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nickmasters's review against another edition
4.0
Gillian McAllister once again delivers a gripping psychological thriller that not only is a rollercoaster of a ride with twists and turns, but also provides us with a plot that questions ones take on the difference between right and wrong, both from a moral introspective point of view, but also from the point of view of the law. Throw into the mix exceptionally tangible familial relationships and the strong love between two people and you are once again treated to great read.
Gillian McAllister never fails to deliver.
I would say that this is likely the most grandiose plot I recall from Gillian, which she eludes to in her Author’s note. For this reason, it did feel at times, for me at least, a little bit of a plot stretch (if that is the right way to phrase it). Take nothing away from the delivery though, it sure had me engrossed in the characters and their lives from the start to the end (and damn, what an end!).
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin UK for a review copy.
Gillian McAllister never fails to deliver.
I would say that this is likely the most grandiose plot I recall from Gillian, which she eludes to in her Author’s note. For this reason, it did feel at times, for me at least, a little bit of a plot stretch (if that is the right way to phrase it). Take nothing away from the delivery though, it sure had me engrossed in the characters and their lives from the start to the end (and damn, what an end!).
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin UK for a review copy.
amandas_good_books's review against another edition
5.0
HOW TO DISAPPEAR
By Gillian McAllister
07/2020
Aidan and Lauren have been married for ten years. There’s a lot of love between them - so when Lauren’s daughter (different dad) Zara witnesses a murder messes up the trial - threats are made on her life, and she needs witness protection. Aidan couldn’t bring himself to go, and he couldn’t leave his daughter, Poppy. Her mother has MS and needs her. What a crazy position to be in
You really ask yourself, what would you do?
Leave your entire family behind, mother-daughter, etc., and go with your wife and stepdaughter? Or stay and watch them go. Ceasing all contact between each other. That’s what they did.
Well, they tried is all I can say.
Aidan is the man every woman wants.
By Gillian McAllister
07/2020
Aidan and Lauren have been married for ten years. There’s a lot of love between them - so when Lauren’s daughter (different dad) Zara witnesses a murder messes up the trial - threats are made on her life, and she needs witness protection. Aidan couldn’t bring himself to go, and he couldn’t leave his daughter, Poppy. Her mother has MS and needs her. What a crazy position to be in
You really ask yourself, what would you do?
Leave your entire family behind, mother-daughter, etc., and go with your wife and stepdaughter? Or stay and watch them go. Ceasing all contact between each other. That’s what they did.
Well, they tried is all I can say.
Aidan is the man every woman wants.
kirsty_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to Olivia Thomas for sending me a copy for review.
Well, where do I begin. What a roller-coaster that was. I initially strugged to settle down into the book but by page 80 I was engrossed and the pages turned themselves. As with all of Gillian's other novels I failed to find something to complain about. There was nothing I didn't like about it.
So without giving to much away let me introduce you to the main plot of the story. How to disappear is a story about a girl named Zara who witnessed a murder of a homeless man, by a rising football star Luke. During the trial the case collapses and Zara is taken into witness protection after receiving death threats by a vigilante group set on finding justice for Luke's ruined career. Zara and her mum Lauren are given new identities and moved half way across the country whilst her step dad Adian and step sister Poppy stay in London, splitting their family up. We follow both Zara and Lauren's new life in witness protection and we follow the life left behind with Aidan and Poppy. Of course we know life isn't going to be plain sailing and we see the drama that unfolds by this Vigilante football group as they search for Zara known as 'Girl A'.
We see the struggle Zara and her family faces in isolation and separation. We also see the determination of this vigilante group as they search and hunt for 'Girl A' and the shock ending that I didn't see coming.
I have no doubts that How to disappear will be another Best seller and its definitely worth a read.
Five stars from me
Well, where do I begin. What a roller-coaster that was. I initially strugged to settle down into the book but by page 80 I was engrossed and the pages turned themselves. As with all of Gillian's other novels I failed to find something to complain about. There was nothing I didn't like about it.
So without giving to much away let me introduce you to the main plot of the story. How to disappear is a story about a girl named Zara who witnessed a murder of a homeless man, by a rising football star Luke. During the trial the case collapses and Zara is taken into witness protection after receiving death threats by a vigilante group set on finding justice for Luke's ruined career. Zara and her mum Lauren are given new identities and moved half way across the country whilst her step dad Adian and step sister Poppy stay in London, splitting their family up. We follow both Zara and Lauren's new life in witness protection and we follow the life left behind with Aidan and Poppy. Of course we know life isn't going to be plain sailing and we see the drama that unfolds by this Vigilante football group as they search for Zara known as 'Girl A'.
We see the struggle Zara and her family faces in isolation and separation. We also see the determination of this vigilante group as they search and hunt for 'Girl A' and the shock ending that I didn't see coming.
I have no doubts that How to disappear will be another Best seller and its definitely worth a read.
Five stars from me
rhiannonneill's review against another edition
5.0
This was a well written, descrptive story that took you on a journey about how you felt about the different characters and what they were going through. I like how we got to see the different characters viewpoints which for me really added to the suspense and overall story cause when we switched between different characters you were left guessing about what was coming next
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I loved the short chapters that along with the storyline kept me hooked. There were a couple of heart racing moments at different points in the book that were so well done they had me looking over my shoulder. I loved the way the author wrote the ending cause i just didn't see that final twist coming
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If you have this in your TBR read it asap and if not then get adding it to your TBR!! 5⃣⭐
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I loved the short chapters that along with the storyline kept me hooked. There were a couple of heart racing moments at different points in the book that were so well done they had me looking over my shoulder. I loved the way the author wrote the ending cause i just didn't see that final twist coming
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If you have this in your TBR read it asap and if not then get adding it to your TBR!! 5⃣⭐
readingwithlouise's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
janpringle's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kaycpage1990's review
4.0
Enjoyed this book. Easy to get into. Good plot. Likeable and detailed characters. Only criticism is that I didn’t like the epilogue, could have done with that because for me, it detracted from the story and was a tad unrealistic. But a good read.
s_ph's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
really great audio book, i just adore nicola walker! sooo engaging, this book had be on the edge of my seat from the get go and amazing twist at the end! well written and a great story.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Lauren and Adrian are happily married and settled in their lives. That is until Zara witnesses an horrific crime of which puts her life in peril. Lauren has no other choice but to go into witness protection with her daughter in the hope of keeping her safe.
I have no clue how anyone can be expected to cut all ties from everyone and everything and start again with a whole new identity. I for one would find it extremely hard as there would be far too much temptation to get back in touch with loved ones as well as trip up and give more away about yourself than you should do. It didn’t feel like any type of life to have and my heart went out to both Lauren and Zara who are also struggling with adjusting.
Whilst they are trying their best to get on with their new life, Adrian wants to do whatever he can to protect his wife and stepdaughter from being found and for the people who are after Zara to be caught and locked up. I constantly feared for his safety as well as his family throughout reading this story. I could feel my heart in my mouth many a time and I struggled to sit still as I was screaming in my head for the characters to be more careful. With every page turned, it felt like danger was going to jump out at any moment.
How to Disappear really is a roller coaster of a read. It will have you putting yourself in the characters shoes and asking yourself what you would do in their situation. One thing for certain, I don’t fancy my chances if I ever find myself in a similar position! Just thinking about this story has my heart racing ten to the dozen and I was an emotional wreck by the end. And even then the author wasn’t finished with her mind games and I was literally knocked sideways! Gillian McAllister is the queen of edge-of-your seat reads and she has nailed it again with this one. Brilliantly intense!