The Shades — Amy Cross

One late September day, the entire population of the United States vanishes, leaving behind nothing but empty streets. For the rest of the world, there's no explanation for how 300m people could simply vanish in the blink of an eye.

While international organizations dither over what to do next, a powerful company pays for a small team of investigators to head to the U.S. and learn the truth. Once they're there, however, it becomes clear that a massive cover-up is already in place. Who left warning messages behind, why did a powerful storm hit the city with perfect timing, and what are the Shades?

Originally published in serial form, The Shades is an apocalyptic tale of powerful technology being placed in the wrong hands.