I'm a huge fan of this writer's books. This book however is a disappointment. After a very good start it's taking its time to get there. The end is very rushed which is a pity. Some of the things concerning the bookkeeping seemed very implausible to me as that's my daytime job.
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Oct 30, Agnes BeaderBubbe rated it it was amazing Shelves: What can I say about Adam Croft? Not the first book of his that I read, and certainly will not be the last. The fact that I read it in two days shows that I could not put it down, I ignored a lot of housework, read into the night, and dragged my Kindle with me wherever I went so I can get a chance to continue this story. Amy Walker has a husband and two young sons and everything is great.
Until she is arrested one afternoon for killing her father in law. But she didnt do it. She was home all morning alone while hubby and the boys were at football. And the following pages show how the odds are stacked up against her…until she is in jail, no bail and looking at weeks ahead of her until her trial. But then things got interesting. You see the book flashes back 18 years to her friendship with Gregg and her involvement with her boyfriend, Lewis.
To that day when Hannah Shaw was killed by Lewis…who spent 18 years in jail for a crime he did not commit. Firstly, thank you to the Author: Adam Croft for the advance digital copy of The Perfect Lie. This is my unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The story begins with Amy being arrested for the murder of her father in law. While she was having some me time alone at home Roger is being killed and all the evidence points to her being guilty. Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to set her up or have they? This is an intriguing story that really delves into the nitty gritty of the inve Firstly, thank you to the Author: This is an intriguing story that really delves into the nitty gritty of the investigation.
The characters develop well so that I felt I knew them by the end of the story. What I did find difficult was the story ping-ponging about between different times and people it made it a little of a complicated read. However, it is still a fairly fast paced story that held my interest enough to keep the pages turning. Oct 27, Lyne rated it really liked it Shelves: Well, I was wrong when I thought I knew who did it!
I am glad that I was wrong because my scenario would have been very boring. Kudos to Adam Croft for being able to write a short, fast paced, thrilling book. This is my second Adam Croft book. I read the first one a few years ago and find a distinctive progression in his storytelling. The Perfect Lie is about Amy, a typical young mother.
Her husband usually takes the kids out every Saturday morning to their activity in order to give Amy time for Well, I was wrong when I thought I knew who did it! Her husband usually takes the kids out every Saturday morning to their activity in order to give Amy time for herself. One Saturday though, her peaceful time is broken by two policemen knocking at her door and her descent to hell begins.
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She is accused of murdering her father-in-law. The story has twists and turns. This made me question their relationship. I felt a husband would visit his wife in jail and be more supportive. I even asked my husband what he would have done in this circumstance and he agreed with me. The Perfect Lie is short and fast paced. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think you will too. Oct 10, Misfits farm rated it it was amazing. Amy is enjoying a Saturday morning relaxing on her own.
Her husband has taken their two boys off to play football so that she can enjoy some down time to herself. When there is a knock at the door, no one is more surprised than Amy to find that it is the police and that she is being arrested on suspicion of the murder of her father in law. So who has killed Roger and why are they putting Amy in the frame? There is more going on behin Amy is enjoying a Saturday morning relaxing on her own.
Could this somehow be the link? A book to reel you in and throw you around a little. One to grab your head and not let go. Could this happen to me? Of course there is but one you may not see coming. A very clever, brilliantly written book. If you love psychological drama then this could be the book for you. For more reviews please see my blog http: Nov 12, S.
Morgan rated it liked it. Lots of people had a lot of good things to say about this book, so as a first time reader of Adam Croft, I thought I would give it a go, but was left a little disappointed. I liked the storyline, it's very believable. As being set up for a murder that you didn't commit, could happen to anyone of us if the circumstances were right. I liked the short chapters and it was very gripping to read. However I just kept thinking there might be more twists and turns. The person setting her up was exposed ha Lots of people had a lot of good things to say about this book, so as a first time reader of Adam Croft, I thought I would give it a go, but was left a little disappointed.
The person setting her up was exposed half way through the book, then the little twist at the end wasn't really big of twist, as that reasonably easy to figure out half through the book too. Nov 15, Lisa rated it really liked it Shelves: Being accused of a murder you didn't commit could happen to anyone if the circumstances are right and, in this case, they were. Dec 04, Ann rated it really liked it. Amy is living her ideal life when it is completely turned upside down. She is arrested for the brutal murder of her father-in-law. She tries to convince the police there is some mistake but they have witnesses and evidence.
Amy is finally unsure whether she did kill her father in law and is suffering from a mental block Very good and suspenseful. Very believable An amazing book! Very believable and disturbing. Nov 04, Ann rated it it was amazing Shelves: This deserves more than the normal five stars. Once again I had tunnel vision - couldn't see housework waiting to be done and dinner to be prepared - only eyes for this gripping story.
I really couldn't put it down until the end and even then I had thinking time about it. With the twists and turns it was difficult to see how Amy was going to prove her innocence. I really enjoyed this very much. Adam Croft has a style all his own and I have loved all previous books but I think this is possibly the b This deserves more than the normal five stars. Adam Croft has a style all his own and I have loved all previous books but I think this is possibly the best yet. Oct 31, Christine Kent rated it it was amazing. Life is good for Amy, until the Police arrest her for her father-in-laws murder!!
Amy continues to say she is innocent, but the evidence is growing, and it says she's guilty!! The above is a basic review, as I hate reviews that give to much of the story away, but he assured this book is fabulous from page one! I have read most of not all of Adam Crofts books, and loved them all, but this is his best yet!!
Nov 16, Jack Okorn rated it it was amazing. It has a mystery, suspense, crime, little romance and lots of drama. The kind of suspense and drama that provides me with an escape, quiets my mind and kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. Sometimes that's all I need. This is my first book by Lisa Scottoline and I will be 3. This is my first book by Lisa Scottoline and I will be checking out some of her others.
Apr 07, KAS rated it liked it. I guess the beginning would make sense, and let me also say, I do enjoy a Lisa Scottoline read. The first few chapters pulled me in "hook, line and As I read through the pages, I was begging for some red meat to sink my teeth into. Soon there after, I felt I was in the midst of a soap opera followed by a syfy adventure Where to start? Soon there after, I felt I was in the midst of a soap opera followed by a syfy adventure. There were so many sub-plots going on, it made my head spin.
Lies and deception are the basis of this story involving Chris Brennan, a high school teacher and baseball coach, who has everyone fooled. His intentions are to malign and manipulate three baseball players on the team, Evan, Jordan and Raz, in order to accomplish his own goals. The boys respective mothers, Mindy, Heather and Susan play significant roles in the story as well.
I will leave it at that While this was not a favorite of mine by Lisa Scottoline, it was still a thrilling page turner. View all 48 comments. Mar 24, Brenda rated it it was amazing Shelves: Chris Brennan had passed his previous interviews with flying colours — his final one with the principal of Central Valley High and he was a fully-fledged teacher with assistant coach to the Varsity Baseball team also on his payroll. Now he had to get to know his students — he had a plan and not long to implement it. Trio of friends Raz, Evan and Jordan were obviously close — it was also clear to Chris that Evan was the leader in their little group; Raz was the trouble maker and Jordan a follower Chris Brennan had passed his previous interviews with flying colours — his final one with the principal of Central Valley High and he was a fully-fledged teacher with assistant coach to the Varsity Baseball team also on his payroll.
Trio of friends Raz, Evan and Jordan were obviously close — it was also clear to Chris that Evan was the leader in their little group; Raz was the trouble maker and Jordan a follower. He knew he could make use of the dynamics of the group, and as he learned more about each individual, he started to lay his plans. And Jordan had never known his father; his mother had brought him up alone since his birth. Unbeknown to the three boys, Coach Brennan had an agenda and they were included in it.
What was going to happen? Why had Chris Brennan appeared in the little town of Central Valley? And what were his intentions? A gripping, intense, gut wrenching psychological thriller which I absolutely loved. Twists, turns, intrigue, secrets, cover-ups — it has it all. Filled with nail biting suspense, I was held enthralled until the incredibly dramatic finish.
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With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy to read and review. View all 20 comments. Thanks to Jordan Hanley and St. I am a huge fan of Lisa Scottoline. But who will make the final cut? Mindy whose husband is a surgeon and her son is the baseball superstar , Susan who is trying to raise two boys after the death of her husband and Heather the single mother who is managing to care for her son Justin, the newcomer to the team.
All of these families are also not what they seem on the surface and are struggling to keep their own secrets hidden. Scottoline gets right down to the twists, not wasting a minute, as she continues her suspense-fueled story from one chapter to another. I really loved the direction I thought the book was going in Step One and was actually disappointed when it changed in Step Two but that is just my quirky preference I guess , but the storyline itself was well-written and riddled with drama and action. I loved all of the characters in this novel.
Their honesty, bravery and genuine dysfunction helped to create the strong emotional bonds a reader needs to feel with the characters, while at the same time clarifying and making each character distinct from its counterparts. This novel has everything- intrigue, mystery, hanging from helicopters yup! Scottoline is definitely not a rookie writer, and her experience is evident in her creative plots and genuine characters. This novel surprised me in positive ways, and it definitely was not what I expected!
A hands-down crime drama that will leave you talking and thinking! But I encourage her to continue pressing on- I will definitely read anything else she chooses to print. View all 19 comments. Jun 01, Julie rated it liked it Shelves: This stand alone novel by veteran author, Lisa Scottoline shines the spotlight on the sad and dark secrets behind the closed doors of the seemingly ideal community of Central Valley.
Chris, the new high school teacher and baseball coach is a consummate liar and has everyone in Central Valley misled, from the faculty, the students, and their parents. But, her marriage may be in big trouble… again. The connection these families have in common is that they each have a son who attends Central Valley High, are friends, and are all on the baseball team. However, the connections to the baseball team are deeper than they appear on the surface I am pleased to see authors shifting the thriller elements back to domestic issues. This book reminds us there are still many homegrown threats to our safety and we should not become complacent.
While I did get very caught up in the lives of the three women featured, and all the behind the scenes issues they were dealing with, sometimes I forgot this was supposed to be a domestic thriller. The in depth analysis of the three families, hampered the buildup of suspense, in my opinion. I understand why we were examining these families so deeply, as they were all connected and they could unwittingly have become pawns in a criminal plot or have been in grave danger… or had something to hide.
But, when everything finally came together at the end, and I had time to reflect on it, ultimately, I decided I would have benefited from knowing more details of the crime, and the motives behind the operation, all of which was sort of tacked on the end. I enjoyed the hint of romance, but was disappointed that the fates of the other key characters were left hanging in the balance. This is not the best effort by Scottoline, in my opinion, but it was still a thought provoking story, which touched upon some heavy issues that have us all on edge these days and reminds us that no matter how well we think we know someone, everybody harbors secrets deep within themselves, and you never know what they might be capable of or how easily they could be lured into doing something you never dreamed possible.
Although the book moves slowly, and the buildup never quite reached the intended crescendo, it is a solid novel and character study, worth trying if you are a fan of this author or domestic thrillers. View all 8 comments. Apr 18, Erin rated it really liked it Shelves: I started reading this on the airplane today and I was so immersed in the plot that I didn't even realize that we were experiencing turbulence well, I almost didn't. Suffice it to say, this just might be my all time favorite Lisa Scottoline book, but to be fair I haven't read many of her books.
I know that it is going to seem like I am being secretive about the plot, but the less you know "One Perfect Lie" is definitely going to be one of the most talked about books for the next little while. I know that it is going to seem like I am being secretive about the plot, but the less you know about it, the more the story is going to screw with your head.
Correction, the more the main story will mess with your head- the family drama stuff was a bit over the top Mindy drove me bananas!!! A real page turner! Thanks to NetGalley for an uncorrected digital galley in exchange for an honest review. View all 12 comments.
May 28, Nazanin rated it liked it Shelves: She is a waitress and she hates it. She is proud of her son. Jordan is a quiet and shy boy. Their life is a beautiful and perfect but just from afar. So one day when she gets really angry, she decides to confront them but the things that she 3. Their story was the one that I really liked and enjoyed. Her husband has passed away recently and they were still reeling. She has another son, Ryan.
They were more comfortable with their father. So after his death, Susan had some issues at communicating with her sons, specially with Ryan. But I think she could manage it well. They are all under the supervision of a therapist. Chris applied for a teaching job with a fake resume and incorrect identity. He had grown up in the foster-care system. He got the job eventually. He must analyse their behavior and then choose one of them for his work. This story contains three steps. But it was good too.
But Step Three, I really struggle to read it and it got a little boring. The story is told in multiple POV, 3rd person. Overall it was not too good and not too bad either at first it was fantastic but then… and I enjoy it a little. Hope you enjoy it as well! View all 31 comments. Apr 17, Esil rated it really liked it Shelves: I can't say much about about the plot of One Perfect Lie without giving way too much away.
All I'll say is that from the beginning we know that Chris isn't really who he says he is when he starts teaching high school. And then Chris starts figuring which of his students he should be grooming The story then focuses on Chris, three of his students and their three mothers. One Perfect Lie is not great or particularly deep, but it did the trick for a lengthy train ride. It is light and 3. It is light and entertaining, and it had one particularly good twist. I especially liked the way in which Scottilone depicted the relationships between the three teenagers and their sons -- not too simplistic but not too harsh.
The resolution seemed to come a bit out of left field and the very end was predictable, but the road to getting there was engaging enough to make this one worthwhile. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy. View all 10 comments. My gratitude sent to Headline Publishing Group for making this edition available. Nonstop Action kept me on the edge of my seat. Lisa Scottoline painted a doomsday scenario that loomed over America. A terrorist attack of epic proportion that could result in the death of thousands.
Too real to imagine. An uncanny plot unfolded before my eyes that moved me in a fearful way. This superbly written narrative gained momentum from the very start. It ended with a dramatic bang of a finish that you'll have to see for yourself. I would heartily recommend this book. In response, the ATF arranged for top undercover agent, Chris Brennan, to infiltrate the school as a baseball coach and teacher. In particular, intel pointed to the baseball team.
That's where Chris came in. As part of his undercover, he would be the new assistant coach in Operation Varsity Letter. It was suspected that the terrorists would be using ammonium nitrate fertilizer for the bomb. The same deadly explosive used in the Oklahoma City bombing. Perhaps by no coincidence, it's anniversary date was only several days away.
Chris had to work fast. Time was not on his side. The government had pushed the wrong people too far. They intruded upon their land - their lives. Their Aggressive actions caused their businesses to fail. Yet with their continued pleas, the government took no pity or action to rectify matters. They had had enough.
It was time for Payback. One of the baseball players and a teacher had become unwitting accomplices in this act of terrorism. The target had already been picked out. If accomplished as planned, it spelled out utter destruction. The estimated death toll would be in the thousands.
It would throw the country into a tailspin. Time was running out. Would the cavalry find out the location in time? Had it been too late to stop them?
Apr 13, Sarah Joint rated it really liked it. This was a bit of a nail-biter, especially at the end. I believe this is my first Lisa Scottoline read, and I really enjoyed it. It definitely took some twists and turns I wasn't expecting at all. Chris Brennan is a liar. He's just moved to town, and applying to become a coach and teacher at a high school.
His references are perfect. He's handsome and friendly. It's all a carefully crafted lie. It's soon very clear that Chris is observing the young men This was a bit of a nail-biter, especially at the end. It's soon very clear that Chris is observing the young men in his class.
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He wants to choose one in particular. He's looking for someone calm and collected, intelligent but easily manipulated It's not immediately clear what exactly he intends on using them for. We soon get introduced to three young men that catch his eye and their families. They're friends, but have major differences All of the families have troubles and secrets, which start to come to light. I didn't particularly like a couple of the characters all of the time, but I cared about what happened to most of them enough to get super absorbed in the story.
I'm going to keep this review deliberately vague, because I don't want to give away any major plot points that may count as spoilers. Read it for yourself and find out about the mysterious Chris Brennan! Martin's Press, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased. Mar 19, Judy Collins rated it really liked it Shelves: A mysterious new teacher lands at a high school.
Is he a fraud? A twisty suburban domestic crime thriller, keeping you on the edge-of-your-seat, classic Scottoline style. He had scoped out the school and the teachers in advance. After all, everyone liked a clean-cut guy, and they tended to forget that appearances were deceiving. Even a fake resume. His resume says he went to Northwest College in Wyoming. He even picked a housing development nearby, Valley Oaks. The small town is located in south-central Pennsylvania, known for its outlet shopping.
No one would imagine what he was up to. His story was his parents passed away five years earlier in a car crash drunk driver. An only child he says, so he decided to come to the area for higher pay and he loved kids. Chris led the officials at school to believe he wanted to be accessible to his students on email, social media and believed in personal contact and mutual respect.
He also said he coached. He even applied for the assistant baseball varsity coach position. What better way to get connected? He was setting up a plan. Chris is not who he pretends to be. What is his motive? Chris bonds immediately with students. Can he fool the other teachers? Can he be trusted? We meet a variety of moms, students, and teachers. Chris keeps abreast all the families and all the activities. Will he accomplish his mission? He puts his plan in place. Y Abe Yomes gay, African American who teaches eleventh grade. He also lived in the town with his partner Jamie who owned a realty company.
He is from Wyoming for real. Soon enough, however, Mr. Y is dead, an apparent suicide, and Chris is ready to move forward with his plan. There are certain people he needs to befriend. They are all part of his plan. Chris targets three teenage boys. Absorbing and entertaining, you never know what is going on in suburbia. Take a walk down Wisteria Lane. Domestic suspense is all the rave today. What goes on "behind closed doors" in normal neighborhoods. The lies we tell ourselves as well as each other. Action-packed family drama, a thriller complex ride with lots of twists, turns, secrets, cover-ups, and suspense.
Scottoline once again surprises her readers with contemporary issues and topics which filter into our lives. A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an early reading copy. Chris Brennan is a big fat liar. Everything from his name to his resume to where he grew up is a lie. After applying for a teaching position at Central Valley High School, he is called in for an interview with the principal.
He goes above and beyond to ingratiate himself with the students and faculty, easily keepi I won a copy of One Perfect Lie in a Goodreads Giveaway. He goes above and beyond to ingratiate himself with the students and faculty, easily keeping up his facade. He has a big plan and has his eye on three boys who are in both his AP Government class and on the baseball team: Evan Kostis the rich, goodlooking kid , Justin Larkin the shy, good-natured kid from a poor family and Raz Sematov a bad boy type with emotional issues.
And, more importantly, who exactly is Chris Brennan? Chris is painted as an expert liar and manipulator from page one. Much of what he does is to separate the weak from the strong among the students. I really hated Chris as he gathered information on his students, even going so far as to invite the baseball team to a party at his apartment so he can record them and find his perfect assistant for his plan. His scheming also causes a rift between Justin and Raz. That said, the new direction is much more interesting for me.
The tone of the story changes and the pace rapidly accelerates, making the book difficult to put down. In one case, there was maybe a little too much soap opera-ish drama but, for the most part, the mothers bring a bit more depth to the story. The characters are flawed and interesting.
There is mystery and action as well as family drama. Parts of it feels very real, like something we could see on the news at anytime. View all 4 comments. Feb 27, Theresa Alan rated it it was amazing. At the start, all we know is that nothing about Chris Brennan—including his name—is real. He wants to befriend a junior boy on the baseball team for some nefarious purpose. There are three boys he focuses on, and thus, three stories of mothers and sons and their complex relationships.
This novel gets more fast-paced and exciting the more you read, with all the twists and turns of At the start, all we know is that nothing about Chris Brennan—including his name—is real. This novel gets more fast-paced and exciting the more you read, with all the twists and turns of any great suspense novel, but unlike most suspense novels, this one delves into the challenging relationships between mothers and sons, giving it more substance. It does not make being the mother of teenage boy look like any fun, especially in the age of cell phones.
One of the mothers seems a little too perfect—the hardworking, blue-collar single mom, Heather. But the other two moms are satisfyingly flawed people. Thanks so much to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. For more of my reviews, please visit: Apr 06, Jaksen rated it it was ok. I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway, thank you! I really don't understand the high ratings, but - and it's a big but - this is a well-known, best-selling writer, with, most likely a huge fan base. Even so, I bet this is not considered one of her better books. Dull characters, mundane situations, and an under-suspenseful plot.
I kept waiting, waiting Several yawns later, not much has happened. A substitute teacher with a possibly nefarious plot in mind moves into a small, rural town in P I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway, thank you! A substitute teacher with a possibly nefarious plot in mind moves into a small, rural town in Pennsylvania. He makes friends, ingratiates himself into the community and starts investigating - and manipulating - some of the kids at the local high school.
Perfect Lie
Many - many - many - pages later the entire storyline is turned upside-down. When I explained the 'situation' in the first third of the book to my daughter, she said to me well I bet this and this is going to happen because, Mom, this is that kind of writer. The twists and turns in her books are sort of obvious. So it was just too predictable; the characters too ordinary and mundane read boring ; the dialogue, dull dull dull; character backstories and descriptions flat and uninteresting. So please, to one of this writer's fans, let me know - is this one of her better books?
I find it hard to believe. And if it's not, point me in the direction of a really good one. Oh, and I skimmed the last twenty pages - the ending of this book could have written itself. Apr 28, Zoe Mann rated it it was amazing Shelves: There are so many twists and turns I don't know how I can do this novel justice whilst keeping them a secret. Chris Brennan takes on a new position as a high school teacher and varsity baseball coach in Central Valley, Philadelphia.
Especially the young, easily-lead boys on the baseball team. Little do the boys and their families know they are all just a pawn in the deceptive and disho WOW! Little do the boys and their families know they are all just a pawn in the deceptive and dishonest coach Brennan's game. This "trustworthy" and "cool" coach will go to any lengths to achieve his goal. Now don't be fooled into thinking this novel is about baseball. It is about far more than that.
It is about terror and a terrorist attack is looming! It's about family and the secrets the families of Central Valley want to keep hidden. It's about grief and the loss families feel when they lose a loved one. It's about never really knowing who someone is - even your own child. It is about hope and love and how important it is to always have somebody who is willing to fight for you. Scottoline will keep you guessing from the get go and you will always get it wrong. She will make you feel protective of the boys on the baseball team and their families.
She will bring out an array of emotions in you through the excellently executed characters. She will make you stay up until 3am like myself because every chapter is as surprising and exciting as the next. She will make you fall in love with the mysterious Curt Abbott and most of all she will leave you wanting more. This is my first Scottoline novel and it definitely won't be my last. I was blown away not only by Scottline's talent to grip you but by her ability to make every character so real and complete.
Every character had a real purpose. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast paced and exciting mysterious thrillers. Lastly I would like to thank Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review. May 26, Stacey rated it really liked it. One Perfect Lie had me wondering a few times what was going on. I think there are more lies than just one with our main character, Chris. It probably took me longer than most to figure out what was going on, but isn't that the fun of it? This was a fast and suspenseful read. It probably wasn't my favorite, but well worth the time I spent reading!
View all 6 comments. Aug 24, Lori Lamothe rated it really liked it Shelves: Chris Brennan arrives in Central Valley with stellar references, a passion for teaching and a commitment to helping students. But everything about Chris is a lie. His commitment is to using students, not teaching them, and his interest in coaching has nothing to do with baseball.
The town itself is a perfect suburban facade. The reality is a little different. Heather Larkin is a disillusioned waitress whose son Jordan has never known his father. At first glance, Mindy seems to have it all. Everybody in Central Valley, it seems, is lying to the people closest to them and even to themselves. Much thanks to St.
Feb 12, Kris - My Novelesque Life rated it liked it. I loved the main character, Judy Carrier in the legal drama as much as I enjoyed the story and the quirky secondary characters.
The Perfect Lie by Adam Croft
While the novels in the series are serious for the most part, there is a slight bit of humour that makes it endearing and realistic. Now I loved Mary DiNunzio and her wacky family and friends. As of today I have read every book by Scottoline, except the nonfiction books she writes with her daughter, and four of her standalone suspense novel also marketed as "emotional thrillers".