(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Truth Be Told, part of the bestselling Jane Ryland and Jake Brogan series, begins with tragedy: a middle-class family evicted from their suburban home. In digging up the facts on this heartbreaking story-and on other foreclosures- reporter Ryland soon learns the truth behind a big-bucks scheme and the surprising players who will stop at nothing, including murder, to keep their goal a secret. Turns out, there's more than one way to rob a bank.
Boston police detective Jake Brogan has a liar on his hands. A man has just confessed to the famous twenty-year-old Lilac Sunday killing, and while Jake's colleagues take him at his word, Jake is not so sure. But he has personal reasons for hoping they've finally solved the cold case.
Financial manipulation, the terror of foreclosures, the power of numbers, the primal need for home and family and love. What happens when what you believe is true turns out to be a lie?

This is the third novel in the Jane and Jake series of books. I have not read any of the other books so that may weigh on this review.

What started as a promising plot somehow lost its way at about halfway through. I was intrigued by the idea of the foreclosure of the home and the dead body. That certainly drew me in to the story. There was some great scenes written in the first half or so of this book.

Sadly, for me, I just couldn't get into the dynamic between Jane and Jake. I get the impression that they are long time friends (with maybe more than friends being just over the horizon) - but the relationship felt awkward and I had a hard time investing in either of them. Melodrama and almost teen-like behaviour made it hard to like them.

What could have really been a great story was let down, in my opinion, by the lack of depth in the characters. I will have a look at the next book and see if these two get better...


Paul
ARH