The Vanishing Shadows: Sam Mercer P.I. Investigations, #2

By R.E. Knight

 The Vanishing Shadows

In the rain-drenched streets of the city, detective Sam Mercer thought he'd seen it all. But when people in the West End start vanishing without a trace, he finds himself pulled into a sinister web of ancient rituals and malevolent forces. The clues are as elusive as shadows in the fog, and every lead seems to point to a mysterious man in black, a figure who leaves a chilling symbol in his wake.

 

Teaming up with the determined Evelyn Blackwood, Sam delves into a world of dark secrets and forgotten lore. Their investigation leads them from the grimy alleys of the city to a decrepit factory and an abandoned mansion, each step bringing them closer to a terrifying truth. The man in black is not acting alone; he is part of a network of cults, bound by a prophecy that threatens to unleash an ancient evil.

 

As Sam and Evelyn race against time, they uncover a plot that spans decades and touches the highest echelons of power. With the help of old allies and new, they confront the cultists in a desperate bid to stop a ritual that could change the world forever. But the deeper they go, the more they realize that the shadows they fight are not just outside—they are also within.

 

"The Vanishing Shadows" is a pulse-pounding detective thriller that blends mystery, horror, and suspense. In a city where the past never truly dies, Sam Mercer must face his darkest fears and the ghosts of his own history to protect the future. The shadows are closing in, and only the light of truth can dispel them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.E. Knight
• Release date: May 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224208166

Book preview

Chapter 1: Disappearing Acts

The rain was coming down hard, turning the city streets into rivers of grime and debris. I watched from my office window, the neon sign outside flickering as if trying to stave off the encroaching darkness. It had been a few weeks since the Blackwood case, and I was starting to get restless. The city never truly slept, and neither did its secrets.

Jack Donovan had left me with a tantalizing lead: a series of strange disappearances in the West End. People were vanishing without a trace, leaving behind nothing but questions and broken hearts. The police were stumped, and it was the kind of mystery that got under my skin.

I took a sip of my coffee, the bitter taste grounding me in the present. The file Jack had given me lay open on my desk, filled with notes and photographs. Six people had gone missing in the past two months, all from the same neighborhood. No witnesses, no clues, just empty homes and unanswered questions.

My door creaked open, and Evelyn Blackwood stepped in, her presence a welcome distraction. Since the resolution of her sister's case, she had become a regular part of my life, a partner of sorts in my pursuit of justice.

Got a minute? she asked, her voice cutting through the sound of the rain.

For you? Always, I replied, motioning for her to sit.

She took the chair opposite my desk, her expression serious. I've been looking into those disappearances Jack mentioned. It's worse than we thought.

I leaned forward, my interest piqued. What have you found?

She pulled out a folder and handed it to me. Inside were more photos, along with detailed notes. "I talked to some people in the West End, friends of the missing. They all say the same thing: the victims were all seen talking to a man in a black