Between the Lies

by Louise Tickle

When it comes to families, is anyone a reliable witness?

Cherry Magraw can never forget the date her mother and brother were killed – the night of her ninth birthday. When her father was jailed for their murders, she lost everyone she loved.

Twenty years later, Cherry is a freelance journalist investigating domestic abuse and the secret world of the family courts, when she gets a letter from her father – still in prison for the killings – which contains a startling request.

From that point on, her past becomes entangled with her work, dismantling everything Cherry thought she knew about her family tragedy and plunging her into a dangerous of game of cat and mouse. Will her history cloud her judgement about another desperate family? And how far will she go to save someone else’s children?

361 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2023

Reviews

[Rainbow Goth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly remarkable. The author's writing style is so engaging, captivating the reader from beginning to end. Cherry, is a character that I particularly enjoyed. She's still struggling to come to terms with the murder of her mother and brother, which happened over two decades ago at the hands of her father. Now, a freelance journalist, she investigates domestic abuse and family court cases.

The story is engrossing. It tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you feeling emotional at times. The plot is well-crafted, with just the right amount of suspense to keep you hooked to the very last page. It is not excessively dramatic, making the story feel realistic, and the characters authentic.

The book also addresses some crucial points about domestic abuse, particularly the difficulty of exposing emotional abuse and how violence is often threatened to keep the victim silent. It also highlights the challenges of dealing with the situation when children are involved.

I also loved the references to the beautiful Welsh coastline.

Although I usually attempt to balance my reviews with negative feedback, I cannot seem to find anything to criticize regarding this book, except perhaps my intense loathing for the judge in the case, who was written brilliantly. I would have loved to have more questions answered at the end, but the possibility of this becoming a series is something I would love to explore.

I think Louise Tickle has demonstrated her ability to create a captivating and thought-provoking narrative. I am eager to read more of her work in the future.

Huge thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for the ALC. This review is my own opinion.

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and again a book comes along that totally blows you away and ‘Between the Lies’ literally blew my emotional well being out of the park. Louise Tickle is a superb writer and has obviously used a huge amount of her own knowledge to create a realistic and compelling story.

There are three threads to this intense novel. Cherry’s witness of her mother and brother’s murder when she was young. Her father, currently in prison charged with their deaths, has made contact with Cherry for the first time and as a journalist, Cherry becomes embroiled in reporting on a custody battle, that leads to a personal and perilous involvement.

The author is highlighting domestic abuse, leading to family breakdown and the consequences of court hearings regarding child custody. In this particular story, you have no idea who is the reliable witness between the parents, Kathie is too emotionally involved and Ed is the breadwinner and quite dominant, who has professional integrity in his favour. With a judge that has a reputation for not being the best, we witness exceedingly acrimonious court scenes. A lot of the storyline could be triggers for some people, including self harm, domestic abuse and child death.

I truly loved this book even given its emotional content, I was utterly gripped and learned just how realistic court cases like Kathy’s can spiral out of control, when emotions run high.

“Between the Lies” by Louise Tickle comes highly recommended and for me a new author I have every intention of pursuing.

#BetweenTheLies - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Aurora Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this story takes place in England, this is a universal issue - complicated victims are failed by the family courts

Cherry is a journalist with a history of family abuse. As an adult, she investigates domestic abuse in the courtrooms. When she meets Kathy, Ed and their kids, she struggles to remain neutral when reporting in their case

This is not a popcorn thriller and some scenes are incredibly frustrating. It’s not salacious, in fact the abuse is subtle which is part of the problem - it’s a he said / she said situation - so who do you believe

Cherry was an empathetic main character and her childhood trauma was woven throughout the story. I would have appreciated a stronger resolution, perhaps with her extended family, as I was left feeling a little hollow

However, this is a very well written, honest portrayal of domestic abuse and if it’s not too triggering, I fully recommend listening to the audiobook which was wonderfully narrated

Thanks to Netgalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

[Jo Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oh my this novel had me in a chokehold from the first words, it had such high intensity that almost rushed at you. I hardly dared breathe.

I find it so hard to conceive that this is a debut novel, Louise Tickle has portrayed outstanding character development, flawless storytelling and it’s also evident that either an abundance of research or perhaps personal experience has gone into the writing. I’ll be eager to read any future work.

Cherry, 20 years on from the murder of her mother and brother at the hands of her father, is working as a freelance journalist, she is keen to explore domestic abuse cases and particularly has an interest in the family court, which, if you have experience of them, you’ll know are usually closed sessions meaning the press and public don’t have entry, nor are reports in the public domain. Cherry does however find an in when a separated couple agree to allow her to cover their case she finds herself both personally and professionally involved with the aim of telling both sides of the story. Meanwhile in the background, Cherry’s father has requested that she visit him in prison. What he could possibly want after all this time sees Cherry having flashbacks to that night and piecing together her memories.

The court scenes in particular are harrowing, I found it difficult to detach emotionally, I was on the brink of tears many times. The insight into family court was so precise. So believable. The story is conflicting, it’s razor sharp, emotionally charged and so delicately woven that I genuinely couldn’t guess what would happen next. Moreover I couldn’t quite tell who was telling the truth at times, that was a smart move, and
makes you think.

Lillie Flynn has provide the ideal narration for this title, she has captured the intensity of the story.

This is a must read.

All the stars ✨
#Jorecommends

I would like to extend my gratitude to W.F Howes Ltd who via NetGalley provided me with an advanced listening copy of this title, the views written here are entirely my own.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a proof copy of this fabulous intense novel.
I love reading novels, that have a court case theme to it. I know this debut fiction story by Louise Tickle, will touch every woman who has suffered domestic abuse, with their husband, or witnessing their father being abusive to their mother. I especially found this story hit a nerve with me, as my mother suffered domestic violence from my father, with the case going to court, where he regularly breached the No-molestation order, just like in this novel.

I felt deeply saddened for Cherry Magraw, with her father killing her mother and her brother. I became hooked into the story as Cherry’s father sends her a letter, he wants to see her. I wondered why does he want to see his daughter, and will Cherry go and see him in prison.

Cherry a freelance journalist investigating in domestic abuse and the secret world of family courts, she writes about domes situations in the courtrooms and fully understands the fear of going to court, representing yourself if someone couldn’t afford a lawyer.

Cherry Magraw has a request from Kathie who is scared of her husband and abusive behaviour she needs help as her husband has served a court application for shared custody of her two children. In the witness box, Kathie reveals what her abusive husband has put her and her children through, as he has breached the non-molestation order, with entering their home and threatened her. Ed, Kathie’s husband denies he came into the house. In Court Cherry speaks up that Kathie phoned her when her husband got into their house, breaking the rules of the injunction to stay away. Unfortunately Cherry finds herself in a very difficult situation herself after speaking up.

The question is who is telling the truth? Is Kathie telling the whole truth, that her husband is controlling, abusive, blaming her for things. Or is Ed simply lying telling the court, that he didn’t do the things test his wife is stating? I was taken by surprised that there’s so much more in this novel than I anticipated.

I personally think this page-turning novel would be a perfect book for any book clubs to talk about.

And I have to recommend Between The Lies by Louise Tickle, to all readers and bloggers, because it’s one of those novels that’s very tense, and being very difficult to put down.

[kimberley (thearieslibrary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freelance journalist Cherry Magraw investigates domestic abuse and family court proceedings, so when she receives a letter off her dad who is in prison for the murder of her mother and brother, she’s interested to know what he wants and what it’ll cost her. From then on, her past becomes entangled with her work which makes her rethink everything she knows about her family’s murders and she begins to play a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Will her past cloud her judgement about another desperate family? How far will she go to save someone else’s children?

If you are looking for a book to read for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (which is in October), then please consider adding this to your TBR as it is an incredibly important book by a debut author! However, please make sure to check trigger warnings as this book covers many heavy topics.

It was absolutely heartbreaking to see the book unfold as Cherry is not only working on processing her traumatic childhood of her brother and mother being killed by her dad but also reporting on a case where domestic violence is involved. It was interesting but so sad to see how one instance of family court proceedings, where domestic violence allegations were made, was dealt with in the criminal justice system.

I really liked how this debut novel was written. It left me not wanting to put the book down because I had to know how it ended. Although, there were times where I had to take a break from reading because it was so harrowing reading about how the events in the book were unfolding and how difficult it is to have evidence that a partner is abusive. The difficulty comes in how subtle the behaviours are and because it isn’t always physical abuse, domestic violence can be hard to prove (and even with evidence, sometimes that isn’t enough). This struggle is demonstrated really well in this book where you see characters trying to think of other crimes the person could be arrested for.

⚠️ CWs: blood, alcohol use, murder, domestic violence, femicide, self harm, cursing, cheating, child abuse, panic attack, physical assault and death ⚠️

[Chantelle Hazelden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting story.

From the concept to the execution, I got a real sense of how much research had gone into the novel, including the authors own professional knowledge as she specialises in the subjects followed within the story.

*Trigger Warning* This book contains a lot of talk of domestic violence.

It is done in a great manner, honest and thought provoking.

Cherry was a powerful protagonist. A freelance journalist, who investigates domestic abuse and family court proceedings. Early on in the story she receives a letter from her dad, who at the time is in prison for the murder of both her mother and her younger brother. What could he want and what can he tell her about what really happened?

From this point it becomes clear that her past is beginning to become entangled with her work. I could sense how hard it was for her to remain impartial when it came to reporting such things, but I also admired how determined she was to see that wrong-doings in court were revealed.

The focus on the actual court proceedings was brilliant as we often forget the in-between from the initial crime to the end result.

The over all story was gripping.

There were times where I was left wondering whether certain situations had been misinterpreted by the victim and their attacker and this I guess is where the real problem lies because when it comes to the courts we are putting our faith in others and hoping that they can remain neutral when deciding the fates of families because unfortunately the abuse isn't always visible!

It's quite heartbreaking to see just how much the decisions made can really impact so many lives.

All the characters within this story are well-drawn. I found myself feeling quite emotional about a lot of it.

I can't believe this is a debut novel.

Expertly written, I found myself struggling to put it down.

[McBreakneck · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧Audiobook review🎧

This came highly recommended by a friend so I was interested to listen to it.

Cherry is a journalist who gets involved in covering a child custody case, including accusations of domestic abuse. As the family gets dragged through the family courts Cherry is at risk of getting too close to the case. How far will she go to try to protect those involved?

Cherry also carries the trauma of the night of her ninth birthday when her mother and brother died. Her father is still in prison following the events of that night.

It’s an interesting and involved plot with some unusual elements, family courts, domestic violence and the journalist’s level of involvement with a story. The audiobook narration is generally very good, although one of the characters sounded like Miranda Richardson’s Queen in Black Adder, and the children’s voices got a bit whiney.

I was really hoping for something like early Gillian McAllister, the potential was there.

My biggest and only real problem is the writing style. Overly ornate, verbose, purple prose which overpowered the story. It got in the way of the story and frequently irritated me. I can’t remember the last time I read ‘expostulated’, characters in this book expostulated at least three times. There are also words repeated three times for effect, again this occurs a few times and gets very, very, very tedious quickly. I rarely go in on a writing style like this but it really got in the way and reduced my enjoyment of what potentially could have been very good. The characters, plots and interest are all there struggling to get through the prose.

The finale was good though.

Thanks to Netgalley and W.F. Howes

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in audiobook format.

“Between the Lies” is a debut novel that resonates with the depth of a seasoned writer’s work. Louise Tickle weaves a narrative so compelling that it blurs the lines between past and present, truth and deception. The protagonist, Cherry Magraw, is a character sculpted by tragedy and driven by a relentless pursuit of justice. Her journey, marked by the loss of her family and the shadows of her father’s actions, unfolds into a gripping tale of domestic intrigue and legal battles.

Tickle’s background as an award-winning journalist specializing in domestic abuse and family courts lends an air of authenticity to the story. The novel is an exploration of the complexities of family dynamics and the often-hidden turmoil within. The author’s ability to capture the nuances of emotional abuse and the silent threats that bind victims is both enlightening and heartbreaking.

Lillie Flynn’s narration adds a layer of intensity to the experience. Her voice carries the weight of Cherry’s emotions, from the tremors of vulnerability to the crescendos of determination. Flynn’s performance is not just a reading; it’s an embodiment of the characters’ souls, making the audiobook a profoundly immersive experience.

“Between the Lies” is a testament to Tickle’s narrative prowess. It’s a story that stays with you, challenging your perceptions.

As a book reviewer, I find this audiobook to be a remarkable piece that not only entertains but also educates and empowers. It’s a must-listen for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted story that echoes the complexities of real life.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cherry is a journalist, usually working in the courts and documenting the trials she is on. She has a troubled past in that when she was 9, her mum died along with her brother. She's always blamed herself for her brother's death and it's something she still carries around with her daily. Her father was abusive and he's in prison for the death of her mum. Cherry lived with her auntie and uncle on a farm, they brought her up after everything with her parents.

When Cherry meets Kathie in a cafe, looking upset, she goes to speak to her and Kathie confides in Cherry that she is going through a separation with her partner, their children's dad, but he's been abusive and she is going to court to organise the custody, he wants more than what Kathie is willing to allow and she was people to believe that Rob her ex, can't be left alone with the children.

Cherry convinces Kathie to let her document the case in the court, it's not something that's been done before but journalists are allowed in court, and her boss says she can do it as long as she behaves, so this is where the story starts. Along with supporting Kathie, in her private life, a letter arrives for her at her Auntie's and it's from her dad in prison wanting to talk to her.

This was a gripping read and I couldn't put this down. Cherry finds herself becoming deeper involved into Kathie and Rob's lives as she tries to hear them both out during the trial, and even sees for herself the personality of Rob. This was a great story and very well written, full of suspense.

[Kerrie Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possible trigger warning

I’m this book we meet Cherry McGraw, a freelance journalist. It starts with the memory of her 9th birthday and the night her mother and brother died.
Fast forward 20 years and Cherry is investigating family law court cases involving parents and children in possible domestic abuse situations.

As a journalist she is entitled to attend the courts but can only publish if permission is given and all identifying information is kept out. She becomes involved with mum Cathy and dad Ed as they battle to decide on visitation rights for dad Ed, who Cathy states she is worried for the children’s safety if unsupervised visits are granted.

This was a difficult but important story to listen to, the way the judge behaved was appalling and concerning that it really does happen this way far too often.

I enjoyed listening to and seeing how this story unfolds, even if I was at times shouting at both Cherry and Cathy to react differently and was at times frustrated by their actions.

This is my 1st time experiencing anything from this author but I am now keen to explore more

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this title. The narrator did a fantastic job

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-4.75⭐️

Impressive and accomplished debut Domestic/courtroom thriller. I had the audiobook read by Lillie Flynn who does a good job, she really brings out the emotions of those involved.

Cherry Magraw can never forget her ninth birthday when her mother and brother were ki11ed by her father. With her father in prison she lost everyone she loved.

Twenty years later she is a journalist investigating cases of domestic ab*se when her father contacts her to visit him in prison.

It shows how Cherry’s life has been affected, also looks at a woman going through the family courts with her accusation of being a victim of domestic v*o1ence. The reader gets a view into the workings of the in shrouded family court. It’s it feels very realistically portrayed. It’s very emotive, at times it made my blood boil.its desperately sad too.

It didn’t answer everything 100% which I would have preferred. There will be triggers for some. It’s one that I’d highly recommend. Look forward to more by this author.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The joy of Louise Tickle's thriller, BETWEEN THE LIES, is that it begins with a small incident, as investigated not by a detective but a journalist who strives for objectivity, to record a case involving custody of two children, compounded by a personal tragedy experienced by the protagonist. The case, of course, escalates, as does the violent memory of the journalist's past, and they interweave beautifully. The uniqueness of the novel lies in the lack of sensationalism, at least at first, and the excellent details of the provocative case investigated. Also, the female protagonist is smart, empathetic, and aims for objectivity, until that's no longer possible. The tension escalates beautifully, and the book does make you lean forward the entire time, hoping for the best when you aren't even sure what the best is until the end--which is suitably dramatic and exciting. It's a novel about domestic abuse, but it's subtle, smart, and beautifully crafted. Tickle, a journalist herself, knows her stuff. I can't wait to read her next novel.

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

A beautifully written and utterly compelling book. I loved it!

Cherry is a journalist who has never come to terms with the deaths of her mother and brother, and her father's conviction for their brutal killings. When Cherry meets Kathy and discovers that she is a victim of domestic abuse and caught in a legal battle, she is drawn to helping her and becomes emotionally invested in the case, bringing back her own trauma to the surface.

Whilst this is a thriller in one sense, it also deeply and sensitively explores domestic abuse, the psychological games people play and how victims are so often let down by the legal system.

The audiobook was narrated by Lillie Flynn, who did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life. I was completely immersed in the story from start to finish and it took my breath away.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Louise Tickle and W. F. Howes for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

Hey WOW this was a great book. I gave it 4 stars and not 5 because it didn't blow me away, but it was really good. It was so frustrating in all the right ways. This story highlights how emotional abuse and verbal abuse can escalate, and at times be even scarier than other kinds of abuse, simply because of the fear factor. Sometimes I wanted to shake the main character and the other few people she interacted with for the stupid decisions they made. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending, and I feel like there are still lots of loose ends that could have been tied up. I think the ambiguity was intentional, but it still irritated me. Great book! Very high stakes and suspenseful.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 This one caught my interest straight away and it was an interesting read. It focuses on an important topic that some families face everyday. It’s a well developed and well written storyline but it did feel a little unbelievable when it came to some aspects of the storyline. It’s s fast paced listen that held my attention throughout. It has its likeable and unlikeable characters. I was a little disappointed with the outcome as I have some unanswered questions and I hate unfinished business 😜. It was an engaging listen and the narrator did a great job.

3.5/5 🌟🌟🌟/🌟

Thanks to Netgalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for the opportunity to listen to and review #BetweenTheLies

[Julie Friar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cherry, a journalist investigates cases of domestic abuse at the family court. She has never come to terms with the deaths of her mother and brother together with the imprisonment of her father. Her latest investigation will bring her 8th conflict and danger.

Very enjoyable, tense novel. Well written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Strong and complex characters, whose lives are deeply affected by domestic abuse. And the danger this can bring. Will anyone come out unscathed?

[Moyra Duckmanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s obvious that Louise Tickle understands the wrong doings of the family court and the way some judges are. I think anybody who has been through the process has met a judge just like Fosse.
Many other stories intertwine with one another throughout the book. Well written, easy to read and I found unputadownable.

[Elizabeth Gorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening and intelligent thriller. There were a lot of things I just didn’t see coming that made it an entertaining read. But more importantly than that it uncovers the utter confusion, complexity and pain that is inherent when families break down. Definitely worthy of a read - I’ve been recommending it to everyone.

[Bharghavi Damodharan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual kind of thriller book but very engaging, compelling and thought provoking. The ending didn't answer everything but I guess that made it more powerful because we sometimes have to accept that we might not always not know the truth behind some things. Instead, we should make the conscious decision to stop looking, accept what we don't know for the sake of our own mental peace.

[Pgchuis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed. This was depressing and traumatic. It read as if the author had identified a significant failing in the family courts system and then built a novel around it.

[Samantha Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line was good but the ending for me was a little disappointing… I wanted answers!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and enjoyable to read but didn't grab me and wouldn't recommend particularly.

[Casey Kosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved the pace of this book with the two stories happening at once.

[AtomicBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really is an accomplished debut novel and a remarkable read. It is an intense and addictive story that you won’t be able to put down. This book is incredibly thought provoking but without being patronising and it is written in a very compelling and readable way. It covers some really difficult subjects but manages to do this is in an empathetic and very real way without glorifying any of the issues. The characters are incredibly well written and fit the story perfectly. This is the perfect balance between a psychological thriller and literary fiction. Brilliant read.

[Sarah McKenna]

I was pleased to read a proof copy of this excellent thriller for my local bookshop Borzoi Books in Stow on the Wold

This is a first rate thriller with complimentary dual stories and themes.

The protagonist is a freelance investigative journalist, Cherry, who specialises in Family Court and abuse cases, as does the author although there is nothing to suggest any elements are autobiographical. However, the author’s background lends the novel an air of veracity.

Cherry is the victim of an horrific abusive childhood. Her father is in prison for the murder of her mother. Her brother also died in the same incident. As an adult she is struggling to remember or understand what happened that fateful night whilst in her professional life she is passionately engaged in trying assist victims of family abuse by airing the inadequacies of the Family Court legal system.

She becomes embroiled in a reporting on an acrimonious case in which a divorcing couple, Kathie and Ed, are involved in a bitter custody dispute over their two young children and where Kathie is alleging domestic abuse, which Kathie says makes Ed unsuitable to be allowed unsupervised access to the children. As the case and ensuing drama unfolds, it becomes clear how difficult it is to provide hard evidence in such cases, particularly where the abuse is psychological and how undermining that can be in respect of the ability to be able to act rationally and coherently. In addition, the inadequacies of the Court system in such cases are thrown into sharp focus.

This story dovetails with Cherry’s own and the two are cleverly plotted. All the characters are well-drawn and the novel picks up pace towards the denouement. I struggled to put it down.

I heartily recommend this excellent debut novel.

[Tim Ewins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and real, thrilling and emotional. This is probably the best courtroom thriller I’ve ever read!