The Disappearance by Bentley Little is a thriller novel that takes readers on a suspenseful journey as a group of UCLA students attend the BURNING MAN festival, only to have one of them, Joan, mysteriously vanish. As her boyfriend, Gary, along with their friends, embark on a search for her, they uncover dark secrets involving a cult and a web of mysteries surrounding her disappearance. The book is described as a departure from Little's typical horror fiction, focusing more on suspense and character development, while still delivering a chilling and intense storyline that keeps readers engaged until the end.

The plot of The Disappearance unfolds as Gary and his friends face the challenge of finding Joan amidst a series of unsettling events, including the disappearance of her records and social media presence, leading them to a dangerous cult known as the Homesteaders. The story is noted for its suspenseful nature, character-driven narrative, and a gripping plot that keeps readers on edge as they delve deeper into the dark and mysterious world created by Bentley Little.

Characters:

The characters are a mix of college students with varying depth, mostly revolving around the central figure of Gary and his dedication to the missing Joan.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible with a focus on suspense and tension, marking a shift from traditional horror to more thriller-like storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows a group of college friends as they delve into the mysterious disappearance of one of their own after a trip to Burning Man, leading them into a world of cults and dark secrets.

Setting:

The setting transitions between the vibrant atmosphere of Burning Man and the more ordinary college environment at UCLA.

Pacing:

Pacing is inconsistent, with initial tension tapering off into a more drawn-out narrative before a more engaging conclusion.

The desert stretched out before them, a tan plain dotted by occasional brown brush and bordered at the far edges by small mountains painted purple by the rising sun. Aside from Reyn, who was driving, ...

Notes:

The story follows a group of UCLA students on a road trip to Burning Man.

Joan, the girlfriend of one of the main characters, mysteriously disappears in the desert.

After returning to campus, the friends discover that all records of Joan have been erased, including her Facebook account.

The local police are uninterested in investigating her disappearance.

The plot involves a cult called the Homesteaders, which Joan and her family were part of.

The book shifts from typical horror to more of a thriller, focusing on suspense rather than supernatural elements.

Many readers felt the story was predictable and dragged at times.

Gary's character is described as being overly devoted to Joan despite their brief relationship.

The book explores themes of powerlessness and the consequences of poor decisions among friends.

While not all readers enjoyed this departure from Little's usual style, some appreciated the character development.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include themes of abduction, cult involvement, psychological distress, and the disappearance of a person.

From The Publisher:

The perfect getaway turns into a nightmare when a girl vanishes without a trace in this horror novel that could only have come from the mind of Bram Stoker Award-winning author Bentley Little.

Gary, his girlfriend, Joan, and their friends intend to make the most of their three day vacation from UCLA partying at Burning Man. But soon after they arrive at the festival in the remote desert, Joan disappears. Calls to her parents' home yield only dead air. Her school records are gone. And there's no evidence that Joan, or even her roommate, ever existed. Most disturbing of all is what they do find.

Among Joan's belongings is a prayer written on a small scroll. It's a safeguard-and a warning-from something called The Outsiders. For Gary and his friends it's the only clue. Now, if they want to find out exactly what happened to Joan, they must follow it. But they may not like what they uncover....

What can you read after
The Disappearance?

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The Disappearance

Bentley Little

Characters:

Writing/Prose:

Plot/Storyline:

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Pacing:

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Topics:

Notes:

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

From The Publisher:

What can you read after The Disappearance?

What can you read after
The Disappearance?