The Disappearing Act: The Impossible Case of MH370

Florence de Changy

Feb 2021 · HarperCollins · Narrated by Laurence Bouvard

About this audiobook

‘People often say that non-fiction books read like fast-moving thrillers, but this one genuinely does... This is a splendid book – and highly recommended.’ Daily Mail

A remarkable piece of investigative journalism into one of the most pervasive and troubling mysteries of recent memory.

01:20am, 8 March 2014.

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, carrying 239 passengers, disappeared into the night, never to be seen or heard from again.

The incident was inexplicable. In a world defined by advanced technology and interconnectedness, how could an entire aircraft become untraceable? Had the flight been subject to a perfect hijack? Perhaps the pilots lost control? And if the plane did crash, where was the wreckage?

Writing for Le Monde in the days and months after the plane’s disappearance, journalist Florence de Changy closely documented the chaotic international investigation that followed, uncovering more questions than answers. Riddled with inconsistencies, contradictions and a lack of basic communication between authorities, the mystery surrounding flight MH370 only deepened.

Now, de Changy offers her own explanation. Drawing together countless eyewitness testimonies, press releases, independent investigative reports and expert opinion, The Disappearing Act offers an eloquent and deeply unnerving narrative of what happened to the missing aircraft.

An incredible feat of investigative journalism and a testament to de Changy’s tenacity and resolve, this book is an exhaustive, gripping account into one of the most profound mysteries of the 21st century.

Ratings and reviews

Seems like it will be a work of journalism but is rather a parade of increasingly preposterous conspiracy theories to the point of unintentional comedy (spoiler: the Americans shot down MH370 with lasers!)-- "disappointing" doesn't even begin to cover it. Consistently takes as evidence the difference between what apparently happened in a given situation and what the author *would have expected to happen*-- if she didn't personally expect it, it's therefore implausible. That's the degree of serious journalism on display here, ie: none at all. None! After two years of anti-vaxers and the ongoing assault on facts in society, I have zero tolerance for "books" like this where half-remembered anecdotes are given top credibility because the author wants to "prove" her self-serving narrative rather than simply examine the situation-- what a grotesque waste of time.

I've yet to read this work so will revisit with a review once I've completed it. I was involved - as a Crewmember on a vessel, engaged in the Sea Search for this flight, in 2014, in the Indian Ocean. It was literally like looking for a single drop of water in the Ocean. We encountered nothing , except the Chinese Navy ghosting us, hoping to locate their lost Citizens.

About the author

Florence de Changy is an award-winning foreign correspondent for Le Monde, covering the Asia-Pacific area. She has also worked for Radio France and RFI on their current affairs segments. She is based in Hong Kong.