Sweet Little Lies

by Karin Nordin

Sisters Lexie and Amber used to share everything, including their dream of getting out of their small town. Born only ten months apart, they once thought they couldn’t be closer. They were wrong. Fifteen years ago, Amber was brutally murdered in the woods, and Lexie’s high-school boyfriend was sentenced to death for her killing. Lexie is still stuck in the town she dreamed she’d leave, and everyone thinks she knew more about the night of the killing than she told. Problem is, they’re right. Now the execution is just days away, and the town has breathed a sigh of relief. But old secrets are finally being uncovered, and it’s clear not everyone wants the truth to be told. And time is rapidly running out…

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Crime

395 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2023

About the author

Karin Nordin has been a compulsive reader of thrilling stories since childhood and discovered her love of Scandinavian crime fiction during summers spent visiting family in Norway and Sweden. She has worked in healthcare and education, including as a pharmacy technician, karate instructor, and an English language teacher for the Dutch military. She completed the Creative Writing MSc from the University of Edinburgh with Distinction in 2019 and also holds an MA in Scandinavian Literary Studies from the University of Amsterdam. Born in ‘The Biggest Little City in the World’ and raised in America’s Rust Belt, she now lives in the Netherlands. Her first novel, Where Ravens Roost, will be published by HQ Digital, an imprint of Harper Collins UK, in 2021.

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Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Then: a homecoming dance, an argument, a missing dress, what has Lexie done?

Now: Lex Wicker is a part-time custodian at a high school, the lowest rung of a schools hierarchy. She is the girl, now a woman, whose boyfriend killed her sister Amber but maybe she’s the one who should have died? Riley King has been sentenced to death for Amber’s killing fifteen years ago, but everyone in the small town of Braxton Falls Ohio, believes Lex knows more than she’s ever said. It’s days until Riley‘s execution, the entire town and Lex’s mum believe firmly in his guilt, but Lex has her doubts, especially about the execution. What exactly happened that night 15 years ago that led to the brutal murder of a 16-year-old girl?

The story is told principally from Lex‘s perspective and this works really well as you get a very good sense of her confused emotions. It’s very good on the dynamics between Lex and her mother in the present day and the impact of Amber’s murder, not just on the family but also on the town. Lex lives in Amber’s shadow which she cannot escape from and the sibling rivalry is also very well done. Amber may no longer be alive but you certainly feel her forceful presence. Of particular intrigue is what Lex has concealed and that is tantalisingly dangled until nearly the end. Her characterisation is very good and throughout the novel I find her an enigmatic puzzle but I admire her determination to use the last few days to see if she can get to the truth. I like the countdown aspect to the storytelling, though not the possibility of execution. This adds another layer to the storytelling, an urgency, a race against time to test the veracity of Riley’s guilt, or otherwise.

There are several strands to the plot which is compelling and it’s twisty right from the start. The pace rises and falls which allows for some reflection on what has been learned. There are some tense scenes, a net of suspicion which Lex casts far and wide deepening the mystery and the final twist is very good indeed - a real jaw dropper.

There are some very atmospheric scenes, especially in Wynwood Forest where Amber’s body is found. This is a place of local legend and a witchcraft element infuses with the murder and creates another good strand to the storyline. There’s plenty going on to keep you turning pages.

Whilst I do enjoy this very much as I like the way Karin Nordin writes, but there is some repetition which I can do without. I’m not sure of the sudden, brief switch of perspective towards the end which seems a bit unnecessary though overall, it’s an immersive, enjoyable read.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening paragraph had me intrigued, well and truly hooked.

I devoured every word like I was at my last supper desperate for more!!

Fifteen years ago at a homecoming dance, Lex's sister Amber was brutally murdered and Riley Lex's boyfriend, was found guilty of this heinous crime.

Fifteen years later Riley has been sentenced to death, but Lex is not convinced her former childhood sweetheart is guilty.

I loved the way the suspense builds with the story told over 2 timelines. We slowly find out what happened at the homecoming dance and the countdown to Riley's execution made this a nail bitting read!!!

What can I say about the ending, let's just say WOW!!

A must read addictive book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Huntley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now THAT is how you end a psychological thriller!

A brilliant thriller that kept me guessing. My only negative is the pace was a little slower than I like, but overall it kept me reading. I enjoyed the back and forth in time POV and the character development was spot on. I honestly didn't have a clue about how it was going to end and was basically slapped in the face by the final twist!

[Steven Feldman · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Sweet Little Lies" by Karin Nordin is a disappointing thriller that promises much but ultimately delivers very little. From the outset, it's clear that the author is trying to create a web of misdirections and surprises, but what we end up with is a convoluted mess that strains credulity at every turn.

One of the biggest issues with this book is the sheer number of misdirections. It's as if the author is trying to keep the reader constantly off balance, but instead of creating suspense, it just becomes tiresome. Every chapter seems to introduce a new plot twist or reveal that is so far-fetched that it's impossible to take seriously. It feels like the author is throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks, and the result is a narrative that lacks coherence and depth.

Furthermore, the random and unbelievable surprises in the story only serve to highlight the lack of a well-thought-out plot. Characters make decisions and take actions that are completely out of character and defy logic. It's as if the author is more interested in shocking the reader than in creating a story that makes sense.

In the end, "Sweet Little Lies" by Karin Nordin is a frustrating read that falls short of its promises. The abundance of misdirections and random surprises may appeal to some, but for those looking for a well-crafted and believable thriller, this book is a letdown.

[Ace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book so much, it has a great plot and a solid whodunnit, but the pacing of it all really put me off.

Lexie is a great protagonist, although her choices leave something to be desired throughout the whole book.

The entire interesting part of the plot seems to be crammed into the last quarter of the book. I enjoyed it but I really struggled to keep reading a lot of the time as there wasn't enough "little nuggets" of story reveal to will me on.

[Adele Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!!

I don’t know where to start in regards writing a review for Sweet Little Lies. It had everything in it. I think I blamed every character in the book for the murder.

Absolute brilliant ending. I highly recommend it.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaaaaaaaaah, so nearly five stars but just a lil unsure on the ending. Binged in one day as could not stop reading!!!! So twisted, so dark, bloody good read. Yes. 👏👏👏👏

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book that kept me guessing until the end. It centers on Lexie, whose sister Amber was murdered 15 years ago when they were teenagers. Lexie’s boyfriend at the time, Riley, was convicted of the murder and is due to be put to death any day now. The book is told in alternating timelines from before the murder to current times.

The mystery in this book was sound and I found myself changing my mind multiple times about what I thought had happened. The author does a great job of ratcheting up the suspense and providing realistic red herrings. At first I didn’t love the end but once I thought about it for a while, I thought it was perfect. My only minor complaints were that I found it hard to believe that Lexie would still have anything to do with her mother and that she would lose track of former close friends who live in the same small town for that period of time. I also wish I had gotten to know Amber a little better; I was left with questions about who she really was and what she valued.

Overall, this was a dark and twisty read that I really enjoyed and would recommend to those who like mysteries and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping from start to finish!
This was just a random book I picked up to make up numbers for a "three for" deal, and I'm so glad I did. Brilliant

[Courtney Psak · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the brutal murder of her sister Amber, Lexi, fifteen years later, is still unable to move on from her sister's death. Especially since it was her boyfriend Riley, who was convicted of killing her. Now with Riley's execution date scheduled within the week, Riley makes a plea that he didn't kill Amber. He asks Lexi to figure out who's really responsible. Lexi could never quite believe he would do such a thing, but has kept herself numb all these years. But as she takes Riley's advice and starts to investigate, she learns that there was a whole other side, not only to her sister, but to her friends and family. She's been kept in the dark all these years, and it's up to her find out what they've all been hiding.
Nordin keeps the suspense up and the stakes high having you tear through the pages as each new secret is revealed, leaving more questions that when you find the answers to, will leave you completely blown away.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and twisted

[Susan Audia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Braxton Falls, Ohio, a teenager is murdered, and her sister's boyfriend is found guilty of killing her and is sentenced to death. Fifteen years later, Riley's execution is scheduled, but is he the real killer?

This book is so good! The story just flows along, and it is such a pleasure to read. It is a psychological thriller but also a story about the secrets teenagers keep from their parents and even from each other. At first, I didn't like the main character (Lexie, the dead girl's sister). I thought she was too timid and didn't stick up for herself, but all that changes as she tries to prove her ex-boyfriend is innocent.

I kept changing my mind as to who the killer was. There were many twists, which is something I love in a thriller. Some things I saw coming, and some plot twists were a complete surprise.

This was an easy read in that it kept my attention on every page. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a great thriller.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dislike when authors build tension by saying something like “I have a secret no one else knows” or “I lied to the police that night” every other chapter, and then don’t tell you the secret or the lie for another couple hundred pages. It starts to feel pretty unsatisfying after a while. There’s a lot of that in this book.

I found this to be pretty slow for a thriller. The main character, Lex, finds small clues and encounters potential suspects acting strangely throughout, but very little of the mystery is actually revealed or explained until the very end.

[Shelly Rosenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me all month to read because I couldn’t stay focused on the plot. Started off intriguing, then became super slow with lots of misdirection that didn’t seem to have much to do with the plot. The “action” was crammed in the last 25% of the book. I’ll round it to 2.5 stars. I wish the rest of the book had been as exciting.

[Lindsay Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this is one day, couldn’t put it down. I never could’ve guessed the ending & im still in shock - 5⭐️s!!

[Sax · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Kaila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Throughout the whole book, I truly thought this was going to be a 5 star read. It held my interest, kept me guessing, and I was truly invested in what would happen. But, the end just left me rolling my eyes and asking, “really?” And then the twist at the end….. it really just left me irritated and with more questions than answers.

[Rach Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit MAD. As my good friend Ms Boyd said, the ending went a bit wild but all in all it had me hooked from the start!

[Isobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Little Lies by Karin Nordin

What a brilliant psychological mystery/thriller! I've never read anything by this author before, but I certainly will be keeping an eye out for her books going forward.

I loved the split timelines that ran throughout this book. The action switched from past to present seamlessly. This technique allowed the readers to get glimpses into the past, which gave us an insight into the characters backgrounds and the context to the action unfolding in the present day. These flashbacks gave us tiny bits of information which helped to throw suspicion onto all of the characters at different points. Throughout this book I kept thinking "Oh I definitely know who's responsible for the murder" but then another bit of information would be dropped and it would throw me off the scent all over again. The suspense built throughout this book made it a quick and very enjoyable read. I enjoyed that this book was set in a high school setting, with the intense emotions of teenagers being at the forefront. I found it to be an interesting commentary on the way that teenagers (especially girls) can be nasty, and sometimes downright evil, when pushed beyond their limits. I also found the situation surrounding the teacher to be an important addition, as it is often something that is not spoken about, and the author did a good job at raising awareness of this in a sensitive but pointed manner.

There is a whole range of characters in this book. Our main character, Lexie, was not particularly likeable, as she came across as being frustrating and naive at certain points throughout. I do not, however, think this was a bad thing, as it made her seem more real; I mean who wouldn't have a few psychological problems after their sister was murdered?! The other characters were also well conceptualised. The dynamic between Lexie and her mother was an interesting addition which showed just how devastating the impact of losing a loved one can be on a family. The more I found out about Amber, the more confused I became. Her character was really an enigma, and it wasn't until the very end that I began to understand her motivations. Again, this certainly wasn't a negative aspect and just helped to build the mystery element of this book. The other characters such as Mr Henson, Cameron, Jess, Nell etc were all just as mysterious, and the author did a good job at showing that there is more to a person than what we see/they allow us to see.

Overall I found this a very enjoyable, hard-hitting mystery thriller that kept me gripped all the way through. Karin Nordin is clearly a great writer of psychological thrillers and I will 100% be picking up more of their work going forward. I would highly reccomend this book.

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Karin Nordin for the ARC.

[Jess Lessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still reeling from the ending of this book. Wow, just wow. If you like atmospheric thrillers, I can't recommend this one enough. It follows Lexie Wicker 15 years after her high school boyfriend was accused of brutally murdering her sister and everyone in town thinks she must have known he was plotting it. But what if he's innocent? This is a propulsive book just days before the execution of Lexie's former boyfriend Riley as she tries to put puzzle pieces together about what really happened. It's on a dual timeline, allowing readers to see the characters as high schoolers, around and after the time of the murder, and in the present time. There is also an exciting element of a local legend called the Wynwood Witch that I thought was a clever addition.

The pacing could be slow at times, and sometimes I felt like I was having to wait too long for bits of information, but otherwise, it was a page-turner and I enjoyed the wild ride.

I got an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. It comes out soon, on the 8th, so check it out for a perfect spooky season read!

[Alice Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️ 2.75
This was suchhhh a drag and i literally hated all of the characters lol

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sweet Little Lies" by Karin Nordin is an absolute masterpiece of suspense and emotional depth. From the very first page, Nordin pulls readers into a world of secrets, betrayal, and the haunting aftermath of tragedy.

The relationship between sisters Lexie and Amber is beautifully depicted, with Nordin expertly capturing the complexities of their bond. As the layers of their shared past are peeled back, the reader is taken on a gripping journey of discovery and revelation.

Nordin's writing is exquisite, painting vivid images of the small town setting and its inhabitants. The tension mounts with each passing chapter, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they race to uncover the truth behind Amber's murder.

What sets "Sweet Little Lies" apart is its richly developed characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. Lexie is a particularly compelling protagonist, torn between loyalty to her sister's memory and the desire to escape the shadows of the past.

As the execution date looms closer, the suspense reaches a fever pitch, culminating in a jaw-dropping finale that will leave readers breathless. Nordin's skillful storytelling and masterful pacing make for an unforgettable reading experience.

[Lily_the_Book_Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for this book! Imagine a small town full of secrets, lies, grief, and pain. This is the setting for this psychological thriller. Amber falls victim to a killer, and 15 years later the town is still spinning from questions and unresolved pain stemming from those unanswered questions. Meanwhile, Riley, the accused murderer, is preparing for lethal injection in ten days. He reaches out desperately to Lexi, the sister of the deceased. Lexi left reeling from her meeting with Riley begins seeking out answers desperately. Follow Lexi as she races against the clock to find answers for herself, Amber, and Riley.

[Jasmine Orton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good psychological thriller/mystery that kept me hooked the entire time. I enjoyed the two alternating POVs (before the murder and current time). I kept changing my mind throughout the book on who the murderer was. So many twists that I did not see coming and the ending wow, perfection. Easy read with short chapters that kept my attention.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if it's entertaining I found that the story required a suspension of belief that was bigger than usual.
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly decent twist at the end but it was given away half way through the book! I did enjoy this but it’s not my favourite kind of thriller.

[Caroline Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, but I kinda guessed the outcome

[Ashley Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read! Two timelines and easy to follow. Plot twist! Just when I thought I had it figured out - Nope!

[Elynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Tiana Filomena · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sweet Little Lies" by Karin Nordin is a psychological thriller that kept me engaged and guessing the entire time. The book centres around Lexie, whose sister Amber was brutally murdered 15 years ago. Lexie's highschool boyfriend, Riley, was convicted and sentenced to death for her murder.

I found it to be slow at times throughout the book, however the ending and plot twist was so unexpected and left me in shock. I enjoyed the alternating time lines from before the murder to current times.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend if you are a fan of psychological thrillers and murder mysteries!