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Vanishing Falls
One of CrimeReads Most Anticipated Books of the Year! "This literary thriller paints as vivid a landscape as any book coming out this summer...Gee creates a lush, tantalizing world that readers will want to travel into deeper and deeper."—CrimeReads Celia Lily is rich, beautiful, and admired. She’s also missing. And the search for the glamorous socialite is about to expose all the dark, dirty secrets of Vanishing Falls… Deep within the lush Tasmanian rainforest is the remote town of Vanishing Falls, a place with a storied past. The town’s showpiece, built in the 1800s, is its Calendar House—currently occupied by Jack Lily, a prominent art collector and landowner; his wife, Celia; and their four daughters. The elaborate, eccentrically designed mansion houses one masterpiece and 52 rooms—and Celia Lily isn’t in any of them. She has vanished without a trace.… Joelle Smithton knows that a few folks in Vanishing Falls believe that she’s simple-minded. It’s true that Joelle’s brain works a little differently—a legacy of shocking childhood trauma. But Joelle sees far more than most people realize, and remembers details that others cast away. For instance, she knows that Celia’s husband, Jack, has connections to unsavory local characters whom he’s desperate to keep hidden. He’s not the only one in town with something to conceal. Even Joelle’s own husband, Brian, a butcher, is acting suspiciously. While the police flounder, unable to find Celia, Joelle is gradually parsing the truth from the gossip she hears and from the simple gestures and statements that can unwittingly reveal so much. Just as the water from the falls disappears into the ground, gushing away through subterranean creeks, the secrets in Vanishing Falls are pulsing through the town, about to converge. And when they do, Joelle must summon the courage to reveal what really happened to Celia, even if it means exposing her own past…
432 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2020
67 people are currently reading
5061 people want to read
About the author
Poppy Gee
2 books124 followersPoppy Gee is the author of literary crime novels BAY OF FIRES and VANISHING FALLS. Both novels are set in Tasmania, Australia, where Poppy grew up.
"I like taking an exquisitely beautiful setting - a village in a pristine rainforest or a sleepy seaside holiday town - and flipping it, revealing the dark parts of a place and the people who live there. With its complicated history, fascinating people and dramatic beauty, Tasmania is an intriguing muse," Poppy says.
Poppy's writing has been described as reminiscent "of other writers of the geographic fringes such as E. Annie Proulx. There’s a powerful social intelligence at work here and Gee’s compassion for her characters and their predicaments is palpable. She has taken the scaffolding of a crime novel and used it to tread beyond the parameters of genre conventions and investigate the messier terrain of human frailty and endurance... it gets you thinking about people rather than plots, and is all the better for it.”
— Ed Wright, The Australian
Poppy regularly posts reviews of new releases that she loves on Instagram.
Instagram: @poppygeenovelist
FB: @authorpoppygee
Twitter: @AuthorPoppyGee
Poppy lives in Brisbane, Queensland, with her husband, three children and three cats.
She has worked as a journalist, editor and book reviewer and journalism/creative writing teacher. Lately, she spends most of her time being a mum and working on her third novel.
"I like taking an exquisitely beautiful setting - a village in a pristine rainforest or a sleepy seaside holiday town - and flipping it, revealing the dark parts of a place and the people who live there. With its complicated history, fascinating people and dramatic beauty, Tasmania is an intriguing muse," Poppy says.
Poppy's writing has been described as reminiscent "of other writers of the geographic fringes such as E. Annie Proulx. There’s a powerful social intelligence at work here and Gee’s compassion for her characters and their predicaments is palpable. She has taken the scaffolding of a crime novel and used it to tread beyond the parameters of genre conventions and investigate the messier terrain of human frailty and endurance... it gets you thinking about people rather than plots, and is all the better for it.”
— Ed Wright, The Australian
Poppy regularly posts reviews of new releases that she loves on Instagram.
Instagram: @poppygeenovelist
FB: @authorpoppygee
Twitter: @AuthorPoppyGee
Poppy lives in Brisbane, Queensland, with her husband, three children and three cats.
She has worked as a journalist, editor and book reviewer and journalism/creative writing teacher. Lately, she spends most of her time being a mum and working on her third novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
February 24, 2021
Be sure to visit Bantering Books to read all my latest reviews.
1.5 stars
Months ago, I made a promise to myself.
I swore to always write fair and honest book reviews. I swore to never pad ratings out of sympathy. I swore to never award unwarranted low ratings.
For honesty is always the best policy. To this belief, I cling tightly.
Honesty, however, is not always easy. It’s not fun to deliver bad news. It can be rather challenging. And it pains me to write the words that follow. It truly does.
But if I’m being honest, Poppy Gee’s latest mystery/thriller, Vanishing Falls, stands to be one of the worst novels I have ever read. It is mind-numbingly terrible. It is the kind of awful the literary world has not seen since Baldacci first published The Christmas Train. (Those of you who have read Baldacci's holiday gem know exactly what I mean. Don’t even try to deny it.)
The premise of the novel is solid –
Deep within the Tasmanian rainforest lies Vanishing Falls, a town famous for its contentious past. Within Vanishing Falls sits Calendar House, a magnificent mansion owned by the Lily family and currently occupied by art collector, Jack, his socialite wife, Celia, and their four young daughters.
All is well with the Lily family -- until Jack returns home one night and discovers that Celia has disappeared. Crazed with worry, Jack enlists the help of the local police, only to then somehow find himself to be the prime suspect in their investigation.
Where has Celia gone? Is it an abduction? A planned escape of her own orchestration? Or has something far more sinister and unfortunate happened to her?
And I will leave it at that. If I reveal any further information regarding the plot, I fear I may spoil the (minuscule bit of) fun of the outcome.
On its face, Vanishing Falls appears to be right up my alley. I love a good mystery; I love a good Gothic house. And there aren’t many stories set in a small town in the middle of the rainforest of Australia. A reader is hard-pressed to find a novel with a more unique scenic backdrop.
But all the enticing elements don’t mesh very well. The tone of the novel is scattered and ever changing. One minute it feels like you’re reading a gothic mystery. The next minute it feels like you’re reading a cozy. And then after that, it's as if you’ve stepped into a time warp and switched to reading a historical mystery. Gee fails to successfully blend the various tones and genres together, resulting in a very bumpy and disjointed reading experience.
Plus, her prose is beyond rough and choppy. It's infantile, as well. It lacks any sort of flow whatsoever, and the words trip and stumble over one another as you read them silently in your mind. Gee’s writing has no subtlety; she bluntly tells all to the reader, never shows.
And Gee’s characterization isn’t any better either. The narrative of Vanishing Falls is told through the alternating viewpoints of three separate characters – Jack, his friend, Cliff, and Joelle, a town resident – and all three are severely underdeveloped and flat. The secondary characters fare even worse.
Oh! I mustn’t forget to also mention the dialogue. Wooden, stiff, forced, awkward, and unnatural. Those five adjectives sum it up nicely.
Typically, I can somewhat overlook poor technical and stylistic writing skills in a novel if the story is at least entertaining. But in this case, I can’t even claim that to be true. Because Vanishing Falls is downright boring. The core mystery is not anything new, and it’s certainly not very clever. There aren’t any surprising, jaw-dropping twists. It takes way too long to discover exactly what happens to Celia. And it is so simple to predict the outcome and solve the mystery. The final revelation can be seen hundreds of pages away.
Boring. Boring. Boring.
Still, the setting is terrific! Yes. The Tasmanian rainforest is quite fantastic. (Look at that. I found one positive to share.)
Bottom line – Vanishing Falls is a dreadful chore of a read. I tried to like it. Really, I did. I stuck with it to the very end, hoping and thinking it would improve.
But if I’m being honest, it just never did.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy from William Morrow and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions included herein are my own.
Bantering Books
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1.5 stars
Months ago, I made a promise to myself.
I swore to always write fair and honest book reviews. I swore to never pad ratings out of sympathy. I swore to never award unwarranted low ratings.
For honesty is always the best policy. To this belief, I cling tightly.
Honesty, however, is not always easy. It’s not fun to deliver bad news. It can be rather challenging. And it pains me to write the words that follow. It truly does.
But if I’m being honest, Poppy Gee’s latest mystery/thriller, Vanishing Falls, stands to be one of the worst novels I have ever read. It is mind-numbingly terrible. It is the kind of awful the literary world has not seen since Baldacci first published The Christmas Train. (Those of you who have read Baldacci's holiday gem know exactly what I mean. Don’t even try to deny it.)
The premise of the novel is solid –
Deep within the Tasmanian rainforest lies Vanishing Falls, a town famous for its contentious past. Within Vanishing Falls sits Calendar House, a magnificent mansion owned by the Lily family and currently occupied by art collector, Jack, his socialite wife, Celia, and their four young daughters.
All is well with the Lily family -- until Jack returns home one night and discovers that Celia has disappeared. Crazed with worry, Jack enlists the help of the local police, only to then somehow find himself to be the prime suspect in their investigation.
Where has Celia gone? Is it an abduction? A planned escape of her own orchestration? Or has something far more sinister and unfortunate happened to her?
And I will leave it at that. If I reveal any further information regarding the plot, I fear I may spoil the (minuscule bit of) fun of the outcome.
On its face, Vanishing Falls appears to be right up my alley. I love a good mystery; I love a good Gothic house. And there aren’t many stories set in a small town in the middle of the rainforest of Australia. A reader is hard-pressed to find a novel with a more unique scenic backdrop.
But all the enticing elements don’t mesh very well. The tone of the novel is scattered and ever changing. One minute it feels like you’re reading a gothic mystery. The next minute it feels like you’re reading a cozy. And then after that, it's as if you’ve stepped into a time warp and switched to reading a historical mystery. Gee fails to successfully blend the various tones and genres together, resulting in a very bumpy and disjointed reading experience.
Plus, her prose is beyond rough and choppy. It's infantile, as well. It lacks any sort of flow whatsoever, and the words trip and stumble over one another as you read them silently in your mind. Gee’s writing has no subtlety; she bluntly tells all to the reader, never shows.
And Gee’s characterization isn’t any better either. The narrative of Vanishing Falls is told through the alternating viewpoints of three separate characters – Jack, his friend, Cliff, and Joelle, a town resident – and all three are severely underdeveloped and flat. The secondary characters fare even worse.
Oh! I mustn’t forget to also mention the dialogue. Wooden, stiff, forced, awkward, and unnatural. Those five adjectives sum it up nicely.
Typically, I can somewhat overlook poor technical and stylistic writing skills in a novel if the story is at least entertaining. But in this case, I can’t even claim that to be true. Because Vanishing Falls is downright boring. The core mystery is not anything new, and it’s certainly not very clever. There aren’t any surprising, jaw-dropping twists. It takes way too long to discover exactly what happens to Celia. And it is so simple to predict the outcome and solve the mystery. The final revelation can be seen hundreds of pages away.
Boring. Boring. Boring.
Still, the setting is terrific! Yes. The Tasmanian rainforest is quite fantastic. (Look at that. I found one positive to share.)
Bottom line – Vanishing Falls is a dreadful chore of a read. I tried to like it. Really, I did. I stuck with it to the very end, hoping and thinking it would improve.
But if I’m being honest, it just never did.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy from William Morrow and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions included herein are my own.
Bantering Books
June 11, 2020
I really enjoyed this mystery and while I had ideas of what happened to one of the characters, I didn't crack the case until right before the author revealed everything. Some readers might not like the slow pace of the story, but that combined with the Tasmanian setting and an intriguing female lead character all worked together nicely to hold my interest.
Vanishing Falls is a remote town located in Tasmania, Australia. Jack Lily comes from a prominent family and lives in Calendar House which has been the residence for generations of the Lily family. Jack is married to Celia, who goes missing. The story will follow a few characters including Jack, Jack's friend Cliff, and Joelle who some might call simple-minded. So where is Celia and what happened?
Joelle is the character who really drives the story. Without her, I don't think the story works as well. Most of the other characters are miserable, self-involved people and so you don't feel as invested in them as you do with Joelle. By far, she was the most fascinating character to me.
I do have some mixed thoughts about the ending. The author did have me guessing until the end which is always good. However, I don't really like how things were wrapped up and without getting into spoilers, I questioned the actions of a particular character in the last few chapters. The ending was conveniently wrapped up by using one of those common mystery tropes that feels like the easy way out for a writer. So in some ways, the ending wasn't completely satisfying but I don't think it belongs in the bad category either.
Given the slow pace, this book might not appeal to every mystery reader but I thought it had a unique feel to it at least compared to other books I have read recently in the same genre.
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway by Goodreads and the publisher but I was not obligated to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Vanishing Falls is a remote town located in Tasmania, Australia. Jack Lily comes from a prominent family and lives in Calendar House which has been the residence for generations of the Lily family. Jack is married to Celia, who goes missing. The story will follow a few characters including Jack, Jack's friend Cliff, and Joelle who some might call simple-minded. So where is Celia and what happened?
Joelle is the character who really drives the story. Without her, I don't think the story works as well. Most of the other characters are miserable, self-involved people and so you don't feel as invested in them as you do with Joelle. By far, she was the most fascinating character to me.
I do have some mixed thoughts about the ending. The author did have me guessing until the end which is always good. However, I don't really like how things were wrapped up and without getting into spoilers, I questioned the actions of a particular character in the last few chapters. The ending was conveniently wrapped up by using one of those common mystery tropes that feels like the easy way out for a writer. So in some ways, the ending wasn't completely satisfying but I don't think it belongs in the bad category either.
Given the slow pace, this book might not appeal to every mystery reader but I thought it had a unique feel to it at least compared to other books I have read recently in the same genre.
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway by Goodreads and the publisher but I was not obligated to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
June 19, 2020
Celia Lily is from a small Tasmanian town in the rain forest; she is also missing. Joelle Smithton is a little slow and sees a lot of things people are not aware of. People are not ready for what is about to be revealed. This book is described very well, and I believe it will be loved by many!
September 4, 2020
This is a mystery about the disappearance of Claire Lily. Each chapter of this book is rather awkwardly broken into sections describing the doings of three characters - Joelle, a mentally challenged wife and mother, Claire’s husband Jack, a wealthy art collector, and Jacks’s friend Cliff, a meth-addicted chicken farmer. That made the book bloated and disjointed and brought in a lot of details that were irrelevant to the mystery. When I finally got to the end I was annoyed that I had slogged through all of the red herrings for nothing (and there were too many dead dogs). It also took too long to actually get to Lily’s disappearance. The book should have stuck with Joelle and explored the situation solely through her child-like interpretation of events.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
August 4, 2020
*this one is now available!
4 slow-build stars
This one is set on the island of Tasmania, which is located about 150 miles south of Melbourne, Australia. For some reason, I thought it was desert, but it actually has gorgeous lush scenery and rainforests. A slow-building mystery, this one is set in a remote town called Vanishing Falls. Once known for great apple orchards, the town is now limping by and meth addiction is on the rise.
There are several characters in this one, the wealthy family that lives in the fancy house in town – Jack and Celia and their four daughters. There’s Joelle and Brian and their twins, Brian is the town butcher and Joelle is a little different – mostly because of a horrible childhood and trauma she experienced. Then there’s Kim and Cliff who are friends with Jack and Celia.
The book opens with Celia going missing and then we go back in time to get all the clues. The town is full of secrets and even some dark history from years ago. This tale was filled with water – rain, waterfalls, rivers – and great descriptions of the beauty of this island.
As the police dig into the case, Joelle is trying to put all the pieces together herself. I was a bit worried that some unscrupulous townspeople would take advantage of Joelle, but she can handle things! I really enjoyed her character and I will remember her for sure!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins/William Morrow, and Poppy Gee for an early copy of this one to read.
4 slow-build stars
This one is set on the island of Tasmania, which is located about 150 miles south of Melbourne, Australia. For some reason, I thought it was desert, but it actually has gorgeous lush scenery and rainforests. A slow-building mystery, this one is set in a remote town called Vanishing Falls. Once known for great apple orchards, the town is now limping by and meth addiction is on the rise.
There are several characters in this one, the wealthy family that lives in the fancy house in town – Jack and Celia and their four daughters. There’s Joelle and Brian and their twins, Brian is the town butcher and Joelle is a little different – mostly because of a horrible childhood and trauma she experienced. Then there’s Kim and Cliff who are friends with Jack and Celia.
The book opens with Celia going missing and then we go back in time to get all the clues. The town is full of secrets and even some dark history from years ago. This tale was filled with water – rain, waterfalls, rivers – and great descriptions of the beauty of this island.
As the police dig into the case, Joelle is trying to put all the pieces together herself. I was a bit worried that some unscrupulous townspeople would take advantage of Joelle, but she can handle things! I really enjoyed her character and I will remember her for sure!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins/William Morrow, and Poppy Gee for an early copy of this one to read.
June 22, 2020
Jack Lily arrives home to find the front door of his house wide open, the lights on and his wife's coat, jewelry and a half-drunk glass of champagne carelessly abandoned. His wife, however, cannot be found. So begins Vanishing Falls a novel set in a small town in Tasmania.
The reader is then taken back a week in time and introduced to the main characters: a slightly mentally-challenged woman named Joelle and her butcher husband, Brian; Cliff, a meth-addicted chicken farmer and his wife Kim; lord-of-the-manor born Jack and his wife Celia. Unfortunately, the only sympathetic character out of the whole lot is Joelle. Her child-like outlook is refreshing but it's hard to watch the other characters try and manipulate her. Her eventual resolve to do what is right and seeing people for what they are is satisfying.
The book starts out slowly as the characters and their relationships are introduced. It seems everyone is hiding something and it feels like it takes forever to find out what happened to Celia. Once it gets going, however, the story moves right along.
Overall, I liked this book. There was some animal cruelty I didn't care for but that went along with the less than desirable characters. I liked the writing and felt Joelle's character especially rang true. Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for this ARC. The book will be published August 4, 2020.
The reader is then taken back a week in time and introduced to the main characters: a slightly mentally-challenged woman named Joelle and her butcher husband, Brian; Cliff, a meth-addicted chicken farmer and his wife Kim; lord-of-the-manor born Jack and his wife Celia. Unfortunately, the only sympathetic character out of the whole lot is Joelle. Her child-like outlook is refreshing but it's hard to watch the other characters try and manipulate her. Her eventual resolve to do what is right and seeing people for what they are is satisfying.
The book starts out slowly as the characters and their relationships are introduced. It seems everyone is hiding something and it feels like it takes forever to find out what happened to Celia. Once it gets going, however, the story moves right along.
Overall, I liked this book. There was some animal cruelty I didn't care for but that went along with the less than desirable characters. I liked the writing and felt Joelle's character especially rang true. Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for this ARC. The book will be published August 4, 2020.
June 5, 2020
This goes against the grain of most other reviews currently available for this book, but I felt like Vanishing Falls was an awful mess from beginning to end. The writing style is juvenile and simplistic. The characters are pretty poorly developed and completely inconsistent, with the exception of Joelle. This isn't saying much because Joelle is mentally traumatized from an incident when she was fourteen. This could be a strong point for the book, but it just doesn't work for me. The book is also told from three other points of view, one of which is completely unnecessary and adds no value to what story exists. Which was another issue with the book. What is the book supposed to be about? Cliff's drug usage? Jack's painting that's worth a boatload of money? Jack's wife disappearing? Joelle's husband potentially having a secret past? Then there's the random insinuations that come and go about Cliff and Jack's wife and Jack and Cliff's wife. It was incredibly difficult to follow where the author wanted to take the story and I probably would have never attempted to finish it if I wasn't writing a review for it. I do not recommend this book.
September 26, 2021
3.5/5
Vanishing Falls by Poppy Gee is a very atmospheric mystery that has both a slow pace and a whole lot of characters. There are quite a few viewpoints and people to keep track of, but over time as I read on, I was able to get better at keeping everyone straight. The town of Vanishing Falls was very unique, and I absolutely loved the setting. Those small-town stories are good enough, but then get even better if they are in the middle of nowhere and that is what happens for this story. I really liked the mystery surrounding Celia's disappearance alongside the art aspect, and I had fun following along with Joelle as she goes sleuthing. Joelle was by far my favorite character in this book as well as the driving force, and almost every single one of the others is unlikeable and really frustrated me at times. I do wish Gee would have toned it down with some of the viewpoints, as I don't think that many were needed, but I'm glad I had Joelle.
I also would have loved some more narrators for the audiobook, and with this many characters, it would have been truly helpful. Be that as it may, our narrator Caroline Lee did a fantastic job and I am glad that she was the person I got to listen to. She is a very talented voice artist, and if I have to have one narrator, I am glad it was her. I did not figure out what had happened until the moment it was revealed but be warned it does take a decent amount of time to get there and find out what happened to our missing woman. There are some parts that are really hard to read, especially in regard to animals and how certain people treat Joelle, but overall, I was interested in what was going on and there were a lot of moving parts. The setting of Tasmania and the character of Joelle are definitely the two things that shine in this novel and ended up being my favorite things about it. Not a bad read, but I was hoping for a bit more. I will still read more from Gee though and am looking forward to it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Vanishing Falls by Poppy Gee is a very atmospheric mystery that has both a slow pace and a whole lot of characters. There are quite a few viewpoints and people to keep track of, but over time as I read on, I was able to get better at keeping everyone straight. The town of Vanishing Falls was very unique, and I absolutely loved the setting. Those small-town stories are good enough, but then get even better if they are in the middle of nowhere and that is what happens for this story. I really liked the mystery surrounding Celia's disappearance alongside the art aspect, and I had fun following along with Joelle as she goes sleuthing. Joelle was by far my favorite character in this book as well as the driving force, and almost every single one of the others is unlikeable and really frustrated me at times. I do wish Gee would have toned it down with some of the viewpoints, as I don't think that many were needed, but I'm glad I had Joelle.
I also would have loved some more narrators for the audiobook, and with this many characters, it would have been truly helpful. Be that as it may, our narrator Caroline Lee did a fantastic job and I am glad that she was the person I got to listen to. She is a very talented voice artist, and if I have to have one narrator, I am glad it was her. I did not figure out what had happened until the moment it was revealed but be warned it does take a decent amount of time to get there and find out what happened to our missing woman. There are some parts that are really hard to read, especially in regard to animals and how certain people treat Joelle, but overall, I was interested in what was going on and there were a lot of moving parts. The setting of Tasmania and the character of Joelle are definitely the two things that shine in this novel and ended up being my favorite things about it. Not a bad read, but I was hoping for a bit more. I will still read more from Gee though and am looking forward to it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 11, 2021
As a senior English teacher I see my fair share of thrillers, mystery and crime fiction texts. I bought this novel via Booktopia and it arrived a couple of days later. The meandering style, particularly at the beginning, establishes a laidback and imperturbable ambience which offers a synecdochic representation of the town itself – nothing much happens here, the worst thing that’s occurred in Vanishing Falls is an argument about the name of the local creek. But behold dear reader, this is just a ruse utilised by the author to immerse you into this apparently insipid milieu in order to establish a sense of complacency and tedium. The author works on characterisation and setting in a deft and considered fashion, offering a slow burn mystery where her pastiche of punchy dialogue, vivid description of the surroundings, and historical references all come together in order to provide a mystery novel of authenticity, vicissitudes and nuance. Gee uses the backdrop of impenetrable forests, unforgiving terrains and harsh weather to establish a gothic feel which often leaves you feeling unsettled and perturbed. The third person narration fluctuates between the central characters and provides the reader with ample opportunity to fill in the blanks as you try to piece the puzzle together – I will say no more as not to give away the plot, suffice to say all the main characters have their own peccadillos and, as such, the author provides a subtle treatment of the darker recesses of the human condition. And to the question of whodunit? You will change your mind numerous times!
June 19, 2020
This is a leisurely paced mystery set in a remote town in Tasmania, not a thriller as it says on the book jacket. As long as you’re not looking for a fast-paced adventure, you may enjoy the lush, exotic setting and the interesting cast of characters as much as I did.
December 22, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
‘If you want to get away with murder, Vanishing Falls is the place to do it.’
In an ode to classic whodunnit mystery novels in the tradition of Agatha Christie, with a rich Tasmanian atmospheric backdrop, Vanishing Falls is the second novel from Australian writer Poppy Gee. Following on from her 2013 release Bay of Fires, Vanishing Falls allows this versatile author to explore community dynamics, class differences, relationships and a perplexing murder mystery. This slow burn Australian contemporary fiction offering is packed full of dirty deeds, secrets, puzzles and conjecture.
Vanishing Falls is a story of riches, secrets, glamour and underhanded ways. Poppy Gee’s second novel takes the reader deep into the dense forest community of Vanishing Falls where this tight knit town is plagued by past deeds and present-day troubles. At the heart of the problems in the tiny rainforest town is Calendar House, owned by Jack Lily, an art collector and his family. When a wealthy socialite disappears without a trace from this opulent mansion retreat, a mystery ensues. When Joelle Smithton, a local woman with remarkable abilities shows interest in this case, suspicion is aroused. With doubts cast on everyone from the owner of Calendar House, through to Joelle’s own husband, Joelle’s natural ability to read people and situations comes in useful as the police struggle to crack this case. As secrets begin to surface and the town gossip mill surges, the truth about the disappearance of missing socialite Celia brings about eruptive change to the closed community of Vanishing Falls.
Employing the use of a shifting style of narration, which is shared between three separate narrators, Vanishing Falls provides the reader with plenty of different guises to contend with. With a generous cast of secondary characters to support the primary players, Poppy Gee’s latest is full of interesting leads. While I found it hard to develop any like or appreciation for the protagonists of Vanishing Falls, I valued their interactions and dialogue interplay. Gee has devised a stage set of murky characters where our assumptions are fully contested. It certainly kept me active and engaged with the story at hand.
While on the topic of characters, I must say that the Tasmanian landscape which acts as the stunning backdrop for Vanishing Falls reeled me right in to this tale. I also came to the understanding that the setting was an additional character. The overwhelming presence of Vanishing Falls as a separate entity, shifting and shaping with the protagonist set seemed clear to me. There is no doubt that this unique and raw locale managed to have a weighty role to play in the proceedings of the novel overall. Drawing on her own upbringing in Tasmania, Gee takes the opportunity to fully explore the background of her setting base. This talented writer delves head-first into the history, past actions defining the region and new practices defining this Australian rainforest backdrop. I was unable to tear myself away from the pages of Vanishing Falls, as I was seduced by the magnetism of the central location base.
Underneath the baffling murder mystery case that defines the direction of this novel is a critical gaze into a number of other key influences to Vanishing Falls and the disappearance at Calendar House. Gee draws in themes of wealth, class, disadvantage, social inequality, financial woes, income sources, drugs, family tension, reputation, power and long held secrets through her presentation of Vanishing Falls. I also really connected to the art world influence that formed a significant component of Gee’s novel. It is a full and involving tale, with a slow burn style approach, that definitely kept my mind ticking over until the end.
Well written, deeply mysterious and gripping, Poppy Gee’s Vanishing Falls is a good tale for readers who like to engage in plenty of guesswork when presented with a classic whodunnit story. I throw my full support behind Poppy Gee’s solid second novel and look forward to future works by this talented author.
*Thanks extended to the author and publisher for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Vanishing Falls is book #137 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
‘If you want to get away with murder, Vanishing Falls is the place to do it.’
In an ode to classic whodunnit mystery novels in the tradition of Agatha Christie, with a rich Tasmanian atmospheric backdrop, Vanishing Falls is the second novel from Australian writer Poppy Gee. Following on from her 2013 release Bay of Fires, Vanishing Falls allows this versatile author to explore community dynamics, class differences, relationships and a perplexing murder mystery. This slow burn Australian contemporary fiction offering is packed full of dirty deeds, secrets, puzzles and conjecture.
Vanishing Falls is a story of riches, secrets, glamour and underhanded ways. Poppy Gee’s second novel takes the reader deep into the dense forest community of Vanishing Falls where this tight knit town is plagued by past deeds and present-day troubles. At the heart of the problems in the tiny rainforest town is Calendar House, owned by Jack Lily, an art collector and his family. When a wealthy socialite disappears without a trace from this opulent mansion retreat, a mystery ensues. When Joelle Smithton, a local woman with remarkable abilities shows interest in this case, suspicion is aroused. With doubts cast on everyone from the owner of Calendar House, through to Joelle’s own husband, Joelle’s natural ability to read people and situations comes in useful as the police struggle to crack this case. As secrets begin to surface and the town gossip mill surges, the truth about the disappearance of missing socialite Celia brings about eruptive change to the closed community of Vanishing Falls.
Employing the use of a shifting style of narration, which is shared between three separate narrators, Vanishing Falls provides the reader with plenty of different guises to contend with. With a generous cast of secondary characters to support the primary players, Poppy Gee’s latest is full of interesting leads. While I found it hard to develop any like or appreciation for the protagonists of Vanishing Falls, I valued their interactions and dialogue interplay. Gee has devised a stage set of murky characters where our assumptions are fully contested. It certainly kept me active and engaged with the story at hand.
While on the topic of characters, I must say that the Tasmanian landscape which acts as the stunning backdrop for Vanishing Falls reeled me right in to this tale. I also came to the understanding that the setting was an additional character. The overwhelming presence of Vanishing Falls as a separate entity, shifting and shaping with the protagonist set seemed clear to me. There is no doubt that this unique and raw locale managed to have a weighty role to play in the proceedings of the novel overall. Drawing on her own upbringing in Tasmania, Gee takes the opportunity to fully explore the background of her setting base. This talented writer delves head-first into the history, past actions defining the region and new practices defining this Australian rainforest backdrop. I was unable to tear myself away from the pages of Vanishing Falls, as I was seduced by the magnetism of the central location base.
Underneath the baffling murder mystery case that defines the direction of this novel is a critical gaze into a number of other key influences to Vanishing Falls and the disappearance at Calendar House. Gee draws in themes of wealth, class, disadvantage, social inequality, financial woes, income sources, drugs, family tension, reputation, power and long held secrets through her presentation of Vanishing Falls. I also really connected to the art world influence that formed a significant component of Gee’s novel. It is a full and involving tale, with a slow burn style approach, that definitely kept my mind ticking over until the end.
Well written, deeply mysterious and gripping, Poppy Gee’s Vanishing Falls is a good tale for readers who like to engage in plenty of guesswork when presented with a classic whodunnit story. I throw my full support behind Poppy Gee’s solid second novel and look forward to future works by this talented author.
*Thanks extended to the author and publisher for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Vanishing Falls is book #137 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
August 10, 2020
Vanishing Falls is quite a twisty little thriller. As the tale continues several reasons that could be a motive amongst several different people emerge. I only suspected towards the end of the novel but not quite to the lengths that person went and what they were after encompassed - I was shocked. The moody atmosphere in which Poppy Gee describes the town of Vanishing Falls and the surrounding area is spectacular. I would absolutely visit this area of the world just based on her descriptions of it - as well as visiting Calendar House. I had never heard about calendar houses before reading this book and it is an interesting but strange concept upon which to build a house. According to our dear old Wikipedia, they're rare - I would be curious if just not many of them survived or if not many were built in the first place.
At least one town mentioned in the book does exist - Launceston which I found interesting and I would love to know if there was a specific area that inspired the town of Vanishing Falls. Vanishing Falls, which was once prosperous is now struggling to find its footing and so are its residents. Many have fallen upon hard times and that has left the town ripe for many issues to take root. I have witnessed some of the same problems emerge in several small towns near me but it was mostly the result of a large influx of people moving to the area and others being forced out to surrounding areas because they could no longer afford where they had been living.
The pacing leans more towards a slow burn - but it definitely wasn't uninteresting and there is quite a bit going on. It took me a little while to settle in with the characters of the story but you can't help but like Joelle. Out of the five main characters we spend time with there is only one person who doesn't have something about themselves that they'd rather not let see the light of day. In a small town - that's almost impossible. The only supporting character that saw a lot of page time that seemed a little flat was Brian - Joelle's husband. It didn't really feel like I got to know him as a person; rather just details about him, things he was doing or had done.
I would highly recommend Vanishing Falls to readers who enjoy thrillers, suspense, and murder mysteries. I really enjoyed being transported to a part of the world I rarely get the chance to read about through a thriller. A big thank you to William Morrow (via the Scene of the Crime Group) for the opportunity to read and review this excellent thriller - all opinions are my own.
At least one town mentioned in the book does exist - Launceston which I found interesting and I would love to know if there was a specific area that inspired the town of Vanishing Falls. Vanishing Falls, which was once prosperous is now struggling to find its footing and so are its residents. Many have fallen upon hard times and that has left the town ripe for many issues to take root. I have witnessed some of the same problems emerge in several small towns near me but it was mostly the result of a large influx of people moving to the area and others being forced out to surrounding areas because they could no longer afford where they had been living.
The pacing leans more towards a slow burn - but it definitely wasn't uninteresting and there is quite a bit going on. It took me a little while to settle in with the characters of the story but you can't help but like Joelle. Out of the five main characters we spend time with there is only one person who doesn't have something about themselves that they'd rather not let see the light of day. In a small town - that's almost impossible. The only supporting character that saw a lot of page time that seemed a little flat was Brian - Joelle's husband. It didn't really feel like I got to know him as a person; rather just details about him, things he was doing or had done.
I would highly recommend Vanishing Falls to readers who enjoy thrillers, suspense, and murder mysteries. I really enjoyed being transported to a part of the world I rarely get the chance to read about through a thriller. A big thank you to William Morrow (via the Scene of the Crime Group) for the opportunity to read and review this excellent thriller - all opinions are my own.
June 16, 2020
The setting of this mystery novel sounded intriguing to me, as I couldn't recall having read a novel set in Tasmania previously. I would describe this as having a very slow-burn feel, as the plot proceeds at a very deliberate pace. It is a quiet, but unsettling book that touches on drug use and prostitution in a small town, Tasmania's history, and a past event that continues to impact one of the characters in the present.
Based on the book's description, I was surprised by how long it took before Celia Lily (Jack's wife) went missing. However, that did allow for several elements to be introduced that factored into the conclusion. The chapters are broken down into smaller portions, focusing primarily on three main characters (Jack Lily, Joelle Smithton, and Cliff Gatenby), which gives the reader a chance to experience the story from various perspectives. Not all of the inhabitants of Vanishing Falls are particularly likable (some could be described as downright unsavory), so some readers may have a hard time connecting to them and the story as a result. That isn't critical for me, but I think it took me a bit longer to get into the story as a result. If you're looking for a book steeped in quiet tension in a remote location, this would be a good choice. It is a fine introduction to this author and I look forward to reading future novels by her.
This review was based on the advanced reader's ebook I received via NetGalley courtesy of William Morrow and the Scene of the Crime. Many thanks for the opportunity to read this novel prior to its release!
Based on the book's description, I was surprised by how long it took before Celia Lily (Jack's wife) went missing. However, that did allow for several elements to be introduced that factored into the conclusion. The chapters are broken down into smaller portions, focusing primarily on three main characters (Jack Lily, Joelle Smithton, and Cliff Gatenby), which gives the reader a chance to experience the story from various perspectives. Not all of the inhabitants of Vanishing Falls are particularly likable (some could be described as downright unsavory), so some readers may have a hard time connecting to them and the story as a result. That isn't critical for me, but I think it took me a bit longer to get into the story as a result. If you're looking for a book steeped in quiet tension in a remote location, this would be a good choice. It is a fine introduction to this author and I look forward to reading future novels by her.
This review was based on the advanced reader's ebook I received via NetGalley courtesy of William Morrow and the Scene of the Crime. Many thanks for the opportunity to read this novel prior to its release!
July 18, 2020
I was able to have this free early ebook edition as part of William Morrow Scene of the Crime Early Read program!
4⭐️
The story is a bit slow in the beginning, and it took a while to pick up, maybe like almost halfway through the book. However, I was able to visualize the rainforest and the town of Vanishing Falls based on the author’s very detailed description. The town and its people seem to be hiding too many secrets that push each of them to edge. I mean, the town used to be thriving, people are used to be happy, but for some reason, it stopped, and now there’s a murderer that could be anyone, and everyone is doing their very best not to unravel the past they have left behind. I do feel that it leans more on the suspense side rather than a thriller, but it is a good read.
4⭐️
The story is a bit slow in the beginning, and it took a while to pick up, maybe like almost halfway through the book. However, I was able to visualize the rainforest and the town of Vanishing Falls based on the author’s very detailed description. The town and its people seem to be hiding too many secrets that push each of them to edge. I mean, the town used to be thriving, people are used to be happy, but for some reason, it stopped, and now there’s a murderer that could be anyone, and everyone is doing their very best not to unravel the past they have left behind. I do feel that it leans more on the suspense side rather than a thriller, but it is a good read.
August 4, 2020
WOW! Vanishing Falls is a fantastic mystery. I loved every second of this book. Vanishing Falls is set in a small village in Tasmania, the author gives the reader an intimate look into the lives of the townspeople. I was fascinated with the complex day to day lives of the characters. The author created a wonderful story of the past meeting the present and human failings. I was kept guessing until the end about the identity of the murderer. The plot is constantly changing and with it the possible identity of the killer. It has been a long while since I have read a mystery this good.
July 25, 2021
Thank you for taking a chance on my book - I hope you enjoy it.
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006...
https://www.booktopia.com.au/vanishin...
August 4, 2020
Thank you so much to my friends over at HarperCollins Canada and Edelweiss for an eARC of Vanishing Falls in exchange for an honest review.
Joelle Smithton lives in the small Tasmanian town of Vanishing Falls. When prominent socialite Celia Lily goes missing, Joelle’s ability to see things differently is about to be put to the test. Will Joelle be able to get to the bottom of who is responsible for Celia’s disappearance? There are many unsavoury characters living in Vanishing Falls, from local chicken farmers Cliff and Kim, Brian the town butcher and Joelle’s husband, Brenden and Karen Keegan who own a scrap heap and engage in some scandalous business on the side, to Celia’s own husband, and prominent art collector, Jack Lily. It seems everyone has something to hide. Does Celia’s disappearance have anything to do with the $1 million painting that Jack found discarded on the Keegan’s property? Perhaps the local meth problem has something to do with it. Many secrets are revealed as Joelle searches for answers, including some from her very own disturbing past.
Gee’s novel contained much intrigue. She used perspective chapters to build suspense and layer the complexities of the relationships between the characters in the novel. Each chapter dug deeper into their motivations and connections to each other and to the nefarious dealings happening in Vanishing Falls. I thought the interconnectedness of the characters and events was cleverly done. I enjoyed her writing style, and the dialogue felt realistic.
I loved reading from Joelle’s perspective; she is a simple-minded woman dealing with significant trauma and her blunt, black and white views were refreshing. She is pure of heart and the reader will easily fall in love with her and want to root for her. This only intensifies the reader’s feelings for the other characters in the story, for better or worse. Joelle is an excellent protagonist, and the novel works because of her.
I felt that the novel fell short at its conclusion which felt rushed. The entire book is a slow burn building toward an anticlimactic and quick ending. I wanted more from the decisions of certain characters, and I wanted more originality in the way the loose threads were ultimately tied up.
This was my first foray into the Outback noir genre, and I was so grateful for the chance to read this one. While there were some areas that did not live up to my expectations, it was an entertaining read overall.
Read if you enjoy: thrillers, mysteries, crime, and multiple perspectives.
Joelle Smithton lives in the small Tasmanian town of Vanishing Falls. When prominent socialite Celia Lily goes missing, Joelle’s ability to see things differently is about to be put to the test. Will Joelle be able to get to the bottom of who is responsible for Celia’s disappearance? There are many unsavoury characters living in Vanishing Falls, from local chicken farmers Cliff and Kim, Brian the town butcher and Joelle’s husband, Brenden and Karen Keegan who own a scrap heap and engage in some scandalous business on the side, to Celia’s own husband, and prominent art collector, Jack Lily. It seems everyone has something to hide. Does Celia’s disappearance have anything to do with the $1 million painting that Jack found discarded on the Keegan’s property? Perhaps the local meth problem has something to do with it. Many secrets are revealed as Joelle searches for answers, including some from her very own disturbing past.
Gee’s novel contained much intrigue. She used perspective chapters to build suspense and layer the complexities of the relationships between the characters in the novel. Each chapter dug deeper into their motivations and connections to each other and to the nefarious dealings happening in Vanishing Falls. I thought the interconnectedness of the characters and events was cleverly done. I enjoyed her writing style, and the dialogue felt realistic.
I loved reading from Joelle’s perspective; she is a simple-minded woman dealing with significant trauma and her blunt, black and white views were refreshing. She is pure of heart and the reader will easily fall in love with her and want to root for her. This only intensifies the reader’s feelings for the other characters in the story, for better or worse. Joelle is an excellent protagonist, and the novel works because of her.
I felt that the novel fell short at its conclusion which felt rushed. The entire book is a slow burn building toward an anticlimactic and quick ending. I wanted more from the decisions of certain characters, and I wanted more originality in the way the loose threads were ultimately tied up.
This was my first foray into the Outback noir genre, and I was so grateful for the chance to read this one. While there were some areas that did not live up to my expectations, it was an entertaining read overall.
Read if you enjoy: thrillers, mysteries, crime, and multiple perspectives.
July 12, 2020
*ARC was provided by the published via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
In Vanishing Falls socialite Celia Lily goes missing and everyone is a suspect. While trying to find out what happened to Celia, the seedy underbelly of this seemlingly nice small town is exposed.
Unreliable narrators abound in Vanishing Falls. Broken up by days, readers get a glimpse into the mind of each character and understand that each of them has something to hide. Joelle Smithton has a past that she's been trying to escape, but is catching up with her. Cliff Gatenby is beginning his descent into addiction, struggling with the fact that his wife, Kim, deserves so much more than he can offer her. Jack Lily, Celia's husband, has his own unsavory "business" association with the Keegan's. Add to this that Celia herself is complex and appears often dissatisfied with her life and the questions keep coming - did Celia find out someone's secret? How far would any of these characters go to keep their secrets safe? Or, did Celia disappear on her own?
Vanishing Falls started off slowly for me, but picked up quickly. There were multiple story lines that seemed disparate, but you knew must converge. Given the number of suspects, the uneasy feeling of paranoia set in as you read the book. No one was trustworthy or above suspicion until Gee finally pulled all the pieces together at the end. I certainly caught on to who was ultimately responsible for Celia Lily's disappearance (but no spoilers here), it took a while to get there and was timed pretty closely with the characters in the book as well.
In Vanishing Falls socialite Celia Lily goes missing and everyone is a suspect. While trying to find out what happened to Celia, the seedy underbelly of this seemlingly nice small town is exposed.
Unreliable narrators abound in Vanishing Falls. Broken up by days, readers get a glimpse into the mind of each character and understand that each of them has something to hide. Joelle Smithton has a past that she's been trying to escape, but is catching up with her. Cliff Gatenby is beginning his descent into addiction, struggling with the fact that his wife, Kim, deserves so much more than he can offer her. Jack Lily, Celia's husband, has his own unsavory "business" association with the Keegan's. Add to this that Celia herself is complex and appears often dissatisfied with her life and the questions keep coming - did Celia find out someone's secret? How far would any of these characters go to keep their secrets safe? Or, did Celia disappear on her own?
Vanishing Falls started off slowly for me, but picked up quickly. There were multiple story lines that seemed disparate, but you knew must converge. Given the number of suspects, the uneasy feeling of paranoia set in as you read the book. No one was trustworthy or above suspicion until Gee finally pulled all the pieces together at the end. I certainly caught on to who was ultimately responsible for Celia Lily's disappearance (but no spoilers here), it took a while to get there and was timed pretty closely with the characters in the book as well.
January 24, 2022
I just finished reading Vanishing Falls by author Poppy Gee. It’s a thriller that takes place in the beautiful setting of Vanishing Falls which is a small town located in a Tasmanian rainforest. The story centers around the disappearance of Celia Lily. She is married to Jack Lily and they live in a mansion called The Calendar House. You learn of all the other characters in the town who are not as well off as the Lily’s but play an important role in the story. This is a town filled with a lot of dark secrets. Greed, addiction to crystal meth and husbands that prostitute their wives out are just some of the topics the author writes about in this book. This was my first time reading about this area of the world and the descriptions I thought were beautiful. It was a really good story, one I enjoyed and would recommend. All through the book I thought I had it figured out as to who was to blame for Celia’s disappearance but at the end I learned that I was wrong as usual. I’d like to thank the Scene of the Crime Early Read program, Sam Glatt, marketing assistant at HarperCollins Publishers/William Morrow and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I’m giving this a 4 star rating.
October 16, 2020
I wanted sooo badly to love this book. And honestly I did- I loved all of it except about the last 5 pages. The whole story was sooo beautiful woven & told masterfully from the different perspectives. But... the ending just fell short for me and was anticlimactic after so much amazing build up- I still have so many questions of loose ends that didn’t get tied up.
Most importantly- the most exciting thing that drew me to this book was the “Calendar House”- that was an absolutely brilliant setting & plot point that could have been the focal piece of the entire story but there was literally nothing in the whole book about what made it a calendar house or scenes set in areas that were calendar house-specific. The few scenes that did happen in the house could have happened anywhere- they had nothing to do with the cool calendar/seasonal spooky house idea.
That said- I adored the characters of Joelle & Cliff. Those 2 in particularly were so well-written.
Even though the ending wasn’t that satisfying- I would absolutely read more by this author in hopes that she pulls through on the next book!
Most importantly- the most exciting thing that drew me to this book was the “Calendar House”- that was an absolutely brilliant setting & plot point that could have been the focal piece of the entire story but there was literally nothing in the whole book about what made it a calendar house or scenes set in areas that were calendar house-specific. The few scenes that did happen in the house could have happened anywhere- they had nothing to do with the cool calendar/seasonal spooky house idea.
That said- I adored the characters of Joelle & Cliff. Those 2 in particularly were so well-written.
Even though the ending wasn’t that satisfying- I would absolutely read more by this author in hopes that she pulls through on the next book!
December 20, 2025
It took a long while to get to the one event in the story with a constant swapping between characters. Felt more like an American sitcom than a Tasmanian mystery.
August 10, 2020
This book is set in the lush Tasmanian rainforest of Australia. Very deep inside the forest is a small town called Vanishing Falls. Vanishing Falls has a storied past, with dubious characters. Some characters I disliked, others I hated, or felt sorry for, and they eventually redeemed themselves. The main character is Joelle, many people think she is simple minded, and she IS different. She just sees the world differently, often literally. She’s always paying attention so she picks up on clues others miss.
The main premise of the novel is a missing person. Celia Lily goes missing late one night after an event. She is the beautiful, rich, and popular wife of Jack Lily and the mother of 4 daughters. Jack and Lily live in the town’s most famous mansion, The Calendar House. It’s eccentric, with 52 rooms, and an art collection. When Jack come home and finds the front door open and Cecilia missing, he panics. The police immediately suspect him because he’s hiding things. Joelle, drives this story. She decides she needs to find Cecilia so that the people of the town will love her, after all she’ll be the hero and the town will forgive her for her past involvement in a heinous crime. The story also follows Jack’s best friend Cliff and his wife Kim.
I enjoyed the setting and atmosphere. The characters were not like-able, they were all shady and deceitful in some way. I did find myself alternating between yelling at Joelle and cheering her on. I did figure out the twist but only right before the reveal. I found the pace a little slower than I like but I can see people that like slower suspense/mysteries loving this one. Overall, I give this 3 1/2 of 5 stars.
Thank you @Netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for my advanced digital copy to review.
The main premise of the novel is a missing person. Celia Lily goes missing late one night after an event. She is the beautiful, rich, and popular wife of Jack Lily and the mother of 4 daughters. Jack and Lily live in the town’s most famous mansion, The Calendar House. It’s eccentric, with 52 rooms, and an art collection. When Jack come home and finds the front door open and Cecilia missing, he panics. The police immediately suspect him because he’s hiding things. Joelle, drives this story. She decides she needs to find Cecilia so that the people of the town will love her, after all she’ll be the hero and the town will forgive her for her past involvement in a heinous crime. The story also follows Jack’s best friend Cliff and his wife Kim.
I enjoyed the setting and atmosphere. The characters were not like-able, they were all shady and deceitful in some way. I did find myself alternating between yelling at Joelle and cheering her on. I did figure out the twist but only right before the reveal. I found the pace a little slower than I like but I can see people that like slower suspense/mysteries loving this one. Overall, I give this 3 1/2 of 5 stars.
Thank you @Netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for my advanced digital copy to review.
July 5, 2020
Poppy Gee’s Vanishing Falls is a spell-binding murder mystery set in a once-thriving, now economically-challenged, rural community on the edge of the Tasmanian rain forest. Vanishing Falls has everything a good mystery requires—flawed characters, any one of whom could be a murderer; an historic old estate whose centerpiece mansion holds clues to uncovering the past; and intense suspense presented in the vein of a true psychological thriller. Flora and fauna are main characters in Vanishing Falls and add to the allure of the story. Detailed descriptions transport the reader not only to the farms, forests, and towns of Tasmania, but to experience the very sights, sounds, and smells of the location. “On the edge,” summarizes Vanishing Falls nicely. Not only is Vanishing Falls on the edge of reclamation by its adjacent forest, it is on the edge of economic ruin. Each of the main characters is on the edge of a moral or mental collapse, and as the story unfolds, the reader is on the edge of his or her seat until the murderer is revealed.
I give the book four shining stars, balking at a fifth only because of one short but raunchy scene. Maybe the scene was integral to plot and character development, but it surely interrupted the intrigue of Vanishing Falls, if only momentarily.
Many thanks to Harper Collins, Net Galley, and Poppy Gee for an advance readers‘ copy of Vanishing Falls in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more books by Poppy Gee, and hope to see a movie portraying her murder mystery on the big screen with cinematography featuring wallabies, waterfalls, and the Tasmanian rain forest.
I give the book four shining stars, balking at a fifth only because of one short but raunchy scene. Maybe the scene was integral to plot and character development, but it surely interrupted the intrigue of Vanishing Falls, if only momentarily.
Many thanks to Harper Collins, Net Galley, and Poppy Gee for an advance readers‘ copy of Vanishing Falls in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more books by Poppy Gee, and hope to see a movie portraying her murder mystery on the big screen with cinematography featuring wallabies, waterfalls, and the Tasmanian rain forest.
February 18, 2022
Fabulous.
Set in the fictional town of Vanishing Falls in Northern Tasmania this is CLUEDO in a town.
Told from the perspective of four characters:
Cliff, a farmer addicted to Meth,
Joelle, a woman with a past she'd rather not reveal and whose capabilities are under appreciated,
Jack, the landed gentry guy from the BIG House
and Miss Gwen, a local older resident with a long history in the town,
Together they give us multiple perspectives over the weeks just prior and just after the unexplained disappearance of Jack's wife Celia one night after the Apple Blossom Celebration.
Poppy Gee has delivered a wonderfully gothic Tasmanian mystery that evokes the ghost of Old England, class differences, life choices and small town stories.
A great read.
Set in the fictional town of Vanishing Falls in Northern Tasmania this is CLUEDO in a town.
Told from the perspective of four characters:
Cliff, a farmer addicted to Meth,
Joelle, a woman with a past she'd rather not reveal and whose capabilities are under appreciated,
Jack, the landed gentry guy from the BIG House
and Miss Gwen, a local older resident with a long history in the town,
Together they give us multiple perspectives over the weeks just prior and just after the unexplained disappearance of Jack's wife Celia one night after the Apple Blossom Celebration.
Poppy Gee has delivered a wonderfully gothic Tasmanian mystery that evokes the ghost of Old England, class differences, life choices and small town stories.
A great read.
July 8, 2020
This was a little predictable, but really good! The Tasmanian setting was fantastic, and the neuro-diverse main character was delightful. Full review coming for Shelf Awareness.
August 23, 2022
Vanishing Falls by Poppy Gee is a mystery about socialite, Celia Lily, who goes missing from a small Tasmanian town surrounded by lush rainforest.
The diverse point of view characters include: Celia’s husband, Jack, landowner and art collector; Joelle Smithton, the local butcher’s wife; and Jack’s friend Cliff, a chicken farmer who’s also a drug addict. Each offers a unique perspective on the situation.
The twists and turns highlight bad behaviour, gossip within the insular community and the dangers of the vividly painted countryside.
For me, Joelle was the star of the show, alongside the atmospheric setting.
The diverse point of view characters include: Celia’s husband, Jack, landowner and art collector; Joelle Smithton, the local butcher’s wife; and Jack’s friend Cliff, a chicken farmer who’s also a drug addict. Each offers a unique perspective on the situation.
The twists and turns highlight bad behaviour, gossip within the insular community and the dangers of the vividly painted countryside.
For me, Joelle was the star of the show, alongside the atmospheric setting.
March 23, 2025
A lush and exotic landscape creates the backdrop for the mystery of the disappearance of the beautiful wife of the local landowner. Centered in the rainforests of Tasmania in a town called Vanishing Falls, all the locals have been impacted by the economy except Jack and Celia Lily. The are owners of the beautiful multi-storied Calendar House. When Jack comes home to find Celia missing, all the secrets both past and present of the inhabitants of Vanishing Falls unravel.
Joelle who has a checkered past as a teenager and a seemingly arrested mental and social development, determines that she will find the missing woman and become the town hero. Many of the residents are living a double life. Because of Joelle's developmental issues, they underestimate her. She can piece together the clues far better than anyone gives her credit.
Indigenous peoples' land and drug abuse are issues that are wrapped up into the plot. Abusive friendships and inequality in marriages play a part in creating red herrings, deflecting the reader from possible clues which I enjoyed. Always fun to have a character to dislike and blame for murder.
This is an unrushed mystery with a main character that I wanted to see succeed.
Joelle who has a checkered past as a teenager and a seemingly arrested mental and social development, determines that she will find the missing woman and become the town hero. Many of the residents are living a double life. Because of Joelle's developmental issues, they underestimate her. She can piece together the clues far better than anyone gives her credit.
Indigenous peoples' land and drug abuse are issues that are wrapped up into the plot. Abusive friendships and inequality in marriages play a part in creating red herrings, deflecting the reader from possible clues which I enjoyed. Always fun to have a character to dislike and blame for murder.
This is an unrushed mystery with a main character that I wanted to see succeed.
August 4, 2020
Poppy Gee has written an interesting story. I liked the setting in Tasmania and the descriptions of the landscape. The wife of a rich man has disappeared in the small community. The problem I had with the story was that I didn’t care for many of the characters, but maybe that reflects the author’s writing skill. She described them so well that I didn’t like them or maybe it was just my state of mind while reading the book. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.
May 2, 2020
Vanishing Falls reads like the script for a soap opera. The town is full of secrets and gossip. Joelle is considered backwards by everyone so all the gossip is is repeated in front of her. After a woman disappears, the secrets start to come to light. This was an advance read copy through Goodreads.com.
May 11, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
In a small town in Tasmania, a woman has disappeared, and a lady sleuth with a reputation for being none too bright investigates.
Kind of weird.
In a small town in Tasmania, a woman has disappeared, and a lady sleuth with a reputation for being none too bright investigates.
Kind of weird.
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