Thomas Perry - Vanishing Act (Jane Whitfield Novel)

Table of Contents

For Isabel
With love to Alix and Jo

"RIVETING ... SATISFYING ..."

Nobody writes thrillers like Thomas Perry.... His books are unpredictable, action-packed, and fueled by a cynical wit and observant eye for detail.... In Jane Whitefield, Perry has created a unique heroine, an ultracompetent woman attuned to the ancient ways of her ancestors and to the harsh realities of the modern, bureaucratic world."

San Francisco Chronicle

"[Thomas Perrys] novels are all clever and original... [with] appealing characters ... VANISHING ACT is very much in this tradition.... A large part of the books appeal is the Whitefield character. Shes clever.... The action is nonstop."

Detroit News

"On one level VANISHING ACT is a typical classy and quirky Perry thriller, full of the sort of syllogistic logic in which things snap into place like so many Lego blocks. But it is also a very rational book about the limits of rationality ... it is more than merely entertaining: It is brave."

The Boston Sunday Globe

"Thomas Perry has written a tightly woven, action-packed thriller, and Jane Whitefield definitely warrants another appearance."

The Denver Post

"A REAL PAGE-TURNER ...

Perry showed me something new and wonderful with this book. Not content to write another garden variety thriller, he has produced a masterpiece that goes far beyond the novel of suspense designation on its cover. All an awestruck reader can do is sit back and wait to see what he comes up with next."

Wichita Eagle

"Thomas Perry has fashioned a unique and fascinating heroine for this, his sixth novel.... Original and intriguing ... Theres plenty of thrills and taut suspense.... [A] compelling adventure-thriller with a fiercely savvy heroine equally capable amid dark city streets or a primordial forest."

Blade-Citizen Preview

"Laced with icy humor, VANISHING ACT offers a rich look into the mores and philosophy of the Seneca Nationand beats Tony Hillerman at his own game."

The Hartford Courant

"With a strong heroine and ... [an] engaging story line, VANISHING ACT deserves to be read."

South Bend Tribune

"Gratifying ... Jane knows an impressive amount about a lot of things and is entertainingly resourceful."

The New York Times

"HIS MOST AMBITIOUS WRITING TO DATE ...

The best thing about Thomas Perrys thrillers are the devilishly ingenious schemes his protagonists devise to outwit their pursuers.... Perry keeps readers engrossed with wickedly smart protagonists.... Perry can really write."

San Francisco Examiner

"Perry has done what seems to be almost the unthinkable these dayswritten a suspense novel that can be read without first taking a weight-lifting course. The ending, set amidst the stunning scenery of the Adirondack Mountains, is a true heart-stopper. Its no wonder the film rights to VANISHING ACT already have been snapped up."

Orlando Sentinel

"Thomas Perry ... has created a new suspense novel so breathtaking you may need to keep oxygen handy. VANISHING ACT moves at such a pulse-pounding pace that readers may have to force themselves to slow down to appreciate the grace and intelligence of the writing."

Albuquerque Sunday Journal

"Toying with conventions, Tonawanda native Perry has shaken up a venerable plot device in crime fiction. Not only are the tough-guy assignments performed by a woman, but shes in the private detective business to hide, not find, persons whove gone missing."

Buffalo News

"RARE AND WONDERFUL ...

Perry outdoes himself.... Jane Whitefield is the most exciting and welcome female character to appear in a long time. There is not a more completely realized woman protagonist in all of todays crime fiction.... VANISHING ACT has the intelligent and thoughtfully developed exploration of being and becoming, using ancestry and survival as the vehicle."

Mostly Murder

"Edgar winner Thomas Perry is a character-driven writer.... Perry knows New York State well, and his descriptions resonate with that knowledge.... Moreover, his blending of the natural and the spirit worlds within the mind of his unusual heroine make VANISHING ACT a memorable novel."

Nashville Book Page

"The most intriguing aspect is the lead character, Jane. She is an original and truly fascinating because the author weaves her mixed heritage so well, making her a woman of character and highly distinctive. This novel is not just a character study... [it] moves swiftly along, taking the reader with it."

The Ellenville Press

"A unique novel of suspense and thrills ... This is a novel of love, betrayal, mystery, and vengeance.... Perrys historical background is fascinating, his characters are originals, his dialogue is sharp; and VANISHING ACT is an engrossing thriller."

New Smyrna Beach Observer

"OUTSTANDING ...

[VANISHING ACT] is so good that the clichs that normally appear in reviewsand on book coverscant do it justice. Its that good because Perry is an excellent writer. Its that good because he introduces the reader to an unusual, and highly likable, heroine whos a mix of modern womanhood and ancient Native American spirituality. Most of all, its that good because Perry abandons all formulas and offers the reader a completely original plot."

Lexington Herald-Leader

"Mystery/suspense novels have had American Indian heroes and theyve had female heroinesbut few of them have displayed the combination of raw courage and compassion as does Jane Whitefield, a Seneca Indian who helps hunted people disappear.... Although many male authors have attempted to write from the female point of view, few actually succeed with the easy grace as does author Perry.... In Whitefield, he has crafted a sensitive, loving woman who also happens to have the courage of a Roman gladiator."

Mesa Tribune

"[Thomas Perry] has demonstrated an ability to be fast-paced and clever, amusing and erudite.... Perry has done a lot of homework for this book, and the historical fabric is rich with tidbits of our shared past.... [He is] a spellbinding storyteller."

Winston-Salem Journal

"A taut thriller ... [An] unusually intriguing heroine."

Publishers Weekly

There is nothing in which these barbarians carry their superstition to a more extravagant length, than in what regards dreams; ... in whatever manner the dream is conceived, it is always looked upon as a thing sacred, and as the most ordinary way in which the gods make known their will to men.

For the most part, they look upon them either as a desire of the soul inspired by some genius, or an order from him; and in consequence of this principle, they hold it a religious duty to obey them; and an Indian having dreamed of having a finger cut off, had it really cut off as soon as he awoke, after having prepared himself for this important action by a feast...

The affair becomes still more serious, should any one take it into his head to dream that he cuts the throat of another, for he will certainly accomplish it if he can; but woe to him, in his turn, should a third person dream that he revenges the dead.

Pierre de Charlevoix,
Journal of a Voyage to North-America,
1761

Jack Killigan used the reflections in the dark windows to watch the woman walk quickly up the long concourse, look at her high heels so she could take a few extra steps while the escalator was carrying her down, and then hurry around the curve so she could step onto the conveyor. She didnt even know he was shadowing her. They always looked behind them every few seconds, but they never looked in frontdidnt really look.