A serial killer dubbed the Bloody Heart (BH) killer has been abducting, torturing and killing young men from affluent families, but one young man escaped and accuses a local high school teacher of being the person who abducted him. Robert Kavin, a defense attorney and father of one of the murdered boys, doesn't believe the teacher is the killer and teams up with psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore to develop a profile of the BH Killer and determine whether the teacher fits the profile.

In spite of my advanced age, I found myself totally in love with Robert and, if I wasn't afraid of hurting myself, I might've swooned! Actually the whole book had a great cast of characters and a superb plot as well as excellent dialogue. So many twists I was left gasping. I read the book very quickly and highly recommend it as long as you're aware that there are descriptions of torture and mutilation which may be hard to read. This is the third book from A.R. Torre that I've read and I say 'bring on the next one'!

I want to express my deepest thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read an ARC of this excellent book.

Published July 20, 2021

Wow. I loved the twists and turns in this one. I have been looking for a good thriller to really keep me guessing and this story was it for me. The story is told from different POVs but you know that nothing is what it seems and everyone is keeping secrets. A boy returns home after being abducted 7 weeks prior. He is the only victim to escape the BH killer and his mom is very concerned that he isn't telling the whole story about his capture.
A psychologist that specializes in patients who have violent tendencies and a defense attorney have a chance encounter that leads to a working relationship and possibly more, if they can just figure out what the other is hiding.
I don't want to give anything away so I am being very vague here, because I went in blind and I urge you to do that as well. I thought I had things figured out, but I had no idea the twists that this story would take and the layers of depth it would have. One of my favorite thrillers of the year.

A serial killer has murdered six teenage boys, one of whom was Attorney Robert Kavin’s son, Gabe. Having also lost his wife some years ago, he is lonely and desperate. Outwardly, he is the picture of success. Inwardly, he is a mess. So much of a mess that when Randall Thompson is accused of the murders, Kavin volunteers to defend him. Pro bono.

Dr. Gwen Moore is a psychiatrist who specializes in clients with violent tendencies. As she struggles with the boundaries between ethical decisions and doctor-patient confidentiality, she finds herself tangled up in Robert Kavin’s case...and his sheets.

Well-placed turns and the perfect twists make this a definite page-turner.

I really enjoyed the book. Torre did really well with the psychology research she used to develop the novel. I also really liked the characters. They weren’t necessarily likeable people, but I liked the way Torre created them. I didn’t agree with all their decisions - not by a long shot. In fact, even some of the “good guys’ really creeped me out. But that’s what I liked about her characters - their humanity.

Definitely recommend. 100%. Perfect for a night at home, a long weekend away, coming home on the train. Really anywhere. Such a fun book.

This one just came out earlier this week, so you should be able to find it in your favorite local bookstores now.

Thanks to A. R. Torre, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

4.5/ 5 stars

The Good Lie is an amazingly riveting psychological thriller. I absolutely loved it!

The story takes place in Los Angeles, California and has a bunch of 3rd person narrators. But the main narrator is Dr. Gwen Moore (1st person POV). She is a psychiatrist who works with people with violent tendencies.

This book was absolutely thrilling. I could not put the book down!

The Bloody Heart Killer has kidnapped and killed teenage boys. We meet Defense attorney Robert Kavin. He has a connection to the serial killer. We also meet Scott Harden and his mom Nita Harden. They have also been affected by the Bloody Heart Killer.

I absolutely loved how unique Gwen was as a narrator. I enjoyed her friendship with her colleague Meredith. And I really enjoyed getting to see her work with clients. This was mesmerizing.

Everyone was lying about something. Everyone was hiding things. So this title was perfection. And I really enjoyed seeing how everything played out.

This book is about a serial killer. So it is creepy and disturbing. But not overly graphic.

I found this book addictive. Who was lying? What was the truth? And who was the killer? I was not sure where this book was going. All of these questions lead to a thrilling conclusion. I loved this book!

This was such a page-turner and very enjoyable! It's been a while since I read a thriller where everyone is smiling at the end but it sure gets dark and grim at points and I think it's commendable how everything was told without it being graphic. The character descriptions were my favorite part of the story really, I could picture the characters and their body language and that's no small feat. imo. Side note but I really thought the author was a dude what with all the boob talk lol, it was a bit weird to read especially since it added nothing to the story. But all in all, it's a very enjoyable read!

Thanks to Netgalley, author, and publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

The Good Lie is the latest release from A. R. Torre, and wow what a ripper. This one had me turning pages at warp speed long into the night. I was dragged down a rabbit hole of possibilities and was left completely aghast at the ultimate conclusion.
When the main protagonist psychologist Gwen Moore has a specialty servicing people with the urge to kill you know you are in for one wild ride. With just enough breadcrumbs dropped along the way to have you overthinking every character, The Good Lie will keep you guessing all the way. I felt compelled to read this one from start to finish without stopping, it really dug its claws in and had me needing to find the answers before sleep would come.
I must read for lovers of the twisty thriller. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC it is a bingeworthy read that will keep you holding your breath right until the last word.

This is my first book by this author and I gotta say I loved the writing. There wasn’t a whole lot of useless words or stagnant repetition in the storytelling. There was a nice flow to the story which kept me engaged until the very end. Was it predictable? Ehh… a little, but not to the point where I knew exactly what was happening. I enjoyed this book and I’m definitely gonna check out more by the author.

4 1/2 Stars!

This book was fabulous! I flat out loved it. I really love when Ms. Torre writes in this genre. She has a gift at telling a good, twisty tale. This one is a troubling one for sure. It is based on a serial killer known as the Bloody Heart Killer who has kidnapped, murdered and maimed six teenage boys. The story opens with the most recent (seventh) kidnap victim escaping and returning home.

Our main character, Gwen, is a psychologist to those who want to commit violent acts against others. This fact immediately had me questioning her sanity. I admire anyone who can put themselves in that position. Not only is it dangerous from the obvious physical exposure, but also the emotional toll of knowing such horrific information. In addition, if any of her clients ever act on their compulsions, she undoubtedly questions if she should have done something more.

Robert, the troubled defense attorney who decides to take on the case of the man arrested as the BH Killer is battling his own grief and demons. His motives for defending the man are questioned and muddled. He comes to Gwen for a profile which is awkward since they recently had a one night stand.

Then there is the victim that got away, Scott Harden. All along you feel sorry for the abuse he endured at his abductor's hands, but something feels off to his mother....and therefore to the reader.

I highly recommend this read. I flew through it as I absolutely needed to know what happened next. It was addictive.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Hmmm….Still trying to figure out how I feel about this book.

For the first 80%, I really liked it and didn’t want to put it down Then it took a twist that I’m still not sure how I feel about. Additionally, I had problems with some of the professionally ethical questions and behaviors, particularly on Gwen’s part. That is why I down rated it from 5 to 4 stars. So, 5 stars for style and engaging the reader, 4 for plot.

AR Torre gets dark with this psychological thriller about a serial killer targeting teen boys. Gwen, a psychiatrist specializing in treating people who struggle with the urge to harm, maim, or kill others, is tasked with drawing a psychological profile of the murderer, and twists abound.

Torre gives Gwen a partner, although that partnership begins more as a one-night stand than anything professionally based. Robert, a high-profile defense attorney, has a personal connection to the case, and he seeks Gwen's help. Tensions build, both professionally and personally, as Gwen and Robert keep important information from each other. Their motivations are not nefarious, however, leaving us with an idea of what those good lies can be.

You may think you know who did it, but Torre is ready to snatch the rug out from under you. She never lets you get comfortable, either with her characters or her story, before knocking you off-kilter. You question everything--Gwen, Robert, their suppositions and conclusions--knowing that if something seems obvious, it's likely a ruse.

I love thrillers, particularly psychological suspense. The Good Lie had me glued, furiously turning the pages to find out what happens next. The subject matter is painful at times to read because it's heartbreaking, yet I couldn't turn away.

When the Bloody Heart serial killer's latest victim escapes, he is quick to point out who it is. With the suspected killer now locked and behind bars, it comes as a big shock the attorney representing him is the father of one of the victims.

Defense attorney Robert Kavin has been throwing himself into his work after the murder of his teen son Gabe. When he meets Dr. Gwen Moore at a bar, sparks fly and they share a night to remember. But he's thrown for a loop when he sees a particular file on her desk. With Gwen's skill in treating patients with psychotic and bad intentions, Robert hires her to create a profile for his newest client - the Bloody Heart killer.

Not wanting to reveal too much, I thought this was a great read and a page turner for me. Both Robert and Gwen are dealing with grief and guilt. Both are keeping secrets and things are not what they seem. I was caught off guard when all was revealed. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this book.

My second Torre novel (though admittedly I still have her Deanna Madden series on my kindle that I swear I'll get to in the very near future-ish!)... and I knew I should've listened to Jessica ages ago about picking this author up. Torre delivers Dr. Gwen Moore, a psychiatrist specialized in the most depraved of killers, and Mr. Robert Kavin, a defense attorney whose son was killed by a serial killer but doesn't believe the person who confessed is actually guilty. Um, what the what?! YESSSSSSSSSSSS. Sold. TAKE. MY. MONEY.
I'm fascinated with the human mind and considered criminal psychology in college (among the many other majors I considered but let's not go there....). My insane fascination with serial killers and what drives a human to take another's life... it seemed destined. But PHEW, Dr. Moore... I don't know if I could do her job at the end of the day. And certainly, Kavin shouldn't be involved in this case/investigation - definitely too close to it. As a matter of fact, there were a number of weirdly unprofessional things happening... though subtly which felt odd throughout the read.

The volleying between Moore and Kavin was genius. As they size up everyone around them, they also size each other up in the process. They felt very human too. Torre has a way of bringing characters to life where they are extremely relatable and this is how you end up being fully engaged in the story. With THE GOOD LIE, this popcorn of a thriller read will keep you entertained. Prepare to suspend a little belief but believe the journey is worth it.

I loved Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre but this one had a slow start for me, then as I continued reading it really piqued my interest. I even laughed out loud at the banter between Gwen and her friend Meredith despite the dark subject matter. A lot of the storyline wasn't plauseable but the unique plot allowed me to look past it. I didn't enjoy the ending very much, just a little too perfect for my liking and I had figured everything out pretty much from the start. Don't take my word for it though as a lot of people LOVED this book and it has a 4.38 rating at the time of this review, it just wasn't for me.

𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦!

I was so excited to read this book and it didn’t disappoint. It was dark, twisty, fast paced and impossible to put down. It kept me guessing and just when I thought I got it all figured it out, I was wrong. Loved it!

Thank you Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

A.R. Torre does it again!

The Bloody Heart Killer is on the loose in Los Angeles. Six 17 year old young men have been killed. Mutilated, really. Until one of them makes an escape. His finger pointed at his high school teacher Randall Thompson.

Defense Attorney Robert Kavin's son Gabe was the Bloody Heart Killers 6th victim and he doesn't believe that Randall Thompson is his sons murderer. He manages to become his defense attorney even though many are questioning his motive for doing this.

He requests that psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore put together a psychological profile of the killer. What they discover is shocking!

That's all the beans I am willing to spill. This is a short book, one that can be read in a day if one is so inclined to do so, which makes discussing this book difficult without giving away the goods. Just know that this is a proper page turner. Lies, secrets, and all the juicy stuff I have come to love in this genre. At this point I think it's safe to say I'll read whatever Torre writes. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my copy.

An expert in her field, Psychiatrist, Dr. Gwen Moore’s list of patients aren’t your ordinary everyday cases. Each harbors violent thoughts of killing someone, but are they violent? When Dr Moore is asked to consult on a high profile serial killer case, the more she dives in, the more questions she has.

Defense Attorney, Robert Kavin, is convinced that Randall Thompson, the man being held for the murder of six teen aged boys is innocent, he offers to take on the case. This is not an ordinary everyday case for Mr. Kavin as his son just happened to be one of those victims.

Each have questions about the other as the case progresses. Why is Robert so sure that Randall Thompson is innocent? Is Gwen in too deep after one of her patients follows through with his fantasy?

A riveting complex thriller that will have you hooked from page one!

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY to The Good Lie by A. R. Torre!

All the stars to this CLEVER, CREEPY thriller that deserves all the hype and more!

Six teenage boys have been taken, held hostage, tortured/abused, and killed by the Bloody Heart Killer. The seventh victim escaped and identifies one of his high-school teachers as the killer.

Criminal defense attorney Robert Kavin decides to defend the accused, but here’s the kicker... Robert’s son was the 6th victim of the Bloody Heart Killer! He hires Dr. Gwen Moore, a psychiatrist who specializes with serial killers, to review the files of the victims and form a profile of the killer to aid in his client’s defense. Robert Kavin is so certain that his client is innocent, what is it that he knows that everyone else doesn’t? Well it didn’t take me long to find out! I flew through this book because I just had to know what was going on and who-done-it!

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of The Good Lie in exchange for an honest review! I highly recommend to all thriller lovers!

Wow, what a ride! Such an intense book, it kept me riveted from the first page until the very last page. Great writing had me relating to the characters and the twists and turns had me reading long after I should have been sleeping.

This was the first book I’ve read by AR Torre and I loved it! It hooked me from the beginning and I could not put it down. I loved the story and the characters. You are definitely going to want to pick up a copy of this one!

The Good Lie is the sixth standalone suspense thriller from Alessandra Torre and another rip-roaring read from one of the most trusted writers in the game who knows exactly what her readers want and provides it and then some. Gwen Moore is a Los Angeles-based psychiatrist who, at her practice, treats patients with some of the angriest and most violent and volatile tendencies as indicated by their histories. They are the type of people who are afraid of the inevitable: hurting someone due to the lack of control they appear to have over their emotions. One morning, Gwen misses calls and messages from one of her most deviant and disturbed patients, pharmacist John Abbott, whose increasing contempt towards his wife, Brooke, has recently reached a dangerous crescendo, and he has just been found dead alongside his wife in their home. He had been stabbed in the abdomen and she had passed of a heart attack, but Gwen can't help but feel guilt and as though she might be at fault. After their funeral, she meets a handsome widower, attorney Robert Kavin.

Kavin agrees to represent Randall Thompson, who has been arrested for the grisly Bloody Heart murders of six teenagers. The infamous killer’s signature is a heart carved into the chest of each of his victims. Though one of the victims was Kavin’s own son, Kavin believes Thompson is innocent. He enlists Gwen to create a psychological profile of the real Bloody Heart killer. It will take all of Gwen’s expertise to uncover the terrible secrets leading to who committed these shocking crimes. This is a compelling and wickedly twisty thriller with a tightly woven and tension-overloaded plot and a new take on the trope-alicious serial killer thriller. One of the superb aspects of this book was that although some of the twists, turns, reveals and instances of misdirection are potentially guessable, there are others that even the most seasoned crime reader will find exciting, explosive and completely unexpected. It's compulsively readable and will undoubtedly keep you turning the pages right through until dawn. Highly recommended.