The Truth

by Karen Woods

All families have secrets. Some protect. Others destroy. Three sisters. A last wish from their dying mother. Can they forgive her? Brenda Smith shouldn’t feel lucky – she’s only got months to live, if that. But knowing this means she’s got one final chance to make peace with the grown-up daughters she’s not seen since she did something terrible decades back. Emily, her eldest daughter, moved on. She’s got a good job, nice family and a daughter of her own on the cusp of adulthood. Appalled by how her own mother tore the family apart, she could never do the same – or could she? Teresa, the middle child, learnt the hard way that she could only rely on herself – and if she wanted nice things, she’d have to go out and get them, by any means possible. She’s not proud of some of her choices – and it looks like it’s time for her to pay the price. And Shannon, the youngest? No one’s been able to reach her for years. She left home to outrun her pain but some things can never be escaped, only confronted. Will facing the truth set them free – or shatter even more lives?

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 18, 2024

About the author

Goodreads also has books by me listed as Karen S Woods and Karen S. Woods.

I write fiction and nonfiction.

When I was a young college instructor, if anyone had told me that I would be making my living as a writer, I would have told him that he had the wrong woman. Oh, I had stories and characters dancing in my head, clamoring to get out. Writing, however, was something I did strictly for my own amusement, as I had done since I had written my first short story at the age of five. I simply had plans for my life other than writing. I was quite happy teaching undergraduates. Hey, I had to use my degrees for something, didn't I? I do quite enjoy teaching. But, it dawned on me that I could and did write tales that were as good or better than the ones I read in my leisure time.

As for me at this stage of my life, I tease that I live a quiet life. Well, maybe it's quiet in comparison to a Category Four hurricane. I've been married to my best friend since 1979.

Reviews

[Lucy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of three sisters, Shannon has a violent partner, Terea is not a care worker as she says and Emily wants out of her marriage.

They all are not close and after years apart from their parents are drawn together after a letter that their mum is close to death.

This had me gripped and found myself racing through the pages following the sisters lives.

Boy what an ending I didn't expect that at all!!

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Karen Woods, I love her style of writing and the characters she creates, can't wait to read more.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth by Karen Woods was another excellent book, I was hooked from the very first few pages till the end. The Truth is about three sisters, Emily the eldest sister wants out of her marriage, Teresa, the middle sister who is not a care worker as she tells people and poor Shannon who is living with her violent partner and can't escape from him. Years pass and they have not talked or contacted each other until they receive a hand written letter from their dad telling them, that their mum Brenda Smith has only months or maybe weeks to live.
Sadly, they all have have history and can never forgive their mum!
But, Brenda has only got one final chance to make peace with all her grown-up daughters she’s not seen since she did something terrible decades back.

But can her daughters forgive their mum for what she did that split the whole family up?

Could you?

This book was brilliant - Families can be so complicated and this one is no different!!!

I can't recommend this books enough and a perfect book to get your teeth into, especially for your coming holidays or for your day off relaxing! But once you open your kindle or book you will be hooked and you will find it hard to put down! all your plans for that day will be out of the window!!! The ending was Excellent!!! I loved it!!!!

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry to say this didn’t work for me at all. It’s my first read from this author and it may well be a case of wrong book, wrong audience.

I was expecting a gripping page turner with some twists and a big reveal at the end. What I got was a shallow plot about three estranged sisters and their rough family, who are all sleeping around (even with each other), on the game and taking drugs.

2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first read by this author and on the whole I enjoyed it.

I think the story is told well although initially I struggled to like the three estranged sisters, Emily, Teresa and Shannon. I like the authors writing style, it is engaging and drew me into the story right away. I think the plot line is good, maybe predictable at times as I'd guessed where it was heading and I feel the pacing suited the story well. The story is told through the sisters perspectives which I like and the author certainly increased the tension at times which kept me interested. There are side characters I absolutely loathed, and I just desperately wanted them to be found out. Overall a good, easy read that unfortunately didn't quite wow me or be the page turner I hoped for.

3 stars

[David Perrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay holiday read and the author will appeal to fans of Martina Cole, Jessie Keane etc. A gritty story portraying the breakdown of relations between three sisters and their parents and how their individual stories all weaved together. There was plenty of drama and intrigue with a good emotional kick to hook the reader to the end but at well shy of 300 pages it was a fairly short story and at times the action seemed quite rushed with a lot of high drama crammed into just a few pages. Maybe if Karen had expanded the characters John, Gavin and Teddy a little more and given them some sub-plots it would have added more depth and general substance to the story. An entertaining enough read though and will probably give another of Karen's books a go. 3 stars.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

another brilliant gripping read from this author very much enjoyed. There where 3 sisters. Shannon. who has a controlling and violent partner. Emily who is bored with her marriage. Teressa who has lied to her sister. about her job and lives a very dangerous life. but each one of them don't keep in touch but would do anything to help them if they had to know their mother walked out on the girls and her husband when they were young. and they have never forgiven her for that. But her husband did and they back together, but she not got long to live, and she wants to see her daughters before she dies. and a letter is sent to each daughter. i so very much enjoyed and so recommend.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a read

I never imagined this novel to be like this .So many twists and turns on every chapter.A brilliant read for all .I would recommend this book its worth reading.I give Karen woods give stars and we'll done . I cannot wait for her next novel .

[Vee Dowdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow starter

This book was nowhere as good as the others to be honest. I
t was a slow started then it picked up but I felt like something was missing.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read and enjoyed all of Karen's books but, this one was hard work.
It was slow to get into and just dragged along.
We could have learned "The truth" half the book along.
Not as good as previous book.

[Joanne Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

It's a bit different from Karen Woods stories,but I enjoy it.

Love the twist and the stories of the 3 sisters.
Great way to end the story.

Read in a day as I need to know what was happening.

[Clare Brack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant 1st read for me by this author...gripping from the start the story of 3 estranged sisters leading 3 different loves...their mother is terminally ill and wants to see her daughters before she goes.....

[gaynor rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

First book I've read by Karen Woods and it certainly won't be the last. I absolutely loved it. There estranged sisters loving totally different lives. A twist at the end that I never saw coming

[Graeme Robisnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by one of my favourite authors, never disappoints, loved the storyline and all the characters

[Bally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. I did not see the ending coming.

[Chiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very heavy read with lots of depth and heartbreaking topics and life stories… loved how it came together in the end, as well as the character development and plot.

[Aria 88 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook review

Domestic violence x 3

Pacy, interesting

[yvonne griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant as always

Amazing read in one day absolutely brilliant as always keep them coming five stars as with all her books recommend

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Another enjoyable book by Karen Woods. You can't go wrong with this author if you want a good page turner.

[Chloe Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing books so many twists and turns love the fact its based in Manchester where I grew up

[Sannuba⭐️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mja… ret great indlæst. Især på de brovtne mandlige karakterer.
Men overall naah….

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Gritty read 📚 hanging on in to the twists n turns of rough childhood memories.
New storylines all the time keeping it a can't put down read , highly recommend this book.

[Beverley streets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Had me hooked from the first page all came to the perfect ending and what a surprise one of my favourite writers.

[carole cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Great Book ,Great Story ,A new author for me very impressed
Hope to read more like this from Karen Woods

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it! Easy to follow but some good twists. Loved Shannon's victory with battling domestic abuse. Looking forward to reading another of Karen Woods!

[CATHERINE WAY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

Loved the characters in this book. Once started I couldn't out it down read in just a couple of days. Definitely be reading more by this author.

[johnanimalantics.net, Margaret G Conlan · Rating 1 out of 5]

not for me

Once again the swearing blossomed right from the beginning making it to me very unsavoury. I’m sure others will enjoy it 😊

[Junebarnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

tv series

This could be a tv series , mum first then dad then the daughters life’s and then all bring togeather, except Theresa, but then that’s another story