What do you think?
Rate this book
The Killing Hour #3
Before He Vanished
In Book Two (Before She Was Taken), Rebecca Danser went back in time to seek her younger sister, who disappeared when they were children.
Now, Rebecca continues to be troubled by the growing sense that she should be using her unique ability to save others who have gone missing. She becomes obsessed by the case of an African-American boy who vanished one year ago.
Frustrated that police and media have made little effort to find 13-year-old Ethan Pitt or publicize his disappearance, she begins to investigate using her singular method of jumping back in time.
However, the case is complicated by a variety of suspects, including two neighborhood kids who exerted a bad influence on Ethan, along with several adult mentors who may or may not have had Ethan’s best interests in mind.
After a second boy goes missing, Rebecca’s driving wish to save them sends her down a dangerous rabbit hole from which she may never emerge.
Now, Rebecca continues to be troubled by the growing sense that she should be using her unique ability to save others who have gone missing. She becomes obsessed by the case of an African-American boy who vanished one year ago.
Frustrated that police and media have made little effort to find 13-year-old Ethan Pitt or publicize his disappearance, she begins to investigate using her singular method of jumping back in time.
However, the case is complicated by a variety of suspects, including two neighborhood kids who exerted a bad influence on Ethan, along with several adult mentors who may or may not have had Ethan’s best interests in mind.
After a second boy goes missing, Rebecca’s driving wish to save them sends her down a dangerous rabbit hole from which she may never emerge.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2022
About the author
Marjory Kaptanoglu
14 books27 followersAward-winning author Marjory Kaptanoglu’s “prose is crisp and purposeful, charged with feeling, and always attuned to what will engage readers in each moment.” (The BookLife Prize) Follow Marjory on BookBub to receive notices about her new releases and sales, and sign up for her entertaining newsletter at marjorykaptanoglu.com to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Her YA fantasy DREADMARROW THIEF “celebrates life and love the way only the best fantasy tales can" (Kirkus) and kicks off THE CONJURER FELLSTONE TRILOGY (now complete). According to one reviewer, “Why not get all 3 at once?”
Marjory also writes adult sci-fi/fantasy. Regarding INVADER, “Fans of sci-fi mysteries and strong female characters should snap up this psychological page-turner." (Publishers Weekly) The BEFORE series begins in January, 2021, with the launch of BEFORE THE KILLING, a time-travel tale of love and murder. Fun fact: Marjory was named 2019 Literary Exhibitor of the Year by the California Writer’s Club / San Mateo County Fair. Second fun fact: Marjory once worked at Apple Computer and designed the text-editing software for early versions of the Macintosh.
Marjory also writes adult sci-fi/fantasy. Regarding INVADER, “Fans of sci-fi mysteries and strong female characters should snap up this psychological page-turner." (Publishers Weekly) The BEFORE series begins in January, 2021, with the launch of BEFORE THE KILLING, a time-travel tale of love and murder. Fun fact: Marjory was named 2019 Literary Exhibitor of the Year by the California Writer’s Club / San Mateo County Fair. Second fun fact: Marjory once worked at Apple Computer and designed the text-editing software for early versions of the Macintosh.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 8, 2026
After absolutely loving the first two books in this series, I couldn’t wait to read Before He Vanished. While I enjoyed the story, this installment didn’t quite capture the magic that made the previous books so memorable.
I appreciated the author’s decision to highlight the lack of attention and urgency often surrounding missing Black children, particularly when assumptions are made about their circumstances. It’s an important issue, and I commend Benedict for bringing attention to it.
While the story itself was good, I found the mystery predictable and struggled to connect with the characters. Several subplots felt unnecessary, and the mindcasting, which made the earlier books so fascinating, seemed repetitive this time around. I was also disappointed that Rebecca and Sadie’s storylines weren’t developed further, especially after everything they experienced in the previous installment.
I kept hoping for one of those incredible twists that made me fall in love with this series, but that moment never came. Although I considered not finishing, my love for the first two books kept me reading.
Overall, Before He Vanished was a decent read with an important message, but it lacked the originality, suspense, and emotional connection I loved in the earlier installments. I’m still a fan of Marjorie Benedict’s writing and look forward to reading more of her work.
I appreciated the author’s decision to highlight the lack of attention and urgency often surrounding missing Black children, particularly when assumptions are made about their circumstances. It’s an important issue, and I commend Benedict for bringing attention to it.
While the story itself was good, I found the mystery predictable and struggled to connect with the characters. Several subplots felt unnecessary, and the mindcasting, which made the earlier books so fascinating, seemed repetitive this time around. I was also disappointed that Rebecca and Sadie’s storylines weren’t developed further, especially after everything they experienced in the previous installment.
I kept hoping for one of those incredible twists that made me fall in love with this series, but that moment never came. Although I considered not finishing, my love for the first two books kept me reading.
Overall, Before He Vanished was a decent read with an important message, but it lacked the originality, suspense, and emotional connection I loved in the earlier installments. I’m still a fan of Marjorie Benedict’s writing and look forward to reading more of her work.
August 7, 2022
Rebecca is back, trying to help kidnapped children find their way home again. Using her time travelling abilities, Rebecca is attempting to find out what happened to 13 year old Ethan Pitt, who vanished a year ago.
The investigation goes slowly, especially since there is no familiar connection between Ethan and Rebecca, and in the midst of Covid, things move strangely regardless.
I loved this new tale in the Before series. The mystery was engaging and difficult to put aside. I really enjoyed hearing from Rebecca again, and knowing that she still has her time travelling abilities. I did wonder what happened to these skills once the original mystery was solved.
This tale, though, had a visceral and gripping feel to it from the beginning.
Ethan is such an interesting character, I loved being able to get to know him and see the world through his eyes.
The author did a wonderful job of switching between timeliness and character points of view. The ease of these transitions lead to an easy read, with full ability to whisk the reader away.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I greatly recommend her writing, especially the Before series.
The investigation goes slowly, especially since there is no familiar connection between Ethan and Rebecca, and in the midst of Covid, things move strangely regardless.
I loved this new tale in the Before series. The mystery was engaging and difficult to put aside. I really enjoyed hearing from Rebecca again, and knowing that she still has her time travelling abilities. I did wonder what happened to these skills once the original mystery was solved.
This tale, though, had a visceral and gripping feel to it from the beginning.
Ethan is such an interesting character, I loved being able to get to know him and see the world through his eyes.
The author did a wonderful job of switching between timeliness and character points of view. The ease of these transitions lead to an easy read, with full ability to whisk the reader away.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I greatly recommend her writing, especially the Before series.
January 30, 2024
Not great
Last in the series of books where MC can time travel while sleeping. Nothing they do in travels alters their timeline but they can learn new things and solve crimes
This book ignored fact that MC Rebecca gained a BF Martin at end of 1st book after they solved her sister’s disappearance.
No Martin even mentioned here.
Rebecca so depressed in this book-why? She doesn’t seem to work, do any art or writing and doesn’t spend time with her sister or father??!!
Book tried to do too mych:
What did note say her mother left after killing herself? Why didn’t her dad tell her about it?
She gets bored and decides to solve a random missing teen case?? That adventure has her all iver the place.
Says she hasn’t been able to time travel (she calks it “mind casting”-weird) but suddenly she’s mind casting every night??
She alludes that it makes her feel sick-but that is dropped
Rebecca is often attracted to the creepiest guys. She makes terrible decisions in real life in how she’ll investigate so of course she ends up in deadly peril…
The book also tried to make an issue of young black men disappearing not being investigated because if race? Then there was an affair and political aspirations thrown in??? Plus the whole convoluted case around the boys disappearance and a thug plus a creeper teacher!!!
Just-no
Just a mess.
Last in the series of books where MC can time travel while sleeping. Nothing they do in travels alters their timeline but they can learn new things and solve crimes
This book ignored fact that MC Rebecca gained a BF Martin at end of 1st book after they solved her sister’s disappearance.
No Martin even mentioned here.
Rebecca so depressed in this book-why? She doesn’t seem to work, do any art or writing and doesn’t spend time with her sister or father??!!
Book tried to do too mych:
What did note say her mother left after killing herself? Why didn’t her dad tell her about it?
She gets bored and decides to solve a random missing teen case?? That adventure has her all iver the place.
Says she hasn’t been able to time travel (she calks it “mind casting”-weird) but suddenly she’s mind casting every night??
She alludes that it makes her feel sick-but that is dropped
Rebecca is often attracted to the creepiest guys. She makes terrible decisions in real life in how she’ll investigate so of course she ends up in deadly peril…
The book also tried to make an issue of young black men disappearing not being investigated because if race? Then there was an affair and political aspirations thrown in??? Plus the whole convoluted case around the boys disappearance and a thug plus a creeper teacher!!!
Just-no
Just a mess.
May 16, 2023
Twisty mystery with multiple view points and timelines?! Yes please!! I jumped in at book 3 not realizing it was a series, the writing did a great job catching me up. I definitely will go back and listen to the first two in the series.
I listened to the audiobook read by the incredibly talent Alex Picard!
I listened to the audiobook read by the incredibly talent Alex Picard!
March 15, 2024
3.5 stars
August 4, 2026
Very predictable, but not bad read
May 1, 2026
Before He Vanished by Margie Benedict is a compelling mix of time travel and mystery with strong emotional stakes.
Rebecca’s ability to go back in time adds a fresh layer to a missing child case, especially as she becomes determined to find answers others have overlooked. The deeper she goes, the more dangerous things become.
What stands out is the concept it takes a familiar mystery setup and gives it a unique twist, while still keeping the emotional core front and center.
A great pick for readers who enjoy suspense with a sci-fi edge and a strong, driven lead.
Rebecca’s ability to go back in time adds a fresh layer to a missing child case, especially as she becomes determined to find answers others have overlooked. The deeper she goes, the more dangerous things become.
What stands out is the concept it takes a familiar mystery setup and gives it a unique twist, while still keeping the emotional core front and center.
A great pick for readers who enjoy suspense with a sci-fi edge and a strong, driven lead.
April 4, 2026
I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’d give Before He Vanished a solid 4 stars. It’s a gripping and emotionally charged read that really pulled me in, especially with its unique premise. This is the third book in the series. You can read this as a standalone but I would highly recommend reading the whole series.
I found Rebecca to be a compelling protagonist—her ability to jump back in time and retrace the steps of missing children adds such an intriguing layer to the story. What really stood out to me was her growing sense of responsibility and guilt; it made her motivation feel authentic and urgent rather than forced. Her obsession with Ethan’s case felt believable, especially as we learn more about his difficult life and how vulnerable he was.
Ethan’s storyline was heartbreaking. Seeing how a bright, resilient kid could be pushed into dangerous situations because of circumstances beyond his control added real emotional weight. I appreciated how the book didn’t shy away from showing how easily things can spiral for someone in his position.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, particularly as Rebecca starts connecting Ethan’s disappearance to another case. There were definitely moments of tension that had me turning pages quickly, and the stakes felt genuinely high as she got closer to the truth.
That said, there were a few parts where the pacing dipped a little, especially when Rebecca struggled to piece together certain timelines. I also felt like some of the side characters could have been developed a bit more to make the story even richer.
Overall, though, this was a tense, thought-provoking thriller with a strong emotional core. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense with a touch of the supernatural and a focus on missing persons cases.
I’d give Before He Vanished a solid 4 stars. It’s a gripping and emotionally charged read that really pulled me in, especially with its unique premise. This is the third book in the series. You can read this as a standalone but I would highly recommend reading the whole series.
I found Rebecca to be a compelling protagonist—her ability to jump back in time and retrace the steps of missing children adds such an intriguing layer to the story. What really stood out to me was her growing sense of responsibility and guilt; it made her motivation feel authentic and urgent rather than forced. Her obsession with Ethan’s case felt believable, especially as we learn more about his difficult life and how vulnerable he was.
Ethan’s storyline was heartbreaking. Seeing how a bright, resilient kid could be pushed into dangerous situations because of circumstances beyond his control added real emotional weight. I appreciated how the book didn’t shy away from showing how easily things can spiral for someone in his position.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, particularly as Rebecca starts connecting Ethan’s disappearance to another case. There were definitely moments of tension that had me turning pages quickly, and the stakes felt genuinely high as she got closer to the truth.
That said, there were a few parts where the pacing dipped a little, especially when Rebecca struggled to piece together certain timelines. I also felt like some of the side characters could have been developed a bit more to make the story even richer.
Overall, though, this was a tense, thought-provoking thriller with a strong emotional core. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense with a touch of the supernatural and a focus on missing persons cases.
April 13, 2026
Worth a read
I enjoyed this book, the characters where relateable and the story was gripping at times. The story started quite strong, then dipped in the middle, before a great twist for the end of the book.
The middle of the book i found confusing at times, the time travel back and forth was easy to follow, but there was a story within the story of the book that didnt seem to fit to me.
I still think its worth the time to read it as it was enjoyable.
I enjoyed this book, the characters where relateable and the story was gripping at times. The story started quite strong, then dipped in the middle, before a great twist for the end of the book.
The middle of the book i found confusing at times, the time travel back and forth was easy to follow, but there was a story within the story of the book that didnt seem to fit to me.
I still think its worth the time to read it as it was enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews