What an absolute thrill.

Emilia Ward is the best-selling author of the Miranda Moody detective series. Married to her second husband and successfully co-parenting with her first, Emilia recently finished working on her tenth book - an epic conclusion to the Miranda Moody series - when, one by one, incidents and storylines from her previous books start happening in her own life. Already unsettled and on edge, Emilia has even more reason to worry when the threats start coming from the plot of her most recent, still unpublished novel - the one that only very few people, all in her inner circle, have read yet. And then someone close to her is murdered…

A fast-paced, claustrophobic and smart murder mystery that had me up way past my bedtime to finish it in one sitting and kept me guessing until (almost) the end!

Disclosure: I read a lot of thrillers/murder mysteries and pride myself on usually being able to figure out the culprits fairly quickly. Well, I was totally hoodwinked by this book. While I initially had the correct suspicion, the author then did such an amazing job of deflecting from that suspect that I thought I was wrong. Moreover, I totally fell for her red herrings, which I hardly ever do. But not only was the setup smart and the book well-written, there were a few surprises that came completely out of the blue (the twist at the end of part 1 was something I did not see coming at all & that I‘m still marveling at!).

Finally, I thoroughly enjoyed that Emilia, while still doing some amateur snoopjng and sleuthing, has a good head on her shoulders - she invests in security, talks to the police (who, for once, are not just completely incompetent fools), shares her suspicions with other people, and gets her kids out of the house and out of danger.

This all made for a very satisfying mystery - one of the best I‘ve read in a long while.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Woman Who Lied has so many elements I love in a good mystery book. Firstly, it's about a writer---I feel like those are always so fun! We get the book-within-a-book piece and a whole lineup of great characters/suspects. There are a fair amount of red herrings, but I feel that they're done in a way that makes complete sense from our main character's POV. This is one where "everyone is a suspect," but it's not cheesy...everyone in Emilia's orbit truly does feel like they could be hiding the secret that will unravel it all.

Plot: Emilia Ward is about to release the last book in her series about detective Miranda Moody. Her Last Chapter is currently being read by publishers and very early readers of the author's choosing. When strange occurrences start happening that mirror plot points from Emilia's books, she starts to get worried. When horrifying events from her unpublished book start manifesting in her real life, worry turns to terror. Who could be behind the threats meant to scare her family? Emilia becomes paranoid of everything and everyone as she gets closer to uncovering the identity of the person behind these dark coincidences.

Claire Douglas is such a talented writer! The plot is engaging, the suspense is palpable at the end of each chapter, and it's one of those books that keeps you guessing cover to cover. I love the London setting---it's the perfect place for a mystery and this book brings some English charm, which I love. If you like stories within stories, you'll love this! The storyline is so unique and felt like a plot that could actually happen in real life. Come to think of it, this would make a fantastic Criminal Minds episode! I'll be hoping to see The Woman Who Lied on the screen in one way or another. Can't wait to read Douglas' next book!

Thank you so much to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, NetGalley, and Claire Douglas for the ARC of The Woman Who Lied!

Malia was known for her captivating charm and impeccable poise, but beneath her polished facade lurked a penchant for deception. Her lies flowed effortlessly, weaving intricate webs of deceit to shield her true intentions. With a silver tongue and a calculated smile, she expertly manipulated those around her, leaving a trail of unsuspecting victims in her wake. Though she wore a mask of innocence, her deceitful nature betrayed her at every turn, revealing a woman who thrived on deception.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I always enjoy Douglas' books and, as expected, I found this to be an engaging read with several twists and turns along the way. Emilia is a likeable main character and I particularly enjoyed the chapters from her POV. I was a bit confused when the other POVs were introduced but it all came together well.

This book is not only on par with the author’s other brilliant works, it surpasses them! It has a complex, but engaging, plot, interesting characters with enough development to feel invested in what happens, and unpredictable twists. I really enjoyed this one and will be recommending closer to publication day. Thanks for the opportunity to read!

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Emilia is a tired author ready for a new start after a bestselling series about a detective solving crime. She writes a story that kills off her main character, hoping that will pave the way for future stories. But when the events of her books start happening to her, she wonders if she’s about to befall the same fate as her character…
The storyline was good. I like the main idea Douglas portrays. I also appreciated the twisty who-done-it moves that came in the final quarter of the novel.
That being said, I struggled with getting into the story. Moving back and forth and matching between Emilia’s life and parts of Emilia’s. Overall. It was just okay for me. This was a bit slow, but intriguing enough to have kept my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, and the immensely talented Claire Douglas for an ARC of this book!

Suspenseful and complex plot, realistic and likeable main character, and great writing style all made this book a good read!

I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read all of this authors books and have loved every single one so I knew this one was about to be a treat. it far exceeded my expectations! there are so many twists and turn and you truly never know how the book was going to end. I loved the idea of taking plots from the main characters famous novels and using them to taunt the FMC. you meet a wide array of characters and it was a lot of fun trying to guess at who could possibly be responsible.

The book itself was a fast, thrilling, and immersive read. I throughly enjoyed it. Claire Douglas has hit the mail on the head with this one.

I really enjoyed this book. It was quick and had me turning pages! The characters were like able. I’m grateful to have had the chance to read this. Thank you for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 ⭐️ I love this author and couldn’t wait to read her latest book. It was released in the UK in 2023 but a year later in 2024

So I had the US arc eBook and the UK audiobook - yay! I was so excited and expected to love it but found the main character Emilia rather dull. She didn’t have any quirks or unique characteristics and she spent most of the time hiding a secret that wasn’t really a big deal imo

The book alternates POV with an inspector who’s tracking down a serial killer and she’s kind of dull too. I love a serial killer thriller but this was so dry

I think and I hope I’m in the minority because this author is smashing, but this book just fell flat for me. It was so convoluted with way too many coincidences and dull characters. But reviews say the complete opposite so I recommend reading it and letting me know why I’m wrong 😅

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for access to this ebook ARC in exchange for my honest review

Claire Douglas’s best yet! Cleverly plotted, engaging, page-turner. The twist mid-book was a real shocker and so well executed. I’ll definitely continue reading this author.

This book was slow in the beginning but I liked the idea of it so I continued with it. When it hit 25% it picked up and I finished it within 24 hours! So many twists & turns!

WOW ! What a wild ride, I could not stop reading until 2 am last night. I was still guessing about the killer until the very end. I love Claire Douglas's writing style ! I read a lot of thrillers and this one was different than anything I have read recently. I highly recommend this thriller, it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Perennial Paperbacks for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 stars. Definitely took me awhile to read this book. I just couldn’t seem to get into it. The ending was okay.

Hooked me from the beginning. 3 different point of views which did confuse me at first but then I started to put it together. Really loved the story within a story. Great thriller. Definitely recommend! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

This was a satisfying thriller! I felt a bit confused by the varying points of view through the first part of the book but once I figure that out it all fell into place. I found some of the twists predictable but love that all points were wrapped up and explained. Will definitely read more of Claire Douglas’ books! 3.5 stars!

“The woman that lied”….boy, did she! Unfortunately, that wasn’t all she did. Warning: whiplash inducing twists ahead! Wow, don’t think you’ve got this mystery solved. Any of them, that is. “The Woman…” is so well plotted. I thought I had what was going on with Emilia figured out then I’d realize I’m not sure I know exactly who she is. Perhaps an unreliable protagonist?? Hmm. Wonderfully twisty with well developed characters. Excellence again, Ms Douglas!!

I’ll be honest, I thought this book had a slow start and was going to end up on the “eh” side of reviews. I was pleasantly surprised toward the end when I felt the same way the main character did: OMG IS EVERYONE GUILTY?! This book definitely redeemed itself, for me! I’d give it a solid 3.5 ⭐️ rating

I have enjoyed some of Claire Douglas' other books and with a great synopsis I expected to be all in on this one as well; unfortunately this just didn't hit with me. I couldn't connect with the characters, possibly because of the third person/first person narrative and I just couldn't get into it.

The idea of a crime author's books beginning to mirror her own life is such a great premise. Even more so how does someone know what's going to happen in a book she hasn't yet had published? It could be anyone in her inner circle.

I wanted to enjoy this and maybe that just added to my disappointment. I will keep looking to Claire Douglas' for other enjoyable reads but in my opinion this wasn't her best.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.