What do you think?
Rate this book
Appleman's Gap #1
Lies They Tell Her
Laurel Dane's return to Appleman’s Gap was meant to be a respite. Following the death of her father, the town’s beloved police chief, Laurel, an FBI agent on leave from Washington DC, longs for solace and a break from her chaotic life. However, her homecoming is anything but peaceful when a carjacking incident leads to the disappearance of her best friend’s infant son, thrusting Laurel into an unexpected and heart-wrenching mystery.
As Laurel navigates the complexities of her hometown’s hidden pains and buried secrets, she is forced to confront her own past. The town she once knew as a child, filled with familiar faces and cherished memories, now poses challenges and questions at every turn. Her efforts to maintain distance from family dramas and the legacy of her father are complicated by the re-emergence of an old flame—the new police chief, and Laurel's ex-boyfriend, who seeks to protect her in ways she's not sure she needs or wants.
Lies They Tell Her weaves a tender story of a woman caught between the life she left behind and the life she's built for herself. As Laurel delves deeper into the mystery of the missing child, she also embarks on a personal journey of healing, confronting the wounds of loss, love, and belonging. The small-town setting of Appleman’s Gap, with its scenic beauty and tight-knit community, serves as the backdrop for Laurel’s quest for truth, offering a sanctuary where healing and forgiveness might just be possible.
About the Appleman's Gap
In the heart of Tennessee, nestled east of Nashville, lies Appleman’s Gap—a town as picturesque as it is laden with secrets. Dive into a deeply emotional journey of discovery, healing, and the bonds that tether us to home.
Praise for Kelly
"This author is amazing! Her stories are creative and well written."
"Utt keeps developing the characters so well that I felt each of their joys and sorrows."
"Great action, mystery, and love that shines through. Kelly Utt knows how to put it all together."
"Kelly Utt’s book has everything! It zigged and then it zagged, in the most amazing ways possible. I swear my heart stopped several times."
"...will have you staying up late to read her books."
"Kelly Utt is one of my favorite authors..."
★★★★★
As Laurel navigates the complexities of her hometown’s hidden pains and buried secrets, she is forced to confront her own past. The town she once knew as a child, filled with familiar faces and cherished memories, now poses challenges and questions at every turn. Her efforts to maintain distance from family dramas and the legacy of her father are complicated by the re-emergence of an old flame—the new police chief, and Laurel's ex-boyfriend, who seeks to protect her in ways she's not sure she needs or wants.
Lies They Tell Her weaves a tender story of a woman caught between the life she left behind and the life she's built for herself. As Laurel delves deeper into the mystery of the missing child, she also embarks on a personal journey of healing, confronting the wounds of loss, love, and belonging. The small-town setting of Appleman’s Gap, with its scenic beauty and tight-knit community, serves as the backdrop for Laurel’s quest for truth, offering a sanctuary where healing and forgiveness might just be possible.
About the Appleman's Gap
In the heart of Tennessee, nestled east of Nashville, lies Appleman’s Gap—a town as picturesque as it is laden with secrets. Dive into a deeply emotional journey of discovery, healing, and the bonds that tether us to home.
Praise for Kelly
"This author is amazing! Her stories are creative and well written."
"Utt keeps developing the characters so well that I felt each of their joys and sorrows."
"Great action, mystery, and love that shines through. Kelly Utt knows how to put it all together."
"Kelly Utt’s book has everything! It zigged and then it zagged, in the most amazing ways possible. I swear my heart stopped several times."
"...will have you staying up late to read her books."
"Kelly Utt is one of my favorite authors..."
★★★★★
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2024
40 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Utt
40 books152 followersKelly Utt writes novels about life, love, and the choices that shape our destinies. The stakes are high. The emotions run deep.
Kelly was raised by a dad who would read a book, ask her to read it, too, and then insist they discuss it together, igniting her passion for life's big questions. That passion is often reflected in her novels, giving them a depth which leaves readers wanting more and thinking about her stories long after the last lines are read.
Her earlier works—like the Rosemary Run, Hideaway Isle, and Appleman's Gap series—focus on family secrets, suspense, and psychological twists. Her newest novels, including Sierra Oscar Sierra and What’s Left to Burn, delve into cosmic love stories with high-stakes romance.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys travel, great books, and good food, along with movies, music, and social media. She is a founding author of My Book Friends, a vibrant reader community dedicated to connecting authors and book lovers. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and sons.
For free books, updates, and other bonuses, sign up for her newsletter at kellyutt.com.
Kelly was raised by a dad who would read a book, ask her to read it, too, and then insist they discuss it together, igniting her passion for life's big questions. That passion is often reflected in her novels, giving them a depth which leaves readers wanting more and thinking about her stories long after the last lines are read.
Her earlier works—like the Rosemary Run, Hideaway Isle, and Appleman's Gap series—focus on family secrets, suspense, and psychological twists. Her newest novels, including Sierra Oscar Sierra and What’s Left to Burn, delve into cosmic love stories with high-stakes romance.
In her free time, Kelly enjoys travel, great books, and good food, along with movies, music, and social media. She is a founding author of My Book Friends, a vibrant reader community dedicated to connecting authors and book lovers. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and sons.
For free books, updates, and other bonuses, sign up for her newsletter at kellyutt.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 23, 2024
This book pulled me in from the beginning. I thought that this would be a great book. Then it just got too bizarre. Things didn't quite make sense. There was a kidnapping of Laurel's best friend's baby and she never contacted her after it happened. It seemed like the waitress was getting more clues than the police and FBI combined. The family still mourning over their father's death meets the mother's new "boyfriend" who has $5,000,000 at his disposal. Doesn't that always happen? At the restaurant, the cook bought Laurel's car and no one notices it in the parking lot until the waitress tells them. And the ending of the book was also so strange, but I don't want to give anything away. Like I said, it did pull me in. Even though the whole concept was unbelievable, I will get the next book to see how all the loose ends are tied up.
July 28, 2024
Laurel Danes an FBI Agent is back again in Appleman's gap after the death of her father who was loved by the people in the town . She is further entangled in the heart-breaking car-jacking of her friend Sarah's car and the disappearance of her infant son. Laurel has a difficult time facing the turmoil that is happening around her. A warm-hearted and captivating read . I received this ARC copy and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.
January 9, 2025
Kelly Utt,having written Lies They Tell her as the second book in the series has once again left us and wondering profusely. This book held several family secrets that have made it very complicated! Looks like I'm going to have to download the 3rd one, as I can't stand being left in the dark. These are excellent books that I would recommend to all the my reading friends!
June 5, 2024
Ready for Book 2
Intriguing story with lots of twists and turns and surprises. All centered around an FBI agent on vacation in her home town.
Intriguing story with lots of twists and turns and surprises. All centered around an FBI agent on vacation in her home town.
January 19, 2025
Extremely Twisted
Great characters involved in a 30 plus year old plot. Who knows what and who's on the right side of truth & justice is murky at best. This is definitely a mystery wrapped in an enigma waiting to be unravelled.
Great characters involved in a 30 plus year old plot. Who knows what and who's on the right side of truth & justice is murky at best. This is definitely a mystery wrapped in an enigma waiting to be unravelled.
May 28, 2024
I’ve been waiting for a new book from this author and she did not disappoint with this one! Well written (as always) Ms Utt paints pictures in your mind so you can visualize what’s happening as you read. Her characters are dynamic and engaging. Really all I can say is make room in your TBR pile near the top!
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily left a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily left a review.
May 21, 2024
5 Stars
5 stars for Lies They Tell Her (Appleman's Gap Book 1). An exciting and fast moving tale of family, life As we think we know it and secrets in a small town.
5 stars for Lies They Tell Her (Appleman's Gap Book 1). An exciting and fast moving tale of family, life As we think we know it and secrets in a small town.
May 7, 2024
This new series is the Author’s best yet! It will keep you engaged and satisfied as the story unravels chapter by chapter to an ending I guarantee you will not see coming! It will leave you wanting to rush out and preorder Book 2 which is exactly what I just did. Congratulations Kelly!!
May 11, 2024
Author Kelly Utt has once again showcased her exceptional writing skills with Lies They Tell Her- The first book in The Appleman's Gap series! As a devoted fan, I've been captivated by her Rosemary Run and Hideaway Isle series. I'm enamored by how Kelly Utt masterfully weaves unexpected twists and turns into her stories, heightening the thrill and intrigue with each turn of the page.
FBI agent Laurel Dane finds herself back in her hometown of Appleman's Gap, near Nashville, as she's on leave. However, her return takes a dark turn when she becomes entangled in a carjacking that results in the disappearance of her best friend's son.
Laurel is taken aback to discover her ex-boyfriend spearheading the investigation, his protective nature towards her still intact. As the search for the missing child unfolds, shocking revelations emerge, potentially linked to the kidnapping. Amidst the ongoing investigations, Laurel's emotions are in turmoil as she delves deeper, unearthing dark family secrets that could unravel everything she thought she knew.
Wow! This book had me completely hooked right from page one to the climax. I am grateful to Kelly for the advanced review copy of the book in exchange of a honest review. I highly recommend it for all the mystery lovers. Kelly Utt is one of my most favorite authors. Hearty congratulations to you, dear Kelly for an awesome book. Looking forward to reading the next book in Appleman's Gap series.
FBI agent Laurel Dane finds herself back in her hometown of Appleman's Gap, near Nashville, as she's on leave. However, her return takes a dark turn when she becomes entangled in a carjacking that results in the disappearance of her best friend's son.
Laurel is taken aback to discover her ex-boyfriend spearheading the investigation, his protective nature towards her still intact. As the search for the missing child unfolds, shocking revelations emerge, potentially linked to the kidnapping. Amidst the ongoing investigations, Laurel's emotions are in turmoil as she delves deeper, unearthing dark family secrets that could unravel everything she thought she knew.
Wow! This book had me completely hooked right from page one to the climax. I am grateful to Kelly for the advanced review copy of the book in exchange of a honest review. I highly recommend it for all the mystery lovers. Kelly Utt is one of my most favorite authors. Hearty congratulations to you, dear Kelly for an awesome book. Looking forward to reading the next book in Appleman's Gap series.
June 6, 2024
5 plus stars!!!
I have read many books by this author but this is one of my favorites. It had so many twists and turns and kept you on your seat. I certainly didn’t want to put it down. It’s the story of a small town and an FBI agent returning for an extended holiday after the death of her father who was the chief of police. While there, she is carjacked with her best friend's baby in the car with her. She manages to escape but not with the baby. She is determined to find the baby. Then everything goes crazy. She finds out her ex-boyfriend is now the chief of police, she meets a waitress who is a wannabe detective and helps out with the case and a few family secrets too. A lot goes on with this first book in the series and I cannot wait to read more. Great, great book!!
I have read many books by this author but this is one of my favorites. It had so many twists and turns and kept you on your seat. I certainly didn’t want to put it down. It’s the story of a small town and an FBI agent returning for an extended holiday after the death of her father who was the chief of police. While there, she is carjacked with her best friend's baby in the car with her. She manages to escape but not with the baby. She is determined to find the baby. Then everything goes crazy. She finds out her ex-boyfriend is now the chief of police, she meets a waitress who is a wannabe detective and helps out with the case and a few family secrets too. A lot goes on with this first book in the series and I cannot wait to read more. Great, great book!!
May 7, 2024
Lies They Tell Her - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Kelly Utt's riveting family drama centres around FBI Agent Laurel Dane, who's on extended leave back in her home town. She too has a secret to keep from her nearest and dearest, including her ex, Brad, who's the new Chief of Police.
When a serial kidnapper and killer strikes, it will take all Lauren's determination and courage to uncover the lies and protect the innocent.
A must for fans of Kate Bold and Suzanne Jenkins, read Lies They Tell Her, to learn the final twist in the tale - I guarantee it's unputdownable!
Kelly Utt's riveting family drama centres around FBI Agent Laurel Dane, who's on extended leave back in her home town. She too has a secret to keep from her nearest and dearest, including her ex, Brad, who's the new Chief of Police.
When a serial kidnapper and killer strikes, it will take all Lauren's determination and courage to uncover the lies and protect the innocent.
A must for fans of Kate Bold and Suzanne Jenkins, read Lies They Tell Her, to learn the final twist in the tale - I guarantee it's unputdownable!
May 14, 2024
Laurel is an FBI agent taking a leave to visit family. She gets kidnapped with her best friend's baby. She gets left on a deserted area, but the baby is taken. A ransom demand aimed at Laurel's mother.
A secret about her father is exposed. A riveting novel that I read in one sitting. A cliff hanger that I want to keep reading the next episode.
A secret about her father is exposed. A riveting novel that I read in one sitting. A cliff hanger that I want to keep reading the next episode.
July 28, 2024
No ending
You have to read the 2nd book and probably the next. No ending. I read the second, third, etc because I want to not because I have to to have an ending. Other than that I think I would have liked this author. To many other authors to follow to HAVE to read the next book. Won't do it!
You have to read the 2nd book and probably the next. No ending. I read the second, third, etc because I want to not because I have to to have an ending. Other than that I think I would have liked this author. To many other authors to follow to HAVE to read the next book. Won't do it!
July 25, 2024
Well worth a read
This is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this romantic suspense based around a FBI agent and her family. Unexpected turns made me look forward to what comes next and lucky me book 2 in the series has released early.
This is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this romantic suspense based around a FBI agent and her family. Unexpected turns made me look forward to what comes next and lucky me book 2 in the series has released early.
July 23, 2025
Full of betrayal, secrets, thrills, emotional, and so much more. Talk about packed full with everything, when you think you have it all figured out…guess again. Great read, keeps your attention the whole time!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews