So many secrets, and I had sooo much fun figuring them out and having them revealed! Will be recommending this to anyone who loves a twisty mystery.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. It didn't disappoint! Must read!!

Joni Blackwood vanishes on All gallows’ eve in South Yorkshire. People outside the village believes that she was sacrificed as a part of pagan ritual. Though Joni has been crowned and been given the title of Gallows Queen before she vanished without leaving any trace. The characters have a poignant back stories and that is what connected them while back in village, there are many bizarre stories and Joni’s mom herself used to tell her story of the horrifying branches and ghosts. The story has been narrated in dual timelines; present and past.

The truth is frightening, deep and twisted. What’s more horrifying is that not only Joni goes missing but the remains of a child is also found and the truth comes out with a layer of mystery, suspense and secrets. The book has paranormal elements and the ending was shocking. The mystery of Gallows tree kept me on toes. The writing was compelling.

Thanks to the publisher and Author.

I was SHOCKED with how this ended. Shocked. I thought I had this book pegged. Then BAM-just kidding, twist. Man. I really , really, liked how this turned out. Part of me was mad but another part loved it.

I was hooked from the cover and the description, It had everything that I was hoping for in the mystery element. It was a unique world that I was hoping for and thought the overall feel worked, I thought the idea of figuring out if Joni was murdered or a murderer. The characters felt like they were meant to belong in this world and glad I was able to read this. Lisa Rookes has a great writing style and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

I’ve realised recently that a crime fiction trope that I really, really love is a small town mystery. Also, coming from Wales, which has a fantastic history of folk tales and mythology, I am also a huge fan of folklore and a bit of creepiness mixed in with a more traditional crime story and that is exactly what forms the basis of this novel.⁣
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A group of childhood friends desperately try to figure out what has happened to Joni who goes missing after a local bonfire tradition All Gallows’ Eve. The split narrative takes us back to when the main characters were teenagers, trying to navigate the already tricky period of adolescence, whilst also dealing with absent parents, poverty and first loves and relationships.⁣
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Sinister clues then start appearing in the present day which seem to link Joni’s disappearance to a tragic event from years earlier, and this threatens to unearth secrets they would rather keep hidden.⁣
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I was really shocked that this was a debut novel, it’s got a very distinctive voice and the mystery is complex and develops in a really unexpected way. A brilliant set of characters, and the Northern setting of a small village near Sheffield was perfect for this storyline full of secrets and suspense.

I devoured this book in a day. I loved the complex relationships between all the characters and felt they were really well explored. The plot kept me guessing till the very end and the ending was brilliant! A really well put together thriller with lots of twists. Definitely recommend!

4.5/5✨

Thank you, NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group, and Lisa Rookes for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was really a page turner from the first chapter. I loved how all of the characters had history both with each other and the town and it was pretty much explained from the very beginning and throughout. The author did a wonderful job describing relationships and their dynamics. I appreciated that a lot.

Overall, this book is creepy, twisty and seemingly paranormal. There are a lot of times that make you wonder if your predictions of what is going to happen next or who may not be the best person(s) are true.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from this author.

This is a slow burn, dual time line of Joni Blackwood.
Lisa Rookes has written a gem of a book.
It’s small town claustrophobia that bites in all the right places.
A sure fire five star read.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the advance E arc. #JoniBlackwood #Netgalley I just reviewed The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood by Lisa Rookes. #TheVanishingofJoniBlackwood #NetGalley

The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood by Lisa Rookes is an extremely well written story with an intricate plot and skillfully drawn characters.
From the very first page, I found myself completely engrossed in the story.
A compelling and atmospheric story that immediately sucked me in.

Thank You NetGalley and Orion for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thank you Netgalley & Orion Publishing for an eARC ♥️

I absolutelyyyyyyy loved the atmospheric setting of the small village, where traditions and secrets run deep. The protagonist's search for their missing friend Joni is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, and I found myself fully invested in their journey.

As the story unfolds, the author skillfully weaves together clues and red herrings, keeping me on the edge of my seat. And that final reveal? Wow! I didn't see it coming at all.🔥🔥🔥

If you're a fan of mysteries with a strong sense of place and a hint of the unknown, you'll love this one. It's a real page-turner, and I can't wait to read more from Lisa Rookes 👍🏽

EXCERPT “ You don’t have to believe me.
Just believe that I believe it”

This a debut horror thriller from Lisa Rookes told on dual timelines - Now being “All Gallows Eve” and then going back to the 90s when Joni, Cass, Kit, Tom and Pete were all teenagers and close friends growing up in a small village in Yorkshire. The Gallows Tree legend has it that the village has to sacrifice someone to the scarecrows in order for the crops to grow. The horror element is eerie and atmospheric and I loved the “ghost stories” and scares the teenagers told each other in the 90s.

Now 40, When Joni goes missing after being crowned Gallows Queen at the pagan festival the whole village is shocked, especially when the remains of a baby are found in the cemetery too. This is an absolute page turner, I’m actually on pins waiting for the story to unfold and my anxiety is through the roof. And what a jaw swinging, heart palpitating ending this book has too! This was an easy 5 star for me and I will be reading more of the authors work. I especially loved some of the sayings the characters used and the description of growing up as a teen in England in the 90s.

I meannnnn I am currently jaw to the floor. I was not expecting that very end twist!!!
This was such a wild ride and I honestly don't feel a review can do the twists and turns justice, you just need to go and read it.
Small town, unlikeable characters, drama- its got it all.
My only 'negative' is that sometimes when we looked back on a memory in the 'now' chapter, it did just jump into it and that was confusing at first as there was nothing really separating it from the present. That could just be because it was an arc.

A brilliantly chilling mystery novel. Super creepy! Lisa's got a really great voice and although the story was strange, it was strange in the best way. Loved it.

In "The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood," the disappearance of the protagonist's best friend, Joni, on All Gallows' Eve sets the stage for a gripping mystery that unravels the secrets of a seemingly idyllic village. As the narrator delves into the unsettling events surrounding Joni's vanishing, a haunting atmosphere of folklore and hidden truths emerges.

The author expertly weaves together themes of friendship, community traditions, and buried secrets, creating a sense of unease that permeates the narrative. The village's dark history, intertwined with the annual bonfire and the enigmatic Gallows Tree, adds layers of mystery and suspense to the story.

With vivid descriptions and a suspenseful plot, "The Vanishing of Joni Blackwood" immerses readers in a tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the shadows that lurk beneath the surface of a quaint village. The novel's eerie charm and intricate storytelling make it a compelling read for fans of atmospheric mysteries.

The debris from the night before is scattered underneath the village tree and across the cobbles. Red wine stains the ground like blood. And Joni has vanished. Joni Blackwood is my best friend. She was there for my first crush, stood beside me at my wedding, watched my daughter grow up. She's been there through the painful mess of the divorce, too. So when she suddenly goes missing on All Gallows' Eve, I'm first to raise the alarm.
Well this book was definitely a bit different! It had light suspense, intrigue, murder, definitely mystery, and some crazy twists and turns! It was very weird I guess?! Maybe I just didn't get it?! Or it just wasn't for me?! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I was so excited to read this book as the plot drew me in instantly and I knew I couldn't put it down until I knew the truth of Joni Blackwood, a very tense and suspensful read overall.