Leo Balanoff is in a world of trouble. He was just arrested after his fingerprints were found on the murder weapon used to kill a well known drug dealer. But, the FBI has a deal to make. Help them by going undercover to take down the drug dealer’s boss, the circus leader of their whole operation, or go to jail for the murder. Of course, Leo chooses to avoid prison and go undercover, but he is in for a wild ride, one he didn’t even see coming.
Review:
I loved Look Closer by David Ellis and was so excited to read The Best Lies. Look Closer still takes the cake for me in comparison to David Ellis’ new novel. But, I did really enjoy this read as well. It sucks you in right away. You know that you are in for a world of twists and turns with this author and I certainly was not disappointed! I did not anticipate them in the slightest. This is very heavy on organized crime and sometimes I felt lost and just not smart enough for these criminals and their shenanigans. I had to reread a few times especially because there are a lot of characters to keep track of. But overall, I really enjoyed my time reading this one and would highly recommend it! The Best Lies published today, 7/23! Go pick up your copy!
Thank you to NetGalley, David Ellis, and Penguin Group for this ARC of The Best Lies in exchange for an honest review!

I read Look Closer a while back and loved it so much, it was a 5 star read for me. This book was no different. Whiplash (in a good way 😂) from so many twists and turns had me going the whole time. And so many lies! I loved the fact the chapters were short, so I flew through the pages quickly. The use of Estonian language was a nice touch, as I found myself using a translator to look up sentences. Kudos for the extra book interaction!

I love this author’s twists and turns. Told in multiple POVs and timelines, The Best Lies kept me guessing. I thought I knew where Leo’s story was going, and admittedly, I was so wrong.

I still don’t think anything can top Look Closer, but this is a close second. Highly recommend! Happy publication day!

Thank you to David Ellis, Penguin Group Putnam, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Happy pub day to this one!! David Ellis really knows how to write them! I thoroughly enjoyed The Best Lies & thought it was more intricate than his last, especially with the mobster elements! The twists and turns kept coming & kept my attention. I loved this!

Take me to the chiropractor because I have whiplash. THE BEST LIES is twisty, clever and really well written. Despite the constant 180s, timeline shifts, multiple characters and changes in perspective, I was hooked and completely entertained by the (complicated) story.

Leo Balanoff is a defense attorney who’s also a pathological liar. The book opens with his imminent arrest for the murder of a child trafficking, drug dealing mobster. That’s when Leo offered a deal: work undercover with the FBI in exchange for a lighter sentence.

But nothing is as it seems in this book, and David Ellis does a masterful job of weaving a ton of storylines together to make THE BEST LIES a quick and satisfying mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for an early digital copy of THE BEST LIES in exchange for my honest feedback.

Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

The smartest plot award goes to…..

Thanks NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC!

Avoid synopsis and dive in blind!

Review -

Here comes the latest from the author of the highly acclaimed thriller last year – “Look Closer”. If you’ve read and loved it, chances are you will love this too!

Wow, David Ellis deserves a Bookish Oscar for coming up with such high octane, cleverly constructed plots. The plot in #TheBestLies is so tighly woven, that it is impossible for anything to escape. It is literally a black hole that will suck you right in and won’t let you breathe until you reach the very last page.

Being a lawyer himself, the author has chosen a lawyer, Leo Balanoff, as the MC – only this one is accused of crimes himself, has a tarnished reputation and a penchant for getting into all sorts of trouble by going the extra mile for his clients.

But goodness was Leo brainy! He was simply a lethal combo of extraordinary arithmetic abilities, extremely sharp wit and cunning shrewdness. Leo will be one of my favorite characters ever! Oh, add to it some great sarcastic humor.

Coming to the execution of this thriller, there are several timelines which can be slightly hard and misleading to keep track of. But just go with the flow, adapt the mantra – “believe nothing and trust no one”!

Your innumerable questions would need to wait - be patient for it will pay off handsomely. Ellis delivers several power packed twists that are sure to leave you gasping!

There are several elements that hook us – corporate espionage, crime lords, snooping FBI agents and dark pasts converging with the present. Look out for some triggering themes.

The ending was a pulse pounding race and make sure you escape ‘life’ to finish this book – you won’t be able to put it down! Just suspend your disbelief for a bit.

Thriller fans, run!

I absolutely devoured Ellis’ previous novel Look Closer. When I saw that he had a new thriller hitting shelves I had to get my hands on it! This one did not disappoint!

I saw a few early reviews that stated it was even more fun and thrilling if you go in without reading the blurb. So, for the first time ever, I went into it knowing almost nothing. And WOW! That really paid off. I can’t recommend you doing the same with this one enough. I truly couldn’t put this one down.

Pinned thoughts:
📌 Fast paced
📌 Bingeable
📌 Short/easy chapters
📌 Multi POV
📌 Insanely entertaining
📌 Twisty through out
📌 Fun characters

If you love crime thrillers, I highly recommend you pick this one up!

Leo Balanoff is a pathological liar and a justice-seeking attorney who just had his law license reinstated after a five year suspension. He finds himself fighting for justice, but finds himself in the middle of a crime mob. When Cyrus Balik, drug and human trafficker is killed and Leo’s fingerprints are found of the murder weapon, Leo is arrested for the murder. As the FBI's only real shot at bringing down this ruthless group, Leo must decide if he would rather risk his life to help them or go to prison for murder. Soon Leo's new role brings him back into working with his ex, former cop Andi Piotrowski, who might just know more than she is letting on.

For me this one was a slow burn and a little dry in the middle. The ending was great and I really overall enjoyed the book. Leo was a very interesting character, and I feel very well developed. Leo had a complex family dynamic and with his willing to strive to do good, was amazing.

I really love this author. The way he structures a story the timeline is all over the place but it leads you into so many surprised when you think you understand the back story.

Leo is a vigilante lawyer with a sorted past. He will bend the rules for the “right” thing to happen. He is propelled by this fierce love for his little brother who tends to get himself into trouble. It’s really a top tier thriller.

This was SO good! Leo is one clever guy, and I really enjoyed his adventures in this book. Usually, assisting in solving crimes of this magnitude would not be described as adventures, but Leo has a certain knack for making sure things work out as they should!

Leo Balanoff is an attorney who treads a delicate line between righteousness and legality. While diagnosed as a pathological liar, he's as smart as a whip. He's a math whiz who thinks in permutations of prime numbers (which completely flew over my head). This wild story unfolds as Leo is arrested for the murder of Cyrus Balik; a notorious gangster involved in heinous crimes. DNA found at the scene combined with a clear motive implicates Leo in the murder. It is revealed that Cyrus and his criminal syndicate, led by the even more ruthless Nico Katsaros, has been working on a major scheme involving international espionage. FBI Special Agent Chris Roberti strikes a deal with Leo for him to avoid imprisonment by going undercover to do an important job for Nico. Leo also runs into his ex-girlfriend Andi, a former police officer now working in private security. The story weaves recollections of the past with present events, resulting in a series of unexpected twists and turns. When everything masterfully comes together, get ready to fall off your chair. 

Seems like author David Ellis decided he was going to challenge his readers to really stay on their toes. In The Best Lies, the lies and the twists keep coming and coming. I lost count. Having enjoyed his previous work, Look Closer, my expectations for this new book were very high. It did not disappoint. Leo Balanoff is a morally ambiguous character you can't help but root for. The skillful blending together of different perspectives and timelines is a testament to the author's talent. It completely blew my mind. Don't miss this book. 

Rated 4.5 stars.

I was genuinely shocked by this book. It grabbed me right from the start and took me on a wild ride. The thriller aspect was intense, with a mystery that kept me guessing and a crime plot that felt deeply immersive. The legal twists were smart, and the action was pulse-pounding.

The espionage angle added a slick, secretive layer that made everything even more thrilling. The characters' reckless choices injected a dose of unpredictability that kept me hooked. And then there was the romance—it was a pleasant surprise. It didn't overpower the plot but provided just enough hope and emotional depth to make the ride even more engaging.

The book was twisted, but in a way that felt just right. It had a complex, layered story without getting too convoluted. It was a fantastic read for sharing with a buddy, offering the perfect mix of suspense, action, and a touch of romance.

I wanted to love this book so much, but I
couldn’t get into it. I even tried to start it again and no luck. I was so bored. DNF @ 12%

The Best Lies by David Ellis is a twisty, fast-paced and exciting thriller.
This is crime fiction at its best with dynamic characters, action and fabulous writing.
I was addicted to this story from the start and couldn't wait to find out what happened!
The storyline was fabulous and I loved the characters. So many twists and turns and everything was tied up at the end.

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Huge thanks to @david_ellis_author, @putnambooks & @PRHAudio for the early finished copy & #audio #ARC of #TheBestLies

With Look Closer being the best #thriller I’ve ever read, there was absolutely NOTHING that could have kept me away from this one. I very impatiently waited for it for a long while!

The Best Lies is definitely different from Look Closer, but #DavidEllis does what he does best & gave us fabulous #psychological thriller. Ellis is an expert at weaving a web of characters who may or may not be who they seem with connections that you won’t see coming. Ellis is the only author that comes to mind who I believe can pull off the complexity of his stories without them being difficult to follow or confusing. That’s literal magic, y’all!

There are several key characters in this one & you never really know who’s the “good guy” and who’s the “bad guy.” Leo, by far & away, is the star of the show. Working in the legal profession myself, Leo is a rare mythological creature that I desperately want to see out in the wild! The pacing was steady & held my attention the entire time because I KNEW Ellis had some great twists & turns in store! Grab it TODAY & have a fabulous time figuring out who’s playing who!

“Leo Balanoff is a diagnosed pathological #liar with unthinkable skeletons in his family's closet. He's also a crusading #attorney who seeks justice at all costs. When a ruthless drug dealer is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints show up on the #murder weapon, no one believes a word he says. But he might be the FBI’s only shot at taking down the dealer’s brutal syndicate.

Risk his life going undercover for the feds or head straight to prison for murder? Leo accepts the FBI’s offer—but it comes with a price, including a collision course with his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop and “the one who got away.” Forced to walk a tightrope between an ambitious #FBI agent and a cruel, calculating #crime boss, Leo’s trapped in a corner. But he has more #secrets than anyone realizes, and a few more cards left to play”

#Review #Audiobook #2024 #July #NewRelease #TBR #MustRead #Bookstagram #Bibliophile #Read #Reading #Book #Adult #Fiction #Suspense #Mystery

The story begins at the end. The cops show up to arrest a guy for murder. He calls his lawyer. Gradually, we’re let in on the events leading up to this moment. A straightforward crime novel.

When I got to the first “30 years ago” part, my head exploded. For a while I wondered why the author would reveal something that wild, that early in the book. And then, the twists kept coming, delivered at just the right frequency, right up until the end. Every time I thought I was reading a simple crime story, another bombshell dropped. I would feel dumb if I wasn’t so impressed with the author’s ability to trick me like that.

The main characters, especially Leo, felt fully developed, with their quirks and backstories. The writing was descriptive and I felt like I was able to picture things, like the convoluted path Leo takes to ditch his tail. Everything was answered by the end, and it all fit together as it should - no unanswered questions here.

Was it farfetched? Sure, of course. It needed to be. But it kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me interested throughout the whole story. If I had to offer one critique, I’d say that the time jumps in the first part of the book had me feeling a little lost at first, but I quickly caught on and pieces of the story built upon each other in a logical, if not chronological, way.

Another great thriller from David Ellis!! So many twists and turns, and it would be hard to follow from any other author. Ellis does such a great job outlining the characters, explaining their connections, and doubling down on the complicated twists so you always know what's happening. I really enjoyed this read and was entertained the entire book!!

Bestselling and award-winning (favorite) author David Ellis returns following Look Closer (top books of 2022) with his latest wild-ride twisty thriller, THE BEST LIES.

An attorney gets caught up in a web of murder, secrets, and deceit between a ruthless drug dealer, a syndicate, the FBI, and his ex in this heart-pounding, riveting, fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end.

About...

Leo Balanoff is a diagnosed pathological liar with skeletons in his family's closet. An Illinois attorney who seeks justice at all costs. However, when trying to defend a client — he gets caught up in a murder when a ruthless drug dealer is found dead.

After fighting to have his law license reinstated, the murder of human trafficker and drug lord Cyrus Balik makes him the prime suspect due to DNA found on the murder weapon. Prison or help the FBI?

Since no one believes he is innocent, the only way to stay out of prison is to work with the FBI to bring down the more prominent dangerous criminals, putting himself at even greater risk.

In the process, he contacts his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop turned corporate security guard. Their relationship is complicated, filled with unresolved feelings and past betrayals, which adds another layer of tension to the story.

FBI agent Chris Roberti is a cancer survivor. They are after the boss, Nico. Leo becomes a chess piece to try to steal a formula that could cure cancer from Quigley Crowe International, a private medical technology company, and sell it to the Chinese Government. Yes, the same company where Andi works.

He also needs to protect the son of a deceased client who is being hunted down by dangerous criminals. Can Leo trust Agent Chris, Andi, or anyone?

Now, he is in the middle of an ambitious FBI agent and a calculating crime boss. Does he have more cards to play?

Told from multi-POVs and timelines (2023-2024)
Leo Balanoff: Attorney
Andi Piotrowski: Leo's ex (love of his life) former cop, now corporate security
Christopher(Chris) Roberti: Special Agent FBI

Leo (2010, 2017)
Andi (2010)
Marilyn (1994) Leo's past

My thoughts...

Oh my, Leo, you are quite an interesting character! THE BEST LIES is a complex, razor-sharp, multi-layered gripping crime (psychological) thriller that grabs you from page one to the satisfying ending! Ellis is a master storyteller, and this one is fast-paced and twisty—highly creative and entertaining.

From past to present, get to know all the players both past and present. Wow, the past is intriguing! From wrongly accused clients, human trafficking, crime lords, and corruption.

Whether Leo is innocent or not of murder, a conman, or a good liar, you will find yourself rooting for him! The question is, who are the better liars?

THE BEST LIES leaves you craving for more of Leo's adventures. Here's to hoping for a sequel and more of Leo's thrilling escapades!

Recs...

THE BEST LIES is a little different than Ellis' previous book; however, a favorite author and reminds me a bit of Lou Berney's DARK RIDE (loved-top books of 2023) character—Hardy (Hardly) Reed. Fans of Harlan Coben and David Baldacci will enjoy this wild ride!

Many thanks to Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a digital review copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions. #CoverLove

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 23, 2024
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This story played like an action movie/tv series in my mind. I could see it working well on the screen for those that like the action/thriller genre. This is my first David Ellis book and I will definitely check out his previous works now. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Quote: "For the first time in my life, I can't talk my way out of something."

The Best Lies by David Ellis begins on Valentine's Day 2024, with the arrest of Leo Balanoff. Leo is being arrested for the murder of Cyrus Balik. Nobody is really upset about the fact that Cyrus has been murdered. Cyrus Balik is a very bad man - "worst of the worst."

The Best Lies is told from multiple POVs and travels between the past and the present. It's about two boys - "Leo" and "Trace" - who were taken and sold to a woman named Marilyn. They were taken by Cyrus who is a human trafficker among other things. Marilyn is a grieving widow who not only is grieving her husband, she also accidentally killed her own two sons.

Throughout the book, we uncover Leo's connection with Cyrus. Did Leo murder Cyrus? Is Leo lying? After all, Leo is a pathological liar. Leo loves and has protected Trace his entire life. Does this protection play a roll in Leo's lies? There are so many moving parts to consider. Go in blind and enjoy the ride.

I recommend The Best Lies if you like:
*Police procedurals
*Twists
*Psychological thrillers
*Strong bonds
*Secondary story lines

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the opportunity to read and review The Best Lies by David Ellis.