What do you think?
Rate this book
The Vanished
194 passengers. 24 hours. No memories. One deadly countdown.
Dr. Joshua Hammond wakes up on a flight with no idea who he is—only a glowing green implant ticking down from 24 hours. Everyone on board has lost their memory. Everyone has the same timer.
When the plane lands in a ghost city and passengers start dying, the race to escape becomes a race to uncover the truth. A supposed safe zone may hold answers, but the deeper Joshua and fellow passenger Amy dig, the more sinister the puzzle becomes.
The clock is lying. And what's waiting at zero isn't survival.
For fans of Blake Crouch and John Grisham.
Dr. Joshua Hammond wakes up on a flight with no idea who he is—only a glowing green implant ticking down from 24 hours. Everyone on board has lost their memory. Everyone has the same timer.
When the plane lands in a ghost city and passengers start dying, the race to escape becomes a race to uncover the truth. A supposed safe zone may hold answers, but the deeper Joshua and fellow passenger Amy dig, the more sinister the puzzle becomes.
The clock is lying. And what's waiting at zero isn't survival.
For fans of Blake Crouch and John Grisham.
- GenresAudiobook
Audible Audio
Published January 13, 2026
208 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Joshua T. Calvert
50 books271 followersJoshua T. Calvert has traveled the world--on foot, by Jeep, by bicycle, by motorcycle, and lots of other ways besides. As you might imagine, he's seen many things most people never see - including an Iranian prison cell, from the inside! In Kyrgyzstan, he fared slightly better, narrowly avoiding being kidnapped for ransom. Skydiver, scuba diver, martial artist, adventurer - his goal is to experience everything possible, and then make it real to you in his books. And he's made a good run of it so far: in the Philippines, he did police training on multiple types of firearms (despite being no fan of guns himself); dove in Asian waters among sharks and shipwrecks; and patrolled with Sumatran jungle rangers.
That's what defines Calvert's approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.
For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it's like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it's like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.
That's what defines Calvert's approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.
For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it's like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it's like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 19, 2025
3.5
I liked it but it wasn’t very engaging. Loved the premise - the countdown added that layer of pressure which I also loved. Love a time-travel, lost memory, airplane thrillers and it delivered on those fronts.
I liked it but it wasn’t very engaging. Loved the premise - the countdown added that layer of pressure which I also loved. Love a time-travel, lost memory, airplane thrillers and it delivered on those fronts.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I'm going to start off by saying the narrator did a great job in this audiobook version. I don't think I would have enjoyed this book as much if I had just read the physical book. The only voice I didn't like was Ruth's. I found it creepy, and I thought that was intentional until further along in the story, then I realized it was just the voice he chose for her.
After reading the description of the book I couldn't wait to read it. Almost 200 people wake up aboard an airplane with a timer in their arms counting down and no one has their memory. When the plane lands the airport is empty, and seemingly, the rest of Miami is too. As the reader, I didn't know much more than the main character, so it was such a suspenseful ride following along and trying to piece together what was going on. I was absolutely drawn in and could not put this down for like the first 50-70% of the book.
The main thing I didn't like about this was how no one, besides the main character and two other characters, seemed too upset with what was happening. There's almost 200 passengers! How are they all just quiet and following along with what the plane crew is telling them. The whole situation is suspicious and they rarely question things. If this were real life, I feel like there would be a greater number of people visibly upset and trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Instead, they are almost always seen just sitting around, casually talking to each other and just waiting. I understand herd mentality, but I don't think it makes sense in this scenario. It's literally not a plane crews job to go to the food court taco spot and make up food and drinks for everyone while they wait. It makes no sense that people would even think this is normal. They just assume they're doing it to keep everyone calm, but it's an obvious red flag.
There's times when the info dumping is unnecessary and not relevant to the story. The countdown is for 24 hours so I didn't feel like the shower scene was necessary. I felt like it was just a way to force the characters to be naked together. There's also another scene later on where I literally rolled my eyes because I felt like it was another way to force another naked scene into the book. They weren't realistic situations, and you can see where they were leading up to them having to be naked again. It made me actually laugh out loud. There's a scene later on where the main character is soaked and looking for dry clothes and you can tell there WASN'T going to be a naked scene because he was with another guy character.
By the end of the book a lot of questions are answered, but more questions are brought up. The ending is left in a spot where you're like, "Wait! Are you serious?!"
Overall, this was a pretty good suspenseful sci-fi thriller. And don't get me wrong, even though I was a little critical of certain parts I still enjoyed most of this book. The faceless people were so creepy and not knowing what was going on most of the book, and not knowing who to trust made it so that I just wanted to keep reading until the very end. I'm sure there will be readers who absolutely love this book, but the last 30% tanked the rating for me. It should've ended sooner or had a good bit of it taken out.
After reading the description of the book I couldn't wait to read it. Almost 200 people wake up aboard an airplane with a timer in their arms counting down and no one has their memory. When the plane lands the airport is empty, and seemingly, the rest of Miami is too. As the reader, I didn't know much more than the main character, so it was such a suspenseful ride following along and trying to piece together what was going on. I was absolutely drawn in and could not put this down for like the first 50-70% of the book.
The main thing I didn't like about this was how no one, besides the main character and two other characters, seemed too upset with what was happening. There's almost 200 passengers! How are they all just quiet and following along with what the plane crew is telling them. The whole situation is suspicious and they rarely question things. If this were real life, I feel like there would be a greater number of people visibly upset and trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Instead, they are almost always seen just sitting around, casually talking to each other and just waiting. I understand herd mentality, but I don't think it makes sense in this scenario. It's literally not a plane crews job to go to the food court taco spot and make up food and drinks for everyone while they wait. It makes no sense that people would even think this is normal. They just assume they're doing it to keep everyone calm, but it's an obvious red flag.
There's times when the info dumping is unnecessary and not relevant to the story. The countdown is for 24 hours so I didn't feel like the shower scene was necessary. I felt like it was just a way to force the characters to be naked together. There's also another scene later on where I literally rolled my eyes because I felt like it was another way to force another naked scene into the book. They weren't realistic situations, and you can see where they were leading up to them having to be naked again. It made me actually laugh out loud. There's a scene later on where the main character is soaked and looking for dry clothes and you can tell there WASN'T going to be a naked scene because he was with another guy character.
By the end of the book a lot of questions are answered, but more questions are brought up. The ending is left in a spot where you're like, "Wait! Are you serious?!"
Overall, this was a pretty good suspenseful sci-fi thriller. And don't get me wrong, even though I was a little critical of certain parts I still enjoyed most of this book. The faceless people were so creepy and not knowing what was going on most of the book, and not knowing who to trust made it so that I just wanted to keep reading until the very end. I'm sure there will be readers who absolutely love this book, but the last 30% tanked the rating for me. It should've ended sooner or had a good bit of it taken out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2025
This was such a different listen than what I usually gravitate toward—but I ended up really enjoying it. The Vanished is super trippy, unsettling, and gives major end-of-the-world creepiness from the very start.
The premise hooked me immediately: 194 passengers, no memories, identical countdowns ticking toward something terrifying. Waking up on a plane with no idea who you are—and realizing everyone else is in the same situation—is deeply unnerving. Once the story shifts to the ghost city, the tension only ramps up.
The narrator did a fantastic job capturing the eerie unknown and the rising panic, which really elevated the experience in audio form. There was a bit of extra back-and-forth at times that made the story drag slightly, but overall the atmosphere and mystery kept me invested.
If you enjoy high-concept sci-fi thrillers that feel claustrophobic, creepy, and slightly mind-bending, this one’s worth a listen.
The premise hooked me immediately: 194 passengers, no memories, identical countdowns ticking toward something terrifying. Waking up on a plane with no idea who you are—and realizing everyone else is in the same situation—is deeply unnerving. Once the story shifts to the ghost city, the tension only ramps up.
The narrator did a fantastic job capturing the eerie unknown and the rising panic, which really elevated the experience in audio form. There was a bit of extra back-and-forth at times that made the story drag slightly, but overall the atmosphere and mystery kept me invested.
If you enjoy high-concept sci-fi thrillers that feel claustrophobic, creepy, and slightly mind-bending, this one’s worth a listen.
January 17, 2026
194 passengers wake up on a plane with no recollection of who they are or where they are going. On their arms is a ticking implant counting down from 24hrs. Dr. Joshua Hammond is one of these passenger, together with his seat mate Amy he must find a way out of this mess.
Gave me strong Lost vibes and I loved it. Kevin Kemp’s narration had me raptured from the very beginning. Even as we start to unravel what is happening we are kept on our toes until the very end. There was a lot happening in the last bit and it got slightly confusing but overall
I really enjoyed this one.
Thank you to Podium Audio and the author Joshua T. Calvert for the advanced listening copy, all my opinions are my own.
Gave me strong Lost vibes and I loved it. Kevin Kemp’s narration had me raptured from the very beginning. Even as we start to unravel what is happening we are kept on our toes until the very end. There was a lot happening in the last bit and it got slightly confusing but overall
I really enjoyed this one.
Thank you to Podium Audio and the author Joshua T. Calvert for the advanced listening copy, all my opinions are my own.
February 4, 2026
The concept was compelling and seamlessly integrated throughout the novel. However, my primary concern was the excessive amount of filler material that separated significant events. I frequently found myself losing interest due to the excessive descriptive nature of certain scenes.
April 6, 2026
4 stars
***
SPOILERS BELOW
I really loved the concept of this novel. And I loved about the first 2/3 of it. The 2 main characters were likable & relatable. The story was intense & suspenseful, with lots of action, and even some very interesting creepy factors. I loved the thriller feeling with some borderline horror mixed in.
I really enjoyed the concept of the characters waking up, having no idea what is happening or even who they are. I love the mystery of that, and with it being told in first present present POV, it really made me feel like I was right there with Joshua as he tried to figure out what was happening. There were so many possibilities about what those answers would be. I was glad it wasn't something more...supernatural. I thought it might go a little more apocalyptic (like *Biblically* apocalyptic) with the end of the world or them stuck in purgatory or something like that, so I was *very* pleased when it was nothing like that at all, and that it was instead revealed to be a science-heavy simulation.
Now...where this story lost me a bit was when Joshua & Amy were brought out of the simulation. Actually, technically, my interest faded slightly once they arrived in New York and buildings started disappearing all around them. The story seemed to jump from *slight glitches* of the faceless people to these massive glitches where their entire surroundings were disappearing as they passed. The NYC section kind of lost me a bit.
I did like when our characters were brought out of the simulation and we found out exactly what was happening. What I didn't like, though, was the massive info dump of the science at this point. I also didn't like the way Joshua was immediately pushing for turning themselves in. I understand that he would get to that point once the guilt set in, but it was like he woke up, realized that people died, and immediately wanted to run to the police about it. It was just a little weird, to be honest, because even though he felt that guilt, most people would be at least a little bit torn about it (especially since he had a wife at home & a child on the way). It just seemed almost not human of him to have no hesitation about spending years in prison. It would've been much more believable if he had taken a little time to process and then decided that he thought it best to turn themselves in, but he had basically come to that conclusion as soon as he woke up after the simulation. Even the most moral humans have more hesitation than that. It was just a little unbelievable to me.
The whole third act of the novel just seemed chaotic in my opinion. The rest of the novel had been intense & well planned out, but once the characters returned to the simulation, it just felt a lot more chaotic. I didn't mind that they re-entered the simulation; I just felt as though that part of the novel wasn't very well planned out. A lot of it was sort of like re-writing the first part of the novel, just with a few details changed, which sort of felt like "What's the point?"
So, I really did enjoy the first 2/3 of the novel, but the last 1/3 sort of took me out of it. Plus, I don't typically point out things like this because a couple/few are expected, but they were so prevalent, that I can't *not* say anything: The sheer number of errors & proofreading misses in this novel was astounding. I don't know if it was because this was an e-book or if these errors are present in the original publishing, but I counted probably a dozen errors *before* I began actually highlighting them. Then, I highlighted 15 more before I got tired of taking time to do that, and there were still so many more after that. I probably counted a total of 45-50 errors/missed editing throughout this entire novel -- *by far* the most I've ever encountered in a published novel. I don't mind a handful throughout a novel; honestly that's to be expected. Things get missed; it's not a big deal. But 45-50 errors??? It honestly felt like this novel had not been proofread, and all of the errors took me out of the action quite frequently. There was improper punctuation, repeated words, completely missing words, and the one that bothered me the most: using "rifle" and "shotgun" interchangeably at least half a dozen times. They are *not* the same thing.
In conclusion, in spite of the lack of editing, I did enjoy the first 2/3 of this novel. The concept was intriguing, the action & eeriness were interesting, and I liked that the "reveal" was that it was basically a science experiment rather than something more fantastical or supernatural. But the final 1/3 didn't feel cohesive with the rest of the novel, and the four dozen errors I counted really took me out of the story so frequently that I wanted to demand an interview to become the author's editor.
4 stars seem a little high based on the things that bothered me about this novel. However, the parts that I liked (the first 2/3), I really liked, and I looked forward to coming back to the story each day during that section.
***
SPOILERS BELOW
I really loved the concept of this novel. And I loved about the first 2/3 of it. The 2 main characters were likable & relatable. The story was intense & suspenseful, with lots of action, and even some very interesting creepy factors. I loved the thriller feeling with some borderline horror mixed in.
I really enjoyed the concept of the characters waking up, having no idea what is happening or even who they are. I love the mystery of that, and with it being told in first present present POV, it really made me feel like I was right there with Joshua as he tried to figure out what was happening. There were so many possibilities about what those answers would be. I was glad it wasn't something more...supernatural. I thought it might go a little more apocalyptic (like *Biblically* apocalyptic) with the end of the world or them stuck in purgatory or something like that, so I was *very* pleased when it was nothing like that at all, and that it was instead revealed to be a science-heavy simulation.
Now...where this story lost me a bit was when Joshua & Amy were brought out of the simulation. Actually, technically, my interest faded slightly once they arrived in New York and buildings started disappearing all around them. The story seemed to jump from *slight glitches* of the faceless people to these massive glitches where their entire surroundings were disappearing as they passed. The NYC section kind of lost me a bit.
I did like when our characters were brought out of the simulation and we found out exactly what was happening. What I didn't like, though, was the massive info dump of the science at this point. I also didn't like the way Joshua was immediately pushing for turning themselves in. I understand that he would get to that point once the guilt set in, but it was like he woke up, realized that people died, and immediately wanted to run to the police about it. It was just a little weird, to be honest, because even though he felt that guilt, most people would be at least a little bit torn about it (especially since he had a wife at home & a child on the way). It just seemed almost not human of him to have no hesitation about spending years in prison. It would've been much more believable if he had taken a little time to process and then decided that he thought it best to turn themselves in, but he had basically come to that conclusion as soon as he woke up after the simulation. Even the most moral humans have more hesitation than that. It was just a little unbelievable to me.
The whole third act of the novel just seemed chaotic in my opinion. The rest of the novel had been intense & well planned out, but once the characters returned to the simulation, it just felt a lot more chaotic. I didn't mind that they re-entered the simulation; I just felt as though that part of the novel wasn't very well planned out. A lot of it was sort of like re-writing the first part of the novel, just with a few details changed, which sort of felt like "What's the point?"
So, I really did enjoy the first 2/3 of the novel, but the last 1/3 sort of took me out of it. Plus, I don't typically point out things like this because a couple/few are expected, but they were so prevalent, that I can't *not* say anything: The sheer number of errors & proofreading misses in this novel was astounding. I don't know if it was because this was an e-book or if these errors are present in the original publishing, but I counted probably a dozen errors *before* I began actually highlighting them. Then, I highlighted 15 more before I got tired of taking time to do that, and there were still so many more after that. I probably counted a total of 45-50 errors/missed editing throughout this entire novel -- *by far* the most I've ever encountered in a published novel. I don't mind a handful throughout a novel; honestly that's to be expected. Things get missed; it's not a big deal. But 45-50 errors??? It honestly felt like this novel had not been proofread, and all of the errors took me out of the action quite frequently. There was improper punctuation, repeated words, completely missing words, and the one that bothered me the most: using "rifle" and "shotgun" interchangeably at least half a dozen times. They are *not* the same thing.
In conclusion, in spite of the lack of editing, I did enjoy the first 2/3 of this novel. The concept was intriguing, the action & eeriness were interesting, and I liked that the "reveal" was that it was basically a science experiment rather than something more fantastical or supernatural. But the final 1/3 didn't feel cohesive with the rest of the novel, and the four dozen errors I counted really took me out of the story so frequently that I wanted to demand an interview to become the author's editor.
4 stars seem a little high based on the things that bothered me about this novel. However, the parts that I liked (the first 2/3), I really liked, and I looked forward to coming back to the story each day during that section.
March 18, 2026
The blurb hooked me. It reminded me of the very first horror movie I watched - hiding behind the living room couch when my parents thought I was asleep. It was Stephen King's The Langoliers. A TV special that took a couple nights to play out. It scared me - but it also thrilled me; it's what got me interested in horror films and eventually, when I discovered it was a movie made from a King short story, his books too.
The setup is very similar in both stories. People wake up on a plane and don't know what's going on or how they got there. They land in a mysterious place that's devoid of people. There's a question about time travel, because the airport seems to be stuck in 1993. People start dying.
Ya got me. Tell me more.
The first 70% of this book is eerie, action-packed, and had me on the edge of my seat.
And then... everything is revealed. We learn what's really going on (I'd sort of guessed, but it was still good to get confirmation). And while I didn't exactly hate the concept itself, the story sort of lost me because it just...kept going. We're suddenly adrift in a sea of technical and medical lingo that's hard to follow and comprehend. The mechanics of what's happened is all very complex and explained like I know what the vocabulary terms mean. I'm trying to be vague here as not to give it away.
We're also meeting a bunch of new characters and being forced to recalibrate the characters we already know. And it's all presented to us like we should already be familiar with these people and the situations they find themselves in.
The final 30% of this story felt like it took just as long to get through as the first 70% did.
The first 70% of this story is movie quality action/thriller stuff. It's spine-tingling, hair-raising. It makes you desperate to know what the heck is going on.
That last 30% just... kind of killed that momentum for me.
The setup is very similar in both stories. People wake up on a plane and don't know what's going on or how they got there. They land in a mysterious place that's devoid of people. There's a question about time travel, because the airport seems to be stuck in 1993. People start dying.
Ya got me. Tell me more.
The first 70% of this book is eerie, action-packed, and had me on the edge of my seat.
And then... everything is revealed. We learn what's really going on (I'd sort of guessed, but it was still good to get confirmation). And while I didn't exactly hate the concept itself, the story sort of lost me because it just...kept going. We're suddenly adrift in a sea of technical and medical lingo that's hard to follow and comprehend. The mechanics of what's happened is all very complex and explained like I know what the vocabulary terms mean. I'm trying to be vague here as not to give it away.
We're also meeting a bunch of new characters and being forced to recalibrate the characters we already know. And it's all presented to us like we should already be familiar with these people and the situations they find themselves in.
The final 30% of this story felt like it took just as long to get through as the first 70% did.
The first 70% of this story is movie quality action/thriller stuff. It's spine-tingling, hair-raising. It makes you desperate to know what the heck is going on.
That last 30% just... kind of killed that momentum for me.
January 15, 2026
This was a gripping, high-stakes sci-fi thriller that immediately earned a spot among my favorites in the genre. If you enjoy stories that give off In Time, Inception, The Matrix, or Manifest vibes, this one absolutely delivers.
From the start, this book keeps you questioning everything. Dr. Joshua Hammond wakes up aboard a plane in Miami in 1993, except he knows it isn’t 1993, but somewhere around 2024–2026. He has no idea how he got there, and neither do the other passengers. Things escalate quickly when they discover the airport is completely deserted… and each of them has a countdown timer embedded in their arm, ticking toward an unknown end.
The story shifts from confusion to pure adrenaline as the passengers race to uncover the truth while facing increasingly horrifying revelations. The twists were constant, the tension never let up, and the horror elements caught me completely off guard in the best way. Just when I thought I understood what was happening, the story pulled the rug out from under me, especially with the reveal of how they ended up there. And then the real ending hit. I was genuinely in shambles, yelling at my audiobook because I could not believe it ended the way it did.
Kevin Kemp’s narration was phenomenal. He captured the panic, urgency, fear, and determination of every character so effectively that it felt impossible not to be emotionally pulled into the story. His performance elevated the tension and made this an incredibly immersive listen, I highly recommend experiencing this one on audio.
If you’re looking for a sci-fi thriller that keeps your heart racing, leaves you unsettled, and refuses to let you relax until the final moments, The Vanished is a must-read (or listen).
Thank you to @podiumentertainment for the gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.
From the start, this book keeps you questioning everything. Dr. Joshua Hammond wakes up aboard a plane in Miami in 1993, except he knows it isn’t 1993, but somewhere around 2024–2026. He has no idea how he got there, and neither do the other passengers. Things escalate quickly when they discover the airport is completely deserted… and each of them has a countdown timer embedded in their arm, ticking toward an unknown end.
The story shifts from confusion to pure adrenaline as the passengers race to uncover the truth while facing increasingly horrifying revelations. The twists were constant, the tension never let up, and the horror elements caught me completely off guard in the best way. Just when I thought I understood what was happening, the story pulled the rug out from under me, especially with the reveal of how they ended up there. And then the real ending hit. I was genuinely in shambles, yelling at my audiobook because I could not believe it ended the way it did.
Kevin Kemp’s narration was phenomenal. He captured the panic, urgency, fear, and determination of every character so effectively that it felt impossible not to be emotionally pulled into the story. His performance elevated the tension and made this an incredibly immersive listen, I highly recommend experiencing this one on audio.
If you’re looking for a sci-fi thriller that keeps your heart racing, leaves you unsettled, and refuses to let you relax until the final moments, The Vanished is a must-read (or listen).
Thank you to @podiumentertainment for the gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2026
3.5 rounded up
194 passengers wake up on a plane heading to Miami, they all have amnesia. How do you survive when you don't even know who you are? Where you're going? This is the quandry of Dr Joshua Hammond. That, and how is he going to survive in a seemingly uninhabited world?
The instant the book begins, there is an overwhelming feeling of weirdness, nothing quite makes sense like it should. You are right with Joshua as he fumbles and risks his way through the coming nightmare. It's greatly aided by the first-person present-tense narrative as you're literally learning with Joshua as he goes along. I loved the feeling of having no knowledge and furiously theorising wilder and wilder hypotheses. So fun!
I enjoyed watching Amy (Joshua's closest friend through this experience) come to life before me. She felt rounded and real, even without her memory. Quickly, she became central in this novel for me and I felt myself rooting for her even more than Joshua.
There were two things that stood out to me as a negative in this book, though. First, the unholy amount of infodumping that happens in the beginning of the third act. So many technical terms, medical terms, and all of it just shoveled onto the reader with no warning or care if the reader understood most of what was said. Second, the ending, oh my god the ending... no spoilers, but I was **disappointed**. It felt like there was no cohesion between the concept and the end third of the novel, which was a real shame because until that point, I thought it was a 5-star. Such a bad ending to an otherwise stellar book.
A fantastic concept, I wish I had DNF'd at around 70 percent.
194 passengers wake up on a plane heading to Miami, they all have amnesia. How do you survive when you don't even know who you are? Where you're going? This is the quandry of Dr Joshua Hammond. That, and how is he going to survive in a seemingly uninhabited world?
The instant the book begins, there is an overwhelming feeling of weirdness, nothing quite makes sense like it should. You are right with Joshua as he fumbles and risks his way through the coming nightmare. It's greatly aided by the first-person present-tense narrative as you're literally learning with Joshua as he goes along. I loved the feeling of having no knowledge and furiously theorising wilder and wilder hypotheses. So fun!
I enjoyed watching Amy (Joshua's closest friend through this experience) come to life before me. She felt rounded and real, even without her memory. Quickly, she became central in this novel for me and I felt myself rooting for her even more than Joshua.
There were two things that stood out to me as a negative in this book, though. First, the unholy amount of infodumping that happens in the beginning of the third act. So many technical terms, medical terms, and all of it just shoveled onto the reader with no warning or care if the reader understood most of what was said. Second, the ending, oh my god the ending... no spoilers, but I was **disappointed**. It felt like there was no cohesion between the concept and the end third of the novel, which was a real shame because until that point, I thought it was a 5-star. Such a bad ending to an otherwise stellar book.
A fantastic concept, I wish I had DNF'd at around 70 percent.
December 21, 2025
Joshua is an excellent writer, and I have enjoyed reading his other works. In The Vanished he experiments with the first-person narrative. He did a good job, but it does grow a bit tiresome, especially when the story depends on what the narrator remembers and does not remember. The major section of the book develops the story of an airliner that leaves current day London, and lands in Miami in 1993. The actions of some characters are irrational until we have the "Ah-Ha" moment. Also, I found the relationships in the modern-day office setting confusing because of the varieties of effects of the trip on their interactions.
Sometimes it does need the third person commentary to put things into an understandable format.
Don't take this as speaking of my disappointment with the author or the novel; it is an interesting adventure into first-person narrative and maybe exposes some of the difficulties in such an approach to a story. I am sure I will continue to read and enjoy Joshua's works, all of which I have found worthwhile for my reading pastime.
Sometimes it does need the third person commentary to put things into an understandable format.
Don't take this as speaking of my disappointment with the author or the novel; it is an interesting adventure into first-person narrative and maybe exposes some of the difficulties in such an approach to a story. I am sure I will continue to read and enjoy Joshua's works, all of which I have found worthwhile for my reading pastime.
December 26, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
The Vanished by Joshua T. Calvert is a gripping audiobook that pulled me in quickly and kept me listening. The suspense builds steadily, with an eerie atmosphere that makes you feel like something is always just beneath the surface.
I really enjoyed how the mystery unfolds in layers, slowly revealing new information and keeping me engaged throughout. The narration was solid and helped maintain the tension, making it an easy listen even while multitasking.
That said, the story did get a little confusing near the end. There’s a lot happening at once, and I found myself needing to mentally rewind a bit to fully piece everything together. While it didn’t completely take away from my enjoyment, it did slightly impact the clarity of the finale.
Overall, this is a strong mystery audiobook with a dark edge and plenty of intrigue. If you enjoy suspenseful listens that keep you guessing, this one is definitely worth checking out.
🎧🔍
The Vanished by Joshua T. Calvert is a gripping audiobook that pulled me in quickly and kept me listening. The suspense builds steadily, with an eerie atmosphere that makes you feel like something is always just beneath the surface.
I really enjoyed how the mystery unfolds in layers, slowly revealing new information and keeping me engaged throughout. The narration was solid and helped maintain the tension, making it an easy listen even while multitasking.
That said, the story did get a little confusing near the end. There’s a lot happening at once, and I found myself needing to mentally rewind a bit to fully piece everything together. While it didn’t completely take away from my enjoyment, it did slightly impact the clarity of the finale.
Overall, this is a strong mystery audiobook with a dark edge and plenty of intrigue. If you enjoy suspenseful listens that keep you guessing, this one is definitely worth checking out.
🎧🔍
January 5, 2026
I liked the conceit. Like, the whole thing was interesting. It was just poorly written and poorly executed and the whole vibe with Amy and Rebecca was weird as heck and I don't really know why that existed at all. Like there are just many things ~technically~ wrong with this book-- not from a science perspective or a philosophic perspective but from a writing perspective (not grammar or punctuation but just like, how one writes compelling fiction)-- that bothered me so much I almost couldn't finish it but the plot was so compelling I kept chugging along.
Side note: There's a book that basically does the same thing, but in a way so spectacular that I bought a hard copy signed edition. Unfortunately, I can not recommend said book without spoiling it, so may that book find you, reader.
Side note: There's a book that basically does the same thing, but in a way so spectacular that I bought a hard copy signed edition. Unfortunately, I can not recommend said book without spoiling it, so may that book find you, reader.
September 29, 2025
Thoroughly fascinating and enjoyable!
The Vanished is a fascinating and enjoyable read about a group of people who wake on a plane with no memory of their lives prior to waking and with what appear to be implants displaying an ominous countdown that no-one understands. The book is highly thought provoking and interesting from, literally, the first line. The moral discussion near the end of the book is a bonus and the conclusion is entirely satisfying. There are many surprises, so I'm not going to o into further detail and ruin the fun for everyone else. 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of thoughtful sci-fi and edge of your seat thrillers, as it qualifies as both!
The Vanished is a fascinating and enjoyable read about a group of people who wake on a plane with no memory of their lives prior to waking and with what appear to be implants displaying an ominous countdown that no-one understands. The book is highly thought provoking and interesting from, literally, the first line. The moral discussion near the end of the book is a bonus and the conclusion is entirely satisfying. There are many surprises, so I'm not going to o into further detail and ruin the fun for everyone else. 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of thoughtful sci-fi and edge of your seat thrillers, as it qualifies as both!
December 29, 2025
Thank you Podium for ALC.
Umm what 😳😧
That’s it! That’s the review
Ok but seriously this was a very suspenseful read with lots of mystery. I will say a couple of times I did feel like the book maybe went on a little too long and some parts were a bit confusing but it was a good story that kept me coming back for more
As far as the ending, I’m pretty sure I got what the author alluded to but personally I would have liked it to explicitly said
Overall it was shocking, it was creepy, and it was engaging
If you’re looking for a sci-fi book with a healthy dose of “what is happening?” mixed with “how on earth is this going to end?” then add The Vanished to your tbr
I listened to this on audio and the narrator did a good job of telling the story in an engaging way
Umm what 😳😧
That’s it! That’s the review
Ok but seriously this was a very suspenseful read with lots of mystery. I will say a couple of times I did feel like the book maybe went on a little too long and some parts were a bit confusing but it was a good story that kept me coming back for more
As far as the ending, I’m pretty sure I got what the author alluded to but personally I would have liked it to explicitly said
Overall it was shocking, it was creepy, and it was engaging
If you’re looking for a sci-fi book with a healthy dose of “what is happening?” mixed with “how on earth is this going to end?” then add The Vanished to your tbr
I listened to this on audio and the narrator did a good job of telling the story in an engaging way
January 3, 2026
Ok so this was a little confusing at first which is why I gave it 4 stars. But once it caught up, it was really good. It kept you on the edge of your seat and not wanting to stop. There isn’t any romance in this book really, but the plot was absolutely fantastic, which is what I need to stay into a book. Loved it.
I got this as an alc and it was so worth it. It was narrated by one man but he did such an amazing job that it didn’t bother me one bit. Podium did a great job producing this!!
I got this as an alc and it was so worth it. It was narrated by one man but he did such an amazing job that it didn’t bother me one bit. Podium did a great job producing this!!
January 12, 2026
The Vanished has an extremely good plot. I was hooked from the very first page.. but as I got to the end, it was a lot to unpack. if you read this you'll know what I'm meaning.
there write times reading this where I just paused to take in whay was happening because it was soo good. but there was just something about the ending that I didnt like.
the narrator for this audiobook did amazing. I enjoyed listening to him.
thank you so much Podium for this ALC. 🩷
there write times reading this where I just paused to take in whay was happening because it was soo good. but there was just something about the ending that I didnt like.
the narrator for this audiobook did amazing. I enjoyed listening to him.
thank you so much Podium for this ALC. 🩷
April 25, 2026
A bit mind bending
This book stands out from the typical literary works I have recently encountered, offering a unique perspective that challenges conventional thinking. Its narrative style and thematic depth provoke intellectual reflection, compelling readers to engage with the text on a more profound level and consider alternative viewpoints or interpretations beyond surface-level understanding.
This book stands out from the typical literary works I have recently encountered, offering a unique perspective that challenges conventional thinking. Its narrative style and thematic depth provoke intellectual reflection, compelling readers to engage with the text on a more profound level and consider alternative viewpoints or interpretations beyond surface-level understanding.
January 10, 2026
This was a very suspenseful page turner of a scene fiction thriller. A flight lands at a seemingly abandoned airport, all the passengers have no memory of anything. The suspense builds and tensions rise. This was a hauntingly eerie atmospheric story. The twist / revelation at the end was one I didn’t see coming.
March 29, 2026
Not what I thought it would be
I don't know what to think of this one 😕 I feel the title is misleading, I say that because I thought maybe the characters get taken by aliens. Is it really science fiction? Spoiler- its a drug, and a person in a coma. It's all about giving her a better life? Your guess is as good as mine. Go in with a open mind and you may enjoy it.
I don't know what to think of this one 😕 I feel the title is misleading, I say that because I thought maybe the characters get taken by aliens. Is it really science fiction? Spoiler- its a drug, and a person in a coma. It's all about giving her a better life? Your guess is as good as mine. Go in with a open mind and you may enjoy it.
September 30, 2025
intriguing storyline
very much character driven,this is an exciting, nerve wracking story, I got quite agitated wondering what was going to happen to everyone, the suspense and horror was so well written. And the ending is not what you think it will be, but much more interesting
very much character driven,this is an exciting, nerve wracking story, I got quite agitated wondering what was going to happen to everyone, the suspense and horror was so well written. And the ending is not what you think it will be, but much more interesting
November 12, 2025
Really weird.
This guy's writing gets stranger and stranger, in a wonderful and entertaining way. I am constantly amazed at the variety of plots and strangeness of twists he throws out. I am wonderfully surprised at every new book. Just love them.
This guy's writing gets stranger and stranger, in a wonderful and entertaining way. I am constantly amazed at the variety of plots and strangeness of twists he throws out. I am wonderfully surprised at every new book. Just love them.
January 30, 2026
great concept . but some points weren't really explained well . but.. I loved the main characters, and loved how I didn't know what was going on.. just like Joshua.. I'll read some more of his books.. And loved he said in this one he was emulating Blake Crouch, one of my favorite writers
February 8, 2026
Confusing
This book was absolutely the most bizarre thing I have ever read. The basic Crux of it is that several people wake up on a plane and it turns out it's all a simulation. You don't find out until three quarters of the way through the book that it's not real.
This book was absolutely the most bizarre thing I have ever read. The basic Crux of it is that several people wake up on a plane and it turns out it's all a simulation. You don't find out until three quarters of the way through the book that it's not real.
February 13, 2026
High Energy with a great story
This book was tough to put down. Lots of twists and turns with tension and excitement in equal amounts.
It's a premise that I have never given much thought too. But now I will pay attention.
This book was tough to put down. Lots of twists and turns with tension and excitement in equal amounts.
It's a premise that I have never given much thought too. But now I will pay attention.
April 25, 2026
The Vanished
This is quite interesting. It took a long while to figure out what was happening. Even with the explanation of simulated reality, it leaves one wondering if any of this is real.
This is quite interesting. It took a long while to figure out what was happening. Even with the explanation of simulated reality, it leaves one wondering if any of this is real.
October 2, 2025
Great read
Believable characters, we'll written and suspenseful. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Joshua's books are always a joy yo read and will keep you up at night.
Believable characters, we'll written and suspenseful. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Joshua's books are always a joy yo read and will keep you up at night.
October 21, 2025
Closer to 3 1/2 stars. Good premise. Thrown for a loop at the ending. Actually thought the story stopped about 50 pages before it finally did.
November 10, 2025
Good 31/2 I wish he had expanded I little more on the philosophical argument
February 15, 2026
interesting and kept me engaged. 3.25
February 20, 2026
A wonderful read
I really enjoyed the characters, the plot was unique, the story was fast-paced and exciting. Kept me on edge. Wow,
I really enjoyed the characters, the plot was unique, the story was fast-paced and exciting. Kept me on edge. Wow,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews