The Vanishing Place

The Vanishing Place ~ Zoe Rankin

Effie has left her troubled childhood in the bush of New Zealand behind, and is living in Scotland, when she receives a phone call from a police officer that she was close to decades before – a young girl has come out of the bush, covered in blood, who looks like she could be Effie as a child. The girl, Anya, won’t speak to anyone, and Effie is the only person who knows that area well. Please, the friend says, you are the only person who can help her. Please come.

So Effie travels to New Zealand, to the town of Koramo, and confronts memories of her abusive childhood while trying to determine what has happened to this child and to her family.

This was a gripping mystery/thriller, very atmospheric and moody. I was pulled in from page one. Recommended, but it may be NSFE (Not Safe for Engie).