Review by Abacus -- Disappearance by Julien Ayotte

[Abacus]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Disappearance" by Julien Ayotte.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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What is the only way to be safe if the mob targets you? You must disappear, you cannot be you, anymore, you must become someone else. You must have a new identity and live in a new place and never make contact with any of the people who knew your old identity.

When the head of the FBI WITSEC (Witness Security Program,) Paul O’Malley, finds out that members of the program, Larry Benaducci, and Fred DiSousa, have been shot, and it looks like the work of a contract killer; he rounds up all his resources. He includes a retired FBI agent Harry Esten from Narragansett, Rhode Island, and Harry’s former partner Sean Collins. Paul O’ Malley is desperately afraid the leaker may be a US Marshal. Harry agrees to search the files of the WITSEC program to help Paul, but he doesn’t want his wife Laura to know. Harry is very good at finding information, and he intuitively works out the identity of the leaker.

Julian Ayotte writes a perceptive thriller with the happy knack of fleshing out exciting characters who are authentic and credible. We meet the innocent and the guilty, law enforcers and lawbreakers, wives, and members of the WITSEC. We always know where they live and have information on their past lives; they are all complete and detailed characters with whom we can empathize.

I am sure the readers will enjoy the chase and finding the clues that allow Harry and Paul to track down the informant. Each chapter in the book is associated with the town where the characters live. The action transports us from place to place, and we go with it. Ayotte describes each location, and we immediately know its characteristics, like Cottonwood, Arizona, Providence and Narragansett, Rhode Island, DC (WITSEC-HQ), Rumney, New Hampshire, Rock Springs, Wyoming, and Worley, Idaho. Look for the date with each new chapter as sometimes Ayotte is backtracking in time.

The plot of Disappearance moves from frantic police work to testing theories about the identity of the leaker and the assassin. The FBI is led on a merry chase through Mexico to Roatan Island in Honduras. They are always one step behind the killer, who is a master of disguise and clever. The plot twists offer great surprises, and the FBI shows its human side, and Ayotte shows us his sense of humor. An excellent read, thought-provoking on a weighty subject with some humorous, light-hearted moments.

I rate Disappearance 4 out of 4 stars for its exciting characters and themes. I do not rate it 3 out of 4 stars because the twists and turns are unexpected and entertaining. I found no errors and believe it to be professionally edited. I noted nothing to dislike in this first-class crime mystery. I recommend this to people who like crime, mystery, and thrillers. If you do not like crime drama, the book is probably not for you.

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Disappearance
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[Leyla Ann]

The title has already caught my interest, and now, after reading this review, I'm looking forward to checking it out!

[ohlendorfbe]

Nice review! I just finished reading this book, and I enjoyed it a lot. I just kind of thought some of the writing didn't flow as easily as it could - it seemed a little stilted in places. But overall it was good - a great plot development!