Gudenkauf proves herself the master of the smart, suspenseful small-town thriller that gets right under your skin.” –Gilly Macmillan, New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny Everyone has a secret they’ll do anything to hide… Twenty-five years ago, the body of sixteen-year-old Eve Knox was found in the caves near her home in small-town Grotto, Iowa–discovered by her best friend, … Iowa–discovered by her best friend, Maggie, and her sister, Nola. There were a handful of suspects, including her boyfriend, Nick, but without sufficient evidence the case ultimately went cold.
For decades Maggie was haunted by Eve’s death and that horrible night. Now a detective in Grotto, and seven months pregnant, she is thrust back into the past when a new piece of evidence surfaces and the case is reopened. As Maggie investigates and reexamines the clues, secrets about what really happened begin to emerge. But someone in town knows more than they’re letting on, and they’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth buried deep.
And don’t miss Heather’s latest book, AN OVERNIGHT GUEST! You’ll be chilled and riveted from start to finish with this story of an unexpected visitor and a deadly snowstorm!
Check out these other riveting novels of suspense by bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf:
The Weight of Silence
These Things Hidden
One Breath Away
Little Mercies
Missing Pieces
Not a Sound
Before She Was Found
more
4.5 Stars
Maggie Kennedy-O’Keefe is a detective in the small town where she was raised. When her best friend, Eve Knox, was found dead 25 years ago, the case went unsolved, but now new evidence emerges providing Maggie with the chance to finally close the case and possibly catch the killer.
“You have no idea what Eve would have wanted.”
Immediately, this story screams thriller with a tragic death, numerous suspects, layered motives and a town full of secrets. Adding to the suspense are multiple POVs and a shifting timeline between past and present making the chapter choreography perfectly orchestrated. With Maggie as the protagonist, she brings an interesting element to the investigation creating a constant tension.
“I know better than anyone that everything you love can be taken away in a second.”
Besides Maggie, this cast of characters brings a full range of variety and complexity. In particular, Nola is one that challenges the reader with her peculiar interests yet she also has vulnerabilities. I suspected everyone throughout this book and I enjoyed guessing along the way. There were some aspects that left me wondering about a certain character, but buried truths have a way of staying that way.
This is How I Lied is a crime thriller laced with compelling characters and an engrossing plot that keeps the reader wondering until the very last page.
Twenty-five years ago her best friend was taken from her and this earth, murdered and left in a cave, and no one was ever arrested or charged with the crime. And for twenty- five years this event has haunted detective Maggie Kennedy O’keefe. Being the one to find your murdered best friend is bound to rattle your world, but the not knowing who did it is just as bad.
Armed with new evidence, Maggie is determined to find the answers no one else ever has, she feels like she owes her friend that much, and nothing is going to stop her from doing her job! Just as she starts to make headway on the case things start to take an unexpected turn… a dangerous one that could cost her everything!
This is How I Lied is a startling little page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. Following Maggie on her journey for answers was quite exhilarating and emotional. Page after page I fell deeper into her world and more addicted to the words, I just couldn’t pry my eyes away from the pages. Wow what a read!! I have got to say this first time read impressed on all fronts, the words held my attention intently throughout, and the characters were perfectly drawn… loved every minute of it!! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
This is How I Lied is a thrilling read. So well written and kept me wondering almost until the very end whom was actually responsible for the murder. As most of this authors books it was so well written, with many twists and turns. I would definitely recommend this book to those that enjoy a good suspense thriller.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Genre: Thriller
Type: Standalone
POV: Shifting – first person and third person
Rating:
Maggie O’Keefe’s life changed irrecoverably when her best friend was murdered at fifteen. For twenty five years she was plagued by the nightmare while the killer was never identified. Now a detective, she was determined to solve the crime when new evidence emerged. But opening up a cold case might uncover the small town secrets she was not ready to face.
This story was an engaging read and got me questioning every character for most of the book. I loved the shift between past and present as the storyline uncovered. I enjoyed the overall storyline even though I felt the ending could be tighter.
They still didn’t quite know what to think of her, those old assumptions were so deeply ingrained. Second chances meant shit in small towns.
The characters were intriguing from sweet, helpful ones to vile, evil ones. My favorite was Nola who drew me in right from the beginning with her unconventional interest and provocative personality.
This Is How I Lied is a story of manipulations and buried truths. It would appeal to readers who enjoy being immersed in a domestic thriller read.
THIS IS HOW I LIED by Heather Gudenkauf is an atmospheric and twisty thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It is set in the small town of Grotto, Iowa, and told in two timeframes. Twenty-five years ago, sixteen-year-old Eve Knox was found brutally murdered in the caves near her home where she and best friend, Maggie Kennedy often hung out together. Her body was discovered by Maggie and Eve’s sister, Nola, and although there were a few possible suspects at the time, there was never enough evidence to charge anyone and the case went cold. Maggie has been haunted ever since by her friend’s death and the events of that horrible night. When new evidence is unearthed all these years later, Maggie, now a local detective, is called upon to reopen the investigation and reexamine the details from the past herself. Soon shocking secrets emerge that call into question what really happened to Eve and it becomes clear that not everyone in town wants the long-buried past to be revealed. The heart-pounding story is narrated from three points of view: Maggie, Nola and flashbacks to Eve through the fateful night of her death. Filled with twists and turns that I never saw coming, I couldn’t put this book down. The flawed characters kept me guessing who was telling the truth and who could be trusted right up until the end. I really enjoyed this compelling and suspenseful book and I highly recommend it! Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.
This is a real pulse pounding thrill ride of a novel. It centers around Eve who was murdered twenty five years ago and the case is still unsolved. It is told in the voices of Eve, who was murdered, Her sister Nola and her friend Maggie. It is told in alternating times, from 1995 and 2020, past and present. This book will grab you from the first page and not let go till the shocking ending. The characters are believable and just come to life off the pages. My heart was pounding as I tried to figure out if Maggie killed Eve or was it someone else. I was wrong in my guess. This book is incredibly well written and flows effortlessly from beginning to end. You don’t want to miss this amazing story written by an incredible storyteller. Absolutely mind blowing action!! Be prepared for the ride of your life.
Lies lies and more lies. This is a deeply rooted murder that went unsolved because of layers of lies one over the other. This author doesn’t just tell the story she has you live it. Through the investigation and the unraveling of the present with glimpse of the past and what actually happened we get through the incident. Lots of details that don’t bog down the story and plenty of dirty details of their reality, guilt and secrets. Things aren’t black and white and no one is as innocent as they seem. This is my first read by this author and it was a great one to hook me in and make me a fan.
336 pages
5 stars
I’m not sure how a simple review can do justice to this book. Lots of surprises, lots of action and bone chilling suspense. This is a remarkably well written and plotted book. It is written in two timelines: 1995 and the present. It clearly and brilliantly speaks of the mid-teen angst from which all teenage girls suffer. One girl fancies herself in love with an older man and another has an abusive boyfriend. And the secrets these situations engender. I truly enjoyed this story (as soon as my fingernails recover), and definitely want to read more from this author. Very well done, Ms. Gudenkauf!
Detective Maggie Kennedy-O’Keefe who is married to Shaun is seven months pregnant. She gets the request from her boss, Sheriff Digby, to re-open the murder case of Maggie’s best friend Eve Marie Knox who was sixteen at the time of her death in the winter of 1995. Maggie and Eve’s younger sister Nola were the ones who found the body in a cave near their homes. Nola is a very odd child.
Maggie is uncomfortable investigating Eve’s case, but feels duty bound to see it through. Soon, strange things begin to happen: obscene phone calls, origami creatures left around, arson at her home and outright hostility from her neighbors. Why?
Maggie is also trying to cope with her father who is suffering from dementia. He sometimes wanders and throws the whole family into panic. As he pregnancy progresses, she begins to feel more uncomfortable – for many and varied reasons.
I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin – Trade Publishing (US & Canada)/ Park Row for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Be prepared for all kinds of surprises because nothing is as it seems in Heather Gudenkauf’s latest compulsive thriller, THIS IS HOW I LIED…. Full of dark twists and turns, and questionable characters, this one will keep you wondering who did what, who will do what next, and if they’ll get away with it. Gudenkauf is a master at writing small-town creepy, and this novel deserves a top spot on your reading pile.