Round and round she goes, blonde pigtails flying, her high-pitched giggle catching on the wind. But as the ride slows to a stop, her seat is suddenly empty. Little Lucy is gone…
When seven-year-old Lucy Ross is snatched from the carousel in Denton city park, Detective Josie Quinn joins the frantic search. She’s the one who finds Lucy’s sparkly butterfly backpack abandoned by the ticket booth, a note with a devastating message stuffed inside: answer your phone, or your sweet little darling will die…
The next day, Lucy’s parents are filled with hope when they pick up a call which they think is from their babysitter – but instead it’s a chilling male voice on the line. Josie races to the babysitter’s small apartment only to find her lifeless body in a tangle of sheets on her bed.
Josie is faced with the most high-stakes case of her career as each new phone call from someone connected to the family ends with the shocking discovery of another body. This twisted killer wants revenge, and he won’t stop until the Ross family are in pieces…
Something is telling Josie that Lucy’s parents aren’t giving her the whole truth, but digging deeper into their lives will force her to confront a life-changing secret of her own. Does Josie have what it takes to crack this case? She has no choice if she’s going to bring Lucy home alive…
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I adore Lisa Regan’s Josie Quinn series and have read each of them more than once. They are just completely engrossing.
This is one that reminds me of why I watch children in my care like a hawk when we are at playgrounds and why I cringe when caregivers are more engaged in their smartphones. In the blink of an eye, something can happen. And the way that this whole crime was carried out is quite devious. This book is one that haunts me every time I reread the series.
I do love the clues that are dropped along the way. They keep the story that much more intriguing. And the interwoven first person story from the mystery narrator is just as fascinating as you’re trying to figure out who it is and how it all ties together. And I think the results will pleasantly surprise you.
Josie also continues to grow as a person. You can see her soften more and more as her relationships grow with people like Noah, Misty, and Misty’s son. I love watching it happen.
Now, that being said, don’t feel like you absolutely must read all of the previous books first. This book absolutely works as a standalone. I just think everyone should read all of the books. And I do, repeatedly.