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Lisa Jamison #2
Never Broken
The near corpse of a stranger had no idea where he’d been, how long he’d been there or who had kept him captive. But one thing intrigued journalist Lisa Jamison even more than his story: recent memories of a woman named Chandra Bower.
Seven years had passed since Chandra disappeared from Seneca Springs without a trace. Police investigators still compared DNA records whenever an unidentified body appeared, hoping to at least bring her family closure. Lisa still chased down leads from desperate family and friends, being careful to hide her investigations from an editor who thought she’d become obsessed with a woman who was clearly dead.
But this man had just seen her, sewing designer clothes in a dark, filthy basement with about twenty other men and women under horrifically inhumane conditions. And the sweatshop workers all had one thing in common: All were people of color.
A split-second decision to help the man takes Lisa on a race against time. His captors want him back, there is evidence someone on the police force might be involved and the man knows that if he were recaptured, they would torture him until he revealed the names of the two people who helped him escape: Lisa Jamison and Chandra Bower.
Lisa promised her teenage daughter she would stay away from the dangerous stories ever since her job had nearly gotten them both killed two years before. But she no longer has a choice. She must keep the stranger hidden while she gathers enough evidence to turn the case over to city police or the FBI. At least three lives—her own, the stranger’s and Chandra’s—depend on it.
Seven years had passed since Chandra disappeared from Seneca Springs without a trace. Police investigators still compared DNA records whenever an unidentified body appeared, hoping to at least bring her family closure. Lisa still chased down leads from desperate family and friends, being careful to hide her investigations from an editor who thought she’d become obsessed with a woman who was clearly dead.
But this man had just seen her, sewing designer clothes in a dark, filthy basement with about twenty other men and women under horrifically inhumane conditions. And the sweatshop workers all had one thing in common: All were people of color.
A split-second decision to help the man takes Lisa on a race against time. His captors want him back, there is evidence someone on the police force might be involved and the man knows that if he were recaptured, they would torture him until he revealed the names of the two people who helped him escape: Lisa Jamison and Chandra Bower.
Lisa promised her teenage daughter she would stay away from the dangerous stories ever since her job had nearly gotten them both killed two years before. But she no longer has a choice. She must keep the stranger hidden while she gathers enough evidence to turn the case over to city police or the FBI. At least three lives—her own, the stranger’s and Chandra’s—depend on it.
- GenresMystery
212 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2022
4 people are currently reading
138 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 2, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up.
The reading slump is over! This action packed book gripped me from the very beginning and the pace never let up. This is the second book featuring crime reporter Lisa Jamison and, yes, I have read the first one although it isn’t necessary. This can be read as a stand alone.
Lisa is now a ‘project’ writer, she writes longer, in depth stories that often end up on the front page. Currently she is reporting an urban renewal project in Iron City Heights - a rather run down, seedy part of town. Reaction to the proposed development is mixed. As she returns to her car after a press conference in the area she is startled to see a half dead man cowering in the back of her car. It is clear he is emaciated and has been badly mistreated. She wants to take him to the hospital but he insists - no hospital and no police. He has escaped from a sweatshop where he was a slave for 12 years. When he mentions Chandra Bower, a young woman who disappeared 7 years ago she can see an explosive story and determines to help him.
She takes him to her home and calls Toren, a friend who is a doctor to check the man, Saul, out. Toren does what he can but says he really needs a hospital. Saul insists “they” will find him and kill him so Lisa comes up with a plan to stash him at a friends place. Dorothy, a very capable older woman and dear friend of Lisa’s runs an artist’s retreat in a rural setting and she agrees to look after Saul. He will stay in her guest room, away from the artists.
Things soon hot up as Lisa follows the story and starts snooping around trying to work out where the sweatshop is located. She nearly gets run over deliberately by a car, she is followed, she is threatened and then Toren disappears. It’s all looking very bleak but it gets worse. The people running the sweatshop want their “property” back and are willing to kill anyone who stands in their way.
Lisa is a very likeable and relatable character, as are friends, and you can’t help rooting for them. The story went down to the wire, my nerves were fizzing as I wondered if everyone would survive. The sweatshop was horrific but apparently such places do exist. It’s hard to fathom but I guess where there is profit to be made some people will sell their souls. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Many thanks to BookSirens for providing a free copy of the book which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
The reading slump is over! This action packed book gripped me from the very beginning and the pace never let up. This is the second book featuring crime reporter Lisa Jamison and, yes, I have read the first one although it isn’t necessary. This can be read as a stand alone.
Lisa is now a ‘project’ writer, she writes longer, in depth stories that often end up on the front page. Currently she is reporting an urban renewal project in Iron City Heights - a rather run down, seedy part of town. Reaction to the proposed development is mixed. As she returns to her car after a press conference in the area she is startled to see a half dead man cowering in the back of her car. It is clear he is emaciated and has been badly mistreated. She wants to take him to the hospital but he insists - no hospital and no police. He has escaped from a sweatshop where he was a slave for 12 years. When he mentions Chandra Bower, a young woman who disappeared 7 years ago she can see an explosive story and determines to help him.
She takes him to her home and calls Toren, a friend who is a doctor to check the man, Saul, out. Toren does what he can but says he really needs a hospital. Saul insists “they” will find him and kill him so Lisa comes up with a plan to stash him at a friends place. Dorothy, a very capable older woman and dear friend of Lisa’s runs an artist’s retreat in a rural setting and she agrees to look after Saul. He will stay in her guest room, away from the artists.
Things soon hot up as Lisa follows the story and starts snooping around trying to work out where the sweatshop is located. She nearly gets run over deliberately by a car, she is followed, she is threatened and then Toren disappears. It’s all looking very bleak but it gets worse. The people running the sweatshop want their “property” back and are willing to kill anyone who stands in their way.
Lisa is a very likeable and relatable character, as are friends, and you can’t help rooting for them. The story went down to the wire, my nerves were fizzing as I wondered if everyone would survive. The sweatshop was horrific but apparently such places do exist. It’s hard to fathom but I guess where there is profit to be made some people will sell their souls. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Many thanks to BookSirens for providing a free copy of the book which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
April 13, 2022
The second of the Lisa Jamison investigative reporter series, Never Broken by Lori Duffy Foster is a mystery thriller. Lisa is writing her latest feature article on an urban renewal project, when a homeless man is discovered hiding in her car. She is startled with his allegation that he has escaped from an illegal sweatshop and decides to investigate. Once again, her quest for the story places her daughter and friends in danger, as the underworld owners of the slave textile industry will stop at nothing to protect their enterprise. Despite the threats and mounting danger, Lisa continues to pursue her leads, culminating in a tense, action packed finale. An enjoyable and realistic tale of journalistic endeavour and a hero who won’t quit, makes this a three-and-a-half-star read rating. With thanks to the Independent Book Publishers Association and the author, for an advanced copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
November 10, 2022
As with the first novel in this series, the writing was very assured and polished. A former crime journalist, the author is a seasoned writer.
I am such a timid person that it is hard for me to imagine just how courageous some people are. Lisa Jamison, an investigative journalist and our protagonist, was willing to risk everything for her story and the pursuit of justice.
"A little danger is necessary - healthy even - in this line of work. We'll never uncover the good stuff if we're always afraid of taking risks."
I loved the unique family dynamic and rooted for each and every one of them throughout each tension-filled page. The excellent characterization gives this suspense crime thriller more heft than many of its peers.
With difficult themes such as sweatshops, organized crime, modern slavery, and white supremacy, this novel's plot was scarily plausible and the tension of the chapters escalated gradually throughout the novel. Though touted as a mystery, I would classify it more as a gritty, urban noir crime thriller.
All in all, "Never Broken" was a more than worthy sequel to "Dead Man's Eyes". This is a novel, and a series, that I can highly recommended.
4.5 stars rounded up
I am such a timid person that it is hard for me to imagine just how courageous some people are. Lisa Jamison, an investigative journalist and our protagonist, was willing to risk everything for her story and the pursuit of justice.
"A little danger is necessary - healthy even - in this line of work. We'll never uncover the good stuff if we're always afraid of taking risks."
I loved the unique family dynamic and rooted for each and every one of them throughout each tension-filled page. The excellent characterization gives this suspense crime thriller more heft than many of its peers.
With difficult themes such as sweatshops, organized crime, modern slavery, and white supremacy, this novel's plot was scarily plausible and the tension of the chapters escalated gradually throughout the novel. Though touted as a mystery, I would classify it more as a gritty, urban noir crime thriller.
All in all, "Never Broken" was a more than worthy sequel to "Dead Man's Eyes". This is a novel, and a series, that I can highly recommended.
4.5 stars rounded up
September 6, 2022
Never Broken by Lori Duffy Foster is the second in the series but can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel.
Lisa Jamison, a journalist is just getting to her car, and inside she finds an emaciated man, Saul, who had just escaped from a sweatshop. He tells Lisa her story and she is intrigued and wants to help him and learn more and expose the owners of this sweatshop. She takes him to her friend Dorothy's home and enlists an ex-doctor friend to take care of him.
As Lisa digs into Saul's story she remembers the girl that he tells her about, Chandra, who disappeared seven years ago on her way to the store. Never to be seen or heard from, Saul's story is that she is still alive and in the same sweatshop that he escaped from. The only problem to his story is that he does not know where it is, he was too intent on his escape to pay much attention along with his condition did not allow for many memories.
She slowly gets the story from him and is determined to expose this trafficking of people for the needs of men who want only to make money off of these people.
Lisa enlists the help of her boss and a fellow journalist. Their search leads them to danger that they may not escape. Lisa is running against the clock to solve this mystery. Will she be able to solve it in time and still be safe?
I read the first book in the series, A Dead Man's Eyes, and really enjoyed it, so I felt that this book would be as good, and I was right. I loved Lisa and Dorothy's characters. Lisa has a daughter Bridget, she is not as much of the main character as she was in the first book but she definitely contributes to the story.
If you like a good mystery, then this series is for you!
I give it 5 stars!
I received a copy for review purposes only!
Lisa Jamison, a journalist is just getting to her car, and inside she finds an emaciated man, Saul, who had just escaped from a sweatshop. He tells Lisa her story and she is intrigued and wants to help him and learn more and expose the owners of this sweatshop. She takes him to her friend Dorothy's home and enlists an ex-doctor friend to take care of him.
As Lisa digs into Saul's story she remembers the girl that he tells her about, Chandra, who disappeared seven years ago on her way to the store. Never to be seen or heard from, Saul's story is that she is still alive and in the same sweatshop that he escaped from. The only problem to his story is that he does not know where it is, he was too intent on his escape to pay much attention along with his condition did not allow for many memories.
She slowly gets the story from him and is determined to expose this trafficking of people for the needs of men who want only to make money off of these people.
Lisa enlists the help of her boss and a fellow journalist. Their search leads them to danger that they may not escape. Lisa is running against the clock to solve this mystery. Will she be able to solve it in time and still be safe?
I read the first book in the series, A Dead Man's Eyes, and really enjoyed it, so I felt that this book would be as good, and I was right. I loved Lisa and Dorothy's characters. Lisa has a daughter Bridget, she is not as much of the main character as she was in the first book but she definitely contributes to the story.
If you like a good mystery, then this series is for you!
I give it 5 stars!
I received a copy for review purposes only!
May 22, 2022
This is a suspenseful and intriguing story that gripped me from page one. ‘Never Broken’ is the second in the Lisa Jamison Mystery series, following in the footsteps of the intriguing and involving ‘A Dead Man’s Eyes’, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The sequel deals with the confronting subject of modern day slavery and sweatshops, which fly under the radar of the authorities. Lisa Jamison, an investigative reporter, comes across an escapee from a sweatshop, which is operating illegally in an area which is to undergo regeneration. Saul has been horribly mistreated and his near death state inspires Lisa to track down and expose those who are engaging in human trafficking. The story is well-constructed, tense and gripping, with a fascinating array of characters, from Saul, who refuses to be broken by his experience, to Lisa whose determination and persistence is admirable, and Dorothy, whose sense of humanity impresses us. This is a story with a message, dealing with the ills of white supremacy, the appalling trade in human trafficking and the need to protect the vulnerable. I can’t wait for the next instalment, hopefully coming in the near future. ‘Never Broken’ can be read as a stand-alone, but reading the first in the series fleshes out Lisa Jamison’s backstory.
March 22, 2022
My Review
☕☕☕☕☕
Never Broken.
By Lori Duffy Foster.
A well written Mystery/Suspense
Thriller. My favorite kinda Books.
Thank you Lori Duffy Foster.
For this Early Read. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Looking for that sweatshop.
Crime stories. Are my go to books.
Coming April 12th 2022.
Lisa Jamison.
Journalist finishing up in a shady area one were she should be keeping a better eye out around her surroundings, this downtown area isn't always the safest.
Soon leaving finding she has a passenger. Not that she's expecting one. Things surrounding her new passenger go very wrong .Lisa soon finds herself in a few tight spots.
Saul,
Once he was a man who worked had a place of his own.
Then one day. Everything went Dark.
Dorothy,
Lisa's best friend.
Has lost so much after the loss of her son, and husband.
Dorothy runs a retreat for folks . A place to go and relax.
Her place is a place most can just Relax.
Thank you
Lori Duffy Foster 🌹🌹
☕☕☕☕☕
Never Broken.
By Lori Duffy Foster.
A well written Mystery/Suspense
Thriller. My favorite kinda Books.
Thank you Lori Duffy Foster.
For this Early Read. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Looking for that sweatshop.
Crime stories. Are my go to books.
Coming April 12th 2022.
Lisa Jamison.
Journalist finishing up in a shady area one were she should be keeping a better eye out around her surroundings, this downtown area isn't always the safest.
Soon leaving finding she has a passenger. Not that she's expecting one. Things surrounding her new passenger go very wrong .Lisa soon finds herself in a few tight spots.
Saul,
Once he was a man who worked had a place of his own.
Then one day. Everything went Dark.
Dorothy,
Lisa's best friend.
Has lost so much after the loss of her son, and husband.
Dorothy runs a retreat for folks . A place to go and relax.
Her place is a place most can just Relax.
Thank you
Lori Duffy Foster 🌹🌹
June 23, 2022
When approved to read the second book in this series, I jumped at the chance. Much like the first book, I was hooked from start to finish.
Never Broken takes place two years after A Dead Man's Eyes. In this installment, we find Lisa covering a story that gives the reader insight into the world of human trafficking, slavery, and an underground world run by white supremacity.
Another solid book from Lori Duffy Foster, I look forward to the next installment. Thank you, BookSirens, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Never Broken takes place two years after A Dead Man's Eyes. In this installment, we find Lisa covering a story that gives the reader insight into the world of human trafficking, slavery, and an underground world run by white supremacity.
Another solid book from Lori Duffy Foster, I look forward to the next installment. Thank you, BookSirens, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 9, 2023
Very different to the first book this is more of a mystery, again very well written and love the twists and turns which leave you wondering what will happen next
January 6, 2022
Parts of this novel reminded me of Twelve Years a Slave, the movie in which Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York in the 1840s, is kidnapped, sold into slavery in the South, and subjected to an owner’s cruelty, with one scene depicting Solomon hung from a tree, his feet barely touching the ground. In Duffy’s novel, Saul Jenkins, a black bartender, is kidnapped and enslaved for years in a contemporary upstate New York sweatshop by a white supremacy group that wants to bring back slavery.
Duffy’s novel is the second of her series about pretty investigative reporter Lisa Jameison, now 33, and the plot focuses on her helping the fugitive Saul after he escapes from the underground sweatshop where workers on sewing machines are imprisoned, badly mistreated, and often referred to as “slaves.” The novel has many more characters, including Lisa’s daughter Bridget; Bridget’s boyfriend Ben; developer Bert Trammel; Joe, Lisa’s editor; Fred, Lisa’s reporter colleague, who is having problems with his wife and is assigned as Lisa’s partner as she searches for the sweatshop; Toren, Lisa’s friend (once briefly her boyfriend) a handsome doctor who works for hospice and treats Saul; and undercover FBI agent Patrick Flanigan. There are car chases, interviews with scary characters, and life-threatening situations. Lisa’s interesting backstory is sketched in but suggests material for a future novel (a prequel), while toward the end, events that are not fully dramatized but summarized could be material for a sequel.
There is a lot to absorb in this dramatic novel, and I think Duffy, herself a former crime reporter, did a lot of research for it. An author’s note at the end telling about the actual sweatshops that newspaper stories say still exist, especially in California and upstate New York, would have been a great final touch. This was a fascinating, consciousness-raising novel. I received an ARC from Netgalley; this is my honest review.
Duffy’s novel is the second of her series about pretty investigative reporter Lisa Jameison, now 33, and the plot focuses on her helping the fugitive Saul after he escapes from the underground sweatshop where workers on sewing machines are imprisoned, badly mistreated, and often referred to as “slaves.” The novel has many more characters, including Lisa’s daughter Bridget; Bridget’s boyfriend Ben; developer Bert Trammel; Joe, Lisa’s editor; Fred, Lisa’s reporter colleague, who is having problems with his wife and is assigned as Lisa’s partner as she searches for the sweatshop; Toren, Lisa’s friend (once briefly her boyfriend) a handsome doctor who works for hospice and treats Saul; and undercover FBI agent Patrick Flanigan. There are car chases, interviews with scary characters, and life-threatening situations. Lisa’s interesting backstory is sketched in but suggests material for a future novel (a prequel), while toward the end, events that are not fully dramatized but summarized could be material for a sequel.
There is a lot to absorb in this dramatic novel, and I think Duffy, herself a former crime reporter, did a lot of research for it. An author’s note at the end telling about the actual sweatshops that newspaper stories say still exist, especially in California and upstate New York, would have been a great final touch. This was a fascinating, consciousness-raising novel. I received an ARC from Netgalley; this is my honest review.
April 19, 2022
Started slow for my taste but picked up quickly, and kept going from there. Really enjoyed the book and will look for more by this author
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 28, 2022
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I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Never Broken by Lori Duffy Foster is a mystery/suspense novel. It's the second book from the Lisa Jamison series.
In this novel, reporter Lisa Jamison puts herself in a risky situation once more. After finding a bloodied stranger in her car and listening to his story she had no other choice but to get involved. What was supposed to be a quiet investigation turned quickly into a cat and mouse chase. The closer she was getting many of her friends were getting hurt. By the end, her only hope was to survive like the previous time.
It's an incredible book. It began with a bit of a shocking scene and a very interesting revelation. The plot is captivating filled with so much suspense it had me holding my breath several times. The progress of the story is steady with lots of information. There are so many characters here that are all very likable. You need to pay attention all the time if you don't want to miss anything important. The criminal subject that the author touched here was slavery which after so many years is still
happening. There were a few scenes that were a bit sensitive and kind of gruesome. If you get triggered by abusive scenes be careful.
I was lucky enough to have read the first book as well so I can safely say that this series is from those that are getting better with each book. I loved this one and I will rate it with 5 stars.
Blog: https://nanasbookreviews.wordpress.co...
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Never Broken by Lori Duffy Foster is a mystery/suspense novel. It's the second book from the Lisa Jamison series.
In this novel, reporter Lisa Jamison puts herself in a risky situation once more. After finding a bloodied stranger in her car and listening to his story she had no other choice but to get involved. What was supposed to be a quiet investigation turned quickly into a cat and mouse chase. The closer she was getting many of her friends were getting hurt. By the end, her only hope was to survive like the previous time.
It's an incredible book. It began with a bit of a shocking scene and a very interesting revelation. The plot is captivating filled with so much suspense it had me holding my breath several times. The progress of the story is steady with lots of information. There are so many characters here that are all very likable. You need to pay attention all the time if you don't want to miss anything important. The criminal subject that the author touched here was slavery which after so many years is still
happening. There were a few scenes that were a bit sensitive and kind of gruesome. If you get triggered by abusive scenes be careful.
I was lucky enough to have read the first book as well so I can safely say that this series is from those that are getting better with each book. I loved this one and I will rate it with 5 stars.
January 26, 2022
Lisa Jamison takes no prisoners. The investigative reporter and protagonist of Lori Duffy Foster’s second novel seems to find the worst of humankind and will stop at nothing to bring them to justice.
This incredible novel begins with Lisa encountering a man so physically broken, she isn’t sure he will live. What he reveals to her is horrific and almost beyond belief: he’s was kidnapped held as a slave in an underground sweatshop run by white supremacists for over ten years. And, he’s not the only one. Lisa investigates and realizes his story is true. As she helps the man, Saul Jenkins, to heal, she not only puts her own life in danger but also that of her daughter and her best friend.
This novel is truly un-putdownable, with each chapter compelling you to read the next.
Beautifully written, dramatic, and exciting to the end.
This incredible novel begins with Lisa encountering a man so physically broken, she isn’t sure he will live. What he reveals to her is horrific and almost beyond belief: he’s was kidnapped held as a slave in an underground sweatshop run by white supremacists for over ten years. And, he’s not the only one. Lisa investigates and realizes his story is true. As she helps the man, Saul Jenkins, to heal, she not only puts her own life in danger but also that of her daughter and her best friend.
This novel is truly un-putdownable, with each chapter compelling you to read the next.
Beautifully written, dramatic, and exciting to the end.
May 4, 2022
Lori Duffy Foster has written a taut thriller with her book, Never Broken. Lisa Jamison is a reporter who is surprised when she finds an emaciated man cowering in the back of her car. Seeing that he is in need of help and obviously very scared, she decides to help him. This act of kindness leads her to a story of human exploitation that feels like it is from the dark ages but it would appear that slavery is very much alive and thriving, even if it is subversive and not out for everyone to see.
I think that Foster has chosen an interesting storyline for her book which reflects a lot of issues which modern America is facing (as well as other countries) in its current cultural and economical climate. There has been much in the media of late about human trafficking and the perpetuation of slavery as well as the rise of white supremacy, and these controversial subjects are all incorporated into Foster's novel and dealt with with seriousness and sensitivity. It provokes thought and sometimes, issues discussed wearing the cloak of fiction can be just as powerful as the discussion of them in every day forum.
This is a well-written book. The characters are well-drawn and the dialogue is realistic which, added to a plot which develops and expands at a great pace, means that this book has all the components of a good thriller. Lisa is a likeable heroine: gutsy but vulnerable; maternal and strong with a good sense of right and wrong; just enough determination and doggedness to get herself into sticky situations but not enough to be considered reckless. Supporting characters are solid and whilst the book has some frightening, threatening moments, it is not graphic. It is shocking but this is not overtly thrust in your face. Saul's telling of his story, in particular, is used as a great way for Foster to describe what she has learned about people who have been exploited; what they are exposed to; how they can hope to survive it; how it can crush them if they lose hope in the face of brutality.
All in all, the Lisa Jamison books are a great addition to the reporter thriller genre and I know, from reading this, that I will be drawn to read other books by Lori Duffy Foster.
A thoroughly recommended read.
This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC. This review is a fair and unbiased representation of my opinion of the book.
I think that Foster has chosen an interesting storyline for her book which reflects a lot of issues which modern America is facing (as well as other countries) in its current cultural and economical climate. There has been much in the media of late about human trafficking and the perpetuation of slavery as well as the rise of white supremacy, and these controversial subjects are all incorporated into Foster's novel and dealt with with seriousness and sensitivity. It provokes thought and sometimes, issues discussed wearing the cloak of fiction can be just as powerful as the discussion of them in every day forum.
This is a well-written book. The characters are well-drawn and the dialogue is realistic which, added to a plot which develops and expands at a great pace, means that this book has all the components of a good thriller. Lisa is a likeable heroine: gutsy but vulnerable; maternal and strong with a good sense of right and wrong; just enough determination and doggedness to get herself into sticky situations but not enough to be considered reckless. Supporting characters are solid and whilst the book has some frightening, threatening moments, it is not graphic. It is shocking but this is not overtly thrust in your face. Saul's telling of his story, in particular, is used as a great way for Foster to describe what she has learned about people who have been exploited; what they are exposed to; how they can hope to survive it; how it can crush them if they lose hope in the face of brutality.
All in all, the Lisa Jamison books are a great addition to the reporter thriller genre and I know, from reading this, that I will be drawn to read other books by Lori Duffy Foster.
A thoroughly recommended read.
This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC. This review is a fair and unbiased representation of my opinion of the book.
June 12, 2022
Never Broken, the second Lisa Jamison novel, takes us into the dark world of sweatshops and slave labor.
Lisa is an investigative journalist who latches on to the inhumanity of an underground enterprise and won’t quit until she tears it all down. I love her tenacity, but I’m not sure I’d want to be a close friend or family member because they’re all in danger when she starts poking the hornet’s nest.
Pacing is a gradual build, as we sink deeper into the nightmare of human slavery. I appreciate that the author shows the reality of this issue, reminding us that this stuff is happening everywhere, perhaps even in your city right now.
The author sprinkles in enough of the backstory from the first book so that this one can be read as a stand-alone.
*I received an eARC from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
Lisa is an investigative journalist who latches on to the inhumanity of an underground enterprise and won’t quit until she tears it all down. I love her tenacity, but I’m not sure I’d want to be a close friend or family member because they’re all in danger when she starts poking the hornet’s nest.
Pacing is a gradual build, as we sink deeper into the nightmare of human slavery. I appreciate that the author shows the reality of this issue, reminding us that this stuff is happening everywhere, perhaps even in your city right now.
The author sprinkles in enough of the backstory from the first book so that this one can be read as a stand-alone.
*I received an eARC from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
May 6, 2022
A very intriguing mystery, from beginning to end. I went through it as quickly as I did her first book. Looking forward to the next!
April 17, 2022
WELL, this novel did NOT disappoint!!! While I obviously enjoyed Lori Foster's first book in the Lisa Jamison series, "Never Broken" exceeded expectations. A storyline that is a reality in our current world really drove it home! The evolution of Lisa Jamison is fantastic. Again, the author's writing allows for the reader to easily fall right into the middle of her story. The visuals, the sounds, the smells… your senses are alive and tracking. The addition of characters brought more balance to Lisa Jamison's universe! Another aspect that captured my attention for this read and what ultimately caused me to give it 5 stars, is how I wasn't able to solve the mystery myself! That for me is the best and doesn't happen often. I love a great series and a great thriller or mystery so I am eager to welcome the next Lisa Jamison novel.
*I did received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
*I did received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
April 22, 2022
Totally enjoyed this book and the continued story of Lisa, Dorothy and Bridget.
Started with a bang and continued through with twists and turns to the finale, great read and looking forward to reading more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Started with a bang and continued through with twists and turns to the finale, great read and looking forward to reading more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 7, 2022
Never Broken is a crime thriller by Lori Duffy Foster [release 2022]. The story covers events in the life of a journalist named Lisa Jamison, as well as criminal activities and detective tasks. Lisa comes across a homeless, half-starved, and stinking black man in her car. She has to make quick decisions that put the lives of many in danger and may save many more. The first decision saves the life of Saul, the homeless man who had suffered for a decade under a racist anarchist. He and twenty other people had been abducted, shackled, beaten, and forced to work in a basement with no payment, meager meals, and almost no sleep. Alex creates enemies that what to silence her so that they keep their despicable businesses running.
I enjoyed the plot of the story. It was entertaining and carried me away to the world of the protagonist. I found all characters were well-developed with nothing being forced between them. The dialogues used felt natural. I enjoyed the investigative skills of Alex as well as the FBI characters.
I did not spot anything to dislike. The story had a sequential flow with some flashbacks, the book was well organized, and each event was unique even in the same setting.
I rate this book 5 out of 5. I felt that the book elaborated on the title including emotions that felt real, and created events that were gripping. The main character was lovable and showed strength. She was easy to relate to and a role model in some circumstances.
I recommend this work to people who love detective books, crime thrillers, mystery, and artistic works that present a new dimension to the story.
I enjoyed the plot of the story. It was entertaining and carried me away to the world of the protagonist. I found all characters were well-developed with nothing being forced between them. The dialogues used felt natural. I enjoyed the investigative skills of Alex as well as the FBI characters.
I did not spot anything to dislike. The story had a sequential flow with some flashbacks, the book was well organized, and each event was unique even in the same setting.
I rate this book 5 out of 5. I felt that the book elaborated on the title including emotions that felt real, and created events that were gripping. The main character was lovable and showed strength. She was easy to relate to and a role model in some circumstances.
I recommend this work to people who love detective books, crime thrillers, mystery, and artistic works that present a new dimension to the story.
April 17, 2022
I received a digital copy of this for free.
I read the first book last summer, and don't really remember it that well, but the author caught you up a bit. The book starts off pretty thrilling, when the protagonist encounters an escaped slave.
It goes into a lot of detail about modern slavery / human trafficking and white supremacy, it was pretty awful to read about, but as the author says herself; there are more slaves now than there have ever been, it's just hidden well. It's baffling to think about.
The story is well paced, and took you down again gently at the end. I think this might have been better than the first book, so if you liked that, definitely read this one!
I read the first book last summer, and don't really remember it that well, but the author caught you up a bit. The book starts off pretty thrilling, when the protagonist encounters an escaped slave.
It goes into a lot of detail about modern slavery / human trafficking and white supremacy, it was pretty awful to read about, but as the author says herself; there are more slaves now than there have ever been, it's just hidden well. It's baffling to think about.
The story is well paced, and took you down again gently at the end. I think this might have been better than the first book, so if you liked that, definitely read this one!
March 20, 2022
I was really surprised with this book, in a good way! I enjoyed the first book, and was excited to continue on in the Lisa Jamison journey.
Jamison is an investigative reporter, who finds herself wrapped up in the case of Saul Jenkins, who is an African American bartender and ends up being kidnapped and forced to work in a sweatshop by a white supremacy group, basically he is enslaved. The story focuses on Jamison helping Jenkins after he escapes from the horrific conditions of the sweatshop, where the workers are so badly mistreated. With Jamison being the hero that she is in helping out Jenkins, she puts her own life at risk, as well as those close to her.
This was a really gripping read, with so many well developed characters, and an amazing storyline. I can tell that the author, who is a former crime reporter, did her work and research for this book. I will say that a few of the scenes may be unsettling for some, as they are pretty descriptive and gruesome. I found that it had just the right amount of suspense to keep me turning the pages.
Overall, I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to read this book because it was really good! I think you will enjoy this one if you enjoy a good suspenseful mystery read.
Thank you so much to the author for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
Jamison is an investigative reporter, who finds herself wrapped up in the case of Saul Jenkins, who is an African American bartender and ends up being kidnapped and forced to work in a sweatshop by a white supremacy group, basically he is enslaved. The story focuses on Jamison helping Jenkins after he escapes from the horrific conditions of the sweatshop, where the workers are so badly mistreated. With Jamison being the hero that she is in helping out Jenkins, she puts her own life at risk, as well as those close to her.
This was a really gripping read, with so many well developed characters, and an amazing storyline. I can tell that the author, who is a former crime reporter, did her work and research for this book. I will say that a few of the scenes may be unsettling for some, as they are pretty descriptive and gruesome. I found that it had just the right amount of suspense to keep me turning the pages.
Overall, I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to read this book because it was really good! I think you will enjoy this one if you enjoy a good suspenseful mystery read.
Thank you so much to the author for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
March 12, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Independent Book Publishers Association for the copy of Never Broken. The story was different from any book I have read, and at first I was intrigued and I enjoyed the POV of a journalist. The story was not easy to read and might be upsetting to more sensitive readers.
I’m not sure when I started to lose interest. Maybe more about Saul would have kept my interest, because he was the best character in the book by far. The characters other than Saul and Dorothy just seemed one dimensional.
The book certainly picked up for the last 20% or so, which was pleasantly surprising. I thought that instead of hearing someone tell Lisa previous events, I wish we had been able to “see” them happen. And at one point near the end the book got unnecessarily preachy, and I didn’t enjoy that. It wasn’t that I disagreed, it just had no place in the book and seemed thrown in to show racial sensitivity.
If you are looking for a good story this book might be for you.
I’m not sure when I started to lose interest. Maybe more about Saul would have kept my interest, because he was the best character in the book by far. The characters other than Saul and Dorothy just seemed one dimensional.
The book certainly picked up for the last 20% or so, which was pleasantly surprising. I thought that instead of hearing someone tell Lisa previous events, I wish we had been able to “see” them happen. And at one point near the end the book got unnecessarily preachy, and I didn’t enjoy that. It wasn’t that I disagreed, it just had no place in the book and seemed thrown in to show racial sensitivity.
If you are looking for a good story this book might be for you.
January 3, 2022
Up front, I admit the author is a friend. She gifted me this ARC of the second book in her Lisa Jamison series for review. Thank you, Lori.
An encounter with a man claiming to be an escaped slave sends reporter Lisa on a search for the truth. Along the way she’ll imperil herself and several people she loves.
One of my key criteria for liking a book is liking the characters. I liked Lisa, Dorothy, and Saul and rooted for them to survive and succeed.
Foster kept the tension elevated throughout the book, sometimes low key, sometimes sky-high. It held the readers’ interest yet gave them the occasional chance to catch their breath (metaphorically).
I’ll be back for more.
An encounter with a man claiming to be an escaped slave sends reporter Lisa on a search for the truth. Along the way she’ll imperil herself and several people she loves.
One of my key criteria for liking a book is liking the characters. I liked Lisa, Dorothy, and Saul and rooted for them to survive and succeed.
Foster kept the tension elevated throughout the book, sometimes low key, sometimes sky-high. It held the readers’ interest yet gave them the occasional chance to catch their breath (metaphorically).
I’ll be back for more.
August 5, 2022
I read Dead Man’s Eyes, also by this author, and loved it so much that I immediately picked up this book. Pleasingly, the author is consistent in her ability to tell a compelling story with strong characters with whom the reader can really engage,
August 17, 2022
I received a free ARC of this book for an honest review. Another great story from Lori Duffy Foster! Lisa once again finds herself in the thick of it when a story on potential corruption in an urban regeneration project suddenly becomes a race to save people from modern slavery. A gripping read
Read
February 13, 2022Great read. Check back for my review!
June 25, 2022
Never Broken by Lori Duffy Foster
Published: April 12, 2022
Level Best Books
Pages: 224
Genre: Women Sleuths
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, 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.
“She could live with that.”
Lisa has mostly recovered from the chaos that exploded in her life two years ago. Bridget is thriving, Dorothy is living her dream, and life is settling down. Until Lisa finds a malnourished man in her backseat, who begs her to help him, suddenly, she finds herself caught in a dangerous and secretive business, and this time there might not be any survivors.
I am enjoying this series! I enjoyed getting to know Lisa more, and I found her emotional depth in this novel well done.
I liked that the book alternated between Lisa and Dorothy as the narrators, and we got to know Dorothy more in this book. She is such a beautiful character. Her past is tragic, but her heart is pure, and she is amazing.
I love that this series focuses on rare cases. The plot for this book was disgusting, terrifying, and well-executed. It’s scary to think things like this happen today, and I found the presentation was authentic.
We meet Fred, another reporter who works with Lisa, and I hope he becomes a series regular. I like him, and I like how well he and Lisa worked together. Their chemistry was natural.
I also love the idea of Patrick, and I am looking forward to getting to know him more in the next book. This series has a lot of potential, and I look forward to reading them.
Published: April 12, 2022
Level Best Books
Pages: 224
Genre: Women Sleuths
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, 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.
“She could live with that.”
Lisa has mostly recovered from the chaos that exploded in her life two years ago. Bridget is thriving, Dorothy is living her dream, and life is settling down. Until Lisa finds a malnourished man in her backseat, who begs her to help him, suddenly, she finds herself caught in a dangerous and secretive business, and this time there might not be any survivors.
I am enjoying this series! I enjoyed getting to know Lisa more, and I found her emotional depth in this novel well done.
I liked that the book alternated between Lisa and Dorothy as the narrators, and we got to know Dorothy more in this book. She is such a beautiful character. Her past is tragic, but her heart is pure, and she is amazing.
I love that this series focuses on rare cases. The plot for this book was disgusting, terrifying, and well-executed. It’s scary to think things like this happen today, and I found the presentation was authentic.
We meet Fred, another reporter who works with Lisa, and I hope he becomes a series regular. I like him, and I like how well he and Lisa worked together. Their chemistry was natural.
I also love the idea of Patrick, and I am looking forward to getting to know him more in the next book. This series has a lot of potential, and I look forward to reading them.
April 14, 2022
When the author approached me to read/review Never Broken, I had to think about it. When she emailed me, I was very behind in reading and reviews. But, I have a thing where if I start a series, I will finish it. That and the blurb, which interested me, were ultimately the main reasons I decided to accept the invite. I am glad that I did.
Never Broken had an exciting plotline. This book takes place two years after the events of A Dead Man’s Eyes. Lisa is a journalist covering a story in a very seedy area (that is about to be revitalized) when she discovers a sick man hiding in the back seat of her car. Saul tells Lisa an interesting story about illegal sweatshops and the mysterious people who run them. But her attention is caught he mentions the name of an African American woman who had disappeared years earlier. Deciding to investigate, Lisa needs the help of Dorothy to keep Saul safe. What Lisa finds during her investigation shakes her to her core. Can she oust the sweatshop owners and save the workers, including Chandra? Or will she have to choose between her job and her family?
Never Broken is book 2 in the Lisa Jamison series. Readers can read this book as a standalone. But, I do suggest reading book 1 to understand Lisa’s backstory. It is gone over, very briefly, in Never Broken, but it is more in-depth in book 1.
The main thing that I liked about Never Broken was that the author was able to take me into how investigative journalist does their job. I had a rough idea of how they did their job. But, I never knew how much work went into it. A good majority of the book was Lisa chasing down leads, casing the neighborhood where she thinks Saul came from and talking to the people in the community. I also didn’t realize how dangerous it could be. At one point, Lisa got run down by a car because she was coming close to where the sweatshop was. That sent chills up my spine and made me thankful that I didn’t pursue my high school dream of being a reporter.
I loved Lisa in this book. She was quick on her feet, and her intuition was incredible (chefs kiss here). She was also still a devoted mother, and when things started to get hairy, her first thoughts were of her daughter and how to keep her safe. She was also human. The horror and pity she felt when she first saw Saul was palpable. I also got why she didn’t trust anyone she worked with. She was almost killed by a fellow reporter, one she considered her friend, and she didn’t trust anyone other than her editor. So, I got why she was hesitant to bring Frank with her on interviews.
What do I say about Saul? He was a wonderful human being. The strength (mental and physical) that he showed throughout the book was terrific. Of course, he was damaged. Wouldn’t you be if you were forced to work in a basement and treated as less than a human? I loved seeing him open up to Dorothy and begin the healing he needed.
Dorothy was the other main character in Never Broken. She was mentioned a few times in the first book but never was made into much of a character. Well, in this book, she was one of the main characters. My heart broke when she realized she felt so protective of Saul because of an unspeakable loss she had experienced years earlier. Saul reminded her of her son. She was also a bad b*tch who wouldn’t give up Saul, no matter what.
The secondary characters fleshed out this book. They brought an extra depth to the storyline (not that it needed it). I was disappointed that Lisa’s daughter was brought down to a secondary character. She had no place in this story (other than helping Dorothy with Saul a few times). But, as the book went on, I got it.
The mystery angle was terrific. I was genuinely kept on edge about who was the sweatshop owner and who was behind Lisa’s assaults. The author did throw out some red herrings throughout the book. I thought I figured it out when an arrest was made. Then the twist came, and I was like, “Wait, what?”
The suspense angle was also excellent. I wanted to know if Saul would make it. I also wanted to know if Lisa would figure out where the sweatshop was and who was operating it. The author did a superb job of keeping me glued to the book.
The end of Never Broken was a bit anti-climatic. The author wrapped up the storylines in a way that satisfied me. She also showed the aftermath of everything that had happened. I did like that Lisa got a little bit of happiness at the very end, and I wonder if that will morph into something for book 3.
I would recommend Never Broken for anyone over 21. There is violence, language, and no sexual situations. There are also scenes of modern-day slavery, a forced abortion, and talk of rape.
Never Broken had an exciting plotline. This book takes place two years after the events of A Dead Man’s Eyes. Lisa is a journalist covering a story in a very seedy area (that is about to be revitalized) when she discovers a sick man hiding in the back seat of her car. Saul tells Lisa an interesting story about illegal sweatshops and the mysterious people who run them. But her attention is caught he mentions the name of an African American woman who had disappeared years earlier. Deciding to investigate, Lisa needs the help of Dorothy to keep Saul safe. What Lisa finds during her investigation shakes her to her core. Can she oust the sweatshop owners and save the workers, including Chandra? Or will she have to choose between her job and her family?
Never Broken is book 2 in the Lisa Jamison series. Readers can read this book as a standalone. But, I do suggest reading book 1 to understand Lisa’s backstory. It is gone over, very briefly, in Never Broken, but it is more in-depth in book 1.
The main thing that I liked about Never Broken was that the author was able to take me into how investigative journalist does their job. I had a rough idea of how they did their job. But, I never knew how much work went into it. A good majority of the book was Lisa chasing down leads, casing the neighborhood where she thinks Saul came from and talking to the people in the community. I also didn’t realize how dangerous it could be. At one point, Lisa got run down by a car because she was coming close to where the sweatshop was. That sent chills up my spine and made me thankful that I didn’t pursue my high school dream of being a reporter.
I loved Lisa in this book. She was quick on her feet, and her intuition was incredible (chefs kiss here). She was also still a devoted mother, and when things started to get hairy, her first thoughts were of her daughter and how to keep her safe. She was also human. The horror and pity she felt when she first saw Saul was palpable. I also got why she didn’t trust anyone she worked with. She was almost killed by a fellow reporter, one she considered her friend, and she didn’t trust anyone other than her editor. So, I got why she was hesitant to bring Frank with her on interviews.
What do I say about Saul? He was a wonderful human being. The strength (mental and physical) that he showed throughout the book was terrific. Of course, he was damaged. Wouldn’t you be if you were forced to work in a basement and treated as less than a human? I loved seeing him open up to Dorothy and begin the healing he needed.
Dorothy was the other main character in Never Broken. She was mentioned a few times in the first book but never was made into much of a character. Well, in this book, she was one of the main characters. My heart broke when she realized she felt so protective of Saul because of an unspeakable loss she had experienced years earlier. Saul reminded her of her son. She was also a bad b*tch who wouldn’t give up Saul, no matter what.
The secondary characters fleshed out this book. They brought an extra depth to the storyline (not that it needed it). I was disappointed that Lisa’s daughter was brought down to a secondary character. She had no place in this story (other than helping Dorothy with Saul a few times). But, as the book went on, I got it.
The mystery angle was terrific. I was genuinely kept on edge about who was the sweatshop owner and who was behind Lisa’s assaults. The author did throw out some red herrings throughout the book. I thought I figured it out when an arrest was made. Then the twist came, and I was like, “Wait, what?”
The suspense angle was also excellent. I wanted to know if Saul would make it. I also wanted to know if Lisa would figure out where the sweatshop was and who was operating it. The author did a superb job of keeping me glued to the book.
The end of Never Broken was a bit anti-climatic. The author wrapped up the storylines in a way that satisfied me. She also showed the aftermath of everything that had happened. I did like that Lisa got a little bit of happiness at the very end, and I wonder if that will morph into something for book 3.
I would recommend Never Broken for anyone over 21. There is violence, language, and no sexual situations. There are also scenes of modern-day slavery, a forced abortion, and talk of rape.
July 15, 2022
I received a ARC free from Book Sirens and this is my voluntary honest review
Suspenseful! Intreging! Gripping! Scary! Dramatic!
Well written! Good read!
Likeable characters! Exciting plot! A great page turner!
Don't miss! Enjoy!
Suspenseful! Intreging! Gripping! Scary! Dramatic!
Well written! Good read!
Likeable characters! Exciting plot! A great page turner!
Don't miss! Enjoy!
July 4, 2022
Suspense/thrillers are my favorite and this one did not disappoint. I am looking forward to the 3rd Lisa Jamison book.
July 9, 2022
Very very good book !! Once I started reading it, it was very hard to put down !! I can’t wait to read Book 3 !!
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