What a compelling story. Beautiful setting. I loved this book and that it shows both the healing and damage from addiction. Kimi Cunningham Grant has done an excellent job of weaving this story.

This book grabbed me from the first pages, and didn’t let go. It’s a good story, featuring friends Emlyn and Janessa. It was very atmospheric, with a lot of the book taking place in the beauty and challenges of the wilderness of Idaho. I love the apt title (with a strong nod to the Author’s Notes!).
This is a compelling book, and recommended reading!

Thank you to the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy of this novel. I loved Grant's previous book, These Silent Woods so was excited when this popped up as a Read Now option. I got sucked into the story quickly and enjoyed the outdoor setting that comprises most of the book. Grant slowly reveals the secrets of this story as the novel progresses so the plot moves along at a good pace. I enjoyed this and read it in 2 sittings - definitely recommend if you like an outdoorsy thriller.

It’s a slow start, but when you get to the good part, it is definitely good! I didn’t quite see one of the twists near the end, but wow. The back and forth between various points in the past and the present sometimes caught me off guard. The basic idea of the story was interesting and well thought out. The author is wonderful with words. A good story overall.

I was instantly taken into the narrative of this thriller. The Idaho setting and the descriptions of the thousands of acres of land open to the public were exceptionally well done. The story line started out strong but did not live up to my expectations. If you write a mystery, it must all tie together in the end with believability and some surprise. I loved the characterizations of the two women who were the backbone of the plot. The main “villain” turned up suddenly with too little information about his motives. It weakened the book. I would recommend it to my friends who like these outdoor focused stories. Our wilderness areas are not often written about with such ardor and awe,

I thought the characters were interesting, but the story was slow moving for me. First time reading this author and would give it another shot at one of her books, 3.5 stars
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Thanks NetGally for the advance copy

THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING

Mystery — 4⭐️

When I say I loved the author’s previous novel, THESE SILENT WOODS, I mean I loved it so much that I’ve read it not once but three times and is one of my all time favorites. I was ecstatic to read the author’s newest but knew my expectations were set high.

Emlyn and her best friend, Janessa, barely speak anymore and the love of her life, Tyler, left her alone in the woods years ago. But when Tyler calls Emlyn because Janessa might be list in the backcountry, the two team up to find her.

I am far from an outdoors guru but books set off the grid are my all time favorite settings, when nature becomes its own character. This genre-bending novel has a little bit of everything—suspense, drama, and survival. I was captivated from the start by this slow-burn mystery.

There were parts of the ending that I loved and some that didn’t quite work for me keeping me from a five star rating. However, I definitely recommend for the suspense novel set in the wilderness that the author does so well. Ashley and I buddy read this one together and binged it in a day!

Self-discovery, friendships, atmospheric writing.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Nature of Disappearing.

I've never read a book by this author before so I went into this with an open mind especially since I liked the premise.

Emlyn is a talented fishing and hunting guide in scenic Idaho. When her former BFF, Janessa, goes missing, Em's ex-boyfriend, Tyler, enlists her help in finding Janessa.

But things are not always what they seem and sometimes the worst predators are the two-legged kind.

The premise is intriguing but lacked suspense and urgency.

Also, Emlyn and Janessa were familiar tropes; the former lacks confidence and self-esteem and comes from a single parent home and the latter is charming, attractive and comes from wealth and privilege.

Naturally, Tyler is a hottie because only hot guys show up in books.

The narrative is slow, bogged down with the past timeline that details how Janessa and Em met, how Em and Tyler met and what led to the end of their troubled relationship.

The story was more romance-y than I expected and the pace is a tedious, boring slog.

The author did capture the beauty and wildness of the setting well but this was all about Em and Tyler trekking together, Em unable to let go of her feelings for Tyler (understandable), and their shared past.

I didn't like or connect with anyone, much less Emlyn. I know she's young but there was something very immature and naive about her. Maybe she wears her heart on her sleeve because of her daddy abandonment issues.

Either way, I didn't like anyone. I didn't dislike Em but I don't want to hang out with her.

And that ending was just too hard to suspend disbelief for.

Janessa is an influencer and working undercover to bust a drug running operation?

Yeah, right. I don't think so.

4.5⭐️ Grant’s writing is so atmospheric and that’s what made me fall in love with THESE SILENT WOODS when I read it last year! It is one of my favorites, so I knew immediately that I had to pick this one up. I felt like I was in the woods with the characters. I felt the wonder in the beauty of the wilderness and I felt the danger and fear that came along with it as well. Grant paints such a vivid picture!

The characters are flawed and the plot was fast moving and kept my attention the whole time! I didn’t want to stop turning the pages. I loved how she developed the main character as strong and resilient on the outside, while also letting us see her broken and vulnerable side.

With themes of loneliness, friendship, and self-doubt, Grant tells a beautiful, mysterious, and addictive story!

The Nature of Disappearing is the perfect wilderness mystery. With a flawed but loveable protagonist, incredible atmosphere, female friendship and a hint of romance, it will hook you from the very first page and keep you guessing right up to the end.

This was an interesting book. It pops back and forth between the past and the present. It’s twisty and takes turns in many directions. I kept hoping throughout the book I wouldn’t be disappointed in who the main character ultimately chooses. I wasn’t disappointed. There is a lot of lies and deception throughout this book. The author keeps us in the dark about what is really going on throughout most of the book. It is worth reading.

Emlyn has left her painful past behind and is starting anew as a mountain guide in Idaho. Her tentative peace is broken by a visit from her ex-boyfriend who needs help finding their missing mutual friend.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a great story with just the right amount of mystery and suspense for me. (Maybe not enough if you’re a hard-core thriller reader though.) I liked Emlyn and was rooting for her to find her way back to happiness. The dual timeline worked well and the pacing was great. I would have liked to get to know present-day Emlyn better though. More detail about her and her new life would have added more depth, in my opinion. I also would have liked an epilogue.

You may know this author from her previous book, These Silent Woods, which was very popular on bookstagram. I liked this one even better! I look forward to more books from this author. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this story.

Along the same vein of These Silent Woods, but slightly more slow moving. Loved the descriptions of nature and the suspense that carries throughout the story. Not quite as good as her previous work, but still worth the read!

The first half of this book hooked me. I enjoyed the writing, learning about some of the outdoorsy Idaho lifestyle. I was excited about where this thriller was going. Then it felt like it slowed down to a halt and wrapped up in a disappointing ending that seemed really farfetched.

I loved These Silent Woods, and for the most part I just liked The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant. For a book marketed as a suspense thriller, it was very slow moving and by the time it got where it was going it felt too late. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC.

I loved the author's last novel (These Silent Woods) and was so excited to receive an ARC from NetGalley and Minotaur Books. This was a beautifully written exploration of friendship, loss, and what it means to truly move forward from a past that anchors you but also threatens to drown you. There is a mystery at the heart of this story, but it's primarily a character study. The setting and the author's knowledge of the outdoors added to the richness of the reading experience, and the conclusion was satisfying and ultimately hopeful. I will gladly read anything else this author writes, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this early in exchange for my honest review.

Another captivating read by Kimi Cunningham Grant! I loved These Silent Woods so I was excited to pick this one up asap and it did not disappoint! Great setting, great characters, great story, great writing. I devoured this in one day. This author is definitely on my auto-buy list.
4.5* Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy for review.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant for an honest review due to be published June 18, 2024.
Emlyn and Janessa were once best friends, and Tyler was the love of her life. Now she lives in in Airstream trailer with her new friends Rev and Varden. When Janessa, a social media star, goes missing with her traveling companion, Bush, Tyler and Emlyn team up to find them both. Are they in trouble or trying to hide?
I absolutely loved These Silent Woods so I was excited to get this one! It did not disappoint.
I finished it in one day - it was that good. Emlyn and Tyler’s trek through the woods was filled with suspense that kept me entertained. There were lots of twists and turns and secrets that everyone held. The author’s descriptions had me picturing the wilderness and all its beauty – her descriptions are on point.
Looking forward to another one of her books!
#NetGalley #KimiCunninghamGrant #StMartinsPress #TheNatureofDisappearing

For me going into this book I had my expectations set extremely high because of how much I loved “These Silent Woods” and that is a fault of my own. This author is extremely talented and has an ability to transport you into the environment and elements the book has taken place.
We meet Emily, who is transformed her life into a place and career that brings her peace, which is all something we crave. She was devastated by her past relationship with Tyler, who she met through her friend, Janessa. Unfortunately the downfall ruined both relationships and set her on a new path. Her past has come back when Tyler resurfaces needing her help to find missing Janessa, who at this time has become big in the social media world….. haven’t we all been there when we should listen to our gut and say no, but can’t help the curiosity and need to find answers we may not need. This is told in different timelines (1. The current ongoings of Emily and Tyler and 2. The past relationships of Emily and Janessa and the introduction of Tyler into their relationship). This did give some insight, but not enough to hook me in.

Unfortunately I found this book to be very slow paced, I wasn’t fully invested in the characters and lacked a sense of connection, and was underwhelmed by the ending. As I stated my expectations were too high from the beginning. However I will never take away from this Author’s ability build the beautiful nature of this book’s setting and atmosphere. An added note do not skip the author’s note at the end because it does add insight I would have otherwise overlooked. I also want to add I am and will continue to be a fan of this Author’s books and will be ready when the next book comes out. This is one of those books that will be an absolute hit for some and a possible miss for others.
3.5
Thank you to the Author, Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur books for the ARC!

Read if you like:
- A wilderness setting
- Past and present chapters
- Camping and isolation

After a traumatic incident with her ex-boyfriend, Emlyn is rebuilding her life in the Idaho wilderness as a nature guide. Until her ex reaches out to her again with the news that their mutual friend Janessa and her boyfriend have gone missing from their camper van trip.

I was so excited to read Kimi Cunningham Grant’s latest novel after loving her last one, These Silent Woods. Similar to that one, The Nature of Disappearing does an amazing job with the setting descriptions and the suspense that comes with it. I enjoyed this story overall, it was a good mystery while being less intense than These Silent Woods (honestly I wouldn’t even classify this one as a thriller). I think I liked These Silent Woods better, but I still recommend this one!

Thank you for the ARC ebook!