The "Vanished" Series Returns: New Books and a Phenomenon That Won't Let Us Go

There are some stories that just stick with you. Some grab you because they feel so close to reality, while others whisk you away to entirely new worlds. Right now, that very feeling is palpable again across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The Vanished series – whether you know it as a book series or from one of its screen adaptations – is experiencing a kind of second awakening. It's as if someone flipped a switch, and suddenly everyone's talking about the great disappearance again.

I spend a lot of time in bookshops around the city centre, and what the staff are telling me confirms this trend. It's not just a craving for the next big crime thriller hit. It's the mix of it all. Right now, sitting right at the top of the stacks is a title I want to recommend to you: Fallen Stars: Book Two of the Heavenly Bodies Series. Anyone who devoured the first instalment knows: this isn't just about playing with characters, but with entire systems. The second book picks up where we thought the air had run out – and turns the screw even tighter.

At the same time, I'm noticing a lot of readers are reaching for what you might call, in the best sense of the word, "feel-good adventure." Of course, I'm talking about The 52-Storey Treehouse. At first glance, it seems like a completely different universe compared to the dark thrillers, but that's exactly the point: great entertainment isn't tied to one genre. While some are unwinding in the quirky 52 storeys, others want to sniff that gritty, pulsating city air. For that latter crowd, there's a real hidden gem that's been sitting on the shelves far too long: The Missing Mistress: A Private Investigator Mystery Series of Crime and Suspense. This is old-school private eye work, the way we love it. Seedy corners, false leads, and an atmosphere you can almost taste.

But the real reason I'm putting fingers to keyboard today is something else. The "Vanished" series might be the hook, but the real buzz right now is in the details. You know when a series grabs you so much that you have to devour every single spin-off, no matter how small? That's exactly where we are.

I just finished The Bone Hacker last week, and folks, it was a ride. It's not just about the "if" anymore, but the "how." The technical details, the forensic tricks – it's so meticulously researched it's almost intense. It's this new trend in crime fiction where chance doesn't rule, but the unyielding logic of the craft does. If you're into that hard-hitting, unvarnished style, you'll be right at home here.

And then there's the big one that's rocking the shops in major print editions right now: Never Never: The Complete Series Large Print. This is a phenomenon. A series that manages, over several volumes, to keep that one thought in your head: what happens when everything is simply gone? The memories, your bearings, your sense of self. In this large print edition, the focus is even more on the craft of storytelling, on each individual line. It forces you to read slower, to appreciate every hint.

For anyone feeling a bit lost in the mix, I've summarised those current hidden gems that should be right at the top of the list in any good bookshop across New Zealand – whether it's your local indie or the big stores in the main malls:

• Fallen Stars: Book Two of the Heavenly Bodies Series – The sci-fi crime thriller that pushes the boundaries.
• The 52-Storey Treehouse – For anyone needing a creative break between the dark cases.
• The Missing Mistress – For purists who love the classic, gritty private detective.
• The Bone Hacker – Hard-hitting stuff for those fascinated by medical and technical details.
• Never Never: The Complete Series Large Print – The psychological masterpiece to make you pause.

The "Vanished" series managed to open a door back in the day. Now we're standing in the hallway, discovering all the rooms beyond. Whether you're diving into the heavenly spheres of Fallen Stars, climbing up to the 52nd storey of the treehouse, or digging through the grit of The Missing Mistress – your next long evenings are sorted. So, get stuck into the books – and maybe I'll see you on Tuesday at the bookshop for the debate on whether the hacker in The Bone Hacker was really as clever as he made out.