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Maddie Castle #4
Vanished Trails
Amidst Shadows and Secrets, a Deadly Hunt Begins.
Six kids walked into the woods, but only five walked out...
18-year-old Liz Turner's vanishing act sets off a relentless storm of secrets and suspicions. Her tight-knit group of friends, on the verge of starting their college journey, becomes fractured as they grapple with the puzzling nature of her disappearance. Without a body to be found, the police investigation stalls, leaving the case enshrouded in uncertainty.
Maddie Castle, tormented by personal tragedy. In the depth of her despair, the vanishing of Daisy Miller, her boyfriend's sister-in-law, stirs old wounds and ignites a flicker of hope. Desperate for answers and redemption, Maddie seeks alliance with Detective Ashley Harper, the relentless investigator assigned to the Liz Turner case.
But their partnership comes at a cost. Maddie, once a respected law enforcement officer, must now rely on her instincts and her loyal K9 partner, Tempest, to navigate the treacherous terrain of this perplexing enigma. Harper's bargain is unravel the threads of Liz Turner's life in exchange for assistance in solving Daisy's disappearance.
As they plunge deeper into the heart of darkness, Maddie and Harper find themselves entangled in a web of danger, deceit, and deadly adversaries. From the eerie depths of the Pennsylvania wilderness to the clandestine world of hidden foes, they discover that every step taken toward the truth could also lead them closer to their own demise.
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of suspense in Vanished Trails . This electrifying crime action thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning pages late into the night. Can Maddie and Harper survive the relentless pursuit of the truth, or will they become mere shadows lost among the twisted trails?
Six kids walked into the woods, but only five walked out...
18-year-old Liz Turner's vanishing act sets off a relentless storm of secrets and suspicions. Her tight-knit group of friends, on the verge of starting their college journey, becomes fractured as they grapple with the puzzling nature of her disappearance. Without a body to be found, the police investigation stalls, leaving the case enshrouded in uncertainty.
Maddie Castle, tormented by personal tragedy. In the depth of her despair, the vanishing of Daisy Miller, her boyfriend's sister-in-law, stirs old wounds and ignites a flicker of hope. Desperate for answers and redemption, Maddie seeks alliance with Detective Ashley Harper, the relentless investigator assigned to the Liz Turner case.
But their partnership comes at a cost. Maddie, once a respected law enforcement officer, must now rely on her instincts and her loyal K9 partner, Tempest, to navigate the treacherous terrain of this perplexing enigma. Harper's bargain is unravel the threads of Liz Turner's life in exchange for assistance in solving Daisy's disappearance.
As they plunge deeper into the heart of darkness, Maddie and Harper find themselves entangled in a web of danger, deceit, and deadly adversaries. From the eerie depths of the Pennsylvania wilderness to the clandestine world of hidden foes, they discover that every step taken toward the truth could also lead them closer to their own demise.
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of suspense in Vanished Trails . This electrifying crime action thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning pages late into the night. Can Maddie and Harper survive the relentless pursuit of the truth, or will they become mere shadows lost among the twisted trails?
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2024
3558 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
L.T. Ryan
161 books1,434 followersL.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
BOOKS IN THE JACK NOBLE SERIES
The Recruit (prequel short story)
The First Deception (prequel)
Noble Beginnings
A Deadly Distance
Thin Line
Noble Intentions
When Dead in Greece
Noble Retribution
Noble Betrayal
Never Go Home
Noble Judgment
Never Cry Mercy
Deadline
End Game
BOOKS IN THE BEAR LOGAN SERIES
Ripple Effect
Blowback
Takedown
Deep State (coming January, 2020)
BOOKS IN THE CLARISSA ABBOT SERIES
Beyond Betrayal
BOOKS IN THE MITCH TANNER SERIES
The Depths of Darkness
Into the Darkness
Deliver Us From Darkness (coming soon)
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...
Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com
About the Author
L.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...
Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
BOOKS IN THE JACK NOBLE SERIES
The Recruit (prequel short story)
The First Deception (prequel)
Noble Beginnings
A Deadly Distance
Thin Line
Noble Intentions
When Dead in Greece
Noble Retribution
Noble Betrayal
Never Go Home
Noble Judgment
Never Cry Mercy
Deadline
End Game
BOOKS IN THE BEAR LOGAN SERIES
Ripple Effect
Blowback
Takedown
Deep State (coming January, 2020)
BOOKS IN THE CLARISSA ABBOT SERIES
Beyond Betrayal
BOOKS IN THE MITCH TANNER SERIES
The Depths of Darkness
Into the Darkness
Deliver Us From Darkness (coming soon)
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...
Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com
About the Author
L.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan): facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor
Facebook (Jack Noble Page): facebook.com/JackNobleBooks/
Twitter: twitter.com/LTRyanWrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6151659.L_T...
Contact L.T. Ryan at contact@ltryan.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
January 24, 2024
Hated to put it down.
This is one of my favorite series. I was counting the days until this book came out. I downloaded it immediately and, sad to say, I finished it too fast. Maddie is hired by a family, mostly by the father, to find his missing daughter who was last seen leaving her campsite after a fight with her friends. The father, although grieving, is an arrogant jerk who believes that the other search and rescue teams didn't do enough to find his daughter and he demands that Maddie should just hop to it and find her....now. Along with trying to work with him, her father shows up out of the blue. He'd walked out on her many years ago and left her with her narcissistic, psychopathic mother to fend for herself. Now he wants back in, but can she trust him? There's a lot going on. Maddie's working the missing teenager case plus trying to rebuild a relationship with a former best friend and with her runaway father. She and Bentley are working on their relationship, and she's still trying to understand how she really feels about Ox's death. She's also looking into the disappearance of Daisy for Bentley and Grace. Is she heading for a meltdown? I will definitely be waiting for the next book.
This is one of my favorite series. I was counting the days until this book came out. I downloaded it immediately and, sad to say, I finished it too fast. Maddie is hired by a family, mostly by the father, to find his missing daughter who was last seen leaving her campsite after a fight with her friends. The father, although grieving, is an arrogant jerk who believes that the other search and rescue teams didn't do enough to find his daughter and he demands that Maddie should just hop to it and find her....now. Along with trying to work with him, her father shows up out of the blue. He'd walked out on her many years ago and left her with her narcissistic, psychopathic mother to fend for herself. Now he wants back in, but can she trust him? There's a lot going on. Maddie's working the missing teenager case plus trying to rebuild a relationship with a former best friend and with her runaway father. She and Bentley are working on their relationship, and she's still trying to understand how she really feels about Ox's death. She's also looking into the disappearance of Daisy for Bentley and Grace. Is she heading for a meltdown? I will definitely be waiting for the next book.
January 25, 2024
Too much conversation and very little plot.
April 29, 2024
Nope.
Too much introspection and repeat story lines. And then, a cliff hanger?! I don't think so. This series started out interesting with dog handling and got lost in repetitive self-therapy.
Too much introspection and repeat story lines. And then, a cliff hanger?! I don't think so. This series started out interesting with dog handling and got lost in repetitive self-therapy.
October 24, 2024
Made it about 20% on this one, the series has become tedious...tired of hearing about her addiction issues....
April 8, 2024
soap opera
This book is supposed to be a thriller like the earlier books. I quit reading 1/3 of the way through. It read like soap opera. No thriller here.
This book is supposed to be a thriller like the earlier books. I quit reading 1/3 of the way through. It read like soap opera. No thriller here.
September 14, 2025
There’s no case Maddie can’t solve.
Vanished Trails is such an easy read but I found it a bit boring here and there. I love the characters though. I didn’t expect Liz to die the way that she did nor did I foreshadow the killer and the aftermath. Ox makes an appearance, kind of. The ending of each book always hooks me because it gives you a little insight into the next book in the series. So many questions!
Vanished Trails is such an easy read but I found it a bit boring here and there. I love the characters though. I didn’t expect Liz to die the way that she did nor did I foreshadow the killer and the aftermath. Ox makes an appearance, kind of. The ending of each book always hooks me because it gives you a little insight into the next book in the series. So many questions!
April 5, 2024
Another good read following Maddie
Maddie is building her life again when the man who cost her the life she knew, her job and a serial killer resurfaced. Good story with a dangle into the next book. I laughed, I cried and I kept turning the pages.
Maddie is building her life again when the man who cost her the life she knew, her job and a serial killer resurfaced. Good story with a dangle into the next book. I laughed, I cried and I kept turning the pages.
July 29, 2025
Here we go - Book 4. After the awfulness that was Book 3, I was really hoping for some redemption.
And I was sorely disappointed.
With Ox dead and out of the picture, I expected a little grief, but it was just over the top in this. Constant inner monologue, introspection, and conflict with Bentley made for a really boring story. Ostensibly, this story was about solving a mystery about a teenage girl who disappeared on a camping trip, but that really felt like it was thrown in as a token side plot. The girl wasn't a sympathetic character, the parents weren't likable, and the ending was really lame.
We learned a little about Daisy in the last book and I found that storyline to be gratuitous and boring then. Unfortunately, someone thought that was a really interesting little subplot that readers cared about and we were forced to hear dialogue about her all through this book, as well as endure a cliffhanger for the next book about her.
We barely hear much about Tempest. She might as well just be a companion pet. She didn't even find the trail of the missing girl until Maddie found a clue in the woods that the dog could track from. Grace has become a caricature of a traumatized teenager. Bentley seems to be a doormat for all the women in his life. Honestly, for such a nice guy, he drives me nuts with his constant guilt-ridden monologues. He and Maddie are a fit for each other, wallowing in their self-imposed misery! I can't even count how many times we heard "me" in the internal monologues from Maddie. She's as much of a narcissist as those she claims to hate. Everything is her fault, all about her, in danger of her messing it up. Ugh.
Despite all this, I am going forward with Book 5, only because I'm curious what the resolution to the storyline with Daisy will be.
And I was sorely disappointed.
With Ox dead and out of the picture, I expected a little grief, but it was just over the top in this. Constant inner monologue, introspection, and conflict with Bentley made for a really boring story. Ostensibly, this story was about solving a mystery about a teenage girl who disappeared on a camping trip, but that really felt like it was thrown in as a token side plot. The girl wasn't a sympathetic character, the parents weren't likable, and the ending was really lame.
We learned a little about Daisy in the last book and I found that storyline to be gratuitous and boring then. Unfortunately, someone thought that was a really interesting little subplot that readers cared about and we were forced to hear dialogue about her all through this book, as well as endure a cliffhanger for the next book about her.
We barely hear much about Tempest. She might as well just be a companion pet. She didn't even find the trail of the missing girl until Maddie found a clue in the woods that the dog could track from. Grace has become a caricature of a traumatized teenager. Bentley seems to be a doormat for all the women in his life. Honestly, for such a nice guy, he drives me nuts with his constant guilt-ridden monologues. He and Maddie are a fit for each other, wallowing in their self-imposed misery! I can't even count how many times we heard "me" in the internal monologues from Maddie. She's as much of a narcissist as those she claims to hate. Everything is her fault, all about her, in danger of her messing it up. Ugh.
Despite all this, I am going forward with Book 5, only because I'm curious what the resolution to the storyline with Daisy will be.
February 17, 2024
Found this book less compelling and much more follows the shaky mental state of Maddie. Hardly a mystery this book is - more a light treatment of the PI work and Maddie's dog handling skills. I knew with a female protagonist there would be some focus on her relationships but we got handed mostly a person who did not show the toughness of her resolve I found in the previous cases. Hope she gets more of her act together in the next book - which I will read. I get it that she needs time to grieve but with each new revelation from her past relationships she is left less and less able to cope. The place Grace has been taken is less pleasing. Had teens myself but this is taking a turn too quickly. Bentley is taking a big step backward and seems to have become a target for the women in his life. The characters built in the previous books seemed to lose themselves in this storyline. More 2 dimensional for me. I found the dialog with self and others a bit tedious, long winded. I liked Maddie's independence and difficulty in earning a living while her dependence on Tempy pulling her along to be more her character - not so sure about forming a relationship with Harper on cases.
April 7, 2025
The first couple of chapters had so many mistakes. Do these “Authors” (& I’m using that word loosely…) have Editors?? The story lines are excellent so I keep downloading this series but as the books go on, the writing, the spelling, the lack of continuance, the mistakes are so glaringly bad that surely I’m not the only one that thinks this Author is very amateurish? I love the characters, (in saying that though, Maddie appears to becoming more of a nasty bitch instead of the bass ass I was thinking when I started this series) the plots, but the writing is really bad & getting worse. The plots keep me coming back but there’s only so much I can stomach. Please, hire some good editors & perhaps go back to ‘writing school’ Another cringe of mine is the over use of “gonna” & what is with the words “using ‘either’ hand” when I feel the words should be ‘using both hands’. I get confused reading this Author's books, I find I’m going back to read the chapter again because of how it is said, or structured, makes no sense to me. I would be happy for anyone to respond. As I said, I do love the plots, but the way it’s written is leaving me cold & judging each sentence.
February 8, 2024
Oops! I’m out of order.
How did I miss this series of books? I’ve been reading Ryan’s books for years and I don’t remember this one! I recognize her name but maybe I got her name mixed up with another of his characters. I enjoy almost all of his books, but some of his different characters just don’t hit it off with me. So, now I need to go back to where I first started with Maddie Castle. I did read the first book but I don’t recognize how the main character progressed. I certainly did enjoy this book and had to read it fast because I’m so impatient. But I feel as if I have intruded into somewhere that I wasn’t invited into, so I need to back up and read the books I missed so I know the characters as well as I should by now. That’s acceptable. But for new readers to this series, I would recommend starting at the beginning and reading them in order. Which I will now do myself!
How did I miss this series of books? I’ve been reading Ryan’s books for years and I don’t remember this one! I recognize her name but maybe I got her name mixed up with another of his characters. I enjoy almost all of his books, but some of his different characters just don’t hit it off with me. So, now I need to go back to where I first started with Maddie Castle. I did read the first book but I don’t recognize how the main character progressed. I certainly did enjoy this book and had to read it fast because I’m so impatient. But I feel as if I have intruded into somewhere that I wasn’t invited into, so I need to back up and read the books I missed so I know the characters as well as I should by now. That’s acceptable. But for new readers to this series, I would recommend starting at the beginning and reading them in order. Which I will now do myself!
February 6, 2024
RE: frustrating…but enticing
Once again Ryan and Gray will leave you wanting more from and about Maddie and company. I will say I felt like the case she works on within this installment is lacking. I kept waiting to get sucked into the mystery, feel sadness for the victim, etc. but it did not quite happen like it usually does. For Maddie, as always, I felt sad, afraid, isolated, hopeful, frustrated, and lonely, especially as she finally expands her circle, and when she reads the letter left for her. Finally, though, within the last few chapters I encountered the emotional, exhilarating, frightening peaks of what is to come that are all too familiar for Ryan’s readers. Once again, I am left wanting more and setting a reminder for the Book 5 publication date, already missing Maddie and Tempest.
Once again Ryan and Gray will leave you wanting more from and about Maddie and company. I will say I felt like the case she works on within this installment is lacking. I kept waiting to get sucked into the mystery, feel sadness for the victim, etc. but it did not quite happen like it usually does. For Maddie, as always, I felt sad, afraid, isolated, hopeful, frustrated, and lonely, especially as she finally expands her circle, and when she reads the letter left for her. Finally, though, within the last few chapters I encountered the emotional, exhilarating, frightening peaks of what is to come that are all too familiar for Ryan’s readers. Once again, I am left wanting more and setting a reminder for the Book 5 publication date, already missing Maddie and Tempest.
March 5, 2024
The latest installment in the series is nothing short of captivating. Maddie’s character shines brilliantly—she embodies strength and independence, yet her vulnerability and charm make her utterly endearing. Sometimes it evokes my protective instincts. Maddie is a multifaceted gem, beautifully crafted by the author.
The reverberations of previous events resonate deeply throughout this volume. The character’s struggles are portrayed with exquisite care, unfolding at just the right pace. This is where it is great. Just the right pace and weight. I have to admit, I got teary-eyed with Maddie. I felt in sync with her.
I’m thrilled to see the series unfold further. If asked for a recommendation this year, I wholeheartedly suggest this series. I eagerly await the next book in this series. Kudos to the author for creating such memorable characters!
The reverberations of previous events resonate deeply throughout this volume. The character’s struggles are portrayed with exquisite care, unfolding at just the right pace. This is where it is great. Just the right pace and weight. I have to admit, I got teary-eyed with Maddie. I felt in sync with her.
I’m thrilled to see the series unfold further. If asked for a recommendation this year, I wholeheartedly suggest this series. I eagerly await the next book in this series. Kudos to the author for creating such memorable characters!
July 27, 2025
Lots of emotional stuff for Maddie
This is a big character development story for Maddie. Lots of stuff coming at her while dealing with the tragic aftermath effects of the last book. The crime story is kind of secondary to the characters in this one. Maddie is working on two missing person stories in this one. One gets solved and the book ends on a cliffhanger for the second, more personal one.
Maddie is dealing with a cumulative effect of lots of personal trauma in this one. When it finally all catches up to her and she breaks we get the idea that we might see some major changes, starting with her getting health insurance to be able to get therapy needed therapy. That particular part seemed particularly prescient given our current political climate though the book is not particularly political.
Another engaging read from this author.
This is a big character development story for Maddie. Lots of stuff coming at her while dealing with the tragic aftermath effects of the last book. The crime story is kind of secondary to the characters in this one. Maddie is working on two missing person stories in this one. One gets solved and the book ends on a cliffhanger for the second, more personal one.
Maddie is dealing with a cumulative effect of lots of personal trauma in this one. When it finally all catches up to her and she breaks we get the idea that we might see some major changes, starting with her getting health insurance to be able to get therapy needed therapy. That particular part seemed particularly prescient given our current political climate though the book is not particularly political.
Another engaging read from this author.
March 20, 2024
It didn’t end at the end
And there’s Daisy, saying at the end of the book, about a book *she* picked up to read, “even if it wasn’t a happy ending, it would at least be resolved”… See, I’m not the only reader who reads a book in the belief, that, whatever the narrative is, which I’ve chosen to get invested in, “it would at least be resolved”… so is that supposed to be irony, LT Ryan and CR Gray? I HATE it when authors start serialising a series… and don’t even let you know at the beginning of a particular book that THIS book in the series is gonna end “to be continued”… makes me NOT want to read the next one, because I’m an old punk and I get feeling all “ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?” 😆 (Johnny Rotten 1978 ‘Winterland’, San Francisco)
And there’s Daisy, saying at the end of the book, about a book *she* picked up to read, “even if it wasn’t a happy ending, it would at least be resolved”… See, I’m not the only reader who reads a book in the belief, that, whatever the narrative is, which I’ve chosen to get invested in, “it would at least be resolved”… so is that supposed to be irony, LT Ryan and CR Gray? I HATE it when authors start serialising a series… and don’t even let you know at the beginning of a particular book that THIS book in the series is gonna end “to be continued”… makes me NOT want to read the next one, because I’m an old punk and I get feeling all “ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?” 😆 (Johnny Rotten 1978 ‘Winterland’, San Francisco)
September 10, 2025
Maddie's back for more chaos
After losing Ox, Maddie is getting back to work with Tempest at her side A young woman is missing in the woods and her parents have hired Maddie to find her because they believe the forensic K9 team didn't do a good enough job. As she is trying to get back to some normalacy, a stranger shows up at her house, someone she hasn't seen since she was a kid. Someone she thought abandoned her all those years ago. And to top it all off, she is also looking for Daisy, Bentley's "other daughter" that went missing, presumed dead from drugs. All this while still processing the death of Ox makes for a chaotic story, but it is told in a great way. Loving seeing the human side of Maddie. Highly recommend.
After losing Ox, Maddie is getting back to work with Tempest at her side A young woman is missing in the woods and her parents have hired Maddie to find her because they believe the forensic K9 team didn't do a good enough job. As she is trying to get back to some normalacy, a stranger shows up at her house, someone she hasn't seen since she was a kid. Someone she thought abandoned her all those years ago. And to top it all off, she is also looking for Daisy, Bentley's "other daughter" that went missing, presumed dead from drugs. All this while still processing the death of Ox makes for a chaotic story, but it is told in a great way. Loving seeing the human side of Maddie. Highly recommend.
February 21, 2024
Great series, love underdogs
So much has happened to Maddie Castle and to Bentley. Losses, and a possible better future. You want her to be able to walk normal again, find love and be successful. Her case looking for an 18 y.o with a lot of suspects, intertwines with her trying to heal from yet another loss, Oz. A win with the serial killer dead, trying to repair a friendship and a relationship, while also searching for her bf's young sister in law, missing for a while, and police stopped trying to find her because she's an addict, with other issues. While the last chapter was a surprise, it ended very abruptly! On to the next one
So much has happened to Maddie Castle and to Bentley. Losses, and a possible better future. You want her to be able to walk normal again, find love and be successful. Her case looking for an 18 y.o with a lot of suspects, intertwines with her trying to heal from yet another loss, Oz. A win with the serial killer dead, trying to repair a friendship and a relationship, while also searching for her bf's young sister in law, missing for a while, and police stopped trying to find her because she's an addict, with other issues. While the last chapter was a surprise, it ended very abruptly! On to the next one
March 16, 2024
VANISHED TRAILS is the 4th in a series about a badly injured and traumatized woman PI and her troubled German shepherd. In this book they follow the physical trail of a young woman who disappeared after antagonizing everyone who knew her. Meanwhile the PI is in a romantic relationship that seems to be permanently stalled out, probably due to her unresolved trauma and PTSD. The book does a good job of resolving the issue of the missing teenager and addressing Mattes's PTSD. However be prepared for the author to set up a cliffhanger at the end that won't be resolved until the next book is out. The cliffhanger army rating for this book down from 4 stars to 3 stars 🌟. Io
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2024
CC1
This was an excellent Castle chapter . First Maddie was able solve Liz disappearance. Then she met Teresa and found out Ox had left her 500,000 dollars plus his condo and a letter. She resolved her issues with Harper and she helped Maddie be able to read Ox's letter . She understood more of what their relationship was. Then in between she is helping Bentley with Daisy case with Graces help. They found out Daisy published her own stories. Maddie found one that was written 2 months ago. So could she be alive ? Grace thinks so! On to the next chapter!!! 10stars plus !!!! Thanks, Carl Clause
This was an excellent Castle chapter . First Maddie was able solve Liz disappearance. Then she met Teresa and found out Ox had left her 500,000 dollars plus his condo and a letter. She resolved her issues with Harper and she helped Maddie be able to read Ox's letter . She understood more of what their relationship was. Then in between she is helping Bentley with Daisy case with Graces help. They found out Daisy published her own stories. Maddie found one that was written 2 months ago. So could she be alive ? Grace thinks so! On to the next chapter!!! 10stars plus !!!! Thanks, Carl Clause
October 8, 2024
Not my favorite of the series so far. This one dealt almost entirely with Maddie continuing to ignore her feelings about [whatever] and jumping to conclusions about [everything]. Grace becomes a problem child in some ways. Bentley suddenly becomes way too accommodating - almost overly so. There are huge changes in Maddie's life with a major player from the past showing up and a message from Ox. There is a mystery to solve, and it happens, but it really takes second place to Maddie trying to deal with life and her reaction to all that's happened. The ending is a bit intriguing though. I had considered stopping the series until then. Maybe try one more book.
September 17, 2025
One Mystery Leads To The Next
This book is part of a series that must be read in order. Each book has one complete story, but it is closely intertwined with an overarching story and personal relationships that make it more like a serial. This story ends in a cliffhanger. In this book, about a quarter is the new mystery, and the rest is fallout from the last episode. There is a bit more swearing, but it is still light. There is minimal violence, no gore, and no sex. There is lots of psycho-drama and lots of things that could trigger a sensitive person. I am still totally invested in the series and hope it stays as good as it's been.
This book is part of a series that must be read in order. Each book has one complete story, but it is closely intertwined with an overarching story and personal relationships that make it more like a serial. This story ends in a cliffhanger. In this book, about a quarter is the new mystery, and the rest is fallout from the last episode. There is a bit more swearing, but it is still light. There is minimal violence, no gore, and no sex. There is lots of psycho-drama and lots of things that could trigger a sensitive person. I am still totally invested in the series and hope it stays as good as it's been.
March 23, 2024
enjoyed 1-3 more
In terms of the mystery element, this book was a throwaway. Everything fell into place with little to no effort. A fair part of the book was dedicated to Maddie whinging over her dad and Ox, and I get it, there’s trauma there but there was little new on these fronts. The only exciting stuff happened in the last 25 pgs or so and had nothing to do with any of those plot points. A bit of a disappointment but not unusual when a series gets to this point. Hopefully there’s redemption in the next book.
In terms of the mystery element, this book was a throwaway. Everything fell into place with little to no effort. A fair part of the book was dedicated to Maddie whinging over her dad and Ox, and I get it, there’s trauma there but there was little new on these fronts. The only exciting stuff happened in the last 25 pgs or so and had nothing to do with any of those plot points. A bit of a disappointment but not unusual when a series gets to this point. Hopefully there’s redemption in the next book.
May 26, 2025
L. T. Ryan’s fourth installment of his Maddie Castle Series, “Vanished Trails,” was definitely not my favorite of this series. It seemed to me that Maddie’s psychological issues made the case she was working on, the disappearance of eighteen-year-old Elizabeth Turner, a side show. The author may have done this on purpose, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. It also seems to me that his use of profanity increased in this story, and it really added nothing to the plot or the building of the characters. It may just be me, so take all of this with a grain of salt. (264 pages)
June 9, 2025
Almost too much action in one story
It has been a while since I read the previous Maddie Castle story and had forgotten the details of the characters in that book. The author seemed to assume that I, the reader, knew about all the unsolved cases in Maddie’s life and opened them up as though I should remember. One way to tell me I should read the series more closely together. Not how it works for me, so I might just drop him. Oops.
Otherwise, fast paced and about the nastier side of life.
It has been a while since I read the previous Maddie Castle story and had forgotten the details of the characters in that book. The author seemed to assume that I, the reader, knew about all the unsolved cases in Maddie’s life and opened them up as though I should remember. One way to tell me I should read the series more closely together. Not how it works for me, so I might just drop him. Oops.
Otherwise, fast paced and about the nastier side of life.
February 1, 2024
Great, Intense and a Cliffhanger to boot
Working on two cases, a missing teenage girl for a client and a missing niece/aunt for Bentley and Grace. Plus Maddie is still dealing with Ox's death, Harper's betrayal and her relationship with Bentley when she gets a surprise visit... Maddie did locate both females, one case is closed, the other is still open.
Great job! Can't wait for Book 5!! Thank you!
Working on two cases, a missing teenage girl for a client and a missing niece/aunt for Bentley and Grace. Plus Maddie is still dealing with Ox's death, Harper's betrayal and her relationship with Bentley when she gets a surprise visit... Maddie did locate both females, one case is closed, the other is still open.
Great job! Can't wait for Book 5!! Thank you!
February 3, 2024
Exciting, suspenseful, intriguing thriller!
Maddie Castle is hired to find a teenage girl who is missing, and Bentley wants Maddie to look into the disappearance of Daisy. Bentley, Maddie, and Tempest (Maddie 's dog) go to the campsite where the missing girl was last seen. This book is unputdownable; you want to see what will happen next. I recommend this thriller to anyone who likes a good mystery with intrigue and suspense. Happy reading! 😊
Maddie Castle is hired to find a teenage girl who is missing, and Bentley wants Maddie to look into the disappearance of Daisy. Bentley, Maddie, and Tempest (Maddie 's dog) go to the campsite where the missing girl was last seen. This book is unputdownable; you want to see what will happen next. I recommend this thriller to anyone who likes a good mystery with intrigue and suspense. Happy reading! 😊
February 9, 2024
Vanished Trails
Can't wait for the next book to come out. This one was a really good book. Some ridiculous parts , but a really good book. The only thing is the ending left you up in the air. So much better than the hatch series which didn't make sense at all. You kept reading them hoping they would get better, but the opposite just kept happening. After book 10, I couldn't take any more.
Can't wait for the next book to come out. This one was a really good book. Some ridiculous parts , but a really good book. The only thing is the ending left you up in the air. So much better than the hatch series which didn't make sense at all. You kept reading them hoping they would get better, but the opposite just kept happening. After book 10, I couldn't take any more.
February 21, 2024
Fantastic
Glad to have another Maddie Castle novel. Been awhile with lots of books in between, but was able to pick back up the story fairly quickly. Exciting story with lots of sadness, trauma and closure. Gives the reader a moment of pause about how fragile life can be and how we can bury events just to get through them. Love all the characters and the relationships they have with each other. Worth the wait. Can't wait for the finally!
Glad to have another Maddie Castle novel. Been awhile with lots of books in between, but was able to pick back up the story fairly quickly. Exciting story with lots of sadness, trauma and closure. Gives the reader a moment of pause about how fragile life can be and how we can bury events just to get through them. Love all the characters and the relationships they have with each other. Worth the wait. Can't wait for the finally!
March 25, 2024
Wow!
Good read. Lots of action. Things happening. Surprises. I was all prepared to give it a solid five stars until I got to the last chapter. Too much like a cliffhanger for me. I was already planning to read the next book. I didn't need this kind of tease. I would have been happier if we had ended on the chapter before. Oh well. Still a good read. Next!
And then, I go to find the next book only to find it isn't due to come out until July! Not cool!
Good read. Lots of action. Things happening. Surprises. I was all prepared to give it a solid five stars until I got to the last chapter. Too much like a cliffhanger for me. I was already planning to read the next book. I didn't need this kind of tease. I would have been happier if we had ended on the chapter before. Oh well. Still a good read. Next!
And then, I go to find the next book only to find it isn't due to come out until July! Not cool!
April 6, 2024
Reviewed by Beth
After the last book (I cried loudly with snot running)
This story was not as heart breaking but it has a moment of heart breaking (no crying).
I'll try to explain how I have enjoyed this book/story. It has like the others such depth. Each character has an important part.
Hope starts again. Relationships grow. Owning when you need help. And a love that will last (should last). There is a cliffhanger so be warned.
After the last book (I cried loudly with snot running)
This story was not as heart breaking but it has a moment of heart breaking (no crying).
I'll try to explain how I have enjoyed this book/story. It has like the others such depth. Each character has an important part.
Hope starts again. Relationships grow. Owning when you need help. And a love that will last (should last). There is a cliffhanger so be warned.
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