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The Vanishing

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'The Vanishing' by author Bentley Little is a horror story that delves into the mysteries surrounding wealthy men going on killing sprees, leaving cryptic messages behind. The plot unfolds as reporter Brian Howells and social worker Carrie Daniels grapple with these mysteries, uncovering dark secrets and eerie connections between past and present. Little seamlessly weaves together two compelling stories set in California, creating an inventive and entertaining narrative that keeps readers spellbound.

The writing style in 'The Vanishing' is described as genuinely creepy, compelling, and riveting, with scenes of horror that make it difficult to put the book down. Despite some flaws, such as an unfocused narrative and a weak ending, the author manages to hold fans of the horror genre in his thrall, making them believe the unbelievable and creating a poignant yet unsettling tale.

Characters:

The characters are depicted as realistic but are often underdeveloped due to the large cast.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by a creepy and unsettling tone, though sometimes overly complex.

Plot/Storyline:

The storyline intricately intertwines past and present narratives set in California, exploring themes of environmentalism and horror.

Setting:

The setting alternates between California's past and present, providing context for the intertwined narratives.

Pacing:

The pacing of the book is generally fast but uneven, particularly in the conclusion.

Notes:

Bentley Little often intertwines past and present in his stories.
The Vanishing features an environmental theme, comparing it to Species.
Readers find Little's endings unpredictable and often unsatisfying.
The book is known for its graphic gore and twisted sexual content.
Characters may feel underdeveloped due to a sprawling narrative.
Little won a Bram Stoker Award, highlighting his recognition in the horror genre.
The story features two compelling tales set in California, one from the 19th century and the other modern.
His writing style includes a mix of creepiness and uncomfortable themes, appealing to some readers.
Some readers appreciate the flashbacks that reveal mysteries effectively without info dumps.
The book shows themes of rich individuals going on a violent spree, raising questions about society.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains high content warnings due to graphic violence, sexual depravity, and themes that may be disturbing to some readers.

From The Publisher:

With his novels, "Bentley Little has created nothing less than a nightmarishly brilliant tour de force of modern life in America."- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

In Beverly Hills, a wealthy CEO goes on a bloody rampage and videotapes the slaughter. He leaves behind a chilling cryptic message..." This is where it begins. "

Miles away, an alarmed mother receives an unsettling letter from her estranged husband, stained with bloody fingerprints.

And all across California, children are becoming affected by a monstrous change-and their parents, by a mounting fear.

Social worker Carrie Daniels and reporter Brian Howells are determined to find the link between these baffling crimes. But they shouldn't look too deeply into the lives of the victims. It's quite dark there. And God help them, they won't like what they find.

 
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