3.5 stars - a really unique way to tell a story, very modern. Highly recommend the audio version since a lot of the story is told through audio mediums like the podcast.
There’s magic and Magic woven in the story. Part missing person, part family drama, a lot of mystery and how not knowing can eat away at you.
Would have rated higher but the ending was really unsatisfying. And kind of left me wondering what the point of it all was.

I really really wanted to love this book, but there were a few things that were just a miss for me. That being said I do think it was a me thing, and not a book thing. I don't think I can go into too many specifics without spoiling something.

I was intrigued the whole way through and finished the book in just over 24 hours, which as someone who has not been reading a whole lot lately is far and above what I normally have been.

As well, the audio was so well done. I love full cast recordings and this one was no difference.

The captivating premise of Margarita Montimore's Acts of Violet ensnared my attention from the outset, as it chronicles the enigmatic disappearance of magician Violet Volk and the intrepid investigation led by podcaster Cameron Frank. The exceptional production value of the audiobook is a testament to the artistry of the form, with various narrators and sound effects evocatively utilized to accentuate podcast segments and phone interviews.
Regrettably, the novel's pacing is a protracted and meandering affair, primarily fixated on Violet's sister Sasha and the profound repercussions her sister's disappearance has wrought upon her life. Despite this extended character study, the denouement is an unsatisfying anticlimax, lacking the closure necessary to resolve the central mystery and providing no logical explanation for Violet's fate.
Furthermore, the novel inexplicably plunges into the supernatural/paranormal realm, with the implication that Violet may have transported herself to another dimension, while Sasha has always had the ability to move in a similar way. This sudden turn feels disconcertingly out of place, disrupting the narrative flow and detracting from the overall quality of the story.
Although some readers may appreciate the novel's astute character study and impressive production value, Acts of Violet's disappointing direction and lack of resolution ultimately made for an unfulfilling reading experience.