Home › Kids Books › The Disappearances

The Disappearances

by Emily Bain Murphy

A town losing the things that make life vivid

Regular price $15.90 USD
Regular price $24.85 USD Sale price $15.90 USD
Save 36%

Paperback New

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

A town losing the things that make life vivid

In 1942, Sterling loses a different part of ordinary experience every seven years: reflections, dreams, colors, or even the stars. When Aila Quinn arrives in her late mother’s hometown, she finds that its residents blame Juliet for the curse. Aila’s effort to clear her mother’s name brings her into contact with George, Beas, and William, while the town’s secrets complicate her search. The book combines historical fiction and magical realism through a mystery built around what a community loses—and what it uses to bring those things back. Its central questions connect the town’s strange disappearances to family history and the risks of uncovering the truth.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Teens and young adults interested in magical realism and historical fiction.
  • Readers drawn to mysteries involving family secrets and a protagonist investigating her mother’s past.
  • Those interested in stories that weave romance and friendship into a supernatural premise.

Themes

Memory and experienceFamily history and blameSecrets and truthCommunity and loss

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Emily Bain Murphy's magical debut young adult novel THE DISAPPEARANCES follows a teen girl who moves to her recently deceased mother's hometown and discovers that it is cursed to lose the experiences that weave life together--the sound of music, the stars in the sky, the ability to dream--and that her mom may be to blame.

Every seven years something disappears in the town of Sterling: reflections, dreams, colors, stars. When Aila Quinn arrives, she realizes why her deceased mother, Juliet, never spoke of growing up there--the town is cursed to lose the experiences that weave life together, and everyone thinks Juliet is to blame.

Aila sets out to clear her mother's name with the help of George, whose goofy charm makes him a fast friend; Beas, the enigmatic violinist who writes poetry on her knees; and William, whose pull on Aila's heart terrifies her.

The Disappearances is a bewitching tale full of intrigue, beauty, and dread that will leave you entranced.

 

But in a town that thrives on secrets, clearing her mother's name will be more dangerous than she ever imagined. What will Aila risk to uncover the truth?

 

  • Magical Realism Meets Historical Fiction: Step into 1942, where a small town is losing everything that matters--reflections, dreams, colors, and stars--and only mysterious items called Variants can bring them back.
  • A Daughter's Dangerous Quest: Aila is determined to clear her mother's name, but every clue she uncovers points to a darker web of family secrets than she ever imagined.
  • Slow Burn Romance: She's drawn to the enigmatic William, but in a town where nothing is as it seems, trusting her heart could be the most dangerous move of all.
  • Atmospheric & Lyrical Prose: A bewitching, beautifully written tale of intrigue and dread perfect for fans of The Night Circus and The Ten Thousand Doors of January.
Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews