I really enjoyed this author's first book, These Silent Woods, and I had high expectations for this one but it didn't quite capture me the same way. Part of it was the pace - it's a bit slower, and I was okay with that, but it also felt disjointed and I was left questioning the purpose of certain plot points or characters. This mystery story relied heavily on setting as a backdrop for the suspenseful aspects of the plot, but I've read books where setting was profoundly well utilized (Jane Harper comes to mind) so it was hard not to compare.

Overall, however, I know there are readers out there who will love this book and I'm not too mad I read it because it was refreshing to change up my genres a bit and the audiobook was well done.

3.25 stars.

Thank you to the Macmillan Audio Influencer Program for providing me with a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This story is a slow burn mystery about Emlyn, an expert wilderness guide who has withdrawn from others since her relationship with Tyler, the love of her life, ubruptly and traumatically ended. She is living in peace and trying to forget it all when she sees her estranged best friend Janessa on the news being reported as missing, and then Tyler shows up unexpectedly seeking her help to search for Janessa. We are alongside Emlyn as she navigates her complicated feelings for Tyler and her concern for Janessa, trying to figure out what has led to Janessa's disappearance.

What I liked:
🌲 The author takes the time to really delve into character development. I appreciated the back and forth between Emlyn's present day journey with the flashbacks to her childhood and origins of her relationships with Janessa and Tyler. This backstory made me more invested in Emlyn and also built tension as more came to light and we could start to put the pieces together.
⛺️ The descriptions of the wild natural areas are vivid and atmospheric. I also found the descriptions of their survival and tracking skills interesting.
🎧 The audiobook narrator Emily Pike Stewart did a beautiful job voicing the characters. Her tone and intonation was on point and kept me engaged.

Other thoughts:
⛰️ Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed with the big reveal. No spoilers here - suffice it to say I didn't totally buy aspects of the explanation for Janessa's disappearance. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed how it wrapped up.
✍️ The writing style is clear and straightforward. My personal preference is for a more literary or colorful style.

Overall, I recommend this book to folks in the mood for a solid mystery that builds in an atmospheric setting. Fans of stories about missing people, examining relationships, and backpacking or wilderness trekking should consider picking this one up.

The story follows Emlyn, weaving a present and past timeline of Emlyn's relationships with Tyler and Janessa. Eager to discover what happened, I found myself enjoying the little details revealed throughout. The nature elements were delightful, and the "tracking" aspect was a fun addition. While the pacing was slow, Emily Pike Stewart's narration kept me engaged with her use of tones and inflections. However, I did feel the story lacked a sense of climax or excitement, leaving it a bit underwhelming.

Mysteries set in the woods are almost ALWAYS the vibe I am looking for and this delivered. I have read work by this author previously that did not work so well for me, and while I didn't think this was perfect, it was an entertaining listen and great for the vibes alone.

I've heard great things about the author's previous release, These Silent Woods, and I plan to read or listen to that book after listening to this book. Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC - the narrator, Emily Pike Stewart, did a great job with this book!
Skipping between different times in the past and the present, The Nature of Disappearing is told from the perspective of Emlyn. A wilderness guide in Idaho, Emlyn lives a pretty small life - on purpose. She is forced to break out into the wider world when Tyler, her former boyfriend who left her in a situation that nearly killed her, comes to beg for her help. Tyler reports their mutual friend, Janessa, appears to have disappeared with her survivalist boyfriend while living off-grid as part of the #vanlife movement. While off-grid, they are still expected to check in on social media, and having not checked in when they were expected to, Tyler is concerned and convinces Emlyn to join him in searching for her, as Emlyn recognizes where Janessa’s most recent photo was taken - and that location doesn't match the post’s geotag.
I planned to review this for #thrillerthursday but it's not really a thriller but more suspense or mystery. I know the title includes nature, but I wasn't prepared for how nature-centric this book would be. As an avid outdoors person, I have to admit that after reading this book I'm a little apprehensive about my backpacking trip next month 🤣 So I recommend this one, but I will say its setting and plot are realistic enough that maybe you shouldn't read it before a backcountry trip - just like I don't recommend reading TJ Newman’s books prior to flying 🤣🤣

3.5 stars. An outdoorsy, twisty read! Loved the setting in this one and the flashbacks providing another timeline. I was expecting a little more thrill or that I'd end up scared hiking but it wasn't scary like that.

I have listened to Kim Cunningham Grant's other books and have enjoyed them very much, and this belongs on the same list.

It is different than the others, but it was still enjoyable. It was not a typical thriller, but I found the plot intriguing. I know that some people have not enjoyed this book because it hasn't been like her others, but I liked the change of pace.

I do think there are parts that are a little predictable, and there are characters that I did not like from the very beginning, but I found the main character endearing and likeable. It is a slow burn, and again, won't be everyone's cup of tea- but I liked the change of pace and atypical suspense.

I would recommend this for anyone who likes a slow burn, not high suspense, and is all outdoors.

I loved Kimi Cunningham Grant's last book and was very excited to see this new one coming out. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed. The tense, wilderness atmosphere of her previous book just wasn't there. There was a lot of background on the characters and their relationships to one another that took up the majority of the plotline. Which left the ending feeling rushed and not nearly enough tension build up for my liking. While I absolutely will still keep an eye on Kimi Cunningham Grant for future works, this one was just average for me.

This one fell short for me.
I really wanted to like this one. I read so many great reviews and I just found myself bored.
I will begin by mentioning that I received a copy of the audio book for this. I very much enjoyed the narration of the book. The narrator understood the assignment and provided a great delivery.

The concept of this story line was intriguing. Three long lost friends Emlyn, Janessa and Tyler are forced back together when one goes missing. Differences and past dramas must be set aside in hopes of finding their friend before it is too late.
Definitely a SLOW burn. I just could not connect with the characters and that was what did it for me. I did finish the book and I didn't hate it, I just didn't really enjoy it either.

Thank you, Kimi Cunningham Grant, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE NATURE OF DISAPPEARING is a well crafted mystery/nature thriller that keeps you guessing, and wondering whom to trust. It features the outdoors as almost a character a place of solace for main character Emlyn who has been disappointed by people a little too often. The vivid descriptions of the wilderness are bautiful and craft an atmospheric setting. Emlyn sets out to find her best friend after her disappearance from social media but this means confronting her own demons and her feeling of just not being enough or worthy as well otherwise she'll be an obstacle in her search for her friend. There's a slow building of tension but the feeling of utter seclusion in the Idaho woods definitely adds a notch, as do all the revelations to come, just stick with this one.

The author's writing is lyrical and evocative, the scene is set in an almost poetical way - I could almost smell the camp food. Compelling, moving, and thought-provoking.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, the narration was wonderful and made the characters come alive.

I was eager - and nervous - to read The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant because her previous novel, These Silent Woods, was one of my favorite books of 2021. How would the author follow up a near-perfect novel? I’m thankful that early reviews tempered my expectations because Nature was good ... but not nearly as engaging as Woods. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Set in rural Idaho, the contemporary storyline follows Emilyn, a skilled wilderness guide, whose life is small and secluded by choice. It’s disrupted when former boyfriend Tyler suddenly appears with concerns that their mutual friend Janessa is missing. Emilyn agrees to use her tracking skills to help Tyler search for Janessa, and segments of their trek alternate with flashbacks to moments in Emilyn’s past, from her childhood and meeting Janessa to the good and bad times with Tyler. Their discoveries increase in tension until the full truth is revealed.

I had the rare opportunity to consume this audiobook, narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, in a single day while doing mundane spreadsheet work at the office. As a result, I had no issues following the non-chronological story, but I may have if I read or listened over several sessions. The story has a small cast of characters, several of whom are unlikeable, but I really liked Rev and Varden. I’m not familiar with the Idaho wilderness or trekking through it so any plot issues regarding these topics were lost on me.

One of the most meaningful things in my reading life is finding unexpected elements of faith woven into “general market” novels. I love that Ms. Grant does this so well; it was my favorite aspect of this tale. I was also intrigued by Emilyn’s early fascination with a dictionary which fostered her practice of choosing a single word to describe people, including herself.

I’m grateful to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for review copies of this novel.

This was supposed to be an atmospheric thriller. Atmospheric - yes, absolutely. Thriller - well, it wanted to be. It was set up for that from the beginning, but little by little, it stayed stagnant and eventually less and less thrilling. The major moments of twists and turns wasn't as poignant as I thought it would get. The overall storyline just didn't rise up to the setting that was created from the get-go.

And the MC. Oh, boy. Emlyn just wasn't a likable character. And then she teamed up with her ex Tyler, who I was surprised she even cared to talk to because of what he had done to her. Yes, they're out to look for their friend Janessa, but really, it didn't seem believable enough for this to happen. Just the more I read, the more less connected I was to care enough for these characters. I loved the atmospheric writing from this author for sure, but the characters just didn't work for me. And the ultimate reveal at the end just didn't do enough justice for the drawn out middle parts.

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan Audio for the audio eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

My first book from this author! There is something about wilderness thrillers that I absolutely love the vibes and high tension of being in the wild.

I was unable to listen to this one before it expired. Once I read the book I will come back and give my review.

4 stars, but like the "!!!" kind of 4 stars, if that makes sense?!

I believe The Nature of Disappearing is marketed as a thriller, and there sure is a suspenseful aspect, but I'm not sure if it counts as a true thriller. There's a lot of character development and introspective moments among the mystery and growing unease, and honestly, I loved it. This was the most wholesome thriller I've read?? I want to read 100 more like it!

Most thrillers have a lot of grossness in them, per the vibes of the genre. And while there are a couple of graphic scenes (mostly involving animals that have been hunted), the overwhelming focus of the story was Emlyn and her internal struggles and growth. Her understanding of her worth and how to move forward after mistakes changes and shifts over the course of the book in a captivating way.

Surprisingly, there was a subtle thread of Christianity in the story, but not in a preaching way. One of Emlyn's close friends is rather spiritual, and so that character's wisdom is flavored with biblical passages and she is known for her prayers. Nothing more than that is really examined, so I wouldn't qualify this as a "Christian book" or anything of that nature. I appreciated the neutral/maybe slightly positive representation of the religion.

And also, there was a super tender hint of romance that was so, so precious.

I was left impressed by Grant's handling of sensitive topics such as addiction and her ability to weave suspense without relying on disgust as the main motivating factor, and left wanting read more of the author's books that fall in this kind-of-thriller, kind-of-lit-fic genre! I will be looking out for future releases!

The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant was a captivating book with some suspenseful moments. I listened to the audiobook that was very well narrated by Emily Pike Stewart. Her narration kept me engaged and immersed in the story. Even though I had found Kimi Cunningham Grant’s prior novel, These Silent Woods, far superior to The Nature of Disappearing, I did enjoy listening to The Nature of Disappearing. The Nature of Disappearing was told in a duel timeline that focused on Emlyn’s backstory during her college years when she and Janessa were best friends. An account of how Emlyn met Tyler was included as well as the way in which Emlyn and Tyler fell in love. Then in present day, the now twenty-eight year old Emlyn, estranged from both Janessa and Tyler, had become a hunting and fishing guide in Idaho. Emlyn lived in an airstream trailer by herself in the secluded mountains of Idaho. She really liked Varden, the Forest Service Ranger but did not trust or allow herself to share her feelings with him. Emlyn enjoyed the time they spent together, though. Her only other friend was Rev who had taken her in when Emlyn was at her lowest. Emlyn’s life was quiet and simple, just the way she wanted it to be.

It had been three years since Tyler had left Emlyn on the side of the road to die from the elements and the injuries she had sustained. Emlyn had done her best to erase him from her thoughts until he showed up one day asking for her help. Tyler informed Emlyn that Janessa was missing. He was very worried about her. Janessa had become a very popular social media star and posted constantly about all kinds of things and always included her location. Tyler had kept in touch with Janessa over the years even though Emlyn had not. This was not like Janessa to go off the grid and not post on her social media platform. Tyler thought Janessa might be in some kind of danger. He had come to ask Emlyn for her help in trying to find Janessa because of her strong skills and knowing the surrounding area so well. Emlyn was hesitant at first. She did not want her history or past feelings for Tyler to resurface because Emlyn was sure that she was still attracted to Tyler as much as she tried not to be. How could Emlyn live with herself though if she ignored Tyler’s suspicions that Janessa was in some sort of danger and she did not try and help her? Of course Emlyn would help Tyler look for Janessa and try and determine what happened to her. Will Emlyn and Tyler be able to find Janessa? What had happened to her?

Although I enjoyed The Nature of Disappearing, there were a few things that disappointed me. I wished that the focus of the story had concentrated more on the mystery of where Janessa had disappeared to and what aspects of danger she had been exposed to rather than on Emlyn’s and Tyler’s relationship and breakup. Emlyn’s skills and knowledge of how she handled the situations she found herself in was impressive. I found it odd and insensitive that Tyler contacted Emlyn and asked for her help after how things ended with them. Even though The Nature of Disappearing didn’t grab me like These Silent Woods, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it. I look forward to seeing what Kimi Cunningham Grant writes next.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by this author. I loved how descriptive the writing was. I felt like I was in the wilderness and could see the animals she was describing. I also really enjoyed the ending. Unfortunately, the rest of the book was a little too slow for me. I felt like nothing was happening in the beginning or middle of the book. I enjoy my thrillers both fast paced and full of suspense, and this book was neither. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews for this one so I think I’m in the minority.

I think the audio is the way to go with this one. Emily Pike Stewart’s narration made me stick with listening until the very end.

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥: 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 & 𝐸-𝐵𝑜𝑜𝓀

ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: 𝐈𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲/𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒕) 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐞𝐭𝐜. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬! 𝐈𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝; 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐈’𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨) 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐈𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐄𝐦𝐥𝐲𝐧, 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚 (𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨), 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡, 𝐓𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐫, 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭.

𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝒦𝒾𝓂𝒾 𝒞𝓊𝓃𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔𝒽𝒶𝓂 𝒢𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓉, 𝑀𝒶𝒸𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜, 𝒮𝓉. 𝑀𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒾𝓃'𝓈 𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

This is another beautifully written novel from Cunningham Grant! I loved THESE SILENT WOODS and was excited to get back to the wilderness in this one. Emlyn was a fantastic FMC and had such growth despite a rocky beginning to life. It was a compelling and interesting story, layered with many emotions. There are many themes throughout but all are well done. I went between reading and listening and would recommend either format.

Emlyn is a fishing and hunting guide who is a loner and happy to live in an Airstream trailer and have a handful of close friends. When Tyler, who she once was very close to, informs her that their friend Janessa is missing, he begs for her help. Janessa is believed to be in the wilderness. Emlyn isn’t anxious to drag up history with the two but agrees to help. As Emlyn and Tyler trace Janessa’s path through the wilderness, flashbacks reveal how the friends met and what caused them to part ways

While the audiobook helped move the story and I liked the author's description of the journey through trees and flowers, it felt slow. The flashbacks, though interesting, didn’t promote any sense of suspense or urgency.

While the background of the three slowly comes to light, nothing draws me to any of the characters. The information was interesting, but it lacked anything to emotionally draw me to them. And the plot, well, it was somewhat disappointing.

Final Thoughts
You will find those who love this story and others who weren't drawn to it. But would I recommend it, yes. There are too many good reviews to pass this one by.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a gifted e-audiobook.