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Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
I just had to figure out a way to leave that didn’t involve a gurney.
General Summary for Context:
When Thea Riggs receives an urgent text from her best friend, Lisa Fenning, inviting her over for what she assumes will be a quiet evening, she is unprepared for the horror that awaits. Upon arriving at Lisa’s house, Thea discovers Lisa’s mother, Roberta, brutally murdered, her body lying in a pool of blood. Overcome with panic and fearing she’ll be implicated in the crime, Thea flees—unwittingly setting off a chain of events that thrust her into a perilous web of deception, betrayal, and mystery.
Determined to uncover the truth, Thea stumbles upon DSC, an enigmatic online game filled with cryptic puzzles and steganographic clues that may hold the key to Roberta’s murder. As the game pulls her deeper into its shadowy depths, Thea begins to suspect Lisa of orchestrating her downfall. Yet, paradoxically, Lisa might also hold the answers Thea desperately needs to unravel the mystery.
As the terrifying truth comes to light, Thea faces an impossible choice: Can she dismantle the syndicate’s deadly operation without sacrificing herself and those she loves? And, in the process, will she find the courage to share her truth—that she prefers women to men—with the people who matter most?
This gripping, genre-blending story weaves elements of mystery, psychological suspense, and personal growth into a taut narrative that will keep readers guessing until the very last page.
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Concise Review:
Lisa Towles delivers a masterclass in suspense with Specimen, a thriller that masterfully blends relentless tension, nuanced characters, and a vividly atmospheric setting. Thea Riggs, a sharp and resilient young protagonist, is thrust into a harrowing maze of deceit and peril when the discovery of a body in an affluent San Francisco home upends her life. Towles crafts a narrative that unravels with precision, seamlessly weaving together a cryptic online game, a clandestine crime syndicate, and the haunting echoes of a decades-old cold case.
The richly drawn San Francisco setting, brought to life with evocative detail, serves as both a backdrop and a character in its own right, adding layers of intrigue and vibrancy to the unfolding drama. Towles deftly explores themes of trust, identity, and personal transformation, guiding Thea through a journey of self-discovery as she grapples with the chilling realities surrounding her.
With pulse-pounding twists, expertly timed revelations, and a conclusion that lingers long after the final page, Specimen is a riveting page-turner that will leave fans of smart, action-packed thrillers thoroughly satisfied. This is Lisa Towles at her finest—a must-read for anyone seeking an engrossing blend of suspense and substance.
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General Thoughts on the Novel:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book—it was gripping, with a sound plot that kept me turning pages.
Specimen is a fantastic read that deserves to do well. With more resolution for the unanswered questions and loose ends, it would have been perfect in my eyes. Nonetheless, it’s a gripping, well-crafted story that I highly recommend.
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Specimen is available on Amazon.
