I have never read from an author quite like this. Sarah Langan has been described as "poetic" in her writing, because she can put things on paper that most people wouldn't know where to start. Her graphical descriptions of emotions are so imaginative and on-target that her words grab the reader and take them on this dark, creepy journey.

While the story line in The Missing and The Keeper are really ominous and erie, you can't help but to keep on reading. She is an amazing writer, and while horror isn't generally my "thing" I look forward to more work from Ms. Langan because it's a bit of an escape.

If you're sensitive, don't read it before bed. It's like a horror movie on paper. Unbelievable! AND she leaves room for another sequal....

"The Missing" is not exactly a true sequel to Sarah Langan's first book "The Keeper" though it does make reference to events that happened in that book. I really liked this book, more than "The Keeper" and that was a good book. I am looking forward to seeing what she does next.

This is from the back of the book: " A remote and affluent Maine community, Corpus Christi was untouched by the enviormental catastrophe that destroyed the neighboring blue-collar town of Bedford. But all that will change in a heartbeat... The nightmare is awakened when third-grade schoolteacher Lois Larkin takes the children on a field trip to Bedford. There in the abandoned woods, a small cruel boy unearths an ancient horror-a contagious plague that transforms its victims into something violent, hungry...and inhuman. The long, dark night is just beginning. And all hope must die as the contagion feeds-for the malevolence will not rest until it has dvoured every living soul in Corpus Christi...and beyond."

Please disregard the last review for this book. I meant to post a review for The Keeper, NOT The Missing, which is the sequel to the book also by Sarah Langan. I was looking at the wrong page when I wrote the review and now I'm not able to edit my original review. Sorry for the confusion. I am looking forward to reading The Missing when it is available.

The Missing is not run-of-the-mill typical horror. Looking at the reviews here and on Amazon, people seem to either love or hate it. Having just finished the book, I have really mixed feelings but there is no question that it kept my interest to the end.

Susan, a 23 year old girl, is at the center of the horror. Once a pretty, sensitive young girl, she has become a mentally ill, promiscuous alcholic who silently wanders the streets of the small town of Bedford. People fear and shun her as she invades the dreams of virtually everyone in the town. And then one night she dies ...but soon she returns. And when Susan comes back to town, she brings all the town's nightmares with her.

This is a very literate, intelligent novel. The horror here is equal parts pyschological horror and gory, monster-in-the-dark frights. The author has a beautiful way of saying things that makes you pause in the middle of the story just to reread a sentence. The main character of Liz, Susan's sister, was easy to relate to and I liked both her and Bobby, her boyfriend.

On the flip side, I can think of two reasons why I didn't love this book. First, the tone of the book is too dark for me. I think this probably turns off alot of other readers as well. Most of the characters are not likeable and the author does a good job of showing us all their faults and inner demons. Also, the setting itself is depressing. The town of Bedford is dying because the paper mill, its only industry, is shutting down. The mill has poisoned the environment, everyone is depressed, there are no jobs, it is cold and acid rain continually falls.

The other reason I'm not crazy about The Missing is probably more of a personal irk. I feel like the author was trying to make a political point in this book and it is not one that I particularly agree with. If you read between the lines, it is all about greedy capitalists taking advantage of the downtrodden workers, industry polluting the land and stealing from the people, the rich versus the poor...I hate being hit over the head with someone's political views (particularly liberal ones) when I just want to enjoy a good scary story.

Even with these faults, I think it is a good book and I would recommend it. Some people will enjoy it and others won't. It made me think much more than it made me shiver, which is generally not what I'm looking for in a horror novel.

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this was an interesting book also. Kind of scary (like could this really happen and if it did, uh oh)

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