The Vanishing of Margaret Small: An uplifting and page-turning mystery

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There is a twist towards the end of the book, it did not come as a surprise to me. I was pretty sure I had figured it out along the way. But that did not detract from the story at all. Throughout, I only wanted the best for Margaret. But, then, I found out that had not figured it out. What a lovely surprise!

All in all, this is a book that is heartrending and heartwarming at the same time. If you want to read the touching story of a loveable old lady, definitely give this a go.

I've read similar books before (Grace Henderson Says it Loud) but Margaret makes an eloquent narrator and her story has extra dimensions outside of the 'care home' scenario, that make this a touching and rather memorable audiobook. Compelling and authentic . . . Margaret's story is quiet but her voice is mighty' - Julietta Henderson This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Embla Books via NetGalley UK. Margaret tells her story over two timelines. She is now in her 70s and living in a flat and supervised by her support worker, Wayne. Wayne is a lovely, caring person, fully invested in enabling Margaret to live her best possible life. We need more Waynes in this world. Close to the end, we were told Margaret's birth date. I'd like to think this is why I felt that she was so special to me. My own daughter was born on Margaret's birthday.

The best part about this is anyone can read it, doesn't really belong to a specific kind, just a beautiful tale about the life a women forced to disappear. What a unique story this is! Debut novel from this author. As the title says, it is the story of Margaret. “Vanishing” is Margaret’s word for the fact that she vanished from her grandmother’s home at a young age and was sent to an institution (hospital?) for problem and slow children. The story is powerful, following our protaganist Margaret Small who lived in a home for children with learning difficulties.Vanish is exactly what happens to seven-year-old Margaret in 1947 when her maternal grandmother and Mr. Gray decide she should be 'dropped off' at St. Mary's Hospital, a long-stay institution for children with learning and physical disabilities. An absorbing mystery with a dual timeline, The Vanishing of Margaret Small takes listeners into a fascinating past, and introduces an unforgettable literary heroine. An evocative , endearing , entertaining and thoroughly delicious character portrait and a terrific first novel' - Donal MacIntyre, TV presenter DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bonnier Audio UK for an audio ARC of The Vanishing of Margaret Small, written by Neil Alexander and narrated by Annie Aldington, for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

My favorite quote in the book is: “Don’t judge yourself the way others judged you in the past.” It can apply to many of us in many situations. This comes from Wayne, who is Margaret’s support worker. He lives up to his role.

To resolve the mystery, we are also given a glimpse of another timeline beginning from 1947, when little Margaret was first ‘vanished” into a long-stay institution for children with learning disabilities. Wow. This is much deeper than you expect. Margaret Small was "vanished" to St. Mary's, an institution for the mentally ill, when she was only 7 years old.