Vanished

by Danielle Steel

Vanished tells the story of a man and woman faced with an almost unthinkable tragedy—the mysterious abduction of their son.

In the late 1930s, in the shadow of the Lindbergh kidnapping, and as war looms in Europe, Marielle Patterson shares and elegant Manhattan brownstone with her husband, Malcolm, and their little boy, Teddy. Though the couple's lives are filled with secrets, Marielle is a devoted wife and mother, and Malcolm is a man everyone admires.

On the eve of Teddy's disappearance, Marielle runs into her first love, American expatriate Charles Delauney. And when Teddy is kidnapped, Charles is first blamed, then arrested. But as the search for Teddy widens, even Marielle is scrutinized by the FBI and special agent John Taylor. Suspicions and accusations mingle with terror and heartbreak as every threat, every failure, every fear, is remembered, examined, explored.

During Charles Delauney's trial, a series of revalations begins to unravel the about Marielle, Charles, and Malcolm, uncovering the motives and passions controlling their lives.

Vanished is a tale of guilt, desire, suspense, and of people drawn inexorably together, seeking the child who... vanished.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Mystery, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Drama

391 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[Mahdi Lotfi · Rating 3 out of 5]

رگرفته از متن کتاب:
در این هنگام تایلر با توجه به حرفه ا ش و با صداقت و خلوصی که در کلام و رفتار ماریل دیده بود و برای او با وجود بیست سال تجربه کاری تازگی داشت،با لحنی دوستانه و حتی عاطفی گفت:
-ماریل...!تو باید برای من توضیح بیشتری بدهی.
-...ما،ما یک پسر داشتیم،منظورم من و چارلز،یک پسر بچه شیرین کوچک به نام آندری با موهأی صاف و مشکی و چشمانی آبی به رنگ دریایی آرام...اوه،او مثل فرشته ها بود... ما هر سه شادمان به هر جا میرفتیم و از لحظات لذت میبردیم تا اینکه برای یکی از تعطیلات کریسمس ما به سوئیس رفتیم.آندری آن موقع دو سال و نیم داشت.خیلی به من خوش میگذاشت.چقدر برف بازی کردیم و حتی یک آدم برفی بزرگی ساختیم و به یادگار با آن عکس گرفتیم...در بعد از ظهر روز سوم چارلز تصمیم گرفت که برای اسکی کردن به ارتفاعات برود ولی من ترجیح دادم که با آندری در ژنو (Geneva) بمانم...و همین طور هم شد.چارلز به اسکی رفت و من و آندری برای قدم زدن به کنار دریاچه لمان (Leman) رفتیم ....

[Milla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit the reason I started reading this book was because I had nothing else to read at the moment and my grandmother gave it to me. At first I was convinced its one of those boring love stories, but it turned out to be completely different. To be fair, I actually liked it a lot, the plot was great, very interesting, I couldn't put the book down, it took a day a half to finish it. Marielle was a lovely character, strong and loving woman, I felt for her the whole book, I even cried once or twice, poor womam, I cant even imagine all that pain a single person has to deal with. I liked Charles a lot, he was pretty much my favourite character, so misunderstood/ just as Marielle herself/.
The reason I am giving this book 4, not 5 stars is the ending. It was a bit predictable and I also didnt like the whole lawyer falling in love with Marielle all of a sudden. I was hoping her and John would be together at the end, but oh well.
Honestly, this book taught me a lot- nothing is permanent, nor pain, neither happiness, so we have to live for the moment and not settle for less than we deserve, because we have only one life and one only...

[Diane Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! mystery,suspense and love in this storyline..then you get a well crafted plot and book by one of the best authors (paperback!)

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danielle Steel is the perfect example of someone who is a terrible writer but a gifted storyteller.

She's a but of a guilty pleasure of mine, I've read far more of her books than I care to admit, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Becuase her books are so goddamn addictive.
Every once in a while I pick up a book by Mrs Steel, and it's actually... A decent story.
And it's frustrating because while she can spin such an entertaining read, her writing can be so incredibly flawed and juvenile.

Vanished is a very honest and emotional book. Marielle is likeable, even in her self-destructive and neurotic way of being. I really rooted for her and found myself quite engaged with very little eye rolling.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, disappointing, predictable, constantly repeats the same things & yet again I ask myself why did I bother? I've got to stop expecting there will be a DS book that is actually worth reading. As much depth as candy floss.

[Jacob Lasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. I felt so bad for Marielle...Your child drowning and then a miscarriage and THEN YOUR CHILD IS KIDNAPPED. You never get a break, do you?

I have a couple more books by this author and I'm excited to jump into them :)

[Kaylyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book because it was a quick read that grabbed your attention, regardless of it's predictability. But then again, most crime novels are like that. I, however, enjoyed it. I have a huge weak spot for crime novels. The plot itself was intricate but not to the point where you were aching for what would happen next. It wasn't that suspenseful.

The characters were alright. I felt like Marielle was "too perfect" even though she had a rough past. But overall the characters weren't terrible. The love pentagon was a lot to take in.

Overall, the book was decent. Definitely nothing to RAVE about but a great beach read/quick read. Keeps you interested.

If you pick up this book, happy reading. (:

[Ping · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the story and the mystery behind it.

I pity Marielle so so bad. A lot of people hated her and treated her like a weakling but obviously, with everything that’s happened in her past and what she’s been through, she’s one hell of a woman.

I love how brave she is and that she made a right choice with her relationships. I was never disappointed with her choices – except kissing John Taylor.

Also that ending is very satisfying. I love endings like that because it felt so realistic and it gives a sense of hope in the future – that there’s so much more to come. It’s neither an open ending nor a cliffhanger. It ended just the way it needed to be.

Everything is going okay until Special Agent John Taylor and Marielle started to have an affair. I mean, Marielle, you know better than to get involved with a married FBI agent who’s handling the kidnapping case in the midst of the trial of your ex-husband while you yourself are also married with the father of your kid who was kidnapped. It is just absurd but knowing Danielle Steel, I know everything is going to turn around in the last few pages of this book. I. Knew. It. It’s not the first time that she did it. Just as you thought Marielle and John Taylor is the end game? Well, get ready for another OTT stuff that’s gonna happen. I would say though that that thing with the lawyer was extremely ridiculous. Marielle is that beautiful that a lot of men she’s meeting is falling in love with her in just a short amount of time, eh? I think that DS just put it there just so we can have another twist. Although I don’t really mind Marielle being with the lawyer than to be with the married John Taylor (I hate cheating!!!) and I want her and Charles to be happy and go on with their lives separately.

I knew that a Danielle Steel book will never disappoint. It’s been years since this was published, it’s in the works even before I was born but I’ve seen a TV soap with the same plot and I don’t know if they got it from DS and though this is quite predictable, I’m still hooked. I think it’s beautiful and very engaging. I like it!

You can also read my review here.

[Ping · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the story and the mystery behind it.

I pity Marielle so so bad. A lot of people hated her and treated her like a weakling but obviously, with everything that’s happened in her past and what she’s been through, she’s one hell of a woman.

I love how brave she is and that she made a right choice with her relationships. I was never disappointed with her choices – except kissing John Taylor.

Also that ending is very satisfying. I love endings like that because it felt so realistic and it gives a sense of hope in the future – that there’s so much more to come. It’s neither an open ending nor a cliffhanger. It ended just the way it needed to be.

Everything is going okay until Special Agent John Taylor and Marielle started to have an affair. I mean, Marielle, you know better than to get involved with a married FBI agent who’s handling the kidnapping case in the midst of the trial of your ex-husband while you yourself are also married with the father of your kid who was kidnapped. It is just absurd but knowing Danielle Steel, I know everything is going to turn around in the last few pages of this book. I. Knew. It. It’s not the first time that she did it. Just as you thought Marielle and John Taylor is the end game? Well, get ready for another OTT stuff that’s gonna happen. I would say though that that thing with the lawyer was extremely ridiculous. Marielle is that beautiful that a lot of men she’s meeting is falling in love with her in just a short amount of time, eh? I think that DS just put it there just so we can have another twist. Although I don’t really mind Marielle being with the lawyer than to be with the married John Taylor (I hate cheating!!!) and I want her and Charles to be happy and go on with their lives separately.

I knew that a Danielle Steel book will never disappoint. It’s been years since this was published, it’s in the works even before I was born but I’ve seen a TV soap with the same plot and I don’t know if they got it from DS and though this is quite predictable, I’m still hooked. I think it’s beautiful and very engaging. I like it!

You can also read my review here.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

A quick look thru. Boring. Tossed.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My, how life can change overnight. This is my first Danielle Steel novel that i accidentally picked up to read while waiting for my son to get out of camp. I just couldn't put it down. I thought Marielle's life would never change for the better. It was like she had a black cloud hovering over her. So much pain throughout her years, it was a wonder she hadn't committed suicide. Then all of a sudden God sheds his light and Marielle's world is starting anew. The ending was great. I almost cried (for joy) but held back the tears. I'm not a fan of Danielle Steel, but i just might pick up another one of get novels in the future.

[Zainab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly thought that I wouldn't really like this book when I first started reading it and I didn't have high expectations for it, but I absolutely loved it.

The ending was so unexpected and at the same time I liked it. The writing-style and the whole book was a bit different for me but I enjoyed reading it and trying out something new.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book - I read it in about 3 hours and then had a headache. It was very predictable. I figured out early on who was responsible. So much of the story was the trial which sort of bothered me and I wish something more came of Marielle and Charles.

[Giulia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot itself had so much potential. However the narration style was more suitable to a romance novel rather than a thriller.
Marielle past was reiterated so many times. I didn't like it, even though when the trial started it became more interesting.

[Jjean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really had not planned too, but this was a quick read that grabbed my attention, & read it in 1 day - interesting life of a woman who seemed to have only one tragedy after another - based on how she handled each one - her loves & true feelings - includes an interesting court drama after her son had been kidnapped -

[Priscilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

É uma história muito bem preparada com um bom desenvolvimento do rapto, do contato com os sequestradores, do desenrolar jurídico, do divórcio... o que fica impossível engolir é o romance re-engatado entre Marielle e Charles que é posteriormente acusado do sequestro.

Emocionante e cheio de reviravoltas. Parece uma novela. Porém, ficou intragável como literatura.

[Niharika Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book from the very first page to the very last page. It's an amazing crime thriller and a must read for those who are in this genre.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me on my toes wanting to know what was going to happen next.

[marti12bj · Rating 4 out of 5]

muy entretenido. tranquilamente podría llamarse “todos estamos enamorados de marielle y haríamos lo que sea por ella”

[Sue Andreas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vintage Danielle Steel but one of her best. Not sure how I missed this one when I was young but somehow I did. Little mystery, love story.

[Lilanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danielle Steel is not one of my favorites, simply because the few I’ve read are so sad.I was stuck with no option for the mid-week holiday and decided to dive in to in anyway, without even reading the book blurb.
The story was compelling, very touching, but I struggled through the unthinkable volume of grief that the protagonist had to go through. Yet my persistence was rewarded as the ending involved court room drama, which I love. And I must say action & the plot twist at the end was amazing!

[Leilani Hardee Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Danielle. I wish she still wrote like this. I really enjoyed Vanished. One of her better books, but also probably written 100% by her. She’s my comfort read, everyone always gets what they deserve in the end.

[Rachana Prasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danielle Steel has always been my favourite author. And this books made me love her more! This is an absolutely wonderful read!

[Ral Ivanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew it was you, Malcolm.
You filthy bastard.

Either I am the new Sherlock Holmes or this one got predictable around its midriff. Anyhow, the story was mostly enticing and it did help with the passing of the dreadfully long hours at work. So, cheers for that Mrs. Steele.

I hadn't read anything by that particular author and it was, yet again, my grandmother that chucked this book in my direction. I remember back in 2008 when we all went to Germany, she could not let go of it; her fingers were almost glued to its covers. That being said, it is not astounding to state that I had high expectations. And because I am far too lazy to recount the story here and bore everyone to death, for my writing abilities do not match those of Mrs. Steele or anyone else for that matter, I shall say this:

Call me Sherlock. This was somewhat enjoyable. I was almost not surprised.
Cheerio.

[Redfox5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I either love Steel's books or get bored by their repetitive nature. This one was a love, completely sucked into the story of Marielle Patterson.

She is a woman with a tragic past, whose life is not exciting but peaceful. She bumps into her ex husband Charles, who seems very angry that she's had another child. Then the next day her little boy Teddy is kidnapped and all fingers point at Charles.

Marielle's husband Malcolm is a nasty piece of work and I like how he starts to loose his cool during the trial. I started to suspect him pages before that. And I knew because of the way Briggett kept getting mentioned, that she was having an affair with him.

Really gripping book that I stayed up late last night to read. Would recommend to chick-lit fans.

[Ivana Jelinic · Rating 5 out of 5]

We (and by we I mean us with the guilty pleasure called chick-lits) all know our queen Dany Steel is a queen, basically. I grew up on her romance books and loved them so much, I still remember the excitement of getting her book and taking it home from the library, often reading on the way back (t'was a 20-minute walk, and a little longer if I had my nose in a book).

Vanished is one of her great stories filled with suspenseful action, believable characters & thrilling turn of events. I was absolutely all the way supporting Marielle (what a great name!) and was shocked by how easily different accusations flew around. A truly intriguing story, one of my Dany Steel favourites!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danielle Steel has fantastic ideas but i just don’t like the third person omniscient style. It’s too confusing at times. It seemed that this story would be about Charles at the beginning but then it focused on Marielle. Some of this just seems too far fetched and forced. I didn’t like how just everyone fell for Marielle. She didn’t seem to me to be the amazing woman people described her to be. And the ending relationship is just ridiculous. However, I was intrigued by the kidnapping story.

[yrita · Rating 2 out of 5]

good!!!

[Vicki Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and fun read. I enjoyed the strong characters with suspense and romance. I could have read it in two days but chose to just read a couple of chapters at bedtime.

[Diana Modica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Someone insisted I read a Danielle Steel novel - I tried.