Specimen

By: Lisa Towles
Publisher: Indies United Publishing House
Publication Date: December 3, 2024
ISBN: 978-1644567739
Reviewed by: Diana Coyle
Review Date: November 8, 2024

In Specimen by Lisa Towles, we are introduced to Thea Riggs, a 17-year-old, who is on summer break before her freshman year in college. Her summer break starts out as a normal, relaxing vacation, until she receives a mysterious text from her best friend, Lise Fenning, telling her to come to Lise’s family estate. When Thea arrives, her friend races out of her family house, talking in riddles. When Thea enters the estate, she can’t believe what she finds in the kitchen. There, on the floor is Lise’s deceased mom, lying in a pool of blood. Now Thea doesn’t know what to do. Could a killer still be loose in the house? Did Lise kill her mother? If so, why?
Ms. Towles penned this thriller to keep readers on the edge of their seats as they turn the pages. Right from the first page, they are pulled into the story and feel as if they are another character standing right next to Thea, seeing everything happening firsthand. When Thea discovered the dead body, you immediately feel your heart pounding in your chest. You feel your mind racing with endless questions and wonder if Thea will be the next victim on the killer’s list.
The author cleverly entwines her love of crafting well-rounded characters that are so believable you feel as if they are real people, and she uses state-of-the art game play with all the characters, causing them to interact and move the storyline at a fast pace in just the right places. Just when readers think they can relax and follow along with the characters, Towles throws fuel to the fire and amps up another heart pounding scene.
With an impressive writing resume, Towles has 12 crime novels published under her name Lisa Towles, while also having four titles under her pen name Lisa Polisar. She’s a bestselling crime novelist and also a passionate speaker on such topics as fiction writing, creativity, and even self-care. Plus, she’s an active member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers.
Quill says: If you’re looking for a great novel with well-developed characters, an engrossing storyline, and some high-tech thrills to tickle your fancy, look no further. Specimen by Lisa Towles is one thriller that will not disappoint!
For more information on Specimen, please visit the author’s website at: www.lisatowles.com.
Author Interview