Dead Account: A Sloane Merritt Missing Persons Mystery Book 1

by M.K. Quinn

A staged disappearance. A real abduction. And the girl she never stopped searching for.

Private investigator Sloane Merritt has built her career on finding missing persons—a calling born from devastating failure. Twenty years ago, her childhood best friend Eden Pike vanished without a trace. Two decades later, Sloane is still searching for answers.

When 25-year-old influencer Marley Quinn goes missing after posting about a luxury brand partnership, Sloane expects another routine case. A desperate family. A digital trail. A girl who made a bad decision and needs to be found.

But Marley's disappearance was supposed to be fake—a three-day publicity stunt to boost her struggling social media career. The con becomes terrifyingly real when Marley vanishes from her safe house, leaving behind only blood and signs of forced entry.

As Sloane races to find her, the case takes a disturbing turn. The person who recruited Marley used the name EdenSeeker88—a username that can't be coincidence. Someone knows about Sloane's past. Someone is using Eden's case as a blueprint. And someone has been targeting vulnerable young women for longer than anyone realized.

Now Sloane must untangle a web of manipulation, fake identities, and buried secrets before Marley becomes another girl who never comes home. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more she realizes this case might finally answer the question that's haunted her for twenty

What really happened to Eden Pike?

The first pulse-pounding thriller in the Sloane Merritt series—follow Atlanta's most relentless PI as she tracks down the missing, uncovers deadly secrets, and races against time in cases where every second counts.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

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

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and heart pounding..

This story was a read on the edge of my seat. It was written in a fast and engaging style and the suspense was nicely captured.

The characters were intriguing and I could easily connect with them.

Overall it was a very good read, with a great suspense!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil manifests in the most unexpected ways

This book makes me very glad that I grew up before this whole influencer culture was a thing. The depths that people go to try and “make it” the evil that’s waiting unseen to exploit that desperation. I felt very connected to Sloane and Marley. I understand the need the be seen and the void when you’re not. This book and this story I felt connected in a visceral way. Hope, desperation and evil counterbalanced by obsession, procedure and determination. One doozy of a reveal at the end. This is quite simply one of the best books I’ve read in a long time!

[Courtney Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Sloane Merritt’s debut and admittedly, I’m ready for round 2! Sloane is investigating the disappearance of a mid level social media influencer while also haunted by her own best friends disappearance 20 years prior. She’s a bit of a loose canon but in the best possible way and in the end, if you disappear, she’s who you want looking for you.

I didn’t find this easy to figure out and appreciated that there was some follow up on the who and the why. A lot of books just close the loop and leave you wondering a bit which can feel dissatisfying. While there is resolution to the primary story here, there is a lot of room for this to take off as a series between her own back story and her interactions with Detective Calder.

I want to thank BookSirens for this free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

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

A great thriller by M. K. Quinn. Racing against the clock to find a missing influencer while learning more about an event that still haunts her. To be continued...

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

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloane Merritt was a wonderful character. She is a private investigator with a personal back story that propels here to solve cases. Sloane teamed up with Detective Theo Calder makes this story even better. When an influencer goes missing you are lead down a path of twists and turns that keep you reading. The excitement and suspense of the past and present brings this story together. The by the book detective and the PI that goes with her gut make a great team that had me turning the pages. This is a must read that keeps me looking for the next book in this series.

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

[Robin Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and am eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in this series! The story is engaging, I felt the passion and urgency of the characters and the storyline is relevant to the times with the amount of influencers competing on social media. The story is thought provoking with words of wisdom from the supporting characters of Sloane.
Well done!

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

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing I’d change about this book is the title—Dead Account doesn’t come close to capturing how sharp, layered, and utterly addictive this mystery truly is.

Sloane Merritt is the kind of heroine mystery lovers latch onto immediately. When her best friend, Eden, vanished at fifteen, Sloane channeled heartbreak into purpose, building a career as a private investigator specializing in missing‑persons cases. She carries the same grounded professionalism and quiet grit that made Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone iconic, but with a tenderness that makes every case feel deeply personal.

Her latest job begins with the disappearance of a social‑media‑obsessed influencer whose older sister hires Sloane to track her down. But nothing about this case behaves the way it should. Is this a clout‑chasing stunt engineered for maximum attention? A fraud scheme spiraling out of control? Or something far more dangerous? And as Sloane follows the breadcrumbs, she can’t shake the feeling that someone wants her to believe Eden’s long‑cold case is connected—whether it is or not.

The pacing is spot‑on. Every twist, setback, and revelation propels the story forward, making it incredibly hard to put down.

For readers who crave smart, character‑driven mysteries with emotional depth and a heroine worth rooting for, Dead Account absolutely earns a place on your TBR.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 in Sloane Merritt Mystery series. From what I’ve read it looks like each book is about solving the case of a missing person with a central case that is 20 years old - the disappearance of her best friend.

All I have to say is wow. This book was amazing. Twists and turns. Dead ends. And I did not guess who did it. I was SO sure I knew. I was so wrong it was laughable.

I live Sloane and Theo working together. Definitely could see the author building into some romantic interest in the future (hopefully). And Ash is an amazing asset/character to this storyline. No PI can be without a detective friend and a techy!

I have already downloaded book 2 of the series. I went on Kindle Unlimited and it looks like book 3 was made available Dec 2025 (not 100% sure if it’s actually available yet) and book 4 will be coming in January 2026 with a blurb that says ……and many more!

5 stars all the way! Would give it more if I could!

[Bette Reith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most engaging and well written mystery that I have read. I think I have found a new favorite author. A woman goes missing and PI Sloane is called upon to investigate. What she finds is more than a missing person's case, it is calculated to sway the viewers of the victims Instagram account. But it goes much deeper than that. The author completely describes the life of an influencer and what they will do for more views. But, this book takes it even further. Read to find out.

I loved the characters, the plot twists, and the intense writing, basically everything about this book was top notch. I can't wait to read more from this author. If you love mysteries, read this, you won't be disappointed. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.

[Terri | Twist & Doubt | Bookstagram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this four stars overall. The story is fast paced and engaging, and I appreciated how consistently it kept moving. It’s an easy, compelling read, and I was invested in seeing how everything played out.

The main reason it landed at four rather than five stars for me comes down to emotional impact rather than issues with the plot itself. While I was interested in the outcome, I didn’t quite form a strong emotional connection to the victim, and as a result I didn’t feel the level of anger, dread, or emotional intensity that tends to elevate a thriller into five-star territory for me. I think leaning a little more into the emotional consequences and inner experience could really strengthen the impact, particularly in the later stages of the story.

As this was an ARC, I did notice a few minor inconsistencies and some spelling or grammar errors, which is completely understandable at this stage and didn’t significantly affect my enjoyment.

Overall, I found this to be a solid and engaging start to a new series, and I’d be very interested to see how the emotional depth and character development continue to evolve in future instalments.

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

[Amy -coldbrew.fiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

For fans of the Stella Knox Series by Mary Stone, here is your next favorite Series!

Dead Account by M.K. Quinn is a fantastic kickoff to the Sloane Merritt series. If you enjoy strong female led investigative/procedural thrillers, you will feel right at home here! Sloan is down to earth and relatable. Her friendships with secondary characters Ash and Calder are friendships to envy! Together, they are unstoppable!

Release Date: 02/20/25
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nichole Montanez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Account was such a great way to close out 2025. I’m glad I received an advance review copy for free, and will be leaving this review voluntarily.

It has been a long time since a book kept me up way too late because I just had to keep reading. The pacing, writing style, characters (loved Ash), and mystery hooked me from the start. The influencer angle was an idea I haven’t seen yet. I loved the overall vibe of the story.

That said, the forced relationship didn’t really work for me, and there were definitely two or three chapters that felt unnecessary. Still though the ending left me excited, and I genuinely hope there’s a second book.

[Lorelei Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was full of suspense. The story is about a social media influencer who goes missing and the investigation that follows.

The plot and the characters were easy to follow. There were some surprises in this story with lots of twists and turns. If you like mysteries, you may want to check this one out.

I received a free advance reader copy of this book. The opinion that I express is my own.

[Paige J Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Sloane Merrit is a private investigator who has had a traumatic event in her childhood which has shaped her professional life. I enjoyed the storyline of a missing person and the involvements of a modern career.

This is book 1 of a series and I’ll definitely read the 2nd to find out more of the over arching storyline.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sloane is the private investigators you want on your case; she is a bulldog that will not let go of the bone she's been given. Typically, she works missing people cases and is known for getting results. in this case Marley a young girl who is trying her best to be an influencer on social media is getting desperate to become relevant. She does all the supposed right things but just can't break through, so she decided to manufacture a disappearance to get more views.

The plan started off ok but spiraled out of control and soon she disappeared. Her sister contacted Sloan for help. Sloan used the local police and a computer hacker extraordinaire to work on leads.
Marleys life was soon endanger and she didn't have long till death took her. The various rabbit holes Sloan and the police went down before they homed in on a suspect was daunting and soon, they had a direction and a place to look for Marley. But was she alive or not? read it and find out. Interesting book made you think to what lengths people will go to be seen by others.

[Maureen Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Dead Account by M.K. Quinn and found it to be a sharp, engaging thriller. The novel hooked me right away with its clever premise—a financial mystery that quickly spirals into something much more dangerous. Quinn deftly balances suspense with insightful character development, making the stakes feel real and urgent.

What I especially appreciated was how the story explores the consequences of digital crime. The protagonist’s investigation into a suspicious account leads to twists that kept me guessing, and the supporting cast adds depth and intrigue at every turn. Quinn’s writing style is crisp, fast-paced, and full of tension, which made it hard to put the book down.

Overall, Dead Account is a satisfying blend of mystery and modern relevance, perfect for anyone who loves a smart, contemporary thriller. I look forward to reading more books in the series.

Thanks to BookSirens for an advanced copy of this book.

[Tammy Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much this book gripped me, I had been fascinated by the blurb but as I got deeper into to the story of Sloane looking into the disappearance of Marley a mid level influencer after being approached by a brand offering a collaboration that seems too good. Then when a username to the account that was messaging Marley seems to be calling back to Sloane's missing friend who vanished twenty years ago, did whoever takes Marley do this to target Sloane, with the help of her tech consultant/friend Ash and the reluctant assistance of detective Theo Calder she rushes to find Marley before she ends up dead.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Account is a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that delivers both heart pounding tension and deep character resonance. Sloane Merritt is an unforgettable protagonist wounded, relentless, and impossible not to root for. Marley Quinn’s staged disappearance spirals into a chilling, unpredictable mystery, while the echoes of Eden Pike’s decades old case give the story a haunting, emotional weight. M.K. Quinn masterfully blends digital deception, buried secrets, and psychological suspense into a page-turner that feels urgent and human at every step. A standout start to a powerful new series.

[Vanessa Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 of Sloane Merritt Mysteries. What a way to start the series. It introduces detective Sloane Merritt, who works to find missing people. She has her own history, in that when she was 15 her best friend Eden disappeared. Now she finds missing people with the hope that one day she will find her friend. The author weaves a compelling mystery that drew me in. I loved how the author inserted clues to find the missing person. I never expected how it ended but that is what I loved about this book. Just when I thought I had it figured out I was surprised by how wrong I was.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sloane is a private investigator who is hired by the sister of an influencer, Marley who has gone missing. I enjoyed this story as there are secrets hidden in the influencer's life that Sloane must uncover to bring her back. She teams up with a detective who has been assigned to Marley's case.

Throughout there are clues leading towards Sloane's best friend, Eden who also went missing when she was just fifteen. Sloane wants nothing more to find out what happened to her and bring her home.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

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

[Joyclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut Sloane Merritt Mystery. It moves quickly—I never felt like anything took too long to develop or uncover. The plot felt believable, especially in the way people can do desperate things for their jobs. There were enough twists to keep me engaged, but it never dragged. I finished it in a few days and appreciated that there’s still a lingering mystery leading into book two (which I definitely plan to read)

Thank you Book Sirens for the ARC of this book and allowing me to give my provide my honest opinion of the book

[Michelle Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Sloane Merritt Missing Persons series and it didn't disappoint. PI Sloane Merritt is an expert at finding missing person that resulted in a devastating event early in her life. Twenty years ago her best friend disappeared without a trace and Sloane still wants to know what happened to her. Sloane is called to find an influencer that has gone missing after what was supposed to just be a publicity stunt but now is real life.

[Lauren Meuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this fast paced, engaging thriller. I was hooked from the beginning of the story and I loved getting to know the main character and just to see how this story progressed. I highly recommend this story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Texas · Rating 3 out of 5]

DEAD ACCOUNT - This is an interesting and quickly read story. I found parts repetitious in places, almost a bit obsessive about Sloane's problem, obsession. The story lines are immersing and the characters are good. Source: Booksprout. 3.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was different and very much rooted in today’s social media world, where people will do almost anything to grow a following. I didn’t guess the villain, which I appreciated, but it’s still a slow burn overall. While the premise is unique, I wish we’d gotten more backstory on both the culprit and the victims. Without that depth, I never fully felt invested in either of them.

[Brittany Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a mystery thriller series that is based around missing persons!! I am a lover of true crime, but I don't always want to just watch shows about murder. I prefer missing persons stories because there is so hope, some mystery... something to look for! And this first book in the Sloane Merritt series checked every box for a true MYSTERY novel that isn't just about solving a murder. I also appreciate the very minimal language (if there was any?), no violence, and overall just a clean but suspenseful book that kept me guessing. I can't wait for more!!