This is centred on the effects of alcoholism and Jody Sabral has obviously done a lot of research to write about such a topic in a really readable manner. The story begins with one murder and then is followed closely by three more. Alex as the crime reporter endeavours to solve these murders but finds herself heavily embroiled in the victims lives and because of her alcoholism does not know how to cope other than by lying to everyone. The book has been written in a fairly unique style as it is written in the present and diary entries from the past. It is not until the end that the diary entries author becomes clear which adds to the enjoyment of continually trying to calculate the true murdered. This was a very well thought out book that left me as a reader not wanting to put it down until the end.

Really believable and authentic portrayal of alcoholism and the battle people can have with regards to this. I enjoyed the two voices and the different way the story was told. I thought it kept the pace throughout and I wanted to finish it to find out what happened but then disappointed when I finished- always a good sign.

What I liked about I Neve Lie is that it was that is was slower paced, gave the story a chance to really build and the switch between Alex talking and diary entries from an unknown person who seems to know Alex, or so she thinks, makes for a more interesting read as it adds in details that might of otherwise remained unknown and also made for better plot twists throughout.

With each page turned there seemed to be another twist to the plot so just when I thought I had it all figured out and worked through the "who done it", a curve ball was thrown and I was left second guessing my decisions about who had actually done what. This meant that a book that was relatively slow paced remained an absolute page turner.

By the end I thought that I Never Lie was a novel that would definitely keep any reader guessing and that it would also leave said reader with mixed emotions not only on who to trust but also with who to sympathise with and who to really despise. A well paced and cleverly thought out book that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Alex South is a tv reporter and fully functioning alcoholic who is struggling to rebuild her career after a rant on live tv.She is handed a chance to redeem herself when the body of a young woman is found in a park near Alex`s home.Within the next few weeks two more bodies are discovered,both having been killed using the same method.Alex finds herself caught up in the biggest story of her career,a front page headline grabbing story that could cause her Twitter followers count to explode.She needs to be on top of her game,she`s fine! she`s in control of her drinking,no way is she an alcoholic! But why does she keep having blackouts and being left with no memory of what she has done during the missing time.As the story she is covering starts to creep into her life,is Alex a danger to herself - or to others.

Alternating between Alex`s story in the present day and `Dear Diary` chapters that start a year before in 2017,this is a gripping story of addiction,denial,obsession and revenge.Alex is a complex character who spends every day insisting that she is going to detox but always seems to find any reason to have just one more drink.The authors descriptions of the secretive and deceitful life of a addict where vivid and realistic.The blackouts,the gin filled water bottle,the fear and despair Alex felt when she couldn't find any alcohol,Alex suddenly discovering she had a bottle in her hand or bag that she couldn't remember picking up.Not being an addict myself,I found Alex`s self destructive behaviour very frustrating and to be honest the constant mentioning of detoxing was quite repetitive at times.The italicized Dear Diary parts of the story were intriguing and quite creepy.This person's back story was quite sad but who was narrating the diary and how did they fit into the story?

The story is well written and keeps the reader guessing,the killer could be any one of a number of characters.Although the story isn't action packed,it does have plenty of twists and turns,red herrings and short snappy chapters that hold the readers attention and give you a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome.

I Never Lie Jody Sabral

Split between the current day, and diary entries from last year, this is one of the most original plots I have ever read.

Alex South is a 39-year-old alcoholic. She is also a TV journalist who is has already had one “episode” on live TV.

When a woman is found murdered, in a park just around the corner from her house, Alex gets another chance and is sent with her cameraman and producer to the crime scene.

This is the third woman to be killed in similar circumstances in a few weeks and the press are saying there’s a serial killer on the streets.

The book is written in the first person from Alex’s point of view. The struggles of getting through the day without appearing drunk, trying to keep the balance between the sober shakes, and the outward drunk.

She struggles with panic attacks and blackouts. Her memory is shot, and things she did 24 hours ago are hazy at the least.

But she’s functioning, she’s managing to carry herself professionally, and convinces herself that she will get sober……one day. But first she needs to be the investigative reporter on-the-spot for the serial killer murders.

This book is brilliant. Jody Sabral is a journalist and so she knows the business, and it shows in the realism of this story. But what really puts this book above the others is the realism with which she treats the alcoholism of Alex.

The self-destructive cycle of life. Waking up in the morning convinced today will be a sober day, but reaching for wine instead of coffee, and there’s always a justification.

The pure panic when no booze is available. The waking up, sometimes next to a complete stranger, and having no idea who they are, or how you got to bed, and then actually finding comfort in somebody just being there.

The walking out of a shop with a bottle of wine, or vodka, in your bag you had no intention or recollection of buying

The water bottle with vodka in it.

The belief that you’re fooling the people around you.

I loved this book. The story is great, the characters are really well written, and I didn’t get anywhere near guessing the end.

Pages: E-book 951KB
Publisher: Canelo
Publishing Date: 11 June 2018

After a, somewhat, slow start I Never Lie hit me; unless in unplanned situations, alcoholics could function very well.. We're following Alex who, after a miscarriage, fled to London to start over. As a freelance journalist her carreer can be made with one story and broken with the next.
When she hits a rough patch in her personal life, she hits the jackpot as a journalist: A serial killer is on the lose, very very close to where Alex lives..

As someone who lives pretty close with a (not at all functional) alcoholist, it was difficult to sympathise with Alex, though reading about her daily struggle was enlighting to say the least. As for the other main character, that was a little creepy; loved it! Both POV's were well built, it did the story good to switch between 'dear diary' and Alex. The plottwists were not too predictable, except for the few you could see from a mile down.
Overall I really enjoyed this read, it was well built, after a slow start I basically 'flew' through it and it kept me on the tip of my seat throughout most of the story.
A big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this!