Vanishing Acts is a 2005 domestic and psychological novel by Jodi Picoult. The story follows Delia Hopkins as she struggles to deal with the aftermath of her father’s arrest and trial for kidnapping her 28 years prior. The story cycles through multiple narrators who all share their story in first person, both in the present and through flashbacks. The story examines memory, the effect of lies, internal family struggles, and determining self-identity.

This guide refers to the 2005 Atria e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source material contains depictions of child sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse and neglect, suicide, kidnapping, pregnancy loss, violence, and offensive, racist language.

Plot Summary

Cordelia Hopkins, or Delia, is a 32-year-old search-and-rescuer whose life is going great on the surface. She loves her work, adores her daughter (Sophie), has an incredible support network of friends and family, and will soon marry the love of her life. Under the surface, Delia is concerned about her upcoming marriage and Eric’s former alcohol addiction, and her abilities as a mother, as she lost her own mother at the age of four. Delia has no memories of before she was four years old but gradually recalls planting a lemon tree with her father. Her father, Andrew, deflects when asked about the tree. Delia asks her best friend, Fitz, who does some research. This near-perfect life takes a turn when Delia’s father, Andrew, is arrested for kidnapping Bethany Matthews. Delia discovers that she is Bethany Matthews and that her father kidnapped her 28 years ago.

Delia asks her fiancé, attorney Eric Talcott, to help defend Andrew in court. Eric has no experience with kidnapping cases but feels he cannot disappoint Delia. Eric starts this process poorly, and the judge holds Andrew on a $1 million bail before sending him to Arizona. Eric, Delia, Sophie, and Greta (Delia’s bloodhound) head to Arizona, and Fitz follows behind when he is assigned to write an article on Delia’s story. The small family settles into a dilapidated trailer and makes friends with their Hopi neighbor, Ruthann Masáwistiwa.

Meanwhile, Andrew struggles in prison. Andrew details his problems adjusting to prison life and his longing to talk with Delia through his narration, all directed toward Delia. Andrew’s first cellmate attacks him, and he relocates to a new cell. Andrew continually interacts violently with the Aryan Brotherhood faction in prison and tries to ally himself with Concise, Andrew’s drug-dealing cellmate. Concise helps Andrew fight the hostile inmates, and Andrew teaches Concise how to cook meth. Andrew helps smuggle meth into prison for Concise, but the operation ends with Concise’s death. Andrew relocates again, but another inmate attacks him. At this point, Andrew realizes he cannot survive in prison and begs Eric for help.

Eric struggles in Arizona. Andrew constantly withholds information, placing Eric in challenging situations in court. Delia constantly pumps Eric for information he cannot share without risking disbarment. At one point, Eric narrowly avoids removal from the case due to his sharing information with Delia. After five years of sobriety, Eric begins drinking again in response to the stress.

Fitz struggles to support Delia, to hide his feelings for Delia, and to conceal his true purpose in Arizona. Fitz worries that his article will hurt Delia, and he eventually loses his job. Using his connections, Fitz finds Delia’s mother.

Delia meets her mother, Elise Vasquez, in an emotional reunion. Both struggle to reconcile memories and fantasy with reality. Delia discovers that Andrew kidnapped her due to Elise’s alcohol addiction and neglect of Delia. When confronted, Elise admits to her addiction but has not had a drink in 26 years. Delia, Sophie, and Fitz visit with Elise and her new husband, Victor Vasquez, and everyone tries, but the meeting is awkward.

Delia develops a close relationship with Ruthann, their neighbor, who takes a maternal role in Delia’s life. Ruthann helps guide Delia through her difficulties and takes care of Sophie when needed. Ruthann introduces Delia and Sophie to Hopi traditions. Together, they visit the Hopi reservation to observe the Niman, or home dance. At the end of the ceremony, Ruthann disappears, and Delia discovers Ruthann has aggressive breast cancer. Delia and Greta search for her, eventually finding her at the edge of a cliff. Delia nods, understanding Ruthann’s motivations, and Ruthann jumps. Delia calls the police, claiming she found Ruthann too late.

The trial wears on everyone, and relationships strain under pressure. Delia falls asleep from exhaustion and wakes to find Sophie missing. After calling the police, Delia and Greta search for Sophie and find her getting ice cream with Victor—forcing Delia to confront Elise’s feelings. Fitz helps Delia navigate her emotions about her father, the trial, and her relationship with Eric. They realize their romantic feelings and begin a sexual relationship.

The trial continues, and Andrew takes the stand. Under stress from the prosecution, Andrew states that he attacked Victor Vasquez before the kidnapping because he sexually assaulted Delia. Delia has no memory of this assault, but she also has no memory of being kidnapped. Slowly, Delia’s memories return, and she recalls the abuse. However, the judge deems her recovered memories inadmissible. Regardless, Andrew is acquitted. Eric decides to remain in Arizona and practice law there. Andrew and Delia leave jail and head to Sophie.