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The Lie That Kills: A Crime Thriller
Would you tell a lie to Federal Agents to protect the father you love? It didn't seem like too much to ask until it was too late to turn back.
A novel with the intensity of a movie because it was written by a screenwriter.
"A Crime Thriller to Remember," Michael S., Amazon Review
"It's intricately plotted with characters you are either cheering for or wishing they were dead." Linda C., Amazon Review
"Starts out harmless enough, but, wow, by the end? Anything but. Loved the way it was constructed." Kindle Customer
Twenty-year-old Casey Smith told a lie to her FBI interrogator to save the ex-boxer father she loved from a lifetime in prison. Now, not even the truth will set her free in this gripping tale of dark conspiracies and twisted loyalties. Casey Smith's harrowing journey will lead her and her blue-collar family into a world where every corner hides danger, and every decision is a matter of life and death. Her world has become a dark, urban abyss where life is cheap, and death is always imminent. In a world where assassins thrive, she can trust only one person... herself.
If the brilliant but underachieving Casey hopes to survive and reclaim the promise life once held for her, she must tap into the darkest elements of her nature and find the will to do the unthinkable. Casey, her father, Eddie, and her mother, Robyn, have one final opportunity to get their lives back on track. It is literally, do or die.
"The Lie That Kills is equal parts fast-paced, thrilling crime novel and dark, dysfunctional family drama. Cirillo deftly spins a tension-filled story of a family that is threatened both externally and internally, creating a ticking time bomb that may take them all down. He takes the time to create three-dimensional characters whose extraordinary actions under pressure always seem believable right up to the shocking finale. Along the way, he introduces a rogue's gallery of feds and criminals, including two of the most unforgettable, terrifying sicarios you will ever meet." -- Tony Gayton, Screenwriter and co-creator of Hell on Wheels.
"Family bonds push the intriguing Casey Smith into a treacherous underworld. The Lie That Kills is a captivating tale of love, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to for family" -- Michael Sellers, Author and former CIA agent.
Author Patrick Cirillo has been writing gripping suspense and action screenplays for Hollywood studios since his career began. His movie Tears of the Sun was a hit action film starring Bruce Willis. His crime drama, Homer and Eddie, won the Best Picture Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival. His motion picture, The Surgeon, was a tense horror thriller starring Malcolm McDowell.
Now, with a lifetime of experience writing hard-edged suspense thrillers at his disposal, he has turned his skills to a new medium with the arrival of his second novel, The Lie That Kills. His first novel, Wyatt and the Duke, has received glowing reader reviews on Amazon.
A novel with the intensity of a movie because it was written by a screenwriter.
"A Crime Thriller to Remember," Michael S., Amazon Review
"It's intricately plotted with characters you are either cheering for or wishing they were dead." Linda C., Amazon Review
"Starts out harmless enough, but, wow, by the end? Anything but. Loved the way it was constructed." Kindle Customer
Twenty-year-old Casey Smith told a lie to her FBI interrogator to save the ex-boxer father she loved from a lifetime in prison. Now, not even the truth will set her free in this gripping tale of dark conspiracies and twisted loyalties. Casey Smith's harrowing journey will lead her and her blue-collar family into a world where every corner hides danger, and every decision is a matter of life and death. Her world has become a dark, urban abyss where life is cheap, and death is always imminent. In a world where assassins thrive, she can trust only one person... herself.
If the brilliant but underachieving Casey hopes to survive and reclaim the promise life once held for her, she must tap into the darkest elements of her nature and find the will to do the unthinkable. Casey, her father, Eddie, and her mother, Robyn, have one final opportunity to get their lives back on track. It is literally, do or die.
"The Lie That Kills is equal parts fast-paced, thrilling crime novel and dark, dysfunctional family drama. Cirillo deftly spins a tension-filled story of a family that is threatened both externally and internally, creating a ticking time bomb that may take them all down. He takes the time to create three-dimensional characters whose extraordinary actions under pressure always seem believable right up to the shocking finale. Along the way, he introduces a rogue's gallery of feds and criminals, including two of the most unforgettable, terrifying sicarios you will ever meet." -- Tony Gayton, Screenwriter and co-creator of Hell on Wheels.
"Family bonds push the intriguing Casey Smith into a treacherous underworld. The Lie That Kills is a captivating tale of love, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to for family" -- Michael Sellers, Author and former CIA agent.
Author Patrick Cirillo has been writing gripping suspense and action screenplays for Hollywood studios since his career began. His movie Tears of the Sun was a hit action film starring Bruce Willis. His crime drama, Homer and Eddie, won the Best Picture Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival. His motion picture, The Surgeon, was a tense horror thriller starring Malcolm McDowell.
Now, with a lifetime of experience writing hard-edged suspense thrillers at his disposal, he has turned his skills to a new medium with the arrival of his second novel, The Lie That Kills. His first novel, Wyatt and the Duke, has received glowing reader reviews on Amazon.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2024
32 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 17, 2025
The Lie That Kills is a fast-paced, gripping thriller that pulled me in from page one. Patrick Cirillo’s storytelling feels like watching a movie, intense, emotional, and full of shocking twists. The characters felt so real, and the tension never let up until the final page. I loved every moment and would definitely grab a copy for myself and my cousin who loves crime thrillers.
December 11, 2025
The Lie That Kills combines fast-paced action, suspense, and deep emotional resonance. Patrick Cirillo’s experience as a screenwriter shines through in the cinematic pacing and vivid scenes. The plot twists are brilliant, and the moral dilemmas faced by Casey make the story both exciting and thought-provoking. A truly compelling thriller.
March 7, 2024
Thrilling and exciting
I nearly stopped reading this after the first few chapters. I’m sure glad I didn’t! It’s intricately plotted with characters you are either cheering for or wishing they were dead. Give this book a try, you won’t be disappointed.
I nearly stopped reading this after the first few chapters. I’m sure glad I didn’t! It’s intricately plotted with characters you are either cheering for or wishing they were dead. Give this book a try, you won’t be disappointed.
February 4, 2024
LOVED “The Lie That Kills”!!! Brilliant! Starts out harmless enough, but, wow, by the end? Anything but!! Loved the way it was constructed with Robyn’s voice in between. Flawed characters, fluid loyalties, it was a great ride!!
March 25, 2024
interesting
This was a page turner. It was very hard to put this book down until you finished it. Never a dull moment.
This was a page turner. It was very hard to put this book down until you finished it. Never a dull moment.
Read
April 13, 2024First time I have read anything by this author. What a great story line. I could not put the book down. The characters were well played out in this book. A few surprises on who the bad guys were.
November 20, 2024
Full disclosure. I wrote it, and I love it. Better still, it's gotten great reviews from readers in general.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews