Member Reviews

Wow!
I couldn’t put this book down. I finished it in a day.

James Patterson and David Ellis didn’t disappoint. There’s so many twists and turns that just when you start to piece things together, you realize there a new twist.
Marcie’s husband David goes viral rescuing a person from an accident. Strange things start happening in their life soon after. Turns out Marcie’s previous criminal law job came with some secrets and David isn’t who we think it is.

Highly Highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

When I first started the book I was very sceptical about how many 4-5 star ratings it had. But I kept at it and It threw in a few big curveballs that changed my mind. About the 50% mark it had me not wanting to put it down. I’m a huge fan of James Patterson and this book was just as good as his others. It’s a fairly easy and enjoyable read. If you want something to read that is going to keep you going wow with twist this is definitely worth reading.
A solid 4-4.5 star rating from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Was this review helpful?

I’m so so grateful my book fairy got me an ARC for THE LIES HE TOLD ME. I had never read a a book where they co-authored it, just their individual books. I am a sucker for a good domestic suspense, action packed thriller and this was all these things.

I loved everything about this book. I loved the character development of Marcie and David. I wanted to put my foot up David’s behind for a majority of this book and I felt so much sympathy for Marcie because she was in the dark. I kept thinking I had everything figured out and then the story would shift and I’d be thrown for a loop. There’s so many twists that even if you think you figure something out, you probably don’t.

At first strange things were happening and that piqued my curiosity but then things started to become more sinister. This book was also jam packed with action with VERY short chapters. I read this book within a day which is unheard of for me. There was so much action and the chapters were so short that it was easy to say okay just one more chapter and then it’s an hour later and you’re still reading. It was truly such a solid read that kept my attention throughout. This book is going up as one of my favorite books of the year!

Was this review helpful?

Such a thriller! Lies He Told Me races along from the opening with heart-thumping action and foreshadowing to the WILD ending. James Patterson and David Ellis have created a super, fast-reading nail-baiter. If you enjoy being riveted for several hours, read this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Book Title: Lies He Told Me
Author: James Patterson and David Ellis
Publisher: Little Brown & Company
Genre: Mystery
Pub Date: September 30, 2024
My Rating: 4.4 Stars
Pages 384

David Bowers is turning forty-two and decides instead of celebration he wants a little trip down memory lane with wife Marcie. They met years ago cooling off after a run on the path overlooking Cotton River near Anna’s Bridge and married a year later living in the small town of Hemingway Grove, Illinois and have two children - Grace -12 and Lincoln- 10.
David owns “Hemingway’s’ a popular pub/restaurant and Marcie practices family law.
But this walk turns into something they never ever expected .A plunges through a guardrail on Anna’s bridge and goes into the icy cold Cotton River. David heroically dives into the river and Marcie calls 911. David becomes the local hero as a video of the rescue goes viral,
Strange things start to happen at the Bowers house - a coffee pot ends up in the dryer, a kid’s lunchbox is in the middle of the lawn, the dog goes missing and reappears, and the incidents escalate and become more frightening.

This story held my attention. I was curious as to who was pulling tricks on this family.
I so wanted them to be an ideal All American family but feared that just might NOT be the case.

The story gets involved but the JP trademark of short chapters kept me saying – 'One more chapter.'

Want to thank NetGalley and Little Brown & Company for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 30, 2024.

Was this review helpful?

"Lies He Told" serves as yet another testament to James Patterson's unrivaled ability to captivate me with his compelling storytelling. Collaborating with esteemed mystery author David Ellis, it is a fast-paced narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story revolves David Bowers, the proprietor of a local pub, and Marcie Bowers, a skilled attorney. They find themselves entangled in a web of deception and uncertainty. This novel is definitely one for your TBR list!

Thank you to Net Galley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

As noted in my previous James Patterson reviews, I am a huge fan and when you add David Ellis as the co-author, it is an amazing duo! I loved Lies He Told Me and had many theories throughout the book which kept changing as the chapters progressed and more details were revealed! David and Marcie Bowers were quite the interesting couple! I read this one very quickly as I could not stop reading to find out how it ended! Thanks to NetGalley & Little, Brown & Company for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Rating: 5 stars Publication Date: September 30. 2024

Was this review helpful?

I am a long-time fan of James Patterson and many of this co-authors, and "Lies He Told Me" is a very good addition to Patterson's body of work. The premise of this story felt a little too familiar with some others I have read recently - someone is filmed doing something heroic, the video goes viral, and then that person is exposed for who they really are, and the people that have been looking for them now know exactly where their target is hiding. In this case, the hero is David Bowers, and the enemy after him could be multiple people.

I enjoyed the story being told from the point of view of David's wife, Marcie, who had no idea her husband wasn't who he said he was until he saved someone from drowning and weird things started happening in their small town home. Marcie and David were both likable characters, but David didn't feel developed enough for me to get a sense of who he was supposed to be as a father, husband, and businessman to get invested in how things would turn out for him. The story had a good breadth, but lacked depth, but I find this is often the case with Patterson's coauthored works, and if it is something you are used to, it won't be as disappointing as it might be for a first-time reader of these authors.

Thank you to NetGalley, James Patterson, David Ellis, and Little, Brown and Company for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.


*** Review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, and blog on August 31. I will return and post review links at that time.***

Was this review helpful?

Usually I'm not a huge fan of book collabs but this was fantastic! Interesting cast of characters, twists that I didn't see coming and a fast-paced plot come together in a suspense novel that I definitely did not want to out down!

Was this review helpful?

Hemingway Grove, Illinois seems like the most average, easygoing town. Everyone knows everyone. David owns the pub and Marcie is one of the town lawyers. What seem to be two casual, run of the mill Americas turn out to be something much, much different. Having kept out of the spotlight, he's suddenly in headlines and photos around the nation after a heroic save. His anonymity is gone, and suddenly their seemingly basic lives are turned upside down.

James Patterson and David Ellis kept me on the edge of my seat with this one! I loved the twists and turns, and the characters were written so well. This was an excellent read!

Was this review helpful?

This was totally badass! Just when I would think I figured out where it was going-nope, it twisted again! One of the best I’ve read by JP and David Ellis obviously is a great writing partner for him. Very original and well executed! Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Was this review helpful?

Two of my hands-down favorite authors working together on a single book? OH MY LORD how thrilled I was to receive this eARC. I've read James Patterson's Womens Murder Club series (as well as many standalones) multiple times and given so many copies to those I travel with, this will now be at the top of the list for recommendations and great twisty mysterious suspense thrillers. David Ellis also had me in a chokehold with Look Closer and he's now an auto-buy author for me. Just wonderful and gripping and I don't want to give a thing away - just READ IT!!

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Lies He Told Me by James Patterson and David Ellis is a fast paced thriller with twists and turns everywhere. Some of the twists I saw coming and some I did not see coming at all. This book had a good plot and good pacing. I enjoyed the short chapters, which made this book feel like a quick read. While I enjoyed this book, I wish the chapters had a title of whose POV that chapter is in. It was confusing at times. This book is worth the read and will be released on September 30, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC of this book. I voluntarily read it and gave an honest review.

Here is some information about me:
I will be posting my review on Goodreads, Instagram, BookBub, Storygraph and Amazon. On Instagram I have 880 followers. Once I post my review on Instagram I will update my review here by inserting the link below.

Was this review helpful?

This book had my undivided attention from the start and never let go of it! Marcie and David Bowers appear to be the perfect, All-American couple especially after David reaches viral fame after jumping into a river to rescue someone whose car went off a bridge. Unfortunately, David's heroics bring back secrets from his and Marcie's past that they never thought they would have to worry about again. I'm afraid to try to say too much more for fear I'll inadvertently spoil one of the many plot twists that make this a fantastic book. Just know that you're going to need to carve out some uninterrupted time to start this book, because once you start, you're going to need to finish it as soon as possible because it's that good! I started and finished this in just a few hours because I HAD to know what happened next.

Thank you toNetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC to review and give my honest review on.

Was this review helpful?

"Lies He Told Me" by James Patterson and David Ellis is a fantastic book that had me hooked from the very first page. The authors have crafted a story that is twisty, interesting, and utterly immersive.

The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me engaged and entertained throughout. Just when I thought I had things figured out, a new revelation would come to light, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The suspense is masterfully maintained, making it hard to put the book down.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each contributing to the depth and intrigue of the story. Their motivations and secrets are unveiled in a way that adds to the overall tension and mystery, making the narrative even more compelling.

The writing style is clear and concise, yet rich in detail, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The pacing is perfect, ensuring that there's never a dull moment while also allowing for moments of reflection and deeper understanding of the characters and their predicaments.

In conclusion, "Lies He Told Me" is a wonderful book to read and enjoy. It's a gripping thriller that will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Highly recommended for fans of suspense and mystery!

Was this review helpful?

"What am I willing to do for my kids? It's a question all parents ask themselves--a rhetorical question usually. Would you give your life for your children? Almost every parent would say yes. Would you lie for your children? Almost every parent would say yes. Would you break the law for your children? Would you kill for your children? Questions I've never confronted. Never thought I would have to confront. But now I do."

Wow! I literally finished this book in a day! It was completely unputdownable! And, I really thought I figured out the twist, only to find that James Patterson had delivered the mother of all red herrings and I'd totally gone down a wrong path! This book truly has it all: strong characters, suspense all the way through, so many twists and turns that keep you guessing. I can only hope that James Patterson and David Ellis team up again because they truly make an amazing team. They kept me interested and guessing and unable to stop reading all the way through!

Was this review helpful?

I'm a sucker for anything James Patterson writes, but a collab with David Ellis? Sign me up! Lies he told me delivered! It was fast paced, and kept me on the edge of my seat. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, I was wrong. Thriller fans, this one's for you!

Was this review helpful?

This is one of those books that you pick up and simply can’t put down. David and Marcie Bowers are living an idyllic life in a small town until David's saves a stranger in an accident and becomes a local hero— complete with internet fame. Suddenly, secrets from David’s past start surfacing, and Marcie is left questioning everything she thought she knew about her husband.

The story does a great job of balancing suspense with emotional depth. There are twists I saw coming and others that blindsided me completely, which kept the tension high and the pages turning. The love between David and Marcie was beautifully written, and even left me in tears at one point even as I questioned how much of their relationship was real and how much was based on lies. Patterson and Ellis have created a suspense novel that's gripping without being overly stressful, making it a perfect pick for a cozy weekend read.

One of the things I loved most about this book is its pacing. I finished it in just three hours because I couldn't tear myself away. The short chapters and fast-moving plot made it an incredibly quick and satisfying read. If you love thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat but don't leave you feeling frazzled, this book is right up your alley.

I give the book a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It’s ideal for fans of suspenseful mysteries who appreciate well-developed characters and surprising plot twists. Whether you’re a die-hard James Patterson fan or new to his books, this collaboration with David Ellis is not to be missed.

Was this review helpful?

Fans of bestselling author, James Patterson (who writes with dozens of authors who most likely make the novels better), will want to pick up Lies He Told Me, which introduces David and Marcie Bowers who live in the small town of Hemingway Grove, Illinois. David owns the local pub and Marcie has given up her law career in the big city to practice in the small town. As far as Marcie is concerned, her life is almost perfect with a wonderful husband and two kids. But when David jumps into the river and rescues a stranger, making him a hero with his picture all over the news, strange things lead to her finding out her husband is living a secret life. As the story unfolds, readers will wonder whether Marcie is just living in a dream world.

This is one of Patterson’s better novels, probably due to David Ellis, and the characters are well developed. The story is captivating, and will keep readers on edge throughout. The story has plenty of twists and turns, and ends up with a big surprise at the dénouement.

As the story is told, it has enough unexpected scenarios, that most readers will be on the edge of their seats. All told, this is a viable thriller that will keep every reader’s interest.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

This is one of the best mystery/thrillers I have ever read! Both authors are excellent and together they are dynamic!
I would rate this up there with Gone Girl as one of my favorite books ever, it’s that good. Expect a lot of twists, you will not be disappointed. I am definitely going to read all of their collaborations now.
Thank you to Net Galley and Little, Brown and Company for an e-arc of this book.

Was this review helpful?