iMac Cleanup Problem: lost or maybe accidentally deleted files

Had some free time and decided to do some tidying up of files and folders.

Using an iMac 2020 I attempted to tidy up my downloads folder and relocate some files.

One major item was a small collection of 6-9 small EPUB files I had downloaded from a free Library site. I tried to move them to a 'Books' folder in my iCloud files and now cannot find them anywhere.

I am having trouble trying to find the Books folder I thought I had moved them into. I think somehow I have closed and or deleted a window that was open, and may have inadvertently deleted a chunk of my main iCloud folders beginning with 'B'. The list now jumps from •'Australia Post matters' to •'Bunnings'. with no evidence of any deleted E PUB items in the Bin/Trash or anywhere I can find.

I would value any constructive advice.

Should I just write them off as unrecoverable or should I be able to retrieve them somehow?