Vanished

by Kathryn Mackel

A terrorist bombing. A rogue experiment. A community vanished. Who will save them now? In a series that blends the urgent action of the Left Behind books with the alluring weirdness of the television show Lost, this first book opens with a terrorist bombing that combines with a rogue underground experiment to rip a clovershaped section of the working-class city of Barcester loose from the world. Cut off from any hope of help, police sergeant Jason Logan fights to keep order and track the terrorist mastermind. But after a second bomb explodes, effectively sealing the displacement of the vanished area, he knows the nightmare is just beginning. As the mist from the bomb slowly clears, those inside the vanished community find themselves surrounded by a majestic wilderness that is both primitive and primal as the vanished community battles for survival against enemies they’ve always known and forces they’ve never imagined.

Genres: Christian, Fiction, Thriller, Christian Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2007

About the author

As a screenwriter (writing as Kathy Mackel), Kathryn Mackel has worked for Disney, Fox, and Showtime. She’s famous with the kids for the Disney movie Can of Worms. She was the credited screenwriter for Frank Peretti's Hangman's Curse (with Stan Foster) and part of the story team for Left Behind: The Movie.

Reviews

[Alyssa Greatbanks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will start off saying that when I got this book I did not know it was Christian Fiction, it was not listed as and I did not find out until after I started the book. I am not against this, but I find that a lot of Christian Fiction books resolve plot issues with the characters finding God, and as someone who enjoys a good story I dislike the hasty resolutions like that.

I have to say though, this book does exactly that. The book ends with the main characters at a church praying for God to help them through whatever it is that has happened to them. I say it like that because we are never told WHY the town is in this predicament, and even the person that sets the bombs does not know. So you are left wondering why it happened and what it is exactly that happened.

So for that, I say if you are someone that doesn't like leaving things unresolved, I suggest you do not read this book. Some people are suggesting it is the first in a series, but as it was written 7 years ago and there seems to be no news of another book from what I can find, I am going to treat it as a stand-alone novel.

The story, otherwise, was interesting but it lacks depth at times, and leaves you with questions throughout the novel. I was really hoping for something more when I got this, it is very sad that it was such a disappointment.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were aspects of this book that I liked...but there were more that just left me kind of confused and ultimately frustrated. The idea had elements that were interesting and mysterious. I liked what entering the mist did to people (I won't get into that, in case someone wants to read it). I liked the dynamics between some of the characters and how people banded together during crisis. That's pretty much where it ends. Something I didn't like was the strained way the author tried to give some of the characters a "thug-like" personality. The way she had those characters talk seemed very forced and unnatural. Also, I was completely down with the mist and fire elements that were going on, but then something even more sci-fi was introduced, and it just felt disjointed from the rest of the story. The biggest issue is that this book was clearly supposed to have a sequel coming, since it claims to be "Christian Chiller Series #1", however it was published in 2007, and no sequel has come out. With the way this just abruptly ends, with no solution to anything, it leaves me feeling very frustrated that I spent my time reading it, when it seems like there may never be a sequel, since it's been 18 years since the last one. I can honestly say, I would not recommend this book to anyone, unless you want to finish it feeling frustrated.

[Wendy Nicholson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fragmented Story Line

I continually found myself rereading what I’d already read in an attempt to figure out what I was missing. What was missing was words from the book. There were way too many fragmented paragraphs. The descriptions were vague. I constantly felt like I was missing something. Then came the ending. Wow. The entire ending was missing with no explanation. There is no book two. The book editing was subpar. Not a good read.

[Nicole LaPorte · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this was a book about finding god lol I thought it was a lil dystopian thriller 😅

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out describing the events that happen after a bombing. The author has broken down the events of this book into hours. The first section is named “The First Hour” (of course it is!) What do the police and federal agents do immediately after a bombing has occurred? This is a post 911 book. References are made to that event and how things are done differently now. The book is suspenseful and Kathryn develops about 5 main characters all of which have their own drama’s happening in the middle of this tragedy.

As I was reading along and got into “The Fifth Hour” of the book some really unexpected things started to happen. I didn’t see how this author was going to tie this all up and explain this new twist in the story. I only had 5 chapters to go in the fifth hour. There wasn’t enough time. Then I thought if she did tie it up it would have to be quick and it would ruin the story. I read the last page of the book and realized that this was book#1 in a new series that she is writing.(I didn't read the back cover of this book first) Ok, that explained a lot. This book really leaves you hanging. All 5 main characters are in the middle of suspenseful drama. She definitely leaves you wondering what exactly is keeping this town in Massachusetts stranded. Why hadn’t anyone come to help them? What is that mist? Will the bomber strike again? Who is this all connected? I don’t know how long you’ll have to wait for the sequel. All I know is that it will be worth the wait.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Margaret Chind · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vanished is not my cup of tea. I read fifteen chapters (not even a quarter through) and it did not perk my interest, but that is not to say that it would not perk yours. Right now, I'm still feisty when it comes to Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy, and Speculative Fiction. Many times I find books that are fabulous and I cannot get enough of, but sometimes there is too much of reality and science for me. My reason that I read, be a good one or not - it is still mine, is to escape reality. I delve into the world of my characters and live within their lives. Sometimes things are too close to the harshness of reality that it is not an escape. That has nothing to do with the skill of an author, just more what I'm looking for in a story. If you are looking for a recommendation for Christian Sci-Fi & Fantasy/or Speculative Fiction I have plenty though.

[Dana Burkey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although I did not hate this book....I cannot give it a good rating knowing that there is not another in the series! Nothing was resolved at all!!! I was so excited to track down this book after a few years since reading it, but it was useless when I learned there is STILL nothing after this book to tie up the MANY loos ends....

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting plot of bombs, terrorist attacks, mystery combined with a little sci-fy. It was written in 2007 and is the first in a series. The surprise is that there are no other books in the series!! It leaves all the characters still on the midst of the danger.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was hard to get into and stay with, but once you get into it, you want to know how things are going to work out. Multiple subplots and people to keep track of.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this entire book only to get to an ending that totally stinks! No resolution whatsoever. Everything is left hanging in the balance. Ugh! Awful ending ruined this book for me.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bizarre! I enjoyed it but it was definitely different than my normal read. I do like the author's style in this book.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay but the end was a little disappointing

[Amanda H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

incredible, so cool how it is all put together in the end.