Seven years after her twin sister vanished, single mother Mabel Reynolds has turned heartbreak into purpose. As a justice-seeking heroine, she’s dedicated to helping victims of violence find their voice. But when new evidence reopens her sister’s missing women mystery case, Mabel refuses to stay quiet—especially when the investigation leads straight to the city’s power players.

Assistant District Attorney Paul Flynn has been promised an easy win on the case—until Mabel storms into his life. Her passion for justice clashes with his political ambition, but their enemies-to-lovers spark quickly turns to something deeper. Together, they uncover a trail of secrets and lies linking Mabel’s sister to a web of corruption and crime that someone will kill to protect.

As desire and danger collide, Paul must choose between his career and the woman he’s come to protect. And Mabel must face the unthinkable truth about how far justice can go before it breaks her heart.

She’ll risk everything to expose the truth.

Titles in the Circle of the Red Lily series include:  Framed ~ Vanished ~ Unearthed ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  Vanished
Series:  Circle of the Red Lily #2
Author:  Anna J. Stewart 
Published:  March 31, 2026
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Vanished is the second title in the Circle of the Red Lily series, bringing us an intense romance for Mabel, a woman who stands for the victims of violence, and for a sister reeling from recent updates about her twin, who has been missing for seven years.  Paul, an ADA, didn’t expect the case he’d been working on to suddenly take an unexpected turn thanks to a spitfire determined to find justice.  Neither expected to find love in the middle of a dangerous investigation, yet they can’t ignore their feelings.  Life for Mabel and Paul is about to get interesting.

I thoroughly enjoyed returning to this world, though I strongly recommend reading this trilogy in order.  Each story can stand on its own, yet a continuing thread of the Red Lily runs through them, connecting all three on another level.  There is a sense of urgency that runs through this story as clues lead to an unexpected connection to Mabel’s sister’s disappearance.  The residents of Temple House will, once again, play a large part in solving this mystery.  The uncovering of evidence will lead to more questions and send a chill up your spine as you begin to think about the possibilities this discovery brings.  Tie in a romance that neither Mabel nor Paul saw coming adds another layer to this romantic suspense.

Vanished is well-written, emotional, and intense as this couple fights for answers and navigates their own feelings for each other.  There are surprises in store, an urgency to find answers, and a criminal ring to bring down.  I was easily swept up in Paul and Mabel’s story, following clues to unexpected conclusions.  If you enjoy fitting puzzle pieces together or figuring out whodunit before the reveal, then you’d love this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon