What do you think?
Rate this book
Disappearance
Audrey Bailey will never forget the moment she met Ralph Templeton in the sweltering heat of a Bombay café. Her lonely life over, she was soon married with two small children. But things in the Templeton household were never quite what they seemed.
Now approaching 70, and increasingly a burden on the children she’s always felt distanced from, Audrey plans a once-in-a-lifetime cruise around the Greek isles. Forcing twins Lexi and John along for the ride, the Templetons set sail as a party of three – but only two will return.
On the night of her birthday, Audrey goes missing…hours after she breaks the news that the twins stand to inherit a fortune after her death. As the search of the ship widens, so does the list of suspects – and with dark clues emerging about Audrey’s early life, the twins begin to question if they can even trust one another…
Now approaching 70, and increasingly a burden on the children she’s always felt distanced from, Audrey plans a once-in-a-lifetime cruise around the Greek isles. Forcing twins Lexi and John along for the ride, the Templetons set sail as a party of three – but only two will return.
On the night of her birthday, Audrey goes missing…hours after she breaks the news that the twins stand to inherit a fortune after her death. As the search of the ship widens, so does the list of suspects – and with dark clues emerging about Audrey’s early life, the twins begin to question if they can even trust one another…
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2016
60 people are currently reading
813 people want to read
About the author
Annabel Kantaria
11 books158 followersAnnabel Kantaria is a British journalist who’s written prolifically for publications throughout the Middle East. She lives in Dubai with her husband and two children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
April 6, 2016
From the beginning of the read we know that Audrey Templeton has disappeared, vanished into thin air from a cruise ship and is presumed drowned. We then follow Audrey’s story which spans the last 40 years and takes us from India to London and Cornwall before this all important cruise. Told from Audrey’s point of view and also that of her daughter Alexandra, it is a story of a marriage and family that has an unspoken secret at its heart.
I really liked the flow of the read which was constantly threaded with a subtle undercurrent of danger to come. There is certainly one character here who we are never quite sure of. Nothing is ever spoken aloud, but the message that that person should not be trusted certainly shines through and keeps you reading to see if what you suspect is going to come true. It is not so much full of twists and turns, more subtle meanderings that keep the reader on their toes. You can second guess what is going to happen (and I had worked out the ending for myself) but the characters and story are so intriguing that you just have to keep reading to see if you are right.
My only read doubts about the book concern the prologue, which gives away the fact that Audrey is missing right at the start of the read and I did wonder why it was repeated word for word as a separate chapter later on in the book. That having been said, the title of the book gives it all away anyway.
I received a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
I really liked the flow of the read which was constantly threaded with a subtle undercurrent of danger to come. There is certainly one character here who we are never quite sure of. Nothing is ever spoken aloud, but the message that that person should not be trusted certainly shines through and keeps you reading to see if what you suspect is going to come true. It is not so much full of twists and turns, more subtle meanderings that keep the reader on their toes. You can second guess what is going to happen (and I had worked out the ending for myself) but the characters and story are so intriguing that you just have to keep reading to see if you are right.
My only read doubts about the book concern the prologue, which gives away the fact that Audrey is missing right at the start of the read and I did wonder why it was repeated word for word as a separate chapter later on in the book. That having been said, the title of the book gives it all away anyway.
I received a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
May 6, 2016
Audrey Bailey's changes beyond anything she could imagine when she meets Ralph Templeton. Although it is her friend Janet, who first spots him in a bar, it is Audrey who captures his heart.
The Disappearance is told in four parts and each tells of a different time in Audreys life.
What makes this book so special is that, although it is quite tragic, Audreys devotion and love for her children makes her do something that will not only devastate them, but will also give them the lives she feels they deserve. It will also give Audrey the life she has always yearned for.
Whilst the plot is predictable, I loved this read. It is perfectly told and and is a beautiful debut. The descriptions of India transport the reader to Bombay, and it is very easy to fall in love with the place. The same can be said of Kantaria's depiction of Greece and Cornwall.
This is quite easily the most perfect summer read.
The Disappearance is told in four parts and each tells of a different time in Audreys life.
What makes this book so special is that, although it is quite tragic, Audreys devotion and love for her children makes her do something that will not only devastate them, but will also give them the lives she feels they deserve. It will also give Audrey the life she has always yearned for.
Whilst the plot is predictable, I loved this read. It is perfectly told and and is a beautiful debut. The descriptions of India transport the reader to Bombay, and it is very easy to fall in love with the place. The same can be said of Kantaria's depiction of Greece and Cornwall.
This is quite easily the most perfect summer read.
August 9, 2017
Loved this story full of twists and turns. Thrilling, poignant and page-turning. Especially loved the ending.
February 10, 2017
Well well well.....this has been an unexpected pleasure! A "couldn't put it down" book! Having picked it up earlier to read a few chapters I can honestly say that apart from a few necessity breaks, I did not let go of this beautifully written story of family secrets and betrayals set in 1970s India and present day Cornwall, oh and with a few Greek Islands thrown in for good measure!
The opening of this book is quite a shocker as we are told that the captain of a cruise ship is abandoning the search for a passenger who has been lost overboard. That passenger is Audrey Templeton who was on a cruise of the Greek Islands with her adult twin children to celebrate her 70th birthday. We then go back in time to 1970 to meet Audrey who, having lost both of her parents within a short space of time, is on board a boat bound for India where her parents were married and her friend Janet now lives. Once there she meets a dark and mysterious man, a gorgeous stranger, in a coffee bar and within 6 months they are married. Their new life together in India is changed forever by an horrific incident and they return to London.
This is the authors 2nd book and she has certainly upped her game this time! I loved Audrey, I really felt an emotional connection to this young woman living in a foreign country with a controlling husband and twins that she struggled to make a connection with. You could see how their upbringing had made the twins the adults they became by the authors skilfully plotted insights and with Ralph, their detached but controlling father, very much a figure in the background but pulling all the strings. I loved the relationship Audrey had with Lexi but her connection with John was much more interesting in terms of seeing how family secrets affect those we love. And again it makes us think about the old "nurture versus nature" argument, surely twins will have the same morals if they have been brought up together exactly the same? I do so love a dysfunctional family drama and involving twins (an intriguing subject for me that I am always drawn to!) certainly took this to another level of enjoyment.
The plot was very easy to follow due to the use of chapters with dates and times or before/after headings which worked well and kept up the tension on a countdown to "the disappearance". As I said before, once you start reading the chapters seem to fly by! One of the reasons I read books like this is that I love to be surprised and I am constantly searching for that next OMG moment. I thought I had got it all worked out here but one part of the plot came with a bit of a "lightbulb" moment that I hadn't expected and the book then went on to a perfectly handled conclusion. This is now an author I will actively seek out in the future as she has certainly proved she can write an intriguing travel inspired suspense with believable characters. Loved it.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
The opening of this book is quite a shocker as we are told that the captain of a cruise ship is abandoning the search for a passenger who has been lost overboard. That passenger is Audrey Templeton who was on a cruise of the Greek Islands with her adult twin children to celebrate her 70th birthday. We then go back in time to 1970 to meet Audrey who, having lost both of her parents within a short space of time, is on board a boat bound for India where her parents were married and her friend Janet now lives. Once there she meets a dark and mysterious man, a gorgeous stranger, in a coffee bar and within 6 months they are married. Their new life together in India is changed forever by an horrific incident and they return to London.
This is the authors 2nd book and she has certainly upped her game this time! I loved Audrey, I really felt an emotional connection to this young woman living in a foreign country with a controlling husband and twins that she struggled to make a connection with. You could see how their upbringing had made the twins the adults they became by the authors skilfully plotted insights and with Ralph, their detached but controlling father, very much a figure in the background but pulling all the strings. I loved the relationship Audrey had with Lexi but her connection with John was much more interesting in terms of seeing how family secrets affect those we love. And again it makes us think about the old "nurture versus nature" argument, surely twins will have the same morals if they have been brought up together exactly the same? I do so love a dysfunctional family drama and involving twins (an intriguing subject for me that I am always drawn to!) certainly took this to another level of enjoyment.
The plot was very easy to follow due to the use of chapters with dates and times or before/after headings which worked well and kept up the tension on a countdown to "the disappearance". As I said before, once you start reading the chapters seem to fly by! One of the reasons I read books like this is that I love to be surprised and I am constantly searching for that next OMG moment. I thought I had got it all worked out here but one part of the plot came with a bit of a "lightbulb" moment that I hadn't expected and the book then went on to a perfectly handled conclusion. This is now an author I will actively seek out in the future as she has certainly proved she can write an intriguing travel inspired suspense with believable characters. Loved it.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
April 8, 2018
3.5 stars really, but it was a good read so I rounded it up rather than down. Unfortunately, I went into this book expecting a thriller, and found this to be more of a mystery. I loved the way this story was told, and the fact that Audrey was a genuinely nice person meant that I found it easy to read. I found the story intriguing and was caught up in the drama, which ended well there just isn't a big twist at the end, more of a "meh" kind of twist. That isn't to say that the ending was bad, it was a lovely ending and I did enjoy it but it was not what I was expecting at all.
Overall a good read, but there is a definite trigger warning for Domestic Abuse and rape in this book which can get a little graphic at times.
Overall a good read, but there is a definite trigger warning for Domestic Abuse and rape in this book which can get a little graphic at times.
February 6, 2025
I very much enjoyed this book although I felt that it didn’t quite manage to maintain the high standards in the first half of the story.
The book starts with a disappearance of a 70 year old woman on a cruise holiday with her two children, with evidence pointing to her having gone overboard. The story then backtracks to other times in her and her children’s lives, which gradually shed light on the mystery. This part I felt was very well done. There is a step change when their lives reach the cruise itself, where the story, though still well done, lost some of it’s earlier drama and tension.
The main downside though was that the ending was very predictable, even with a good third or more of the story to go. In a way this wasn’t too important as the story was more about the behaviours and relationships than a last page mystery twist.
A solid 8 out of 10.
The book starts with a disappearance of a 70 year old woman on a cruise holiday with her two children, with evidence pointing to her having gone overboard. The story then backtracks to other times in her and her children’s lives, which gradually shed light on the mystery. This part I felt was very well done. There is a step change when their lives reach the cruise itself, where the story, though still well done, lost some of it’s earlier drama and tension.
The main downside though was that the ending was very predictable, even with a good third or more of the story to go. In a way this wasn’t too important as the story was more about the behaviours and relationships than a last page mystery twist.
A solid 8 out of 10.
August 13, 2019
Another great read from Annabel Kantaria with a blend of mystery, intrigue and good storyline. So disappointed it had to end but what a great ending and one that I wasn't expecting. Thoroughly enjoyable.
February 24, 2016
I love books that deal with disappearing people (is that weird?!) I have such an interest in how some people can just suddenly vanish and then no trace of them ever be found again. So when I read the blurb of The Disappearance I was hooked.
Set in the present day with flashbacks to 1950’s India, The Disappearance follows the story of Audrey who met and fell in love with the enigmatic Ralph Templeton in Bombay. They lived the apparent life of bliss with two children and a gorgeous house. As Audrey approaches her 70th birthday alone she reflects on her life and decides to take her two children on a cruise around the Greek islands as a birthday treat. But the cruise doesn’t quite pan out how Audrey’s children Lexi and John imagined it would.
On the evening of her birthday, Audrey disappears. As the ship is searched high and low, fear for Audrey’s safety arises. Is she still on board or is she somewhere in the sea...and, if so, who put her there?
As the clock ticks down and the cruise draws to an end, will the mystery of Audrey’s disappearance be solved? Or is the sea the only witness to what really happened…?
This book was soooo addictive from beginning to end. The flashbacks to Audrey’s time in India were so tangible and I was fascinated to read about her experiences in Bombay and her whirlwind relationship with Ralph. As the plot fast forwards to the present we are shown events through Lexi’s eyes and I immediately formed an affinity with her. Although her feelings towards her twin brother, John, also wore off on me and I think that’s what led me to be so untrusting of him…because Lexi was incredibly unsure of his motives for a lot of things.
The pacing of this novel was perfect and had me unable to put it down. I read this book in one gigantic go and couldn’t read it fast enough! I was so intrigued by everything that was happening and was trying my best to piece it altogether.
The ending was incredibly fantastic and had me secretly fist pumping the air! There are lots of nicely tied up plot points which always leave me feeling satisfied. And, I sort of want a sequel! I was so invested in Audrey’s story that I just want to learn more about her past and her well, everything!
I believe this to be Annabel’s second novel and after reading this I am eager to go back and read her debut, Coming Home. I will also be eagerly awaiting her third!
Definitely a must read if you love a good mystery with a dose of family drama and untrustworthy characters thrown in for good measure!
Set in the present day with flashbacks to 1950’s India, The Disappearance follows the story of Audrey who met and fell in love with the enigmatic Ralph Templeton in Bombay. They lived the apparent life of bliss with two children and a gorgeous house. As Audrey approaches her 70th birthday alone she reflects on her life and decides to take her two children on a cruise around the Greek islands as a birthday treat. But the cruise doesn’t quite pan out how Audrey’s children Lexi and John imagined it would.
On the evening of her birthday, Audrey disappears. As the ship is searched high and low, fear for Audrey’s safety arises. Is she still on board or is she somewhere in the sea...and, if so, who put her there?
As the clock ticks down and the cruise draws to an end, will the mystery of Audrey’s disappearance be solved? Or is the sea the only witness to what really happened…?
This book was soooo addictive from beginning to end. The flashbacks to Audrey’s time in India were so tangible and I was fascinated to read about her experiences in Bombay and her whirlwind relationship with Ralph. As the plot fast forwards to the present we are shown events through Lexi’s eyes and I immediately formed an affinity with her. Although her feelings towards her twin brother, John, also wore off on me and I think that’s what led me to be so untrusting of him…because Lexi was incredibly unsure of his motives for a lot of things.
The pacing of this novel was perfect and had me unable to put it down. I read this book in one gigantic go and couldn’t read it fast enough! I was so intrigued by everything that was happening and was trying my best to piece it altogether.
The ending was incredibly fantastic and had me secretly fist pumping the air! There are lots of nicely tied up plot points which always leave me feeling satisfied. And, I sort of want a sequel! I was so invested in Audrey’s story that I just want to learn more about her past and her well, everything!
I believe this to be Annabel’s second novel and after reading this I am eager to go back and read her debut, Coming Home. I will also be eagerly awaiting her third!
Definitely a must read if you love a good mystery with a dose of family drama and untrustworthy characters thrown in for good measure!
December 26, 2016
At the beginning of the seventies Audrey moves from England to Bombay to stay with a friend. She needs a change and is happy she has chosen the beautiful India as her destination. Then she meets Ralph, a charismatic man who promises her the world. They get married and Audrey becomes the mother of two children. There's something about Ralph that he's carefully hidden before their marriage and Audrey has to live with the consequences of her choice.
Over forty years later Audrey has become a burden to her two children. Lexi and John dutifully divide the compulsory visits and Audrey doesn't like it. They want to put her in a home while she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself. As a last surprise before she'll give in she invites them on a cruise to celebrate her seventieth birthday. Only the cruise isn't just a leisurely luxury holiday for either of them. Secrets of the past come to the surface and they realize they can't trust each other, not at all...
The Disappearance is a fantastic book about a woman who marries a dangerous man. Moving to India changes Audrey's life completely. Annabel Kantaria writes about both Audrey's past and her present. Her story is gripping and I couldn't stop reading. I read this book in one sitting, I had to know what happened to her. Of course I had my suspicions and I couldn't wait to find out if I was right. The ending was exactly how I wanted it to be, with some great twists and turns and many amazing revelations.
Annabel Kantaria has a wonderful writing style which is easy and enjoyable to read. She knows when to build up suspense and her story is both gripping and psychologically interesting. Her vivid descriptions of all of her settings make the story come to life very well. The strained relationships between the main characters are fascinating and everything they do is suspicious. That makes the reader stay on guard. I really liked that I felt compelled to pay attention. If you like books about family secrets you should definitely get this book. I loved The Disappearance, it's a fantastic thrilling read.
Over forty years later Audrey has become a burden to her two children. Lexi and John dutifully divide the compulsory visits and Audrey doesn't like it. They want to put her in a home while she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself. As a last surprise before she'll give in she invites them on a cruise to celebrate her seventieth birthday. Only the cruise isn't just a leisurely luxury holiday for either of them. Secrets of the past come to the surface and they realize they can't trust each other, not at all...
The Disappearance is a fantastic book about a woman who marries a dangerous man. Moving to India changes Audrey's life completely. Annabel Kantaria writes about both Audrey's past and her present. Her story is gripping and I couldn't stop reading. I read this book in one sitting, I had to know what happened to her. Of course I had my suspicions and I couldn't wait to find out if I was right. The ending was exactly how I wanted it to be, with some great twists and turns and many amazing revelations.
Annabel Kantaria has a wonderful writing style which is easy and enjoyable to read. She knows when to build up suspense and her story is both gripping and psychologically interesting. Her vivid descriptions of all of her settings make the story come to life very well. The strained relationships between the main characters are fascinating and everything they do is suspicious. That makes the reader stay on guard. I really liked that I felt compelled to pay attention. If you like books about family secrets you should definitely get this book. I loved The Disappearance, it's a fantastic thrilling read.
April 30, 2016
I really like Annabel Kantaria's writing style, it's so fluid and velvety giving an instant warmth towards the characters so they feel like friends from the very beginning.
The Disappearance is set on two timelines, Audrey's early life in 1970's India and present day in Cornwall and, latterly, aboard a cruise liner. This is one of those intriguing stories which starts nearly at the end, goes back to the beginning, and catches up with time and characters through the body of the book. Here we start with the captain of a cruise liner calling off the search for missing Audrey which she is holidaying on with her twin adult children. We then move back to learn of Audrey's life which is colourful yet tinged with cruelty. Audrey escapes England and the sadness of the loss of her parents to India. This trip of a planned six months quickly turns into a new job, husband and living there for the foreseeable future. Audrey loves India, the food, the heat, the people and the fragrant flowers. Her heart nearly breaks when her controlling husband forces their family back to England where she is friendless and sad. She overcomes part of her loneliness by taking art lessons and her life starts to blossom once more. The story continues to be compelling and, for me, gripping. It doesn't matter if you see the twists at the end coming, it's the beautifully told journey getting there which is most important.
I read Annabel Kantaria's first book and really enjoyed the easy flowing writing style, after reading this one, I am pleasantly assured that Kantaria is a very confident and capable author and one I shall certainly be seeking out in future.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reading Copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The Disappearance is set on two timelines, Audrey's early life in 1970's India and present day in Cornwall and, latterly, aboard a cruise liner. This is one of those intriguing stories which starts nearly at the end, goes back to the beginning, and catches up with time and characters through the body of the book. Here we start with the captain of a cruise liner calling off the search for missing Audrey which she is holidaying on with her twin adult children. We then move back to learn of Audrey's life which is colourful yet tinged with cruelty. Audrey escapes England and the sadness of the loss of her parents to India. This trip of a planned six months quickly turns into a new job, husband and living there for the foreseeable future. Audrey loves India, the food, the heat, the people and the fragrant flowers. Her heart nearly breaks when her controlling husband forces their family back to England where she is friendless and sad. She overcomes part of her loneliness by taking art lessons and her life starts to blossom once more. The story continues to be compelling and, for me, gripping. It doesn't matter if you see the twists at the end coming, it's the beautifully told journey getting there which is most important.
I read Annabel Kantaria's first book and really enjoyed the easy flowing writing style, after reading this one, I am pleasantly assured that Kantaria is a very confident and capable author and one I shall certainly be seeking out in future.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reading Copy of this book in return for an honest review.
April 25, 2016
The story begins in London in 1970. At the age of twenty seven Audrey Bailey is alone in the world. Her father has died leaving her an orphan. At the urging of her friend Janet she boards a ship and travels half way round the world to India. In Bombay a new life awaits her. A vibrant, noisy and hot city that is very different to London but soon she calls it home. When she meets Ralph Templeton she can’t believe her luck. The handsome stranger in an expensive suit who soon begins to woo her and claim her as his own.
The book opens with twins John and Alexandra searching a cruise ship for their seventy year old mother who has not been seen for 39 hours. It is starting to look like she might have gone overboard. What has happened to Audrey Templeton?
The Disappearance is a beautifully written family saga with more than a hint of darkness woven through the years. Ralph Templeton is a cold and calculating man capable of rape, murder and spousal abuse. His children grew up in fear of their father and were largely protected by Audrey.
The familial discourse and the relationships between the remaining members is fascinating and worth a read just for that alone. I think it would make quite a good book club read because there are so many issues that it throws up. Quite aside from the suspense of Audrey’s disappearance there are many talking points around the spousal abuse, infidelity, elder care etc.
It was very different to what I was expecting from the cover and was an intriguing read that kept me engrossed until the end.
Supplied by Net Galley and MIRA in exchange for an honest review.
The book opens with twins John and Alexandra searching a cruise ship for their seventy year old mother who has not been seen for 39 hours. It is starting to look like she might have gone overboard. What has happened to Audrey Templeton?
The Disappearance is a beautifully written family saga with more than a hint of darkness woven through the years. Ralph Templeton is a cold and calculating man capable of rape, murder and spousal abuse. His children grew up in fear of their father and were largely protected by Audrey.
The familial discourse and the relationships between the remaining members is fascinating and worth a read just for that alone. I think it would make quite a good book club read because there are so many issues that it throws up. Quite aside from the suspense of Audrey’s disappearance there are many talking points around the spousal abuse, infidelity, elder care etc.
It was very different to what I was expecting from the cover and was an intriguing read that kept me engrossed until the end.
Supplied by Net Galley and MIRA in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2021
It was a quick read. Although it got very predictable towards the end, it was a nice experience overall.
August 9, 2017
It was very predictable and got to a point I knew what was going to happen
February 10, 2017
Surviving life’s many curved balls.
Audrey Templeton is turning seventy. She wants a “last hurrah” and invites her twin children, John and Alexandra, to celebrate her life by going on a cruise around the Greek islands.
This tale of how Audrey ends up by going on a cruise with her children is told by flashbacks to her life as a young, innocent twenty-seven-year-old sailing to India on the SS Oriana after her father dies and her decision to join her friend who is living and working there. We also have Alexandra’s portrayal of her mother now. Her children think that she may be slipping into frailty and dementia and want her to move to an “over sixties” estate where she can own her own home but there is care available should she need it. But is Audrey really that frail or has something from her past triggered her behaviour?
I felt as though the author had dipped into my own life story as so many of the dates are relevant in my own history! I also related to women taking back their power after an abusive relationship and the lengths one will take to protect one’s children.
Annabelle Kantaria has written a beautifully scripted story with characters that feel real, taking on all that life throws at them, emerging at the other end, with peace and contentment. Thank you Annabelle, you made me remember my own voyages with a sense of re¬visiting some extraordinary moments that had faded into the mists of time.
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
January 28, 2019
Largely very well written, but completely strained credibility for me.
I mean, imagine you have a secret past you want to reveal to your adult children.
Do you: sit down with them and have a family meeting, allow them to ask questions, and come clean about their true origins?
Or do you: leave them a cryptic set of letters and then FAKE YOUR OWN DEATH?
Absolutely NO explanation was given for why Audrey chose the latter option, which struck me as incredibly extreme and random, and required more than just "so she did this, the end."
I realise you need drama in fiction, but you also need to make it believable that actual human beings would behave this way, and ... just, no.
The second star is because the characters were interesting and the writing kept me turning the pages. But the solution to the puzzle completely lost it for me.
I mean, imagine you have a secret past you want to reveal to your adult children.
Do you: sit down with them and have a family meeting, allow them to ask questions, and come clean about their true origins?
Or do you: leave them a cryptic set of letters and then FAKE YOUR OWN DEATH?
Absolutely NO explanation was given for why Audrey chose the latter option, which struck me as incredibly extreme and random, and required more than just "so she did this, the end."
I realise you need drama in fiction, but you also need to make it believable that actual human beings would behave this way, and ... just, no.
The second star is because the characters were interesting and the writing kept me turning the pages. But the solution to the puzzle completely lost it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2023
What a book!! The thrills, narrative and twist.
I desperately wanted to know what happens, but I could not do that unless I finish the book and I didn’t want it to finish.
From India to London, you experience the intense love, betrayal and deceit as you try to figure out how it will all turn out. Interestingly the story keeps you at the edge of your seat until the last word.
I desperately wanted to know what happens, but I could not do that unless I finish the book and I didn’t want it to finish.
From India to London, you experience the intense love, betrayal and deceit as you try to figure out how it will all turn out. Interestingly the story keeps you at the edge of your seat until the last word.
February 7, 2017
Not as good as other reviews had led me to hope. Not a bad story, but I didn't really like any of the characters and therefore, wasn't drawn into caring too much about the outcome of the plot. I did guess the ending pretty early on. Also, the bad editing of the book was quite distracting.
April 25, 2017
I loved this read, so compelling and clever with great characters. The setting for this gripping story was perfect too, totally unputdownable!
August 9, 2025
Imagine a book where cruelty replaces honesty: instead of saying, “I’m off to retire overseas,” a mother stages her own suicide and relishes as her kids fall apart over her death.
So Audrey’s grand master plan? Let her kids believe she’s killed herself for their sake. Because apparently, announcing “I’m off to Greece to rekindle things with an old flame” would be far too… sane.
And that big reveal where she confesses, “One day you’ll inherit my fortune”—cue the shocked gasps! Except… isn’t that literally how inheritance works in most families? Sure, Dad once told them to make their own way in life, but come on—when both parents are gone, it’s hardly rocket science to imagine the kids inherit.
Audrey stayed with Ralph—a man who was awful—for decades. Trapped in the 70s, I can understand. But in the 80s or 90s, back in England? Why not leave then? And Ralph’s death? Blink and you’ll miss it—because the book skips over how it even happened.
Meanwhile, Miranda calls her long lost children “the boy” and “the girl”. Nice maternal touch there.
And let’s not forget the genius escape plan, entirely dependent on the MASSIVE “if” that no one would scan Audrey’s card as she left the ship.
AND how many coincidental sets of twins are there going to be in this story? That was a strange choice of the author to have Audrey’s step-son John become the step parent to another set of twins..
Audrey appeared to be stunning, and eternally attractive, so clever and irresistible and could never do any wrong. Oh except love her children….
Could she not have just loved them? Just love them. Why keep up a wall? OHHHH BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU MIGHT ONE DAY LEAAAAAAVVVVVEEEE THEM. Which we learn is your step-daughter biggest fear. The day after she tells her step mum this her darling step mother manufactures her daughter’s biggest fear and does just that! Check mate step-mum great job.
This book feels like it was written by a 70 year old who is bitter about her choices and is now fantasizing about her children suffering to appreciate everything she has done for them.
But at the end don’t worry that she has horrifically scarred her step children by letting them believe they drove her to suicide… (her step daughter at 42 has finally fallen pregnant (and hopefully won’t lose the babies (you guessed it - more twins) due to grief) because they have found their real mum and I’m sure that will fill the void of the only mum they’ve ever known. Because mums are interchangeable right?
One star because the writing style kept me interested and reading when I should have gone to sleep, and another star because I enjoyed talking about this with my mum after we read it.
So Audrey’s grand master plan? Let her kids believe she’s killed herself for their sake. Because apparently, announcing “I’m off to Greece to rekindle things with an old flame” would be far too… sane.
And that big reveal where she confesses, “One day you’ll inherit my fortune”—cue the shocked gasps! Except… isn’t that literally how inheritance works in most families? Sure, Dad once told them to make their own way in life, but come on—when both parents are gone, it’s hardly rocket science to imagine the kids inherit.
Audrey stayed with Ralph—a man who was awful—for decades. Trapped in the 70s, I can understand. But in the 80s or 90s, back in England? Why not leave then? And Ralph’s death? Blink and you’ll miss it—because the book skips over how it even happened.
Meanwhile, Miranda calls her long lost children “the boy” and “the girl”. Nice maternal touch there.
And let’s not forget the genius escape plan, entirely dependent on the MASSIVE “if” that no one would scan Audrey’s card as she left the ship.
AND how many coincidental sets of twins are there going to be in this story? That was a strange choice of the author to have Audrey’s step-son John become the step parent to another set of twins..
Audrey appeared to be stunning, and eternally attractive, so clever and irresistible and could never do any wrong. Oh except love her children….
Could she not have just loved them? Just love them. Why keep up a wall? OHHHH BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU MIGHT ONE DAY LEAAAAAAVVVVVEEEE THEM. Which we learn is your step-daughter biggest fear. The day after she tells her step mum this her darling step mother manufactures her daughter’s biggest fear and does just that! Check mate step-mum great job.
This book feels like it was written by a 70 year old who is bitter about her choices and is now fantasizing about her children suffering to appreciate everything she has done for them.
But at the end don’t worry that she has horrifically scarred her step children by letting them believe they drove her to suicide… (her step daughter at 42 has finally fallen pregnant (and hopefully won’t lose the babies (you guessed it - more twins) due to grief) because they have found their real mum and I’m sure that will fill the void of the only mum they’ve ever known. Because mums are interchangeable right?
One star because the writing style kept me interested and reading when I should have gone to sleep, and another star because I enjoyed talking about this with my mum after we read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2018
This was a Library book club read about which I have rather ambivalent feelings. I have to say the number of mistakes in the printing was annoying, extra or repeated words or words missing. I felt the narrative started well, intensely descriptive and evocative of the place and situation. I especially liked the descriptions of Indian life. However, for many pages it did read a bit more like a Mills and Boon romance than a thriller. It was an easy pacy read and I liked the characterisation of Audrey, in particular. Although none of the characters were loveable I think the author displays their personalities well allowing us to see some of the worst parts of the human character. Where the book lets itself down, in my opinion, is the failure to really ramp up the thrill - it was predictable in that I knew what was happening to Audrey from very early on. I also hate the tactic of simply repeating whole chapters of the book - such as the meeting in the library - why is that needed? There was a little twist at the end which I hadn't seen coming.
March 23, 2018
The Disappearance is a mystery novel about life, family, and how much you can really trust them. It covered various, interesting themes.
But it was too long.
I really liked the fact that it wasn't just a murder mystery, but also a family drama. However, if was too detailed and verbose.
It took almost 70 pages from when they discover that Audrey is missing till they find out what really happened, which could have been suspenseful, if the revelation hadn't been part of the damn prologue.
Nevertheless, I can safely say that the ending was unexpected, which a lot mystery books fail to deliver on. I had been sorely disappointed with the ending until I got to those last 2-3 pages. They were a nice surprise.
A 3-star rating: the 3rd star goes to that well-written epilogue.
But it was too long.
I really liked the fact that it wasn't just a murder mystery, but also a family drama. However, if was too detailed and verbose.
It took almost 70 pages from when they discover that Audrey is missing till they find out what really happened, which could have been suspenseful, if the revelation hadn't been part of the damn prologue.
Nevertheless, I can safely say that the ending was unexpected, which a lot mystery books fail to deliver on. I had been sorely disappointed with the ending until I got to those last 2-3 pages. They were a nice surprise.
A 3-star rating: the 3rd star goes to that well-written epilogue.
November 9, 2019
Really loved this book!!
Story follows 2 timelines in the life of Audrey Templeton, as a lady in later life in her sixtys in 2012 & in the 1970s as a young woman in her 20s living in Bombay India.
A really gripping story of how Audrey found love in Bombay, becoming a mother & her life as a young wife to a bullish husband.
Fast forward to 2012 & her 2 children, Alexandria & John are concerned about their mothers welfare. She's forgetful, distant & after a recent car crash, needs a little care. John tries to persuade her to move into assisted living accommodation but Audrey decides that she'll think about it but wants to take her kids on a once in a lifetime cruise.
Its here, on this cruise, on her 70th birthday that she disappears.....
Story follows 2 timelines in the life of Audrey Templeton, as a lady in later life in her sixtys in 2012 & in the 1970s as a young woman in her 20s living in Bombay India.
A really gripping story of how Audrey found love in Bombay, becoming a mother & her life as a young wife to a bullish husband.
Fast forward to 2012 & her 2 children, Alexandria & John are concerned about their mothers welfare. She's forgetful, distant & after a recent car crash, needs a little care. John tries to persuade her to move into assisted living accommodation but Audrey decides that she'll think about it but wants to take her kids on a once in a lifetime cruise.
Its here, on this cruise, on her 70th birthday that she disappears.....
May 19, 2020
I liked this book as easy to read but found it very unrealistic, I could not believe that after all that time she had not really bonded with either of her adopted children and also the treatment of her by her adopted son! Very dysfunctional family! Why she just couldn’t tell them the truth and still maintain a relationship with them! I didn’t really bond with the main character, she seemed aloof, the children now grown up didn’t seem to care for her much either and just wanted her money! Strange book, sort of had a good plot, did feel a bit sorry for her being unhappily married to a monster but just didn’t think she had a good bond with the kids and thought her selfish, probably wouldn’t read this author again 🙁
August 27, 2020
Very average book which was badly let down by the fantasy that another woman can pass herself of as the mother of children who are now well into adulthood. This is the second book I’ve read recently with this scenario and I find it irritating. Does no one look at their birth certificate?
The story flits back and forth in time and I found this easy to follow. The descriptions of life in India were very flimsy. None of the 3 main characters demonstrated many positive attributes and were quite uninteresting. The supposed twist at the end was quite transparent.
The story flits back and forth in time and I found this easy to follow. The descriptions of life in India were very flimsy. None of the 3 main characters demonstrated many positive attributes and were quite uninteresting. The supposed twist at the end was quite transparent.
January 12, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, especially the second half when it really got going. It was well written with engaging characters, a story that kept me interested and wanting to keep reading, and an ending that was satisfying. I will definitely look out for more books by this author.
The only negative was some obvious typos - not the fault of the author but poor editing. As a proofreader myself these did jump out at me and spoil my enjoyment of the book a little.
Definitely recommended though. Fans of Anita Shreve would enjoy this book.
The only negative was some obvious typos - not the fault of the author but poor editing. As a proofreader myself these did jump out at me and spoil my enjoyment of the book a little.
Definitely recommended though. Fans of Anita Shreve would enjoy this book.
November 15, 2023
I have no words for this book(and i mean that in a good way). I thought this one would also be like Annabel Kantaria's first novel : Coming Home: and maybe it was, im not sure as im no expert reader/writer but this book really compelled me to read it and finish it and some parts of it got me into deep thinking. Overall, it was a great book to read and i really enjoyed reading. I really hoped there would be a better ending for it but well, I have 'ACCEPTED' it and I like it.
February 18, 2019
I was expecting a whodunit about a woman who disappeared from a cruise ship but instead it was far more emotive. It covered 2 separate timeliness and the part on the cruise shop only appeared halfway through. This novel is really more about expectations and relationships and how we often allow others to treat us badly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2018
Interesting twist, and the characters were believable. but it really didn't sit right to be describing a 70 year old woman as elderly and seemingly incapable - had it been 80 I could have accepted it a bit more, so that rather spoilt it for me.
December 9, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was intrigued, wondering what would happen next, was the son a chip off the old block? I had to sit down this afternoon and finish it - I don't normally read in the afternoon! Great writing and insight into the main characters' feelings.
June 11, 2017
Clever, very clever. Even when you kind of figured out the ending, she does sneak in a cheeky surprise. Really enjoyed reading this, especially the second half.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews