The Vanished

Jonathan Quinn #15

by Brett Battles

rom USA Today bestselling author Brett Battles comes a dynamic new thriller in his award winning Jonathan Quinn thriller series.

A missing physicist. Two botched jobs. And a world gone mad. Will this be Jonathan Quinn’s last job ever?

It’s been nine years since Quinn last worked with Mariko Hirahara. That fateful job left him with a permanent sense of guilt, and her with a life forever changed.

Now, their paths have crossed again. Not in a way Quinn would have hoped for, but at least in one that might allow him to make partial amends. To accomplish this, he will have to risk his career by ignoring the strict orders he’s been given.

But a cleaner’s got to do what a cleaner’s got to do.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Suspense

421 pages, ebook

First published December 6, 2020

About the author

Brett Battles is a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling and Barry Award-winning author of forty novels, including the Jonathan Quinn series and its Excoms spinoff, the Project Eden series, and the time bending Rewinder series. He’s also the coauthor, with Robert Gregory Browne, of the Alexandra Poe series. He is one of the founding members of Killer Year, and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. He lives and writes in Ventura County, California.

Reviews

[Tracy P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stay tuned for review.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

After many stories, it seems to get hard to keep good story lines moving. The attempt here is just an okay effort with a weak end. 5 of 10 stars

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nine years ago a well-known physicist vanished...Right in front of Jonathan Quinn...And he still feels guilt about that to this day...Now it seems their paths may cross again, due to continued searching by her sister...But Quinn has his orders to follow...Will he be able to make a difference in this woman's life...With everything going to hell around him...He knows he must at least Try!!!
A thrilling new adventure with Quinn and the amazing team he has assembled! ...Action, wild scenes, and a plot that is dark, equaling the infection we are All going through in our lives Today! This story will grab your attention immediately and pull you through truth mixed with fiction for an unbelievable ride!!
I received an ARC from this talented author and offer You my honest thoughts and feelings in this review. I highly recommend this action adventure series for anyone ready for a wild ride with folks who are just like us, trying to do a job in harsh conditions!!

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vanished by Brett Battles starts with events from nine years ago when a mission went wrong. Now Jonathan Quinn and his gang gets a chance to fix it. After being suspended from work they get a call from the past. During a pandemic they have to go to France and find out if they can rescue the scientist they where supposed to rescue 9 years earlier. "a cleaner’s got to do what a cleaner’s got to do. This is as always a great book by @authorbrettbattles I can really recommend this series for all fans of thrillers, spies and secret organisations.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I have really grown to love this series. Now that there is even a spin off with Nate and Jar, it is really great to see all of the team back together. Add to it that this is the first Jonathan Quinn book set in the actual timeframe with current events - the global pandemic and the empty streets in New York and various other countries - it was definitely interesting.

I think that you cannot really understand all of the dynamics in play in this book, unless you have been with this group from the beginning. Does this mean that this book cannot be read as a stand alone book? Of course not. Actually, the set up and information given make it very easy to be a one and done. But.....with that being said, you would be missing so much.

The book starts off detailing a mission being run that partners Quinn's group and the FBI (I have to say, that fact was interesting all on it's own). Anyway, things happen and then for some reason, we get sidetracked and start dealing with another unrelated situation. During the last half of the book, I remember wondering if these two events were actually related and if not - why we were told about the attempted assassination in the first place? The answer to that is I'm not sure, but it is mentioned again at the end and it becomes apparent that that particular situation is active and ongoing.

So, what makes this series a 5 star read for me? Well, to start off with, I love the team dynamic. Each member of the team has been so fleshed out in previous books that I can see them perfectly in my mind. I know their certain quirks and I understand the things that drive them. If I had to pick one member that I do not know as well, that would be Daeng, but I have a feeling that that will change shortly as we have been given some snippets of info about him and his recent behavior along with the bombshell of a certain new acquisition he received 6 months ago. These characters have a phenomenal communication style, whether it is through snark or Nate always correcting Jar's misuse of contractions, and the dialogue always just flows. Unerringly and effortless.

Battles always also plans out great action sequences. I LOVE the way that our guys can be trapped somewhere, and Jar is guiding them out with info from her laptop. (This is becoming a common occurrence) But, regardless of the trouble they get into, there is always logical -while sometimes hilarious - and creative ways that they manage to escape.

This book is no different. The action was truly non stop and the story line had a completed arc, with the added bait of letting the reader know that all is not yet known. I guess that means that I will be eagerly expecting book 16.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how Brett Battles comes up with this stuff, but he does! Another great one.

[Trish R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading one book then stopped to read this one! I can't pass on a Jonathan Quinn book before I have to pass on everything else and get to it.

As usual, it was great! I absolutely love Quinn, Orlando, Nate, Jar, Daeng and Misty. What a wonderful team.

This was about a physicist that was kidnapped 9 years ago and the sister who never gave up on finding her. AND then it became a fabulous rescue.

There was no romance, just a couple of I Love You's between Quinn and Orlando. And there was no swearing to speak of.

As for the narration: As always, Scott Brick was awesome BUT his women's voices are just a little to masculine. Still, he's the best. Especially when he reads the Orphan X series.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinn and team are back. After a job goes wrong, he and the team are suspended during the investigation. Misty reaches out to them because a woman named Mariko, an operative from years past who spends most of her time looking for her kidnapped sister, has missed checking in, and a body matching her description has been found in the region of France she was last in. Mariko is no stranger to Quinn and Nate though. Nine years earlier, they were working the job where her sister was taken. The team is still suspended, but Misty doesn't want them to do a job. She needs them to go to France to see if the body is Mariko's.

Authors of series have a choice to make if they are moving their characters through real time: to incorporated the pandemic as part of their storyline or not. Battles has chosen to do that here, although without giving it a name, setting the action near the beginning of the worldwide lockdown. But he uses the lockdown to complicate the lives of the operatives who typically use crowds and traffic to blend and hide. How do you surreptitiously tail a car when you are the only two vehicles on the road? How do you disappear in a market when the market is closed and there are no people? It makes for an interesting conundrum, but if you are looking to escape from reality, you might want to skip this one.

This book was obviously rushed to publication. There are some misspelled words, and it could use a more thorough edit. "Em" (instead of "um") is used countlessly in dialogue throughout. And the bad guy makes the same decision about Johannesburg twice in the story.

While I still miss the uniqueness of the "cleaner" role, the team has grown and developed. I like the addition of Jar and Daeng, though Daeng could use some development. Jar and Nate are featured in the Night Man series so some of Jar's changes are addressed in more detail there.

Overall, this is a nice addition to the series.

[Jim Warrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book for both new readers as well as for all of the existing fans of the great Jonathan Quinn thrillers.

Brett Battles has never disappointed me with his writing and his newest book, “The Vanished”, is yet again another gem.

This new tale starts off with something that happened nine years ago. At first, the early chapters kept me a little confused as to what was going on because of the back and forth time jumps, but it all became clear and the end result was a very good read. Again, the amazing set of tools and connections developed and refined over the years by "The Office", is indispensable to assist Quinn's efforts. The regular group of characters are back...Quinn, Orlando, Nate, Jar and Daeng, along with Misty at "The Office". This story takes Quinn and his associates to the far corners of the world.

I continue to thoroughly enjoy the newest character in the Quinn books, Jar. There is really no way to "explain" her...one only can "experience" her. To me, she is by far the most intriguing character in the Quinn and Night Man thrillers to date.

I have enjoyed all of Brett’s books, starting with the Jonathan Quinn series, continuing thru the Project Eden series, The Excoms series, The Night Man series and many others. I highly recommend every one of his 40+ books.

As a fan of sci-fi in my teens, I was very happy to see Brett create an intriguing series about time travel with his 3-book “Rewinder” series. Great stuff!

[Carol Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Jonathan Quinn novel and this is one of Brett Battles better ones (they are all good) and this one starts 9 years earlier and Johnathan is working with Mariko and as it turns out a bit of a botched job and Mariko decides to go it alone from then on. Basically, it's about a Physicist and she is about to get abducted only to her it's a job of a lifetime something she has been working for and Mariko is trying to dissuade her from going as the boss has a somewhat shady past, but it went wrong she managed to slip away and Jonathan realizes that she was in the elevator in disguise and he didn't see it till it was too late. Roll-on 9 years and Quinn hears some disturbing news, has Mariko found her sister? and where is Mariko,? now she has disappeared but left a few clues, can Quinn and the gang find her? all while this is going on there is also a pandemic but the author did not mention the mane of this pandemic so in reality as is now no one should leave the country. Interesting full of action and I like the way the author started it earlier then went on to the present day and not alternate chapters as that makes me want to give up reading straight away, and so I was able to get my teeth in it, brilliant penmanship scary but an exciting great read.

[Robert Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brett Battles is one of the most reliable writers in the thriller genre, and the Quinn books are his flagship series. The newest Quinn novel meets his usual high standards.

In structure the book is somewhat like a caper narrative - the fun is watching Quinn and his team face an almost impossible task, put together a meticulous plan, and execute it. This story involves a little more improvisation from the team, as Quinn's partner Nate (who is a little more impulsive) takes a larger role, but that just adds to the enjoyment.

The writing is crisp, the story is well plotted, the locations are exotic, the weaponry and electronic gadgets are imaginatively used, the characters are well developed (the evolution of the team over the course of the series is one of the pleasures), and the action sequences are well choreographed and exciting. Battles excels at writing thrillers without scattering bodies across the landscape or inflicting collateral damage on innocents; the stakes in his stories are high without injecting large doses of faux-toughness.

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion. The is another winner in Brett Battles' Jonathan Quinn series. I love everything about this series-the action, the suspense, the mystery, all the technical spy stuff, the gadgets, but most of all, the relationship between the team members. Each member has everyone's back and knows their job and how to do it well. I have enjoyed seeing each character develop their strengths and overcome their weakness as the series has progressed. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
This book was a bit different from the other Quinn books I have read in that it starts with one event, vers off in another direction, and then circles back to the original event to set up the premise for the next book. I can't wait to get my hands on that one! If you haven't read any of the Quinn series you need to correct that deficit in your life as soon as possible. I highly recommend them.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten years before the book begins, Jonathan Quinn failed to secure a young Japanese woman from her captors. Her sister, also in Quin’s line of work, looked for her ever after.

COVID-19 is in full bloom as this begins. Quinn agrees to do a job with help from the Japanese woman whose sister went missing a decade earlier. He vows to help Mariko find her sister.

But before the book ends, Mariko will die from a gunshot wound, and she must hide a top-secret package she had hoped to open privately. It’s up to Quinn, Nate, Jar, and one other operative to find the package Mariko had found.

I was more than 60 percent through this before it got interesting. It held me to the back page, but it wasn’t my favorite among the books. Am I tired of both living through COVID-19 and reading about it in so many places? Perhaps that’s it.

[Sytse Algera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vanished is the new Jonathan Quinn thriller by this author. The team is finding themselves in Europe where a friend died under strange circumstances. During their investigation they stumble upon a global operation that could change the fate of everybody. As usual Brett Battles delivers a great read. The characters are all wel established but in every novel he manages to surprise me with more detailed character information that expands the love a reader finds about his or her character. The series is great when you have read more books but can easily be read on its own. I am really looking forward to read more about this team, since Brett Battles manages to keep a few surprises in his sleeve and I am looking forward uncovering more about each character in each new book. Recommended

[Jonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last Quinn book was released in December 2020, so I'll have to wait until the next book to see if there was a reason for the last chapter in this book. I thought the last chapter was an odd way to end this book.

There is one main story around Mariko trying to find her sister, Keiko, and a shorter story that is centered around The Office being put on suspension. The shorter story ties to the last chapter of the book but I'm not sure why the shorter story was included. It doesn't really fit with the rest of the book and the only thing it explains is why the Office has been suspended which could have been done with a simple statement.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next book whenever it is published.

[Connie Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vanished by Brett Battles is another great read in The Cleaner series. The last couple of books have delved more into the backstories of the various characters. The Vanished is more of a return to the earlier books with a mystery to be solved and thrills along the way. As with every Brett Battles book, I find myself wanting to read it slowly, savoring it so it doesn't end, and wanting to read it as quickly as possible so I find out what happens! Whether this is the first book you read in the series, or you have been a fan for a while, The Vanished will not disappoint.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bryan Jick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read every Quinn book, plus Livia Lone and Night Man. Thanks Brent for never failing to disappoint. Your books show friendship, love, family, trust in addition to the suspense, danger and excitement that keeps us coming back for more. I like seeing characters grow and mature as well as relationships. I know you have plans for Nate and Jar, but you are sure taking your sweet time in unspooling them. It's the tension and the not knowing that draws us in, but you have to give us a little.

This story was complex and as I got closer to the ending I had a feeling that all was not going to be resolved neat and tidy at the end, but...

[Estrella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vanished is the latest book in the Brett Battles Jonathan Quinn series. This is the series that started it all for me but each one is just as great as the next! They’re all amazing in their own right.

The Vanished does not disappoint! I’m a huge fan of Battles’ story-telling and I love his depth of character work. He really gets you into the minds of the characters and the mood of the story.

This is another gem in Battles’ bag and such an exciting read! I could not put it down!

If you haven’t read a Battles book, what are you waiting for?

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A missing physicist. Two botched jobs. And a world gone mad. Will this be Jonathan Quinn’s last job ever?

It’s been nine years since Quinn last worked with Mariko Hirahara. That fateful job left him with a permanent sense of guilt, and her with a life forever changed.

Now, their paths have crossed again. Not in a way Quinn would have hoped for, but at least in one that might allow him to make partial amends. To accomplish this, he will have to risk his career by ignoring the strict orders he’s been given.

[Maz Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to receive a copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review.
I have always loved a Quinn book, and this is no exception. There are two plots, one small, which to be honest, didn’t really add to the story, but could be a prequel for the next book? The longer plot is the main book. As always BB is great at building the plot layer by layer until the finale. A really good book, another great Quinn to add to the series.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed every book I've read by Brett Battles. This latest in the Quinn series does not disappoint.

The plot is fast-paced and action packed with a good deal of understated humor. The Quinn team works to outsmart, out-pace, and out maneuver the bad guys in a suspenseful, page-turning tale. There is good depth of character, great setting details, and imaginative solutions to some hair-raising situations. I could not put the book down and stayed up most of the night to finish it.

[Jay Clement · Rating 3 out of 5]

99-2020. I have enjoyed the Quinn series of books from the Author. This one was just fine, but lacked some of the spark and imagination of much of the other works. Read alone, this would get a higher rating, but I’m comparing it to the others. Plenty of cool tech, old-fashioned smarts and guts, and a pretty solid bad guy, but our heroes don’t run into very much resistance, and sort of casually save the day.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid effort from Battles in this top notch series. In this one Jonathan Quinn and his team decide to try and correct a mission gone bad from some years ago during a time when the "office" is suspended from working for awhile. The effort becomes a complicated mission with many unexpected twists and challenges. But Quinn, Orlando, Nate and the rest of the crew are professionals and manage to keep it together.

Battle is one of the best in this genre and never disappoints.

[Tracy T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan Quinn is back. (audible review)

I am such a fan of this series and all the characters.

Always something going on, never a dull moment. The story line and plot was great. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I know there have been 15 books so far but still!!! Need more.

The narration is fantastic. It's Scott Brick one of my favs! He has such a great voice for all the characters and his reading voice is awesome!

Totally recommend this series 10000%

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting plot twist

This was a typical Quinn book, with one interesting twist, Quinn's multiverse was going through their own pandemic. It was interesting to see how the crew would do their job with all the restrictions. I liked how Battles noted that having empty streets was not ideal in a world where getting lost in the crowd was spycraft 101.
That said, i was hoping to get a little of Project Eden into this story, but he kept the pandemic a bit tamed.

[David C Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reliable series, with an ensemble cast. As before with Battles’ books, it could be faster: there are a few too many “step by step” descriptions of the action. There’s also the usual feature of techno thrillers that the tech always works seamlessly! Just once I’d like to see a drone not pair instantly with the phone! This is the first thriller I’ve read that’s set in the middle of the Pandemic. Interesting to see how writers deal with it.

[Kodakjack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan Quinn and the group find themselves in France dealing with more bad guys and a bunch of kidnapped scientists. As the group grows and the original intent of Quinn’s profession changes radically, we are led to global settings and increased mayhem and danger. Technology also plays a bigger part in getting the job done. I’m enjoying the series and look forward to other assignments and travel.

[Song Hoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another epic Jonathan Quinn novel albeit with a unique background of coronavirus lockdowns, quarantines and living with masks. Definitely an interesting read. Orlando running a background (but still very relevant) role on this one, with Jar being a field operative makes it feel very fresh with Jar being a relatively new addition. Sorely wondering why this book series has yet to have a movie / Netflix adaptation yet.

[David Patsel · Rating 5 out of 5]

none better

There are no thriller writers any better than Brett Battles. He just keeps on producing hits with the Jonathan Quinn series. The supporting cast of Orlando, Nate, Jar and Daeng are fabulous. These books are so well written, the plots so tight, the action so believable. All in all just loads of fun reading these. I highly recommend anything from Battles. You won’t be disappoint

[Greg Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the whole Quinn series plus the related Nightman Chronicles and the Excoms. This book was a good story and had the whole team together. If you are a fan of the series it turns into a quick read. If you are new to the series you can read it without too many spoilers to earlier in the series.