Child of the State

2017 Silver Falchion Award Nominee

?"He's first. You're next."

That's the message someone scribbled on a photo of Stacy May Charms' six-year-old son, two days before her release from prison.Stacy knows why. She doesn't know who.And she's not waiting around to find out. Her plan is to grab her child and run.Elizabeth McClaine has no idea why Stacy ran, but she intends to find out. Contracted to oversee the governor’s early release program for young incarcerated mothers, she is responsible for the program’s first successful applicant. But when Stacy May breaks parole only two hours after her release, Elizabeth is flung into social and political exile, her reputation in ruins. If she is to clear her name and save Stacy May, she must figure out what Stacy knows, and who she’s running from.And all the clues point back to those who were supposed to be saving her.

The Elizabeth McClaine thrillers are additions to the great action and character-driven mystery and suspense thrillers in the tradition of Lisa Regan, S. W. Hubbard, and Mary Stone.

What readers are saying:

"Blew me away.""I loved every page and couldn't wait to get to the next.""Excellent writing, riveting plot, and great attention to detail."

A Word from the Author

First of all, thank you for your interest in my books. You’ll find in many of my books, I include characters with intellectual or physical challenges. Added to this, I wanted to write twisty crime thrillers with complex characters and surprise endings, so I created the Elizabeth McClaine thriller series.

So, who is Elizabeth McClaine?

Elizabeth is a little different from the usual private detective or amateur sleuth. She’s a feisty, mature socialite with reputation and social standing, and a simmering attraction for Detective Lance Delaney, a man with his own secrets. The storylines involve kidnappings, heists, white-collar crime, and murders that will keep the pages turning onto the wee hours.

What gives these stories heart?

Real, believable characters from Elizabeth herself to Holly, the cherished only daughter born with Down syndrome. Having loved and cared for a disabled daughter myself, I know the joy and the challenges caring for and loving a disabled child can bring. Therefore, from book #1, Holly brings Elizabeth a real sense of purpose and a desire to help those in need. The books in the series are sequential, but each is a standalone, so you can read them out of order.

The Elizabeth McClaine Series so far Includes:

BOOK #1: THE CANDIDATE’S DAUGHTERBOOK #2: CHILD OF THE STATEBOOK #3 A STOLEN WOMANTHE ELIZABETH MCCLAINE BOX SET OF THRILLERS

Standalone Titles by Catherine Lea

LAST SEEN LEAVING – A THRILLERDROPPING DEAD IN DELBY RISH – A VERY BRITISH MURDER MYSTERY (Satire)THE CONTESTANT – A SERIAL KILLER THRILLERIf you have any questions, you’ll find my page on Goodreads.Again, my most heartfelt thanks for your interest,Catherine