Trail of Silence: A Sloane Merritt Missing Persons Mystery

by M.K. Quinn

A missing mother. A mountain full of secrets. And a truth that refuses to stay buried.

When twenty-one-year-old Tessa Grady hires private investigator Sloane Merritt to uncover what really happened to her mother on a remote hiking trip five years ago, Sloane expects grief.

She doesn’t expect lies.

Natalie Grady vanished on day five of a seven-day trek through the North Georgia mountains. Five women returned. Natalie didn’t.

But when the group invites Tessa to join their annual memorial hike—on the very same trail where Natalie disappeared—Sloane goes undercover as her aunt to uncover the truth.

What she finds is a web of secrets held together by guilt, loyalty, and fear.

As tensions rise in the wilderness and someone begins sabotaging the trip, Sloane realizes this isn’t just a memorial—it’s a reckoning. And someone will do anything to keep the past buried.

With the clock ticking and the terrain growing more dangerous by the hour, Sloane must untangle five years of silence before the mountain claims another victim.

Perfect for fans of missing persons thrillers, female-led detective series, and gripping psychological suspense, Trail of Secrets is Book Three in the Sloane Merritt Mystery series—where every disappearance hides a deeper truth.

And for Sloane, solving this case is only the beginning.

Because the twenty-year-old cold case that defines her life—the mysterious disappearance of her childhood best friend, Eden Pike—is finally starting to move.

And this time… the past is fighting back.

336 pages, ebook

Published February 18, 2026

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

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

I love this author. Slone finds missing people while never stopping on trying to solve the mystery of her best friend who disappeared over 20 years ago. Lots of twists while she helps her client. I love seeing her growth as she starts to let Max slowly in her life and finds the next step of information in each book about her best friend.

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

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Trail of Silence** by M.K. Quinn (Sloane Merritt Mysteries, Book 3) is a tense, emotionally layered entry that begins when Tessa hires Sloane to find out what happened to her mother—one of six women who walked into the woods but only five returned. Going undercover on a memorial hike, Sloane navigates rough mountain terrain that mirrors the group’s rising danger and fractured loyalties. As the hike forces long‑buried secrets into the open, Quinn deftly shows how memory and self‑preservation create multiple versions of the same event; uncomfortable truths surface as the women confront the daughter they thought they were protecting.

The book also advances Sloane’s long‑running investigation into her friend Eden’s disappearance. With Detective Morrison’s involvement and several women from the past willing to come forward about Harding Academy, this installment feels like a purposeful bridge toward the series’ final chapter. The resolution ties up the immediate mystery in a satisfying way, though it leans a bit too neatly for the messy emotional terrain the story explores.

On character, Sloane’s blunt, hard‑nosed voice drives the plot but sometimes flattens her; secondary characters, Ash and Detective Theo Calder, bring more warmth and color. I’d like to see Sloane soften and reveal more vulnerability in the next book as Eden’s case deepens; that would make her feel more human without turning her into comic relief. Overall, Trail of Silence is a gripping, well‑paced mystery that moves the series forward and keeps readers invested in Eden’s story.

[Brittany Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trail of Silence delivers another gripping installment in the Sloane Merritt mystery series. Sloane Merritt continues to prove she’s a compelling lead—determined, perceptive, and willing to push past uncomfortable truths to uncover what’s really happening beneath the surface.

This third book raises the stakes with a case that’s layered in secrets, tension, and emotional weight. Quinn does a great job weaving together investigative elements with character development, allowing readers to see both the external mystery and the internal struggles Sloane faces along the way.

The pacing keeps things moving while still giving space for clues and revelations to unfold naturally. As the story progresses, the pieces begin to click into place, leading to a satisfying resolution that rewards attentive readers.

If you enjoy mysteries with strong investigative threads, steady suspense, and a protagonist you can root for, Trail of Silence is a solid continuation of the series.

A compelling and engaging mystery that keeps the Sloane Merritt series going strong.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading this author. A solid, slow-burn mystery set during a memorial hike for a woman who disappeared years earlier. The wilderness setting creates a strong sense of isolation, and the tension builds as it becomes clear that several people in the group may know more about the past than they’re admitting. The story also weaves in a secondary mystery from Sloane’s past, which adds another layer to the investigation.

This leans more toward character-driven suspense than big twisty plotting, but the atmosphere and group dynamics kept it engaging. A good pick if you like moody mysteries and wilderness setting. It was hard to put down just because I really wasn’t sure which way it was going to go until the end. I’m definitely going to check out the rest of the series.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most emotional edition to the Sloane Merritt Missing Person Series. A twenty-one year old girl looking to answers to her mother's disappearance 5 years ago on a camping trip with friends. Tessa just wants closure to all the questions that were left open years earlier. Sloane and Tessa decide to join the 5 year memorial camping trip for answers. The camping trip for six days brings guilt, suspicions and guarded truths. This was a great book that left you compelled to get to the end to find out what happened. It had me on the edge of my seat. Looking for to the next book on this series.

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

[Lynseygibs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSirens, publishers and author for an ARC of Trail of Silence.
True rating 3.5
Another great installment into the missing persons PI Sloane Merritt with more breadcrumbs about her missing friend Eden.
Marked slightly down as this book felt messy in places, mentions of loans that were never mentioned before or again, inconsistencies in the story at times that meant I went back to the start more than once to make sure I hadn't missed something.
Overall a good story and looking forward to the next one.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probably my favourite story out of the 3 Sloane Merritt books I’ve read. The mystery was a good pace and the characters were lifelike and flawed.

The over arching storylines progressed along nicely and I’m looking forward to the next one to see how they develop.

You don’t need to have read the first 2 to read this one, but will help with some of the storylines.

Another great read. Thanks MK Quinn

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC

[Fatima Salih · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the third installment of the book. Following Sloane and Tessa throughout the hike was interesting, especially when strange things started to happen. I kept wanting to find out what really happened to Natalie so that Tessa could get answers. I was heartbroken about the ending, but glad that Tessa found closure.

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

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first three books in this series all within a week... they are such page turners and keep you coming back for more! I hope the author will get them in real audiobook format (sorry not a fan of virtual voice) so I can re-read/listen on my commute. Check these out if you love a fast paced mystery that isn't just about solving murder!

[Brittany Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite author has done it again! Trail of Silence feels straight out of a true crime episode (have I mentioned how much I love the show Disappeared). It grabs you, keeps twisting, and has a satisfying ending. Can't wait for the next book!

[Maryssa Block · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was slower than the rest of the books. Had a great twist at the end but did take a while to get there. If you like a slow build with a great ending this is your book.