What Lies We Keep

by Janet Roberts

Cyber security expert, Ted McCord, has been fired. He risked everything in a game far beyond his control.

It’s the last straw for Charlotte McCord who’s never understood her husband’s addiction to the trappings of corporate life - the titles, the money, the promise of visible success he sees as opposite his Montana upbringing. Six months earlier, Ted uncovered an embezzlement scheme, did something unthinkable to gain a promotion, and hid his actions from his wife. Now the guilty co-conspirators have turned the tables on him. Ted claims he's innocent but Charlotte leaves, taking their daughter. As Ted works to clear his name, Charlotte leans on her friends. But one friend has a secret that shocks Charlotte, upending everything she believes about Ted. Unsure who to trust, she jettisons from hurt and anger to the tempting promise of solace in the arms of a handsome River Rescue officer.

Stretching from Pittsburgh’s urban skyline to the beautiful ranch country of Montana, What Lies We Keep is a moving story of corporate ambition that shakes the very foundations of a marriage and asks: What happens when we embrace the life we think we should have rather than the life we have?

Genres: Mystery

326 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Janet Roberts is a former global leader in cybersecurity education. Her fiction is set wholly or partially in Western PA, where her roots run deep. Her readers know to expect a female character who awakens to the discovery of her own inner strength while facing adversity. Her award-winning novel What Lies We Keep (2024) combined cybersecurity with domestic suspense and was the winnder of: 2024 Literary Titan Silver Award, Firebird Book Award, Pencraft Summer Awards for Literary Excellence -Suspense, and 2025 International Impact Book Awards - Contemporary Fiction/Realistic Fiction. It was a 2024 Finalist for the American Writing Awards’ Hawthorne Prize, 2024 American Fiction Awards – Best New Fiction, and 2024 American Book Fest Best Book Awards – Best New Fiction. Her poetry has been published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and in San Fedele Press’ Art in the Time of COVID-19. A member of Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Pennwriters, and Sisters in Crime, she lives in Pittsburgh. She loves travel, wandering through bookstores in other countries, reading on her porch swing, and sharing a bottle of wine with friends. Learn more about her at www.booksbyjanetroberts.com

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Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing book! Are you a Ted fan? I was! What about Charlotte? I could relate but I just wanted her to get over it and move on! I could not put it down and the twists were really good. I would highly recommend it especially for book clubs! There are a lot of good discussions. The best part, I got to meet the author, Janet Roberts! She is amazing and it was awesome to have her at our book club discussion.

[Teri M Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Lies We Keep by Janet Roberts is a contemporary family fiction that seamlessly weaves cybersecurity with the lies we tell one another. Ted and Charlotte are on the road to "living the dream." Ted has a good job, they have a daughter, and are saving to buy their first home. But something is amiss.

Ted is hiding something and Charlotte, though she isn't sure what, is dragging him to marital counseling in hopes of saving their marriage. But the lies go beyond Ted, with two good friends, a brother-in-law, and even her mother keeping things from her - things that shape her world.
​
This is not merely a story of Ted's redemption, but of Charlotte's journey to find the truth - about her husband, about her marriage, about her friends - and mostly about herself. Great read! I was fortunate enough to get an advanced reader copy (ARC). This book will be available on May 7th.

[Kristine Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW. First, a warning: Don't read the Goodreads or Amazon book description because, in my opinion, they contain spoilers, and much of the fun in reading WHAT LIES WE KEEP is discovering and uncovering its secrets. Second, I LOVE the book’s dedication – “To all the women, who, like me, found their superpower later in life.” Hear, hear!

Part of why I decided to read WHAT LIES WE KEEP is because of the Pittsburgh, PA setting, which is so familiar to me after spending seven of my formative years there, but also where I visited just a few weeks ago. Author Janet Roberts delivered this setting in spades, making it easy for me to immerse myself in the stories within the pages. From the cover showing the Roberto Clemente Bridge, to the characters exploring Phipps Conservatory, working on the River Rescue team – and drinking IC Light – I enjoyed all the details to make the setting feel real. Even when the setting moved to Montana, a place I haven’t been (but which seems to be wildly popular with authors right now), Roberts makes the scenes and serenity pop to life.

“He could only pray he would see a ladder leading out of this dark pit of lies.”

As one might surmise by the book’s title, this book is ALL about lies and how one lie begets another and the pile of them soon becomes seemingly insurmountable. In WHAT LIES WE KEEP, what’s shocking is the sheer quantity of liars in the mix. From white lies to whoppers, it’s stunning to learn of them and see the fallout from them. JUICY. A friend of mine (from Pittsburgh, no less) often says that nothing is unfixable, and there’s much truth to that in life and as this literature unfolds. The question is: how much damage will be done in the process?

There is a wide cast of characters in WHAT LIES WE KEEP, and a few could have been left on the cutting room floor without impacting the story (and maybe a few of the subplots, too). But those who are left are richly drawn, fleshed-out people. The secondary characters of Jesse, Grace, Rosalind, and even Nate, are the most appealing and individuals I’d want to know; everyone needs humans like these in their lives. In WHAT LIES WE KEEP, the author does a great job of pulling on the readers’ heartstrings, especially with the relationships between characters. Roberts provides some beautifully written figurative language (like “the cloak of secrecy and fear that hung across his shoulders…” FAB) and reminds us how bad choices can have remarkably far-reaching consequences.

“Charlotte locked both Ted and the threads of her marriage in a little box in her mind, a problem to face later, and changed the subject.”

The real struggle for me in reading WHAT LIES WE KEEP is that it never seems to know what it wants to be. White-collar cybercrime? Relationship deep-dive? Treatise on trust? It feels like it’s going to be about the cyber-crime, (that hasn’t actually happened), and making sure the baddies get caught. But that gets left behind for a while as we shift from Ted’s story to Charlotte’s story. I kept waiting for us to return to Ted’s story to get some balance, but instead, readers are mostly told about how things go for him. Then back to the cyber-crime and a focus on a secondary character, and some great action. Then back to Charlotte, where we’re steered towards applauding her when frankly, Charlotte acts a bit haughty and superior despite having her own set of betrayals. It felt lopsided towards Charlotte having her needs fulfilled with not enough forgiveness for her husband and his getting his needs fulfilled, too. A tighter developmental editing would take this book from great to outstanding.

Since I read the book with my ears, I’m blissfully unaware of any writing errors. (I recall only one pronoun error that caught my ear -- an “I” instead of a “me”). Clearly, there’s a reason WHAT LIES WE KEEP has won so many awards. Sentences and dialogue flow well and keep readers engaged. While listening, I settled on 1.15x speed, and the pacing is great. However, narrator Jesse Weimer’s uneven tone and diction sometimes made it hard to hear and understand the words without having to increase the volume. Based on his pronunciations of words with ‘out’ in them (about, house, etc.), Weimer sounds Canadian, which sounds nothing like a Pittsburgh accent but Montana rancher? Perhaps? There are a few odd pauses and pronunciations, but overall, the narrator’s performance is more riveting than distracting, which is as it should be for an audiobook.

There are many hurdles that readers will encounter with the multiple people and plotlines weaving in and out of WHAT LIES WE KEEP. It doesn’t seem possible there could be any kind of HEA. Yet, Roberts surprises us by perfectly tying up the loose ends and giving us some twists, turns, and delicious come-uppances along the way. And *GASP*, she even leaves us a little hopeful.

I wouldn’t hesitate to read another book by Janet Roberts, and I think many readers will enjoy WHAT LIES WE KEEP. In fact, I now have a lovely autographed print copy of it, and I expect I’ll re-read the story when I’m feeling the need for a bit of the ‘burgh.

Full audiobook review on Hall Ways Blog.

[Mary Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good read. It took me almost a month to read because I got sidetracked on other projects. When I picked it back up I couldn’t put it down. Janet’s attention to detail made me feel like I was in Pittsburgh and Montana with the story. I highly recommend for a great book to read this summer.

[Matt S Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Lies We Keep by Janet Roberts is a tense domestic drama meets corporate thriller with betrayal, secrets, and second chances at its core.

Ted McCord, a cybersecurity expert with a chip on his shoulder and a hunger for success, gets caught in a high-stakes embezzlement scheme. One bad decision leads to another, and when it all comes crashing down, his career is over and so is his marriage.

Charlotte, his wife, is done! She never bought into Ted’s obsession with status and money, and now she’s taking their daughter and walking away. But what starts as a story of unraveling trust takes a sharp turn when a friend’s buried secret shakes Charlotte’s faith in everything she thought she knew. The emotional whiplash is real, especially as she’s drawn toward someone new, a kind, steady river rescue officer who offers the calm Ted never could.

Roberts does a great job balancing suspense with emotional depth. The pacing is solid, the stakes feel real, and the moral murkiness keeps you turning pages! It’s not just about who’s lying but why!

✨️For readers who enjoy:
💼 Domestic suspense
❤️ Messy relationships
🔍 Twists you didn’t see coming

⚡️Thank you Partners in Crime Tours and Janet Roberts for sharing this book with me!

[Greg Bard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book! I had a difficult time putting it down! It had a great plot and having been in cybersecurity, I found it intriguing! A great mix of characters that all melded well into the storyline! I loved the visualization I felt of the McCord ranch and the inferences drawn for being able to clear one’s mind while in open plains of Montana were well documented. Great book!

[Sarah Wakeford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy - thank you to NetGalley.
This book follows the life of Ted and Charlotte and the lies that intertwine their lives.

The book wasn’t bad - it also wasn’t good.
I found it easy to read, but I felt that secret wasn’t that big of a secret.
Then it was all kind of tied up neatly with a bow at the end, thanks for coming.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s the saying? The road to hell is paved with good intentions?

Ted McCord is a cyber security professional who is heavily focused on climbing the corporate ladder. And he’s good at what he does. So good that he uncovers an embezzlement scheme, but it’s what he does with that information that drives the story.

Charlotte has some small projects and hobbies, but feels unfulfilled and longs to go back to the peace and beauty of Montana from their home in Pennsylvania.

Lies and secrets, while seemingly done to protect his family, ultimately bring their five year old daughter into the mix, even involving a surreptitious FBI operation.

I raced through this novel!

Thanks to NetGalley, Ten 16 Press and Janet Roberts for the arc.

[Suzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

I am sorry to give such a low rating for an ARC as I really appreciate the fact I'm allowed these early copies and how hard the author's and their teams work on them, but I found this book deathly boring.

The writing style was fine, it was clear but it seemed to drag. I feel there was far more dialogue than was needed in some parts which was used as an info dump more than anything else. I was furious with Ted and I don't like him nor did I particularly like Charlotte. But on the plus side, the characters did seem to be fairly well fleshed out.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Lies We Keep by Janet Roberts is a gripping novel that explores the complexities of truth, deception, and redemption. The story centers around Ted McCord, a man whose life unravels after he is wrongfully accused of embezzlement. As Ted grapples with the consequences of his actions and the fallout from his professional and personal life, he embarks on a journey to clear his name and rebuild his life. Interwoven with Ted's narrative is the story of his wife, Charlotte, who struggles with her own set of challenges as she navigates their strained relationship and the impact on their daughter, Kelsey.

The writing in What Lies We Keep is both engaging and thought-provoking. Roberts has a knack for creating vivid, relatable characters, and her descriptive prose brings the settings to life. For instance, the portrayal of Ted's sleepless nights and his reliance on work as a coping mechanism effectively conveys his anxiety and guilt. The dialogue is natural and contributes to the depth of the characters, such as the intense confrontation between Ted and Ben, where the tension is palpable and adds to the narrative's suspense. One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of moral ambiguity. Roberts delves into the nuances of lying and its repercussions, as seen through Ted's justification of his actions to protect his family. This theme is poignantly illustrated in Ted's internal struggle and his realization of the cumulative damage caused by his lies.

Similarly, Charlotte's storyline addresses the complexities of trust and forgiveness, making her a compelling and sympathetic character. Her interactions with other characters, such as her friend Leah and her strained but evolving relationship with her mother, add layers to the narrative. The pacing of the novel occasionally falters, particularly in the middle sections, where the focus shifts between Ted's and Charlotte's perspectives. While this dual narrative structure enriches the story, there are moments when the transition between their viewpoints feels abrupt, momentarily disrupting the flow. The overall plot remains engaging, with enough twists and turns to keep readers invested in the outcome.

What Lies We Keep is a compelling read that will resonate with anyone who appreciates stories about personal growth and redemption. Roberts' skillful character development and her exploration of ethical dilemmas make this novel a thought-provoking experience. I highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary fiction and those who enjoy character-driven stories with a strong emotional core.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living with his wife Charlotte and young daughter Kelsey in Pittsburgh, Ted McCord has always been ambitious, and it’s this desire to get ahead which has led to his downfall. Having learned something to his advantage, he puts the squeeze on his bosses and gains the promotion he wanted but now he finds they’ve set him up for a fall. He’s been fired for taking out an illegal loan and it’s Charlotte’s long standing best friend Leah who works at the same bank who gives his wife the bad news. It’s the last straw for Charlotte who leaves Ted, taking Kelsey with her, when she finds out he’s lied to her. Only she’s unaware of the other secrets he has kept from her – like the reason why his father left the family ranch to him and not, as she believes, to his brother Jessie who adores the farming life in Montana. Ted protests his innocence and with the help of FBI agent Nate and an unlikely ally in his old firm, he is determined to win Charlotte back from the new man in her life. Who around her can Charlotte really trust anymore? Will all the secrets being held by these families and friends come out in the end and will it be enough for a reunion?
Oh my goodness, virtually everyone in this story is telling lies and keeping big secrets from each other! I really liked the characters of Jessie, Shay and Grace, although in the end I think it was the rather misunderstood Jerrie who surprised me by becoming my favourite. All the people featured were very well drawn and relatable, and although Ted was a bit annoying to start with by not realising what should be truly important in his life (his family), I did find myself rooting for him as the story unfolded. The settings, particularly in Montana, are well described and as a country girl myself, I would have jumped at the chance to live on that ranch! It’s an engrossing well written story that really draws in the reader as all the deceptions are revealed and I did like the ending that hinted at the way things would go.
(I listened to this as an audiobook and although perfectly pleasant to listen to, I don’t feel the narrator really did the story justice since he seemed to lack depth and emotion in some places. I would have liked him to sweep me along a bit more at the crucial exciting points but that’s just maybe a personal preference).

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone here has secrets, and everyone is telling lies!

What Lies We Keep by Janet Roberts is a riveting domestic drama that ignites when a cybersecurity specialist takes undue advantage of his knowledge of an ongoing plan to embezzle millions from the firm he works for. It backfires when the culprits retaliate, framing him for a similar scheme.

Ted and Charlotte McCord were already facing troubling concerns in their marriage when Ted loses his job after being accused of embezzlement. Claiming the evidence was fabricated in retaliation for blackmailing his way into his recent promotion, Ted is forced to come clean about the truth of his actions to his wife, Charlotte. Too many lies and too little trust have Charlotte demanding that he move out of their apartment home. Ted is determined that he has the goods on the real perpetrators, safely hidden away, but he needs to figure out and prove how they accomplished their frame-up before he can reveal his information. However, it looks like Ted is not the only one looking into this clever cyber wrongdoing, and he may have some unexpected help in his corner.

With its cunning plot full of twists, turns, and lies waiting to be exposed, this mix of domestic drama and cybercrime fiction had me enthralled. Shocking surprises were waiting around every corner, it seemed, and the story flew by with all that was happening.

Ted McCord is an interesting protagonist: morally gray, weak, and prone to lying to avoid difficult conversations, self-deluding that everything he’s doing is okay because he’s doing it out of love, highly skilled in his field, yet lacking the devious criminal mind to protect himself against the inevitable retaliation. He views his wife and brother as people he must protect and keeps critical truths from them both. He sees himself as their protector rather than them being equal, adult partners. Charlotte was a little difficult for me to like. While she is a victim in the story, I felt she nursed some of Ted’s protective characteristics with her own actions, and allowing him to shoulder the responsibility for their fiscal well-being. She has a dependent mindset, which she comes to realize early on. Her seeming lack of female friends, aside from the toxic Leah, and her growing relationship with Grace puzzled me somewhat, and I was suspicious throughout the book about why and how this would impact the story. Of course, everyone is keeping secrets and covering up with lies, lies, lies.

I recommend WHAT LIES WE KEEP to readers of domestic dramas and thrillers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Climbing the corporate ladder, with tangible rungs and a defined career path, has drawn Ted McCord ever deeper into his job in cybersecurity. Yet his wife, Charlotte, has seen a notable change in his demeanor ever since his promotion. When Ted is suddenly fired, the lies he’s been keeping begin to seep into his everyday life. Fracturing his family, Ted begins to see the fragile house of cards for what it was. Failing to protect himself, and trust those he loves, Ted falls into a well he can’t seem to escape.

The Montana ranch life is calling, and Ted has refused to answer, despite his wife’s protests. As the cracks along their marriage lines deepen, everyone is put to the test. From bank transfers, embezzlement, and a web of lies and cover-ups, Ted’s star has burned out and more may soon follow.

Navigating the loss of his work identity, office politics, and marital strain, it is all put in the spotlight as author Janet Roberts teaches readers what is truly important. Using scandal, secrets, and misplaced trust, “What Lies We Keep” is an eye-opening look at marriage, mortality, and the glue that holds it all together.

Roberts offers a dive into the realistic realities of two parents as they navigate their relationship, their child, and their future after the surfacing of a tangled web of lies. With the pressures of friends, new attractions, and a change in scenery, “What Lies We Keep” remains ever true to the internal dialogues, depression, and decisions that remain. Roberts has crafted a complexly representative look at relationships when work, corporate climbing, and power seep in.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this novel after I got into it a bit. I was at first puzzled by the amount of text given to the feelings of the characters. I usually don't like that approach but once I understood what was happening, I became happily engaged in this novel. I could describe it as character driven but it was more than that. There was the sense that Ted was hiding a secret and that secret made him act the way he did. I really had trouble liking Ted but I think that was the point. He so often did something he knew deep down he should not. There was an enduring sense of feeling if I could just know his mysterious secret I could understand his actions. Charlotte was somewhat similar, having coffee with a man, for example, where she knew deep down she was sending the wrong messages.

As the plot progressed, so much became clear. All the work Roberts put into creating the deeply developed characters made sense and really heightened my enjoyment of the novel. It contains a good dose of character growth I appreciated. Roberts skillfully kept me waiting for the final resolution of all the personal issues.

This reader generally prefers action driven mysteries, yet I liked this one. It is a good novel for readers who would appreciate how the foundation of the characters actually propels the mystery.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Lesley McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lies we Keep is contemporary family fiction dealing with the modern theme of cyber crime . Ted and Charlotte have a good life in Pittsburgh with their daughter Kelsey . They have supportive friends and family , but Charlotte begins to feel Ted is not being completely honest and is keeping something from her.
But job loss and a police investigation tip Ted over the edge and when he attempts suicide Charlotte with the help of a friend ,Shay starts to look into what has been going on in Ted life.
Janet Roberts has written a novel which includes many issues facing families in the modern world and her well rounded characters drew me in to their lives and I found myself feeling sympathy for some , but identifying those who might be trouble. The author's writing style makes the story flow well and I found this a good read, and with her background in cybersecurity the author was able to write an exciting believable tale.
I was fortunate to receive this book as a PDF from The Global Author for the Day site and as it is the first book by this author that I have read , I will be keen to seek out her other titles

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Lies We Keep by Janet Roberts is a fantastic book about a family being torn apart from lies, deception, secrets and more. The wife senses she's kept on the outside of things where her husband and his brother are concerned. They have a daughter she has to think about while she and her husband are going through the ups and downs in their marriage due to his deception. The husband has to prove his innocence but that might prove harder than he thinks. Her husband just wants an easier life and the route he takes is anything but that. But he loves his wife and daughter. The fact that he felt remorse and knew he was wrong and terrible to his wife and daughter was the calling card that made this book so good. The wife could easily have ended something for something else. But she has to calculate the risks and the wants of both her mind and heart. Until she decides, her husband is left reeling over all the chaos and destruction he's caused in their lives. This contemporary novel is a must read for all.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Lies we Keep is written by Janet Roberts. This is a new to me author and I will be keeping an eye out for new releases. This book is well written with well developed characters. The author has crafted a well blended story of raw emotion and suspense.

Ted McCord has been fired. He has been hiding a lot from his wife, including what he uncovered and used to his advantage for a promotion. When it all blows up, his wife, Charlotte. leaves and is left in shock. Ted has always chased money and status and Charlotte has not been interested in that. When everything comes crashing down she is not sure who she can trust. From Pittsburg to Montana the author crafts her scenes so detailed you feel like you are there.

I enjoyed this story and will be keeping an eye out for upcoming releases. Thank you to the author, publisher and Partner in Crime Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ted McCord is a cyber security expert who just wants to be able to make it to the top. His wife Charlotte doesn't understand his obsession with climbing the corporate ladder. She'd much rather be back in Montana. When Ted is fired from his job because he was set up, the truth comes out. Ted discovered an embezzlement scheme in his company and did the unthinkable to gain a promotion. He's been lying to Charlotte. When the truth starts to come out she leaves with their daughter. Her best friend whom she's turned to for support seems to have secrets of her own. Charlotte doesn't know who to trust and Ted is spiraling downwards. Will they ever be able to get back to the life they had?

This was an engaging, suspenseful read. It was well written, and the story was quite compelling. Ted's lies just kept building and Charlotte gets more upset. I wasn't really a fan of Charlotte and I felt bad for Ted. There was lots of drama to keep me turning pages and I was definitely entertained throughout. The settings of Pittsburgh and then Montana really made the book for me. I enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend giving it a read.

[Mora Durante Astrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Lies We Keep is such a wonderful read! And the characters are so accurately and beautifully portrayed that even when / if not agreeing with their choices, one can’t help but want them to succeed and overcome their challenges (well… most of the characters’ anyway!) They are all so complex yet relatable: everyday people with everyday struggles. The story flows so naturally and the descriptions are so vivid that one feels right there amidst the action, even if one’s never visited Pittsburgh or Montana before.
The plot is outstanding. Makes one truly reflect on how much lies can affect (devastate even!) our lives no matter how much the person telling them believes in doing so they are protecting their loved ones.
A few lines don’t really make this book justice: I loved reading it and loved “witnessing” Ted’s and Charlotte’s journey (especially hers!)

[L.A. Dupier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story…I was hooked from the first chapter. I love how real and honest and messy these characters are. I didn’t know much of anything about cybersecurity and I found that part of the story pretty fascinating. As much as Ted is pretty infuriating and I 100% understood Charlotte’s anger and distrust…can’t say I still don’t root for Ted to deal with his decisions, take responsibility for his life, get himself together and grow. It’s easy to side with Charlotte and think “run for the hills” but I loved the humanizing of Ted throughout the story. I found Charlotte to be unapologetically real, not always knowing what the right choice is but trying to move forward, if not on, and do what’s best for her and her child. The ending was my absolute favorite part…not entirely buttoned up and clean but a perfect example of the way life actually is.

[Catherine Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Lies We Keep has it all—women’s fiction, thriller, romance—and Janet Roberts’ masterfully wove it all together. I was turning the page until I could no longer keep my eyes open. Imagine The Gift of the Magi meets The Accountant. Roberts crafted a plot built on lies and intrigue that had me guessing until the very end. With a cast of interesting characters (who I alternately trusted and suspected), she laid out a plot we could all fall into. What would you do to protect your only brother and provide for your family? What would it take to force you to risk the love of your life and your child? I found myself shouting “No!” and yet completely understanding the compulsion. I think the hallmark of an excellent story is that level of engagement in the reader. I had the whole range of emotions through this book. The ending was perfect. Can’t wait to read Janet Roberts next book.

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Lies We Keep by Janet Roberts is a thriller/trying to figure out who was the person who framed someone else. Ted is our MC for a part of the book who is working at a job and has some secrets from his wife and others he knows. And his wife Charlotte is our other MC who takes over the story about half way throuugh and we follow her journey in the book. Charlotte and Ted are married and some really bad secrets come out and Ted is fired and his wife has left with his 5 year old daughter. Ted crumbles. And there is a woman named Leah who also has a secret about Ted and others. This book had so many secrets going in it, that I was trying to figure out who did what and what happened. I liked the writing style and the author's way of engrossing her readers. I liked the ending and hope there is another book coming soon so we can see what happens to Ted and his family soon!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Lies We Keep is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of relationships and the power of secrets.

The author does a fantastic job of creating authentic and relatable characters, each with their own flaws and struggles. The reader is pulled into the drama and tension of Ted and Charlottes lives, feeling their pain and confusion as they navigate the fallout of a long-held secret.

The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and emotional depth that will keep readers turning the pages until the very end.

I highly recommend What Lies We Keep to anyone looking for a gripping and emotional read that will stay with them long after they finish the last page.

[April Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite style of suspense novel: well-developed characters without too much "fluff." I'm here for the story!

Every paragraph is packed full of clues and new developments, and the dialogue gives just enough insight into the characters' motivations. Both of the main characters are multi-dimensional and flawed, and there are no easy answers for either of them. No spoilers, but I wonder if I would have made the same choices they did.

I also liked the authentic little descriptions of everyday Pittsburgh places contrasted with the beautiful scenery of Montana. Don't judge me too much for this comment in a book review, readers, but this one would also make a great movie.

I didn't want to put put it down, and I'll be looking for more from Janet Roberts.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What lies we keep.

The perfect story about family, and lies and secrets. secrets are being kept lies are being told. friends are not always who you think they are.

Ted the father, is just trying to make things better for his family. Sometimes better isn't always what you think it is going to be.And you get mixed up in a web. lies and deceit .
everything isn't always greener on the other side.

Charlotte the wife.
only wants what's best for her daughter and for her family. she'll have some tough decisions to make. along the way, learning more secrets about her own family.

simply a well written story.
I very much enjoyed this page turner.
Fabulous story.


What lies, we keep Is an absolute must read.

[Jill Caugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her compelling novel about the devastating impact of lies and the search for a fulfilling life, Janet Roberts balances a thrilling plot of corporate greed and corruption with credible, richly-drawn characters. Through sharp dialogue, cinematic descriptions, and even a covert FBI operation, this novel explores the relationship between a husband and wife in the aftermath of one well-intentioned but misguided decision. What Lies We Keep raises powerful questions: Are lies justified if they are made to protect the ones we love? Can success be defined by more than social status and salary? I devoured this creative, twisty story with its flawed but sympathetic characters.

[jude goldstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

at the time of this review i am in the minority of readers not loving this book. i am not interested in cyber anything so i guess it wasn't a good match for me. while the story line, suspense, relationships and other aspects of the book were fine, it was totally predictable on the personal front. my favorite characters were jesse and grace, in supporting roles. i loved the descriptive parts of the book that took place in montana and on the ranch. apart from the cyber work situation, this book is about a couple with a young child who are struggling in their marriage and in their individual lives. so if that's your jam, this book probably will work for you.

[Joan Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Lies We Keep tells the story of a couple struggling through their relationship while the husband is keeping a powerful secret from his family.

This novel was so depressing and slow-paced from the beginning that I just couldn't get invested in it. I didn't find either main character to be likeable and I wasn't interested in prolonging the slog through the quagmire of their lives. Perhaps there was some redemption in the end, but I couldn't make it there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

In, "What Lies We Keep", author Janet Roberts illustrates a gripping story that dives into the complexities of modern life, where a web of lies, marriage, cyber security, and the clash between corporate and country living collide. Each character is rich with their own moral dilemmas. With its compelling narrative and relevant themes, this book is sure to captivate readers and leave them pondering the complexities of truth and trust, long after they turn that final page. It left me asking, "What is next for the McCords?" Excellent!