‘Totally mesmerizing! I literally had to pick my jaw up off the floor… had my heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst! Totally amazing and brilliant!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Tia is walking home with her children, along the lakeside of their quiet, safe town, when she realises something is wrong with her five-year-old daughter, Rosie. She seems troubled, not at all her usual happy self.… troubled, not at all her usual happy self.
But when Tia finally coaxes Rosie to open up, she wishes she hadn’t. Because her sweet daughter asks a question Tia never thought she’d hear.
‘Why did you kill someone?’
Tia knows how rumours spread around her small town. She just can’t understand who would have shared such a horrible story. Or why.
It can’t have anything to do with what happened. Only her two best friends really remember that…
Tia thought she could trust Fiona and Kelly with her life. They’ve been through so much together. But when she’s sent photos of herself that could tear her whole world apart, she starts to wonder. Someone is determined to punish her. But who? And will her friends stand by her, or will the past destroy all of their lives?
From the million-copy-bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Perfect Family, this absolutely addictive psychological thriller is guaranteed to make you gasp. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and Big Little Lies this book is for you.
See what readers are saying about One of Us Is Lying:
‘Oh I have adored this book! Most definitely five stars. I literally haven’t been able to put this one down… kept on the edge of my seat’ Little Miss Book Lover 87, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Fantastic, suspenseful… so, so good. I really didn’t want to put the book down and finished it in one day.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘That ending, wow!!!!!… couldn’t get the book out of my head. I wanted more… 5 Hearts ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Shalini Boland is a fantastic author! She captivates you from the beginning and yes, it was another late, late night! But so worth it!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Another stunner… 5 stars all the way from beginning which hooked me to the very last page… I already want more!!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Read this novel and prepare to be blown away!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Shalini Boland fires out another top read!… unputdownable… What more can I say but – RECOMMEND!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘WOW!… addictive… it takes off like a rocket! I didn’t just read this mesmerizing book, I inhabited it.’ Bookpreneur, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Enthralling… leaves you gasping for air… If you haven’t read anything by this author, then you really should. Be warned though as her books are highly addictive… you won’t be going anywhere until you get to the last word.’ Bytheletterbookreviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved loved loved this book. 5 Stars!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow!… gripping from page one and didn’t let you go until the very end… Highly recommend!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Fantastic… thrills us with twists, turns and suspense… tense, gripping… captivating and addictive… I’m already looking forward to the next one!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oooh!!… Another stunning read from the very talented Shalini. Boy has she done it again!’ Nicki’s Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘WOW!!! What an engrossing, psychologically twisting read!!!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐more
Another definite must-read from Shalini Boland! One Of Us Is Lying is another win – twisted, tantalizing, un-put-downable tale of three childhood friends who suddenly face daunting and frightening threats. Do they dare confide in each other, their partners or keep their own counsel? Who is after them and what do they want? This one will entertain from the beginning to the very end!
First, I want to thank Shalini Boland, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
Shalini Boland is back again with another must read book called One Of Us Is Lying! Her storylines are so creative and mind blowing that your jaw just drops open at times. Shalini literally thinks outside of the boxes for her stories which makes me one of her biggest fans.
Right off the bat she captured my attention and pulled on my heart strings right in the prologue. Then bam the first chapter yet again pulled harder on the heart strings but with questions. From there the accusations of the book got good-real good.
This book could be summed up as something ripped from the headlines that could be also made into a Netflix original movie. I highly suggest she submit this book for book to movie. It would be a hit!!!
Shalini picked an amazing cast of strong female characters in this book. Each with their own issues going on in resulting to the present day storyline. She also goes back to the past to fill us in what happened back then.
There were moments in this book that I didn’t even see coming! I was totally shocked by this! Only Shalini could have pulled off such a climax!! Incredible job!
On a side note I want to say that I am sorry for the loss of Shalini’s Mom who passed away of Ovarian Cancer and never got to read her latest novel. She was the one who installed the love of reading and poetry at a young age for Shalini. She was such a proud Mom and read all of her books. May she RIP.
An addictive story from an author I hadn’t read before, and it takes off like a rocket! I didn’t just read this mesmerizing book, I inhabited it. One Of Us Is Lying is one of those rare stories that grips you until the early hours. It’s a well-crafted mystery about three friends living immaculate lives and dealing with the inevitable emotional and psychological trauma that occurs with a few threatening texts. Tia, Fiona and Kelly form the narrative in this cracker of a story in alternating points of view, each with their own tale to tell.
Tia is horrified when her daughter alludes to a terrible rumor. A few boys at school say she killed someone, an allegation Tia hotly denies. Not to mention a few photos that could easily destroy her marriage. Kelly, recently widowed and with a recklessly bleeding heart, allows a stranger to stay with her — a stranger who is escaping a violent husband. Fiona, impossible to read and somewhat mysterious, is an interior designer who is being audited by the HMRC. An ambitious woman who wants to enjoy her career without the burden of kids, at least for now.
The book hurtles onwards and can only be described as a heart-pounding, page-turning, can’t-put-down, adrenaline-pumping novel. Each character is drowning in a mire of someone’s making and their carefully ordered lives are turning into a tangle they never expected. The book examines the obliterating trauma that comes with keeping secrets and their aftermath.
Each chapter goes back in time to provide the reader with an inviting summary, shaping each woman a contour at a time. As silhouettes begin to transform, it becomes clear that envy sits center-stage, and someone is threatening them. In such a small community, there is nowhere to hide. Dialogue provides a discrete eye into who they are and what they’re about. But the burning question throughout the book is who is targeting them and why is the past returning to bite them? Their lives are irrevocably damaged and things become chaotic in a very small space of time. The pace ramps up when Kelly receives a text to meet someone at the boathouse in Ashridge Falls, Fiona receives a message that intimates Mr Taxman will disappear, and Tia sees a text that assures her the photos will be destroyed — but it’s not all plain-sailing and the ending will have you tied up in knots.
Another fast-paced thriller from this great author! Three women who are best friends are suddenly finding themselves in all kinds of trouble with no idea what is going on. Because they are ashamed of the secrets they are hiding, they don’t even share with each other what is happening to realize that they are not alone in their misery and that someone is determined to make them suffer. Tia is sent photos that would destroy her marriage, Fiona is facing a tax audit in the business she owns and a stranger that Kelly takes in is more sinister than she could imagine. Why is this happening to these women and why now? And by the time they realize they are all in trouble, will it be too late?
This book is addictive, one of those that you don’t want to put down once you get started. You quickly fall right into the story and you find there’s never a good place to pause and take a break because you keep wanting to see what happens next! It’s an easy to read, breezy thriller that sure, you may figure out long before the characters do, but who cares when you’re having so much fun?
This is another great read by author Shalini Boland that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Each chapter is told from the point of view of alternating lifetime friends, Kelly, Tia or Fiona. The women still live in the small sea-side town they grew up in where everyone knows everyone. After a strange young woman appears at Kelly’s window one day, strange things begin to happen. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very exciting book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the story (kept my attention all the way through) and it was well written. My only complaint was that there were enough grammatical errors to really detract from the writing itself, which is a shame and could have easily been avoided, especially if you use a proof-reader. Sorry, but it’s a serious pet peeve of mine; I have been known to put a good book down, permanently, for that reason
Shalini Boland, will your psychological thrillers ever fail to amaze me? No, I think not!
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“One of Us is Lying” was another page-turner (or binge-listen in my case), and I’d expect nothing less from one of my favorite *1-click* authors!
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Tia, Kelly, and Fiona are childhood best friends, all grown up and mostly as close as ever. Tia and Kelly each have families of their own, while Fiona, forever career-oriented, makes up half of an outwardly perfect power couple. When rumors start to form, unbelievable photos pop up, and reputations come into question, it doesn’t take long for these friends to start doubting each other and everyone around them. You’ll have to read it yourself to find out just how it all unravels!
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Shalini certainly knows how to write ’em! This particular story is told through three main narratives, along with glimpses into a past event that sneaks up every few chapters. “One of Us is Lying” was another one of those books that kept me interested the entire time and made me want to knock some sense into a few of their heads! While I wasn’t completely pulled towards one character or another, I appreciated what each of them brought to the metaphorical table. Tia’s persona was driven to protect her family, no matter the cost. Kelly desired to help those in need, even at the risk of her family. While Fiona craved peace and success. Perhaps if they’d all confided in each other, to begin with, they’d have figured out how everything connected a lot sooner – luckily for me, they didn’t, as that would’ve shortened things up way too fast for my liking!
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Now, if you’re looking for a binge-read with an ending you won’t entirely expect, then look no further! Thank you to the author, the publisher Bookouture and Netgalley, for my complimentary ebook copy of “One of Us is Lying”! I also purchased the paperback and audio format of this title as Shalini Boland is a favorite, and I love following along in multiple ways, depending on my mood! I’d like to note, Katie Villa was an excellent narrator for this piece of work! I have voluntarily and honestly reviewed this title as four stars.
Having read Shalini Boland’s previous books, I expected a fast-paced and thrilling read. Unfortunately, I was somewhat disappointed. This was more about characterization and not so much about a quick-paced and compelling plot. Three friends, Tia, Kelly and Fiona, all have secrets and now someone is trying to expose their secrets and destroy their lives. Told from the points of view of all three of them, the story broke down for me as I tried to keep track of which chapter I was on and whose story I was reading at the time. That may have been because I was distracted by the events happening in real life, but I didn’t really relate to any of the main characters, so that may have been a reason that I didn’t like this book as well either. I just wanted the story to move along faster so I could find out who was wreaking havoc in their lives and how or if they could put the pieces back together. Although I was somewhat entertained by this book, for me there were many ho-hum parts. The secrets that were revealed and the ending were worth sticking to completion of the book, and the author did a masterful job of painting the portrait of three young women whose lives were destroyed by one past choice. Fans of suspense may enjoy this latest book by Boland.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
One of Us Is Lying was not one of my favor Shalini Boland books. This book really dragged the first half, and I found myself frustrated at the three main characters in this story. For supposedly being very close friends, all three came up with the darnedest excuses for not talking to each other about the significant issues going on in each of their lives and assuming the others would judge and/or not believe them. Tia, Kelly, and Fiona have been life-long friends, and now suddenly each are being threatened, blackmailed, and rumors abound about each of them. The suspense finally kicks in at the half way point and doesn’t let the reader rest until the final chapter.
I loved how this book twisted and turned through the points of view of the three women. I thought the author did a fantastic job of weaving it all together (she certainly kept me guessing). I also liked how they each were dealing with their personal issues, adding another layer to the tension. I have read several books by this author, and I think she keeps getting better. This one had a chilling mystery and a very taut story. For more thoughts, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a pre-release digital ARC of the book.
Tia. Kelly, Fiona .. three women who have been friends for years. They’ve all their ups and downs, but nothing like what’s going on now.
Tia … her children have heard rumors at her children’s school. They want to know if their mother has killed someone. And then she’s sent pictures of herself in bed with a man she has never seen before. How did this picture get taken? If she tells her husband, will he believe her?
Fiona … has a successful interior design business. So why is she being audited? And why is she so nervous? Her husband will have a fit and he’s not the most agreeable person around. He’s more into looks and perceptions and will keep Fi in line so as to not be embarrassed.
Kelly … widowed with 2 young children. A young woman appears on her doorstop begging for help. She is running from someone, but won’t say who. Kelly has a soft heart and allows her to stay in their attic room for a day or two while she tries to figure what to do. Imagine Kelly’s surprise when she comes home only to find police surrounding her house. Seems like the house guest is accusing Kelly of keeping her prisoner in her attic.
Who is manipulating these women’s lives? Who wants them destroyed? More importantly …. why?
This is well-written with twists and turns that will have your head spinning. The characters are deftly drawn and remain memorable long after reaching the unexpected conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Psychological Thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily. opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Tia, Fiona, and Kelly are best friends who grew up and still live in Ashridge Falls. It is located on a very large lake with a beautiful waterfall. There are many large homes owned by wealthy people. Each year, there is a regatta where many of the townspeople take part sailing. As it happens, the regatta is scheduled to happen in a few days.
Tia is married to Edward, a chef, and they are the parents of Rosie and Leo. Tia is called to the school where young Rosie has been upset and finally tells her mother that some kids said her mother had murdered someone. Shocked, she reassures Rosie and tells her it is untrue and to not listen to mean kids. Now, someone has sent her some scandalous photos of her with someone she doesn’t know. Who sent them and why? She is terrified that something may have happened when she recently had drinks out with her friends, but she doesn’t remember anything happening.
Fiona owns an interior design business called Salinger’s and works with mostly wealthy people to redesign large homes they have bought on the lake. Fiona is married to Nathan, a successful man who works in finance. They have chosen to not have any children. She has just gotten a visit from the tax department where they insist on doing a tax audit on her company. This makes Fiona very nervous and she hopes they don’t find anything wrong.
Kelly is a widow and the mother of two sons. She lives in a large home and her husband left her comfortably well off. She volunteers at a charity shop several days a week. Today, a young woman named Sophie came to her back door and is very frightened. It appears she is a victim of domestic abuse and against her better judgment, Kelly insists that Sophie stay with them for a few days until she can get her into a place where she will be safe.
These three women share an incident from the past that has had a profound affect on them. Now, someone is out for revenge saying they lied. Did they?
I did not see what was coming and why these women were being targeted by someone. The ending is nail biting and one you don’t want to miss. This author’s books are fabulous and I cannot wait to read more of them.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.