Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Vanished in the Night

Rate this book
She doesn’t trust cops . . . Veronica Osborne has had enough problems with the police, thanks to her volatile father. So when tall, strapping Sergeant Zach McKnight shows up at her door, she’s prepared for anything—except the news that her beloved missing brother, Max, has been dead for nearly twenty years . . . ever since he ran away. . . . until she meets one who’d risk everything to protect her. Appalled when the police suspect her father of Max’s murder, Veronica begins her own investigation. But as her surprising role in her brother’s disappearance surfaces, so do more bodies. The ghosts of Max’s past are working hard to hide the truth, while another, more sinister force will do anything to expose it. How far will a killer go to get revenge? And can Zach stop him before he targets the woman Zach’s coming to love?

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2011

6 people are currently reading
214 people want to read

About the author

Eileen Carr

5 books55 followers
I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Okay, so I wasn't born there. I was born in Dayton, Ohio, but moved when I was four, and who remembers anything from before they were four? Except I do remember I was born at the Good Samartian Hospital across the street from Baskin Robbins because they sent me a coupon for a free ice cream cone every year until I was twelve. I make a point of remembering anything that has to do with ice cream. Or chocolate. Or champagne.

After many moves (St. Louis, Boston, Madison, Chicago, Phoenix) and many jobs (art gallery assisant, editorial assistant, copywriter, communications manager, graphic designer, ceramics studio slave), I now write and live in Davis, California, with my two lovely children, two annoying cats, and one lovely man.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
47 (18%)
4 stars
79 (31%)
3 stars
88 (35%)
2 stars
30 (12%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca.
183 reviews2 followers
January 5, 2019
I stopped as I didn't feel happy anymore reading this. I was just forcing myself to finish it and that's not what a good book is supposed to do.
Profile Image for Manda Collins.
Author 38 books1,577 followers
September 4, 2011
Veronica Osbourne is shocked to learn that her beloved brother's remains--her brother who disappeared from a reform school over twenty years ago--have been found in a construction site in the middle of downtown Sacramento. And all around the city, former students and former teachers at the now defunct school are on high alert as the sins of those long ago days are every so slowly being brought out into the light. I loved the chemistry between Veronica and lead detective Zach MacKnight, who knows all too well the good that a reform school can do. And the gallows humor of both the law enforcement characters and the emergency room staff (Veronica is an ER nurse and self-confessed adrenaline junkie) lent an air of realism and much needed comic relief to what was often a very dark tale.

Carr also writes Urban Fantasy under the name Eileen Rendahl, though I hope there will be more romantic suspense offerings from her. With a mystery that delves into the darkest of human emotions, and a romance that touches on the sweetest, Vanished in the Night is romantic suspense just like I like it. And I'm glad to see there was a previous book before this one. It's already loaded onto my Kindle.

Profile Image for Samantha.
739 reviews80 followers
August 12, 2011
From Goodreads:

"She doesn’t trust cops . . .

Veronica Osborne has had enough problems with the police, thanks to her volatile father. So when tall, strapping Sergeant Zach McKnight shows up at her door, she’s prepared for anything—except the news that her beloved missing brother, Max, has been dead for nearly twenty years . . . ever since he ran away.

. . . until she meets one who’d risk everything to protect her.

Appalled when the police suspect her father of Max’s murder, Veronica begins her own investigation. But as her surprising role in her brother’s disappearance surfaces, so do more bodies. The ghosts of Max’s past are working hard to hide the truth, while another, more sinister force will do anything to expose it. How far will a killer go to get revenge? And can Zach stop him before he targets the woman Zach’s coming to love?"

My Thoughts:

This was a book that I just didn't want to put down! From the very beginning, I was drawn into the story and into Veronica's life. This book was filled with suspense and was a fast-paced read. Veronica has lived a difficult life that isn't made any easier when the bones from her brother are found after he has been missing for over twenty years. She finds herself pulled into the investigation especially after the mysterious death of her father. I loved how the author wrote this book from multiple viewpoints. It kept me constantly turning the pages as I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The author's writing style almost reminded me a bit of Mary Higgins Clark who is an old favorite of mine. It was really good and the suspense was constant throughout. The romance between the two main characters was cute and added to the story but it really wasn't the focus of the book. The book was more a thriller than anything and I just couldn't get enough. My only complaint with the book was at times I had trouble keeping the characters straight especially at the beginning. Once I got further into the book though, I didn't have any problems and found myself immersed in the story. This is an author that I can't wait to read more of! Recommended to fans of romantic suspense as well as fans of mysteries and thrillers.

Bottom Line: A solid mystery that kept me reading nonstop!

Disclosure: I received this book as part of a book tour with Gallery & Pocket Books Romance Tour Group.
Profile Image for Maria.
4,645 reviews116 followers
February 2, 2018
Veronica waited for 20 years for her brother to return home. When his body is found, the police are left with a twenty year old murder... that quickly escalates into something more.

Why I started this book: Quiet, snowy day... grabbed a book from my TBR pile.

Why I finished it: Good book, although the villian was unbalanced in a way that I can't express... only feel. The regret to action ratio was way off.
39 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2022
i have been having trouble finishing a book. This one caught my attention and kept it though out the whole book. I really enjoyed solving this cold case. It needed to have the murder brought to light.
I enjoyed this book. It have been sitting on my TBR pile for quite awhile. Glad I picked it up.
Profile Image for Chantal.
117 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2017
Une autre intrigue sur un meurtre avec un personnage féminin et un beau policier. J'ai encore lu ce livre facilement. Définitivement un page turner et je réalise que j'aime ce genre de roman facile pour décrocher et me divertir. fin un peu prévisible.
Profile Image for Caitlin.
205 reviews25 followers
November 22, 2017
It was a decent crime-mystery novel but I felt like the ending and climax was rushed and could’ve used more pages for closure. I wanted to know how her father fit into the case and how the blackmail money came about. I can make some educated guesses but I am not completely satisfied.
Profile Image for Laura.
99 reviews4 followers
April 28, 2022
This book is supposed to be a romantic thriller. Is it romantic? Not exactly. Does it have the tension I’d expect from a thriller? Unfortunately, also no. There is an interesting storyline in this book though, but the focus isn’t on that part. It feels like a missed opportunity.
Profile Image for Dheerapol.
154 reviews45 followers
October 22, 2017
อ่านได้เพลินๆ ไม่จัดว่าน่าเบื่อ (ซึ่งนับว่าดีแล้วสำหรับหนังสือแนวสืบสวนแบบนี้ :P )
Profile Image for Ellie.
686 reviews13 followers
November 8, 2011
Vanished in the Night by Eileen Carr
Grade: A

“So let me get this straight. You brought me to my house, made me eggs, kissed me until my head spun, walked out my door, picked up a package addressed to me, and took it straight to the crime lab?”

When Veronica Osborne was just eight years old her brother Max ran away from reform school never to be heard from again. Now, almost twenty years later, a miracle has happened and Max’s remains have been found and his case reopened. Veronica soon discovers that not everyone happy about this new discovery and she soon finds herself knee deep in bodies and up to her head in trouble. Veronica refuses to back down and vows to find her brother’s killer even if it means maybe forfeiting her own life.
Zach McKinght doesn’t know which is worse: a twenty year old cold case or the younger sister of a victim determined to solve her brother’s murder herself. As the facts come together, Zach finds Veronica’s father to be their main suspect, something she refuses to believe. After many twists and turns, Zach finds himself caring way to much for Veronica and spending more time trying to keep her alive then find her brother’s killer. Only by banding together can they solve this twenty year old mystery and they must do it before the killer strikes again.
Vanished in the Night is a suspense mystery with a little romance thrown in and one of the best books I’ve read all year. The book is packed with twists and turns and will keep you guessing until the very end. As I read i could see this being turned into a movie and would be shocked if it’s not made into a movie or television show in the next couple of years.
Zach is a great alpha male character who is protective, smart, sexy and gets knocked on his butt by the small spitfire that is Veronica Osborne. Veronica has survived her traumatic upbringing with drunks for parents and losing her beloved older brother at a very young age. Now that she’s older she is determined to find her brother’s killer, even if it means putting herself in harms way. I loved the chemistry between theses two and their little side love story was a great escape from a very edge of your seat suspense plot. I felt that there was just enough of their relationship to keep me interested but not so much that it over shadowed the main storyline.
I found that I couldn’t put this book down and I had to keep reading until I finished the entire thing in one sitting. I loved that Eileen Carr gave you bits of information as a tease throughout the whole story but not enough that you know who the killer is too soon. The flow of storytelling is wonderful and kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire story. I wish there were more books out there like this because I would just read them over and over again.
Vanished in the Night is a wonderful, exciting suspense romance and I don’t even have enough room to gush about how much I loved it. I’m not sure if this will be turned into a series but i really hope so because i would love to see what happens to the great side characters that were introduced. I would even love to read more about Zach’s experiences as a cop or Veronica’s as a nurse. Anything that Eileen Carr writes from now on will be on my must read list after reading this book.
Profile Image for April.
1,850 reviews73 followers
July 26, 2011
VANISHED IN THE NIGHT by Eileen Carr is an exciting romantic suspense set in present day Sacreamento.It is fast paced with heart pounding action.The characters are believable,engaging,and will capture your heart.A teenager vanishes in the night twenty years prior,after being sent to a boys reform school,his bones to be found at a construction site. A sister has been waiting to find him,hoping one day he would show up on her doorstep.Her father,his step father is a drunk,a mean drunk at that,who doesn't care rather he is or was found.The mother dead from cirrohois of the liver.This is a story with danger,child abuse,some sweet sensuality,a twenty year secret,murder,suspense,mystery,family, friends,and sexual abuse. Veronica Osborne,a nurse, her brother missing and his bones find,a father whose a drunk and abusive,her mother dead,and her in danger. Zach McKnight,a detective,with the news that her beloved missing brother's bones has been found and their attraction to each other is growing. Max's past and ghosts lead to secrets and more buried secrets that are re-surfacing.A killer is looking for the truth to be told,as he murders people from their past. This is a complex,heart pounding,thriller that will leave you in awe.This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher. Details can be found at Pocket Books,a division of Simon and Schuster and My Book Addiction and More.
Profile Image for Diayll.
460 reviews52 followers
September 8, 2011
ARC provided by: Gallery & Pocket Books Romance Tour Group


3.5 out of 5 Stars



Vanished in the Night is an investigative thriller, with a bit of romance woven into the plot. Veronica, an ER nurse, is thrown into her stepbrother’s murder investigation after the police begin to question and suspect her father (who you will come to despise). As the story unfolds the reader is introduced to a great deal of characters, one being the love interest of Veronica named Zach. Zach is one of the main investigators on her brother’s case when the two are introduced. In fact, he is the one who broke the news to her that her brother’s body had been found at a construction site.

At first Veronica is very apprehensive towards Zach. Being the daughter of a drunk, she does not trust cops and begins to conduct her own investigation into the case. The deeper you travel into the story; you begin to understand the characters motives (even the side characters) and there are clues that keep you guessing about who the killer might turn out to be. This is a story filled with child abuse, a twenty year cover-up, romantic elements, and horrific actions. There is plenty of suspense and heart pounding action that in the end may leave you with palpitations.




It was a pretty good book and I will read more books from this author!




For full review visit:

Mother/Gamer/Writer
Profile Image for Jessica .
2,651 reviews16k followers
July 29, 2011
I love watching crime/cop shows like Rookie Blue and Castle, so I decided to try out a book with a similar storyline. I was pretty sure I would like it seeing as I love those shows, so once I started Vanished in the Night, it was no surprise that I got lost in how good the story was. The first part that got me though, was Eileen Carr's writing. I loved how she switched up who's perspective parts of the story were from, mixing in Veronica, Zach, and even the killer's thoughts in the story. It was cool being able to read about the killer, but not know who they were for a while. I also liked how Veronica and Zach's relationship progressed. It wasn't too fast like some books, they were attracted to each other, but it still took a while for them to act on it, like how real life actually is. I think that some parts of the book may have moved too slow, but all of it still fit together well in actually solving the case. When the book started, I liked how the book opened up with them finding the body and then introducing the other characters by contacting them because of the death. It all flowed together really nicely and it made it a good, quick read. I felt like I was watching another one of the crime shows I loved, so I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm so happy I got to read this and if you like the same shows I do, then you should definitely pick up this book!
Profile Image for D.J. Weaver.
Author 4 books57 followers
November 22, 2011
Old bones turn up at a large construction site in Sacramento, sending Detective Zach McKnight and his partner on a cold-case hunt for a murderer. When the ME identifies the bones as those of one, Max Sheldon, his step-sister Veronica Osborne is paid a visit and given the news that the brother she loved and hoped would return, has been dead for nearly twenty years.

When McKnight discovers that Max’s step-father is the reason Max was sent to a reform school so many years ago, and that the school had reported the boy missing not long after he arrived, McKnight begins to suspect that the lovely Veronica’s father may possibly be the reason her step-brother has been dead for so many years. But, when Veronica realizes that the detective suspects her father of the crime, she begins an investigation of her own to prove her alcoholic father was not the culprit.

Twist and turns, mutilated bodies and bazar occurrences punctuate this novel by Eileen Carr and propel her into a top spot as an up-and-comer on the ‘Masters of the Thriller’ list. The characters are true-to-life, the attractions are right on target and the suspense is gripping in this great keep-you-up-all-night read. Murder, love, trust and betrayal…what else could you ask from a suspense novel?

5 Spiders for Vanished in the Night and Eileen Carr.

DJ Weaver
WebbWeaver Reviews
Profile Image for ILoveBooks.
977 reviews10 followers
July 26, 2011
This story will lead the reader into immediate action. Veronica avoids the police/law enforcement in general due to her father, George. However, she cannot ignore the two officers when they come knocking on her door. She learns that the body of her half-brother, Max, has been found and it is a murder investigation. Zach, one of the officers, garners her attention for more than just his grisly announcement. She and Zach have a strong connection that only gets more powerful throughout the novel.

The police suspect her father for Max's murder, leading Veronica to attempt an investigation of her own. This leads her into many surprising events that will capture and keep the readers' interest. The novel is fast-paced and the reader will enjoy getting to know Veronica, who is a very likable character. The plot is good, the secondary characters are worth reading about-they round out the story. This novel is recommended for adults who enjoy mystery tinged with romance.
Profile Image for Lorri.
178 reviews5 followers
August 14, 2011
This is the author's first book under the name Eileen Carr and I'm sure she will have plenty of followers because it was good. Veronica has tried to put her past behind her and it may seem that she has everything under control, but when she is told her brother's bones have been found after twenty years at a construction site, everything changes. It seems to go from one thing to the next as the investigation progresses. Along with that, she is starting to fall for the investigator working the case. After several more deaths, she realizes she is in danger and she turns to Zach to help her. This book is full of action and I'm anxious to read the next.
Profile Image for Donna.
567 reviews6 followers
August 2, 2011
I was was just sucked into this one and read it through without stopping! The mystery and suspense were terrific. The romance between Zach and Veronica was subtle, but present enough for this to feel like romantic suspense. I was particularly impressed by Veronica's characterization; I felt like the author perfectly captured her as the adult child of alchoholic parents who was strong but with a realistic view of her own shortcomings. This was a new author for me and I will certainly put her on my "list."
38 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2012
This book is a little bit forensic science and a little bit romance. It has elements of both. So if you like romance, this has it but it also has a good old fashioned crime story along with it. I wouldn't really call it a mystery because even though the main story centres around a cold case, you can surmize early on what really happened. The main question is who is killing off the principal characters now. And even that does not stay a mystery for long, so you race along wondering how long it will be before the police figure it out.
20 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2013
20 years ago Veronica's older half brother vanished. He was sent to a reform school & ran away from there. She never saw him again. The police show up and tell her they found her brother's bones. But he didn't die there he was recently dumped there. Veronica & the police now need to find out why his body was moved after all this time? Who moved his body? Who killed him? Why? & What happened to him?

I thought the book was good. I enjoyed reading it. But I guessed who the bad guys were right away. And pretty much knew why the brother was killed, long before the ending.
Profile Image for Max.
537 reviews73 followers
April 15, 2012
This was a good mystery and a good suspense novel. I would not categorize this as a good romantic-suspense novel.

There was not enough romance, not enough insight into the characters - and they barely spent any time together. The mystery was a good one, although a titch clichéd.

An ok book, but not something I'd recommend.
Profile Image for Kay.
71 reviews
Read
August 2, 2012
This was a very enjoyable book. I love this author's writing - particularly the banter between the heroine, Veronica, and Zach. He is the cop who is in charge of investigating the discovery of her brother's body - 20 years after he disappeared. This discovery has stirred up fear, guilt and hatred which might mean Veronica is in danger.
92 reviews14 followers
February 9, 2012
This is a thriller that will keep you reading and wondering to the very end. The book offers romance, child abuse, an alcoholic father and a cold murder case. If you have never read Ms. Carr's work then perhaps it's time to give her a try. This book begins with action and just keeps going. A very interesting ending.
Profile Image for Cat.
305 reviews
April 5, 2012
Oh man, been so busy I have hardly had any time to read but I finally finished this one and really liked it. The characters are deep and well developed. I hadn't read this author before but I enjoyed her writing and would read her again. I liked how the story ended as well, good climax and I felt satisfied with the ending and solution. All in all a good read.
Profile Image for Tammy.
524 reviews18 followers
Read
February 28, 2012
Uhg. When I finished this book I threw it down and said "Thank GOD thats over!" It kills me to not finish a book once I've started it, so thankfully this was a very quick read. It was lacking in depth (though it tried. Too hard), and was often grotesque. There is a tastfull way to handle disturbing subject matter. This book is not an example of that.
Profile Image for Heather Tucker.
23 reviews
May 11, 2012
I thought this was a great book,, of course I loved the main character in this book. It described the crazyness that was going on in her head but she kept her cool. Gotta love a strong women especially to deal with her brother disappearing and finding her father dead.. I don't know how I would react. LOL
Profile Image for Shilo Cribb.
17 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2015
I like that it had a small enough amount of romance to keep me interested in Veronicas personal life and the right amount of mystery and suspense to keep my interest. i liked this book and was glad everything came together in the end. Definitely recommend this book for someone who likes romance but wants to try something new.
Profile Image for Christina.
44 reviews15 followers
July 30, 2015
It was a really good book! Though, I don't think it should be stuck in the Romance section because the majority of the book was focused on the murder case, not the romance. I'd say it was 30% romance, 70% murder case. It was still a good book and I enjoyed it! Carr did really well weaving the case together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.