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His Last Lie: A Mystery
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY BOOKLIFE PRIZE: “A shocking ending well worth the wait.”
My father’s instructions were clear: Deliver the shoebox to Jamie Norton. But I don’t know Jamie, or why there’s ten thousand dollars cash inside. Now my father’s dead. His lie is only the beginning.
What readers are saying about His Last Lie
“Kept me glued to my seat.”—The Avid Reader
“I raced to the end and loved it.”—Book-A-Holic
“Keeps you guessing until the last page.”—Jody’s Bookish Haven
“An amazing twist you will not see coming.”—Emma Book Blogger
“The final revelation is nothing short of jaw-dropping.”—Rachael’s Thoughts
.
My father’s instructions were clear: Deliver the shoebox to Jamie Norton. But I don’t know Jamie, or why there’s ten thousand dollars cash inside. Now my father’s dead. His lie is only the beginning.
What readers are saying about His Last Lie
“Kept me glued to my seat.”—The Avid Reader
“I raced to the end and loved it.”—Book-A-Holic
“Keeps you guessing until the last page.”—Jody’s Bookish Haven
“An amazing twist you will not see coming.”—Emma Book Blogger
“The final revelation is nothing short of jaw-dropping.”—Rachael’s Thoughts
.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2024
340 people are currently reading
12494 people want to read
About the author
Erik Therme
11 books611 followersErik Therme has thrashed in garage bands, inadvertently harbored runaways, and met Darth Vader. He currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa—one of only twenty-eight places in the world that UNESCO has certified as a City of Literature.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 21, 2024
I really enjoyed my first book by Erik Therme!
The mystery surrounding the story was pacy, gripping and twisty. There was lots of drama to hold my attention and I couldn't wait to see what everything meant.
I have had so much fun with this book and I would definitely recommend it!
The mystery surrounding the story was pacy, gripping and twisty. There was lots of drama to hold my attention and I couldn't wait to see what everything meant.
I have had so much fun with this book and I would definitely recommend it!
October 2, 2024
What would you do if your dying father gave you a sealed box to give to a stranger you've never heard of? Would you open the box? Investigate the stranger? For Ryan and his fiance, Rachel, their curiosity gets the better of them and they open the box to find a sealed note and 10k in cash. Now they really need to find the stranger, whose name is Jamie Norton. Where does he live? How did his father know this Jamie, and what is their connection? Furthermore, why leave him 10k in cash?! I admit, I was outraged at this point and wanted to know why the money wasn't left to Ryan!
While Ryan and Rachel investigate, I was running through all the scenarios and trying to solve the cash riddle. Don't try it, you won't guess it. Bravo to Erik for the successful twists in this story that I did not see coming, nor could I have imagined! Very clever. I liked Ryan and Rachel, finding them to be very believable and relatable, with a witty banter between them that I enjoyed. There are also a few characters I really disliked, and I love it when an author can make me feel strong feelings.
While Ryan and Rachel investigate, I was running through all the scenarios and trying to solve the cash riddle. Don't try it, you won't guess it. Bravo to Erik for the successful twists in this story that I did not see coming, nor could I have imagined! Very clever. I liked Ryan and Rachel, finding them to be very believable and relatable, with a witty banter between them that I enjoyed. There are also a few characters I really disliked, and I love it when an author can make me feel strong feelings.
July 26, 2024
I received an early copy of this book and I absolutely loved it! I read it in 2 days. It kept me guessing throughout the entire story and had a great twist at the end. I also loved the banter between Ryan and Rachel. The characters were well developed and I liked them immediately. This is a great book!
October 18, 2024
Rounded up from 3.5
I love a story revolving around family secrets and mysterious packages, so I was eager to dive into this.
Having read a couple of Erik Therme's books before, I knew I was in for plenty of suspense, tension and realistic characters who I could root for.
I really felt for Ryan. He had a hard time growing up and had a rocky relationship with his father, then to have a shoebox full of cash thrust on him out of nowhere, all the while dealing with his own issues... it would be a lot for anyone to handle! It was nice to see that even though he'd had a rough childhood, he still found himself a loving and committed relationship with his fiance Rachel, which, of course, still had its difficulties through the novel.
It is a bit of a slow start and there is a lot of hypothesising/procrastination from the characters before the story really gets going.
His Last Lie was a story of secrets, lies and complex family dynamics, perfect if you're looking for a psychological thriller with some extra emotional depth.
I love a story revolving around family secrets and mysterious packages, so I was eager to dive into this.
Having read a couple of Erik Therme's books before, I knew I was in for plenty of suspense, tension and realistic characters who I could root for.
I really felt for Ryan. He had a hard time growing up and had a rocky relationship with his father, then to have a shoebox full of cash thrust on him out of nowhere, all the while dealing with his own issues... it would be a lot for anyone to handle! It was nice to see that even though he'd had a rough childhood, he still found himself a loving and committed relationship with his fiance Rachel, which, of course, still had its difficulties through the novel.
It is a bit of a slow start and there is a lot of hypothesising/procrastination from the characters before the story really gets going.
His Last Lie was a story of secrets, lies and complex family dynamics, perfect if you're looking for a psychological thriller with some extra emotional depth.
September 30, 2025
His Last Lie is a complex mystery about family relationships. Ryan Driscoll, age 30, has been laid off from his job and he and his fiancée are struggling financially. For reasons not revealed until later, his father never loved him and his mother never showed Ryan that she loved him. His mother and father have been separated since he was 18. They never loved each other either.
Before committing suicide, his father had asked Ryan to deliver a sealed shoebox full of money to Jamie Norton, a name Ryan had not heard before. Who is Jamie and how Jamie is connected to Ryan and to his father and mother are the questions the book answers. You will not guess those answers, even while the author examines them from every conceivable angle.
In defense of what some readers have complained is the book’s slow pacing, the author said he was writing a mystery, not a thriller. Except for one crucial chapter, the story is told by Ryan as he wrestles with where the money inside the shoebox came from, why his father would want to give Jamie and not him the money, and why his father did not give Jamie the money himself.
If you appreciate good writing then you will enjoy reading how this family drama unfolds, how through Ryan’s dogged determination the mystery is solved, how actions have consequences and sometimes have even the most terrible consequences.
Before committing suicide, his father had asked Ryan to deliver a sealed shoebox full of money to Jamie Norton, a name Ryan had not heard before. Who is Jamie and how Jamie is connected to Ryan and to his father and mother are the questions the book answers. You will not guess those answers, even while the author examines them from every conceivable angle.
In defense of what some readers have complained is the book’s slow pacing, the author said he was writing a mystery, not a thriller. Except for one crucial chapter, the story is told by Ryan as he wrestles with where the money inside the shoebox came from, why his father would want to give Jamie and not him the money, and why his father did not give Jamie the money himself.
If you appreciate good writing then you will enjoy reading how this family drama unfolds, how through Ryan’s dogged determination the mystery is solved, how actions have consequences and sometimes have even the most terrible consequences.
August 31, 2024
I received an advanced copy of this book. This is the first book I've read from this author and I really enjoyed it! It definitely held my attention and kept me guessing until the end.
November 5, 2024
I love a good psychological suspense read and having read If She Lives by this author last year, I was keen to delve into another of their books.
My previous read was part of a series but this was a standalone read which meant that I could fully invest in the characters right from the start.
I found that I was intrigued by Ryan's backstory and also the relationship between Ryan and Rachel too.
With such a dilemma, watching the couple discuss options and the thought processes and decisions they come to together were great.
I love trying to work out what I think the outcome will be and also to think how I'd react in the same situation.
The characters drew me in and the storyline was well planned out to keep us invested and guessing the whole way though.
The writing style was exciting and I couldn't wait to find out how Jamie fitted into the story and also to get to the bottom of all the secrets being uncovered.
I raced to the end and loved it.
Will definitely be looking out for more from this author in the future.
My previous read was part of a series but this was a standalone read which meant that I could fully invest in the characters right from the start.
I found that I was intrigued by Ryan's backstory and also the relationship between Ryan and Rachel too.
With such a dilemma, watching the couple discuss options and the thought processes and decisions they come to together were great.
I love trying to work out what I think the outcome will be and also to think how I'd react in the same situation.
The characters drew me in and the storyline was well planned out to keep us invested and guessing the whole way though.
The writing style was exciting and I couldn't wait to find out how Jamie fitted into the story and also to get to the bottom of all the secrets being uncovered.
I raced to the end and loved it.
Will definitely be looking out for more from this author in the future.
September 25, 2024
Loved it from page one
October 19, 2024
Thank you @zooloosBT for letting me br part if this tour and reviewing this book. His Last Lie is a mystery/ psychological genre. The story about Ryan whose dad is dying, and his dad gives him a shoebox with instructions of what to do when he dies. But what is in the shoebox. The story is written well with amazing twist at the end you will not see coming, I didn't. I liked the characters Ryan and his Rachel who he is engaged to, and it was good to see them both develop through the story. This is the first book I have read by Erik Therme, and it had me hooked and intrigued to the point where I could not put it down. Great plot and great characters 5 stars
October 16, 2024
I am always drawn to a book which contains a family secret of some kind and so it was a no brainer to delve into this one. It did not disappoint! I needed to know what Ryan’s dad’s money was for and if he was ever going to find Jamie Norton! I also enjoyed reading about the relationship between Ryan and Rachel. Overall I read this very quickly to get answers and really enjoyed doing so!
October 18, 2024
I couldn’t put this down! It had me hooked from the very beginning. When Ryan is given a box from his father and told what to do with it, the mystery begins. From there the twists start coming and don’t stop until the very last page. You meet some well written characters who you may or may not find yourself rooting for. The plot is great and the ending had me wowed.
October 25, 2024
Tough to finish
This story was so very.... Oh, I don't know. There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel. Just stop. The back and forth about drove me crazy. There seemed to be no end to the conflict. Every page drew more conflict, more lies, more hidden agendas, more deceit, more things unsaid. If you don't mind being frustrated then this one might be for you.
This story was so very.... Oh, I don't know. There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel. Just stop. The back and forth about drove me crazy. There seemed to be no end to the conflict. Every page drew more conflict, more lies, more hidden agendas, more deceit, more things unsaid. If you don't mind being frustrated then this one might be for you.
April 27, 2025
painfully boring
September 12, 2024
His Last Lie kept me glued to my seat with its many twists and turns that surprised me around every corner. His Last Lie just kept surprising me with its many secrets as well. It had me filled with so many questions that I kept hanging onto those questions without giving any answers from beginning to end with a shocking ending.
I loved the kind of relationship Ryan and Rachel shared and the way they interacted with each other. They helped to keep the story interesting in a lot of ways. Ryan’s life is covered in mystery and cover-ups. Ryan’s mother and father’s lives were both surrounded by mystery too.
Ryan’s father gave him an old shoe box and asked him to deliver it to Jamie Norton after his death. As soon as Ryan and Rachel left his apartment they heard a gunshot. They rush back to his father’s apartment to find his father dead. The shoe box had $10,000 inside.
This knowledge left Ryan filled with lots of questions. Questions that he is not sure if he will ever find the answers to with his father now dead. Finding this Jamie is not as easy as it may seem as the address his father gave him was incorrect. Ryan with Rachel’s help set out to find Jamie.
I highly recommend His Last Lie to all mystery and thriller fans! Grab a copy of His Last Lie today!
I loved the kind of relationship Ryan and Rachel shared and the way they interacted with each other. They helped to keep the story interesting in a lot of ways. Ryan’s life is covered in mystery and cover-ups. Ryan’s mother and father’s lives were both surrounded by mystery too.
Ryan’s father gave him an old shoe box and asked him to deliver it to Jamie Norton after his death. As soon as Ryan and Rachel left his apartment they heard a gunshot. They rush back to his father’s apartment to find his father dead. The shoe box had $10,000 inside.
This knowledge left Ryan filled with lots of questions. Questions that he is not sure if he will ever find the answers to with his father now dead. Finding this Jamie is not as easy as it may seem as the address his father gave him was incorrect. Ryan with Rachel’s help set out to find Jamie.
I highly recommend His Last Lie to all mystery and thriller fans! Grab a copy of His Last Lie today!
September 24, 2024
Ryan Driscoll is engaged to be married and is looking forward to life together with his fiancee Rachel. He thinks his biggest problem is finding a new job and financing the wedding. But a series of events reveal threads of family secrets he didn’t know existed that complicate his relationship with Rachel, the wedding plans, following his father’s last wishes and his relationship with his mother and other relatives--who ever they may be. A well-done story with complex characters that will keep you turning pages!
August 24, 2024
It's always a pleasure when I open my mail box and find a message by this author asking me if I am interested in reading and of course reviewing his latest book.
Although I have quite a few books still waiting for me, I just cannot say no. This is because of various reasons like he writes fantastic stories and he never puts any pressure on a blogger.
Now, why do I enjoy his so much? He always creates great characters and often writes about family dynamics. Another important reason is because you never know where his story will take you and always gives you the most surprising outcomes.
There was one thing I had figured out, but I had seen it in a totally different light. I always like it a lot when an author can leave me flabbergasted.
A book I wanted to finish as soon as possible, because I could not wait to see it all revealed. 5 stars
Thank you
Although I have quite a few books still waiting for me, I just cannot say no. This is because of various reasons like he writes fantastic stories and he never puts any pressure on a blogger.
Now, why do I enjoy his so much? He always creates great characters and often writes about family dynamics. Another important reason is because you never know where his story will take you and always gives you the most surprising outcomes.
There was one thing I had figured out, but I had seen it in a totally different light. I always like it a lot when an author can leave me flabbergasted.
A book I wanted to finish as soon as possible, because I could not wait to see it all revealed. 5 stars
Thank you
October 16, 2024
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Omg, I loved this book. I cried for Ryan and Jamie. Such a heartbreaking path they both had to travel. So many secrets kept. I was struck speechless at one point. But in the end these two will be stronger. Definitely a must read. Thank you Erik Therme for this incredible writing.
Omg, I loved this book. I cried for Ryan and Jamie. Such a heartbreaking path they both had to travel. So many secrets kept. I was struck speechless at one point. But in the end these two will be stronger. Definitely a must read. Thank you Erik Therme for this incredible writing.
July 29, 2025
An original plot!
The story kept an interesting flow. It was a bit complicated at times but it all came together at the end. I so much appreciated that even though the language was a little rough it did not fill the narrative with unnecessary vulgar language. I will recommend this book and I look forward for another from this author.
The story kept an interesting flow. It was a bit complicated at times but it all came together at the end. I so much appreciated that even though the language was a little rough it did not fill the narrative with unnecessary vulgar language. I will recommend this book and I look forward for another from this author.
August 29, 2024
Won this book on a Goodreads giveaway This was a very enjoyable book and loved the twists and turns the story took. Was a good look at how family can sometimes take dynamics that aren't always easy to work through. The main couple was very believable and enjoyed watching them interact.
August 29, 2025
What a waste of time!!!!! No wonder it took me forever to finish, it was so boring!!
Ryan's dad has one dying wish: for Ryan to deliver a box of cash to someone named Jamie. The entire book is just Ryan and his fiancée Rachel speculating over who Jamie is, where the money came from, if they should keep it for themselves and why his dad asked him to deliver it. THE. ENTIRE. BOOK. IS. JUST. THEM. SPECULATING.
Idc about your theories???? Just deliver the money like you were asked to??? This book got me really mad
Ryan's dad has one dying wish: for Ryan to deliver a box of cash to someone named Jamie. The entire book is just Ryan and his fiancée Rachel speculating over who Jamie is, where the money came from, if they should keep it for themselves and why his dad asked him to deliver it. THE. ENTIRE. BOOK. IS. JUST. THEM. SPECULATING.
Idc about your theories???? Just deliver the money like you were asked to??? This book got me really mad
October 30, 2024
LOVED this story. It kept my attention the whole time. That said, multi tasking wasn't good. You learn so much as things go.
Definitely highly recommend.
Definitely highly recommend.
August 15, 2025
Slow read.
Very different storyline. I didn't enjoy it, not the type of mystery I was expecting. Actually, I question why I read it through to the end.
Very different storyline. I didn't enjoy it, not the type of mystery I was expecting. Actually, I question why I read it through to the end.
November 15, 2024
suspenseful
Great book! I never knew what was going to happen next. Read half the book at one sitting. On the edge of my seat.
Great book! I never knew what was going to happen next. Read half the book at one sitting. On the edge of my seat.
January 21, 2025
Your last lie is a good read. If you love a suspenseful mystery this books for you. We'll written and easy to read
October 4, 2024
I was able to read this book early and I loved it. I really enjoyed the characters and how they reacted to each other as a couple would. I enjoyed the story and as it progressed I found I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Thank you Erik for another great book.
January 8, 2025
Loved it! Had me going in so many different directions I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.
September 6, 2024
THIS WAS GOOOD!! I could not put this down, it kept me on the edge of my seat I had no idea wtf was gonna happen. The MC's wife kind of annoying but you get over it. Cause good lord you will not see this coming.
January 12, 2025
Good book
October 3, 2024
This book kept me guessing. I read it in one sitting because I had to know what was going to happen.
January 5, 2025
I won a copy of this book from the Goodreads giveaways and wow! Great read that sucked me right in. This is about family secrets and lies and how far people will go to cover them up. I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews