The Next Lie

by L.A. Dobbs

Ten years ago, I watched my husband drown.

I was standing close enough to touch him when he went into the dark water. Close enough that even I can’t be sure I didn’t push him.

The police called it an accident.

I can’t remember those three seconds at all.

Now I have a new life. A beautiful house. A career I love. A kind, patient husband. We’re even trying for a baby.

Then, one week before the anniversary of the drowning, the strange things begin.

Things nobody else sees.

Things that lead back to the boat, the black water, and the night I can’t remember.

I can’t let them think I’m unraveling. Can’t give them a reason to start watching me again. Everyone remembers what happened last time.

But this isn’t like last time.

I’m not imagining this.

Someone is doing it to me.

Someone close.

Someone who knows what happened that night.

Genres: Thriller

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2023

About the author

L.A. Dobbs is the not-so-cozy pen name of USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author Leighann Dobbs. Under the name L.A. Dobbs, she writes engaging mysteries that have twisty plots filled with secrets and lies.

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Next Lie is publishing 3 September 2026. If you are a fan of Leighann Dobbs writing be aware this is not a cozy mystery. I consider it a dark mystery. I found it well written, plotted, and presented.

Emma's husband died ten years ago in an unfortunate boating accident. Emma doesn’t remember what happened that night. What she knows is told to her by the other two people on the boat. Ten years after the fact, Emma starts to have dreams about that night. Is she beginning to remember or is she stressed and her dreams are reimagining what could have happened?

I figured out the ending before the reveal but not the reason. So, in essence, I missed the boat on this one. I enjoyed every twist, turn, and misdirection. Cannot wait for the next book.

I was given an advanced readers’ copy and am not required to leave a positive review.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Next Lie by L.A. Dobbs is an exciting psychological thriller I really enjoyed.

The story is well written, complex with an excellent plot.

Ten years ago, Emma's husband died. It was determined to be an accident, even Emma doesn't remember what happened even though she was standing close to him.

Now, ten years later, Emma is having dreams, maybe remembering?

I loved all the twists and turns.

I definitely did not guess the outcome at all.

Really loved this thriller!!!!

[Kim E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story, however....

This book was an excellent read. However, whoever did the proofreading did a terrible job. There are misspelled words, bad grammar, and incorrect punctuation. I'm only stating this because it stops the flow of the book when your brain has to figure out where the punctuation is supposed to be. All that being said, I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller.

[María Mónica Beltrami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic short story!

I've been delighted to have read this short story!!
I'm sorry, but I knew who the culprit was in the third chapter.
Ms. Dobbs, you beat my record of knowing the murderer in the first chapter I had with Agatha Christie's novels.
Thank you for your thriller/mystery.
Monica Beltrami, Montevideo, Uruguay.

[Teresa R.Fieck · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!

I really enjoyed this story about Em and Tom. It had so many twist and turns just when I thought I knew who was guilty something happened changed my mind. Love all Ms Dobbs books.

[Rosemarie Bazinet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The next lie

Storyline was great. A little predictable. Only thing I was unhappy about was that it seemed like no one proof read the book in areas. Things were repeated and I had to reread sections

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book itself was good but there were so many misspellings, grammatical errors, and typos that it was at some times hard for me to read. I wonder how the editors never caught this. This is my first Dobbs books to read and I doubt I’d read another one.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page turner

Is Em going crazy as the anniversary of her first husband's death approaches, or is someone manipulating things? It's a psychological novel that will have you turning the pages.

[Polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was great! I've loved the Sam Mason series and cannot wait for more on that too!

[Bettie A Covington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started so slow I almost stopped reading it, but about half way through it picked up and ended well.

[Julie Slaughter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the content, but the book was not proofread very well.

[Charles Hazelcorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

GRAT READING AS A CONTINUATION OF A GREAT SERIES