Review: If I Disappear by Eliza Jane Brazier

About the Book:

When her favorite true crime podcast host goes missing, an adrift young woman plunges headfirst into the wild backcountry of Northern California and her own dangerous obsession.

Sera loves true crime podcasts. They make her feel empowered in a world where women just like her disappear daily. She’s sure they are preparing her for something. So when Rachel, her favorite podcast host, goes missing, Sera knows it’s time to act. Rachel has always taught her to trust her instincts.

Sera follows the clues hidden in the episodes to an isolated ranch outside Rachel’s small hometown to begin her search. She’s convinced her investigation will make Rachel so proud. But the more Sera digs into this unfamiliar world, the more off things start to feel. Because Rachel is not the first woman to vanish from the ranch, and she won’t be the last…

Rachel did try to warn her…

My Thoughts:

If the gorgeous cover doesn’t get your attention, the intrigue of a crime behind a true-crime podcast will! I have several acquaintances who are absolutely hooked on true crime podcasts, so I felt compelled to give If I Disappear a try.

Sera Fleece is a bit lost after her divorce. She spends her days obsessing over a true-crime podcast, Murder, She Spoke. When the podcast’s host, Rachel Bard, suddenly stops posting, Sera feels something is amiss, and she won’t stop searching for Rachel until she has answers. Oddly, Sera seems to be the only person who is disturbed by Rachel’s disappearance.

The writing is gorgeously evocative. I wasn’t in love with the second-person narrative, and I found the start of the story somewhat confusing because of the mixed format. However, the premise and the eventual story content are intriguing (especially the snippets of Rachel’s podcast). Author Eliza Jane Brazier’s debut novel is dramatic and tension-filled. The dialogue is cracking, and the characters are unique and memorable. Ms. Brazier gives readers a reason to question many of the characters, even Sera.

You don’t have to be a true-crime podcast fan to enjoy the shady characters and remote location of this creepy mystery.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53066531-if-i-disappear

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/if-i-disappear-by-eliza-jane-brazier-2020-04-28