Catch The Lie: A Gripping Psychological Thriller With A Jaw-Dropping Twist

by Parker Vale

Some memories should stay buried. Some secrets never die.

Detective Ethan Calloway swore he’d left the past behind—
the night his best friend vanished,
the guilt he can’t escape.

But when a photograph arrives with the message You left something behind,
he’s pulled back to the Louisiana town that still whispers his name.

There he meets Isabel Cruz, a true-crime podcaster chasing the same mystery.
Her voice is calm.
Her story isn’t.
And her connection to the case runs deeper than she admits.

As the investigation unravels, memories twist and lies resurface.
Someone is watching.
Someone knows what they did.

He’s certain she’s lying.
She’s certain he’s hiding something worse.

And when the final piece falls into place—
it’s not who killed Michael that matters.
It’s why she lied about it.

She came back for justice.
Or revenge.
Or something worse.

Genres: Thriller

54 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2025

Reviews

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch The Lie by Parker Vale is a fast paced, quick read, that packs a punch. Don’t we all know that secrets and lies refuse to stay buried? All too often, they come to light, as time passes. But if someone lied once, how can you trust them, especially when they were quick to silence the person who may have had all the answers? You may be left with more questions than answers when the last word is read.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

[Christine Proctor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast paced story which was interesting to read. The plot details enhance the suspense. Yet, the characters lacked development, the mystery being solved lacked depth and detail, and the twist at the end wasn't really a twist since the aforementioned lack of character development. With more of a back story and added detail relating to character incentives for their involvement, this could be a pretty good book.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an edge of your seat, mind bending thriller that grabs you from the first page and holds to until the end! If you like well written thrillers, with lots of twists and turns, this is your book. Once I began, I couldn't put it down. The surprise ending is great. I highly recommend this thriller. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, twisty, and impossible to put down! Catch The Lie hooked me with its small-town secrets, buried past, and a detective who can’t outrun his own guilt. The mix of true crime podcast intrigue and a case gone cold kept me guessing the whole way—every time I thought I knew who to trust, Parker Vale flipped the script. Perfect for fans of gritty, fast-paced thrillers with a jaw-dropping ending.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm now left in confusion. A real twist in the tale that makes me question myself. Did they catch a killer or are we left in the dark with who to believe.
Absolutely gripping from page to page, but my brain needs an answer and I don't have one.
I received an introduction to this author's writing and this is my honest and voluntary review

[Heidi]

This book was good, the details, the descriptions, the characters, was really good but the depth was missing. This could have been so much better and so much more if the book was longer and more depth. I was hooked and the writing was good, just not enough story for me.

[karin whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this short story as an ARC and this is my review. Ethan, Michael and Ava were all friends back in their younger days.Michael disappeared, and someone wants to know what happened to him. Fast paced, good characters and an interesting tale. Worth reading!

[Rachelle Bachiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read. It kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to the end. Great thriller.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intense thriller resulting in the reader holding their breath throughout the entire story. Great twist at the end revealing the true killer….and their motive.

[Jacquelyn Schingeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Parker Vale book but it won't be my last

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page-turner as I couldn't wait to find out the truth behind a murder and the people involved! Didn't see it coming!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short dark tale piecing together what happened to a childhood friend that went missing.

[Rick Farlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story about an unsolved murder with a good twist at the end… I listened to this one on my phone and thought that I had it solved… but I was wrong. Recommended.

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read.

The past doesn't stay buried and lies are always found out.

Not much backstory leaving characters that needed some development.

Thank you for the opportunity to read your book

[Mikael Nordgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and well written. Nice read. Seeing similarities in her later books.

[Samantha Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read. Fast paced. Ending was thought provoking. I enjoyed this book.

[Monica M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs a little more editing, example the diner scene, Isabel flee from there on foot , forgetting that she came using her car.

The town secret was very vague. Sure children missing and people swept everything under the rug. But what about the details of exact fate of those poor children? human trafficking? prostitution? serial killer? Are all of them dead? or sold?
Based on last chapters, it was probably a pdophlia ring? But it was not confirm, just really subtle clues and it was up for reader interpretation.
I am itchy for a firm declaration lol.
Also why there are no closure for the city? I know the focus was their missing friend, but somehow the MCs feel rigid with their indifference for other missing children.

Story wise, i feel i was dropped in the middle of the story. It was just fragments of a bigger story that unfortunately not explore and tied neatly at the end.

I feel unsatisfied.