The Lies You Wrote is a fast-paced story, full of mystery and action that keeps the reader wanting to learn the truth till the end. It's entertaining and grips the reader's attention, even though, sometimes, there are technical and longish explanations about how one can trace and identify a person through their writing. I'm looking forward to reading other books in this series.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

In a genre where originality can sometimes be a bit scarce this book is a very refreshing change.
The main protagonist is a Forensic Lingustic Expert who works for the FBI, and even though some of them see her work as a bit wooly she makes an impact.
FBI linguistics specialist Raisa Susanto is called in to assist in a case which appears to be a copy cat murder.
The reason she's called in is that the original crime was a murder suicide that has had conspiracy theorists hooked for years, and even Susanto uses the suicide note from that crime in her lecturing.
The original crime in small town USA appears to have been a slam dunk but was it. Was the family all that they seem.
And is somebody trying to pass a message in the latest crime.
This is a cracker of a story from a new viewpoint.

The author definitely knows how to write and develop the story and take you with her. I loved her Dr Gretchen books and I was really getting to like Raisa Susanto. But I wish writers would not abuse their access to wide audience with their political messages. Why not to keep your personal political views out of it? It was very subtle but it bothered me even days after.

Not surprisingly I have realized after that the author was a political journalist and worked for Keiser in the past. Fiction or no fiction, books do form young people's minds about the world. If it continues this direction, I will not likely read her again.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and author for this ARC

In "The Lies You Wrote" by Brianna Labuskes, readers are taken on a chilling journey through a small Washington town, where a double murder ignites an investigation that uncovers a web of deceit spanning decades. Labuskes masterfully weaves together elements of forensic linguistics, psychology, and true crime obsession, creating a captivating thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The story revolves around FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto, who finds herself entangled in a case eerily reminiscent of a crime committed twenty-five years ago. The murderer, Alex Parker, killed his parents and left behind a confession note before taking his own life. However, as Raisa delves deeper into the investigation, she encounters conspiracy theories suggesting that Alex may have been a victim himself.

Labuskes expertly develops her characters, particularly Raisa, whose sharp intellect and ability to read between the lines make her a formidable protagonist. Paired with forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny, Raisa forms a dynamic duo, each contributing their unique expertise to decipher the truth. The author's meticulous attention to detail shines through their interactions, adding depth to their partnership and enhancing the overall narrative.

My Thoughts:
Overall, "The Lies You Wrote" is a compelling and atmospheric thriller that will captivate fans of crime fiction. Brianna Labuskes showcases her mastery of suspense and psychological intrigue, delivering a tale that will keep readers engrossed from beginning to end. With its skillful blend of forensic linguistics, psychology, and modern crime elements, this novel cements Labuskes' place among the top authors in the genre. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster ride of deception, as the lies unravel and the truth finally emerges.

The suspenseful psychological thriller "The Lies You Wrote" by Brianna Labuskes weaves together the past and present while exposing a labyrinth of lies, secrets, and a surprising turn. Labuskes creates an engaging and exciting book with nuanced characters and a plot that keeps you guessing right up to the very end.

The protagonist of the narrative is FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto, who becomes involved in a double homicide case in a small Washington town. As she investigates the case, she finds unsettling similarities to a murder-suicide that occurred 25 years prior—the killing of a young man named Alex Parker and his parents. The case appeared to be closed when Alex wrote a confession note, but as Raisa and forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny looked further, they found troubling possibilities indicating Alex was a victim himself.

Labuskes deftly combines many storylines, effortlessly fusing the current investigation with the historical occurrences. As Raisa navigates the complicated world of online conspiracy theories and the deranged thinking of a killer, she does an amazing job of generating unease and tension. As the past and present collide, the tension grows and Raisa is forced to confront the sinister secrets buried beneath both cases.

Raisa's persona stands out because she has a sharp mind and a special talent for deciphering linguistic nuance. Her collaboration with forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny gives the narrative depth because of their engaging dynamic and complementing skill sets. Raisa is a realistic and compelling protagonist because she skillfully balances her weaknesses and skills.

A fascinating feature of the book is its examination of online communities, conspiracies, and the influence of information on perception. while exploring the shadowy side of the internet, where the lines between fact and fiction are blurred and the effects of online content may be seen in the real world. The incorporation of an observant content moderator and a true-crime podcaster adds depth to the story and emphasises how technology affects investigations and information sharing.

The unexpected turns and twists in this page-turner tale keep readers guessing throughout. Labuskes skillfully constructs a tense story, scattering hints and surprises like breadcrumbs along the way. The story's tempo is well-balanced, enabling the suspense to rise gradually while upholding an air of urgency.

The gripping psychological thriller "The Lies You Wrote" will hold your attention from beginning to end. This novel is a must-read for fans of the genre because of Brianna Labuskes' outstanding narrative, complex characters, examination of murky secrets, and the power of perception. "The Lies You Wrote" is a book that will hold your attention until its unexpected finish if you like cerebral mysteries with a moody location and a never-ending sense of suspense.

Brianna Labuskes new book ‘The lies you wrote’ is a fresh take on crime fiction.
The story follows forensic linguist, FBI agent Raisa Susanto as she is called to investigate a double murder in a small town, a crime that mirrors another crime committed in the same town twenty five years earlier. The author tells the story in multiple timelines and points of view but weaves them together in an easy to follow narrative.
‘The lies you wrote’ is crime fiction told from a new perspective, often this genre follows a detective or forensic pathologist, in this story we learn about the role of linguistics in solving crimes, the author includes details about the use of linguistics in crimes without overwhelming the reader.
This was an enjoyable and interesting read that kept me guessing throughout, I look forward to more adventures with Agent Raisa Susanto.

The Lies You Wrote is the first stand-alone book in the Raisa Susanto series. I really enjoyed this forensic thriller very much. It kept me guessing throughout the pages. I have read all of the author's books and I think The Lies You Wrote is by far her best.

Very wordy style of writing. Wasn't something I loved. The cover is brilliant and the premise of the story is too. It just didn't connect for me liked I had hoped it would. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Two stars.

The suspense novel or the year. A real page turner and that you can't let go of once you start! It was engaging, intriguing, eventful and well-crafted. A novel that I recommend to anyone who loves suspenseful and well-constructed plots. Mind blowing and genuinely original, there is no better.

Sorry to say this was just an ok read for me. At times it was too wordy, confusing and technical with the forensic linguist descriptions. I almost DNF multiple times. The story picks up about 3/4 of the way through and that’s when I started to enjoy it. Not sure if I would recommend or read others in this series.

The Lies You Wrote" by Brianna Labuskes is a riveting and intricately woven thriller that showcases the brilliant mind of forensic linguist Raisa Susanto. Labuskes, known for her bestselling novel "A Familiar Sight," delivers yet another suspenseful masterpiece that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

The story begins with a chilling double murder, which draws Raisa into an investigation that uncovers eerie connections to a decades-old crime. Labuskes skillfully combines elements of psychology, conspiracy theories, and true crime to create a captivating narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

Raisa's partnership with forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny adds depth and complexity to the plot, as they navigate through cryptic messages and confessions from both the living and the dead. Labuskes effortlessly builds tension and suspense, immersing readers in a world where the line between truth and deception becomes increasingly blurred.

With expertly crafted twists and a relentless pace, "The Lies You Wrote" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Labuskes' meticulous attention to detail and her ability to delve into the darkest corners of a killer's mind make this novel a true page-turner. Prepare to be captivated and astonished as the shocking truth behind the crimes is revealed.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An FBI linguistics expert is assigned to a copycat murder case and meets a Podcaster and an online site security person. While investigating the murder(s) through their various viewpoints, a common bond beyween them is revealed.

In a small town, FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto gets involved in an investigation that resembles a decades-old murder-suicide case. Teaming up with forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny, they uncover cryptic clues and explore online conspiracy theories to reveal the truth. This captivating book weaves multiple storylines and intriguing characters, keeping you on the edge of your seat with surprising plot twists. Raisa's unique talent for understanding words and her partnership with Callum make them a thrilling duo. While keeping track of secondary characters can be a bit confusing, this suspenseful psychological thriller expands your reading collection in the best way. With unexpected twists, you'll be constantly guessing what happens next.

This early copy from NetGalley allowed me to dive into the book ahead of others, and I'm thrilled I did.

For more detailed book reviews, visit my website: www.thejayword.com

This was a fun and twisty story. I liked that one of the partners who was investigating the murder case was a linguist, this is one of the lesser mentioned fields in crime solving. I also loved to follow the character’s explanation as to how to use language and different idiolects to catch a murderer.

If you like linguistics as I do, and want a refreshing crime solving duo, then I highly recommend this.

I’m going to preface this by saying that I have a degree in linguistics and my best grade by far was forensic linguistics. In the UK, at least, that type of job doesn’t really exist. So I came into this book with exceptionally high hopes for something incredible, witty, bright, and dastardly.

Big problem straight out the door. The reader is introduced to a lot of background characters (who are key to the central mystery plot) very quickly. It is hard to work out who is who and piece together the early trickle of information that will inform upon working out who is responsible. But, fine, I don’t read many mystery or crime thrillers so maybe I’m not up to scratch on how to parse such information (though I read ASOIAF without issue).

Next issue: the stylistic choices in this novel were, at best, making me want to crawl out of my skin.

“Delaney wasn’t made for love.
She was made for death.”

There is a seriously high amount of introspection in this book. Nothing happens without the POV character’s internal monologue lending it’s voice and talking about (often) the past. I felt myself flagging at these points and, you know what, Delaney? I wanted to pour bleach in my eyes too.

Raisa isn’t much better than Delaney though. Both have their quirks and I think the author is trying to portray them as cleverer than they come across. There’s nothing truly unique about either of their voices and to be brutally honest I wasn’t always clear which character had centre stage at any given moment in time. No, I lie, I could. But only because Delaney’s chapters subjectively (I didn’t count) contain more nominal sentence.

Now? Despite saying that I struggled to keep up with the key players, without spoiling the plot, I realised fairly early on one of the big reveals. The others I didn’t. Thing is, I very rarely realise these things. The author has laid out some of the groundwork early on, which gave too much away, but didn’t place enough paving stones to tie up all the loose ends. Especially considering something as contrived as how everyone ended up being interlinked and have the threads of their lives entwine so frequently in the past.

And honestly? This book doesn’t have enough linguistics, let alone forensic linguistics, for that to be a key selling point. Did I enjoy it? Somewhat. But I wanted more.

This book had me hooked from the start with its fast-paced plot and intriguing premise. As a forensic linguist, Raisa Susanto finds herself entangled in an investigation that connects a present-day double murder to a chilling crime committed decades ago. Brianna Labuskes demonstrates her deep understanding of the subject matter, skillfully weaving intricate details into the story.

The twists and turns in this forensic thriller kept me on the edge of my seat. With a multitude of characters and their complex backstories, the author creates a rich tapestry of intrigue. The story unfolds with each chapter, answering questions while leaving enough suspense to keep me eagerly turning the pages.

My only minor critique is that the abundance of background characters occasionally made it challenging to keep track of everyone. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone in search of a thrilling and fast-paced read. Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this captivating novel!

This is more than a five star read. Actually at least seven stars out of five for these new series by a great author. Her previous novels centered around Dr Gretchen White and I was disappointed that she was not the focus of this one until I started to read it. Here we have Dr Raina Sustanto, a linguistic expert with the FBI, whose work I found fascinating and wanted to know more so I actually googled books on the subject. Anyway, we are thrown into a possible copycat murder of a set of parents killed by their son Alex. Online there is a swell of ‘Alex is innocent’ posts and Raina joins the team to investigate. What follows is a multi leveled complex story with twists I never expected and a really wow ending. Can’t wait for the next one.

Great read that kept me guessing and wanting more. Highly recommend and can’t wait to read more from this author!

Wow, this book was fabulous and it hooked me from the very beginning!

The storyline was great and the characters enjoyable. As an avid mystery and thriller reader I really thought I knew where it was going and and then I was left with whiplash from the twists!! I was pleasantly surprised as I most books I pick up I rely on multiple reviews, however I was able to read an advanced copy of The Lies You Wrote with only the small synopsis available and I am so glad I did.

I am excited to have found a new author to add to my collection. Do not hesitate, give this book a shot, you will not be disappointed!

"She closed her eyes and the world faded to black."

The suspenseful psychological thriller "The Lies You Wrote" by Brianna Labuskes weaves together the past and present while exposing a labyrinth of lies, secrets, and a surprising turn. Labuskes creates an engaging and exciting book with nuanced characters and a plot that keeps you guessing right up to the very end.

The protagonist of the narrative is FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto, who becomes involved in a double homicide case in a small Washington town. As she investigates the case, she finds unsettling similarities to a murder-suicide that occurred 25 years prior—the killing of a young man named Alex Parker and his parents. The case appeared to be closed when Alex wrote a confession note, but as Raisa and forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny looked further, they found troubling possibilities indicating Alex was a victim himself.

Labuskes deftly combines many storylines, effortlessly fusing the current investigation with the historical occurrences. As Raisa navigates the complicated world of online conspiracy theories and the deranged thinking of a killer, she does an amazing job of generating unease and tension. As the past and present collide, the tension grows and Raisa is forced to confront the sinister secrets buried beneath both cases.

Raisa's persona stands out because she has a sharp mind and a special talent for deciphering linguistic nuance. Her collaboration with forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny gives the narrative depth because of their engaging dynamic and complementing skill sets. Raisa is a realistic and compelling protagonist because she skillfully balances her weaknesses and skills.

A fascinating feature of the book is its examination of online communities, conspiracies, and the influence of information on perception. while exploring the shadowy side of the internet, where the lines between fact and fiction are blurred and the effects of online content may be seen in the real world. The incorporation of an observant content moderator and a true-crime podcaster adds depth to the story and emphasises how technology affects investigations and information sharing.

The unexpected turns and twists in this page-turner tale keep readers guessing throughout. Labuskes skillfully constructs a tense story, scattering hints and surprises like breadcrumbs along the way. The story's tempo is well-balanced, enabling the suspense to rise gradually while upholding an air of urgency.

The gripping psychological thriller "The Lies You Wrote" will hold your attention from beginning to end. This novel is a must-read for fans of the genre because of Brianna Labuskes' outstanding narrative, complex characters, examination of murky secrets, and the power of perception. "The Lies You Wrote" is a book that will hold your attention until its unexpected finish if you like cerebral mysteries with a moody location and a never-ending sense of suspense.