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The Girl Who Lied
The truth hurts…
Erin and Roisin were once friends until a fatal accident ruined both their lives. Now, Roisin has discovered a secret—one Erin has kept for over a decade—and she’s determined to make Erin pay for her lies.
Erin wants nothing to do with Roisin. She has a new life in London and no intention of going back home. Yet when her father is mysteriously and critically injured, Erin has no choice but to return and face Roisin—and her past. Erin knows if the secret of what she gave up got out, the consequences could be devastating.
When Roisin suddenly disappears, suspicion soon lands on Erin. She would do anything to protect her family, but just how far is she willing to go when time is running out…?
Erin and Roisin were once friends until a fatal accident ruined both their lives. Now, Roisin has discovered a secret—one Erin has kept for over a decade—and she’s determined to make Erin pay for her lies.
Erin wants nothing to do with Roisin. She has a new life in London and no intention of going back home. Yet when her father is mysteriously and critically injured, Erin has no choice but to return and face Roisin—and her past. Erin knows if the secret of what she gave up got out, the consequences could be devastating.
When Roisin suddenly disappears, suspicion soon lands on Erin. She would do anything to protect her family, but just how far is she willing to go when time is running out…?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
2855 people are currently reading
6243 people want to read
About the author
Sue Fortin
15 books593 followersWriting historical fiction as Suzanne Fortin and mystery/suspense as Sue Fortin.
Suzanne writes historical fiction, predominantly dual timeline and set in France. Her books feature courageous women in extraordinary circumstances with love and family at the heart of all the stories.
Suzanne was a bookworm as a child and this naturally progressed to wanting to write her own stories. It wasn’t until she was on maternity leave with her fourth child, that she thought it was now or never and finally managed to write a complete novel. Having joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association under their New Writers’ Scheme, writing then as Sue Fortin, she sent her manuscript off for a critique.
After another year of working on the novel, Suzanne self-published United States of Love – a contemporary romance. This was then picked up by a traditional publisher, HarperCollins and under their imprint HarperImpulse (now One More Chapter) this book was republished. Writing as Sue Fortin, another seven books in the romantic suspense genre were published with HarperCollins.
More recently, Sue has moved to writing historical fiction and publishes under the name of Suzanne Fortin, with her debut in this genre, The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger released in early 2021 with Head of Zeus imprint, Aria Fiction.
A self-confessed Francophile, Suzanne has a home in the Morbihan region of France and visits as often as she can with her husband and family. The region has been a huge inspiration for Suzanne’s books and is often the backdrop to her writing.
Suzanne writes historical fiction, predominantly dual timeline and set in France. Her books feature courageous women in extraordinary circumstances with love and family at the heart of all the stories.
Suzanne was a bookworm as a child and this naturally progressed to wanting to write her own stories. It wasn’t until she was on maternity leave with her fourth child, that she thought it was now or never and finally managed to write a complete novel. Having joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association under their New Writers’ Scheme, writing then as Sue Fortin, she sent her manuscript off for a critique.
After another year of working on the novel, Suzanne self-published United States of Love – a contemporary romance. This was then picked up by a traditional publisher, HarperCollins and under their imprint HarperImpulse (now One More Chapter) this book was republished. Writing as Sue Fortin, another seven books in the romantic suspense genre were published with HarperCollins.
More recently, Sue has moved to writing historical fiction and publishes under the name of Suzanne Fortin, with her debut in this genre, The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger released in early 2021 with Head of Zeus imprint, Aria Fiction.
A self-confessed Francophile, Suzanne has a home in the Morbihan region of France and visits as often as she can with her husband and family. The region has been a huge inspiration for Suzanne’s books and is often the backdrop to her writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 757 reviews
October 19, 2016
I'm not a whiz at genres. But I don't think this one deserves a thriller label on it. And not even a psychological drama which is said to be gripping. Sorry. My emotion's pretty flat when I was, perhaps, supposed to get frightened or thrilled. It's simply a tiny mystery happened between two families who live in a country of Ireland called Rossway Village which led to a revenge. You know how country life is. So yeah, maybe that's why she decided to lie. In fact, EVERYBODY LIED.
So there is this woman named Erin who lives a "happy" life in London with his sophisticated boyfriend, Ed. She's been living there for ten years. And for ten years also she's been hiding the fact about the baby she had with her teenage boyfriend, Niall. She told Niall's family that she got a miscarriage in an accident (where Niall was dead and she wasn't). while in fact she didn't. So this is where all the fuss began. It's all about family business and pride. Erin came from a less well family than Niall's. And there came Roisin, Niall's sister, who played the biggest part in the revealing of the truth.
What I like about this book is the writing style. It was easy to understand and ran so smoothly. The author knows what she wrote. Like when she explained about bike, machine, hospital, what Erin's father suffered, about blood type, about the life in the village, and of course police investigation. Somehow, in some areas, the author seems to put too many details. Clearly she wants to make the story even longer and she doesn't know where to make the right stop.
You know, it's a 244 pages long in Goodreads, but in fact it's 356 long!!! Thank God, she decided not to write about Kerry's making up with his mother. I might have not finished it yet today. And if only I knew, I would jump right up from Part 1 Chapter 2 to Part 2 where the mystery began to unravel. Because Part 1 Chapter 3 (if I'm correct) is filled with something pretty unnecessary to the mystery. It's away too long and might make the impatient readers get bored and decide to DNF this book.
The characters are pretty dull for my taste. But the romance is pretty good until I forgot that I was reading a "THRILLER" here. Thanks to Kerry for being the one who solved almost all the mysteries while you're just a guy who works as a bike mechanics in your uncle's shop. You should be a cop.
So there is this woman named Erin who lives a "happy" life in London with his sophisticated boyfriend, Ed. She's been living there for ten years. And for ten years also she's been hiding the fact about the baby she had with her teenage boyfriend, Niall. She told Niall's family that she got a miscarriage in an accident (where Niall was dead and she wasn't). while in fact she didn't. So this is where all the fuss began. It's all about family business and pride. Erin came from a less well family than Niall's. And there came Roisin, Niall's sister, who played the biggest part in the revealing of the truth.
What I like about this book is the writing style. It was easy to understand and ran so smoothly. The author knows what she wrote. Like when she explained about bike, machine, hospital, what Erin's father suffered, about blood type, about the life in the village, and of course police investigation. Somehow, in some areas, the author seems to put too many details. Clearly she wants to make the story even longer and she doesn't know where to make the right stop.
You know, it's a 244 pages long in Goodreads, but in fact it's 356 long!!! Thank God, she decided not to write about Kerry's making up with his mother. I might have not finished it yet today. And if only I knew, I would jump right up from Part 1 Chapter 2 to Part 2 where the mystery began to unravel. Because Part 1 Chapter 3 (if I'm correct) is filled with something pretty unnecessary to the mystery. It's away too long and might make the impatient readers get bored and decide to DNF this book.
The characters are pretty dull for my taste. But the romance is pretty good until I forgot that I was reading a "THRILLER" here. Thanks to Kerry for being the one who solved almost all the mysteries while you're just a guy who works as a bike mechanics in your uncle's shop. You should be a cop.
June 22, 2017
The Girl Who Lied by Sue Fortin is a 2016 Harper Impulse publication.
‘You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.’
Lies, cover-ups, shocking reveals, big secrets-
This book has a unique label: psychological drama. Is this a true genre or category? If so, this book is the very definition of it... Or well, maybe the drama part it.
To be clear, this book is not a pure psychological thriller, and there is no murder to solve. If you know that up front, it will help tremendously.
That is not to say the story is crime free, or devoid of suspense. Both of those things are present, but the suspense build- up comes from knowing the characters are sitting on an explosive secret, one they are desperate to keep hidden, while others are working furiously to make sure they are revealed.
Here is the setup:
Erin and Roisin were unlikely friends during their teen years, until Erin began dating Roisin’s brother, which caused their relationship to sour. However, the lover’s possible future together ends quite tragically. Now, years later, Erin has moved to England, has a new, very pompous boyfriend, and a good job. Things are ticking along fine, until she receives a cryptic email from Roisin.
That email and a subsequent phone call, which hints at malice, coincide with Erin’s father sustaining a life -threatening injury which requires her to travel back home to Ireland. This event sets in motion an unbelievable chain reaction, where long buried secrets slowly rise to the surface, and will either destroy Erin’s family or bring them closer together.
Sadly, I did not know in advance this was not a traditional, if there really is such a thing, psychological thriller, but is instead a kind of strange unraveling of a carefully crafted house of cards.
I kept waiting for something to start happening, and really became exasperated when I looked down at my kindle and saw I was over forty percent into the book and nothing all that had transpired except a few tense and mysterious meetings between Erin and Roisin.
For the most part, the first half of the book centered around Erin and her boyfriend, Ed, who is a real piece of work, and her growing attraction to a local guy named Kerry, as well as excerpts from Erin’s teenage life, which explains the events that led up to the tragedy that changed the course of her life.
But, as details emerge concerning her father’s accident, and veiled threats from Roisin becoming increasingly menacing, Erin soon finds the secrets she was fighting so hard to keep, and the lies she told to cover up those secrets are unraveling at an alarming speed, which makes her a prime suspect when Roisin suddenly disappears.
I think the author intended this story to focus on the high cost of living a deceptive life, on family structures, forgiveness, the unwavering mother/child connection, as well as unconventional family ties.
Mistakes in life are unavoidable, but there are rights and wrongs that cross moral lines, no matter how well intentioned. However, there was one major theme I took extreme issue with, because I know many people whose lives have been blessed because a mother made a tough choice. The suggestion that this type of decision made the mother a bad person, truly rankled. So, as you can tell, this story, I am sure, could evoke some lively discussion, but to get into those topics would reveal too much about the plot.
So, needless to say, there are a few moral conundrums, crimes committed out desperation, and some very twisted head games going on.
Once the threads began to untangle and come together, I knew instantly where the story was headed, and guessed most of the big secrets before they were revealed, but not all. However, for me this book reads more like a soap opera or a low budget Lifetime Movie Channel feature, than a taut, suspenseful, psychological thriller.
The characters never managed to draw me to them on an emotional level and were a little underdeveloped, but, I did strongly dislike several of them, and thought one was a bit too preachy considering their own circumstances, and the others had me shaking my head at the lengths they were going to, to keep their secrets, even putting others in danger, in the process.
After all was said and done, the behavior of the characters, turned the attempt at a warm and fuzzy ending into an epic fail.
Overall, I was underwhelmed.
2 stars
‘You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.’
Lies, cover-ups, shocking reveals, big secrets-
This book has a unique label: psychological drama. Is this a true genre or category? If so, this book is the very definition of it... Or well, maybe the drama part it.
To be clear, this book is not a pure psychological thriller, and there is no murder to solve. If you know that up front, it will help tremendously.
That is not to say the story is crime free, or devoid of suspense. Both of those things are present, but the suspense build- up comes from knowing the characters are sitting on an explosive secret, one they are desperate to keep hidden, while others are working furiously to make sure they are revealed.
Here is the setup:
Erin and Roisin were unlikely friends during their teen years, until Erin began dating Roisin’s brother, which caused their relationship to sour. However, the lover’s possible future together ends quite tragically. Now, years later, Erin has moved to England, has a new, very pompous boyfriend, and a good job. Things are ticking along fine, until she receives a cryptic email from Roisin.
That email and a subsequent phone call, which hints at malice, coincide with Erin’s father sustaining a life -threatening injury which requires her to travel back home to Ireland. This event sets in motion an unbelievable chain reaction, where long buried secrets slowly rise to the surface, and will either destroy Erin’s family or bring them closer together.
Sadly, I did not know in advance this was not a traditional, if there really is such a thing, psychological thriller, but is instead a kind of strange unraveling of a carefully crafted house of cards.
I kept waiting for something to start happening, and really became exasperated when I looked down at my kindle and saw I was over forty percent into the book and nothing all that had transpired except a few tense and mysterious meetings between Erin and Roisin.
For the most part, the first half of the book centered around Erin and her boyfriend, Ed, who is a real piece of work, and her growing attraction to a local guy named Kerry, as well as excerpts from Erin’s teenage life, which explains the events that led up to the tragedy that changed the course of her life.
But, as details emerge concerning her father’s accident, and veiled threats from Roisin becoming increasingly menacing, Erin soon finds the secrets she was fighting so hard to keep, and the lies she told to cover up those secrets are unraveling at an alarming speed, which makes her a prime suspect when Roisin suddenly disappears.
I think the author intended this story to focus on the high cost of living a deceptive life, on family structures, forgiveness, the unwavering mother/child connection, as well as unconventional family ties.
Mistakes in life are unavoidable, but there are rights and wrongs that cross moral lines, no matter how well intentioned. However, there was one major theme I took extreme issue with, because I know many people whose lives have been blessed because a mother made a tough choice. The suggestion that this type of decision made the mother a bad person, truly rankled. So, as you can tell, this story, I am sure, could evoke some lively discussion, but to get into those topics would reveal too much about the plot.
So, needless to say, there are a few moral conundrums, crimes committed out desperation, and some very twisted head games going on.
Once the threads began to untangle and come together, I knew instantly where the story was headed, and guessed most of the big secrets before they were revealed, but not all. However, for me this book reads more like a soap opera or a low budget Lifetime Movie Channel feature, than a taut, suspenseful, psychological thriller.
The characters never managed to draw me to them on an emotional level and were a little underdeveloped, but, I did strongly dislike several of them, and thought one was a bit too preachy considering their own circumstances, and the others had me shaking my head at the lengths they were going to, to keep their secrets, even putting others in danger, in the process.
After all was said and done, the behavior of the characters, turned the attempt at a warm and fuzzy ending into an epic fail.
Overall, I was underwhelmed.
2 stars
October 18, 2016
First off this book did my head in BIG TIME!! I enjoyed the plot, but I think the author put too much information into each character which made it a bit drawn out for me (just my opinion) I really think I need a break from this genre for a bit.
Erin & Roison were friends until a tragedy ended their friendship forever a lot of heartache, betrayal & deceit the plot starts when Erin receives an email from Roison telling her she has something that she has wanted for a long time ten years to be exact suddenly Erin's fear escalates .
Roison who does not like Erin what so ever turns up with a photo of Erin & her brother Niall who she had a thing for years earlier she tries to get the photo off Roison but to no avail.
meanwhile Roison's mother Diana who has issues with the bottle tries hiding something that Erin has been keeping secret but Roison will stop at nothing to uncover the truth!! I found Roison to be a little so & so but made the plot even better What Roison finds out could destroy her family forever or does she have secrets to hide also only time will tell.
just a note on this the story goes back in the first half to when Erin leaves the details are told then we find out in the second half the full story I wouldn't say I loved this book but did enjoy the banter between Roison & Erin 3.5 stars
Erin & Roison were friends until a tragedy ended their friendship forever a lot of heartache, betrayal & deceit the plot starts when Erin receives an email from Roison telling her she has something that she has wanted for a long time ten years to be exact suddenly Erin's fear escalates .
Roison who does not like Erin what so ever turns up with a photo of Erin & her brother Niall who she had a thing for years earlier she tries to get the photo off Roison but to no avail.
meanwhile Roison's mother Diana who has issues with the bottle tries hiding something that Erin has been keeping secret but Roison will stop at nothing to uncover the truth!! I found Roison to be a little so & so but made the plot even better What Roison finds out could destroy her family forever or does she have secrets to hide also only time will tell.
just a note on this the story goes back in the first half to when Erin leaves the details are told then we find out in the second half the full story I wouldn't say I loved this book but did enjoy the banter between Roison & Erin 3.5 stars
June 24, 2016
Secrets, secrets, secrets, the damage they can do. Erin and Roisin were close friends until a fatal accident altered both their lives. The book starts with Erin receiving an email from Roisin claiming that she knows the secret Erin has been hiding for all these years. Erin keeps ignoring Roisin but when her father falls ill she has to return home to Ireland and in doing so, see Roisin. Roisin on the other hand does not give up. I found Roisin to be a really horrible character, there was nothing about her that drew you in to her and nothing to like. Erin on the other hand I was drawn too, she is strong and had a depth of humanity that Roisin lacked. As the story progresses and we learn more about what happened I found myself totally enthralled. Family is a dominate theme in this book and there are several more characters we get to know in this process. This was very cleverly written work, full of suspence and tension and also had quite a few surprises. Highly recommended.
August 21, 2016
I finished this book but by god was it a struggle. I hate that it pegs itself as psychological thriller when it's nothing more than washy romantic novel with poor plot. The secret wasn't even that exciting. I think the only thing that irritates me more than the poor writing and happily ever after ending is that nearly every book these days has those ridiculous tags "gripping psychological thriller" or "fans of gone girl will love this"
May 30, 2016
This is a very entertaining read set in Rossway, a small Irish coastal village. Erin Hurley left Rossway 10 years ago but is now about to return but certainly not from choice. She is a woman with a secret and former best friend Roisin thinks she knows exactly what that secret is and is determined to get to the bottom of exactly why Erin left Ireland in the first place. As the story unfolds we slowly learn what happened all those years ago and I found that it was quite easy to like and empathise with Erin. She is a very normal, likeable person. Roisin on the other hand is bitter and twisted but oh, so much fun to read about. There are plenty of twists in this tale and I found that the vast majority of them were hinted at, so I did work out what was going on and for that reason the read did lose some of the tension and suspense that it could have otherwise had. It could have done with being just that little bit darker but is in fact quite a light read. The story is told mostly from Erin’s perspective in the first person, present tense but occasionally it shifts onto other characters and when this happens, it is told third person, past tense. It did take a while to get used to that change but in the end I didn’t really notice it any more.
On the whole, I did enjoy this book which is packed with family drama and dynamics, guilt, blame, atonement and secrets galore. Combined with a huge dash of romance it is a story that is well worth delving into. I received a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
On the whole, I did enjoy this book which is packed with family drama and dynamics, guilt, blame, atonement and secrets galore. Combined with a huge dash of romance it is a story that is well worth delving into. I received a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
May 27, 2016
I received a copy of this via NetGalley and HarperImpulse in return for a fair and honest review
Drawn in by the cover and clever title, this is an intriguing mix of secrets, lies and deception and what happens when the truth slowly starts to reveal itself
Erin is working in London and is seemingly happy. Her visits back home to Ireland are few and far between since she moved and she seems reluctant to even mention the past when her boyfriend (and boss!), Ed, asks. But she is forced to return home when her Dad has an accident at the cafe that he and her mum have run for years and suffers a head injury so is very ill in hospital.
Just before her return to Ireland she is contacted by email from a former friend with an attachment of a photo, and this immediately spooks Erin as all she has done is try to escape the past. But Roisin knows something that Erin has tried to keep a secret and she is worried as to what she will do with this information
And in this book we get flashbacks of what happened when Erin was a teenager and life at school with her best friend Roisin, and the start of teenage love when Niall appears on the scene! But a fatal accident changed the world for Erin and Roisin and the consequences of that night will not go away
This story was really cleverly written with just the right amount of information revealed bit by bit so the reader can start putting the pieces together, but not quite knowing everything! While Erin is in Ireland and helping run her parents cafe, she is reunited with other old schoolfriends and some make a bigger impression on her than others
Really enjoyed reading this as it kept me guessing throughout and some of the twists were really quite unexpected but worked to add extra depth to the plot
Drawn in by the cover and clever title, this is an intriguing mix of secrets, lies and deception and what happens when the truth slowly starts to reveal itself
Erin is working in London and is seemingly happy. Her visits back home to Ireland are few and far between since she moved and she seems reluctant to even mention the past when her boyfriend (and boss!), Ed, asks. But she is forced to return home when her Dad has an accident at the cafe that he and her mum have run for years and suffers a head injury so is very ill in hospital.
Just before her return to Ireland she is contacted by email from a former friend with an attachment of a photo, and this immediately spooks Erin as all she has done is try to escape the past. But Roisin knows something that Erin has tried to keep a secret and she is worried as to what she will do with this information
And in this book we get flashbacks of what happened when Erin was a teenager and life at school with her best friend Roisin, and the start of teenage love when Niall appears on the scene! But a fatal accident changed the world for Erin and Roisin and the consequences of that night will not go away
This story was really cleverly written with just the right amount of information revealed bit by bit so the reader can start putting the pieces together, but not quite knowing everything! While Erin is in Ireland and helping run her parents cafe, she is reunited with other old schoolfriends and some make a bigger impression on her than others
Really enjoyed reading this as it kept me guessing throughout and some of the twists were really quite unexpected but worked to add extra depth to the plot
August 20, 2017
This was such an underwhelming reading experience, perhaps more so as I had read another of the authors books (Sister Sister) and enjoyed it. This story is yet another aimed at fans of psychological drama and suspense but it actually features very little of either. I really wish publishers would consider how they market their books - I prefer an upfront idea of what the book might entail. There's nothing wrong with family based drama or romance, so just go with that.
The big secret isn't actually very exciting at all and it doesn't take a genius to put two and two together anyway. The whole build up to the secrets revelation is spread across past and present, although the way the author has structured her writing makes it difficult to follow - where are we now?!
Overall, a bland story and even blander characters. The author has shown she can write a good book, unfortunately this just wasn't.
The big secret isn't actually very exciting at all and it doesn't take a genius to put two and two together anyway. The whole build up to the secrets revelation is spread across past and present, although the way the author has structured her writing makes it difficult to follow - where are we now?!
Overall, a bland story and even blander characters. The author has shown she can write a good book, unfortunately this just wasn't.
July 9, 2018
This was an okay read. From the authors quoted on the front and back of the book cover, I was expecting a gripping, twisty page turner of a thriller. However, I found this to be more of a family drama with a bit of mystery. This is not one I would recommend if you're wanting a clever, fast paced mystery thriller. However, if you enjoy character led stories about family, friendship, love interests, secrets and lies, then you may really enjoy this.
May 19, 2016
I have been glued to this book today from the moment I picked it up! I adore books that explore family relationships and how the seemingly small choices we make can affect not only us but others close to us in a “ripple effect”. And I LOVE a dysfunctional family so was very happy to find not just one but a whole load of them in this family drama!
Erin has returned to the village she grew up in after her father’s accident but it has happened, coincidentally, at a time when she is being contacted (harassed is probably a better description though!) by an old schoolfriend. The friend, Roisin, obviously has a grievance with Erin but it takes a while to build up to what this secret is and the plot twists and turns as the denouement approaches. I loved the way everyone seemed to have something to hide and how relationships were falling to pieces under the weight of the lies everyone was telling. Although I took to Erin straight away, I didn’t like Roisin. I think I understood what she was trying to do but the way she approached Erin and her family was totally alien to me! Towards the end as there were more shocking reveals, things did become clearer but I still would have problems with forgiveness with this one! The relationship between Erin and Kerry was my favourite and this was handled with sensitivity and built up slowly and realistically. I’d love to know how they’re getting on!!!!
A psychological suspense with a romantic twist, this family drama hooked me from that first chapter and kept me dangling till the final page. I can’t believe I haven’t read any of this author’s books before, something I now need to rectify by searching out her previous books.
Erin has returned to the village she grew up in after her father’s accident but it has happened, coincidentally, at a time when she is being contacted (harassed is probably a better description though!) by an old schoolfriend. The friend, Roisin, obviously has a grievance with Erin but it takes a while to build up to what this secret is and the plot twists and turns as the denouement approaches. I loved the way everyone seemed to have something to hide and how relationships were falling to pieces under the weight of the lies everyone was telling. Although I took to Erin straight away, I didn’t like Roisin. I think I understood what she was trying to do but the way she approached Erin and her family was totally alien to me! Towards the end as there were more shocking reveals, things did become clearer but I still would have problems with forgiveness with this one! The relationship between Erin and Kerry was my favourite and this was handled with sensitivity and built up slowly and realistically. I’d love to know how they’re getting on!!!!
A psychological suspense with a romantic twist, this family drama hooked me from that first chapter and kept me dangling till the final page. I can’t believe I haven’t read any of this author’s books before, something I now need to rectify by searching out her previous books.
September 17, 2016
For a "thriller," this book was incredibly thrill-less. I kept waiting (ok, hoping) for someone to die simply to break the monotony of the walking-stereotype characters. Plus, the whole "secret" this book was written around wasn't exactly jaw dropping (even for ten years ago, when it happened); I don't think I even blinked. My grandma, who was born in 1912 and both smoked and cursed like a sailor might have called the main character a few choice names circa 1950, but this book certainly contained nothing that would have her rolling in her grave.
May 19, 2016
The Girl Who Lied is a really enjoyable read that kept me intrigued right up until the end.
Erin obviously has something in her past that she doesn’t want anyone to find out about. Unfortunately for her Roisin has discovered something about her and she is intent on ruining her life.
I have to say I really didn’t like Roisin, she is one bitter and twisted person and only has her own interests at heart. She is so eaten up with getting revenge on Erin it really does make her one unlikeable person.
Erin I really liked. She thinks her life is pretty much perfect but when Roisin gets in touch I think it makes her realise she can’t run from the past anymore. Returning home makes her start to revaluate her life.
Kerry is a great love interest. Him and Erin didn’t really have much to do with each other when they were younger but there is definitely some sparks between the pair now and I loved seeing the relationship between them start to bloom, though the road certainly isn’t without a few bumps along the way.
The Girl Who Lied is a highly enjoyable read, filled with secrets and romance. Quite a perfect combination if you ask me. Great for readers who love a good suspense/thriller which isn’t to dark.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Erin obviously has something in her past that she doesn’t want anyone to find out about. Unfortunately for her Roisin has discovered something about her and she is intent on ruining her life.
I have to say I really didn’t like Roisin, she is one bitter and twisted person and only has her own interests at heart. She is so eaten up with getting revenge on Erin it really does make her one unlikeable person.
Erin I really liked. She thinks her life is pretty much perfect but when Roisin gets in touch I think it makes her realise she can’t run from the past anymore. Returning home makes her start to revaluate her life.
Kerry is a great love interest. Him and Erin didn’t really have much to do with each other when they were younger but there is definitely some sparks between the pair now and I loved seeing the relationship between them start to bloom, though the road certainly isn’t without a few bumps along the way.
The Girl Who Lied is a highly enjoyable read, filled with secrets and romance. Quite a perfect combination if you ask me. Great for readers who love a good suspense/thriller which isn’t to dark.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2016
Secrets, secrets and more secrets. Erin's hiding secrets; Erin and Fiona are hiding secrets; their parents are hiding secrets; Rosin's hiding secrets; Roisin's cousin Joe is hiding secrets; her parents are hiding secrets, and so on. Should be called "Everyone who Lied."
I can't believe this is considered to be a thriller. Talk about boring and oh so predictable. It's so obvious what the big secret is. I'm sure in small towns across the country people think it's taboo about teenage girls getting pregnant but to be honest, I personally don't see the big deal. I mean I wouldn't want any daughter of mine to be pregnant at that age, but life has a way of throwing so many roadblocks in your path. Anyways, both Erin's parents and Niall's parents arranged for her to have an abortion and Niall's mother, Dianna, actually makes the appointment; forget whatever Niall and Erin want. That really did not sit well with me but I'm not going to get into this debate so I'm just going to leave it at that.
Besides being so predictable, the one thing that really stood out was the lack of any character development. They were not only boring but you learned nothing really about who they are and the relationships they had. Erin and Roisin are best friends since childhood and had a falling out as teens. Except for a few snippets of when they're teens, they could've been strangers as there wasn't much of a story there. Erin's relationship with her parents, not a good one. The author did nothing to create any character or story development. It was just one absurd moment after another. At one point Roisin kidnaps Erin's niece and when Roisin's found with the child, she wasn't punished. Instead it was a learning experience of some kind. Forget the fact that Roisin made it seem like she was murdered thereby having the police get involved. It's only when Roisin's cousin Joe says something that they're able to find Sophie. All these lies and so many people getting hurt not just mentally but physically as well.
Roisin's mother Dianna has been a drunk since her son, Niall, passed away. Always thinking of her son, she never has a nice word to say about Roisin and doesn't hide it. Roisin finds a picture of Erin and Niall with something written on it making her believe she had a baby with Niall. The fact that when Erin was pregnant with Niall's baby, Roisin wasn't around so she was never told what happened. But now she believes there is a baby and will do anything to expose it even threatening Erin that she'll blab all over town. She believes if there is a baby that her mother will be happy, not drink anymore and also get off her back even though she doesn't say it outright. Forget getting the woman real help, no they'd rather stick their head in the sand. When Dianna finds out, she's so ecstatic that there's a piece of Niall still around. Ummmm....this woman has serious problems. Did she forget that she arranged for the abortion? Guess she did.
When Erin was pregnant, her parents along with Niall's parents wanted her to have an abortion and Dianna actually went ahead and made the appointment for her. But there was an accident and Niall died and there was no baby, or was there? Cue eye-rolls. We all know there's a baby.
Again, when the big secret is finally revealed, big deal!. Of course everyone ends up liking each other and having a HEA ending. What a joke. I know this is fiction but come on, let's make it somewhat believable or realistic. Do I recommend this novel? Only if you're up for wasting your precious time.
So why two starts and not one? Because I just wanted to see where it was headed and if I was going to be wrong about it. No luck.
I can't believe this is considered to be a thriller. Talk about boring and oh so predictable. It's so obvious what the big secret is. I'm sure in small towns across the country people think it's taboo about teenage girls getting pregnant but to be honest, I personally don't see the big deal. I mean I wouldn't want any daughter of mine to be pregnant at that age, but life has a way of throwing so many roadblocks in your path. Anyways, both Erin's parents and Niall's parents arranged for her to have an abortion and Niall's mother, Dianna, actually makes the appointment; forget whatever Niall and Erin want. That really did not sit well with me but I'm not going to get into this debate so I'm just going to leave it at that.
Besides being so predictable, the one thing that really stood out was the lack of any character development. They were not only boring but you learned nothing really about who they are and the relationships they had. Erin and Roisin are best friends since childhood and had a falling out as teens. Except for a few snippets of when they're teens, they could've been strangers as there wasn't much of a story there. Erin's relationship with her parents, not a good one. The author did nothing to create any character or story development. It was just one absurd moment after another. At one point Roisin kidnaps Erin's niece and when Roisin's found with the child, she wasn't punished. Instead it was a learning experience of some kind. Forget the fact that Roisin made it seem like she was murdered thereby having the police get involved. It's only when Roisin's cousin Joe says something that they're able to find Sophie. All these lies and so many people getting hurt not just mentally but physically as well.
Roisin's mother Dianna has been a drunk since her son, Niall, passed away. Always thinking of her son, she never has a nice word to say about Roisin and doesn't hide it. Roisin finds a picture of Erin and Niall with something written on it making her believe she had a baby with Niall. The fact that when Erin was pregnant with Niall's baby, Roisin wasn't around so she was never told what happened. But now she believes there is a baby and will do anything to expose it even threatening Erin that she'll blab all over town. She believes if there is a baby that her mother will be happy, not drink anymore and also get off her back even though she doesn't say it outright. Forget getting the woman real help, no they'd rather stick their head in the sand. When Dianna finds out, she's so ecstatic that there's a piece of Niall still around. Ummmm....this woman has serious problems. Did she forget that she arranged for the abortion? Guess she did.
When Erin was pregnant, her parents along with Niall's parents wanted her to have an abortion and Dianna actually went ahead and made the appointment for her. But there was an accident and Niall died and there was no baby, or was there? Cue eye-rolls. We all know there's a baby.
Again, when the big secret is finally revealed, big deal!. Of course everyone ends up liking each other and having a HEA ending. What a joke. I know this is fiction but come on, let's make it somewhat believable or realistic. Do I recommend this novel? Only if you're up for wasting your precious time.
So why two starts and not one? Because I just wanted to see where it was headed and if I was going to be wrong about it. No luck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2016
This was such a good story and really well told. When Erin's father is critically injured, she returns from her new life in London to her former home in the village of Rossway in County Cork to support her family. It's not a return she relishes - there are parts of her past, and one enormous secret from ten years ago, that she really doesn't want anyone to know about. But that secret is already in danger of coming out - a childhood friend, Roisin, has good reason to hold a grudge, and has already been making threats. Erin's return will give her the opportunity to sort things out face-to-face.
The village of Rossway is brilliantly drawn - the community where everyone knows everyone else's business, where many are related, and few have ever moved away. Erin helps to keep her parents' cafe ticking over for its regulars - tackling the full cooked breakfasts proves quite a challenge until Kerry from the motorbike garage steps in to give her a hand. There's a great sense of family, with Erin's closeness to her sister and good relationship with her mother. Rather differently, Roisin's family is falling apart - her mother, the former village GP, has a closer relationship with the bottle, while her father just disappears into another room. There are other family relationships too - Kerry's background, childhood friends Joe and Bex, sister Fiona and her husband, the family that own and run the garage - that all give extra depth to the story and its themes.
Against all the odds, Erin finds herself relaxing into her former life - her London boyfriend and his friends are wonderfully out-of-place when they visit - but that threat of secrets being uncovered is always there, as Roisin plans her next move. The tension is really well built up - the earlier secrets are revealed through scenes from ten years previously, but with unexpected twists and turns that ensure you keep turning the pages, and a dark edge to the whole story that I really wasn't expecting.
It's fair to say, I think, that - although it really does have its moments - this isn't an edge-of-your-seat hardcore thriller. If you read it with that expectation, you just might be a tad disappointed. But as a piece of romantic suspense, character driven, with a strong sense of place and family, and some real surprises, it's very well done indeed. The whole story moves at a good pace, there's sufficient mystery and tension to make you want to find out the full story, and the characters are well drawn and very engaging. I really enjoyed it.
The village of Rossway is brilliantly drawn - the community where everyone knows everyone else's business, where many are related, and few have ever moved away. Erin helps to keep her parents' cafe ticking over for its regulars - tackling the full cooked breakfasts proves quite a challenge until Kerry from the motorbike garage steps in to give her a hand. There's a great sense of family, with Erin's closeness to her sister and good relationship with her mother. Rather differently, Roisin's family is falling apart - her mother, the former village GP, has a closer relationship with the bottle, while her father just disappears into another room. There are other family relationships too - Kerry's background, childhood friends Joe and Bex, sister Fiona and her husband, the family that own and run the garage - that all give extra depth to the story and its themes.
Against all the odds, Erin finds herself relaxing into her former life - her London boyfriend and his friends are wonderfully out-of-place when they visit - but that threat of secrets being uncovered is always there, as Roisin plans her next move. The tension is really well built up - the earlier secrets are revealed through scenes from ten years previously, but with unexpected twists and turns that ensure you keep turning the pages, and a dark edge to the whole story that I really wasn't expecting.
It's fair to say, I think, that - although it really does have its moments - this isn't an edge-of-your-seat hardcore thriller. If you read it with that expectation, you just might be a tad disappointed. But as a piece of romantic suspense, character driven, with a strong sense of place and family, and some real surprises, it's very well done indeed. The whole story moves at a good pace, there's sufficient mystery and tension to make you want to find out the full story, and the characters are well drawn and very engaging. I really enjoyed it.
February 17, 2017
For all my reviews, please visit Clues and Reviews
www.cluesandreviews.wordpress.com
Erin and Rosin, teenage friends, find themselves torn apart after an accident leaves Rosin’s brother dead and Erin flees town. Now, ten years later, Rosin discovers a secret. A secret Erin has been keeping. And someone must pay for these lies….
The Girl Who Lied by Sue Fortin was a completely different read from the ones I have been enjoying lately. This one is less of a fast-paced, twisting thriller and more of a study in the lengths families would go through to protect their own and an exploration of family dynamics. I would categorize this as a psychological drama.
The novel opens with Erin receiving an email from Rosin stating she knows her secret. Tensions build as Erin is called home (to County Cork, Ireland) after an accident involving her father. Rosin immediately zeros in on Erin, harassing her and intimidating her. Once close friends, both women are forced to open old wounds as the story unfolds and sins of their pasts come barreling into the present.
I loved the way the novel was written; it flowed together effortlessly. Both Erin and Rosin narrate the story and, with the help of flashbacks, the plot unfolds. There are not many twists or turns in this story, instead, we have a slow burn as each detail is meticulously drawn out and tension is built. That being said, even though I was able to guess where the plot was going, this one continued to hold my interest. I found myself furiously flipping through the pages so I could figure out the resolution!
Each character is extremely well developed and comprehensive; the author spares no expense in explaining their family relationships and their backstories. This could turn tedious for a reader who likes to “get to the point”; however, if you are a reader who likes to become fully engrossed in a character- you will love this! Fortin is able to weave an intricate plot filled with complex, detailed characters.
Overall, if you are looking for an “on the edge of your seat” style thriller, this one will disappoint. However, if you want something slower paced, packing a huge punch, full of family tension and dysfunction, then look no further! This novel is your perfect match!
www.cluesandreviews.wordpress.com
Erin and Rosin, teenage friends, find themselves torn apart after an accident leaves Rosin’s brother dead and Erin flees town. Now, ten years later, Rosin discovers a secret. A secret Erin has been keeping. And someone must pay for these lies….
The Girl Who Lied by Sue Fortin was a completely different read from the ones I have been enjoying lately. This one is less of a fast-paced, twisting thriller and more of a study in the lengths families would go through to protect their own and an exploration of family dynamics. I would categorize this as a psychological drama.
The novel opens with Erin receiving an email from Rosin stating she knows her secret. Tensions build as Erin is called home (to County Cork, Ireland) after an accident involving her father. Rosin immediately zeros in on Erin, harassing her and intimidating her. Once close friends, both women are forced to open old wounds as the story unfolds and sins of their pasts come barreling into the present.
I loved the way the novel was written; it flowed together effortlessly. Both Erin and Rosin narrate the story and, with the help of flashbacks, the plot unfolds. There are not many twists or turns in this story, instead, we have a slow burn as each detail is meticulously drawn out and tension is built. That being said, even though I was able to guess where the plot was going, this one continued to hold my interest. I found myself furiously flipping through the pages so I could figure out the resolution!
Each character is extremely well developed and comprehensive; the author spares no expense in explaining their family relationships and their backstories. This could turn tedious for a reader who likes to “get to the point”; however, if you are a reader who likes to become fully engrossed in a character- you will love this! Fortin is able to weave an intricate plot filled with complex, detailed characters.
Overall, if you are looking for an “on the edge of your seat” style thriller, this one will disappoint. However, if you want something slower paced, packing a huge punch, full of family tension and dysfunction, then look no further! This novel is your perfect match!
August 1, 2016
Perhaps I was missing something but I really don't understand how there are so many positive reviews. The characters were one dimensional clichés - pompous city boy vs the mysterious country biker. The narrative was obvious from the start, so obvious in fact that I have no idea how the characters in the book didn't pick up on it sooner. The signposts were ridiculously obvious - the man pointing at the assailant upon recovering from his coma or them not realising that there might be a link between the missing girl and them finding a sleeping bag in an abandoned house. I mean really?! All the 'clues' were so heavily alluded to that you certainly didn't need to be Jessica Fletcher to figure out this mystery. I spent the entire book smacking my forehead thinking 'How the hell are these characters so clueless?!'. When they finally figured out the obvious I was so frustrated by this point that I nearly threw my kindle in the pool.
January 8, 2017
The Girl Who Lied is not a mystery thriller. It's about how a family unit is made up. Erin's story looks at the lengths mothers would go for their child and the fact that just because your child is an adult, and possibly a parent themselves, it doesn't stop you mothering them. A twisty page turner this is not. It's just a fairly ok read.
August 3, 2017
this book has been on my kindle for ages and i finally got to it... its a good story of town full of secrets.. secrets always come out.
May 7, 2016
My sincere thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK (HarperImpulse) and Sue Fortin for an advanced review copy of 'The Girl Who Lied' in exchange for an honest review.
Erin and Roisin were once friends until a fatal accident ruined both their lives. Now, Roisin has discovered a secret—one Erin has kept for over a decade—and she’s determined to make Erin pay for her lies.
Erin wants nothing to do with Roisin. She has a new life in London and no intention of going back home. Yet when her father is mysteriously and critically injured, Erin has no choice but to return and face Roisin—and her past. Erin knows if the secret of what she gave up got out, the consequences could be devastating.
When Roisin suddenly disappears, suspicion soon lands on Erin. She would do anything to protect her family, but just how far is she willing to go when time is running out…?
Secrets, lies and families. The depth of deception that goes into protecting the ones we love from truths that can tear families and friendships apart. I do love these kind of books and I often find myself immersed in the unraveling of the webs of deceit as the story progresses.
I liked the character of Erin and when she goes back to her hometown, she starts to experience flashbacks to her school days which were an unhappy time for her. I could empathise with her feelings of dread at returning to a place that isn't a particularly happy one for her but which she feels she must return to in order to support her Mum and to face the demons of her past.
Whilst this was an easy and engaging read, it wasn't thrilling. I think what helped hold my attention throughout was the fact that it was such an easy read and I managed to get through it in one afternoon. Sad to say, it didn't leave me breathless. I would, however, recommend it to others and equally, I'd be keen to read more from Sue Fortin in the future. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
Erin and Roisin were once friends until a fatal accident ruined both their lives. Now, Roisin has discovered a secret—one Erin has kept for over a decade—and she’s determined to make Erin pay for her lies.
Erin wants nothing to do with Roisin. She has a new life in London and no intention of going back home. Yet when her father is mysteriously and critically injured, Erin has no choice but to return and face Roisin—and her past. Erin knows if the secret of what she gave up got out, the consequences could be devastating.
When Roisin suddenly disappears, suspicion soon lands on Erin. She would do anything to protect her family, but just how far is she willing to go when time is running out…?
Secrets, lies and families. The depth of deception that goes into protecting the ones we love from truths that can tear families and friendships apart. I do love these kind of books and I often find myself immersed in the unraveling of the webs of deceit as the story progresses.
I liked the character of Erin and when she goes back to her hometown, she starts to experience flashbacks to her school days which were an unhappy time for her. I could empathise with her feelings of dread at returning to a place that isn't a particularly happy one for her but which she feels she must return to in order to support her Mum and to face the demons of her past.
Whilst this was an easy and engaging read, it wasn't thrilling. I think what helped hold my attention throughout was the fact that it was such an easy read and I managed to get through it in one afternoon. Sad to say, it didn't leave me breathless. I would, however, recommend it to others and equally, I'd be keen to read more from Sue Fortin in the future. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
October 15, 2016
Not a fan. This book took forever to get going. Yes, we know Roisin has it out for you. How long do we have to wait for anything to happen? I agree with another reviewer, it doesn't deserve the psychological thriller label.
I might be a little harsh here, but I'd just read The Butterfly Garden, which was so gripping that I literally stayed up all night to read it. The Girl Who Lied was listed on Amazon as a recommended book when I bought The Butterfly Garden but there is literally no comparison.
I read as far as I could without being completely over it. Maybe it picks up later but I couldn't get through it.
I might be a little harsh here, but I'd just read The Butterfly Garden, which was so gripping that I literally stayed up all night to read it. The Girl Who Lied was listed on Amazon as a recommended book when I bought The Butterfly Garden but there is literally no comparison.
I read as far as I could without being completely over it. Maybe it picks up later but I couldn't get through it.
May 10, 2016
Initially I was wondering where the direction of this book was going, it seemed more of a romance/relationship book than a psychological crime novel but this is the key to laying the background to the complex story and definitely worth persevering with as it soon picks up pace and is a gripping read with a good mystery to unravel throughout.
May 29, 2016
Sue Fortin is a talented writer of suspense and certainly knows how and when to feed the reader with twist after compelling twist.
This is the story of Erin, partly written in first person and told over a dual timeline. Sixteen year old Erin is in love, pregnant and being told what is best for her by adults. They all make sense but she doesn't want to hear it. Present day, ten years later, Erin is living in London working at a beauty salon when she receives a blast from the past phone call from her old school friend, Roisin, in Ireland. The call is disturbing and unsettling for Erin and within hours she receives another urgent call from her sister, Fiona, informing her that their father is in intensive care with a serious head injury. From here Erin is forced back to Ireland to be with her family and knows she will also have to face the dreaded Roisin who she knows she will bump into in the small village they live in.
Sue Fortin writes beautifully and competently with unease and tense moments at each chapter ending. Her characters are realistic and visual with enough description to make them authentic without becoming mundane or boring. There is just the right amount of teasing romance to add to the suspense but without distracting from the gripping storyline. The text is rich and written with depth and meaning, and several times I thought I'd guessed what was coming, sometimes I did guess correctly but it didn't spoil the outcome at all because there was twist and revelation, one on top of another. I found the book totally compelling and couldn't put it down.
I am happy to thoroughly recommend if you like psychological suspense and I will certainly read more by Sue Fortin. I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Reading Copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This is the story of Erin, partly written in first person and told over a dual timeline. Sixteen year old Erin is in love, pregnant and being told what is best for her by adults. They all make sense but she doesn't want to hear it. Present day, ten years later, Erin is living in London working at a beauty salon when she receives a blast from the past phone call from her old school friend, Roisin, in Ireland. The call is disturbing and unsettling for Erin and within hours she receives another urgent call from her sister, Fiona, informing her that their father is in intensive care with a serious head injury. From here Erin is forced back to Ireland to be with her family and knows she will also have to face the dreaded Roisin who she knows she will bump into in the small village they live in.
Sue Fortin writes beautifully and competently with unease and tense moments at each chapter ending. Her characters are realistic and visual with enough description to make them authentic without becoming mundane or boring. There is just the right amount of teasing romance to add to the suspense but without distracting from the gripping storyline. The text is rich and written with depth and meaning, and several times I thought I'd guessed what was coming, sometimes I did guess correctly but it didn't spoil the outcome at all because there was twist and revelation, one on top of another. I found the book totally compelling and couldn't put it down.
I am happy to thoroughly recommend if you like psychological suspense and I will certainly read more by Sue Fortin. I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an Advance Reading Copy of this book in return for an honest review.
February 5, 2017
When Erin dates Roisin's brother, Niall, and they decide to run away together, a tragedy strikes. Erin moves away from Ireland and to London after the accident to live with her sister and never looks back. All of the sudden she receives a cryptic message from Roisin the same time her father falls and ends up in the hospital. Erin heads back to Ireland to confront Roisin and her past. Secrets always come out and these that surface affect more than just her.
A very quick read, I was a little confused as to why it was branded as a psychological thriller - or thriller of any kind really. There's secrets that come into play but nothing really happens until about 70% in and even then it was more like revelations rather than in the traditional thriller sense that I am used to. The music genre of drum-and-bass was mentioned a couple of times but spelled as "drum-and-base" which was a bit irksome - I'm sure this was caught before the final proof went out. There were certain chapters where the narrator changed completely without any pause, which could become confusing at times. Overall, the book was enjoyable about family secrets and how far a mother would go to protect their child(ren). If you're looking for an entertaining fast read about family secrets, old friendships and new love, this is a good one to pick up for a weekend or beach read. 3.5 stars for me.
A very quick read, I was a little confused as to why it was branded as a psychological thriller - or thriller of any kind really. There's secrets that come into play but nothing really happens until about 70% in and even then it was more like revelations rather than in the traditional thriller sense that I am used to. The music genre of drum-and-bass was mentioned a couple of times but spelled as "drum-and-base" which was a bit irksome - I'm sure this was caught before the final proof went out. There were certain chapters where the narrator changed completely without any pause, which could become confusing at times. Overall, the book was enjoyable about family secrets and how far a mother would go to protect their child(ren). If you're looking for an entertaining fast read about family secrets, old friendships and new love, this is a good one to pick up for a weekend or beach read. 3.5 stars for me.
February 9, 2017
Not really sure why this book was so highly recommended as a 'must read' for 2016. I am half way through and so far it has been most unexciting and completely predictable. Not much better than a Mills and Boon really. I intend to return to Audible for a credit.
March 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, although I would consider it more of a family drama than anything else.....
Erin returns home to Ireland after her father suffers a fall... she grew up in a small town, where everybody knows everything about everybody.... or do they? It appears as though everyone has some kind of secret....Erin was very likable, you really wanted things to work out for her... I also really like small town Ireland, made me want to visit, also helped that I listen to this on audio, so I got to hear that fabulous accent... sometimes I felt as though the secret really wasn't that big of a thing, but I guess living in a small town, things are more of a big deal.... A really good book about the bond of family, the bond of mother and child, and the bond to home....
Erin returns home to Ireland after her father suffers a fall... she grew up in a small town, where everybody knows everything about everybody.... or do they? It appears as though everyone has some kind of secret....Erin was very likable, you really wanted things to work out for her... I also really like small town Ireland, made me want to visit, also helped that I listen to this on audio, so I got to hear that fabulous accent... sometimes I felt as though the secret really wasn't that big of a thing, but I guess living in a small town, things are more of a big deal.... A really good book about the bond of family, the bond of mother and child, and the bond to home....
February 6, 2017
My mother was very big on the consequences of lying and this book shows that! Almost 4 stars, this is a good read that keeps drawing you on so that the mysteries and puzzles can be solved. I enjoyed the Irish setting.
September 2, 2016
This just wasn't my cup of tea and not what I was expecting considering it was billed as a gripping psychological drama. It wasn't gripping in the slightest not much happened and what did happen I saw coming a million miles off so there was no intrigue. Really disappointed.
May 2, 2016
If you like your romantic suspense, then The Girl Who Lied is definitely a book to look out for. It definitely has romance, while the suspense, mystery and secrets to be revealed kept me turning the pages, and although I guessed what may have been at the heart of the secret, there is still plenty that I didn't see coming.
The whole way through there is a sense of threat from Roisin, who used to be friends with Erin at school, until Erin started dating her brother. Erin then left for London suddenly and has barely been back to her small Irish town for 10 years. She probably would have preferred not to return, however her father has a bad fall, and so she goes back to her family for a bit, until they know the prognosis.
During Erin's return to Ireland, she helps out at the family cafe, sees her sister and nieces, makes friends with the young mechanic that helped call the ambulance for her father, and has to try and keep hidden that Roisin has been hassling her, and claiming to know her biggest secret.
As the story starts to gather pace and seriousness, I had such a sense of family from Erin's side of the story, and how they really love each other despite everything. However Roisin's family has gone the other way, and her mother has some really bad days and a liking for Sherry. Roisin is determined to make the truth about what happened 10 years ago come out, even if at the time she wasn't completely sure of the facts herself.
Erin soon realises it is good to be back in Ireland, which becomes very apparent when her boyfriend visits a few times, with his clear London snobbishness and poshness, feeling very out of place amongst her new friends.
During this book you will see the characters pushed to their limits to contain a 10 year old secret, and some questionable decisions are made, some of which without the readers knowledge which just ramped up the tension and made finding out exactly what was happening even more nerve wracking and gripping.
The Girl Who Lied is a fabulous story, and is another brilliant book from the talented Sue Fortin.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
The whole way through there is a sense of threat from Roisin, who used to be friends with Erin at school, until Erin started dating her brother. Erin then left for London suddenly and has barely been back to her small Irish town for 10 years. She probably would have preferred not to return, however her father has a bad fall, and so she goes back to her family for a bit, until they know the prognosis.
During Erin's return to Ireland, she helps out at the family cafe, sees her sister and nieces, makes friends with the young mechanic that helped call the ambulance for her father, and has to try and keep hidden that Roisin has been hassling her, and claiming to know her biggest secret.
As the story starts to gather pace and seriousness, I had such a sense of family from Erin's side of the story, and how they really love each other despite everything. However Roisin's family has gone the other way, and her mother has some really bad days and a liking for Sherry. Roisin is determined to make the truth about what happened 10 years ago come out, even if at the time she wasn't completely sure of the facts herself.
Erin soon realises it is good to be back in Ireland, which becomes very apparent when her boyfriend visits a few times, with his clear London snobbishness and poshness, feeling very out of place amongst her new friends.
During this book you will see the characters pushed to their limits to contain a 10 year old secret, and some questionable decisions are made, some of which without the readers knowledge which just ramped up the tension and made finding out exactly what was happening even more nerve wracking and gripping.
The Girl Who Lied is a fabulous story, and is another brilliant book from the talented Sue Fortin.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
May 17, 2016
"The Girl Who Lied" is the story of two young women, one desperate to keep a secret locked in the past and the other hellbent on unearthing the truth at any cost; but how far will she go?
When I started the story, I was hit by instant intrigue. What does Roisin want? What happened to Erin's dad and what happened to make Erin leave Rossway? As the story unfolded, there were snippets as to what happened in the past which feed the events in the present. The perspective of the story changed depending on the character; it jumps from the first person with Erin to the third person for all the other characters but Erin's role isn't in the first person when the focus is on one of the other characters. It's an unusual way of writing in my opinion but it was easy to follow.
The nature of "The Girl Who Lied" reminded me of domestic thriller authors such as Liane Moriarty or Laura Elliot. It's got suspense, intrigue and plenty of emotion. So much emotion, I had a lump in my throat as I read the final chapters.
Whilst reading "The Girl Who Lied" I downloaded "Closing In", another of Sue Fortin's books. Amazon describe this offering as a psychological thriller; "The Girl Who Lied" is at the lighter end of the psychological thriller scale - I've read some tales that are uncomfortable and mess with your head. This book would appeal to those who want more bite to their chick lit and romance stories.
Many thanks to Sue Fortin for giving me an advanced copy of this ebook in return for my unbiased review. I'll definitely be reading more from this author!
When I started the story, I was hit by instant intrigue. What does Roisin want? What happened to Erin's dad and what happened to make Erin leave Rossway? As the story unfolded, there were snippets as to what happened in the past which feed the events in the present. The perspective of the story changed depending on the character; it jumps from the first person with Erin to the third person for all the other characters but Erin's role isn't in the first person when the focus is on one of the other characters. It's an unusual way of writing in my opinion but it was easy to follow.
The nature of "The Girl Who Lied" reminded me of domestic thriller authors such as Liane Moriarty or Laura Elliot. It's got suspense, intrigue and plenty of emotion. So much emotion, I had a lump in my throat as I read the final chapters.
Whilst reading "The Girl Who Lied" I downloaded "Closing In", another of Sue Fortin's books. Amazon describe this offering as a psychological thriller; "The Girl Who Lied" is at the lighter end of the psychological thriller scale - I've read some tales that are uncomfortable and mess with your head. This book would appeal to those who want more bite to their chick lit and romance stories.
Many thanks to Sue Fortin for giving me an advanced copy of this ebook in return for my unbiased review. I'll definitely be reading more from this author!
October 31, 2018
25% into the book, I got bored. So, I started reading from the epilogue going up and when the secret was revealed, I was like, that's it?
After 3 books by SF, I have to say that she really do like HEA. Everyone seemed to accept everything and moved on with their life.
SF like to build up the mystery slowly. Then we found out what it was about and that's it. It was predictable.
SPOILER ALERT
After 3 books by SF, I have to say that she really do like HEA. Everyone seemed to accept everything and moved on with their life.
SF like to build up the mystery slowly. Then we found out what it was about and that's it. It was predictable.
SPOILER ALERT
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