What do you think?
Rate this book
Lisa Jamison #1
A Dead Man's Eyes
Lisa Jamison has done well for a single mom who got pregnant at fifteen.
She’s a reporter at a well-respected newspaper and her teenage daughter is both an athlete and honors student. Though their relationship is rocky these days, Lisa has accomplished what she set out to do. She has given her daughter the kind of life she never had.
But all that changes when Lisa sees her daughter in the eyes of a dead man.
The cops call it a drug killing, but Lisa doesn’t believe it. She knows her ex-boyfriend was no drug dealer even though she hadn’t seen him in sixteen years. Lisa ignores warnings from her medical-examiner friend. She fails to heed barely veiled threats from the sheriff of a neighboring county. Instead, she risks her life and the lives of her daughter and their closest friend on a dangerous quest for answers.
The investigation leaves Lisa fighting for her family in a morbid, black market world she never knew existed. She learns that trust is complicated and that she, despite her cynical nature, has been blind. She trusted the wrong people and now she might have to pay with her life.
She’s a reporter at a well-respected newspaper and her teenage daughter is both an athlete and honors student. Though their relationship is rocky these days, Lisa has accomplished what she set out to do. She has given her daughter the kind of life she never had.
But all that changes when Lisa sees her daughter in the eyes of a dead man.
The cops call it a drug killing, but Lisa doesn’t believe it. She knows her ex-boyfriend was no drug dealer even though she hadn’t seen him in sixteen years. Lisa ignores warnings from her medical-examiner friend. She fails to heed barely veiled threats from the sheriff of a neighboring county. Instead, she risks her life and the lives of her daughter and their closest friend on a dangerous quest for answers.
The investigation leaves Lisa fighting for her family in a morbid, black market world she never knew existed. She learns that trust is complicated and that she, despite her cynical nature, has been blind. She trusted the wrong people and now she might have to pay with her life.
- GenresMystery
228 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2021
5 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Lori Duffy Foster
10 books135 followersA former crime reporter, Lori Duffy Foster was born and raised in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, where a piece of her heart remains. Her previous novels include NEVER LET GO, a thriller, and the Lisa Jamison Mystery Series. Her books have been nominees or finalists for Agatha, Silver Falchion and Shamus awards. Lori is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, The Historical Novel Society, International Thriller Writers, The Finger Lakes Authors & Readers Experience and Pennwriters. After several moves about the country with her family, Lori now lives and writes in the hills of Northern Pennsylvania. Look out for two new novels in 2026 and 2027 from Speaking Volumes LLC, SPRING MELT, an historical courtroom drama, and NO STRANGER HERE, a thriller.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
September 16, 2021
That was a really enjoyable story! Lisa Jamison is a journalist in upstate New York. She gets called to the morgue as she is friends with the ME Alex and he knows she likes to get a heads up on any juicy stories and a sneak peek at any murder victims. Only this time she recognises the victim - it is her baby daddy Marty Delano! They haven’t seen each other ever since a stupid prank 16 years ago went wrong and ended in someone’s death. 15 year old Lisa was already pregnant then. She went on to bring the child, Bridget, up as best she could and never saw Marty again.
Still, her journalistic juices are flowing. The cops see it as a drug deal gone wrong but Marty was never into drugs. All the people she interviews corroborate that. But it seemed he was into something! Stranger still, at the funeral Marty’s mother, Celeste, comes over all mysterious and asks Lisa to join her in the ladies bathroom in a few minutes. There she hands over a CD and a micro cassette tape. She tells Lisa ‘they’ have already trashed Marty’s house and found his hidden copies but wouldn’t have known his mother had copies too.
And that’s when the danger and the pace really ramp up. There is a real sense of foreboding as Lisa views the CD and realises that someone at the ME’s office and in law enforcement must be involved in the scam, which is not drugs at all, but something far worse. And the perpetrators are willing to kill to keep the secret, Marty is not the first victim. Now the heat is on Lisa and she is being threatened to be silent by targeting the 16 year old Bridget. They are being followed but Lisa has a plan. But - is she trusting the wrong people?
This is a tautly plotted thriller which ramps up the pace throughout the story until you are sitting on the edge of your seat. Lisa is a very relatable character. As a teen mum she faced many hurdles but managed to overcome them and get a journalism qualification. Bridget is not quite the bratty teenager you would expect either. She is moody and stubborn but can generally see sense when it matters. I had no idea though, until the end, who the actual bad guys were and since Lisa was sure at least one law enforcement officer was involved she couldn’t trust any of them.
Just one word of caution - a trigger warning for animal lovers. Something rather nasty happens to a dog. Unfortunately I didn’t take note of the location so I can’t let you know what pages to skip. Other than that, it was an excellent story and debut novel. I received a copy of this book for free through BookSirens and I have reviewed it voluntarily and honestly.
Still, her journalistic juices are flowing. The cops see it as a drug deal gone wrong but Marty was never into drugs. All the people she interviews corroborate that. But it seemed he was into something! Stranger still, at the funeral Marty’s mother, Celeste, comes over all mysterious and asks Lisa to join her in the ladies bathroom in a few minutes. There she hands over a CD and a micro cassette tape. She tells Lisa ‘they’ have already trashed Marty’s house and found his hidden copies but wouldn’t have known his mother had copies too.
And that’s when the danger and the pace really ramp up. There is a real sense of foreboding as Lisa views the CD and realises that someone at the ME’s office and in law enforcement must be involved in the scam, which is not drugs at all, but something far worse. And the perpetrators are willing to kill to keep the secret, Marty is not the first victim. Now the heat is on Lisa and she is being threatened to be silent by targeting the 16 year old Bridget. They are being followed but Lisa has a plan. But - is she trusting the wrong people?
This is a tautly plotted thriller which ramps up the pace throughout the story until you are sitting on the edge of your seat. Lisa is a very relatable character. As a teen mum she faced many hurdles but managed to overcome them and get a journalism qualification. Bridget is not quite the bratty teenager you would expect either. She is moody and stubborn but can generally see sense when it matters. I had no idea though, until the end, who the actual bad guys were and since Lisa was sure at least one law enforcement officer was involved she couldn’t trust any of them.
Just one word of caution - a trigger warning for animal lovers. Something rather nasty happens to a dog. Unfortunately I didn’t take note of the location so I can’t let you know what pages to skip. Other than that, it was an excellent story and debut novel. I received a copy of this book for free through BookSirens and I have reviewed it voluntarily and honestly.
April 28, 2022
Although this is the author's debut novel, the writing was very assured and polished. A former crime journalist, she was already a seasoned writer.
The plot was scarily plausible and the tension of the chapters ramped up gradually throughout the novel.
My only quibble with the novel is that once again, the female protagonist took foolish risks in her quest for justice - though without these risks, the 'bad guys' would never have been apprehended.
I loved the family dynamic and rooted for each and every one of them throughout each tension-filled page. The excellent characterization gives this suspense thriller more heft than many of its peers.
All in all, "A Dead Man's Eyes" was a stellar start to a new crime series. I've already got the second novel, "Never Broken" loaded on my Kindle. Highly recommended.
For this and over 700 more fiction reviews visit: https://fictionophile.com
The plot was scarily plausible and the tension of the chapters ramped up gradually throughout the novel.
My only quibble with the novel is that once again, the female protagonist took foolish risks in her quest for justice - though without these risks, the 'bad guys' would never have been apprehended.
I loved the family dynamic and rooted for each and every one of them throughout each tension-filled page. The excellent characterization gives this suspense thriller more heft than many of its peers.
All in all, "A Dead Man's Eyes" was a stellar start to a new crime series. I've already got the second novel, "Never Broken" loaded on my Kindle. Highly recommended.
For this and over 700 more fiction reviews visit: https://fictionophile.com
April 13, 2021
Lisa Jamison has a teenage daughter, who she gave birth to when she, herself, was only 15 years of age. The daughter is going through what I call teenage angst. Being a single mom is tough, but she loves her daughter more than anything.
A man is killed .... her ex-boyfriend and her daughter's father ... who she hasn't seen since she gave birth. Even though she has had no contact with him in years, she knows there is no way he was a drug dealer.
What aren't the police saying? They seem to have determined the man was killed during a drug buy and refuse to listen to any other explanation.
Being the reporter she is she goes after the truth .. and risks not only her life, but that of her daughter and their closest friend in pursuit for answers.
Her investigation leaves Lisa fighting for her family in a morbid, black market world she never knew existed. Has she trusted the wrong people?
This is well-written, action-packed, a real page turner. The suspense starts on the first page and maintains a high level throughout. The characters are cleverly drawn .. I enjoyed the relationships within the family and how it blended with Lisa's professional life. The ending came fast and furious and I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of the unexpected conclusion.
The author is, herself, a former crime reporter. A such, I expected a great deal of credibility and I was not disappointed.
Many thanks to the author / IBPA / Level Best Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
A man is killed .... her ex-boyfriend and her daughter's father ... who she hasn't seen since she gave birth. Even though she has had no contact with him in years, she knows there is no way he was a drug dealer.
What aren't the police saying? They seem to have determined the man was killed during a drug buy and refuse to listen to any other explanation.
Being the reporter she is she goes after the truth .. and risks not only her life, but that of her daughter and their closest friend in pursuit for answers.
Her investigation leaves Lisa fighting for her family in a morbid, black market world she never knew existed. Has she trusted the wrong people?
This is well-written, action-packed, a real page turner. The suspense starts on the first page and maintains a high level throughout. The characters are cleverly drawn .. I enjoyed the relationships within the family and how it blended with Lisa's professional life. The ending came fast and furious and I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of the unexpected conclusion.
The author is, herself, a former crime reporter. A such, I expected a great deal of credibility and I was not disappointed.
Many thanks to the author / IBPA / Level Best Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 9, 2023
Looking forward to the rest of the trilogy. A mixture of drugs, crime with a lot of twists and turns, from a crime reporter in real life very well written
June 19, 2022
A Dead Man's Eyes is the first book in a new series by Lori Duffy Foster, which is a new author for me. This book was full of all sort of things murder, secrets, dysfunctional family and a child born to a teenager. I thought the book was a little slow in the very beginning, but once things began to happen in the storyline it was a hard book to put down. I really enjoyed getting to know the main character in the book, what made her the person she is now. I found this to be a compelling read and one that kept me turning the pages until the very end. I most definitely would recommend this book to others that enjoy a good thriller.
I received a copy of the book from the author for free, in exchange for a honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received a copy of the book from the author for free, in exchange for a honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
November 6, 2022
A Dead Man's Eyes is the first book in the Lisa Jamison Mystery series by Lori Duffy Foster.
This author is new to me and I am so glad I was able to read this debut novel.
A well-crafted crime fiction story.
We meet Lisa Jamison who is a reporter who has such a great amount of resilience after becoming pregnant in her teens and escaping her drug addict parents.
Lisa's daughter Bridget is now a teen and like every parent she is worried that she is going to make the same mistakes as her.
The characters are well written with complex, intriguing characters.
The mystery is suspenseful and fast paced. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
I REALLY loved this crime mystery and I look forward to more books in the series.
Highly recommend!
This author is new to me and I am so glad I was able to read this debut novel.
A well-crafted crime fiction story.
We meet Lisa Jamison who is a reporter who has such a great amount of resilience after becoming pregnant in her teens and escaping her drug addict parents.
Lisa's daughter Bridget is now a teen and like every parent she is worried that she is going to make the same mistakes as her.
The characters are well written with complex, intriguing characters.
The mystery is suspenseful and fast paced. There were some twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
I REALLY loved this crime mystery and I look forward to more books in the series.
Highly recommend!
March 4, 2024
A Dead Man’s Eye is a mystery thriller where Lisa is a single mom, a reporter who is called into identify a dead man. Lo and behold, it’s her ex boyfriend who she had a child with but did he ever knew he had a kid? The authorities think he was a drug dealer and she says no way and tries to prove it. She has to jump through alot of hoops but she’s pretty adamant about the outcome. I really enjoyed this story and looking for book #2 next in this series.
October 1, 2022
A Dead Man's Eyes.
By Lori Duffy Foster.
A well written Crime fiction story.
Lisa Jamison a reporter, a mom a woman who doesn't stop, until she's gets her story.
Sometimes getting the story can be deadly.
This story involves, someone from her past
Someone she hasn't seen in nearly 17 years.
Things go south, but Lisa trys to prove what's really going on.
Lisa story started when she was 15teen
She ends up pregnant, leaves home.
Her folks only cared about themselves and there drugs. Lisa saw more than any young girl
Should. But kept pushing on in life .
I totally enjoyed this Book..
I have read other books by this author in fact I have read the 2nd book in the series and I have the 3rd book.. Her books are awesome.
Must Reads....
Thank you Lori Duffy Foster.
By Lori Duffy Foster.
A well written Crime fiction story.
Lisa Jamison a reporter, a mom a woman who doesn't stop, until she's gets her story.
Sometimes getting the story can be deadly.
This story involves, someone from her past
Someone she hasn't seen in nearly 17 years.
Things go south, but Lisa trys to prove what's really going on.
Lisa story started when she was 15teen
She ends up pregnant, leaves home.
Her folks only cared about themselves and there drugs. Lisa saw more than any young girl
Should. But kept pushing on in life .
I totally enjoyed this Book..
I have read other books by this author in fact I have read the 2nd book in the series and I have the 3rd book.. Her books are awesome.
Must Reads....
Thank you Lori Duffy Foster.
April 15, 2021
A Dead Man’s Eyes is the first book in the new Lisa Jamison Mystery series by Lori Duffy Foster, and it is the author’s debut mystery/crime novel. However, Lori Duffy Foster is no novice at writing. A former crime reporter who has gone on to write non-fiction and short fiction, this mystery/crime fiction debut clearly reflects that writing experience. The pacing is particularly good, something that no doubt benefits from Lori’s crime reporting and familiarity with police and investigative procedure. The suspense level is sustained throughout the story, with just the right edge of encroaching danger. I found myself reading this book with that unshakeable trepidation of something waiting just around the corner, and that’s just how I want my mystery/crime reading to feel.
The character at the center of the action is Lisa Jamison, barely in her thirties, but already with a sixteen-year-old daughter. Lisa had a rocky, unconventional start to her current life as a mother and crime reporter for the local newspaper in Seneca, New York. Having left a home where her parents neglected her for drugs and pregnant at fifteen, Lisa got put in the system. Her luck actually improved at that point, unlike some who suffer in the temporary support system. A couple took Lisa in and showed her a loving home, which enabled her to have her baby, Bridgette, go to college, and start a career. Bridgette’s father was out of the picture, partially due to the night that a tragedy caused he and Lisa to part.
But, sixteen years later Lisa finds herself face to face with Bridgette’s father, Marty. Unfortunately for Marty, he is lying on a medical examiner’s table, dead from a gunshot wound. Lisa is friends with the ME, who has allowed her to identify Marty. Marty had recently contacted Lisa wanting to see Bridgette, but Lisa had told him she wasn’t yet ready for that. Now, Marty is the victim of murder and accused of being a drug dealer. Lisa knows that no matter how long it’s been since she’s seen Marty, he’s no drug dealer. So, how did her ex-boyfriend end up a murder victim? Lisa isn’t a reporter for nothing. Before she can tell Bridgette about her father, Lisa needs to clear his name and be able to give her daughter a more positive image of him.
Marty’s death really gets bizarre when at the funeral home visitation for him, his mother meets Lisa outside the funeral home to warn her that people will be watching them and to meet her in the funeral home’s restroom after a bit. The meeting in the restroom is brief and to the point. Celeste tells Lisa that she and Bridgette are in danger and gives her evidence Marty had on the people who killed him, evidence about a black market Lisa had been oblivious to. It becomes a life and death matter to uncover what happened to Marty now, but it’s hard for Lisa to know whom she can trust. She suspects the Mohawk County Sheriff’s Department of somehow being involved, and she feels threatened by the Sheriff. She has no choice but to keep digging, at one point literally, as Lisa fights to keep herself and those she loves from becoming victims, too.
Thanks to Lori Duffy Foster and Level Best Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this first book of what promises to be a thrilling, dynamic series. I was delighted to find that A Dead Man’s Eyes was a book that thoroughly gripped me from beginning to end, and what an action-packed, emotionally charged ending it is. The characters are all so deftly developed, building on their background information that seamlessly segues into who they are today. There is a depth to the characters that is exceptional in a debut novel. Lori Duffy Foster is a welcome addition to the mystery/crime fiction community, and I am looking forward to her next addition to this series.
The character at the center of the action is Lisa Jamison, barely in her thirties, but already with a sixteen-year-old daughter. Lisa had a rocky, unconventional start to her current life as a mother and crime reporter for the local newspaper in Seneca, New York. Having left a home where her parents neglected her for drugs and pregnant at fifteen, Lisa got put in the system. Her luck actually improved at that point, unlike some who suffer in the temporary support system. A couple took Lisa in and showed her a loving home, which enabled her to have her baby, Bridgette, go to college, and start a career. Bridgette’s father was out of the picture, partially due to the night that a tragedy caused he and Lisa to part.
But, sixteen years later Lisa finds herself face to face with Bridgette’s father, Marty. Unfortunately for Marty, he is lying on a medical examiner’s table, dead from a gunshot wound. Lisa is friends with the ME, who has allowed her to identify Marty. Marty had recently contacted Lisa wanting to see Bridgette, but Lisa had told him she wasn’t yet ready for that. Now, Marty is the victim of murder and accused of being a drug dealer. Lisa knows that no matter how long it’s been since she’s seen Marty, he’s no drug dealer. So, how did her ex-boyfriend end up a murder victim? Lisa isn’t a reporter for nothing. Before she can tell Bridgette about her father, Lisa needs to clear his name and be able to give her daughter a more positive image of him.
Marty’s death really gets bizarre when at the funeral home visitation for him, his mother meets Lisa outside the funeral home to warn her that people will be watching them and to meet her in the funeral home’s restroom after a bit. The meeting in the restroom is brief and to the point. Celeste tells Lisa that she and Bridgette are in danger and gives her evidence Marty had on the people who killed him, evidence about a black market Lisa had been oblivious to. It becomes a life and death matter to uncover what happened to Marty now, but it’s hard for Lisa to know whom she can trust. She suspects the Mohawk County Sheriff’s Department of somehow being involved, and she feels threatened by the Sheriff. She has no choice but to keep digging, at one point literally, as Lisa fights to keep herself and those she loves from becoming victims, too.
Thanks to Lori Duffy Foster and Level Best Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this first book of what promises to be a thrilling, dynamic series. I was delighted to find that A Dead Man’s Eyes was a book that thoroughly gripped me from beginning to end, and what an action-packed, emotionally charged ending it is. The characters are all so deftly developed, building on their background information that seamlessly segues into who they are today. There is a depth to the characters that is exceptional in a debut novel. Lori Duffy Foster is a welcome addition to the mystery/crime fiction community, and I am looking forward to her next addition to this series.
August 8, 2022
Enter Lisa Jamison, the protagonist of A Deadman's Eyes by Lori Duffy Foster. Lisa is a single mom of teen Bridget. Lisa's parents were drug addicts and once Lisa found out she was pregnant, she left home. She never even told the girl's father, Marty, about the pregnancy, plus she never told Bridget who her father is. She has a friend, Dorothy, who has helped her raise Bridget, that lives with her.
Marty is killed though in a drug deal gone bad. Now she has to find out why Marty died, plus tell her daughter about him. She knows that Marty did not do drugs and is perplexed as to why he would deal with them. With the help of the Medical Examiner, Alex, they try to piece together what happened.
Not is all as it seems, people, she trusted she can no longer trust. As time goes on, she finds that her daughter and Dorothy are in danger from the killer. She has to race against the clock and once she finds out who the killer is, it may be too late to protect her family.
This is a story that reads fast, there are likable characters and some not-so-likable. I picked up the book and it only took me two sittings to get through it. The plot was well researched, as to the proceeding of the medical examiner, and the procedures of the sheriffs' department. I think that it helped to have the author as a former crime reporter. It always helps to know what you are talking about. Plus the ending surprised me which is what a good book is all about!
I look forward to reading the next in the series. I give it four stars!
Marty is killed though in a drug deal gone bad. Now she has to find out why Marty died, plus tell her daughter about him. She knows that Marty did not do drugs and is perplexed as to why he would deal with them. With the help of the Medical Examiner, Alex, they try to piece together what happened.
Not is all as it seems, people, she trusted she can no longer trust. As time goes on, she finds that her daughter and Dorothy are in danger from the killer. She has to race against the clock and once she finds out who the killer is, it may be too late to protect her family.
This is a story that reads fast, there are likable characters and some not-so-likable. I picked up the book and it only took me two sittings to get through it. The plot was well researched, as to the proceeding of the medical examiner, and the procedures of the sheriffs' department. I think that it helped to have the author as a former crime reporter. It always helps to know what you are talking about. Plus the ending surprised me which is what a good book is all about!
I look forward to reading the next in the series. I give it four stars!
July 17, 2022
A good fast paced, murder mystery read! When you know someone, you know someone whether it has been just a few weeks, months or years. Lisa Jamison has worked hard to make a better life for her daughter and herself. She was a teenage mother and now that her daughter is that age- fear of her daughter heading down the same path is on her mind constantly and it's causing a rift between them. Meanwhile, her ex-boyfriend has been murdered and the police are chalking it up to a drug killing but Lisa knows that is impossible. It may have been sixteen years, but she knew Marty and he would never get wrapped up in drugs. As Lisa decides to investigate on her own, she quickly finds out who she can trust, and who she needs to look into further meanwhile, she is struggling to fix things with her daughter and whether to tell her the secret she has kept all these years. I really enjoyed this novel, and look forward to more in this series. Thank you to the author for sending me a free copy of her novel!
May 14, 2021
"A Dead Man's Eyes" is a good read. Not only is it a great mystery, but it is a character study as well, something that a lot of crime fiction lacks. I enjoyed getting to know the main character, Lisa, and the dynamics of her relationship with her daughter, Bridget. The backstory is really interesting - teenage pregnancy, mixing with the wrong crowd, dysfunctional parents - and how Lisa pulls her life together to "make something of herself". I enjoyed the character of Dorothy and her role in raising Bridget. There is a depth to this book.
The plot gains momentum, the tension builds and the writing is strong, right up to the finish. There was a certainty about descriptions of procedures and practices in law enforcement, the coroner's office and the press that gave the story authenticity.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I look forward to the next one in the series.
The plot gains momentum, the tension builds and the writing is strong, right up to the finish. There was a certainty about descriptions of procedures and practices in law enforcement, the coroner's office and the press that gave the story authenticity.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I look forward to the next one in the series.
May 3, 2021
A Dead Man’s Eyes is a great start to the new Lisa Jamison Mystery series.
I really liked Lisa’s character. She’s strong, independent, and driven, but also flawed in a normal human way.
The mystery unravels at a steady pace, allowing us to play detective alongside Lisa. We’re given just enough to make the story come alive and keep us on edge, without drowning us in details. The author excels at capturing realism and plausibility, no doubt aided by her past career as a crime reporter.
For a short read, this story has impressive depth. I’m looking forward to solving more mysteries with Lisa.
*I received a free copy for review.*
I really liked Lisa’s character. She’s strong, independent, and driven, but also flawed in a normal human way.
The mystery unravels at a steady pace, allowing us to play detective alongside Lisa. We’re given just enough to make the story come alive and keep us on edge, without drowning us in details. The author excels at capturing realism and plausibility, no doubt aided by her past career as a crime reporter.
For a short read, this story has impressive depth. I’m looking forward to solving more mysteries with Lisa.
*I received a free copy for review.*
November 5, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the author. She is new to me, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series. The author does a fabulous job of describing the mother/daughter relationship the main character has with her daughter, and both are likable and very believable. I gave the book only 4 ⭐️ because I felt the first part of the book a bit slow. However, the action picked up not quite halfway through the book and I was hooked. Several things that should have been done got put off until I finished the book. The book is perfect for anyone who likes a good mystery/thriller.
July 18, 2021
A Dead Man's Eyes takes place on multiple levels. The characters are complex and engaging, and the narrative arc takes the reader on a page-turning journey. This is an exceptionally well-written book, and I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
April 16, 2022
Former crime reporter Lori Duffy Foster has written a gem of a book, fast-paced, beautifully written, and filled with the type of true-to-life details that had me turning pages well into the night. She's created a wonderful sleuth in Lisa Jamison, a reporter and single mom who investigates the death of her ex-boyfriend, the father of her child, and the story gripped me from the first sentence. ("It pays to be friends with the medical examiner.") I'm looking forward to reading many more Lisa Jamison mysteries!
May 5, 2022
The book A Dead Man's Eyes, by Lori Duffy Foster was a great read and I highly recommend it. This murder mystery ended up with a few twists that I defenitly wasnt expecting. I also enjoyed the storylines surrounding Lisa's life including her past troubles & her present life with her daughter & Dorothy (a mother figure to Lisa).
For Lori Duffy Foster's first book it was absolutely amazing. Not only did the book keep me intrigued, the way of her writing flowed so easily I wouldn't have known it was her first. Being a former crime reporter herself, she gives readers some insight into what it takes to be a reporter.
The book does get off to a somewhat slow start and stays medium pace until a little past halfway through the book. But once Lisa watches the DVD, and the incident happens at the animal clinic, the book picks up pace. That pace doesn’t stop until the end, and then it explodes into something huge. I literally had to set my book down for a couple minutes to regroup.
The mystery angle of the book was well written and kept me guessing. The author did a fantastic job of keeping who killed Marty under wraps until the explosive climax. Even I had no clue it would end up being them. I couldn’t put the book down; it was really good.
For Lori Duffy Foster's first book it was absolutely amazing. Not only did the book keep me intrigued, the way of her writing flowed so easily I wouldn't have known it was her first. Being a former crime reporter herself, she gives readers some insight into what it takes to be a reporter.
The book does get off to a somewhat slow start and stays medium pace until a little past halfway through the book. But once Lisa watches the DVD, and the incident happens at the animal clinic, the book picks up pace. That pace doesn’t stop until the end, and then it explodes into something huge. I literally had to set my book down for a couple minutes to regroup.
The mystery angle of the book was well written and kept me guessing. The author did a fantastic job of keeping who killed Marty under wraps until the explosive climax. Even I had no clue it would end up being them. I couldn’t put the book down; it was really good.
October 12, 2022
I received a ARC free from Book Sirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
* A compelling, fast read full of secrets, murder, and dysfunctional family issues!
* Action packed! Suspenseful! Thrilling!
* Excellent, polished writing with a intense plot that has the reader gripping their seat! Wow! Such a page turner!
* Presents relatable, strong, complex, engaging, and driven characters!
Don't miss! Enjoy!
* A compelling, fast read full of secrets, murder, and dysfunctional family issues!
* Action packed! Suspenseful! Thrilling!
* Excellent, polished writing with a intense plot that has the reader gripping their seat! Wow! Such a page turner!
* Presents relatable, strong, complex, engaging, and driven characters!
Don't miss! Enjoy!
September 28, 2022
A Dead Man’s Eyes, by Lori Duffy Foster, is the first installment in the Lisa Jamison mystery series. The novel is actually two more or less parallel narratives, one a conventional mystery and the other a story involving the oftentimes rocky relationship between a 30-something mother and her teenaged daughter, Bridget. As the story opens, Lisa Jamison, a reporter for an upstate New York newspaper, pays a late-night visit to the county morgue to confirm the identity of a recent murder victim. It turns out the body is that of her former boyfriend, Marty, who is believed at the time to have been a drug dealer. (In fact, he was involved in a quite different criminal enterprise.) Who killed Marty, and the reason he was killed, is the arc that carries the mystery forward, and the author provides enough red herrings to make the answers to those questions both satisfying and surprising.
The secondary story deals with Lisa’s often-strained relationship with her daughter, and this is more of an internal conflict rather than a whodunit. What complicates the situation in this instance is that the dead man in the morgue is also Bridget’s father, whom she has never met and now never will. In the end, the author resolves both conflicts in way that shows she is a skilled writer who knows how to rivet her readers’ attention from the first page to the last. This is a very good book.
The secondary story deals with Lisa’s often-strained relationship with her daughter, and this is more of an internal conflict rather than a whodunit. What complicates the situation in this instance is that the dead man in the morgue is also Bridget’s father, whom she has never met and now never will. In the end, the author resolves both conflicts in way that shows she is a skilled writer who knows how to rivet her readers’ attention from the first page to the last. This is a very good book.
July 18, 2021
Fast reading. The plot starts out seeming somewhat simple yet adds different branches, finally putting everything together in a satisfying way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Gripping and unforgettable
A Dead Man’s Eyes kept me hooked from start to finish. Lori Duffy Foster crafts a suspenseful, well-paced story with believable characters and just the right amount of twists. A must-read for anyone who loves a smart, compelling mystery.
A Dead Man’s Eyes kept me hooked from start to finish. Lori Duffy Foster crafts a suspenseful, well-paced story with believable characters and just the right amount of twists. A must-read for anyone who loves a smart, compelling mystery.
September 23, 2022
A Dead Man's Eyes, a Lisa Jamison Mystery, is a fast paced suspense with a lot of heart. The combination of an exciting plot, that's well executed, and the family component kept me hooked. The main character is likeable and well fleshed out, as well as most of the secondary characters.
Lisa Jamison is a local journalist raising her teenage daughter, Bridget, with the help of family friend, Grandma Dorothy. When her daughter's father dies under mysterious circumstances, Lisa knows that she must investigate. Unfortunately, the killer is not on board with her plan and now her and her family are in danger.
I received an advanced copy for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
Lisa Jamison is a local journalist raising her teenage daughter, Bridget, with the help of family friend, Grandma Dorothy. When her daughter's father dies under mysterious circumstances, Lisa knows that she must investigate. Unfortunately, the killer is not on board with her plan and now her and her family are in danger.
I received an advanced copy for free and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
October 2, 2021
Youtube: https://youtu.be/qgP5D1IK9aA
Blog: https://nanasbookreviews.wordpress.co...
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
A Dead Man's Eyes by Lori Duffy Foster is a crime mystery. It's the first book from the Lisa Jamison series.
It's an incredible book with so much intensity and suspense. A gripping story that keeps your interest from the very first page till the last one. Half the story is about the solving of the murder mystery and the other half explains who the characters are and their issues. It has a steady pace with a continuous evolvement. From the middle part, it kinda turned into a horror story, and the bad guys kept popping up, it was crazy. This is the first mystery story that I could feel the characters' fears and agony. There was also a scene that gave me chills, it was so detailed that instantly triggered my imagination. What I found interesting was the mother-daughter relationship. In most single mother stories we see how close they are but here it showed the "dark" side, the problems, trust issues, and the bad communication. The characters were realistic and their background story emotional. My favorite part was just before the arrests.
This book is sheer perfection. Everyone oughts to read this at least once in their life. I highly recommend it and I will rate it with 5 stars.
Blog: https://nanasbookreviews.wordpress.co...
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
A Dead Man's Eyes by Lori Duffy Foster is a crime mystery. It's the first book from the Lisa Jamison series.
It's an incredible book with so much intensity and suspense. A gripping story that keeps your interest from the very first page till the last one. Half the story is about the solving of the murder mystery and the other half explains who the characters are and their issues. It has a steady pace with a continuous evolvement. From the middle part, it kinda turned into a horror story, and the bad guys kept popping up, it was crazy. This is the first mystery story that I could feel the characters' fears and agony. There was also a scene that gave me chills, it was so detailed that instantly triggered my imagination. What I found interesting was the mother-daughter relationship. In most single mother stories we see how close they are but here it showed the "dark" side, the problems, trust issues, and the bad communication. The characters were realistic and their background story emotional. My favorite part was just before the arrests.
This book is sheer perfection. Everyone oughts to read this at least once in their life. I highly recommend it and I will rate it with 5 stars.
September 20, 2022
This suspenseful fiction with a female sleuth in the form of a newspaper reporter by Lori Duffy Foster was an excellent first in series debut fiction. Both the plot and characters were relatable and captured my attention from the start. Highly enjoyable read that I strongly recommend.
September 20, 2022
I really enjoyed Lori Duffy Foster’s entry into the fiction world. The plot was terrifyingly and realistically possible. The single mom main character is so admirable. I can’t wait to read more about her career. Strongly recommend.
July 2, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books for letting me read this book prior to its publication. My opinion is 100% honest, unbiased, and my own. Also, thanks to the author, Lori Duffy Foster, for reaching out to me via my blog.
I really liked the premise for this book and I got into the story quite quickly, which is not something that it happens to me very often. It was gripping, the pace was fast, and things kept happening which made the plot progress fast. The characters were well fleshed out, with proper backgrounds and all a reader needs to feel some sort of connection with them.
So I was really enjoying this book, and then it got a bit predictable, and when I can guess what is going to happen and then it happens... well, I feel disappointed. I like being guessing up to the very end. The ending, that's another issue. It happened too fast and everything seemed to be quite convenient.
Ups and downs in a book that, overall, has been entertaining and enjoyable. A good book for a weekend of relax.
I really liked the premise for this book and I got into the story quite quickly, which is not something that it happens to me very often. It was gripping, the pace was fast, and things kept happening which made the plot progress fast. The characters were well fleshed out, with proper backgrounds and all a reader needs to feel some sort of connection with them.
So I was really enjoying this book, and then it got a bit predictable, and when I can guess what is going to happen and then it happens... well, I feel disappointed. I like being guessing up to the very end. The ending, that's another issue. It happened too fast and everything seemed to be quite convenient.
Ups and downs in a book that, overall, has been entertaining and enjoyable. A good book for a weekend of relax.
June 27, 2022
The story itself was good. The 'why' of it all was really interesting. Due to my own feelings, I found the relationship between two main characters kind of irritating, which made portions of the book not fun to get through. Obviously, we aren't going to like every character in every book. My issue is when characters, or a dynamic between two, cross the line into being annoying. Like I said, this is based on my personal feelings and is by no means a reflection on the author or their story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 24, 2022
A Dead Man’s Eyes by Lori Duffy Foster
Published: April 13, 2021
Level Best Books
Pages: 191
Genre: Women Sleuths
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I purchased this book on Amazon, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Lori Duffy Foster is a former crime reporter who writes and lives in the hills of Northern Pennsylvania. She is the author of A Dead Man's Eyes, the first in the Lisa Jamison Mysteries Series, and an Agatha Award nominee. Lori is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, The Historical Novel Society, International Thriller Writers, and Pennwriters. She also sits on the board of the Knoxville (PA) Public Library.
“But her life was not simple, not anymore.”
Lisa is a single mom and busy reporter, trying to do her best. Her life was tumultuous at best, so when her first love reaches out, naturally, Lisa panics and asks for more time. He is the father of her child, and she is not ready to deal with that. When Marty is murdered, Lisa is set on figuring out what happened. She won’t stop until the truth is revealed, even if it costs her everything.
I liked how fast-paced this novel was. I also enjoyed how the last was sprinkled throughout, bringing the story together.
I enjoyed the characters. Lisa is a tough cookie. The child of addicts, who grew up too fast, she was a fantastic leading character.
I am interested in continuing this series. I bought this book because I was approved for an arc of the second book and wanted to get the complete introductions to the key players.
I found this book well-written fast paced, and the plot was interesting. The twist was unusual and not common. I enjoyed the medical aspects, mixed with being a reporter.
I loved the healing aspects of learning and growing from your past. Lisa had such a strong arc throughout this novel, and I cannot wait to continue her journey.
Published: April 13, 2021
Level Best Books
Pages: 191
Genre: Women Sleuths
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I purchased this book on Amazon, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Lori Duffy Foster is a former crime reporter who writes and lives in the hills of Northern Pennsylvania. She is the author of A Dead Man's Eyes, the first in the Lisa Jamison Mysteries Series, and an Agatha Award nominee. Lori is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, The Historical Novel Society, International Thriller Writers, and Pennwriters. She also sits on the board of the Knoxville (PA) Public Library.
“But her life was not simple, not anymore.”
Lisa is a single mom and busy reporter, trying to do her best. Her life was tumultuous at best, so when her first love reaches out, naturally, Lisa panics and asks for more time. He is the father of her child, and she is not ready to deal with that. When Marty is murdered, Lisa is set on figuring out what happened. She won’t stop until the truth is revealed, even if it costs her everything.
I liked how fast-paced this novel was. I also enjoyed how the last was sprinkled throughout, bringing the story together.
I enjoyed the characters. Lisa is a tough cookie. The child of addicts, who grew up too fast, she was a fantastic leading character.
I am interested in continuing this series. I bought this book because I was approved for an arc of the second book and wanted to get the complete introductions to the key players.
I found this book well-written fast paced, and the plot was interesting. The twist was unusual and not common. I enjoyed the medical aspects, mixed with being a reporter.
I loved the healing aspects of learning and growing from your past. Lisa had such a strong arc throughout this novel, and I cannot wait to continue her journey.
December 15, 2021
After getting pregnant running away from her drug-abusing parents as a teen, investigative reporter Lisa Jamison has vowed not to make the same mistakes as her parents with her 16- year-old daughter. But her overprotectiveness may backfire, as her daughter seems to be drifting away from her. Even worse, Lisa has hidden a secret from her daughter: that the father, Marty, is still alive and wants to see her. But before Lisa can make that decision, the father turns up dead by gunshot wound, apparently in the process of selling methamphetamine. Lisa refuses to believe Marty would sell drugs and vows to find the truth, in the process uncovering a conspiracy involving the Sheriff's department.
This is a quick, suspenseful read. Lisa is a tough, believable character, and the author clearly knows the journalist business. At first it feels like a reporter procedural with some family drama mixed in, but by the second half it turns into an outright thriller. I was able to foresee one of the big plot twists early on, but that's only because it's how I would've written it. This appears to be the first book in a series. I'm not sure where Lisa will go from here, but I'm curious to follow her adventures.
This is a quick, suspenseful read. Lisa is a tough, believable character, and the author clearly knows the journalist business. At first it feels like a reporter procedural with some family drama mixed in, but by the second half it turns into an outright thriller. I was able to foresee one of the big plot twists early on, but that's only because it's how I would've written it. This appears to be the first book in a series. I'm not sure where Lisa will go from here, but I'm curious to follow her adventures.
July 25, 2022
A Dead Man’s Eyes by Lori Duffy Foster
This debut novel is packed with nothing but good reading!! The characters are believable and relatable. The story line is intriguing. As a former crime reporter, Lori Duffy Foster, has the background and skills to make the story come to life. The reader cannot help but fall in love with Lisa Jamison, the protagonist, a young journalist with the desire to see a story thru to the rightful end. She isn’t afraid to go the extra mile to find the truth.
Lisa Jamison did not have a great upbringing. Getting pregnant at 15 didn’t help matters. But thru grit and determination, she was able to put her life (and her daughter’s) on the right track. But when her daughter’s father is killed and it is listed as a drug killing, Lisa knows this is wrong and starts to investigate. But when the investigation starts to blur the lines of trust, Lisa must fight for her own life and that of her family.
This book will grab you from the start. Buckle up – you are in for quite the ride! Enjoy!!
This debut novel is packed with nothing but good reading!! The characters are believable and relatable. The story line is intriguing. As a former crime reporter, Lori Duffy Foster, has the background and skills to make the story come to life. The reader cannot help but fall in love with Lisa Jamison, the protagonist, a young journalist with the desire to see a story thru to the rightful end. She isn’t afraid to go the extra mile to find the truth.
Lisa Jamison did not have a great upbringing. Getting pregnant at 15 didn’t help matters. But thru grit and determination, she was able to put her life (and her daughter’s) on the right track. But when her daughter’s father is killed and it is listed as a drug killing, Lisa knows this is wrong and starts to investigate. But when the investigation starts to blur the lines of trust, Lisa must fight for her own life and that of her family.
This book will grab you from the start. Buckle up – you are in for quite the ride! Enjoy!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews