What do you think?
Rate this book
Leugens
In Compton’s gripping legal drama TELL NO LIES, a volatile attraction forces a successful family man to confront the limits of trust and the pitfalls of desire.
Idealistic St. Louis prosecutor Jack Hilliard appears to have it all: intelligence, good looks, a great job, and a solid marriage with his wife, Claire. But he finds himself at a crossroads when, on the same night his boss announces his resignation as DA, his simmering flirtation with his mysterious lawyer friend Jenny bubbles to the surface.
Jack soon learns how easy it is to compromise his values and comfortable life for ambition and desire. Despite Claire's counsel to stand by his beliefs, Jack misrepresents his position on the death penalty to secure the top spot at the District Attorney's office. As the pressures of the campaign mount, he struggles to deny his growing obsession with Jenny, who supports his ambitions at whatever cost. When Jenny becomes the main suspect in a shocking murder, and Jack is the only one who can prove her innocence, he faces an excruciating choice: save Jenny by speaking out, or save his marriage and career by remaining silent.
Part Scott Turow, part Jodi Picoult, TELL NO LIES is a heated and suspenseful tale ripped from the headlines—about a conflicted man simultaneously seduced by a dream job and a tempting woman, about the relationships we forge and those we destroy, despite our good intentions.
Idealistic St. Louis prosecutor Jack Hilliard appears to have it all: intelligence, good looks, a great job, and a solid marriage with his wife, Claire. But he finds himself at a crossroads when, on the same night his boss announces his resignation as DA, his simmering flirtation with his mysterious lawyer friend Jenny bubbles to the surface.
Jack soon learns how easy it is to compromise his values and comfortable life for ambition and desire. Despite Claire's counsel to stand by his beliefs, Jack misrepresents his position on the death penalty to secure the top spot at the District Attorney's office. As the pressures of the campaign mount, he struggles to deny his growing obsession with Jenny, who supports his ambitions at whatever cost. When Jenny becomes the main suspect in a shocking murder, and Jack is the only one who can prove her innocence, he faces an excruciating choice: save Jenny by speaking out, or save his marriage and career by remaining silent.
Part Scott Turow, part Jodi Picoult, TELL NO LIES is a heated and suspenseful tale ripped from the headlines—about a conflicted man simultaneously seduced by a dream job and a tempting woman, about the relationships we forge and those we destroy, despite our good intentions.
398 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
111 people are currently reading
871 people want to read
About the author
Julie Compton
9 books44 followersJulie Compton is the internationally published author of TELL NO LIES, RESCUING OLIVIA, and the just-released KEEP NO SECRETS (a sequel to TELL NO LIES).
What reviewers say about TELL NO LIES:
"Compton's debut is a taut, tense cautionary tale complete with courtroom drama and a surprise ending." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Tell No Lies is "an absorbing account of an honourable man gradually yielding to multiple temptations," and "a strong debut from a writer who knows her law, and more importantly, can depict the ebb and flow of relationships, the conflict between love and desire and the irresistible urge to self-destruct of a 'man who has everything'." The Guardian (UK)
"Tell No Lies bears comparison to Turow's landmark 1987 debut, which has launched numerous imitations if few equals. The prose is solid, the plotting assured, and the characters believable. There's even a marvelous surprise ending." Fort Myers News-Press
"Compton proves she has real storytelling skills. Tell No Lies' final twist is as stunning as that classic surprise in Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent." South Florida Sun-Sentinel
"A real seat-edge thriller packed with the heady ingredients of power, passion, lies, lust and disaster." Peterborough Evening Telegraph (UK)
"A remarkably lucid writer . . . Verdict: Suspenseful and genuinely sexy." Orlando Magazine
"A promising debut." Booklist
"Readers will like this debut by a practicing attorney for its fluid prose and insight into the legal system." Library Journal
"Compton adds a very sexy pair of legs to Scott Turow legal thriller territory." Daily Mirror (UK)
Compton "does better in getting inside the mind of males than most male writers do in describing the thinking of females." St. Louis Post-Dispatch
What reviewers say about RESCUING OLIVIA:
"Compton's intense, entertaining second novel involves a horrifying coverup and a powerful new drug . . . [She] pulls off a super-satisfying resolution to this romantic thriller." Publishers Weekly
A "[m]odern-day fairy tale about a princely Florida lawn guy who must rescue his princess from a clutch of monsters. . . Compton burrows so deeply into Olivia's and Anders' troubled back stories and dramatizes in such psychologically compelling terms the swain's attempt to rescue his princess . . . that the result is a pleasing hybrid of fairy tale and contemporary thriller. . . [Her] increasingly pointed questions about what exactly it would mean to rescue Olivia make the journey worthwhile." Kirkus Reviews
"A page-turner." Booklist
"The intricate plot of this intense family drama unfolds layer by layer as a so-called accident forces two people to learn the harsh lesson that sometimes it's those closest to you that cause the most damage. Compton certainly knows how to spin an engrossing tale. Nothing is quite as it appears, which causes the suspense level to continually rise in anticipation of what's to come." RT Book Reviews
"Clearly over the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Rescuing Olivia is a terrific amateur sleuth thriller. . . Anders is a refreshing hero . . . His efforts to find and rescue Olivia make for a wonderful drama." Harriet Klausner
What reviewers say about TELL NO LIES:
"Compton's debut is a taut, tense cautionary tale complete with courtroom drama and a surprise ending." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Tell No Lies is "an absorbing account of an honourable man gradually yielding to multiple temptations," and "a strong debut from a writer who knows her law, and more importantly, can depict the ebb and flow of relationships, the conflict between love and desire and the irresistible urge to self-destruct of a 'man who has everything'." The Guardian (UK)
"Tell No Lies bears comparison to Turow's landmark 1987 debut, which has launched numerous imitations if few equals. The prose is solid, the plotting assured, and the characters believable. There's even a marvelous surprise ending." Fort Myers News-Press
"Compton proves she has real storytelling skills. Tell No Lies' final twist is as stunning as that classic surprise in Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent." South Florida Sun-Sentinel
"A real seat-edge thriller packed with the heady ingredients of power, passion, lies, lust and disaster." Peterborough Evening Telegraph (UK)
"A remarkably lucid writer . . . Verdict: Suspenseful and genuinely sexy." Orlando Magazine
"A promising debut." Booklist
"Readers will like this debut by a practicing attorney for its fluid prose and insight into the legal system." Library Journal
"Compton adds a very sexy pair of legs to Scott Turow legal thriller territory." Daily Mirror (UK)
Compton "does better in getting inside the mind of males than most male writers do in describing the thinking of females." St. Louis Post-Dispatch
What reviewers say about RESCUING OLIVIA:
"Compton's intense, entertaining second novel involves a horrifying coverup and a powerful new drug . . . [She] pulls off a super-satisfying resolution to this romantic thriller." Publishers Weekly
A "[m]odern-day fairy tale about a princely Florida lawn guy who must rescue his princess from a clutch of monsters. . . Compton burrows so deeply into Olivia's and Anders' troubled back stories and dramatizes in such psychologically compelling terms the swain's attempt to rescue his princess . . . that the result is a pleasing hybrid of fairy tale and contemporary thriller. . . [Her] increasingly pointed questions about what exactly it would mean to rescue Olivia make the journey worthwhile." Kirkus Reviews
"A page-turner." Booklist
"The intricate plot of this intense family drama unfolds layer by layer as a so-called accident forces two people to learn the harsh lesson that sometimes it's those closest to you that cause the most damage. Compton certainly knows how to spin an engrossing tale. Nothing is quite as it appears, which causes the suspense level to continually rise in anticipation of what's to come." RT Book Reviews
"Clearly over the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Rescuing Olivia is a terrific amateur sleuth thriller. . . Anders is a refreshing hero . . . His efforts to find and rescue Olivia make for a wonderful drama." Harriet Klausner
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
August 3, 2008
I kept waiting for something to happen in this book, but it never did.
July 31, 2008
I normally go for books with HEA endings as I like to escape the everyday ho-hums of life. Whether it be a romance or a mystery/romance, most of the books I read have that HEA ending. This is not the case with Tell No Lies.
The legal aspect and the suspenseful plot of the book was wonderfully written. The courtroom drama was very realistic and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The main character, Jack Hilliard, has it all, a great job, a beautiful wife and two great sons. He is admired by everyone for his good nature, his morals and his strong work ethics. Jack finds himself spinning out of control when he decides to run for DA and suddenly everything he thought he was has changed. Jack's attraction to his long time attorney friend Jenny comes to the surface during his campaign (she is on his campaign staff) - she becomes something he just cannot resist. Eventually, he must face the consequences for his lack of willpower.
As a reader,I found myself hating Jack and sympathizing with Jack's wife Claire. Throughout the book, you are reading about Jack's thought process, so you get inside his head. I was disgusted with him while reading some of the things he said to Jenny on that night they shared. I also felt that when Claire eventually found out, her reaction to his indiscretion was spot on. I believe it's similar to how I would react as well if put in the same position. Even after some time had passed, the author did not allow Claire to just gloss over everything and give the reader the HEA ending so many other authors do. Everything is NOT tied up a pretty little bow. In fact, I hope the author might write a sequel because the ending definitely left me wondering what might happen next.... (and not just with Claire & Jack).
The legal aspect and the suspenseful plot of the book was wonderfully written. The courtroom drama was very realistic and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The main character, Jack Hilliard, has it all, a great job, a beautiful wife and two great sons. He is admired by everyone for his good nature, his morals and his strong work ethics. Jack finds himself spinning out of control when he decides to run for DA and suddenly everything he thought he was has changed. Jack's attraction to his long time attorney friend Jenny comes to the surface during his campaign (she is on his campaign staff) - she becomes something he just cannot resist. Eventually, he must face the consequences for his lack of willpower.
As a reader,I found myself hating Jack and sympathizing with Jack's wife Claire. Throughout the book, you are reading about Jack's thought process, so you get inside his head. I was disgusted with him while reading some of the things he said to Jenny on that night they shared. I also felt that when Claire eventually found out, her reaction to his indiscretion was spot on. I believe it's similar to how I would react as well if put in the same position. Even after some time had passed, the author did not allow Claire to just gloss over everything and give the reader the HEA ending so many other authors do. Everything is NOT tied up a pretty little bow. In fact, I hope the author might write a sequel because the ending definitely left me wondering what might happen next.... (and not just with Claire & Jack).
August 4, 2020
The 1 star is only for the author and her writing. Bcoz the H doesn't deserve even half a star for his cheating.He was so confused.I mean he cheats on his wife and tells the OW that he loves them both.I don't condone cheating and according to me he should've just broken up with the h when he first kissed the OW.Also didn't like the angry sex he has with his wife after finding the OW with his brother.Even at the end he is hung up on the OW.The h should've just divorced his cheating ass because once a cheater always a cheater.So disappointed with this book that I am not interested in reading the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2013
**Contains Spoilers**
Well, I have to say that this book frustrated me greatly,but in the end, it was okay. It was kind of slow to begin with.
I almost stopped reading it in the beginning because Jack frustrated me so much. If you want to read a book about an idiot, this is it. Jack is a selfish, stupid, asshole in my eyes. He tries to come off as an honorable man with good intentions, but to me he is anything but. I kept reading and I was glad that I did. The second half of the book is better than the first. I barely made it through the first half. It mainly focused on Jack deciding if he would run for DA. I got bored, but I continued reading.
Jack is the DA in St. Louis. His character is suppose to come off as a good guy always looking to do the right thing. Well that is a front. He is not a good guy and the right thing depends on how he is feeling at the moment. He has a friend named Jenny, who I wanted to jump in my Kindle and strangle. He has feeling for Jenny and wants her. The reason that I wanted to strangle her was because she had a relationship with Jack, his wife and his children. I want Jack to get hit by a bus. I was trilled when Jenny was arrested and I wanted Jack to get arrested too. I wanted them both to be sentenced to death. Jack should suffer for all of the pain and suffering he caused his wife and sons
This author's writing is so good, I could feel the bile in my throat when he and Jenny slept together. I wanted to throw up. I wonder if that was her intention. To make the reader feel sick. It worked in my case. My jaw dropped when Jack realized that he had had unprotected sex with this woman. He should be killed just for that. I mean, really Jack. He put not only his life but his wife's life in danger by doing that - selfish asshole. Has he ever heard of AIDS.
Anyway, I purchased the second book, but I'm not sure if I can read it. Jack is so stupid and makes such bad decisions that I don't know if I can take another 300 pages of him making bad decisions and hurting his family. Dang Jack, WTF!!!
Well, I have to say that this book frustrated me greatly,but in the end, it was okay. It was kind of slow to begin with.
I almost stopped reading it in the beginning because Jack frustrated me so much. If you want to read a book about an idiot, this is it. Jack is a selfish, stupid, asshole in my eyes. He tries to come off as an honorable man with good intentions, but to me he is anything but. I kept reading and I was glad that I did. The second half of the book is better than the first. I barely made it through the first half. It mainly focused on Jack deciding if he would run for DA. I got bored, but I continued reading.
Jack is the DA in St. Louis. His character is suppose to come off as a good guy always looking to do the right thing. Well that is a front. He is not a good guy and the right thing depends on how he is feeling at the moment. He has a friend named Jenny, who I wanted to jump in my Kindle and strangle. He has feeling for Jenny and wants her. The reason that I wanted to strangle her was because she had a relationship with Jack, his wife and his children. I want Jack to get hit by a bus. I was trilled when Jenny was arrested and I wanted Jack to get arrested too. I wanted them both to be sentenced to death. Jack should suffer for all of the pain and suffering he caused his wife and sons
This author's writing is so good, I could feel the bile in my throat when he and Jenny slept together. I wanted to throw up. I wonder if that was her intention. To make the reader feel sick. It worked in my case. My jaw dropped when Jack realized that he had had unprotected sex with this woman. He should be killed just for that. I mean, really Jack. He put not only his life but his wife's life in danger by doing that - selfish asshole. Has he ever heard of AIDS.
Anyway, I purchased the second book, but I'm not sure if I can read it. Jack is so stupid and makes such bad decisions that I don't know if I can take another 300 pages of him making bad decisions and hurting his family. Dang Jack, WTF!!!
June 26, 2013
Wasn't really impressed with this one. I guess you take your chances with free books.
Where I expected political intrigue, there really wasn't any. It was the story of an assistant DA, who decides to run for the DA's office when his boss resigns. Then it's the story of the same man cheating on his wife, which becomes the alibi his mistress needs when she's accused of murder. Betrayal of the wife seemed heartless.
Where I expected political intrigue, there really wasn't any. It was the story of an assistant DA, who decides to run for the DA's office when his boss resigns. Then it's the story of the same man cheating on his wife, which becomes the alibi his mistress needs when she's accused of murder. Betrayal of the wife seemed heartless.
October 26, 2019
Dont read again - second book horrible.
I don't think he is redeemable. He chooses Claire but only just. Claire deserves more. He didn't grovel enough. He didn't convince me that he didn't still love Jenny. That makes him unlikable and Unredeemable.
I don't think he is redeemable. He chooses Claire but only just. Claire deserves more. He didn't grovel enough. He didn't convince me that he didn't still love Jenny. That makes him unlikable and Unredeemable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
April 22, 2014I got about half way through his one, but I just wasn't in the mood for a "good guy" who finds himself committing adultery. Maybe I will pick it up later--
August 24, 2021
I enjoyed this. If you don’t like cheating in books then don’t read. The author keep you invested in the story and you feel for the wife the Ow and even the H but just a little. The story ends on a twist that I kinda saw coming but then again I throughly maybe it was the h. See a great psychological thriller. I can’t wait to read the conclusion
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2016
Tell No Lies by Julie Compton.
I had looked for weeks for this book (I read through ebooks; paperbacks here in the Philippines aren't exactly cheap and readily available if you come looking for a particular title). I already have the sequel Keep No Secrets but I was very reluctant to read it until after I finished this one. I was glad I came across Scribd, there are like, millions of free books to read, plus, it's free and easy to use. Alright, enough plugging. I just want to drive the point home: I made every effort and gave in all my available resources just in order to find this book and read it.
And I'm glad I did.
This is a story of a good lawyer, Jack Hilliard: an up-and-coming star in the field. He seems to have it all - good looks, brains, a wonderful wife and kids. And now, his boss, the District Attorney, is stepping down the ladder and wants him to take his place. Enter the good friend Jenny Dodson, who starts to complicate things with a dance. When a murder takes place and Jenny is the primary suspect, Jack is the only one who can prove her innocence. But is he willing to speak out if that means losing his family, his career and reputation?
All right, the book blew me away, and I mean it. Right from the first page, the story took off, and from there on, the suspense just keeps on getting higher and more intense with every chapter. I suspect, my enjoyment was influenced by my expectations and I had high expectations for this one, since it has an interesting premise and has earned grave reviews from all over the world. Many critics compared this novel to Scott Turrow's breakthrough thriller Presumed Innocent and since I haven't read that one yet, of course I am going to say Julie Compton did it great!
This is my first shot at legal thrillers; I've long decided to download John Grisham's famous The Partner, I think that was two years ago and I still haven't read it! So, this one, as a first, set the standards for a good legal thriller for me. The jargons are easy to understand and I do think it is a good book to start with if you are just beginning with the genre. The actions and legal processes portrayed are easy to follow even if you aren't a lawyer or someone who has knowledge about court (even if you are 17 without degree!).
One thing I really, really liked about this novel is the very good characterization. I am not exaggerating for the review's sake; the characters are so believable I might just easily accept the story was non fiction. I liked the fact that Ms. Compton used both intellectual and emotional appeal in order to get the readers not only to read the story but also to enjoy it and live in it for the time being. I read it in one day straight, glad it was weekend, and all that time I had enjoyed being with Jack and Claire and Jenny, I was able to relate to their emotions and thoughts and most of all, I was able to participate in the story by throwing in my own suspicions in the whodunnit game that followed the latter part of the plot.
Jack Hilliard was portrayed very well. 35 and already successful, he appeared to have everything a man could ever want. He appeared perfect. I was stunned by Ms. Compton's talent, her undeniable skill in making this character come to life by defining his intentions and actions and emotions very well throughout. By reading and understanding Jack, Ms. Compton was convincing me that a man can really fall in love with two women at one time! Jack was brilliant, yet when it came to temptations, he wasn't able to resist - just like any other man unlike him. I could easily admire him and hate him at the same time and toward the end, I sympathized with him. He's human, and that is vital for a story to click and work its way not only into the mind of its reader, but also to his heart.
Jenny Dodson. Jenny oh Jenny. I am very confused by you. She is the most interesting character in this novel in my opinion, and I think many people will agree with me here, because well, aside from being enigmatic and moody from the start, she had a traumatic past which can inspire a reader into wanting to know more about her. She was awesomely depicted; her picture is clear in my mind, and there was no need for the author to say how she feels at a particular moment, she just does something, says something, and then the reader will be able to understand her intentions, if only partially, and that is impressive. Throughout the story she would say something that would offend Jack, and I would be offended too; and she would say something that would flatter him, and I would be flattered too. And there were times when she would do something and I would hate her, really hate her for ruining everything, for hurting Claire for that matter; and then something would happen and I would feel sorry for her. She inspired feelings in the other characters, and she inspired feelings in her readers as well. That is exactly how it ended with me: I hate her. But I still can feel sorry for her. I even like her for Jack sometimes. You will feel that way too; probability of error = 0.05.
I like Claire, too. She's your typical wife: beautiful, brilliant, understanding and supportive. Yet, in her words, Ms. Compton successfully depicted this charm and magnificence lying beneath; a calm woman who is almost always reasonable but can still crack to the surface but even then, she can be as strong as they come. I ached for her when she learned the truth and I supported her when she got angry with him. Had I been a man, I would marry this girl everyday!
Earl Scanlon, Jeff McCarthy, Frank Mann, Mark, Jim Wolfe, and even Beverly - they all added to the mix and yes, it was a good mix.
So the plot. It was unbelievable, how it gripped me like nothing ever did since reading the Gretchen Lowell books last year, how it couldn't make me sleep last night and how it made my eyes ache reading on my phone all day and all night. Unlike in other books, in which the mystery was the one holding the interest of the reader, Tell No Lies gripped me through the drama. The mystery doesn't start until after about three-fourths the book or so. But the ongoing drama was enough to hold me at bay: the center of that being our favorite girl Jenny. Aside from her, there's that difficult decision making which affected me like it should; it was interesting to know what's going on inside a man's head when he's under so much pressure. Then of course, I don't know why, but it felt really good watching how Jack slowly fell into the pitfalls of temptation, a man who has every reason not to. It felt really good watching him squirm underneath Jenny's charm. The tension was unrestrained and it heightened in every page, wanting to explode everywhere.
I had always thought that for any thriller novel to work, there must be a mystery from the start; it just had to evolve in each chapter. Here, I was proved wrong. Tell No Lies is a real thriller, but like I mentioned earlier, it gripped the readers using drama and emotions and a character-driven plot. Ms. Compton is a great storyteller, no questions asked.
I sympathized with the characters and felt the same emotions depicted through the pages. The court drama near the end is very fascinating, and I'd love to read it again. The ending is really an explosive one as promised, and this cemented Ms. Compton's name in this industry, in this genre. This novel is perfect for those who want to move to the legal thriller genre, this is a really good start, perfect for those who want a good drama, for in its plot, love, lust, ambitions, family, decisions and morals are interwoven and are greatly portrayed by an excellent writer and a promising plot that can't help but just move me over and over.
Tell No Lies is a very recommended legal thriller, and I know I'm not destined to forget it anytime soon. I am so looking forward to reading the sequel Keep No Secrets and I really hope it won't stray from Ms. Compton's reputation. And why, I need more Jenny Dodson!
I had looked for weeks for this book (I read through ebooks; paperbacks here in the Philippines aren't exactly cheap and readily available if you come looking for a particular title). I already have the sequel Keep No Secrets but I was very reluctant to read it until after I finished this one. I was glad I came across Scribd, there are like, millions of free books to read, plus, it's free and easy to use. Alright, enough plugging. I just want to drive the point home: I made every effort and gave in all my available resources just in order to find this book and read it.
And I'm glad I did.
This is a story of a good lawyer, Jack Hilliard: an up-and-coming star in the field. He seems to have it all - good looks, brains, a wonderful wife and kids. And now, his boss, the District Attorney, is stepping down the ladder and wants him to take his place. Enter the good friend Jenny Dodson, who starts to complicate things with a dance. When a murder takes place and Jenny is the primary suspect, Jack is the only one who can prove her innocence. But is he willing to speak out if that means losing his family, his career and reputation?
All right, the book blew me away, and I mean it. Right from the first page, the story took off, and from there on, the suspense just keeps on getting higher and more intense with every chapter. I suspect, my enjoyment was influenced by my expectations and I had high expectations for this one, since it has an interesting premise and has earned grave reviews from all over the world. Many critics compared this novel to Scott Turrow's breakthrough thriller Presumed Innocent and since I haven't read that one yet, of course I am going to say Julie Compton did it great!
This is my first shot at legal thrillers; I've long decided to download John Grisham's famous The Partner, I think that was two years ago and I still haven't read it! So, this one, as a first, set the standards for a good legal thriller for me. The jargons are easy to understand and I do think it is a good book to start with if you are just beginning with the genre. The actions and legal processes portrayed are easy to follow even if you aren't a lawyer or someone who has knowledge about court (even if you are 17 without degree!).
One thing I really, really liked about this novel is the very good characterization. I am not exaggerating for the review's sake; the characters are so believable I might just easily accept the story was non fiction. I liked the fact that Ms. Compton used both intellectual and emotional appeal in order to get the readers not only to read the story but also to enjoy it and live in it for the time being. I read it in one day straight, glad it was weekend, and all that time I had enjoyed being with Jack and Claire and Jenny, I was able to relate to their emotions and thoughts and most of all, I was able to participate in the story by throwing in my own suspicions in the whodunnit game that followed the latter part of the plot.
Jack Hilliard was portrayed very well. 35 and already successful, he appeared to have everything a man could ever want. He appeared perfect. I was stunned by Ms. Compton's talent, her undeniable skill in making this character come to life by defining his intentions and actions and emotions very well throughout. By reading and understanding Jack, Ms. Compton was convincing me that a man can really fall in love with two women at one time! Jack was brilliant, yet when it came to temptations, he wasn't able to resist - just like any other man unlike him. I could easily admire him and hate him at the same time and toward the end, I sympathized with him. He's human, and that is vital for a story to click and work its way not only into the mind of its reader, but also to his heart.
Jenny Dodson. Jenny oh Jenny. I am very confused by you. She is the most interesting character in this novel in my opinion, and I think many people will agree with me here, because well, aside from being enigmatic and moody from the start, she had a traumatic past which can inspire a reader into wanting to know more about her. She was awesomely depicted; her picture is clear in my mind, and there was no need for the author to say how she feels at a particular moment, she just does something, says something, and then the reader will be able to understand her intentions, if only partially, and that is impressive. Throughout the story she would say something that would offend Jack, and I would be offended too; and she would say something that would flatter him, and I would be flattered too. And there were times when she would do something and I would hate her, really hate her for ruining everything, for hurting Claire for that matter; and then something would happen and I would feel sorry for her. She inspired feelings in the other characters, and she inspired feelings in her readers as well. That is exactly how it ended with me: I hate her. But I still can feel sorry for her. I even like her for Jack sometimes. You will feel that way too; probability of error = 0.05.
I like Claire, too. She's your typical wife: beautiful, brilliant, understanding and supportive. Yet, in her words, Ms. Compton successfully depicted this charm and magnificence lying beneath; a calm woman who is almost always reasonable but can still crack to the surface but even then, she can be as strong as they come. I ached for her when she learned the truth and I supported her when she got angry with him. Had I been a man, I would marry this girl everyday!
Earl Scanlon, Jeff McCarthy, Frank Mann, Mark, Jim Wolfe, and even Beverly - they all added to the mix and yes, it was a good mix.
So the plot. It was unbelievable, how it gripped me like nothing ever did since reading the Gretchen Lowell books last year, how it couldn't make me sleep last night and how it made my eyes ache reading on my phone all day and all night. Unlike in other books, in which the mystery was the one holding the interest of the reader, Tell No Lies gripped me through the drama. The mystery doesn't start until after about three-fourths the book or so. But the ongoing drama was enough to hold me at bay: the center of that being our favorite girl Jenny. Aside from her, there's that difficult decision making which affected me like it should; it was interesting to know what's going on inside a man's head when he's under so much pressure. Then of course, I don't know why, but it felt really good watching how Jack slowly fell into the pitfalls of temptation, a man who has every reason not to. It felt really good watching him squirm underneath Jenny's charm. The tension was unrestrained and it heightened in every page, wanting to explode everywhere.
I had always thought that for any thriller novel to work, there must be a mystery from the start; it just had to evolve in each chapter. Here, I was proved wrong. Tell No Lies is a real thriller, but like I mentioned earlier, it gripped the readers using drama and emotions and a character-driven plot. Ms. Compton is a great storyteller, no questions asked.
I sympathized with the characters and felt the same emotions depicted through the pages. The court drama near the end is very fascinating, and I'd love to read it again. The ending is really an explosive one as promised, and this cemented Ms. Compton's name in this industry, in this genre. This novel is perfect for those who want to move to the legal thriller genre, this is a really good start, perfect for those who want a good drama, for in its plot, love, lust, ambitions, family, decisions and morals are interwoven and are greatly portrayed by an excellent writer and a promising plot that can't help but just move me over and over.
Tell No Lies is a very recommended legal thriller, and I know I'm not destined to forget it anytime soon. I am so looking forward to reading the sequel Keep No Secrets and I really hope it won't stray from Ms. Compton's reputation. And why, I need more Jenny Dodson!
January 22, 2015
Okay so its Saturday night, been out all day and now home doing what I do best, reading..and lo and behold this is my 200th book review WOW..Cant believe I have read that many books and I still feel there is so so much more for me to read its daunting and exciting all at once..And although this was a milestone book it was pretty run of the mill and had potential to be amazing but fell short somewhere..Okay so this book helps raise alot of poignant moral questions on the death penalty and cheating and for that I pushed it in every one's face as a way of posing hypotheticals and I liked that about it..however I think it got bogged down in legal intricacies and non relevant matters that slowed the book down..Okay so the plot, young, charismatic and successful lawyer Jack has it all with his cushy job as Assistant DA, a beautiful wife and two kids when he allows his obsession with an attractive coworker and friend to become an affair..As if that wasnt tragic and entertaining on its face there is also the moral dilemma of Jack possibly running for District Attorney despite his aversion to the death penalty and then the timing of the affair on the same night that his coworker Jenny is accused of murder and he is her only alibi..Does he stick up for her and admit his infidelity, probably definitely ruining his marriage or does he try and save face and his life and let her take to fall for a murder he knows she didnt commit? With the question of what he is going to do resonating through the book you keep reading however somewhere in the middle it begins to drag on..Hmm as a whole I dont think it was worth reading but I would recommend it as a great discussion read..okay now on to another hundred books...!!
January 28, 2013
Jack is happily married to Claire but fantasying about his beautiful colleague Jenny who obviously thinks about him. He walks a fine line with her in their friendship. People are seeing the signs but Jack scoffs at their comments, believing he’s immune to temptation.
He’s been nominated to run for the vacating District Attorney’s position by none other than the incumbent DA himself who believes in Jack but the only thing that might hold Jack back is his stand on the death penalty. The DA Earl is quick to warn Jack of how people will view his friendship with Jenny and cautions him that it’s even more important now that he’s running for office.
A murder takes place in which Jenny is accused and her only alibi is Jack. They’re going for the death penalty on this one so his friend’s life is on the line, but on the line will be his marriage if he speaks up.
While the story is complete in itself, there's a bit of surmise at the end leaving the reader wondering whether there'll be a sequel. Upon turning a few more pages however, the reader discovers that Keep No Secrets is that sequel.
I found myself frustrated with Jack and the situations he allowed himself in with Jenny. What is the guy thinking? He was drawn to the magnetic pull between them and yet believing nothing would happen. He kept telling himself that he loves Claire as though that would put up the necessary barrier which would prevent him from acting upon his lust.
While I don’t purchase many books at present, the ending of this one was intriguing enough to make me consider purchasing the upcoming sequel.
He’s been nominated to run for the vacating District Attorney’s position by none other than the incumbent DA himself who believes in Jack but the only thing that might hold Jack back is his stand on the death penalty. The DA Earl is quick to warn Jack of how people will view his friendship with Jenny and cautions him that it’s even more important now that he’s running for office.
A murder takes place in which Jenny is accused and her only alibi is Jack. They’re going for the death penalty on this one so his friend’s life is on the line, but on the line will be his marriage if he speaks up.
While the story is complete in itself, there's a bit of surmise at the end leaving the reader wondering whether there'll be a sequel. Upon turning a few more pages however, the reader discovers that Keep No Secrets is that sequel.
I found myself frustrated with Jack and the situations he allowed himself in with Jenny. What is the guy thinking? He was drawn to the magnetic pull between them and yet believing nothing would happen. He kept telling himself that he loves Claire as though that would put up the necessary barrier which would prevent him from acting upon his lust.
While I don’t purchase many books at present, the ending of this one was intriguing enough to make me consider purchasing the upcoming sequel.
January 13, 2009
WoW! This was a good book.
Jack is married to a wonderful woman--Claire, and he has 2 kids (michael & jamie). He loves his job (assistant district attorney) and his life is pretty good.
However, his boss, the DA, steps down and he asks Jack to run in his place. With the help of his friends, he runs and wins. He gets a lot of help from his friend Jenny.. a lot more than he should. He winds up having an affair with her. Even though jenny is also friends with his wife.
In a complicated twist of events, jenny is prosecuted for murder and jack is her alibi.
What will happen to Jacks marriage and his prestigious job as DA?
This is a great book that keeps you turning the pages.
Jack is married to a wonderful woman--Claire, and he has 2 kids (michael & jamie). He loves his job (assistant district attorney) and his life is pretty good.
However, his boss, the DA, steps down and he asks Jack to run in his place. With the help of his friends, he runs and wins. He gets a lot of help from his friend Jenny.. a lot more than he should. He winds up having an affair with her. Even though jenny is also friends with his wife.
In a complicated twist of events, jenny is prosecuted for murder and jack is her alibi.
What will happen to Jacks marriage and his prestigious job as DA?
This is a great book that keeps you turning the pages.
February 1, 2013
This is an interesting novel. I love the legal aspects of the book and the tussle Jack has with his principals verses his ambition to become District Attorney. Ms Compton’s writing of the love scenes and Jack’s inner emotional struggles are, without doubt, skilfully and beautifully written. My only reservation is that perhaps this book doesn’t quite know what it is. A legal thriller or a love story? Whilst Ms Compton does both extremely well, I picked this book because it was a legal thriller, not because I like love stories. Legal thriller readers may find the emotional parts of the book an intrusion because that is not their genre choice. This is could be equally true of romance readers. But if you love both, this is a highly recommended read.
January 4, 2014
I could only make my way through a third of this book before I gave up. By that point Jack Hilliard had kissed a drunken Jenny and was feeling guilty, afraid to tell his wife, and fretting over running in an election for District Attorney. I'm sure these dilemmas would be resolved by the end of the book, but I just didn't care wasting any more time reading it to find out.
The grammar, punctuation, and phrasing is fine. The text has been well-edited. It is difficult to care about the characters. I would like to give it 1 1/2, but will go with a 2.
The grammar, punctuation, and phrasing is fine. The text has been well-edited. It is difficult to care about the characters. I would like to give it 1 1/2, but will go with a 2.
July 30, 2019
What causes good people to veer off course in their lives? This book is all about how a series of tiny movements-white-lies-justifications-minimizations in the direction of deceit cause one to betray himself, and others. This book has an affair, yes, and many will focus solely on that, and what an asshole the husband is, and what a manipulative bitch the other woman is. Try to dig deeper. This book is about good people doing bad things, and how that comes to happen.
And then. Atonement.
This book was sooo good! Highly recommend!
It ends a little cliffy- on to the next book.
And then. Atonement.
This book was sooo good! Highly recommend!
It ends a little cliffy- on to the next book.
February 9, 2013
This was a refreshing twist on every thing immoral about our society. The reader was meant to feel the connection Jack and Claire shared and the Author delivered with clarity so much so that you felt her pain at his betrayal. Vivid writing and capturing the significance of a scene is the approval of this review...muddy transitions and sometimes misunderstood dialogue is why this is not a five star review...two things I am looking forward to see improve in the next read of this series.
March 31, 2016
This book was very slow. I understand I need a background but by chapter 5 it was still NOTHING like what the book is even about. I lost interest quickly because it was a lot of political junk and it's supposed to be a court case. Honestly I didn't even finish it. Then I looked ahead and realize by the last 100 pages is when the court case actually started!
Save yourself time don't even bother.
Save yourself time don't even bother.
June 19, 2020
Interesting book.
The book was good. I didn’t like MC but the story was engaging. I could feel how the H was sinking deeper and deeper and lied to himself. I liked how the book portrayed Hs ethical dilemma and how easy it is to get tangled in the doubts and deceit. It shows well the power of a temptation. Despite author’s efforts I couldn’t sympathize with Jenny and I felt bad for the wife.
The writing was good. The story was bittersweet and the topic heavy. I don’t think I want to read the sequel after I have read the reviews and what happens in the other book.
The book was good. I didn’t like MC but the story was engaging. I could feel how the H was sinking deeper and deeper and lied to himself. I liked how the book portrayed Hs ethical dilemma and how easy it is to get tangled in the doubts and deceit. It shows well the power of a temptation. Despite author’s efforts I couldn’t sympathize with Jenny and I felt bad for the wife.
The writing was good. The story was bittersweet and the topic heavy. I don’t think I want to read the sequel after I have read the reviews and what happens in the other book.
October 23, 2023
I liked the setting of the book and the fact that I am also from St. Louis so I could relate to locations and time it takes to drive places (I’ve never read that in another book before!) and the book itself had a good storyline. I was just bored for a lot of the book. I found myself skimming some of the pages but then me being me, I had to go back and force myself to actually read even though it was dull to me.
December 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! The ending...wow..didn't see that coming. I love to read a book and be pleasantly surprised by the story. I was disappointed by one particular decision (which was typical) but overall I really enjoyed this book! One of my new FAVORITE authors. This book held my attention!
March 17, 2019
Idealistic prosecutor Jack, happily married to Claire, is tempted by a fellow lawyer, Jenny. When Jenny is charged with murder, Jack feels he must give her an alibi because he had spent the night with her, for the first time, and he didn’t believe she could murder anyone.
This is an exciting story with similarities in style to Scott Turow’s legal novels.
This is an exciting story with similarities in style to Scott Turow’s legal novels.
November 15, 2017
I almost gave up on this book. The first half was very slow and almost too explanatory for the story line. However, the second half picked up and the last page made me glad I finished it. It's worth the read.
April 10, 2021
This is the first book I've ever read by this author. So I'm not sure if this is her typical writing style. The first 3/4 of the book seemed to limp along. Alot of descriptions. Then the last 1/4 of the book picks up, then leaves you with a lingering question. Overall it was just okay for me.
December 19, 2016
I'm confused how this book is rated as well as it is, I figured out the plot just by reading the inside cover and a chapter.
February 27, 2022
Wow!! This was a slow burn, which isn't something I like. But it worked! Great story and ending
February 18, 2023
I rarely stop a book just a few pages in, but this was bad, I ditched.
February 7, 2024
I don’t think it got my attention until page 232.
April 23, 2025
got much better in the second half but still don’t know that i would recommend it to people. ending was a bit confusing too and definitely surprising. good but not my favorite content
September 26, 2025
Good Read
I loved this book, but it didn't keep me wanting more. It did keep me intrigued enough to finish. I know that sounds weird, but it's my perspective.
I loved this book, but it didn't keep me wanting more. It did keep me intrigued enough to finish. I know that sounds weird, but it's my perspective.
March 25, 2013
This novel is about an A.D.A. named Jack Hilliard who is an up and coming rising star in the prosecutor's office. He's so much of a big deal that he's encouraged to run for the newly open seat as District Attorney of the city of St. Louis. Julie Compton paints Jack as being a standup guy with a strong moral compass. He has a loving wife and a strong family unit up until he lets temptation gets the better of him.
I wanted to give this book 3 stars because it is solidly written with great character development but the slow simmer approach is not one of my favorites. Initially I was breezing through the pages and actually interested in what was going on in this novel. Slowly I realized I wasn't getting anywhere which is pretty weird given that this novel isn't that long. 40% of the beginning was based on Jack going back and forth with his decision whether or not to run for DA. I understand why this was important for Compton to show how compromised people can become when engaging in politics and maybe omitting the truth too often but... c'mon. I felt like much of the beginning of the novel was just rehashing the same conversations, situations, and affirmations over and over again. It got a little boring.
Overall I'm going to begin reading Keep No Secrets because it's on the agenda (insert laugh here). But no... in all honesty I didn't hate this book which is sort of unfair to my two star rating. I just really think the first half could have been shaved down a lot more and there could have been more suspense and intrigue towards the climax and ending. Seeing as though this novel is slated as being suspenseful I expected more. I would say that fans of Scott Turow may enjoy reading this novel since Turow writes more about the moral dilemmas in his legal suspense.
I wanted to give this book 3 stars because it is solidly written with great character development but the slow simmer approach is not one of my favorites. Initially I was breezing through the pages and actually interested in what was going on in this novel. Slowly I realized I wasn't getting anywhere which is pretty weird given that this novel isn't that long. 40% of the beginning was based on Jack going back and forth with his decision whether or not to run for DA. I understand why this was important for Compton to show how compromised people can become when engaging in politics and maybe omitting the truth too often but... c'mon. I felt like much of the beginning of the novel was just rehashing the same conversations, situations, and affirmations over and over again. It got a little boring.
Overall I'm going to begin reading Keep No Secrets because it's on the agenda (insert laugh here). But no... in all honesty I didn't hate this book which is sort of unfair to my two star rating. I just really think the first half could have been shaved down a lot more and there could have been more suspense and intrigue towards the climax and ending. Seeing as though this novel is slated as being suspenseful I expected more. I would say that fans of Scott Turow may enjoy reading this novel since Turow writes more about the moral dilemmas in his legal suspense.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews