The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow

Praise for Jake Anderson “In this enthralling page-turner, Jake Anderson dives deep into a dark mystery that stumped investigators, unearthing hidden truths that only a skilled investigative journalist could uncover.  A chilling journey that won’t disappoint. Highly recommended!” —Leslie Rule, author of A Tangled Web on The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow “An autopsy of a mystery. Anderson dissects the minutiae, our guide to searches, dogs, haunted houses, corrupt sheriffs, skeletal remains, and much more. Was it murder-suicide? A drug killing? A case of demonic delusions? Anderson doesn’t stop with easy answers. In this true crime immersion, Anderson takes us to the deep end and throws us in, life jacket or not.”—Rebecca Morris, New York Times bestselling author of Boy Missing: The Search for Kyron Horman on The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow “Outstanding. What really happened to Lam may never be known, but true crime buffs won’t want to miss this gripping search for the truth.” —Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW for Gone at Midnight “Rather than exploiting Lam's death as a morbid meme, Anderson takes an empathic and humanizing approach. His thorough research and passionate writing make a fascinating read. Extremely detailed and featuring new evidence, this book is recommended to anyone who loves to dive down a rabbit hole.” —Booklist on Gone at Midnight “From meditations on quantum mechanics and the meaning of consciousness, Gone at Midnight is not the typical true crime potboiler. It represents an evolution of the genre, with one infamous crime giving way to Gonzo-like reflections, cultural criticism, and a writing style that befits both the book form and the Internet blog.” —New York Journal of Books on Gone at Midnight “The definitive book on Elisa Lam is finally here. Gone at Midnight is both an investigation into one of the Internet's most frustrating mysteries and a personal exploration of depression and suicidal ideation. Jake Anderson continues the tradition of New Journalism and gonzo reporting by weaving a personal story of mental health and anguish with a confounding L.A. mystery.” —James Renner, author of True Crime Addict on Gone at Midnight “Sharply written with a journalistic nose for facts and detail, Jake Anderson’s Gone at Midnight captures the essence of a breaking true crime story and what goes on behind the scenes as the search for a missing person turns deadly. The twists and turns are remarkably sketched by an up-and-coming author who has complete control over his narrative. Add a bit of paranormal into the mix and what we have is riveting ... scary, compelling ... and expertly told.” —M. William Phelps, New York Times bestselling author on Gone at Midnight