The Soundtrack Behind TVJM

Music That Inspired The Vanishing of Jessica Muir

Music has always played a huge role in my creative process. From the very moment the world of The Vanishing of Jessica Muir was conceived, music was in the background, shaping the mood and tone of the story. Some of these tracks were playing while I wrote, and others became anthems during the relentless editing and rewriting process.

One song, in particular, was playing when the idea for the world first took root (you can read more about that moment in my post The Inspiration Behind The Vanishing of Jessica Muir). Other songs came to mind during late-night editing sessions when I was trying to capture the action, suspense, loss, and mystery that permeates the book.

Here’s a collection of tracks that inspired the mood, the characters, and the story’s underlying tension. Whether you’re reading the book, writing your own, or simply searching for the right atmosphere, these songs are part of the soul of The Vanishing of Jessica Muir.

These songs carried me through the highs and lows of writing and editing The Vanishing of Jessica Muir. Music sets the mood, stirs emotion, and inspires scenes and characters in ways that words alone sometimes cannot. The soundtrack became my constant companion, helping me bring the world of Jessica Muir to life, from the suspense to action to the sorrow.

This soundtrack covers everything from a character’s state of mind, to backstory, to the action of a chapter, to feel. But what is what? I’ll leave that as an exercise to the reader listener.

If you’re looking for a playlist that captures the atmosphere of the book, I hope this collection of songs will do just that. And if you’re a fellow writer, maybe these tracks will inspire your own creative journey.

Since private services can add or remove songs unpredictably, here’s a list for reference. The irony of saying that while linking to YouTube isn’t lost on me—but it’s about as close as humanity has gotten to an open cultural archive.