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Rebecca Holliman
Excellent Psychological Thriller
This excellent thriller moves between the viewpoints of two protagonists, one a con artist and the other a journalist, who pit themselves against each other in a cat and mouse game that spans decades. The ever-changing perceptions that each character has about the other parallel the reader's view of the two women as the story progresses. The motives of all the characters slip and slide in a constantly shifting prism as the story unwinds: who are the good guys and who are the bad guys here? Who is telling the truth? Who is conning whom?
I found the characters believable, and the twists and turns keep the tension running strong as the novel unfolds. This novel is a lot of fun to read and also raises important questions about money, power, revenge, and justice in modern America.
Lani
What is veracity?
When you eat popcorn it's hard to eat one piece. It is hard not to take a handful and stuff it in your mouth. Well, popcorn and I had an amazing ride with a book I finished in two days. The pages began to fly as I easily devoured this crackling mystery. I loved her previous book but I think she has outdone herself. The story revolves around two women, one who goes by different names (Meg, Melody, Maggie) as she cons her way across time, bilking people out of personal wealth and possessions. Her big aim is to reach a man who tricked her mother into losing their home so that she and her mother ended up living in a car. The other woman (Kate) has her own criterion for wanting to expose the first woman. As a journalist she slowly delves into "Meg's life, trying to unmask Meg for ruining her life in the past. As lies and maneuvering abound, both of them arrive to a new admission that there is more than meets the eye.
With its breakneck speed and fleshed out characters, this book will keep you riveted to the last page. Run. Run. Run to submerge yourself in an escape from life. You won't be sorry.
Beth B. (New Wilmington, PA)
A Tangled Web
Incredible!! A chilling ten-year plan of skillful revenge. Find a comfy chair, buckle your seat belt and delve into The Lives I Tell by Julia Clark. The author leads readers on a merry chase as crafty and resourceful Meg Williams plots a complicated con artist jigsaw.
This book won't be quiet!! Your mind will revisit the story time and again. I'll wager your next step will be identical to mine: I immediately ordered the writer's two previous novels and anticipate another memorable reading experience.
Janet T. (Westford, MA)
The Lies I Tell
The Girl Code evolves throughout this intriguing novel written by Julie Clark. "The Lies I Tell" is told through two voices, Meg and Kat , whose initial intersection happens 10 years before the present day of the book. Their relationship weaves throughout the story and a realignment of intent changes for both of them as each of them grow. The clear message is that until you fully understand motives you don't really know a person. An enjoyable, intriguing read that is hard to put down. The ending is very satisfying and not expected.
I will recommend this to my book club. It has great character development and will create a lively discussion. I enjoyed the book immensely and will read other books by Julie Clark
Elizabeth P. (Lower Burrell, PA)
LOVED IT - Elizabeth @Silver'sReviews
Meg definitely knew how to lie and to con people.
She knew how to con because of her rough childhood and having to live in a car after her mother's boyfriend conned them out of their house.
She made it her goal to ruin him.
In the meantime, Meg would research someone in the news that had troubles, but she also made sure they had a nice place to live and money that she could make disappear into her own account.
She always made sure her past was covered up and no one could really find out who she was.
But Kat did find her and did know her and made it her goal to ruin Meg's life the way Meg ruined Kat's life ten years ago. She wants to expose Meg by writing a book about her cons.
Can Kat do it? Or does Meg have a plan of her own for Kat? Meg is pretty cunning.
We follow Kat as she makes friends with Meg, as Meg investigates Kat because she doesn't believe the story Kat tells her, as Meg keeps conning, and as they both try to seek revenge on who they want to ruin.
Will they both do what they sought to do?
My money was on Meg. She really was a major con artist with cons that were ones difficult to believe people would fall for.
Kat seemed too naive to trip up Meg.
THE LIES I TELL is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing, have you shaking your head, and one that you won't want to put down. 5/5
This book was given to me for an honest review.
Judith M. (Granville, OH)
The Good Con
Kat held Meg responsible for a violent attack in her past. Meg held Ron responsible for the insecurity of her childhood. Along the way Ron and other men were made to pay for their crimes against women. Kat, a reporter, investigated Meg's crimes. But were they crimes or justice? This book was about the perfect con, revenge, justice, complicated women, and motivation. And the collision between the two women. I was hooked from the beginning not only by the story and the story telling, but also by the development of these two into strong women.
Catherine H. (Asbury Park, NJ)
The Lies I Tell
This is a story of a clever charade between a journalist seeking revenge by exposing a con artist. I found my loyalty alternating between characters as my perspective shifted. Is a partial truth a lie?
What I enjoyed most was the insight into what makes a con work. How studying her marks thoroughly she drew them in by building trust. Using manipulation and deception a seemingly smart person can be tricked.
I recommend this suspenseful thriller that will hold your interest to the surprised ending. It will make you question, is doing the wrong thing for the "right" reason, OK? The Lies I Tell is sure to be a great beach read this summer.
Freya H. (Phoenix, AZ)
The Lies I Tell
If you are into thrillers, this book is for you. I read it in two sittings simply because, from the first page, you are hooked. Two strong, determined women seeking justice
for the past - Julie Clark has taken this theme and woven a terrific story. One that would be fun to discuss in Book Clubs.