Disappearing Act

By Dayle Campbell Gaetz

At age twenty, Leena O'Neil walked away from her old life. Anything to avoid becoming a lawyer like her mother and older sister, Georgia. Three years later, Georgia contacts her, convinced that her husband is trying to kill her rather than divorce her. Reluctantly, Leena agrees to help. But the stakes go up when Georgia’s husband, Mark, is murdered. Now she wonders if the person who killed Mark is out to get Georgia as well. Armed with several online courses in criminology and investigative strategies, Leena considers herself "almost a private investigator" and she sets out to uncover the truth. Disappearing Act is the first in a series of mysteries featuring rookie private investigator Leena O'Neil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raven Books
• Release date: Feb 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781459808232

Dayle Campbell Gaetz

Dayle Campbell Gaetz has worked as a creative-writing instructor, book editor and columnist but now devotes her time to her own writing. Gaetz is the author of over twenty books for young people and adults. Gaetz grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, and now lives in Campbell River. For more information, visit www.daylegaetz.com.

Reviews for Disappearing Act

[mrsbaty · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this little book. It's no "War and Peace" and at this time in my life, a little book suits me just fine. It really is a novella rather than a novel. I enjoyed that it was small and easy to carry around so I could read it when I had a few minutes without it weighing down my purse. Sometimes a quick, easy read is just what you need.That story isn't very deep since the book is short but I found it enjoyable. It centers around Leena who had walked away from her family and disappeared a few years ago. That idea intrigues me because I think it should be hard for someone to just disappear. As it turns out, she really didn't disappear and her sister finds her easily enough when she needs her. Leena is "almost" a private detective, having taken classes on line to be one. I found that interesting too. As Leena investigates for her sister, the story moves quickly but I found the atmosphere to be believable and the characters to be likeable which is important to me. I'll be happy to read more in the future about Leena and I won't mind if they are short, like this one, or full length. I received this book through Librarything's Early Reviewer Program.

[19anne44 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Three years ago Colleen, now Leena, left home and deliberately disappeared to escape her lawyer mother and older perfect sister, Georgina. Her mother and sister have never contacted her so she is very surprised when her sister, now Georgia, phones and leaves a panicked message asking for help which Leena reluctantly agrees to give.When her sister arrives, Leena discovers that her sister believes her husband, Mark, is trying to kill her on order to get her house and move into it with his girlfriend but when Mark is found beaten to death Georgia becomes the prime suspect.Leena, who considers herself "an almost private investigator",finds her sister a safe hiding place before setting off to track down the real killer at very real risk to her own life.This is the third book I have reviewed from the "Rapid Reads" series. "Disappearing Act" has a fast moving plot with well developed characters which are keymarks of this series designed for ESL and Literacy programmes.This book is an excellent addition to the series.

[vryce-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A mystery novel about an amateur P.I. It is apparently a "rapid reads" book, which means it is under 150 pages in large font. However, you can get good character development and a good mystery in a novella, so that doesn't actually justify any of the book's failings. I feel bad saying it, but there's really nothing worth reading in this book. It starts awkwardly, the characters are uninteresting and the way they act is unbelievable. The only part I liked was the setting in the Pacific Northwest.

[lwhitmill_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Disappearing Act is an entertaining and engaging story that really deserves to be developed into a full-fledged novel vs. the a relatively short story. The character and plot development screams to be expanded upon. In the mood for a fun and quick read (147 pages) then try Disappearing Act. It is worth your time.

[mmyoung_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

More of a novella than a book. An ok read but it felt rushed and unfinished.

[candyh_64 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was a quick read and not always believable. Then the story just sort of ended. I felt the author had some loose ends that never were connected. I appreciate LibraryThing selecting me to read this book, but I would not recommend it.

[rivergen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. I have to admit that I was taken aback when I saw it since it looked like the books that my 9-year old reads - it was very thin with huge font and very few pages. Perhaps it was meant for a teen or pre-teen market? The story was about a young woman's first foray into private investigation, hoping to uncover the truth about her sister's husband's violent death. It wasn't a great book, but it wasn't a bad one either. It entertained me well enough while it lasted (which was just a couple of hours), but it didn't really leave any impression on me and I don't think I would seek out other books in this series. That being said, perhaps I am older than its intended audience, so it might be more satisfying for a younger market.

[gilbertine_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Disappearing Act is the story of a young directionless woman who is unexpectedly thrust into the role of amateur sleuth in order to prove her estranged sister is not guilty of murdering her husband. This is a novella rather than a novel, and the forced brevity of the Rapid Reads format guarantees that the books in this series will have no chance of plot expansion or character development. If the author had been given more room and time the book would have been slightly more satisfying.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Disappearing Act – A Leena O'Neil Mystery by Dayle Campbell Gaetz is a 2015 Rapid Reads publication. I was provided a copy of this book from the librarything early reviews program in exchange for an honest review. Colleen- now calling herself Leena left home three years ago and never looked back. Now, out of the clear blue sky, her sister Gina, now calling herself Georgia, has contacted her. It would seem Georgia is in a bind and needs Leena's help. Georgia explains she needs to lay low at Leena's for awhile because her husband, Mark, has been having an affair and she is sure he is trying to kill her. But, things are much more complicated than that. Leena soon learns Mark is dead and Georgia is a considered MIA. So, the question is who killed Mark? Did Georgia kill him? What about his new girlfriend? Did he have enemies? In her very first case as an “almost private detective”, Leena will put herself in danger to clear her sister's name, and uncover the truth of who killed Mark and why. This is a super fast and easy read in which the author sets the stage for future mysteries featuring PI Leena O'Neil. I did like Leena, but at times the author tried too hard to affect a present day Kinsey Millhone style character. While the story is a little predictable, in the end, Leena manages to solve the case, to make a new friend, and heal some family issues as well. If you enjoy light, clean, mysteries this is one you might want to give this one a chance. 3 stars

[doseofbella · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Disappearing Act (A Leena O’Neil Mystery)By: Dayle Campbell GaetzOcra Book Publishers 2015 Pages.159Copy Courtesy of Librarything Early ReviewersReviewed by: tkThrilling Ride!!!Leena an aspiring Private Investigator left her childhood home to become her own independent person… three years ago. She is enjoying the life she has made for herself. Until a call from Georgia, her sister. Georgia pleads with Leena to help her. Someone is trying to kill her…A novelette of huge proportions. Although a quick read, the narrative is amazing in detail. I plot driven by greed, betrayal and love are the ingredients of this suspenseful mystery. If you love who-done-its, you won’t be disappointed. I look forward to more Leena O’Neal Mysteries in the future. 4/5