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Claire Fletcher and Detective Parks #2
Losing Leah Holloway
Five years ago, Claire Fletcher escaped her abductor. But some scars never fade, and surviving was just the beginning…
When Claire sees a car full of children careen into a river, she rushes to the rescue. But the driver, a mother named Leah Holloway, prefers to drown. For Claire and her ex, Detective Connor Parks, it doesn’t add up. What would motivate a woman with a beautiful family and a successful career to resort to such unspeakable extremes? What Connor finds out confirms Claire’s suspicions of something dreadful behind Holloway’s picture-perfect facade: a link between the terrified mother and a serial strangler targeting Sacramento soccer moms.
When Claire sees a car full of children careen into a river, she rushes to the rescue. But the driver, a mother named Leah Holloway, prefers to drown. For Claire and her ex, Detective Connor Parks, it doesn’t add up. What would motivate a woman with a beautiful family and a successful career to resort to such unspeakable extremes? What Connor finds out confirms Claire’s suspicions of something dreadful behind Holloway’s picture-perfect facade: a link between the terrified mother and a serial strangler targeting Sacramento soccer moms.
As Claire and Connor are drawn back together, their investigation leads them to unearth everything Holloway was hiding. What they find could be the only way to stop a killer from striking again.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2017
1952 people are currently reading
4701 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Regan
35 books3,796 followersLisa Regan is the USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Detective Josie Quinn series as well as several other crime fiction titles. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She is a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers’ Association, and International Thriller Writers. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, daughter and Boston Terrier named Mr. Phillip.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 425 reviews
October 26, 2017
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
I read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. Finding Claire Fletcher was my first introduction to author, Lisa Regan a few years ago. When I heard there was going to be another book in the series, I was excited. I believe that reading the first book would add to the experience; but it’s definitely not necessary, Losing Leah Holloway can easily be read as a stand-alone.
I REALLY enjoyed this novel. It opens with a shocking and dramatic scene… I was instantly gripped, desperate to know what happened. I only put this novel down when I absolutely had to, and you would have been hard pressed to try to pull this book from my hands as I got towards the end.
The beginning of the book briefly covers what happened in the first book. Claire Fletcher was reunited with her family five years ago after being abducted and held captive for ten years by a pedophile.
Claire is spending the day fishing with her sister, Brianna. Claire loves to fish, it helps with her anxiety. Brianna is just happy to be spending time with her sister. Unfortunately, what they had hoped would be a relaxing day soon takes a shocking turn.
Claire is talking to Brianna about Connor Parks. Connor is a detective with Sacramento’s Office of Investigations. He is the one who solved Claire’s abduction case. Claire and Connor dated briefly when she returned home, but she finds it difficult to explain why things didn’t work out.
Suddenly car horns and tires squealing interrupt their conversation and they are astonished as they look up at the overpass and see a red SUV come flying over the side landing in the very river they are fishing in. Without thinking, Claire jumps into the river and swims out to the van. She sees a woman in the driver’s seat. Claire then notices children in the vehicle. How on earth will she get everyone out to safety? She feels herself floating away, separating herself from what is happening, something she used to get through all those years in captivity. But she’s able to shake herself back to reality; she must save them.
But when the woman in the car finally comes to, she looks at Claire with a look that Claire knows well. This woman has been terrorized. Claire screams at her to unlock the door. But the woman doesn’t. It’s now up to Claire to save the children. She shakes away the thought of not being able to get them out.
“She was not going to watch five children die before her eyes”
Detective Connor Parks is in the middle of a “Soccer Mom Strangler” police briefing while all this is happening at the river. The killer got his name because he targets Sacramento soccer moms who all have certain similarities. He kills them all in the same way and the police need to stop him before he kills again.
Thirty-seven year old Leah Holloway was the driver of the SUV. Connor and his partner Jade work to find out more about Leah Holloway, while also working the “Soccer Mom Strangler” case. They try to unravel Leah’s life to figure out why she did what she did. From all accounts, Leah Holloway was a happy mother and wife...
The story is told from multiple perspectives, but I had no problem keeping track of who was speaking or what was happening. If anything it only added to my enjoyment of the story. Between the serial killer case, Leah Holloway, and Claire and Connor there’s a lot going on, but it all comes together so well.
Lisa Regan has done it again. In my review of the first book in the series I said “what a heart-wrenching, devastating, emotional, well-written and fantastic book!” and now that I’ve read the second book in the series I have to say…. Ditto! This was an awesome read and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. Finding Claire Fletcher was my first introduction to author, Lisa Regan a few years ago. When I heard there was going to be another book in the series, I was excited. I believe that reading the first book would add to the experience; but it’s definitely not necessary, Losing Leah Holloway can easily be read as a stand-alone.
I REALLY enjoyed this novel. It opens with a shocking and dramatic scene… I was instantly gripped, desperate to know what happened. I only put this novel down when I absolutely had to, and you would have been hard pressed to try to pull this book from my hands as I got towards the end.
The beginning of the book briefly covers what happened in the first book. Claire Fletcher was reunited with her family five years ago after being abducted and held captive for ten years by a pedophile.
Claire is spending the day fishing with her sister, Brianna. Claire loves to fish, it helps with her anxiety. Brianna is just happy to be spending time with her sister. Unfortunately, what they had hoped would be a relaxing day soon takes a shocking turn.
Claire is talking to Brianna about Connor Parks. Connor is a detective with Sacramento’s Office of Investigations. He is the one who solved Claire’s abduction case. Claire and Connor dated briefly when she returned home, but she finds it difficult to explain why things didn’t work out.
Suddenly car horns and tires squealing interrupt their conversation and they are astonished as they look up at the overpass and see a red SUV come flying over the side landing in the very river they are fishing in. Without thinking, Claire jumps into the river and swims out to the van. She sees a woman in the driver’s seat. Claire then notices children in the vehicle. How on earth will she get everyone out to safety? She feels herself floating away, separating herself from what is happening, something she used to get through all those years in captivity. But she’s able to shake herself back to reality; she must save them.
But when the woman in the car finally comes to, she looks at Claire with a look that Claire knows well. This woman has been terrorized. Claire screams at her to unlock the door. But the woman doesn’t. It’s now up to Claire to save the children. She shakes away the thought of not being able to get them out.
“She was not going to watch five children die before her eyes”
Detective Connor Parks is in the middle of a “Soccer Mom Strangler” police briefing while all this is happening at the river. The killer got his name because he targets Sacramento soccer moms who all have certain similarities. He kills them all in the same way and the police need to stop him before he kills again.
Thirty-seven year old Leah Holloway was the driver of the SUV. Connor and his partner Jade work to find out more about Leah Holloway, while also working the “Soccer Mom Strangler” case. They try to unravel Leah’s life to figure out why she did what she did. From all accounts, Leah Holloway was a happy mother and wife...
The story is told from multiple perspectives, but I had no problem keeping track of who was speaking or what was happening. If anything it only added to my enjoyment of the story. Between the serial killer case, Leah Holloway, and Claire and Connor there’s a lot going on, but it all comes together so well.
Lisa Regan has done it again. In my review of the first book in the series I said “what a heart-wrenching, devastating, emotional, well-written and fantastic book!” and now that I’ve read the second book in the series I have to say…. Ditto! This was an awesome read and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 20, 2017
This is book two in the Claire Fletcher series. Although the focus is not solely on Claire in this book, I would still highly recommend starting with book one - Finding Claire Fletcher, before diving into this one.
A seemingly ordinary mother, Leah Holloway, drives off a bridge with a car full of children. Now it’s up to Detective Connor Parks to investigate and dig into the life of this woman. How exactly does a woman who displayed no warning signs do something so horrific? What went so wrong in her life to make her take such a drastic step?
Claire takes somewhat of a back-seat in this book. Which for me was unexpected. Maybe in the future I need to take a closer look before I start reading. I was hopeful for more content involving Claire, and of course Connor! The second half of the book mainly focuses on Leah Holloway. (Well, ok she is the title character after all!). But I didn’t feel the characters of Claire and Leah meshed well into one book. I really enjoyed both characters, but Claire and Leah could each stand on their own separately and be terrific. Actually I think I may have preferred to read separate full length books solely devoted to each woman. Even with that said, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book!
It is a very quick read with short chapters that make it hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend!
A Traveling Sister Group read with Brenda, Norma, Lindsay, Diane, Deanna, Susanne and Sarah!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
For this review and our full traveling sister review please visit Brenda and Norma's Fantastic Traveling Sister Book Blog http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
A seemingly ordinary mother, Leah Holloway, drives off a bridge with a car full of children. Now it’s up to Detective Connor Parks to investigate and dig into the life of this woman. How exactly does a woman who displayed no warning signs do something so horrific? What went so wrong in her life to make her take such a drastic step?
Claire takes somewhat of a back-seat in this book. Which for me was unexpected. Maybe in the future I need to take a closer look before I start reading. I was hopeful for more content involving Claire, and of course Connor! The second half of the book mainly focuses on Leah Holloway. (Well, ok she is the title character after all!). But I didn’t feel the characters of Claire and Leah meshed well into one book. I really enjoyed both characters, but Claire and Leah could each stand on their own separately and be terrific. Actually I think I may have preferred to read separate full length books solely devoted to each woman. Even with that said, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book!
It is a very quick read with short chapters that make it hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend!
A Traveling Sister Group read with Brenda, Norma, Lindsay, Diane, Deanna, Susanne and Sarah!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
For this review and our full traveling sister review please visit Brenda and Norma's Fantastic Traveling Sister Book Blog http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
November 4, 2017
What would cause a seemingly content woman to drive a car full of children off a bridge? This is the mystery that fuels Losing Leah Holloway. This is a suspenseful, fast-paced read that I couldn’t put down!
While Losing Leah Holloway can be read as a standalone, I HIGHLY recommend reading Finding Claire Fletcher first!
5 years after being rescued from captivity, Claire Fletcher is on her way to recovery. One morning while fishing with her sister, she witnesses a car run off a bridge. Claire runs to the rescue and is able to bring all of the children in the vehicle to safety, but the woman driving, Leah Holloway, chooses to drown.
This event brings Connor, a police detective, back into Claire’s life and they slowly rekindle their relationship as they try to understand Leah’s motives. What they uncover is that there is a WHOLE lot of sinister and tawdry behavior going on behind the scenes of Leah’s suburban neighborhood. Making things even more interesting is that a serial killer targeting soccer moms is on the loose.
Losing Leah Holloway sucked me in from the beginning--there’s a ton of action, drama, and a little bit of romance. Leah’s story was hard to read, but I think Lisa Regan did a great job of fleshing out her character so that the reader could get a clear picture of what was going on to drive her to suicide (no pun intended).
It’s rare for me to like a second book in the series more than the first, but this is the case with this book. Claire and Connor’s characters are more developed, and some of the issues I had with the first book were cleaned up in this one. My only complaint is that I wanted more of Claire and Connor! Hoping there is going to be another book in the series!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While Losing Leah Holloway can be read as a standalone, I HIGHLY recommend reading Finding Claire Fletcher first!
5 years after being rescued from captivity, Claire Fletcher is on her way to recovery. One morning while fishing with her sister, she witnesses a car run off a bridge. Claire runs to the rescue and is able to bring all of the children in the vehicle to safety, but the woman driving, Leah Holloway, chooses to drown.
This event brings Connor, a police detective, back into Claire’s life and they slowly rekindle their relationship as they try to understand Leah’s motives. What they uncover is that there is a WHOLE lot of sinister and tawdry behavior going on behind the scenes of Leah’s suburban neighborhood. Making things even more interesting is that a serial killer targeting soccer moms is on the loose.
Losing Leah Holloway sucked me in from the beginning--there’s a ton of action, drama, and a little bit of romance. Leah’s story was hard to read, but I think Lisa Regan did a great job of fleshing out her character so that the reader could get a clear picture of what was going on to drive her to suicide (no pun intended).
It’s rare for me to like a second book in the series more than the first, but this is the case with this book. Claire and Connor’s characters are more developed, and some of the issues I had with the first book were cleaned up in this one. My only complaint is that I wanted more of Claire and Connor! Hoping there is going to be another book in the series!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2017
This book picks up five years later after the first book, Finding Claire Fletcher. Claire is recovering from her years in captivity. Claire and her sister are enjoying themselves, spending time together fishing. They both end up end up witnessing a car crashing off the bridge into the river. In the car is a woman with her five children. The lady is Leah Holliway. Claire tries to save them and saves the lives of the children. She tries to save the mother, but she does not want to live and she ends up drowning.
This then turns into a murder investigation since there is an investigation going on with a serial killer that is going around killing Soccer Mom's. Connor Parks is on the case. What Connor finds out confirms Claire's suspicions of something dreadful between the terrified mother and the Soccer Mom Strangler targeting Soccer Mom's. What they find could be the only way to stop a killer from striking again. They also find out what Holloway was hiding.
I loved this book as much as I loved the first book in the series. I was hooked from the very beginning and till the very end. It was a very gripping thriller. It is a page turner that is fast paced and full of suspense. I loved the twists and turns. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat. I liked this one just as much as I liked the first one. I love the characters especially Connor and Claire. You will want to read the first book before reading this one. I am so looking forward to reading book 3. I highly recommend this series to those that love a great thriller series. I cannot wait for book 3 to come out next year.
I want to thank Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This then turns into a murder investigation since there is an investigation going on with a serial killer that is going around killing Soccer Mom's. Connor Parks is on the case. What Connor finds out confirms Claire's suspicions of something dreadful between the terrified mother and the Soccer Mom Strangler targeting Soccer Mom's. What they find could be the only way to stop a killer from striking again. They also find out what Holloway was hiding.
I loved this book as much as I loved the first book in the series. I was hooked from the very beginning and till the very end. It was a very gripping thriller. It is a page turner that is fast paced and full of suspense. I loved the twists and turns. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat. I liked this one just as much as I liked the first one. I love the characters especially Connor and Claire. You will want to read the first book before reading this one. I am so looking forward to reading book 3. I highly recommend this series to those that love a great thriller series. I cannot wait for book 3 to come out next year.
I want to thank Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2017
LOSING LEAH HOLLOWAY (Claire Fletcher & Detective Parks Mystery #2) by LISA REGAN is a tense, suspenseful, thrilling, and a fast-paced novel with some really good twists that grabbed my attention right away and had me totally engaged and curious throughout this whole book. Losing Leah Holloway picks up 5 years after the first installment in this series, Finding Claire Fletcher and I was extremely excited to get an advanced copy of this novel. I thought it was just as good if not better than the first book in this series.
LISA REGAN delivers an action-packed story here that was thrilling and exciting to read from start to finish. The storyline was interesting, extremely good, tied together nicely throughout, and played out perfectly in the end. I love Claire and Connor’s relationship and I think they are awesome characters.
I loved everything about this book and hope that there might be a third installment to this series in the future. Would recommend!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Traveling Sisters Group Read - Thank you so much for another wonderful reading experience! It is always a pleasure reading along with these awesome group of ladies!
Our full Traveling Sisters Review can be found on your sister blog:
https://www.twogirlslostinacouleeread...
LISA REGAN delivers an action-packed story here that was thrilling and exciting to read from start to finish. The storyline was interesting, extremely good, tied together nicely throughout, and played out perfectly in the end. I love Claire and Connor’s relationship and I think they are awesome characters.
I loved everything about this book and hope that there might be a third installment to this series in the future. Would recommend!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Traveling Sisters Group Read - Thank you so much for another wonderful reading experience! It is always a pleasure reading along with these awesome group of ladies!
Our full Traveling Sisters Review can be found on your sister blog:
https://www.twogirlslostinacouleeread...
October 19, 2017
3.5 Missed the first one featuring these characters but the author did a good job filling in without interrupting the plot nor repeating herself endlessly. I was quite caught in the web of this mystery, indeed this story starts with a terrible tragedy, and goes on from there. Seems a women who everyone thought they knew so well had some dire secrets that came back to haunt her big time. A serial killer targeting soccer mom's brings Conner, a police detective back into the frame. Reunites he and Claire as well. Second chances so to speak. Will they get it right this time?
The writing involving the mystery storyline was very well done. Did think the relationship dialogue between Claire and Conner was sometimes awkward. While I did like the two of them together it sometimes felt like that took up to much of the plot and at inoportune times. Just didn't ring true to me sometimes, critical I know. Other than that the pages turned quickly and I found it very suspenseful without being horribly graphic. My kind of story.
Another sisters read but this time we all enjoyed this read to varying degrees.
ARC from Netgalley.
The writing involving the mystery storyline was very well done. Did think the relationship dialogue between Claire and Conner was sometimes awkward. While I did like the two of them together it sometimes felt like that took up to much of the plot and at inoportune times. Just didn't ring true to me sometimes, critical I know. Other than that the pages turned quickly and I found it very suspenseful without being horribly graphic. My kind of story.
Another sisters read but this time we all enjoyed this read to varying degrees.
ARC from Netgalley.
October 25, 2017
What would make a loving, devoted mother smash her car into two others, killing the passengers, before hurling her own vehicle over a bridge into the water below in a purposeful attempt to kill herself and the five children with her? She was a happily married soccer mom who never drank, smoke or fooled around. Her life was perfect. Or was it?
In this second installment of Lisa Regan's Clair Fletcher series, this question will be asked repeatedly: what was going on in Leah Holloway's life that led her to the tragic, horrifying events on that day. The answers, as they slowly unravel, will shock and horrify you!
Although this is the second in the series, it is very much a stand alone novel. I didn't read the first book and the events were explained in enough detail as this drama unfolded that I had a clear picture of Fletcher and Detective Connor Parks. There were some peripheral characters that weren't given a backstory, but it wasn't relevant to the overall storyline.
Losing Leah Holloway is more than just a thriller, although it will hold your attention and have you gripping your chair at times. It is the untold story of many women who try very hard to fit the image of perfection in today's society, a society that expects perfection 24/7. When a crack or fissure appears for these women, it is often damaging and unforgivable. Far too many don't have the skills or network around them to cope. We lose them just as we lost Leah Holloway.
My thanks to Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer and Lisa Regan for my copy of this book.
September 28, 2017
I didn't read the first book in this series. (Normal for me)
Claire Fletcher was a prisoner of a sex predator for years. She escaped and she is trying to still get on with her life. She is actually very likeable. You laugh because I say that? I don't like anyone so there is that.
Claire is out fishing with her sister one day and a minivan full of kids crash through the guardrail and enter the water. Claire goes into full on rescue mode and manages to get all the kids out...but the mom doesn't want saved. Her eyes have that terrorized look that Claire knows well.
What caused a mom with a good life/job/husband to snap and want to kill herself and her AND her best friends kids?
Then you have another storyline in which Claire's boyfriend Connor is investigating...a serial killer is killing women at their kid's soccer matches. They are raped, strangled and bitten and left.
Claire and Connor's romance is not overdone for a thriller. I don't like when my thrillers are really of the romancy variety. It's there but it didn't make me want to knock their heads together. AND another good thing is that Claire didn't involve herself in the serial killer case..I HATE when author's let their characters have too much leeway into a police investigation..there is just no way legally that can happen. Stop that crap people. Anyways, this author does a good job with that part.
Another thing Regan did well was the look into a stressed out mom's life. She made me perfectly feel for Leah (the woman that drove into the water)..if you have ever wanted your husband to just help out some with the kids or just to have five minutes peace you know her feelings. Even though I ended up not agreeing with her actions I could completely see where she was coming from.
This was actually pretty good. It kept me reading and turning pages as fast as I could because I completely wanted to know how it was going to end up.
I would love to grab up the first book in this series now to see how Claire's history played out, you do get bits and pieces of it in this book but I'm curious now. PS it was fine to read this as a standalone.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
Claire Fletcher was a prisoner of a sex predator for years. She escaped and she is trying to still get on with her life. She is actually very likeable. You laugh because I say that? I don't like anyone so there is that.
Claire is out fishing with her sister one day and a minivan full of kids crash through the guardrail and enter the water. Claire goes into full on rescue mode and manages to get all the kids out...but the mom doesn't want saved. Her eyes have that terrorized look that Claire knows well.
What caused a mom with a good life/job/husband to snap and want to kill herself and her AND her best friends kids?
Then you have another storyline in which Claire's boyfriend Connor is investigating...a serial killer is killing women at their kid's soccer matches. They are raped, strangled and bitten and left.
Claire and Connor's romance is not overdone for a thriller. I don't like when my thrillers are really of the romancy variety. It's there but it didn't make me want to knock their heads together. AND another good thing is that Claire didn't involve herself in the serial killer case..I HATE when author's let their characters have too much leeway into a police investigation..there is just no way legally that can happen. Stop that crap people. Anyways, this author does a good job with that part.
Another thing Regan did well was the look into a stressed out mom's life. She made me perfectly feel for Leah (the woman that drove into the water)..if you have ever wanted your husband to just help out some with the kids or just to have five minutes peace you know her feelings. Even though I ended up not agreeing with her actions I could completely see where she was coming from.
This was actually pretty good. It kept me reading and turning pages as fast as I could because I completely wanted to know how it was going to end up.
I would love to grab up the first book in this series now to see how Claire's history played out, you do get bits and pieces of it in this book but I'm curious now. PS it was fine to read this as a standalone.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
October 19, 2017
4.5 stars!! Wow - this was a fantastic follow up to Finding Claire Fletcher!
This book captured my FULL attention from page one and didn’t let it go until the very last sentence. It was an intense, unique, gripping, heart-pounding, addictive, fast-paced, highly entertaining thriller.
I really enjoyed meeting the main characters, Claire and Connor, in the first book and my love for them grew even deeper through this engrossing story. The author, Lisa Regan, did a fabulous job further developing these characters. I really liked how this story was presented through multiple time frames and various characters’ perspectives. There were several pages that made me gasp and pause to (pick my jaw up off the floor and) ensure I had read things correctly. This novel has many shocking twists and turns that kept me at the edge of my seat and flipping the pages as fast as possible.
I would highly recommend this edgy, jaw-dropping, highly suspenseful novel! Be sure to start with the first book, Finding Claire Fletcher, to ensure you get the entire backstory and can fully appreciate and truly enjoy this unforgettable tale.
I will end by saying that Wilson the dog was such a perfect addition to Claire’s life – absolutely loved him!
A big thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Reading this along with my wonderful Traveling Sisters made this book an even better experience! To find this review, along with the other Traveling Sister reviews, please visit Brenda and Norma’s fabulous blog at:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
This book captured my FULL attention from page one and didn’t let it go until the very last sentence. It was an intense, unique, gripping, heart-pounding, addictive, fast-paced, highly entertaining thriller.
I really enjoyed meeting the main characters, Claire and Connor, in the first book and my love for them grew even deeper through this engrossing story. The author, Lisa Regan, did a fabulous job further developing these characters. I really liked how this story was presented through multiple time frames and various characters’ perspectives. There were several pages that made me gasp and pause to (pick my jaw up off the floor and) ensure I had read things correctly. This novel has many shocking twists and turns that kept me at the edge of my seat and flipping the pages as fast as possible.
I would highly recommend this edgy, jaw-dropping, highly suspenseful novel! Be sure to start with the first book, Finding Claire Fletcher, to ensure you get the entire backstory and can fully appreciate and truly enjoy this unforgettable tale.
I will end by saying that Wilson the dog was such a perfect addition to Claire’s life – absolutely loved him!
A big thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Reading this along with my wonderful Traveling Sisters made this book an even better experience! To find this review, along with the other Traveling Sister reviews, please visit Brenda and Norma’s fabulous blog at:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
November 21, 2017
This book picks up five years later after the first book, Finding Claire Fletcher. Claire is recovering from her years in captivity. Claire and her sister are enjoying themselves, spending time together fishing. They both end up end up witnessing a car crashing off the bridge into the river. In the car is a woman with her five children. The lady is Leah Holliway. Claire tries to save them and saves the lives of the children. She tries to save the mother, but she does not want to live and she ends up drowning.
This then turns into a murder investigation since there is an investigation going on with a serial killer that is going around killing Soccer Mom's. Connor Parks is on the case. What Connor finds out confirms Claire's suspicions of something dreadful between the terrified mother and the Soccer Mom Strangler targeting Soccer Mom's. What they find could be the only way to stop a killer from striking again. They also find out what Holloway was hiding.
I loved this book as much as I loved the first book in the series. I was hooked from the very beginning and till the very end. It was a very gripping thriller. It is a page turner that is fast paced and full of suspense. I loved the twists and turns. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat. I liked this one just as much as I liked the first one. I love the characters especially Connor and Claire. You will want to read the first book before reading this one. I am so looking forward to reading book 3. I highly recommend this series to those that love a great thriller series. I cannot wait for book 3 to come out next year.
I want to thank Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This then turns into a murder investigation since there is an investigation going on with a serial killer that is going around killing Soccer Mom's. Connor Parks is on the case. What Connor finds out confirms Claire's suspicions of something dreadful between the terrified mother and the Soccer Mom Strangler targeting Soccer Mom's. What they find could be the only way to stop a killer from striking again. They also find out what Holloway was hiding.
I loved this book as much as I loved the first book in the series. I was hooked from the very beginning and till the very end. It was a very gripping thriller. It is a page turner that is fast paced and full of suspense. I loved the twists and turns. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat. I liked this one just as much as I liked the first one. I love the characters especially Connor and Claire. You will want to read the first book before reading this one. I am so looking forward to reading book 3. I highly recommend this series to those that love a great thriller series. I cannot wait for book 3 to come out next year.
I want to thank Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2017
5+ Stars.
Well-Played, Ms. Regan. Very Well Played!!
“Losing Leah Holloway” is the 2nd book in Claire Fletcher and Connor Parks Series by Lisa Regan.
Claire Fletcher is a woman who survived the unthinkable. Being held captive for 10 years by a mad man. Now she witnesses the unthinkable. A woman driving her SUV off of a Bridge into a river with children inside. Claire follows her instinct and tries to save them. To Claire, the woman driving the car appears to be terrified. And she refuses to open her door or the windows, seemingly resigned to killing herself and the kids inside. Claire, however, doesn’t think that what she is terrified of, is dying. Claire refuses to give in and is able to rescue everyone but the driver, who she finds out is Leah Holloway. The Detective who arrives at the scene? Connor Parks, Claire’s ex-boyfriend, who just happens to be the man who saved Claire’s life 5 years ago - the man she let slip through her fingers.
What would cause Leah Holloway to drive into a river with 4 small children in her car? How could anyone’s life be that bad? That is the question, my friends.
Meanwhile, a serial killer is murdering Soccer Moms’ in their small Sacramento town. And his calling card is an unusual one. Is it related to the Holloway case?
This is a book that made all of my nerve endings jangled. For much of it, my breath was caught in my throat and the suspense held. Lisa Regan expertly intertwined the storyline of Leah Holloway with Detective Connor Parks and my favorite heroine, Claire Fletcher. With another mystery unfolding before me, my attention span didn’t dwindle for even one teeny second.
“Losing Leah Holloway” brings Connor and Claire back together. For those of us that read “Finding Claire Fletcher” you couldn’t help but root for them. For me, I just adore these two characters. You can’t help but love Claire, not after what she went through before. She is one tough cookie, who is full of heart. And Connor, the swoon-worthy Detective who saved her and has only had eyes for her ever since? Well, need I say more?
While “Losing Leah Holloway” can be read as a standalone (since this book provides a lot of detail about what happened to Claire previously), I recommend reading “Finding Claire Fletcher” first. While I really liked the first book in the series (I gave that one 4 stars), I have to say, I think this follow up was absolutely stellar and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
This was a Traveling Sister Group Read. It included Brenda, Norma, Kaceey, Lindsay, Diane, Deanna and Sarah. We had a great time reading it and for the most part, all of us really enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook on 10.22.17.
Well-Played, Ms. Regan. Very Well Played!!
“Losing Leah Holloway” is the 2nd book in Claire Fletcher and Connor Parks Series by Lisa Regan.
Claire Fletcher is a woman who survived the unthinkable. Being held captive for 10 years by a mad man. Now she witnesses the unthinkable. A woman driving her SUV off of a Bridge into a river with children inside. Claire follows her instinct and tries to save them. To Claire, the woman driving the car appears to be terrified. And she refuses to open her door or the windows, seemingly resigned to killing herself and the kids inside. Claire, however, doesn’t think that what she is terrified of, is dying. Claire refuses to give in and is able to rescue everyone but the driver, who she finds out is Leah Holloway. The Detective who arrives at the scene? Connor Parks, Claire’s ex-boyfriend, who just happens to be the man who saved Claire’s life 5 years ago - the man she let slip through her fingers.
What would cause Leah Holloway to drive into a river with 4 small children in her car? How could anyone’s life be that bad? That is the question, my friends.
Meanwhile, a serial killer is murdering Soccer Moms’ in their small Sacramento town. And his calling card is an unusual one. Is it related to the Holloway case?
This is a book that made all of my nerve endings jangled. For much of it, my breath was caught in my throat and the suspense held. Lisa Regan expertly intertwined the storyline of Leah Holloway with Detective Connor Parks and my favorite heroine, Claire Fletcher. With another mystery unfolding before me, my attention span didn’t dwindle for even one teeny second.
“Losing Leah Holloway” brings Connor and Claire back together. For those of us that read “Finding Claire Fletcher” you couldn’t help but root for them. For me, I just adore these two characters. You can’t help but love Claire, not after what she went through before. She is one tough cookie, who is full of heart. And Connor, the swoon-worthy Detective who saved her and has only had eyes for her ever since? Well, need I say more?
While “Losing Leah Holloway” can be read as a standalone (since this book provides a lot of detail about what happened to Claire previously), I recommend reading “Finding Claire Fletcher” first. While I really liked the first book in the series (I gave that one 4 stars), I have to say, I think this follow up was absolutely stellar and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
This was a Traveling Sister Group Read. It included Brenda, Norma, Kaceey, Lindsay, Diane, Deanna and Sarah. We had a great time reading it and for the most part, all of us really enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lisa Regan for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook on 10.22.17.
October 17, 2017
A terrific follow-up to Finding Claire Fletcher. I think it's even a little better, and that's saying something. It's more of a companion novel, so you'd be able to enjoy this book and follow along just fine if you haven't read the first book. ...Still read the first book, because it's great and deserves to be read. Lisa Regan is a fantastic author. She managed to make me feel sympathy for a character I seriously doubted I could and kept me completely immersed in this novel, caught in the tangled web she wove.
Claire Fletcher knows something about darkness. She lived there for years. She was abducted when she was fifteen, but never gave up. She's been free for five years, but still deals with the pain and psychological trauma that follow her around and won't let go. When she has the opportunity to save other people, she jumps... right into the water, where a car filled with children is slowly sinking. She succeeds in saving the children, but not the mother behind the wheel. She didn't want Claire to save her. She wanted to drown.
Details about Leah Holloway, the woman in the car, start to come to light... but answers aren't so forthcoming. What would make a married women with three children, who seemed to be happy, healthy, and gainfully employed, drive off a bridge with her children? Her friends and family don't have any answers, and neither does Detective Connor Parks, Claire's ex.
Figuring out where Leah's mind was will take a lot of digging, and some of it will prove dangerous. Some kind of connection between Leah and a serial killer running rampant in the area is apparent, but the M.O. is different. She was the kind of woman he goes after, but she did it to herself.
Claire is still healing and reconnecting with her family, and she and Connor are clearly still in love but aren't together. She considers herself too broken for a man like him, but tragedy may bring them together once more.
An amazing book and an amazing group read with The Traveling Sisters. It's a great idea to read this one with friends, as it's bound to incite discussion and speculation!
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
Claire Fletcher knows something about darkness. She lived there for years. She was abducted when she was fifteen, but never gave up. She's been free for five years, but still deals with the pain and psychological trauma that follow her around and won't let go. When she has the opportunity to save other people, she jumps... right into the water, where a car filled with children is slowly sinking. She succeeds in saving the children, but not the mother behind the wheel. She didn't want Claire to save her. She wanted to drown.
Details about Leah Holloway, the woman in the car, start to come to light... but answers aren't so forthcoming. What would make a married women with three children, who seemed to be happy, healthy, and gainfully employed, drive off a bridge with her children? Her friends and family don't have any answers, and neither does Detective Connor Parks, Claire's ex.
Figuring out where Leah's mind was will take a lot of digging, and some of it will prove dangerous. Some kind of connection between Leah and a serial killer running rampant in the area is apparent, but the M.O. is different. She was the kind of woman he goes after, but she did it to herself.
Claire is still healing and reconnecting with her family, and she and Connor are clearly still in love but aren't together. She considers herself too broken for a man like him, but tragedy may bring them together once more.
An amazing book and an amazing group read with The Traveling Sisters. It's a great idea to read this one with friends, as it's bound to incite discussion and speculation!
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
November 3, 2017
4.5 stars
I thought this book was fantastic. I thought it had the right amount of suspense, dread, mystery, romance, and intrigue to keep me interested and happily reading! I have read quite a few books lately where I just want to tell others to READ THIS BOOK!!! This is one of them! This book is the second in the series but it works brilliantly as a stand alone novel. I did not read the first book; although, I desperately want to do so now!!!
I was hooked from the beginning when a woman, Leah Holloway, drives a car full of children off a overpass into a river. From there the story unfolds and it is quite the story full of family secrets, abuse, murder, romance, tension, starting over, and secret lives.
Claire Fletcher and her sister, Brianna are fishing when they see the car drive off the overpass and into the river. Claire jumps into action and is able to get all of the children out of the car safely through the sunroof. What is baffling is that the driver, Leah Holloway, does not want to be saved. In fact, she tries to stop Claire from saving her and the children. Claire is haunted by Leah's face as he describes it as being "terrorized".
While shivering on the river bank after saving the children, Claire is reacquainted with Connor Parks, the investigator who solved Claire's abduction case. Claire Fletcher had been kidnapped and held for 10 years by a pedophile. Claire has been home for 5 years and had a romantic relationship with Connor which ended even though both still have feelings for the other.
Connor and his partner, Jade have been working the "Soccer Mom Strangler" investigation. Women who look similar to Leah have been raped, strangled and found with bite marks on their bodies. While attempting to figure out why Leah Holloway drove her vehicle off an overpass killing 4 people in addition to herself, Connor and his partner begin to wonder what connection did Leah have to the Soccer Mom Strangler. Was there a connection?
As the story progresses, the reader is given more insight into Leah Holloway's life. She was seen by all as the perfect Mom, with a stable marriage. She did not drink, she had a strong distaste for cheaters and had no problems at her job. Not only are we given more insight into Leah's life but we also learn more about Claire and her abduction and the rapes and beatings she suffered over the years. This helps to fill in information on Claire's life and why she had issues being in a relationship with Connor from the first book. This was done in a very subtle way. I learned a lot about her without having the full synopsis of the first book thrown into the mix.
A lot happens in this book and it all feels believable. I appreciated how the story of Leah was given in little snippets and how the police investigation progressed. Nothing felt rushed or dragged on in this book. There are some really good twists and turns in this book. There were also revelations that I did not see coming! I love when an Author is able to pull this off! I also love when I read a book out of sequence and it makes me want to go back and read the first in the series. That is how good this book is. I also really enjoyed the romance between Connor and Claire. I really hope there will be another book in the series. I will be first in line to read it.
If you enjoy fast paced thriller this book is for you! If you like a little romance with your mystery/thriller this book is for you! If you like a page turner this book is for you!
I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to them for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
I thought this book was fantastic. I thought it had the right amount of suspense, dread, mystery, romance, and intrigue to keep me interested and happily reading! I have read quite a few books lately where I just want to tell others to READ THIS BOOK!!! This is one of them! This book is the second in the series but it works brilliantly as a stand alone novel. I did not read the first book; although, I desperately want to do so now!!!
I was hooked from the beginning when a woman, Leah Holloway, drives a car full of children off a overpass into a river. From there the story unfolds and it is quite the story full of family secrets, abuse, murder, romance, tension, starting over, and secret lives.
Claire Fletcher and her sister, Brianna are fishing when they see the car drive off the overpass and into the river. Claire jumps into action and is able to get all of the children out of the car safely through the sunroof. What is baffling is that the driver, Leah Holloway, does not want to be saved. In fact, she tries to stop Claire from saving her and the children. Claire is haunted by Leah's face as he describes it as being "terrorized".
While shivering on the river bank after saving the children, Claire is reacquainted with Connor Parks, the investigator who solved Claire's abduction case. Claire Fletcher had been kidnapped and held for 10 years by a pedophile. Claire has been home for 5 years and had a romantic relationship with Connor which ended even though both still have feelings for the other.
Connor and his partner, Jade have been working the "Soccer Mom Strangler" investigation. Women who look similar to Leah have been raped, strangled and found with bite marks on their bodies. While attempting to figure out why Leah Holloway drove her vehicle off an overpass killing 4 people in addition to herself, Connor and his partner begin to wonder what connection did Leah have to the Soccer Mom Strangler. Was there a connection?
As the story progresses, the reader is given more insight into Leah Holloway's life. She was seen by all as the perfect Mom, with a stable marriage. She did not drink, she had a strong distaste for cheaters and had no problems at her job. Not only are we given more insight into Leah's life but we also learn more about Claire and her abduction and the rapes and beatings she suffered over the years. This helps to fill in information on Claire's life and why she had issues being in a relationship with Connor from the first book. This was done in a very subtle way. I learned a lot about her without having the full synopsis of the first book thrown into the mix.
A lot happens in this book and it all feels believable. I appreciated how the story of Leah was given in little snippets and how the police investigation progressed. Nothing felt rushed or dragged on in this book. There are some really good twists and turns in this book. There were also revelations that I did not see coming! I love when an Author is able to pull this off! I also love when I read a book out of sequence and it makes me want to go back and read the first in the series. That is how good this book is. I also really enjoyed the romance between Connor and Claire. I really hope there will be another book in the series. I will be first in line to read it.
If you enjoy fast paced thriller this book is for you! If you like a little romance with your mystery/thriller this book is for you! If you like a page turner this book is for you!
I highly recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to them for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
December 5, 2017
Losing Leah Holloway is the second in the series in the Claire Fletcher Connor Parks series I would recommend reading Finding Claire Fletcher first.
Leah Holloway was a mother of 2 children married & seemed to have it all until one day she drives into the river with children in the car including her daughter Peyton. Leah dies but the children are pulled to safety by Claire who is out fishing with her sister Brianna, immediately she call in Detective Parks to solve the case.
When Parks & his team investigate it further he discovers that Leah was drinking vodka when driving but he was told by her best friend Rachel that she didn't drink which was out of character as Leah was all for her children.
Meanwhile Stryker & Detective Webb had been looking into the case of The soccer mums serial killer
CONNER THINKS BOTH COULD BE CONNECTED BUT HOW!!
As the plot deepens we find out a bit more on Claire Holloways Past WAS SHE LIVING A DOUBLE LIFE OR WAS SHE HAPPILY MARRIED TO HER HUSBAND JIM??
From here on the story goes back into Leah's past & present What we find is quite disturbing & sad.
MY THOUGHTS
I absolutely loved everything about this book I found the new characters likeable & set the plotline up no end. I found Claire Holloway to be a devoted mother but troubled her sanity was destroyed.
The deepening romance between Claire & Conner was nicely written & not over done like I said earlier Read Finding Claire Fletcher first as you may get lost in this book.
This was much better than no 1 Claire Connor & Brianna were more developed still flaws in certain characters but all in all another hit for Lisa Regan & this series can not wait to read no3.
Leah Holloway was a mother of 2 children married & seemed to have it all until one day she drives into the river with children in the car including her daughter Peyton. Leah dies but the children are pulled to safety by Claire who is out fishing with her sister Brianna, immediately she call in Detective Parks to solve the case.
When Parks & his team investigate it further he discovers that Leah was drinking vodka when driving but he was told by her best friend Rachel that she didn't drink which was out of character as Leah was all for her children.
Meanwhile Stryker & Detective Webb had been looking into the case of The soccer mums serial killer
CONNER THINKS BOTH COULD BE CONNECTED BUT HOW!!
As the plot deepens we find out a bit more on Claire Holloways Past WAS SHE LIVING A DOUBLE LIFE OR WAS SHE HAPPILY MARRIED TO HER HUSBAND JIM??
From here on the story goes back into Leah's past & present What we find is quite disturbing & sad.
MY THOUGHTS
I absolutely loved everything about this book I found the new characters likeable & set the plotline up no end. I found Claire Holloway to be a devoted mother but troubled her sanity was destroyed.
The deepening romance between Claire & Conner was nicely written & not over done like I said earlier Read Finding Claire Fletcher first as you may get lost in this book.
This was much better than no 1 Claire Connor & Brianna were more developed still flaws in certain characters but all in all another hit for Lisa Regan & this series can not wait to read no3.
September 22, 2017
Such a great book.. 5 years after Claire Fletcher returns home her life is still trying to return to normal. When she rescues 5 children from a car that has been driven off a bridge into the water she once again finds herself in the spotlight... and back workung with Conner. I really enjoyed this book.. I do hope there will be a 3rd in the series. A big thank you to the author and Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review in return for an honest review.
May 16, 2025
EXCERPT: Claire moved again toward the back of the car. From her periphery, she saw that the Jibboom Street Bridge had come up much more quickly than she anticipated. As she scrambled to the driver's side, the passenger's side of the vehicle slammed into one of its pillars, stopping there. The current kept it wrapped around the pillar.
Claire was moving toward the driver's window when the bright pastel colors of a baby toy inside caught her eye. It dangled from the upright handle of an infant car seat. The hood was pulled over part of the rear-facing seat. Claire couldn't tell if there was an infant in the seat or not, but she could see three other children in the vehicle. A boy sat behind the driver. Stunned, he stared blankly ahead. He looked only slightly younger than the girl. In the seats behind him were two identical girls. One was unconscious, head lolling against the window, mouth open, eyes at half-mast. The other sobbed, her face red and twisted in pain or fear, or both.
"Oh my God," Claire gasped. She froze, hanging on to the ineffectual door handle, staring at the children.
If there was indeed an infant in the vehicle, then that was five children. There were five children in the vehicle.
ABOUT 'LOSING LEAH HOLLOWAY': Five years ago, Claire Fletcher escaped her abductor. But some scars never fade, and surviving was just the beginning…
When Claire sees a car full of children careen into a river, she rushes to the rescue. But the driver, a mother named Leah Holloway, prefers to drown. For Claire and her ex, Detective Connor Parks, it doesn’t add up. What would motivate a woman with a beautiful family and a successful career to resort to such unspeakable extremes? What Connor finds out confirms Claire’s suspicions of something dreadful behind Holloway’s picture-perfect facade: a link between the terrified mother and a serial strangler targeting Sacramento soccer moms.
As Claire and Connor are drawn back together, their investigation leads them to unearth everything Holloway was hiding. What they find could be the only way to stop a killer from striking again.
MY THOUGHTS: I definitely liked this a whole lot more than the first book in this series, Finding Claire Fletcher. Losing Leah Holloway is tense, and fast-paced with many twists and turns. It is gripping, enticing, tragic, suspenseful and thrilling.
There are three main threads to this novel and I liked all equally. The first involves Leah Holloway's story - why would the 'perfect mom' drive her car off an overpass and into the river with both her and her neighbor's children inside? The second is the development of a relationship between Claire and Detective Connor Parks, the man she opened herself up to in Finding Claire Fletcher. If you haven't yet read that, then stop right now and go find a copy. You need the background to get the most out of Losing Leah Holloway. The third concerns the 'Soccer Mom Strangler'. A serial killer is targeting moms, all of whom look eerily similar.
The opening chapter, part of which is featured in the excerpt above, sets the scene for the remainder of the book. It is relentlessly gripping, and I couldn't stop turning the pages, even forgoing several hours of sleep so that I could finish.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but this only adds to the tension and suspense. Yes, there's a lot going on, but Lisa Regan has pulled it all together brilliantly with devastating effect.
I hope we see more of this couple.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#LosingLeahHolloway #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Lisa Regan lives in Philadelphia with her husband, daughter and Boston Terrier named Mr. Phillip.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Losing Leah Holloway by Lisa Regan for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Losing Leah Holloway was published October 2017.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Claire was moving toward the driver's window when the bright pastel colors of a baby toy inside caught her eye. It dangled from the upright handle of an infant car seat. The hood was pulled over part of the rear-facing seat. Claire couldn't tell if there was an infant in the seat or not, but she could see three other children in the vehicle. A boy sat behind the driver. Stunned, he stared blankly ahead. He looked only slightly younger than the girl. In the seats behind him were two identical girls. One was unconscious, head lolling against the window, mouth open, eyes at half-mast. The other sobbed, her face red and twisted in pain or fear, or both.
"Oh my God," Claire gasped. She froze, hanging on to the ineffectual door handle, staring at the children.
If there was indeed an infant in the vehicle, then that was five children. There were five children in the vehicle.
ABOUT 'LOSING LEAH HOLLOWAY': Five years ago, Claire Fletcher escaped her abductor. But some scars never fade, and surviving was just the beginning…
When Claire sees a car full of children careen into a river, she rushes to the rescue. But the driver, a mother named Leah Holloway, prefers to drown. For Claire and her ex, Detective Connor Parks, it doesn’t add up. What would motivate a woman with a beautiful family and a successful career to resort to such unspeakable extremes? What Connor finds out confirms Claire’s suspicions of something dreadful behind Holloway’s picture-perfect facade: a link between the terrified mother and a serial strangler targeting Sacramento soccer moms.
As Claire and Connor are drawn back together, their investigation leads them to unearth everything Holloway was hiding. What they find could be the only way to stop a killer from striking again.
MY THOUGHTS: I definitely liked this a whole lot more than the first book in this series, Finding Claire Fletcher. Losing Leah Holloway is tense, and fast-paced with many twists and turns. It is gripping, enticing, tragic, suspenseful and thrilling.
There are three main threads to this novel and I liked all equally. The first involves Leah Holloway's story - why would the 'perfect mom' drive her car off an overpass and into the river with both her and her neighbor's children inside? The second is the development of a relationship between Claire and Detective Connor Parks, the man she opened herself up to in Finding Claire Fletcher. If you haven't yet read that, then stop right now and go find a copy. You need the background to get the most out of Losing Leah Holloway. The third concerns the 'Soccer Mom Strangler'. A serial killer is targeting moms, all of whom look eerily similar.
The opening chapter, part of which is featured in the excerpt above, sets the scene for the remainder of the book. It is relentlessly gripping, and I couldn't stop turning the pages, even forgoing several hours of sleep so that I could finish.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but this only adds to the tension and suspense. Yes, there's a lot going on, but Lisa Regan has pulled it all together brilliantly with devastating effect.
I hope we see more of this couple.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#LosingLeahHolloway #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Lisa Regan lives in Philadelphia with her husband, daughter and Boston Terrier named Mr. Phillip.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Losing Leah Holloway by Lisa Regan for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Losing Leah Holloway was published October 2017.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 17, 2018
4.5 Stars
Five years after FINDING CLAIRE FLETCHER, Claire and her sister are having a great day ... until a van with a woman driver and carrying 5 young children drive into 4 other cars and then careens over and into a river. Claire is quick to the rescue, but the driver refuses to unlock the doors. Claire eventually breaks through the sunroof and saves all the children from drowning. The driver does not survive.
Claire is horrified that the driver not only wanted to kill herself, but her 3 children, as well as her neighbor's two children. What would motivate a woman with a beautiful family and a successful career to resort to such unspeakable extremes?
What is behind this woman's actions? And what is the connection to a serial strangler who targets soccer moms?
This is an excellent follow-up in this 2-book series. It is well-written and fast paced. Lots of twists and turns keep the reader turning the pages to see what happens next. I really enjoy the characters of Claire and Connor, how they relate to each other says it all. The secondary characters lend an air of credibility to the story-telling.
I would most definitely recommend that these two books be read in order, although this one could be read as a stand alone.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Five years after FINDING CLAIRE FLETCHER, Claire and her sister are having a great day ... until a van with a woman driver and carrying 5 young children drive into 4 other cars and then careens over and into a river. Claire is quick to the rescue, but the driver refuses to unlock the doors. Claire eventually breaks through the sunroof and saves all the children from drowning. The driver does not survive.
Claire is horrified that the driver not only wanted to kill herself, but her 3 children, as well as her neighbor's two children. What would motivate a woman with a beautiful family and a successful career to resort to such unspeakable extremes?
What is behind this woman's actions? And what is the connection to a serial strangler who targets soccer moms?
This is an excellent follow-up in this 2-book series. It is well-written and fast paced. Lots of twists and turns keep the reader turning the pages to see what happens next. I really enjoy the characters of Claire and Connor, how they relate to each other says it all. The secondary characters lend an air of credibility to the story-telling.
I would most definitely recommend that these two books be read in order, although this one could be read as a stand alone.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 27, 2017
This is one of my favorite titles by Lisa Regan and I love ALL of her work. "Losing Leah Holloway" picks up five years after "Finding Claire Fletcher" left off and begins with a woman and a car full of children careening off a bridge into a river.
It's tense, fast-paced and has some terrific twists! I really enjoyed this book. In my opinion, it is even better than the first installment. Not only does Regan have the talent for pulling you in and keeping you on the edge of your seat, she paints each scene perfectly.
I highly recommend this--and really all of Regan's titles--for anyone who loves suspense/thrillers!
It's tense, fast-paced and has some terrific twists! I really enjoyed this book. In my opinion, it is even better than the first installment. Not only does Regan have the talent for pulling you in and keeping you on the edge of your seat, she paints each scene perfectly.
I highly recommend this--and really all of Regan's titles--for anyone who loves suspense/thrillers!
September 15, 2017
LOSING LEAH HOLLOWAY picks up fives years after FINDING CLAIRE FLETCHER. With the closing chapter of book one, we'd only just adjusted to the idea that Claire and Connor might find love after her harrowing experience and the connection that spurred the Detective into chasing down a mystery woman he didn't know. So naturally I was super annoyed to see in the synopsis that, sometime during those five years, they'd broken up.
"There's a secret. To surviving. To living after."
"Care to share?"
"Ordinary moments are the miracles in life."
But don't worry, I got over it, because Regan has a really smart and totally understandable reason for why these two didn't work out. That being said, despite not really loving Connor in book one and despite not wanting the impact and pacing of this unrelated mystery to be bogged down by their personal issues, I was happy that their romance wasn't the driving force in this follow up installment but still managed to be resolved. Because I really liked the mystery.
She could save children from a vehicle crashed in the river, yet she couldn't sleep with him. She could risk her life but not her heart.
Watching the investigators piece together why a seemingly perfect, conscientious, driven and wonderful, mother of three would drive herself off a bridge with a car full of kids (a few not even her own), was really well done. There was so much to discover, so much to be revealed; and a lot we really don't find out until the very end. Regan kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how everything would tie together and that's what you want from this kind of dark mystery read.
Normally, Stryker had more bravado than a Vegas act. Come to think of it, he hadn't said fuck you to Connor once all day. What was the world coming to?
However, there's still something about the author's writing that feels very simplistic to me, something that I find hard to describe, except to say it feels like it's a grade or two younger than say, a Gardiner mystery or even a Grafton. But while I didn't really have the same problems with perceived immaturity in Connor as I did in book one, some of the interactions he had with his partner just.. I don't know. I hate to use the word juvenile (again) but it was almost as if Regan was attempting to strike a lighthearted tone to balance the dark and instead it just kind of sticks out like a sore thumb. And yet Connor's joking with male colleagues didn't have the same problem.. only those with other females. It's weird.
Fear was a second skin for Claire. After ten years in captivity, she had learned to live with it. Connor watched her confront it time and again with courage that was breathtaking to observe, to even be in the presence of.
Sadly, another mark against the book's favour, was rehashing a lot of Claire's experience from the first in the series. I can understand a little bit, especially in the beginning because the initial publication of FINDING CLAIRE FLETCHER was also five years ago, however.. I didn't really need a constant reminder of her abduction, rapes and time in captivity. I know her time to heal hadn't yet surpassed her time as a victim, however.. the more one is exposed to repetition, the more numb one gets to the impact of it. I wanted to feel for her, not be annoyed by her, y'know? Also, wtf, why was Noel even in this book? Why that connection to Stryker? Really didn't like that element.
"If I have to hear the word fine one more time, somebody is getting punched. 'We were fine.' 'They were fine.' 'She was fine.' People who are fine don't take out a bunch of motorists and then try to kill themselves and five kids."
"Maybe fine is the new crazy."
There were a lot of surprises along the way and this book, with Leah as the main character especially, really drives home the idea that sometimes we really don't know much about those around us. This mystery might have dealt with a serial killer who assaults and strangles his victims, which needless to say is horrifying, but it's equally shocking to realize how you can see your neighbours, your coworkers, the fellow mum's at the PTA meetings, and not realize how much they have to hide. Spooky food for thought.
3.75 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
"There's a secret. To surviving. To living after."
"Care to share?"
"Ordinary moments are the miracles in life."
But don't worry, I got over it, because Regan has a really smart and totally understandable reason for why these two didn't work out. That being said, despite not really loving Connor in book one and despite not wanting the impact and pacing of this unrelated mystery to be bogged down by their personal issues, I was happy that their romance wasn't the driving force in this follow up installment but still managed to be resolved. Because I really liked the mystery.
She could save children from a vehicle crashed in the river, yet she couldn't sleep with him. She could risk her life but not her heart.
Watching the investigators piece together why a seemingly perfect, conscientious, driven and wonderful, mother of three would drive herself off a bridge with a car full of kids (a few not even her own), was really well done. There was so much to discover, so much to be revealed; and a lot we really don't find out until the very end. Regan kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how everything would tie together and that's what you want from this kind of dark mystery read.
Normally, Stryker had more bravado than a Vegas act. Come to think of it, he hadn't said fuck you to Connor once all day. What was the world coming to?
However, there's still something about the author's writing that feels very simplistic to me, something that I find hard to describe, except to say it feels like it's a grade or two younger than say, a Gardiner mystery or even a Grafton. But while I didn't really have the same problems with perceived immaturity in Connor as I did in book one, some of the interactions he had with his partner just.. I don't know. I hate to use the word juvenile (again) but it was almost as if Regan was attempting to strike a lighthearted tone to balance the dark and instead it just kind of sticks out like a sore thumb. And yet Connor's joking with male colleagues didn't have the same problem.. only those with other females. It's weird.
Fear was a second skin for Claire. After ten years in captivity, she had learned to live with it. Connor watched her confront it time and again with courage that was breathtaking to observe, to even be in the presence of.
Sadly, another mark against the book's favour, was rehashing a lot of Claire's experience from the first in the series. I can understand a little bit, especially in the beginning because the initial publication of FINDING CLAIRE FLETCHER was also five years ago, however.. I didn't really need a constant reminder of her abduction, rapes and time in captivity. I know her time to heal hadn't yet surpassed her time as a victim, however.. the more one is exposed to repetition, the more numb one gets to the impact of it. I wanted to feel for her, not be annoyed by her, y'know? Also, wtf, why was Noel even in this book? Why that connection to Stryker? Really didn't like that element.
"If I have to hear the word fine one more time, somebody is getting punched. 'We were fine.' 'They were fine.' 'She was fine.' People who are fine don't take out a bunch of motorists and then try to kill themselves and five kids."
"Maybe fine is the new crazy."
There were a lot of surprises along the way and this book, with Leah as the main character especially, really drives home the idea that sometimes we really don't know much about those around us. This mystery might have dealt with a serial killer who assaults and strangles his victims, which needless to say is horrifying, but it's equally shocking to realize how you can see your neighbours, your coworkers, the fellow mum's at the PTA meetings, and not realize how much they have to hide. Spooky food for thought.
3.75 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
October 20, 2017
This is the sequel to Finding Claire Fletcher. The author says it is stand alone but I really disagree. If you didn't read the first book you won't understand Claire at all and there are several secondary characters who really aren't explained from the first book.
This is set 5 years after the previous book. Claire has made progress on acclimating to the modern world. But everything is far from perfect. When what was supposed to be a normal outing with her sister turns into a nightmare when a car crash into a river happens before their eyes Claire is compelled to jump into action and saves the lives of five children. What seems like a simple tragedy quickly turns into a murder investigation that has links to the current crime spree of the Soccer mom rapist and murderer.
I figured out pretty quickly that a perp would be related to a specific character. This book has aspects that will pin your creepy meter but on the other hand it has way too many coincidences.
it is one of those book that is compelling when you are reading it but when you reflect on it feels a little silly.
This is set 5 years after the previous book. Claire has made progress on acclimating to the modern world. But everything is far from perfect. When what was supposed to be a normal outing with her sister turns into a nightmare when a car crash into a river happens before their eyes Claire is compelled to jump into action and saves the lives of five children. What seems like a simple tragedy quickly turns into a murder investigation that has links to the current crime spree of the Soccer mom rapist and murderer.
I figured out pretty quickly that a perp would be related to a specific character. This book has aspects that will pin your creepy meter but on the other hand it has way too many coincidences.
it is one of those book that is compelling when you are reading it but when you reflect on it feels a little silly.
November 20, 2017
Let me begin by saying that I did not read the first book in this series, Finding Claire Fletcher, and still enjoyed this book immensely.
While Claire is out fishing with her sister, Brianna, they become witness to a car crashing through a bridge and falling into the river. Claire immediately jumps into action especially seeing that there are 5 children in the car. When she tries to get the driver to unlock the doors it becomes apparent that this wasn't an accident and that this woman has every intention in dying. Thankfully, Claire is able to rescue all the children but the question remains, why did Leah Holloway purposely crash into the river with the children?
We get flashbacks of Leah and the events that led up to that fateful day. In the beginning I didn't really like Leah at all. I really dislike goody-two-shoe's that think they are better than every one else but over the course of this story I did find myself sympathizing with her. To a point, of course. I certainly don't condone what she did but I can understand her motive's a little better.
I really, really liked Det. Connor Parks. I may even have a little book crush on him.
There are a bunch of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. All in all, a very entertaining read!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
While Claire is out fishing with her sister, Brianna, they become witness to a car crashing through a bridge and falling into the river. Claire immediately jumps into action especially seeing that there are 5 children in the car. When she tries to get the driver to unlock the doors it becomes apparent that this wasn't an accident and that this woman has every intention in dying. Thankfully, Claire is able to rescue all the children but the question remains, why did Leah Holloway purposely crash into the river with the children?
We get flashbacks of Leah and the events that led up to that fateful day. In the beginning I didn't really like Leah at all. I really dislike goody-two-shoe's that think they are better than every one else but over the course of this story I did find myself sympathizing with her. To a point, of course. I certainly don't condone what she did but I can understand her motive's a little better.
I really, really liked Det. Connor Parks. I may even have a little book crush on him.
There are a bunch of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. All in all, a very entertaining read!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 26, 2018
3.5 Stars
This thriller/police procedural novel earned 3.5 Stars from me. I didn't realize that this book was part of a series until I started reading it and realized that some of these characters had past history only hinted at through out the book. I was able to pick up enough info about the past to understand the outline of the characters history and how it affected each of them. I will most likely go back and read the first book, but this could be a stand alone.
SUMMARY
One afternoon sisters, Brianna and Claire, were fly fishing when an SUV came crashing off the highway into the river right in front of them.
Without thinking, Claire jumped into the river to try to help them. She was horrified to find a women in the car with five small children and to make matters worse, the woman refused to unlock the doors and windows so she could get them out. Claire was able to rescue the children but not the woman.
Who was this woman and what would make her drive off the road and into a river with a car full of kids??? Slowly, author Lisa Regan, spins the complicated story of how Leah Holloway, known to be a great mother, found herself taking her own life and trying to take five children with her.
WHAT I LOVED
The story had all the elements I love in my thrillers; great suspense, interesting and surprisingly complex characters and of course, a big twist or two.
In the beginning I really hated Leah. I mean who could do something that awful???? But by the end of the story, I wouldn't exactly say I understood, but I could make some sense of her actions and felt some sympathy for her.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
It seemed a little "by the numbers" at times. Not very unique.
I am normally annoyed by romance novels and this story has more of those elements than I usually like but it was only mildly annoying.
It seemed a little too coincidental that so many bad things would happen to one person, between Claire's past trauma and what she and her sister accidentally end up involved in, it's a bit much.
OVERALL
My review probably makes it sound like I didn't like this book but I did race through it and found it hard to put down. It's extremely readable and likeable, just not very remarkable.
This thriller/police procedural novel earned 3.5 Stars from me. I didn't realize that this book was part of a series until I started reading it and realized that some of these characters had past history only hinted at through out the book. I was able to pick up enough info about the past to understand the outline of the characters history and how it affected each of them. I will most likely go back and read the first book, but this could be a stand alone.
SUMMARY
One afternoon sisters, Brianna and Claire, were fly fishing when an SUV came crashing off the highway into the river right in front of them.
Without thinking, Claire jumped into the river to try to help them. She was horrified to find a women in the car with five small children and to make matters worse, the woman refused to unlock the doors and windows so she could get them out. Claire was able to rescue the children but not the woman.
Who was this woman and what would make her drive off the road and into a river with a car full of kids??? Slowly, author Lisa Regan, spins the complicated story of how Leah Holloway, known to be a great mother, found herself taking her own life and trying to take five children with her.
WHAT I LOVED
The story had all the elements I love in my thrillers; great suspense, interesting and surprisingly complex characters and of course, a big twist or two.
In the beginning I really hated Leah. I mean who could do something that awful???? But by the end of the story, I wouldn't exactly say I understood, but I could make some sense of her actions and felt some sympathy for her.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
It seemed a little "by the numbers" at times. Not very unique.
I am normally annoyed by romance novels and this story has more of those elements than I usually like but it was only mildly annoying.
It seemed a little too coincidental that so many bad things would happen to one person, between Claire's past trauma and what she and her sister accidentally end up involved in, it's a bit much.
OVERALL
My review probably makes it sound like I didn't like this book but I did race through it and found it hard to put down. It's extremely readable and likeable, just not very remarkable.
November 6, 2017
Outstanding, riveting.
Five years after the events in Finding Claire Fletcher finds Claire having some time out fishing with her sister Brianna when a car plummets off the bridge they are fishing near. Claire rushes over to see if she can help. She is shocked to see children in the back of the car. One of them indicates that the doors are locked. The woman in the front won't unlock the doors. Instead she forces her head under the water to drown herself. Claire manages to save the children by breaking through the sunroof.
Quite harrowing that. But what would make a woman want to kill not only herself but her three children and her neighbors two children as well. By all accounts Leah Holloway was happily married and devoted to her children, a good person and a good neighbor. Connor Parks, Claire's former boyfriend is on the investigation. But he is also on a task force investigating the Soccer Mom Strangler deaths. The strangler has so far killed 3 or 4 women in broad daylight and shows no sign of stopping.
Then Brianna is brutally attacked and Connor fears for Claire's safety. As they drill down into Leah Holloway's life the ugly truth starts to surface. She was not as prim as she made out. Her best friend may not be so friendly and the children may well be...well for that you have to read the book. And how does the strangler fit into all this?
This book was very well written, Regan breathes life into these characters. You can feel the noose tightening around poor Leah's neck as her life starts to unravel. While not condoning what she did, you certainly end up understanding what drove her, on that fateful morning, to try and kill herself and five children. Regan has a talent for picking the scabs off the hurts that people have and for taking you along for the ride. And what a ride it was.
Five years after the events in Finding Claire Fletcher finds Claire having some time out fishing with her sister Brianna when a car plummets off the bridge they are fishing near. Claire rushes over to see if she can help. She is shocked to see children in the back of the car. One of them indicates that the doors are locked. The woman in the front won't unlock the doors. Instead she forces her head under the water to drown herself. Claire manages to save the children by breaking through the sunroof.
Quite harrowing that. But what would make a woman want to kill not only herself but her three children and her neighbors two children as well. By all accounts Leah Holloway was happily married and devoted to her children, a good person and a good neighbor. Connor Parks, Claire's former boyfriend is on the investigation. But he is also on a task force investigating the Soccer Mom Strangler deaths. The strangler has so far killed 3 or 4 women in broad daylight and shows no sign of stopping.
Then Brianna is brutally attacked and Connor fears for Claire's safety. As they drill down into Leah Holloway's life the ugly truth starts to surface. She was not as prim as she made out. Her best friend may not be so friendly and the children may well be...well for that you have to read the book. And how does the strangler fit into all this?
This book was very well written, Regan breathes life into these characters. You can feel the noose tightening around poor Leah's neck as her life starts to unravel. While not condoning what she did, you certainly end up understanding what drove her, on that fateful morning, to try and kill herself and five children. Regan has a talent for picking the scabs off the hurts that people have and for taking you along for the ride. And what a ride it was.
October 17, 2017
The first thing I asked myself when I saw Claire Fletcher #2 was, how is Lisa Regan going to do this? You see, Claire Fletcher was the victim in book one. How much trouble can Lisa Regan inflict on this poor girl? I, for one, had to know.
Don’t be fooled by Lisa Regan, sure, she may look all sweet and innocent, but somewhere inside of her thrives a dark, twisted mind that brings to life some of the most shocking crime books I’ve found. Losing Leah Holloway is filled with dark secrets, so many that I have to wonder how Regan comes up with these scenarios, what is her inspiration?
Losing Leah Holloway starts off with a bang, then Regan leads us on a winding road to discover the why of her story. There was a great bread crumb trail along the way filled with enough twists and turns to keep me interested and guessing.
It was great to see Claire Fletcher again, to know that she was able to move on (more or less) from the terrible ordeal that she suffered in book one. She is a captivating character and it is interesting to get a peek into the life of a character after their story has been told. It worked well bringing Claire into Leah Holloway’s story, it created an instant and immediate familiarity with the characters.
It has been a couple of years since I’ve read a book by Regan, it’s good to see that her crimes are as dark and disturbing as ever.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Don’t be fooled by Lisa Regan, sure, she may look all sweet and innocent, but somewhere inside of her thrives a dark, twisted mind that brings to life some of the most shocking crime books I’ve found. Losing Leah Holloway is filled with dark secrets, so many that I have to wonder how Regan comes up with these scenarios, what is her inspiration?
Losing Leah Holloway starts off with a bang, then Regan leads us on a winding road to discover the why of her story. There was a great bread crumb trail along the way filled with enough twists and turns to keep me interested and guessing.
It was great to see Claire Fletcher again, to know that she was able to move on (more or less) from the terrible ordeal that she suffered in book one. She is a captivating character and it is interesting to get a peek into the life of a character after their story has been told. It worked well bringing Claire into Leah Holloway’s story, it created an instant and immediate familiarity with the characters.
It has been a couple of years since I’ve read a book by Regan, it’s good to see that her crimes are as dark and disturbing as ever.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2021
❐ Overall Rating 4½⭐ | Narration 😕 = Should’ve had more narrators
❐ Narrated by Amy Landon
❐ Listening Length: 11H 56M
❐ Clair Fletcher & Connor Parks #2
❐ Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
❐ Serial Killers
❐ Multiple POV’s told with one narrator
Besides the romance getting a little cheesy, which could be the fault of the narrator, this was fantastic. There are only a handful of narrators that can do gushy romance stuff without coming off as cheesy for me. Luckily, the romance is only about 15% of the story...so it wasn’t in any way a deal-breaker.
We open with Leah Holloway choosing death over being saved...she didn’t even seem to want her kids to be saved. Your left with this tragic feeling...wondering what could have happened to make her want this? And just like that, you’re hooked. I was totally there for the mystery of why this happened and of how it connects to a string of serial murders. It’s gradually revealed little by little how Leah Holloway unravels...all the way to the suspenseful end.
This was a really good two-book series where each book feels like a completely different story from the other one. I really enjoyed them both and I highly recommend them. I just wish that it had been deemed worthy enough of having more than one narrator...because I believe they were.
🅒🅐🅦🅟🅘🅛🅔 9.17/❿
🅒haracters ￫ 9.5
🅐tmosphere ￫ 8.5
🅦riting ￫ 9
🅟lot ￫ 10
🅘ntrigue ￫ 9.5
🅛ogic ￫ 8.7
🅔njoyment ￫ 9.5
❐ Narrated by Amy Landon
❐ Listening Length: 11H 56M
❐ Clair Fletcher & Connor Parks #2
❐ Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
❐ Serial Killers
❐ Multiple POV’s told with one narrator
Besides the romance getting a little cheesy, which could be the fault of the narrator, this was fantastic. There are only a handful of narrators that can do gushy romance stuff without coming off as cheesy for me. Luckily, the romance is only about 15% of the story...so it wasn’t in any way a deal-breaker.
We open with Leah Holloway choosing death over being saved...she didn’t even seem to want her kids to be saved. Your left with this tragic feeling...wondering what could have happened to make her want this? And just like that, you’re hooked. I was totally there for the mystery of why this happened and of how it connects to a string of serial murders. It’s gradually revealed little by little how Leah Holloway unravels...all the way to the suspenseful end.
This was a really good two-book series where each book feels like a completely different story from the other one. I really enjoyed them both and I highly recommend them. I just wish that it had been deemed worthy enough of having more than one narrator...because I believe they were.
🅒🅐🅦🅟🅘🅛🅔 9.17/❿
🅒haracters ￫ 9.5
🅐tmosphere ￫ 8.5
🅦riting ￫ 9
🅟lot ￫ 10
🅘ntrigue ￫ 9.5
🅛ogic ￫ 8.7
🅔njoyment ￫ 9.5
November 27, 2017
I was a little angry when I finished this book. It had an interesting plot that really captivated me but the author had so much unnecessary sex in it that it interfered with my enjoyment. Yes, I know that some of it was necessary to the story but it seemed like the author went overboard. It was just too much.
Claire Fletcher had been a victim, kidnapped as a teenager and held in captivity and abused for years. This was apparently in the first book, I acknowledge I have not read. She is rebuilding her life with a police officer she has known for years and was involved in her rescue. She tries to rebuild her life and discover the joy of sex again. We read a great deal about this process.
On an fishing outing with her sister, she sees a car fly off the road and into the water. There are young children in the car and Clair swims out and rescues them. The driver, Leah Holloway, does not make it. When the press come, her sister takes the credit for the rescue. Although the reason is explained, it doesn't ring true.
Claire's boyfriend is involved in discovering the Soccer Mom Killer and now investigates the accident. How are the two related? It really is an interesting story and concept but again too much sex. There is an affair and is told in graphic detail. I wish the author had eased off a bit and let the story unfold. I know some sex was necessary to the story but the author just didn't seem to know where to draw the line.
The other little quibble I had is the setting. It's in Sacramento where I lived 35 years. It's technically correct so you know the author did a lot of research but the nuances were off. There are references that no Sacramento resident would make. The author lives in Philadelphia so I am not sure why she set the novel in Sacramento. Still it's not off putting and you wouldn't notice unless you lived there.
I'd like to read more by this author as I found her creative. Just a lot less sex, please.
Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Claire Fletcher had been a victim, kidnapped as a teenager and held in captivity and abused for years. This was apparently in the first book, I acknowledge I have not read. She is rebuilding her life with a police officer she has known for years and was involved in her rescue. She tries to rebuild her life and discover the joy of sex again. We read a great deal about this process.
On an fishing outing with her sister, she sees a car fly off the road and into the water. There are young children in the car and Clair swims out and rescues them. The driver, Leah Holloway, does not make it. When the press come, her sister takes the credit for the rescue. Although the reason is explained, it doesn't ring true.
Claire's boyfriend is involved in discovering the Soccer Mom Killer and now investigates the accident. How are the two related? It really is an interesting story and concept but again too much sex. There is an affair and is told in graphic detail. I wish the author had eased off a bit and let the story unfold. I know some sex was necessary to the story but the author just didn't seem to know where to draw the line.
The other little quibble I had is the setting. It's in Sacramento where I lived 35 years. It's technically correct so you know the author did a lot of research but the nuances were off. There are references that no Sacramento resident would make. The author lives in Philadelphia so I am not sure why she set the novel in Sacramento. Still it's not off putting and you wouldn't notice unless you lived there.
I'd like to read more by this author as I found her creative. Just a lot less sex, please.
Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
September 10, 2017
Wowzers!!! This book has some seriously mind blowing twists and is so fast faced, you may get whiplash!! But the karma gets a little revenge, and the good guys get some sunshine! Excellent addition.
September 28, 2020
Super thrilling audible book - with twist and turns I never suspected ... 5 thrilling stars ! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 20, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of the second book in the Claire Fletcher series.
Book two in the series picks up five years after Claire Fletcher has regained her life back after her abduction. While fishing, a SUV goes off the bridge nearby. Claire jumps into action, only to find 5 kids and a woman in the car. She is able to save the five kids, but the woman refuses to be saved-- drowning.
From there, Connor Parks investigates the death of Leah Holloway and why she would feel the need to kill her three kids and her best friend's twins. At the same time, the department is trying to solve the Soccer Mom Strangler who has just killed a fifth woman.
As the book goes on, we see as these cases collide together in interesting ways. Well written and quite the page turner, Losing Leah Holloway is a wonderful followup to Finding Claire Fletcher. I look forward to more books in this series and plan on reading the author's previous books!
Book two in the series picks up five years after Claire Fletcher has regained her life back after her abduction. While fishing, a SUV goes off the bridge nearby. Claire jumps into action, only to find 5 kids and a woman in the car. She is able to save the five kids, but the woman refuses to be saved-- drowning.
From there, Connor Parks investigates the death of Leah Holloway and why she would feel the need to kill her three kids and her best friend's twins. At the same time, the department is trying to solve the Soccer Mom Strangler who has just killed a fifth woman.
As the book goes on, we see as these cases collide together in interesting ways. Well written and quite the page turner, Losing Leah Holloway is a wonderful followup to Finding Claire Fletcher. I look forward to more books in this series and plan on reading the author's previous books!
August 22, 2017
Lisa Regan does it again!
As a huge Finding Claire Fletcher fan I was excited and nervous for Losing Leah Holloway. I was not let down. From word one I was hooked and on the edge of my seat! It was an amazing ride!
As a huge Finding Claire Fletcher fan I was excited and nervous for Losing Leah Holloway. I was not let down. From word one I was hooked and on the edge of my seat! It was an amazing ride!
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