In this rollicking adventure, set during the 1930's in very rural northern Vermont, the boy narrator and his larger-than-life father set off with an uncle and hired man to smuggle whiskey from Canada. There is nothing too outrageous for the father to attempt to complete this mission to earn money to buy hay to keep their cows alive. Each setback calls for wilder action than the last, all providing a glimpse of the poverty, ingenuity, and sense of community of the times. The outing turns into an intense and frightening battle against evil, and the novel would be extremely dark at that point if it weren't for the good cheer and hilarity of the characters and their antics. As usual, Mosher's craft is well displayed. ( )

Quebec Bill is perhaps Mosher's most wonderful character, and his relationship with his son is at the heart of this tall tale. It's perhaps now my favorite book by Mosher, up there with "Where the Rivers Flow North." I docked it half a star for the mystical elements (the 'disappearances' of the title), which didn't seem to work, and actually worked against the book, I thought. I will read it again, probably soon, which may change my mind about that. It's funny, profound, touching without being sentimental, the writing is typical Mosher: warm and intelligent. ( )