Vanishing Acts

Vanishing Acts is a compelling read. A beautifully written saga. The author of the book creates a compelling story by showing the different shades of grey between right and wrong. The plot is gripping from the start until the very last page and it’s shrouded in mystery which I found so engaging, I could not put the book down. The story revolves around Delia Hopkins who is a very successful search and rescue worker operating with a bloodhound; she has led a fairly sheltered and good life with her widowed father Andrew Hopkins,who used to be a magician. Delia is engaged to a handsome man and has a young daughter. As she is planning her wedding she has flashbacks of events that she could not recall. Then one day a policeman knocks on her door and she then discovers a shocking secret, her father kidnapped her. This secret changes her entire outlook on life. She is then confronted with questions of who she really is? what her life was like before being kidnapped? where her mother is? even when the people you love and trust suddenly change? is there really love without trust? who's story is the correct one, mother or fathers? the book showcases the power of memory, what happens when we run from the past and it catches up later in life. Throughout the read I found myself questioning love and lying, morality and legality. To add even more drama to the book the author also added to the story from Delia's fiance's viewpoint, his own struggles between right and wrong being a recovering alcoholic. The twist and turns in the plot is so intricate, so wittily put together, definitely one of the best Jodi Picoult books I have ever read.