Last Updated on April 22, 2026
As an avid reader, nothing makes me happier than picking up a book and not wanting to put it down. A page turner. A book so engrossing that I could read it in one sitting.
That is exactly what I got with The Vanishing Act by Jo Jakeman. From the first page, I was all in, so if you’re looking for your next book, then read on.
The book opens with the story of Eloise Ford, a married woman, mother of two, and art gallery owner living her best life in a small Cornish town.
Eloise’s life is perfect, or at least as near to perfect as she can make it. And that’s by design.
And then, in an instant, it all starts to come crashing down around her.
Elizabeth King
Human remains are discovered in one of three abandoned coal mines, and more surprisingly, an anonymous tip alerts police that they belong to Elizabeth King, a young woman from Nottingham, who went missing nearly 30 years ago.
No one is more shocked than Eloise Ford. Because Eloise knows it can’t be true. She knows this for a fact…because SHE is Elizabeth King.
And now somebody knows her secret. But who? Not even her husband knows her real identity, or, more importantly, why she ran away all those years ago.
So who is after her? Who wants to reveal her secret and blow up her perfect world – and why?
Holly
What makes The Vanishing Act compelling, aside from the premise of it, is that the story is told from the perspective of two different women.
The first is Eloise, the central character in the story. The second is Holly, who is dating Eloise’s son, Edward.
Holly’s unique perspective is that her own sister is missing and has been gone for the last three months.
In an effort to find her, Holly has joined a Facebook group called Truth Seekers UK, a random collection of strangers who help find missing people.
In that group is one woman who is particularly keen to find Elizabeth King, her niece Sally Ann.
Back in Cornwall, the relationship between Eloise and Holly is a strained one.
Neither really likes the other very much until Eloise realises that Holly may actually be the only person she can turn to in her moment of crisis.
And so begins the unraveling of the mystery, and the two women try to work out just who is out to ruin Eloise’s life.
The Showdown
Every piece and subplot of this book came together perfectly at the end.
There were no explanations that left me bewildered, no plots left unresolved; in fact, the entire story was wrapped up in a lovely, neat bow.
I was perfectly mapped out, moved at lightning pace, and despite the darker theme, had plenty of lighter moments that gave it balance and levity.
I also found the Facebook group very interesting insofar as how easy it was for strangers to quickly leap to incorrect conclusions when having only the barest amount of information to go on.
That said, the group isn’t demonised in the book. It is genuinely made up of well-meaning people who want to help, in any small way that they can.
And, to be fair to them, they bring a lot of the humor to the story, and reading their messages was quite a laugh.
Thumbs Up
Jo Jakeman’s The Vanishing Act is the kind of thriller that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go.
What makes this book so compelling is the way Jakeman blends psychological suspense with rich character development.
Eloise is a fascinating protagonist who is flawed, secretive, and constantly on the edge of being unmasked.
The looming question of how far she’ll go to protect her family and her lies keeps every chapter charged with suspense.
Add to that the gossip-fuelled village setting, a nosy true-crime group digging into the past, and a cast of potential enemies circling closer, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a page-turner.
The Vanishing Act is clever, twisty, and emotionally gripping. It forces you to ask: how well do we really know anyone, and how far would you go to keep your past buried?
Books by Jo Jakeman
Jo Jakeman is known for her twist-filled psychological thrillers that keep readers hooked with their clever plots and compelling, flawed characters.
I loved The Vanishing Act, and there are several other gripping books in her repertoire that deserve a place on your reading list.
Sticks and Stones (also published as The Exes’ Revenge)
Three women join forces to take down their abusive ex, a manipulative police officer.
Smart, fast-paced, and darkly funny, this is a revenge thriller with an unforgettable trio at its heart.
Safe House
After serving time for covering up her boyfriend’s crime, Steffi Finn tries to hide in a remote Cornish village under a new identity.
But with secrets closing in, paranoia mounts, and danger lurks in her search for freedom.
What His Wife Knew
Beth’s life is shattered when her husband mysteriously disappears.
Dark secrets surface, and every chapter is built on suspense and shocking revelations as Beth fights to uncover the truth behind her husband’s actions.
One Bad Apple
When tragedy hits a small village, long-buried secrets come to light.
This is an atmospheric, character-driven thriller about community, lies, and the ripple effects of a single crime.
