Thank you NetGalley for providing this book for my honest review. I love to read a good mystery and this book will keep you guessing. You have the characters laid out for you but everything you know about them keeps changing. This is a great read and very hard to put down. You will be hooked until the end.

Wow! “The First To Lie” by Hank Phillippi Ryan just became one of my favourite books of 2020! As soon as I got this book I stopped whatever I was reading to start it!

What happens when an undercover reporter gets in too deep? And when a practiced liar has to face off with her own truth? And how does she choose her true reality? Who will be the first to lie?

I feel like I haven’t read a book like this ever! I truly didn’t know what was going on in the best kind of way! I don’t know who is who, who is lying and who I can trust! It is such a perfect book and I never wanted to put it down. It was so beautifully written and every chapter ended on some kind of cliffhanger so I always wanted to keep reading!

There are so many twists and turns, it’s juicy and full of deception and lies! If you are a fan of psychological thrillers and mysteries you have to read this book ASAP!

I know I truly loved this book because whenever I read a book on my kindle that I love, I always have to buy I psychical copy as well! I have already ordered mine and it’s on the way!

Thank you so much Hank Phillippi Hank, NetGalley, and Forge Books for an advanced copy of this ARC. It did not disappoint!

Never a spoiler in my reviews, here's what you need to know: This book is just plain unputdownable! I LOVED this book! Well written and amazing just don't do it justice. Ryan does an excellent job with a story about bringing down big Pharm, an investigative reporter, and women who just need to make their lives whole, completely developing characters that each come with their own demons. The story is told from several points of view which makes you wonder if there even is a good guy here! The character interactions are rich and realistic, cell phones and phone calls all seem to get in the way of interactions as they do in real life, which makes much of the story relatable; there is a mix of love to love and love to hate characters that are a must in any well-written mystery/intrigue story. Twists and turns will keep you flipping the pages way into the night because you just want to keep going in order to find out what could possibly happen next! A fast-paced thriller that is nothing less than gripping and satisfying...if you haven't read any other of this author's books, you are completely missing out! Start here then go back...Ms. Ryan is nothing less than brilliant. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley and all opinions are my own.

The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan is a mystery rooted so deep that it takes to the very end to unwind all the strands, both for the reader and the participants. Ryan takes on big pharma in this newest tome, not only with corporate greed and conspiracy but with personal as well. It is an extremely complicated story of avarice at its worst and of ambition that got out of hand. In a carefully plotted mystery, Ryan took characters who were little more than children and allowed them to be manipulated until they were no longer themselves and rushed forward to try to control a world out of control. No one was who or what he or she seemed, some several times over. People died, both then and now, and the one doing the killing felt justified.

The hurt was bleeding out of The First to Lie. The hurt was caused by medication, by lies, and my control. Some people had it; others wanted it. It was fascinating to watch, and so very well done. Ryan has it down. The characters were complex, some of them having alter egos and disguises until the major players didn't recognize one another. Even the police helped in the deception until no one knew whom the other players were and what motivated them. It is a masterful telling of a very sad story. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The First Lie by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thefirstolie

There is a lot of duplicity among the characters in this novel. The individual personalities are well established and it isn’t hard to keep them straight even though they move back and forth from “before” to present. There was one surprise at the end but other than that, it was fairly easy to see where it was going early on in the story.

The question is not who will be The First to Lie. Rather, it is who is telling the truth in this twisty new thriller.

Ellie is a television reporter investigating big pharma, specifically Pharminex. Pharminex is marketing a new fertility drug. Is it effective? Is it safe?

Nora is a new salesperson for Pharminex. But who is she really? And what is her end goal?

Meg has used family connections to become Ellie’s assistant. She wants Ellie’s job. But is that her only objective?

The First to Lie is a fascinating nesting doll of a story. Just when you think you have it solved, bang! Another twist appears! It’s a captivating and engrossing mystery. 4 stars!

Thanks to Forge Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

HOLY COW!!! This was a wild ride! Hank Phillipe Ryan knocks it out of the park with this one! Just when I thought I had the twists figured out, Ryan pulls another fast one on me! And they were all so fantastic! I absolutely loved this one! An easy 5 star read!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ohhhh, what to say about this one?! This had ups and downs and twists and turns, and I thought I had it figured out and then the next twist would come.

Riveting storytelling and plot twists galore, I recommend this one for sure!!

This was okay for me. Elements of this book that were supposed to be shocking were sussed out early on my end. I read a lot in this genre though so I think most readers will still enjoy and be surprised by this twisty tale. I enjoyed the inclusion of Big Pharma as a plot element. That felt very original. Thank you to NetgGalley for this ARC.

Fully formatted review on Novellives.Com
Posted across all media platforms in my bio and Edelweiss 8/8
Thank you to Forge for an Arc in exchange for an honest review
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The First To Lie By Hank Phillippi Ryan

You know how this goes, right? I give you a summary of a book, and that means one of two things. Either The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan will be dropped into the Great Salt Lakes, or I was complete trash for it but... spoilers. Despite how adept I've become at reviewing without spoiling, sometimes it is just impossible. Well, what if I said the reason I am giving you a summary of The First to Lie was, neither?

I am giving you the summary of The First to Lie because I am not sure that my review is going to give anyone who is not familiar with the summary, synopsis, or basic plot of Hank Phillippi Ryan's latest, a clue. I have good reason to feel that way, and I think you will understand why. Let me make something clear upfront. Am I'm dropping The First to Lie into the Great Salt Lake, or was I trash for it?

I was complete trash for it.

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The First To Lie By Hank Phillippi Ryan Book Summary

Summary:
We all have our reasons for being who we are—but what if being someone else could get you what you want?
After a devastating betrayal, a young woman sets off on an obsessive path to justice, no matter what dark family secrets are revealed. What she doesn't know—she isn't the only one plotting her revenge.
An affluent daughter of privilege. A glamorous manipulative wannabe. A determined reporter, in too deep. A grieving widow who must choose her new reality. Who will be the first to lie? And when the stakes are life and death, do a few lies matter?

I read that summary and wanted to read The First to Lie. Then, I read that summary after reading the book. Now, I realize the first person to lie was Hank Phillippi Ryan. Lies. So many lies. ALL THE LIES.

The First To Lie Book Themes
Actually, there are The First to Lie themes, and then there are overall themes. What does that mean? Simple. There is a theme that seems to be running through this Spring/Summer 2020 Fling, Adult Psychological Thrillers. Don't. Mess. With. Women's. Vaginas.
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First: When You Have To Google "Hostile Vagina," There Is A There, There By Robyn Harding

Second: The Night Swim Tackles Rape, Classism And Reputations By Megan Goldin

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And now, we have the Hank Phillippi Ryan's The First To Lie, which also begs the question, what happens when men start messing around in places they shouldn't be, with mal intent?

So, what is different? The how and the why. The First to Lie isn't about rape or a hostile vagina, with cascading consequences. The First to Lie is about a pharmaceutical company, an off-label fertility drug, the family that owns it, and devastating effects that push the wrong people too far. And more twisted, some of those people are in the very family that own said pharmaceutical company. The only people more dangerous than the strangers you screw over, are family members. Suppose you don't know that from your own experiences. Read Samantha Downing's He Started It.

One powerful family with unchecked power in the pharmaceutical industry takes medication and pushes an off-label use for infertility treatment. While it is a wonder drug for some women. For others, it is their worst nightmare. The nasty side effect is that either it works, or it ensures that you are never able to have a baby again. No second chances, opinions, reversals, do-overs, nothing. And no one is warning these women, including their own family. I'm just going to leave this here.

These desperate, frantic, often hopeless women who are coming to doctors that they think they can trust. Experts they believe are their only hope and that have their best interests at heart. Instead, they are dealing with liars and charlatans that push a drug without divulging all the risks they are taking. Sometimes because the doctors are lying, and sometimes because the pharmaceuticals reps are lying to the doctors, never telling them the full dangers of the drug.
And then there is the overall damage of pharmaceutical companies that prioritize profit margins over the risk to people. From opioids, going back to Thalidomide, these companies have shown time and time again how they are willing to put money over people.

"Pharminex had calculated the cost of a human life. Of the cost of a woman's ability to have children versus their desire to make a profit.
"...ask yourself, for instance, if three hundred people are helped, but one can never have children again, does that make it ok?" She shook her head. "How many successes make up for a disaster? Given those odds, what would you do?"
"I'd want to know," Meg said. "I'd want to choose."
... Ellie agreed with Meg for once. People should be given a choice.
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I Became That Meme, AGAIN

How many times is this now? Three. Four. I think it is four. That would make it 4-0 in favor of the authors. However, this is the first time I've become THAT meme since S.J. Bolton's The Split.

I really need to stop convincing myself I'm going to win these games, let alone that I'm even playing the same game as the authors.

That should be the sign. I might as well just break out the whiteboard. But try as I might, I'm not going to win. Whatever game I'm playing. Be it poker, Connect Four, Risk? They will sink my Battleship, send me to jail in Monopoly, and then kick my ass at Life.
I would say this is a character-driven story except that these characters are playing at so many different angles, identities, and goals that it has to be plot-driven. Except it can't be plot-driven because the plot is driven by some twenty years of character, family, and drug development history.
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SEE! IT'S LITERALLY ALL CONNECTED
And it isn't just connected. It is like that scene. You know, from The Good Place, where it is not a straight line connected.

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AND! I am Chidi at the end of this clip. Because it isn't just the timeline of the plot, nor is it only the characters, and their identities moving in this Jeremy Bearimy fashion. Oh, no. It is the intersection of the plot, the characters, and all the different identities throughout events, plot, etc... that interweaves throughout The First to Lie. BUT here is the vital part about everything I just said.
I'm sure that sounds like a complete clusterfuck, right. It's ok. Go ahead and say it. It seems like there is no way that isn't a total clusterfuck. The thing is? IT IS NOT A COMPLETE CLUSTERFUCK.

Well, I mean not in a bad way. Make no mistake Hank Phillippi Ryan's The First to Lie is a train wreck, and every character is a class-A debacle. But I mean that in the most complimentary of ways. Ryan has written explosive entertainment that will keep your draw dragging on the ground until the last punctuation drops.

You will start like a newbie watching hockey, just trying to keep up with the speed of the game, wondering where the fuck the puck went, and then feverishly attempting to beat Ryan to the punch.

Finally, you just sit there gaping at whatever the cinnamon toast crunch is happening because you will break.

WOW! What a powerful story! Lots of family secrets and revenge. A controversial subject of pharmaceutical companies underhanded business, handled with finesse! The author keeps you turning the pages and guessing to the very last page! Loved this book and I love this author! A Must Read!

This was my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last! This was a super twisty, cat and mouse thriller, that kept me on my toes the entire time. The short chapters made it easy to say “just one more” and keep flipping those pages. I sped through the last 200 pages today, needing to know what was going to happen! I really enjoyed the writing style of this one. Intricate but not confusing. Everything comes together at the end and I had so many “lightbulb” moments drawing back on little things that happened earlier in the book that I dismissed. Every word is meant to be there and is a clue.

The story centers around an investigative journalist Ellie who is trying to take down the big pharma company, Pharminex, that caters to women and infertility issues. We also follow characters from the Vanderwald family who own Pharminex. As the story comes together, you learn everyone’s true motives and how easy it is to tell a lie.

I highly recommend this one if you’re into medical thrillers, since this centers around the pharmacy company and it’s illegal activity. Or if you’re just looking for a thriller with a more unique storyline. I’ve never read anything like one before and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’ll definitely be checking out more of @hankpryan ‘s books in the near future!

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Omg, this book is so unbelievably good that I could not put it down until I was finished. Ms. Ryan has superb writing skills that are clearly showcased in this twisty constant ever changing by the page master piece of story telling. Just when I thought I was clear on the facts she trips you up all over again and I absolutely loved it! This a definite must buy!

Started reading "First to Lie," when the lights went out from the high winds!! Once started you can't put this novel down. The twist and turns are fantastic. An awesome thriller. Using my Kindle, I was able to read deep into the night. Had to finally succumb to sleep, but finished as soon as I awoke the next morning. Well worth the loss of sleep and the shock to your nervous system. Excellent thriller, not to be missed.

Hank Phillippi Ryan is a go-to author for me when I want a good thriller. The First to Lie did not disappoint! I was captivated from the beginning and stayed up way too late to finish this one. If you are looking for a page-turner, look no further!

4.5 Stars

This is a look into the world of drug manufacturing. We learn in this book how a persons life is valued or devalued in this case. Everything is based on money and sales. This story tells how money is seen as more important than a persons life in big business, such a sad book as this seems like true to life. The writing and the dialogue were clear and sounded realistic. The ethical dilemmas of all parties were presented fairly--part of what made me think as a reader. Sometimes everything in a thriller is painted so obviously right or wrong that you lose sight of the fact that the law is meant to protect everyone.

What I most liked about this book is that it was written by a woman and the main characters are strong women. Usually books like this are about men and written by men. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but this was a nice change. I love investigative, legal dramas and this book is excellent in that department. It started a bit slow for me, but it got really interesting as I read further. I have read other reviews where the reader has said that the different names and timelines caused them to be confused, I didn't have that problem and enjoyed this read immensely.

The one thing you want most in life is a child but you can’t seem to conceive. What if a doctor told you that a miracle drug was available that cured the problem and you could have that child that you wanted. Would you take it? Of course you would- a doctor recommended it. But what if it was all a lie?
Pharminex, a huge drug company has produced the “miracle drug” that supposedly helps women to conceive. But what they are not telling is that a side effect of the drug is infertility. Doctors are recommending this drugs to their patients without revealing the side effects.
Women’s hopes are crushed, marriages destroyed, lives are ruined and revenge against those responsible is sought.
The three main characters, Ellie, Meg and Gabe are all seeking to bring down the drug company and see that justice is served.
A roller coaster ride of surprises with thrilling stops along the way that ends with an explosive climax!
Thank you Netgalley and Hank for an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

4.5 stars
A reporter is onto a story to expose corruption in a pharmaceutical company. She chases down secrets and lies within the company ranks as well as in the elite family that built the company. In her quest for justice, she finds herself in serious danger. As the stakes get higher, she doesn’t know who to trust. No one is who they seem.
This is an intricately woven, fast-paced suspense thriller that I promise will keep you guessing the entire time! I loved it.

Oh wow! So many lies, secrets, deceit, and revenge all wrapped up in this amazing story. The plot and characters were so twisted, it was sometimes hard to know who was who and what their agenda was. This is not by any means a negative about this book, it's what drove me to keep reading.

I knew it would all make sense in the end—I just had to be patient—but my jaw dropped whenever one of the characters swerved in a new direction. After all the twists and turns, the author wraps up the story with an unexpected but satisfying ending.

I'm not sure why I haven't read anything by this author until now but this book will definitely not be my last. I am impressed with the depth of her writing and the intense intrigue of this story. Hank Phillippi Ryan has just been added my list of must-read authors.

I highly recommend The First to Lie for an edge-of-your seat thriller that will keep you guessing to the very end.

Again Hank Phillippi Ryan gives us a twisted story that kept me up far into the night unable to put it down. First to Lie is a unique storyline and if you're a woman that has struggled with infertility, such as myself, you're going to see yourself a bit in this story. I definitely related to some of the characters and the storyline seems so plausible. There is a drug used to treat breast cancer (Femara) that I was prescribed to help get pregnant with. It worked for me and I have an 11 year old. Perhaps today it is used to infertility as well, at the time it wasn't. Anyways what I'm saying very wordy and in a roundabout way is Ryan gives us a story that is more than plausible. She just puts her own spin on it... and it's so good!! Her writing and the way she draws out the cat-and-mouse thrills and messes with the mind is my favorite!!