📖 My First Ever Book Review: The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde by Eve Chase

I can’t quite believe I’m writing my very first proper book review — it feels a bit like standing up to speak in a room full of very well-read people! But here we go…

The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde is the kind of book that slowly wraps itself around you. It’s set partly in the present day and partly in the 1970s, centred around a beautiful old house called Applecote Manor. (I’m already learning that I have a real soft spot for stories set in slightly crumbling country houses!)

The story begins when a family spends a summer at Applecote Manor after a tragic disappearance years earlier — Audrey Wilde vanished there and was never found. Straight away, there’s a sense of something unsettled and secretive lingering in the walls of the house.

I’ll admit, at the start I had to concentrate a little to keep track of the different characters and timelines. But once I found my footing, I became completely absorbed. I really enjoyed how the past and present gradually connected, and how little pieces of the mystery were revealed bit by bit rather than all in one dramatic moment.

The atmosphere is probably what stood out to me most. The descriptions of the house, the gardens, and the long summer days felt so vivid. There’s a warmth to the writing, but also an underlying sadness that gives the story emotional weight.

What I appreciated most was that this isn’t just a mystery about a disappearance — it’s also about family, grief, guilt, and how events from years ago can shape people’s lives in ways they don’t even realise. The characters felt believable and flawed, which made them easier to care about.

If I’m being completely honest (and I want to be on this blog!), there were moments where the pace felt a little slow for me. I kept hoping for a big twist. But in the end, I think the gentler unfolding suited the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It’s thoughtful, atmospheric, and quietly emotional rather than dramatic or shocking.

For my very first rating on this blog, I’m giving it ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5.

If you enjoy:

• Dual timelines

• Family secrets

• Old country houses

• Emotional rather than action-packed mysteries

…then this might be one to add to your reading list.

I’m still finding my reviewing voice, but I’m so glad this was the book that started it off.

Victoria 📚