Kimi Grant is the queen of blending the vivid wilderness with mystery and intrigue.

Told in dual timelines, this story follows Emlyn as she confronts her difficult past when her former boyfriend asks her to help in the search for Janessa, her once closest friend.

While Grant’s previous novel, These Silent Woods (a fave), focused on the themes of family, here we had more of a coming of age story. This was like a character study of Emlyn and how her past relationships/friendships shaped her life into adulthood. I was engrossed in the mystery of Janessa’s disappearance, but I found myself lacking a connection with the main characters and their outcomes.

The highlight for me here was the atmospheric feel of the woods and Grant’s beautiful prose. The audio was also well done. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

⭐️ 4/5

I read Kimi Cunningham Grant's previous book, These Silent Woods, a few months ago and loved it. So I was excited to read this, her next book, and I loved it almost as much. Some of the elements of "Woods" are still there - lots of time spent away from "civilization", out in the woods. And there's a backstory that's told in multiple flashbacks. It's a different type of survival story, though, and it's a good one. We learn over the course of the story why Emlyn, who's always been a bit of a loner at heart, has chosen to live a solitary life as a wilderness guide. I enjoyed the unfolding of her story, seeing friends & relationships come into her life and then fall apart, then come back into her life for purposes she doesn't entirely trust. And I loved the descriptions of the natural settings where so much of the story took place. I'm not sure I'd call this one a thriller - but mystery/suspense, absolutely. Just don't expect a thriller from start to finish. I mostly listened to the audiobook - Emily Pike Stewart's narration was excellent, and held my attention to the point that I found myself surprised to find that I was almost at the end of the book when suddenly, there I was at 90%.
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing copies for an unbiased review.

I've read several books from Kimi Cunningham Grant and she continues to be an author who is an instant "must read" for me! While some might consider this a "slow burn," I enjoy a story that isn't rushed and takes time to fully develop the characters, sharing their thoughts and feelings, while consistently moving the plot along. This was a four star read for me and I highly recommend it for those who like the author and for those who enjoy thrillers.

Emlyn and Janessa meet in college and become friends. Janessa is outgoing and bossy, while Emlyn is quieter. Emlyn starts dating Tyler, Janessa's best friend from childhood, but Janessa tries to warn her from dating him. Despite the warning, Emlyn dates Tyler. A few months after dating however, Tyler does something unforgiveable to Emlyn. With time, Emlyn heals and moves on, but Tyler comes back into her life, asking her to help find Janessa, who has disappeared during a social media vlogging trip. Emlyn starts to realize that things aren’t quite what they seem with both Tyler and Janessa.

I absolutely love audiobooks because narrators do such an amazing job of bringing life into the characters allowing me to better connect with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kimi Cunningham Grant, and the publishers for the opportunity to read/listen this in exchange for a review.

Sigh. As many other readers have said, I was also a big fan of Kimi Cunningham Grant's last novel These Silent Woods and was really excited to get to The Nature of Disappearing. For me, it was a really slow burn and while it had my attention initially, it lost my interest as the book went on. Had I been reading the book instead of listening to the audio, I likely would have skimmed to the finish. Cunningham excels at world-building and that was my favorite part of the book in this case. It was very atmospheric, and she did a beautiful job of bringing the wilderness aspect to life.

The audiobook narrator Emily Pike Stewart did an excellent job, and as stated previously was what kept me going. I am very glad I listened to the audio and got to hear her be the voice of these characters. I didn't find anyone particularly likable, and honestly, I found myself not really caring what was going to happen. The climax was wild and left me wondering how we got there, which probably means I zoned out while I was listening at times. Many people loved this book, so please take my review with a grain of salt! Even though The Nature of Disappearing was a bit of a miss for me, I still love this author and will continue to read her.

After reading These Silent Woods, I became a big fan and was so excited to read this one! Grant has such a knack for the way that she writes survival thrillers. They’re incredibly atmospheric, with vivid and mesmerizing descriptions of the wilderness that make you feel transported and fully immersed. The unique settings that she creates truly help define the story.

While certainly a slow burn, I enjoyed the scenic adventure and enjoyed the strong characterization. They felt genuine while being intriguingly flawed.

I liked how the past was revealed gradually as we flipped between the two timelines and was consistently eager to learn more about what happened and lead to the current predicament.

Although this one did have a bit of an emotional element to it, it didn’t seem to resonate with me as much as her previous story. Still beautifully written and worth checking out!

Tyler leaves Emlyn out in the woods to die. Garden and Rev save her and she decides to stay and leave her past behind her.

Just as she is getting over her past and what Tyler did to her. Tyler comes walking into her life again to let her know that Janessa is in trouble and they need to find her.

Tyler and Emlyn track Janessa down and her and her “boyfriend” are just fine. But little does Emlyn know that Tyler has not changed and her life is in danger yet again.


Wish they would have expanded on Emlyn and Varden. How did their life turn out. Did they fall in love or is Emlyn to damaged to love anyone else because she trusted Tyler twice that almost killed her.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Pretty engrossing read for the most part, some moments were on the slower side at times but still interesting. I wasn't in love with the ending but it was still good. The narrator did a good job.

The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant
Narrated by Emily Pike Stewart
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Published: June 18, 2024

The Nature of Disappearing is a standalone thriller by Kimi Cunningham Grant. Wow! This was intense! This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I’m sure it won’t be the last!

I found this book to be captivating. I loved seeing how the story unraveled. The characters were interesting and I thought the story was so intriguing. I was on edge most of this book!

I loved the narration by Emily Pike Stewart. I thought she really brought this book to life!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.5 rounded down

Emlyn lives a simple life as a fishing and hunting guide living in a trailer in Idaho, but is forced to reckon with her past when her ex-boyfriend shows up asking for her help finding her ex-best friend. She is hesitant as she hasn’t spoken to her former friend in years and would prefer not to think about the trauma her ex-bf left her with when he abandoned her in the woods three years ago. She agrees to go on the trip out of fear and concern for her friend.

This novel was well written and tackled a few of morally nuanced situations. I did find myself bored for the majority of the story, however, and did not care too much for any of the characters. I liked how the author wrapped the story up and felt the main character’s arc was completed.

I enjoyed the audiobook narrator and would recommend to readers seeking a slowly paced light mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Best second book I've ever read. Thoroughly enjoyable. At first, I thought this was going to be a redemption love story, and it was, but not in the direction I thought it was going to go. Incredibly well written, well paced, and engaging. Loved the main character and the development of her relationship between her best friend. Her growth throughout the book was relatable and aspirational. The setting makes me want to do a big hike.

Hiding out after a traumatic event almost kills her Emlyn enters back into the world to help find her estranged and missing best friend. Is she truly in danger or just needing some downtime? Emlyn has to team up with the man who left her in the woods to die in order to find out.

I found this one quiet but it still held my attention.

What worked for me:
- a good main character who was damaged but had worked hard to heal
- mostly good side characters, loved her friendship with Janessa
- a sweet love interest
- a fairly fast-paced plot that moved along at a reasonable speed.
- an interesting story line that was something I hadn't read before
- the connection to the outdoors and hiking

What didn't work for me:
- nothing

4.5 stars rounded up.

I enjoy this narrator a lot. However, this book wasn't for me. I hate when adults hide feelings instead of just saying how they feel. And the ending really made me upset.

I loved These Silent Woods, so I was excited to dive into Kimi Cunningham Grant’s latest. The Nature of Disappearing proved a decently compelling follow-up, if a bit slow and uneven at times. I enjoyed this as a nice summer suspense to breeze through in a day.

Emily Pike Stewart did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Kimi Cunningham Grant, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Emlyn has created a secluded life for herself as a fishing and hunting guide in Idaho in the wake of being left by the love of her life in the forest three years ago, around the same time her and her best friend had a big falling out. But when Tyler resurfaces in her life saying that Janessa has gone missing with her van-life boyfriend and partner, Bush, Emlyn feels obligated to help find her. She is dragged back to the past and can't help but feel like maybe she and Tyler might not be done with each other yet. But the search isn't what it seems, and Emlyn might uncover some secrets that are far more telling than she expects.

I really enjoyed this story. It has chapters in the present with flashes to the past that help uncover to the reader why Emlyn holds others at such a distance. It unpacks a lot of her past trauma that she hasn't fully dealt with, which is something that always captivates me with stories like this. I always root for them to be able to work through those traumas to come out on top of them by the end, even if it's only implied that they will begin healing from their past.

I thought the pacing of the story was done very well, and the narrator did a wonderful job. There were enough details that made the story believable, and I really liked the premise of strong women who could hold their own in the wilderness. I really liked the inclusion of the descriptions of items they packed and prepared for their hikes.

*SPOILER IN THIS SECTION!*
I found one inconsistency, though that really had me sad. WHERE WAS THE DOG? I specifically remembered a line that Tyler said that the dog (I honestly can't remember his name now) was "truly the love of her (Janessa's) life". So why wasn't the dog at the van or with Bush and Janessa? There was zero explanation as to where he went. Like I said, this made me sad.

I thought The Nature of Disappearing was an attention-grabbing read, and would recommend it (even with the missing dog).

The Nature of Disappearing is a fictional mystery written by Kimi Cunningham Grant and narrated by Emily Pike Stewart
. When Emelyn first starts college it is hard for her to connect with her classmates, until one day when she meets Janessa at a diner. Years later Emelyn is a wilderness guide, and is no longer as close to Janessa. But when Emelyn’s ex-boyfriend calls her telling her that Janessa is missing, Emelyn has to decide what to do, if it is safe for her to be around Tyler, and if Janessa even wants her to find her.

This was an engaging mystery, and I enjoyed how we looked at the pasts of the main characters, and how that helped us understand some of their actions. I appreciated the character and relationship development throughout the book, as well as learning a bit about the wilderness area where the book takes place. I definitely recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author, narrator, and publisher of this book for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked THESE SILENT WOODS, but it is a slower paced book with some suspense. I just couldn't find myself wanting to move through this book and it was a quick put down that I just didn't feel like coming back to.

I absolutely love a good thriller and this one did not disappoint. I want to read other books by this author now and have added this all to my incredibly long tbr list.

I didn’t see the twist in this one coming! I definitely loved it though.

More of a wilderness suspense than a thriller, this follows two ex-lovers as they try to find their friend and her new partner in the Idaho wilderness after she goes missing during a scheduled trip.

Turns out, there’s a lot that one of them doesn’t know.

Told in a dual timeline, I loved getting to know Emlyn and Janessa in the past. I loved learning about the life Em created for herself after hers fell apart, and loved watching her find herself. I also loved how much this book focused on nature and the expansive wilderness that exists in the American west, even today.

Definitely one I’d recommend!

I really enjoyed this book. Emlyn is working in the mountains and trying to reestablish her life after breaking up with Tyler. She hears that her ex best friend has gone missing in the woods. Should she go look for her?

I loved the way this book was formatted. It slowly reveals the complex dynamics of the relationship between Tyler, Emlyn and Janessa.

I thought the author did a great job of diving into what it like to have an intoxicating and toxic relationship with an addict. You want to believe they are clean. You want to trust them but it’s complicated. You willlive this book if you like books about complicated relationships and addiction.

I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book.