WHEN THINGS GO MISSING
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What happens when the one person holding a family together mysteriously disappears?
How well do we really know anyone, especially those we love the most?
One day Fran heads toward the grocery store and keeps going till she reaches the tip of South America, leaving an empty hole in the lives of her family: Kay, a cranky archaeology student who adores her mother but distrusts men in general, her father and brother in particular. Cal, a heroin addict living at home, left with a father he fears and no means of support; and Walter, a devoted husband but distant father, who tracks his wife’s journey across the continent with pushpins on a map.
Adding to the mystery of the mother’s disappearance are the “gifts” she sends her family: The elated messages she leaves on Kay’s phone, but never when she’s there to pick up. The strange photographs she sends Cal, who studies them like hieroglyphs he must decipher to save her and himself. The credit card bills she leaves Walter, allowing him to continue caring for her, until he undertakes his own journey northward. How they fill the missing pieces in their lives to make their family whole again creates the heart of this novel.
When Things Go Missing is a masterful exploration of loss, loyalty, and knotty, dysfunctional families, told through the viewpoints of Kay, Cal, and Walter. It reveals the subtle and dramatic ways addiction affects the bonds that hold a family together. This heartfelt meditation on family is wrapped up in a propulsive page-turner that you cannot help getting swept up in.
Published September 22, 2025 by Sea Stone Press
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Here’s what one BookSirens reader (Ellen) wrote about When Things Go Missing on Amazon:
★★★★★ An amazing read that drew me in as if these were my own family members. Kay was so relatable for me. The entire family dynamic is relatable for my own. There was so much beautiful symbolism in the gifts Kay’s mom sends them while she’s missing. Themes of loss, loyalty, and dysfunction make this a unique plot yet an all too familiar scenario for the reader. This is certainly a book I’ll treasure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
FIND BELOW:
- Reader reviews of When Things Go Missing
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- A podcast interview of the author
- News about upcoming novels from Sea Stone Press
PRAISE FOR WHEN THINGS GO MISSING
★★★★★ | Five-Star Review from Indies Today — If this novel were compared to an art form, it would be Kintsugi, the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, embracing imperfections as part of the piece’s beauty. This philosophy of resilience mirrors the painstaking healing of Franny’s flawed yet deeply relatable family in When Things Go Missing. Through compelling insights on addiction, homelessness, and creative ventures of the soul, readers become fully invested in the well-being of these realistically crafted characters, rooting for each to find the happiness, success, and fulfillment that have long eluded them. Part mystery, part engrossing family drama, When Things Go Missing is a poignant reflection not just on what leaves a mark, but on what binds us back together. —by Nicky Flowers, Indies Today
As I began reading Deborah Brasket’s debut novel, When Things Go Missing, I was expecting a smart and well-written story since I had been reading Brasket’s thoughtful blog for at least ten years. What I didn’t expect was such gorgeous writing, significant and densely woven themes and images, or how strongly the book would make me feel . . . Even if the characters and their fascinating evolution throughout the book were all When Things Go Missing has to offer, it would be enough. I couldn’t look away for an instant. Every moment was a surprise and yet each new action made absolute sense for these people and their troubles and their conflicted emotions for each other . . . When Things Go Missing made me cry. I could not stop thinking about it when I finished reading. Frankly, I was stunned by the beauty and the brilliance. Luanne Castle, Poet/Author, Poetry & Other Words
When Things Go Missing is catnip for book club readers. Brasket is a gorgeous writer who explores complex family dynamics in a raw yet sympathetic way. Dianne Emley, Los Angeles Times bestselling author
“This is Brasket’s debut novel, and my-oh-my, you wouldn’t know it. I read the book in one sitting and was mesmerized throughout . . . One thing I loved about the read was the story’s lack of judgment about Franny’s decision. Was her departure cruel, selfish, just what was needed, or none of the above? The results of her choice to leave were unpredictable, which made the book immensely compelling and kept me glued to the pages . . . Highly recommended to readers of literary fiction who enjoy a compelling story about families that is hard to put down.” D. W. Peach, bestselling fantasy author
“A powerful novel about losing yourself in order to find a way home, When Things Go Missing by Deborah J. Brasket is an achingly poignant exploration of femininity, responsibility, and liberation from societal expectations. When Franny boldly heads south of the Baja border, she leaves her husband and grown children behind to fend for themselves and decipher the meaning of her spontaneous vanishing act. With their maternal glue of the family missing, this dysfunctional trio must finally face their failings – pride, apathy, addiction, alienation, and a woeful lack of direction. Featuring sharp, emotional storytelling and painfully flawed characters traversing profound developmental arcs, this subtle but profound novel is a testament to choosing your own path, no matter how strange the road.” SPR Review, ★★★★★
Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★ “The metaphors in When Things Go Missing are amazing. Kay’s archaeological work of uncovering artifacts mirrors the human effort to piece together meaning from absence and memory, and Cal’s attachment to the rocks symbolizes control and identity. The thing that goes missing is not just Fran, and once you start reading to figure out what exactly that is, there’s no setting the book down. Very highly recommended.” Asher Syed from Readers’ Favorite
“Deborah J Brasket’s When Things Go Missing is a must-read for lovers of literary, contemporary drama novels flavored with suspense. . . . I could relate to the love-hate relationship among the three family members, their emotional and mental turmoil as they tried to make sense of Fran’s absence and their roles in the family, and their unique journeys of self-discovery and redemption. Cal was my favorite. His addiction may have driven him to the depths of shame, despair, and instability, but he is sweet and caring at heart. He not only embodies the hectic process of overcoming and recovering from addiction, but also the struggles of the modern male.” Keith Mbuya, 5-Star review from Readers’ Favorite
When Things Go Missing by Deborah J. Brasket explores themes of family, identity, and the impact of loss. The story begins with Franny’s sudden disappearance, which catalyzes her family to confront their own struggles and embark on journeys of self-discovery . . . When Things Go Missing is a thought-provoking novel that captures the fragility and strength of human connection. Brasket’s writing draws readers into the lives of her characters, enabling them to connect with the characters on a deeper level. It is a story of hope, healing, and the enduring bonds of family, leaving readers with a sense of closure and possibility. —Carol Thompson, 5-Star review from Readers’ Favorite
Deborah Brasket exquisitely captures minute moments of human interaction and emotion. Amid the chaos is welcome humor and recognizable nuances of family life. ––Dana Isaacson, Career Authors
“When Things Go Missing explores the aftermath of a mother’s voluntary disappearance on her remaining family members: Kay, a budding archaeologist, her brother Cal, who struggles with addiction, and their father, Walter. The result is a pensive story that examines family dynamics, identity, and what it means to let go of familial ties. Brasket is a talented writer with a lyrical prose style. The author easily transitions between chapters and the characters’ viewpoints, with each remaining distinctive and essential to the storyline. The departure of a patriarch or matriarch is a familiar conceit, but Brasket brings particular grace, literary prowess, and subtlety to the story.” Booklife Prize Review
When Things Go Missing is a must-read, a beautifully crafted story about the kaleidoscopic facets within families . . . With characters expertly drawn, When Things Go Missing expresses the power of giving space and creating distance in order for individuals – flawed as we all are – to flourish. As a licensed therapist with years of experience assisting others with mental health and addiction challenges, I was struck by the power of Brasket’s prose. As the reader learns about each compelling character, their voices and perspectives are distinct. Real and raw; engaging and endearing. Dr. Vicki Atkinson, Ed.D, LPC author of “Surviving Sue”
When Things Go Missing will stay with you long after you’ve read the final page. To me, this is the mark of a powerful and authentic story . . . You may find yourself reflecting on your own life path, the choices you’ve made, and the choices that await you: What are our responsibilities as mothers, parents, and partners? What are our responsibilities to our own self-actualization? How do we come to find our chosen families? When Things Go Missing is a beautiful unfolding – a tender, loving portrait of a family contending with grief, loss, and regret, while fully embracing all the joy that life can hold. Valorie Grace Hallinan, Books Can Save A Life
When Things Go Missing is an excellent read, enlightening readers on issues misunderstood by many. It is one of the first novels I’ve wanted to keep reading through in ages. Brasket has such a rich, immersive style of writing that intensifies the overwhelming realities of an addict’s lifestyle . . . With scant softening around the edges, she writes with grit and grace . . . She shows how people and relationships are always evolving, but the desire to stay connected with those we love is an ever-present driving force. Laura Bruno Lilly, classical guitarist/composer/poet
WOW! I absolutely loved When Things Go Missing. Every part of this thought-provoking novel was engaging, and the voices that told the story really captured me . . . I really enjoyed seeing each of the three main characters grow into different versions of themselves. Many thanks to the author for letting me read the advanced copy. I have already recommended it to several people. Valerie Tingle, Rockin’ Riverview Book Club Reader, Paso Robles, California
I loved When Things Go Missing. I was hooked right from the start and enjoyed the talk of art, archeology, and finding passion after everything seems lost . . . What a satisfying conclusion! I’m so happy I had a chance to read an advanced copy of Brasket’s book. Barbara Morningstar, Artist and Writer, San Luis Obispo, California
Wow, just wow! I adored this book. Brasket (seemingly effortlessly) adds to a story two things that differentiate between a “good book” and a “great book” in my eyes. The first being an almost lyrical flow that feels as natural as breathing, yet captivating despite heavier themes. The second is her superb true-to-character perspectives. Brasket’s aptitude for empathy shines here and emphasizes the complex nature of human beings. Each POV feels real, raw and reads powerfully true-to-character. When Things go Missing is a wonderfully-written gem that inspires readers to dig inward towards the most authentic versions of ourselves.” Stasha Birdsey, reader from Creede, Colorado
I started this book and right away I thought it was going to be too depressing – but then gradually things changed. Each character began to grow in ways that were hopeful – somewhat painfully at times but ultimately joyfully. . . . I ended up loving the book by the end. Johanna, LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
EXCERPT – PROLOGUE
FRANNY – September 1997
A few weeks after Franny turns fifty, she finds a large plastic tub hidden behind a pressure cooker on the bottom shelf of the kitchen cupboard. It’s filled with old recipes she collected when the kids were still young—scraps of yellowed paper torn from old newspapers and magazines, index cards stained with tomato sauce and fudge frosting.
She kneels on the cold kitchen tiles, sifting through these half-forgotten memories as if they are fragments of some other woman’s life. When did a recipe for lamb chops and lima beans ever seem special enough to cut out and save? Why did she ever think she would make her own yogurt or have the patience to build a gingerbread house from scratch?
Who was this woman?
One by one, she holds up the strips of paper to the light streaming through the window. She lets them slip from her fingers and float to the floor, as if she were peeling away fragile layers of sunburned skin, the way she used to when she was young and bored, fascinated by how something that had been such an intimate part of her was so easily stripped away and discarded.
All week long, she goes through the same shedding process: opening closets and cupboards, ridding herself of everything she no longer needs, stripping away all that’s not essential. She’s amazed by how much she’s accumulated over the years, how easily she lets go, how freeing it feels. Sometimes she opens cupboard doors just for the pleasure of seeing how spare it all is, how clean and simple.
The following week she finds a stack of old journals in the bottom drawer of her nightstand. She sits cross-legged in the middle of her bed, surrounded by half a dozen spiral-bound notebooks, skimming lightly over the surface of a life that no longer captures what’s essential. One by one, she tears out the pages that fail to ring true. Scattered chads from the spiraled edges drift about like debris floating at the bottom of a sea. Sunlight filters down through a haze of dust motes from the skylight overhead. A pool of shimmering blue beckons. She imagines herself swimming up toward the light, pushing through the glass, melting into the widening sky.
The next day Franny heads toward the grocery store, her weekly shopping list and a handful of coupons tucked in her bag on the Bronco seat beside her. But instead of turning into the lot, she glances sideways at women walking carts to parked cars and keeps going. She passes Carson Elementary School, where her children once went, its parking lot now overflowing with portable classrooms. She drives by the Oak Hill condominiums where she and her husband lived when first married. Then she turns onto the freeway heading south. The golden hillsides of the California coastline flow past. She rolls down the window, letting the cool air untangle her hair. The road ahead is wide open, endless.
In the late afternoon she pulls over for gas at a small Pemex station outside Ensenada, Mexico. She’s been driving seven hours straight with only the occasional stop for fuel and food: apples and granola bars and tall bottles of cold iced tea. Her thin cotton blouse is plastered against her back. She pulls it loose and stretches as she leaves the car, looking across the desert. A warm breeze blows along the ground, gathering little dust devils that spin with sudden passion and dissolve just as quickly. She shields her eyes with her hand and looks out against the glare of the sun. Lavender hills rise above shimmering pools of heat.
An attendant fills her gas tank while she calls her daughter from a pay phone, but there’s no answer. The phone rings and rings. When the beep comes, she leaves her message.
“Hi, Sweetie. Don’t worry about a thing. Everything is fine, just fine. Tell Dad and Cal I love them. I love you all. Kisses.”
The gravel crunches beneath the Bronco as she pulls forward. The road curls along the edge of the cliff as she heads south again, the sun slanting toward the sea.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOOK CLUBS
“When Things Go Missing is catnip for book club readers.” Dianne Emley, Los Angeles Times bestselling author
When Things Go Missing includes Reading Group Questions and Topics for Discussion at the end of the book, or you can download a copy of the questions HERE. I’d love to meet with your book club either virtually or in person here locally on the Central Coast of California. Or your book club might enjoy listening to a podcast author interview where I talk about my book, how it came to be written, and also about our sailing adventure and new books that I’m working on.
UPCOMING NOVELS FROM SEA STONE PRESS
THIS SEA WITHIN
The first book in my romantic adventure series set in Central America, will be published in 2026. Read White, Hot Flow of Writing to find out what inspired me to write this novel.
THE ADVENTURES OF LA GITANA
The first book in a series for middle graders based on our family’s experiences sailing around the world is in the pipeline. Read about how this adventure of a lifetime got started.
