Two characters with tragic pasts work together to try to solve a forty-year-old cold case from Las Vegas. Reed Markham who is an FBI agent has always wondered who murdered his mother, now with some new information he has gone to a friend’s home to ask her to join him in Vegas to help solve this case.
Reed was an infant when someone murdered his mother he was in a crib in another room when it took place. The person he has gone to ask to help him has seen her own tragedy. Ellery Hathaway is a suspended cop right now but when she was 14 she was raped and tortured by a serial killer she survived, she would go on to survive two more attacks. Both are working through their own pasts and their own demons whether they are memories or people. For Reed, he thinks the person who murders his mother could be his adopted father. Ellery is wanting to get away from her father is back in town wanting to make contact with her.
The story then moves to Vegas and you bring in a whole different set of characters, yet the two of them will work together to solve this puzzle. The author shows you the difference in the way each person works a case and how together they have strengths and weaknesses. They also still have their own demons that they must work through every step of the way. But I can still relate with the character not knowing your birth mom you still feel connected somehow and really want to do this for her to find her killer. A very good story that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. very much a must-read

I read this book as a stand-alone first, then loved it so much that I am going back to the beginning to read the others! (And hoping for more in this series too!) I really am enjoying the fast paced story about Reed and Ellery, and the cold case murder about Reed's mom. Keeps me guessing!

Wow!! Finally all has been revealed and in a great way, however, the way the book ends it sounds like another Ellery & Reed adventure may be in the works!! I loved this “trilogy” please bring back moire!

4 stars
This was a page-turner from the start. I was caught in the crosshairs and was not turned away until the very twisted end.
This author used the new process of everyday people having their DNA tested to find out the heritage or tendency for possible diseases. This tool uncovers an adoption, an unsolved murder and they race to find out the answers to so many questions.

A worthwhile read

I did not realize when I requested this novel that it was part of a series, so read as a stand alone. All the Best Lies is a very solid thriller with good pacing and character development. Reading this book made me want to go back and read the first two.

So for some reason I read number three in this series out order. I finished this one before number two, so excuse me if everything doesn’t line up perfectly. This is probably my favorite in the series thus far. Special agent Reed Markham and Ellet Hathaway reunite again with Reed asking for Ellery’s insight into the 40 year old homicide of his mother Camilla Flores. Their journey brings them to the bright lights of Las Vegas to dig into the cold case that seems destined to remain unsolved. In a case this stale filled with multiple uncooperative witnesses, Reed faces insurmountable odds on his journey to find his mother’s killer. Even though this is a story about a homicide, it has a lot of heart, and that is the strength of this story. As awkward as Reed and Ellery are you have to root for them. The ending comes with a pleasant and unforeseen surprise. Looking forward to more books in the series.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is easily the best book in the series so far. Reed takes on the investigation of his mother’s murder 40 years ago and enlists Ellery’s help. It’s an exciting, suspenseful read. The story is perfectly plotted and beautifully paced and I love the growth we get to see in both Reed and Ellery.

If the first two books belonged to Ellery, this is Reed’s story. In the previous books, we’ve seen enough cracks in Reed’s polished facade to make him feel human – but until now, he’s always been a bit of a mystery. This story spills Reed’s ugly family secrets and he is forced to deal with new revelations both personally and professionally. I really love Reed in this story, and I enjoyed piecing together the murky details of his past alongside him and Ellery.

Ellery also grows into herself in this story. She’s an investigator, not a victim and she’s not playing police politics anymore. I may have admired her from the first book, but this time around I really like Ellery.

I have to admit that I guessed the final plot twist way too early in this story but I didn’t guess the whodunnit until just before the big reveal. The plot is much stronger than the first two books and the author has nailed the pacing perfectly this time. I love the complexity of the investigation and the way Ellery and Reed solve the murder together.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Mystery

Ellery is in trouble again. But even though she knows that she could lose her job, she doesn't really sweat the small stuff. With her past and her present colliding, once again, Ellery will need to figure out what is really her truth. When Reed asks her to come with him to work on a cold case, she jumps at the opportunity. She wants to help him because she knows that the case is so important to him.

Reed Markham is at it again, but this time, for much more personal reasons. DNA is a powerful tool and once it's unleashed, it can't be taken back. Reed knows that his start in life was a rough one. But with a supportive family behind him, he has made a fairly good life. But when secrets start to emerge, he has to know the truth, even if it might destroy what he felt was his truth.

Ellery and Reed will have to contend with witnesses who withheld information, some shady police, and their own family drama in order to solve Reed's mom's murder.

I really enjoyed watching this unfold. It grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting and now, I really want more. I did wish that there was a more tidy resolution, but that in no way means that you're left without a result.

Triggers: Murder, Adoption, Cheating

Who killed Camilla Flores?

Ellery and Reed have one those relationships that is not defined. Reed FBI saved Ellery from torture at a young age and Reed had written an account of the serial killer. Ellery suffers from the trauma and knowing who she is. Always keeping a safe distance from everyone. Being a detective to save others seems like she was made to do but she seems to get in trouble with that as well. A catch up of the series leads to the next challenge of Reed finding out who his parents are. He has always known his mother was murdered and recently found out who his father is. Knowing who is father has complicated his life and he is determined to find out who killed Camilla Flores.

I love the relationship between Ellery and Reed because it is not defined. They learn to trust each other a little more as they are drawn to each other in the work that they do. The killing of Reed's mother takes him to Las Vegas and leads him to bad cops and how it all went wrong. Ellery standing with him and together they find the truth. A page turner thriller with surprises and has always you have someone to root for.

A Special Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the ARC and they opportunity to post an honest review.

This the third installment of the series. Having not read the first two, I was still able to follow the cold case and enjoy the characters. It has a very clever storyline set in Las Vegas.

All the Best Lies by Joanna Schaffhausen is the third instalment in the Ellery Hathaway series but it reads well as a stand-alone mystery. Forty years ago, FBI agent Reed Markham’s mother Camilla was brutally murdered while her infant son slept in his crib in the next room. He was subsequently adopted by a prominent family and, till now, the murder case was never solved. Due to new and surprising family information, Reed wants to re-investigate the crime and enlists the aid of suspended cop Ellery Hathaway. The pair go to Las Vegas and begin digging into the history of numerous suspects who had been in Camilla’s life at the time of her death. The pair are also experiencing respective family issues and lean on each other as their relationship becomes more and more serious. This is a tense mystery with an original plot and plenty of clues that will keep the reader focused till the conclusion. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In All The Best Lies, Reed decides now is as good a time as any to find out what really happen to his birth mother. He enlists the help of Ellery, who finds herself suspended from the police department and waiting to find out if she can go back to work or not. I loved that Reed wants Ellery to help him with a case that is so personal to him. But this murder happened 40 years ago and Reed is unsure if he'll be able to find the answers that he’s looking for. He's been lied to about his past and he needs to find out the truth once and for all.

Ellery and Reed have a very interesting dynamic. They're sort of drawn to each other. Though other people might think they are a dangerous combination, I think they happen to work very well together. Yes, Ellery is sometimes reckless and dangerous and feels like she doesn't deserve to live, but she's a survivor and if anybody will have Reed's back it's Ellery.

The story moved at a good pace and I was hooked from the very first chapter. Every other character in this story seem suspicious. I was second guessing every person and everything. It felt like everyone had secrets to hide. I loved that. This was a very well written mystery that was full of suspense, distrustful characters, and lots of secrets. The ending was really good; I was surprised by it. I cannot wait for hopefully the fourth book in the series to find out what’s next for Reed and Ellery.

This series has fast become a favorite of mine at only three books in! It's also a bit hard to review books that are part of a series without spoiling anything so I'll do my best not to spoil anything. I do think that this is a series that should be read in order if possible. There is just so much that we learn about and that happens in the first book that continues to carry over into each book of this series. The author does a really amazing job with Ellery. Her past is something that she continues to deal with and grow from. I love her character and seeing how she has changed from the first book until now. I also really liked the mystery that this book was focused on and the spotlight it shone on Reed's character. We have always seen Reed trying to help Ellery and the shoe is really on the other foot in this book. I love the dynamics between these two characters and their relationship with one another. Neither of them is perfect but they come across that much more realistically because of it. The mystery in this book kept me guessing the entire time as always. There was one part of it that I had mostly figured out but then a different part that I didn't see coming at all. I'm excited to see what kind of trouble that Reed and Ellery will find themselves in next. I really appreciate that we continually see them grow and their relationship evolve in each book of the series. This book was definitely a page turner and the perfect way to end my reading month in January!

Overall, I'm a HUGE fan of this series and will be impatiently waiting for the next book in this series to release! This author and her books are on my must read list because I just love this series and characters so much. If you haven't had the chance to read this series yet, definitely start with The Vanishing Season! Every book in this series has been at least a four star read so I just cannot recommend it enough! Fans of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers need to check this author out!

Bottom Line: A really great addition to one of my favorite mystery series!

Oo yes this one was a page turner! A serious must read for everyone. Very thrilling and suspenseful which is perfect if you like these kind of books like me. Go read it!

This is the author's third novel to feature Woodbury, Mass police officer Ellery Hathaway and FBI agent Reed Markham . I have not read the first two books in the series but with the author's previous theme explained in the series I understand the charcters. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

This is a complex mystery told the perspective of FBI agent Reed Markham and the murder of his Mother. The crime haunts him and drives him into adulthood and throughout his career. When information comes forth on the decades long cold case he investigates with Ellery by his side and soon they find themselves in danger from people they never imagined would be involved in the murder.

I like the well crafted story and fast pace of the writing. This was a enjoyable mystery with a edge. I hope to read the first two books and look forward to further works by this author.

All the Best Lies is the third installment from Joanna Schaffhausen's Ellery Hathaway series. I thought it was pretty good. I have not read the previous books and believe this could be read as a standalone. I am giving it four stars.

This might be my favorite Ellery Hathaway book to date! In this book, you finally get answers about Reed's birth mother and also find out what happened to Ellery's dad after he left. I don't want to spoil anything but the chemistry between Ellery and Reed heats up in this one and has me excited to read what comes next.

All the Best Lies is the 3rd book in the Ellery Hathaway series. I recommend reading the previous books before reading this one.

This was a fast-paced thriller that held my attention from beginning to end! The ending was definitely unexpected. This book had everything I want in a good story—a tight plot, excellent character development, and a thrilling conclusion. Highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Joanna Schaffhausen for a copy of "All the Best Lies" in exchange of an honest review.

FBI agent Reed Markham is trying to solve an old case ,the unsolved murder of his birth mother and seeks the help of Ellery Hathaway. Reed soon learns though that the killer is watching their every move and might be closer than they think

All the Best Lies by Joanna Schaffhausen is the third book in this compelling series. A powerful, suspenseful read with an exciting plot and well developed characters I quickly devoured this and cannot wait to read the next one

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

FBI Agent Reed Markham’s surprising DNA results led him to Las Vegas, the city where his biological mother had been murdered more than 40 years earlier. Reed was determined to take a look at the case and utilize all his training to solve Camilla’s murder, in the hopes of learning more about the mother he had never known. Along to help Reed with his investigation was Ellery Hathaway, who was still on leave from the police department after shooting a suspect. After looking through the case files, Reed and Ellery began their search for information on Camilla Flores, what her last days were like, talking to her friends, and using all of Reed’s profiler skills to understand who Camilla was and why someone would want her dead.

Reed and Ellery were just beginning their investigation when Reed’s parents showed up in Las Vegas, trying their best to talk him out of continuing his search. Ellery is working through her growing attraction to Reed, believing she was too damaged to be worthy of love after her kidnapping and assault when she was fourteen. Reed’s interest in Ellery is becoming romantic, but he feels the unanswered questions about his early life and adoption are a stumbling block. As Reed and Ellery talk with more of Camilla’s friends, they begin to get a clearer picture of Camilla and her horrific murder.

Ellery’s continued courage in the face of overwhelming odds continues to impress me. Traveling across the country to help Reed solve his biological mother’s murder, a case neither have been assigned, where her investigative skills compliment Reed’s procedural strengths, and her willingness to risk her heart – up to a point – since she is not completely sure of Reed’s interest in her as Ellery, as opposed to Abby, the kidnapped girl he rescued all those years earlier. This third book in the Ellery Hathaway series is fascinating, calling on current techniques to solve cold cases and seeing results, while seeing the character development throughout the course of the series. Joanna Schaffhausen is one of my new favorite authors, and I’m looking forward to reading more about Ellery and Reed.

All the Best Lies, the third book in the Ellery Hathaway series, has Ellery and FBI agent, Reed Markham, investigating the murder of Reed's biological mom, Camilla, forty-two years ago. Thanks to a DNA test, Reed now knows the identity of his father and he feels compelled to find out if his father murdered his mother. Ellery is still suspended from the police force and is required to attend private and group therapy sessions in Boston, so she's more than happy to blow that town and fly to Las Vegas to act as an "impartial observer" in Reed's investigations. Back in Boston, Ellery's Basset Hound, Speed Bump, is getting to hang out with Ellery's neighbor and her Dachshund so we get treated to hearing Speed Bump "woof" at Ellery, over the phone. 

In Las Vegas, it's obvious that many things have been swept under the rug when it came to investigating Camilla's grisly murder. Could it be connected with another murder a year earlier? Reed thinks not but when Ellery realizes that the earlier murder was barely looked into at all, she's determined to not let that case lie fallow any longer. Of course, Ellery has no right to be investigating anything while suspended but rules and authority have never stopped Ellery. 

These stories are never cut and dried, never black and white and this third book leaves us with as many questions as it answers. That means another Ellery Hathaway book will be coming next year. Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.