The notorious Bloody Heart serial killer murdered six teens before his latest teenage victim escaped and then identified local high school teacher Randall Thompson as his captor.

Psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore is an expert on killers. She’s spent a decade treating California’s most depraved predators and unlocking their motives. As far as Gwen and the media are concerned, the case against Thompson is damning.

Defense attorney Robert Kavin is a still-traumatized father whose own son fell prey to the BH Killer. Convinced of Thompson’s innocence, he steps in to represent him. Now Robert wants Gwen to interview the accused, create a psych profile of the killer and his victims, and help clear his client’s name.

As Gwen and Robert grow closer and she dives deeper into the investigation, grave questions arise. In a case this shadowy, the truth is easy to hide.

I just loved this book! The minute I read the premise; I knew it was going to be an exciting read.

The writing is so excellent that right from the start, you get the feeling that something is not right and you get hooked on trying to figure out what’s going on. The characters themselves are full of suspense and with each of them hiding secrets, the plot becomes even more intriguing.

There were twists throughout but the twist at the end was shocking and made it a truly satisfying read!

Definitely a must read for all mystery and psychological thriller lovers!

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!

The Good Lie was exactly what I needed for my last beach outing. It was a fast read that had me interested from the jump. Someone has been abducting and murdering teenage boys - six of them to be exact. Then, the seventh boy to have gone missing miraculously comes home and names the kidnapper/serial killer.

At the same time, Dr. Gwen Moore, a therapist who works with those who have violent thoughts is hired to give a profile of the suspected killer because his lawyer who may or may not have a conflict of interest and believes he is innocent.

This book is full of twists and turns. I was able to read it all in one sitting (that goodness for sunscreen!) and though I had an inkling of what was to come, I loved the twist at the end.

I would definitely recommend this, but clear your day because once you start you won't be able to stop!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This story by A.R. Torre is riveting and clever! The Good Lie was my first book by her and I can't wait to dive into her backlog!
Gwen Moore is a psychiatrist who specializes in killers (or daydreamers who dream of murder!) Her character baffled me at first, who can listen to that kind of violence all day? Robert Kavin is a defense attorney who happens to meet up with Gwen for a tryst before they both realize their connection- violent killers! And Robert's son was a victim of the serial killer known as the Bloody Heart Killer.
It all very complicated as Gwen faces dilemmas and Robert decides to represent the man accused of killing his own son! I was completely entranced by this intricate plot from the go and could barely put down the book to feed my children. 4 Stars and on to the next A.R. Torre!

Last week I was in a big reading slump but this book took me out of it all on its own. I read it in a couple of sittings and I couldn’t get enough. A compulsively readable thriller with fully developed characters and a plot so full of twist and turns I wasn’t able to predict any of them much as I tried. A. R. Torre is fast becoming one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait for her next dark and twisty thriller.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and A.R. Torre for an ARC of this book!!**

Imagine you're a psychiatrist. You have clients, you hear their darkest fears, you try to leave your misgivings at the door when you leave the office for the day, perhaps you feel you've made a difference in the world. But now you can go home to peace and serenity.

Now imagine...you're Dexter's psychiatrist.

Feeling a bit uneasy yet?

Such is the charge of Dr. Gwen Moore, set to meet these killers (or would-be killers) every day of the week, and figure out what makes them tick...BEFORE the worst happens. Dr. Moore thinks she's seen it all, and she nearly has, until the case of the notorious Bloody Heart Killer drops on her desk. Police think high school teacher Randall Thompson is to blame, after the BH Killer's last potential victim, Scott, manages to escape his captor's clutches and turns the teacher in to law enforcement.

However, the defense has something to say about that (as they usually do) and Gwen is baffled by the choice of DA-Robert Kavin, one of the parents of the BH Killer's other teenaged victims, Gabe Kavin. What incentive could he possibly have to free his son's own killer? Robert is charming and handsome to boot, quickly winning over Gwen and convincing her to create a personality profile of the killer...and taking a piece of her heart while he's at it. Gwen obliges, but her many years of experience and one particular situation with a client have her nerves on edge. Has she encountered the killer already...or would she truly know one if she saw one? Is the BH Killer safely behind bars...or watching her every move while they calculate the next?

Ever since I was first introduced to A.R. Torre, I've been hooked on her writing, and this was another fascinating premise and fast-paced ride! I loved the aspects of tortured and dangerous will-they-won't-they love she included as part of the plot and the narrative certainly pointed every which way toward the potential BH Killer! I changed my mind several times while reading, and the twists were unexpected to say the least! One in particular towards the end caught me completely off guard and while it proved to be a bit of a fake out, got my blood pumping!

This is another stunner from the creative and crafty A.R. Torre that you absolutely don't want to miss! (and I am once again glad I stayed far, far away from psychiatry as a career choice!)

4 stars

Good, interesting story. Great idea, excellent execution and a surprising ending.

Gwen is a psychologist who specializes in violent patients. Her one night adventure with lawyer Robert ends up hiring her to compile a profile of a serial killer who may have just been caught after his last victim fled. Pretty soon it turns out that everyone has something to hide, including Gwen and Robert, and the truth may be really surprising.

I like that Gwen is such an intelligent woman. She doesn't trust too easily, she doubts everything most of the time, including Robert's motives. She is believable as a character. She is a really strong woman and a professional in her work, and at the same time she is tormented by very human doubts. This is a very well written character. The behavior of both her and Robert is reasonable from the point of view of their personalities.

The story keeps you guessing. This is a very interesting idea that could be led in different directions. I had several different scenarios in my mind that this story might follow, a few different explanations for the mystery, a few endings. But I didn't predict what exactly happened. And that's what's fantastic. I am very pleased with what the author has done with this story.

This is my first book by this author. I have to try some of her other stories as well. I definitely recommend it to everyone who likes stories in which we don't know who to trust.

A dark, gripping and addictive crime thriller, which I couldn't put down!

This was my second book by A.R. Torre/Alessandra Torre and I really enjoyed it! I almost gave it 5 stars because I devoured it, and felt on a high after finishing it, but I did unfortunately figure out one of the major plot points! I was a bit disappointed that one of the characters didn't even consider the thing which I figured out! However, I was intrigued enough by the other parts of the plot and the characters to keep reading, plus there was one twist which I definitely did not see coming!

Full of secrets, lies and a nagging feeling that something was just not right, The Good Lie had me glued to the pages! It had an excellent, fast pace, and engaging writing which pulled me in immediately. The tension and suspense was fantastic, it just built and built! There also were multiple POVs, and I enjoyed reading them all!

The characters were complex and multi-layered, and I did like both Gwen and Robert. They were both flawed, and made questionable judgements, but I felt for them, and rooted for them both.

There was an element of romance, which was an unexpected surprise!

I did have to suspend my belief about a certain thing, but I didn't mind, since I was enjoying myself so much! And the ending felt satisfying and shocking enough to make me smile! And did I mention that I couldn't put it down?! 🤣

A fun and addictive read, The Good Lie should definitely make your summer mystery list! I've already added two books from this author's binge worthy backlist!
🔪🔪🔪🔪

I really enjoyed this story. There are quite a few twists and turns, but I really enjoyed that the reader has no idea who the killer is. I was totally taken by surprise by the big reveal and that is always a big plus for me in murder mysteries. There's a small detail right on the last page that I wasn't happy with, but I choose to ignore it since it's kind of left open anyway.

I never saw it coming! The whodunit was a complete surprise. Imagine you are the psychologist treating patients with violent thoughts and are asked to profile the town’s serial killer. Gwen was tasked with such a job and she put things together the cops had no clue about. Robert, mysterious and yet a bit creepy, is the lawyer for the accused. Between Gwen and Robert everything falls into place. The dynamic between these two was unusual and electric. Throw in the survivor and his erratic behavior and the story is unstoppable. I was literally on the edge of my seat trying to solve the mystery. Torre has always provided thought provoking stories with a certain vibe, creepy yet alluring. I was a recipient of an early copy and have provided my review voluntarily.

Gwen is an expert in her field. She has never doubted her ability to tell if one of her patients may cross that line and kill the person they obsess over. Until it all falls apart and she no longer trust herself to evaluate her clients. As the killer is caught in the case of the murdered teens that has long haunted Los Angeles, she is thrust into the spotlight when she agrees to help the defense evaluate the accused. The lawyer just happens to be the father of one of those boys and she honestly has no idea what to make of it. Things are not what they seem and she has no idea who she can trust. Did she make a mistake? What is Robert hiding? Is the killer innocent and if so, who did it? It's a good story that captured my attention and did not disappoint!

I requested this after being very familiar with A.R. Torre’s work. This is not my favorite, but it wasn’t a bad read. I felt as though the beginning was a slow start and the characters were hard to get into.

However, the thriller aspect was nice and the twists really got me. If you are a fan of thrillers and court room dramas I think you will enjoy this book.

"A lie may take care of the present, but it has no future." - Croft M. Pentz


The BH Killer is responsible for the gruesome deaths of six teenagers. When his last victim escapes and stumbles home the gig is up. Scott, the young man who escaped, identifies his captor as Randall Thompson, a local high school teacher. The community can now do a collective sigh of relief as their nightmare is finally over (or is it just beginning?)!

Psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore has made a career treating killers, predators and those who have impulses to kill. She is considered an expert in her field, but will that be enough?

Defense attorney Robert Kavin's son was the sixth victim of the BH killer. He shocks everyone when he decides to represent Randall Thompson, the man accused of being the BH killer. Why would a grieving father choose to represent the man who may have killed his son? Conflict of interest?

Kavin hires Gwen, who he met previously, to evaluate Thompson and provide him with a profile that can be used in court. As they become closer, questions are raised, by the characters plus, I had a few of my own as well. Is there a conflict of interest here?

This was a fast engaging and entertaining read. I love how Torre was able to pull the rug out from under me and shock me with one reveal. The multiple POV chapters help move the book along at a nice pace while simultaneously adding to the mounting unease and tension of the book. Torre is a master at springing thigs on the reader. Characters in this book are multifaced and flawed. They have secrets and hidden motivations. Six young men have been murdered, a seventh escaped, that provides enough tension but as the characters delve deeper into the case, it becomes clear that there is so much more at play here.

Another solid book by Torre. I devoured most of this book in one day. It was a captivating page turner - not in the non-stop action way but in the what-is-going-to-be-revealed way. Like her previous books, this one was well written, well thought out and jaw dropping. It has twists, turns and a shocking reveal! I love super sleuthing while I read and this one had me trying to figure out character motivations and agendas. I really felt for Scott's mother trying to help her son. I also enjoyed the interactions between Robert and Gwen.

A well thought out captivating mystery thriller!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

When the 7th victim of the Bloody Heart serial killer escapes and identifies his captor as high school teacher Randall Thompson, specialty psychiatrist Dr. Gwen Moore is relieved to finally have her suspect caught. Lawyer Robert Kavin immediately steps up to represent Thompson, a shock to all as Kavin’s son was a previous BH victim. Kavin’s suspicions that Thompson isn’t the killer, mixed with the escaped victim’s unreliability lead Gwen to question herself and fear for her own safety…all while she grows closer and closer to Kavin.

Okay I loved this! I think thrillers that feature psychiatrists can often run the risk of being too wacky, but I thought this was well done. I found both main characters totally believable and was on the edge of my seat throughout this book. Would recommend for my fellow thriller lovers out there! Keep an eye out for this dark, quick, creepy mystery.

This story was so good. There were quite a few twists here that I was not expecting. I did find the beginning a little slow but there were a lot of things that were being set up for later. Because once that groundwork was all set, I could not put this down.

Dr. Gwen Moore works with patients who have violent tendencies. When a patient and his wife are found dead, she analyzes their last conversations, looking for signs she missed. She can't help but feel like maybe she should have reported what he'd last confessed. When news breaks that the Bloody Heart serial killer's latest victim managed to escape, she breathes a sigh of relief and gets back to work.

She meets attorney Robert Kavin, who also happens to be the father of a Bloody Heart victim. When she learns Robert will be representing his son's killer, she wonders why and how he can be so sure of the man's innocence.

Robert hires Gwen to create a profile on the killer. As they grow closer, she learns more about each victim and notices things that only bring about more questions. They both suspect the other is hiding something but don't force the issue.

A decent thriller, but not one of my favorites. I did not care for the main characters Gwen and Robert nor their relationship. Nita's POV was completely irrelevant and did nothing for the story. I did like the dialogue and the short chapters. The premise was exciting, but I just didn't like the execution.

Dr. Gwen Moore is a psychologist who specializes in violent tendencies and obsessions.

A serial killer named The Bloody Heart Murderer is caught when one of his victims escapes and identifies him.

Dr. Moore is approached by the charismatic and powerful defense lawyer, Robert Kavin, to write a profile of The Bloody Heart Murderer. She jumps at the chance of a lifetime. Never mind that they just recently sleep together and it is a conflict of interest. When she learns that he will also be his defense attorney, she questions his motivations. Why would he defend the man who recently kidnapped, abused, and murdered his own son?

This is the second book that I have read by A.R. Torre and I am hooked! Dr. Gwen Moore is a fully developed character that intrigued me from page one. It is obvious that Torre has done her research on the subject matter and the plot comes across as authentic. Although a grim subject matter, I truly enjoyed reading every page of this book! I couldn’t wait until the final reveal to see how it ended. While the twists are very clever, I did wind up predicting most of them correctly. That said, I still felt satisfied with the conclusion. I am really looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer publishing for the ARC of The Good Lie by A.R. Torre in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 stars

I’m a huge fan of Alessandra Torre’s books written as A.R. Torre, and The Good Lie is the perfect mix of suspense, mystery, and psychological thriller.

Dr. Gwen Moore is a psychiatrist and expert on killers. Her specialty allows her to treat some of the worst predators, and in this case, she is called in to create a psych profile for the Bloody Heart serial killer. Robert Kavin decides to represent Randall Thompson, who was identified as the killer, but Robert believes he is innocent. The real kicker is that Robert’s son was murdered by the Bloody Heart Killer, so his connection to the case seems to be a conflict of interest. But as Gwen gets closer to Robert and dives further into the investigation, Gwen grows more suspicious that Robert is hiding certain details of the case.

I enjoyed this book so much that I couldn’t put it down even if I wanted to! I’m a sucker for stories about serial killers, and I was so enthralled with this one. The build-up leading to the truth was well paced and engaging, and each turn of the page left me wanting more. Highly recommend this book!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4071427575

<b>Five Fabulous Stars! This psychological thriller throws in some brilliant twists without adding a dull moment. I was surprised to see this was my first read by Ms. Torre and I’m eager to check out her previous books. </b>

The Bloody Heart Killer is a violent predator who kidnaps and murders handsome, popular teenage boys from privileged, wealthy families. After keeping them for a period, during which he tortures and abuses them, he defiles their bodies and dumps them for the police to find. BHK has killed six victims and the first chapter grabs our attention by describing the seventh victim’s return home, after being let loose rather than murdered. Scott has been held hostage and abused, but his story doesn’t quite add up. And when he points a finger at his science teacher—Randall Thompson—it only adds to the uncertainty of his story.

To add a bizarre twist, Robert Kavin, a high-profile defense attorney, has offered Randall free representation. Not so strange, except Robert’s son was the killer’s sixth victim. But he says he’s offering his services because he’s sure of Thompson’s innocence.

Robert meets Dr. Gwen Moore (in a remarkably interesting way), who is a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of clients with violent tendencies. Doc of Death as she is called by some. Robert hires her to do a psych profile of the killer and so the story begins!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and A.R. Torre for this free digital ARC, in exchange for my honest review!

<b>My Rating:</b> 5 STARS
<b>Published:</b> Thomas & Mercer
<B>Pages:</b> 356
<B>Recommend:</b> YES!

#NetGalley #TheGoodLie #ARTorres #PsychologicalThriller #NoRulesJustThrills #Thomas&Mercer #BookReview #MustRead #FiveStarRead
@NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley, A.R. Torre and Thomas & Mercer for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first novel by this author, but I had heard so many good things that I was excited to get this one and be able to see what all the hype was about. I wasn't disappointed by what I read. I loved the premise behind this one and generally love a good novel about a psychologist or psychiatrist anyway. This one was definitely tense and I just wanted to flip to the ending and find out what was really going on in this novel. You know right from the beginning that something is not quite right, but I hadn't figured out the twist and really enjoyed it!

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

It had everything I look for in a thriller... and more! This is definitely in contention for my favourite book of 2021!

The twists within this book were mind-blowing and they come at you thick and fast. Sometimes thrillers are made up of 90% build up and then the big twist is revealed at the end but this is not the case with 'The Good Lie'. None of the characters are 100% truthful and they all have secrets they would rather keep to themselves, so this means that there are mini twists and revelations throughout the entire. This meant that my interest never faltered and I never knew what or who to trust! I couldn't wait for the killer to be identified and I only managed to guess around 20-30% of the revelations in this book

The serial killer (The Bloody heart killer) was horrifying and the author captured that marvellously, I have read many serial killer type books in my time and the BHK was one of the best-developed. I loved the writing style this author possesses and the short, sharp chapters ensured the book was fast paced and unrelenting!

I could not put this one down and I ended up staying up all night to finish it... and I love my sleep!