in Sydney, Australia.
He has completed and published twelve novels and a memoir.

His most recent novel is 'Mysteries', set in early Sydney about an old house and a mother and child missing for 30 years. His other standalone novel is, 'The Glitter''.

Other novels comprise two series,
1. Old Balmain House Series - 3 books of historic fiction set in early Sydney
2. Crocodile Dreaming Series - 7 books. 5 books (The Visitor, The Victim, The Void, The Vanished and The Invisible) are in the main series which follows English backpacker, Susan, as she travels across remote Australia with a charming outback man. It tells how this idyllic trip becomes a nightmare as she discovers terrifying secrets about this man. It also includes a 2-book Prequel, The Vertigo and The Vortex, which give insights into her travelling companion, Mark.

Graham's family memoir, 'Arnhem's Kaleidoscope Children' tells of his family's life in an aboriginal community the Northern Territory's remote Arnhem Land. It chronicles an idyllic childhood, 50 years of change with aboriginal land rights and discovery or uranium. It also tells of his surviving an attack by a large crocodile and of his work over two decades in the outback of the NT.

Graham's career was first as a veterinarian in a mixed practice treating farm animals and people's pets, before following his love for wildlife through working at a range of Australian Zoos. He also spent two decades working on large cattle and buffalo properties in the Northern Territory before moving to Sydney where he now lives in one of Sydney's oldest houses in the Rocks. He has continued to follow his joint passions working with animals, wildlife conservation and writing stories.

Books are published as ebooks by major ebook publishers. Some books are also available in print online and through selected local bookshops.

Reviews

[Charles Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in slowly and then completely took hold of my attention. What really stood out to me was the emotional weight behind the mystery. It is not just a story about missing girls; it feels like a story about the people left behind trying to understand what happened. The way Anne carries the guilt about Susan and refuses to give up searching made the story feel very personal. I found myself thinking about how difficult it must be to live with so many unanswered questions. The fragments from the diary and the different clues scattered throughout the story kept my curiosity alive the entire time. It is one of those mysteries where you keep hoping that someone will finally be found or that the truth will come out. The Australian setting also adds something unique to the atmosphere. Overall, this book left me with a lingering feeling that stayed with me even after I finished reading it.

[Emilia Monsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciated most about this book was how it expands the mystery beyond just one person’s story. The idea that several girls disappeared and that their stories are slowly being uncovered piece by piece makes the plot feel larger and more complicated. I liked the way the author lets the reader experience the investigation through Anne’s perspective. Her determination to keep searching even when the evidence seems thin shows how deeply she cares about the truth. There are moments where the story feels quiet and reflective, and then suddenly a new clue appears and pulls you forward again. It creates a sense that the mystery is always just slightly out of reach. By the end, I felt emotionally invested in the fate of these girls and hoped that at least some answers might eventually come to light.

[Anna Carvalho · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who enjoys mystery stories that focus on character emotions as much as the investigation itself, this book really worked for me. Anne’s journey felt believable and human. She isn’t just searching for answers for other people; she is also trying to deal with her own feelings of responsibility and regret. That emotional layer made the story feel deeper than a typical mystery novel. The scattered clues from the diary and the travels to different locations made the search feel realistic and complex. I also appreciated how the story shows the impact of disappearance on families and friends who are left waiting for answers. It reminds you that behind every missing person case there are real lives affected by the loss.

[Rhoda Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book fascinating because it combines several mysteries into one larger story. At first it seems like a straightforward investigation about missing passports and a dead traveler, but the more the story unfolds the more complicated it becomes. Each new clue raises more questions about what really happened to these girls. The author does a good job of building suspense without rushing to easy answers. I also enjoyed the way the story moves between different locations and memories as Anne tries to piece everything together. It gives the feeling that the mystery stretches far beyond one place or one event. By the end I was still thinking about the possible explanations and what might have happened to the girls who vanished.

[Dorcas Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left a strong impression on me because it feels very emotional and reflective. Anne’s determination to tell the stories of the missing girls so they are not forgotten is something that really stood out. It shows a kind of quiet courage to keep searching even when hope seems small. The story also touches on themes of guilt and responsibility, especially in the way Anne struggles with Susan’s disappearance. I found those parts very moving. The mystery itself is intriguing, but what kept me reading was the emotional journey of the characters and their need for closure.

[Mary Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I really liked about this book was the sense of realism in the investigation. Instead of quick solutions, the story shows how slow and frustrating it can be to search for answers when people vanish without leaving clear traces. The diary clues and small discoveries feel like pieces of a puzzle that never quite fit together easily. That made the story feel believable. I also enjoyed the atmosphere created by the Australian landscape. The vast and sometimes isolated locations add to the feeling that people can disappear there without anyone knowing exactly what happened.

[Janet Pautz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like following a trail of memories and fragments left behind by people who are no longer there. The idea that Anne is trying to reconstruct the lives of these missing girls from small clues makes the story very thoughtful. It is less about action and more about understanding the past. I appreciated how the author lets the mystery unfold gradually instead of forcing dramatic twists. The emotional tone of the story gives it a reflective quality that makes you think about how fragile life can be.

[Samuel Talley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What kept me engaged throughout the book was the constant question of whether any of the girls might still be alive. Even when the situation seems hopeless, Anne refuses to abandon the possibility that someone might be found. That sense of stubborn hope adds tension to the story. I also liked how the book explores different perspectives, families searching, police investigating, and Anne personally trying to make sense of everything. It creates a broader picture of how many people are affected by the disappearance of just a few individuals.

[Lenora Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me the feeling of slowly uncovering a hidden history. Every clue in the diary or memory shared by someone Anne meets adds another layer to the story. I enjoyed trying to piece together the connections between the missing girls and the mysterious traveler. It’s the kind of mystery that encourages the reader to think and speculate about what might have happened. I also appreciated the emotional depth of Anne’s character. Her persistence and compassion make her a compelling figure to follow through the story.

[Larry Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, the most powerful aspect of this book was its atmosphere of uncertainty. From the beginning you know that several girls are gone and that their fate is unknown. That alone creates a sense of tension that carries through the entire narrative. The author does a good job of balancing investigation with emotional reflection. The moments where Anne listens to Susan’s recorded voice or revisits places connected to the past were particularly moving. They remind the reader that behind every mystery there are real lives and memories.

[Marcus Fallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this book left me with a strong impression because it combines mystery with emotional depth. The disappearance of the girls creates a compelling puzzle, but the real heart of the story lies in Anne’s search for understanding and closure. Her journey across different places and memories feels like an attempt to give meaning to lives that might otherwise remain lost in silence. By the end, I felt that the story was not just about solving a mystery but about honoring the people at the center of it.

[Bobbi Neven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed how the story expands the world of the series while still focusing on the personal experiences of the characters. The mystery surrounding the missing girls feels larger than any one individual, yet the narrative remains grounded through Anne’s perspective. Her determination to document their stories so they are not forgotten gives the book a meaningful purpose. It felt less like a simple detective story and more like a journey to understand people who vanished without explanation.

[Loretta Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

What made this book interesting to me was the way it slowly builds connections between events that at first seem unrelated. The passports, the diary, and the different locations across Australia gradually start forming a pattern. It felt like watching a puzzle slowly come together piece by piece. Even when the answers remain uncertain, the process of searching and investigating keeps the story engaging.

[Leila Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the emotional tone of this book quite powerful. Anne’s sense of guilt over Susan’s disappearance adds a layer of sadness to the mystery. Her determination to keep searching shows how deeply she cares about finding the truth. There are moments where the story feels almost reflective or philosophical, especially when she thinks about the lives of the missing girls and what might have happened to them. Those moments made the book feel more thoughtful than a typical mystery novel.

[Daniel Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I appreciated most was the way the author portrays the impact of disappearance on the people left behind. Families, friends, and investigators all experience the uncertainty differently. Some cling to hope, while others slowly begin to accept that answers may never come. That emotional complexity makes the story feel very real. It reminds the reader that unresolved mysteries can leave a lasting mark on everyone involved.

[Rory C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept my curiosity alive from start to finish. Every time a clue appeared, it raised new questions rather than providing easy solutions. I liked that approach because it made the story feel unpredictable. Anne’s travels and investigations also add variety to the narrative as she moves from one place to another searching for information. The sense of a long journey toward the truth is something that stayed with me throughout the book.

[Aidan Boland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the sense of mystery surrounding the diary and the unknown traveler. The idea that his writings might hold clues about several missing girls creates an intriguing foundation for the story. It makes you wonder how all these lives might be connected. I also appreciated the emotional aspect of Anne listening to Susan’s recorded voice and trying to understand her friend’s choices. Those moments added a personal dimension to the investigation.

[Ali Gillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a reflective and sometimes haunting atmosphere. The idea of people vanishing without clear explanations can be unsettling, and the author captures that feeling well. The vast Australian landscapes described in the story contribute to the sense that these mysteries could remain hidden for a long time. At the same time, Anne’s determination provides a sense of hope that the truth might eventually be discovered.

[Jesse M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out to me was the theme of not giving up on people who have disappeared. Anne refuses to let the stories of these girls fade away, even when others start losing hope. That persistence gives the book a sense of purpose beyond solving a mystery. It becomes about remembering lives that might otherwise be forgotten. I found that message quite meaningful.

[Matthew Garlick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this story felt like following someone who refuses to stop asking questions. Anne continues searching even when the investigation seems to lead nowhere. That persistence makes her a compelling character. I also liked the way the narrative gradually reveals fragments of each missing girl’s story, allowing the reader to imagine who they were before they disappeared.

[Kathryn Pharis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series…

This series is worth reading again some day. I feel I have come to know Australia through the author’s writing. All of the characters are so well developed that I feel I know them. Awesome series….one I will think about for some time to come.

[Virginia L · Rating 5 out of 5]

What about Susan?

This is book 4 in a series of 5 books. These stories are filled with interest, intrigue and mystery. I must read book 5 right away as the final mystery is yet to be revealed.

[Stuart Pretty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cracking read, well presented and I couldn't wait to get to the end