This fast-paced romantic melodrama began with a shipwreck during a gale off the west coast of Britain. Lady Marlena Parronley and Adam Vickery, Marquess of Tannerton, began their story as they fought to survive the breakup of their ship. On board ship, she had been in shackles and was traveling in the custody of a Bow Street Runner. Initially Tannerton did not know who Marlena was or why she was in custody, but he helped the mysterious gentlewoman because he was drawn to her, felt guilty over the deaths of three people in an earlier book, and was contemptuous of the cowardly behavior of the Runner when the lifeboats were being loaded before the breakup of their ship.

With Tannerton's assistance, she evaded the persistant pursuit of the Runner, and together they made their way toward Edinburgh, near her childhood home, Parronley. During the course of the story she very gradually and grudgingly releases details of her past to Tannerton, but never trusts him with her whole story until forced to do so near the end.

The story was highly romantic, and the shipwreck was a highly effective dramatic device with which to open. (Diane Perkins's The Improper Wife opens with a dramatic birthing which is also wonderful). The tale has a lot of emotional power created by the increasing bond between Tannerton and Marlena, as well as the deadly chase they are engaged upon. There is a compelling secondary romance between a barkeeper, Bram, and a serving maid, Fia.

Fia's fear of the consequences of confessing what what she knows about the murder of Marlena's late husband is credible, and her growing love for Bram is believable. Bram is a strong character who is the perfect counterpart for Fia.

On the downside, I did not find Marlena believable or particularly likable; her utter nobility and selflessness was incredible. The romance of Marlena and Tannerton was basically a string of sexual encounters combined with the excitement/desperation of being chased. Though one reads a romance willingly suspending disbelief, the plot turns and twists in this tale, taken as a whole, were too convenient to be plausible.

On the upside, The Vanishing Viscountess's plot was tightly woven, contained clever twists and turns, and had both a great dramatic opening and climax. Tannerton, Bram, Fia, and the other supporting characters were strong, appealing, and believable. ( )