by Toby Dorr (Author)
When Toby Dorr met Lisa Montgomery in prison, she saw not a headline but a human being--fragile, wounded, desperate for gentleness. Lisa would become the first woman executed by the federal government in nearly seventy years, but Killing Lisa tells the story that came before: a childhood of devastating abuse, a system that looked away, and a mind so shattered by trauma it broke completely. Through their unlikely friendship, Dorr offers a profound reckoning with justice, mercy, and the stories we tell about guilt and goodness. This is both a love letter to a lost friend and a call to see--really see--the whole person.
Author Biography
Toby Dorr is a writer, speaker, and fierce advocate for criminal justice reform whose own journey from prison to purpose has shaped her mission of helping others find grace, healing, and transformation. Once known as "The Dog Lady" for founding a prison dog program--Toby discovered the power of second chances firsthand.
After serving time in federal prison for helping convicted murderer John Manard escape from prison, Toby emerged with a deeper understanding of the systems that both break and rebuild lives. She channeled this experience into her memoir Living with Conviction and now helps women break free from emotional imprisonment and reclaim their stories.
Number of Pages: 200
Publication Date: June 16, 2026
