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The Vanishing Body: A Cozy Historical Murder Mystery
The village gossips have had plenty to share lately with the local prodigal son returning home to a less than welcome reception and his elder brother caught in the snares of a conniving stranger. That was before the body was discovered – and then vanished.
Nurse Elizabeth Carruthers never lacks curiosity about her patients, and this occasion is no exception. With her wits at the ready, she sets out to investigate the prime none other than the village’s leading family. But then, who else could it be? As she investigates, she is drawn ever deeper into scandal, intrigue, and murder, all in the best English tradition.
The more he investigates, the deeper he's drawn into a web of illusions, secrets, and madness. If he can't sort the truth from the lies soon, more than one life might be lost.
Nurse Elizabeth Carruthers never lacks curiosity about her patients, and this occasion is no exception. With her wits at the ready, she sets out to investigate the prime none other than the village’s leading family. But then, who else could it be? As she investigates, she is drawn ever deeper into scandal, intrigue, and murder, all in the best English tradition.
The more he investigates, the deeper he's drawn into a web of illusions, secrets, and madness. If he can't sort the truth from the lies soon, more than one life might be lost.
- GenresHistorical
89 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 3, 2025
I really enjoyed The Vanishing Body! It's a quick read, but I was hooked and finished it in one day.
Elizabeth was a fun main character, both too curious for her own good but quick-witted enough to get out of sticky situations. I really loved her banter with her friend Jimmy, though since I don't typically read historical fiction in this era, I was a bit confused by some of the dialogue.
The mystery itself unfolded quickly at first and then built up with more exploration, which was fun. I didn't quite understand the motivations from the murderer by the end, but the reveal of the murderer was exciting (especially since I guessed right!) Overall, I'm curious to check out more of Emma's books!
Content: includes mentions of alcohol, drugs, implications of sex outside of marriage (or at least the desire to move away to a place where living together wouldn't be seen as improper), and mentions of death and suicide. The characters appear to attend Catholic mass (at least, they repeat phrases out loud in the church service, and I've only seen that in a Catholic service?), and there was a joking mention of reincarnation.
Elizabeth was a fun main character, both too curious for her own good but quick-witted enough to get out of sticky situations. I really loved her banter with her friend Jimmy, though since I don't typically read historical fiction in this era, I was a bit confused by some of the dialogue.
The mystery itself unfolded quickly at first and then built up with more exploration, which was fun. I didn't quite understand the motivations from the murderer by the end, but the reveal of the murderer was exciting (especially since I guessed right!) Overall, I'm curious to check out more of Emma's books!
Content: includes mentions of alcohol, drugs, implications of sex outside of marriage (or at least the desire to move away to a place where living together wouldn't be seen as improper), and mentions of death and suicide. The characters appear to attend Catholic mass (at least, they repeat phrases out loud in the church service, and I've only seen that in a Catholic service?), and there was a joking mention of reincarnation.
January 28, 2026
Another great mystery
So far everything I've read by Emma Donovan. The Vanishing Body is no execption!
A quick read and it grabs you from the start. I liked the point of view of Nurse Carruthers.
I did get slightly confused by some of the names but that was easy to figure out.
Enjoy this mystery!
So far everything I've read by Emma Donovan. The Vanishing Body is no execption!
A quick read and it grabs you from the start. I liked the point of view of Nurse Carruthers.
I did get slightly confused by some of the names but that was easy to figure out.
Enjoy this mystery!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews