Vanished: True Tales of Mysterious Disappearances

by Elizabeth MacLeod

Gone—without a trace.

No one loves a mystery more than Elizabeth MacLeod, author of the award-winning Bones Never Lie and Royal Murder . In her newest book, she presents six compelling stories about some of the world’s most bewildering disappearances.

Readers will be captivated by such true tales as the Alcatraz prison break, where three dangerous convicts engineered a daring escape. Did they live to see freedom, or did they perish in the icy waters surrounding the prison? And will anyone ever know what happened to the captain and crew of the SS Mary Celeste? In 1872, it set out from New York for Genoa, Italy, but everyone on board disappeared for no apparent reason.

This irresistible combination of suspense and history also serves as an introduction to the advances in technology that may help discover what really happened in each unsolved mystery.

Filled with color photographs, sidebars, and maps, Vanished is the perfect book for kids who love mind-boggling mysteries.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Juvenile, Mystery, Middle Grade, Historical

188 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2016

About the author

Elizabeth MacLeod was born on October 21 in Toronto. As a child Liz liked to read Nancy Drew and Anne of Green Gables books, swim, sing, dance, and hang out with her friends. Encouraged by her parents, she began writing stories and poetry for her own enjoyment at the age of 10, her favorite subjects being mad scientists and tyrants who threatened to take over the world.

Today Liz is inspired by almost anything--her friends, reading, and the funny, beautiful world around her. Her first job in publishing was at OWL magazine, and Liz credits editor Sylvia Funston as one of her mentors. Liz also names Valerie Wyatt, a writer and editor, as an important influence on her work, as well as a good friend.

An avid reader, Liz enjoyed digging up amazing facts and researching historic royals and their countries and customs for Royal Murder (2008). She encourages anyone with a desire to write to "just do it." Even if no one ever reads it, the joy that comes from expressing yourself through words is reward enough. Liz adds that writing takes practice, and with each day you are bound to improve.

Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their two cats, Smedley and Cosmo.

She enjoys keeping active, spending time with friends, music, theater, and cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Liz plans to continue writing about a broad spectrum of topics in both fiction and non-fiction, and would like to work on more picture books in the future.

Reviews

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My non-fiction book was all about "mysterious disappearances". My favorite part of the book was when it told you about an amber room. And the whole room was made of gold and amber (dried sap). But the horrible part about was that it was some how cursed! The only reason why people think that the room is cursed is because most people that went to the room and then started talking about it to other people, they would be found dead within the next day or two.

[Megan Nason · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay but I'm not a fan of nonfiction so it felt like a drag. Don't recommend

[RumBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book chronicles the known history of several cases of thins, and people, who have vanished. Amongst the items discussed are the Amber Room, Mary Celeste and the Gardner Museum art works. Each chapter begins with a brief, short, imagined narrative about the specific item. In the case of the Amber Room, it is the curator of the museum in which it was held, working on a plan to hide the panels. From there the chapters discuss the history of the item, and what is known about what happened, or might have happened to it.

This book is informative and interesting. It also defines unfamiliar words as you read. This makes it good for upper elementary age and above. The text is highly readable, and really captures your attention. Also within the chapters are small snippets about related items. For example in the chapter about the Gardner museum is a short description of the theft of the Mona Lisa.

The illustrations, mostly photos, and artwork, do well to highlight what is being talked about. They support the text, and bring the topics to life.

If you enjoy history, and real life mysteries, this is a great book.

[Linnae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't like a good true mystery story?

Six stories about people or things that disappeared and still have yet to be found again, written for a middle grade audience: the Roanoke Colony, the Gardner museum art heist, an Alcatraz prison break, and more. MacLeod goes into what is known about the disappearances, the methods used then and now in an attempt to solve the mysteries, plus the current best guess of what really happened.

* * * * *
I read this one with my 9-year-old. I'm not surprised he picked this one up! I've always had a fascination with unsolved true mysteries, myself. In fact, I did a Mini Theme on my blog last year on Missing Persons stories (for adults.)

This one was short, and included all kinds of sidebars and photos. Well done, and made for some good conversation afterword, as we talked about our own theories.

I blog at: www.ofbooksandblooms.com

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

By far the best story, in my opinion, is the one involving the SS Mary Celeste.

This book has amazing stories that will grip your attention cover to cover. Mysteries included are:

Lost Colony: The Settlers Who Disappeared
This story covers the disappearance of the settlers of Roanoke Island. It takes you on a ride through history with backstory and possibilities/coincidences.

Franklin Expedition: Hidden in Ice and Snow
This story covers Sir John Franklin’s expedition aboard the HMS Erebus and the HMS Terror with the hopes to be the first ships to sail the complete length of the Northwest Passage. They hoped by sailing through the Artic Ocean and over the top of Canada that would connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and thus save month traveling to Asia. Then the expedition disappeared.

Mary Celeste: Legendary Ghost Ship
This is my favorite simply because what little is known. This author does an amazing job at research bringing to light new information and perspectives as to what happened to the missing crew.

Amber Room: Russia’s Missing Treasure
I recently saw a show on television Expeditions Unknown, hosted by Josh Gates about the Amber Room. Until then, I had never heard of it. I found the show fascinating and the story in the book even moreso. The author goes into greater depths and gives possible answers to long asked questions.

Alcatraz Prison Breakout: Covicts’ Vanishing Act
This story has been talked and written about a lot. Movies have been made and television shows broadcasted pertaining to possible theories as to what happened to the prisoners. The author delves into the inmates and their histories and follows possible leads.

Theft at the Gardner Museum: Famous Art Gone Forever?
The author covers details of the crime, reflecting on what the crooks took. She provides backstory, police investigation information and possible leads. She did a great job at researching this crime.

I loved all of the stories. This is a great introduction into historical events full of suspence and mystery. Kids will love this book. The author went into each story in great detail, providing some information that I haven’t heard before. Lots of backstories, some similar situations are described and compared to the missing. There’s lots of photos and illustrations to compliment the narrative.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good non-fiction that would be high interest for intermediate elementary students with great text to picture ratio with many primary resources. It is at a higher reading level with a lot of details but lower readers would enjoy the pictures with captions and primary resources.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun. I watch Air Crash investigation, and each chapter felt like reading an episode of that show. (except none of these were about airplanes)

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating. I couldn’t stop reading.

[jshesman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting! I learned much more about famous disappearances I had heard of before and about some cool quirks of history that were totally new to me.
My only minor complaint is that the placement of some of the sidebar stories interfered with the flow of the main narrative.
Excellent book.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re anything like me and love getting lost in real-life mysteries, Elizabeth MacLeod’s *Vanished* will keep you flipping pages well into the night. This non-fiction read masterfully combines suspense and history, offering six of the world’s most perplexing unsolved disappearances that leave you wondering, “What really happened?”

MacLeod, known for her intriguing true crime books like *Bones Never Lie* and *Royal Murder*, strikes again with *Vanished*, delivering a blend of captivating storytelling and fact-based accounts. Each chapter centers around a disappearance that has stumped experts for years, like the infamous Alcatraz prison break of 1962. MacLeod’s vivid retelling brings you right into the heart of the escape, where three determined inmates navigated one of the most secure prisons in the world. The question remains: did they outsmart the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay, or did their escape plan meet a watery end? The author doesn’t just leave you hanging; she introduces you to the forensic advances and theories that continue to baffle investigators today.

Another standout mystery in the book is the haunting tale of the SS Mary Celeste. In 1872, this American brigantine set sail from New York, only to be found adrift off the coast of Portugal with no soul aboard. What happened to the captain and crew remains one of maritime history’s most disturbing enigmas. MacLeod’s writing transports you to the ghostly, abandoned ship, making you feel the eerie calm of the ocean and the uncertainty that surrounded this ill-fated voyage.

For art lovers and mystery buffs, one of my personal favorite stories MacLeod explores is the 1990 Isabella Gardner Museum Heist. It’s a tale that feels straight out of a Hollywood movie: priceless art stolen from a prestigious Boston gallery by thieves dressed as police officers, and to this day, not a single piece has been recovered. MacLeod does an excellent job at capturing the heist’s audacity and the heartbreak of art lovers worldwide, keeping you invested in the ongoing hunt for these treasures.

What makes *Vanished* especially engaging is the way it’s formatted. The book is packed with color photographs, detailed sidebars, and maps that make the mysteries come alive. As a visual learner, I found these elements added an extra layer of immersion, perfect for middle-grade readers or anyone who wants a visual representation of the tales.

Overall, *Vanished* is a thrilling yet educational read that will appeal to young readers curious about history’s greatest cold cases. Elizabeth MacLeod’s skillful mix of narrative and factual investigation sparks endless curiosity, and each story leaves you with just enough to keep your mind buzzing. If you’re participating in Non-Fiction November, this is one title you’ll want to add to your list—you might even find yourself doing some amateur sleuthing of your own!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Review
Vanished: True Tales of Mysterious Disappearances by Elizabeth MacLeod is a non-fiction book for middle grade readers. The book discusses six stories about mysterious disappearances in chronological order. It starts with the 17th-century in North Carolina with the settlement of Roanoke Island, and ends with a 1990 art heist from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Museum.

The author could have taken on a negative tone with the subject but instead MacLeod is enthusiastic. The upbeat tone draws the reader into each mystery. Each story is filled with interesting facts and information.With each story there are pictures within the design.

The design of the book is uncluttered, featuring sidebars and appropriate images. The design also includes historical photographs, maps, and posters. These visuals add to the overall effectiveness of the book.

Each story begins with a factionalize vignette, which provides some background information about the disappearance. The ending of each section could have ended with a more smooth conclusion instead of abruptly. The combination of MacLeod’s storytelling and the resources included at the back of the book are sure to engage.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[The Book Consultant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Aimed toward younger readers (middle-high school), I still found this book both immensely entertaining and informative. Most of the historical mysteries I’d heard of, but a couple were new (and exciting!) to me.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys strange and mysterious things that have happened throughout history. This book was a great introduction to 6 of history’s great mysteries. But more than an introduction, it really gave a lot of great information about the mysteries: lots of background, all the evidence that’s been uncovered to date, and theories as to what really happened.

Additionally, each charter had little tidbits about other mysteries and other curious things to explore. I loved every minute! This was a really enjoyable read that I think anyone would enjoy.

Topics included: the list colony, the Franklin Expedition, the Mary Celeste, the Amber room, the Alcatraz prison breakout, and the theft at the Gardner museum.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories about mysterious disappearances. It starts with the Lost Colony of Roanoke and goes through the Franklin Expedition through the Arctic and the Mary Celeste ghost ship then to the Nazi theft of the Amber Room and the prison break at Alcatraz and end with the art theft at the Gardner Museum. I knew about all of these mysterious disappearances, but it was interesting to read about them at the same time and compare. It is amazing that none of these have actually been solved and are still true mysterious.

[Peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vanished: True Tales of Mysterious Disappearances is a perfect introduction to famous mysteries. It covers tales such as the Franklin Expedition and the Alcatraz prison break. Although some of the mysteries are explained, others leave you guessing about what happened. How can a ship and the entire crew disappear? How can a group of settlers leave with no trace except Croatoan? These and more are what can be discovered in Vanished.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I am familiar with these events, I haven't read too much about the lost Amber Room. That was an interesting story. The room must have been amazing! Anyone not familiar with these stories, or only remotely aware of them will enjoy learning more about them in this book. I think it's wonderful that someone has collected them all in one book. Good read!
I received a Kindle ARC in exchange for a fair review from Netgalley.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating! I thought it was great how the author included older and newer disappearances and then described modern-day technologies that could have been used to help find the people (or items). Some of those technologies even helped solve parts of these mysteries years later. Lots of interesting details so ideal for older elementary aged kids.

[Peggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book! It includes everything from the Roanoke Colony to a famous art heist. The "J" format makes it a quick read, with lots of sidebars and great illustrations. Don't be put off reading it because of the younger age focus; I found out lots of very interesting information I didn't know before. I enjoyed it so much I think I'll pick up other books by this author.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great! It's a children's book, but I still learned a lot from it. I thought the discussion of Natives was very well done. I wish the book had been longer!

[Ms. B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Without booktalking and promoting, the textbook format may turn off students who enjoy nonfiction, history and the unknown.

[Bob Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed these informative and nicely illustrated articles, probably intended for a younger audience, but still I learned a lot.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Amy Allgeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great non-fiction. Would recommend to strong 5th grade readers and up.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written for children. Very easy to read.