One marriage. So many secrets. Can a camera that captures those secrets, exposing them through pictures, save the marriage or send it crashing into the sea? Kelly Whitely is at the height of her career, selling the latest miracle drug to doctors and pharmacies across the country. But concerns about the side effects have her longing for the day when she can quit her high-paying job and really … really focus on saving her marriage and teenage daughter. She keeps trying to talk to her husband, Daniel, about it, but every time she brings it up, he retreats further and further away from her.
Daniel Whitely is a successful marriage counselor and bestselling author, yet secrets from the past have created a chasm between him and Kelly. To make matters worse, the deadline for his second book has come and gone, and he still hasn’t written a single word. But he doesn’t dare tell anyone, not even his wife.
When Daniel inherits an old camera from his grandfather, he notices an inscription on the bottom: “No matter what you think you might see, the camera never lies.”
Daniel begins using the camera, but every time he develops his photos, they threaten to reveal secrets. Secrets about his own career, but also secrets about those around him, including Kelly. With each click of the camera, he risks exposure as a fraud, but if he doesn’t face the truths the photos reveal, what will happen to his marriage? To his family?
- A standalone short novel
- Approximately 60,000 words
- Includes discussion questions, perfect for book clubs
Praise for The Camera Never Lies:
“In his intriguing novel, The Camera Never Lies, David Rawlings challenges us to wonder what our photographs would look like if our souls, not our faces, were captured by the lens. This fascinating story will capture your imagination and your heart.”–Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress
“The camera never lies, and neither does this gripping story about unearthing our deepest secrets in the most fantastical of ways. A message relatable to us all, bottled in an adventure we all love to read.”–Melissa Ferguson, author of The Dating Charade
“A thought-provoking look at the real price that secrets extract–not just from the person keeping them, but from their loved ones, too.You’ll close this story and be compelled to examine your own life . . . and also look at those around you and wonder, ‘Who else looks like they have it all together but is drowning on the inside?’”–Jessica Kate, author of Love and Other Mistakes
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I’ve never read a book quite like this. Other reviewers say that it is very much like a Twilight Zone episode and I’d have to agree. Deep secrets come to light as well as the price that comes with them. Not just individual lives are affected, but entire families.
Author David Rawlings does a great job with his novel, making us face what we would look like if photos told only the truth. The truth about not only what happened, but about what emotions and feelings were involved, also. Kind of a scary concept, it will challenge you and make you look at your own life differently.
Full of life lessons and challenges, I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Daniel Whitely ia a successful marriage counselor, an author of a best-selling book, and he, his wife, and twelve-year old daughter should be living the dream. Instead, their family seems to be falling apart. When his grandfather dies and leaves him a letter, a photo album, and the camera that he had used to take so many pictures, Daniel finds himself unnerved by what the pictures show. He discovers that Gramp’s older camera is extraordinary because it produces final photographs that are nothing like the original shot. Was someone doctoring the photos? Was it a magical camera, able to project the true feelings of the person being photographed? Over and over, Daniel is told that ”the camera never lies”. As he seeks answers an eccentric character named Simon reminds Daniel that “The camera reveals how our lives truly are. We can’t trick it, even if sometimes we think we can trick ourselves and everyone around us.”
I found this book to be very intriguing and I wondered what my photograph would show if this camera was used to take my picture! The Camera Never Lies is a reminder that we often keep secrets to avoid pain or embarassment but these secrets can destroy our lives and the truth needs to be made known. It doesn’t have a strong spiritual presence in the plot but author David Rawlings does convey in his story the need for honesty and he mentions the consequences and dangers of alcohol abuse, addiction, and acting on physical attraction.
If you are looking for an entertaining story that will also make you think, you will want to read The Camera Never Lies.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley but I wasn’t obligated to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
My Thoughts on The Camera Never Lies:
The Camera Never Lies will force you to take a deep look into your own life and think about what it would be like to have all your secrets exposed. Should they stay secrets? Who are we hurting or protecting by keeping them secrets?
I have to admit this was not just a fun read for me. It was a challenging read. What would happen if I had a camera like that? Who would I see? What secrets of myself would I find exposed? Would I want them exposed?
This is a very good read with lots of information to make you think. It’s not going to be a feel-good read. There is a mystery and there are lies and secrets galore. What will people do to protect their secrets?
It made me really think about what my own secrets might be and what would happen if I made them no longer secrets.
I do recommend this book and think it will appeal to lots of people. The author has a gift for writing and coming up with a very unique storyline.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
A thought-provoking look at the real price that secrets extract — not just from the person keeping them, but from their loved ones, too. You’ll close this story and be compelled to examine your own life… and also look at those around you and wonder, ‘Who else looks like they have it all together but is drowning on the inside?’
The Camera Never Lies by David Rawlings is a powerful contemporary novel about the importance of truth and integrity. As with the previous novel, The Baggage Handler, this book has the potential to change lives if we would just apply the advice given.
The Bible declares that ‘the truth shall set you free’, why then is it sometimes so hard to do? “Truth cannot simply be avoided, covered up or ignored.” Do we prefer to hide the truth because of embarrassment? Or fear? Or something else? We must be truthful because lies and secrets will destroy us sooner or later.
The novel explores the foundations of life. Have we built our houses on the Rock or sinking sand? “I think I’d die if I lost that kitchen.” Really? If our treasure is in stuff, we are in trouble. Treasure is to be found in people and God.
A marriage in trouble has far reaching effects. We need honesty to rebuild the cracks or our relationships will crash. We cannot afford to ignore or push our problems under the carpet. We need to deal with them now. We need to look “through the lens of honesty.”
David Rawlings has created a very realistic and likable set of characters. They are easy to relate to with their problems and in their relationships. Any one of them could be me or you. The reader is able to see the trajectory of their lives if they do not talk honestly with each other. But first they need to admit the truth to themselves.
I think The Camera Never Lies and The Baggage Handler are both really powerful books urging us to look at our busy lives. “Busyness… had not brought life.” Do we need to change something in our lives or in our hearts so we bring life and not death to our lives and our relationships with others? We need clarity of vision. We need the lens of truth.
Thank you David Rawlings for writing such incredible books full of godly truths that both believers and nonbelievers would benefit from.
Both The Camera Never Lies and The Baggage Handler should be best sellers and timeless classics because they both serve as foundational footings in our lives.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
David Rawlings takes a simple idea of an antique camera and secrets to create an engrossing story that had me not wanting to stop reading and never wanting the book to end. Which is a double-edged sword for a reader. I wanted to know what was going on with the pictures yet I was so captivated by the story I wanted to stay in the world of Daniel, Kelly, and Milly.
This will be on my top reads list for the year. When an author keeps me that engrossed it’s definitely a winner! I highly recommend this book!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, David Rawlings, and Thomas Nelson publishers. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. David Rawlings writes a tight, well-paced tale with interesting word pictures here and there that you can savor. I am happy to recommend his work to friends and family.
The Camera Never Lies is based on that old adage about the cobbler’s children going barefoot – our protagonist Daniel Whitely is a highly acclaimed family counselor with one best-selling self-help book out and rumors of another in the works. His wife Kelly is a rep for a pharmaceutical company making a hot new drug to help young children basically addicted to their screens – notebook, IPad, iPhone, etc. Their daughter Milly is 12 and losing it, showing signs of deep depression and has isolated herself from every aspect of her life, failing at the school that she once aced, friendless and suicidal. But Dad is focused on work – he is making bad decisions with employees and months behind on the draft of his second book. His editor is ready to take back the big advance for this work, which is already spent on the downpayment of their ritzy new home. Kelly is working to fill the financial gap until the next book sells, at a job she hates. Her dream is to set up a catering business but this temporary job pays the bills for now. But there are rumors of side effects to this new drug – serious migraine-like headaches, some requiring hospitalization. The drug company reassures its staff that this is all malarky, that the rumors are just that, but she is vocally sceptical – which doesn’t sit well with her bosses. She knows she has to keep this job until Daniel finishes this next book, but she vows to not pass on the reassurances recommended by the bosses if specifically ask about the rumors.
Meanwhile, Daniel’s Grandpa dies. His only real legacy is an old, beat-up leather briefcase containing the still lingering aroma of Old Spice and a vintage Olympus HS-10 Infinity camera containing a spool of exposed photos to be developed and a small album of pictures, most faded and almost without color. David is touched, and curious to see what the exposed film in the camera contains, and sets his secretary to work finding someplace he can get the pictures developed. His Grandfather loved that old camera. Engraved on the bottom of the camera, Grandfather assures that ‘no matter what you think you might see, the camera never lies’.
But the pictures taken on the Olympus are not exactly what was focused on – each picture portrays what the subject was thinking, or imagining. In one, David is holding hands with his co-worker Anna, Milly is doing a handstand on the balcony guardrail 200 feet about the street, the new secretary making eyes at David, and Kelly is always MAD. And Milly is in serious trouble. What a wake-up call! Will the Whitely family be able to overhaul their lives, get control of each day lived fully and together, or are they destined to come apart? Because according to the camera, they are all in very hot water…
In his sophomore release, David Rawlings once again challenges readers to hold up a mirror and take stock of what’s happening in their lives.
When he inherits a camera from his grandfather, Daniel Whitely has no idea of the upheaval it will cause in his life because, as the title states, the camera never lies. The photographs taken with this camera wash away the professional, personal, and relational facades so carefully put in place by Daniel and his family. Those photos reveal long-held secrets and some truths the characters haven’t yet acknowledged.
While I would have liked to read about some of the aftermath in the lives of the Whitley’s once their truths were brought to light, The Camera Never Lies challenged me to reflect on whether I am hiding anything in my own life.
I look forward to watching Rawlings’ growth and the ways he challenges me in books to come.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
A very different read, about not seeing what is in front of you, and a lot like the Twilight Zone, but a modern version using an old camera and black and white film.
This book will make you think, and what are we seeing, is it real, or just what we want to see? This is a read that will definitely show you that we perceive things differently, and innocent flirtation can turn to a romantic gesture, a silly fight with a spouse can be seen as a parent split by a child, and other innocent or what we think is ok can be very dangerous.
How is this all going to work out, you will be quickly turning the pages, and this is a read that can be done in one sitting.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.
I was excited to be able to receive an advanced copy of The Camera Never Lies by David Rawlings. While I have not read his previous book (yet!!), I have heard great things about it.
In The Camera Never Lies, Rawlings weaves a tale about things that many of us harbor secretly. From the book description: “Daniel, Kelly, and Milly appear to be the perfect family. But an old camera will expose secrets no one wants developed.”
All of us know our own weaknesses. Many of us never take the time to think about what may happen to us and those around us if we keep our sins hidden.
Rawlings kept me captivated and I finished this book within 2 days. The plot was well executed and the fictional world created was very believable. Through his words, I felt as if I were a part of his world also and that the camera could see into my soul as well.
I will be checking his previous book out as I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
I received a free copy from the publisher and netgalley. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to give a review.