I was hooked until the end. Not the outcome I wanted but this was a good read. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the series and will be adding #2 to my TBR

I felt like this book was slow in it's pacing and it was hard for me to make sense of things at times. I was still intrigued by the story and stuck it out to the interesting conclusion.

"Where They Lie" by Joe Hart is a gripping thriller that unravels the seemingly perfect life of Kaylee Volk and her family after a tragic plane crash leaves Kaylee as the sole survivor. The story kicks off with a shocking revelation from Kaylee herself, accusing one of her foster children of causing the crash. This sets the stage for a compelling narrative as Nora McTavish, a child protective services agent with her own troubled past, embarks on a mission to uncover the truth.

One of the book's standout features is the character development. Hart intricately explores the depths of each character, revealing their flaws, vulnerabilities, and evolving motivations. This attention to detail not only enriches the story but also keeps readers deeply engaged as they navigate the complex web of deceit alongside Nora.

The plot is expertly woven with twists and turns that maintain suspense until the very last page. As Nora digs deeper into the Volk family's secrets, tension escalates, and unexpected revelations keep readers guessing. Hart skillfully builds anticipation, leading to a satisfying and surprising conclusion that ties together the intricate threads of the narrative.

Overall, "Where They Lie" is a must-read for fans of suspense and thriller genres. With its well-developed characters, intricate plot, and relentless suspense, the novel delivers a haunting tale of murder and hidden truths that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Joe Hart's skillful storytelling makes this book a compelling addition to any thriller enthusiast's reading list.

A psychological thriller that delves into the dark secrets of a seemingly perfect family. We follow Kaylee, an influencer who shares her family life with her husband and their three foster children through her video logs. The facade shatters when the family is found murdered, exposing the disturbing truths lurking beneath their so-called happy exterior. The story introduces Nora McTavish, a compassionate yet damaged child protective services agent, who becomes entangled in the investigation. Nora, who has her own traumatic past, is determined to uncover the truth behind the murders and protect the children she is entrusted with. As the investigation unfolds, Nora must navigate through a web of lies, secrets, and hidden motives, leading to a gripping and suspenseful tale filled with twists and turns. The novel is noted for its deep character development and intricate plot, keeping readers engaged until the very end.

I love a book where the prologue packs a punch and Where They Lie by Joe Hart, did just that. Being drawn in from the very beginning makes for a far more enjoyable reading experience

It's the first book in a new series and one that I plan to continue reading. It's the perfect thriller for a new reader to the genre or a seasoned reader wanting something quick and enjoyable

Where they Lie by Joe Hart is a psychological thriller seen through the eyes of Nora McTavish, a child protection officer. When a plane goes down carrying a family with three foster children that she placed, Nora starts to wonder whether there was more to the family than she thought - did she miss something??

This book was shorter than most I read but it was still a great story. Fast paced with slow building tension and a thrilling conclusion. There are some triggers regarding child abuse that you should be wary of, however I felt that it wasn't overdone and was approached in a sensitive manner.

Thanks to the publisher for the chance to read and review this ARC!

This was an ok book. There are quite a few things that were implausible and it was hard to get past them. The characters were okay. Not fantastic but not awful. I did enjoy the mystery and the story was well written.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

Good book - I found the twist to be a little predictable - but all in all a good story.

This was fantastic , an unexpected book of twists and scandals that kept me guessing until the end. I really enjoy this Author. Hello new fave by Joe Hart.

4.5 stars!!!

I ended up enjoying this much more than I thought I would! I had never heard of this author before so I had literally no expectations going into this and I was pleasantly surprised. The initial thing that had me interested is the fact that the main charcater is a social worker that works with kids in foster care, and as someone that has decided to not have my own children and instead have been interested in becoming a foster parent, this hooked me right away. I had no idea what I was getting into when starting this... the initial mystery was super gripping and I had no idea where it was going to go. Alongside the main character's childhood trauma, this book was super difficult to put down. I felt for the main character a lot and there were a few intense scenes that actually had my heart racing. My only complaint is that I wish there were more twists, not because the ones in here weren't good but because they were SO GOOD. As I was starting this, I learned that the sequel is coming out in April and I couldn't be more excited. I'm definitely going to go back and read some of this author's backlist in the hopes that he'll be a new favorite thriller author!

A suspenseful and eerie read, I was flying through the pages to see how it ended. Loved the book and how it all came together!

"The murder of an influencer’s family exposes the disturbing secrets behind the facade in a haunting novel of suspense by Joe Hart, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Or Else."

I always love a starting a new series and after this book I will definitely keep my eye out for the 2nd., especially when characters are working to overcome their own past and trauma like Nora is. The premise was interesting to me - did Andrea really do it? What did Nora miss? A quick, enjoyable read.

This felt very solid and average. I wasn't blown away but I also would consider reading more by Joe in the future. Essentially the story in it's entirety is nothing original but it does have a few thrilling moments.

Thanks to netgalley for this early copy.

Nora is trying to get to the bottom of what happened to the Volk family, someone doesn’t want her to.

Where they lie is a typical story, about our main character going above and beyond their duty of work requirements and role description, to carry our plot. Nora is trying to investigate and doing some illegal things in the process to get to the bottom of what happened to the Volk family. During these investigations, someone is coming to try to stop her.

I enjoyed the story, however did find the first 50% slow and a little boring, the 2nd half of the book however, I was able to finish in less than a day. The story was easy to pick up on the hints that were dropped, and I realised quite a lot of the red herrings were just that.

I believe this was my first book by this author, and I will definitely check out more of his work, but this story didn’t wow me. It was entertaining enough, but nothing super memorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was just Ok for me. I guess since it’s by Joe Hart I had higher expectations.
It wasn’t bad but far from a favorite.

Where do I begin? Where They Lie by Joe Hart was not supposed to be my next review. I have a list a mile long of reads I am always excited to read and share my thoughts (as if they matter). Lately, I've been coming across titles that kinda just take hold of me and refuse to let go.

Where They Lie crashes onto the scene with a literal crash. Yes, pun intended. An unsuspecting sailing enthusiast, fearful of his choice to sail as a storm brews in the waters, is stunned by the (intentional?) crash of an aircraft.

Enter Nora McTavish. News of the private plane's "accident" leads Nora on a quest to understand what went wrong. As a child protective services agent, she's unable to look away from this tragedy. Unable to ignore the guilt she feels having brought this family together, Nora searches for the truth. Why did this family die and why was one of the foster children being blamed for the tragedy?

Before long, Nora's search for an answer puts her in danger.

Obviously! Or we wouldn't have this novel.

First of all, I enjoyed reading Hart's Where They Lie. It's a fast paced, quick read that grips readers that are forced to see where this thriller leads. Nora's narrative is impeccable and encompassing... as far as first person narratives go. No matter how intuitive our antagonist is, they leave a wake of thinly drawn characters along the way.

Nora is a complex, damaged character, who begrudgingly allows us pieces of her life. If anyone deserves their happy ever after, it is Nora. Yet, Hart offers the readers Kaylee Volk. Those who have read the book blurb know that she's a big deal in this plot.

Kaylee Volk, a social media influencer, chronicles her life as a foster parent to three teenagers ripped from their dangerous homes. After having won the foster kid's lottery, one of those teens are blamed for killing the entire family, except Kaylee.

Honestly, I only mention Kaylee because she, and her family are the catalyst that moves the story forward. What secrets are they hiding? Why would a young, rich, married couple insist on fostering teens? Why is death more enticing than keeping up the influencing charade?

Where They Lie was an interesting read that kept me interested even when I wasn't reading. But... my gripes are that the characters are as flat as the acting skills of your favorite influencer.

ALSO!

I'm not sure if this mattered to Hart but using the "influencer" trope will ultimately date this novel. Yes, this phenomenon of average people making a shi*load of money is beautiful, it's also not sustainable. Kaylee was exactly who/what I think of when I see "influencers". The cookie cutter image we all have in mind.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Where They Lie. Joe Hart is a solid fixture on my list of authors I must read if I'm in the mood to be hooked. A solid read but definitely not something that will stick with me for long. Since this seems to be the beginning of a series, I will definitely follow Nora and her subsequent novels.

Copy provided by Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley

Really enjoyed this story of a woman persisting in finding the truth about a foster situation, with unexpected turns,and methods. Really was wrapped up in it.

Such a fun thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. A one night read, Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

I promise myself over and over again that I will stick to my thoroughly planned out list of books I need to read in order .

Do you think I stick to this list?

Nope.

Not when a book like Where They Lie was just approved .

I, like most of us blogger, get to the end of the month and fear missing out on just one more book. So instead of going to work like a normal human, I called out to read .

Don’t judge me .

The one thing I don’t regret is playing hookie when I just concluded another banger of a book. Giving this book ONLY five stars would be an insult . This book breaks every rating scale we have put forth.

If you want to know what I’m talking about you better run on over to your favorite bookstore and order this mind bending thriller.

The murder of an influencer’s family exposes the disturbing secrets behind the facade in a haunting novel of suspense by Joe Hart, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Or Else.

Family is content for Kaylee Volk. Her vlogs celebrate a happy home with her husband and their three foster children, Bethany, Mason, and Andrea. Everything is perfect until the day the family’s private plane plummets into the ocean. Only Kaylee manages to survive—with a shocking revelation: Andrea did it.

This is particularly devastating for Nora McTavish, a child protective services agent who is already familiar with Andrea’s troubled history. Given Nora’s own traumatic childhood, how could she not have sensed the profound darkness festering within the girl? What did she miss? Could she have stopped Andrea?

As Kaylee struggles to cope with the crushing loss, Nora’s investigation begins. But her guilt soon turns to unease. Secret by secret, Nora pieces together a Volk family puzzle that’s more twisted than anyone saw—one far from the picture-perfect life Kaylee sold to the public. And the closer Nora looks, the more disturbing it gets.