The Biggest of Lies

by Barry Blair

Jake Bender is a multi-talented man. A retired Nashville homicide detective, he spends his days in his hometown of Jonesborough where he works as a private investigator, owner of a 6-hole golf course, and a guitar playing singer-songwriter. He wrestles with his feelings for his ex-wife, now the Governor of Tennessee, with her eye on a bigger prize in Washington.

When an older man in town confides his past to Jake “to clear his conscience,” Jake is quickly drawn into investigating two of the most famous murders in the history of the United States and must deal with a rogue element of the government that dates back to the end of World War II.

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2025

About the author

Barry Blair (b. 1954) was a Canadian artist and writer, known for launching Aircel Comics (publisher of titles such as Samurai, Elflord, Dragonforce, and Men in Black) in the 1980s.

Reviews

[Lailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Biggest of Lies is a solid, thoughtful mystery with a lead character who feels genuinely lived-in. Jake Bender isn’t flashy or over-the-top; he’s grounded, reflective, and believable, which makes the story easy to settle into. I appreciated how the book blends small-town investigation with larger historical threads without losing its emotional core. The pacing is steady, the writing is clear, and the questions it raises linger a bit after the last page. A good pick for readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries with a touch of political and historical intrigue.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This easy by far my favorite book by Barry Blair!!
I felt like I was in East Tennessee and it made me want to explore the area even more!
The characters were all well developed and very likable. The story line kept me on my toes and made it hard to know “who done it”. Excellent read that I would recommend to everyone!