Broken Lies

by Sarah Lewin

Scarlett Nightly tried so hard to put her past behind her. When an elderly gentleman enters the library where she works, and utters the name of the man who stole her baby, the chasm of anxiety and fear re-opens, threatening to swallow her. Can she push past her demons, and find her son? Faced with the option to run away or stay and fight, Scarlett is torn. It took years to overcome her depression, to be brave enough to walk outside her cottage and find a job she loves. The only person Scarlett trusts is Archie, her best friend and cafe owner. Will power and determination may not be enough.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2025

About the author

Sarah Lewin was born in Tumut, a small country town in New South Wales, Australia, and now makes her home in outback Queensland. A mother and teacher, she has always loved reading and writing about the world around her, using words to spark children’s imagination and curiosity.
In recent years, Sarah has rediscovered her fascination with magic, fairies, and witches—an enchantment that has found its way into her stories. She published her first children’s book, My Grandma, in 2023, along with her debut witchy novel, Crone Wisdom.
Since then, her creativity has flourished. In 2024 she released four more books, now, in mid-2025, several new titles have been published.
Highlights of her writing career include having stories selected for inclusion in anthologies and winning prizes for her writing in international competitions.
With every story, Sarah continues to weave together curiosity, wonder, and a touch of magic.

Reviews

[travel_thru_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Lies Mystery by Sarah Lewin swept me in right from the beginning! I truly enjoyed this story—not just for the tension and mystery, but for the quiet emotional power woven through each scene. Scarlett’s desperation, the late-summer heat, the fragmented clues—everything builds with a subtle urgency that made it impossible to look away.

What stood out most to me was Sarah’s writing. Her technique is beautifully restrained but emotionally resonant, with just enough detail to stir your imagination without overexplaining. I especially loved Archie—his quiet steadiness and compassion made him one of those characters you wish you could sit beside for just a moment longer.

Broken Lies Mystery is a quiet storm—grief, truth, and echoes that don’t fade.

[Printessan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 4.5 ⭐️

A really great book. I got hooked quickly, and already from the first chapter I just wanted to know more and more about what was going to happen. There’s something about the atmosphere and the characters that completely pulls you in.

If I’ve understood correctly, this is a standalone, but I have to admit, I need a continuation. The ending leaves some things open, which I sometimes appreciate, but in this case I just want to shout: Sarah, what happens next? 😁 I want to know how it really ends, not just guess for myself. So please, keep writing.

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your team. ❤️🌺

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A entertaining quick read. From the start it grabbed my attention and showed it had lots of potential. It's set around a mother whose child was abducted at birth. That information alone held me. From there the story was packed with mystery and tension. The characters were entertaining. I enjoyed how Scarlett was written. She showed strength and determination the entire story no matter what was thrown at her. The plot was well constructed and the twist was well executed. There wasn't ever a dull moment in the story. Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the cliff hanger ending. I'm hoping the way it was a written is a set up for a sequel.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good story of perseverance and learning how strong you can be.
Scarlett's child is taken from her at birth and when a stranger comes to the library that she works in, and in a conversation happens to mention the name of the man who took the baby, Scarlett is overwhelmed with memories and feelings of inadequacies. Is she strong enough to pursue this fragile lead? Strong enough to believe in herself?

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlett is devoted to finding her son, who was taken from her at the hospital after his birth by the child’s father. She’s received threats, misleading information, sent on a wild goose chase, and doesn’t know who to believe or trust. The more she learns about her ex and his family, the more determined she is to bring the child home.

Not happy with the cliffhanger ending.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Carol Nauss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlett's world fell apart when her husband stole their newborn baby boy from the hospital and disappeared with him without a trace. Follow the journey of Scarlett pulling herself together after this devastating loss and becoming a strong and determined woman. The plot was intriguing and exciting. The characters are interesting, especially Scarlett's lifelong friend Archie, her coworker Eve and the quirky sisters operating a Bed and Breakfast. The book was a page-turner. I hope there will be a sequel tieing up the loose ends.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this book until the end! I don't like books that don't end, especially standalone books. This book has dropped from a 4.5 star rating to a 3 star rating because of the non end.

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet cozy mystery with a twist.

The writing in this mystery kept me reading, I didn’t want to put this one down.