ARC Review: The Vanishing by Jayne Anne Krentz

The Vanishing
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Series: Fogg Lake (Book 1)
Publication: Berkley (January 7, 2020)

Description: From New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz comes a gripping new romantic suspense trilogy fraught with danger and enigma. 

Decades ago in the small town of Fogg Lake, The Incident occurred: an explosion in the cave system that released unknown gases. The residents slept for two days. When they woke up they discovered that things had changed—they had changed. Some started having visions. Others heard ominous voices. And then, scientists from a mysterious government agency arrived. Determined not to become research subjects of strange experiments, the residents of Fogg Lake blamed their “hallucinations” on food poisoning, and the story worked. But now it has become apparent that the eerie effects of The Incident are showing up in the descendants of Fogg Lake.…

Catalina Lark and Olivia LeClair, best friends and co-owners of an investigation firm in Seattle, use what they call their “other sight” to help solve cases. When Olivia suddenly vanishes one night, Cat frantically begins the search for her friend. No one takes the disappearance seriously except Slater Arganbright, an agent from a shadowy organization known only as the Foundation, who shows up at her firm with a cryptic warning.

A ruthless killer is hunting the only witnesses to a murder that occurred in the Fogg Lake caves fifteen years ago—Catalina and Olivia. And someone intends to make both women vanish.

My Thoughts: Jayne Ann Krentz begins a new paranormal suspense story with THE VANISHING. Some years ago an accident in the small California town of Fogg Lake caused the people living there and their descendants to develop paranormal powers. Catalina Lark and Olivia LeClair had always been taught not to let anyone know about their powers.

Now, after Catalina was outed by a former boyfriend, she and Olivia have opened an detective agency that investigates people. Their work is helped by their ability to see auras and Catalina's ability to get brief glimpses of the future. When Olivia goes missing, Catalina needs to call in some help.

Slater Arganbright is sent from the shadowy organization known as the Foundation because he needs Catalina for a different task. But Catalina is only focused on finding Olivia and it soon becomes apparent that their goals are the same.

Slater is looking for someone who killed noted collectors of paranormal artifacts which may lead to a hidden lab which was built to weaponize paranormal powers. The government shut down the labs years ago but there are still those looking for the things that were discovered and willing to murder anyone who gets in their way.

Slater and Catalina have both had difficulties with relationships before they met each other. However, each has what the other needs and a relationship begins between them. The relationship does take a backseat to discovering who kidnapped Olivia and solving the mysteries that surround Fogg Lake and the missing lab.

This was an entertaining paranormal suspense story. I liked the characters and the banter between them. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Favorite Quote:

Catalina sniffed. "Can't say I blame them. How far do you trust Gwendolyn Swan?"

"Define 'trust,'" Slater said.

"Excuse me? I sense deep cynicism and a jaded view of human nature."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from the publisher. You can buy your copy here.