The Vanished: An unputdownable, chilling crime thriller with plenty of twists to keep you guessing

by NJ Mackay

A detective searches for the missing - his ex-wife is next

When DI Sebastian Locke gets a call about his ex-wife, Charlie, he fears the worst.

Charlie has been a drug addict for years, so Seb has anticipated discovering her death … and wonders how he will tell Tilly, their teenaged daughter. But it’s Charlie’s boyfriend whose body he finds at the squalid flat – and Charlie is nowhere to be found.

But the case soon ramps up as more addicts go missing from the streets. As Seb and the Thamespark squad delve deeper, they uncover the twisted plan behind these disappearances.

But can Seb find the shadowy man at the centre of it all – and rescue the mother of his child – before it’s too late?

An unputdownable police procedural that fans of Lynda LaPlante and Karin Slaughter will love.

Praise for NJ

‘I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece!…I am totally hooked!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘I was glued to this…A great story with a fantastic "never saw it coming" twist. Highly recommended.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘The ending was mind-blowing…I cannot say enough good things about this book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Brilliant book. Didn’t want to read it all in one go as I was enjoying it so much.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘So well plotted that you’ll find yourself staying up reading half the night.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘Plenty of red herrings and an ending I did not see coming. This really sucked me in from the start’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

‘A terrific book…enough twists and false leads to keep things gripping, amazing characters and natural dialogue.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

324 pages, Paperback

Published March 27, 2025

Reviews

[Corinne Gorton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was unaware this was part of a series of books and I believe I’ve read this one which isn’t the first. Very confusing start, didn’t grip me till about 70% of the way in. Quite a hard writing style to follow. Won’t be reading the rest of the series.

[Jacquelyn Dohoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I’m bummed Seb’s story is over but it was a pretty satisfying ending for a great series. I loved this one. In some respects, it was a little difficult at times because some parts of Charlie’s story are very familiar to me. While I’ve never experienced being hooked on dope, I have been sober from alcohol for almost 16 years. And much like Charlie, I was a tornado ripping through not just my life, but the lives of everyone around me. I couldn’t hate her like I’m sure most people reading this story did. And again, I know nothing about being addicted to or kicking dope, but I do know what it’s like to kick alcohol. Some of it is the same, some not. But I thought the author did an excellent job of portraying what it’s like the first few days of getting sober as well as the violent internal struggle of staying sober. Especially the mention of getting a sweet tooth once you’re sober. I still deal with that almost 16 years later! It made me wonder if the author has experience with sobriety themselves because it really was pretty on point. Especially the frustration of the people around those trying to get sober. I didn’t do it the first time. It took a few to stick. And the author is right, it’s incredibly hard to have faith in someone who is constantly failing to live up to their promises. I think Seb and Val were a perfect example of those people. The desire to believe but to not have too much hope so you don’t end up disappointed. And Tilly was an exceptional example of the kids who are the innocent bystanders. Her inward anger and attempt an an outward “it is what it is” attitude reminded me a lot of my son at that time. While this one was hard at times to read because it brought up a lot of bad memories, I thought the author did an amazing job with it. The ending was perfection, and I’m so glad it ended the way it did!

Huge thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

[Destiney Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review🌸: I would like to add a trigger warning due to this book being based around a few characters who struggle badly with addiction. This is a mystery/thriller book that keeps you guessing the ENTIRE time!!! The book follows a detective who usually deals with homicides in his area, however, when he discovers his ex-wife is missing, he can’t help but to investigate. This book is based in the UK but is really easy to follow, me being a reader in the US. I loved how fast paced this book was. I never felt for one second that it was dragging on, I just had to get to the end!!! I also really enjoyed the character development and how the characters dealt with their situations and made the best out of them. This book had me screaming “I KNEW IT” but in the best way possible. Overall this book is 10/10 and I would definitely recommend if you need a good fast paced read. This author will definitely be added to my list of favorites.

p.s. Bad research on my part, but i had no idea this book was part of a series!! (which didn’t impact this book at all being as it’s the third and final book in the series). But, the two previous books will for sure be added to my TBR

[Karlyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.

Having not read the first two books in the series, I did not feel like I had missed out on anything and was able to keep up with the book and the characters like it was a stand alone book.

The book itself was an easy read, with the chapters jumping between three characters and their stories within the book.

The plot was good and the issues covered in the book where relevant and dealt with well. However the, main 'action' of the book happens in the last two chapters and therefore it feels long and drawn out to get there. And the it feels like it is over with in a flash and the book ends. I would have, personally, liked some more context and history of the 'bad guys' and how they were doing what they were doing.

Having said that, it was still an enjoyable read and I would like recommend it to a friend for an easy read.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third (and last) in this series with DI Seb Locke. This book is very personal as it involves his own ex wife, a drug addict, Charlie. THe story grabbed me from the start and kept me enthralled throughout. Not always easy reading, as drug abuse and life as a user are fairly graphically described . The book is told from different points of view, Seb, Charlie and by Sam, a social worker involved with the housing estate where drug abuse is rife. Sad to say a lot of the characters have had a difficult youth due to one reason or another, this is also realistically described. There are multiple crimes and although I had my suspicions, which grew as the the book progressed, the perpetrators were not people I initially suspected. I liked the way things were wound up.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

DI Sebastian Locke's ex-wife, Charlie is a drug addict. She abandoned him, and her daughter Tilly for drugs.
Now she has been reported missing, and her drug dealer boyfriend has been found dead.

This third DI Locke book fell short for me. It was slow moving, and I struggled to get to the end, tempted to DNF.

The second book in the series was absolutely fantastic, but this book barely gripped my attention at all. For fans, I think that you might enjoy it, but I did not.

It is the final book in the series.
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.

[ss jane e orford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not having been aware that this was a series it was a stand alone book for me. I found my mind wandering unable to relate to the different characters . Sam the social worker seemed to be perpetually stressed about her job , working long hours and crashing out with her doctor brother to whom she was indebted as he’d brought her up after their mum died after a life of addiction.
The premise of abducted drug addicts being ‘ cured ‘ with virtually no care apart from dispensing drugs was hard to believe
Raced through on a sunny afternoon but quite predictable

[Shannon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

Dark, gripping, and full of emotional tension - The Vanished is the kind of thriller that lingers. DI Sebastian Locke is such a layered character, and the plot had just the right mix of mystery and personal stakes to keep me flipping pages. The eerie setting and slow-building suspense gave it that perfect autumn-night-read energy. If you’re into detective thrillers with a personal twist, this one’s for you. 🕯️🌒📖

#BookReview #ThrillerReads #CrimeFiction #TheVanished #NJMackay #MysteryBook #DetectiveThriller #CozyThrillerVibes #Bookstagram #ReadingInTheShadows #4.5Stars

[Martha Brindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy read and although part of a series, it can be read on it's own. It felt a bit drawn out but the plotting is good, centred around drug addiction. I liked the character of DI Locke whose ex wife is an addict and has recently disappeared. It picked up towards the end and overall. it's a good thriller.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best book I've read but not the worse either, it was just ok. I haven't read the other books in the series and I couldn't get excited about any of the characters and the use of the phrase 'yeah, no' was irritating. It would be a good idea if someone corrected the heading and listed this as The Vanished!

[TBR_bookshelves · Rating 2 out of 5]

read it really fast, but by the time I got toward the end I was just like… what the heck? This just wasn’t for me. The story started out kind of interesting, but it didn’t hold up, and when I finished it, I honestly felt like it just wasn’t that good. I can see why some people might like it, but personally, it missed the mark.

[Courtney Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story line but a difficult writing style to follow. Even though it’s the third part of a series (which I hadn’t realised), I believe you don’t need to read the first two books beforehand to follow the story.

[Sarah Jayne Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't book this book down. A real insight into addiction that was fascinating and the police investigation was perfectly written. First time reading this author but will be adding her to my tbr list.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read, wasn’t the best book but wasn’t the worst either. I had it worked out just before half way through so was kind of hoping there was a plot twist

[Ellen vda · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5⭐️

[Nadia Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. Highly recommend. Kind of guessed the ending though.

[Kieran Frumenzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Georgie Woodall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did struggle with this, maybe because it’s the first of this author?