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All the Pretty Lies
What does the tragic death of a 27-year-old Portland beauty have to do with a suburban mother in Houston?
Everything.
Only Meghan Bishop doesn't know it yet.
When the married mother stumbles upon evidence suggesting someone close to her may have ties to the heinous crime the nation can't stop talking about, she's forced to dive headfirst into an ocean of secrets she never knew existed.
Unraveling her life one startling piece at a time, Meghan realizes she believed all the pretty lies she'd been told.
And the truth? It's uglier than she ever could have imagined.
Everything.
Only Meghan Bishop doesn't know it yet.
When the married mother stumbles upon evidence suggesting someone close to her may have ties to the heinous crime the nation can't stop talking about, she's forced to dive headfirst into an ocean of secrets she never knew existed.
Unraveling her life one startling piece at a time, Meghan realizes she believed all the pretty lies she'd been told.
And the truth? It's uglier than she ever could have imagined.
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Published November 13, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
August 13, 2019
I give this one 3.7 or so Stars rounded up. Marin Montgomery is just one of those authors you know you will end up liking. I've read two of her books in two weeks now and both were extremely fast paced, intriguing thrillers. I will say I did predict this ending early on, but it was still a good read. I did enjoy her other novel, the Ruined Wife, a little bit better than this one, but both are worth investing time on. I may just end up reading all of her books by the end of the year (if I can find them) at this rate!
April 3, 2020
1.5 STARS
The plot and characters for ALL THE PRETTY LIES are so bad I’m not going to write more about them.
Marin Montgomery’s stellar word building kept me reading. She creates a lot of tension in scenes and I never knew how they’d end.
If ALL THE PRETTY LIES didn’t have such a preposterous ending, I’d have bumped up to two stars.
The plot and characters for ALL THE PRETTY LIES are so bad I’m not going to write more about them.
Marin Montgomery’s stellar word building kept me reading. She creates a lot of tension in scenes and I never knew how they’d end.
If ALL THE PRETTY LIES didn’t have such a preposterous ending, I’d have bumped up to two stars.
August 7, 2021
Loved it! Full review to come
September 1, 2018
The opening of this book was quite good, in my opinion. The murder scene that kicked the book off was well-written and definitely had me wanting to read as much as possible as quickly as possible. However, although I was initially gripped and intrigued at the beginning, the book quickly began to slow and became quite dull. The characters felt incomplete, not well-rounded and very unrealistic. Extra characters were thrown in to seemingly throw you off the focus of who actually committed the murder and why, but the most distracting thing from the plot were all of the grammatical errors. It’s very distracting and disruptive when a book is not edited the way a good novel should be. I feel with a better editor perhaps this book could have been polished and perfected and perhaps been good instead of just ok. Either way, despite the grammar and typos and bad punctuation, the storyline was far-fetched and very soap opera-esque. It started with a bang and fizzled into something I kept reading just to be finished with it. I hate saying that, but the truth is the truth and I’m not sure where all the rave reviews for this book are coming from since I found it mediocre at best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2022
Intriguing story that kept me guessing until the very end. I have to be honest and say I didn't like any of the characters. Not even the main protagonist, Megan, some of her decisions and actions were quite questionable.
January 7, 2025
3.5⭐️ currently included in audiable 🎧
A little drawn out in parts still enjoyed and little plot twist at the end! Although easy to listen to at times, some characters felt like they merged just meaning for me personally. Not all characters fully came into their own throughout the audiobook. Still an enjoyable listen.
A little drawn out in parts still enjoyed and little plot twist at the end! Although easy to listen to at times, some characters felt like they merged just meaning for me personally. Not all characters fully came into their own throughout the audiobook. Still an enjoyable listen.
January 11, 2025
All the Pretty Lies started out strong and got progressively worse. Every single character was unlikeable. Which doesn't automatically mean that the book will be a bad. However, if the only reason why the premise of your book works is because your characters are dense... there is no saving your book. I might as well have finished Her Biggest Fan.
October 5, 2025
This was intended as a little bit of filler whilst I decided on my next listen, I was very invested, until I was. I ended up enjoying All The Pretty Lies a lot more than I anticipated, I did have an inkling of the twist but I convinced myself I was wrong.
Well paced, well written and well narrated.
3.5 🌟
Currently included with audible 🎧
Well paced, well written and well narrated.
3.5 🌟
Currently included with audible 🎧
December 13, 2018
Great read!
July 22, 2018
If You Like Mysteries, Here’s a Thriller For You
An entertaining, fast-paced murder mystery with a fairly straightforward plot. The book starts by skipping heads with POV changes, but the author wisely keeps the events sequential. After several chapters, the first person POVs are those of the protagonists, which offers intimate and often raw emotions, disturbing thoughts, and a lot of angst about life choices or non-choices.
The author likes to flashback and forth within chapters, so I tried to note any time changes. There are some explicit sex scenes, but they aren’t overly long or distracting. Language is fairly tame for a murder mystery, probably because there’s minimal police procedural scenes.
The whodunnit was mystifying, but halfway through the book, I chose two possible culprits and puzzled out how murder may have been committed. It was the why and how that were perplexing to nearly the end, and I was paying attention throughout because this is a new-to-me author. Well done, Ms Montgomery!
That said, the author needs a better editor, because my reading progress sometimes stuttered or stopped dead. There are spelling and grammar errors, POV problems, and questionable word choices (expedite vs extradite), and odd mistakes—one about a car’s out-of-state plates.
4 stars for a very enjoyable read.
An entertaining, fast-paced murder mystery with a fairly straightforward plot. The book starts by skipping heads with POV changes, but the author wisely keeps the events sequential. After several chapters, the first person POVs are those of the protagonists, which offers intimate and often raw emotions, disturbing thoughts, and a lot of angst about life choices or non-choices.
The author likes to flashback and forth within chapters, so I tried to note any time changes. There are some explicit sex scenes, but they aren’t overly long or distracting. Language is fairly tame for a murder mystery, probably because there’s minimal police procedural scenes.
The whodunnit was mystifying, but halfway through the book, I chose two possible culprits and puzzled out how murder may have been committed. It was the why and how that were perplexing to nearly the end, and I was paying attention throughout because this is a new-to-me author. Well done, Ms Montgomery!
That said, the author needs a better editor, because my reading progress sometimes stuttered or stopped dead. There are spelling and grammar errors, POV problems, and questionable word choices (expedite vs extradite), and odd mistakes—one about a car’s out-of-state plates.
4 stars for a very enjoyable read.
December 5, 2018
Good, but off in places
As always this author writes a quick read with an unusual ending. Strangely enough I never really "love" the ending. It's no different this time, the ending is, well, off a bit. I can't fully explain it, but it happens every time. The ending is one of surprises, but it lacks full satisfaction. It leaves the reader asking questions that don't get answered. There's no resolution regarding Jarrett. He is suddenly the love of her life even though he posed in pictures with her spouse for a year prior. He told her he didn't know she was married, which is false as she'd told him early on. Meghan didn't connect her boys seeing Laura Lancaster on tv with favoring Tally until she was interviewed by Laura?? Really?? They had already told her she was daddy's girlfriend! Just some stupid mistakes by the author in timelines matching and a few other details not adding up. Why was there a suicide note written for the husband on the fathers computer?? That was not explained. Kind of disappointing.
As always this author writes a quick read with an unusual ending. Strangely enough I never really "love" the ending. It's no different this time, the ending is, well, off a bit. I can't fully explain it, but it happens every time. The ending is one of surprises, but it lacks full satisfaction. It leaves the reader asking questions that don't get answered. There's no resolution regarding Jarrett. He is suddenly the love of her life even though he posed in pictures with her spouse for a year prior. He told her he didn't know she was married, which is false as she'd told him early on. Meghan didn't connect her boys seeing Laura Lancaster on tv with favoring Tally until she was interviewed by Laura?? Really?? They had already told her she was daddy's girlfriend! Just some stupid mistakes by the author in timelines matching and a few other details not adding up. Why was there a suicide note written for the husband on the fathers computer?? That was not explained. Kind of disappointing.
January 27, 2023
Some of the people in the story has no common sense, and was driving me nuts. Especially the Uber driver who entered an empty house uninvited, goes through people's fridge, touches everything, even going into the bedroom when thinks he saw blood stain everywhere.
Overall though, the story has a good plot line, and flow smoothly with the evidence.
Although I think the wife is too forgiving in the story. If she didn't care about the husband, why not get a divorce? Why bother having children with him?
If she is strong enough like she said, she didn't have to wait till she met Jared to divorce her husband.
Overall though, the story has a good plot line, and flow smoothly with the evidence.
Although I think the wife is too forgiving in the story. If she didn't care about the husband, why not get a divorce? Why bother having children with him?
If she is strong enough like she said, she didn't have to wait till she met Jared to divorce her husband.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2019
WOW! What a twisty mystery! I really loved it. This is one that you never know the "who done it" until the very end. A cheating husband, a wife in love with another man and a murdered mistress. You can't get any better than that for a suspenseful mystery. I don't want to go more into the story as to not spoil it but I highly recommend it. I just love this authors books.
July 31, 2022
The writing and dialogue is cliche and repetitive. This author likes the color cerulean and Taylor Swift. She makes mention of these in other novels. There are so many unanswered questions, such as the necklace, the suicide letter and how an oil tycoon couldn’t afford $10K.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2020
Fail !!
January 26, 2023
3.5 rounded up
August 8, 2018
I was afforded an advanced reading copy for my most honest, humble opinion.
A story of infidelity, murder and unresolved feelings of betrayal. This was my first read by Ms. Marin Montgomery. It was recommended by another author I typically review for. I quite enjoyed the storyline once I got past the very gruesome scene involving Talin Forrester. A typical mystery/thriller of whodunnit. Ms. Montgomery did a good job of keeping the reader on edge, while trying to figure out the identity of the perpetrator. No one was without suspicion.
A story of infidelity, murder and unresolved feelings of betrayal. This was my first read by Ms. Marin Montgomery. It was recommended by another author I typically review for. I quite enjoyed the storyline once I got past the very gruesome scene involving Talin Forrester. A typical mystery/thriller of whodunnit. Ms. Montgomery did a good job of keeping the reader on edge, while trying to figure out the identity of the perpetrator. No one was without suspicion.
April 19, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
June 16, 2025
3 stars
Reminded me of a typical Lifetime movie. Ok, not terrible.
Reminded me of a typical Lifetime movie. Ok, not terrible.
December 6, 2024
I was hooked from the very first page. This is the second book I have read by Marin Montgomery and all I can say is wow. What an explosive ending. I did not see that twist coming!!
August 1, 2025
It was okay, but I figured out the plot and who was behind it very quickly. I think I might need to just take a break from this genre of books.
July 19, 2019
The book has a promising start but a pretty disappointing end, in my opinion.
February 18, 2021
Don't bother
This is one of the worst books I've read. Nothing of the story is believable. It seems to drip in cliche. The characters didn't make sense and destroyed any plausible plot. Very disappointef
This is one of the worst books I've read. Nothing of the story is believable. It seems to drip in cliche. The characters didn't make sense and destroyed any plausible plot. Very disappointef
June 6, 2019
This book was great. It kept me guessing until the end. Just when I thought I figured out ‘who done it’, there was another twist! I highly recommend it.
July 25, 2022
Sooo the writer and the editor both come from lower middle, to poverty.. it is screaming throughout the entire book.
Yet the plot? Involves Texas oil family level of wealth. There is extreme efforts to try and illustrate wealth like gold whatever business cards, description of a man wearing a gold watch
Yet.. when a mother/daughter of a oil wealthy business owner … when she was putting on a movie for her children the extra details of emphasis on “searched for the free movies on . . . “
Well I live in Texas, I have wealthy, old money, oil rich families of the south friends in TX and all over.. and NONE operate this way.
Stressing their Catholic school education? Ehhh
The mind set of characters are those conscious of a budget and uneducated ppl. Not those of of the culture it states should be taking place.
The police investigation? Wouldn’t be conducted as such a fashion. An actual detective, what was illustrated is not a strategy used for questioning. No one would have gone without representation (whom had PR and Atty firms on the pay roll) and would have had the mayor on the phone. They have PR and attorney firms on the payroll that are accessible 24/7. I know bc I dated an Atty of a oil family. That’s the reality they live in. Something odd for us regular folk, sure. But Jesus! The editors, author should have made an effort to grasp the culture.
The procedure process? This guy would be in county, he would be out on bail not in prison before the hearing!
This entire thing is such a befuddled, wreck!
The paranoia that a Texas oil family of many many generations think this event would bankrupt and ruin the business. Then clearly they don’t have much wealth to worry about. This plot is just .. 🙄
Meanwhile…. In reality of the oil industry, In the Middle East? OPEC countries allow the stoning of women, behead and publicly hang ppl, entrap them and set them on fire for breaking laws and this Texas family that works in the industry that is in the same business as the Saudi’s? Would care about cheating or a gf that died ? Please ! 🙄
America? Everyone is innocent till proven guilty.. in this ridiculous narrative he was guilty before charges were even brought.
The narrow view of women is peppered all throughout. Narrow views, lacking global common knowledge of the oil industry and known behaviors, etc cheating, ppl dying, cousins, child, uncles in-prisoned, even princesses and princes are in current day Middle East, oil families..
of course our Texas oil families keep tabs and in relations with the Saudi’s it’s like bc standing US history.
Meaning these events in the book? Wouldn’t even matter! Business wouldn’t be impacted
The vocabulary? Seems so dumbed, watered down. The broad strokes of over generalized efforts to try to tie the story together? Just made the characters all
Look uneducated, lacking intelligence. Lack of decent development of characters.. a freaking PR elderly man wouldn’t crawl thru a doggy dog!!! Come on! No man of “breeding” would… I’d love to see it thou..
This is so annoying!
The plot had potential.
Yet the plot? Involves Texas oil family level of wealth. There is extreme efforts to try and illustrate wealth like gold whatever business cards, description of a man wearing a gold watch
Yet.. when a mother/daughter of a oil wealthy business owner … when she was putting on a movie for her children the extra details of emphasis on “searched for the free movies on . . . “
Well I live in Texas, I have wealthy, old money, oil rich families of the south friends in TX and all over.. and NONE operate this way.
Stressing their Catholic school education? Ehhh
The mind set of characters are those conscious of a budget and uneducated ppl. Not those of of the culture it states should be taking place.
The police investigation? Wouldn’t be conducted as such a fashion. An actual detective, what was illustrated is not a strategy used for questioning. No one would have gone without representation (whom had PR and Atty firms on the pay roll) and would have had the mayor on the phone. They have PR and attorney firms on the payroll that are accessible 24/7. I know bc I dated an Atty of a oil family. That’s the reality they live in. Something odd for us regular folk, sure. But Jesus! The editors, author should have made an effort to grasp the culture.
The procedure process? This guy would be in county, he would be out on bail not in prison before the hearing!
This entire thing is such a befuddled, wreck!
The paranoia that a Texas oil family of many many generations think this event would bankrupt and ruin the business. Then clearly they don’t have much wealth to worry about. This plot is just .. 🙄
Meanwhile…. In reality of the oil industry, In the Middle East? OPEC countries allow the stoning of women, behead and publicly hang ppl, entrap them and set them on fire for breaking laws and this Texas family that works in the industry that is in the same business as the Saudi’s? Would care about cheating or a gf that died ? Please ! 🙄
America? Everyone is innocent till proven guilty.. in this ridiculous narrative he was guilty before charges were even brought.
The narrow view of women is peppered all throughout. Narrow views, lacking global common knowledge of the oil industry and known behaviors, etc cheating, ppl dying, cousins, child, uncles in-prisoned, even princesses and princes are in current day Middle East, oil families..
of course our Texas oil families keep tabs and in relations with the Saudi’s it’s like bc standing US history.
Meaning these events in the book? Wouldn’t even matter! Business wouldn’t be impacted
The vocabulary? Seems so dumbed, watered down. The broad strokes of over generalized efforts to try to tie the story together? Just made the characters all
Look uneducated, lacking intelligence. Lack of decent development of characters.. a freaking PR elderly man wouldn’t crawl thru a doggy dog!!! Come on! No man of “breeding” would… I’d love to see it thou..
This is so annoying!
The plot had potential.
January 30, 2024
What a waste
This had so much potential. I was so sure this was going to be a good one but after 50% it just kept getting worse and worse.
Not only was the whole thing pretty apparent but the way Megan was just so carefree about the whole affair was so cheesy. I don’t are who you are, I can never see a woman being okay and have so much sympathy for a woman (dead or not) that paraded around in your own home, wearing a piece of jewelry so special it was made to remember the birth of your twins, and played house with those twins while you are away only for you to find out she was in your home by those same twins who referenced her as second mommy. I know it’s a story but come on. Things like that just make it so unbearable.
⚠️ SPOILER ⚠️
Another thing that bothered me was that Megan was so okay with Jarrot after his involvement but her mother is a pariah? Of course what her mother did was unbelievable and wrong but Jarrots hands weren’t all clean either. Maybe that says more about me but I just can’t understand it.
Last thing, I wish writers would stick close to what they know unless they’re willing to do the work to educate themselves on things they’re going to write about. The whole book had so many silly references that are just not facts. Like the husband being in prison right after his arrest. Prison is for people who’ve been convicted. The guy was only arrested a week or two prior. Then the trial supposedly happening in weeks. Houston is the 4th largest city in the nation. The courts move slowly. Little things like that add up to making the story look juvenile. To me.
This had so much potential. I was so sure this was going to be a good one but after 50% it just kept getting worse and worse.
Not only was the whole thing pretty apparent but the way Megan was just so carefree about the whole affair was so cheesy. I don’t are who you are, I can never see a woman being okay and have so much sympathy for a woman (dead or not) that paraded around in your own home, wearing a piece of jewelry so special it was made to remember the birth of your twins, and played house with those twins while you are away only for you to find out she was in your home by those same twins who referenced her as second mommy. I know it’s a story but come on. Things like that just make it so unbearable.
⚠️ SPOILER ⚠️
Another thing that bothered me was that Megan was so okay with Jarrot after his involvement but her mother is a pariah? Of course what her mother did was unbelievable and wrong but Jarrots hands weren’t all clean either. Maybe that says more about me but I just can’t understand it.
Last thing, I wish writers would stick close to what they know unless they’re willing to do the work to educate themselves on things they’re going to write about. The whole book had so many silly references that are just not facts. Like the husband being in prison right after his arrest. Prison is for people who’ve been convicted. The guy was only arrested a week or two prior. Then the trial supposedly happening in weeks. Houston is the 4th largest city in the nation. The courts move slowly. Little things like that add up to making the story look juvenile. To me.
September 26, 2023
A cheating husband thinking he’s being clever and keeping his little side piece secret soon realises…that wasn’t the case.
And things only get worst when, the said “side piece” Talen/Tally is brutally murdered.
Megan Bishop: the wife in this situation, had always known that her marriage was on its last legs.
She no longer loved her husband.
It was only for the sake of her young twin boys that she had bothered to try and stick it out.
Now, her life has been thrown into turmoil.
A husband in jail for the murder of his lover will do that to you.
Megan is now in the awkward position of trying to figure out if hubby is innocent? Or Guilty.
She has her young boys and her family’s name to think of.
If only everyone around her would just STOP trying to protect her with “All the Pretty Lies”
Enjoyed most of this book.
The beginning was crazy.
However, as Megan slowly, and clumsily, starts putting the pieces together.
It’s as if she starts taking her stupid pills, as we readers are already three steps ahead of her
( at least, especially the ending in the family home )
This story is Saved by the fact that Marin can still construct are fast paced gripping narrative that keeps you engaged.
And things only get worst when, the said “side piece” Talen/Tally is brutally murdered.
Megan Bishop: the wife in this situation, had always known that her marriage was on its last legs.
She no longer loved her husband.
It was only for the sake of her young twin boys that she had bothered to try and stick it out.
Now, her life has been thrown into turmoil.
A husband in jail for the murder of his lover will do that to you.
Megan is now in the awkward position of trying to figure out if hubby is innocent? Or Guilty.
She has her young boys and her family’s name to think of.
If only everyone around her would just STOP trying to protect her with “All the Pretty Lies”
Enjoyed most of this book.
The beginning was crazy.
However, as Megan slowly, and clumsily, starts putting the pieces together.
It’s as if she starts taking her stupid pills, as we readers are already three steps ahead of her
( at least, especially the ending in the family home )
This story is Saved by the fact that Marin can still construct are fast paced gripping narrative that keeps you engaged.
October 9, 2018
4.5 stars
Really enjoyed my second book by Marin Montgomery! I highly recommend her book The Ruined Wife as well! This one reminded me a little of The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena but I liked this one more - not the same story line but a similar atmosphere of the book and perhaps similar characters. I think if you enjoyed The Couple Next Door you will enjoy this book.
One of the better books I have read in a while! Highly recommend!
"Why talk to me?" She crosses her arms over her chest.
"I feel drawn to you." I run my hands over my cup, imaging how they would feel over her body. "I can't not at least let you know I'm interested."
She tilts her head. "But then what?"
"Why does there have to be a 'then what?'"
"Because there's always an ending. You can't have a beginning without an end." (page 76)
Really enjoyed my second book by Marin Montgomery! I highly recommend her book The Ruined Wife as well! This one reminded me a little of The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena but I liked this one more - not the same story line but a similar atmosphere of the book and perhaps similar characters. I think if you enjoyed The Couple Next Door you will enjoy this book.
One of the better books I have read in a while! Highly recommend!
"Why talk to me?" She crosses her arms over her chest.
"I feel drawn to you." I run my hands over my cup, imaging how they would feel over her body. "I can't not at least let you know I'm interested."
She tilts her head. "But then what?"
"Why does there have to be a 'then what?'"
"Because there's always an ending. You can't have a beginning without an end." (page 76)
May 13, 2021
The story is nice. It started up strong, not too much descriptive. But it didn't really make me relate to any of the characters. The plot twist came too late, like the story was finished in one way or the other.
During the reading i juat had a vibe of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, because of the way the action was presented. But i was wondering who commited the murder, because it felt like the author just wanted to introduce more characters without developing or giving a back story to the ones it already had.
Only because I've listened to an audiobook: the reading felt short at the end of each chapter. Like it just stopped, sometimes i felt they stopped mid sentance.
During the reading i juat had a vibe of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, because of the way the action was presented. But i was wondering who commited the murder, because it felt like the author just wanted to introduce more characters without developing or giving a back story to the ones it already had.
Only because I've listened to an audiobook: the reading felt short at the end of each chapter. Like it just stopped, sometimes i felt they stopped mid sentance.
July 29, 2018
Another great thriller!
I am a big fan of this author and she has done it again! This was the type of story that kept me reading because I kept trying to figure out who did it!
The story opens with the murder of Talin, a young woman, who is having an affair with Reed, a Houston businessman, husband and father. Once his connection to the victim becomes apparent, the focus moves to his life and whether he committed this crime. This book will keep you guessing until the very end!
I am a big fan of this author and she has done it again! This was the type of story that kept me reading because I kept trying to figure out who did it!
The story opens with the murder of Talin, a young woman, who is having an affair with Reed, a Houston businessman, husband and father. Once his connection to the victim becomes apparent, the focus moves to his life and whether he committed this crime. This book will keep you guessing until the very end!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews