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Tuper Mystery #4
Liberating Lana
Lana’s peaceful new life in Helena is shattered when, Jack, a dangerous man from her past finally tracks her down. She’s tempted to run again, but Tuper convinces her to stay and fight. Unfortunately, Jack knows Lana’s secrets—and weaknesses. When Jack kidnaps her dear friend Clarice, Lana feels like she has no choice but to use her hacking skills to help him commit devastating cybercrimes. Tuper has other plans though and calls his friends JP and Ron from San Diego to join the investigation. Using Lana as bait, they search for Clarice and hatch a plan to entrap Jack. But when the kidnapper is shot and killed, it leaves Clarice confined in an unknown location, and they discover Jack is not the only one stalking Lana. The crew races the clock—but can they find Clarice before it’s too late? And save Lana from her past—or will she have to keep running? If you enjoyed the suspense of Thomas Perry's The Old Man, you’ll love Liberating Lana. Buy now before the price changes!
- GenresMystery
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2023
About the author
Teresa Burrell
39 books440 followersTeresa Burrell maintained a private law practice where her work focused on abused minors. She has received several awards for her countless hours of pro bono work with children and their families. Burrell has also enjoyed a satisfying career as a teacher, working with children of all ages with diverse backgrounds and special needs. Now in semi-retirement, Burrell continues to educate groups about social issues impacting children and write novels, many of which are inspired by actual cases.
She has written 22 mystery novels: 17 in The Advocate Series, 4 in the Tuper Mystery Series, and one standalone, co-authored with LJ Sellers.
She has written 22 mystery novels: 17 in The Advocate Series, 4 in the Tuper Mystery Series, and one standalone, co-authored with LJ Sellers.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 9, 2023
Lana is a white hat computer hacker with a past, living a quiet life in Helena, Montana. It’s the first place she’s felt safe enough to put down roots. That sense of safety is supported by her friend, Tuper. He’s the kind of man everyone wants in their life – laconic, discreet, and knows people who know people who get things done. Lana’s past catches up with her and puts one of her friends I the line of fire. Rather than cut and run, Tuper convinces her to stay and fight. Can she save her friend and herself, or will she be forced to return to a way of life she doesn’t want?
I have enjoyed every book in this series, including this one. The story is well-written, the characters are multi-dimensional, and the plot fascinating. Tuper is one of my favorite characters, and I like how, when he sees Lana in trouble, he doesn’t pass judgment or ask too many questions, he just gathers up some of those people who know people and steps in to help. One of the things I particularly enjoy about this series is that it features characters from the author’s other works, and it’s like spending time with old friends for her longtime readers. But these stories are told in such a way that even if you don’t know the characters’ backstories, you will still enjoy the ride.
I’m a little sad this is the last in this series, but some of the characters will still make appearances in the author’s other books. I do recommend these books be read in order, because it makes the reading experience richer. For me, this was a series I will want to re-read.
I have enjoyed every book in this series, including this one. The story is well-written, the characters are multi-dimensional, and the plot fascinating. Tuper is one of my favorite characters, and I like how, when he sees Lana in trouble, he doesn’t pass judgment or ask too many questions, he just gathers up some of those people who know people and steps in to help. One of the things I particularly enjoy about this series is that it features characters from the author’s other works, and it’s like spending time with old friends for her longtime readers. But these stories are told in such a way that even if you don’t know the characters’ backstories, you will still enjoy the ride.
I’m a little sad this is the last in this series, but some of the characters will still make appearances in the author’s other books. I do recommend these books be read in order, because it makes the reading experience richer. For me, this was a series I will want to re-read.
November 3, 2023
This was another enjoyable read. I really like the way the author has weaved her characters from the Advocate series into the Tuper series. I missed reading book 2 , so I will need to backtrack a little.
August 29, 2025
Decent ending to a decent series. Fine with this being the end.
October 28, 2023
Gasping, Breathless, and Trembling with Suspense
Teresa Burrell has brought her Tuper series to a superb conclusion with Liberating Lana. I felt as if I were Lana's twin, so connected that her fears, courage, doubts, and confident thoughts were mine. Ms Burrell's talented writing always draws me into her stories. At the final supper, my heart was again freed to be glad for the family of choice. Congratulations on another success.
Teresa Burrell has brought her Tuper series to a superb conclusion with Liberating Lana. I felt as if I were Lana's twin, so connected that her fears, courage, doubts, and confident thoughts were mine. Ms Burrell's talented writing always draws me into her stories. At the final supper, my heart was again freed to be glad for the family of choice. Congratulations on another success.
October 16, 2023
A last goodbye
Between murder, and an investigation into a possible cheating wife case, Tuper and Lana are too busy to sleep. People from Lana’s past hacking exploits arrive to force her back into their schemes to steal massive amounts of money. When she refuses, they kidnap one of her close friends. Tuper, Lana, and their friends JP and Ron come together to find her friend and stop the extortion.
Between murder, and an investigation into a possible cheating wife case, Tuper and Lana are too busy to sleep. People from Lana’s past hacking exploits arrive to force her back into their schemes to steal massive amounts of money. When she refuses, they kidnap one of her close friends. Tuper, Lana, and their friends JP and Ron come together to find her friend and stop the extortion.
October 16, 2023
Liberating Lana is not surprisingly another hit by Teresa Burrell.
It answers a lot of the questions most readers have had about Lana. I don’t think many readers predicted these answers. We also are fortunate to have a few of our questions about Tuper answered as well offering a few surprises.
It answers a lot of the questions most readers have had about Lana. I don’t think many readers predicted these answers. We also are fortunate to have a few of our questions about Tuper answered as well offering a few surprises.
March 5, 2024
Lana's past comes to Helena
Lana has been receiving messages from her past. Jack Peterson was her father's partner. He wants her to hack into the dark web for the biggest scam of their life. Lana refuses.
She doesn't trust him. She believes he had something to do with her father's death. He was found burned to death in a house fire. She ran away before it all happened because she refused to be part of their scam.
Jack Peterson will do anything to make Lana do his request.
He goes after Clarice, the woman that Lana has been staying with for the last year. He disguises himself as Mike and gains her trust. He takes her to dinner and then kidnaps her. He ties her in an old barn.
He contacts Lana. She wants to refuse, but she can't let Clarice die for her.
Tuper calls JP and Ron to help. They all come to her rescue. They are all looking for Clarice. So Lana does her research on her computer to see if Jack has purchased any properties in the area. She also found out he rented another vehicle.
Ron and JP keep surveillance on his hotel.
Another person from her past comes to town. Grant, he was her boyfriend and also another hacker. She didn't know that he was a partner with Jack.
There are many twists and turns come out of her past.
Jack is shot. But by who? They finally find Clarice, battered, bruised, and freezing. They get her to the hospital. Once she ok to leave, Tuper takes Clarice, Mary Ann, Lana, and Ron to Jacob's colony for safe keeping.
Tuper figured there had to be a third person involved.
But when she starts unwrapping all the evidence, she doesn't expect the person she agrees to meet. He is the last person she expected.
She doesn't care if she goes to jail for her hacking skills, but it will be worth it for all the lies and people they destroyed. She has Tuper and the rest of her new family behind her.
Great story by Teresa Burrell.
Love her writing and how she keeps you in suspense, right to the end.
Lana has been receiving messages from her past. Jack Peterson was her father's partner. He wants her to hack into the dark web for the biggest scam of their life. Lana refuses.
She doesn't trust him. She believes he had something to do with her father's death. He was found burned to death in a house fire. She ran away before it all happened because she refused to be part of their scam.
Jack Peterson will do anything to make Lana do his request.
He goes after Clarice, the woman that Lana has been staying with for the last year. He disguises himself as Mike and gains her trust. He takes her to dinner and then kidnaps her. He ties her in an old barn.
He contacts Lana. She wants to refuse, but she can't let Clarice die for her.
Tuper calls JP and Ron to help. They all come to her rescue. They are all looking for Clarice. So Lana does her research on her computer to see if Jack has purchased any properties in the area. She also found out he rented another vehicle.
Ron and JP keep surveillance on his hotel.
Another person from her past comes to town. Grant, he was her boyfriend and also another hacker. She didn't know that he was a partner with Jack.
There are many twists and turns come out of her past.
Jack is shot. But by who? They finally find Clarice, battered, bruised, and freezing. They get her to the hospital. Once she ok to leave, Tuper takes Clarice, Mary Ann, Lana, and Ron to Jacob's colony for safe keeping.
Tuper figured there had to be a third person involved.
But when she starts unwrapping all the evidence, she doesn't expect the person she agrees to meet. He is the last person she expected.
She doesn't care if she goes to jail for her hacking skills, but it will be worth it for all the lies and people they destroyed. She has Tuper and the rest of her new family behind her.
Great story by Teresa Burrell.
Love her writing and how she keeps you in suspense, right to the end.
April 7, 2024
I enjoyed this book. Lana has been a main character throughout this series (one of my favourites) with her exceptional skills and bravery and in this book we finally get her story. In the previous books we learnt she was hiding from her past but not much more, despite being heavily involved in both this series and the authors advocate series. Well it has finally caught up with her and in a big way. I really enjoyed it. The mystery had a lot going on with two people having found her and there was plenty of twists to keep it entertaining until the very end. And of course with characters from both series coming to her rescue it was a delight and full of wit.
Lana might be a vital part of Tuper's investigative team and has become part of the family but she has secrets that she hasn't even told him. That all changes with an email. Her past had caught up with her and Lana has to decide if she is going to run or face it head on. When her friend Clarice is kidnapped she has no choice. She has to stay and tell her friends the truth. She knows they will do anything to help find Clarice but once that is done will they turn there backs on her? Finding out the truth means she has to look in to her past and her father's death, Clarice's life might depend on it. Or its working for the bad guys once again.
The narrator had such a deep voice but some how it works and it's just how I imagine Tuper sounding. He also does some great voices for the other characters.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Lana might be a vital part of Tuper's investigative team and has become part of the family but she has secrets that she hasn't even told him. That all changes with an email. Her past had caught up with her and Lana has to decide if she is going to run or face it head on. When her friend Clarice is kidnapped she has no choice. She has to stay and tell her friends the truth. She knows they will do anything to help find Clarice but once that is done will they turn there backs on her? Finding out the truth means she has to look in to her past and her father's death, Clarice's life might depend on it. Or its working for the bad guys once again.
The narrator had such a deep voice but some how it works and it's just how I imagine Tuper sounding. He also does some great voices for the other characters.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
October 14, 2023
This last book in the Tuper Mystery series was absolutely wonderful. I've loved Lana since the first time we met her. She's spunky, does her own thing and does it proudly, does everything she can as a white-hat hacker to help people who need her help, and is an all ground kick ass woman.
In Liberating Lana, she's trying to free herself of things and people that not only haunt her past, but her present as well. She has good friends and they definitely have her back in this book. Even more so than in the past.
I love the way the author writes. Her mysteries are always hard to figure out and keep me turning pages as fast as I can even though I keep telling myself to savor the story that the author put so much work into.
I would highly recommend this series if you haven't already read it and if you have, pick up Liberating Lana as soon as you can.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC at my request. My thoughts are my own, as always and shared because I absolutely love every book Ms. Burrell has written.
In Liberating Lana, she's trying to free herself of things and people that not only haunt her past, but her present as well. She has good friends and they definitely have her back in this book. Even more so than in the past.
I love the way the author writes. Her mysteries are always hard to figure out and keep me turning pages as fast as I can even though I keep telling myself to savor the story that the author put so much work into.
I would highly recommend this series if you haven't already read it and if you have, pick up Liberating Lana as soon as you can.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC at my request. My thoughts are my own, as always and shared because I absolutely love every book Ms. Burrell has written.
March 23, 2026
A Fine Finish
This is an easy review: It's a fine finish, so just read it!
Okay, I can say more. Picture six cats home alone: probably Mama Cat and her young not-yet-adopted kittens. Add one lovely, full basket of soft balls of yarn. One brave kitty leaps atop the heap, then tumbles off, all four paws tangled in the yarn balls she grasped with her tiny paws trying to stay atop. New game! The next kitten tries and tumbles, then the third young one... Soon all the yarn balls are tumbled across the carpet, so tangled that that even the yarn ends needed to untangle it all cannot be seen. That's Lana's life. And the time has come to tackle the impossible: putting the yarn back.
Writer Teresa takes a familiar plot: daughter raised by her dad into criminal hacking who walks away from it, becoming a "white hat" hacker and grows it into a much broader multifaceted plot. She then carefully blends in the mental, emotional, and ethical impact to her people, elevating this storytelling into a hybrid of what I call a "people story" (people's experiences and
This is an easy review: It's a fine finish, so just read it!
Okay, I can say more. Picture six cats home alone: probably Mama Cat and her young not-yet-adopted kittens. Add one lovely, full basket of soft balls of yarn. One brave kitty leaps atop the heap, then tumbles off, all four paws tangled in the yarn balls she grasped with her tiny paws trying to stay atop. New game! The next kitten tries and tumbles, then the third young one... Soon all the yarn balls are tumbled across the carpet, so tangled that that even the yarn ends needed to untangle it all cannot be seen. That's Lana's life. And the time has come to tackle the impossible: putting the yarn back.
Writer Teresa takes a familiar plot: daughter raised by her dad into criminal hacking who walks away from it, becoming a "white hat" hacker and grows it into a much broader multifaceted plot. She then carefully blends in the mental, emotional, and ethical impact to her people, elevating this storytelling into a hybrid of what I call a "people story" (people's experiences and
December 22, 2023
A dangerous man from Lana's past tracks her down. She's tempted to run but Tuper convinces her to stay and fight. When Clarice is kidnapped , Lana is forced to help the kidnapper commit cybercrimes. Can Tuper find Clarice and save Lana before it's too late?
This is the fourth book in the Tuper series and we finally learn just what Lana has been running from. Tuper and the whole gang are back keeping Lana safe as well as J.P. and Ron. There are twist and turns in this story that keep you turning the pages and even a few "well I didn't see that one coming".
As with all of Teresa's books she creates a story that gets you from the very first page and doesn't let you go till the last. Another great read.
This is the fourth book in the Tuper series and we finally learn just what Lana has been running from. Tuper and the whole gang are back keeping Lana safe as well as J.P. and Ron. There are twist and turns in this story that keep you turning the pages and even a few "well I didn't see that one coming".
As with all of Teresa's books she creates a story that gets you from the very first page and doesn't let you go till the last. Another great read.
July 28, 2024
Answers Earlier Questions, but...
There are some continuity issues in this book and awkward dialogue (for example, does Clarice live in a house or trailer? Most of what is written about her home sounds more like a house due to fireplace, front porch and deck, but this book says trailer.) Honestly, though this is the last book of the series, it has a first draft feel to it. I get the feeling these books are being rewritten, and this one hasn't gotten that polishing up yet, as the series fluctuates in quality of writing. The characters are very likable, and the plots are interesting. Just needs more work.
There are some continuity issues in this book and awkward dialogue (for example, does Clarice live in a house or trailer? Most of what is written about her home sounds more like a house due to fireplace, front porch and deck, but this book says trailer.) Honestly, though this is the last book of the series, it has a first draft feel to it. I get the feeling these books are being rewritten, and this one hasn't gotten that polishing up yet, as the series fluctuates in quality of writing. The characters are very likable, and the plots are interesting. Just needs more work.
October 17, 2023
Enjoyable
Good story, that took a little bit too long to be told. I almost forgot what I suspected early on in the book. There were a few editing/proofreading errors that really should have been caught. They didn’t detract from the story. The characters are interesting and I like the way they support each other and don’t let anyone run off on their own.
Good story, that took a little bit too long to be told. I almost forgot what I suspected early on in the book. There were a few editing/proofreading errors that really should have been caught. They didn’t detract from the story. The characters are interesting and I like the way they support each other and don’t let anyone run off on their own.
April 24, 2025
Intriguing Solution Intriguing Situation
Lana has been in hiding for five years. She knows people are looking for her. Her dad has been murdered. But the gig is up. She has been found. Her new friends have decided to help her; and the chase is on.
The book starts a little slowly, but ramps up fast. You won’t want to put this book down.
Lana has been in hiding for five years. She knows people are looking for her. Her dad has been murdered. But the gig is up. She has been found. Her new friends have decided to help her; and the chase is on.
The book starts a little slowly, but ramps up fast. You won’t want to put this book down.
March 12, 2025
Ive read all Ms Burrell's books availble on Amazon. And liked all of them and gave 5 stars to all except one and thats 4 stars. I wish I could find the CONER AND HITCH THRILLERS. I tried everythhing that I could, but with no luck. So if someone knows how to get them, please let me know.
July 17, 2025
Loved this series!
I really enjoyed Tyler & Lana! The character development of them and their "families" was intriguing and kept me engaged though all 4 books! I couldn't stop reading about them and binge read the whole series. I will miss them.
I really enjoyed Tyler & Lana! The character development of them and their "families" was intriguing and kept me engaged though all 4 books! I couldn't stop reading about them and binge read the whole series. I will miss them.
May 11, 2026
Beautiful
I know beautiful is not a good description for a series contains murder however the characters were wonderful and it had me guessing til the end. I would love to see more of these wonderful characters
I know beautiful is not a good description for a series contains murder however the characters were wonderful and it had me guessing til the end. I would love to see more of these wonderful characters
October 18, 2023
Agont and Pops
I really like these characters. Everybody has secrets. This was a very entertaining and exciting story about 2 characters I hope I'll meet again.
I really like these characters. Everybody has secrets. This was a very entertaining and exciting story about 2 characters I hope I'll meet again.
November 17, 2023
Another edge of your seat mystery.
I loved this story! And I was on the edge of my seat. Tyler is my hero. Thank you for another spell binding book.
I loved this story! And I was on the edge of my seat. Tyler is my hero. Thank you for another spell binding book.
April 8, 2024
This was a great ending for the 3-part Tuper series, resolving the previously unknown background that drives the characters' actions. It's best to read them in order.
August 17, 2024
great book
I love learning more about Lana
I love learning more about Lana
August 18, 2024
Such a great read…..
July 22, 2025
another great read
Love Lana great story and how she put her life back. Tuper is so great helping folks. Hope there’s one more book.
Love Lana great story and how she put her life back. Tuper is so great helping folks. Hope there’s one more book.
July 26, 2025
Awesome series
This story kept me involved, and I wanted to jump ahead but couldn't skip a single word. Thank you to the author. I am no longer suffering from Agony.
This story kept me involved, and I wanted to jump ahead but couldn't skip a single word. Thank you to the author. I am no longer suffering from Agony.
August 29, 2025
Book 4 in the series. Every book pulled me in and I put a lot of things on hold to read them all!
October 13, 2023
A brilliant, engrossing finale!!
A brilliant, engrossing finale!!
The book gives a glimpse of how Lana has been managing herself with the help of Tuper and the inimitable sisters Clarice and Mary Ann who have sheltered Lana in their own home in Montana! When she starts getting stalked and threatened by emails and texts from her past acquaintances, Lana seeks Tuper's help and support to confront all her past contacts.
When circumstances worsen and include kidnapping, murder, attempts of extortion into illegal activities, Lana further gets the help of PI JP Torn and his assistant Ron Brown.
With the combined efforts of all concerned, all the troubles are sorted out and the remaining culprits are caught.
Lana also decides to get herself legally cleared, approaches her friend attorney Sabre Brown and with her support approaches the appropriate and relevant government authorities thereby vindicating herself !!
An astounding account of how Lana liberates herself with the help of her Montana family and her friends from San Diego! Thank you, Teresa!!
A brilliant, engrossing finale!!
The book gives a glimpse of how Lana has been managing herself with the help of Tuper and the inimitable sisters Clarice and Mary Ann who have sheltered Lana in their own home in Montana! When she starts getting stalked and threatened by emails and texts from her past acquaintances, Lana seeks Tuper's help and support to confront all her past contacts.
When circumstances worsen and include kidnapping, murder, attempts of extortion into illegal activities, Lana further gets the help of PI JP Torn and his assistant Ron Brown.
With the combined efforts of all concerned, all the troubles are sorted out and the remaining culprits are caught.
Lana also decides to get herself legally cleared, approaches her friend attorney Sabre Brown and with her support approaches the appropriate and relevant government authorities thereby vindicating herself !!
An astounding account of how Lana liberates herself with the help of her Montana family and her friends from San Diego! Thank you, Teresa!!
December 11, 2023
love the characters, annoyed by the repetition
I love teresa
Burrell’sAdvocate books so it is hard to be critical of this Tuper tale. I don’t claim to understand what Lana was doing online but there was a lot of jumping from one target to another. And yes, Lana had a very difficult life but she seemed to blurt contradictory statements that had me muttering “no you don’t.”
Read the but skim the repeats and contradictions.
I love teresa
Burrell’sAdvocate books so it is hard to be critical of this Tuper tale. I don’t claim to understand what Lana was doing online but there was a lot of jumping from one target to another. And yes, Lana had a very difficult life but she seemed to blurt contradictory statements that had me muttering “no you don’t.”
Read the but skim the repeats and contradictions.
October 13, 2023
A wonderful ending to this particular series by Teresa. Finally got to know more about Lana, and the fact she found closure for why she was on the run. The relationship between Lana and Tuper is almost like father/daughter, and I'm going to miss the banter between them. Well worth the read.
October 6, 2023
I think this was the best Tuper book yet! I couldn't stop reading it, and it kept me guessing until the end. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews