Vanishing Acts (review)

As the only daughter of a defense attorney (and an avid reader of crime thrillers and courtroom dramas), Madison Kincaid tends to see the criminal where others would just see, well, everyday life. For example, when her friend Ann doesn't show up for the first week of seventh grade, Madison assumes she must have been kidnapped and murdered, while her other friends just think that Ann is simply extending her European vacation with her parents. Besides worrying about her vanished pal, Madison is also trying to figure out how best to get (and retain) the attention of her workaholic father; she's hoping if she solves his current case of a missing elementary schoolteacher, he might start treating her like an asset instead of a burden. The two missing persons cases turn out to be rather mundane in their resolutions, but there's a nice security in this kind of non-threatening conclusion. Similarly, Nancy Drew fanatics will likely see Madison as a counterpart to their idol and will appreciate the more relatable aspects of Madison's situation, particularly her floundering relationship with her father. Unfortunately, the dialogue is sometimes distressingly stiff, and the convenient placement of several plot points would strain the credibility of even the most formulaic thriller. Still, there are plenty of readers who like their mysteries more cozy than gritty, and Madison's attempts at sleuthing will no doubt find an audience among aspiring Miss Marples.