Thriller

Lies by T. M. Logan published by St. Martin's Press is one of those mysteries that you can’t put down. I have to say what caught my attention was. WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS BASED ON LIES? How can you not want to read a book that starts with that? John thought he had everything in his life. A wonderful life with his “great” wife Mel and son William who I loved as a character. Like a few other readers found that the writing style was gripping and I felt like I could sympathize with John the entire time I was worried for him and I loved the journey all the way through. Have you ever dropped in unexpectedly on your spouse, when and where they least expected to see you? Joe Lynch did when his young son, Will, spotted his wife’s car in traffic, he followed, intrigued as she turned into a hotel car park. Just one impulsive decision and BAM, Joe’s life will never be the same. Not for him, his family or their friends either. The roller coaster that unfolds after that decision makes for a great book. I love a book that I can guess wrong and I was so wrong with this one and I loved it. You will ask T.M Logan questions along the way and he will lie because what you think you know you don’t. Hands down will be reading more books by this author. Thank you Netgalley and all involved for my copy.

Another domestic thriller that pulled me in immediately. Interesting enough plot with the work at home Dad and young son seeing the wife in passing on the road and Dad wanting to surprise her. Of course this leads to his surprise. But early on I kept mentally saying to the Dad, "what are you thinking"? Then I was saying that to most the main characters. It was good enough to finish but not a smart read for me. ( )

Clearly I'm in the minority at this point - the book was just published a day or two ago - but I had to stop reading at about the halfway mark.

The premise was great! Husband and young son spot mommy out at a hotel with another man, a confrontation, and then some weird things start happening and his life begins to unravel.

Unfortunately, the execution completely failed for me. Joe, the husband, can't seem to use logic and observation well enough to fight his way out of a paper bag. The author lays out so many clues about what's going on but Joe misses everything - even when he's practically hit in the face with information.

I found Joe's behavior and lack of common sense maddening and the story, in general, too predictable to continue with. I think the author counted on readers not caring or completely missing huge holes in logic or that we'd forget major events - like a bracelet gone missing - and then be surprised later when they come back as part of the evil plan.

Many other people are enjoying LIES but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review the book. ( )

I read a lot of books and this is the best book I’ve read this year (2022). It kept me on the edge of my seat, chapter after chapter. As soon as I finished one chapter, I had to immediately go to the next chapter to find out what happened next. I love psychological thrillers like this, as it grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. As a debut novel, this book was absolutely brilliant.

As most thrillers do, this one had a surprising twist ending I did not see coming. Every chapter seemed to end on a cliffhanger and I couldn’t put the book down until I learned more.

The pacing of the book was excellent, the characters were well drawn and appeared to be real, and the dialogue sharp and crisp.

The story is told in the first person from the perspective of Joe Lynch as he and his son spot his wife’s car pulling into a hotel parking garage. He goes inside and sees her in a heated argument with Ben, her best friend’s husband. After they leave, he and Ben get into a heated argument. There is pushing and shoving and Ben falls backwards on the concrete floor. Joe’s son has an asthma attack, and Joe leaves Ben for dead as he rushes home to get an inhaler for his son. Revealing any more would spoil the story, but I will say it takes many turns and twists from that point and ends with a very surprising twist.

The book kept me engaged as Joe fights off efforts from all fronts to frame him for a murder he did not commit. I highly recommend this book and would give it 10 stars if possible. ( )