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Disappeared
These two sisters are about to be permanently “disappeared”
Julie Welch's sister, Fay Lariviere, disappears from their hotel in Morocco. Although she leaves a note that she'll be back in two days, Fay doesn't return.
Julie's anger shifts to worry—and to fear when she discovers a stalker. Then, an attack meant for Julie kills another woman. Searching Fay's luggage and quizzing the hotel staff, Julie discovers Fay's destination—a remote village in the Saharan desert. Convinced her sister is in danger and propelled by her own jeopardy, Julie rushes to warn Fay.
By the time she reaches the village, Julie finds that Fay has traveled deeper into the desert. With a villager as guide, Julie follows—only to be stranded in the Sahara when the guide abandons her. Julie is eventually reunited with Fay—in a prison cell—and learns the reasons for Fay's secrecy.
Although furious at Fay's deception and weak from her desert ordeal, Julie knows they must work together. The sisters, ensnared in a web of dangerous lies and about to be permanently “disappeared”, pit their wits against soldiers and desert in a fight for their lives.
Perfect for fans of Tana French and Martin Cruz Smith
Julie Welch's sister, Fay Lariviere, disappears from their hotel in Morocco. Although she leaves a note that she'll be back in two days, Fay doesn't return.
Julie's anger shifts to worry—and to fear when she discovers a stalker. Then, an attack meant for Julie kills another woman. Searching Fay's luggage and quizzing the hotel staff, Julie discovers Fay's destination—a remote village in the Saharan desert. Convinced her sister is in danger and propelled by her own jeopardy, Julie rushes to warn Fay.
By the time she reaches the village, Julie finds that Fay has traveled deeper into the desert. With a villager as guide, Julie follows—only to be stranded in the Sahara when the guide abandons her. Julie is eventually reunited with Fay—in a prison cell—and learns the reasons for Fay's secrecy.
Although furious at Fay's deception and weak from her desert ordeal, Julie knows they must work together. The sisters, ensnared in a web of dangerous lies and about to be permanently “disappeared”, pit their wits against soldiers and desert in a fight for their lives.
Perfect for fans of Tana French and Martin Cruz Smith
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 6, 2022
3.5 Stars. I found this a difficult book to rate and review because I was never wholly engaged in its story. It had all the elements that should have absorbed me. There was a loving relationship between the two sisters, their love for their family back home, and the determination to protect family members and keep them from harm. There was plenty of suspense, exotic locations, political intrigue, impulsive risks, danger, capture, and desperate escape attempts.
Two sisters, Julie and Fay, are enjoying the vibrant sights in a city in Morocco. They visited the colourful souks looking at souvenirs and local crafts, enjoyed the traditional spicy food, and made plans to visit the tourist sites. Fay disappears from their hotel, leaving a note that she will return in two days. She gave no reason for leaving, and no destination was given. When she doesn't return, Julie is angered and then becomes worried. On the streets, Julie keeps noticing a Moroccan man who seems to be stalking her. Her fear for her sister and now for herself is intensified when a woman is killed at the hotel. It was evident to Julie that the murdered woman had been mistaken for her.
She realizes that Fay's life may be in danger, and her life is also in jeopardy for some unknown reason. She learns that Fay was headed to a remote village on the edge of the desert, but why? Julie rushes to the village to find her sister but learns that Fay has travelled deeper into the Saharan
desert.
Fueled by anger, anxiety, and desire to protect Fay, she obtains a guide in the local settlement to take her into the desert. The journey is a hazardous one for Julie. She takes pills to regulate her heartbeat, and her increasing stress and fear puts her health in jeopardy. The guide abandons her in the desert. Alone, she stumbles on a rock and sprains her ankle. After much hardship, she finds Fay, who has been imprisoned in an army barracks near the hostile Algerian border. Julie is also incarcerated. In their barracks room are two Moroccan women and a young child. The angry and terrified Julie learns from Fay the identity of the others who have spent years in prison and the reason for Fay's mysterious mission. There are few resources, but they devise a frantic escape plan that includes the child, his mother, and the elderly Moroccan grandmother. This is carried out with some loss of lives. They are now hunted fugitives.
I regret the plot didn't fully engage me as I expected. We get details about the sister's past relationships, travel, and important family ties back home. This is a detailed and well-plotted story that should appeal to many readers. The story vividly describes locations extending from the city into the countryside, the small settlements along the way, and into the desert. The reader learns about the traditions, the holiday feasts, and the delicious food. Julie had found the people kind and welcoming, but she now understands there were some ruthless villains. Who could be trusted? Will their dangerous escape plans work out? How will their hopes of getting home end? I failed to be fully immersed in the locations. I have only spent one day in a Moroccan city and its surroundings but camped deep in the Saharan desert for several weeks. A lot was going on in the plot, but maybe too much for me? There certainly was a lot of action and suspense. The book's cover is very appealing.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author, Bonnar Spring, and Oceanview Publishing for the ARC of this travel adventure. I would read more of her books. I believe many readers will enjoy this thrilling story set in an exotic location.
Two sisters, Julie and Fay, are enjoying the vibrant sights in a city in Morocco. They visited the colourful souks looking at souvenirs and local crafts, enjoyed the traditional spicy food, and made plans to visit the tourist sites. Fay disappears from their hotel, leaving a note that she will return in two days. She gave no reason for leaving, and no destination was given. When she doesn't return, Julie is angered and then becomes worried. On the streets, Julie keeps noticing a Moroccan man who seems to be stalking her. Her fear for her sister and now for herself is intensified when a woman is killed at the hotel. It was evident to Julie that the murdered woman had been mistaken for her.
She realizes that Fay's life may be in danger, and her life is also in jeopardy for some unknown reason. She learns that Fay was headed to a remote village on the edge of the desert, but why? Julie rushes to the village to find her sister but learns that Fay has travelled deeper into the Saharan
desert.
Fueled by anger, anxiety, and desire to protect Fay, she obtains a guide in the local settlement to take her into the desert. The journey is a hazardous one for Julie. She takes pills to regulate her heartbeat, and her increasing stress and fear puts her health in jeopardy. The guide abandons her in the desert. Alone, she stumbles on a rock and sprains her ankle. After much hardship, she finds Fay, who has been imprisoned in an army barracks near the hostile Algerian border. Julie is also incarcerated. In their barracks room are two Moroccan women and a young child. The angry and terrified Julie learns from Fay the identity of the others who have spent years in prison and the reason for Fay's mysterious mission. There are few resources, but they devise a frantic escape plan that includes the child, his mother, and the elderly Moroccan grandmother. This is carried out with some loss of lives. They are now hunted fugitives.
I regret the plot didn't fully engage me as I expected. We get details about the sister's past relationships, travel, and important family ties back home. This is a detailed and well-plotted story that should appeal to many readers. The story vividly describes locations extending from the city into the countryside, the small settlements along the way, and into the desert. The reader learns about the traditions, the holiday feasts, and the delicious food. Julie had found the people kind and welcoming, but she now understands there were some ruthless villains. Who could be trusted? Will their dangerous escape plans work out? How will their hopes of getting home end? I failed to be fully immersed in the locations. I have only spent one day in a Moroccan city and its surroundings but camped deep in the Saharan desert for several weeks. A lot was going on in the plot, but maybe too much for me? There certainly was a lot of action and suspense. The book's cover is very appealing.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author, Bonnar Spring, and Oceanview Publishing for the ARC of this travel adventure. I would read more of her books. I believe many readers will enjoy this thrilling story set in an exotic location.
May 2, 2022
The second novel by Bonnar Spring, Disappeared is another action adventure where the hero must endure physical danger in order to right a wrong. Two sisters are enjoying travelling in Morocco, when one of them disappears. Julie finds a note from her sister Fay, telling her she will return in two days but Julie sets out, determined to find her sister. As the narrative unfolds, a tale of a dangerous adventure, subterfuge, travelogue and the meaning of family are revealed. This is a slow paced thriller of an ordinary woman, needing to overcome obstacles and surprises, in order to find her sister. Despite its exotic location and enjoyable characters, it felt somewhat deficient and so a three star mystery-suspense rating. With thanks to Oceanview Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
July 26, 2022
Complications and obstacles with every turn of the page
“Disappeared” is an international mystery filled with surprises and suspense. The story unfolds in Julie Welch’s first-person present tense narrative. “Fay’s not back yet. It’s late, and I’m hungry.” Readers find themselves right in the middle of the events, the good and bad, the curious and the frightful. Readers share every step, every misstep, every doubt, and every fear in real time right with Julie. Every cell call that does not go through and every cell service dead zone makes the drama personal. Julie is tense and insecure. She constantly talks to herself so readers know her angst and feel the ice water that surges through her veins.
Julie and Kay are on a vacation, and at the time, Morocco seemed like the perfect place for an exotic girls’ getaway. Now Fay is missing, she said was running an errand for her husband; she left and took her overnight things with her. Julie has is a great view of the Atlas Mountains, but that’s all. She is practically penniless in the middle of nowhere, a foreigner lacking a SIM card. She wanted a nice relaxing vacation, but she got something else instead.
Events take place over just a few days so with every turn of the page, some new complication appears, some snag develops in the plan, some layer of terror and danger is added, and some surprising revelation is discovered. Secrets abound, and nothing is what it appears to be on the surface. Details are revealed, and the past comes crashing into the present. The chain of events seems complicated and diverse, but in the end, the reason is simple.
I received a review copy of “Disappeared” from Bonnar Spring, Oceanview Publishing, and Independent Publishers Group. “Disappeared” has a great sense of place. Parking spaces may be tight, but at least when one needs a getaway car, one is right there.
“Disappeared” is an international mystery filled with surprises and suspense. The story unfolds in Julie Welch’s first-person present tense narrative. “Fay’s not back yet. It’s late, and I’m hungry.” Readers find themselves right in the middle of the events, the good and bad, the curious and the frightful. Readers share every step, every misstep, every doubt, and every fear in real time right with Julie. Every cell call that does not go through and every cell service dead zone makes the drama personal. Julie is tense and insecure. She constantly talks to herself so readers know her angst and feel the ice water that surges through her veins.
Julie and Kay are on a vacation, and at the time, Morocco seemed like the perfect place for an exotic girls’ getaway. Now Fay is missing, she said was running an errand for her husband; she left and took her overnight things with her. Julie has is a great view of the Atlas Mountains, but that’s all. She is practically penniless in the middle of nowhere, a foreigner lacking a SIM card. She wanted a nice relaxing vacation, but she got something else instead.
Events take place over just a few days so with every turn of the page, some new complication appears, some snag develops in the plan, some layer of terror and danger is added, and some surprising revelation is discovered. Secrets abound, and nothing is what it appears to be on the surface. Details are revealed, and the past comes crashing into the present. The chain of events seems complicated and diverse, but in the end, the reason is simple.
I received a review copy of “Disappeared” from Bonnar Spring, Oceanview Publishing, and Independent Publishers Group. “Disappeared” has a great sense of place. Parking spaces may be tight, but at least when one needs a getaway car, one is right there.
July 2, 2022
Disappeared is a stand-alone thriller about two sisters whose holiday to Morocco goes horribly wrong.
I hadn’t heard of the author previously, but was alerted to it’s availability by an email from the publisher. I liked the sound of the exotic setting, but found it took a long time to get going and I had to push myself to keep going with it.
Julie Welch and her sister Fay are well-to-do middle-aged American tourists who have chosen Morocco for their annual getaway from their busy family lives. They look forward to exploring the local culture, savouring the food and of course lots of shopping. When Fay doesn’t return from a day out, Julie is initially annoyed, then alarmed, then panic-struck, and finding the American consulate unhelpful, sets out on her own to find her, a journey that will take her into terrible danger.
The first half of this reads like a brilliant travel memoir - vividly rich descriptions of the scenery, the towns, the people and the mouth-watering food. Unfortunately very little actually happens, and given this is billed as a thriller, I was completely bored and as frustrated with Julie as she is with Fay. Around 50% we finally get some action and find out what’s going on, then there’s an equally boring further 20% with lots of talking and agonising about their plight. The final third does make up for it, as the sisters use their limited resources to hatch a plan to escape, and the tension ratchets up fast, so I was glad I stuck around - but had this not been a review copy I would’ve given up long before.
My friends know how much I hate present tense narration - instead of conveying immediacy and atmosphere, as I believe is intended, it excludes me from the story and keeps me distractible and resentful of the time it takes to get through a book. This is all told from Julie’s first person POV and in my opinion would’ve worked much better in traditional past tense. The writing is otherwise good, I definitely felt like I was there in the heat and the dust, I just didn’t enjoy the experience. Having been unable to travel for the best part of three years, I had hoped for a book that would take me somewhere interesting - this achieves that goal if you interpret “interesting” as “I don’t want to go there!”
Others have generally rated this higher than I did so if my particular bugbears don’t bother you, and you’re after a slow-burn thriller set somewhere quite different, do check it out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview for the post-publication review copy, Disappeared is available now.
I hadn’t heard of the author previously, but was alerted to it’s availability by an email from the publisher. I liked the sound of the exotic setting, but found it took a long time to get going and I had to push myself to keep going with it.
Julie Welch and her sister Fay are well-to-do middle-aged American tourists who have chosen Morocco for their annual getaway from their busy family lives. They look forward to exploring the local culture, savouring the food and of course lots of shopping. When Fay doesn’t return from a day out, Julie is initially annoyed, then alarmed, then panic-struck, and finding the American consulate unhelpful, sets out on her own to find her, a journey that will take her into terrible danger.
The first half of this reads like a brilliant travel memoir - vividly rich descriptions of the scenery, the towns, the people and the mouth-watering food. Unfortunately very little actually happens, and given this is billed as a thriller, I was completely bored and as frustrated with Julie as she is with Fay. Around 50% we finally get some action and find out what’s going on, then there’s an equally boring further 20% with lots of talking and agonising about their plight. The final third does make up for it, as the sisters use their limited resources to hatch a plan to escape, and the tension ratchets up fast, so I was glad I stuck around - but had this not been a review copy I would’ve given up long before.
My friends know how much I hate present tense narration - instead of conveying immediacy and atmosphere, as I believe is intended, it excludes me from the story and keeps me distractible and resentful of the time it takes to get through a book. This is all told from Julie’s first person POV and in my opinion would’ve worked much better in traditional past tense. The writing is otherwise good, I definitely felt like I was there in the heat and the dust, I just didn’t enjoy the experience. Having been unable to travel for the best part of three years, I had hoped for a book that would take me somewhere interesting - this achieves that goal if you interpret “interesting” as “I don’t want to go there!”
Others have generally rated this higher than I did so if my particular bugbears don’t bother you, and you’re after a slow-burn thriller set somewhere quite different, do check it out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview for the post-publication review copy, Disappeared is available now.
March 22, 2022
Two sisters travel together to Morocco for their yearly vacation. One leaves the hotel never to return.
Admittedly, when I first read the synopsis for this book, I was a bit turned off. I mean, it's been done already, right? No. Nope. I was wrong. This book, Disappeared, was like no other I've read before.
When Julie discovers that her sister is gone, she isn't worried at first. A note was left saying Faye would return the next day and Julie used the time to see a bit of Morocco on her own. During this alone time, we, the reader, were treated a beautifully written description of often over-looked areas of Morocco, often unseen hospitality of its people. Having many Muslims for friends, I know of their generosity, but it isn't often portrayed so beautifully as it was throughout this book. Make no mistake, however, as the book progresses Julie encounters much of the underbelly of the country as well. Sadly, there is unrest along the border with Algiers and has been for many years. With climate change and foreign intervention, the situation is worsening. There are hints of this as we find out what has happened to Faye. The perseverance of Julie, her refusal to give up even when the odds were against her were astounding. At times, perhaps, they seemed unbelievable, but I honestly believe we sell women and family short. I think most of would do more than we can imagine to save a loved one.
I loved this book, the writing, the gorgeous descriptions and atmosphere and, most of all, Julie's character. I would love to read more from this author and look forward to doing so.
Thank you to the author and #Netgalley for my copy.
Admittedly, when I first read the synopsis for this book, I was a bit turned off. I mean, it's been done already, right? No. Nope. I was wrong. This book, Disappeared, was like no other I've read before.
When Julie discovers that her sister is gone, she isn't worried at first. A note was left saying Faye would return the next day and Julie used the time to see a bit of Morocco on her own. During this alone time, we, the reader, were treated a beautifully written description of often over-looked areas of Morocco, often unseen hospitality of its people. Having many Muslims for friends, I know of their generosity, but it isn't often portrayed so beautifully as it was throughout this book. Make no mistake, however, as the book progresses Julie encounters much of the underbelly of the country as well. Sadly, there is unrest along the border with Algiers and has been for many years. With climate change and foreign intervention, the situation is worsening. There are hints of this as we find out what has happened to Faye. The perseverance of Julie, her refusal to give up even when the odds were against her were astounding. At times, perhaps, they seemed unbelievable, but I honestly believe we sell women and family short. I think most of would do more than we can imagine to save a loved one.
I loved this book, the writing, the gorgeous descriptions and atmosphere and, most of all, Julie's character. I would love to read more from this author and look forward to doing so.
Thank you to the author and #Netgalley for my copy.
April 12, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
In 2005, two sisters go to Morocco. After an argument, one of them disappears. It takes a while to sink in that she isn't coming back, so the other sister gets a guide and goes searching for her.
Seems a lot more realistic than Taken.
In 2005, two sisters go to Morocco. After an argument, one of them disappears. It takes a while to sink in that she isn't coming back, so the other sister gets a guide and goes searching for her.
Seems a lot more realistic than Taken.
May 9, 2022
Morocco is on my bucket list of places to visit, so I when I started on Disappeared, I was excited, and looking forward to the experience. Bonnar Spring does not disappoint. The story of two sisters out on vacation where one goes missing starts off like many others, but takes an unusual turn and the suspense builds from there.
The writing at the sentence level is stunning, and I would have read the book for that alone, but Spring also weaves an engaging tale of mystery, high tension, political intrigue, and family relationships. I could feel the heat of the desert, the sand on my skin, hear the sounds of Moroccan streets. I was there for the celebrations of religious holidays, the clothes and the delicious food. I rooted for Julie throughout, and stayed awake turning the pages deep into the night, and closing the book satisfied with the nail-biting ending!
Thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview publishing for my copy! I hope to read more from Bonnar Spring.
The writing at the sentence level is stunning, and I would have read the book for that alone, but Spring also weaves an engaging tale of mystery, high tension, political intrigue, and family relationships. I could feel the heat of the desert, the sand on my skin, hear the sounds of Moroccan streets. I was there for the celebrations of religious holidays, the clothes and the delicious food. I rooted for Julie throughout, and stayed awake turning the pages deep into the night, and closing the book satisfied with the nail-biting ending!
Thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview publishing for my copy! I hope to read more from Bonnar Spring.
March 20, 2022
This is a tense, very descriptive thriller of a woman and her missing sister in Morocco. You feel like you are there, all the colors, the heat, and the terror/desperation of her journey to find her. Very well written and worth the read 4.5
April 13, 2022
Wow Bonnar Spring, you have quite literally taken my breath away!
This was an intense psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from early on. To say I was living in suspense would be an understatement. I am not actually sure if I took a breath the entire book.
As I turned purple from the lurking anxiousness in my throat, I quickly turned the page in anticipation of what was going to happen next. This is a book that I believe with out one doubt will be picked up and turned into a movie.
This was a character driven book that not only was suspenseful but also showed the love and devotion family has to one another.
How far would you go for the ones you love?
This was an intense psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from early on. To say I was living in suspense would be an understatement. I am not actually sure if I took a breath the entire book.
As I turned purple from the lurking anxiousness in my throat, I quickly turned the page in anticipation of what was going to happen next. This is a book that I believe with out one doubt will be picked up and turned into a movie.
This was a character driven book that not only was suspenseful but also showed the love and devotion family has to one another.
How far would you go for the ones you love?
April 21, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley & Oceanview Publishing for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
I was torn trying to rate Disappeared . It's unlike anything I've ever read, but I never felt wholly engaged in the story.
The beginning is a little muddled, making it difficult to figure out what's going on. Unfortunately, that feeling lasted farther into the book than it should, and I kept waiting for things to get started. While it eventually leads to an incredible adventure filled with real danger, there were too many lucky coincidences to ever really relax into the narrative.
Disappeared is a unique and incredibly thrilling story; I think I was a little too caught up in the details to enjoy it fully.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
I was torn trying to rate Disappeared . It's unlike anything I've ever read, but I never felt wholly engaged in the story.
The beginning is a little muddled, making it difficult to figure out what's going on. Unfortunately, that feeling lasted farther into the book than it should, and I kept waiting for things to get started. While it eventually leads to an incredible adventure filled with real danger, there were too many lucky coincidences to ever really relax into the narrative.
Disappeared is a unique and incredibly thrilling story; I think I was a little too caught up in the details to enjoy it fully.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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March 10, 2022
3.5*
I don't read a lot of mysteries, but I chose this book because it takes place in Morrocco. I did learn a little bit about the country and its people and I enjoyed the fast-paced read. However, I found the part of the story when Julie is left behind in the desert and has to find her way to her sister, despite not knowing where she was, spraining her ankle in the process, and crawling over sand and mountains, a bit unbelievable. The story is supposed to be fictional, but not completely beyond belief. The story carried me to the end, though, with its exciting conclusion.
Thank you author, publisher, and Netgalley for this ARC.
I don't read a lot of mysteries, but I chose this book because it takes place in Morrocco. I did learn a little bit about the country and its people and I enjoyed the fast-paced read. However, I found the part of the story when Julie is left behind in the desert and has to find her way to her sister, despite not knowing where she was, spraining her ankle in the process, and crawling over sand and mountains, a bit unbelievable. The story is supposed to be fictional, but not completely beyond belief. The story carried me to the end, though, with its exciting conclusion.
Thank you author, publisher, and Netgalley for this ARC.
May 1, 2022
Atmospheric Mystery Turns Nail Biting Thriller. This is one of those visceral, atmospheric type tales where you truly feel immersed in the (for most readers) exotic locale. Spring does a tremendous job of showing the breadth of Morocco, from its urban and more modern (ish) areas to its much more remote and tribal areas, from its dazzling seascapes to the bleak Saharan Desert. Much of the tale is a mystery of a woman trying to find her sister, who she arrived in-country with but has now disappeared. Later revelations turn the tale into a desperate attempt to survive and to flee the country, and this is where the book begins to take on much more of its thriller vibe (though there was at least some tinge of foreshadowing of this during the more mystery-oriented section of the tale). Truly a remarkable work, and very much recommended.
June 15, 2022
Disappeared by Bonnar Spring was an enjoyable, very tense read. Two American sisters - Fay Lariviere and Julie Welch - go to Morocco for their yearly catch-up. Fay, an executive in a tech company, is married to Gil, a lawyer, and Julie has an office job, a ten-year-old son, Alex, and two other children. One sister is harbouring secrets from the other and for her, it is a lot more than just a holiday but both will find themselves in jeopardy in this tale which is full of action. The location is evocatively described by the author, there is a super sense of place and I enjoyed finding out more about the sisters. Danger lurks around many corners in this compelling family tale. Very highly recommended, I would love to read more from this author and look forward to doing so.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my own request, from Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my own request, from Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 13, 2022
Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for sending an advance copy of Disappeared.
Julie and her sister Fay love to take exotic trips to blow off the steam of everyday life. They live by the motto that the journey is the real destination, often finding themselves where they never expected. On their latest trip to Morocco, Julie wakes up to a note from Fay saying she’ll be back in 2 days. When she doesn’t return Julie starts to worry and ask around. Due to a conflict with the hotel, the pair has their room changed and that very night a woman in their old room is killed. After playing amateur detective and gathering some clues, Julie sets off for a remote location in the desert to track her sister down. The sisters reunite in a prison and Julie learns the deep secrets that Fay has kept from her. Pairing up with an imprisoned mother/daughter/grandchild trio, this group of unlikely allies put their will to the test to survive.
I’ve recently been reading a lot of ‘travel thrillers’ (didn’t even know that was a genre, to be honest…is it a newer trend?) and I’ve got to say I’m obsessed. I don’t know if being stuck with no serious travel for a couple of years is a catalyst or what, but I’m loving these books about vacations going awry. I really enjoyed this one being set in Morocco because it’s an uncommon setting to my knowledge, and I was able to read an entertaining story while also learning some new info.
I liked Julie a lot, I could basically see her rolling her eyes and huffing and then going after her sister in true sibling fashion. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for her family and that’s really the theme to this book. The side characters we meet are so lovable. I’m writing this review weeks after the read so I am blanking on some names, but the hotel clerk that helped Julie and the wife of the restaurant owner that Julie met were fantastic additions to the story and I wish I knew more about them. The family that Julie and Fay meet in the prison is great as well, wholly dedicated to each other and ensuring they remain together and safe.
The descriptions are vivid, I definitely got a feel for Morocco, both the cities and the desert. It’s a place that is pretty high on my bucket list and this book did nothing but make me want to experience it more (which sounds very weird to say after reading a thriller set there!)
Julie and her sister Fay love to take exotic trips to blow off the steam of everyday life. They live by the motto that the journey is the real destination, often finding themselves where they never expected. On their latest trip to Morocco, Julie wakes up to a note from Fay saying she’ll be back in 2 days. When she doesn’t return Julie starts to worry and ask around. Due to a conflict with the hotel, the pair has their room changed and that very night a woman in their old room is killed. After playing amateur detective and gathering some clues, Julie sets off for a remote location in the desert to track her sister down. The sisters reunite in a prison and Julie learns the deep secrets that Fay has kept from her. Pairing up with an imprisoned mother/daughter/grandchild trio, this group of unlikely allies put their will to the test to survive.
I’ve recently been reading a lot of ‘travel thrillers’ (didn’t even know that was a genre, to be honest…is it a newer trend?) and I’ve got to say I’m obsessed. I don’t know if being stuck with no serious travel for a couple of years is a catalyst or what, but I’m loving these books about vacations going awry. I really enjoyed this one being set in Morocco because it’s an uncommon setting to my knowledge, and I was able to read an entertaining story while also learning some new info.
I liked Julie a lot, I could basically see her rolling her eyes and huffing and then going after her sister in true sibling fashion. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for her family and that’s really the theme to this book. The side characters we meet are so lovable. I’m writing this review weeks after the read so I am blanking on some names, but the hotel clerk that helped Julie and the wife of the restaurant owner that Julie met were fantastic additions to the story and I wish I knew more about them. The family that Julie and Fay meet in the prison is great as well, wholly dedicated to each other and ensuring they remain together and safe.
The descriptions are vivid, I definitely got a feel for Morocco, both the cities and the desert. It’s a place that is pretty high on my bucket list and this book did nothing but make me want to experience it more (which sounds very weird to say after reading a thriller set there!)
March 17, 2022
I was constantly holding my breath while I read this book. I couldn’t tear myself away as I tore through the pages, reading furiously. What started out one way turned out to be something totally different, it was such a thrilling read. All the descriptions I felt like it was happening To me, instead of the characters. It reminded me Of watching the movie Argos in theater years ago.
Julie was ingenious. She and Fay were a great duo and deserve a simple vacation.
I’d like to think I would be quick on my feet if I had been in a similar situation, but more likely I would have been a blubbering mess.
Great breathtaking read!!
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for the early read.
Julie was ingenious. She and Fay were a great duo and deserve a simple vacation.
I’d like to think I would be quick on my feet if I had been in a similar situation, but more likely I would have been a blubbering mess.
Great breathtaking read!!
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for the early read.
June 2, 2022
I love books set in exotic locations and those filled with action and mystery. Disappeared has it all—even a hugely intriguing title! It may start out as sisters traveling to an exotic location—Morocco—for a good time—but it does not end up that way. Loving sisters, ideal travel companions, encounter an enemy they never knew existed and are not equipped to handle. Can they possibly prevail against the forces set against them in an hostile environment? Even more fundamental, can they trust each other? These are not “wonder-women,” but rather “every-women”, pitted against astounding odds in a survival situation they could never have conceived.
May 3, 2022
This is a tense, very descriptive thriller of a woman and her missing sister in Morocco. You feel like you are there, all the colors, the heat, and the terror/desperation of her journey to find her. Very well written and worth the read4.5
December 31, 2021
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Oceanview Publishing and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Suspenseful, intriguing read with twists you won’t see coming.
Suspenseful, intriguing read with twists you won’t see coming.
May 9, 2022
Following 2020’s intriguing debut, TOWARD THE LIGHT, Bonnar Spring’s stand-alone novel introduces middle-age sisters Julie and Fay. The two enjoy annual excursions sans family to an exotic destination, this one to Morocco. The northwestern African country of 2005 is far removed from the contemporary tourist magnet.
From Marrakesh, Fay drives to a hotel in Ouarzazate, a city south of the “snowcapped meringue of the Atlas Mountains,” known as a gateway to the Sahara Desert. Police stop them and search their vehicle and luggage. Fay suggests the cops wanted a bribe, but Julie isn’t so sure as other tourists whiz by. After a day of shopping, Julie naps and wakes up to find Fay’s bed undisturbed. More annoyed than concerned, she dines at a typical Moroccan restaurant and learns a lot about local folklore. The next day, Fay hasn’t returned. “The worry I kept at bay returns, crashing over me like a tidal wave,” but Julie finds a note from the previous afternoon indicating that Fay will return in two days. Make that tomorrow.
Finding an address in Fay’s backpack, Julie sets off to locate her. Fay has been hiding something from her older sibling that lands her in a desert paramilitary compound with no chance for escape. In this case, disappeared is what happens to dictatorship opponents, but neither sister has been to Morocco.
Julie engages a guide to take her into the desert, where Fay is believed to be. Along the way, she finds a petrified ostrich egg fragment. Ahmed, the guide, tells Julie that an ostrich uses “the triumph of cunning over strength” to survive. It scratches sand into a lion’s eyes, thereby escaping. Spending the night on a sand-mattress, Julie learns the next morning that Ahmed has disappeared, stranding her.
The older sister is sly and observant. She notices anomalies, such as men in cities prefer Western-style clothing whereas rural folk wear traditional djellabas. She strokes the shell fragment (“a talisman for cunning and endurance”) when in a plight. Revelations appear from nowhere.
DISAPPEARED is a phenomenal mélange of thriller, mystery, suspense, family bonding and, yes, triumph of cunning. I can’t wait for the film adaptation!
Somewhat in the vein of Tana French, Bonnar Spring writes eclectic novels with an international flair. The inveterate traveler hitchhiked across Europe at age 16 and joined the Peace Corps after college. She taught ESL (English as a Second Language) and divides her time between a home near a New Hampshire salt marsh and another by the Sea of Abaco.
Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy
From Marrakesh, Fay drives to a hotel in Ouarzazate, a city south of the “snowcapped meringue of the Atlas Mountains,” known as a gateway to the Sahara Desert. Police stop them and search their vehicle and luggage. Fay suggests the cops wanted a bribe, but Julie isn’t so sure as other tourists whiz by. After a day of shopping, Julie naps and wakes up to find Fay’s bed undisturbed. More annoyed than concerned, she dines at a typical Moroccan restaurant and learns a lot about local folklore. The next day, Fay hasn’t returned. “The worry I kept at bay returns, crashing over me like a tidal wave,” but Julie finds a note from the previous afternoon indicating that Fay will return in two days. Make that tomorrow.
Finding an address in Fay’s backpack, Julie sets off to locate her. Fay has been hiding something from her older sibling that lands her in a desert paramilitary compound with no chance for escape. In this case, disappeared is what happens to dictatorship opponents, but neither sister has been to Morocco.
Julie engages a guide to take her into the desert, where Fay is believed to be. Along the way, she finds a petrified ostrich egg fragment. Ahmed, the guide, tells Julie that an ostrich uses “the triumph of cunning over strength” to survive. It scratches sand into a lion’s eyes, thereby escaping. Spending the night on a sand-mattress, Julie learns the next morning that Ahmed has disappeared, stranding her.
The older sister is sly and observant. She notices anomalies, such as men in cities prefer Western-style clothing whereas rural folk wear traditional djellabas. She strokes the shell fragment (“a talisman for cunning and endurance”) when in a plight. Revelations appear from nowhere.
DISAPPEARED is a phenomenal mélange of thriller, mystery, suspense, family bonding and, yes, triumph of cunning. I can’t wait for the film adaptation!
Somewhat in the vein of Tana French, Bonnar Spring writes eclectic novels with an international flair. The inveterate traveler hitchhiked across Europe at age 16 and joined the Peace Corps after college. She taught ESL (English as a Second Language) and divides her time between a home near a New Hampshire salt marsh and another by the Sea of Abaco.
Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy
January 14, 2024
"Disappeared" by Bonnar Spring is a riveting and suspenseful novel that earns a solid four-star rating for its gripping storyline and compelling characters. The narrative follows Julie Welch as she embarks on a harrowing journey to find her missing sister, Fay Lariviere, in the vast and treacherous Saharan desert.
The novel immediately grabs the reader's attention with the mysterious disappearance of Fay from a hotel in Morocco. As Julie delves into the search for her sister, the plot takes unexpected turns, introducing elements of danger, deception, and a relentless stalker. The stakes are raised when an attack meant for Julie results in the death of another woman, intensifying the urgency of the sisters' predicament.
Bonnar Spring skillfully builds tension throughout the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Julie unravels the mystery behind Fay's disappearance. The remote village in the Saharan desert serves as a captivating setting, adding an atmospheric quality to the narrative. The author's vivid descriptions transport the reader to the harsh and unforgiving desert landscape, enhancing the sense of peril.
The characters, particularly Julie and Fay, are well-drawn and evolve realistically as the plot unfolds. The dynamic between the sisters, fueled by anger, worry, and a shared determination to survive, adds depth to the story. The exploration of their relationship and the reasons behind Fay's secrecy contribute to the emotional resonance of the novel.
The pacing of the narrative is well-executed, with a balance between moments of intense action and quieter, introspective scenes. The plot twists and turns keep the reader engaged, and the suspenseful atmosphere is maintained until the satisfying resolution.
While the novel successfully delivers on its promise of a thrilling desert adventure, there are instances where the plot may feel somewhat predictable, and certain character decisions could be further explored for added complexity. Additionally, the resolution, while satisfying, may wrap up certain aspects of the story a bit too neatly.
In conclusion, "Disappeared" is a captivating and well-crafted thriller that captivates with its engaging plot, vivid setting, and strong character dynamics. Bonnar Spring demonstrates skill in building suspense and delivering a satisfying tale of survival in the unforgiving Saharan desert. This novel is recommended for readers who enjoy suspenseful and atmospheric thrillers with compelling characters.
The novel immediately grabs the reader's attention with the mysterious disappearance of Fay from a hotel in Morocco. As Julie delves into the search for her sister, the plot takes unexpected turns, introducing elements of danger, deception, and a relentless stalker. The stakes are raised when an attack meant for Julie results in the death of another woman, intensifying the urgency of the sisters' predicament.
Bonnar Spring skillfully builds tension throughout the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Julie unravels the mystery behind Fay's disappearance. The remote village in the Saharan desert serves as a captivating setting, adding an atmospheric quality to the narrative. The author's vivid descriptions transport the reader to the harsh and unforgiving desert landscape, enhancing the sense of peril.
The characters, particularly Julie and Fay, are well-drawn and evolve realistically as the plot unfolds. The dynamic between the sisters, fueled by anger, worry, and a shared determination to survive, adds depth to the story. The exploration of their relationship and the reasons behind Fay's secrecy contribute to the emotional resonance of the novel.
The pacing of the narrative is well-executed, with a balance between moments of intense action and quieter, introspective scenes. The plot twists and turns keep the reader engaged, and the suspenseful atmosphere is maintained until the satisfying resolution.
While the novel successfully delivers on its promise of a thrilling desert adventure, there are instances where the plot may feel somewhat predictable, and certain character decisions could be further explored for added complexity. Additionally, the resolution, while satisfying, may wrap up certain aspects of the story a bit too neatly.
In conclusion, "Disappeared" is a captivating and well-crafted thriller that captivates with its engaging plot, vivid setting, and strong character dynamics. Bonnar Spring demonstrates skill in building suspense and delivering a satisfying tale of survival in the unforgiving Saharan desert. This novel is recommended for readers who enjoy suspenseful and atmospheric thrillers with compelling characters.
June 4, 2022
Since they were teenagers, Jule and Fay usually take a "sisters trip" each year, a chance to reconnect and, for Julie, to take a break from her kids that makes her appreciate family life that much more when she returns. But they haven't taken a trip together since Fay got married and moved to NYC, so when Fay reaches out with the suggestion of Morocco, Julie convinces her husband it will be safe, and off they go. Soon after arriving, however, Fay disappears from their hotel and Julie realizes someone is following her around town. After another tourist mistaken for Julie is attacked, her anger at Fay for taking off turns to fear for her safety. Julie sets out to look for Fay, using a scrap of paper she left behind as her only clue. When she finds her, however, Julie joins Fay as a prisoner of Moroccan special forces. The sisters must use every ounce of their resourcefulness and determination to escape if they are ever to get back home. Disappeared is a well-written, engrossing action adventure. The pace of the story starts slow, with Julie left to entertain herself when Fay first disappears, but builds faster and faster with the action, as Julie heading out to look for her sister and as they plot and execute their escape. Important information is seamlessly and subtly provided. I liked the characters and their motivations and actions always seemed plausible. The wonderful descriptions of Morocco and Moroccan culture add another measure of depth to the story. Thank you to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2023
Since they were teenagers, Jule and Fay usually take a "sisters trip" each year, a chance to reconnect and, for Julie, to take a break from her kids that makes her appreciate family life that much more when she returns. But they haven't taken a trip together since Fay got married and moved to NYC, so when Fay reaches out with the suggestion of Morocco, Julie convinces her husband it will be safe, and off they go. Soon after arriving, however, Fay disappears from their hotel and Julie realizes someone is following her around town. After another tourist mistaken for Julie is attacked, her anger at Fay for taking off turns to fear for her safety. Julie sets out to look for Fay, using a scrap of paper she left behind as her only clue. When she finds her, however, Julie joins Fay as a prisoner of Moroccan special forces. The sisters must use every ounce of their resourcefulness and determination to escape if they are ever to get back home. Disappeared is a well-written, engrossing action adventure. The pace of the story starts slow, with Julie left to entertain herself when Fay first disappears, but builds faster and faster with the action, as Julie heading out to look for her sister and as they plot and execute their escape. Important information is seamlessly and subtly provided. I liked the characters and their motivations and actions always seemed plausible. The wonderful descriptions of Morocco and Moroccan culture add another measure of depth to the story.
March 30, 2022
Morocco based mystery
Julie and Fay have just arrived in Morocco when Fay goes missing. Julie is worried for her sister, then annoyed and then finds plenty to be scared about. The police don’t seem trustworthy, the consulate is winding down for the approaching public holiday, but Julie needs to do something, and when she finds herself being followed the tension rises.
Wonderful descriptions of Morocco, including Ouarzazate and Agadir, the food, the (mostly) friendly people, the markets and the countryside/desert. Reading this gave me plenty of “what would I do in that situation” thoughts, and the storyline was unnerving as Julie looks for Fay and tries to survive in hostile territory.
For me I found the suspense lacking and never found myself fully involved in what was going on. However the descriptions of Morocco (a place I have never visited) made this a memorable and interesting read, and make me think I would love to go on a tour of the villages and countryside (with a trustworthy guide!)
This would make a great film!
Julie and Fay have just arrived in Morocco when Fay goes missing. Julie is worried for her sister, then annoyed and then finds plenty to be scared about. The police don’t seem trustworthy, the consulate is winding down for the approaching public holiday, but Julie needs to do something, and when she finds herself being followed the tension rises.
Wonderful descriptions of Morocco, including Ouarzazate and Agadir, the food, the (mostly) friendly people, the markets and the countryside/desert. Reading this gave me plenty of “what would I do in that situation” thoughts, and the storyline was unnerving as Julie looks for Fay and tries to survive in hostile territory.
For me I found the suspense lacking and never found myself fully involved in what was going on. However the descriptions of Morocco (a place I have never visited) made this a memorable and interesting read, and make me think I would love to go on a tour of the villages and countryside (with a trustworthy guide!)
This would make a great film!
November 7, 2022
Disappeared is not a stereotypical thriller high on adrenaline and low on character -- it's a thriller with heart and soul, a quiet thriller with tension that builds throughout. In fact, I would describe it as part thriller, part travelogue, part personal journey, part geopolitical lesson, and even part MacGyver! (That last reference will make sense if you read the story.) The narrative felt very personal -- in part due to the present-tense, first-person approach, in part due to Spring's skill -- and I almost felt I had climbed into Julie's world and was traveling alongside her.
By the end, you'll be on the edge of your seat, hoping for these women to extricate themselves from the nightmare in which they've become entrenched. And you'll celebrate the female cunning and resourcefulness they employ to that end. This page-turner would make an excellent movie or limited TV series.
I am now adding Spring's first novel, Toward the Light, to my reading list.
By the end, you'll be on the edge of your seat, hoping for these women to extricate themselves from the nightmare in which they've become entrenched. And you'll celebrate the female cunning and resourcefulness they employ to that end. This page-turner would make an excellent movie or limited TV series.
I am now adding Spring's first novel, Toward the Light, to my reading list.
April 12, 2022
Disappeared is a story of family bonds tested by the combined forces of a vindictive king, a brutal security force, and the Sahara Desert. Julie loves her sister Fay. But Fay has secrets. Fay’s husband Gil has more secrets. Those secrets draw Julie into a gripping life-or-death adventure far off the mildly exotic vacation the sisters had planned. Colorful markets and pristine beaches give way to prisons, hunger and sleeping rough. Fueled by love and family ties, the women find strength, ingenuity, and grit they didn’t know they had to do things that blow through the meaning of “outside your comfort zone.” It’s a desperate race against time, nature and men with guns. As the book draws you in, you’ll stay up late to find out whether those who Disappeared are gone forever.
September 22, 2022
Middle-aged American sisters Julie Welch and Fay Lariviere are on a dream trip to Morocco when Fay disappears. The hotel staff find a note from Fay indicating she would be back in two days but she doesn't return. Julie finally learns Fay was headed to a remote village in the Saharan desert. Fay arrange a trip to find Fay only to be abandoned by her villager guide in the middle of nowhere. Julie finally reunites with Fay in a remote prison and learns the reason for her sister's cagey behaviour. The remote desert location is so evocatively described, with danger and betrayal following Julie and Fay everywhere. It was a nail-biting read until the very end of the story.
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing. My opinions are my own.
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing. My opinions are my own.
Did Not Finish
November 29, 2024DNF-ed at @20-ish%
I could not connect with the writing or care about the main character. Her sister just disappears leaving a short note and she's just going to "hang out" in Morocco while her sister is doing something for her husband who's not traveling with them? Maybe a cool concept, but I wasn't going to stick around to find out. The main character and oohing and aahing over outdoor markets read a little too "look at me, I've been to Morocco and eat spicy foods" vs. a genuine description of Morocco, food, culture. It read more like a travel-guide catered to Westerners rather than a thriller where as a reader you're concerned for this woman's missing sister and Morocco as a setting is weaved in to give us a strong sense of place, but didn't happen.
I could not connect with the writing or care about the main character. Her sister just disappears leaving a short note and she's just going to "hang out" in Morocco while her sister is doing something for her husband who's not traveling with them? Maybe a cool concept, but I wasn't going to stick around to find out. The main character and oohing and aahing over outdoor markets read a little too "look at me, I've been to Morocco and eat spicy foods" vs. a genuine description of Morocco, food, culture. It read more like a travel-guide catered to Westerners rather than a thriller where as a reader you're concerned for this woman's missing sister and Morocco as a setting is weaved in to give us a strong sense of place, but didn't happen.
April 28, 2022
Julie is confused and angry when her sister Fay takes off on her own during their sister trip to Morcco, leaving only a cryptic note about doing something for her husband Gil. It's 2004 and the politics of the region are more fraught than Julie knew before arriving. And then it's clear someone is stalking her. Julie hires a guide, who abandons her, to find Fay. What is Gil's secret? There's a trip through the desert, a military compound, an escape, and will the sisters survive? No spoilers from me. This is implausible in more ways than one but the atmospherics are good. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
June 1, 2022
Bonnar Spring’s DISAPPEARED is an exceptional book on many levels. Set in Morocco, it reminded me of the best travel writing by Paul Theroux. You are the co-pilot, along for the ride through Morocco. What the reader will experience is far more than the usual tourist spots. The food and social descriptions are pure Anthony Bourdain at his most charming and optimistic self. The taste and smell of the food of the land is very much a part of the story. This is an adventure thriller. The plot is pure Indiana Jones as the main character searches for her “disappeared” sister. This is a terrific book, a quick read, and one you will think about for a long time. I highly recommend this book.
December 30, 2021
A heart-racing, page-turning tour de force! Two sisters travel to Morocco and one disappears. Families are complicated, indeed they are. When in the face of danger, could you find the courage to kick sand in the face of the lion? I loved this book so much and finished it in a day. I had the privilege of traveling around Morocco with my best friend in 2018 and visited many of the places in this book (and more!) The author's beautifully descriptive and flowing prose transported me back this wonderfully enigmatic country, this time from the comfort and safety of my cozy couch.
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