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Jess Lambert #3
All The Lies We See
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26Win a free print copy of this book!
19 days and 02:15:47
5 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
Framed for murder. A viral video proves it. The case she abandoned after her daughter died could save—or destroy her, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Night Olivia Fell.
Detective Jess Lambert is days away from the trial of the woman accused of killing her daughter when she wakes in a seedy hotel room with no memory of how she got there. On her phone is a viral video showing Jess calmly shooting the woman in cold blood.
As the footage spreads and her own department closes in, Jess has no choice but to run. Someone has engineered her downfall, and the only way to survive is to uncover who’s turning her past into a weapon. Desperate to clear her name, she follows the only lead she has—an unsolved case she abandoned after her daughter died that now holds the key to who set her up.
But the closer Jess gets to the truth, the more she realizes it may not be enough. Because when people prefer the lie, even reality becomes irrelevant.
Detective Jess Lambert is days away from the trial of the woman accused of killing her daughter when she wakes in a seedy hotel room with no memory of how she got there. On her phone is a viral video showing Jess calmly shooting the woman in cold blood.
As the footage spreads and her own department closes in, Jess has no choice but to run. Someone has engineered her downfall, and the only way to survive is to uncover who’s turning her past into a weapon. Desperate to clear her name, she follows the only lead she has—an unsolved case she abandoned after her daughter died that now holds the key to who set her up.
But the closer Jess gets to the truth, the more she realizes it may not be enough. Because when people prefer the lie, even reality becomes irrelevant.
Paperback
Expected publication July 7, 2026
About the author
Christina McDonald
12 books2,966 followersAbout this author
Christina McDonald is the award-winning, USA Today and Amazon charts bestselling author of What Lies In Darkness, The Stranger At Black Lake, These Still Black Waters, Do No Harm, Behind Every Lie and The Night Olivia Fell, which has been optioned for television by a major Hollywood studio. Originally from Seattle, Washington, she now lives in London, England, with her husband, two sons, and their dog, Tango.
Christina McDonald is the award-winning, USA Today and Amazon charts bestselling author of What Lies In Darkness, The Stranger At Black Lake, These Still Black Waters, Do No Harm, Behind Every Lie and The Night Olivia Fell, which has been optioned for television by a major Hollywood studio. Originally from Seattle, Washington, she now lives in London, England, with her husband, two sons, and their dog, Tango.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 13, 2026
All The Lies We See
By: Christina McDonald
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
Tour: Thriller Book Lovers THE PULSE
This series is so fun and evolving. Jess Lambert is a detective and always finds herself in the thick of things. This time she really is in the middle and “caught on tape” of a murder. THE PULSE loves this series.
Of course, Jess knows this is not her, but when the video goes viral, she has to prove her innocence. With AI these days, we see things everywhere and have to wonder what is true. Scary times, for sure.
Whom can she trust to help her prove her innocence? Why are people so quick to judge a video, not knowing the whole story?
This story is fast-paced and McDonald has created a character I love. I highly recommend others in this series, These Still Black Waters, What Lies in Darkness and The Stranger at Black Lake.
By: Christina McDonald
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
Tour: Thriller Book Lovers THE PULSE
This series is so fun and evolving. Jess Lambert is a detective and always finds herself in the thick of things. This time she really is in the middle and “caught on tape” of a murder. THE PULSE loves this series.
Of course, Jess knows this is not her, but when the video goes viral, she has to prove her innocence. With AI these days, we see things everywhere and have to wonder what is true. Scary times, for sure.
Whom can she trust to help her prove her innocence? Why are people so quick to judge a video, not knowing the whole story?
This story is fast-paced and McDonald has created a character I love. I highly recommend others in this series, These Still Black Waters, What Lies in Darkness and The Stranger at Black Lake.
April 10, 2026
Detective Jess Lambert is one of my most favorite characters since reading book one in this series and book three definitely did not disappoint.. This was absolutely tense, a race against time and fighting to prove innocence.. But also very emotional and hits you hard.. A must read along with the first two books in this series..
Review of advance copy received from Author
(4.5/5)
So excited to be part of ThrillerBookLovers The Pulse to get an early look at All The Lies We See. Thanks to Christina McDonald for inviting us in this book tour. This is Book 3 in the Jess Lambert thrillers, and as with the others, it did not disappoint! I love a good thriller series! This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly suggest reading the previous books.
Jess is impatiently awaiting the trial of the woman who caused the accident that killed her daughter. She wakes in an unsavory hotel room with no memory off how she got there. The next thing she knows, a video of her shooting a woman in cold blood is going viral. As her department closes in, she runs to figure out who is framing her. With all the evidence building against her and another video surfaces, she finds herself at a race against time.
I fell in love with Jess from the beginning. She’s tough, a no nonsense detective who has had more than her share of tragedy. This book had my heart pounding from the beginning and didn’t let up. The videos will have you questioning everything. This book is filled with flawed, realistic characters that will keep you turning the pages to see how her story ends. The paranormal aspects are my favorite. I’m not sure if there will be a Book 4, but if there is, sign me up! There was an alternate ending provided, one I think I might actually prefer.
This is my honest opinion.
So excited to be part of ThrillerBookLovers The Pulse to get an early look at All The Lies We See. Thanks to Christina McDonald for inviting us in this book tour. This is Book 3 in the Jess Lambert thrillers, and as with the others, it did not disappoint! I love a good thriller series! This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I highly suggest reading the previous books.
Jess is impatiently awaiting the trial of the woman who caused the accident that killed her daughter. She wakes in an unsavory hotel room with no memory off how she got there. The next thing she knows, a video of her shooting a woman in cold blood is going viral. As her department closes in, she runs to figure out who is framing her. With all the evidence building against her and another video surfaces, she finds herself at a race against time.
I fell in love with Jess from the beginning. She’s tough, a no nonsense detective who has had more than her share of tragedy. This book had my heart pounding from the beginning and didn’t let up. The videos will have you questioning everything. This book is filled with flawed, realistic characters that will keep you turning the pages to see how her story ends. The paranormal aspects are my favorite. I’m not sure if there will be a Book 4, but if there is, sign me up! There was an alternate ending provided, one I think I might actually prefer.
This is my honest opinion.
April 17, 2026
Jess Lambert is back to for the third/fourth book in the series (there is a prequel). This book is more personal than her others because Jess is the suspect. Isla, her daughter whose ghost she sees, is a unique part of the story. The fact that Jess can see ghosts at all is unique. I enjoyed this story and watching Jess fight her inner demons. This is a great crime novel with a lot of character focus.
April 8, 2026
My spoiler free review of All The Lies We See by Christina McDonald coming out July 7th
Thank you so much #thrillerbookloversthepulse and #christinamac9 for the opportunity to read this book.
This is a solid 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the 3rd book in the Jess Lambert series. I fell in love with Jess right away in the first book These Still Black Waters. Jess has suffered an immeasurable loss, her daughter Isla. She is trying to move past it by taking on other cases. Now, the trial is upon her of the woman who killed her daughter. She has waited for justice to be served. But as the trial gets closer, a video surfaces of her shooting the woman who killed her daughter. An expert took a look at the video and is certain it is AI. But more things keep happening that try to debunk that theory. Jess has no choice but to run so give her time to prove her innocence. Maybe it’s the stress of the trial, maybe it’s the visions of seeing her daughter and her daughter trying to tell her something that makes her start to question herself. Is someone setting her up or is there something else happening. This was such a fast paced and gripping read. I knew I would enjoy it because I loved the first two books, but I was blown away. This is one of the best series I read in a long time. You can read it as a standalone, but it’s so much better when you read the first two. This is going to be the must read of the summer!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the arc to read and review.
I'd like to start off by saying that these books deal with grief in such a real and emotional way. I suffered an unexpected death/tragedy last summer, so I can say that some of the emotions, questions, feelings, guilt, -everything- are things that I've felt and had to deal with and work on overcoming to get the 'otherside'. It was hard to read in a way, but also nice because I'm not alone - even if this is a fiction - people deal with these things all the time. There were many quotes that I highlighted that resonated with me, which I'll add once the book is published.
Now, for the book as a whole. Well written as always, flows well, solid character development, entertaining, the internal and external struggles are relatable. This book focuses on AI, which is quickly taking over, and it shows how that can change police work, social media an overall perception.
I'm not sure if this is the final installment, but if it is - it is a solid ending. I really enjoyed this book.
I'd like to start off by saying that these books deal with grief in such a real and emotional way. I suffered an unexpected death/tragedy last summer, so I can say that some of the emotions, questions, feelings, guilt, -everything- are things that I've felt and had to deal with and work on overcoming to get the 'otherside'. It was hard to read in a way, but also nice because I'm not alone - even if this is a fiction - people deal with these things all the time. There were many quotes that I highlighted that resonated with me, which I'll add once the book is published.
Now, for the book as a whole. Well written as always, flows well, solid character development, entertaining, the internal and external struggles are relatable. This book focuses on AI, which is quickly taking over, and it shows how that can change police work, social media an overall perception.
I'm not sure if this is the final installment, but if it is - it is a solid ending. I really enjoyed this book.
April 7, 2026
Thank you @thrillerbookloversthepulse and the author #partner for the gifted copy.
This series is a favorite of mine, so I was excited to learn about book three! I love Jess Lambert. She’s one of my favorite characters. She’s a strong female lead who toes the line while trying to do what’s right in the name of justice.
In book three, Jess is hopeful that the woman responsible for her daughter Isla’s death will finally be put away. However, Jess finds herself in a hotel room with no memory of what happened. She quickly learns that she’s being framed for murder. It all centers around AI-generated videos and a woman desperate to avoid serving time.
This book was everything I expected action-packed, fast-paced, yet emotional. There’s a lot to unpack, but it’s not one you’ll want to miss!
This series is a favorite of mine, so I was excited to learn about book three! I love Jess Lambert. She’s one of my favorite characters. She’s a strong female lead who toes the line while trying to do what’s right in the name of justice.
In book three, Jess is hopeful that the woman responsible for her daughter Isla’s death will finally be put away. However, Jess finds herself in a hotel room with no memory of what happened. She quickly learns that she’s being framed for murder. It all centers around AI-generated videos and a woman desperate to avoid serving time.
This book was everything I expected action-packed, fast-paced, yet emotional. There’s a lot to unpack, but it’s not one you’ll want to miss!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
FAN-FAVORITE DETECTIVE RETURNS
"Jess Lambert takes on her most vulnerable, high-stakes manhunt yet."
Christina McDonald makes a triumphant return with the highly anticipated conclusion to her beloved Detective Jess Lambert series in the gripping finale, ALL THE LIES WE SEE. Renowned for her ability to craft emotionally charged, heart-pounding domestic suspense, McDonald showcases her mastery in this exhilarating installment.
As the third full-length book in the Jess Lambert series—fourth if you count the captivating novella prequel—this narrative deftly weaves together all the unresolved threads and tensions, providing readers with a deeply satisfying and impactful conclusion that will leave you breathless.
Elevator Pitch: Waking up in a seedy motel with a viral video framing her for murder, a grieving detective must flee her own department and use a buried cold case to hunt down the person weaponizing her past.
Intro: This third installment in the phenomenal Detective Jess Lambert series handles the terrifying reality of deepfake AI paranoia with devastatingly addictive precision.
Her Daughter: The tragedy surrounding Jess’s daughter, Isla Lambert, forms the emotional core of the entire mystery. Isla died in a horrific car accident before the events of the series. The vehicle that struck Isla’s car was driven by a woman who was subsequently arrested and charged. The final book opens just days before this woman is set to go to trial for Isla's death.
The Cold Case Connection: Immediately after Isla died, a grief-stricken Jess abandoned an ongoing, unsolved investigation she had been working on. Could it be connected?
Vibe: A high-tech nightmare crashing headfirst into an old-school noir cold case. It gives off heavy "running on pure adrenaline and grief" energy—combining the claustrophobic panic of being hunted by your own team with the haunting, gritty determination of a mother seeking justice.
DIGITAL DEEPFAKES & DEADLY FRAMES
"When public opinion prefers the lie, the truth becomes irrelevant."
Expect high stakes, brilliant tropes, and emotional depth!
Pacing: ⏱️ Relentless, breakneck speed from the opening chapter that never allows you to catch your breath.
Setting: The dark, rainy, atmospheric backdrop of a Pacific Northwest department under pressure.
Genre: Psychological Suspense / High-Tech Domestic Thriller / Police Procedural.
Themes: The terrifying weaponization of digital media, generational grief, trusting your intuition against overwhelming visual proof, and the corruptive weight of buried secrets.
Standout Character: Detective Jess Lambert, holding the entire chaotic story together on absolute fumes while still reeling from her daughter's tragic death.
Author Writing Standout: McDonald is a master of building deep, empathetic connections to broken characters. She takes the viral, high-concept fear of AI framing and masterfully roots it in human, emotional trauma.
Takeaway: When a digital lie goes viral, the truth becomes the hardest thing in the world to prove.
Title Significance: ALL THE LIES WE SEE underscores the overarching conflict of the plot—the terrifying realization that sight can be manipulated, forcing Jess to hunt for hidden truths beyond the visual frame.
Why You Should Read: It shatters the typical procedural formula by throwing its brilliant investigator completely off the grid, demanding she dissect her own psychological blind spots to clear her name.
A PEAK SERIES MOMENT
A super fan, celebrating 7 years of reading Christina McDonald’s finest, starting with her debut (2019), The Night Olivia Fell. She just keeps getting better, if that is possible.
My Thoughts:
Having proudly read every masterpiece in Christina McDonald's spectacular catalog over the last 12 years of my blog, this entry shows an author at the absolute peak of her powers. It beautifully builds on the dark foundations of These Still Black Waters and What Lies in Darkness, pushing Jess into absolute chaos mode from the first line. The integration of cutting-edge tech paranoia alongside McDonald's signature, spine-tingling paranormal undercurrents makes this standalone-accessible puzzle a total standout. It's twisted, unpredictable, and cements Jess as my all-time favorite detective.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars)
—"A tour de force in modern tech-suspense that will leave your heart pounding."
Series: While you can read this as a standalone, I would highly recommend starting with the novella prequel, The Stranger At Black Lake, These Still Black Waters, What Lies in Darkness, and the finale, All The Lies We See in this order. You do not want to miss a thing! While you are at it, I highly recommend her entire backlist.
Recs: Perfect for fans of Christina McDonald, and authors Lisa Gardner, Samantha Downing, Lisa Unger, Karin Slaughter, or anyone obsessed with high-stakes, breathless manhunt thrillers.
LitLiftMiniAuthorChat: Stay tuned for my July featured #LitLiftMiniAuthorChat (with new rapid fire fun questions) about the book & author coming July 7, pub day. (my blog)
Many thanks to Intrigue Ink Publishing and Netgalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted at
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
July Featured #LitLiftMiniAuthorChat
July 2026 Must-Read Books
"Jess Lambert takes on her most vulnerable, high-stakes manhunt yet."
Christina McDonald makes a triumphant return with the highly anticipated conclusion to her beloved Detective Jess Lambert series in the gripping finale, ALL THE LIES WE SEE. Renowned for her ability to craft emotionally charged, heart-pounding domestic suspense, McDonald showcases her mastery in this exhilarating installment.
As the third full-length book in the Jess Lambert series—fourth if you count the captivating novella prequel—this narrative deftly weaves together all the unresolved threads and tensions, providing readers with a deeply satisfying and impactful conclusion that will leave you breathless.
Elevator Pitch: Waking up in a seedy motel with a viral video framing her for murder, a grieving detective must flee her own department and use a buried cold case to hunt down the person weaponizing her past.
Intro: This third installment in the phenomenal Detective Jess Lambert series handles the terrifying reality of deepfake AI paranoia with devastatingly addictive precision.
Her Daughter: The tragedy surrounding Jess’s daughter, Isla Lambert, forms the emotional core of the entire mystery. Isla died in a horrific car accident before the events of the series. The vehicle that struck Isla’s car was driven by a woman who was subsequently arrested and charged. The final book opens just days before this woman is set to go to trial for Isla's death.
The Cold Case Connection: Immediately after Isla died, a grief-stricken Jess abandoned an ongoing, unsolved investigation she had been working on. Could it be connected?
Vibe: A high-tech nightmare crashing headfirst into an old-school noir cold case. It gives off heavy "running on pure adrenaline and grief" energy—combining the claustrophobic panic of being hunted by your own team with the haunting, gritty determination of a mother seeking justice.
DIGITAL DEEPFAKES & DEADLY FRAMES
"When public opinion prefers the lie, the truth becomes irrelevant."
The Vibe Check
📱 Modern AI/deepfake framing & viral video plots.
🚔 Complex, beautifully flawed detective on the run.
👻 Dark, psychological thrills mixed with a lingering touch of the paranormal.
🌲 Gritty, secrets-filled Pacific Northwest police thrillers.
Expect high stakes, brilliant tropes, and emotional depth!
Pacing: ⏱️ Relentless, breakneck speed from the opening chapter that never allows you to catch your breath.
Setting: The dark, rainy, atmospheric backdrop of a Pacific Northwest department under pressure.
Genre: Psychological Suspense / High-Tech Domestic Thriller / Police Procedural.
Themes: The terrifying weaponization of digital media, generational grief, trusting your intuition against overwhelming visual proof, and the corruptive weight of buried secrets.
Standout Character: Detective Jess Lambert, holding the entire chaotic story together on absolute fumes while still reeling from her daughter's tragic death.
Author Writing Standout: McDonald is a master of building deep, empathetic connections to broken characters. She takes the viral, high-concept fear of AI framing and masterfully roots it in human, emotional trauma.
Takeaway: When a digital lie goes viral, the truth becomes the hardest thing in the world to prove.
Title Significance: ALL THE LIES WE SEE underscores the overarching conflict of the plot—the terrifying realization that sight can be manipulated, forcing Jess to hunt for hidden truths beyond the visual frame.
Why You Should Read: It shatters the typical procedural formula by throwing its brilliant investigator completely off the grid, demanding she dissect her own psychological blind spots to clear her name.
A PEAK SERIES MOMENT
A super fan, celebrating 7 years of reading Christina McDonald’s finest, starting with her debut (2019), The Night Olivia Fell. She just keeps getting better, if that is possible.
My Thoughts:
Having proudly read every masterpiece in Christina McDonald's spectacular catalog over the last 12 years of my blog, this entry shows an author at the absolute peak of her powers. It beautifully builds on the dark foundations of These Still Black Waters and What Lies in Darkness, pushing Jess into absolute chaos mode from the first line. The integration of cutting-edge tech paranoia alongside McDonald's signature, spine-tingling paranormal undercurrents makes this standalone-accessible puzzle a total standout. It's twisted, unpredictable, and cements Jess as my all-time favorite detective.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars)
—"A tour de force in modern tech-suspense that will leave your heart pounding."
Series: While you can read this as a standalone, I would highly recommend starting with the novella prequel, The Stranger At Black Lake, These Still Black Waters, What Lies in Darkness, and the finale, All The Lies We See in this order. You do not want to miss a thing! While you are at it, I highly recommend her entire backlist.
Recs: Perfect for fans of Christina McDonald, and authors Lisa Gardner, Samantha Downing, Lisa Unger, Karin Slaughter, or anyone obsessed with high-stakes, breathless manhunt thrillers.
LitLiftMiniAuthorChat: Stay tuned for my July featured #LitLiftMiniAuthorChat (with new rapid fire fun questions) about the book & author coming July 7, pub day. (my blog)
Many thanks to Intrigue Ink Publishing and Netgalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Blog review posted at
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
July Featured #LitLiftMiniAuthorChat
July 2026 Must-Read Books
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: All the Lies we See
Series: Jess Lambert #3
Author: Christina McDonald
Publisher: Intrigue Ink Publishing
Genre: Thriller
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
My Rating: 4.3 stars
Pages: 350
This is my fifth Christina McDonald novel. I totally loved the first three I read and became a fan! My fourth was a Jess Lambert and it was good but. . .. ..
My comment was ~ Story read like a Karin Slaughter story-In that Ms. Slaughter likes to put readers “out of their comfort zone”.
Although I was glued to the story, I admit I was definitely ‘out of my comfort zone’!
So had mixed feelings going into this story.
This story starts with Detective Jess Lambert and her lawyer husband Mac are trying to adjust to the death if their daughter and wanting justice. They are impatiently awaiting the trial of the woman who really caused the accident that killed her daughter
In the earlier book I wrote~
Detective Jess Lambert has a past that is haunting her. Their eight year-old daughter Isla died in a car accident that was caused when a deer darted out in front of her car. Jess is still suffering from her injuries as well as the death of her daughter.
We know Jess had a lot of trauma after Isla’s death with drinking and spiraling downhill. In this story we are days away from the trial of the woman accused of killing her daughter, Isla. Jess wants the woman responsible to be found guilty and to be put away. However, when she wakes up in a seedy hotel room with no memory of how she got there. On her phone is a viral video showing Jess calmly shooting that woman.
When the video spreads her department has choices. An expert is certain it is AI. However, her department is not so sure. Jess has no choice but to run as she needs time to prove her innocence.
She knows someone has engineered her downfall and is desperate to clear her name.
She follows the only lead she has—an unsolved case she abandoned after her daughter died that now holds the key to who set her up.
We have hints of that abandoned case in Chapter one – which had me a bit confused. as to what this story was really going on in this story. It featured the spirit of teacher Cecilia Cece Harte who died two years ago but cannot rest in peace. She is observing the ruling from the Massachusetts Supreme Court’s ruling that she died by suicide when she jumped Angel Falls shortly after she finally was able to escape her captivity.
Cecilia’s ghost knows truth is still buried.
Yes the hints were correct ~ what happened to Cece does come to play as to what is happening to Jess.
Wow! This was one of those stories that had me reading super-fast and then stop and say – Wait what did I just read? Then I would reread.
Story was emotional, also the paranormal aspects weren’t expecting however I am fine with paranormal stories and definitely added to this story!
At the end Ms. McDonald tells us that when she first wrote this story it had a different ending with a different decision. She kept the alternate ending exclusively for her book club. She does give us the info on joining the book club.
I want to thank NetGalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing for this intriguing early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 7, 2026.
Series: Jess Lambert #3
Author: Christina McDonald
Publisher: Intrigue Ink Publishing
Genre: Thriller
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
My Rating: 4.3 stars
Pages: 350
This is my fifth Christina McDonald novel. I totally loved the first three I read and became a fan! My fourth was a Jess Lambert and it was good but. . .. ..
My comment was ~ Story read like a Karin Slaughter story-In that Ms. Slaughter likes to put readers “out of their comfort zone”.
Although I was glued to the story, I admit I was definitely ‘out of my comfort zone’!
So had mixed feelings going into this story.
This story starts with Detective Jess Lambert and her lawyer husband Mac are trying to adjust to the death if their daughter and wanting justice. They are impatiently awaiting the trial of the woman who really caused the accident that killed her daughter
In the earlier book I wrote~
Detective Jess Lambert has a past that is haunting her. Their eight year-old daughter Isla died in a car accident that was caused when a deer darted out in front of her car. Jess is still suffering from her injuries as well as the death of her daughter.
We know Jess had a lot of trauma after Isla’s death with drinking and spiraling downhill. In this story we are days away from the trial of the woman accused of killing her daughter, Isla. Jess wants the woman responsible to be found guilty and to be put away. However, when she wakes up in a seedy hotel room with no memory of how she got there. On her phone is a viral video showing Jess calmly shooting that woman.
When the video spreads her department has choices. An expert is certain it is AI. However, her department is not so sure. Jess has no choice but to run as she needs time to prove her innocence.
She knows someone has engineered her downfall and is desperate to clear her name.
She follows the only lead she has—an unsolved case she abandoned after her daughter died that now holds the key to who set her up.
We have hints of that abandoned case in Chapter one – which had me a bit confused. as to what this story was really going on in this story. It featured the spirit of teacher Cecilia Cece Harte who died two years ago but cannot rest in peace. She is observing the ruling from the Massachusetts Supreme Court’s ruling that she died by suicide when she jumped Angel Falls shortly after she finally was able to escape her captivity.
Cecilia’s ghost knows truth is still buried.
Yes the hints were correct ~ what happened to Cece does come to play as to what is happening to Jess.
Wow! This was one of those stories that had me reading super-fast and then stop and say – Wait what did I just read? Then I would reread.
Story was emotional, also the paranormal aspects weren’t expecting however I am fine with paranormal stories and definitely added to this story!
At the end Ms. McDonald tells us that when she first wrote this story it had a different ending with a different decision. She kept the alternate ending exclusively for her book club. She does give us the info on joining the book club.
I want to thank NetGalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing for this intriguing early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 7, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝑰𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍, 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍, 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆…𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉…𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒕.
Detective Jess Lambert is already living in the aftermath of the worst thing that could ever happen to a parent. She’s counting down the days to the trial of the woman accused of killing her daughter Isla when her world fractures all over again. She wakes up in a seedy hotel room with no memory of how she got there. Her phone holds the proof of something she cannot explain, a viral video of herself calmly committing murder. In a matter of hours, she loses her career, her credibility, and whatever fragile stability she had left. With her own department closing in, Jess runs. The only way forward is through a case she abandoned in her grief, a thread buried in the past that now feels like her only chance at survival. But the deeper she goes, the more it becomes clear that this is not just about what happened. It is about who gets to decide what is real.
I have been invested in this vulnerable character since book one, and this one hurt in a way I was not prepared for. The AI element at the core of this book is terrifying, not in a distant, speculative way, but in a way that feels immediate and already creeping into our lives. But what wrecked me was the grief Jess carries for Isla, grief that has not softened with time. This is a woman still carrying her daughter in every decision she makes, still trying to exist in a world that kept moving without her permission. There were moments I had to stop reading because Jess’s thoughts hit too close, demanding space I wasn’t ready to give. The loss, the guilt, the quiet, relentless question of how you keep going when part of you is gone…it’s all here, and it burns with a quiet ferocity.
One part of this story is the understanding that the most dangerous thing is not the lie itself, but how easily people accept it. Truth becomes negotiable, something that can be reshaped until it no longer resembles itself. Watching Jess fight not just to clear her name but to hold on to reality itself felt suffocating at times. The other part of this story understands that refusing to let go doesn’t actually keep us close to what we’ve lost; it just keeps us trapped in the moment we lost it. It reminds us that grief is also about what we do with what’s left, and how refusing to let go can prevent from ever stepping into what comes next. By the end, I wasn’t thinking about twists or reveals. I was thinking about how easily everything we trust could be taken from us, rewritten, or flat-out erased. Despite all that, Jess still gets to decide how her story ends. So many thanks to the author for letting me read this so early. Look for this one July 7, 2026.
Detective Jess Lambert is already living in the aftermath of the worst thing that could ever happen to a parent. She’s counting down the days to the trial of the woman accused of killing her daughter Isla when her world fractures all over again. She wakes up in a seedy hotel room with no memory of how she got there. Her phone holds the proof of something she cannot explain, a viral video of herself calmly committing murder. In a matter of hours, she loses her career, her credibility, and whatever fragile stability she had left. With her own department closing in, Jess runs. The only way forward is through a case she abandoned in her grief, a thread buried in the past that now feels like her only chance at survival. But the deeper she goes, the more it becomes clear that this is not just about what happened. It is about who gets to decide what is real.
I have been invested in this vulnerable character since book one, and this one hurt in a way I was not prepared for. The AI element at the core of this book is terrifying, not in a distant, speculative way, but in a way that feels immediate and already creeping into our lives. But what wrecked me was the grief Jess carries for Isla, grief that has not softened with time. This is a woman still carrying her daughter in every decision she makes, still trying to exist in a world that kept moving without her permission. There were moments I had to stop reading because Jess’s thoughts hit too close, demanding space I wasn’t ready to give. The loss, the guilt, the quiet, relentless question of how you keep going when part of you is gone…it’s all here, and it burns with a quiet ferocity.
One part of this story is the understanding that the most dangerous thing is not the lie itself, but how easily people accept it. Truth becomes negotiable, something that can be reshaped until it no longer resembles itself. Watching Jess fight not just to clear her name but to hold on to reality itself felt suffocating at times. The other part of this story understands that refusing to let go doesn’t actually keep us close to what we’ve lost; it just keeps us trapped in the moment we lost it. It reminds us that grief is also about what we do with what’s left, and how refusing to let go can prevent from ever stepping into what comes next. By the end, I wasn’t thinking about twists or reveals. I was thinking about how easily everything we trust could be taken from us, rewritten, or flat-out erased. Despite all that, Jess still gets to decide how her story ends. So many thanks to the author for letting me read this so early. Look for this one July 7, 2026.
Review of advance copy
Massive thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse and the author for inviting me to be a part of this book tour and for the gifted e-ARC...this is my honest review.
📱All The Lies We See📱
Author: Christina McDonald
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(All the stars actually)
When I found out there was a new book coming in the Jess Lambert series - from one of my favorite authors Christina McDonald - I literally cheered. When I found out Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse was getting an exclusive invite for the book tour, I cheered again. And when I received the copy of the e-ARC in my email, I cheered once more -- and then immediately downloaded it and began reading.
I love McDonald's writing, and as is typical with every one of her books, I was immediately pulled into the storyline from the very first sentence. This was a fast-paced, one-sitting read, with a consistently foreboding feeling of a race against time in both of the suspenseful storylines within these pages. I literally didn't want to stop reading! The story was told through the dual POVs of Jess and Cecilia in short, alternating chapters, and I loved the duality of their voices as these mysteries unfolded. Additionally, there is a relevance to one of these storylines that is SO timely and utterly terrifying (But no spoilers here)!
And oh, how I've missed the character of Jess Lambert! There is an authenticity that McDonald brings to Jess's character in each and every one of the books in this series. For me, reading this book was like getting together with an old friend I hadn't seen in a while and whom I missed dearly. See, Jess Lambert is a character with whom I've always felt a strong connection. Her grief about losing her daughter resonated so significantly with me, and the way McDonald writes about that grief has always pulled my heartstrings and made me feel so understood.
I'm sure it's abundantly clear with this review, but I am screaming from the rooftops for you to read this book when it comes out in July. And don't fret -- before that, you can dive into the series by reading the previous three books so you can better understand why it is that I can't stop raving about this series to anyone who will listen!
This book (and this series) is perfect for fans of badass female detectives, police procedurals, character-driven storylines, and suspenseful mysteries that will have you searching for breadcrumbs down every path. Can you read it as a standalone? Sure can. But honestly, do you want to miss the other 3 books in the series? Sure don't. Christina McDonald, welcome back -- and thanks for bringing another brilliant Jess Lambert book with you. This gets all my stars. Every one of them. ❤️
#AllTheLiesWeSee #ChristinaMcDonald #thrillerbookloversthepulse #gifted #thrillerlovers #thrillerreads #JessLambertSeries #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
📱All The Lies We See📱
Author: Christina McDonald
Pub Date: July 7, 2026
MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(All the stars actually)
When I found out there was a new book coming in the Jess Lambert series - from one of my favorite authors Christina McDonald - I literally cheered. When I found out Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse was getting an exclusive invite for the book tour, I cheered again. And when I received the copy of the e-ARC in my email, I cheered once more -- and then immediately downloaded it and began reading.
I love McDonald's writing, and as is typical with every one of her books, I was immediately pulled into the storyline from the very first sentence. This was a fast-paced, one-sitting read, with a consistently foreboding feeling of a race against time in both of the suspenseful storylines within these pages. I literally didn't want to stop reading! The story was told through the dual POVs of Jess and Cecilia in short, alternating chapters, and I loved the duality of their voices as these mysteries unfolded. Additionally, there is a relevance to one of these storylines that is SO timely and utterly terrifying (But no spoilers here)!
And oh, how I've missed the character of Jess Lambert! There is an authenticity that McDonald brings to Jess's character in each and every one of the books in this series. For me, reading this book was like getting together with an old friend I hadn't seen in a while and whom I missed dearly. See, Jess Lambert is a character with whom I've always felt a strong connection. Her grief about losing her daughter resonated so significantly with me, and the way McDonald writes about that grief has always pulled my heartstrings and made me feel so understood.
I'm sure it's abundantly clear with this review, but I am screaming from the rooftops for you to read this book when it comes out in July. And don't fret -- before that, you can dive into the series by reading the previous three books so you can better understand why it is that I can't stop raving about this series to anyone who will listen!
This book (and this series) is perfect for fans of badass female detectives, police procedurals, character-driven storylines, and suspenseful mysteries that will have you searching for breadcrumbs down every path. Can you read it as a standalone? Sure can. But honestly, do you want to miss the other 3 books in the series? Sure don't. Christina McDonald, welcome back -- and thanks for bringing another brilliant Jess Lambert book with you. This gets all my stars. Every one of them. ❤️
#AllTheLiesWeSee #ChristinaMcDonald #thrillerbookloversthepulse #gifted #thrillerlovers #thrillerreads #JessLambertSeries #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After reading the previous two books in the Jess Lambert series, I could not wait to read this book. Detective Jess Lambert is a character that I resonate with (as I can feel her leg pain through the pages), I feel compassion for her as she lost her daughter, and I love the fact that she can communicate with the afterlife.
This story starts off with Jess Lambert hearing news that the woman who is responsible for killing her daughter will be entering a plea deal, and will only serve a little time in jail. Next thing, Jess is waking up in a seedy motel room, and she has no recollection as to how she got there. She fears she must have been drugged the night before. But by who? And why?
As if things couldn’t get any worse, Jess is going viral on social media for murdering the woman who is accused of killing her daughter. Jess has no recollection of this crime, and she knows she is not capable of murder- no matter how bad she wants revenge. Jess has to get to the bottom of this mess! Who drugged her? And who is making these false and malicious videos?
Through this story we get alternating chapters between Jess and Cecilia. Cecilia (CeCe), is a dead woman who was previously kidnapped, released, and then murdered. However, everyone thinks that CeCe committed suicide. Can Jess Lambert bring this woman closure? And how do their two stories tie together?
I must say that I’m definitely not a fan of AI after reading this story. It’s scary how artificial intelligence in the hands of the wrong people can destroy somebody’s life. I will also say that I really enjoyed the beginning of this story, but then it slowly began to get repetitive. I also feel like there were some loose ends that were left open, and I had to suspend my disbelief a bit.
All in all, this was a good book. I would recommend the first two books in this series first (which I did enjoy a tad bit more), to get a better understanding of Jess Lambert and her daughter. However, you could still read this as a standalone, and not be lost.
(3.5 stars ⭐️)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Intrigue Ink Publishing, and the author for an early digital review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: July 7, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (adult)
This story starts off with Jess Lambert hearing news that the woman who is responsible for killing her daughter will be entering a plea deal, and will only serve a little time in jail. Next thing, Jess is waking up in a seedy motel room, and she has no recollection as to how she got there. She fears she must have been drugged the night before. But by who? And why?
As if things couldn’t get any worse, Jess is going viral on social media for murdering the woman who is accused of killing her daughter. Jess has no recollection of this crime, and she knows she is not capable of murder- no matter how bad she wants revenge. Jess has to get to the bottom of this mess! Who drugged her? And who is making these false and malicious videos?
Through this story we get alternating chapters between Jess and Cecilia. Cecilia (CeCe), is a dead woman who was previously kidnapped, released, and then murdered. However, everyone thinks that CeCe committed suicide. Can Jess Lambert bring this woman closure? And how do their two stories tie together?
I must say that I’m definitely not a fan of AI after reading this story. It’s scary how artificial intelligence in the hands of the wrong people can destroy somebody’s life. I will also say that I really enjoyed the beginning of this story, but then it slowly began to get repetitive. I also feel like there were some loose ends that were left open, and I had to suspend my disbelief a bit.
All in all, this was a good book. I would recommend the first two books in this series first (which I did enjoy a tad bit more), to get a better understanding of Jess Lambert and her daughter. However, you could still read this as a standalone, and not be lost.
(3.5 stars ⭐️)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Intrigue Ink Publishing, and the author for an early digital review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: July 7, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (adult)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another favorite of ours at Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse is Christina McDonald, so I jumped at the chance to read her upcoming new thriller!
Detective Jess Lambert is days away from the trial of the woman accused of killing her daughter when she wakes in a seedy hotel room with no memory of how she got there. On her phone is a viral video showing Jess calmly shooting the woman in cold blood.
As the footage spreads and her own department closes in, Jess has no choice but to run. Someone has engineered her downfall, and the only way to survive is to uncover who’s turning her past into a weapon. Desperate to clear her name, she follows the only lead she has, an unsolved case she abandoned after her daughter died that now holds the key to who set her up.
But the closer Jess gets to the truth, the more she realizes it may not be enough. Because when people prefer the lie, even reality becomes irrelevant….
This is the third book in the Jess Lambert series. It helps to read the others first, but you can still enjoy it as a standalone. I love that Jess is a strong female character who has been through so much but doesn’t give up. This is a fast paced story as she races against time to figure out who is setting her up before they hurt anyone else, especially those she loves most. There are definitely clues throughout about who was behind the set up and it really made me trust no one! I thought the viral videos were a clever twist. It definitely makes you think about how technology can be manipulated today and how people really do believe what they see, whether it is true or not. I haven’t read many books that have a paranormal theme, but it added something different to the story and I really enjoyed it! I’m not sure if there will be another book in this series, but I will be looking out for or more books by Christina McDonald in the future!
Thank you to Christina McDonald for this advance reader copy!
Detective Jess Lambert is days away from the trial of the woman accused of killing her daughter when she wakes in a seedy hotel room with no memory of how she got there. On her phone is a viral video showing Jess calmly shooting the woman in cold blood.
As the footage spreads and her own department closes in, Jess has no choice but to run. Someone has engineered her downfall, and the only way to survive is to uncover who’s turning her past into a weapon. Desperate to clear her name, she follows the only lead she has, an unsolved case she abandoned after her daughter died that now holds the key to who set her up.
But the closer Jess gets to the truth, the more she realizes it may not be enough. Because when people prefer the lie, even reality becomes irrelevant….
This is the third book in the Jess Lambert series. It helps to read the others first, but you can still enjoy it as a standalone. I love that Jess is a strong female character who has been through so much but doesn’t give up. This is a fast paced story as she races against time to figure out who is setting her up before they hurt anyone else, especially those she loves most. There are definitely clues throughout about who was behind the set up and it really made me trust no one! I thought the viral videos were a clever twist. It definitely makes you think about how technology can be manipulated today and how people really do believe what they see, whether it is true or not. I haven’t read many books that have a paranormal theme, but it added something different to the story and I really enjoyed it! I’m not sure if there will be another book in this series, but I will be looking out for or more books by Christina McDonald in the future!
Thank you to Christina McDonald for this advance reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Christina MacDonald and Intriue Ink Publishing for this exclusive early review copy! The Jess Lambert series is one of our very favorites at The Pulse!
“The truth doesn't matter because people don’t care about it. They believe what they want to believe, even if it’s a lie. And hen people prefer the lie, truth - and reality - are irrelevant. People judge based on what they see, not what they know. ..”
The third book in this series (technically fourth since there is a novella also), it definitely helps to read the prior books before jumping into this one. Detective Jess Lambert is days from the trial of the woman who killed her daughter when she wakes up in a hotel with no memory of how she got there. Even more chilling..there is a video of Jess murdering the woman in cold blood. As soon as the video gets out, Jess is forced to run - because no matter what the truth is, people believe what they want…
When I try to summarize this story, I keep coming back to the word bittersweet. Jess has gone through so much - is still going through so much - and is holding onto her daughter Isla. While there is a new mystery to solve, she also has to come to terms with letting go. The story was also tense throughout, as Jess tried to prove her innocence when there was video “proof” of her doing the unthinkable. The idea of an AI video showing something that entirely didn’t happen is terrifying, and I was invested at how things unravelled to show the actual truth. The ending was beautiful in its own way, and almost felt like wrapping things up - but I do hope there is more!
“All the Lies We See” releases July 7, 2026! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
“The truth doesn't matter because people don’t care about it. They believe what they want to believe, even if it’s a lie. And hen people prefer the lie, truth - and reality - are irrelevant. People judge based on what they see, not what they know. ..”
The third book in this series (technically fourth since there is a novella also), it definitely helps to read the prior books before jumping into this one. Detective Jess Lambert is days from the trial of the woman who killed her daughter when she wakes up in a hotel with no memory of how she got there. Even more chilling..there is a video of Jess murdering the woman in cold blood. As soon as the video gets out, Jess is forced to run - because no matter what the truth is, people believe what they want…
When I try to summarize this story, I keep coming back to the word bittersweet. Jess has gone through so much - is still going through so much - and is holding onto her daughter Isla. While there is a new mystery to solve, she also has to come to terms with letting go. The story was also tense throughout, as Jess tried to prove her innocence when there was video “proof” of her doing the unthinkable. The idea of an AI video showing something that entirely didn’t happen is terrifying, and I was invested at how things unravelled to show the actual truth. The ending was beautiful in its own way, and almost felt like wrapping things up - but I do hope there is more!
“All the Lies We See” releases July 7, 2026! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Detective Jess Lambert is already spiraling in grief, still reeling from her daughter's death. But just as the woman who ruined her life is about to go on trial, Jess wakes up in a grimy hotel room with no memory of how she got there. And then comes a surprise: a viral video is circulating, showing herself calmly committing murder. Now the entire world thinks she's guilty. Her department is closing in. And the truth? It's buried somewhere in a past she tried to escape. To survive, Jess has to go back to an old abandoned case, the one she left behind when her world shattered. But the deeper she digs, the more it becomes clear this isn't just a setup... it's personal. And in a world where people believe what they see online, truth might not matter at all.
At this point, I'm officially ride or die for the Jess Lambert series! Every book just pulls me deeper into Jess's world and somehow the stakes keep getting higher! I loved all the previous books and this just cemented the series as one of my favorites! This was absolutely relentless. From the first chapter I was hooked, stressed and fully questioning reality right alongside Jess. What I love most about this series is how raw and human Jess feels. She's not a perfect detective, she's grieving, impulsive and constantly on edge, but that's what makes her story hit so hard. And the twists in this one? I got whiplash in the best way! If you've been following the series, you already know, this is a must read! And if you haven't started it yet, you have plenty of time to start from the beginning!
Thank you so much to both Thriller book lovers The Pulse and Christina McDonald for letting me read an early copy of this must read five star!
At this point, I'm officially ride or die for the Jess Lambert series! Every book just pulls me deeper into Jess's world and somehow the stakes keep getting higher! I loved all the previous books and this just cemented the series as one of my favorites! This was absolutely relentless. From the first chapter I was hooked, stressed and fully questioning reality right alongside Jess. What I love most about this series is how raw and human Jess feels. She's not a perfect detective, she's grieving, impulsive and constantly on edge, but that's what makes her story hit so hard. And the twists in this one? I got whiplash in the best way! If you've been following the series, you already know, this is a must read! And if you haven't started it yet, you have plenty of time to start from the beginning!
Thank you so much to both Thriller book lovers The Pulse and Christina McDonald for letting me read an early copy of this must read five star!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It all began with being drugged and an AI video. Detective Jess Lambert was targeted by the woman responsible for the death of her daughter. For the last three years Jess has been putting criminals away hoping to absolve herself of the guilt she has for losing her daughter.
…
Since finding out about Melanie’s case someone made an AI video of Jess killing someone. Now she’s hiding from the police trying to find Melanie in the hopes she can clear her name. With limited resources and little time Jess and her husband Mac work together to prove her innocence.
…
Jess was working a missing woman case before the accident. The case got turned over to another detective. Cecelia the missing woman needs Detective Jess Lambert’s help solving her case.
…
All The Lies We See is the third book in the Jess Lambert series. Jess is a detective who was injured in a car accident leaving her permanently handicapped. Her daughter visits Jess trying to communicate with her about another woman.
…
Christina McDonald brings a paranormal element into her thriller. When a woman was found dead the ME stated cause of death was suicide, but it wasn’t. Jess has this sixth sense seeing ghosts. Detective Jess Lambert is on the good side of the law solving cases and putting criminals behind bars. She never expected to become a suspect where she had to solve her own case to prevent from getting put behind bars for crimes she didn’t commit eventhough the evidence is damaging to her reputation as a cop. Everything we see is not real sometimes we need to look deeper to see what is hidden.
…
This thriller has a nice steady pace of activity. I enjoyed having Jess on the other side of the action. Afterall she’s still working as a detective.
…
Since finding out about Melanie’s case someone made an AI video of Jess killing someone. Now she’s hiding from the police trying to find Melanie in the hopes she can clear her name. With limited resources and little time Jess and her husband Mac work together to prove her innocence.
…
Jess was working a missing woman case before the accident. The case got turned over to another detective. Cecelia the missing woman needs Detective Jess Lambert’s help solving her case.
…
All The Lies We See is the third book in the Jess Lambert series. Jess is a detective who was injured in a car accident leaving her permanently handicapped. Her daughter visits Jess trying to communicate with her about another woman.
…
Christina McDonald brings a paranormal element into her thriller. When a woman was found dead the ME stated cause of death was suicide, but it wasn’t. Jess has this sixth sense seeing ghosts. Detective Jess Lambert is on the good side of the law solving cases and putting criminals behind bars. She never expected to become a suspect where she had to solve her own case to prevent from getting put behind bars for crimes she didn’t commit eventhough the evidence is damaging to her reputation as a cop. Everything we see is not real sometimes we need to look deeper to see what is hidden.
…
This thriller has a nice steady pace of activity. I enjoyed having Jess on the other side of the action. Afterall she’s still working as a detective.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 rounded up
It's a great book full of twists and turns. Keeps the reader engaged and it is quite the page turning type of a book.
What I liked:
The story and especially Jess's husband. Will never wavered, never gave up on her. On the contrary. Believed in her even when everything else pointed against her.
The action packed story. So many things happening. So many situations that seem without escape till the last moment.
All the other characters but Jess. Her team/work partner, her dad, the new friend Alex and Dani, all amazing people. Smart, courageous, loyal. Simply beautiful.
The ending. I was happy to see this Isla story done.
What I didn't like:
Jess. I am sorry to say this and I am sure I'm an outliner here but I simply dislike her. She is insanely negative, selfish and irregardless how much help and love is downpoured over her, she still thinks it will all come to the worse possible ending. I also got very tired of her being described constantly that she's about to vomit. It was so bad that her constant state, every 5 minutes she felt sick, she felt like throwing up or she was throwing up. Give me a break. Even if she is in the state she is....that was toooooo muuuuchhhh.
I was also veery very tired of milking the same sad story with Isla once again. I got it in the first book, I tolerated in the second book. But I was done with it, so to see that once again this is at the front page for this 3rd instatement was quite a disappointment. Thankfully that is done. So the next book we know that this story is done and over so I am looking forward to that one.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this great book!
It's a great book full of twists and turns. Keeps the reader engaged and it is quite the page turning type of a book.
What I liked:
The story and especially Jess's husband. Will never wavered, never gave up on her. On the contrary. Believed in her even when everything else pointed against her.
The action packed story. So many things happening. So many situations that seem without escape till the last moment.
All the other characters but Jess. Her team/work partner, her dad, the new friend Alex and Dani, all amazing people. Smart, courageous, loyal. Simply beautiful.
The ending. I was happy to see this Isla story done.
What I didn't like:
Jess. I am sorry to say this and I am sure I'm an outliner here but I simply dislike her. She is insanely negative, selfish and irregardless how much help and love is downpoured over her, she still thinks it will all come to the worse possible ending. I also got very tired of her being described constantly that she's about to vomit. It was so bad that her constant state, every 5 minutes she felt sick, she felt like throwing up or she was throwing up. Give me a break. Even if she is in the state she is....that was toooooo muuuuchhhh.
I was also veery very tired of milking the same sad story with Isla once again. I got it in the first book, I tolerated in the second book. But I was done with it, so to see that once again this is at the front page for this 3rd instatement was quite a disappointment. Thankfully that is done. So the next book we know that this story is done and over so I am looking forward to that one.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this great book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5⭐
✨️ The team at @thrillerbookloversthepulse are reviewing All The Lies We See and are loving it !! 🔥 It's definitely one to add to your TBR!
All The Lies We See is book 3 in the Jess Lambert series, I would recommend reading this in order to get a full understanding of the characters and the dynamics. As usual Christina is able to grab me right from the start and not let me go until the very end. She is honestly the only one that can make me enjoy a thriller with supernatural/paranormal elements. It is done, incorporated so well and flawlessly. It adds such a special layer to the storyline. McDonald's writing is addictive and gripping, the plot was fast paced and the story easily bingeable.
Jess Lambert is such a fun, complex and layered character. I've loved getting to know her throughout the series. She has evolved and grown so much since book 1 and it's been a beautiful journey. She is authentic and relatable. The plot unfolds nicely, the pacing is great and everything is revealed in a timely manner. There were some things that were a little predictable to me, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book. I liked how it ended on a nice happy note, but also left it open for more..possibly?
Overall, this is a really great series for fans of police procedurals, badass FMC’s, supernatural/paranormal elements, it ticks off all those boxes.
✨️ Thank you to @thrillerbookloversthepulse & @christinamac79 for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
✨️ The team at @thrillerbookloversthepulse are reviewing All The Lies We See and are loving it !! 🔥 It's definitely one to add to your TBR!
All The Lies We See is book 3 in the Jess Lambert series, I would recommend reading this in order to get a full understanding of the characters and the dynamics. As usual Christina is able to grab me right from the start and not let me go until the very end. She is honestly the only one that can make me enjoy a thriller with supernatural/paranormal elements. It is done, incorporated so well and flawlessly. It adds such a special layer to the storyline. McDonald's writing is addictive and gripping, the plot was fast paced and the story easily bingeable.
Jess Lambert is such a fun, complex and layered character. I've loved getting to know her throughout the series. She has evolved and grown so much since book 1 and it's been a beautiful journey. She is authentic and relatable. The plot unfolds nicely, the pacing is great and everything is revealed in a timely manner. There were some things that were a little predictable to me, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book. I liked how it ended on a nice happy note, but also left it open for more..possibly?
Overall, this is a really great series for fans of police procedurals, badass FMC’s, supernatural/paranormal elements, it ticks off all those boxes.
✨️ Thank you to @thrillerbookloversthepulse & @christinamac79 for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A very big trigger warning with this book. Child loss! My heart breaks for anyone who has ever lost a child. This book had me crying by the end of it.
All the Lies We See is everything I want in a thriller and more. From the very first chapter, I was completely swept up in the twists and turns—every time I thought I had the plot pinned down, Christina McDonald spun it in a new direction that left me breathless. The fast‑paced cat‑and‑mouse game kept me glued to the pages, racing right alongside Jess Lambert as danger closed in from every angle.
What really surprised me, though, was the emotional depth woven into all that suspense. The storyline involving child loss hit hard. It wasn’t just a plot point—it added a raw, human ache that made the stakes feel painfully real. McDonald handled it with such sensitivity and honesty, it grounded the story in a way that made every decision, every risk, every moment of fear resonate even more deeply.
Jess Lambert has to be one of the most compelling thriller protagonists out there. She’s sharp, resilient, and layered, and watching her navigate both the external threats and her internal grief made this book feel richer and more powerful than your average chase‑driven thriller.
This is the kind of story that keeps you turning pages at lightning speed while also tugging at your heart. A gripping mystery, a relentless pace, and an emotional core that elevates everything around it—I absolutely loved it.
All the Lies We See is everything I want in a thriller and more. From the very first chapter, I was completely swept up in the twists and turns—every time I thought I had the plot pinned down, Christina McDonald spun it in a new direction that left me breathless. The fast‑paced cat‑and‑mouse game kept me glued to the pages, racing right alongside Jess Lambert as danger closed in from every angle.
What really surprised me, though, was the emotional depth woven into all that suspense. The storyline involving child loss hit hard. It wasn’t just a plot point—it added a raw, human ache that made the stakes feel painfully real. McDonald handled it with such sensitivity and honesty, it grounded the story in a way that made every decision, every risk, every moment of fear resonate even more deeply.
Jess Lambert has to be one of the most compelling thriller protagonists out there. She’s sharp, resilient, and layered, and watching her navigate both the external threats and her internal grief made this book feel richer and more powerful than your average chase‑driven thriller.
This is the kind of story that keeps you turning pages at lightning speed while also tugging at your heart. A gripping mystery, a relentless pace, and an emotional core that elevates everything around it—I absolutely loved it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jess Lambert #3
Black Lake is quiet on the surface and seems peaceful but nothing here is exactly as it seems and the dead aren’t finished and the living lie. Detective Jess Lambert lives to get justice for crimes the worst of humanity inflicts, especially when murderers get plea deals. Justice can be unfair, so, has she taken the law into her own hands? A video suggests so but Jess knows she didn’t do it and is desperate to clear her name. The only way she can do so is to follow a lead on an unsolved case she abandons when her daughter Isla dies. Can Jess get to the truth despite the many obstacles in her path and her own police department closing in on her?
I thoroughly enjoy the first half of this third book in the Jess Lambert series, it’s told at a steady pace, it’s easy to read and the writing flows. However, after about 50% it starts to get very repetitious and so my interest begins to wane. There are aspects of the plot which I have difficulty with as it’s just too far-fetched for my taste. I also think the Isla scenarios are now overdone and whilst this will probably seem harsh to some readers, I think it’s time to move on. Sorry.
I enjoy the first two books in the series and though this isn’t a bad book by any means, it’s a three star rating after all, but I hope this is the last but I suspect it’s not!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.
Black Lake is quiet on the surface and seems peaceful but nothing here is exactly as it seems and the dead aren’t finished and the living lie. Detective Jess Lambert lives to get justice for crimes the worst of humanity inflicts, especially when murderers get plea deals. Justice can be unfair, so, has she taken the law into her own hands? A video suggests so but Jess knows she didn’t do it and is desperate to clear her name. The only way she can do so is to follow a lead on an unsolved case she abandons when her daughter Isla dies. Can Jess get to the truth despite the many obstacles in her path and her own police department closing in on her?
I thoroughly enjoy the first half of this third book in the Jess Lambert series, it’s told at a steady pace, it’s easy to read and the writing flows. However, after about 50% it starts to get very repetitious and so my interest begins to wane. There are aspects of the plot which I have difficulty with as it’s just too far-fetched for my taste. I also think the Isla scenarios are now overdone and whilst this will probably seem harsh to some readers, I think it’s time to move on. Sorry.
I enjoy the first two books in the series and though this isn’t a bad book by any means, it’s a three star rating after all, but I hope this is the last but I suspect it’s not!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Detective Jess Lambert is back… and this time, she’s not chasing a killer. She is the killer.
Days before she’s due to testify against the woman who murdered her daughter, Jess meets with two colleagues… and then - nothing. She wakes up in a motel room with no memory of what happened. But the truth doesn’t stay buried for long. Because there’s a video. And in it, Jess is committing murder in cold blood.
Now the police are closing in… and Jess doesn’t even know if she’s guilty.
I went into this already obsessed with this series - and somehow, this still exceeded every expectation.
From the very first page, this one had me in a chokehold. No slow build, no easing you in, just straight into the chaos. I absolutely flew through it in a matter of hours because putting it down was not an option.
This book drags you right back into Jess’s grief and doesn’t let you look away. Every time Isla appeared, I felt that ache all over again. It’s heavy, it’s raw, and those final chapters had me sat there bawling. The tension was high. The not knowing whether Jess is capable of what she’s accused of, the way everything spirals, the pressure building as the walls closing in - it had me frantically tapping my Kindle like my life depended on it.
This is how you do a thriller. Fast-paced, emotionally brutal, and completely addictive.
Zero notes. No complaints. Just vibes and emotional damage.
Days before she’s due to testify against the woman who murdered her daughter, Jess meets with two colleagues… and then - nothing. She wakes up in a motel room with no memory of what happened. But the truth doesn’t stay buried for long. Because there’s a video. And in it, Jess is committing murder in cold blood.
Now the police are closing in… and Jess doesn’t even know if she’s guilty.
I went into this already obsessed with this series - and somehow, this still exceeded every expectation.
From the very first page, this one had me in a chokehold. No slow build, no easing you in, just straight into the chaos. I absolutely flew through it in a matter of hours because putting it down was not an option.
This book drags you right back into Jess’s grief and doesn’t let you look away. Every time Isla appeared, I felt that ache all over again. It’s heavy, it’s raw, and those final chapters had me sat there bawling. The tension was high. The not knowing whether Jess is capable of what she’s accused of, the way everything spirals, the pressure building as the walls closing in - it had me frantically tapping my Kindle like my life depended on it.
This is how you do a thriller. Fast-paced, emotionally brutal, and completely addictive.
Zero notes. No complaints. Just vibes and emotional damage.
Review of advance copy
“Once the world decides truth is optional, you can’t trust anything to be real.”
“Once an explanation looks like the right one, everything else starts to arrange itself around it. Much of life is built on interpretation. Perception reshapes reality all the time. And the most convincing illusions aren’t the obvious ones, they’re the ones that look like the truth.”
I know technically we aren’t supposed to be quoting ARCs since they could change before publication, but I couldn’t resist sharing just a couple of the powerful sentences that I highlighted while reading Christina McDonald’s newest Jess Lambert book, All the Lies We See. With its compelling AI/deepfake video plot, this book could not be more timely or relevant to the world we’re currently living in – not to mention scarily possible! It’s so twisty and turny that I devoured it in a single day!
The dark, atmospheric suspense is top-notch, but it’s the characters and emotions that really take this book to the next level. Jess is one of my favorite female detectives, and her character arc over the course of the series has been so compelling that I absolutely recommend reading them all to get the full effect! This one had me in tears by the end (that’s not something you see very often in a thriller!) and would be perfect for fans of Ask for Andrea and Forget You Saw Her.
“Once an explanation looks like the right one, everything else starts to arrange itself around it. Much of life is built on interpretation. Perception reshapes reality all the time. And the most convincing illusions aren’t the obvious ones, they’re the ones that look like the truth.”
I know technically we aren’t supposed to be quoting ARCs since they could change before publication, but I couldn’t resist sharing just a couple of the powerful sentences that I highlighted while reading Christina McDonald’s newest Jess Lambert book, All the Lies We See. With its compelling AI/deepfake video plot, this book could not be more timely or relevant to the world we’re currently living in – not to mention scarily possible! It’s so twisty and turny that I devoured it in a single day!
The dark, atmospheric suspense is top-notch, but it’s the characters and emotions that really take this book to the next level. Jess is one of my favorite female detectives, and her character arc over the course of the series has been so compelling that I absolutely recommend reading them all to get the full effect! This one had me in tears by the end (that’s not something you see very often in a thriller!) and would be perfect for fans of Ask for Andrea and Forget You Saw Her.
May 11, 2026
Detective Jess Lambert was investigating the disappearance of a woman when tragedy struck her own life. After a horrific car accident mangled her leg and killed her daughter, Isla, Jess learns the crash was tied to Melanie…a woman responsible for multiple murders who dumped a body in the road, ultimately causing the accident.
Now, Melanie is finally supposed to face justice, until Jess wakes up in a strange hotel room with no memory of how she got there. Drugged, confused, and terrified, things only get worse when her husband, Mac, tells her to watch an online video. In it, Jess is seen shooting Melanie, instantly making her the prime suspect.
On the run and unable to remember what happened, Jess has to piece together the truth before her life completely unravels even if that means communicating with ghosts connected to the investigation before her accident.
I flew through this book without realizing it was actually the third installment in the series until about 20% in. Since I couldn’t find the first two books on KU, Libby, or Hoopla, I decided to keep going anyway. The mystery definitely kept me engaged, and I wanted answers badly enough to keep turning the pages, but some of the twists and scenarios felt a little too far-fetched and repetitive for me at times.
Overall, it was still an entertaining thriller with an interesting paranormal twist, even if it didn’t completely win me over.
Now, Melanie is finally supposed to face justice, until Jess wakes up in a strange hotel room with no memory of how she got there. Drugged, confused, and terrified, things only get worse when her husband, Mac, tells her to watch an online video. In it, Jess is seen shooting Melanie, instantly making her the prime suspect.
On the run and unable to remember what happened, Jess has to piece together the truth before her life completely unravels even if that means communicating with ghosts connected to the investigation before her accident.
I flew through this book without realizing it was actually the third installment in the series until about 20% in. Since I couldn’t find the first two books on KU, Libby, or Hoopla, I decided to keep going anyway. The mystery definitely kept me engaged, and I wanted answers badly enough to keep turning the pages, but some of the twists and scenarios felt a little too far-fetched and repetitive for me at times.
Overall, it was still an entertaining thriller with an interesting paranormal twist, even if it didn’t completely win me over.
Review of advance copy
Detective Jess Lambert has just become my new favorite book detective.
All the Lies We See is book 3 in the Jess Lambert series. However, I read it as a standalone and I didn't feel like I was missing anything from any the previous books, however, I'm a series reader and I will be going back and reading the first 2 just for context.
This series was fast paced, thrilling and kept me hooked the entire time. I kept trying to put myself in Jess's shoes. Losing a child has to be one of the most traumatic things someone can ever go through and I just struggle with the concept of picking up and moving on. So I understand her. But Jess is no normal detective. She can see and speak with the dead. So she does still see her daughter. Now, to find out that the woman who caused the death of your child could possibly get off easily.... I would have flipped. And for a moment there, Jess thought she did too. Because when a video is released showing her killing the woman, even Jess isn't sure. But as she digs deeper while trying to evade police, they all learn that it's AI and she is being framed. Who is framing her and why though is the question.
If you haven't read this yet, it's definitely a must. You won't regret it!
All the Lies We See is book 3 in the Jess Lambert series. However, I read it as a standalone and I didn't feel like I was missing anything from any the previous books, however, I'm a series reader and I will be going back and reading the first 2 just for context.
This series was fast paced, thrilling and kept me hooked the entire time. I kept trying to put myself in Jess's shoes. Losing a child has to be one of the most traumatic things someone can ever go through and I just struggle with the concept of picking up and moving on. So I understand her. But Jess is no normal detective. She can see and speak with the dead. So she does still see her daughter. Now, to find out that the woman who caused the death of your child could possibly get off easily.... I would have flipped. And for a moment there, Jess thought she did too. Because when a video is released showing her killing the woman, even Jess isn't sure. But as she digs deeper while trying to evade police, they all learn that it's AI and she is being framed. Who is framing her and why though is the question.
If you haven't read this yet, it's definitely a must. You won't regret it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ALL THE LIES WE SEE is the third book in the Jess Lambert Series. I feel you really need to read the first two in order to fully understand Jess and her backstory. This book does not publish until July so you have plenty of time to catch up on the series. Thank you @christinamac79 and @thrillerbookloversthepulse for a copy of the book and this is my honest review.
Detective Jess Lambert is talking to colleagues in a bar one minute and waking up in a seedy hotel room the next. A video showing her killing Melanie, the woman accused of killing her daughter, and her old partner goes viral. Jess must prove the video was generated by AI and find Melanie before she leaves the country to avoid the trial.
Jess is such a complex, flawed, and relatable character. I could feel Jess's grief over the death of her daughter. The paranormal/supernatural element adds another layer to the story. Christina's writing just draws you in and I could not stop turning the pages. Christina wrote an alternate ending to this story and I have to say I like the alternate ending better. I don't want this series to end.
Detective Jess Lambert is talking to colleagues in a bar one minute and waking up in a seedy hotel room the next. A video showing her killing Melanie, the woman accused of killing her daughter, and her old partner goes viral. Jess must prove the video was generated by AI and find Melanie before she leaves the country to avoid the trial.
Jess is such a complex, flawed, and relatable character. I could feel Jess's grief over the death of her daughter. The paranormal/supernatural element adds another layer to the story. Christina's writing just draws you in and I could not stop turning the pages. Christina wrote an alternate ending to this story and I have to say I like the alternate ending better. I don't want this series to end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read the first two books in this series and enjoyed the books, despite the paranormal aspect.
Jess is traumatized about the death of her daughter, and carries a lot of guilt and bitterness about the way the child died.
She really is seeking closure. She will never get 'over' Isla's death, but needs to find acceptance of her loss.
This book focuses on Melanie, who was instrumental in causing the accident Jess was in, and then went on to kill an entire family. Melanie faces a trial, and Jess has to testify and Melanie does everything in her power to stop that happening.
AI is a powerful tool, and in the wrong hands can cause havoc. It causes Jess untold misery and the suspicion of her colleagues when videos circulate showing her executing Melanie and her former boss. There are those that know that Jess isn't capable of doing this, and assist her.
Gripping, twisty, and well written, this is an emotional novel, with plenty of suspense, darkness and tragedy.
Not sure if Jess will be back in the future, but it was good to get to know her in the novels.
4/5 stars from me.
Jess is traumatized about the death of her daughter, and carries a lot of guilt and bitterness about the way the child died.
She really is seeking closure. She will never get 'over' Isla's death, but needs to find acceptance of her loss.
This book focuses on Melanie, who was instrumental in causing the accident Jess was in, and then went on to kill an entire family. Melanie faces a trial, and Jess has to testify and Melanie does everything in her power to stop that happening.
AI is a powerful tool, and in the wrong hands can cause havoc. It causes Jess untold misery and the suspicion of her colleagues when videos circulate showing her executing Melanie and her former boss. There are those that know that Jess isn't capable of doing this, and assist her.
Gripping, twisty, and well written, this is an emotional novel, with plenty of suspense, darkness and tragedy.
Not sure if Jess will be back in the future, but it was good to get to know her in the novels.
4/5 stars from me.
April 10, 2026
I have been so excited for this next installment of the Jess Lambert series! She an amazing character full of wit and heart and now she’s working tireless to solve the biggest case of her life-her own! Right from the start, Jess knew something was wrong when she woke up in a strange hotel room but didn’t know that she being framed for murder! Fortunately, she had tremendous support in searching for clues as to who was behind the set up. What I love most about this series is the supernatural element of Jess’s relationship with her deceased daughter who guides her along the way. She’s also open to receiving messages from other souls who have passed as well! It’s a comforting and uplifting feeling to have an insight into those who have lied and wronged us and I felt every one of Jess’s emotions throughout. I can’t imagine living with the constant pain and remorse that Jess endures on a daily basis but love how she uses it to power herself for good.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Jess Lambert Series is one of my favorite detective series to read. When book three dropped, I couldn't wait to dive right in. Jess is a strong FMC who may have her flaws, but she fights to do what is right and put away those who deserve justice. This time, Jess finds herself framed for the murder of the woman who caused her the most pain in her life—the woman who caused the death of Jess's daughter and who now leaves Jess to live with the daily emotional and physical pain that's left from the car accident. The only thing left for Jess to do is to run and find a way to prove her innocence. This was such a great read! There were so many clues Jess had to uncover along the way, so much action and so many twists. But the truly scary part of it was how much AI can really mess with someone's life.
Thank you @christinamac79 & @thrillerbookloversthepulse for my complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you @christinamac79 & @thrillerbookloversthepulse for my complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Christina McDonald is one of my favorite authors and I love her Jess Lambert series. All the Lies We See is the third and latest book in that series. That title was very fitting for this story. Jess is a detective whose daughter was murdered. The trial for her murderer is just days away when Jess wakes up in a sleazy motel with no memory of what happened to have ended up there. Jess checks her phone only to find a video of herself shooting the murderer. The video has already gone viral, forcing Jess to go on the run. Obviously, she is being set up, but who and why? She needs to revisit a case from the past in order to help figure it all out. This a suspenseful, fast-paced crime read with a lot of balls in the air. It also makes a good point that what we see and believe is not always the facts. I hope we hear more from Jess!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Christina McDonald and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Intrigue Ink Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Christina McDonald and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Intrigue Ink Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 23, 2026
Loved!!!!! This series and author is one of my favorites and this book proved why. Where do I start? Well what I love the most about this series is that there is a paranormal aspect. I’m not that big into the paranormal but the way it’s used in this book is awesome. I also love Jess Lambert. She is what makes this series. They show the good, the bad and the ugly with this character. She really has grown throughout the series too. I found the plot to be really interesting with this one. Once I read the blurb I knew I wouldn’t be able to put this one down. I was totally right, I couldn’t. I raced through book as fast as I could to find out what was going on. Now let’s talk about that ending. It’s was full of twists and turns that I did not see coming. I was like OMG after every chapter towards the end. I highly recommend this author and all her books not just this series. I can’t wait for this authors next book.
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