The Vanishing Place

Named ONE OF 2025’s BEST THRILLERS by The New York Times and The Washington Post

“Sizzling. . . a reminder that memory is slippery, that people arecapable of both unspeakable cruelty and unbelievable heroism and that the readers shouldn’t jump to conclusions about the characters too soon. ” — New York Times Book Review

“From the deep dark wilds of the New Zealand bush to searing memories of sins past, The Vanishing Place breaks new ground in a genuinely thrilling ride.”—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“[A] knockout debut” — Washington Post

“A triumphant thriller. . .Rankin expertly manages the parallel timelines, drawing out key questions about Effie’s past as the narrative toggles back and forth, and her prose is often ruggedly beautiful (“The barbed silence moved through her, as if the blades of silver fern traced her skin”). This is a must-read for fans of Jane Harper.” ––Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Vividly set in the unforgiving bush country, Rankin’s debut thriller cleverly builds on the long-held secrets of the past and the present to reveal a jaw-dropping finale reminiscent of Jane Harper’s The Dry or Michael Bennett’s Better the Blood.” –Library Journal (starred review).

“Mesmerizing. . .an addictive, atmospheric read that refuses to play it safe. Zoë Rankin delivers a gripping and unflinching exploration of faith, isolation, and the slow crumbling of the human psyche when trapped in darkness.” — Irish Times

“The New Zealand bush is the backdrop in this tale of survival and family secrets. Half-starved and covered with blood, a young girl stumbles into a grocery store in a remote village on the outskirts of the unforgiving, heavily forested bush. She can’t speak, but she looks just like a girl who went missing in the bush 20 years before. This explosive opener is just the first of many shocking scenes in a nature-centric, highly satisfying crime drama that is perfect for fans of Emma Donoghue’s Room and other tales of survival. As rich as Rankin’s entrancing and skillfully developed plot are her immersive descriptions of the bush country. . .You’ll get lost in the wilds with this gripping debut.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Impressively original, deftly crafted, as well as a fascinating and fun read from cover to cover. . .All the more impressive when considering that The Vanishing Place is Rankin’s debut as a novelist.” — Midwest Book Review

“Richly evocative and simmering with tension, The Vanishing Place is a white-knuckle tale of evil and love.”—Charity Norman, Ngaio Marsh-winning author of Remember Me

‘A hauntingly atmospheric tale of family secrets, obsession, and twisted love, Zoë Rankin’s debut skilfully evokes the terror of isolation and the chilling legacy of childhood trauma. The Vanishing Place will keep you up late.”—International #1 bestselling author Rose Carlyle

“Deep in New Zealand’s bush is ‘The Vanishing Place,’ a place so hidden that few people can escape from it and practically no one can find it, as Zoë Rankin so evocatively describes in her fascinating debut. The rich scenery of New Zealand and Scotland become facets in themselves while informing the gripping plot and shaping the believable characters who inhabit these lands. . .Rankin skillfully alternates her story from Effie’s childhood to now, allowing the plot to unravel at the perfect pace.” —Florida Sun-Sentinel


“One to remember, and a must for fans of Barbara Kingsolver’s Poisonwood Bible and Alisa Alering’s Smothermoss.” —First Clue (Book of the Week)

“An incredible story of surviving dysfunctional families and the New Zealand bush. Absolutely gripping, genuinely terrifying and yet profoundly humane. I loved it! ‘ — internationally bestselling author Liz Nugent