EXCERPT “ You don’t have to believe me.
Just believe that I believe it”

This a debut horror thriller from Lisa Rookes told on dual timelines - Now being “All Gallows Eve” and then going back to the 90s when Joni, Cass, Kit, Tom and Pete were all teenagers and close friends growing up in a small village in Yorkshire. The Gallows Tree legend has it that the village has to sacrifice someone to the scarecrows in order for the crops to grow. The horror element is eerie and atmospheric and I loved the “ghost stories” and scares the teenagers told each other in the 90s.

Now 40, When Joni goes missing after being crowned Gallows Queen at the pagan festival the whole village is shocked, especially when the remains of a baby are found in the cemetery too. This is an absolute page turner, I’m actually on pins waiting for the story to unfold and my anxiety is through the roof. And what a jaw swinging, heart palpitating ending this book has too! This was an easy 5 star for me and I will be reading more of the authors work. I especially loved some of the sayings the characters used and the description of growing up as a teen in England in the 90s.

I meannnnn I am currently jaw to the floor. I was not expecting that very end twist!!!
This was such a wild ride and I honestly don't feel a review can do the twists and turns justice, you just need to go and read it.
Small town, unlikeable characters, drama- its got it all.
My only 'negative' is that sometimes when we looked back on a memory in the 'now' chapter, it did just jump into it and that was confusing at first as there was nothing really separating it from the present. That could just be because it was an arc.

A brilliantly chilling mystery novel. Super creepy! Lisa's got a really great voice and although the story was strange, it was strange in the best way. Loved it.

In "The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood," the disappearance of the protagonist's best friend, Joni, on All Gallows' Eve sets the stage for a gripping mystery that unravels the secrets of a seemingly idyllic village. As the narrator delves into the unsettling events surrounding Joni's vanishing, a haunting atmosphere of folklore and hidden truths emerges.

The author expertly weaves together themes of friendship, community traditions, and buried secrets, creating a sense of unease that permeates the narrative. The village's dark history, intertwined with the annual bonfire and the enigmatic Gallows Tree, adds layers of mystery and suspense to the story.

With vivid descriptions and a suspenseful plot, "The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood" immerses readers in a tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the shadows that lurk beneath the surface of a quaint village. The novel's eerie charm and intricate storytelling make it a compelling read for fans of atmospheric mysteries.

The debris from the night before is scattered underneath the village tree and across the cobbles. Red wine stains the ground like blood. And Joni has vanished. Joni Blackwood is my best friend. She was there for my first crush, stood beside me at my wedding, watched my daughter grow up. She's been there through the painful mess of the divorce, too. So when she suddenly goes missing on All Gallows' Eve, I'm first to raise the alarm.
Well this book was definitely a bit different! It had light suspense, intrigue, murder, definitely mystery, and some crazy twists and turns! It was very weird I guess?! Maybe I just didn't get it?! Or it just wasn't for me?! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I was so excited to read this book as the plot drew me in instantly and I knew I couldn't put it down until I knew the truth of Joni Blackwood, a very tense and suspensful read overall.