Dead Account: A Sloane Merritt Missing Persons Mystery Book 1

by M.K. Quinn

SOME GIRLS DISAPPEAR. SOME NEVER COME BACK.

Private investigator Sloane Merritt has built her career on finding missing persons—a calling born from devastating failure. Twenty years ago, her best friend Eden Pike vanished without a trace. Two decades later, Sloane is still searching for answers.

When 25-year-old influencer Marley Quinn goes missing after posting about a luxury brand partnership, Sloane expects another routine case. A desperate family. A digital trail. A girl who made a bad decision and needs to be found.

But Marley's disappearance was supposed to be fake—a three-day publicity stunt to boost her struggling social media career. The con becomes terrifyingly real when Marley vanishes from her safe house, leaving behind only blood and signs of forced entry.

As Sloane races to find her, the case takes a disturbing turn. The person who recruited Marley used the name EdenSeeker88—a username that can't be coincidence. Someone knows about Sloane's past. Someone is using Eden's case as a blueprint. And someone has been targeting vulnerable young women for longer than anyone realized.

Now Sloane must untangle a web of manipulation, fake identities, and buried secrets before Marley becomes another girl who never comes home. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more she realizes this case might finally answer the question that's haunted her for twenty

What really happened to Eden Pike?

The first pulse-pounding thriller in the Sloane Merritt series—follow Atlanta's most relentless PI as she tracks down the missing, uncovers deadly secrets, and races against time in cases where every second counts.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

About the author

M.K. Quinn is a Georgia-based author, armchair detective, and lifelong observer of the shadows between ordinary life and the mysteries that lurk beneath it. A self-professed missing-persons obsessive, she has spent years studying real cases, investigative techniques, and the emotional toll of unresolved disappearances—passions that fuel every page of the Sloane Merritt Missing Persons Series. When she’s not writing twisty, character-driven thrillers, M.K. lives in Atlanta with her endlessly supportive husband and their three mischievous cats, who firmly believe they’re her true co-authors. The Sloane Merritt Series is her debut, marking the beginning of a dark, compelling universe built for readers who love smart heroines, layered mysteries, and stories that refuse to let go.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil manifests in the most unexpected ways

This book makes me very glad that I grew up before this whole influencer culture was a thing. The depths that people go to try and “make it” the evil that’s waiting unseen to exploit that desperation. I felt very connected to Sloane and Marley. I understand the need the be seen and the void when you’re not. This book and this story I felt connected in a visceral way. Hope, desperation and evil counterbalanced by obsession, procedure and determination. One doozy of a reveal at the end. This is quite simply one of the best books I’ve read in a long time!

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great thriller by M. K. Quinn. Racing against the clock to find a missing influencer while learning more about an event that still haunts her. To be continued...

Thanks to Book Sirens for this ARC book and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Terri | Twist & Doubt | Bookstagram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this four stars overall. The story is fast paced and engaging, and I appreciated how consistently it kept moving. It’s an easy, compelling read, and I was invested in seeing how everything played out.

The main reason it landed at four rather than five stars for me comes down to emotional impact rather than issues with the plot itself. While I was interested in the outcome, I didn’t quite form a strong emotional connection to the victim, and as a result I didn’t feel the level of anger, dread, or emotional intensity that tends to elevate a thriller into five-star territory for me. I think leaning a little more into the emotional consequences and inner experience could really strengthen the impact, particularly in the later stages of the story.

As this was an ARC, I did notice a few minor inconsistencies and some spelling or grammar errors, which is completely understandable at this stage and didn’t significantly affect my enjoyment.

Overall, I found this to be a solid and engaging start to a new series, and I’d be very interested to see how the emotional depth and character development continue to evolve in future instalments.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maureen Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Dead Account by M.K. Quinn and found it to be a sharp, engaging thriller. The novel hooked me right away with its clever premise—a financial mystery that quickly spirals into something much more dangerous. Quinn deftly balances suspense with insightful character development, making the stakes feel real and urgent.

What I especially appreciated was how the story explores the consequences of digital crime. The protagonist’s investigation into a suspicious account leads to twists that kept me guessing, and the supporting cast adds depth and intrigue at every turn. Quinn’s writing style is crisp, fast-paced, and full of tension, which made it hard to put the book down.

Overall, Dead Account is a satisfying blend of mystery and modern relevance, perfect for anyone who loves a smart, contemporary thriller. I look forward to reading more books in the series.

Thanks to BookSirens for an advanced copy of this book.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 in Sloane Merritt Mystery series. From what I’ve read it looks like each book is about solving the case of a missing person with a central case that is 20 years old - the disappearance of her best friend.

All I have to say is wow. This book was amazing. Twists and turns. Dead ends. And I did not guess who did it. I was SO sure I knew. I was so wrong it was laughable.

I live Sloane and Theo working together. Definitely could see the author building into some romantic interest in the future (hopefully). And Ash is an amazing asset/character to this storyline. No PI can be without a detective friend and a techy!

I have already downloaded book 2 of the series. I went on Kindle Unlimited and it looks like book 3 was made available Dec 2025 (not 100% sure if it’s actually available yet) and book 4 will be coming in January 2026 with a blurb that says ……and many more!

5 stars all the way! Would give it more if I could!

[Bette Reith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most engaging and well written mystery that I have read. I think I have found a new favorite author. A woman goes missing and PI Sloane is called upon to investigate. What she finds is more than a missing person's case, it is calculated to sway the viewers of the victims Instagram account. But it goes much deeper than that. The author completely describes the life of an influencer and what they will do for more views. But, this book takes it even further. Read to find out.

I loved the characters, the plot twists, and the intense writing, basically everything about this book was top notch. I can't wait to read more from this author. If you love mysteries, read this, you won't be disappointed. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Account is a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that delivers both heart pounding tension and deep character resonance. Sloane Merritt is an unforgettable protagonist wounded, relentless, and impossible not to root for. Marley Quinn’s staged disappearance spirals into a chilling, unpredictable mystery, while the echoes of Eden Pike’s decades old case give the story a haunting, emotional weight. M.K. Quinn masterfully blends digital deception, buried secrets, and psychological suspense into a page-turner that feels urgent and human at every step. A standout start to a powerful new series.

[Vanessa Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 of Sloane Merritt Mysteries. What a way to start the series. It introduces detective Sloane Merritt, who works to find missing people. She has her own history, in that when she was 15 her best friend Eden disappeared. Now she finds missing people with the hope that one day she will find her friend. The author weaves a compelling mystery that drew me in. I loved how the author inserted clues to find the missing person. I never expected how it ended but that is what I loved about this book. Just when I thought I had it figured out I was surprised by how wrong I was.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittany Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a mystery thriller series that is based around missing persons!! I am a lover of true crime, but I don't always want to just watch shows about murder. I prefer missing persons stories because there is so hope, some mystery... something to look for! And this first book in the Sloane Merritt series checked every box for a true MYSTERY novel that isn't just about solving a murder. I also appreciate the very minimal language (if there was any?), no violence, and overall just a clean but suspenseful book that kept me guessing. I can't wait for more!!

[Nichole Montanez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Account was such a great way to close out 2025. I’m glad I received an advance review copy for free, and will be leaving this review voluntarily.

It has been a long time since a book kept me up way too late because I just had to keep reading. The pacing, writing style, characters (loved Ash), and mystery hooked me from the start. The influencer angle was an idea I haven’t seen yet. I loved the overall vibe of the story.

That said, the forced relationship didn’t really work for me, and there were definitely two or three chapters that felt unnecessary. Still though the ending left me excited, and I genuinely hope there’s a second book.

[Joyclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut Sloane Merritt Mystery. It moves quickly—I never felt like anything took too long to develop or uncover. The plot felt believable, especially in the way people can do desperate things for their jobs. There were enough twists to keep me engaged, but it never dragged. I finished it in a few days and appreciated that there’s still a lingering mystery leading into book two (which I definitely plan to read)

Thank you Book Sirens for the ARC of this book and allowing me to give my provide my honest opinion of the book

[Lorelei Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was full of suspense. The story is about a social media influencer who goes missing and the investigation that follows.

The plot and the characters were easy to follow. There were some surprises in this story with lots of twists and turns. If you like mysteries, you may want to check this one out.

I received a free advance reader copy of this book. The opinion that I express is my own.

[Paige J Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Sloane Merrit is a private investigator who has had a traumatic event in her childhood which has shaped her professional life. I enjoyed the storyline of a missing person and the involvements of a modern career.

This is book 1 of a series and I’ll definitely read the 2nd to find out more of the over arching storyline.

[coldbrew.fiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of the Stella Knox by Mary Stone, here is your next favorite Series!

Dead Account by M.K. Quinn is a fantastic kickoff to the Sloane Merritt series. If you enjoy strong female led investigative/procedural thrillers, you will feel right at home here! Sloan is down to earth and relatable. Her friendships with secondary characters Ash and Calder are friendships to envy! Together, they are unstoppable!

Release Date: 02/20/25
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Texas · Rating 3 out of 5]

DEAD ACCOUNT - This is an interesting and quickly read story. I found parts repetitious in places, almost a bit obsessive about Sloane's problem, obsession. The story lines are immersing and the characters are good. Source: Booksprout. 3.