Vanishing Act

De: Thomas Perry

Narrado por: Joyce Bean

Jane Whitefield is a Native American guide who leads solitary outcasts through hostile territory to escape the vengeance of their enemies. But the shaded forest paths her Seneca ancestors might have followed on such missions have all been converted to superhighways, and now the safest way stations are crowded urban buildings that offer the camouflage of anonymity. Still, the supply of runaways - and the need for a woman who will take great risks to save them - have never been greater.

Jane knows all the tricks; in fact, she has invented several of them herself in the ten years she has been teaching fugitives to live with new identities. Many of her clients have been innocent people whom the institutions of society have been too slow and cumbersome to protect, but an increasing number have been like the gambler Harry Kemple: people who aren't especially admirable but who aren't bad enough to deserve to die prematurely.

Jane opens her door to find in her house an uninvited visitor named John Felker, the latest to run to her for sanctuary. Felker is not like the others Jane has helped, and everything about him is disquieting. He doesn't even know whom he is running from - only that whoever is framing him as an embezzler has already circulated an open contract in the prison system for his death. Maybe his problems began years ago, when he was a policeman; a good cop makes an enemy with each arrest. But perhaps he is still a policeman and has invented precisely the right story to entrap Jane. Or perhaps he is something even worse.

The unexpected guest draws this exceptional woman into an adventure of mystery, love and sacrifice, betrayal and vengeance, and propels her on a pursuit that takes her from the night streets of Los Angeles and Vancouver to the dark, unexplored regions of her own mind.

©2008 Thomas Perry (P)2009 Tantor

Big twist

Starts a bit flow but builds and then there is a surprising twist that transforms the whole story.

Wish the narrator had better man voice

Jane’s voice was perfect but the men’s voices sounded cartoonish. Story was great though. On to the next one!

Not as good as the other one I listened to.

The first half was a little dull. She has an affair with her client and I thought 'uh-oh' and sure enough it turned out to be a bad idea. Things got more exciting in the second half, so I can give it three stars.

Loved every minute!

Great GREAT read, intriguing twists and turns. I’m hooked on Jane Whitfield books! On to the next!

the story was interesting but predictable

The narrative keep me stumbling. I am committed to the Thomas Perry books. But the Jane Whitfield character got off to a rough start.

Really enjoyed listening

A good story, nice surprises and twists. I particularly enjoyed the link to native Americans, and the "religious" musings and connections to the gods of the native Americans.

Great unique story line

A bit short and maybe underdeveloped characters. But first in series, so I know it will develop into a richer story.

Sharp, clever, fresh and fun.

I really enjoyed this mystery. It was sharp, clever, fresh and fun. I didn't see the plot twists coming, or anticipate the resolution. I'd read more by this author.

Very pleasantly surprised!

I’m going to sound like a jerk, I never listen to books narrated by women, I only tried this one because of the author. I’m not a woman hater by any means but all the ones I’ve previously tried to listen to I get 3-4 chapters in and can’t take it. I don’t know if it’s the over dramatized reading or what but it usually gets the book returned. This narrator I would listen to anytime!
The storyline was great! Loved the history lessons it had, I will definitely try another!

Great story

Loved the capable heroine. Fast forwarded over the detailed love scene. Twists and turns to the plot. Exciting action scenes. Totally understand the revulsion of American Indians for "Christianity" but did not care for the pagan religion either. Fast forwarded past the dreams except for the one with the dead mother comforting her living daughter.

I usually dislike women readers, but Joyce Bean excellent.

The repeating of several sentence fragments other reviewers have complained about no big deal. Infrequent.