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The Vanished Girl
The memories of that summer won’t stay buried forever…1976. It’s a long, hot summer, and all Jo Salway wants is to bask in the freedom of the holidays with her life-long friends. But when little Pippa Jenkins suddenly vanishes without a trace, the friends must close ranks to protect themselves. And in doing so, change the course of their futures forever …
2024. Haunted by the events of fifty years ago, Jo has never returned to her childhood home of Hareton Wick. But in the aftermath of trauma and with her only respite found at the bottom of a bottle, Jo knows that the only way to start afresh is to unravel the secrets of her past. But when the tangled web of Pippa’s disappearance starts to lead closer to home, who will Jo be able to trust, and who will she betray …
2024. Haunted by the events of fifty years ago, Jo has never returned to her childhood home of Hareton Wick. But in the aftermath of trauma and with her only respite found at the bottom of a bottle, Jo knows that the only way to start afresh is to unravel the secrets of her past. But when the tangled web of Pippa’s disappearance starts to lead closer to home, who will Jo be able to trust, and who will she betray …
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2026
46 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen McGurl
25 books488 followersKathleen McGurl lives in Bournemouth with her husband and cat. She has two grown-up sons who have now left home. She always wanted to write, and for many years was waiting until she had the time. Eventually she came to the bitter realisation that no one would pay her for a year off work to write a book, so she sat down and started to write one anyway. Since then she has sold dozens of short stories to women's magazines and written three books for writers. These days she is concentrating on longer fiction and has published several dual timeline novels with CarinaUK and HQ. She works full time in the IT industry and when she's not writing, she's often out running, slowly.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 16, 2026
It is no secret I am a huge fan of Kathleen McGurl’s dual timeline novels. Her literary talent continues to impress and inspire me. This murder mystery is just as remarkable as her previous family roots stories. So yes, the focus is a little different with The Vanished Girl but just as captivating as I could not put it down and read it in a day. There are plenty of twists and surprises and unique reasons behind the unexpected events.
Book covers are important, in my opinion. They either draw me in or repel me. Kathleen’s are always spot on and accurate reflections of the story within. And this one oozes mystery. We get a vivid contrast of age with the gloomy old house and youthful pink bicycle in the foreground (these opposites in age come up again but I won’t say when or where). The atmospheric split sky in dark and yellow tones again reflect the earlier and later timeline and series of events. The scene is supported by the title, of course, of ‘The Vanished Girl.’ I was intrigued from the start and pulled in by the front cover’s tagline phrase: ‘The memories of that summer won’t stay buried forever.’ This also drew me into the mystery that I knew would have lots of twists, turns and rollercoaster moments.
Next is the Prologue. And this book has an excellent one. I enjoyed reading it as it provided a great narrative hook and glimpses of a backstory. It set the stage, established the tone and foreshadowed events to come, which all got me engaged immediately. Personally, I also like returning to a Prologue (if a book has one) when I finish reading a story. It is fun to see the initial clues again, why they were there and how the author developed and shaped it all into a full picture. I find going back often provides more clarity and satisfaction.
As I charged off into chapter one, I met Jo in 2024, the main narrator who has moved back to the country town of her youth, Hareton Wick in Hampshire. I discover she has been through a lot but she is compelled to return. But why? She gives a number of valid reasons. But maybe under it all is a desire for healing and closure? As her memories come flooding back, I was then transported to Jo in 1976 and learned what life was life for her as a twelve year old. Moving flawlessly back and forth between these two timelines, I was gripped by the edgier topics and tone. As I waited for the plot to unfold and watched the characters go through their paces, my mind was a whir of activity.
The novel is told mostly from Jo Salway’s viewpoint, past and current. But a few chapters (including the Prologue) are presented from the child’s perspective (Pippa Jenkins) which helped me become even more emotionally invested in this character. Pippa’s tender age, curiosity, loneliness and craving for social activity comes through in the Prologue and in her viewpoint chapters. These clues early on make sense of what happens later. Besides Jo and Pippa, one other person gets a chapter to explain their circumstance (of which I will not name). It was quite moving and sad to read their thoughts, too. But helpful.
This novel covers a number of difficult topics such as divorce, broken sibling relationships, dementia, false judgement, PTSD and alcoholism to name a few. For one character, the alcohol addiction is a response to emotional trauma (such as viewing a murdered victim after the event and dealing with unwarranted guilt—where ‘if only she had been there sooner she would have prevented the crime’). The novel explores loss of stability and trauma in losing one’s childhood home when parents split. The children must move from their place of security, leaving all that is familiar to them to deal with more unknowns. Also, the social aspects of saying goodbye to old friends to make new ones is not easy for children. Then there are the worries for a child of an alcoholic parent. He/she feels responsible to keep watch over the parent who might slip up. Lastly, the novel deals with grief after dramatic loss, and the need for closure and healing.
As the secrets unravelled in The Vanished Girl, I was reminded of so many things happening in the world. The injustices, violence and unfair judging of those who are different. And a world where a lone parent struggles with being the bread winner and unable to properly care for their child—leaving the child on their own, too much. Pippa represents a lot of children in this category.
I have not said much about the story’s plot as I don’t want to give anything away since it is a murder mystery but the upside of this novel is the fact that there are people available in a community, including friends and other family members, who are there to support the wounded, lonely and lost. Jo found this out and how it helped her recover from the horrible incidents she encountered. The scene of coming upon a girl who was murdered really stuck in my head and Kathleen handled it respectfully through Jo’s response in that moment. Her kind actions gave the girl’s parents some much needed comfort.
I won’t say more but get this book and read it when it comes out in March. It will tug on your heart, make you shed a few tears and appreciate the love and support of others when you need it most. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Kathleen McGurl and publisher HQ digital.
Book covers are important, in my opinion. They either draw me in or repel me. Kathleen’s are always spot on and accurate reflections of the story within. And this one oozes mystery. We get a vivid contrast of age with the gloomy old house and youthful pink bicycle in the foreground (these opposites in age come up again but I won’t say when or where). The atmospheric split sky in dark and yellow tones again reflect the earlier and later timeline and series of events. The scene is supported by the title, of course, of ‘The Vanished Girl.’ I was intrigued from the start and pulled in by the front cover’s tagline phrase: ‘The memories of that summer won’t stay buried forever.’ This also drew me into the mystery that I knew would have lots of twists, turns and rollercoaster moments.
Next is the Prologue. And this book has an excellent one. I enjoyed reading it as it provided a great narrative hook and glimpses of a backstory. It set the stage, established the tone and foreshadowed events to come, which all got me engaged immediately. Personally, I also like returning to a Prologue (if a book has one) when I finish reading a story. It is fun to see the initial clues again, why they were there and how the author developed and shaped it all into a full picture. I find going back often provides more clarity and satisfaction.
As I charged off into chapter one, I met Jo in 2024, the main narrator who has moved back to the country town of her youth, Hareton Wick in Hampshire. I discover she has been through a lot but she is compelled to return. But why? She gives a number of valid reasons. But maybe under it all is a desire for healing and closure? As her memories come flooding back, I was then transported to Jo in 1976 and learned what life was life for her as a twelve year old. Moving flawlessly back and forth between these two timelines, I was gripped by the edgier topics and tone. As I waited for the plot to unfold and watched the characters go through their paces, my mind was a whir of activity.
The novel is told mostly from Jo Salway’s viewpoint, past and current. But a few chapters (including the Prologue) are presented from the child’s perspective (Pippa Jenkins) which helped me become even more emotionally invested in this character. Pippa’s tender age, curiosity, loneliness and craving for social activity comes through in the Prologue and in her viewpoint chapters. These clues early on make sense of what happens later. Besides Jo and Pippa, one other person gets a chapter to explain their circumstance (of which I will not name). It was quite moving and sad to read their thoughts, too. But helpful.
This novel covers a number of difficult topics such as divorce, broken sibling relationships, dementia, false judgement, PTSD and alcoholism to name a few. For one character, the alcohol addiction is a response to emotional trauma (such as viewing a murdered victim after the event and dealing with unwarranted guilt—where ‘if only she had been there sooner she would have prevented the crime’). The novel explores loss of stability and trauma in losing one’s childhood home when parents split. The children must move from their place of security, leaving all that is familiar to them to deal with more unknowns. Also, the social aspects of saying goodbye to old friends to make new ones is not easy for children. Then there are the worries for a child of an alcoholic parent. He/she feels responsible to keep watch over the parent who might slip up. Lastly, the novel deals with grief after dramatic loss, and the need for closure and healing.
As the secrets unravelled in The Vanished Girl, I was reminded of so many things happening in the world. The injustices, violence and unfair judging of those who are different. And a world where a lone parent struggles with being the bread winner and unable to properly care for their child—leaving the child on their own, too much. Pippa represents a lot of children in this category.
I have not said much about the story’s plot as I don’t want to give anything away since it is a murder mystery but the upside of this novel is the fact that there are people available in a community, including friends and other family members, who are there to support the wounded, lonely and lost. Jo found this out and how it helped her recover from the horrible incidents she encountered. The scene of coming upon a girl who was murdered really stuck in my head and Kathleen handled it respectfully through Jo’s response in that moment. Her kind actions gave the girl’s parents some much needed comfort.
I won’t say more but get this book and read it when it comes out in March. It will tug on your heart, make you shed a few tears and appreciate the love and support of others when you need it most. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Kathleen McGurl and publisher HQ digital.
March 11, 2026
This is a very slow burn thriller, I liked the characters growth, the dual timeline.the friendship are just as important as the secret.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Vanished Girl by Kathleen McGurl is a powerful and heartbreaking dual timeline novel that gripped me from the start.
The action is set in the summer of 1976 and in 2024. For those of us of a certain age, we remember the summer of ’76 as being glorious – long, hot days. For the characters they were, eight, twelve, and nearly fourteen-years-old. Theirs was a summer of freedom. “We were giddy with freedom and endless possibilities. Friends, a picnic, our bikes… We could go anywhere.” The reader ‘feels’ the freedom and remembers their own childhood in the summer of ’76. Days of adventures with friends, no phones to distract. The summer stretched out endlessly, creating bonds and happy memories until – the girl vanished.
Nearly fifty years later, the friends are re-united. “Inside, I’m still that kid.” Old bonds re-attach as the years fall away. Feelings of guilt return as everyone wonders if they could have done more.
The intervening years have seen a life being plied with guilt upon guilt. A life spiralled downwards. Returning to her childhood village, a character hopes she will heal.
Re-connection with childhood friends creates the original strong bonds.
The modern reader is horrified at the attitudes to those with mental health issues in 1976. They are shunned at best, persecuted at worst – by the adults, who hunt in packs. It is shameful. Only the children see the kind, gentle heart that beats beneath the skin of a nineteen-year-old man.
We witness the effects of being a latch-key kid in 1976. The reader’s heart breaks for the eight-year-old. We also witness the effects of divorce on a family.
All the characters were well drawn and believable. As the action alternated between the two time periods, I found myself easily identifying with Jo as a child in 1976.
The Vanished Girl is a powerful, heartbreaking read about childhood, friendships, memories, and finally laying the past to rest.
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The action is set in the summer of 1976 and in 2024. For those of us of a certain age, we remember the summer of ’76 as being glorious – long, hot days. For the characters they were, eight, twelve, and nearly fourteen-years-old. Theirs was a summer of freedom. “We were giddy with freedom and endless possibilities. Friends, a picnic, our bikes… We could go anywhere.” The reader ‘feels’ the freedom and remembers their own childhood in the summer of ’76. Days of adventures with friends, no phones to distract. The summer stretched out endlessly, creating bonds and happy memories until – the girl vanished.
Nearly fifty years later, the friends are re-united. “Inside, I’m still that kid.” Old bonds re-attach as the years fall away. Feelings of guilt return as everyone wonders if they could have done more.
The intervening years have seen a life being plied with guilt upon guilt. A life spiralled downwards. Returning to her childhood village, a character hopes she will heal.
Re-connection with childhood friends creates the original strong bonds.
The modern reader is horrified at the attitudes to those with mental health issues in 1976. They are shunned at best, persecuted at worst – by the adults, who hunt in packs. It is shameful. Only the children see the kind, gentle heart that beats beneath the skin of a nineteen-year-old man.
We witness the effects of being a latch-key kid in 1976. The reader’s heart breaks for the eight-year-old. We also witness the effects of divorce on a family.
All the characters were well drawn and believable. As the action alternated between the two time periods, I found myself easily identifying with Jo as a child in 1976.
The Vanished Girl is a powerful, heartbreaking read about childhood, friendships, memories, and finally laying the past to rest.
I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to HQ for a copy of the book.
In the school holidays of 1976, 12-year-old Jo is spending her days playing with her best friend and her brother, riding their bikes and exploring an old barn and farmhouse they come across. Until one day, 8-year-old Pippa goes missing.
Now, 50 years later, Jo moves back to the village where she grew up and reconnects with best friend Lynne. They’ve never forgotten about Pippa or stopped feeling guilty for that summer. And finally the secrets of what happened 50 years ago start to come to light.
I really enjoyed this story - it was beautifully written and felt like a blend of thriller and small-town nostalgic drama. The 1976 timeline really captured that feeling of being in the school summer holidays, how 6 weeks can feel like a lifetime. The nostalgia of the ice pops and the Generation Game, playing out with friends on your bikes all day, was strangely comforting against the backdrop of Pippa’s loneliness and disappearance, and Jo’s distress at the breakdown of her parents’ marriage.
It was a slow-burn with the build up to discovering the truth of what happened that summer, but just as important were the friendships and relationships, and the growth of the characters from 1970s attitudes and behaviours to who they are in the present day.
In the school holidays of 1976, 12-year-old Jo is spending her days playing with her best friend and her brother, riding their bikes and exploring an old barn and farmhouse they come across. Until one day, 8-year-old Pippa goes missing.
Now, 50 years later, Jo moves back to the village where she grew up and reconnects with best friend Lynne. They’ve never forgotten about Pippa or stopped feeling guilty for that summer. And finally the secrets of what happened 50 years ago start to come to light.
I really enjoyed this story - it was beautifully written and felt like a blend of thriller and small-town nostalgic drama. The 1976 timeline really captured that feeling of being in the school summer holidays, how 6 weeks can feel like a lifetime. The nostalgia of the ice pops and the Generation Game, playing out with friends on your bikes all day, was strangely comforting against the backdrop of Pippa’s loneliness and disappearance, and Jo’s distress at the breakdown of her parents’ marriage.
It was a slow-burn with the build up to discovering the truth of what happened that summer, but just as important were the friendships and relationships, and the growth of the characters from 1970s attitudes and behaviours to who they are in the present day.
March 17, 2026
Gripped from the start! Where is Pippa??
The Vanished Girl is one of those books that you can't put down. Kathleen McGurl has given us a story that has you invested in the characters from the very beginning.
In the heatwave of the summer of 1976, four friends have carefree days of fun and adventures - Jo and her brother David and their friends Lynne and Rick. But then the disappearance of a younger girl they all knew changes all that. Where did she go? Did somebody take her? Will she be found? Could they have done more to be friendlier to her?
All of these questions resurface as the story is told by Jo, alternating between her life now in 2024 and that summer of 1976.
I really enjoy a dual timeline narrative, especially when the characters are written so well, as they are in this book. You have the child voices in 1976 and then the adult voices in 2024. Sometimes, in other books I've read, you have to check chapter headings or reread parts to double check which year you are in, but in this book, the author has written it perfectly and it alternates seamlessly.
As history resurfaces, how Jo deals with the past shapes her into who she is now and I really enjoyed the way this story unfolded through her relationships with different characters.
If you're looking for an easy, addictive read, add this to your TBR pile.
The Vanished Girl is one of those books that you can't put down. Kathleen McGurl has given us a story that has you invested in the characters from the very beginning.
In the heatwave of the summer of 1976, four friends have carefree days of fun and adventures - Jo and her brother David and their friends Lynne and Rick. But then the disappearance of a younger girl they all knew changes all that. Where did she go? Did somebody take her? Will she be found? Could they have done more to be friendlier to her?
All of these questions resurface as the story is told by Jo, alternating between her life now in 2024 and that summer of 1976.
I really enjoy a dual timeline narrative, especially when the characters are written so well, as they are in this book. You have the child voices in 1976 and then the adult voices in 2024. Sometimes, in other books I've read, you have to check chapter headings or reread parts to double check which year you are in, but in this book, the author has written it perfectly and it alternates seamlessly.
As history resurfaces, how Jo deals with the past shapes her into who she is now and I really enjoyed the way this story unfolded through her relationships with different characters.
If you're looking for an easy, addictive read, add this to your TBR pile.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s the very hot summer in 1976 in the town of Hareton, Hampshire where Jo Salway and her brother David and their friends jump on their bikes and explore the country lanes, woods and an old, abandoned farmhouse.
Pippa Jenkins is eight years old and as her parents are divorced and a lot of the time the little girl is left alone to her own devices. This is before childcare was invented. So, Jo and her friend Lynne babysit her. But as there are a few years older that her. They don’t want her to hang with them all the time when they go exploring.
One day Pippa goes missing never to be seen again.
Now 2024 Jo is divorced, with one son and has returned to her hometown. She decides to connect with her old friends. But in the back of her mind, it still nags at her about Pippa ging missing. Blaming herself of what happened all of them years ago that changed the course of her life. Pippa still hasn’t been found.
This is a dual timed story that filled me with nostalgia. As a kid brought up in the 70’s it reminded me of my childhood. When I played out with me with my brother and sister and their friends and yes, I was like Pippa the youngest one. This is a well written story, full of regret, friendships and grief. I found this to be a great read 5 stars from me.
Pippa Jenkins is eight years old and as her parents are divorced and a lot of the time the little girl is left alone to her own devices. This is before childcare was invented. So, Jo and her friend Lynne babysit her. But as there are a few years older that her. They don’t want her to hang with them all the time when they go exploring.
One day Pippa goes missing never to be seen again.
Now 2024 Jo is divorced, with one son and has returned to her hometown. She decides to connect with her old friends. But in the back of her mind, it still nags at her about Pippa ging missing. Blaming herself of what happened all of them years ago that changed the course of her life. Pippa still hasn’t been found.
This is a dual timed story that filled me with nostalgia. As a kid brought up in the 70’s it reminded me of my childhood. When I played out with me with my brother and sister and their friends and yes, I was like Pippa the youngest one. This is a well written story, full of regret, friendships and grief. I found this to be a great read 5 stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In the Summer of 1976 during a heatwave, four teens, a brother and sister and two friends, hang out and are enjoying being together. Then an eight year old girl vanishes. They all know her and are shocked at what's happened. The whole village is in turmoil. It changes everything!
In 2024, Jo, returns to the village to live following upheaval in her life. The disappearance still weighs on her.
Both timelines then follow what happened and fifty years on the eventual outcome.
This book was full of emotion. I was there with them in 1976 as I was fifteen myself and had just started my first job. The descriptions of that Summer and life at that time were extremely well done. The friendship was friendship we all had at those times in our lives. There was a lot going on and Jo and her family were going through their own trauma.
The timeline stories were done as every other chapter which worked very well. I couldn't wait to see what happened and how it would all gel together.
I dropped a star because at times it was a little drawn out and some chapters didn't have much happening.
I'd recommend this if you love dual timeline novels and stories about real people.
Thank you to HQ publishers and NetGalley for an early copy.
In 2024, Jo, returns to the village to live following upheaval in her life. The disappearance still weighs on her.
Both timelines then follow what happened and fifty years on the eventual outcome.
This book was full of emotion. I was there with them in 1976 as I was fifteen myself and had just started my first job. The descriptions of that Summer and life at that time were extremely well done. The friendship was friendship we all had at those times in our lives. There was a lot going on and Jo and her family were going through their own trauma.
The timeline stories were done as every other chapter which worked very well. I couldn't wait to see what happened and how it would all gel together.
I dropped a star because at times it was a little drawn out and some chapters didn't have much happening.
I'd recommend this if you love dual timeline novels and stories about real people.
Thank you to HQ publishers and NetGalley for an early copy.
December 31, 2025
For many, 1976 brings back memories of the long, hot summer but for Jo Salway, those halcyon days have been tainted by the disappearance of little Pippa Jenkins and the guilty feelings that followed. Now, nearly fifty years later, Jo has returned to her childhood home of Hareton Wick but the memories of that day still haunt her. As she begins to make contact with the people from her past, Pippa is never far from her thoughts and soon she finds the truth of what happened may be close to home…
Fans of Kathleen McGurl’s previous dual timeframe novels are going to love The Vanished Girl which sees us with the same character in two different years rather than two different people in two separate historical eras. I really liked this as it gives us the opportunity to see Jo as a fully-rounded person and enables us to see how Jo the adult was clearly shaped and affected by events from her past.
This is a very well-written story of friendship and regret and how a person’s life can be permanently affected by a tragedy from the past. Behind it all, though, is a powerful mystery involving the disappearance of Pippa Jenkins. This really is a tragic tale, told with great sensitivity and I found myself throughout the story eager to find out what had happened to her, desperate for her family (and Jo) to receive some sort of closure.
The Vanished Girl has a satisfying ending with several sub-plots along the way that all fit neatly into the overall story. I have been a big fan of Kathleen McGurl’s work for quite a while and I think that this may be one of my favourite books to date.
Fans of Kathleen McGurl’s previous dual timeframe novels are going to love The Vanished Girl which sees us with the same character in two different years rather than two different people in two separate historical eras. I really liked this as it gives us the opportunity to see Jo as a fully-rounded person and enables us to see how Jo the adult was clearly shaped and affected by events from her past.
This is a very well-written story of friendship and regret and how a person’s life can be permanently affected by a tragedy from the past. Behind it all, though, is a powerful mystery involving the disappearance of Pippa Jenkins. This really is a tragic tale, told with great sensitivity and I found myself throughout the story eager to find out what had happened to her, desperate for her family (and Jo) to receive some sort of closure.
The Vanished Girl has a satisfying ending with several sub-plots along the way that all fit neatly into the overall story. I have been a big fan of Kathleen McGurl’s work for quite a while and I think that this may be one of my favourite books to date.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Atmospheric, Nostalgic and Utterly Unputdownable!
Kathleen McGurl has delivered a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling with 'The Vanished Girl'.
By expertly weaving a dual timeline between the present day and the sweltering, record-breaking summer of 1976, McGurl captures a sense of nostalgia that feels both vivid and haunting.
The story follows Jo as she returns to her childhood village, forced to confront the long-reaching ripples of a young girl’s disappearance decades earlier. Jo is a deeply relatable protagonist, navigating her own internal battles while unearthing secrets long buried in the heat-soaked past.
At its heart, this is a moving exploration of loyalty, friendship, and the difficult road to reconciliation. While the mystery keeps you turning pages, the book truly shines in its message of hope and its ability to mend fractured lives.
With every loose end tied up as neatly as a box of ice pops wrapped in a bow, it is an absolute must-read for fans of emotional, character-driven fiction.
My thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
Kathleen McGurl has delivered a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling with 'The Vanished Girl'.
By expertly weaving a dual timeline between the present day and the sweltering, record-breaking summer of 1976, McGurl captures a sense of nostalgia that feels both vivid and haunting.
The story follows Jo as she returns to her childhood village, forced to confront the long-reaching ripples of a young girl’s disappearance decades earlier. Jo is a deeply relatable protagonist, navigating her own internal battles while unearthing secrets long buried in the heat-soaked past.
At its heart, this is a moving exploration of loyalty, friendship, and the difficult road to reconciliation. While the mystery keeps you turning pages, the book truly shines in its message of hope and its ability to mend fractured lives.
With every loose end tied up as neatly as a box of ice pops wrapped in a bow, it is an absolute must-read for fans of emotional, character-driven fiction.
My thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
November 8, 2025
In The Vanished Girl, Kathleen McGurl weaves a haunting dual-timeline mystery that lingers like mist on the moors. With her signature blend of historical intrigue and emotional resonance, McGurl invites us into a world where secrets echo across generations and the past is never truly buried.
Set between the present day and a shadowed chapter of history, the novel follows two women—each searching for truth, each shaped by silence. As their stories entwine, McGurl delicately unspools themes of identity, loss, and the quiet courage it takes to confront what’s been hidden.
The prose is graceful, the pacing assured, and the emotional undercurrents run deep. This is a novel for readers who love their mysteries with heart, their history with humanity, and their fiction tinged with the bittersweet ache of memory.
A quietly powerful read—elegant, evocative, and deeply satisfying.
With thanks to Kathleen McGurl, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
Set between the present day and a shadowed chapter of history, the novel follows two women—each searching for truth, each shaped by silence. As their stories entwine, McGurl delicately unspools themes of identity, loss, and the quiet courage it takes to confront what’s been hidden.
The prose is graceful, the pacing assured, and the emotional undercurrents run deep. This is a novel for readers who love their mysteries with heart, their history with humanity, and their fiction tinged with the bittersweet ache of memory.
A quietly powerful read—elegant, evocative, and deeply satisfying.
With thanks to Kathleen McGurl, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
November 10, 2025
Review of ‘The Vanished Girl’ by Kathleen McGurl, due to be published on 12 March 2026 by HQ, HQ Digital.
A dual timeline story, set in 1976 and 2024 that follows the main character, Jo, as she returns to the village she grew up in.
Jo reconnects with old friends, reminiscing over their childhood and the events of the Summer of 1976 when a local girl, Pippa, vanished.
Hampered by thoughts of what she and her friends could have done differently, Jo’s life has been defined by events in her life that have had a long lasting impact on her, her internal battles and sense of loss.
A beautifully written story of friendship, loss, grief, acceptance and finding the courage to move on. The characters are well developed, the writing crafted to let your imagination take you back to the sizzling Summer of ‘76. The underlying story is one of tragedy that is handled with sensitivity and care. A recommended read.
A dual timeline story, set in 1976 and 2024 that follows the main character, Jo, as she returns to the village she grew up in.
Jo reconnects with old friends, reminiscing over their childhood and the events of the Summer of 1976 when a local girl, Pippa, vanished.
Hampered by thoughts of what she and her friends could have done differently, Jo’s life has been defined by events in her life that have had a long lasting impact on her, her internal battles and sense of loss.
A beautifully written story of friendship, loss, grief, acceptance and finding the courage to move on. The characters are well developed, the writing crafted to let your imagination take you back to the sizzling Summer of ‘76. The underlying story is one of tragedy that is handled with sensitivity and care. A recommended read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hampshire, Hareton Wick, 1976. Jo Salway, her brother David and their best friends Lynne and Rick have been eagerly awaiting the summer holidays. They hop on their bikes and off they go exploring the lane-ways, woods and an old abandoned farmhouse in the area called Four Oaks.
Pippa Jenkins is younger, her parents are divorced and her mum works during the day. Jo and Lynne look out for her, but being almost teenagers and a four year age gap is an issue and they don't want to be babysitters. When Pippa goes missing, everyone is quick to judge her mum, and remember this was before childcare existed, the police and local men searched and no trace of the little girl was found.
Hampshire, Hareton Wick, 2024. Jo is divorced, has an adult son, and she moves back to her childhood hometown. Jo has had her fair share of heartache, she turned to alcohol to cope, numb her feelings and she’s now sober. Jo knows returning will give her a fresh start, she’s keen to help her dad, see Lynne and it will bring back the memories of the summer and Pippa’s disappearance.
I received a copy of The Vanished Girl from HQ Digital and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Kathleen McGurl is the undisputed queen of dual timeline historical fiction and with a link to old houses.
I had no trouble immersing myself in the narrative and could resonate with the characters, I grew up in the 1970’s, we had so much fun heading off for the day, our mum would pack us lunch and cold drinks and we would return home for tea.
It was a different time, Jo, Lynne, David, Rick, Horace and Pippa were young and innocent, and they never considered anything bad happening. The story highlights how feelings can ferment and bubble up, you shouldn’t dwell on the things you can’t change, use of alcohol as a crutch, the consequences of relationship breaks downs, and how people are quick to judge others, grief, types of loss and the importance of closure.
Five stars from me, what's between the pages is just as brilliant as the stunning cover and I highly recommend.
Pippa Jenkins is younger, her parents are divorced and her mum works during the day. Jo and Lynne look out for her, but being almost teenagers and a four year age gap is an issue and they don't want to be babysitters. When Pippa goes missing, everyone is quick to judge her mum, and remember this was before childcare existed, the police and local men searched and no trace of the little girl was found.
Hampshire, Hareton Wick, 2024. Jo is divorced, has an adult son, and she moves back to her childhood hometown. Jo has had her fair share of heartache, she turned to alcohol to cope, numb her feelings and she’s now sober. Jo knows returning will give her a fresh start, she’s keen to help her dad, see Lynne and it will bring back the memories of the summer and Pippa’s disappearance.
I received a copy of The Vanished Girl from HQ Digital and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Kathleen McGurl is the undisputed queen of dual timeline historical fiction and with a link to old houses.
I had no trouble immersing myself in the narrative and could resonate with the characters, I grew up in the 1970’s, we had so much fun heading off for the day, our mum would pack us lunch and cold drinks and we would return home for tea.
It was a different time, Jo, Lynne, David, Rick, Horace and Pippa were young and innocent, and they never considered anything bad happening. The story highlights how feelings can ferment and bubble up, you shouldn’t dwell on the things you can’t change, use of alcohol as a crutch, the consequences of relationship breaks downs, and how people are quick to judge others, grief, types of loss and the importance of closure.
Five stars from me, what's between the pages is just as brilliant as the stunning cover and I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was delighted to read this book early through a release.
The story and writing style were exceptionally well-crafted. It was easy to follow and thoroughly enjoyable. The character development was fantastic, though I found myself loving and hating some of them throughout. I would have appreciated more twists and turns.
The story centres on Jo, a woman who returns to her hometown and grapples with grief stemming from a missing child’s case that occurred 48 years prior.
The narrative unfolds through Jo’s perspective, alternating between 1974 and 2024. We witness her childhood experiences and her journey of learning and coping with her grief and loss as Pippa’s body is discovered and the truth about what happened comes to light.
My mind was playing tricks on me, hoping Charlie was the culprit all along and Crispin was covering for him. However, sometimes endings don’t have to be so tragically sad.
The story and writing style were exceptionally well-crafted. It was easy to follow and thoroughly enjoyable. The character development was fantastic, though I found myself loving and hating some of them throughout. I would have appreciated more twists and turns.
The story centres on Jo, a woman who returns to her hometown and grapples with grief stemming from a missing child’s case that occurred 48 years prior.
The narrative unfolds through Jo’s perspective, alternating between 1974 and 2024. We witness her childhood experiences and her journey of learning and coping with her grief and loss as Pippa’s body is discovered and the truth about what happened comes to light.
My mind was playing tricks on me, hoping Charlie was the culprit all along and Crispin was covering for him. However, sometimes endings don’t have to be so tragically sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2026
I loved this read, the time line chapters definitely gave suspense switching between the past and present each giving a little bit more to the story.
1976 was full of memories of the time history tells of the hot summer that year and this gave the feel of that with the writing, plus the carefree times of kids being out all day just going home for teatime.
The characters were well developed and connections and friendships laid out well, a clever plot with Jo not only haunted by the long past of Pippas disappearance but also of more recent trauma that had brought it all back.
An excellent read and highly recommended recommended for crime and psychological thriller fans.
Also a new author to me but I will be reading more that's guaranteed
Thank you @literallypr
#thevanishedgirl
#kathleenmcgurl
1976 was full of memories of the time history tells of the hot summer that year and this gave the feel of that with the writing, plus the carefree times of kids being out all day just going home for teatime.
The characters were well developed and connections and friendships laid out well, a clever plot with Jo not only haunted by the long past of Pippas disappearance but also of more recent trauma that had brought it all back.
An excellent read and highly recommended recommended for crime and psychological thriller fans.
Also a new author to me but I will be reading more that's guaranteed
Thank you @literallypr
#thevanishedgirl
#kathleenmcgurl
March 13, 2026
Set in the very hot summer of 1976, when we had freedom to roam the countryside - off all day back in time for dinner. This book brought back memories of my childhood.
in 2024, Jo returns to Hareton Wick, and buys a bungalow for her retirement - close to her father in Southampton.
in 1976, Jo spent her summer holidays with her best friend, her brother and his best friend roaming the countryside etc. A young girl Pippa tries to hang out with them, her mum a single parent has to work and she is often left at home. Sadly Pippa disappears - never to be found.
In 2024, the story of 1976 unravels when a body is found at an old farmhouse which is being demolished for new housing.
A great read.
in 2024, Jo returns to Hareton Wick, and buys a bungalow for her retirement - close to her father in Southampton.
in 1976, Jo spent her summer holidays with her best friend, her brother and his best friend roaming the countryside etc. A young girl Pippa tries to hang out with them, her mum a single parent has to work and she is often left at home. Sadly Pippa disappears - never to be found.
In 2024, the story of 1976 unravels when a body is found at an old farmhouse which is being demolished for new housing.
A great read.
November 10, 2025
It's 1976, and Jo is having a wonderful summer with her small, close group of friends which includes her brother David. A minor fly in the ointment is their attempt to avoid spending too much time with Pippa, a much younger child who is one of their neighbours and is left home by herself very often, because her mother is a single parent with a job. But then the little girl goes missing...
This is a fantastic coming of age tale by a very talented writer. The mystery comes with a twist, but probably not the one that most readers expected, which I liked. Well worth checking out! It gets 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This is a fantastic coming of age tale by a very talented writer. The mystery comes with a twist, but probably not the one that most readers expected, which I liked. Well worth checking out! It gets 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A decent enough book but it slightly missed the mark for me. Having read multiple books by this author before, I was looking forward to reading this but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the stories set further back in history. I didn’t really feel that the ‘historical’ element added anything to story. I usually enjoy reading about different periods in history but this was just a long hot summer. The culprit wasn’t difficult to figure out and I felt that the tension between Jo’s parents was unnecessary. A quick read.
March 12, 2026
A beautifully and powerful written story set in the heatwave of 1976 and present day. The story goes back to when Jo the main character was 12 years old and an 8 year old girl called Pippa goes missing. Fast forward to present times and you see the affect everything that happened that summer has had on her over the last 50 years. This story is about friendship, loyalty, the tagic loss of a child. It's a powerful story and a page turner. It's also my first read from this author and it's a 4 stars from me. Highly recommend this book.
Read
March 14, 2026In the long hot summer of 1976, Pippa Jenkins goes missing. In 2024, Jo moves back to the village. The story is told from her viewpoint in the present day and also from her position as a twelve-year-old in the days leading up to eight-year-old Pippa's disappearance.
Seasoned thriller readers may not be surprised by the denouement but the strength of the novel comes from likeable Jo's dual perspective.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Seasoned thriller readers may not be surprised by the denouement but the strength of the novel comes from likeable Jo's dual perspective.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The descriptions of the earlier period of 1976 brought back memories for me. It was certainly a long hot summer when everything was parched and brown. Ice pops, freddos and water shortages were also not forgotten. The story concerns a group of children aged 12- 15 years old, how they spent their summer. It also includes a young 8 year old girl who sometimes played with them. The different family lives are portrayed and how this affects the children. Then a young girl disappears and suspicion falls on on easy target. Nearly 50 years later, Jo, one of the children, moves back into the area and old guilty memories return. I enjoyed this story, I wasn’t sure of the reason why or how the girl disappeared as I was reading it, but everything fell into place to make a satisfying ending. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a brilliant book which drew me in. A dual timeline set in 1976 and present day. I loved the way this story unfolded until you want to know what crime was committed. Another great read from Kathleen. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
March 22, 2026
A different story
The Vanished Girl is a different story compared to other stories written by Kath. I found the story challenging to get into, but persevered and I'm so relieved I did.
I highly recommend this story and l99k forward to reading more stories written by Kath.
Thanks from a New Zealand fan.
The Vanished Girl is a different story compared to other stories written by Kath. I found the story challenging to get into, but persevered and I'm so relieved I did.
I highly recommend this story and l99k forward to reading more stories written by Kath.
Thanks from a New Zealand fan.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book didn’t hit the mark for me I’m afraid. There was nothing to excite or intrigue me but I thought the actual writing was good. It was a decent read, but nothing that will stay in my memory or that I could recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
March 19, 2026
A group of young friends are living a hot fun filled summer when something tragic happens and it has an effect on all of them. They meet up decades later and finally find the answer to the mystery that has overshadowed their lives. Hopefully they will be able to move forward and continue the bonds they have made together. Enjoyable story keeps your interest throughout the book.
March 20, 2026
A gripping story.
This is a first class read one you can't put down. About four friends and their adventures in the summer of 1976 and the disappearing of the eight year old Pippa.
This is a first class read one you can't put down. About four friends and their adventures in the summer of 1976 and the disappearing of the eight year old Pippa.
December 22, 2025
Jo has decided to move back to her childhood hometown, a small village in Hampshire. Divorced with a grown-up son, she’s drawn by the chance to be near her father, whom she helps, while her brother lives in Australia. Her old best friend from childhood still lives in the village, adding to the pull of returning. Jo has never forgotten Poppy, the young child who mysteriously disappeared years ago, and it still weighs heavily on her mind. She begins to do a bit of investigating, leading to a heart-tugging and addictive journey.
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