Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Book Review: The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy


The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy



What if the ordinary things in life suddenly…disappeared?

Aila Quinn’s mother, Juliet, has always been a mystery: vibrant yet guarded, she keeps her secrets beyond Aila’s reach. When Juliet dies, Aila and her younger brother Miles are sent to live in Sterling, a rural town far from home--and the place where Juliet grew up.

Sterling is a place with mysteries of its own. A place where the experiences that weave life together--scents of flowers and food, reflections from mirrors and lakes, even the ability to dream--vanish every seven years.

No one knows what caused these “Disappearances,” or what will slip away next. But Sterling always suspected that Juliet Quinn was somehow responsible--and Aila must bear the brunt of their blame while she follows the chain of literary clues her mother left behind. 

As the next Disappearance nears, Aila begins to unravel the dual mystery of why the Disappearances happen and who her mother truly was. One thing is clear: Sterling isn’t going to hold on to anyone's secrets for long before it starts giving them up.

Title: The Disappearances

Author: Emily Bain Murphy

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery

Recommended Age: Young Adult

Release Date: July 4, 2017








What if the ordinary things in life suddenly…disappeared?

Aila Quinn’s mother, Juliet, has always been a mystery: vibrant yet guarded, she keeps her secrets beyond Aila’s reach. When Juliet dies, Aila and her younger brother Miles are sent to live in Sterling, a rural town far from home--and the place where Juliet grew up.

Sterling is a place with mysteries of its own. A place where the experiences that weave life together--scents of flowers and food, reflections from mirrors and lakes, even the ability to dream--vanish every seven years.

No one knows what caused these “Disappearances,” or what will slip away next. But Sterling always suspected that Juliet Quinn was somehow responsible--and Aila must bear the brunt of their blame while she follows the chain of literary clues her mother left behind. 

As the next Disappearance nears, Aila begins to unravel the dual mystery of why the Disappearances happen and who her mother truly was. One thing is clear: Sterling isn’t going to hold on to anyone's secrets for long before it starts giving them up.


When reading the synopsis, I thought it was people that were disappearing but it wasn't. This book made me grateful for the things I have in my life. I truly enjoyed reading this book and I feel like I am a better person for reading it. I think it made me value the simple things in life. I also like that it is set in WWII times. It also has fun literary references in it. The poetry in it is incredible some of which Murphy wrote and some she didn't.


5 out of 5





Emily Bain Murphy grew up in Indiana, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, and has also called Massachusetts, California, and Connecticut home.

Murphy is the author of THE DISAPPEARANCES and SPLINTERS OF SCARLET (2020), both young adult historical fantasies published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She loves books, Japanese karaoke, exploring new cities, and anything with Nutella.

Murphy currently lives in St. Louis with her family and is at work on her third novel.


*Review originally posted January 31, 2018 on crossroadreviews.com

May you always find adventure.
- Jaiden



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