I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

"Then She Vanishes" by Claire Douglas is a suspenseful and twisty thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. However, the author introduces a large number of characters, which can occasionally make it difficult to keep track of who is connected to which aspect of the plot. At times, I found myself scrambling to remember who was linked to the crimes and how they fit into the larger narrative. Despite this complexity, the story is full of intriguing twists and turns, with new characters emerging at regular intervals, leaving you constantly wondering what role they play in the lives of the women at the heart of the story.

What I truly appreciated was the book’s unpredictable yet satisfying ending. I didn’t see it coming, which made it all the more enjoyable. The conclusion is both surprising and believable, wrapping up the story in a way that feels both rewarding and well-earned.

This was a really well written thriller, in fact I enjoy all books I have read written by Claire Douglas. Lots of suspense and twists and turns, keeping you gripped and wanting to read on. Looking to read another Claire Douglas novel now, as I enjoyed so much.

THE ONLY THING MORE SHOCKING THAN THE FIRST CHAPTER . . . IS THE LAST. I don’t think there’s ever been a more accurate description! I absolutely devoured this in a wonderfully lazy weekend and could NOT put it down. Great pace, excellent characters and all the lovely twists and turns you’d expect from Douglas. Excellent!

A quick and enjoyable read. I devoured this over a couple of days on holiday and it was the perfect beach read.

A cracking opening is followed by an addictive, if occasionally a tad predictable read, that you will devour in just a few sittings. Perfect for poolside sun or fireside nights.

It was an easy read but I was unable to really connect with the characters as there was too much drama. But it was still enjoyable so I would definitely recommend it for a quick holiday read.

Loved it! So many twists and turns, a great cast of characters and such an intriguing plot. Highly recommended

A really easy to read book but a little predictable in how it ended.

I was hoping for a bit more from this, if I'm honest, having seen the other reviews. I did think it started very well and I found myself drawn in quite quickly. There were plenty of strong points - the mystery over different time periods that blended well; good twists and turns etc. However, the multiple perspectives and timelines made it a bit confusing for me, and the level of suspense / excitement was not sustained throughout. Some of this was down to the way the 'big reveals' were made which could have been a bit more impactful, though the finale was well done.

Then She Vanishes is a truly gripping psychological thriller. Claire Douglas's powerful writing will keep you enthralled as you make your way through the gripping narrative. Heather and Jess are childhood best friends, until Heather's sister, Flora, vanishes one night and everything changes. After years of avoiding the painful past, Jess returns to their hometown to find the answers she's been avoiding for so long, only to find Heather has been accused of a crime. Through an atmospheric and suspenseful story, Douglas keeps readers engaged in the captivating mystery that will have you turning the pages until the very last. An unforgettable story of love, loss, secrets, and family. A must-read!

Heather’s sister, Flora, vanishes during the summer of 1994. Heather has lived with this for 25 years before entering the home of a mother and son and shooting them in cold blood. Jess was Heather’s best friend but they grew apart following Flora’s disappearance; she is now a journalist in her hometown having just returned, shame faced from one of the national papers.

I found this book to be an entertaining read with details of how Heather and Jess’ lives are intertwined unravelling throughout the story. Whilst entertaining and an easy thriller read, I never built much empathy for any of the characters within this book. I found the story to be a little bit too far fetched for my liking as Heather has experienced much trauma. I can usually put an unbeleivable story to one side for a great book; however, I don’t think that this book is that memorable. In three months time, I don’t think I will be able to recount the details of the story.

If you are looking for an entry level family saga/ thriller, this book may be for you but you may need to suspend belief to enjoy it. I wanted to like some of the main characters a bit more but just never quite got there.

Worth a read if you are after something easy to read; however, if you are a regular crime/ thriller reader this one may not be for you!

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Net galley for providing me with an Arc copy in return for this objective t review.

"One missing. One a murderer. One trying to find the truth.
Flora has her whole life ahead of her - until the summer night she vanishes.
Her sister Heather was a good girl - until the spring morning she kills two people.
Jess Fox was once like a sister to them both.
But called home to investigate Heather's crime, she begins to wonder if she really knew either sister at all . . ."

This book gripped me right from the shocking opening few pages and did not let me go until I got to the end. Fascinating insight (and for me memories) of life back in the early 1990's when we were innocent 15 years old, visiting places like the Tilby Manor Caravan Park with its stalls, ice cream, and funfairs.

The story swaps between 2 timelines of THEN 1994 when Flora went missing one summer's evening, and NOW 2012 when a further double murder is being investigated by Jess Fox, and the person under suspicion is her old best friend Heather Underwood, the sister of Flora. The plot got a little complicated at times, but I think only to lead you up garden paths, so that you did not work it out and I got the lovely shock at the end of finding out the truth, and realising the clues were there all along in the book.

Another insightful read from this wonderful author who never fails to deliver, and is not afraid to tackle uncomfortable issues head on.

Claire Douglas is becoming a favourite author of mine, I don't think I've read a bad book by her yet. I always love her books and seeing what she comes up with next and she never disappoints that's for sure.

Claire Douglas never disapoints - and yet again this is a thoroughly thrilling page turner. Very highly recommended!

Then she vanishes is another engaging thriller from Claire Douglas.

32 year old mum, Heather, shoots a man and woman and then herself and is left in a coma. Her childhood friend, Jess is now a journalist who is tasked with following the story.

I thought the character, Margot, was especially well written. Her daughter, Flora went missing and was presumed dead, now her other daughter, Heather, lay in a hospital bed responsible for a terrible crime.

This kept me guessing til the end.

Thanks indeed to netgalley and the publisger for the ARC.

I received this digital arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a really good book with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster! Just when I had it straight in my head, there was another twist and it all changed. great motive for the murders.

I sort of worked out the ending before the time, though there were a few surprises in the book. On the whole an enjoyable book with looks to keep you interested

I had so many questions when I was listening to this book, I wrote most of them down when I was listening to this book. Looking back at them, the author did a nice job of making sure every single one had been answered. That is awesome! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read this book and I only skimmed the blurb because I wanted everything to be a surprise.

What I enjoyed about this book, is each main character of Heather, Flora, Jessica and Margot had their own voice, each narrated by a different narrator. To me it added a dynamic to the book, it gave everyone their own story and their own purpose. Each suffering from different regrets or shame, some more than others. As I said, I had so many questions, why did Jess and Heather fall out as kids? What happened at the Tribune? And mainly why were two people shot dead?

I have to admit that when it came to final final reveal at the end, I knew what was coming. It didn’t phase me though, I quite enjoyed that I knew who it was, even though we had layers of misdirection to go through!

When we learn about Flora, wow, that was a shocking story. How her last day was spent, and the impact on everyone’s lives was fraught with emotion. Always typical, can’t say anymore, but I was not expecting that!

This is very much a slow burn book, we are seduced as teenagers by the older men, the lights of the fairs and as we grow up, we were on the beaten track to some kind of redemption in many ways. I really enjoyed this story and all the mini-stories that went inside with it. Things that you originally think were all linked together had no bearing at all, this I LOVED, as it was more meat on the bone to digest.

I will be back to read another by Claire Douglas as I have enjoyed this adventure for sure!

Family secrets come crashing down. Flora disappears when a fair is in town her boyfriend Dylan is a suspect, but is it him, does he know what happened and is getting to save himself? Many years later there is a double murder and Floras sister Heather is the prime suspect but what is the motive and how does she know these people? These questions will have to wait as she is hospital after turning the gun on herself to commit suicide after the murders.I

Read this book in a day thank goodness it's the Easter holidays!! And I don't need to be in work. Brilliantly written.

Another fantastic read from Claire Douglas. I couldn't stop reading. For anyone who has enjoyed her previous books, you'll love this one too.

Jess is a reporter on a local paper who has moved from London to Bristol following her involvement in a scandal at the paper where she worked. Her new job isn’t far from her old home town, and when her childhood best friend Heather is accused of a double murder, her connection with the family gives her a chance to redeem herself and her career.
But contact with the family that she once adored brings up all sorts of uncomfortable memories, around the disappearance of Heather’s sister Flora. And Jess is torn between loyalty to her friend and her need for an exclusive for her editor.
The murders seem random, why would Heather, a loving mother, kill two strangers and then attempt to take her own life.
A fascinating premise, and a well-told and compelling story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Jess is so likeable and warm, and feels very authentic as a character.
The past and present are blended effortlessly, and I really identified with Flora and her love for All About Eve! These little details make the characters and settings so real.
There are plenty of twists and turns and panty of drama and excitement to keep you turning the page.
I wasn’t entirely convinced by a couple of the plot points, but the book is such a gripping read that this didn’t spoil my enjoyment.
Recommended and I’ll definitely read more by this author.