My first by this author, and I devoured it in one day. Keeps you guessing and eager for more. The characters could use more fleshing out, but the pace was great. The plot was good, even though I don't care for flipping back and forth from present to past.

"Lost to Dune Road" by Kara Thomas is an absolute masterpiece that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. This captivating suspense novel weaves together a compelling narrative of redemption, mystery, and the quest for the truth.

The protagonist, Lee Ellerin, is a disgraced reporter haunted by past mistakes. Kara Thomas skillfully portrays Lee's journey from the depths of public ridicule to the chance at redemption when she becomes entangled in the mysterious case of Amanda Hartley.

Thomas's writing is spellbinding, skillfully building suspense and a sense of impending danger. The intricately woven plot keeps readers guessing at every turn, as Lee dives deep into Amanda's case, uncovering secrets and connections that lead her down a dark and twisted path. The author effortlessly balances moments of tension with well-placed twists that will leave readers breathless.

The characters in "Lost to Dune Road" are vividly drawn, each with their own hidden agenda and motivations. Lee's determination to solve the case, despite the personal risks involved, is admirable, and the reader can't help but cheer her on as she navigates treacherous territory.

Kara Thomas's masterful storytelling transports readers to the opulent streets of Manhattan and the mysterious Hamptons, setting the stage for a tale filled with intrigue and danger. The atmospheric descriptions vividly bring the locations to life, creating an immersive reading experience.

"Lost to Dune Road" is not just a typical suspense novel; it delves into themes of guilt, second chances, and the long-lasting impact of one's actions. It is a testament to the human spirit and the power of redemption, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we can find the strength to face our past and seek forgiveness.

In conclusion, "Lost to Dune Road" is an absolute must-read for fans of suspense and thrillers. Kara Thomas has crafted an exceptional story that will leave readers captivated until the very last page. Prepare to be enthralled by the intricate plot, richly developed characters, and the unsettling atmosphere. This book deserves every one of its five stars and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Lost to Dune Road, the gripping and brutally realistic new thriller by Kara Thomas. After Natalee's journalism career is ruined, she is hired as a private investigator and is contacted by the mother of a young pregnant woman who is in a coma after what appears to be a suicide attempt. Amanda's mother is convinced that she was attacked and Natalee is determined to find the truth, especially if she can find a connection between this tragedy and the murder of a young girl years before on Dune Road in the Hamptons.

As a New Yorker, I loved the setting of this book, which traveled from.The heart of the city to the very ends of Long Island and everywhere in between. I was also captivated by the author's ability to make this read as part true crime and part scandalous, over the top suspense.

This being said, I really didn't like the opening page and almost put it down after the first few paragraphs. I'm so glad that I stuck with it and gave Natalee a chance.

This is an excellent mystery where a besmirched journalist who has since become a PI is hired by a mother whose daughter seemingly attempted suicide and is in a coma. The PI has a hunch that the girl's case is somehow linked to another girl who was murdered years ago and she tries to solve both of the girls' stories.

I thought this was well paced, interesting and it kept me reading the whole time. I liked the characters and I liked how the story was more convoluted than I kept imagining. I usually see the twists and there were several here I didn't see coming.

with gratitude to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I just finished reading Lost to Dune Road this Thanksgiving. It was juicy enough to fight off the tryptophan haze, and I highly recommend adding to your TBR.

Lee is a disgraced reporter that is now working as a private investigator to make ends meet. Her downfall was accusing an innocent man of a crime that led to his suicide. When her current case intersects with her past case she relentlessly pursues any avenue to find out what happened on Dune Road.

I rate this as a five star read which is rare for me. The plot was interesting, the characters were interesting, there were slight similarities to the true crime LISK case, and I didn't guess who the killer was when 8 times out of 10 I can. This book releases April 2024. Thank you to Netgalley and Kara Thomas for this ARC.

Another incredible thriller by Kara Thomas. The story was fast paced, and enthralling with characters that are easy to love and identify with. The dual POVs and timelines were well done and I found myself excited to be bounced back and forth, trying to put the story together!

This was a good dual perspective novel that was well paced and plotted and kept me engaged throughout. It was a good fast read
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

I was initially drawn to this book because of its gorgeous cover. The content inside ended up being just as impressive. With a likable protagonist and so many secrets, this was a great mystery with zero predictability whatsoever. Some of the topics were tough, and without giving spoilers, I will just say that this book includes talk of pregnancy, abortions and self-harm to those of you who may need that warning. The only, only complaint I have is that there were a little too many characters either involved or mentioned to keep track of, and I found myself trying to remember who was a who a few times. That was not enough to deter me, though, and I promise it won't be for future readers of this either. The mystery was well thought out, intricate, and delivered beautifully. Being my first read from this author, I was impressed. Definitely recommend and give this four solid stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for this ARC.

Kara Thomas writes captivating mysteries. Of the two perspectives I liked Amanda's POV's better than Lee's. You can see the mystery growing and get answers via her story. I also appreciated that a local writer is writing about local towns, I am also from Long Island. I would recommend this book.

Kara Thomas leaves me thrilled and stunned again to the last page taking in all that I’ve read. Lost to Dune Road plays toward a LISK type plot that has you on the edge of your seat throughout.

This story was intriguing, captivating even. It started out so fast paced, I was on the edge of my seat, but toward the end it slowed and slowed more. It crawled and I struggled to keep reading.

The premise for Lost to Dune Road was good, but I struggled with the characters and the pacing. The first part of the book was fast paced and flew by. It started to lag towards the middle. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, some I felt weren't necessary for the plot. I felt that the large amount of characters to track and remember distracted me from the storyline. The plot itself was interesting and compelling. The author addresses some tough topics while remaining sensitive. Overall, a good suspenseful thriller especially if you enjoy private detective-based thrillers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lee is a journalist-turned PI after she gets a story wrong and her reputation is ruined. But suddenly she’s wrapped up in a new story that has ties to the story that ended her career. It’s full of powerful men who never face consequences and Lee is the only one trying to take them down. Good read!

In this story, readers are plunged into a world of power, where having enough influence and money is all one needs to make others bend to one's will. Enter our main character, Lee Ellerin, a disgraced reporter set on finding out what has happened to a young college student for her to wind up in a coma.

I like the strong characterization of Lee, as some one who is very observant and not willing to give up. For readers looking for a strong female main character, this thriller is sure to impress.

Sometimes it’s fun to read a book that mentions numerous places you know. For me,Lost to Dune Road was that book.Lee Ellerin’s life and career spectacularly blew up. She is now working as a private investigator when a phone call from a woman pulls her back into the case that cost her everything.
A young woman,Amanda Hartley lies in a coma. Her mother wants to hire Lee to find out what really happened to her daughter. She doesn’t believe with the police are saying, and soon neither does Lee.
Lee (she was a reporter) soon finds parallels between her last investigation, and what happened to Amanda. For the most part, this story kept my interest (especially all the Long Island and New York City references). I have to say though that I did get a bit confused at times, as there were an awful lot of characters. Lee’s long time crush also seemed a bit odd. Something quite minor that happened years ago was still controlling her feelings. I just didn’t think that was realistic, but what do I know about having a long time crush.
Other than a bit of head scratching over that, I enjoyed the mystery and what a surprise I did not guess whodunnit.

I have read other books from this author in the past and always enjoyed the female characters she writes. This one was not as good as other books I read from this author. I didnt like Lee as much as other main characters from this author. The mystery is not a page turner, but I was engaged enough to keep reading. The romance felt strange and I wished there was more build up to it. The backstory Lee has with this man is not enough for her to be reacting to him in such a dramatic way.
The book is a 3 star read for me. I enjoyed Out of the Ashes much more.

"Lost to Dune Road" by Kara Thomas is a gripping novel of suspense that follows the journey of Lee Ellerin, a disgraced reporter seeking redemption through the unraveling of a conspiracy of murder.

The story begins with Lee Ellerin, a journalist whose investigation into a young woman's unsolved murder ended in a tragic mistake, leading to the downfall of her career. Five years later, pregnant college student Amanda Hartley is found in a coma, with the police attributing her condition to a suicide attempt. However, Lee senses that there's more to the story, and the details surrounding Amanda's case don't add up. Questions about the father's identity, the source of funds for Amanda's luxurious penthouse, and the discovery of a note with Lee's name in Amanda's backpack raise suspicions.

Amanda was last seen on Dune Road in the Hamptons, the same location where the murder victim from Lee's previous investigation disappeared. This connection pulls Lee back into the unsolved case that not only destroyed her career but also left her haunted by mistakes of the past. As she digs deeper into Amanda's secrets and tries to find the truth, Lee finds herself on a dark and perilous path.

Kara Thomas weaves a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel is rich in mystery and intrigue, with layers of complexity added to the plot as Lee navigates through the shadows of the past. The exploration of redemption, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions adds depth to the story, making it more than just a traditional mystery thriller.

"Lost to Dune Road" is a compelling and well-crafted novel that masterfully blends elements of mystery and psychological suspense. Kara Thomas has once again delivered a gripping tale that will keep readers hooked until the final revelation.

Five years after her mistake during an investigation cost her everything Lee Ellerin has reinvented herself. The former reporter now works as a private investigator, mostly on insurance fraud cases. But when a grieving mother asks for her help on a different kind of case she agrees. Carol Hartley's daughter Amanda attempted suicide despite being pregnant at the time. She now sits in a hospital in a coma. Carol insists that her daughter would never hurt herself. She also shows Lee a note Amanda had in her backpack: Lee's name written on a scrap of paper. Carol only wants Lee to find out who the father of Amanda's baby is but Lee can't help but dig deeper. What she finds is a disturbing tale of rich men from doctors to real estate tycoons taking advantage of young women and getting away with it. With few people she can trust Lee has to tread very carefully to uncover the whole truth. The story alternates between Lee and Amanda's perspectives, which unravels the story in an intriguing way. I liked Lee's determination to find the truth despite her past and the people trying to get in her way. I look forward to Kara Thomas's next book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

A well-written, clearly well-planned, thoughtful novel with obvious and genius inspiration from real-life events surrounding LISK, LTDL is a highly entertaining read that keeps the hits coming chapter after chapter. Blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details with characters that come to life on the page, dialogue that reads more like a television show script, sprinkled with deliciously smooth twists, Lost to Dune Road is a solid, powerful book about how far people are willing to go to get what they want - no matter the cost.

Very tense and suspenseful read. The character development was kinda blah, but a good story nonetheless. Felt very relatable to what’s being going on in the country (USA). Will definitely recommend.