Member Reviews

Her Mother's Grave, book 3 in Detective Josie Quinn series, finds Josie as Captain of the police department. She is riding a wave of notoriety after solving her last case and dealing with some serious harassment issues. Ads keep appearing on Craigslist plaguing her with unwanted attention and endless sexual harassment. Two little boys discover a body in the trailer park that Josie grew up in and the name that comes back on the body is that of her mother. Josie's abusive and evil mother shaped Josie into the woman she is and all appearance point to her pulling the puppet strings on the newest case and the harassment in Josie's life. Full of suspense and twists, the story drags the reader along on a chilling tale of evil incarnate that the reader cannot put down. This book is the first I have read in the series and I did not have any problems keeping up with the story line. A great read that has made me a fan and now I plan on going back to read each book of the series. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

Her Mother’s Grave by Lisa Regan is the 3rd in the Detective Josie Quinn series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Series Background:
Josie Quinn was made a rather reluctant Chief of Police in Denton, Pennsylvania after solving a large case which resulted in the kidnapping, torture and deaths of many young girls in the area. Some of the perpetrators were on the police force, including her ex, Ray, who died during the take-down. Josie took his death hard. She has been re-building the police force, and re-building her life.

My Synopsis:
When the bones of a young woman are found in the woods beyond the trailer park where Josie grew up, it soon becomes evident that this case will become personal. They discover that the girl was a teenager when she died (about 30 years ago), had been in foster care, and was named Belinda Rose. Josie finds it too coincidental that her abusive mother, who she hasn’t seen since she was 14, was also named Belinda Rose.

Meanwhile, Josie is being targeted with malicious pranks, and she feels the perpetrators may be friends of the local drug dealer that she has arrested. On the other hand, she does have other enemies.

Her relationship with Detective Fraley is heating up, although she is desperate to stop it.

Josie’s past comes back to haunt her throughout the book. Will she have to track down her mother to find the truth? A lot of secrets and lies will be uncovered that will change Josie’s life forever.

My Opinions:
I am really beginning to enjoy this series. This was a really good book, and the best in the series thus far!

Alternating between Josie’s childhood, and the current case, the story sheds light on what has made Josie into the strong woman she is today. Her struggles with an abusive mother only made her more determined, and the love of her grandmother gave her strength and compassion. The story of her childhood was told very well.

Although there had been foreshadowing in previous books about Trinity, I am glad the author found a way to bring her fully into Josie’s life. It’s a great storyline.

Regan’s writing is crisp, and clear, and her plots always precise with at least one or two twists. This was a really fast read, because I didn’t want to put it down! Can’t wait for the next.

Was this review helpful?

Chief of Detectives Josie Quinn is back in another fantastic crime thriller.

This is the third book in the series but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel, but why miss out on the first two.

Quinn is a single woman who has returned to her small City and taken over as Chief of Police since the death of her predecessor.

She has already been successful in solving two high profile cases, but unfortunately this has brought her into the public eye at press conferences, even more unfortunately it has brought her to the attention of some unscrupulous criminals.

Since the conviction of the local drug lord the local louts have been getting revenge by vandalising police cars and the police head quarters, now it seems they have started to target Josie herself. But the crimes are escalating and Josie appears to be the target of a vindictive and dangerous individual.

When a body turns up in the woods behind the trailer ark where Josie was brought up by her abusive, drunk, drug addict, mother, it starts to bring back unwanted memories of her youth. At a time when she should be concentrating on work she is emotionally vulnerable, and that doesn’t sit well with her.

When she arrives at the scene where the body is found she realises it is a spot that holds dark memories. Is somebody sending her a message? Is somebody playing with her head?

The story twists and turns, Josie’s childhood and early youth are revealed in flashback chapters which are as enthralling as the main story.

The main story is one of manipulation and deceit on an unimaginable level, yet it is worryingly believable.

The end of the story comes at a frantic pace that left me reading into the early hours, I just couldn’t put it down until I’d finished.

At time I though I could guess what the punch line of the story was, and I was right. But how we got to it was a proper roller coaster with some twist-and-turns, and ups-and-downs, I definitely didn’t see coming and took my breath away.

Was this review helpful?

Her Mother's Grave is well written as well as well crafted. I have enjoyed watching the evolution of Josie Quinn as well as other supporting characters throughout this series. In each book we learn a bit more about Josie and get more of a feeling of what makes her tick. The manner in which Lisa slowly paints Josie's back story truly pulls the reader in to the story. We understand Josie's fears as well as how she becomes the solid detective she is. As an avid mystery and romance reader, I was impressed with some of the twists and turns that occur particularly towards the end of the book. To be honest, I am one of those sneaky readers who will look at the last chapter to make certain there the reader will be left with a positive vibe. Even with a sneak peak at the end, I still was very much thrown for a loop with some of the unexpected twists. I was happy to see that Josie and Noah were evolving as a couple. In fact, I actually am happy that Lisa leaves us hanging with a hopeful glimpse of them pursuing a relationship without actually giving us that "Happily Ever After". I hope that Lisa will be writing another book in this series. In the next installment, I am hoping that Lisa will give us some more back story on Noah. She has definitely become a one-click read for me.

I will be adding a review to Amazon once the book is officially released:)

Was this review helpful?

Another brilliant book in the Josie Quinn series. I have loved all the books so far but I think this is the best one yet, they just keep getting better and better. There are plenty of twists and I love they way it was told from present day to her past childhood so we learned more about what happened to her as a little girl. It can be read as a stand-alone but I would advise to read 1 and 2 first for the background into the characters of Noah and Trinity. I can’t wait for the next instalment, I really recommend Lisa Regans books to anyone.

Was this review helpful?

thanks for the opportunity to read this book. It was very well written and I liked it a lot. I liked how it told the story two at a time, with what happened in the past and what was going on in the present. I felt like I learned a lot about Josie this way. I liked the twists that it had. I will want to read more from her seeing at this is book three in the series I will have to back read now.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely love this series! We find out in this book more about Josie's past and her mother. It is shocking!!! This book flips back and forth between Josie as a young child and the investigation into her mother now. This book kept me reading into the night with all the twists and suspense. Best series I have read in awhile and hope this series keeps on going !! This book doesn't disappoint for suspense readers! Honestly if you haven't started the Josie Quinn series you are missing out!!!

Was this review helpful?

This author is one of my favourites. I love the Josie Quinn series and I think that this is the best one yet.
In this book you find out all about Jose's childhood, it has been hinted about in the first two books of this series.
This book holds no punches Ang goes straight to the jugular. It is a rollercoaster of a crime thriller. Stayed up till 3am I needed to finish it.
If I could I would award this book six stars. One of my favourite reads of this year so far.
I would like to thank the author Lisa Regan, Bookouture and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I can’t seem to resist a good detective thriller and this series is no exception. After the rollercoaster rides with book number one and two, deciding whether to read book number three was an easy one. And I have to say Her Mother’s Grave is the strongest book yet of this series, and it’s without doubt my new favorite. Lightning speed pace, excellent writing, dark, twisted, disturbing, suspenseful… Oh yes, this story will keep you in its claws and there is a lot to love here. Her Mother’s Grave reads like a train and will mess with your mind. The personal life of Josie Quinn plays a huge role in this book, the story showering us with shocking details about her past. You will need an extra hand to keep your jaw from dropping to the floor as you discover more and more facts about her life. Trigger warnings for abuse, violence, neglect and graphic scenes in general, but if you think you can stomach that, you are in for one hell of a ride. Josie Quinn will have to face the impossible and we are right beside her as she tries to keep her life together. Imagine a war zone with plot twists bombs dropping on you, danger around every corner and no clue how to reach the ending safely… Trust me, Her Mother’s Grave is a story you won’t soon forget.

If you like your thrillers fast, suspenseful and filled with plot twists and shocking surprises, you will be in for a treat with this one. The first two books of the series were already great reads, but Her Mother’s Grave is without doubt my new favorite. Things get close and personal and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time trying to figure out both what happened all those years ago and what was happening in the present. Oh yes, I had a blast reading this book and I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Was this review helpful?

A fabulous thriller.
The remains of a teenager is found buried in woods. Further investigation reveals that her name was Belinda Rose. For the Chief of Police Detective Josie Quinn this is more than a shock as that was her mother's name. Although she hasn't seen her mother for years she knows that she must reluctantly make contact with her to find out what's going on. If the body that was found is the real Belinda Rose, then who was the woman who brought her up, and more to the point, who does that make her?
OMG, they said it was an absolutely gripping crime fiction and they weren't kidding. It reels you in from start to finish. There's plenty of shocks, twists and turns to keep you hooked. There's certainly never a dull moment in this fantastic thriller. I can't praise it enough and it deserves a lot more than five stars. My grateful thanks to Bookouture for my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest and unbiased review

Was this review helpful?

Wow wow wow. This is the book that wow was meant for. So many wonderful twists and pay off from the first book. Little things from the first two books come together and it's so good. I love Josie Quinn so much and Lisa Regan never disappoints. I will read anything she writes.

Was this review helpful?

This the third Josie Quinn book but could also be read as a stand alone story.
Chief Josie Quinn is called in to investigate when two boys find a skeleton buried at the trailer where Josie used to live as a child. The story follows the investigation but is also a unfurling revelation into Josie’s Childhood.
Every few chapters you get to read a chapter from Josie’s POV as a child from four years into her teens.
I loved the story and how it gave you more insight to Josie as the main protagonist.
I will definately be reading book four.

Was this review helpful?

Such a riveting book! Couldn't put it down and will definitely be reccomending it to customers at my work!

Was this review helpful?

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Her Mother's Grave, the third novel to feature Detective Josie Quinn of the Denton, Pennsylvania police department.

When a couple of young boys dig up a skeleton Josie and the team swing into action. The body of a teenage woman has been buried for 30-40 years but with no open cases dating back that far the hunt is on to identify her. Fortunately she has a rare dental condition which identifies her as Belinda Rose, last seen in 1984, unfortunately that is the name of Josie's mother who was definitely alive after 1984. As Josie tries to work out who her mother really is and what links her to Belinda Rose she is plagued by a series of nasty pranks.

I thoroughly enjoyed Her Mother's Grave which is another great addition to what is fast becoming a must read series for me. The plot is tortuous with so many twists and turns it quickly becomes a gripping read. Obviously with its roots deep in Josie's past it becomes very personal to her and this ratchets up the tension as she tries to work out what's going on and come to terms with her abusive past as it's fair to say that the Belinda Rose she knew was the mother from hell. This is highlighted in the chapters chronicling the abuse which are inserted into the main narrative.

The plot is never going to win any prizes in the believable and close to reality categories but it's a thriller and it works extremely well. It has pace, tension, action, some amazing twists and a likeable protagonist. There is never a dull moment with a twist or reveal in almost every chapter although Ms Regan saves the best for last with a massive twist which every other development leads to with twisted logic.

The chapters with Josie's abuse are fairly horrible and not only do you feel for her but you marvel at what a balanced person and upstanding citizen she has become on the whole as she's now Chief of Police and a very good investigator, unafraid to stand up for what's right. Yes, she has claustrophobia and isn't very good at relationships and now the reader learns why, but mostly she seems to have escaped lasting psychological damage from the abuse. I can't wait to see where Ms Regan is going to take her next.

Her Mother's Grave is an absorbing read which I have no hesitation in recommending. 4.5*.

Was this review helpful?

I haven’t loved the Josie Quinn books--until now. Her Mother’s Grave, IMHO, is the best book in the series so far!

Her Mother’s Grave can be read as a standalone.

When a body of a teenage girl is unearthed, Chief of Police Josie Quinn and her team begin an investigation. The more they uncover about the dead girl, the more Josie reflects on her childhood and her abusive mother; exposing her vulnerabilities and putting her in imminent danger.

This book is focused on Josie’s childhood and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. Starting from the age of 6 to 14, the reader learns just how vindictive, cruel, and sick Josie’s mother was. The bits and pieces that are hinted at in the first two books are finally revealed, including Josie’s link to Trinity Payne.

This book has it all: drama, action, suspense, and a little bit of romance. What made me like this book more than others in the series is that the plot is tightly wound, without some of the messy twists in the earlier books. Now that the series has hit its stride, I hope that there’s more of Josie Quinn books to come!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Wow this book was amazing I loved it. Right from the start it was fast paced and full of action and suspense. The characters are great, really likeable. There’s a lot of nasty stuff going on in this book and it’s really well written to give you those wow moments. That ending, oh wow! This is a fantastic read, I highly recommend it and don’t hesitate in giving at 5 stars it was brilliant, there is absolutely nothing negative I can say about this book I loved it.

Was this review helpful?

I could not put this book down! Read it in one day -- I just had to keep going to see where Lisa Regan was taking Josie Quinn... I think she gets stronger with each book... WOW. In the previous novels, the readers learn some of Josie's back story, but in Her Mother's Grave, we are let into her entire background. I loved the twists and turns -- and the strength that Josie demonstrated throughout make her one of my most favorite literary characters. With this change of events, I can't wait to see what Ms. Regan does with her next. If you can't tell, I loved this book!

Was this review helpful?

Lisa Regan took me on a seriously twisted mother from hell story in Her Mothers Grave (Detective Josie Quinn Book 3).
This book is horrifying and traumatic, but the good woman wins in the end...but not before there are dead bodies left lying around.
Now I have to go back and start at the beginning of the series. Detective Josie Quinn is one strong, courageous woman!
Solid 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

WOW! Lisa Regan doesn’t disappoint with the third installment of the Josie Quinn series. It kept me guessing until the end! I spent most of the afternoon finishing the book and hated having it end.

When the book starts, Josie gets a call about a body in the woods. As the story deepens, you are drawn into Josie’s life and flashbacks to her childhood. How does the body tie to Josie? Dive in for the best read of the summer!

Was this review helpful?

Josie Quinn really cannot catch a break. I have read the first two books and I was so eager to start this one.

This was a great read! Poor Josie really has a lot of stuff going on but she always tries to overcome this and keep on going.
She is a great character and this is a great book to read!

Was this review helpful?