So far I have enjoyed all HG books I have read. With that being said, this wasn't my favorite. I went along for the ride but did not feel invested in the story nor the characters. I did no appreciates the big reveal so early in the story and nothing read until that point actually being a lie without no foreshadowing of this. Like "oh yeah, I forgot" type of case. Slow burners are also not my usual pick of read so maybe is just myself. The prologues had me hooked but then that was it. I will definitely read her future books regardless!

This was a pretty good read. My first book by Gudenkauf and it didn't disappoint. I would certainly read her books again.

Opening scene is a chilling murder, this is followed by a fast paced set up of the revolving characters and the small town. Very quickly, Multiple, shifting suspects slowly begin to take shape and it becomes apparent that many people had questionable motives and alibis
I found that the Alternating perspectives added to the narrrative rather than confuse it
All done in subtle, layered ways that allow me to work the case along with Maggie. I enjoyed the
Past perspective set in 1995 so there’s that pre cell phone/internet technology aspect and the Small town community where everyone knows- and gossips about- everyone else
The Mixed media narrative structure - newspaper clippings, social media posts with comments was a great way to add depth

Lulls reader into thinking it’s a straightforward murder mystery- nothing is straightforward and I wasn’t prepared for the way the story changed course.

Absolutely phenomenal read! But, honestly, it's what I've come to expect from Heather Gudenkauf! Her writing is flawless, and her storytelling and suspense is absolutely top-notch.

Another amazing book by Heather Gudenkauf! I've never read a book by this author that I didn't love. This one is definitely a page-turner!

Maggie and Eva were best friends. Eva is murdered. No body was arrested. In the current timeline, Maggie is a cop, following in her fathers footsteps. Seeking to find the killer while her father couldn’t. Beautifully written and artfully constructed, we learn a little more of the truth with each chapter. Except we don’t know how it will end. ! Plenty of suspects, some truly horrible characters, some unforgettable characters, plenty of twists and turns. In flashbacks, we read of heartbreaking decisions and their consequences and to what extent we go to keep our secrets. Loved it

A perfect small-town thriller. Gudenkauf truly knows how to add the layers of lies and secrets to heighten the suspense. Her books just keep getting better.

I want to thank netgalley, the publisher and author for the chance to review this book.

I hate to admit it but the ending kinda surprised me. I had my mind made up when I started and was actually surprised at who done it.

The story revolves around Eve, who was murdered 25 years ago and still unsolved. It's told in alternating timelines, 1995 (during the time of the murder) and 2020. The chapters are told in three POVs - Eve, her sister Nola, who discovered her along with her best friend Maggie.
Maggie is now a detective and assigned to investigate the cold case as a new lead pops up - and new secrets are revealed. This story did not disappoint - kept me on the edge of my seat wondering who was lying and who was telling the truth!! As always, the author kept me turning the pages until well past my bedtime!!
Thanks to Heather Gunderkauf, Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC.

I found this book to be really fast paced and a quite compelling read. It had really good character development, especially for characters like Nola who were a bit out there. I also really enjoyed the small town dynamics as they lent to the story itself. I did feel however that there were a number of choices made, especially by the main character that weren't realistic, such as the risks she was taking while 7-8 months pregnant - I understand her obsession and need to move forward with the mystery, but it still felt a little off for me. Still, it had a lot of great twists that kept me guessing and I enjoyed the slightly creepy elements that kept me reading.

Maggie is investigating a cold case, the murder of her best friend Eve. Even though twenty-five years have passed Maggie is still haunted by the murder. Now with new evidence brought forward they are investigating the case again and maybe this time they will catch a killer. This book flies by and before you know it you are nearing the end with your list of suspects firmly in mind. Told in present/past tense, and multiple viewpoints this book will have you hooked from the beginning.

Thank you NetGalley, Heather Gudenkauf and Harlequin Books S.A. for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

Gudenkauf writes another fantastic psychological thriller that will keep the reader turning each page to the very end! I really enjoy her books because she keeps to the story and doesn't reveal anything until the very end.

If you’re smart, don’t even read my review, just go get this book NOW! Yes, it’s THAT good! I’ve had this on my Netgalley shelf for a bit and I could kick myself for not reading it sooner! Quick summary: 25 years ago Eve Knox was murdered. The case went unsolved. Now, her best friend Maggie is a detective and is reopening the case. There are many suspects. This is a true whodunnit! This author is very clever with the way she weaves this story. I truly thought I knew what was coming..but the ending proved me wrong! You will think you know everything once some secrets spill out...but trust me, the biggest shock is the end! I LOVED it! Going to look for more books by this author now! Thank you Netgalley!

Read in May of 2020

What I love most about this book is the heart pounding race I felt. New evidence in a cold case with personal ties to the detective and her retired police chief father. This book has so many evil characters and I suspected everyone of them as the murderer. Naturally the truth was even more twisted and sad.
I love Maggie and all her brokenness, losing her best friend, her mother dying when she was a child, her fathers aging more.
Nola is the darkest character I believe Gudenkauf has ever written. At times I saw her frustration and desire to overcome and do good, but she was BENT!
The small town is full of characters and dark secrets.
Amazing book!

I really enjoyed this! I have never read a book by Heather Gudenkauf before, so I was unsure what to expect. I was definitely surprised by the twists! Very fun read, and I loved the alternating timelines.

In the small town of Grotto, a young girl named Eve is brutally murdered and left to be found. The police ultimately end up with a cold case. Years later, new evidence is revealed and Maggie O’Keefe, Eve’s childhood best friend, is leading the murder investigation to find the killer. There are many with motive.

When characters are easily likable or readily hated, that is a sign to me that the characterization is on point. Such is the case with this book. The ending was fulfilling!

It has been twenty-five years since the body of sixteen-year-old Eve Knox was found brutally murdered in the caves outside of Grotto, Iowa. It was Eve's sister, Nola, and Eve's best friend, Maggie, that found the body. And it has had an impact on both of them ever since. Now Maggie a detective with the Grotto Police Department and very pregnant with her first child. She lives in fear of the truth her past being revealed. Nola is a veterinarian who lives with bitterness and hatred that her sister's killer was never caught. When new evidence is discovered in the cave, the case is reopened and Maggie is forced to investigate her best friend's murder. Will she be able to solve the twenty-five-year-old crime without revealing her darkest secrets?

I really enjoy Heather Gudenkauf's books because they take me home. Back to small-town Iowa. This Is How I Lied seemed to be a little darker than some of her other novels, but I could be wrong. I really liked Maggie, she was just trying to do her best and she was really a victim, herself. The only person who recognized that fact was Eve. Not even Maggie saw it that way, then or now. I thought that Maggie's husband was more involved than he really was and I was glad about that, I think Maggie needed something good in her life. Nola seemed to be batshit crazy. I was surprised that her story did not end differently. - CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS.

Bottom Line - This Is How I Lied is another exciting thriller by Heather Gudenkauf, the kind that is easy to slip into and helps you to forget the rest of the world. We all need a book like that, right?

Details:
This Is How I Lied by Heather Gudenkauf
On Facebook
Pages: 336
Publisher: Park Row
Publication Date: 5/12/2020
Buy it Here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

This Is How I Lied
By: Heather Gudenkauf
Published in 2020

Does delving into the past of a small town murder sound interesting?
You should pick up This is how I lied.

What I liked:

Action-packed
Quick and easy read


What I disliked:

Lacked star power
Story did get a little muddled

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to #netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 stars

This is How I lied by Heather Gudenkauf is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Harlequin – Park Row, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

Maggie is 7 months pregnant.  She is also a dedicated police detective.  When a new piece of evidence turns up in the 25-year old murder of Maggie's best friend, she begs to take the case.

Eve Knox had been found in the caves near her home,  by Maggie, and Eve's sister Nola.

There were three suspects at the time, including  Nick, Eve's abusive boyfriend.  No solid evidence was found, and no one was ever arrested.

Maggie has been haunted by her best friends death for many years.  It has also haunted Eve's mother and sister, who have never given up on having Nick jailed for the murder.

But there are secrets in this town, and the damage that could be done if they come out could change the whole town.


My Opinions:   

I wasn't sure I really liked this book, until half way through.  I don't mind dark topics, but there was just something missing.  Then there was a twist I definitely did not see coming.  Even when I was "pretty sure" it was a lie,  I suddenly found myself more engrossed in the book.  It was perhaps a little late for that, but it did now have my attention.

The book is about secrets, and abuse.  Physical abuse, emotional abuse, childhood abuse, sexual predators.  It is also about friendship and love...and about mental illness.  Needless to say, with topics like that, it is a rather creepy and dark book.  All of the characters were hiding something, and some of those secrets were deadly.  Unfortunately, I did not find myself liking any of them, and that makes for a hard read.

The story was told from different perspectives, which worked well.  The plot was rather twisted, and normally that is fine, but it seemed to be missing the suspense aspect, or I wasn't engrossed enough to care.

I think between not relating to any of the characters, and not becoming engaged until half way through, the book just didn't cut it for me.  Now don't get me wrong.  The plot was good, the writing fine, and the twist was definitely captivating, so overall, it was a good book...just not a great book.

I believe in giving authors second chances, so I will definitely be picking up something else by Heather Gudenkauf.

Heather Gudenkauf is a new mystery author for me and I am loving the stories she is telling! The back and forth time periods in this story work well to build and keep suspense. Highly recommend for those who love back and forth time periods.