Vanishing Act

by M.L. Davis

She abandoned her child.

She ruined your life.

Now, she's back.



When four-year-old Alfie's mother disappears while he takes part in a magician's street act, he's left alone on the busy streets of Bath. With no-one to turn to but the bewildered performer, Austin Jackson, Alfie is desperate and afraid. When Alfie goes missing too, Austin's life is plunged into questioning and doubt, especially when he is arrested as the lead suspect in the boy's disappearance.



A year later, his life in tatters, Austin is shaken again when Alfie's mother returns, demanding his help to find her son and refusing to answer any questions about the day she vanished...



"I read the majority of the book in one sitting, because I couldn't put it down." -K.M. Allan

Genres: Thriller

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2024

About the author

M.L. Davis is a novelist from South West England.
She has a passion for writing thriller/crime novels and finds inspiration in big cities, long train journeys, and the vulnerability of human nature.
In 2022 she graduated with a degree in Literature and Creative Writing and is now studying for a Masters in Health and Wellbeing. She works as an Operations Manager in a busy NHS GP Practice. 


M.L. Davis also runs a blog with advice, tips, and inspiration on writing;

www.mldavis.co.uk


Vanishing Act is M.L. Davis' debut novel. 

Reviews

[Lorraine Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an addictive read, I got through this one super quick! For a debut it was a delight and very well written. It was pretty much straight into the mystery and intrigue and there weren't really any slow parts of the story. The chapters are short and punchy, changing through different POVs and it works really well.

Parts of the story were infuriating and I wanted to shout at the book, but it all came together in the end. 😏 There was also a twist that I really didn't see coming that made me re-read a few pages to make sure I'd read it correctly!

I'd definitely recommend!

Thank you @m.l.daviswriter for the gifted copy!

[April Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great thriller with a really wholesome cast of characters, with gripping twists and turns (some that I expected and some that took me by surprise). Loved it! A great debut novel for M. L Davis!

[Kimberly Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was so incredibly good. I loved the characters, the plot the ending. Amber is Alfies mother, and Austin is a magician. While watching her her son participate in a magic act amber vanish, but then so does her son ,what really happened to them?

[Chelsye DeBoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted this book to grab me like so many others said it did but I really struggled to get through it, even with the short chapters and the alternating POVs. The promise of magic excited me because it's different but was so little of the actual storyline. I felt the story became repetitive, especially at the end as the POVs overlapped in the story. There were also several spelling errors of Alfie's name (spelled Alife on pg.157, 170, 249, 287) that just bothered me. I think this author has a lot of potential and I do look forward to what comes next.

[Lauren Speringo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m shocked by all the 5 star reviews. This story line is over played: the rich, handsome, perfect guy turns out to be not so perfect after all. There was so much repetition and it was annoyingly predictable.

[Bookstarreviews_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

A clever mystery thriller that fills you with agitation! 😍

This was a wonderful debut that really kept me entertained throughout as I was desperate to uncover what had happened. I loved the suspense, the mystery and the sprinkles of tension that had me hooked.

Austin, a street performing magician finds himself alone with four-year-old Alfie after his mother vanishes whilst he’s performing. Completely bewildered, Austin tries to help Alfie, but he soon vanishes too. A year later and with his life in tatters, Alfie’s mother returns demanding his help to find her son and refusing to answer any questions about the day she vanished.

I loved the premise of this book and the dual POV and dual timeline structure of this read really aided this. I wanted to stay in the present to find Alfie and understand where his mother went, but I was also desperate to jump back to the past and figure out why it all occurred.

I liked Austin’s character and could tell he was only helping to try and get his life back. I loved Amber’s chapters and she really had my attention with what she was going through. Thoughts were screaming in my head, but there was nothing I could do for her and to watch everything pan out was heartbreaking.

I thought the middle of the book became slightly repetitive, but I understand how this was significant in mirroring reality. I also thought parts were predictable but this didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this well-plotted read!

I thought the final chapters fastened in pace and I loved how it all came head to head. It also ended unexpectedly for me too. I really enjoyed this book!

A huge thank you @m.l.daviswriter for this signed copy of Vanishing Act. I can’t wait to read more of Davis’ work in the future! ☺️

Go and check out this book!

⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️

[K.M. Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid debut from a gifted writer who knows how to create intrigue and tension. As each chapter swaps back and forth between the two main characters, it also switches between the past and the present day. In the present day, Austin’s life has been turned upside down when an abandoned child watching his street performance disappears just as Austin is trying to get him help. Labeled as a murderer, Austin loses his relationship and the confidence to perform his magic act. Then, just as he’s trying to let go of the mistakes he made, the boy’s mother, Amber, reappears, roping Austin in to help find her missing son. What follows is a story of secrets, gaslighting, lies, and an explosive finale that turns everything you thought you knew on its head. Recommended for fans of page-turning mysteries where you’re never sure who to trust.

[Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat (literally) with the twists that constantly kept me guessing. It was hard to put down because I was desperate to find out what happened next. A fantastic read.

[Rachael Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book that I bought at the indie book fair a few weeks ago. It has a gripping and unusual plot and I really enjoyed some of the turns of phrase in the book such as the description of the small child trying to get through a 'forest of legs' on crowded public transport, and the descriptions of Bath being being a 'city of basements'. It was very evocative and I enjoyed the descriptions as well as the story. Like other commenters there were times when I wanted to shout at the characters for the decisions they made. Why didn't you just call the cops Austin??😅

The characters were all really well developed, if infuriating at times. Their motivations were all pretty understandable, and I am very interested to hear more about Sarah's story and why she took the stance she did. I think the dilemma of Austin as a single guy who finds himself having to decide what to do with a child who's seemingly been abandoned is done really well. Even though he was ultimately cleared the suspicion he was under affected most of his life and relationships.

All in a really good read with emotional and sensitive writing. I look forward to reading more from the author.

[JessicaB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book! For a debut novel this was a fantastic book, with a unique story line that keeps you hooked from chapter one.

Written from a dual timeline perspective, this book wraps past and current up perfectly with a great twist at the end too that really takes you by surprise.

You find yourself drawn to so many characters in this book on so many levels. Each chapter leaves you with a fantastic last sentence that keeps you gripped to know more.

I definitely suggest giving this book a try supporting indie authors and trying something a little different. 😊❤️

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well the book was good as the reviews said. I really enjoyed it.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! 🤩 it’s not my usual genre as I’m usually a fantasy reader but I met the author and bought this book at an indie book fair in Oxford. The book had me HOOKED. I couldn’t put it down and got very invested in the characters. The twists were great and I loved the way the chapters were set up. Great for mystery/thriller/crime fans and others looking to try out the genre.

This author is going places and I can’t wait to read more by her 😆

[Katie Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up last weekend at an indie book fair in Oxford and it did not disappoint!

Fast paced thriller with dual POV, and short, punchy chapters that keep you wanting to read more! There were twists and turns throughout the book, some I expected and others I didn’t, including a twist to the ending I didn’t see coming!

Highly recommend this to anyone that loves a thriller

[Ciara Mcmahon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vanishing Act by ML Davis is a disappointing read that fails to deliver on multiple fronts. The story, which revolves around a missing child and his mother's mysterious disappearance, quickly becomes predictable and lacks the depth needed to keep readers engaged. From the outset, it's painfully easy to anticipate how events will unfold, robbing the narrative of any genuine suspense or intrigue. The characters in Vanishing Act are disappointingly one-dimensional, lacking the complexity and development necessary to make them believable or relatable. This shallow characterisation makes it difficult for readers to invest emotionally in their journeys or care about their fates.

As the plot progresses, it becomes increasingly apparent that the author is following a formulaic approach to storytelling. The narrative hits all the expected beats of a typical missing person story without offering any fresh perspectives or unexpected twists. This adherence to convention results in a story that feels stale and uninspired. The ending is particularly unsatisfying, wrapping up all loose ends in an unrealistically neat manner. This tidy conclusion further undermines the story's credibility and leaves readers feeling cheated of a more nuanced or thought-provoking resolution.

Perhaps the most glaring issue with Vanishing Act is its subpar editing. The book is riddled with typos, spelling mistakes, and grammatical errors. These frequent lapses in quality are distracting and significantly detract from the reading experience. It's evident that the manuscript would have greatly benefited from a thorough editing process. In conclusion, Vanishing Act by ML Davis is a disappointing read that fails to deliver on multiple fronts. Its predictable plot, shallow characters, and poor editing make it difficult to recommend. Readers seeking a compelling mystery or thriller would be better served looking elsewhere for their next read.

Sources

[Charlie Morris (Read, Watch & Drink Coffee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You only have to read the synopsis of this book to immediately want to pick it up!

And the opening chapters leave you with just as many questions. Why did Alfie's mum go missing? How did Alfie then go missing? What happened to his mum in the year she has been gone? I needed answers!!!

With so much to unpick, it's no wonder that this is such a gripping read, as we are slowly given a glimpse into the past alongside the present to see how these narratives collide.

I really loved how the story developed. It's such a great and clever plot, and there's just enough doubt to leave you questioning everybody's motives but wanting them to succeed at the same time.

It's a very engaging book, especially with the topic of a missing child, and Davis does a phenomenal job of writing something addictive, fresh, and compelling.

The book is currently 99p on Kindle and £4.29 in paperback, so I implore you to go and buy a copy!

If this is her debut, I can't wait to see what ML Davis writes next!

[Nazia Jesberger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is biased as I hate the then and now construction of a story, it's been so overdone in the thriller genre that I can no longer stand it.
I understand it's a dual point of view, but I see no reason why the main character asks for the help of the other. Everything they do together, she could have done on her own. If anything, it sends the appalling message that women are incapable of doing anything without a man. It also muddles the storyline, sometimes making it unclear as to whose story we're really following.

[Fictionatnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Vanishing Act is an outstanding debut by @m.l.daviswriter that had me hooked from the very first page.

The story is brilliantly told through alternating timelines between "then" (Amber) and "now" (Austin), with each chapter feeling like a small revelation in an unfolding mystery. The short, punchy chapters keep the tension high, building suspense with every page as the full story unravels.

The blend of tension and raw emotion is spot on, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Davis masterfully builds the suspense, leading to an unexpected twist I never saw coming.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut! This is an incredible read from start to finish, and I can't wait to see what M.L. Davis writes next.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable thriller! The back and forth timeline shifts made it very easy to read, and kept the story building along nicely. There were maybe some character choices on Amber's part that I felt a little hard to fully buy into, but didn't detract too much from the story. Some nice reveals at the end that tied everything together very neatly. Looking forward to seeing what the author puts out next!

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this debut thriller. The pace was good, the writing engaging. Alternating between the two main character, past and present events, was expertly executed so as not to confuse the reader. Great story with twists you don’t see coming throughout! Excellent work M L David and thank you.

[Sandy Verschoore · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Vanishing Act sounded like a good story. However, it's one of those books where things get repeated and ruminated over and over and over. You could understand the story by just reading a sentence or two from each page. I was disappointed. I chose this book because I read a review that said how well written it was. It's not. Not at all. That was a total lie.

[Gemma Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, for real... I was hooked from chapter one. I could have read it in one sitting but unfortunately, life got in the way of that, but I managed it over just a few days. It impossible to put this book down. I loved the back and forth of the way the story went. The author wrote it perfectly and I could see it playing out in my mind. It was emotional and thrilling. 5 shiny stars!

[Danni W · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not easy for me to put into words why I loved this book as much as I did! I'm not big on review writing in depth. But I really did love this book. It was suspenseful from the off and remained so all the way through - it was a kinda suspense I've never felt before! And has got me wanting to read many more thrillers.

[Lottie Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin with a review of this book?! I loved every second of it and there was never any doubt I'd be rating it five stars. This was a complex journey through the lives of people are just like people you know in real. But in this...you can't trust them! Or can you? Ahhh! I just loved how it kept me guessing right to the end. Recommend.

[Gabby Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What ... did I... read?! 🤯🤯🤯
There were so many twists in this book, loved that they came out a lot and not just at the end. I thought I'd figured out the ending but then I was thrown off by another twist....kinda makes me want to read it again, to enjoy the way the reveal is set up! I connected with Amber, just wanted to give her a hug, and Austin's dry sense of humour really made me laugh. 5/5

[Mimi Wahlfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up originally because I've been to Bath, England, and I was intrigued to revisit the adorable town through the novel. Not only did the book achieve that goal for me, but it also pulled me into a very twisty plot that kept my attention and kept me guessing. If you enjoy complicated characters and stories that hold you in suspense, you will enjoy "Vanishing Act."

[Sue Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Vanishing Act and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is beautifully written and although I'm not a regular reader, I just couldn't put it down due to the intriguing storyline and compassionate writing.

[Kat How · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, this book is amazing! I read two chapters one evening and then finished the book in two days. I HAD to know what was going on. Amazing pay off with the final twist and I actually really liked the final chapter to see how it all resolved.

[Jon Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

love a good suspense book and this was full of it. Had me turning pages from the start and there is a twist about 1/4 of the way through that forced me to read on. Neat reveal and well wrapped up. Really enjoyed

[Helena Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this a lot. Read it quick liked the short chapters and the way they always ended in a way that made me want to find out what happened next. Hard to put down. Emotive, I really felt for Austin, Amber and Sarah. And little Alfie of course. Hope another book from this author comes out soon!

[Melissa Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a decent debut but the editing was atrocious! So many typos and misspellings (and yes, I understand she is British so things are spelled differently). The ending was a bit rushed and felt a little unbelievable, even in the larger context of the novel.