The Lies I Tell

Author: Julie Clark
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
320 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Synopsis
Meg Williams. Maggie Littleton. Melody Wilde. Different names for the same person, depending on the town, depending on the job. She’s a con artist who erases herself to become whoever you need her to be—a college student. A life coach. A real estate agent. Nothing about her is real. She slides alongside you and tells you exactly what you need to hear, and by the time she’s done, you’ve likely lost everything.

Kat Roberts has been waiting ten years for the woman who upended her life to return. And now that she has, Kat is determined to be the one to expose her. But as the two women grow closer, Kat’s long-held assumptions begin to crumble, leaving Kat to wonder who Meg’s true target is.

The Lies I Tell is a twisted domestic thriller that dives deep into the psyches and motivations of two women and their unwavering quest to seek justice for the past and rewrite the future.

My review
The Lies I Tell is a twisty, fast-paced thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you’ve read The Last Flight, you know Clark has a knack for writing strong, complex female protagonists – flawed yet fierce, intelligent, and determined no matter what life throws at them. This novel is all about character, focusing on two women who are equally compelling and deeply flawed. Meg is a con artist who plays by her own set of rules. Kat is a reporter hell-bent on exposing her. Both are seeking revenge but who will come out on top?

What unfolds is a fun game of cat and mouse, where neither Meg nor Kat knows exactly how much the other is aware of. Both characters are captivating, and as the story shifts between past and present, my perspective on them constantly evolved. The deeper I got into their motivations, the more my opinions of them changed.

The story is told through alternating perspectives from Meg and Kat. Both are engaging in their own way, but I found Meg’s chapters more compelling. Kat started off a bit dull, but she grew on me as the story progressed. Despite being a con artist, Meg operates by her own moral code, carefully selecting her targets. It’s hard not to root for her, even when she’s clearly deceiving people. She’s sharp, calculated, and it was fascinating to watch her outmaneuver those who had it coming.

There aren’t any shocking twists, just a gradual unraveling of both Meg and Kat’s stories, weaving past and present together seamlessly. It was refreshing to read a thriller centered on strong, intelligent women who aren’t driven by alcohol or reckless decisions. The pacing is fast, making this a gripping thriller that keeps the momentum going. Both characters are well-developed, with a balance of flaws and strengths that make them feel real and compelling.

My only criticism is that all the men are portrayed as evil who exploit women. I would have liked to see a bit more balance and nuance in their portrayal.

While not as strong as The Last Flight, The Lies I Tell is a highly engaging, fun, and thoroughly entertaining read. If you’re looking for a slow-burn, clever thriller, this one hits the spot.

My recommendation: definitely worth the read!