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Lies That Bind
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269 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2023
5 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Krissy Baccaro
12 books36 followersKrissy Baccaro is the award-winning author of the Ella Perri Mysteries series, which explores dark family secrets and atmospheric suspense across decades. Known for her twisty, compelling thrillers rooted in rich Italian history, Krissy draws inspiration from old Italian stories and family memorabilia. She splits her time between upstate New York and southern Florida, and when she's not writing, you can find her with her toes in the sand and a book in her hand.
Check out her website for writing news and book updates: krissybaccaro.com
Check out her website for writing news and book updates: krissybaccaro.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 13, 2025
4.7⭐️
This book isn’t one I’d usually go for, but because it is mystery mixed with historical I thought I’d give it a try. And I am NOT disappointed that I did, this book was absolutely amazing! The writing in this book and the plots made my heart race and kept my attention the whole time! Will definitely be reading the other books if I can get them!!
Thank you for the e-copy on library things! Absolutely loved it!!
This book isn’t one I’d usually go for, but because it is mystery mixed with historical I thought I’d give it a try. And I am NOT disappointed that I did, this book was absolutely amazing! The writing in this book and the plots made my heart race and kept my attention the whole time! Will definitely be reading the other books if I can get them!!
Thank you for the e-copy on library things! Absolutely loved it!!
March 5, 2023
I loved this third book in a series, Lies That Bind, by Krissy Baccaro. It’s a prequel regarding Luca’s family history that doesn’t miss a step in the delightful writing style she exhibits in her first two books. I was immediately drawn into this story and couldn’t put it down. Ms. Baccaro continues to keep her readers guessing with this page turner. Another great suspenseful book that is amazing!
March 3, 2023
This book is the prequel the other two books in the series. The setting is 1930s Italy and shows the early life of Luca Perri. Luca takes after the lying, corrupt ways of his father Sal, much to his mother’s dismay. Isabella shows great bravery as she tries to uncover her family’s secrets.
March 13, 2023
Another fast paced story that will keep you guessing. What secrets will be uncovered What danger will happen. The characters make the book and capture you until the last page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2024
Lies That Bind by Krissy Baccaro: another delicious serving of mystery
Yet another serving of mystery-- Delicious! I completed and reviewed this book on Amazon in March 2023. Forgive my delay of putting it here as well.
I was drawn right into Lies That Bind by Krissy Baccaro from the get-go. It’s all right there in Chapter One:
“the branches scratching feverishly against the glass/” — an impending storm.
“a flashlight and then a smaller light near the curtains/” — this stilled my heart too!
And then, the protagonist, Izzy, slides her hand to the side of the bed to find she sleeps alone. Her husband was absent, but for the glass half full and the headache powder. Untouched.
But then the “two crumpled packets, with edges torn…/” — so, did she or did she not take her meds!? As you read, you’ll discover these meds are vital to the story.
And then she hears footsteps downstairs. Inside her house! This truncated me! Such a great opening chapter for even a scaredy-cat like me!
Each chapter IS impactful, with sharp twists that create tension and urgency.
This is not my first encounter with Author Krissy Baccaro’s work; I’ve read and reviewed this prolific mystery writer’s books before: Buried Secrets; One Last Secret of the Ella Perry Mystery Series.
This, Book 3 and Prequel to the Ella Perri Mystery Series, is yet another delicious serving of mystery by this author.
The characters are believable and well drawn out; details are relevant, and the plot rolls out smoothly with intrigue — a true page-turner.
I zoomed in on the compelling part of how women’s friendships are nourished through hard times and how they sacrifice for each other’s sake. Izzy's love for her boys kept me rooting for her.
Her headache medicine: is conveniently dispensed through her husband’s orders to his subordinates to keep Izzy out of the loop of what’s happening. That a husband would do that is heartbreaking.
The book moves quickly with fitting descriptions and plenty of suspense and mystery. And the end comes to a satisfactory ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lies That Bind by Krissy Baccaro from start to finish. And give this novel a resounding 5-star rating.
*****
Yet another serving of mystery-- Delicious! I completed and reviewed this book on Amazon in March 2023. Forgive my delay of putting it here as well.
I was drawn right into Lies That Bind by Krissy Baccaro from the get-go. It’s all right there in Chapter One:
“the branches scratching feverishly against the glass/” — an impending storm.
“a flashlight and then a smaller light near the curtains/” — this stilled my heart too!
And then, the protagonist, Izzy, slides her hand to the side of the bed to find she sleeps alone. Her husband was absent, but for the glass half full and the headache powder. Untouched.
But then the “two crumpled packets, with edges torn…/” — so, did she or did she not take her meds!? As you read, you’ll discover these meds are vital to the story.
And then she hears footsteps downstairs. Inside her house! This truncated me! Such a great opening chapter for even a scaredy-cat like me!
Each chapter IS impactful, with sharp twists that create tension and urgency.
This is not my first encounter with Author Krissy Baccaro’s work; I’ve read and reviewed this prolific mystery writer’s books before: Buried Secrets; One Last Secret of the Ella Perry Mystery Series.
This, Book 3 and Prequel to the Ella Perri Mystery Series, is yet another delicious serving of mystery by this author.
The characters are believable and well drawn out; details are relevant, and the plot rolls out smoothly with intrigue — a true page-turner.
I zoomed in on the compelling part of how women’s friendships are nourished through hard times and how they sacrifice for each other’s sake. Izzy's love for her boys kept me rooting for her.
Her headache medicine: is conveniently dispensed through her husband’s orders to his subordinates to keep Izzy out of the loop of what’s happening. That a husband would do that is heartbreaking.
The book moves quickly with fitting descriptions and plenty of suspense and mystery. And the end comes to a satisfactory ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lies That Bind by Krissy Baccaro from start to finish. And give this novel a resounding 5-star rating.
*****
April 29, 2023
Lies That Bind, #3 - I did not know this was the prequel to Buried Secrets and One Last Secret. It is told by Luca's mother about her very disturbed family. I am unsure if it is necessary to read this first. I like not knowing about Luca's history; he's an unknown person so no expectations on his possible behavior. With the prequel read first, his actions would be expected and therefore, no surprises.
It was disappointing that modern terms were used for that period (intervention and tough love). In Italy, Witness Protection started around the 70s with police protection; official in early 90s. Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky targeted the U.S. market at that time. Schizophrenia and Bipolar comments hit me wrong, facts issue. 4*
Buried Secrets - I was surprised by how interesting and immersing story this turned out. I think I read The Rearview Mirror and disliked that set of stories.
While at the beginning of her decision to go to Italy, I thought she was mental and wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. Glad I did since the story lines became very interesting. A bad guy was obvious and another was being exposed by careful bits of information, similar to misdirection.
Well written with interesting settings and characters. There are two more books to go with this story, which I will be reading. 4*
One Last Secret, #2 - The story picks up two years after Buried Secrets ends. The telling of 1939 Gianna, present day Ella and flashbacks of two years previous for Luca, made in intriguing, mesmerizing and not putting it down till finished story. I loved one character overall for her bravery and the emotional ending. 5*
It was disappointing that modern terms were used for that period (intervention and tough love). In Italy, Witness Protection started around the 70s with police protection; official in early 90s. Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky targeted the U.S. market at that time. Schizophrenia and Bipolar comments hit me wrong, facts issue. 4*
Buried Secrets - I was surprised by how interesting and immersing story this turned out. I think I read The Rearview Mirror and disliked that set of stories.
While at the beginning of her decision to go to Italy, I thought she was mental and wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. Glad I did since the story lines became very interesting. A bad guy was obvious and another was being exposed by careful bits of information, similar to misdirection.
Well written with interesting settings and characters. There are two more books to go with this story, which I will be reading. 4*
One Last Secret, #2 - The story picks up two years after Buried Secrets ends. The telling of 1939 Gianna, present day Ella and flashbacks of two years previous for Luca, made in intriguing, mesmerizing and not putting it down till finished story. I loved one character overall for her bravery and the emotional ending. 5*
April 8, 2023
This book is a nail-biting, edge of your seat, whodunnit or whodinnitdoit?
LIES THAT BIND by Krissy Baccaro tells the story of Isabella Perri, her abusive alcoholic husband Sal, her children; Luca and Franco and her friends Greta, Anna and Giorgio.
For years, Isabella has been losing friends due to Sal’s drunken, erratic behavior. She makes excuses for him, covers her bruises, attempts to put up the facade of a happy family. Townsfolk often ask her why she covers for him.
When a local girl goes missing and then her body is found, the town is in an uproar. Then another girl goes missing. Sal and Luca have a very secretive relationship and Luca sneaks out of the house at night. Is he meeting a girlfriend or is he up to no good with the other night time deviants. Everyone has secrets.
Then her best friend Greta and her family up and move in the middle of the night after a bad dinner party with no explanation or goodbye.
When an arrest is made regarding the missing girls, a mother will do anything to protect the ones she loves.
I absolutely LOVED this book and understand that it is the last in a series. NOOOOO! Can be read as a standalone but I can’t wait to read the others both in this series and by this author in general. Her writing style makes for easy reading, her imagination makes it THRILLING. BRAVO!
LIES THAT BIND by Krissy Baccaro tells the story of Isabella Perri, her abusive alcoholic husband Sal, her children; Luca and Franco and her friends Greta, Anna and Giorgio.
For years, Isabella has been losing friends due to Sal’s drunken, erratic behavior. She makes excuses for him, covers her bruises, attempts to put up the facade of a happy family. Townsfolk often ask her why she covers for him.
When a local girl goes missing and then her body is found, the town is in an uproar. Then another girl goes missing. Sal and Luca have a very secretive relationship and Luca sneaks out of the house at night. Is he meeting a girlfriend or is he up to no good with the other night time deviants. Everyone has secrets.
Then her best friend Greta and her family up and move in the middle of the night after a bad dinner party with no explanation or goodbye.
When an arrest is made regarding the missing girls, a mother will do anything to protect the ones she loves.
I absolutely LOVED this book and understand that it is the last in a series. NOOOOO! Can be read as a standalone but I can’t wait to read the others both in this series and by this author in general. Her writing style makes for easy reading, her imagination makes it THRILLING. BRAVO!
March 3, 2023
Neurotic wife becomes aware of husband's clandestine activities in Italy prior to WW II - 3 stars
Creaking boards and noises in the night leading up to a murder mystery that is obscured by mafia intervention. Family and friends are sometimes helpful but never clear about relationships that used to be, recover, and then become distant again.
Secret stashes in boxes and nooks are discovered. Confidences together with conflicting observations give a partial view of a dark and brooding nature. This story winds up in confusing and dark without a complete resolution. Adults, teachers, police, and teenagers share friends and jealousies; each individual offers views of a trusting mother and controlling father.
Two young girls and one adult woman were murdered. I expected the murders to be acknowledged long before the end. Instead, the reader is allowed to believe that police work in the time of Mussolini and the mafia allowed for ambiguities.
I felt like I never had a good understanding of what was happening. If the story ended at the 95% point, I was pretty sure I knew what had happened. But for me, the ending in the last 5% was both unexpected and dissatisfying.
Creaking boards and noises in the night leading up to a murder mystery that is obscured by mafia intervention. Family and friends are sometimes helpful but never clear about relationships that used to be, recover, and then become distant again.
Secret stashes in boxes and nooks are discovered. Confidences together with conflicting observations give a partial view of a dark and brooding nature. This story winds up in confusing and dark without a complete resolution. Adults, teachers, police, and teenagers share friends and jealousies; each individual offers views of a trusting mother and controlling father.
Two young girls and one adult woman were murdered. I expected the murders to be acknowledged long before the end. Instead, the reader is allowed to believe that police work in the time of Mussolini and the mafia allowed for ambiguities.
I felt like I never had a good understanding of what was happening. If the story ended at the 95% point, I was pretty sure I knew what had happened. But for me, the ending in the last 5% was both unexpected and dissatisfying.
March 8, 2023
Lies That Bind kept me at the edge of my seat till the end. It's a fast-paced story, with relatable characters, where crime, angst, lies, and deceit walk hand in hand. When I thought I had finally understood who was responsible for the crimes, another twist happened in the story and I was wrong. Captivating, and thrilling, left me wanting more!
August 15, 2023
I enjoyed this book from the start.
I have not read any other books by the author and it was not until I had finished the book that there was another in the series.
At times I wanted to shout at Izzy to stop taking her medicine and to leave Sal.
A well constructed book leaving the reader still unsure of what will come.
I have not read any other books by the author and it was not until I had finished the book that there was another in the series.
At times I wanted to shout at Izzy to stop taking her medicine and to leave Sal.
A well constructed book leaving the reader still unsure of what will come.
August 21, 2024
This is book three, but also the prequel to this series. NORMALLY…I would recommend reading the prequel to a series first. Instead, IMO, I would recommend reading this prequel LAST.
It’s told in first person POV by a distant family member of Ella (who is the one to bring a huge family secret to the surface once again and also discovers the truth of said family secret in book one and two). With this book however, we get to see events of Ella’s recently passed grandfather (who asked Ella on his deathbed to find the truth of his family secret) and her uncle’s life growing up as kids.
I don’t want to go into to much detail about this story for fear of giving away spoilers. So I will say that with the revelation of book two, this prequel shows the dark side that of the uncle who tried his hardest for years to keep buried.we get to see events and situations that help us see and understand the side of this uncle that wasn’t portrayed in books one and two.
With the ending of book two and the ending of this prequel/book three, I don’t know that I want this series to end. I hope that we get more of this series, I can definitely see room for more. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the prequel coming in as book three, but the more I think about it, I do think it was a good idea for Krissy Bacarro to make it be read after books one and two. If it would’ve been meant to be read first, IMO, it would’ve taken away from the suspense of the first two books. But now that I’ve read this one, I’m so excited (and hopeful) for the next book! I received a copy via StoryOrigin. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s told in first person POV by a distant family member of Ella (who is the one to bring a huge family secret to the surface once again and also discovers the truth of said family secret in book one and two). With this book however, we get to see events of Ella’s recently passed grandfather (who asked Ella on his deathbed to find the truth of his family secret) and her uncle’s life growing up as kids.
I don’t want to go into to much detail about this story for fear of giving away spoilers. So I will say that with the revelation of book two, this prequel shows the dark side that of the uncle who tried his hardest for years to keep buried.we get to see events and situations that help us see and understand the side of this uncle that wasn’t portrayed in books one and two.
With the ending of book two and the ending of this prequel/book three, I don’t know that I want this series to end. I hope that we get more of this series, I can definitely see room for more. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the prequel coming in as book three, but the more I think about it, I do think it was a good idea for Krissy Bacarro to make it be read after books one and two. If it would’ve been meant to be read first, IMO, it would’ve taken away from the suspense of the first two books. But now that I’ve read this one, I’m so excited (and hopeful) for the next book! I received a copy via StoryOrigin. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews