"Then She Vanished" is T. Jefferson Parker's 4th book in a series featuring Private Investigator Roland Ford. In this book, Ford is hired to find the missing wife of Dalton Strait, a California politician representing the eastern portion of San Diego.

If sometimes wondered how authors come up with ideas for their characters. In this case, the answer is easy. The California Assemblyman is clearly based on former California Congressman Duncan Hunter who was forced out of office in 2020. Both politicians represent eastern San Diego, both took over their offices from a father / grandfather, both were in the military and fought in Iraq, both were involved in a re-election campaign against an opponent of Middle Eastern heritage, both accused their Democratic opponent as being associated with terrorist relatives, both were accused of breaking campaign finance laws and diverting funds for junkets, family trips, golf outings, girl friends, etc. Both also ended up blaming their wives for the campaign finance violations, claiming that their wives handled the finances, and they themselves were ignorant of how the money was spent.

Dalton Strait was an unlikeable character, still carrying on with a girl friend while Ford continued the hunt for the missing wife. Complicating Ford's investigation was a militant anti-government group carrying out a series of bombings for government offices in the Southern California region.
Fortunately, P.I. Roland Ford has enough going for him to carry the story and to solve the crimes. ( )

Roland Ford rocks. A great series character who continues to evolve. This, the 4th in the series, lives up to and surpasses the previous ones. Great story, well written. Can't wait for the next in the series.

DP Lyle, award-winning author, lecturer, story consultant ( )