Domestic noir at its best. Readers will devour this stunning page-turner about the disintegration of a marriage as grief, jealousy, betrayal and murder destroy the facade of the perfect literary couple. New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison takes her exceptional writing to a new level with this breakout novel. They built a life on lies Sutton and Ethan Montclair’s idyllic life is not … idyllic life is not as it appears. They seem made for each other, but the truth is ugly. Consumed by professional and personal betrayals and financial woes, the two both love and hate each other. As tensions mount, Sutton disappears, leaving behind a note saying not to look for her.
Ethan finds himself the target of vicious gossip as friends, family and the media speculate on what really happened to Sutton Montclair. As the police investigate, the lies the couple have been spinning for years quickly unravel. Is Ethan a killer? Is he being set up? Did Sutton hate him enough to kill the child she never wanted and then herself? The path to the answers is full of twists that will leave the reader breathless.
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I love domestic thrillers on audio, and the narrators were amazing. LIE TO ME is a heart-pounding ride, filled with seriously disturbed twists. Be warned, though, you’ll want to keep listening way past bedtime.
The turns, the twists, the lies! They kept coming. I loved it.
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time! It kept me up late reading because I just had to keep going.
This book had me saying “what the hell” during the reading more times than I ever has a mother, and believe me, that’s impressive. I was pulled into the story from the very first sentence and that grip never let up, creating a wonderfully provocative look at how choices will always catch up the person making them, how those decisions sometimes cause disastrous consequences, and how the power of trust and love in your partner can override a lot. The perspective of the narrative is unique but also disconcerting and at times uncomfortable, because it switches from third person to first person breaking the 4th wall and talking to the reader. It heightens the feeling of not knowing what is happening and it definitely makes sure all the lights are on as it’s being read, though ultimately this POV shift is what made me bring down the rating a bit. The climax is completely heart-stopping and terrifying and twisty and perfect. By the time the arc arrives, the audience is aware of who the villain is, because they are told by the antagonist themselves- which is frightening in it’s own right. The ending can be a bit confusing and it definitely raises it’s own questions, but the author leaves it open to a sequel if they so choose. Overall, my impression is that this is an incredible, intense book and is one that must sit on the shelf of every reader who claims to love psychological thrillers. This is one to keep.
#2 on my books to read list.
Ellison is always a good read
Miss understanding love of couple simple life turned as awful life style.For that arrange wedding may be safe more than love of wedding. And It Seems like That Wasn,t true love. Both killed their lifestyle By using Fake love.
So Please people Of the world Never Lie with anybody.
If you enjoy escaping into the turmoils of another couple’s marriage, this is the book for you. Ethan and Sutton have many secrets and betray each other with ease. Not every marriage is as it seems and this book further supports this statement. An entertaining listen for your drive into work!
Favorite Quote:
My dad’s military, and of Greek descent. He was the one who saddled me with Constantine. No American kid should have more than two syllables in their name. It’s an open invitation to be a target.
My Review:
Lie To Me was a tantalizing, enthralling, and ingeniously crafted read, I was quickly yanked into a story that wouldn’t let me go, regardless that all the while I couldn’t get a firm grip on the who, where, what, why, or how. The story starts with a body, hidden in plain sight, and in the process of decay. I couldn’t get a handle on whose version of the details was closest to the truth or was even partially trustworthy, who had been killed, how the murder had been committed, why a woman had really left her husband and where did she go? I just knew that a woman was missing and a body was waiting to be found. The characters were mesmerizing, devious, deeply flawed, compelling, and dastardly… or were they? J.T. Ellison is an evil genius and masterfully scribbled an engrossing storyline heaving with a cleverly conniving and alluring cast of characters. More, please!
this author never disappoints
This book was an easy read that kept me guessing. The mystery builds and the twists ensue. Never sure what to think. Very good book.
Sutton and Ethan Montclair had the ideal life–a beautiful marriage, a gorgeous house, successful writing careers, and a beautiful baby son. But with the death of their baby, Dashiell, things started to crumble. Peering into the cracks, it was clear that Ethan’s career isn’t going well and Sutton was depressed and broken after Dashiell’s death. So when Ethan wakes up and finds a note from Sutton telling him that she’s left and not to look for her, he doesn’t know what to think. Did she really run off, leaving her phone, laptop, credit cards, and ID behind? Or did something more sinister happen? As for Ethan and Sutton’s friends–and the police–they quickly start to wonder if the something sinister is Ethan.
So in the years since Gone Girl has come out, I’ve seen so many books compared to that juggernaut and felt that so little truly were similar (and keep in mind that I wasn’t one of those that *adored* the novel). However, reading LIE TO ME, I felt like this book really deserved the plot comparison to GONE GIRL — wife missing, volatile marriage, husband under suspicion, unreliable narrators, etc. For a while, I was curious how J.T. Ellison would differentiate her novel from GONE GIRL, but she pulled it off (more on that later).
This novel was compulsively readable; I read it basically in two sittings. I stayed up until midnight to finish it, which is no small feat considering my small children don’t care how late I stay up! It slowly builds suspense with the unknown, dropping little hints as to bits and pieces of the story. We start with Ethan’s piece of the story, eventually switch to Sutton, and then finish with both of them. Interspersed are various portions where an unknown “narrator” speaks directly to us, the reader, as well as the police. All of this creates suspicion and tension and lets us know that we certainly have unreliable narrators in both Ethan and Sutton. Who do we believe? Even the police–called in to investigate Sutton’s disappearance–are confused. I was completely hooked and, honestly, madly flipping the pages.
The Sutton portion slowed things down slightly, but things rapidly picked back up. I won’t lie (ha), I worked out some of the plot, but it certainly didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the novel, and I definitely didn’t figure out everything. The book’s a little crazy, with a slightly wild plot, but it’s a fun and thrilling read. The supporting cast is interesting–especially a policewoman itching to become a detective, and some of Sutton and Ethan’s friends. As I mentioned, the plot is a little insane, but fun crazy, and Ellison weaves together all the pieces quite effectively.
This is my second novel by Ellison and I’m finding that I just enjoy the suspense and escapism of her novels. (You can read my review of her novel, NO ONE KNOWS, here). The book isn’t always perfect, but it’s a really enjoyable thriller, hence the 4-star rating–which makes it higher than GONE GIRL for me. Sacrilege for some, but I just enjoyed this one more.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley. More at http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com.
The story grabs you right away. A real page Turner.
Kept me guessing! A real page turner!!
A bit creepy!
Love all Of Ellison’s books.
Super interesting
Very good book. Rich characters. Exciting ending. Heartily recommend.
Stayed up until I was finished.
Lie To Me is a expertly weaved tale full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through!! This is hands down one of my favorite reads this year, it kept me completely captivated from start to finish, and just when I thought I had a handle on things, Ms. Ellison kicked it up another notch and would pull the rug out from under me all over again!!!! Highly recommend this one, it had it all; thrilling mystery, intense drama, a touch of romance, gut-wrenching emotion, and heart-pounding action that is sure to have you holding your breath more than a few times!