Losing Austin

Michael J. Bowler

Jun 2025 · Michael J. Bowler

About this ebook

Fifteen-year-old Austin Bowman vanishes off the face of the earth. Was he kidnapped, abducted by aliens, or murdered by his hotheaded brother, Colton? Despite the rumors and his troubled kid reputation, only Colton knows he didn’t kill Austin. He also knows what drove his brother from the house that rainy day. Or does he?

Riddled with guilt, Colton spends every waking moment trying to find Austin. Searching online for similar missing kids, he meets Keilani, a girl from Hawaii whose younger brother vanished the same day as Austin. Internet explorations reveal other kids who also disappeared, always on rainy days. Since none of these kids have been heard from since, alien abduction seems the most likely answer.

Colton endures years of frustrating dead ends and high school graduation beckons. Then something so shocking occurs that the world descends on the Bowman home in the form of media, law enforcement, even Homeland Security, and Colton’s life will never be the same. 

About the author

Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author of young adult novels and feature-length screenplays who grew up in Northern California. He taught high school, in both general education and to students with disabilities. He’s also made low-budget horror films, written stage plays, and coached strength training to high school and middle school youth. He’s been a youth mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, spent decades mentoring youth within the juvenile justice system in California, and adopted a child in 2020. You can find him on Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest. He has public speaking experience, some of which can be found on his YouTube channel. Website: https://michaeljbowler.com