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The Vanishing Point  By  cover art

The Vanishing Point

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Antonia Beamish
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Publisher's summary

One of the finest crime authors we have, Val McDermid’s heart-stopping thrillers have won her international renown and a devoted following of fans worldwide. In The Vanishing Point, she kicks off a terrifying thriller with a nightmare scenario: a parent who loses her child in a bustling international airport. Young Jimmy Higgins is snatched from an airport security checkpoint while his guardian watches helplessly from the glass inspection box. But this is no ordinary abduction, as Jimmy is no ordinary child. His mother was Scarlett, a reality TV star who, dying of cancer and alienated from her unreliable family, entrusted the boy to the person she believed best able to give him a happy, stable life: her ghost writer, Stephanie Harker. Assisting the FBI in their attempt to recover the missing boy, Stephanie reaches into the past to uncover the motive for the abduction. Has Jimmy been taken by his own relatives? Is Stephanie’s obsessive ex-lover trying to teach her a lesson? Has one of Scarlett’s stalkers come back to haunt them all? A powerful, grippingly-plotted thriller that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats until the end, The Vanishing Point showcases McDermid at the height of her talent.

©2012 Val McDermid (P)2012 W.F. Howes

What listeners say about The Vanishing Point

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

So close to being great

I was really into this book. The author did a great job of developing the characters and making me interested in them. The problem for me was that the ending didn't match my expectations from the rest of the book. There is a lot I would like to write about the ending, to explain why it was disappointing to me, but I don't want to spoil it for others. It's also possible the ending will be perfect for certain readers; it just didn't do it for me.

I would still recommend this book to others. McDermid's style of writing was captivating, and the story was fresh, unlike anything else I've read.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great Book except for the last 10 minutes

Great story. Interesting style. Nice twists. In the last 10 minutes this one goes in the toilet. My advice: In the last chapter, once the front door is opened and the characters identified, stop listening. Had I done so this book would get all 5's.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Mixed bag

Parts of this story were so smartly written and enjoyable like the main character development and intertwining relationships. However, other parts just seemed entirely ridiculous.

The first chapter put me off and made me think the author was lazy for not having done research, but then I became engrossed in the unveiling of the story. The way it was piecemealed didn't flow, but when the history took over and you could forget it was supposed to be a narrative/interview it was very engaging.

The end was right there, predictable, but not in a bad way. Then the culmination was ridiculous! Ridiculous!

Still I enjoyed it, just wished the writing had been more consistent.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

98% of book is good - leave the last bit behind

Wish I had read the other reviews, before the book, and not listened to the last 10 min or so. In total agreement with reviewers about the unsatisfying final ending.

Overall a good plot, well defined characters, great interaction and dialog between them.

Advice I agree with: when they are on the porch and front door opened - just stop. Make up your own resolution.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just when you think you have it figured, you don't

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it has twists and turns and the ultimate turn leaves you going "what!"

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Vanishing Point?

The last chapter

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the abduction, It had the feeling of the raw emotions that were running through the main character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

As above, the abduction scene.

Any additional comments?

Well worth the download.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Kept me interested and riveted

An unexpected and unusual storyline. Lots of twists and turns and you'd better pay
attention or you will be 'rewinding' to catch important details. I liked it very much and will be
reading this author again.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

best val mcdermid book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I already have recommended this book

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was wonderful. A story with in a story...

Any additional comments?

So worth the money. Buy this book

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good story. The narrator was excellent . I could hear every word. I would recommend this book. The ending was most unexpected.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

More interesting than I expected

The synopsis sounded dull, particularly because I have no interest in reality TV, but this book was up to Val McDermid's standards. Very character-driven, but with plenty of plot twists. I expect a lot from Val McDermid, and this did not disappoint.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good story

Had a nice surprise ending. The story moved nicely and kept your interest. I enjoyed it.

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1 person found this helpful