Lisa Regan Unveils the Secrets Behind the Success of the Josie Quinn Series

A Bestselling Crime Author on Justice, Grit, and Suspense

Lisa Regan shares her journey as a crime fiction author, the evolution of Detective Josie Quinn, and the emotional depth that keeps readers hooked on her bestselling thriller series.

Lisa Regan has firmly established herself as a powerhouse in crime fiction, captivating readers worldwide with her bestselling Detective Josie Quinn series. With an acute ability to blend psychological depth with high-stakes suspense, she crafts narratives that keep audiences on the edge of their seats while delivering emotionally resonant storytelling. A nominee for the International Thriller Writer Award, Regan’s work has been translated into multiple languages, broadening her reach and impact.

Her journey as an author is marked by resilience, a dedication to authenticity, and a keen understanding of the complexities of human nature. From the meticulous way she constructs her crime backstories to her exploration of justice and personal struggle, Regan’s writing is driven by a deep fascination with why people hurt those closest to them. Her ability to create characters who evolve over time—particularly the indomitable Josie Quinn—sets her apart in the competitive thriller landscape.

In this exclusive interview, Regan offers insight into her creative process, the challenges she has faced in her writing career, and the personal experiences that have shaped her perspective on crime and justice. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of the compelling force behind her novels and the passion that fuels her storytelling.

A masterful storyteller, Lisa Regan blends gripping suspense with raw emotion, creating crime thrillers that resonate with readers and keep them eagerly turning the pages.

Your Josie Quinn series has captivated readers worldwide with its compelling mysteries and strong protagonist. What inspired the creation of Josie Quinn, and how has she evolved throughout the series? 

When I first started talking with my publisher, Bookouture, about writing a detective series, we wanted to create a detective who had a lot of flaws but who would always seek justice at all costs. We wanted the series to star a detective who would grow as a person and an investigator with each case even while fighting her demons. Someone who would be as gritty as she was damaged. It was important to me that this series feature a female detective, as well. 

Your thrillers masterfully blend psychological depth with high-stakes suspense. What’s your process for crafting such gripping narratives while maintaining emotional authenticity? 

The first thing I do when planning a new book is to write what I call the “crime’s backstory” meaning that I first figure out who was involved in the crime Josie will be investigating, why they did it and how. In that process, the characters begin to feel very real to me, and their motivations always tend to center around deep connections they have with other people. What fascinates me the most is the question of why people hurt those closest to them and why. That is always something I am exploring in my books. Since the reasons the crimes take place are always based in peoples’ emotional world, the authenticity is there by virtue of that. 

With a background in writing and editing, how has your perspective as an author changed over the years? Are there any lessons or challenges that have significantly shaped your writing journey? 

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that, during the editing process, I have to separate my personal feelings from what is best for the story. Instead of considering my feelings about any changes suggested by editors, I instead ask myself, “What will make this book the absolute best book it can be?” Sometimes it’s painful to cut sections of a story that you really enjoyed writing or that are close to your heart or that you think are great but if those sections don’t serve the overall story, they need to come out. In addition to that, after facing so much rejection in my career, the other thing I’ve learned is to keep writing. Keep creating new stories. Your first or even your fifth book may not strike a chord with publishers or readers, but you never know—something you write much later in your journey may be the book or the story that resonates with people.

“I have to separate my personal feelings from what is best for the story.” – Lisa Regan

The crime thriller genre is highly competitive. What do you believe sets your books apart, and how do you keep your stories fresh and unpredictable for your readers? 

I think what sets my books apart is Josie herself. Readers are extremely invested in her character, and they tell me it’s because she’s been through so many terrible things, but she never gives up and never allows herself to be broken. In addition to that, she continues to grow as a person and as investigator. They love watching her emotional growth. The Josie you meet in Book 1 is a completely different person than the Josie in Book 22. Readers see her deal with failure, betrayal, anger, and hurt. Sometimes she handles things gracefully and sometimes she doesn’t. Readers relate to that. In terms of keeping things fresh, with each book I ask myself, “what haven’t I thrown at Josie yet?” 

Many of your novels explore themes of justice, resilience, and personal struggle. Are there real-life cases, events, or personal experiences that influence your storytelling? 

Many years ago, my family experienced a very traumatic and tragic loss at the the hands of someone else. Seeing the case wend its way through the justice system was hugely influential on my writing and how I present both victims and villains. Beyond that, there have been cases I’ve read about over the years that touched me more than others. The abduction and murder of Jacob Wetterling was probably the biggest because I was the same age as Jacob when he went missing. Also, watching the way that his mother, Patty Wetterling, became such a force of nature for other missing children and their families was one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen. I think she’s an amazing example of how to keep hope alive and become a force for good even amidst staggering, soul-crushing trauma. 

EDITOR’S NOTE

“Husband Missing” by Lisa Regan is a thrilling, unputdownable mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Detective Josie Quinn’s world unravels when her husband goes missing, entwining trauma from her past with a present-day investigation. This heart-pounding, suspenseful read is a must for crime thriller fans.