Vanishing Act

By: Thomas Perry

Narrated by: 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

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!

Big twist

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

Introducing Jane Whitefield

Native American woman, Jane Whitefield helps people disappear. She is thoughtful, clever and resourceful. The plot is suspenseful and riveting, I find myself caught up in the story right away and prefer listening to it over most other books. I own all of the Jane Whitefield books, and listen to them at least once a year. This is the first book in the series, so the differences in technology are interesting. Jane evolves with the times, so book #7 has different challenges. Excellent work.

A great begining to a new series

Where does Vanishing Act rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Towards the top.

What did you like best about this story?

Jane Whitefield is an excellent character. She uses her wits and her skills very naturally.

Which scene was your favorite?

I like how she remembers her heritage after the case is over.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I had already read this book, so I knew the story. I'm glad that there are more to come.

Any additional comments?

An enjoyable story.

Exciting and memorable heroine

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

Yes. It introduces a principled character ready to die for her cause. It ties her mission to that of her Seneca ancestors. It has believable villains and victims. The plot develops in satisfyingly unpredictable ways.

What other book might you compare Vanishing Act to and why?

Nevada Barr's The Rope. The heroine exerts her will to overcome her own weakness. She drives herself to secure safety for others.

What does Joyce Bean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her interpretation of the characters. The flexibility of an audiobook to go anywhere while listening.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Jane Whitefield will kill you to save your life.

Any additional comments?

I read this book a number of years ago and have been looking for it and others in the series. I looked under mysteries, native American fiction, women detectives, Native Women fiction. Finally I found it with the help of a librarian when I remembered Perry as the name of the author, and Jane as the character. It should be indexed in more ways to help potential readers.

Another Man-on-the-Run Thriller from Thomas Perry

I got hooked on Thomas Perry by “The Butcher’s Boy”, read it’s sequels, then “The Old Man,” and now this very unusual chase novel. I recommend them all, but this is not the one to start with. As usual with Perry’s books, he story is highly complex, loaded with on-the-run procedural details, and full of northeast Native American lore. There is a mind-numbing reveal, but the story does drag a bit in the middle. If you want to try our Perry, start with “The Butcher’s Boy.”

Very Good, Some Good Twists

This was an entertaining book, I do enjoy the Native American backgrounds and characters. I also enjoyed the “profession” of the main character.
I found a few instances where I felt, “aw, come on!”, but not enough to ruin the 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.