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The Vanishing Year
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2016)Zoe Whittaker is living a charmed life. She is the beautiful young wife to handsome, charming Wall Street tycoon Henry Whittaker. She is a member of Manhattan’s social elite. She is on the board of one of the city’s most prestigious philanthropic organizations. She has a perfect Tribeca penthouse in the city and a gorgeous lake house in the country. The finest wine, the most up-to-date fashion, and the most luxurious vacations are all at her fingertips.
What no one knows is that five years ago, Zoe’s life was in danger. Back then, Zoe wasn’t Zoe at all. Now her secrets are coming back to haunt her.
As the past and present collide, Zoe must decide who she can trust before she—whoever she is—vanishes completely.
A “dark, twisty, edge-of-your-seat suspense” (Karen Robards), The Vanishing Year combines the classic sophistication of Ruth Rendell and A.S.A. Harrison with the thoroughly modern flair of Jessica Knoll. Told from the point-of-view of a heroine who is as relatable as she is enigmatic, The Vanishing Year is an unforgettable new novel by a rising star of the genre.
What no one knows is that five years ago, Zoe’s life was in danger. Back then, Zoe wasn’t Zoe at all. Now her secrets are coming back to haunt her.
As the past and present collide, Zoe must decide who she can trust before she—whoever she is—vanishes completely.
A “dark, twisty, edge-of-your-seat suspense” (Karen Robards), The Vanishing Year combines the classic sophistication of Ruth Rendell and A.S.A. Harrison with the thoroughly modern flair of Jessica Knoll. Told from the point-of-view of a heroine who is as relatable as she is enigmatic, The Vanishing Year is an unforgettable new novel by a rising star of the genre.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2016
960 people are currently reading
41990 people want to read
About the author
Kate Moretti
12 books1,627 followersKate Moretti lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and a dog. She’s worked in the pharmaceutical industry for ten years as a scientist, and has been an avid fiction reader her entire life.
She enjoys traveling and cooking, although with two kids, a day job, and writing, she doesn’t get to do those things as much as she’d like.
Her lifelong dream is to buy an old house with a secret passageway.
She enjoys traveling and cooking, although with two kids, a day job, and writing, she doesn’t get to do those things as much as she’d like.
Her lifelong dream is to buy an old house with a secret passageway.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,515 reviews
September 4, 2018
Can I just say how thrilled I am to be kicking off the blog tour for Kate? I love finding a book/author combo that I feel comfortable backing even before I've read the book! I had been eyeing The Vanishing Year for months before finally snagging an e-galley from Atria, and am so glad they asked me to be a part of the tour as the book was phenomenal! Domestic suspense has been a top selling genre in 2016 and it's easy to see why; the plots are typically relatable while allowing us a "degree of separation" from the truly worst case scenario plot points. There have been several fantastic books published this year, and for many years prior following the Gone Girl frenzy, but few have held a candle against or been able to stand on their own. In my humble opinion, this is one that can hold it's own and contend for a chance in the spotlight based on it's own merits.
I'm new to author Kate Moretti's work, but this was a fantastic one to kick off with. The Vanishing Year was a tense and edgy read; my suspicion of everyone and everything was on high alert from start to finish. We all have read that book where woman falls in love with man and has the dream life, but a deep, dark secret creeps into the forefront, threatening to destroy happy life as she knows it. So what makes this different from all the rest? To be honest, it's the little details that made this book stand out. The characters were fleshed out and had attainable attributes; they were a bit more realistic and relatable than most others in the genre. The pacing was lightening quick and tension was high from beginning to end. The cover drew my eye initially with it's breathtaking design; I love how the letters appear to be "vanishing". There are so many topics included to enhance this read- romance, money, secrets. While I wouldn't say this is women's fiction, there were details and nuances that I really appreciated as a female and would be interested to hear from others if they felt the same.
Whether or not you figure out the secret and mystery before intended, this is a read worthy of your time and money. I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story, and in fact stayed up and read most of it in one sitting during the wee hours of the night. This book had moments that reminded me of OOne Step Too Far by Tina Seskis, not in plot but in the fact of this being a story revolving around a woman with a mysterious past and a rather large secret. I hope you decide to add this to your TBR list if you haven't already, but if you are holding off on purchasing books for awhile, there is a Rafflecoptor giveaway for 3 copies of The Vanishing Year HERE! Many thanks again to Atria Books, Kate Moretti, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I'm new to author Kate Moretti's work, but this was a fantastic one to kick off with. The Vanishing Year was a tense and edgy read; my suspicion of everyone and everything was on high alert from start to finish. We all have read that book where woman falls in love with man and has the dream life, but a deep, dark secret creeps into the forefront, threatening to destroy happy life as she knows it. So what makes this different from all the rest? To be honest, it's the little details that made this book stand out. The characters were fleshed out and had attainable attributes; they were a bit more realistic and relatable than most others in the genre. The pacing was lightening quick and tension was high from beginning to end. The cover drew my eye initially with it's breathtaking design; I love how the letters appear to be "vanishing". There are so many topics included to enhance this read- romance, money, secrets. While I wouldn't say this is women's fiction, there were details and nuances that I really appreciated as a female and would be interested to hear from others if they felt the same.
Whether or not you figure out the secret and mystery before intended, this is a read worthy of your time and money. I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story, and in fact stayed up and read most of it in one sitting during the wee hours of the night. This book had moments that reminded me of OOne Step Too Far by Tina Seskis, not in plot but in the fact of this being a story revolving around a woman with a mysterious past and a rather large secret. I hope you decide to add this to your TBR list if you haven't already, but if you are holding off on purchasing books for awhile, there is a Rafflecoptor giveaway for 3 copies of The Vanishing Year HERE! Many thanks again to Atria Books, Kate Moretti, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 18, 2016
Ingenious! The cunning and well laid out plot sucked me into a web of intense suspicion and edgy suspense.
For Zoe, a woman with a deeply troubling past, falling in love with Henry, a very wealthy man, who practically sweeps her off her feet, it’s a dream come true, almost like a fairy tale. Even after a year of wedded bliss, she still keeps pinching herself, unable to believe how fortunate she is.
But, Henry is not fully aware of Zoe’s past, so when she becomes the victim of a few break-ins and several other unsettling incidents, she begins to worry that her past has caught up to her, and becomes desperate to preserve her secrets and possibly her life.
This story falls into the domestic thriller genre, which has suddenly risen in popularity, which is fine by me because for some reason it make the stakes seem higher, and the underlying uneasiness feels more sinister.
This book is well written, with impeccable timing and pacing, and has everything a good psychological thriller should, plus it totally screwed with my head! Good stuff! I loved it!
4.5 stars
For Zoe, a woman with a deeply troubling past, falling in love with Henry, a very wealthy man, who practically sweeps her off her feet, it’s a dream come true, almost like a fairy tale. Even after a year of wedded bliss, she still keeps pinching herself, unable to believe how fortunate she is.
But, Henry is not fully aware of Zoe’s past, so when she becomes the victim of a few break-ins and several other unsettling incidents, she begins to worry that her past has caught up to her, and becomes desperate to preserve her secrets and possibly her life.
This story falls into the domestic thriller genre, which has suddenly risen in popularity, which is fine by me because for some reason it make the stakes seem higher, and the underlying uneasiness feels more sinister.
This book is well written, with impeccable timing and pacing, and has everything a good psychological thriller should, plus it totally screwed with my head! Good stuff! I loved it!
4.5 stars
April 24, 2016
I was torn between giving this 2.5 and 3 stars, so I'll round up.
When you watch a thriller or crime movie, at some point a character tells the beleaguered protagonist, Trust no one. If they listen to that advice, they find themselves questioning everyone's motivation, second-guessing seemingly innocent gestures even from people they know. (That is if they're smart, which characters in thrillers or crime movies rarely are.)
I operate the same way when I read a thriller or crime novel. I guess I've read so many through the years, and seen all kinds of twists, that I see almost everything as a potential clue toward the villain and/or the plot's resolution. That's definitely what happened when I read Kate Moretti's new book, The Vanishing Year .
Zoe Whittaker appears to have it all. At one point in her life she didn't even have enough money to give her mother a proper burial, and when she first arrived in New York, she was living in a homeless shelter. But now she is married to Wall Street tycoon Henry Whittaker, who indulges her every whim and surprises her with romantic trips and gifts, and she is helping make a difference with her charity involvement. It's a far cry from the purple-haired, multiple-pierced floral apprentice she was when she met Henry.
While her life was vastly different back then, no one really knows how different. No one really knows that Zoe wasn't always Zoe, and that she was involved in things which put her life in significant danger. She had no choice but to flee that life, that existence, even if it meant saying goodbye to good memories as well as frightening ones.
Without warning, Zoe's past seems to have found her. While there are parts of her past she'd like to understand, there are many parts she hoped she'd escaped for good. She can't tell Henry, whose moods are growing increasingly mercurial. She doesn't know whom to trust, where to turn, or what to do. And the danger seems to be growing dangerously closer and closer.
I thought this book had tremendous potential, even if we've seen this type of plot before, the woman-who-isn't-who-you-think-she-is, the damsel-who-used-be-in-distress-and-is-again. Moretti kept me guessing for a while just how the story would unfold, and I kept trying to figure out which character would end up being the one (or ones) who betrayed Zoe. I just found the story took far too long to build up steam, there were red herrings that were sprinkled throughout the plot unnecessarily, and in the end, I was disappointed.
I am a really tough critic of this genre of fiction because I read a lot of it, so I either like to be surprised or I like to be impressed with the author's execution of the plot even if it unfolds as I've expected it might. That's a tall order, so I would encourage you to pick up The Vanishing Year if it sounds intriguing to you. Hopefully if you're not as demanding as I am, you'll find it a suspenseful and more enjoyable read than I did.
NetGalley and Atria Books provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
When you watch a thriller or crime movie, at some point a character tells the beleaguered protagonist, Trust no one. If they listen to that advice, they find themselves questioning everyone's motivation, second-guessing seemingly innocent gestures even from people they know. (That is if they're smart, which characters in thrillers or crime movies rarely are.)
I operate the same way when I read a thriller or crime novel. I guess I've read so many through the years, and seen all kinds of twists, that I see almost everything as a potential clue toward the villain and/or the plot's resolution. That's definitely what happened when I read Kate Moretti's new book, The Vanishing Year .
Zoe Whittaker appears to have it all. At one point in her life she didn't even have enough money to give her mother a proper burial, and when she first arrived in New York, she was living in a homeless shelter. But now she is married to Wall Street tycoon Henry Whittaker, who indulges her every whim and surprises her with romantic trips and gifts, and she is helping make a difference with her charity involvement. It's a far cry from the purple-haired, multiple-pierced floral apprentice she was when she met Henry.
While her life was vastly different back then, no one really knows how different. No one really knows that Zoe wasn't always Zoe, and that she was involved in things which put her life in significant danger. She had no choice but to flee that life, that existence, even if it meant saying goodbye to good memories as well as frightening ones.
Without warning, Zoe's past seems to have found her. While there are parts of her past she'd like to understand, there are many parts she hoped she'd escaped for good. She can't tell Henry, whose moods are growing increasingly mercurial. She doesn't know whom to trust, where to turn, or what to do. And the danger seems to be growing dangerously closer and closer.
I thought this book had tremendous potential, even if we've seen this type of plot before, the woman-who-isn't-who-you-think-she-is, the damsel-who-used-be-in-distress-and-is-again. Moretti kept me guessing for a while just how the story would unfold, and I kept trying to figure out which character would end up being the one (or ones) who betrayed Zoe. I just found the story took far too long to build up steam, there were red herrings that were sprinkled throughout the plot unnecessarily, and in the end, I was disappointed.
I am a really tough critic of this genre of fiction because I read a lot of it, so I either like to be surprised or I like to be impressed with the author's execution of the plot even if it unfolds as I've expected it might. That's a tall order, so I would encourage you to pick up The Vanishing Year if it sounds intriguing to you. Hopefully if you're not as demanding as I am, you'll find it a suspenseful and more enjoyable read than I did.
NetGalley and Atria Books provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
January 18, 2016
A stunning novel by Kate Moretti. I devoured this in a single weekend. An edge-of-your-seat thriller with an ending that completely took me by surprise. This is a must read for fans of domestic suspense!
August 1, 2020
Zoe Whitaker has it all. She is a high society Manhattanite with an eye for design and a handsome, wealthy husband. But she has secrets from her past that look to have caught up to her. And why does her husband try to control her...what she wears, what she does, who she sees, what she eats?
I found myself suspicious of everyone in this story from the first chapter. The tension builds chapter by chapter until I raced to finish this brilliant book. Read this book and then watch the Alfred Hitchcock movie "Rebecca."
I found myself suspicious of everyone in this story from the first chapter. The tension builds chapter by chapter until I raced to finish this brilliant book. Read this book and then watch the Alfred Hitchcock movie "Rebecca."
July 22, 2020
Zoe has grabbed life's brass ring. She has recently married Henry Whittaker, a highly-successful, well-known Wall Street executive. She's now a member of Manhattan's social elite, living in the lap of luxury, dining in the finest restaurants, wearing designer clothes, and vacationing in Europe.
But Zoe has a secret that she's been hiding from everyone... including her husband. There's a reason why she vanished from her old life and created a completely new one in New York. The problem is that now, strange events are happening which threaten Zoe's secret.
I definitely saw a few things coming, but there are still plenty of heart-stopping moments, and the ending is great.
But Zoe has a secret that she's been hiding from everyone... including her husband. There's a reason why she vanished from her old life and created a completely new one in New York. The problem is that now, strange events are happening which threaten Zoe's secret.
I definitely saw a few things coming, but there are still plenty of heart-stopping moments, and the ending is great.
June 1, 2017
4 Great Stars
"As you are woman, so be lovely:
As you are lovely, so be various,
Merciful as constant, constant as various.
So be mine, as I yours for ever."
Zoe was adopted. Her adoptive father died in a car accident when she was a baby. Her adoptive mother died of cancer five years ago. Zoe’s birth mother left her in the nursery. Zoe is married nearly a year with Henry. She runs a charity. She is deeply attached to the cause of helping adopted and orphaned children. At the charity a couple call her Hilary. Nope, she doesn’t suffer from amnesia. She knows exactly what’s her name. the person who recognized her, was her roommate in college. Five years ago, Zoe left their apartment in the middle of the night and never came back. Now after five years, her past is going to hunt her and wants revenge! Or maybe she thinks! But the story is not just about that. She decided to find her birth mother but her husband strongly disagrees! But why?!
"Lovely I am, merciful I shall prove:
Woman I am, constant as various,
Not marble-hearted but your own true love.
Give me an equal kiss, as I kiss you."
It was my first read by this author but not last! It was a great story, I enjoyed it! actually, I couldn’t guess what’s happening! But most of all, I enjoyed the writing! It’s in such a way that you feel obligated to continue reading! It’s definitely a page turner. The characters were well-written. You can feel which one’s shady but you can’t guess why! The story-line is perfect and well-paced. The plot alternated between past and present. The story is told from Zoe’s POV, 1st person. It’s a standalone story. And I hope you enjoy it like me!
"As you are woman, so be lovely:
As you are lovely, so be various,
Merciful as constant, constant as various.
So be mine, as I yours for ever."
Zoe was adopted. Her adoptive father died in a car accident when she was a baby. Her adoptive mother died of cancer five years ago. Zoe’s birth mother left her in the nursery. Zoe is married nearly a year with Henry. She runs a charity. She is deeply attached to the cause of helping adopted and orphaned children. At the charity a couple call her Hilary. Nope, she doesn’t suffer from amnesia. She knows exactly what’s her name. the person who recognized her, was her roommate in college. Five years ago, Zoe left their apartment in the middle of the night and never came back. Now after five years, her past is going to hunt her and wants revenge! Or maybe she thinks! But the story is not just about that. She decided to find her birth mother but her husband strongly disagrees! But why?!
"Lovely I am, merciful I shall prove:
Woman I am, constant as various,
Not marble-hearted but your own true love.
Give me an equal kiss, as I kiss you."
It was my first read by this author but not last! It was a great story, I enjoyed it! actually, I couldn’t guess what’s happening! But most of all, I enjoyed the writing! It’s in such a way that you feel obligated to continue reading! It’s definitely a page turner. The characters were well-written. You can feel which one’s shady but you can’t guess why! The story-line is perfect and well-paced. The plot alternated between past and present. The story is told from Zoe’s POV, 1st person. It’s a standalone story. And I hope you enjoy it like me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2016
Enthralling and emotional domestic suspense! THE VANISHING YEAR is the story of Zoe, a woman on the run from her dark past. Her new husband, Henry, has pulled her into his opulent world of wealth and power. Zoe will never want for anything again, as long as she can keep her secrets buried deep. Then one day, her seemingly perfect world begins to unravel.
I thought that this was a well-written psychological thriller. Gave me a feeling of unease from the beginning. I wasn't sure which characters to trust, and what twist was waiting around the next corner. There were three *big* jaw-dropping moments, which I loved. I dislike spoilers, so I'm not going to say anymore about the plot. Enjoy the sweet (and disturbing!) surprises on your own. The epilogue was emotional and bittersweet, made me teary-eyed. 4.5 stars!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought that this was a well-written psychological thriller. Gave me a feeling of unease from the beginning. I wasn't sure which characters to trust, and what twist was waiting around the next corner. There were three *big* jaw-dropping moments, which I loved. I dislike spoilers, so I'm not going to say anymore about the plot. Enjoy the sweet (and disturbing!) surprises on your own. The epilogue was emotional and bittersweet, made me teary-eyed. 4.5 stars!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2016
I won this twisty, compelling book due out in September from the author, and I was on the edge of my seat turning each and every page! From the first chapter, I was intrigued by Zoe's past, and there were several stunning cliffhangers that kept me enthralled throughout. Highly recommended!
October 9, 2016
When you've stayed up till 1:30 AM to finish a book, you know it's a good one!
I've learned today that domestic thrillers are not my genre (which I should have known when I read The Silent Wife). This one started off a little erratic and dramatic, I didn't know where it was all going. But it came together quite nicely.
The writing is very well done. I enjoyed this suspenseful read and will definitely be reading more by Kate Moretti. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because I couldn't put it down.
I've learned today that domestic thrillers are not my genre (which I should have known when I read The Silent Wife). This one started off a little erratic and dramatic, I didn't know where it was all going. But it came together quite nicely.
The writing is very well done. I enjoyed this suspenseful read and will definitely be reading more by Kate Moretti. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because I couldn't put it down.
November 6, 2016
It’s hard to review psychological thrillers without giving away spoilers so this will be a short summary.
Zoe Whittaker is hiding from her past life in New York City. A past that she has kept a secret by creating a new identity. She has run from a former life of danger that included involvement with questionable people and shady business dealings. Today, she is married to Henry, a Wall Street executive. Henry is a generous husband but controlling and on the possessive side. Zoe is bored but fills her time running a charity. Life seemed to be going smoothly until strange events started to happen to her that made her fear for her safety. Is her present life cracking and allowing in her past?
This book grabbed me from page one. The book is well paced which made it an addictive read. The author does a nice job of providing flashbacks from Zoe’s former life, giving us an understanding of how she ended up where she is today. The clever twists and turns in the book provided nice surprises to the storyline.
This was my first time reading a book by this author and it will not be my last.
Giveaway on my blog on Facebook on 11/6 ends 11/8
Zoe Whittaker is hiding from her past life in New York City. A past that she has kept a secret by creating a new identity. She has run from a former life of danger that included involvement with questionable people and shady business dealings. Today, she is married to Henry, a Wall Street executive. Henry is a generous husband but controlling and on the possessive side. Zoe is bored but fills her time running a charity. Life seemed to be going smoothly until strange events started to happen to her that made her fear for her safety. Is her present life cracking and allowing in her past?
This book grabbed me from page one. The book is well paced which made it an addictive read. The author does a nice job of providing flashbacks from Zoe’s former life, giving us an understanding of how she ended up where she is today. The clever twists and turns in the book provided nice surprises to the storyline.
This was my first time reading a book by this author and it will not be my last.
Giveaway on my blog on Facebook on 11/6 ends 11/8
October 5, 2016
This domestic psychological thriller kept me interested all the way though. Zoe is a beautiful woman and has a wonderful husband, Wall Street tycoon, Henry Whittaker. Zoe lives in a penthouse, has a very prestigious life and does not want for anything. But Zoe's life has not always been this way and she is battling to keep her past from coming back to haunt her, if it does her life will change immensely. As the story moves along Zoe must decide who she can trust and who has an agenda that may be detrimental to life and to herself. This was a very enjoyable book, strong story which kept you guessing and believable characters, I really enjoyed it.
September 24, 2017
THE VANISHING YEAR, Kate Moretti’s latest is a tale of dark secrets, shocking lies, deception, and a dangerous obsession.
Top 50 Books of 2016!
The perfect example of “Good books don't give up all their secrets at once.” Patience. It is WORTH the wait, as the web of deceit unfolds in this grip-lit domestic suspense. Unputdownable.
2014—New York City: Zoe Whitaker is married to the handsome and charming Wall Street tycoon, Henry Whittaker. Manhattan’s finest. From clothes, jewelry, travel, luxury. The finest wine to a Tribeca penthouse and a four bedroom lake house in the country. He offered security, lifestyle, and money. He had been easy to fall in love with. Possibly too easy.
However, she is divided with Henry. What did she bring to the table anyway? At times she loves his authority and strength. His opinions are not merely suggestions. Or maybe it’s just that he was so different from her. Decisive and definite. He chooses her hair style, jewelry, and clothing.
Zoe was not always Zoe. Other names in between. She was born Zoe Griffin. She was poor. Her biological mom, Carolyn, whom she never met. Evelyn, her adopted mom loved her and taught her everything she knows. However, she died and she did not even have enough money to give her a proper burial. Her mom worked as a housekeeper by day and a hotel maid by night. They struggled to make ends meet.
She dreams of finding her real mom, now that she has the resources. What was her story? Why did she give her up? However, each time she mentions it, her husband objects, since he feels her mother rejected her and no sense dwelling on the past. Nothing good would come of it. This is her life now with him.
Henry believes in a straight path, filled with to-do lists and goals. Meandering was for slackers and dreamers. Mulling over what has been was a fruitless effort since you could not change the past.
Yet here she is in this house, with this man, and this life. She is insecure. Henry is charming and well versed in current events and politics. He is great is social circles. Henry is a product of a traditional household and paternalism runs deep in his veins, which she finds both charming and a little infuriating, depending on the day.
Zoe fled from a dangerous past. A new identity. She came to New York and worked in a high-end florist shop. There was an event. This is where she met Henry. A quick whirlwind romance and he swept her off her feet. Then marriage. She knows little of her husband’s past. He does not know her past. Trouble ahead.
She has always been attracted to elegance and her mother Evelyn had a fascination with money and dreamed of the finer things. Zoe even tried giving back with a charity, CARE, Children’s Association for Relief and Education.
However, beneath this façade, Zoe is afraid, someone will discover the real life she left behind. Hilary Lawlor. One night it happens at a charity event. She is always so careful. She cannot afford to have anyone from her past to learn, her new identity.
2009 San Pablo California It was five years earlier and this had only happened twice. She left her roommate in college in the middle of the night and never came back. Some evil men she was trying to escape, a sex trafficking ring, and drugs and a Grand Jury. Had they come back for her?
Between weird things which are happening, someone is on her trail and out to kill her. A reporter from the Post, Cash is her only ally (LOVE him) an old ex-friend Lydia, a mysterious housekeeper, Penny which she does not trust, and Detective Maslow from her past.
Finding her mom Carolyn involved admitting on some level who she was before, either online or with a private investigator. She would have to use her old name in order to get there.
“To move on to continue to live, I had been forced to leave my life with a giant chasm that held Hillary on one side and Zoe on the other. There was no bridge back, not in my mind.”
She yearns for a career versus to sit at home doing nothing with her life. Henry does not like her to have friends or think of going back to work. He wants their life the way it is- without drama or interference. She has to go behind his back to search for answers.
With a life made up almost entirely of secrets. Before there was Hilary, there was the baby Zoe, abandoned in a Connecticut hospital. After there was Hilary, there was a grown-up Zoe, living in an ivory tower. She wonders how all them can possibly fit in her one body.
She is not who people thinks she is. Everyone knows bits and pieces of the story and can she tell it to Cash, the only person which may be able to help her. Someone has come back for her. She has no one. Her ex-friend thinks she is pathetic and she has no family.
Except maybe now, someone cares enough to try and kill her.
When her past and present collide, she may have more to fear that her evil shady past. Soon layers of lies and deception begin to peel away, leaving Zoe helpless and fighting for her life.
You can run, but you can't always hide. Twisty, Mysterious, and Complex, an "Outstanding" Domestic Psycho-Thriller!
Moretti cleverly pulls you smack into Zoe’s world and holds you in her grip until the book's final satisfying ending. A Sleeping With the Enemy with a modern psychological twist!
Fans of Mary Kubica, Paula Treick DeBoard, Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Paula Daly will enjoy this twisted dark suspense, with a woman’s desperate search for her mother, and her own identity- combined with a present-day suspense mystery which you "do not" see coming! Perfect ending.
My first book by Moretti and quickly buying her back list! Fans of B.A. Paris' Behind Closed Doors (which I adored) will love THE VANISHING YEAR.
A special thank you to Atria and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 5 Stars +
JDCMustReadBooks
Top 50 Books of 2016!
The perfect example of “Good books don't give up all their secrets at once.” Patience. It is WORTH the wait, as the web of deceit unfolds in this grip-lit domestic suspense. Unputdownable.
2014—New York City: Zoe Whitaker is married to the handsome and charming Wall Street tycoon, Henry Whittaker. Manhattan’s finest. From clothes, jewelry, travel, luxury. The finest wine to a Tribeca penthouse and a four bedroom lake house in the country. He offered security, lifestyle, and money. He had been easy to fall in love with. Possibly too easy.
However, she is divided with Henry. What did she bring to the table anyway? At times she loves his authority and strength. His opinions are not merely suggestions. Or maybe it’s just that he was so different from her. Decisive and definite. He chooses her hair style, jewelry, and clothing.
Zoe was not always Zoe. Other names in between. She was born Zoe Griffin. She was poor. Her biological mom, Carolyn, whom she never met. Evelyn, her adopted mom loved her and taught her everything she knows. However, she died and she did not even have enough money to give her a proper burial. Her mom worked as a housekeeper by day and a hotel maid by night. They struggled to make ends meet.
She dreams of finding her real mom, now that she has the resources. What was her story? Why did she give her up? However, each time she mentions it, her husband objects, since he feels her mother rejected her and no sense dwelling on the past. Nothing good would come of it. This is her life now with him.
Henry believes in a straight path, filled with to-do lists and goals. Meandering was for slackers and dreamers. Mulling over what has been was a fruitless effort since you could not change the past.
Yet here she is in this house, with this man, and this life. She is insecure. Henry is charming and well versed in current events and politics. He is great is social circles. Henry is a product of a traditional household and paternalism runs deep in his veins, which she finds both charming and a little infuriating, depending on the day.
Zoe fled from a dangerous past. A new identity. She came to New York and worked in a high-end florist shop. There was an event. This is where she met Henry. A quick whirlwind romance and he swept her off her feet. Then marriage. She knows little of her husband’s past. He does not know her past. Trouble ahead.
She has always been attracted to elegance and her mother Evelyn had a fascination with money and dreamed of the finer things. Zoe even tried giving back with a charity, CARE, Children’s Association for Relief and Education.
However, beneath this façade, Zoe is afraid, someone will discover the real life she left behind. Hilary Lawlor. One night it happens at a charity event. She is always so careful. She cannot afford to have anyone from her past to learn, her new identity.
2009 San Pablo California It was five years earlier and this had only happened twice. She left her roommate in college in the middle of the night and never came back. Some evil men she was trying to escape, a sex trafficking ring, and drugs and a Grand Jury. Had they come back for her?
Between weird things which are happening, someone is on her trail and out to kill her. A reporter from the Post, Cash is her only ally (LOVE him) an old ex-friend Lydia, a mysterious housekeeper, Penny which she does not trust, and Detective Maslow from her past.
Finding her mom Carolyn involved admitting on some level who she was before, either online or with a private investigator. She would have to use her old name in order to get there.
“To move on to continue to live, I had been forced to leave my life with a giant chasm that held Hillary on one side and Zoe on the other. There was no bridge back, not in my mind.”
She yearns for a career versus to sit at home doing nothing with her life. Henry does not like her to have friends or think of going back to work. He wants their life the way it is- without drama or interference. She has to go behind his back to search for answers.
With a life made up almost entirely of secrets. Before there was Hilary, there was the baby Zoe, abandoned in a Connecticut hospital. After there was Hilary, there was a grown-up Zoe, living in an ivory tower. She wonders how all them can possibly fit in her one body.
She is not who people thinks she is. Everyone knows bits and pieces of the story and can she tell it to Cash, the only person which may be able to help her. Someone has come back for her. She has no one. Her ex-friend thinks she is pathetic and she has no family.
Except maybe now, someone cares enough to try and kill her.
When her past and present collide, she may have more to fear that her evil shady past. Soon layers of lies and deception begin to peel away, leaving Zoe helpless and fighting for her life.
You can run, but you can't always hide. Twisty, Mysterious, and Complex, an "Outstanding" Domestic Psycho-Thriller!
Moretti cleverly pulls you smack into Zoe’s world and holds you in her grip until the book's final satisfying ending. A Sleeping With the Enemy with a modern psychological twist!
Fans of Mary Kubica, Paula Treick DeBoard, Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Paula Daly will enjoy this twisted dark suspense, with a woman’s desperate search for her mother, and her own identity- combined with a present-day suspense mystery which you "do not" see coming! Perfect ending.
My first book by Moretti and quickly buying her back list! Fans of B.A. Paris' Behind Closed Doors (which I adored) will love THE VANISHING YEAR.
A special thank you to Atria and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 5 Stars +
JDCMustReadBooks
December 23, 2016
“The Vanishing Year” by Kate Moretti is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I haven’t read any of Moretti’s work before this novel. She will be a “go-to” author when I’m in the mood for a captivating page-turner.
The story unfolds through the eyes of Zoe Whittaker, a newly married woman trying to find her niche in the wealthy elite of Manhattan. Zoe wants to be substantial, make an impact, and be benevolent with her wealth as a wife of a successful Wall Street tycoon. As the story progresses, the reader soon feels uneasy with Zoe’s life. Something is awry in the “picture perfect” marriage.
In addition, the reader learns that Zoe herself seems to be a woman hiding. Zoe has a past that she is attempting to conceal. Moretti nicely paces the clues to Zoe and her past, urging the reader to keep reading to find out how all the clues and pieces fit together.
While learning of Zoe’s background, the reader remains edgy about her marriage. The “perfect” husband has some major blaring control issues that should alert Zoe. I did think this would end up being one of those “stupid girl” thrillers because at the beginning, Zoe seemed to be unreasonably naïve about her husband’s behavior. As the story unfolds, the reader is more compassionate with Zoe and understands how she could have gotten herself in such a marriage.
Combining Zoe’s sordid past with her alarming marriage, the tale takes many twists and turns. This is a thriller that will keep you up at night wanting to keep reading. I highly recommend it for those times we just want to read all day. It’s a smart, twisty thriller.
The story unfolds through the eyes of Zoe Whittaker, a newly married woman trying to find her niche in the wealthy elite of Manhattan. Zoe wants to be substantial, make an impact, and be benevolent with her wealth as a wife of a successful Wall Street tycoon. As the story progresses, the reader soon feels uneasy with Zoe’s life. Something is awry in the “picture perfect” marriage.
In addition, the reader learns that Zoe herself seems to be a woman hiding. Zoe has a past that she is attempting to conceal. Moretti nicely paces the clues to Zoe and her past, urging the reader to keep reading to find out how all the clues and pieces fit together.
While learning of Zoe’s background, the reader remains edgy about her marriage. The “perfect” husband has some major blaring control issues that should alert Zoe. I did think this would end up being one of those “stupid girl” thrillers because at the beginning, Zoe seemed to be unreasonably naïve about her husband’s behavior. As the story unfolds, the reader is more compassionate with Zoe and understands how she could have gotten herself in such a marriage.
Combining Zoe’s sordid past with her alarming marriage, the tale takes many twists and turns. This is a thriller that will keep you up at night wanting to keep reading. I highly recommend it for those times we just want to read all day. It’s a smart, twisty thriller.
October 3, 2016
It's a 3 star for the writing skill. The prose was clear, and the nuance of modern culture to what is "in" for floral decor, art decoration, foodie low-carbs, and all kinds of Manhattan scenario societal best is a 4. It's really a 2.5 for me, but I can't round it up.
Because Zoe was just plain self-involved uninteresting to me. And Henry her husband, seemed a sociopath in his control issues of every ilk from the get-go. So I could never become embedded.
This was absolutely not my cup of tea. I only read it until the end because I promised a YA librarian my take. And I guessed 3/4ths of the reveal before the 1/2 way point.
The author can turn a phrase of description and progression though without being repetitive or using a ton of redundant analogies.
If you can imagine this kind of marriage where every movement and issue is set in stone and the entire controlled like a stage set/play. And the spouse always judging your acting ability during the play. Then this may seem a real story of modern sensibilities, and you might enjoy it far more than I. As a mystery or thriller, it is probably just barely a 3 star.
Because Zoe was just plain self-involved uninteresting to me. And Henry her husband, seemed a sociopath in his control issues of every ilk from the get-go. So I could never become embedded.
This was absolutely not my cup of tea. I only read it until the end because I promised a YA librarian my take. And I guessed 3/4ths of the reveal before the 1/2 way point.
The author can turn a phrase of description and progression though without being repetitive or using a ton of redundant analogies.
If you can imagine this kind of marriage where every movement and issue is set in stone and the entire controlled like a stage set/play. And the spouse always judging your acting ability during the play. Then this may seem a real story of modern sensibilities, and you might enjoy it far more than I. As a mystery or thriller, it is probably just barely a 3 star.
June 6, 2017
Holy cow!!!! What a thriller of a book!!! I loved it from the very first page to the very last page. The detail the author tells is point on!! When it got towards the end of the book, I was holding my breath when reading some of the pages. Highly recommend!!
March 22, 2021
A fast, gripping, domestic thriller that reads more reasonably than those more popular titles. Sprinkled with spontaneous humor, it's told in the POV of Zoe who has a hidden identity and who is now married to the impossibly perfect Henry Whittaker who seems too good to be true. What gives?
Lesson: never fall for an impossibly handsome, extremely wealthy, and adorably charming businessman because underneath the façade is a perverted, self-possessed, crazy bastard stealthily pulling strings. Believe me, I know the type. I've read them in so many psycho-thrillers.
The twist in the plot is quite unexpected and these days, it's quite hard to be surprised by thrillers, so not bad for its genre. I would go for 🌟🌟🌟 and a half.
Lesson: never fall for an impossibly handsome, extremely wealthy, and adorably charming businessman because underneath the façade is a perverted, self-possessed, crazy bastard stealthily pulling strings. Believe me, I know the type. I've read them in so many psycho-thrillers.
The twist in the plot is quite unexpected and these days, it's quite hard to be surprised by thrillers, so not bad for its genre. I would go for 🌟🌟🌟 and a half.
October 16, 2016
Slow start but hard to put down once the details of the mystery are slowly revealed. Also, some of it was predictable but I actually gasped out loud at some of the twists. Very good psychological thriller. I will be reading her other books. 4.5 star!
January 1, 2017
The Vanishing Year is a riveting, edge-of-your seat domestic thriller!! Zoe is living in Manhattan, the wife of a successful businessman, living a dream life in Manhattan. What nobody know is that Zoe used to be someone else, a young woman who lived a completely different life than her current one. Now she has reason to believe that her past is catching up with her, and she is terrified that the truth will come out. This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster, a story that will have you guessing until the very end!! Psychological, domestic suspense at its very best!
April 24, 2017
The Vanishing Year is one of those books that you just don't want to put down until you're finished. Definitely suspenseful and plenty of mystery, for once I had the who done it but not at all the why!
Zoe Whittaker is a socialite who appears to have it all but everyone knows that she is from a different "circle." What they don't know is what she is running from - or what she has run in TO - and neither do we until the very end. However, despite the twists and turns and surprise ending, the story never seems to be contrived as so many others do these days just to get that bang at the end. Kate Moretti keeps the story tight and never allows it to runaway from her. It's very good; well written. I'm anxious to read more by her.
Zoe Whittaker is a socialite who appears to have it all but everyone knows that she is from a different "circle." What they don't know is what she is running from - or what she has run in TO - and neither do we until the very end. However, despite the twists and turns and surprise ending, the story never seems to be contrived as so many others do these days just to get that bang at the end. Kate Moretti keeps the story tight and never allows it to runaway from her. It's very good; well written. I'm anxious to read more by her.
February 25, 2019
Zoe Whittaker has it all: charming husband, penthouse apartment, designer clothes, and a lavish lifestyle that includes vacations in faraway places. Zoe is part of the elite and sits behind charitable organizations. She seems to have a fairytale life but that was not always the case. Five years ago Zoe had a completely different life and a different identity. Zoe ran away from her past, a past that seems to be creeping back up again. Is her fairytale life too good to be true?
Seeking a change in scenery, I set my sights upon this domestic thriller. The overall plot is one that is quite familiar: woman leaves behind troubled past, starts a new life, thinks said past is behind her only to have it disrupt her new life and force a final confrontation. Zoe leads a charmed life now but she has a secret past. When Henry Whittaker begins to woe Zoe, she thinks she can stop looking over her shoulder. After a rushed romance, Zoe marries Henry and becomes Mrs. Whittaker. She begins to don designer clothing and diamonds, goes on lavish vacations, lives in luxury and does not have to worry about money anymore. More than anything, Zoe value her security. Its quite the dream until it is not. Incidents start to happen and slowly Zoe's past comes back to hunt her. I found this book entertaining and well written. The pace at which the details unraveled was suspenful. I have to say, though, that certain elements were obvious. The person whom I suspected from the start (of being the villain) ended up being the villain. Same goes for the 'knight in shining armour'. Still, I enjoyed the unraveling of the narrative and appreciate that the author did not give a neatly tied-up ending. All and all, a good read.
Seeking a change in scenery, I set my sights upon this domestic thriller. The overall plot is one that is quite familiar: woman leaves behind troubled past, starts a new life, thinks said past is behind her only to have it disrupt her new life and force a final confrontation. Zoe leads a charmed life now but she has a secret past. When Henry Whittaker begins to woe Zoe, she thinks she can stop looking over her shoulder. After a rushed romance, Zoe marries Henry and becomes Mrs. Whittaker. She begins to don designer clothing and diamonds, goes on lavish vacations, lives in luxury and does not have to worry about money anymore. More than anything, Zoe value her security. Its quite the dream until it is not. Incidents start to happen and slowly Zoe's past comes back to hunt her. I found this book entertaining and well written. The pace at which the details unraveled was suspenful. I have to say, though, that certain elements were obvious. The person whom I suspected from the start (of being the villain) ended up being the villain. Same goes for the 'knight in shining armour'. Still, I enjoyed the unraveling of the narrative and appreciate that the author did not give a neatly tied-up ending. All and all, a good read.
November 28, 2016
What a treat to get to read this one early!
Framed by an intricate plot and loaded with real, breathing characters, The Vanishing Year keeps you guessing, and caring. Moretti delivers the best of psychological suspense: urgent, modern and smart. I'm addicted to Moretti's books, which just keep getting better.
Framed by an intricate plot and loaded with real, breathing characters, The Vanishing Year keeps you guessing, and caring. Moretti delivers the best of psychological suspense: urgent, modern and smart. I'm addicted to Moretti's books, which just keep getting better.
September 14, 2016
Loved, loved, loved this book! It had everything a great domestic thriller should have to make it an excellent read! Intrigue, love, obsession, money, mystery! Highly recommending this one! No bookmark needed!
August 10, 2016
A few years ago, I read Kate Moretti's debut Thought I Knew You. After that, I knew I had to get my hands on anything else she wrote. She's a skilled novelist, making her stories and characters feel so real that they practically jump off the pages. The Vanishing Year is further proof of this. It's part women's fiction and part psychological thriller, fitting it into the category of "grip lit."
Well, it definitely is gripping! I couldn't get enough and when I reached the climax, I had to put aside everything else just so I could finish it. I HAD to know what was going to happen with Zoe. While I sort-of had some pieces of the puzzle figured out, I was surprised by the rest of what was revealed.
I look forward to more captivating novels by Kate Moretti in the future.
From my review to Hollywood's ears...
Zoe: Emma Watson
Henry: Matt Czuchry
Lydia: Allie MacDonald
Cash: Luke Bilyk
Penny: Cherry Jones
Well, it definitely is gripping! I couldn't get enough and when I reached the climax, I had to put aside everything else just so I could finish it. I HAD to know what was going to happen with Zoe. While I sort-of had some pieces of the puzzle figured out, I was surprised by the rest of what was revealed.
I look forward to more captivating novels by Kate Moretti in the future.
From my review to Hollywood's ears...
Zoe: Emma Watson
Henry: Matt Czuchry
Lydia: Allie MacDonald
Cash: Luke Bilyk
Penny: Cherry Jones
November 15, 2017
Believe the hype, y'all. Twisty, turny, and truly surprising. Five stars!
September 15, 2016
Thank you so much to Atria paperbacks for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I read a lot of thrillers, so it's very hard to impress me with this genre. This book is good, don't get me wrong, but it took a long time to finally get interesting. This book is only 290 pages and it took me a month and a half to finish it. A month and a freaking half. It never takes me that long to finish books, especially thrillers. So it's safe to say the premise and story wasn't holding my interest. I read the last 150 pages all in one sitting tonight because I desperately just wanted to finish it, and luckily it did get better by the ending.
This story follows a woman named Zoe living in New York City, married to a wall street rich man named Henry Whittaker, and her life seems perfect. But years ago Zoe was involved in an incident that endangered her life and she was forced to leave and change her name and run away basically. Her past unexpectedly catches up with her and all of her secrets from the past come crashing down on her. Zoe is an interesting narrator, but at the end of the day she's very forgettable. Nothing about her voice makes her stand out from any other protagonist I've read form in the past.
The pacing of this book was ridiculously slow until about the 200 page mark. However, the ending did start to pick up the pace and a few plot twists were thrown in that I did not see coming, so I definitely enjoyed the book more after that. The ending was a little too cheesy for my taste, but I didn't hate it. I personally think this story line has so much potential and could've been built up a lot better than it was. But the end result was pretty good and pretty intense and by the last few chapters I was flying through the pages so that's a good sign.
Overall, this book was okay. If you're in the mood for a thriller then this will definitely give you your fix but it isn't necessarily one I would personally recommend.
This story follows a woman named Zoe living in New York City, married to a wall street rich man named Henry Whittaker, and her life seems perfect. But years ago Zoe was involved in an incident that endangered her life and she was forced to leave and change her name and run away basically. Her past unexpectedly catches up with her and all of her secrets from the past come crashing down on her. Zoe is an interesting narrator, but at the end of the day she's very forgettable. Nothing about her voice makes her stand out from any other protagonist I've read form in the past.
The pacing of this book was ridiculously slow until about the 200 page mark. However, the ending did start to pick up the pace and a few plot twists were thrown in that I did not see coming, so I definitely enjoyed the book more after that. The ending was a little too cheesy for my taste, but I didn't hate it. I personally think this story line has so much potential and could've been built up a lot better than it was. But the end result was pretty good and pretty intense and by the last few chapters I was flying through the pages so that's a good sign.
Overall, this book was okay. If you're in the mood for a thriller then this will definitely give you your fix but it isn't necessarily one I would personally recommend.
December 28, 2018
Un libro más del género llamado "domestic noir", en el que la protagonista es una mujer casada, con un pasado turbio y oculto y un marido rico y dominante. Está narrado en primera persona por Zoe, la protagonista, con un ritmo pausado pero adecuado.
Una cosa que agradezco es que casi desde el principio sabemos lo que le sucedió a Zoe en el pasado, cuando lo habitual del género es que no se sepa hasta el final (a pesar de que muchas veces sea el/la protagonista quien narre los hechos, los pensamientos,... pero sin explicar lo que aconteció en el pasado).
Todo lo que conocemos sobre el resto de personajes es siempre desde el punto de vista de Zoe. Esto hace que, por un lado sean coherentes y, por otro, hace que la idea que tenemos de ellos no sea demasiado objetiva.
Pese a que en algunos momentos se hace un poco previsible, es entretenido.
Una cosa que agradezco es que casi desde el principio sabemos lo que le sucedió a Zoe en el pasado, cuando lo habitual del género es que no se sepa hasta el final (a pesar de que muchas veces sea el/la protagonista quien narre los hechos, los pensamientos,... pero sin explicar lo que aconteció en el pasado).
Todo lo que conocemos sobre el resto de personajes es siempre desde el punto de vista de Zoe. Esto hace que, por un lado sean coherentes y, por otro, hace que la idea que tenemos de ellos no sea demasiado objetiva.
Pese a que en algunos momentos se hace un poco previsible, es entretenido.
September 16, 2016
What a fast paced thriller full of complete mic drop moments. Every time I thought I had this book figured out Kate Moretti threw another curveball and sent me down a different path.
If you're looking for a fast paced thriller that keeps you guessing The Vanishing Year is for you!
If you're looking for a fast paced thriller that keeps you guessing The Vanishing Year is for you!
October 14, 2018
This was a nice surprise and a wonderful psychological thriller! I had the pleasure of hearing MS. Moretti speak at a writers' conference and just had to read what launched her career. It's no wonder she's a best -seller after reading this story.
December 4, 2016
The Vanishing Year is a standalone, mystery/psychological thriller novel written by Kate Moretti. I found this story to be a consistently engaging read for me personally, with a plot twist that I did not see coming AT ALL. I ended the book totally flabbergasted.
The more I thought about the the turn of events, the more I thought that many elements featured beforehand didn't quite make sense given the nature of this revelation, but I decided to not be nitpicky and just enjoy the speechless feeling that I love about these types of reading experiences. Check it out!
My favorite quote:
"Evelyn never believed in happily ever afters, warning against falling in love with an idea over a person. Ideas are infallible, people are not. Don't confuse the two. She was an optimist, but never naive. There's a difference, she'd say."
The more I thought about the the turn of events, the more I thought that many elements featured beforehand didn't quite make sense given the nature of this revelation, but I decided to not be nitpicky and just enjoy the speechless feeling that I love about these types of reading experiences. Check it out!
My favorite quote:
"Evelyn never believed in happily ever afters, warning against falling in love with an idea over a person. Ideas are infallible, people are not. Don't confuse the two. She was an optimist, but never naive. There's a difference, she'd say."
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