Review: The Vanishing by Jayne Ann Krentz

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Publisher: Berkeley
Publication Date: January 2020

Forty years ago in the small town of Fogg Lake, "The Incident" occurred: an explosion in the cave system that released unknown gases, causing peculiar effects on its residents, such as strange visions and ominous voices. Not wanting the government to get involved, they chalked it up to the hallucinogenic effects of mushrooms. Little did they know these effects would linger through the generations....

Residents Catalina Lark and Olivia Dayton have been best friends for years and own an investigation firm together, using what they call the "other sight" to help with their business. When Olivia goes missing, Cat frantically begins the search for her alone when the town does nothing about it. When scientist Slate Trevelyan shows up, she has no choice but to accept his help even though there's something about him she just can't trust. The duo discovers someone is hunting the two witnesses of a murder in Fogg Lake fourteen years ago—the very one Cat and Olivia witnessed as teens, one that they couldn't prove happened. Cat and Slate's search for Olivia takes them down a rabbit hole that is far more dangerous and mysterious than they ever expected, and with a killer in their midst, neither of them can foresee who will come out alive. 

The Vanishing is the first book in a new paranormal series that involves people from Fogg Lake.  Years ago, there was an incident that created a fog that caused residents to gain paranormal abilities.  10 years ago, Catalina and Olivia witnessed a murder in the caves.  Now they own an investigation business and the death they witnessed may have come back to haunt them.

This book reminded me a lot of the Arcane Society series that this author has written.  I really enjoyed all of those books.  The Vanishing was equally as enjoyable.  I really like the way this author writes paranormal stories.   The characters are always interesting and there is always fun action.  I liked the way Catalina and Slate worked together.  They had some great banter.  There was some insta-love here, but it didn't bother me because the way their powers worked made their instant attraction make sense.  The mystery was compelling and had me intrigued.  I wish there was more Olivia in the book, but hopefully she will have a book focused on her in the future.  I would definitely recommend this one.  It was a lot of fun.