Review – Vanish in Plain Sight

Marisa Angelo’s mother left when Marisa was only five years old. Marisa was told that her mother decided to go back to her Amish family, that she missed her faith too much. Marisa never questioned that, until she gets a phone call from the police, stating that her mother’s suitcase was found inside a house that was being renovated.

Marisa immediately drops everything and returns to her hometown to learn the truth—the situation was investigated all those years ago—who investigates a wife leaving her husband—but now, with limited evidence, the police grudgingly agree to look into it, though they doubt they’ll solve the case—if there is one.

Marisa is desperate for answers, but no one, not even Marisa’s Amish relatives can explain what happened to her mother. But someone will do anything to make sure the truth remains hidden.

Vanish in Plain Sight is the second Amish mystery by Marta Perry I’ve read. It is full of detail, I could almost smell the dust as the men torn the drywall down in the house they were renovating, I could see the blood stains on the suitcase, and I could feel Marisa’s fear when she went to the house where the suitcase was found. It made me curious why Marisa felt as she did about the house. Had she witnessed something she was repressing?

I never did get a firm grasp on Marisa. She seemed distant in this story, like she didn’t want the reader to get too close. As a result I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I would have liked. I did solve the mystery fairly early on, even though there were plenty of red herrings planted. Maybe because I know how a writer’s mind works.

If you are looking for an Amish mystery to read, Vanish in Plain Sight is a good choice.