I've found this one a hard one to review in all honesty.

I enjoyed the storyline and I wasn't expecting the ending which always makes me happy BUT I just didn't connect or engage with it at all.

I found the pacing slow at times which left my mind wandering elsewhere and it lacked those real page turning tense moments which I've come to expect from this genre.

I thought the character development of most characters was spot on, especially Anna and Isobel (what a absolute b*tch) but felt that some characters like Matt were basically skimmed over. In my opinion if a character makes it into a book they deserve some development behind them!

Full to the brim of lies, deceit, manipulation, twists, turns and secrets.

A story that shows just how complex we as human beings truly are! We all know how multi layered we all are but this story lays it bare for all to see.

Thanks to netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy of A Lie for A Lie

A Lie for a Lie starts with a bang. Anna Pierce, a nurse at a private school where she lives with her family (husband and two children Isabel and Noah) is accused of hitting a child. Tori, the child in question has always been a bit troubled - her Mum is an alcoholic and her Dad absent and lying has been her way to get attention. Anna has always had an outstanding reputation, so surely people would believe her and know that she would. NEVER hit a child.

Suddenly however, Anna finds herself suspended from the job she loves and being investigated by the police, She is confident it will be over soon and she can go back to work and life return to normal.

In the middle of the investigations she gets a text from Tori saying she has something important to tell her and assumes that she is going to withdraw the charges against her; but acting sensibly and concerned about aggravating the situation, she ignores the message and simply informs the police.

The next morning however, Tori is found dead, and suddenly Anna's battle to prove her innocence becomes even harder - as its her words against Annas! What was Tori going to tell her?!

There's no spoilers here, but this book has a number of twists and turns as we build up the back story - what really happened that night? Did Anna hit Tori? And who killed her, because if Anna didn't, then someone else did!!

I found the pace of this book a bit slow in parts and it lacked some of the tense gripping page turning moments that I seek from a psychological thriller, however, I enjoyed the storyline and the ending which I hadn't predicted in advance.

3/5

Fantastic mystery! Anna is temporarily suspended from her job as a school nurse after being accused of hitting a child. As the investigation unfolds, secrets from several families are exposed. I loved the characters, the setting, and trying to figure out what really happened.

Unfortunately Due to personal circumstances I have been able to get to this but once I do I will leave my review on Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram etc.

This was a gripping and intense read! Anna is a well respected member of the community and a school nurse. When she is accused of hitting a child - she scrambles around trying to prove her innocence! When Tori ends up dead it becomes more than clearing her name!
It was a decent read - fast paced and easy to read.

Well written and thought provoking story. Throughout the whole book I wasn't sure what really happened to Tori. Everybody had a secret and there where a lot of things I didn't see coming because there are some characters I would have thought could be the one. When all the secrets are out in the light and the "who" question is answered I was shocked. Maybe I shouldn't have been, 'cause you never know anybody really.

This book gripped my from the very beginning! It's a relatively short read that is fast paced and engaging. Within the story you truly don't know who to trust and there are numerous red herrings, I didn't have it sussed but the ending completely surprised me. I haven't heard of this author before but I'll definitely be on the look out for other stories by her.
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I struggled with this book slightly. It was very long drawn out and it didn’t keep my attention. I did enjoy the ending

I couldn't get into this. I hated Isobel, even though I imagine she sounds like many stroppy teenagers!
I didn't feel engaged or that I cared about Anna or her plight. I wanted to be hooked in but just wasn't. Sorry!
I know other people loved it, just not me.

A Lie for a Lie is Julie Corbin’s latest standalone psychological thriller and not only does it pack a punch but it is refreshingly original, too. Anna Pierce (aka Sister Pierce) is a school nurse and head of the medical centre at private day and boarding school Bishopglen, located in the scenic Glaswegian suburbs; she lives for her job and even holds counselling sessions for troubled students in her spare time. Victoria ’Tori’ Carmichael arrived at Bishopglen by way of a scholarship and is one of the pupils mentored by Anna, as despite being intelligent and hard-working she is struggling to deal with the emotional fallout of her parent's divorce. When Tori accuses Anna of slapping her across the face and even has the marks to ’prove it’, Anna it suspended until both the school and police carry out an intensive investigation. But not only is she up against an assault charge for an incident she is adamant did not take place but she is now being subjected to an online hate campaign organised and orchestrated by a nasty piece of work who has had it in for Anna since she initially clapped eyes on her. It all begins to take its toll on her with every part of her life being pulled to pieces. Not a day passes without her being attacked online and in the streets by those who have already decided her guilt. And then Tori is discovered dead at the bottom of a staircase...

This is a riveting, exciting, gripping and multilayered story, which is rich in intricate detail, and a damning indictment on social media trolling, mob mentality and the tendency of the media and those online to become judge, jury and executioner despite not knowing the full facts and despite being able to see the consequences and implications it has on that individual who should have the right, as we all should, to be deemed innocent until proven guilty. People rush to judgement, believing Tori’s story, and demonising Anna, leading to not only career-ending problems of possibly gaining a conviction for assault but also rips apart her home and family life and mental health through the anxiety and worry. Luckily, she does have her family supporting her but everyone involved is run ragged. I loved just how unique this thriller was and the fact that the author balances the exact same job as Anna has in the book, a trained nurse who runs the medical department in a private school, alongside writing in real life gives it a real authentic feeling and the fact that it's told solely from Anna's perspective allows you to become immersed in the story with ease. With captivating suspense and a slow-burn unravelling of secrets, lies, deceit and betrayal, this is a spectacular read. Many thanks to Hodder Paperbacks for an ARC.

Quite an interesting read, just who is telling the truth?
Full of suspense,twists and good characters,Inthink most people would enjoy this book

Anna Pierce is a nurse, head of the medical center at the private school Bishopglen. She also mentors troubled students and has been counseling Tori Carmichael, a gifted young woman reeling from her parents’ divorce. Their lives crash together when Tori accuses Anna of hitting her. Anna denies the career ending charges, is suspended from her job and investigated by the police. Then Tori is found dead at home at the bottom of a staircase. Someone has not told the truth.

Bishopglen is rocked by this case and the upheaval it brings. Some parents organize web pages and viciously attack Anna, others try to defend her. Of course her family is affected. Anna, her husband John, son Noah and daughter Isobel rely on their close friends, Lynn and Matt, for support. On the surface, this sounds like a simple story, doesn’t it? However, nothing in the psychological thriller A Lie for a Lie is simple. There are lies on top of lies and they lead to betrayal, threats and more surprises than you could imagine.

Fast-paced, suspenseful, well-plotted and full of believable characters, A Lie for a Lie is not to be missed. Anna, John and their children are a believable family facing a devastating crisis which threatens their futures and their lives. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Julie Corbin for this ARC.

As a school nurse, Anna Pierce is a well respected and trusted member of the community. So when she is accused of hitting a pupil, the reaction was on of shock and disbelief. The pupil is Tori Carmichael, Anna's mentee. and known for bending the truth. Anna's determined to clear her name. But before she can, Tori is dead.

This isma thought provoking read. Who's telling lies and who's telling the truth? Everybody has a secret. This is a cleverly crafted story you can't say too much about as I don't want tomspoil it for potential readers. I was pulled into the story from the first few pages. The characters are well rounded. The pace is a bit slow but I didn't think the story would have worked any other way.

I would like to thank, #NetGalley, #HodderAndStoughton and the author #JulieCorbin for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last! The story soon had me hooked and I was quickly turning the pages- getting frustrated that I had to go to work, finding myself reading again during my short breaks trying to figure it all out. However, I never guessed the ending at all, it’s not often a book beats me like this one did!
It is written brilliantly with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing - I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thus was one I found to be a pretty decent read, but did feel it was too slow paced for me. I would give 3-4 stars, as I do think the author wrote well, developed characters amazingly, and even tugged at my heart; but something was lacking for me! I would recommend to those who love well written stories, that really can be emotional, along with the thriller parts, but don’t need it to be a fast paced roller coaster ride!

Will make sure to buzz around and Use lower Amazon reviewer number on release date!

A Lie for A Lie by Julie Corbin centers around a nurse named Anna Pierce (called Sister Pierce) who is accused of hitting a troubled student named Tori. Tori doesn’t have a great reputation and is quite possibly lying.

But Anna needs to clear her name and when Tori is discovered dead, its Anna who is the prime suspect.

Who killed Tori?

Here is the synopsis:

As a school nurse, Anna Pierce is a well-respected and trusted member of the community. So when she is accused of hitting a pupil, the reaction is one of shock and disbelief.

The pupil is Tori Carmichael – Anna’s mentee and a troubled child known for bending the truth.

With her career and reputation on the line, Anna is determined to clear her name. But before she can, the worst happens: Tori is found dead.

Suspicion mounts against Anna, who says she didn’t do it.

But if she isn’t the killer, there is someone out there who is . . .

This book got off to a slow start for me, but it picked up and was a good read that kept me interested. Those who enjoy a true suspense will love this book!

Out on December 8!

The first book I've read by Julie Corbin, but it definitely won't be the last.

The characters were well written, the plot was engaging and the twists constantly surprised me.

Definitely recommended!

A mother snash hit from Julie corbin.i absolutely love her books and this was amazing. A tense and heartbreaking at times. A brilliant suspension book.

Who is telling the truth, Tori Carmichael or Anna Pierce? Tori won a scholarship to Bishopglen School in the leafy suburbs near Glasgow. She is in her first year, having joined the school as a boarder. She is working hard, although she is going through tough times at home. She is a bright student with great potential for the future. Her mentor is Anna, the head of the Medical Centre. They build up a relationship based on trust and they get on very well, until, out of the blue, Tori reports Anna for slapping her across the face late one night. She has the marks to prove it. It is unthinkable.

Anna is well respected, gentle and kind, but nonetheless she is suspended from her leadership position and sent home, told that she cannot access the school under any circumstance. The head teacher of the private school has no option; the child is always believed until the innocence of the adult is beyond doubt. This, despite the fact Anna has worked there for over twenty years with an exemplary reputation and admirable support. She is devastated, totally in shock and is adamant that she did not strike Tori. She busies herself at home with the support of her family. Meanwhile Social Media goes wild with the news and vile posts denigrating her are spreading far and wide. The posts are so hateful that Anna is really worried, but cannot stop herself checking what people she has known for years are writing about her; scandalised that she struck a pupil in her charge. Warned not to speak to the braying press, or make any comments at all, Anna engages a solicitor in preparation for giving her statement at the Police Station.

Then, out of the blue, Tori contacts Anna begging for help. She tells Anna that she needs to see her urgently. She has something she must tell her in person. Knowing that it would be wrong to meet Tori, she telephones the policeman who has given her his card. He does not reply. That very night Tori is discovered by her mother, lifeless at the bottom of the stairs. If it was bad before, the fact that Tori is now dead and possibly murdered worsens the situation a thousand fold and the outcry is for Anna’s blood.

This is a thought provoking story told from Anna’s point of view, social and media involvement, newspaper extracts and as recorded in Tori’s diary extracts. The characters created for the story are diverse and interesting; such is the human spectrum of good and bad. I thought the characterisation was spot on and I easily formed alliances, hostilities and favourites.

The storytelling is fluid and the storyboard complicated and full of genius, shocks, lies, thrills and spills and insight. It tells of jealousy and love, loyalty and lies, suspicion and trust, doubt and certainty. The mystery unfolds and I could never in a month of Sundays have predicted the shocking and unexpected outcome of the story. It jolted me. What the deuce? But I loved this ending so much.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Hodder & Stoughton through my membership of NetGalley. These are my own honest opinions without any outside influences. It’s a very enjoyable read and it’s a 4.5* review from me. I have always looked forward to reading Julie Corbin’s impressive incisive and original writing.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This has a really good storyline, good characters and twists and turns along the way. Would recommend.