Losing Lauren by Alretha Thomas – a Review

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Description:
Alexandra Winifred has played a supporting role in her cousin’s life since they were children. When Lauren Water’s parents are killed in a plane crash, Alexandra becomes her protector, and together they navigate their way through childhood and college. They’re both overachievers, but it’s Lauren who steals the spotlight when she’s discovered by a notable agent and goes on to become an award-winning actress, leaving Alexandra in her shadow as her fledgling publicist. Now Hollywood royalty, Lauren starts to cut those people out of her life who were responsible for her success. Alexandra fears she will be next on the chopping block. But her trepidation about her failing relationship with her cousin becomes her least concern when she’s identified as a prime suspect in Lauren’s subsequent disappearance. Detective Rachel Storme, who has a full plate taking care of a parent with Alzheimer’s and supervising a meth-addicted aunt, is eager to get her hands on a challenging case, but nothing could prepare her for the dark secrets and lies that she uncovers while she does everything in her power to find out what happened to Lauren.

Review:

Losing Lauren begins with Lauren having just won a best actress award and attending a party afterwards.  Alexandra has felt Lauren pulling away and asks her about it.  They agree to meet later to talk about everything going on with Lauren and part ways.  Alex heads home, only to receive a frantic phone call from Lauren’s fiancé that something has happened to Lauren.  When Alex arrives at Lauren’s, the scene before her leaves her mind spinning and her stomach churning. 

The police are called and the world, as Alex knows it, changes forever.  Detective Rachel Storme and her partner, Herb, eventually make the scene and discover that there is no body, but there is evidence of a crime.  As Rachel and her team try to piece together what happened, the list of suspects grows.  Lauren’s fiancé is a likely candidate, as is her management team.  Rachel interviews Alex as well, and even though Alex is a suspect, Rachel isn’t buying that she had anything to do with Lauren’s disappearance.  What follows are so many twists and turns that one minute, you KNOW who did it, only to be proven wrong a little later.  All Alex knows is that her world will never be the same.

Losing Lauren is yet another nicely written story by Alretha Thomas.  The characters in all of Ms. Thomas’s books are so relatable and real that you feel that you know them.  This story was no exception.  The plot twists will grab your attention and when the big reveal is made, your heart will break for what Lauren endured as a child.  Your heart will also break for Alex who will always wonder if she could have done more to protect her cousin and best friend. You will also fall even more in love with Detective Rachel Storme.  She is probably one of the most believable and realistic characters I’ve read about in a long time.  She is the daughter every mother would love to have.  She is the co-worker everyone would want, but even more than that, she is the person everyone would hope to be.  She loving, loyal and steadfast in her beliefs that right is right and wrong is wrong.  If you’re looking for a good mystery with lots of twists and turns, as well as wonderfully written characters, this one is definitely for you.  I look forward to the next installment in this series.  Well done, Alretha Thomas!  Very well done!!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy supplied for review

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