Disappearing Act by L.T. Ryan

Some lies are buried. Others disappear without a trace.

Truth vanishes in the space between panic and manipulation.

When private investigator Maddie Castle finds herself at the scene of a violent domestic dispute, what looks like a straightforward case quickly unravels. A young boy and his neighbor are missing. The father is in handcuffs. And the mother’s story doesn't quite add up.

As Maddie digs deeper, she uncovers a tangle of lies, weaponized trauma, and buried secrets stretching beyond the Porter family. At the heart of it all: a third missing girl, a trail gone cold, and a mother determined to bend the truth to serve her own justice.

Meanwhile, the dark shadows of the Willow Grove cult continue to stir. With new leads and a fragile witness stepping forward, Maddie must split her focus — or risk losing them all.

In a town built on appearances, disappearing is just the opening act.