Lie to Me Book Review

Lie to Me Book Review
””



Title: Lie to Me
Author: J. T. Ellison
Published: September 5, 2017, MIRA
No. of Pages: 416
Cover Price: $26.99 Hardcover, $15.99 Paperback, $9.99 Kindle



Lie to Me, a standalone psychological thriller by bestselling author, J.T. Ellison, tells the story of Ethan and Sutton Montclair, both successful writers, who are madly in love with each other, yet hate each other at the same time. They recently lost their only child to SIDS, Ethan has a major writer’s block, and Sutton chooses to disappear, leaving a note for Ethan asking him not to look for her. Things, however, are not as they appear, and there is a sinister force that occasionally speaks during the story, making readers unsure of what is really happening. Told first from Ethan’s point of view, then Sutton’s point of view, this dark thriller has a way of keeping readers in the dark as to what has really happened in this couple’s lives.

Ellison has done an excellent job of developing her characters. However, Ethan and Sutton aren’t particularly likeable – they are spoiled, self-centered, entitled, and reckless. The sinister voice that appears occasionally throughout isn’t likeable either, and admits to having no qualms about lying, betraying, hurting, and even murdering – a human nightmare that has inserted itself into the lives of Ethan and Sutton without their knowledge.

The suspense begins to build during the first chapter, and doesn’t stop until the dénouement, which is unexpected and will generate a positive reaction from readers. While the story flows – Ellison is an excellent storyteller – the characters are so unlikeable and their actions are so disgusting, it may make this novel un-enjoyable for some. Most readers want the characters to come out whole in the end, but it’s hard to want either Ethan or Sutton to win. Of course, no one wants the sinister voice, who will later be revealed, to be the final winner, but for some it may get to the point that it doesn’t really matter what actually happens. Ethan and Sutton have had no qualms during the course of their relationship to tell each other lies, and a relationship built on lies and deception cannot have a good outcome. The damage done from the untruths may not be possible to overcome.

While this book is well-written, suspenseful, and has a fascinating storyline, it may also serve as a social commentary on the millennial generation and the consequences of the selfishness and entitlement that they are known for.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.





RSS
Related Articles
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map





Content copyright © 2023 by Karen Hancock. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Karen Hancock. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Karen Hancock for details.