A Place for Vanishing

By: Ann Fraistat

Narrated by: Sophie Amoss

A teen girl and her family return to her mother's childhood home, only to discover that the house's strange beauty may disguise a sinister past, in this contemporary gothic horror from the author of What We Harvest.

A BOOKPAGE AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

The house was supposed to be a fresh start. That's what Libby's mom said. And after Libby’s recent bipolar III diagnosis and the tragedy that preceded it, Libby knows she and her family need to find a new normal.

But Libby’s new home turns out to be anything but normal. Scores of bugs haunt its winding halls, towering stained-glass windows feature strange, insectile designs, and the garden teems with impossibly blue roses. And then there are the rumors. The locals, including the mysterious boy next door, tell stories about disappearances tied to the house, stretching back over a century to its first owners. Owners who supposedly hosted legendary masked séances on its grounds.

Libby’s mom refuses to hear anything that could derail their family’s perfect new beginning, but Libby knows better. The house is keeping secrets from her, and something tells her that the key to unlocking them lies in the eerie, bug-shaped masks hidden throughout the property.

We all wear masks—to hide our imperfections, to make us stronger and braver. But if Libby keeps hers on for too long, she might just lose herself—and everyone she loves.

Critic reviews

“As a seasoned fan of the haunted house genre, I thought I knew what I was in for when I started this book, but Fraistat surprised me at every turn. Every bug-riddled, mask-filled page of A Place for Vanishing is vivid, original, and absolutely compelling.” —Erica Waters, Bram Stoker Award–winning author of The River Has Teeth

“Brimming with eerie atmosphere and insects most foul, A Place for Vanishing gave me the best shivers! I loved exploring the hidden stairwells and long-kept secrets of Madame Clery’s House of Masks, and so will you.” —Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Roots and Ruin

“With her chillingly inventive take on the haunted house, Fraistat takes us through a (stained) glass darkly in A Place for Vanishing.” —Amy Goldsmith, author of Those We Drown

“Riveting and sublimely creepy, A Place for Vanishing unearths a haunting family legacy chilling layer by chilling layer, revealing an explosive truth that will have you racing to the last page.” —Amanda Glaze, bestselling author of The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond

★ "A compelling, darkly creative, and intensely haunting examination of the masks we wear." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "An expertly woven narrative that is both a frightening slow-burn psychological thriller and a nuanced and touching exploration of the complicated aftermath of trauma." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "Ann Fraistat writes about the effects of trauma with sensitivity and care in this eminently entertaining horror tale rife with thrills, chills and heart." —BookPage, starred review

"This immersive page-turner delivers shivers as well as hope for better endings." —Booklist

"A good scary read for those prepared for the mental health content." —School Library Journal

"Strikingly meaningful." —The Bulletin

This book was surprising!

The ending was completely different than what I thought would happen. It was surprising and I really enjoyed it. The narration was really good, and the ending made me tear up a bit. I would listen to it again.

Good story

The story line was great and the book didn’t have a slow pace, I was intrigued but I wish it had more spice between the characters

Amazing Read

I truly enjoyed this book!!! You are hooked within the first paragraph and continue to be hooked till the last page! Also had a great wrap up and ending.

Loved it!

Loved this book! Definitely has a horror aspect with mystery/ thriller. Kept me really interested and thinking. Very descriptive too so it’s easy to imagine the creepy scenes! Good read!

SO FREAKING GOOD

HAUNTING. So beautiful and vivid. It's been a long time since I've read anything so original. This book had me in a death grip. I couldn't get enough. I look forward to reading more from this author.