Enthralling and suspenseful, Lisa Scottoline’s New York Times bestseller, One Perfect Lie, is an emotional thriller and a suburban crime story that will have readers riveted up to the shocking end, with killer twists and characters you won’t soon forget.“Scottoline keeps the pace relentless as she drops a looming threat into the heart of an idyllic suburban community, causing readers to hold … community, causing readers to hold their breath in anticipation.” –Booklist
“Readers can be assured that the author nails the high school milieu, from athletic rivalries to sexting…they’re in for one thrilling ride.” –Kirkus Reviews
“Entertaining…This fast-paced read culminates in a daring chase that would play well on the big screen.” –Publishers Weekly
On paper, Chris Brennan looks perfect. He’s applying for a job as a high school government teacher, he’s ready to step in as an assistant baseball coach, and his references are impeccable.
But everything about Chris Brennan is a lie.
Susan Sematov is proud of her son Raz, a high school pitcher so athletically talented that he’s being recruited for a full-ride scholarship to a Division I college, with a future in major-league baseball. But Raz’s father died only a few months ago, leaving her son in a vulnerable place where any new father figure might influence him for good, or evil.
Heather Larkin is a struggling single mother who lives for her son Jordan’s baseball games. But Jordan is shy, and Heather fears he is being lured down a dark path by one of his teammates, a young man from an affluent family whose fun-loving manner might possibly conceal his violent plans.
Mindy Kostis succumbs to the pressure of being a surgeon’s wife by filling her days with social events and too many gin and tonics. But she doesn’t know that her husband and her son, Evan, are keeping secrets from her – secrets that might destroy all of them.
At the center of all of them is Chris Brennan. Why is he there? What does he want? And what is he willing to do to get it?
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Suspenseful read of an (eco-)political thriller! This is a stand-alone & will knock your socks off. Be ready to think and feel.
She one of my favorite authors love the twist turns and how she thinks you got the story figured out than it’s shocking twisting
Nothing is what you think it is in this twisty thriller. You’ll be surprised over and over as you try to figure out who is who and solve the mystery. A great read that will keep you turning pages far into the night.
Hang in there Scottloni fans- the first twenty or so pages do not read like Scottolini’s writing- fortunately, her “voice” reappeas, and the storyline picks up and results in a satisfactory ending albeit- a bit too perfect.
I usually tried to guess the ending. Once again Lisa Scottline got me! Great reading!
One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline
November 2017
I received this digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book by this author which I’ve read. I have several on my TBR list so I was thrilled to be able to review this book.
Right from the beginning of the story is becomes evident that despicable manipulative people exist.
Chris Brennan appears to be a highly skilled con artist when he arrives with all the proper credentials for the position of AP Government and assistant varsity baseball coach at Central Valley High School.
Well, things that appear too good to be true, usually are and this was no exception.
As the story unravels, nothing is what is appears to be. There seems to be several characters trying to protect their “perfect lie.” How do you know who to believe when lies start mixing in with truths? The characters are complex and troubled each with his/her own admirable, yet flawed, attempts to “fix” their perceived problems.
Fast moving, suspenseful story with many twists and unexpected turns which keeps you guessing throughout the novel. Who are these people and what do they stand for? Chris Brennan’s appearance is no coincidence so why is he there?
So many questions that eventually get revealed once you complete the book!
I look forward to reading more books by this author!
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways. I was not compensated or required to give a good review. When I started reading this book I started hating the main male character Chris because he was trying to get a teenage boy to help him plant a bomb, but as you start really reading it, you start to like him but then you see the interaction between how each of the boys he working with on his assistant baseball coach looked up to him. Then you get to part 2 and it all comes together. This book makes you think both as American, parent and a decent citizen. When you think about radicals now we forget that we have had a few of our own home grown bad guys who have or still mad how the government does things. We remember 9/11, but lets not forget Oklahoma and loss of life from one of own. This brings it back into the for front. Lets not forget those lost lives also. Thank you Lisa for writing a book that makes you think.
I love her writing. She makes you feel like u are part of the story. Even if you put it down for a day or two, when you pick it up again, you are right there. Many little switches along the way. It truly captures some of the best in people.
Lisa Scottoline simply cannot write a bad book. I have loved every one of them!
You think one thing is happening, but a completely different thing is. Well developed story, believable in the thriller, crime genre
Couldn’t put it down as it drew me in immediately – it had lots of action and surprises in store for the reader.
At first I thought this was a very predictable book….but then I got further into the story. I read it in less than 24 hours!
Lisa Scottoline is one of my favourite authors, her thrillers are not to be missed. Here is another one that did not take me long to finish. Chris Brennan has moved to a small town in Pennsylvania as a teacher in the local high school and a basketball deputy coach. His name is false, he is not really a teacher and is trying to recruit a young boy to give him information. I did not like him at all!! Then, a few chapters in, everything changed, a twist that I did not expect and from there the book was not-put-downable!
This wasn’t my normal type of book. I like suspense and a drawn out mystery, but I’m not usually one who enjoys books that focus on a bunch of baseball players. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the twists and turns of the story. What you see is not necessarily what you get and there is always more than meets the eye.
The new government teacher and assistant baseball coach, Chris Brennan, has a great resume and seems like the perfect guy- except nothing about him is as it seems. Why is Chris Brennan lying about who he is and why is he befriending 3 students? One is the star pitcher, whose dad recently died. Another is the shy son of a single mother. The third is the son of a local surgeon. Is Brennan getting them involved in something sinister? Fans of Scottoline will enjoy this one!
So real you could have seen it on the news! This is a must-read for any sports parents out there. This is a work of fiction, but we all know of similar situations. Man, this one tugs at the heart and really makes you think!
Chris Brennan is the new coach at Central Valley High. He is personable and fits well into the school scenario. However, he’s always minding someone else’s business and eluding sharing information about himself. Follow the baseball and the student family dramas of the small town with Chris’s subtle motions — casing the situations and personalities as well as conferring with his boss –so, who is he really?
This book is a definite page turner. Following students’ families interactions and goals for scholarships as well as student interactions as friends and competitors. Chris’s ulterior motives aren’t visible–but actions speak louder than words. Just had to keep reading last night to find out what the final actions would be…
Love Lisa’s thriller novels.Always anxious for a new one to be relased!
A great read by an amazing author!
Great author!!