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Ozarks Cozy Mystery #20
The Vanished Heart
Some disappearances are never solved. Some secrets are never meant to stay buried.
Della's life in Clover, Missouri has finally found its rhythm. Her vintage shop is thriving, her relationship with Bryce is deepening, and the ghosts of her past are beginning to rest. But when a lead surfaces about Lydia Bland, a young woman who vanished without a trace over forty years ago, Della can't walk away.
Lydia Bland was seventeen when she disappeared on an April evening in 1978. She was supposed to walk six blocks home. She never arrived. The town wrote her off as another runaway or tragic victim. But Della has discovered evidence suggesting Lydia didn't die—she ran. And she might still be living in Wichita, Kansas.
With Bryce and her faithful St. Bernard Moose by her side, Della embarks on a road trip across Kansas in search of answers. What begins as a simple investigation becomes a journey into a decades-old mystery that touches on everything Clover tried to the tangled secrets of the Denton family, the disappeared children, and the people who chose silence over truth.
When Della finally tracks down the woman who's been hiding in plain sight for forty years, she uncovers a story of survival, fear, and impossible choices. Lydia didn't just run from Clover—she ran from someone who made her believe that staying meant death, and that the people she loved were safer if she vanished forever.
Now, after four decades of silence, Lydia must stay hidden in the quiet life she's built, or return to face the family that never stopped searching and the truth that's been waiting all these years.
Because some hearts vanish to survive. And some truths refuse to stay buried.
Della's life in Clover, Missouri has finally found its rhythm. Her vintage shop is thriving, her relationship with Bryce is deepening, and the ghosts of her past are beginning to rest. But when a lead surfaces about Lydia Bland, a young woman who vanished without a trace over forty years ago, Della can't walk away.
Lydia Bland was seventeen when she disappeared on an April evening in 1978. She was supposed to walk six blocks home. She never arrived. The town wrote her off as another runaway or tragic victim. But Della has discovered evidence suggesting Lydia didn't die—she ran. And she might still be living in Wichita, Kansas.
With Bryce and her faithful St. Bernard Moose by her side, Della embarks on a road trip across Kansas in search of answers. What begins as a simple investigation becomes a journey into a decades-old mystery that touches on everything Clover tried to the tangled secrets of the Denton family, the disappeared children, and the people who chose silence over truth.
When Della finally tracks down the woman who's been hiding in plain sight for forty years, she uncovers a story of survival, fear, and impossible choices. Lydia didn't just run from Clover—she ran from someone who made her believe that staying meant death, and that the people she loved were safer if she vanished forever.
Now, after four decades of silence, Lydia must stay hidden in the quiet life she's built, or return to face the family that never stopped searching and the truth that's been waiting all these years.
Because some hearts vanish to survive. And some truths refuse to stay buried.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2026
84 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 30, 2026
Truly Heart Tugging!
This was an emotional story for me. A very good story, well written and an old mystery Della has been chasing comes full circle. I won't give away any more of the story or provide any spoilers, I'll just suffice it to say I was a weeping blubbering mess. But in a good way. A family trying to reconcile and heal after years of separation due to very cruel circumstances. Heart tugging and definitely a feel good story from a master of well written emotional and heart warming novels, with characters you can relate to. Highly recommend any book by this author. You won't be disappointed!
This was an emotional story for me. A very good story, well written and an old mystery Della has been chasing comes full circle. I won't give away any more of the story or provide any spoilers, I'll just suffice it to say I was a weeping blubbering mess. But in a good way. A family trying to reconcile and heal after years of separation due to very cruel circumstances. Heart tugging and definitely a feel good story from a master of well written emotional and heart warming novels, with characters you can relate to. Highly recommend any book by this author. You won't be disappointed!
February 3, 2026
I enjoyed this book.
I am old and it was a bit difficult to remember the events and characters in the prior book. That is why I don’t like cliff hanger endings in book #18. This story was creative and it is always good to have a happy ending. I am still one of your biggest fans
Robert E
I am old and it was a bit difficult to remember the events and characters in the prior book. That is why I don’t like cliff hanger endings in book #18. This story was creative and it is always good to have a happy ending. I am still one of your biggest fans
Robert E
January 30, 2026
Vanished
Della sure knows how to make a difference in the world she lives in. I love the Ozarks Cozy Mystery series. The author knows exactly how to make a story come alive. The mystery unfolds in a way that keeps you interested.
Della sure knows how to make a difference in the world she lives in. I love the Ozarks Cozy Mystery series. The author knows exactly how to make a story come alive. The mystery unfolds in a way that keeps you interested.
February 3, 2026
Love this book.
I couldn't put this book down. I love Della Fox and all of her stories. I have a feeling that this is the end of this series and it makes me sad but it was a fitting ending.
I couldn't put this book down. I love Della Fox and all of her stories. I have a feeling that this is the end of this series and it makes me sad but it was a fitting ending.
March 24, 2026
Great reveal plot
So very glad Lydia’s story to finally solved. Good to see Bryce and Della forming a greater bond. Good plot and ending.
So very glad Lydia’s story to finally solved. Good to see Bryce and Della forming a greater bond. Good plot and ending.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews