Vanishing Point

by Carol Smith

When Frankie, mid-forties, sees in a passing train the unforgettable face of her long-lost love, she turns straight round and goes after him. For she, more than anyone, knows he is dead; was there when it happened, attended the inquest and later served a prison sentence for his manslaughter.Frankie, Cristina, Cassandra, Jenny and Pippa . . . five women living quite separate lives except for one crucial fact. Cristina, the spoilt Brazilian ex-model; Cassie, the dignified lady of class; Jenny, who runs a fashionable eatery while raising a child on her own and Pippa, the much younger mistress, now pregnant with his twins. Each of them has devoted her life to the same duplicitous man.Antwerp, Paris, Venice, Rio, Bath their lives are very widespread. But when the circles begin to intersect, the only possible ending is murder. About The Author: Carol Smith lives in London, England.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

Paperback

First published August 4, 2005

About the author

Librarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name.

Carol Smith was born in London and worked in the book trade, both in London and New York, before becoming a full-time writer herself. For much of that time she ran her own literary agency, focussed on finding and developing new talent, although now her own writing takes up most of her time. She lives in Kensington. She also writes under the name Alex Crowe.

Reviews

[Bhavna Alke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really sure what to say.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Vanishing Point, by Carol Smith,A-minus, narrated by Judith Boyd, produced by Clipper Audio, W. H. Howes Ltd., downloaded from audible.com.

This is an enthralling book with five women, seemingly unconnected, living in different cities and different countries, but all entwining their lives with the same man. Judith Boyd did her usual wonderful narrating job using different voices for the five women and the man at the center of it all. This is the best of the Carol Smith books I’ve read so far.

Publisher’s note:

When Frankie sees the unforgettable face of her long-lost love in a passing train, she turns straight round and goes after him. For she, more than anyone,
"knows" he is dead. She was there when it happened, attended the inquest, and later served a prison sentence for his manslaughter. Frankie, Cristina, Cassandra,
Jenny, Pippa.... They are five women living quite separate lives - in Antwerp, Paris, Venice, Rio, Bath - except for one crucial fact. Each has devoted
her life to the same duplicitous man. And when the circles begin to intersect, the only possible ending is murder.

[Katie Grainger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took allot of getting into, the storyline had real potential five women and one man. It had some interesting elements but somehow the story didn't quite excite. Some of the female characters were just doormats for this man and I fail to see why they would put up with it. The build up of each of he female characters took up the first half of the novel and really the only reason I stuck at it was I wanted to see how it would end.... I am not sure it was worth it.

[Flo WTF]

Not my normal style of book hence the rating, was a DNF for me, but I’m a fantasy/ sci-fi reader and this was far too much character building for me

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this tale of five women who have each met and fallen for the same man very confusing at first, trying to sort out the characters and how they linked into the sociopathic man at the heart of the story. Once I had got that part sorted out, the story was quite interesting although, as some other reviewers have commented, some (if not most) of the women involved seemed to allow this man to walk all over them , despite being very capable in their own fields. Towards the end, I was looking forward to the time when all the women realised what he was up to and he got his final comeuppance - but this was not satisfying at all as the story just ended without much in the way of an appropriate ending so sadly I felt unable to give this more than 3 stars (and just barely that!). It was almost like the publishers had set the author a page limit of 400 pages and when she got to 405 just decided it needed to end!! - 5.5/10.

[Chippy02 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had suchhh great potential, but just fell short for me (beacsue I try my best not to DNF books I gave it a second go). The plot for me, anyways, was new and so I was so excited to give it a read. Quick sidenote: the ending I get what was trying to be done but I did not like it the build up was nice and ominous but again the potentail was not exploited. Okay, I think switching through POVs is such a great technique to utilise when having multiple characters (aids the individuals' development as well as weaving more detail in to help embellish the greater works) but if not executed well it can be confusing and I had to re-read quite a bit to make sure I knew who's POV I was reading. Overall it was a just about a 3 stars (more like a 2.8) in my books.

[Steve Hayman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read, filled with intricate characters and a fast moving plot. Written in a style of small sub chapters, the story keeps you intrigued and wanting to read more.
A little complicated in as much as there are five main female characters all centred and moving around one dominant make character. Well worth a read and I'm pleased to have discovered Carol Smith.

[Jade Blackler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this book at all, was hard to get into with jumping back and fore characters, a lot going on and difficult to understand who all the characters were. So confused by the end. Would not recommend

[Nicola Terry]

I enjoyed this, not the best ending but a good read

[Thrupthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, but the ending could have been better. It feels incomplete.

[Rodianne Sammut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing ending.