Vanished

by Chris Niles

It all started with a little twist of the truth...Sophie Graham is working in a bar when her old school `friend`, Electra, walks in with her parents. Reluctant to admit to this glamorous family that she is a member of staff, Sophie decides to elaborate her dull life, and announces that she is a private investigator. Months later, she is contacted by Electra`s wealthy father, who tells her that his daughter has gone missing and he would like to pay Sophie to find her. Sophie, still haunted by disturbing memories of her school days with Electra and the `in crowd` who had bullied her, and tempted also by the generous sum of money offered, decides she must get involved and agrees to begin the search. But as Sophie lets herself into Electra`s apartment for the first time, she opens herself to temptations she never had - a plush home, a closet of designer clothes. She also has reason to contact Electra`s friends - the girls she had so hated at school. But will all this lead her to Electra? Or is she being sent on some wild goose chase around the streets of New York? Soon Sophie realises that her lie has exposed her to a conspiracy that will lead her to obsession. She is at the centre of

389 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Ioana · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was just ok, but at some point the plot stopped making sense. It's like gossip girl grows up and gets mingled up with darker stuff.

[Ladiibbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing Persons Mystery

Sophie Graham is tired of her NYC life, struggling to make the rent while working as a bartender. Her acting career is going nowhere, and she's not optimistic about her prospects.

Out of the blue a former exclusive girls' school nemesis, Electra, comes into the bar with her wealthy and socially prominent parents. Sophie doesn't say she works at the bar ... she says she's a private investigator. She's knocked for a loop a few weeks later when the father calls her with a PI job -- find Electra, who has disappeared.

Sophie can't turn down the big financial offer, so she finds herself in the midst of the glitzy Manhattan lifestyle Electra had so enjoyed. Is this simple, or is she being sent on a wild goose chase around NYC?

One lie leads to another in this complicated web of secrets and deception.

I have enjoyed ALL of Chris Niles's mysteries, and this is solid and entertaining as well. I hope she writes more soon, as I'm within one book ("Grace Falco", an import) of being caught up with this Australian / British author.

[Christiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Chris Niles a couple of years ago, reading "Hell's Kitchen" which had been gifted to me in the summer of 2010.

Her fresh, intriguing, fast- paced style captivated me from day one. I was, thus, more than happy to pick up her next novel "Vanished" -which, to my delight, was even more entertaining than the last.

I have already ordered "Grace Falco" & can safely say that I would have no qualms about recommending Chris Niles to anyone (by mentioning her as one of my fav authors).

[Sigrun Hjartardotti]

just starting, and am apprehesive, but one should not judge the book by its cover...
-- this book was enjoyable. It could easily be made into a very suspenceful movie.

[Silke · Rating 4 out of 5]

In het begin even wat doorbijten, maar wel einde dat ik totaal niet had zien aankomen!