Lost to Dune Road

By: Kara Thomas

Narrated by: Helen Laser, Marli Watson

For a disgraced reporter, unraveling a conspiracy of murder could mean redemption in a powerful novel of suspense by the bestselling author of Out of the Ashes.

Reporter Lee Ellerin’s investigation into a young woman’s unsolved murder gained national attention—only for her to lose everything due to a tragic mistake. After being publicly ridiculed for causing a suspect’s death, Lee is forced to leave her career behind.

Five years later, pregnant college student Amanda Hartley lies in a coma. The police say she attempted suicide, but the details don’t add up. Where is the father? Who was paying for Amanda’s Manhattan penthouse? Why did Amanda have a note with Lee’s name in her backpack? There’s also one alarming coincidence: Amanda was last seen on Dune Road in the Hamptons—where the murder victim in Lee’s previous investigation disappeared.

As she’s pulled back into the still-unsolved case that destroyed her career, Lee sees the chance to amend the mistakes of her past. But finding a killer and unearthing Amanda’s secrets sends her down a darker path than she has ever walked before.

©2024 Kara Thomas (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“In this suspenseful thriller, Helen Laser narrates with the grit required to authentically portray Lee Ellerin, a New York city reporter turned private investigator.… Marli Watson sensitively portrays Amanda in the past as she describes how she became pregnant. Watson imbues Amanda with youthful and confident naïveté mixed with insecurity at being a recent transplant to New York City. When parallels arise between Amanda's case and the murder of a young woman that resulted in Ellerin's firing from Vanity Fair magazine, Laser's performance heightens the investigator's intense focus on uncovering the truth about the elite circle of wealthy men connected to both women.” —AudioFile Magazine

“Thomas keeps her foot on the gas while shifting gears between a cast of plausible suspects, a handful of well-earned plot twists, and a serviceable romantic subplot for Natalee. This has all the ingredients to satisfy mystery fans.” —Publishers Weekly

“Clear your calendar because once you start reading this, you won’t be able to stop!” —Ashley Elston, New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins

Strong lead

I enjoyed the main character, something about her is very likeable. Supporting characters and story started off well but I think it took a wrong turn. I don’t regret listening, but it didn’t leave me searching for a book #2.

Another Kara Thomas winner

I gave loved every Kara Thomas novel and LOST TO DUNE ROAD is no exception.

Natalee, after a career embarrassment now calls herself Lee. Once an investigative reporter, before the public incident, she receives a phone call from Carol, a mother whose pregnant daughter Amanda lies in a hospital comatose after a serious suicide attempt. Lee can’t avoid taking the case after she suspects a connection to the incident on Dune Road.

I listened to the audiobook straight through because I just could not stop. Lee was such a compelling character, sympathetic, gritty, sometimes pushing boundaries to get what she needs. I’d love to see her character in more books.

Kind of hard boiled detective story

I was so pleasantly surprised by the fact that this PI was not breathless and overly emotional. I wished she’d had a better sense of humor. As it was most of the characters were fairly typical of the genre and she had no shrewd insights into any of them. This must be the tenth recent released book that has a plot revolving around the unplanned pregnancy of a young woman and an abusive man. Isn’t there any other plot device that can drive a woman sleuth story than the victim being pregnant? Kinsey Milhone got through 23 mysteries without that happening once 50 - 30 years ago.

Binge worthy!!

Normally mysteries aren't much of a mystery to me - but this one had me on a ride and I was in the dark until the very end - which I loved!!! Great characters and no slow parts! She had me at "Pete Marino"

Exciting

I had no idea until the end. Love the suspense! Can’t wait to read more from her.

It Was Okay

Decent story I guess. The whole book was Lee thinking, not much other conversations, if I'm explaining this correctly. Not much interaction with other characters.

Loved It

Very good listen that keeps you on your toes with a twist ending! Kara Thomas is a great Author that knows how to write a good story that draws the reader in!

Never a Dull Moment & a Surprising Reveal!

I discovered Kara Thomas through her YA mystery novels which have twists and turns that are rare in YA literature. While I am sad she has seemingly left the YA genre, I have enjoyed her adult novels too. Lost to Dune Road is the best of all of her novels. The story kept me engaged throughout the narrative, never making me feel like there was a lull in the momentum. The killer's identity was a surprise until right before the reveal. This book emulates Kara Thomas' best YA mysteries and exceeds them. I hope to be reading (or listening) to her books for many years to come!

Couldn’t stop listening

Great engaging suspense and complex characters and very law and order like twists on based on true story type events. Also chosen family . Great read !

Characters need to have something to like

The story had too many characters and I couldn't connect with any of them. The abortion portion was relatively well done as the author didn't try to force a pro/anti stance down your throat which was refreshing. I just couldn't find anything to like about the characters.