Family of Lies

by Mary Monroe

“Readers who enjoy watching characters' fortunes rise and fall will relish this tumultuous family” portrayed by the New York Times bestselling author (Booklist).

Mary Monroe weaves a stunning portrait of a family immersed in deceit—and the women whose happiness depends on the secrets they keep . . .

After growing up poor in Texas, Vera Lomax used every gold-digging trick in the book to land a rich husband. Now living in luxury in San Francisco, her only job is to fawn over her much-older husband. So when her husband's mistress gets pregnant, Vera figures that a little hush money will ensure her husband's fortune is hers alone . . .

Unfortunately for Vera, Sarah Cooper is the child Kenneth Lomax always wanted. When the father she never knew shows up at her mother's funeral to claim her, it's a fairy tale journey from the ghetto to a mansion on a hill. But Sarah knows that her stepmother is as two-faced as they come. And after losing all the family she's ever known, she wants a life that's richer than Vera has planned for her. As Vera and Sarah scheme to get what they want, everyone will be choosing sides, taking chances, and gambling it all to come out on top . . .

“Family of Lies is gritty and raw, trademarks of Monroe's novels. A riveting story . . . Monroe's latest is another page-turner.” —RT Book Reviews

Praise for Mary Monroe

“An exceptional writer and phenomenal storyteller!” —Kimberla Lawson Roby, New York Times bestselling author

“A remarkable talent.” —Chicago Sun-Times

“Monroe is a masterful storyteller.” —Philadelphia Inquirer

Genres: Fiction, African American, Chick Lit, Audiobook, African American Literature, Drama, Relationships

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

I am the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of my family to finish high school. I never attended college or any writing classes. I taught myself how to write and started writing short stories around age four. I spent the first part of my life in Alabama and Ohio and moved to Richmond, California in 1973. I have lived in Oakland since 1984.

My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.

I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.

I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.

Reviews

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW AMAZING BOOK THIS GAL COULD BRING THE DEAD BACK ALIVE WOW A MASTERPIECE BRILLIANT EXCITING LORD I LOVE THIS AUTHOR MRS MARY MONROE U THE BEST!

[Cheryl James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, 675 (large print) pages of pure family drama. I had no idea this would be my summer read but it took me a while to finish the book.

I am use to the family lies and secret's but this book took it to a whole new level.

I am a fan of Mary Monroe and once again she nailed it with this book. The story flowed from beginning to end. Every family member, be it husband, wife, daughter, cousin, etc. had secrets and lies taking place under the same roof.

I am looking forward to clearing my head with a book that doesn't contain so much drama. This was a little much😏

[Latiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this is the final book by Monroe that I am going to read. I could be lying, so don't quote me on that. I have been reading her work since her first release and I have continued to read her books throughout the years even though her characters have become even more ridiculous and buffoonish. I recall the magic of Monroe's earlier novels, God Don't Like Ugly and The Upper Room. I have been waiting to be wrapped up in her work like I was while reading those two novels, but over the years I have been let down countless times.

Monroe has always been great at creating lively and realistic characters that were entertaining, but this latest crop is a real bore.

The plot centers around a major secret that becomes overshadowed by other ridiculous schemes and secrets and is never even revealed. All of the characters are lazy and spoiled liars and cheaters. And they happen to be filthy rich and living an opulent lifestyle. The problem is they are greedy and want even more and will do anything to stay rich-except go to work of course.

The supposed victim is Sarah, the main character's illegitimate daughter. The issue is Sarah is an unlikable and ridiculous character as well, so it is hard to root for her to prevail.

When I read a book a book or watch a movie, I enjoy it more if there is at least one character that I care about and in this book there weren't any. The entire plot made little sense and was quite flawed. If you are a fan of her work, give it a read. If this is the first work that you are considering by this author, please don't start with this book.

[Shelia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am listening to this book via audio, it is horrible...but I am trying to get through it. I have been skipping chapters too! I usually like Mary Monroe book, but this one is pretty bad!

This book is written like a poorly orchestrated soap opera. Very dramatic, unrealistic, far fetched and a ridiculous plot.

[Lois · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, morality tale.
Mostly slow, too long, unlikable & unrealistic characters and too many oppressive references: transphobia, homophobia, antisemitism, colorism, classism, sexism- all features of unlikable characters but just chock full of these troubling references.
Storyline is just stretched too thin for me🤷🏾‍♀️

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Finished this book in one day.

[Lakecia Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried to really enjoy this book, but the characters made me feel agitated. The repetition of events in the book made it last longer than necessary. The very ending seemed rushed like the author was afraid her idea would disappear from her thoughts if she did not hurry up and get it out. The only character I felt sorry for was Bo! He was so easily manipulated by his whoring cousin and wife. I didn't even feel sorry for Kenneth because he was a manipulating, cheating, conniving liar as well! If Curtis had sense, he'd run from illegitimate Sarah before she is his ruin as she was Bo's! I was so happy when I finally read the final page.

[Danita Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a long and drawn out book, but it was not disappointing at all. Very good read.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book cover is nice but don’t let it fool you. This is not a goody two shoe family.
The title speaks for itself and more.
A story of a family with deceit, lies and lots of deception. The characters are all well developed and the story flows as to that you don't want to put it down.
Each character was well played out and had their own issues which fitted the storyline perfectly.
This book pulled me in from the beginning.
I highly recommend this book to all readers

[Read In Colour · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a disappointing read. Seems like Monroe was on deadline and just threw something together. Either that or she's been watching too many soap operas because this reads exactly like one, a really bad one.

[Nicole Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting from beginning to end. Vera was a scheming and scandalous hooch. She was able to manipulate those around her whom she was close with. I tried to feel empathic towards Kenneth but I couldn't because he did his dirt also.

I could not agree with Vera spending her husband's money on her boy toys. I thought that was very stupid of her. She took for granted that her husband would not check on her day to day frivolous activities. Vera was just as foolish for having conversations in her home and over the phone.

Bo and Cash reminded me of a comedy sitcom. I had to laugh on several occasions due to their naivety and being so gullible. I believe Sarah was the only person who was not impressed by all the money although she did need to get a job.

The ending came as no surprise. All I can say is karma. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A page turner

This was a good read. I gave 3 stars because the some of the characters seemed a little juvenile. All in all I couldn't stop reading. I just had to see how it all turned out. I would definitely recommend it to my friends as well as the authors other books.

[Maya B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very great read! 416 pages of drama and lies. Vera was evil and got what she deserved in the end. awesome stand alone.

[BW Diva · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a ok read.....I just disliked Vera from the beginning to end...I love how Kenneth found her out before he passed.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had some Herman Russell vibes. It's a long read that feels like the story ran out of direction and was thrown together at the end.

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

hot mess express

[Sheryl Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book like I usually do Mary Monroe's books. The character Vera was something else! She was so fake and phony but you enjoyed her! When she finally married her rich husband, she would do anything to keep him happy to keep the money rolling. She knew her husband cheated on her but she was ok with it cause she was doing her thing. She thought she had everything under control when he got his mistress pregnant and didn't know about. Leave it up to Vera and he never would. But when the mother dies,he finds out about his only child and moves her into their lives. As the years go on, Vera tries hard to fake like she loves Sarah but she was trying to do whatever she had to do to keep her hands on her husband's money. In the end, Vera is caught cheating, Sarah is caught cheating and the stress causes her father's health to suffer until he dies. Then Vera goes to jail. Read it for yourself to find out what happens...

[Destiny “ Dee” · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. Long, but good. My book club's selection for the month. Kenneth was a rich older man who married a much younger Vera. Vera was not in love with Kenneth, she was in love with Kenneth's money. Vera was very deceptive to Kenneth. She lied, cheated, schemed, etc. Kenneth cheated as well, but he treated Vera well. Nothing was beneath Vera. She did whatever she had to do in order to get what she wanted. Vera knew Kenneth wanted children, since she didn't she tried everything to keep Kenneth from having a child. When Sarah stepped on the scene, things changed. This family and their lies will have you trying to figure out how and when they will get caught. You have to read it to find out. Other than the length of the book, there wasn't anything else that I disliked about this book. It was well written. I recommend this book to those who don't mind reading a long, good book and enjoy reading the works of Mary Monroe.

[Kina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Mary Monroe is such a fantastic writer. She has a way of captivating you and making you feel as if you are actually there. Vera Lomax met her wealthy husband while working as a hostess for a convention. She is rescued from a poor life to live a wealthy one. Her husband is not faithful, but one day falls in love with one of his employees. He gets her pregnant, but doesn't know. Vera convenience the woman to stay away by giving her hush money.
Sarah Cooper is that child. She has never known her father, but he shows up to her mother's funeral and takes her away to his mansion. Vera does not like this at all. She comes up with several schemes including getting her cousin to make Sarah fall in love with him and marry him in order for Vera to continue having control of her husband's money.
Nobody writes about dysfunctional families like Monroe. There were so much scheming and lying it makes you wonder who you can trust.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. First of all, it was my break from ghetto drama but it was full of drama! From page one I could tell that Vera would be one of the most sneakiest women I have ever read about. With a woman like Vera in your life you certainly would not need any other enemies! I felt bad for Kenneth and Sarah a lot but, I was schocked that Sarah was making the choices she started to make. Bo, Cash, and Collette were just pawns in Vera's vain and money hungry world. Too bad none of them had the balls to tell her ass NO to anything. They all ended up shits creek without a paddle. I don't want to give any spoilers but, money is definately the root of all evil. As always, another good book by Mary Monroe.

[Pat Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book opens with Anna, waking up in the night, to find her five year old daughter Josie missing and also Nick, her husband. Everyone thinks that Nick has taken her even when he is found injured and drugged. Anna will stop at nothing to get Josie back but to do this she has to face events from her past. The tension mounts as we wonder who has taken Josie and will they get her back. A tense and gripping thriller which I enjoyed,
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family of Lies….5 stars……..Awesome job!!! A rich family with a bunch of money, bunch of secrets, and lies, money can be the root of all evil. This book will keep you on your toes………The love of money will make you do some crazy things….

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was awful. The characters lacked substance and were pretty unrealistic. There was no real plot. Utter foolishness and a complete waste of my time. I was so disappointed because many of this author's earlier titles were very good.

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lesson I get from this is you cannot build a life on a lie or more.

[Britney · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 20%. I normally enjoy the author but in this case I want my $7.99 back.

[Madlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tacky tacky garbage love story of family lies.

[Chantell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started off long & boring. It really took me a year to read because i did not understand where the author was going. But i get it now. What is crazy is how the author shows the men as the weak creatures. First of all, Kenneth is upset & considers Vera a whore for doing to him the same thing that he did to her. Yet Vera loses. But when Bo does anything to keep his woman, he loses. I feel like friend or no friend, Tim should have called Kenneth on his bs. But nope! He & Kenneth refer to their women as whores. I did not care for Sarah. She annoyed me to no end, & she is her daddy's child, as she gained so much from her lies. Curtis wasn't a fan favorite either, & Cash was as dumb as a door knob. Collete & Ricky were very flat characters. But I appreciate how they served their purposes. This book should have been called Entanglements because, whew child, the drama was real.

[Amy Pulliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept waiting for the action to get started. When it got good it was over so quick. I like this author and am use to the story line having ongoing drama. This time there seemed to be a lot of time spent on being a filler. I was so excited when the drama started but quickly disappointed that it was summed up. I wish some of the backstory had been replaced with the action.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drama that went on in this book was crazy. I do like in the end Vera got everything she deserved along with Bo & Cash

[Susan Thuvanuti · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like reading about greedy, immoral people, you’ll love this one.