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How to Disappear Completely
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Expected 9 Feb 27Win a free print copy of this book!
22 days and 04:53:15
20 copies available
U.S. only
From the author of Night's Edge comes a dark, atmospheric, genre-blend of a novel following a young woman who is thrust into a deadly conspiracy that takes her across the Midwest and her own memory to understand what happened to her sister twenty years ago.
There's an explanation for everything. There's nothing to be afraid of…
When Hazel was thirteen, her sister Kira believed she'd received a message from another world after a strange paranormal encounter. The mystery consumed her. Then she disappeared.
Twenty years later, Hazel remains haunted by anxiety, grief, and intense episodes of a cryptic déjà vu. When Hazel is introduced to a podcast called The Satellites, she realizes that a group of people from her town had the same experience Kira did. Before long, what once felt like tragedy begins to feel more like conspiracy.
Determined to unravel the truth of what happened to her sister, Hazel reluctantly teams up with Silas, the mysterious man behind the podcast. And against her better judgement, they tumble headfirst into a dark, twisted romance.
But then members of the group start turning up dead. And the more Hazel and Silas investigate, the worse Hazel's episodes get. What happened to Kira is bigger and deadlier than Hazel ever realized, and if she can't solve it, she might be the next to disappear.
There's an explanation for everything. There's nothing to be afraid of…
When Hazel was thirteen, her sister Kira believed she'd received a message from another world after a strange paranormal encounter. The mystery consumed her. Then she disappeared.
Twenty years later, Hazel remains haunted by anxiety, grief, and intense episodes of a cryptic déjà vu. When Hazel is introduced to a podcast called The Satellites, she realizes that a group of people from her town had the same experience Kira did. Before long, what once felt like tragedy begins to feel more like conspiracy.
Determined to unravel the truth of what happened to her sister, Hazel reluctantly teams up with Silas, the mysterious man behind the podcast. And against her better judgement, they tumble headfirst into a dark, twisted romance.
But then members of the group start turning up dead. And the more Hazel and Silas investigate, the worse Hazel's episodes get. What happened to Kira is bigger and deadlier than Hazel ever realized, and if she can't solve it, she might be the next to disappear.
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 9, 2027
About the author
Liz Kerin
7 books383 followersLiz Kerin is an award winning playwright, screenwriter, and author of horror and speculative fiction. She is the author of the critically acclaimed NIGHT’S EDGE duology, dark fantasy adventure THE PHANTOM FOREST, and the forthcoming HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY from Sourcebooks/Poisoned Pen. Her short fiction and personal essays have appeared on Reactor (FKA Tor.com), in the Brink Literary Journal, and in the PUNK GOES HORROR anthology from TruBorn Press. As a screenwriter, she has a number of film/tv projects in development, including adaptations of her novels. She is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and lives in LA with her family.
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April 16, 2026So excited to share this new one with you all! All I ask is that everybody avoids spoilers in their reviews. Say whatever else you want. Just don't say the things you KNOW I'm talking about. :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5. Tense, gripping, moody, and deliciously atmospheric.
Hazel takes us through her past and present experience with the loss of her sister at a young age after they both experienced a world-altering, unexplainable fright. After stumbling into a podcast about the peculiar event decades, she cannot help but throw herself back in, meeting and quickly losing those with a seemingly shared understanding along the way.
There is a profound sense of familiar loss and longing throughout this entire story. It is as though each of the characters have "disappeared completely" to cope in their own unique ways. Kerin has written complicated, pain stricken characters with grace. Their personal reactions to trauma are laid out plainly, defining who they are in their adult lives. No one knows who to trust, let alone themselves, and the reader is perpetually caught in that fearful cluelessness. Even the moments of closeness and intimacy are shadowed by an intense uncertainty.
I was engrossed by this novel from the first chapter and finished it in nearly one sitting. Kerin's prose is artful and dark. It adds to the fast paced and tense story beautifully. This is one that will stick with me.
How to Disappear Completely is simply best kept secret until you can experience it for yourself.
And you should absolutely experience it for yourself.
Hazel takes us through her past and present experience with the loss of her sister at a young age after they both experienced a world-altering, unexplainable fright. After stumbling into a podcast about the peculiar event decades, she cannot help but throw herself back in, meeting and quickly losing those with a seemingly shared understanding along the way.
There is a profound sense of familiar loss and longing throughout this entire story. It is as though each of the characters have "disappeared completely" to cope in their own unique ways. Kerin has written complicated, pain stricken characters with grace. Their personal reactions to trauma are laid out plainly, defining who they are in their adult lives. No one knows who to trust, let alone themselves, and the reader is perpetually caught in that fearful cluelessness. Even the moments of closeness and intimacy are shadowed by an intense uncertainty.
I was engrossed by this novel from the first chapter and finished it in nearly one sitting. Kerin's prose is artful and dark. It adds to the fast paced and tense story beautifully. This is one that will stick with me.
How to Disappear Completely is simply best kept secret until you can experience it for yourself.
And you should absolutely experience it for yourself.
September 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for my first ARC! 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Not just one but two of the most self destructive characters I’ve ever encountered. Meet Hazel, our main character, who has been shaken and molded by trauma. Immediately upon meeting her, she’s blowing up her life and doesn’t care who she’s left dismembered in her chaotic wake. She decides to entertain one of the weirdest relationship dynamics; seriously, her run of poor decisions is legendary. Follow along and see where it leads her. I had an icky feeling following the story and characters both, which was probably intentional. There’s a bit of sci-fi, which mostly went over my head. But I was entertained from beginning to end. Probably deserves a trigger warning for substance relapse and more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 rounded up! I have so much I want to say but unfortunately it mostly revolves around the ending and my thoughts would be very spoiler-y, so my lips are sealed. I took a few days to sit with the ending though, because at first I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but the more I think about it, the more I like it.
This book was not what I thought it'd be, and at no point did I know where it was going to end up, which I loved. Nothing was predictable, except maybe one thing, about one person, but I'm not gonna talk about that. I was so gripped by this and felt so engrossed in this world. This isn't my first read from Liz Kerin, and something that's true of all her work is how incredible her world building is, and how real her characters feel. I always feel like I'm really in this story with these people, wherever they are.
A really great read. I really loved this. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
This book was not what I thought it'd be, and at no point did I know where it was going to end up, which I loved. Nothing was predictable, except maybe one thing, about one person, but I'm not gonna talk about that. I was so gripped by this and felt so engrossed in this world. This isn't my first read from Liz Kerin, and something that's true of all her work is how incredible her world building is, and how real her characters feel. I always feel like I'm really in this story with these people, wherever they are.
A really great read. I really loved this. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“How to Disappear Completely” by Liz Kerin is one of those books where I went in thinking, “Okay, creepy mystery with maybe some aliens?” and somehow ended up with a podcast, a conspiracy, murder, supernatural weirdness, and a very iffy romance.
The opening is seriously creepy. Kira’s disappearance and the strange encounter that happened twenty years earlier immediately made me genuinely unsettled. Unfortunately, that level of horror doesn't quite stick around for the entire book. Once the initial mystery is established, it leans much more heavily into psychological thriller/conspiracy territory, with the supernatural elements slowly creeping back in.
I really liked the whole Satellites concept. Hazel discovers a podcast featuring other people from her hometown who experienced the same bizarre event as Kira, and suddenly her sister's disappearance doesn't look like an isolated incident anymore. People have been struggling with the aftermath for years, some have died, and now someone seems to be hunting down the survivors. The podcast transcripts were a really fun addition and made the whole thing feel like I was watching some increasingly unhinged true-crime investigation unfold.
Hazel herself is understandably a mess after everything that happened to her sister, and watching her try to separate trauma, paranoia, and what might actually be supernatural was one of my favorite parts (though there was a lot of drinking and drug use to deal with everything). The book does a great job keeping you wondering whether there's a logical explanation for everything or if something genuinely not human is happening.
And then there's Silas.
The romance between Hazel and Silas definitely wasn't my favorite part of the book. Honestly, I was much more interested in the mystery surrounding Kira and the increasingly bizarre conspiracy than I was in Hazel's relationship drama. Things get especially questionable considering Silas's connection to Kira and the fact that we're simultaneously dealing with a murder investigation. Maybe this was supposed to add some spice to the story, but for me it mostly felt like someone had wandered into the wrong book.
That said, I have to give the author credit for making this thing weird. There were several moments where I genuinely had no clue where the story was going. Just when I thought I'd figured out what kind of book I was reading, it would swerve into something completely different. The answers at the end actually managed to surprise me, and while they explain a lot, they also leave you with a feeling that will have you questioning your own existence.
Overall, “How to Disappear Completely” was creepy, bizarre, original, and definitely memorable. The romance wasn't really my thing, and I occasionally felt like the story was trying to do about seventeen things at once, but I can't complain about a book that kept me guessing.
“How to Disappear Completely” by Liz Kerin is one of those books where I went in thinking, “Okay, creepy mystery with maybe some aliens?” and somehow ended up with a podcast, a conspiracy, murder, supernatural weirdness, and a very iffy romance.
The opening is seriously creepy. Kira’s disappearance and the strange encounter that happened twenty years earlier immediately made me genuinely unsettled. Unfortunately, that level of horror doesn't quite stick around for the entire book. Once the initial mystery is established, it leans much more heavily into psychological thriller/conspiracy territory, with the supernatural elements slowly creeping back in.
I really liked the whole Satellites concept. Hazel discovers a podcast featuring other people from her hometown who experienced the same bizarre event as Kira, and suddenly her sister's disappearance doesn't look like an isolated incident anymore. People have been struggling with the aftermath for years, some have died, and now someone seems to be hunting down the survivors. The podcast transcripts were a really fun addition and made the whole thing feel like I was watching some increasingly unhinged true-crime investigation unfold.
Hazel herself is understandably a mess after everything that happened to her sister, and watching her try to separate trauma, paranoia, and what might actually be supernatural was one of my favorite parts (though there was a lot of drinking and drug use to deal with everything). The book does a great job keeping you wondering whether there's a logical explanation for everything or if something genuinely not human is happening.
And then there's Silas.
The romance between Hazel and Silas definitely wasn't my favorite part of the book. Honestly, I was much more interested in the mystery surrounding Kira and the increasingly bizarre conspiracy than I was in Hazel's relationship drama. Things get especially questionable considering Silas's connection to Kira and the fact that we're simultaneously dealing with a murder investigation. Maybe this was supposed to add some spice to the story, but for me it mostly felt like someone had wandered into the wrong book.
That said, I have to give the author credit for making this thing weird. There were several moments where I genuinely had no clue where the story was going. Just when I thought I'd figured out what kind of book I was reading, it would swerve into something completely different. The answers at the end actually managed to surprise me, and while they explain a lot, they also leave you with a feeling that will have you questioning your own existence.
Overall, “How to Disappear Completely” was creepy, bizarre, original, and definitely memorable. The romance wasn't really my thing, and I occasionally felt like the story was trying to do about seventeen things at once, but I can't complain about a book that kept me guessing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5★
"How to Disappear Completely" is a great example of an innovative, mind-twisting thriller. It leans outside your typical cop and murderer game, appearing as a victim-taking-revenge plot, then shifting into a deep analysis of grief and blame.
I do have to say the "romance" isn't romance, as I've read some reviews say. It's an attempt to get the reader to empathise with the grooming situation Hazel finds herself in, often disgusting me, as it should. But trust the process; it is talked about, discussed, and finally twists into the real, sickening situation it is. It helps that we get profound backstory on most of the characters, creating a rich cast to explore and a contrast between what media portrays and exaggerates and an actual psychological theory.
It was a real page-turner, hooking you from the beginning with a clear goal that keeps you coming up with your own conspiracies and analysis of the events. I do have to admit, being reversely biased, hating a certain character a bit too much, helped me predict the ending in a very satisfactory way. Tho the final reveal did hit me like a truck, I love those types of endings and explorations.
That said, I'd go into this with more of a thriller (maybe even sci-fi) mood, rather than horror.
I hope this book gets the recognition it deserves; it's such a great introduction to Liz's work, and I'm excited to see how far it gets! I will keep her on my radar and try to read more advanced work from her.
"How to Disappear Completely" is a great example of an innovative, mind-twisting thriller. It leans outside your typical cop and murderer game, appearing as a victim-taking-revenge plot, then shifting into a deep analysis of grief and blame.
I do have to say the "romance" isn't romance, as I've read some reviews say. It's an attempt to get the reader to empathise with the grooming situation Hazel finds herself in, often disgusting me, as it should. But trust the process; it is talked about, discussed, and finally twists into the real, sickening situation it is. It helps that we get profound backstory on most of the characters, creating a rich cast to explore and a contrast between what media portrays and exaggerates and an actual psychological theory.
It was a real page-turner, hooking you from the beginning with a clear goal that keeps you coming up with your own conspiracies and analysis of the events. I do have to admit, being reversely biased, hating a certain character a bit too much, helped me predict the ending in a very satisfactory way. Tho the final reveal did hit me like a truck, I love those types of endings and explorations.
That said, I'd go into this with more of a thriller (maybe even sci-fi) mood, rather than horror.
I hope this book gets the recognition it deserves; it's such a great introduction to Liz's work, and I'm excited to see how far it gets! I will keep her on my radar and try to read more advanced work from her.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
If my queen, Rachel Harrison, throws a good word about a book, I’m going to read it.
One of the best openings for a book I’ve read in a while. The first two chapters I was so creeped out I wanted to put it down and watch some Teletubbies with my kids. It reminded me of the way I felt when watching The Fourth Kind. That shit was terrifying. I usually read before bed but I intentionally skipped one night because I was too disturbed.
After that banging start, the story dialled down on the dread scale a lot. It felt more like a thriller at that point. With some steam.
I was so invested into the characters.
Loved Silas. He was a complicated man and I wish we saw more from him. There were clever and messed up scenes and details that did not need any further explanation but I would have gobbled it up regardless.
The ending went towards a direction I was not expecting. So I was a little disappointed because I wanted to feel the same as I felt at the beginning of the book. I wanted to be terrified. I was left with an existential crisis instead.
Sheesh. What a read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
If my queen, Rachel Harrison, throws a good word about a book, I’m going to read it.
One of the best openings for a book I’ve read in a while. The first two chapters I was so creeped out I wanted to put it down and watch some Teletubbies with my kids. It reminded me of the way I felt when watching The Fourth Kind. That shit was terrifying. I usually read before bed but I intentionally skipped one night because I was too disturbed.
After that banging start, the story dialled down on the dread scale a lot. It felt more like a thriller at that point. With some steam.
I was so invested into the characters.
Loved Silas. He was a complicated man and I wish we saw more from him. There were clever and messed up scenes and details that did not need any further explanation but I would have gobbled it up regardless.
The ending went towards a direction I was not expecting. So I was a little disappointed because I wanted to feel the same as I felt at the beginning of the book. I wanted to be terrified. I was left with an existential crisis instead.
Sheesh. What a read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"How to Disappear Completely"
by Liz Kerin
5⭐️
I really enjoyed everything about this book ! I’m not a person who gets easily creeped out but the beginning of the story really creeped me out! And I stopped reading it at night lol 😂
It definitely was a smorgasbord of different genres! And I really loved that about this story!
It’s a mix of a Psychological Thriller ,mystery, the paranormal , a bit of Horror and a tad of some steamy and forbidden spice.
Loved the “Satellites” Podcast feel to it also with the transcripts! It really made you feel like you were apart of the story!
So FMC Hazel and her sister experience a sort of “paranormal experience “
Her sister has a mental break and goes missing and is presumed 💀
Hazel discovers a Podcast called “The Satellites “ that have presumably experienced the same paranormal phenomena.
But she starts to go down a very dark and strange rabbit hole and tries to uncover if it’s all true or if there’s something more sinister behind her sister’s disappearance.
Overall this book was just refreshing and original and I literally couldn’t put it down and stop looking behind my back lol 😂
Loved it and would highly recommend it!
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mind blown.
I was not expecting that ending AT ALL. I had my theories, but wow. This book was an absolute masterpiece. Genuinely like nothing I’ve ever read before. I loved the tidbits of Podcasts. They were so interesting! What a cool concept!
At first, I was definitely rooting for Silas and Hazel. You could feel their connection coming off of the pages, it was almost palpable. The little bit of spice in this book was also perfect.
Loved unraveling this story. I could not put it down, hence writing this review late at night while I work tomorrow morning.
10/10, no notes.
I was not expecting that ending AT ALL. I had my theories, but wow. This book was an absolute masterpiece. Genuinely like nothing I’ve ever read before. I loved the tidbits of Podcasts. They were so interesting! What a cool concept!
At first, I was definitely rooting for Silas and Hazel. You could feel their connection coming off of the pages, it was almost palpable. The little bit of spice in this book was also perfect.
Loved unraveling this story. I could not put it down, hence writing this review late at night while I work tomorrow morning.
10/10, no notes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETLEY is an utterly unique and riveting reading experience. This book has everything from a conspiracy and mystery to solve, podcast transcripts, a road trip, spice, to adorable corgis and creepy horror bits (the talking backward stuff is terrifying!) I don't want to say anymore because this is a book where the less you know, the better.
Liz Kerin fans will inhale this one. If you haven't read her books yet, what are you doing!?
Liz Kerin fans will inhale this one. If you haven't read her books yet, what are you doing!?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The loss of a sibling is something you never would get over. Hazel, like most of us, would never give up on finding the truth.
This book is an adventure. You will be taken places you never expected, and it keeps getting more and more creepy as the bodies pile up. I absolutely enjoyed the mystery aspect of it. Kerin’s writing doesn’t let you get bored as this investigation gets deeper and deeper.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
This book is an adventure. You will be taken places you never expected, and it keeps getting more and more creepy as the bodies pile up. I absolutely enjoyed the mystery aspect of it. Kerin’s writing doesn’t let you get bored as this investigation gets deeper and deeper.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lord, this was so good, toxic erotic sci-fi heaven. Everybody feels SO REAL in Liz Kerin's books which makes the stories really stay with you, like something that happened to a friend in real life.
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