Vanishing Act

I was in the mood for a crime thriller a couple of weeks ago but the one I chose, Gangsterland, came up short for me. Though this is not a genre I read a ton of, it is one I like and when I am in the mood not much else will do so I decided to try again. Several books by Thomas Perry had been recommended by various friends in the past and this seemed like a good opportunity to check him out. I don't think anyone recommended this particular book, but I chose it because it was first in a series with a female lead. It was a great choice. This was lots of fun. Jane Whitfield (our leading lady) is a badass. She is a Native American woman who uses her extraordinary mental and physical prowess and her loose network of people who fly under the show more radar, tribe members, immigrants, low-wage workers, to help disappear people who are running for their safety. This is intended to be for the good, abused women, conscientious objectors, people escaping the mob etc. I cannot talk about the person in search of a new identity in this book without spoiling pretty much everything, but it is fun and surprising.

Aspects of this are dated (it was published in 1995) and not just the references to floppy discs and the mad search for landlines but also prevailing attitudes about many things. It is noticeable, but it in no way ruins the story any more than it does when one is reading Agatha Christie. I will definitely be returning to the series, and I suspect there will be more thrillers and mysteries coming up in my feed since it whetted my appetite for more. show less

This book is the first I have read in the Jane Whitfield series. She specializes in helping to hide people who need to disappear from abusive husbands, gangsters, whatever. I don’t know about the other books in the series - yet - but the man she is helping in Vanishing Act has no trouble finding her, has lots of skills that would appear to help him hide himself, and comes with bags of cash. This one however, turns out to be the opposite of her usual client.

One criticism of the book might be that it waffles between being an escape thriller and a didactic lecture (hmmm, is that redundant) on Native American culture and history. Whitfield is Seneca and while I found the discourses and snippets of Indian language interesting, they seemed show more totally out of place with the rest of the book. On the other hand, once you get past some of the dream sequences, which reveal ALL of the rationale and motivations of the other character (that was a bit much,) her use of Indian lore and skills to overcome her adversary in the woods, was intriguing. Loved that part. show less

Not my usual genre, but it was recommended and I really enjoyed it. Can see myself seeking out other novels where Jane Whitefield helps people disappear.

I felt I had to give Thomas Perry another chance. At the same time I felt I had plenty of reason not to. Despite a glowing-but-carefully-worded introduction by Michael Connelly to Perry’s first book, The Butcher’s Boy (Random House, 2003), it remains the only novel--off the top of my head--that I’ve rated 2 Stars. In fact, I found the introduction much more interesting than anything that followed it. But I closed the review with: “. . . there is something here. I find myself wanting to read more. Neither can I deny I was disappointed.” Perhaps that’s the reason I jumped to Perry’s sixth book, the first in the acclaimed Jane Whitefield series. I was greatly rewarded for doing so.

Jane, who lives in upstate New York near the show more Canadian border, is half Seneca Indian by blood and completely so in spirit, at least as much as the modern world will allow. Perhaps that is why, when it comes to her life’s work, she thinks of herself as a guide. She helps people disappear. Not criminals, unless there is a greater good involved, but decent people who are forced by circumstances to give up their lives as they know it. She works unofficially, without government knowledge, and has access to an extensive network of people who work outside the law. She fits among them, a thorough professional playing her part. Unfortunately, not knowing this would be her calling, she was sloppy in the beginning and now too many people not only know of her existence, but actually know her physical address. A man suddenly showing up at her house and referencing a previous, successfully-relocated “client” begins our introduction to Jane.

What follows is a mix of Indian lore, Jane’s skill at her profession, and pursuit from those trying to kill the man she is attempting to help. A murder results when things go wrong, and though the killer is obvious I believe that was always the author’s intention because he never makes Jane look stupid, not an easy thing to avoid when the reader knows more than she. Eventually it comes down to a one-on-one confrontation, which Jane can only win because of who she is and what she believes. It reaffirms everything we’ve come to know about Jane and her world. Nothing can be more satisfying than that. show less

Audio- i guessed who was the bad guy pretty quickly. Didn't she get that there where just too many questions ? Well surprise, surprise, that wasn't the big mystery. The real mystery comes after we know who and then why. ARGUH, I was on the edge of my seat screaming for her. The pacing of the book, the action, the intrigue- all top notch mystery.
Jane Whitefield, a Native American type of guide, a strong independent women, steeped in her families traditions. She thanks her ancestors,she thinks of the lessons taught to her, and uses them in her everyday life. I loved the Native American heritage that she respected and remembered. She brought her tribes history with her and did not sway from who she is to fit. Her fight to right what was show more done is dangerous and she never thinks to quit, this path is to the death.
Excellent narration - I will continue on with the series. show less

The Native American frame adds an extra element to this, although it was clear pretty much from the beginning that something was not quite right with the situation surrounding John Felker. I also really enjoyed the puzzle element where Jane was trying to piece together the sequence of events. I'll probably read the rest of these eventually, but not right away.

Jane Whitefield, a Senecca is a guide who helps people escape those pursuing them. A man she is aiding, John Felker, is not who he says he is. There is tension and action in this book as well as a splattering of Senecca life. This is a great read and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.