suni08's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of twists, as you would expect from Clare Mackintosh. Some I guessed correctly and others were very surprising. My favorite character of all them was Murray, the compassionate man helping Anna. There is a lot of sadness in this book, but it is suspenseful and kept my interest from the beginning to the end.
sooz_767's review against another edition
5.0
This woman can do no wrong in my view - I absolutely loved this, just like I loved her two previous books!
This book follows Anna whose parents committed suicide within 1 year of each other in exactly the same way and place. She then receives a note indicating it wasn't suicide and our story goes from there.
Clare Mackintosh is a brilliant author, her skill at weaving story lines from past and present is absolutely spot on and keeps you completely gripped throughout. Her writing is effortless and once you start reading it's incredibly hard to stop - I read most of this in one day, I was so obsessed!
As with previous books, this is split into 3 parts with a plot twist at each which some may see as formulaic but I loved it. Even though I knew the twists were coming, I was still so surprised and didn't guess (to be honest I didn't try, I just let myself get lost in the story!).
Looking at the characters, I loved Uncle Billy and also Murray - I would want them in my family. They were brilliant supporting characters and really made this story special. Without them I don't think it would have been as strong, as the main character Anna isn't really that memorable for me.
If you like fast, twisty, family dramas with a thriller aspect this is perfect for you. If you liked her other books you will also like this one, in my view it's just as good!
This book follows Anna whose parents committed suicide within 1 year of each other in exactly the same way and place. She then receives a note indicating it wasn't suicide and our story goes from there.
Clare Mackintosh is a brilliant author, her skill at weaving story lines from past and present is absolutely spot on and keeps you completely gripped throughout. Her writing is effortless and once you start reading it's incredibly hard to stop - I read most of this in one day, I was so obsessed!
As with previous books, this is split into 3 parts with a plot twist at each which some may see as formulaic but I loved it. Even though I knew the twists were coming, I was still so surprised and didn't guess (to be honest I didn't try, I just let myself get lost in the story!).
Looking at the characters, I loved Uncle Billy and also Murray - I would want them in my family. They were brilliant supporting characters and really made this story special. Without them I don't think it would have been as strong, as the main character Anna isn't really that memorable for me.
If you like fast, twisty, family dramas with a thriller aspect this is perfect for you. If you liked her other books you will also like this one, in my view it's just as good!
jhahn's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't have high expectations based on the reviews. But I found myself really pulled to this book. So many twists. It was one of those books that I had to go back and reread. This book was 5 stars until the last chapter, especially the last line.
kdtoverbooked's review against another edition
4.0
A pretty quick moving thriller. I have enjoyed all of the other books by this author and it didn’t disappoint. If you want something that keeps you guessing at somethings while letting you figure out others, this will be a good a story for you. Decent side story in there too about loving someone with a personality disorder.
irenelind's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
liralen's review against another edition
3.0
I don't want to say too much about this one because a lot of it hinges on various Big Reveals throughout the book. It's layer upon layer, and every time you think you've figured out what's going on, another layer is pulled back, revealing something completely different.
Probably I should love this, because I really couldn't ever predict what was coming or who did what and why. But! It turns out that what I really want in a murder mystery is either [b:to be invested in the characters|5941114|The Likeness (Dublin Murder Squad, #2)|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1538062804s/5941114.jpg|6504351] or [b:to end up with nightmares|32796253|Final Girls|Riley Sager|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496658340s/32796253.jpg|50669966] (seriously, the nightmares on that second one were pretty spectacular). Preferably both. I want to be afraid that the characters will die, and I want to know whodunit. I never managed to be properly invested here, partly because the book is set up to make you think. I was also labouring under the misapprehension that this was going to be a psychological thriller, which—I mean, what do I know? Maybe it technically fits the definition. I just like my psychological thrillers a little more terrifyingly psychologically thrilling!
Probably I should love this, because I really couldn't ever predict what was coming or who did what and why. But! It turns out that what I really want in a murder mystery is either [b:to be invested in the characters|5941114|The Likeness (Dublin Murder Squad, #2)|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1538062804s/5941114.jpg|6504351] or [b:to end up with nightmares|32796253|Final Girls|Riley Sager|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496658340s/32796253.jpg|50669966] (seriously, the nightmares on that second one were pretty spectacular). Preferably both. I want to be afraid that the characters will die, and I want to know whodunit. I never managed to be properly invested here, partly because the book is set up to make you think
Spoiler
it's a ghost story, when it's notgareindeedreads's review against another edition
4.0
Clare Mackintosh's novels have been some of my favorite reading experiences. Seriously, she is one of my go-to authors that I will always read whatever she releases. Mackintosh has a knack for taking the most unique plot and combining it with dangerously crisp pacing and brilliant twists and revelations. LET ME LIE is no exception to Mackintosh's radiant skills as a writer.
While I would consider the plot to this novel to be just as haunting of a psychological thriller, I think the pacing to this one not only slowly bubbles, but features a sprinkle of domestic suspense more present than her previous two novels. I found this to be enjoyable. Some reviews I have read have said this novel was slower than her previous efforts, but being such a fan of Mackintosh's writing, that worked for my favor as I devoured this read. When you deal with the kind of plot twists that are featured in her novels, the calm before the storm can be just as enjoyable as the storm itself. And trust me, this is a storm you don't want to miss.
I absolutely love how fantastic the characters were in this novel, especially Anna and Murray. Not only did they carry this story well, but I loved how it wasn't just about them in the present time. Mackintosh gives us a fantastic full knowledge of who these characters really are and how they became who they are before this story even begins. And in true Mackintosh sense, they not only deliver, but bring a wealth of emotion to a fantastic psychological thriller.
Whether you are a fan of her previous novels or not, this is one that I definitely recommend for all fans of twisted psychological thrillers and crime fiction. With dazzling characters, a tangled plot, and shocking twists, this is one that did not disappoint.
Special thanks to Berkley for providing me with this copy in exchange for my honest review.
While I would consider the plot to this novel to be just as haunting of a psychological thriller, I think the pacing to this one not only slowly bubbles, but features a sprinkle of domestic suspense more present than her previous two novels. I found this to be enjoyable. Some reviews I have read have said this novel was slower than her previous efforts, but being such a fan of Mackintosh's writing, that worked for my favor as I devoured this read. When you deal with the kind of plot twists that are featured in her novels, the calm before the storm can be just as enjoyable as the storm itself. And trust me, this is a storm you don't want to miss.
I absolutely love how fantastic the characters were in this novel, especially Anna and Murray. Not only did they carry this story well, but I loved how it wasn't just about them in the present time. Mackintosh gives us a fantastic full knowledge of who these characters really are and how they became who they are before this story even begins. And in true Mackintosh sense, they not only deliver, but bring a wealth of emotion to a fantastic psychological thriller.
Whether you are a fan of her previous novels or not, this is one that I definitely recommend for all fans of twisted psychological thrillers and crime fiction. With dazzling characters, a tangled plot, and shocking twists, this is one that did not disappoint.
Special thanks to Berkley for providing me with this copy in exchange for my honest review.
cservat129's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Claire Mackintosh does not disappoint with this new thriller, she is my new fave author of this genre! Let me start by saying whatever you think you know about someones marriage, think again because you never really know the exact truth about anyone. I am going to be a bit vague on details because it is a bit difficult review this book without giving away spoilers. This story is told form a few POV's which I thought added to the overall mystery. Anna is still reeling from her parents suicide when she receives a cryptic note that makes her question whether or not it was a suicide. Not only was this an unbelievable, what the heck is really going on with Ann'a parents book, it also touches on a few topics like suicide, depression and alcoholism which the author does a great job of not making light of these issues. Anna's life seems to just come apart at the seams, she even starts to question her marriage as well. Yes I loved this book and the ending was a total shock to me. This book is perfect for all of you Thriller/Suspense junkies out there.This review was originally posted on My Fiction Obsession
knit_and_purl's review against another edition
3.0
The problem with books that are so good is that the authors who write them will often follow the same format, hoping for another winner. Mackintosh has done this with her last two books. I loved her first title, but the others haven’t lived up to the same expectation. On the other hand, Let Me Lie was, at least for me, better than her second work. Again there’s a twist, which I admit I expected, but didn’t get correct. What made the book better was the last two sentences. I’m not going to spoil anything, but I definitely didn’t expect it and it absolutely made the story for me.
I’ll continue to read books by Mackintosh to see if she can pull off the same excitement and enthusiasm I felt for her first title. The second one, not so much, but this one was much closer.
I’ll continue to read books by Mackintosh to see if she can pull off the same excitement and enthusiasm I felt for her first title. The second one, not so much, but this one was much closer.