The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
rissaleighs's review against another edition
2.0
This was pretty dark and twisty. I think the author made great use of a unique setting. Also, really enjoyed the limited omniscient point of view. The narrator jumps from mind to mind between numerous characters, but in any given mind, the things that character would take for granted in their daily life are not spelled out. For example, it took me awhile to pick up on Joelle's disability even though we were seeing the world through her eyes pretty early on the book. I'm fascinated by how the author managed that, and it made for really interesting character revelation in my opinion.
The main reason for the low star rating comes down to just a few scenes which I felt were gratuitously vile. It really detracted from the story for me. Also, was slightly disappointed by the calendar house. It seems like the plot really should have hinged on it more since 1) it's cool, and 2) such a big deal was made out of explaining the architecture early on.
The main reason for the low star rating comes down to just a few scenes which I felt were gratuitously vile. It really detracted from the story for me. Also, was slightly disappointed by the calendar house. It seems like the plot really should have hinged on it more since 1) it's cool, and 2) such a big deal was made out of explaining the architecture early on.
ambersbooks's review
Not holding my interest enough. Disappointing, because I’ve been wanting to read this book since it released. Had high hopes.Â
cooloolat's review against another edition
4.0
I wish to thank Poppy Gee, William Morrow Paperbacks and Edelweiss for the advanced copy of Vanishing Falls in exchange for an honest review.
Set in contemporary rural Tasmania in the fictitious town of Vanishing Falls, this novel cracks along at a blistering pace. Poppy Gee uses skillful character development and a unique plot to captivate and enthrall. The protagonist Joelle has a past trauma, a secret that causes her anxiety and is kept from her husband and the community. When Celia Lily disappears the community speculates as they search for her. The police suspect her husband Jack, a privileged art collector who also has a secret. There is a divide in the community caused by unemployment, wealth and poverty, addiction and drug misuse are a consequence the failing economy.
I have a deep love of Tasmania and enjoyed the descriptive writing, the images created of the natural environment and the strengths and shortcomings of a close knit community. I would recommend this book to lovers of crime fiction and mystery. I intend to read Poppy Gee’s first novel, Bay of Fires in the near future.
Set in contemporary rural Tasmania in the fictitious town of Vanishing Falls, this novel cracks along at a blistering pace. Poppy Gee uses skillful character development and a unique plot to captivate and enthrall. The protagonist Joelle has a past trauma, a secret that causes her anxiety and is kept from her husband and the community. When Celia Lily disappears the community speculates as they search for her. The police suspect her husband Jack, a privileged art collector who also has a secret. There is a divide in the community caused by unemployment, wealth and poverty, addiction and drug misuse are a consequence the failing economy.
I have a deep love of Tasmania and enjoyed the descriptive writing, the images created of the natural environment and the strengths and shortcomings of a close knit community. I would recommend this book to lovers of crime fiction and mystery. I intend to read Poppy Gee’s first novel, Bay of Fires in the near future.
lennorb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sleeson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I never would have come across this audiobook if it wasn’t for Caroline Lee as the narrator. She is always on top of game. I enjoyed this story. I was not 100% sure how the ending was going to play out, but it was a good ending. A few holes in the plot, but they didn’t bother me as much as I thought they would.
There is a moderate sex scene and moderate profanity. I’m sure I would enjoy another book by Poppy Gee. More mystery than Thriller.Â
There is a moderate sex scene and moderate profanity. I’m sure I would enjoy another book by Poppy Gee. More mystery than Thriller.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
monikasbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
Vanishing Falls is a story that happens in a town named after a falls and mystically vanishes right down a river. The town’s dark secrets that date back to 1800s comes to light when Celia Lily disappears from her home. The story and the characters are well written with suspense element and coincidences that add up seeming like its a incident that happens once in a while. But the ending seemed predictable for me and did not live upto the story build-up. I could read this book again just for the story flow and the suspense.
Thank you NetGalley, Poppy Gee, Harper Collins Publishers and William Morrow paperbacks for reader’s copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and was not influenced in any way!
Thank you NetGalley, Poppy Gee, Harper Collins Publishers and William Morrow paperbacks for reader’s copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and was not influenced in any way!
whimsicalyme's review against another edition
4.0
This book is set in the lush Tasmanian rainforest of Australia. Very deep inside the forest is a small town called Vanishing Falls. Vanishing Falls has a storied past, with dubious characters. Some characters I disliked, others I hated, or felt sorry for, and they eventually redeemed themselves. The main character is Joelle, many people think she is simple minded, and she IS different. She just sees the world differently, often literally. She’s always paying attention so she picks up on clues others miss.
The main premise of the novel is a missing person. Celia Lily goes missing late one night after an event. She is the beautiful, rich, and popular wife of Jack Lily and the mother of 4 daughters. Jack and Lily live in the town’s most famous mansion, The Calendar House. It’s eccentric, with 52 rooms, and an art collection. When Jack come home and finds the front door open and Cecilia missing, he panics. The police immediately suspect him because he’s hiding things. Joelle, drives this story. She decides she needs to find Cecilia so that the people of the town will love her, after all she’ll be the hero and the town will forgive her for her past involvement in a heinous crime. The story also follows Jack’s best friend Cliff and his wife Kim.
I enjoyed the setting and atmosphere. The characters were not like-able, they were all shady and deceitful in some way. I did find myself alternating between yelling at Joelle and cheering her on. I did figure out the twist but only right before the reveal. I found the pace a little slower than I like but I can see people that like slower suspense/mysteries loving this one. Overall, I give this 3 1/2 of 5 stars.
Thank you @Netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for my advanced digital copy to review.
The main premise of the novel is a missing person. Celia Lily goes missing late one night after an event. She is the beautiful, rich, and popular wife of Jack Lily and the mother of 4 daughters. Jack and Lily live in the town’s most famous mansion, The Calendar House. It’s eccentric, with 52 rooms, and an art collection. When Jack come home and finds the front door open and Cecilia missing, he panics. The police immediately suspect him because he’s hiding things. Joelle, drives this story. She decides she needs to find Cecilia so that the people of the town will love her, after all she’ll be the hero and the town will forgive her for her past involvement in a heinous crime. The story also follows Jack’s best friend Cliff and his wife Kim.
I enjoyed the setting and atmosphere. The characters were not like-able, they were all shady and deceitful in some way. I did find myself alternating between yelling at Joelle and cheering her on. I did figure out the twist but only right before the reveal. I found the pace a little slower than I like but I can see people that like slower suspense/mysteries loving this one. Overall, I give this 3 1/2 of 5 stars.
Thank you @Netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for my advanced digital copy to review.
leahcatching's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Murder, Animal death, and Drug abuse