It appears I am an anomaly when it comes to my thoughts on this book. I unfortunately just didn’t seem to love it as much as everyone else did.

Lauren's daughter Zara witnesses the murder of a homeless man, and after an unsuccessful court trial, Zara's identity is revealed online, putting a target on her back. A group is formed and target Zara. After an attempted abduction and further threats, their only choice is to disappear. Leaving behind her husband and step daughter Poppy, Lauren and Zara enter witness protection. New names, new homes, new lives. As Lauren and Zara will learn, disappearing is easy, but with the group still searching, they discover staying hidden is much harder . . .

This is a difficult review for me to write and I want it to be said first, I don’t think this is a bad book, it just wasn’t for me. I will start by saying that I loved the concept of this book. It’s clever and unique and I can appreciate just how difficult it must have been to write a book on witness protection when public details for this are obviously limited. I also love the use of having chapters from multiple perspectives

Ultimately, the book just wasn’t quite what I expected and it’s hard to discuss in detail without giving away spoilers. I found myself being irritated by so many decisions each character was making, this made the book to unrealistic to me. I felt like there were inconsistencies in character traits/descriptions (Zara in particular) that made me struggle to identify and get with them. Lastly, I think I was looking for and expecting twists that didn’t come and this goes back to me saying the book wasn’t quite what I expected it to be, and that’s on me.

I wouldn’t want this review to discourage people at all, as my opinions are clearly the minority here and so many people have loved it. Simply, the book just wasn’t for ME and I have to be honest with my reviews. It is my first book by Gillian McAllister but I will definitely be looking to try another by her as she receives a lot of praise

Thank you to Netgalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Gillian McAllister has absolutely blown me away me away with this book, her best so far.

You can run, you can hide, but can you disappear for good?

I was holding my breath for most of the time I was reading. How to Disappear is one of the best books of 2020. I can't recommend it enough.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

I’d like to thank Penguin UK-Michael Joseph and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘How To Disappear’ by Gillian McAllister in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

On her way home from school Zara sees two young men who play for the local football club attacking a homeless man, Jamie, who dies of his injuries. She reports the two men to the police and under the name of ‘Girl A’ gives evidence at their trial at the Old Bailey, but part of her evidence is a lie and the players are freed. Zara’s life is at risk when a vigilante gang is formed calling themselves ‘Find Girl A’ and with her mother Lauren she’s put in police protection for her own safety. It’s easy to be given a new name and identity but it’s not so easy staying under the radar.

‘How To Disappear’ is definitely the best thriller I’ve read in a very long time. The plot is addictive and compelling, and the further I got into the story the more involved I became with the plot and the characters until it was impossible for me to stop reading. It’s exciting, chilling, disturbing, horrifying at times, and the tension increases considerably towards the final chapters which are powerful and shocking. This is an exceptionally brilliant novel and my thanks go to Ms McAllister for writing it and the publisher for letting me read it.

This is a 3* solid Good Read for me.

It's expertly written, as one would expect from this prolific author, and it's a really good tale about a young girl who witnesses a murder and who is then pulled into the aftermath, which involves her immediate family and that of her step dad.

The characters are well drawn and engaging and it definitely kept my interest.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview in exchange for this honest review.

Gillian McAllister's latest psychological thriller is dark, tense and utterly gripping that thrusts the reader into the human experience of the witness protection program and the emotionally devastating impact that it has on a blended family living in London. 14 year old Zara is to have her and her family's life derailed when she witnesses the murder of a homeless man, Jamie, by two Holloway FC youth footballers. A year later, she is the key witness in their trial, she is Girl A, giving her evidence anonymously, only for the ignominious collapse of the trial, with the defendants being freed. There is outrage in the media directed against Girl A, and on social media it results in Zara being identified and put in real danger, resulting in her, and her mother, the spontaneous, hotheaded, Lauren, who makes decisions with her heart, into witness protection.

Zara's loving and loyal stepfather, Aiden, is forced to make the reluctant and heartbreaking decision to stay in London for his daughter, Poppy, who cares for her MS suffering mother, but such is his desire to see his family come back together that he embarks on a dangerous undercover infiltration of the secret group hunting for Zara. The rules for witness protection are tough and uncompromising, and the human difficulties in adhering to them and the emotional toll the process takes on Lauren, Zara and their family are depicted with skill and expertise. Zara is cautious, anxious, bookish, an idealistic and moral nerd, desperate for friends, but now caustic, directing her anger against Lauren. Lauren is enveloped by her desperate loneliness and misery, in excruciating pain, struggling to adapt to their new life and future, locked into the past and her love for Aiden. They are both traumatised, stymied by the stumbling block of being unable to be truthful about who they are and their inability to accept the circumstances they find themselves in.

McAllister's storytelling is mesmerising and riveting, with sky high tension and suspense, keeping the readers on their toes with twist after twist. Where the author shines is in her wonderful characterisations and the impact of witness protection on an ordinary family, losing everything that matters, coming to terms with the soul destroying consequences of Zara's actions. This is a compulsive thriller, although you will have to suspend your sense of disbelief on occasions, otherwise a rollicking good read that will have you turning the pages as fast as possible. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.

Wow, this is a bit of a rollercoaster of a read, I found myself so wrapped up in this family, feeling every emotion, at times the tears were flowing, I know I am a little more emotional right now with lockdown. But this had everything. The drama, the suspense, having to give up everything.

Zara had witnessed a horrendous crime, but she had wanted to do the right thing and give evidence in court as a witness. Just one problem, as she was cross examined one part of the evidence was slightly different. Which meant the two accused Luke and Mal getting off. But boys had been set to be Premier league footballers, and Luke and his father were not happy that all of his dreams had been blown away by Girl A, Zara, her identity had been hidden, full anonymity, but this group of vigilantes wanted revenge and were determined to find out who girl A was and to make her pay. After it came out who Zara was the family were no longer safe.

But their also lay a dilemma, because Lauren was Zara’s mum and Aiden was her stepfather but also had a daughter of his own Poppy, who lived with and was a career for her mum who had MS. So when they were offered witness protection Aiden couldn’t leave his daughter behind, Lauren understood this as she would have made the same decision in the circumstances. So Lauren and Zara go into witness protection leaving Aiden, Poppy and all friends and family behind, not even having a chance to say goodbye.

They are all given strict rules, no contact at all, no Instagram or social media posts, which for anyone in this day and time is very difficult. But it also makes it easier for people to try and find them no matter where they are. Aiden infiltrates a group who are trying to find Girl A in the hopes of being able to protect them in some way. But can he protect them? Is he putting himself in danger? Will the family ever be able to get back together again? Or will the vigilantes get to Zara and Lauren before anything else?

I loved the characters in this, they were all so real and three dimensional. You felt for them all, the dilemmas they had, the fears. Told through the four voices of Aiden, Lauren, Poppy and Zara. How far would you go to protect your child? An engrossing read, with twists and turns from start to finish, not knowing who you could trust. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #PenguinUk-MichaelJoseph for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

Thanks netgalley for allowing me to read an early copy of this very interesting story.
Never having read about witness protection I found the story interesting and also very sad for innocent people who tell the truth in court put into this position.
Zara was put into witness protection after witnessing a murder of a homeless man in the street.
Zara liked to help the underdog and when in court she never told the whole truth about the murder.
That put her and her family in a very dangerous position and she had to run away with her mother into a witness protection programme.
I enjoyed this book, though I found the middle of the book a little slow.

You can run, you can hide, but can you disappear for good?
Lauren's daughter Zara witnessed a terrible crime. But speaking up comes with a price, and when Zara's identity is revealed online, it puts a target on her back.
The only choice is to disappear.
To keep Zara safe, Lauren will give up everything and everyone she loves, even her husband.
There will be no goodbyes. Their pasts will be rewritten. New names, new home, new lives.
The rules are strict for a reason. They are being hunted. One mistake - a text, an Instagram like - could bring their old lives crashing into the new.
They can never assume someone isn't watching, waiting.
As Lauren will learn, disappearing is easy. Staying hidden is harder . . . 
My thoughts about this brilliant tensed thriller was outstanding amazing characters a race against time to protect someone you really care a nail biting ending that had me biting my nails author Gillian McAllisters How To Disappear is truly a masterpiece highly recommended 💥💥💥💥💥⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brilliant book.
Couldn’t put it down.
Real characters - funny, sad, weak and tough.
Lauren and Zara have to go into Witness Protection following the collapse of a murder trial - story follows their journey and the family left behind.
Great climax to an exciting ending.
5 Stars.

This is my first Gillian McAllister book but if this book is anything to go by it certainly won't be my last. It is a real gripping fast paced page turner. Told from the perspective of the 4 main characters Zara the daughter of Lauren and the stepdaughter of Aiden and stepsister Poppy.
Zara a young and shy schoolgirl who struggles to fit in, often visits the homeless witnesses the death of a homeless man following a fight with two budding young footballers set to sign up with a premier league team. When the case eventually reaches court with one if the two accused having spent time in custody the story told by Zara changes and the case against them fails. As a result it hits social media where a bunch of vengeful people disgusted at the ruining of the young man's career. Zara's identity had been hidden and she was known only as "Girl A". However, her identity is discovered and posted on social media and following threats on her life she is forced into witness protection with her mother. Her loving stepfather does not join them as he needs to continue access to Poppy.

They all have their personal struggles with the witness protection program missing their former lives and relationships. Aiden is trying to infiltrate the people looking to find Zara whilst trying to protect Poppy.

Can't say much more without giving away too many spoilers but this is must read. You cant help liking the characters and feeling for their situation.


Thanks NetGalley and publishers Penguin for an advanced arc prevview of the book in exchange for a fair and honest opinion.

Top marks for this book.

Thrilling, tense, scary, eerie and interesting are all words I would use to describe this book.

I was enthralled all the way through.

The book gives an insight to the witness protection scheme and how it effects those in it.
I hadn’t really thought about it before.
But, it’s no small feat to completely, become a new person and not slip up. Leave family behind and just have to get on with it.
To constantly have to look over your shoulder.

The book held my attention all the way through.
I found myself trying to read even quicker to make sure, everything was Ok, with the characters, at times.

I would definitely recommend!

Yet anther brilliant book by Gillian McAllister, one that will have you laughing and frustrated in equal measures. TThe one that will be talked about again and again and again. Recommended

What an amazingly gripping book that hooks you in from the beginning and keeps you on tenterhooks throughout.

Devastatingly realistic and utterly brilliant. My heart was racing all the way through.

I've enjoyed all of Gillian McAllister's book but this one took my breath away!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.

A school girl witnesses a murder. This girl wants to do the right thing. So her and a family go into witness protection where they think they are safe. Not , now begins a gripping game of cat and mouse which kept me glued to my seat and tapping my kindle like a demented wood pecker. Packed with tension and suspense which gave me plenty of heart in your mouth moments. An excellent thriller and almost five stars.
Thanks to Penguin UK and Michael Joseph and Netgalley for the ARC.

When Zara witnesses a crime, testifying takes a dangerous turn and the only safe thing to do is disappear. This was a brilliant book that I couldn’t put down and that kept me guessing with every page. A very easy 5* rating.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for How to disappear by Gillian McAllister. I have read several of her books and I think this is her best one yet.
Teenager Zara lives with her mother Lauren and her stepfather Aiden. Aiden has a daughter Poppy from a previous marriage and who is a carer for her invalid mother. Zara witnesses the murder of Jamie a homeless man that she knows, where two young boys from the local football team is accused of his murder. But when she stands on the witness stand, she lies and is deemed an unreliable witness.
For Zara’s safety, she is put in Witness protection with her mother Lauren. But, her stepfather Aiden cannot as he wants to be there for his daughter Poppy. He cannot leave her behind. But he also cannot live without his wife and tells her it’s not forever. It will be only for two years and when this is blown over it will be safe for them to get back together again. So, Zara goes into Witness protection with her mother leaving her family, her friends and her school and everything she knows.
Wow I really enjoyed this compelling, emotion driven story. I like the story it was convincing and I the characters were likeable. I really felt sorry for Aiden. He was trying to do right by both sides of his family, but it was hard to choose. I felt his emotion, he was torn between them all. My heart was beating fast at the end. But boy I didn’t see that coming. 5 stars from me.

This is the story of Zara. Zara lives with her mum Lauren step dad Aidan and she also has a step sister called Poppy. Unfortunately Zara is the only witness to the murder of a homeless man. Police promise to protect her identity. As a result of what happens at the trial Zara and her mum have no choice but to go into witness protection. Aidan makes the decision not to go with them as he doesn’t want to leave behind his own family. Aidan however is determined to do whatever it takes to get his wife and step daughter back.

I normally really enjoyed Gillian McAllister’s books but this one was just not for me. I really didn’t enjoy the characters. I thought that all the characters in this book made really stupid decisions. For most of the book it was failing to keep my attention. It did make me think about how hard it must be to have to give up your old life and start again with a fake history elsewhere. I did enjoy the twist at the end which I really should have seen coming but didn’t.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 easy to read and enjoyable stars.

Gillian has a brilliant writing style and I have enjoyed pretty much all her other books.

This one doesn’t disappoint - a murder, witness protection, undercover work.

Only drops a star as it was a tad implausible in a few areas (how quick witness protection was offered/organised, how easily the infiltration of the group was)

Easy to read, keeps you guessing mainly, although I’ll be honest....I guessed how it would end....!

Recommended

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this gripping novel

and what a book couldnt put it down at all....a young girl witnesses a murder, and from that day on her life is never the same again....

vigilant groups abound and suspicion as a group is formed to find the identity of the girl a so they can scare her into being silent but before long things get out of hand....

wow there was so much action in this book but no spoilers from me, well worth a read and gives you in insight into how witness protection works

keep an eye out for more of this authors works