I was excited about this book ever since learning about the case on "Disappeared" several years ago and seeing that extremely creepy photo of Madyson. However, I only made it through about 75% of this book. There was too much insertion of the author into the story and there were far too many tangents into unlikely explanations and irrelevant details. To me, the most likely explanation for the family's demise is that they had very strange beliefs in the supernatural either caused by or exacerbated by mental illness and drug use and, as a result of this, they got lost in the woods and died of exposure. I would have liked more discussion of this and less of the far more unlikely explanations on offer (i.e. murder, conspiracy, etc.).

A very interesting read. On the surface it looks quite simple but as the author digs further into this family and their mysterious disappearance, it leaves a lot more questions than answers. A lot of social and mental issues are raised that many people prefer not to look at too closely. As well as influences from religious sectors, especially on mentally and emotionally vulnerable families.
The book was well written and you can see the author did a lot of research into this disappearance. It is a pity that the real story will probably never come to light
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

I’m very much in two minds about what I just read. It literally took me weeks to finish this book. While I was reading I was engaged in the mystery of this family’s disappearance, but once I put the book down, I found it very hard to motivate myself to pick it back up again and continue reading.

What I liked:

The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow is richly detailed, well-researched and choc-full of interesting bits of parallel true crimes. The author often mentions other mysterious cold cases as mindboggling as the disappearance of the Jamison family. For example, I wasn’t aware of the disappearance of the McStay family in California, the youth killings in Weleetka, or the mystery surrounding the gruesome find of the Anadarko pastor in 2009. Even Albuquerque’s first serial killer, dubbed the “Bone Collector”, is referenced in one of the chapters. But what really skyrocketed my curiosity was the account on how North Fork Town came to be at the bottom of Lake Eufaula.

Evidence of how much time and effort went into compiling this true crime account is clear by the inclusion of facts such as where the word “forensic” originated from, or details on how and why autopsies started being done centuries ago. All of this and much more is what kept my interest while reading, but getting back into the book once I had to put it down…well, that was a little harder.

What I didn’t like:

As a logically-minded person, I don’t entertain flights of fancy. The occult-like elements in this case didn’t interest me at all and I felt it to be an unnecessary inclusion in this book as it isn’t fact-based. I enjoyed the accounts of other interesting cold cases (as mentioned earlier in my review), but at the same time I also felt there was too much unnecessary bloat and a lot of repetition to get the book to its intended word count. Sometimes it became overwhelming and tiring to read, and thus made it hard for me to continue reading when I instead wanted something that wasn’t taxing on my mind.

Although not overdone, I also didn’t find the inclusion of the author’s personal struggles and injuries necessary in this true crime account.

Conclusion:

Prior to reading The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow, I’ve never heard of the Jamison family. However, it’s not necessary to know anything about their disappearance or the avid online following by internet sleuths it inspired, before starting this book. It’s all covered in this true crime mystery. I would recommend this book to readers who are deeply invested in solving cold cases or have an interest in true crime mysteries. There is a vast amount of information in this book and the author explores the Jamisons disappearance from every angle possible, which I found overwhelming. But if you’re someone who enjoys delving deep into every single detail imaginable of unsolved crimes, then this is the perfect read for you.

This is a detailed and well-researched look at the vanishing of the Jamison family in the San Bois mountains of Southeastern Oklahoma. Fans of true crime will be interested in this story.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

The Vanishing At Smokestack Hollow by Jake Anderson in 2010 Cherilyn, Bobby Junior and their daughter Madison went missing besides the footage that people say make them look like they’re on drugs while packing the truck there isn’t much to go on unless you’re going on gossip and rumors because there’s lots of that from satanic worship, drug abuse, racism hauntings an Indian burial grounds the story is a no Way Short of interesting topics. There’s a lot in the story to distract you from the fact no one was ever arrested for this crime. Some of the rumors that have been spread or enough to make their love ones hit their knees and pray it not to be true especially the one about poor Madison in Laredo Texas despite this book has no real arrest or a proper ending I found the book was full of interesting stories adjacent to this one and including things about this one and thought the author did a wonderful job telling a sad story. If you like to read the stories of true crime victims this is an entertaining book to read and one I totally recommend. #NetGalley, #KensingtonBooks, #JakeAnderson,#TheVanishingAtSmokestackHollow,

When a family goes missing, everyone goes on alert. Why were they in the mountains, and why would they leave their dog behind? As police look through the car, a large amount of cash was found, leading to even more questions. As they seemingly vanished into thin air, there are relatively no clues to lead an investigation forward.

The author begins on a journey to talk about the family, but it seemed that there was a lot more about the author himself. It was a rather frustrating read, although a case that I would like to read more on.

I had been familiar with the Jamison family story, and followed the updates and theories. I appreciated the telling of the story, and it was presented well, and learned some new details. Well written and well researched.

The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow by Jake Anderson is about one family from Oklahoma who on October 8, 2009, left their home for nearby mountains. They were never seen alive again. Conjecture and theories surrounded their mysterious disappearance including foul play, feral hogs, cults, drug links, murder/suicide and starting a new life elsewhere.

Bobby, Sherilyn and their young daughter Madyson vanished. A week later their dog was discovered barely alive inside their vehicle as well as $32,000 in cash. A huge search began with volunteers and experts alike. Sherilyn's son Colton (Bobby's stepson), friends, neighbours and media had their own views. There were poisoned cats, no trespassing signs galore and a mystery lodger. A grisly discovery made by hunters four years later gave some closure but too many questions remain. Items which should have been found weren't. The police were ill equipped. After doing research of his own, the author raises many points and the case remains unsolved.

Aside from the impossible mystery, what grabbed me most are the fascinating investigation details surrounding scent and "woodshock". Whatever happened, the last hours and moments of the three must have been horrifying and I feel for those who knew and cared about them.

The author includes his own experiences with chronic (and consequential mental) pain which as a chronic pain sufferer I relate to. However, in ways it felt irrelevant to the Jamison tragedy. I understand the purpose but the timing is odd and feels like an intrusion of sorts.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this captivating book.

BLURB___"On October 8th, 2009, Bobby Jamison, his wife Sherilynn, and their six-year-old daughter Madyson, set off for a drive from their home in Eufaula, Oklahoma, to the nearby Sans Bois Mountains. They didn’t return that day, or the next. A week later, their truck was found abandoned on a mountain road. Inside was their dog, malnourished but alive, the family’s cell phones, wallets, and $32,000 in cash."__

The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow, by Jake Anderson, is a true crime telling in minute detail with an equal share of the author's own health travails thrown in. There was so much information I found it difficult to absorb and retain. Even with that limitation, the story was gripping, emotional, and a little bit scary. I did not feel as connected to the story as I had hoped to be, but there is no denying how well researched the book is.

Thank you to #TheVanishingatSmokestackHollow #NetGalley #KensingtonPublishing #Citade #TrueCrime

3.5 rounded to 4⭐️

Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow has a bit of everything a modern disappearance narrative requires: the official story, the unofficial stories, interviews with friends and family, drugs, and Reddit threads. I've never seen this case before, so this felt incredibly comprehensive. I'm not surprised that tv gave the impression that this was a paranormal spook fest when most likely it was something much more human. (People can be terrible, especially when there are drugs involved.)

I understand that some readers are angry with the author writing himself into the narrative, his bout with mental health and chronic pain, but it felt wholistic to me. When researching a case in depth, I imagine it's only natural to find yourself connecting to the characters through shared life experiences. That's probably what drew you in in the first place. Anderson mentions early on his deep understanding of bipolar and the stigma associated.

Why isn't it a five? This felt long and perhaps a bit disjointed. I also remember stopping at one point and having to do math when I saw something like "over 15 years since the disappearance." That's not right??? The disappearance was in October 2009, which means 15 years is at least October 2024, next month and definitely not whenever that interview happened or was written down. Publisher please fix - thanks!

I’m a huge fan of true crime, so I was thrilled to receive this book from NetGalley! It offers a lot of unique elements. While we often hear about individual disappearances, an entire family going missing is quite rare. The book was well-written and thoroughly researched, and Jake Anderson did an excellent job organizing the information. Overall, this is a must-read for any true crime enthusiast!

A captivating mystery involving a small-town disappearance. Anderson’s richly detailed narrative and suspenseful twists make this a compelling read for fans of whodunits.

Interesting true crime book and a very interesting case although I thought this book could have done it justice being half as short...its a bit long with a lot of info that at times seems to spiral away from the case at hand. But overall well written and interesting.

I enjoy a good true crime book and this seemed to have a lot of potential. But in the end, the author meandered, got caught up in unnecessary and irrelevant stories that had more to do with him than anything else. A good editor might have helped....

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It does not quite fly with me.

For true crime enthusiasts, "The Jamison Mystery" is a haunting exploration of one of Oklahoma's most baffling cases. Jake Anderson, an investigative journalist, takes readers on a chilling journey through the mysterious disappearance and tragic end of the Jamison family. On October 8th, 2009, Bobby Jamison, his wife Sherilynn, and their six-year-old daughter Madyson set out from their home in Eufaula, Oklahoma, to the Sans Bois Mountains—and were never seen alive again.

Their abandoned truck was discovered a week later on a remote mountain road, with their malnourished dog, cell phones, wallets, and an inexplicable $32,000 in cash left behind. Despite the largest search in Oklahoma’s history, the case yielded little evidence. Theories abounded, from abduction by white supremacists to the family's involvement in a religious cult.

In 2013, the grim discovery of their skeletal remains by deer hunters confirmed the worst, but the questions only multiplied. Anderson delves into the eerie, trance-like behavior captured on CCTV, the mysterious disappearance of a briefcase and handgun, and the lack of arrests in the case.

Drawing on police notes, interviews, and exclusive evidence, Anderson pieces together the Jamisons' final days, revealing a tale of dark obsessions and real-life malevolence. His account is not only a compelling narrative of a true murder mystery but also an unsettling reflection on the shadows that lurk in the most unexpected places. "The Jamison Mystery" is a must-read for those who relish unraveling the complexities of true crime.

Nope. This was supposed to be a book about honoring the Jamison family and the efforts that have been going to try and solve the mystery around them. Instead, Jake Anderson inserted himself into this book and ruined whatever potential is had.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

{english review}

I have mixed feelings about this book.

First and foremost, I want to mention that I am a big fan of true crime books. I really enjoy the suspense and the thrill of trying to unravel the mysteries presented, as well as coming up with theories about possible outcomes. However, this book did not meet my expectations and left me with ambivalent feelings.

The story progresses very slowly and is packed with a wealth of information and details. While I appreciate the thoroughness of the research, the sheer volume of information ended up draining my energy and concentration. I often found myself questioning the necessity of certain comments and details, which seemed excessive and sometimes irrelevant to the narrative. This contributed to the reading becoming tedious and took me much longer to finish than anticipated.

The case of the family’s disappearance is undeniably intriguing and has great potential to captivate readers. However, the way the author presents various theories and perspectives becomes overwhelming. The multitude of approaches sometimes feels disorganized and lacks coherence, which can be confusing and make it difficult to grasp the case as a whole. Additionally, the narrative structure at times does not help maintain interest and can make readers feel lost amidst all the details.

Although I recognize and appreciate the effort and extensive research the author has put into this book, I’m afraid it did not resonate with me as I had hoped. Despite its rigor and depth of research, the way the material is presented did not suit my personal taste, and I found myself wishing for a more focused and fluid narrative. In summary, while the book has undeniable merits, it did not meet my personal expectations.

[reseña en español]

Tengo opiniones encontradas sobre este libro.

En primer lugar, quiero destacar que soy una gran aficionada a los libros de true crime. Disfruto mucho del suspenso y de la emoción de intentar desentrañar los misterios que se presentan, así como de formular teorías sobre los posibles desenlaces. Sin embargo, este libro no cumplió con mis expectativas y me dejó una sensación ambivalente.

La historia avanza de manera muy lenta, y está cargada de una gran cantidad de datos y detalles. Aunque aprecio la minuciosidad en la investigación, la sobreabundancia de información terminó drenando mi energía y mi capacidad de concentración. A menudo me encontré cuestionando la necesidad de ciertos comentarios y detalles, que parecían excesivos y, en ocasiones, irrelevantes para el desarrollo del relato. Esto contribuyó a que la lectura se volviera tediosa y me llevó mucho más tiempo del esperado.

El caso de la desaparición de la familia, sin duda, es fascinante y tiene un gran potencial para enganchar al lector. Sin embargo, la manera en que el autor presenta las diferentes teorías y perspectivas resulta abrumadora. La multiplicidad de enfoques a veces parece desorganizada y carece de coherencia, lo que puede resultar confuso y dificultar la comprensión del caso en su conjunto. Además, la estructura de la narrativa, en algunos momentos, no ayuda a mantener el interés y puede hacer que el lector se sienta perdido entre tantos detalles.

Aunque reconozco y valoro el esfuerzo y la exhaustiva investigación que el autor ha llevado a cabo, me temo que el libro no logró conectar conmigo de la manera que esperaba. A pesar de su rigor y la profundidad de la investigación, la manera en que se presenta el material no resultó ser de mi agrado, y me encontré deseando una narrativa más enfocada y fluida. En resumen, aunque el libro tiene méritos indudables, no cumplió con mis expectativas personales.

I tend to enjoy true crime books. I think they take some of the sensationalization out of the crimes and focus more on the victims and what lead to the crime. I was not a fan of this one, however. It was all about Jake Anderson, who, last I knew, was not a victim in this story.

True Crime books with no solution are always unsatisfying, and the author spent too much time exploring ridiculous theories. I realize I'm biased, as these crimes took place in my state, nearby extended family, so when the cops and townspeople offered their ideas, I couldn't take them seriously because I've met those people and they're not serious people. Over all, an attempt to take an unsolved, yet easily explained crime, and make it into something more complicated.

I received a free copy of, The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow, by Jake Anderson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I remember watching a an episode of Disappeared, on ID, about this family, and wondering what happened to them. I thought this would book would help me understand, but, its more about the author then the family, and was a bit boring.