From the bestselling author of The House of Now and Then comes a taut and twisty psychological mystery, perfect for readers of Sally Hepworth and Nicola Moriarty.
Bestselling author Marnie Elliott has invited her three oldest friends to a secluded holiday house in Tasmania. On the surface it’s an excuse to catch up and drink champagne — but really, Marnie’s there to escape the fallout from an upcoming exposé. Sure, she’s told some lies over the course of her career… but this time the allegations go further… Did Marnie even write the books that made her millions?
As the days unfold, it becomes clear that time has pulled the women apart, and that perhaps they don’t know each other as well as they thought they did. And when long-buried secrets and resentments rise to the surface, tensions spiral out of control.
And then one of them disappears.
No one can survive the harsh elements of a Tasmanian winter for long, and soon panic sets in. Did she get lost? Run away? Or is something far more sinister at play?
And does it have anything to do with what happened twenty-five years ago, when the four of them lived together in a rambling warehouse, fuelled by ambition, and where nothing — absolutely nothing — mattered more than being part of the group?
From the bestselling author of The House of Now and Then comes a taut and twisty psychological mystery that asks how well do we really know our closest friends?
PRAISE FOR JO DIXON:
‘A flawless slow-burn thriller about female friendship … unputdownable.’ – The Australian
‘Jo Dixon delivers on every front with this impossible to second-guess thriller…’ – Australian Women’s Weekly
(3/5)
A compelling read with a cast of intriguing characters whose layered pasts added depth and complexity to the narrative. The storyline was engaging and immersive, keeping me hooked from start to finish.
The twist at the end was unexpected and thought-provoking, though it left me wishing for more resolution. While a few plotlines stretched plausibility, they remained entertaining and added to the novel’s charm. Overall, it feels like the story has room to grow – perhaps a sequel is on the horizon?
(4/5)
Secrets are the foundation of any strong relationship, right? Well, that’s what Marnie, Sarah, Poppy and Xanthea find out during a long overdue catch-up in isolated, southern Tasmania.
Whilst the beginning of Dixon’s novel was slow to hook me in, languishing in the past of the four friends and their warehouse share house in Melbourne during the late 90s, it was the perfect centre stage for the climax.
Discovering the different facets of the interconnecting friendships through the two perspectives of Marnie and Sarah was enjoyable even if I found myself trying to remember what time period I was in, and whose perspective I was following (the chapter headings do help).
The biggest moral takeaway from this novel? Communication is key! Answer your agent’s calls… and let women finish speaking!
I think A Disappearing Act is devoted to the designated ‘Mum’ of any friendship group though… Sarah deserves a long break now! I really enjoyed it.
(4/5)
A Disappearing Act began as fast-paced with characters being introduced left, right and center. At first, it was hard to know what information was important to take in and what was just setting the scene. As the book started to switch between the present and the past, it opened my eyes to the comparisons in the characters personalities over the 25 years since they lived in the warehouse.
The book was easy to read and enjoyable but I would have loved more depth to the characters and the last 50 pages were rushed and quick to finish the book.
In conclusion – a good book for a beach read and one I’ll recommend to friends. After knowing the answers I won’t be able to read it again, but I think it will be enjoyed by all.
(4/5)
Marnie Elliot is a successful, bestselling author based in London. She invites four of her friends to a secluded holiday house in Tasmania for what appears to be a catchup with her oldest and dearest friends. There Sarah, Xanthea and Poppy reconnect but it becomes apparent early that this is no ordinary holiday.
This compelling novel is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling. Centred around four close friends, each harbouring their own secrets, the narrative unfolds with remarkable tension and emotional depth. The story is set across two timelines, the present and 25 years before, which the author weaves together seamlessly, using the past and present to slowly unravel the truth behind the characters’ shared history.
What truly sets this book apart are its well-crafted twists. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story shifts, revealing another layer of deception or emotional complexity. The dual timelines add richness and suspense, keeping the reader guessing not just about what happened – but why.
Each character feels fully realized, flawed yet relatable. Their relationships are the beating heart of the story, and as secrets come to light, the dynamics between them shift in ways that feel both shocking and authentic.
A Disappearing Act is a book you won’t want to put down!
(5/5)
Jo Dixon has delivered again with this twisty slow-burn psychological suspense novel that had me compulsively turning pages late into the night.
When bestselling author Marnie Elliott invites three of her oldest friends to a remote Tasmanian property twenty-five years after leaving the bohemian artistic haven that brought them all together, her purpose is anything but clear. In a scenario reminiscent of Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, an upcoming tell-all article threatens to expose Marnie as a literary fraud, but she’s not the only one harbouring secrets. When one of the women goes missing, the remaining three set about trying to find her.
Although none of the characters were entirely likable, I found them interesting and well-developed. The mystery was compelling and the reveals, when they came, were entirely satisfying. More could have been made of the wild Tasmanian setting, but this is a minor criticism of a story that very much centres on four women and their shared pasts. I thoroughly enjoyed A Disappearing Act.
(3/5)
A Disappearing Act is a story of four women who were best friends and housemates, twenty-five years ago. They lived in a converted warehouse that held the most memorable parties, and being part of this creative group was paramount.
They are now all meeting for a week at a secluded house in Tasmania. As the days pass secrets are revealed, and they wonder did they really know each other. When one of the friends disappears on a bush walk the tension mounts. The remaining friends all react quite differently and in unexpected ways.
My issue with this book was my difficulty relating to any of the friends. Jo Dixon writes about flawed characters, and they are indeed flawed. I could find few redeeming qualities in any of these women. They all seemed extremely self-centred, focused on their own emotional and financial situations, and had little concern for each other. They were all ambitious and felt no remorse for their actions that caused much hurt and damage to others.
However, this book was very readable and the secrets and tensions that wove through the story kept me turning the pages.
(4/5)
A Disappearing Act is a well crafted mystery that keeps you guessing from start to finish. With shades of Australian Gothic, the story unfolds against the moody, evocative backdrop of Tasmania, adding depth and tension to the narrative.
The characters are thoughtfully developed, making you question just how well you really know your oldest and closest friends. Marnie, in particular, is a standout. She is both complex and compelling. She’s not always likable, but her choices feel authentic, and Jo Dixon brings her to life with striking realism.
This isn’t a flashy thriller, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a quiet, simmering, psychological suspense that stays with you long after the final page. Fans of character driven mysteries will find a lot to appreciate here. If you like Jane Harper, Dervla McTiernan, or even Liane Moriarty, then you’ll really enjoy this.
I’m definitely now a Jo Dixon fan!
(3/5)
Having previously enjoyed two of Jo Dixon’s earlier books I was excited to read A Disappearing Act.
The book started slowly, gradually introducing the four main characters and portraying their early life and history together sharing a trendy warehouse as a home. The four became firm friends but dark secrets began to take hold and unfold when they reunited in Tasmania twenty five years later all of which had taken root in their earlier days together.
As with all of Jo Dixon’s books, there are a few unexpected twists at the end as secrets unravel. I definitely found the second half of the book more engaging but I would not rate it as highly as the two previous titles I had read by the same author.
I feel that anyone who enjoys a good psychological mystery will still enjoy this one.
(4/5)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It starts as a story about what seems to be four average friends living together in a loft. These characters are very relatable and could be anybody.
Then 24 years later they get together again to discuss their lives. One of them is a writer who has earned a lot of money. As you read on, things go from bad to worse, but you don’t realise how bad until the mystery unfolds.
One of those books you don’t want to either put down or end.
(2/5)
Four very close friends who’ve lost touch over the years are invited by one of their group, Marnie, on an all expenses paid holiday so they can rekindle their friendship.
Of course it’s not until we’ve read most of the book that it becomes clear why she has orchestrated this get together. It’s certainly not out of the goodness of her heart.
During their time away it’s decided they will retrace a walk they took many years ago supposedly to bond. It’s a very difficult walk and more so now that they are older and less fit. Strangely enough this scenario which is pivotal to the story is not a new one, I’ve come across it twice before. So that’s a downer.
A dull read until about 3/4 through the book then it picks up when Marnie goes missing. She took the same route that they previously walked so the search for her begins there. This is where the story heats up and the mystery emerges with quite a few twists and turns about who might be involved with this disappearance. Is it misadventure or something sinister!!
(5/5)
I couldn’t put this book down.
A well written tale about friendship – trust, revenge and a desperate desire for acceptance, no matter the cost. I enjoyed the twists and turns in this fast paced novel.
I could feel the crisp air of Tasmania and the heartbreak of having a friend go missing.
A Disappearing Act was an absolutely intriguing read.
(4/5)
An interesting read that never gives anything away. I enjoyed jumping from the past to present to learn about the characters and why they make the choices they make. The past is told by one character and the present by another which makes for an engaging experience, even if sometimes I forgot or couldn’t keep track of the POV character was.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Disappearing Act.
(4/5)
A Disappearing Act is an engaging, suspenseful mystery which kept me reading late into the night. Jo Dixon gives us flawed characters, complex relationships, past mistakes, secrets, and lies.
The story places you right into the vibe of a late 90’s ‘arty’ share-house where our four main characters come together. The dual narrative continues in current day, wind-swept Tasmania where the four friends reunite after a few years apart. This is where we really see the dynamic between the women, secrets are revealed, and everyone has their own issues and motivations for being there.
The twists and turns keep coming right up to the very end, with the second half of the book ramping up the tension. I really enjoyed A Disappearing Act and will be looking out for other Jo Dixon novels in the future.
(4/5)
A Disappearing Act is an outstanding novel. I was engrossed by the story and its characters.
The story spans over 25 years, where secrets from the past have very real consequences in the present. What lengths are you willing to go to be accepted by your peers?
In the present Marnie, a successful author, disappears after gathering with three of her closest friends in Tasmania. This is when we are taken back to 1999 when the four friends lived together in a warehouse, known as Ellezon. Desperate to fit in and be respected as a fellow creative, aspiring author, Marnie puts herself under pressure to produce a piece of writing to show that she belongs. This desperation leads to the culmination of what is happening 25 years later.
The tension of the story is built by switching between the present and the past to slowly reveal pivotal moments, that still have you questioning what has happened and why it has happened.
A psychological thriller for the lover of Australian crime stories.
(4/5)
Do you really know your oldest and dearest friends and can you trust them?
This is the question that Jo Dixon proposes in this thrilling novel about four long-time friends who reunite in Southern Tasmania for a well-earned break from their busy and convoluted everyday lives. Over 25 years of friendship, they’ve accumulated secrets, regrets, and unresolved tensions, some of which now threaten to unravel everything they’ve built together.
Then one of them disappears into the rugged, Tasmanian wilderness.
Told through alternating perspectives, Marnie, a wealthy and successful author, and Sarah, a gifted architect, the story also centres around their mutual friends, Xanthea and Poppy. Each character is deeply flawed and entirely relatable. Their past mistakes stem from very human emotions: the need to belong, guilt, fear, and love. I found myself empathising with their choices, even when I didn’t agree with them.
The narrative of A Disappearing Act moves between two timelines, 1999 and 2024, creating a compelling rhythm that kept me engaged right through to the final page. The short, punchy chapters drip-feed key details, encouraging you to guess (and second-guess) what really happened and why. This structure adds to the suspense and makes the story feel both intimate and unpredictable.
(4/5)
Two mysteries in one. A Disappearing Act jumped between two timelines: 2024 in the present when four old friends have met up at the request of Marnie, who then mysteriously disappears while hiking, and 1999 when the friends lived a bohemian style art life in an old warehouse. What happened back then and who has been harbouring secrets from each other the whole time.
The book has enough hints and intrigues throughout the storyline to keep you guessing, and I liked the ending. It felt like a bit of poetic (or artistic) justice. Some of the characters could have been more developed – out of the four friends, Xanthea felt like a bit of an afterthought who didn’t really contribute to the storyline, either in the warehouse or in Tasmania.
(3/5)
Social media has completely ruined my long-held reading habits taking me from a ten book per week reader to a ten book a year reader – if that! As such, it took me some time to get into the novel with a fair bit of picking up and putting down.
Once I was ‘under covers’, I finished the novel over 2 days. I enjoyed the Tasmanian backdrop and while I spotted the perpetrator fairly early after the disappearance, I couldn’t work out how so getting to the ending for the reveal was enjoyable. This novel is a light, twisty, dark read, where formed adults lookback on their unformed youth, their mistakes, and the consequences of their decisions. Great holiday read.
(4/5)
The story focuses on 4 friends: Marnie, Poppy, Xanthia and Sara, who were housemates in their early 20s and their ensuing lives/friendships many years later. Marnie, the successful author of the group, invited the women for an all-expenses-paid girls week in Tasmania, her home town. From the get-go, it is clear that Marnie is worried about something and when she disappears a couple of days into the trip, the girls don’t know what to think.
Set in dual timelines, the girls in their 20s is expressed from Marnies perspective, and the present day in which they are in Tasmania, is expressed from Saras perspective.
The mystery really kept me hooked, it flowed nicely and was easy to read, so I devoured the book in a day. I think the character development was good too – there was a particular character I really did not like at all, and I think that shows the authors ability to make them realistic and well thought out. On the other hand, it did make it hard to empathise with them and actually care about their outcome.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this and would recommend A Disappearing Act for an easy read mystery.
A Disappearing Act is not the usual genre that I gravitate to, however I am glad that I had the opportunity to read it. The book centres on the friendship between four women and is set in Tasmania. I found the story to be very engaging and was caught up in all the twists and turns the story provided. I honestly could not put the book down. I needed to know the ending as soon as possible and I was very surprised by it. A very satisfying read and I recommend.
As someone who has really enjoyed Jo Dixon’s previous books, I was excited to dive into A Disappearing Act. I’ll admit that I struggled a little to get into the story at first. The early chapters move at a slower pace and it took me some time to connect with the unfolding mystery. I was also quite unwell at the time which may have contributed to my difficulty settling into the book. But I’m glad I persevered because the second half absolutely delivered and after the midpoint, I couldn’t put it down.
Once the twists start to unfurl, the story becomes a gripping mix of mystery, secrets and ambition and Jo’s skill at keeping readers guessing is clear and the book. I found myself completely absorbed as the tension built and the final reveals were both satisfying and surprising.
Jo remains one of my favourite Australian authors and even with the slower start, I’ll definitely be picking up whatever she writes next. This was a rewarding, twisty read.