Vanishing Act

by M.K. Quinn

When a beloved magician vanishes after a children’s birthday party, private investigator Sloane Merritt is pulled into a new case that feels anything but festive. A single father has disappeared without warning—his young daughter left waiting.

As Sloane searches for answers, she uncovers a man with two identities, a past he’s been running from, and someone who may be closing in. What begins as a missing persons case spirals into something more dangerous—where guilt is layered, and protection can look a lot like betrayal.

Meanwhile, a cold thread from Sloane’s own life pulls tighter. A demolished school. A forgotten name. And a quiet lead that might bring her one step closer to the truth about Eden Pike.

With the clock ticking and loyalties shifting, Sloane is forced to confront the line between justice and consequence—while protecting the one person who can’t afford to be lost.

Book 2 in the Sloane Merritt Mystery series, Vanishing Act delivers sharp twists, haunting secrets, and a private investigator you won’t forget. Perfect for fans of gritty emotional suspense, slow-burn tension, and mysteries that don’t let go.

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 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

[Maureen Miller]

MK Quinn’s "Vanishing" tells its story in a simple, relatable way that makes you feel close to the characters. The plot moves at a comfortable pace, centering on someone quietly dealing with change and finding themselves. Instead of big twists or dramatic moments, the book focuses on the small, everyday experiences that shape the main character’s journey. The writing is easy to follow, and the story feels like it could really happen to anyone. Quinn does a great job showing how the little moments in life can be just as meaningful as the big ones. Overall, "Vanishing" is a subtle, heartfelt read about personal growth and the quiet ways people adapt to what life throws at them.

I look forward to reading additional books in the series.

[Fatima Salih]

I never expected to find myself crying while reading this. But, it did. In a good way. Losing someone because they wanted to protect you is something heartbreaking. Even if it is done to keep one safe. And this book delivered just that. It's sad that Owen had to leave to protect Sadie. I also like how it talked about protection versus abandonment, which is not something I always see in mystery books.

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

[Cameron]

Sloane Merritt does it again! This series is so fun and a quick, engaging read. It's bingeable like a favorite mystery TV show! Fans of true crime and missing persons shows/stories will love these books! Recommending to my book club :)

[Sandy Goguen-Young]

The 2nd book in the series and I enjoyed it even more than the 1st, and I liked the first book. Sloane is a PI and I love seeing her character grow and evolve. It's not a twisty big happenings story, but more of how the little things affect your life and your choices. Can't wait for the 3rd book.

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

[Terri | Twist & Doubt | Bookstagram]

When a local magician with a chequered past disappears under suspicious circumstances, private investigator Sloane is drawn into a complex investigation that slowly uncovers the secrets surrounding the case and the people connected to it.

I enjoyed this one, but not quite as much as the first book in the series, Dead Account. The mystery was still engaging and I really like Sloane as a main character - her experience as a PI and the emotional weight she carries from previous cases continues to add depth to the story.

That said, a few things felt a little repetitive. Theo (and occasionally Ash) often reminding Sloane how to do her job felt unnecessary at times. I also found Sloane’s internal reminders about the promises she made to Sadie came up frequently enough that it occasionally pulled me out of the flow.

Another thing that stood out to me was the pacing and tone of the mystery. After the twisty nature of Dead Account, I found myself expecting a similar kind of reveal here. Instead, Vanishing Act felt more like a straightforward investigative mystery than a thriller, with the story unfolding gradually through interviews, discoveries, and piecing together the truth.

Overall, this was still a solid continuation of the series, and I enjoyed spending more time with Sloane while seeing the broader story develop - particularly the ongoing threads surrounding Eden Pike. I’m definitely interested to see where the series goes next.

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

[Heather]

Vanishing Act by M.K. Quinn delivers a moody, noir‑infused mystery that cements Sloane Merritt as a modern hard‑boiled detective—sharp‑eyed, relentless, and carrying the weight of old ghosts. This installment centers on a father who disappears under suspicious circumstances, and Quinn builds the tension with a steady hand. Every time the case seems on the verge of cracking open, the missing man slips out of reach, keeping the reader intrigued.

The emotional core of the story comes from Sloane’s promise to Sadie, the missing man’s ten‑year‑old daughter. Their bond adds urgency and heart to the investigation, especially as a menacing figure begins stalking the family. Quinn excels at creating that creeping sense of danger—shadows at the edge of the page, footsteps that might be imagined or might be deadly.

Sloane herself leans fully into the noir tradition here. She’s tough, blunt, and unflinching, the kind of investigator who keeps going long after anyone else would have walked away. It gives the book a classic detective‑fiction feel, but with a contemporary emotional undercurrent.

While the mystery is strong, the ARC I received contained several errors that repeatedly pulled me out of the narrative. I’m hoping these were addressed before publication, because they interrupt what is otherwise an excellent story.

Some examples:

- Sadie is ten, yet her father repeatedly says he made serious mistakes eight years ago before she was born. This contradiction appears multiple times.

- Chapter 10: Sloane calls Theo from her car, but when the call ends, she’s suddenly going to bed.

- Chapter 20: A full paragraph about Sadie and her rabbit is repeated verbatim.

- In the same chapter, Sloane says Clara asked her to check on Sadie, though earlier it was Owen, the father, who made the request.

- The most jarring issue: in Chapter 21, Eden—whose disappearance is the emotional backbone of Sloane’s entire career—is referred to as her sister, not her best friend.

These continuity slips and repetitions broke the immersion and dulled the impact of key emotional beats. With a story this atmospheric and tightly plotted, those errors stand out even more.

Despite the ARC issues, Vanishing Act is a gripping, noir‑styled mystery with a compelling emotional hook and a protagonist who feels carved from the classic detective mold. The pacing, the tension, and the constant sense of danger make it a standout entry in the series. If the final version has smoothed out the inconsistencies, readers are in for a dark, satisfying ride.

[Georgia Debbie Williams]

A Thriller Reader's Take: Vanishing Act by M.K. Quinn
If you’re like me and hunt for thrillers that actually move, Vanishing Act hits the mark. Quinn doesn’t waste time with fluff; the pacing is tight from the jump.
What Worked for Me
• The Stakes: A magician disappearing from a kid’s birthday party is a hook that actually feels fresh. The tension of a young daughter left waiting adds a layer of urgency that kept me turning pages.
• Sloane Merritt: I’m picky about PIs, but Sloane is a winner. She’s competent without being a "superhero" caricature. Her internal struggle with the Eden Pike thread felt earned, not just tacked on for "character depth."
• The Dual-Identity Twist: Watching the "beloved magician" persona crumble to reveal a much darker, messier past was the highlight. It wasn’t a predictable "he had a secret family" trope; it felt more like a slow-motion train wreck where you can’t look away.
My Gripes
• The "Cold Thread" Tease: While I love a good overarching series mystery, a few of the Eden Pike breadcrumbs felt a bit like they were stalling for the next book. I wanted just one more "click" of information there.
• The Supporting Cast: While Sloane is great, I wish one or two of the secondary characters had a bit more "teeth" to match her energy.
The Verdict
It’s a quick, punchy read that nails the "protection vs. betrayal" theme without getting preachy. If you want a weekend thriller that doesn't drag its feet, grab this one.
4/5 Stars

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

[Rachel Boyd]

Sloane is a PI who has been hired to help find a single dad who went missing. Sloane teams up with Detective Theo again to help unravel what happened and where he is.

This series is really good. Sloane is a likeable main character who is smart, capable, and relatable. I really like that she isn't constantly running into danger by making poor decisions.

The case is interesting and really gets into those moral and legal issues where things can feel less than black and white. I like that this book explores the human aspect of what that might feel like. It makes Sloane and Theo feel really human and relatable.

This book, that I received an advanced copy of, was really good. I have read the first book and could tell this would be a series I would love. Book two did not disappoint. My one issue with the book was a couple minor issues of inconsistencies. A character not being mentioned and then being at an area, when it specifically said how many people would be there. A discrepancy in the timeline. Nothing to ruin the book, but something that an editor should have caught.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next one.

[Carol O]

Another good read in the Sloane Merritt series. This one left me feeling unsatisfied, just as the author intended. Missing persons cases can be messy and complicated as evidenced by Sloane's continued search for her friend Eden's disappearance. In her job as PI, she takes the case of a missing father, hired by his sister who has taken custody of his 10 year old daughter. Sloane is relentless in her search. Aided by her tech friend Ash and detective friend Theo, they hunt down clues to find him. I'd like to say I enjoyed this book, and I did, but it left me feeling unsatisfied. The characters are well-developed and the storyline is great, but the underlying theme of why and how people go missing along with Eden's disappearance are sadly, often unsolvable mysteries. But, it also sets the stage for the next in the series. Looking forward to it!

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

[Alexa]

A light, quick read of a missing persons case. I hadn't read the first in the series but now I'm interested in reading the whole thing for the overarching plot of the PI's missing friend (which I assume gets resolved only in the final novel). A look at how the people "left behind" are affected during a case like this. I did feel as the case wrapped up that there might be a big twist coming.

... but there wasn't a twist - just a somewhat unsatisfying ending, but it was acknowledged as unsatisfying by our main character too, so I didn't mind that, I was just surprised - thought there might be another reason that he was being stalked (maybe the child wasn't his?) or a twist to who was behind everything (ulterior motives from the sister?) - but no, the resolution was just - life is sometimes hard and complicated and unsatisfying.

[Daniellebooks2026]

Another wonderful book in the Sloane Merritt missing persons series. This was a great story with some dark, hidden secrets and a little revenge added too. Sloane Merritt and Detective Theo Calder are wonderfully developed characters that move the story flawlessly. They make you ponder the various situations they encounter and their best way to get through them the right way; having the different perspectives. All the characters in the story stirs emotions, which adds to this great story. It was an easy read that kept you thinking and wondering. The ongoing mystery of Sloane's missing best friend, Eden, from childhood keeps you wanting the story to continue in this series.

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

[Mary Ryan]

Sloane takes on a case when a man disappears after his entertainer's job at a children's party, leaving his young daughter behind. There are links to events from years before where he disappeared and resurfaced in this new location under a different name. It seems someone has found him so has he been taken or is he trying to stay hidden?

I liked how Sloane works more closely with the detective in this one. At the same time, she is not really making any headway into her investigation into her old friend's disappearance and this comes up quite a lot throughout the book, probably too much. It was an intriguing read and I really enjoyed it.

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

[Marin]

Vanishing Act is an engaging missing-person mystery with a compelling protagonist and a fast-paced investigation. Sloane Merritt takes on the disappearance of a single father while continuing to investigate the 20-year-old disappearance of her best friend, Eden.

I enjoyed the investigation, the character development, and especially the mystery surrounding Harding Academy and Eden’s disappearance. The developing relationship between Sloane and Theo also adds a nice personal touch without overwhelming the story.

The ending leaves some important questions unanswered, particularly regarding Eden, which makes me interested in continuing the series.

A solid, entertaining mystery with a great setup for the next book.

Thanks to tthe author and Booksirens for ARC copy of the novel

[Mary]

Clara hires Sloane to find her brother, Owen. He was supposed to pick his daughter, Sadie up and he never showed. Sloane with help of Ash and detective Calder they unravel a past Owen has been hiding from.

This story shows how deeply Calder is starting to care for Sloane. It also shows that one man, Owen, would do to keep his daughter safe. In between all that, Sloan is still searching for answers on the disappearance of her high school friend, Eden. She seems to to closer day by day. This is becoming one of my new favorite series.

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

[Krystal]

This is book 2 in the Sloane Merritt Mystery Series. This story starts three weeks after book 1 ended and while it’s not necessary to read book 1, I would highly recommend it just because it was so good. This is a great second book!

Lots of complicated themes and feelings in this book. Protecting someone/people vs running away. Going it alone vs asking for help. Revenge vs Moving forward. Sometimes hard to know which is the right answer because sometimes there is no right answer. There’s just a choice between hard and harder.

Loving this series and looking forward to the next book. Gotta say I’m hoping for more Theo!!!

5 stars

[France Desrosiers]

2nd in series -

As good, but wondering how long the Eden part will drag out AND if there are sequels already written that finally solve that mystery. So far, the stories center around their own case without making the Eden part a focused “to be cont…”.
The books stand alone ok, but with each I read, Eden becomes more prevalent to this reader.
Am checking the series to determine if reading the next tells me more - whether the underlying Eden theme is likely to be resolved within the series available now.
That said, I enjoy Quinn’s SLOANE books - good reads that keep reader intrigued.

[Tammy Morton]

This was so good and kept me gripped . We follow Sloane as she tries to find Owen Callahan a magician with a young daughter called Sadie , his sister Clara wants to know where he is for Sadie's sake, Sloane finds that he got into trouble eight years ago, now a figure from his past has found him, did he managed to flee again or has his past caught up with him. We also touch a little on Sloane's search for her friend Eden but mostly she is focused on finding Owen, feeling a connection with Sadie. Sloane also learns to not just work but also try having some personal time. Can't wait for the next one.

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

[Courtney Burns]

Sloane Merritt is back and she’s been called into look for a missing magician by his sister after he never showed up to pick up his 10 year old daughter. Perhaps more straight forward of a case than book 1, Sloane is a PI you can get behind. I enjoyed the progression of her relationship with Theo. It’s moving forward without feeling rushed. And while there felt like very limited movement in Eden’s case, it again felt like a natural progression considering this is meant to be a series. Sometimes standalone novels can rush through conclusions for the sake of tying up loose ends but with Merritt we have time to piece things together and I enjoy that! All and all the case of Owen Callahan isn’t flashy or even all that twisty but it was a solid read!

Thank you to BookSirens for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Bette Reith]

A great installment of the Sloane Mystery series. Although this could be considered a stand-alone, to fully understand the recurring story, it is best to start at the beginning.

Here, a sister comes and asks for help looking for her brother, who was last seen performing at a birthday party. He was supposed to pick his daughter up right after, but he never arrived. Totally out of character, and his daughter is the most precious thing in the world to him.

Sloane starts digging into his background, following leads, until she discovers he has disappeared before. Is this just a repeat, or has something happened to him. Thanks to Book Sirens for the ARC of this book.

[Lorelei Tomlinson]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very suspenseful and engaging. The story is about a father with a troubled past who goes missing. A private investigator, Sloane Merritt is on the case trying to locate him.

I found that this book was hard to put down because the story was so interesting. The plot and characters were easy to follow. The author kept you wondering until towards the very end what the outcome of her investigation was going to be, and whether the missing man would be found alive or dead.

If you enjoy books with lots of suspense, you many want to read Vanishing Act.

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

[Sarah Manning]

Firstly, thank you M. K. Quinn & BookSirens for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is the second book in the Sloan Merritt series, this one was a little bit different than the first book in the series. Where the first book kept you guessing on who committed the crime, this one doesn’t surprise you with who committed the crime, but keeps you interested in where the victim went. I was on the edge of my seat for different reasons.

I look forwarding to reading the next book and continuing the series!

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

[Makayla Jenkins]

This book flew by so quickly. I read it in two sittings but over a bunch of time. I will say that I liked the first one better case wise, but I still liked this one. As was the case with the first one, I love the FMC, and I especially love that she’s growing as a character.

Overall I enjoyed this book and have decided to give it a 3.8 rounded up to a 4 star rating.

I definitely recommend it if you are into crime novels.

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

[Gillian]

ARC review

Having read and loved the first Sloane Merritt book I was so happy to see the 2nd and 3rd books on BookSirens.

Another great mystery for the PI to solve and MK Quinn keeps the story at a pace which keeps you engaged while still setting the scene. Along with the current mystery there is a couple of over arching storylines which developed at good speed.

Overall another fab addition to the series

Thank you BookSirens for the ARC copy

[Vanessa Sylvia]

This book 2 of Sloane Merritt Mystery Series. A compelling suspenseful story of a missing man and new information on the missing friend that Sloane has been obsessively hunting for. The story weaves a spellbinding tale of uncovered truths and hidden lies. Love the series. The author is a natural born storyteller that will have your attention in the pages of her stories.

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

[Amy -coldbrew.fiction]

M.K. Quinn did it again! Returning to the world of Sloane Merritt feels like catching up with old friends! Quinn definitely has a gift for character development and the cast feels so incredibly layered and authentic that it's easy to forget they are fictional. They face real problems and have personalities that makes you root for them on every single page! As a police procedural author, Quinn is showing up and showing out! She clearly does her research because technical details and investigative style feels realistic, rather than something you'd see in a movie.
Book 2 of the Sloane Merritt Series.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle]

A very decent follow up in the series. I enjoyed the story a very good procedural which is a slight departure from the thriller type plot of the first book but then this is a new case for Sloane so it makes sense. It feels like you are there along for the ride for each interview and new clue found. It has a decent pace, a bit slow at times but all in all an enjoyable read! I received an arc via BookSirens this is my honest review.

[April Flach]

Not as intense as the first book, but still intriguing. However, there's some repetition, errors and other things that make me wonder if this is actually the author doing the writing, or AI. I'll be disappointed if it's AI. The story was good, but the case was a little boring. Rooting for Theo and Sloane to get together. Hooked enough to move onto the next book.

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

[Cheryl]

I am enjoying the series. Mystery, intrigue, suspense and twists. Watching Sloane Merritt helping others while searching for her friend. Sloane and Theo (Detective) doing the dance, getting to know each other. Ash her computer genus. Lines blur and they keep on going. Thank you for the free e-book. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions; nothing was requested of me. #VanishingAct #SloaneMerritt #MKQuinn @VanishingInk #Booksirens

[Terry]

I really love the writing style and the characters - good from page 1 until the last page!
However, I did not like the way the kindle book had lines on the edges of each page. Very distracting and made reading it very "weird" feeling.
Also - had trouble finding #3 in the series based on the name of it that was listed at the end of this book. The name of the book is different on Amazon.

[JM G]

I really enjoyed book 2 in the Sloane Merritt Mystery Series. Sloane Merritt and Theo Calder are wonderful characters and they pull you right into the story. I don't want to provide any spoilers so I won't go into details. If you love a good missing person mystery you should read this book.

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