In Search of the Rose Notes by Emily Arsenault

In Search of the Rose Notes begins simply: two sixth-grade friends, Nora & Charlotte, a set of Time-Life books, Mysterious Lands and Peoples, and one very-much admired 16-year-old babysitter, Rose. Just typical stuff until one night, after walking Nora home, Rose disappears. And is never seen again.

Now, jump ahead sixteen years. Nora has moved from her childhood home and is married and happy. Out of the blue, she receives a call from Charlotte, whom she has not spoken to since Rose's disappearance. Charlotte tells her that Rose's remains have been found. Nora reluctantly makes the trip back to Waverly because, after all, she was the last person to see Rose alive...

Shuffling back and forth between past and present, this novel is slow yet powerful and keeps you guessing until the end.

Karen

Possible read-alike author: Laura Lippman

The Disappearance by Bentley Little

Attention horror readers! Bentley Little, in my opinion the very best horror writer, has a new book out. "The Disappearance" is not for the squeamish! The story revolves around four typical college students whose lives are about to change drastically when one of them disappears. Not only disappears, but is literally wiped off the face of the earth. No enrollment records, no facebook account; nothing! The police seem unwilling to help, even when there is a murder on campus. Is the disappearance and the murder connected?

Karen