A missing family and then the father found dead are the center of the mystery in this new detective novel featuring Mallory Dawson. I didn't know this was not the first with this character so I was a little lost overall in terms of character. It was a fine mystery, but I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books.

This is the first Sarah Ward book I’ve read and I didn’t realise it was part of a series. It works fine as a standalone. The cover caught my eye but I was disappointed that such an iconic Scottish cottage had been used - Blackrock Cottage - for a story set in Wales. This was quite jarring for me.

Elsa is a cleaner working on a holiday cottage. She returns for the first week clean and notices that everything has been left as if the family were in a hurry. She contacts Mallory, a former detective, to see what she thinks. This isn’t the first time there have been sinister goings on at the house.

This was an easy enough read and I liked the characters, especially Harri. It did feel like Elsa was forgotten about for most of the book. At times the story is a little predictable and it wasn’t as gripping as I’d hoped.

An i usual story, I am new to these characters but I found them to be likeable and enjoyed reading about their work together. The story itself started off in a very interesting way that drew me in immediately. However I did find myself a little bogged down in the very Welsh names and the story began to wind me up in knots, especially the character who was known by two names. However it was a good read and I enjoyed the creepy story

This is the third book in the Mallory Dawson Crime Thriller series and I ahve read the previous two. The settings are well described and I really enjoy the atmosphere created and all the tension, with the building of the plot and the story, along with the twists and turns you expect from a good mystery.
I really enjoyed this book and thought it followed on nicely from the last book, I enjoy the returning characters and feel very comfortable and confident when they are involved in the story

A house with a history and a missing family, secrets and lies and a tale of betrayal

A good read and thoroughly enjoyed

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

This is the 3rd book in the Mallory Dawson series. I liked this book but... Im not a fan of paranormal cross thriller. I didnt particularly like the ending either.

Thank you to Canelo Crime, Sarah Ward and Netgallery for this ARC.

This was my first foray with Sarah Ward and the characters of this series. I found it to be very well-written. The story and writing style is a cosy mystery that definitely had me guessing as to what had actually happened. I found the theme of parapsychology to be unique and carefully crafted into the story without being an overt "ghost story". The parallel of the case itself while still developing the main characters stories was also well crafted. While this type of mystery writing is not my usual selection as I gravitate towards faster paced books, if you enjoy this style, it was a good book.

Good mystery, didn’t realize it was a series but as a stand alone it was fine. Didn’t suspect who did it which was good. It was good but I pit wasn’t a story that made me not want to put it down. Took several days to read.

Secrets Will Out..
Secrets will out in this atmospheric suspense and the third in the Mallory Dawson series. A strange and mysterious disappearance, a dead body and few clues to help solve the case - the team will have their work cut out but where will it lead? With a beautifully crafted and authentic backdrop, a propulsive plot littered with twists and populated with a credible and well drawn cast, this is a worthy addition to the series to date,

The opening of this book was really confusing and it seemed like it would be interesting but it just faltered and was like what is going on, what has happened and the main character just being a bit odd like you sense something is weird and feel creeped out and phone your bestie???

4.0/5.0 stars rounded down.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book (TBR July 4th, 2024)
For the most part. I really enjoyed this book! The writing was well done, and felt fluid from start to finish. Sara Ward did a very good job at keeping the reader hooked and wanting to read more. Ward revealed just enough at the precise moments to keep draw me in further. The book provided an uneasy, and creepy feeling as any good thriller does. The only complaint I have for Ward is that the ending felt rushed, and a little forced.

This was twisted and thrilling while we were all on the chase to figure out what actually happened to this family that just suddenly vanished. I was not expecting some of the things that went on in the story and they definitely made the story even more entertaining.

This is Book 3 of the Mallory Dawson Crime Thriller series, but the first I have read. It's always a plus to have an older character, with a past, that an get referred back to and used in their new setting. Mallory is comfortable in her new home finally, and when she has a chance to check in with Harri, she's not unopposed to seeing if sparks can still fly, while snooping out the scoop about the incident in the woods. As Harri explains his past occurrence with the house, thinks get even odder. As she comes in to observe and help, they soon realize an odd situation is murder and missing children, and time becomes very valuable. Mallory is also dealing with a surprise summer term with her son, as he takes on a new job and soon it feels like the old days. This is an interesting series and I look forward to going back and reading the first 2 books, and anticipate the next one as well!

Another excellent instalment in Sarah Ward's impressive Mallory Dawson series. Beautifully written and with a real sense of place (the Welsh countryside really comes to life), the series getas better and better. These are not conventional police procedurals as Mallory is no longer a cop; however, she is in demand and works closely as a consultant with local detective Harri Evans. In addition to an intriguing plot, the relationships between Mallory and Harri, and between mother and son, add to the interest. Very enjoyable.

Another crime thriller series that I love is the Mallory Dawson crime series. The third book in this series, The Vanishing Act, came out last week. The series is set in Wales and the main character, Mallory, is a former police investigator. Book 3 picks up during the summer after Book 2 ended. Mallory finds herself helping with a new investigation that involves a house once rumored to be haunted by poltergeists. There are some good twists in the story and it kept me engaged, wanting to know what would happen next! I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you @canelo_co for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

4* Not what it seems, with good dovetailing of past and present to create a good, slightly uneasy, creepy mystery.

As an introduction to this author, this was a decent choice. Admittedly I was in a bit of a book drought and went by the blurb, not expecting anything too deep or taxing, but got a good tale that had intrigue and mystery, with events and characters from the past and present coming together seamlessly.

Characters, unfortunately, didn't make a huge impact on me - I think the mention of the DI's son's illness, coupled with his stroppy, selfish attitude distracted me, and made me wonder why he was in the tale (there's a good insertion, as I later found), and made me view her as a detached, not-really-present mother.

Not having read the previous books, I wasn't sure why she was living in a rundown caravan and without a proper job. I'm not sure that i saw her as entirely believable. But, the tale itself, with the creepy house with history and hiding places, faux paranormal events, the creepy woods, the character who I wasn't quite sure had 'the sight' or not, and people who weren't quite as upstanding as they seemed to be, made for an interesting and 'I didn't see that coming' tale. I'd read more of the series, despite not having read the previous tales, and I hope that the DI and her son improve their relationship because of how she came through for him here (because of his stupidity getting him into a mess).

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Canelo for my reading pleasure.

Sent from AOL on Android

Mallory Dawson is called into investigate when a cleaning lady finds a family of five have seemingly disappeared into thin air from their holiday home.

DI Harri Evans asks Mallory to help with the case as a civilian investigator. The holiday home is one that he is familiar with as the family who lived there twenty years earlier were involved in several incidents of what the children claimed was the work of a poltergeist.

The events of two decades earlier and present day collide and it seems that in order to solve the mystery of what has happened to the missing family they must look to the past.

I enjoyed seeing the character of Mallory again as well as others from the previous novels. I feel like the reader is starting to get to know more about her personal life with each book and she becomes more realistic and relatable.
There is a bit of a paranormal twist to the investigation which makes it different to other crime fiction books. Although part of a series this could also be read as a standalone.

Good plot and characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Even though I hadn't read the first two books in the series, I still found this one to be enjoyable and easy to understand. I found the plot to be really intriguing, the only thing I felt let it down was the ending, it felt underwhelming but I definitely want to go read the first two in this series & would definitely read the next instalment!

★★★½ ROUNDED UP ⬆️⭐️
———————
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the opportunity to review this book.

The Vanishing Act is book three in the Mallory Dawson series by Sarah Ward.
I’ve read and enjoyed book one and two so I was thrilled to start book three.
As usual this is another intriguing mystery crime thriller.
The story kept me interesting and guessing.
The plot is intriguing and the lives of the principals are fascinating.
A compelling, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable thriller that made me want to read more.
This author can write great mysteries and I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Thank You NetGalley and Canelo for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!