The Cold Vanish
Author: Jon Billman
I'm obsessed with missing person stories.Television shows, podcasts, youtube videos....I'm not exactly sure what attracts me to tales of the disappeared, but I listen to many of them. I think it might be that I can't imagine never knowing....having someone close to me disappear and the idea of how shattering it would be to never know where they are and what happened. Even when remains are found, the whole story is rarely revealed. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose someone like that....a friend, a parent....a child.
When I saw this book available for review, of course I jumped right on it. Yep -- definitely reading this one. And I'm glad I did. Billman not only shares details of multiple cases of missing persons in national parks, but he doesn't just focus on the missing and their families, but delves into those who search and law enforcement/park authorities. Can you imagine searching the wilderness for a lost child....only to find nothing? I can't imagine how difficult that must be for EMS, park rangers and police. Tracking dogs who can't find a scent trail....no evidence....and a lingering, heart-breaking mystery.
Here one second....gone the next. And it could happen to anyone, even skilled outdoorsmen. Our national parks are beautiful, but these stories do shoot home the idea that hacking trails through it does not tame the wilderness. There are wild animals, and other dangers in any national park. So many people though....and so few answers. Even in vast miles of wilderness, it seems odd that people vanish so often.
Loved this book! Billman presents facts in an interesting way, and brings the stories of the vanished to life. I read my review copy, and then immediately bought the audio book. Hope to read more by this author!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
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