Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this book. I love a story about sisters. This story was one I didn't want to read when home alone, which for me is normally a sign of a good thriller.

I started and then stopped because there were references to the previous book, Exposed, and I wanted to read it as I felt I was missing something,
This review will be integrated with the new parts after I read the beginning of the series.
It's better to read the series in order even if you could read it as a stand-alone
Buying the rest of the series is the most favourable review.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a great follow-up to Exposed, it had everything that I was hoping for from that book. Anna J. Stewart has a great writing style that kept me guessing what was happening. I enjoyed how good everything flowed together and left me wanting more.

Vanished by Anna J. Stewart, book two in her Circle of the Red Lily series, the highly anticipated follow up to the first book, Expose, is quite intense and interwoven with that first book; not quite making it a stand alone read. This is a continuation of the Circle of Red Lily series involving Mabel and the residents of Temple House. Mabel is looking for answers to the disappearance of her twin sister, Sylvie, who vanished 8+ years ago. Sylvie is one of 60+ women who disappeared and all seem to be connected to the Red Lily secret society. Once the DA is convinced to reopen the case, Paul Flynn, a prosecutor from New York, is brought in to help with the case. This book has a little of everything. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me swoon, but most of all, I did NOT want to put it down. This was such a gripping story, one that will have you laughing one moment, and have your heart pounding the next. It kept me intrigued and constantly guessing what was going to happen next. It kept me thinking the entire time as well and was totally unpredictable. I highly recommend Vanished to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Vanished is the second book in the Circle of the Red Lily by Anna J. Stewart. It is also the first book in the series for me to have read. While I was able to follow the investigation without any problem, I do wish I had read Exposed, the first book. Continuing to search for Sylvie, Mabel’s twin has taken its toll at the beginning of this book. However Mabel is unable to let go until she has answers. Assistant DA Paul Flynn is a welcome addition to this series.

Some answers come but it’s a nail biting, rollercoaster ride all the way. Both tense and rich, Vanished is a compelling, atmospheric, and a horrific twisted story. While it is suspense at its finest, it is not always an easy read. One addictive read in spite of some parts being downright scary. I can easily see why the first book was a 2023 Finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award. Vanished is worthy of it too.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nightmares often plagued Mabel Reynolds since her twin sister, Sylvie, went missing seven years ago. Mabel, a single mother with an eight-year-old daughter Keeley, was always the more practical twin. She has devoted herself to helping women who are in need of rescuing from violence and abuse. She knows that her sister is most likely dead, but will never stop searching for her. A search was completed at the Tenado estate where pictures of women were found displayed on the wall of the mansion…Sylvie’s was one of those pictures. A new special investigator, Paul Flynn, is determined to find the women in those pictures and bring justice to the women and their families. He finds himself attracted to Mabel, but needs to concentrate on the case while keeping Mable and her daughter safe. When her life is threatened, will Mabel’s connection to her sister help her find the strength to survive? The beginning of this book was a little confusing, for me, but then the story took off. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

This is a gripping, suspenseful crime novel that will keep you engaged and riveted from start to finish. The main characters, Mabel and Paul are beautifully written, and they are connected having both lost a sibling.
Mabel’s twin, Sylvie has been missing for more than eight years and Mabel has made it her mission to find out what happened to her. There are many dark days and the thing keeping Mabel focused and determined to solve the mystery is her love for her sister and to find the underlying cause of what led to her disappearance along with several other women.

Once the DA decides to reopen the case of the missing women, Paul Flynn is brought in from the New York office and tasked to lead the investigation.

As the case gets more complex and dangerous, Mabel must share whatever information she has gathered on her sister’s case with Paul and collaborate with him.

As the story unfolds I kept assuming it would go in one direction only for the author to prove me wrong! This kept me engaged and glued to the very end.

Exceptional story, wonderful characters, fast-paced, terrifying at times but a page-turner! I would encourage you to read it for yourself and decide.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Vanished by Anna J Stewart that I read and reviewed.
Vanished is the second book in the Circle of the Red Lily series and it is an excellent book that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end. I really hope that there is going to be another book in this series because there is still so many questions that need to be answered and this series is so good I really want more.
This book picked right up where the first book in the series ended and answered a number of questions that were left unanswered in the first book. But, as I stated there is still a lot more that can be explored. Vanished is full of suspense and also has a nice romance thrown in.
Vanished gets five out of five stars from me

The highly anticipated follow up to EXPOSED! Anna J. Stewart opened the door to a very complex and diabolical world with the first book in her Circle of the Red Lily series and anyone who enjoyed it was looking forward to the follow up. I can state that it did NOT disappoint ... however ... this book is very intense and interwoven with the first book so deeply that it's simply not a stand alone. I am an avid reader/reviewer and I myself had to put it down after the first chapter and go back and reread the first one (which I never do) because of the level of mystique that alludes to happenings from the first book but isn't elaborated on. Once caught up on that first book and all of the events, it was easier to let this story carry me into the heart of the case again. I very highly recommend that you read this series in order and close together.

The plot of this story is centered around a group of missing women, and one sister in particular that has been living her life simply to find her sister for almost a decade now. She's closely connected to Riley from the first book in the series so we get a reunion with the cast from last time and they further endear themselves into our heart. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and the characters and am looking forward to more to come in the series ... I just really hope it's easier to pick up as a stand alone next time with a little more detail fleshed out to catch the reader up on what has happened previously without requiring a full re-read.

This book was amazing. Ms. Stewart has done it again in the second book of Circle of the Red Lily.
Mabel is a single mother and has a great support system at the Temple House. She’s not a pushover and won’t step aside. Her sisters disappearance along with so many others will not just get overlooked. That’s when Paul Flynn comes to the DA’s office to help she takes it. She’s unsure of his promises to look into the cases. He says all the right things, but who knows.

Paul heard about Mabel. There not wrong, but she’ also doesn’t have any clue what happened to her sister. So he’s prepared to give her the answers she seeks. He hopes he can. That’s the job he was brought to do by his friend.

What Paul isn’t prepared was for Mabel to get under his skin. For that matter her eight year old daughter Keeley.
Mabel has even trusted him to her inter circle so to speak. He’s learned so much, and been introduced to one person that fascinated him.
There case as Paul sees it as becomes much more complicated.

So much more to come.

Release date 11/21/23

Vanished is the second book in an intrigue series Circle of the Red Lily. Fast-paced, utterly terrifying intrigue about mystery, found family, friendship that keeps reader guessing until the very end. Vanished is an intense, compelling, gripping, edge of the seat page turner that I enjoyed from the beginning to the end.

Vanished follows Mabel Reynolds who is a strong advocate for victims of violence and abuse. She has dedicated and devoted her whole life to finding her sister who has been missing for over eight years with no answers. That's why she'll risk everything to expose the truth especially when she gets a breakthrough: new revelations shed light on what may have happened not only to Sylvie, but dozens of other women. Her grief turns into a reignited hope for answers. Mabel doesn't trust the police as her history with them is complicated especially because oh-so-charming DA overseeing the investigation seems more interested in a quick rather than an accurate resolution. Mabel is willing to go up against anyone now that she’s finally close to the truth, to bring justice to families who deserve it. The only bright spot in her life is her daughter, Keeley. Assistant DA Paul Flynn has his own demons to conquer. His new assignment and a high-profile conviction at stake, Paul can’t afford to make a wrong move if his professional goals are to be achieved. He is very intrigued and attracted by argumentative and determined Mabel especially because he sees that she knows far more than what’s in the official files which makes her something even more intriguing. But he knows using her as an asset is very wrong and means exposing her and her daughter to more danger that they already are. They make a great team and a couple. These two are great characters, very stubborn and determined. Paul and Mabel have to lose so much with taking risks - risking their life, Paul his career and heart. Their loyalties are tested through danger, darkness, romance and suspense.

A fantastic, suspenseful, and captivating book.

Wow.....this book was captivating. It held my attention from the very beginning. I actually had goosebumps while reading parts of it. It has you feeling so many emotions. Mysterious, suspensful, intriguing and a bit disturbing at times. Excellent writing and descriptive settings along with wonderful characters and family love, all made this a very good story.

I don't even know that I have sufficient words to describe how incredible this book is. It was absolutely mind-blowingly incredible. There was also a terrifying element of realism, as the focus of the book is on things that do happen and could easily happen to those we know and love. That element in combination with the incredible writing is something that gave me shivers up and down my spine. It had me absolutely and completely involved from start to finish.

Mabel is an incredible character and she has dedicated and devoted her entire life to finding her sister who has been missing for over eight years with no answers. This is the second book in the Circle of the Red Lily series, and while I am absolutely going to go back and read the first because of the amazing characters and writing style of this author, I didn't feel lost or confused jumping in with this book. I'm also hopeful that there are going to be many more in the series.

This was so gripping and the book kept me intrigued and constantly guessing what was possibly going to happen next. It kept me thinking the entire time as well and was totally unpredictable. This is the first novel I have read by Anna J. Stewart and with her writing style and the amount of skill she has shown with this book, it is absolutely the first of many that I have read by her. I can't wait to find out where this series goes next and what Anna gives us!

Omg this book... I tried really hard to take my time with it and not just rip through it... it was so good!!! This book has a little of everything. It made me laugh, t made me cry, it made me swoon, but most of all, I did NOT want to put it down!!!

This book is the sequel to Exposed. It follows Mable as she tries to find her sister Sylvie, who went missing 8 years ago, at the conclusion to Exposed Sylvie's picture was located in "the house of horrors." Enter Paul Flynn, he works special cases, but his last case went a little bit side ways. Can Mable and Paul work together and finally find Sylvie?

OMG! Wow, I was absolutely astounded reading this book it was fantastic, this story was written well and the characters were really captivating.

Mabel is a victim rights advocate and an accountant. She has a nine year old little girl and a dog. Eight years ago her twin sister went missing after going to a party in Los Angeles. Mabel moved to Los Angeles and lives at Temple House. She has made a family for herself and her daughter Keeley. Her and her friends have been investigating the disappearance of over sixty some women.
Paul has been asked to look into the disappearance of the women. He was an assistant district attorney in New York. Paul grew up in Los Angeles but as soon as he could he left and never planned on coming back. He plans to let his bloodline end with him and wants no kind of relationship.
Mabel is determined to make sure the DA's office does not forget about her sister and the other women. Mabel and her friends are working together to find the women and she has to trust Paul before they invite him in. When Mabel gets taken, Paul will do everything in his power to get her back.
I have found a new favorite author. This book will grab you and not let go. I was hooked from the very first page. Mystery. Action. Sex. I can't wait to see what happens next.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed for Netgalley *


READING PROGRESS

I really enjoyed this book, it kept me hooked till the end, couldn't put it down. The story was written brilliantly, this author really knows how to write! I can't wait to read more by this author