Alison Sandy’s The Lady Vanishes is a gripping and meticulously told true-crime masterpiece that will leave readers utterly captivated. Based on the creators' deep dive from the globally beloved podcast, this book skillfully unravels the decades-old mystery of Marion Barter’s disappearance with both heart and razor-sharp investigative precision.

What makes this story so compelling is its blend of personal determination and journalistic rigor. Marion’s daughter’s unwavering 27-year quest for answers is deeply moving, as is the tireless work of investigative journalists and even the podcast’s super-sleuth listeners. Sandy takes readers on a journey spanning three continents and nearly a century, exposing a web of deceit that feels almost too shocking to be true.

From early police missteps to uncovering a mysterious figure tied to the case, The Lady Vanishes masterfully balances suspense with the emotional weight of a family’s search for closure. The narrative is as much about truth and justice as it is a testament to the resilience of those who refuse to give up hope.

Perfect for true-crime aficionados and fans of the podcast alike, this book is as engrossing as it is illuminating.

Marion Barter was a devoted teacher who abruptly left the profession that had been her passion months after receiving the Queensland’s “Teacher of the Year” award. Marion suddenly sold her home at a loss and told family and friends that she planned to embark on a year-long trip to Europe. She was last seen at Brisbane airport on June 22, 1997, but she called her family and wrote postcards from abroad.

Unbeknownst to her daughter, Sally, Marion (or someone impersonating her) secretly returned to Australia in August of 1997 under a fantastical new name, “Florabella Natalia Marion Remakel,” although someone sent postcards from the UK to Marion’s family on Marion’s behalf. Marion’s failure to contact her son, Owen, for his birthday in October 1997 caused Sally to investigate her mother’s bank accounts, leading to the discovery that her accounts had been drained of tens of thousands of dollars over a number of weeks, primarily from a branch in New South Wales.

The police and several family members concluded that Marion wished to start a new life without her family and friends, but Sally believed that her mother had met with foul play. Marion did not attend Sally’s wedding, she never met her three grandchildren, she didn’t attend the funerals of either of her parents nor did she say goodbye to her son, Owen, who took his own life in 2002. Not only did Marion fail to reach out to anyone in all those years, but there’s no trace of her being alive. The activity on her bank accounts and other records ceased in late 1997. Sally dispirited by the litany of administrative and investigative failing, ultimately reaches out to journalists which, in turn, leads to a podcast, “The Lady Vanishes,” which aired its first episode on April 2019 and became a hit with over 20 million listens.

Although the story itself if gripping, the book suffers from unnecessary detail that slows the narrative. The author, for example, reports on interviews with Southport School staff whose meager contribution to the tale was that Marion was “theatrical” in her job interview and that her home looked as if it were lifted from a Laura Ashley catalogue. There is also much attention paid to the efforts of amateur sleuths. The same facts are repeated over and over again as if the reader is not being attentive. The book also relives the making of the podcast. Perhaps this will be of interest to fans of the podcast, but for those readers who are not familiar with the case, it delays the denouement. Thank you Harper Collins and Net galley for an advanced copy of this true crime book.

This is a story about the disappearance of Marian, a teacher and mother. She supposedly took a trip to Europe, but after 2 months she was never heard from again.

I really wanted to read this story. However, it dragged and dragged. There is a lot of information on how the podcast in Australia based on this story was started. But as far as the case? Lots of information and interviews with family- but nothing to catch and keep my interest- it was slow. I almost didn’t finish- but persevered and now I’m done!

On a side note- the podcast under the same name has over a million listens, so maybe that’s better than the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

In 1997 Marion Barter disappeared. “The Lady Vanishes” is the story of how a small team of seasoned investigative journalists and Marion’s daughter tries to solve the mystery of what happened to Marion. Along the way the team web of crimes spanning nine decades and three continents, and an international man of mystery who could hold the key to what really happened to Marion.

I read this book hearing Alison Sandy’s voice. I started listening to the podcast of the same name on episode 4 or 5 and was hooked. When the book was announced I knew I was going to read it, since I miss the podcast. If you followed the pod it’s a must read, if you like true crime it is a must read!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360. #TheLadyVanishes #NetGalley

The story dragged out a little to much for me. A lot of information could have been left out. I personally just like faster paced reads. However, the story itself was sad and no matter how much i did not like it, i still needed to know what happened. Someone's mom goes missing and they are finding it hard to get help and are left to get the answers themselves to find out what happened.

Unfortunately I fear this book fell into the trap of a lot of true crime non-fiction, wherein the author gets lost in minutiae that feel important but aren't. This is a sad story and I'm grateful to NetGalley for this ARC!

Very interesting read. Sad story and I’m still left unsure where I stand. Makes me curious what and if there will ever be resolve.

I While the story and the premise sound really interesting… and the podcast is probably great- this book just wasn’t it for me.

It felt like it dragged on and could have been cut down by 100 or so pages.

The story is really intriguing though and I did finish as I wanted to know the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book is based on the podcast The Lady Vanishes. Marion Barter was an adored mother and wife who was never seen again after getting on a plane in 1997 for an overseas trip. This book was heartbreaking and really makes you wonder how someone can just disappear. Her daughter has never given up her search and I truly hope she gets some closure some day.

This was a fascinating true crime book that focused on a case that I was unfamiliar with. The book is lovingly crafted and extensively researched. It is definitely a must read for true crime fans.

Wow. There was so much about this book that I learned. The formatting of the book was messed up, so it made it hard to reward, but the detail was insane.

I listened to this podcast when it came out so I was familiar with the story. It is an odd one! I felt like this fleshed it out more and I was able to follow it better than listening one episode at a time since I could flip back in the book. It is a great companion to the podcast but also would be appealing to people who hadn't listened.

Before reading this I did not listen to the podcast but I now want to go back and do so. This book is about Marion who vanishes and the search to find her. This book brings to life the real life case and long efforts that have been put into locating this woman. I knew think this book is very well written and informative. I really like how the book is formatted with conversations and phone calls peppered in.

I followed the podcast on this subject for years and I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the podcasting team. I knew they were committed but had no idea! I think the podcast plus the book is a great combination, but I think the book alone would be very interesting.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Alison Sandy’s The Lady Vanishes is a riveting true crime memoir that delves into the mysterious disappearance of Marion Barter, a beloved mother, teacher, and friend who vanished without a trace in 1997. This book, co-authored with Bryan Seymour and Sally Eeles, is an extension of the popular podcast of the same name, and it offers a comprehensive and compelling narrative that will captivate true crime enthusiasts.

The story begins with Marion Barter boarding a plane for an overseas adventure, only to disappear under suspicious circumstances. Initially dismissed by police as a case of a divorced mother abandoning her family, Marion’s disappearance becomes a decades-long mystery. The book chronicles the tireless efforts of Marion’s daughter, Sally Leydon, and a dedicated team of investigative journalists as they uncover a web of intrigue spanning nine decades and three continents. 

The strength of The Lady Vanishes lies in its deeply human portrayal of those involved in the search for Marion. Sally Leydon’s relentless pursuit of the truth is heartbreaking yet inspiring. Her determination to find her mother, despite numerous setbacks and dead ends, is a testament to her love and resilience. 

Sandy’s writing is clear and engaging, effectively blending narrative storytelling with investigative journalism. The book is meticulously researched, with each chapter revealing new twists and turns in the investigation. The authors manage to maintain a sense of suspense throughout, making it difficult to put the book down. 

The Lady Vanishes explores themes of loss, perseverance, and the quest for justice. It highlights the emotional toll of a loved one’s disappearance and the impact on those left behind. The book also examines the challenges of investigating cold cases and the importance of never giving up hope. 

Overall, The Lady Vanishes is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of true crime and investigative journalism. Alison Sandy, Bryan Seymour, and Sally Eeles have crafted a narrative that is both informative and emotionally resonant. The book serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of unresolved disappearances and the importance of seeking justice for those who can no longer speak for themselves.

When I received this ARC I thought it would be about Marion and her strange disappearance as is the description. However, The Lady Vanishes is more about the background of the podcast with little bits of the case here and there. I am struggling to finish this book due to this. The case bits the authors did a good job doing their research. Marion was a school teacher in Australia who went missing. Police believe she just up and left, her family is split between that and something bad happened. What happened to Marion? Where is she?

We follow the TLV team through not only their reporting and investigation but also Marian's life story that abruptly ended when she vanished in 1997. Some say she was impulsive and individualistic,
Abandoning her family without a second thought. Others think that was a rouse and there was more happening behind the scenes.

While I thought the narrative storytelling and organization was done well, there was too much copy/paste Q&A from the courtroom. When there's too much of it, it's easy to get lost in it and glaze over. I also thought there was too much inconsistency on names (not just *his* names). Specifically, last and first names were used interchangeably often to reference people which became confusing, especially when many of the last names were either similar to other's first names or just in themselves could also be common first names. Consistency would have been appreciated.

I am absolutely astound at the journey that the daughter had to go through to find answers. It takes you through every step. You won’t be able to put it down! Thank you for the advanced copy.

Wow! This was compelling; so many twists and turns. They always say truth is stranger than fiction and this story proves that. The podcast had been sitting on my to listen to pile but I got to the book first, and I'm glad. So much happened in the creation of the podcast, behind the scenes, and from listeners that really added to this take. Highly recommend for true crime lovers.

I love true crime and loved reading this story. It was hard to read because its true and it's a story we've all heard so many times. I enjoyed reading about how the case was pieced together and finding out about a story I wasn't aware of. It was sad but I think everyone needs to read and hear this story.