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The Perfect Lie
The betrayal was one I never saw coming.
When the live-in nanny of a wealthy family goes missing and her body is found two states over.
FBI Agent Ava James is sent on the road to investigate.
The nanny, Lianna Reyes, left everything and everyone behind to work in the U.S.
No one, not even her husband, had heard from her in over a year.
The couple who employed the nanny became the prime suspects in her disappearance.
They had accused her of stealing from them and running away.
Police found no other leads, until her body was found.
But new trails lead Ava into the nanny’s hidden life.
One riddled with illicit affairs and dark lies.
Those who knew her can’t find the words to make sense of the truth.
And many lives are left in ruins due to her secrets...
When the live-in nanny of a wealthy family goes missing and her body is found two states over.
FBI Agent Ava James is sent on the road to investigate.
The nanny, Lianna Reyes, left everything and everyone behind to work in the U.S.
No one, not even her husband, had heard from her in over a year.
The couple who employed the nanny became the prime suspects in her disappearance.
They had accused her of stealing from them and running away.
Police found no other leads, until her body was found.
But new trails lead Ava into the nanny’s hidden life.
One riddled with illicit affairs and dark lies.
Those who knew her can’t find the words to make sense of the truth.
And many lives are left in ruins due to her secrets...
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
252 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 13, 2025
As always, Ava is fully immersed in another difficult case. She's the best choice for the task though and refuses to give up until she figures it out. Unlike most of her cases though, she is alone and working separately from her team. Sal is good at balancing her out when she needs to focus on more detail. Ava's tenacity and persistence prevails though and the case is resolved, leaving her learning more, only to make her better at her job. I'm very sad that this is almost the end of the series though. The details and writing style make this a great series, actually they all are from this author. The characters are wonderful and situations make is exciting from start to finish.
December 10, 2025
Perfect Thread
A. J. Rivers perfectly wove her story between the lies society tells and the truths we beg to hear. The plot was not overly complex, much like the Ancient Greek tragedies that the audiences knew quite well. Her excellence is in how she let the story unfold in character development and those intersections with societal norms and prejudices.
Although goodness may ultimately win, it’s never without a sacrifice. Of course, maybe it’s how goodness wins. (?) I highly recommend this book as more than a cute mystery novel.
A. J. Rivers perfectly wove her story between the lies society tells and the truths we beg to hear. The plot was not overly complex, much like the Ancient Greek tragedies that the audiences knew quite well. Her excellence is in how she let the story unfold in character development and those intersections with societal norms and prejudices.
Although goodness may ultimately win, it’s never without a sacrifice. Of course, maybe it’s how goodness wins. (?) I highly recommend this book as more than a cute mystery novel.
January 3, 2026
The Perfect Lie(Ava James FBI Mystery Book 20)
OMG!!!!! This book was amazing and kind of confusing but in a good way. Ava had to go through a lot of stuff to find out who the killer was, and why he did it. She got pulled into the world of the very rich and elite. That just complicated everything, but she managed to untangle everything and solve her case. I can't wait to read the next book.
OMG!!!!! This book was amazing and kind of confusing but in a good way. Ava had to go through a lot of stuff to find out who the killer was, and why he did it. She got pulled into the world of the very rich and elite. That just complicated everything, but she managed to untangle everything and solve her case. I can't wait to read the next book.
December 7, 2025
A J Rivers does it again.
I have read Ava James since the first of this series came out. She always wins in the end, after a lot of twists and turns. This book kept me guessing right up to the end. It just keeps you on the edge of your seat. Now that the bad guys are dealt with you can sit back knowing Agent James has won again.
I have read Ava James since the first of this series came out. She always wins in the end, after a lot of twists and turns. This book kept me guessing right up to the end. It just keeps you on the edge of your seat. Now that the bad guys are dealt with you can sit back knowing Agent James has won again.
December 22, 2025
A J Rivers never a disappointment
No matter what series whether it’s Emma Griffith or Dean Steele or Ava James, every book is a book that I can’t put down. I have to finish it even if it’s 3 o’clock in the morning. That’s how good her books are and I can guarantee you will get hooked on them as well.
No matter what series whether it’s Emma Griffith or Dean Steele or Ava James, every book is a book that I can’t put down. I have to finish it even if it’s 3 o’clock in the morning. That’s how good her books are and I can guarantee you will get hooked on them as well.
December 6, 2025
This was an awesome story about Ava looking into who killed a young girl and why and finally finding answers to what was going on with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this great story and sorry there will be only one more book in this series.
December 6, 2025
Ava is back, and she's being tasked with finding the killer of a woman that turned up dead but was reported missing a year ago. The twists and turns in this one are epic! Don't miss this excellent page-turner! AJ Rivers is brilliant!
December 8, 2025
Ava never gives up
Once again, I am just in awe at the story A.J. weaves, with all the twists and turns. And the “little guy” got justice! Love how Ava is like a dog with its bone and won’t let it go until she proves she’s on the right track.
Once again, I am just in awe at the story A.J. weaves, with all the twists and turns. And the “little guy” got justice! Love how Ava is like a dog with its bone and won’t let it go until she proves she’s on the right track.
December 15, 2025
Quick read
I raced through this book. Every time I put it down, I hurried to get back to it. The story is gripping and moves very quickly. I've loved this whole series and can't wait for the next book.
I raced through this book. Every time I put it down, I hurried to get back to it. The story is gripping and moves very quickly. I've loved this whole series and can't wait for the next book.
December 19, 2025
Don't stop
I love the Ava James & Dean Steel books. Please don't stop either series. I know Ava, Dean & Xavier may show up from time to time in the Emma Griffin series but it's not the same.
I love the Ava James & Dean Steel books. Please don't stop either series. I know Ava, Dean & Xavier may show up from time to time in the Emma Griffin series but it's not the same.
January 12, 2026
almost just desserts
A nanny goes missing; her remains surface at a construction site a year later.
Something is rotten in the elite enclave, beyond the disappearance of hired help, and the misdeeds and felonies extend into all sorts of criminality.
A nanny goes missing; her remains surface at a construction site a year later.
Something is rotten in the elite enclave, beyond the disappearance of hired help, and the misdeeds and felonies extend into all sorts of criminality.
November 25, 2025
Awesome story! It kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire time! I love this series! When Ava James sinks her teeth into a case, she doesn’t turn loose until justice is served.
December 13, 2025
Emilio
Should only have gotten a slap on the hand, probation for a couple of years and then let him go home if he so desired. Ten years? Way too long for what he endured.
Should only have gotten a slap on the hand, probation for a couple of years and then let him go home if he so desired. Ten years? Way too long for what he endured.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews