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The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

Kids follow 11-year-old Mars Patel and his friends through a three-season audio mystery.

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel is an audio mystery from GZM Shows, and its page notes a Peabody Award. Eleven-year-old Mars and his friends Caddie, JP and Toothpick want to know why classmates keep vanishing from H.G. Wells Middle School, and the trail winds toward a mysterious tech billionaire and his private academy. The story runs across three finished seasons, with cliffhangers, clues and layered sound effects that give it a movie-for-the-ears feel. Kid actors voice the young characters, and the friendship among them seems to carry much of the appeal. Since the series is complete, it could fill a long road trip nicely, and families listening together may find themselves trading theories between episodes. Its twists are pitched at middle-grade listeners, and younger siblings could tag along as part of a family listen.

Ages
Middle-grade listeners and the whole family
Works on
Web browser; iPhone and iPad app; Android app
Topics
Reading, Creative play
Languages
English
Listed
2026-10-18

What kids do

  • Follow a serialized audio mystery
  • Track clues from episode to episode
  • Trade theories with the family
  • Listen to the bonus episodes

Who it suits

Middle-grade listeners and the whole family.

Notes for parents

All three seasons are finished, so there are no long waits between episodes. GZM Shows also posts classroom extras for teachers at gzmclassroom.com.

What you need

  • A podcast app or web browser

Visit The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

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