The Vanishing Trail

In The Vanishing Trail, the second installment of the Lake Monroe Mysteries series, the Zarate siblings—Alex, Ricky, and Vanessa—plunge deeper into a chilling enigma that threatens to unravel their family. Set against the misty, treacherous shores of Lake Monroe, Indiana, this YA thriller novella picks up where The House on Lake Monroe left off, with the siblings reeling from the discovery of a hidden journal and photos linking their mother, Martha, to a decades-old disappearance. The stakes escalate when Ricky's friend Jake suddenly vanishes, his disappearance mirroring the haunting case from 1995 that the siblings are investigating. Determined to find him, Alex's calculated approach clashes with Ricky's reckless determination, while Vanessa struggles to mediate their growing rift. Together, they navigate foggy trails, an abandoned boathouse, and a suspicious dockworker named Kline, uncovering a web of lies that stretches beyond their family. The discovery of a map pointing to a quarry hints at deeper secrets, but their unity is tested as trust erodes under the weight of betrayal—both from outsiders and each other. As they piece together cryptic symbols and stolen clues, a shocking revelation about Martha's past fractures their bond further. Was she complicit in the cover-up they're unraveling? The siblings must confront their own resilience, pushing through trauma and uncertainty to save Jake and uncover the truth. The tension builds to a heart-pounding climax when a threatening note and a mysterious fire force them to question everything they know about their mother and the shadowy figure stalking their every move. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things and The Hardy Boys, The Vanishing Trail delivers a suspenseful blend of atmospheric danger, sibling dynamics, and coming-of-age challenges. This novella ends on a cliffhanger that will leave readers eager for the next chapter in the Zarates' journey. Dive into the fog and follow the trail to discover if the siblings can mend their broken trust and survive the secrets of Lake Monroe.