Member Reviews
I loved Lies. There were so many twists and turns. I did not see the ending to this story. I love a book that keeps me guessing until the very end. The storyline is very modern and realistic to the point of making me nervous to get on my computer. I look forward to reading more books by T.M. Logan. I am definitely a fan.
#Lies #NetGalley
Little white lies can't hurt you -or- can they? Melissa, Joe and their young son appeared to be a happy little family. At least that's what Joe thought! Even after Mel's best friend from college moved near by with her "perfect" family; Beth, the perfect wife, Ben, the rich husband, and teenage daughter, Alice.
But oh those lies! When you love and trust your spouse, you can't image they would be lying to you. Maybe once or twice, but was everything a lie? I can't say anymore about this book without spoiling a "wonderful read". the characters were so well written and if I had just noticed a few "hints" as I read along maybe I wouldn't have been so surprised at the end. But it was worth it - I completely enjoyed this book.
This is a big thank you to Net Gallery for the chance to read this book. While I found the plot well choreographed and interesting, the characters were not so good. Joe, the protagonist, did not pick my heartstrings. He felt less than grown up and way too naive for his years and experience. The subplot of not measuring up, or just "teaching" while his wife brought in the salary that sustained the family got old real fast. It was there and there and there. His take on the wife was much better drawn keeping me guessing with an ending that was somewhat of a surprise, which in suspense and mystery novels is a real feat. At my age, I'm pretty sure I've come across every plot twist, red herring and fall from the sky ending. I'll bet, though, that his next book will be much better. The potential is there.
I've read a lot of domestic thrillers in the past few years, and have tired of how they tend to follow predictable patterns. This is in that category of stories, as we follow this family and what happens to them, but it has some unique twists to it. It was a quick read, and I had some ideas of what was happening as I went along, but the overall resolution was not what I'd expected. I liked some aspects to the ending, and there were some things that I wasn't thrilled about, but overall I enjoyed the story. It definitely keeps you guessing and interested until the last page.
Grab a coffee. Delay dinner. Shut the TV off, kick your feet up and settle in for a nonstop read. Here is a story filled with contempt, jealousy and hate. One afternoon while driving four-year-old William home from school, Joe Lynch spots his wife's car at a parking garage. He is thoroughly confused, because she was supposed to be at tennis. He hurries over, and sees her having an argument with a man, Ben Delaney. He is unable to grab her attention, but does approach Ben afterwards. Joe and Ben get into an altercation and Ben gets hurt. However, William suddenly has an asthma attack, so Joe rushes off to attend to him.
Concerned for the hurt Ben, Joe does go back to the hotel. However, not only does he not find Ben, but he cannot find his cell phone. Almost immediately he begins to discover messages via his Facebook account where someone is apparently posting as him. This is no doubt in preparation to implicate him in something nefarious. That is evident from the very start. From this moment on in the story, we are hit with chapter endings that are intended to grab the reader from the throat. The very end of chapter one states that Joe made a spur-of-the-moment decision that would change his life. Read: “The hijacking of my life on social media.” “Everything you know is a lie.”
Social media key in this story, which is entirely told from Joe's first person point of view. Not only has Ben disappeared from the hotel, he has disappeared altogether. Where is he? What does he really want from Joe? Meanwhile, things begin looking very bad for Joe. He is forced to take matters into his own hands and is forced to act quickly, because his life is turned upside down.
I could not put Lies down! I devoured this book from cover to cover in just a couple of hours! While speeding through the pages, I was hit with so many twists and turns and incredible red herrings, well, simply put, that I did not see coming! The suspense is absolutely thrilling. The conclusion of this book is one that will remain with me for a very long time. It was done with excellent precision. Another great facet in this novel is the heavy use of social media and cell phones. So apropos to the times that we are living in. Lies is T.M. Logan's stunning first novel, which was followed by 29 Seconds. I most certainly will be reading this fantastic debut author again.
Many thanks to St. Martins Press and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
This book is like playing the Twist game. It has at least as many twists as that colorful mat you try to get your body around. The book had as many twists, but I was trying to get my head around them. Only to find out I was on the wrong dot.
I love books that make me think and this one certainly did – again and again, each time trying to find the correct dot. This psychological drama pits a rather naïve man against a skilled adversary. Or did it? Joe learns that his wife has been having an affair with Ben, a wealthy, overbearing man. She admits it to her husband and then the fun begins. Joe chases clue after clue in search of Ben who is playing some sort of payback game. Running him in circles while Joe tries to figure out why.
When Joe finally learns the truth, it is almost too late. But once more the author takes you by surprise. Logan has found a new reader.
3.5 stars rounded up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Joe is about to find out that his entire life is based on a lie.
Lies was a fun, somewhat light, twisty thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end! There is so much deceit and so many lies in the story that you won’t know who or what to believe. T.M. Logan did a great job of keeping me on my toes as I tried (and continuously failed) to figure it all out! The short chapters and mini cliffhangers had any sucked in from the start. I truly never saw that ending coming - it was both shocking and satisfying!
I would recommend Lies to anyone looking for a fun, fast-paced thriller!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and T.M. Logan for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
When Joe Lynch stumbles across his wife driving into a hotel car park while she's supposed to be at work, he's intrigued enough to follow her in.
And when he witnesses her in an angry altercation with family friend Ben, he knows he ought to intervene.
But just as the confrontation between the two men turns violent, and Ben is knocked unconscious, Joe's young son has an asthma attack - and Joe must flee in order to help him.
When he returns, desperate to make sure Ben is OK, Joe is horrified to find that Ben has disappeared.
And that's when Joe receives the first message . . .
Wow! Fast paced and very intriguing. I could not stop reading. Who is lying and who isn't. We are reading this in Joe's perspective and what he is doing. Ben has a very bad reputation for being ruthless and getting what he wants. Joe is an English teacher and very mild mannered. When the police start questioning him and he finds himself under investigation then Joe feels he has no choice but to take his clues and investigate on his own. With his marriage on the line and a son who is also scared but who joe will do anything for, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Plenty of twists and turns. Had me turning pages. I read a lot of thrillers and this one did not disappoint! The author gives little clues here and there, but good luck trying to figure out the ending.
This was an excellent book. Kept me guessing throughout and I never saw the ending coming. There were several times when the author eluded to clues, but did not fill in the blanks. As I was reading, I found that frustrating and wanted to have more information, that the characters presumably had, so that I could figure out what was happening.
Ultimately, the ending was a bit convoluted. Otherwise I would have given the book five stars. Still, I enjoyed this quick read and would definitely recommend.
A thrilling ride of deception that unfolds in a twisted and shocking conclusion! The chapters are short and end with a cliffhanger—so I had to keep reading!
“Everything you know is a lie. There was a stranger in my house, and I was married to her.”
Joe narrates the story of his mundane, but happy life...as it spirals out of control. He is a doting husband and devoted father that makes one spur-of-the-moment decision, which changes his life. On his drive home from his teaching job, he spots his wife’s car entering a hotel parking garage and decides to surprise her with a visit. He’s the one surprised. She’s having a heated discussion with her best friend’s husband—Ben.
Later that night when Joe asks Mel about the confrontation, she denies it all...even being at the hotel. This is the just beginning of the lies. When pressured, Mel confesses to being at the hotel, but has a solid explanation for being there....and her previous lie. Joe feels foolish about the doubts and images that have been swirling around in his head and he’s happy to return to his picture-perfect life.
Then comes another blow—and boy is it a whopper! More of Mel’s lies come to light, except these can’t be explained away as easily. Her deception lies deeper than Joe could have imagined.
“The harder you push, the more you struggle, the deeper the barb is buried.”
Joe’s not certain he can trust his wife any longer. Someone is out to destroy his life and and they always manage to be one step ahead of him.
“Two days ago, it had been about a missing person. Now it was a murder investigation. My wife had cheated on me. Her ex-lover was trying to set me up for murder. My best friend had turned his back on me, and my lawyer was about to drop me like a condemned man.”
Can’t wait to read T.M. Logan’s next book!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
#Lies #NetGalley
I read a lot of thrillers, and I have to say I didn't see this twist coming. Logan weaves a smart, suspenseful, incredibly written novel about a father, Joe, who finds himself at the center of a dark investigation. The twists happen almost faster then the reader can keep up with, and highlight the ways that social media and technology are embedded into our lives. This is a great debut for any fans of the thriller genre!
Absolutely loved this book! It was thrilling and imaginative. It kept me hanging on to every last word! A definite one click read and would love to see more from this author.
Definitely an interesting read, but one that i had high expectations for after seeing so many glowing reviews. I definitely enjoyed it, though not as much as some other reviewers.
At first, this book seemed really interesting to me. Without giving too much away, Joe's character is questioned as his life starts to crumble. The story does have that element of frustration because as I see what Joe sees I feel as he does, frustrated that things are happening and helpless as he watches the twists unfold.
I did appreciate the chapter structure and the way each chapter ends with a reveal, but I didn't feel like I could participate along with Joe collecting clues and trying to reveal the truth, and when Joe did find how information fit together I had to just watch him do it, as most of the twists felt like characters knew what was going on but I had to catch up.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fast paced thrillers that feel cinematic. The premise paired with the balance of characters and action makes this story easy to get into, easy to pick up after a busy day, and the ending does have some payoff to make your investment worth it. While this book wasn't exactly for me, I do know some readers who would enjoy this story.
A true thriller- I was captivated and entertained until the last twist.
I'm getting worn out by unlikable characters so I liked that Joe was an every man. He thought his life was one way and he was getting by on autopilot- until something happens that causes him to face the stark reality of what was really going on. He unexpectedly finds his wife pulling into a parking garage and decides to surprise her. As it turns out, he's the one who's in for a surprise. I felt for Joe. We find out his wife has been hiding life altering secrets and he goes on a quest to figure out what truly lies beneath. My favorite part of this was the social media aspect. The story felt modern and truly highlighted the unexamined perils that come with our lives online.
The ending was bananas! It was nothing that you could guess was coming, but sometimes I like books like that. This book was pure entertainment for me. That said, I read it a month or so ago and am honestly having trouble remembering some of the plot points, so it's not something that's likely to stick with you. But if you're in to something for pure entertainment, or if you're a big fan of domestic suspense in all forms, then you might like this one.
Lies by T.M. Logan is a phenomenal psychological thriller. What if your whole life is built on a series of lies? And what if you are guilty of a crime you did not realize you committed? These are some of the questions that Joe Lynch deals with in this book. I love this genre of books and I think this is a definite page turner. You won't be disappointed with this book! Is this book completely believable? No, but I think this is present in nearly every book in this genre. Rather, enjoy the plot twists and the mind-blowing questions-- the suspense in this book will not disappoint. I highly recommend it! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
Lies, by T.M. Logan, grabs the reader’s attention right from the beginning, and delivers a wild ride for the entire book. The main character, Joe, is such a likeable guy and a good father, and the reader can’t help but root for him. No need to repeat the background and plot here, so let me just say that The Twist is terrific! I hope you enjoy this new release, out now from St. Martin’s Press.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Full of twists and turns, and an extremely likable main character. Poor Joe! Things started to unravel so fast- and the lies he starts to uncover just keep coming. Every time I though it couldn't get worse- it absolutely did. I will say I did NOT see the ending coming. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more from T.M. Logan.
I started reading Lies on 9/18/2018 and finished it on 9/27/2018. This thriller is an okay read for me. I like the start of the book. I like how the lies slowly unraveling. The characters aren’t my favorite. Joe is annoying to me. He complains on and on about how trusting he is and how sad for him that everything bad is happening to him and how Mel could be irresistible that someone could be obsessing on her. I don’t like Mel because she is quick to blame others, even when she’s caught lying. I feel like Joe is one of those unreliable narrator because he seems to be the last to know the things that are happening with him. He browses Facebook and the news to blame the other guy for his unpleasant situation – not thrilling to read for me.
This book is told in the first person point of view following Joseph (Joe) Lynch, a teacher, as he drives his son William, 4, home from school. On the way home, his son and him spots his wife Melanie (Mel), driving to a hotel’s underground parking lot. They follow because they want to surprise her. When inside the hotel, Joe witnesses that Mel looks to be having an argument with one of her friends’ husband, Ben. He decides to wait for Mel at the car but when she comes down she hurries off and Joe misses her. Then Ben came down later and lies to Joe about not seeing Joe’s wife Mel in the hotel. They have an altercation where Ben is left bleeding on the ground. Later that night, Mel comes home and lies to Joe about being at the hotel. When Ben’s wife, Beth, came around saying her husband Ben has gone missing. Joe and his wife Mel went to the police to help with the case. This book is organized in a timeline by days of the week. Later Beth confronts Mel of the pictures, Joe’s happy marriage and comfortable life as he sees it is no more.
Lies is a fast paced read. I’m surprised Joe and Mel are comfortable enough to argue with the door closed upstairs while their 4 year old toddler is alone by himself downstairs. I like Joe’s lawyer’s advice about how to handle police’s questions. Definitely a fun read between the police and the lawyer. I do like that Joe try to take active roles in solving his situation rather than just sit back and complain. I read closely the first 50% and skim through the last 50% because the last 50% was not thrilling for me. I like the twist at the end because I couldn’t have guessed it. I thought it involve one or the other because they are quick to point the blame to someone else. I have seen mixed reviews on Goodreads, so I do recommend everyone to read this book and make your own conclusion whether you enjoy reading this thriller or not.
Pro: fast paced, modern technology, short chapters,
Con: unreliable narrator, not thrilling, the chase is endless
I rate it 3.5 stars!
***Disclaimer: I won a copy of Lies from a Goodreads giveaway hosted by the publisher. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details