Member Reviews
I LOVED this and I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely love the dual POV chapters, told by Meg and Kat, two badasses in their own ways. Meg is a seasoned con artist who’s had to figure her own out for as long as she can remember and Kat, who’s been watching her for 10 years, is potentially her newest target. Such a good mystery that perfectly pieces together everything as the story goes on. I think I actually gasped at one point when it all came together for Kat 🫢 and the ending?! Definitely recommend for everyone!!! I’ve seen a lot of people saying their in a slump and this book is fast paced and will for sure get you out of it!!
The Lies I Tell is the second book I’ve read from Julie Clark. In this book, the author really goes into detail about real estate and business transactions. I’d say this is more of a mystery than a thriller as it focuses more on revenge, justice, social class, and belonging. I was intrigued by the premise. The beginning sucked me in, but I found the middle to drag and the ending to be predictable. I really loved Meg’s perspective and wanted the book mostly focused on her. Meg’s way of conning people and determining who to get revenge on was fascinating. I wanted to dive deeper into Meg’s mind. I found Kat to be annoying, naive, and her investigation to be very weak. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if we were able to get the past and present perspectives from only Meg’s perspective. Adding Kat’s perspective in there and both discussing past and present jumbled with the timeline. In terms of the cat and mouse game, I felt that Kat didn’t take full advantage of her status as being Meg’s assistant to go further into her investigation.
I’m still looking forward to Julie Clark’s event next month. I’m curious to learn the reasoning on why Kat’s character was the way she was in the story and the impact behind it.
Kat Roberts has waited ten years for the woman who destroyed her life to show up again. And now, Meg Williams is back in California. Kat knows Meg is the consummate con artist, adapting herself into whatever personality necessary to pull off her elaborate schemes. But somehow Meg and Kat become sort-of friends, and as she gets to know her nemesis better, she starts to wonder more about Meg's true intentions all along.
Wow, this thriller sucked me in from the start! Clark weaves an irresistible story, backed by two strong and complicated women. You need to suspend a little bit of disbelief to truly enjoy this one (some of these cons, really, people didn't catch on?) but otherwise, this is a fast-paced and totally engaging read. It's told from both Meg and Kat's perspectives and takes place in both the present-day and ten years ago.
The book flies by and while it has its share of twist and turns, it also delves into such themes as misogyny, assault, family, and friendship. We learn more about Kat and Meg with each page, and its their character development that truly drives this story. Add in a suspenseful plot and boom, a great read!
I really enjoyed Last Flight, so I’m not to shocked I enjoyed this one.
Each new town, there’s a new name and job depending on what Meg the con artist can do. And for ten years Kat has been searching for the women who upended her life. How many lies can a person run on.
The storyline between the two women are explosive and captivating. I haven’t read a thriller I wasn’t addicted to in a while like this. Fast paced and interesting is what I’d use to describe this book.
This was another Julie Clark book that I could not put down. I loved this even more than "The Last Flight!" Clark wrote from the perspective of both main characters, Kat and "Meg," and the development of the plot and characters through both lenses made the story so interesting and intense. I adored the ending too.
This book was so good! Lots of twists and turns about con artists doing all they can to control their lives. I really liked the characters in this book and was fully invested in the story. Highly recommend!
I loved this book! I was sucked in by the two characters, Meg and Kat, and the change in perspective that Julie Clark captures so well. I enjoyed following around the con artist and really liked her back story/mission. This is a quick read with a ton of suspense. I would highly recommend it!
I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I really did enjoy this book. I felt like the first few chapters were a little confusing until I was able to figure things out.
The book is told by Meg and Kat. Meg is basically a con artist, who goes by several different names, who is seeking revenge and gets her karma at the end. Kat is a journalist trying to get Meg's whole story. While Meg does alot of bad and evil things, she in turn helps those in need so it's kind of you love and hate her. It did have a really good ending.
This was a fun read full of twists and turns and though it was thrilling, I wouldn't describe it as a thriller. I loved the dual narrators, multiple time frames, and strong female characters.
The beginning of the book really hooked me and I couldn't put it down. However, my interest waned a bit toward the middle as the current plot was developed. By the end, I was hooked again, but it did feel a bit predictable.
I really liked the female con-artist aspect as I haven't read a story like that often. It felt fresh and fairly unique. It was also really well executed, even if you did have to suspend your believability a bit.
This was my first by Clark and I'm excited to pick up more by her!
Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for a copy of this great novel!
Two women playing a high stake, winner take all game of cat and mouse battle wits in Julie Clark's The Lies I Tell. In their minds, both are seeking justice, but readers will ultimately decide if it's justice or revenge. After all, when it's all said and done, "The difference in justice and revenge comes down to who's telling the story." Lucky for readers, both women get a chance to have their voices heard in this chilling, dual point of view thriller. Readers will listen to both sides of the story and then be charged with figuring out who's actually conning whom.
After ten long years, grifter Meg Williams returns to LA under one of her many guises - as a real estate agent with plans to delivery some good, old timey, long overdue justice to the man who destroyed her world as a young teenager. Her life was nigh on perfect until con man Ron Ashton manipulated her mother into signing their house over to him at which time he immediately tossed Meg and her terminally ill mother to the curb. Powerless, homeless and sleeping in a van, Meg's mother passes away leaving Meg alone with her grief and rage. As it turns out, she'd just learned her first lesson in the game of running cons - keep your lies as close to the truth as possible and never let them see the con coming. Now, Meg's back and no longer the helpless, heartbroken little girl she was when Ashton shattered her life. She's perfected her craft - the game of running cons - honed it razor sharp on several well deserving marks along the way as she doled out justice and walked away. Meg's done her homework, studied her mark, taken her time, and now she's ready to play the ultimate con on the shady politician Ron Ashton. Chances are good he'll never see her coming until it's too late.
Kate Roberts had dreams of becoming a big time reporter, but she lost the opportunity when Meg Williams ruined her life by sending her on a wild goose chase for a story that led to her being tragically assaulted ten years ago. She couldn't report what happened without revealing that she'd gone rogue chasing a story. Instead, Kate began meticulously researching the illusive Meg Williams, vowing to make her pay if she ever crossed her path again. Meg is back and an orchestrated meet occurs at a party for politician Ron Ashton where Megan watches Ashton and Kate watches Megan . . . or is Megan also watching Kate? Let the games begin.
The Lies I Tell unfolds through the riveting dual perspectives of Meg and Kate. The dual points of view and the tension laden past/present chapters afford readers the opportunity to ride shotgun with both characters, learning what tragic events brought them to this sad point in their lives. Clark is a master at characterization and flawlessly portrays both main characters as relatable in a sympathetic way that leads readers to develop empathy for each of them as backstories intertwine throughout the plot line showcasing motive and intent. I applaud Clark's gift for pitting two characters against one another, throwing them into dire situations and challenging them to make smart choices in order to escape unscathed. Vibes of impending doom drive the story forward at a steady pace as each woman spins intricate webs of lies to perfection in an effort to sell their con. Support characters play their parts like pros, helping set the stage for several twists and turns on the way to an absolutely stunning, oh no she isn't ending.
The Lies I Tell is a taut, one-seater book - one you'll want to read without stopping so plan accordingly. It's an intense domestic thriller that tells the story of two women battling to take their lives back by administering their own brand of justice . . . or revenge according to whose story you believe. Two women. Two cons. Justice or revenge?
I'm thrilled to say there's no sophomore slump for Julie Clark. The Lies I Tell is first class all the way. Dare I say even better than her best selling debut The Last Flight? Highly recommended to fans of domestic and/or suspense thrillers. This one is not to be missed!
I absolutely loved this author’s last book and this one is just as amazing. I couldn’t put this book down and I read it in less than a day. As with her last book this one is filled with so many intricate details that are all pieced together so masterfully. This is the story of a con artist named Meg and an aspiring writer named Kat. We are given their back stories and then their lives interconnect. Both characters are vengeful and manipulative and very intelligent as they begin a cat and mouse game with each other. In Meg’s case it was fascinating to read about her con’s with all her unsuspecting victims. I loved the suspense and the complex plot. This is a skilfully told story that I thoroughly loved. If you read any suspense book this summer this should be it.
This book is all over Bookstagram and the consensus is that this is a smash. It’s a sinister thriller that will keep you on your toes. My sympathies and loyalties kept going back and forth between both characters. Highly recommended.
This one is a winner! This story of a grifter, a professional con artist who is kind of like a modern day Robin Hood draws you in and you will not be able to put it down. Meg Williams is a liar who changes her name and identity to become whoever she needs to be in that situation. But do some people deserve the bad things that happen to them? You might find yourself rooting for the “bad guy” in this one! Great read. Thank you NetGalley! 5 stars. #theliesitell #NetGalley
This was one of those books that made me literally go WOW! It was so good that I have to say it's one of my very favorite thrillers this year. I absolutely loved both of the women in this book. The two main characters. Equally.. I was all set to hate Meg but it's impossible after this.
This book is so good you won't want it to end. You will root for the bad guy all the way. Or in this case bad woman, Meg. You will want her to get what she sets out to get. You will fall for her. Also you will root just the same for the other lady. Kat, the one who intends to bring Meg down. Down hard and cold. To make her pay for what happened ten years ago. These two females are a force for sure. A strong force that seek justice in different ways.
Each of these two have a story. Each is telling their story. Told from Meg and Kat's POV.. Alternating chapters. It also goes back to before several times. Very easy to follow.
Kat is a very nice hard working young woman who is living with her gambling fiancé. She has worked hard and been through some things that she feels are Megs fault. She's never given up making Meg pay for what happened to her. Kat befriends Meg and starts her ploy to make her pay. To bring her down. She's done a lot of investigating found out some things that Meg has done to people and it's her goal to make Meg pay now.
Meg has been after something too. For almost fifteen years she has been after the man who took away her family home. Put her and her dying mother out on the streets. Took away the home they had and didn't think twice about it. His parting words were so cruel and callous. He is a very cold hearted man. Meg is a very vindictive woman set on making him pay. So what is along the way other's have to pay a price also. It may be for the best. They did bad things and it's time for them to be made to pay.
QUOTES from book.
"It's a complicated shame to have someone you trust deceive you, the pain of that betrayal compounded by the unraveling of the life you thought you'd have. The removal of their belongings, the empty spaces left behind to remind you for all you never saw."
"Two women working together are a force to be reckoned with." Yes I love that one immensely.
This book will grab you from the start and not let go until the very end. The things you won't see coming are so good. The things you think are not what you think. Can you trust anyone who lives to TELL LIES?
Thank you #NetGalley, #JulieClark, #SourceBooksLandmark for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.
5/5 stars and I would give it even more if I could. Grab it. It's great.
Captivating plot line that kept you rooting for the women, no matter which way they turned. Loved the past and present weave, taking you through the full journey with no question left unanswered. The end was just perfect for this tale, wrapped up very nicely.
After her dying mother was swindled out of her family home, young Meg Williams lived out of her car for a time, accidentally hitting upon a way to not only improve her life but gain vengeance on a predator who once hurt her friend. Over the years, Meg hones her skills, becoming a career con woman.
Journalist Kat was collateral damage to Meg’s first con and has plotted for years to exact her revenge. But as she draws nearer to her goal, she finds herself genuinely liking Meg.
As the two women try to stay one step ahead of the other, both are coping with other issues—Kat losing the one person she trusts, and Meg executing her final con.
Twisty turny, impossible to put down suspense with an unexpected happy ending. #theliesitell #NetGalley
What more can I say? Read.this book! You won't be disappointed! As much as I wanted to hate Meg, I absolutely loved her! This story moves a at a strong study pace that brings all the suspense and thrill with a tingling satisfying end! The writing is so superbly brilliant!
I love when you find a book and you are just hooked on the story. I didn't want to put this down. While I didn't find it to be much of a "thriller" I thought it was great. The storyline was refreshingly different. I really liked Meg. I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. I also liked Kat. She was an interesting character!
Who is she? Is she Meg, Maggie, or Melody? I know who she is - she's a con artist! She is a clever one. She is working the long game and out to right some wrongs. She is a chameleon and can become anyone she needs to be to charm her mark.
Kat is a journalist who has been waiting for 10 years to expose the woman who changed the course of her life. She wants to be the one to expose Meg.
Who can be trusted? Who is telling the truth? Just how clever are you? Who are you fooling? Who are you?
This was such a clever and intelligent book. I had a hard time putting it down as I wanted to know who would pull the wool over whose eyes. I enjoyed both female leads and their thoughts and motivations. This was very nicely done, and the pacing was spot on. Julia Clark's The Lies I Tell was a gripping and fun read. I also loved being able to visualize all the places. I lived in L.A. for a very long time, and I enjoyed hearing some of my favorite places being mentioned. I also enjoyed the drama and the tension in this book.
I am looking forward to her next book!
#theliesitell #NetGalley
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark 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.
I very much enjoyed this story about a con woman/ avenger of male vs female wrongs, and the journalist who discovers her and tries to investigate. The interplay between the two female characters is priceless. Both of them have withstood adversity and both are motivated to see those wrongs righted. They make each other stronger in the end, and I just love every bit of this book!