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The Lies We Tell
In The Lies We Tell by Theresa Schwegel, Chicago police detective Gina Simonetti is keeping a secret from the department: she has multiple sclerosis. Raising her young niece on her own, Gina hides her disease; she can’t afford to lose her job. Anyway, she is healthier than most of the cops she knows, and greatly appreciates the responsibility of caring for a child.
But Gina's secret is threatened when a colleague calls her in to help trace a suspect: Johnny Marble has added to his rap sheet with an assault charge—this time against his mother. When Gina pays a visit to the mom in the hospital and winds up running into—and after—Marble, she finds herself in a physical confrontation she can’t possibly win. He gets away, and Gina is faced with an impossible situation. She has to find him, but knows doing so means turning in the one person who knows the true story of what happened. After all, now that he's seen her fight, Johnny Marble can reveal her deepest secret to the police department.
Though alone in her struggle, Gina isn’t alone in her search: in addition to a loyal partner, there is a curious detective and an entire force of coworkers on the hunt. And she’s sympathetic to Marble’s mother, a woman who is losing her mind to Alzheimer’s. Still, Gina fears the fallout: she has no idea how will she keep her own world intact once Marble is found and the truth is out.
Once again, Schwegel brings her remarkable talent to bear in this compelling crime novel about imperfect people struggling against all odds—and this time, against the very people who are supposed to help.
But Gina's secret is threatened when a colleague calls her in to help trace a suspect: Johnny Marble has added to his rap sheet with an assault charge—this time against his mother. When Gina pays a visit to the mom in the hospital and winds up running into—and after—Marble, she finds herself in a physical confrontation she can’t possibly win. He gets away, and Gina is faced with an impossible situation. She has to find him, but knows doing so means turning in the one person who knows the true story of what happened. After all, now that he's seen her fight, Johnny Marble can reveal her deepest secret to the police department.
Though alone in her struggle, Gina isn’t alone in her search: in addition to a loyal partner, there is a curious detective and an entire force of coworkers on the hunt. And she’s sympathetic to Marble’s mother, a woman who is losing her mind to Alzheimer’s. Still, Gina fears the fallout: she has no idea how will she keep her own world intact once Marble is found and the truth is out.
Once again, Schwegel brings her remarkable talent to bear in this compelling crime novel about imperfect people struggling against all odds—and this time, against the very people who are supposed to help.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2017
About the author
Theresa Schwegel
6 books55 followersTheresa Schwegel was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is the author of four crime novels set in and around the Chicago area. Her debut, Officer Down, was published in 2005, and subsequently won the Edgar® Award for Best First Novel. In 2008, she received the 21st Century Award from the Chicago Public Library Foundation in recognition for an emerging artist with ties to Chicago. Her fifth novel, The Good Boy, is a family epic that combines the hard-boiled grit of her acclaimed police thrillers with the intimate portrait of a young boy trying to follow his heart in an often heartless city. The book will be released November 5th this year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 16, 2017
When I received this one in the mail from Minotaur last month I was mildly intrigued; Schwegel was a new to me author but the blurb on the back caught my attention featuring a main character with MS. I'm always looking for diversity in my books and, up until this book, had yet to read one highlighting the disease and what it looks like. I was incredibly pleased with this book; I truly wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did and had a hard time putting it down when trivial things like "food" and "potty breaks" were necessary. While the writer's style is completely her own and hard to pin point who it reminds me of, I think this story held an air of that same dry humor used by Harlan Coben and the strong, independent females featured by Alafair Burke. That should be enough to sell you on reading this one alone, right?
As I said above, I was utterly compelled to read this novel as quickly as possible. I loved everything about it; the lifelike characters, the complex relationships, the multi-layered plot and twists, they were all pieces to make this read exactly what it should be-gritty perfection. I was so on board with this book and these characters that I was shocked to find out this is a standalone. You mean to tell me I won't be seeing these fabulous characters again? I don't want to imply that there wasn't closure, simply that the author left many things available to be furthered and the entire structure of the novel felt like a set up for a long running police procedural/crime fiction series. How about the author furthers this into a series and I give you all of my money Minotaur? Quietly chants-series, series SERIES! In all seriousness this was one of the best police procedurals I've read this year and I'll be thinking about it for a long time. Highly recommended to all readers who like fast action and relatable characters with a side of witty humor!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to provide my thoughts here.
As I said above, I was utterly compelled to read this novel as quickly as possible. I loved everything about it; the lifelike characters, the complex relationships, the multi-layered plot and twists, they were all pieces to make this read exactly what it should be-gritty perfection. I was so on board with this book and these characters that I was shocked to find out this is a standalone. You mean to tell me I won't be seeing these fabulous characters again? I don't want to imply that there wasn't closure, simply that the author left many things available to be furthered and the entire structure of the novel felt like a set up for a long running police procedural/crime fiction series. How about the author furthers this into a series and I give you all of my money Minotaur? Quietly chants-series, series SERIES! In all seriousness this was one of the best police procedurals I've read this year and I'll be thinking about it for a long time. Highly recommended to all readers who like fast action and relatable characters with a side of witty humor!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to provide my thoughts here.
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December 13, 2017abandoned at 55% - read a number of reviews that said the first half of book bad - then got better? I don't see how it could.
It was a Chicago cop book...a bad one, though.
It was a Chicago cop book...a bad one, though.
May 31, 2017
I really like that Schwegel brings some social awareness into her latest thriller. Gina Simonetti , a Chicago cop, fears losing her job if her MS is discovered. While investigating an abuse incident, she is hospitalized due to a scuffle with the accused. If she has to testify against the abuser, her secret may be revealed when asked about her sudden physical weakness. If she loses her job, will she lose custody of her young niece? This is a very well-paced story; plotlines unfold smoothly and believable characters develop nicely. As Gina digs deeper into the life of the elderly abused victim, she finds corruption running rampant in the care industry. This is a real treat, a great mix of crime thriller and non-preachy social awareness.
August 9, 2017
I wasn't at all sold on the first half of this – the lead character drove me nuts and there were a lot of racial things happening that seemed well-intentioned but clunky. (Also the not-quite-two year old had way too much cutesy speaking time.) Are there any good essays about police procedurals in the age of Black Lives Matter?
Anyway, the book gets better, and the mystery is ultimately pretty intriguing, and I like how it wrapped up.
Anyway, the book gets better, and the mystery is ultimately pretty intriguing, and I like how it wrapped up.
August 15, 2017
I am not sure how I feel about this book. The main character isn't very likeable but every other character seems to want to help her. Gina is at her best in her scenes with Isabel. Also, I still am unclear why Gina was so focused on finding Marble. It seems that her best bet would have been to let him go since he knew her secret.
There is the social\political issue of health care that runs throughout the book. The author doesn't go all Julia Sugarbaker about health care but the issues are repeatedly mentioned.
I would try another book by this author but I wouldn't read a serial about this set of characters.
There is the social\political issue of health care that runs throughout the book. The author doesn't go all Julia Sugarbaker about health care but the issues are repeatedly mentioned.
I would try another book by this author but I wouldn't read a serial about this set of characters.
January 2, 2018
I wanted to give this book two stars but finally bumped it up a star because once the story hit its stride, it kept me reading late into the night. This is essentially a novel about a female Chicago cop who struggles with a MS diagnosis that she is trying to hide and raising her brother's two year old girl. Those strands provide the "hold together theme" for the first part of the book. Once a crime occurs though, we are off to the races through an elaborate tangle of twists that end with an unpredictable ending.
The main character, the lady cop, has family problems dating back to her childhood which we learn about as the story unfolds. Perhaps this is what shapes her sometimes erratic, driven behavior but it is hard for the reader to bond with her in the diverse settings of the plot. The people who surround her come and go, help and hinder, with sometimes confusing frequency. There is also an element of unreality in the tasks she accomplishes while suffering from grave injuries on two separate occasions.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the book is the conspiracy that is gradually revealed, exposing a seldom seen, disturbing aspect of the health care system in which patient welfare is subsumed by a larger group's desire to secretly extract money from them.
All in all, I think it is a barely three star entry, saved by the picked up pace as the conspiracy is slowly unveiled.
The main character, the lady cop, has family problems dating back to her childhood which we learn about as the story unfolds. Perhaps this is what shapes her sometimes erratic, driven behavior but it is hard for the reader to bond with her in the diverse settings of the plot. The people who surround her come and go, help and hinder, with sometimes confusing frequency. There is also an element of unreality in the tasks she accomplishes while suffering from grave injuries on two separate occasions.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the book is the conspiracy that is gradually revealed, exposing a seldom seen, disturbing aspect of the health care system in which patient welfare is subsumed by a larger group's desire to secretly extract money from them.
All in all, I think it is a barely three star entry, saved by the picked up pace as the conspiracy is slowly unveiled.
February 17, 2021
Chicago police detective Gina Simonetti is keeping a huge secret from mainly everyone in her life, including the department. When her illness starts to affect her job performance, will Gina have no choice but to either leave the job or disclose the medical facts?
Complicating matters for Gina is the fact that she is taking care of her niece, as her brother is unable. Will her neglect of her own health prove to be Gina's undoing?
The author brushes off Gina's ability to keep her secret by using HIPAA privacy laws as the reason for the doctor not disclosing, but the simple fact that she uses her work insurance to pay would garner attention. Gina swore an oath to protect and serve, though she completely disregards that fact. I did not find the book to be all that realistic, especially Gina's lack of respect for her fellow officers and the public at large. The plot itself lacked focus and did not capture my attention. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend The Lies We Tell to other readers.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Lies We Tell by NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books. The choice to review this book was my own.
Complicating matters for Gina is the fact that she is taking care of her niece, as her brother is unable. Will her neglect of her own health prove to be Gina's undoing?
The author brushes off Gina's ability to keep her secret by using HIPAA privacy laws as the reason for the doctor not disclosing, but the simple fact that she uses her work insurance to pay would garner attention. Gina swore an oath to protect and serve, though she completely disregards that fact. I did not find the book to be all that realistic, especially Gina's lack of respect for her fellow officers and the public at large. The plot itself lacked focus and did not capture my attention. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend The Lies We Tell to other readers.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Lies We Tell by NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books. The choice to review this book was my own.
April 15, 2020
I got this book accidentally from the library and definitely wouldn't have selected it intentionally. This isn't normally the genre I go for, but I'm an equal opportunity reader so I gave it a shot. I thought the main character Gina made a lot of really stupid decisions and as a result I found her to be somewhat annoying. I also would hope as a veteran police officer she wouldn't make that many major errors in judgement. I didn't feel her multiple sclerosis was portrayed in an accurate way, which bothers me because it gives the mostly unaware general public an incorrect idea about what the disease is. I also knew basically from the instant he was introduced that Gina and Ray were going to end up together. I did like the parts with Isabel and I appreciated the concept of the big conglomerate creating shell companies to siphon money illegally because it was unexpected but realistic. It was a relatively quick, easy read and had a "happy ending". Overall, I thought the book was just ok, not especially inspiring and for this genre not particularly the best I've ever read, so I probably wouldn't recommend it to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2018
Pretty good read, but oh, our "heroine" Gina Simonelli, can be such a dumbass.
She is a police detective who has MS. We are "treated" to an up close and personal look at the disease and how it manifests. Gina wants no one to know (though they can't help it).
She thinks her assignment is a to catch a guy who assaulted his mother.. Johnny Marble. It doesn't take this reader long to figure out this book is more about crimes committed in the upper echelons of health care that keep us all from getting proper health care.
I would have given this another star, but I just could not sympathize much with a person that needs to take care of herself and her MS and family, yet chooses drink every time she gets upset. gahhh
She is a police detective who has MS. We are "treated" to an up close and personal look at the disease and how it manifests. Gina wants no one to know (though they can't help it).
She thinks her assignment is a to catch a guy who assaulted his mother.. Johnny Marble. It doesn't take this reader long to figure out this book is more about crimes committed in the upper echelons of health care that keep us all from getting proper health care.
I would have given this another star, but I just could not sympathize much with a person that needs to take care of herself and her MS and family, yet chooses drink every time she gets upset. gahhh
July 31, 2017
When Gina’s physical health threatens her ability to do her job as a Chicago police detective, she needs to decide whom to trust as she works on the biggest case of her career. At risk are her brother George and his child Isabel, her partner, and several vulnerable senior citizens. The win – no win situations provide twists and turns as Gina confronts the one battle she knows she can never win.
Goodreads Giveaway randomly chose me to receive this book. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Goodreads Giveaway randomly chose me to receive this book. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
January 6, 2018
I think it's the writing style but I just did not like the main character. She was "too": too brash, her attitude was too snarky, her narration grated too harshly. I wonder how the story would have sounded if written in the third person. She had a condition that should have evoked a little sympathy that her life would unravel but, somehow, I just wanted the book to end so I could get on with the next story on the shelf!
September 15, 2017
An okay crime novel that did not pack in a lot of excitement. Gina is a detective who is hiding her symptoms of multiple sclerosis from the department. A crime is committed and as she investigates, she becomes a victim too. The rest of the novel is a drawn out tale of trying to catch the suspect while dealing with her health issues and family drama.
September 20, 2017
Pretty good for my start with this author after a recommendation from Michael Connelly in an interview I read. Lots of twists and turns. Does the author have MS? Know someone who does? She's not saying in the book. Gina, the protagonist, is one tough cookie. I will be reading more of Theresa Schwegel.
September 17, 2017
I liked female protagonist Gina Simonetti a lot. She was enough to keep me reading an otherwise mundane cobbled-together story. Easily anticipated plot twists offered few surprises, but the MRI scene was truly chilling. I ended up skimming the last 75 pages.
August 7, 2017
Review to come.
Special thanks to the publisher & author for supplying a free copy to review that I won via a Goodreads Giveaway.
Special thanks to the publisher & author for supplying a free copy to review that I won via a Goodreads Giveaway.
September 17, 2017
This was a real sleeper!! Until halfway it was ok but like magic it picked up and turned into a great story that put it close to 4 stars. Will read more by this author.
November 9, 2017
I didn't like this character for much of the book but found her interesting and ultimately worthwhile.
November 11, 2017
The plot & pacing of this book felt disjointed & confusing. Some aggressive editing would have really made a difference!!
January 11, 2018
A little slow in the beginning, but I am glad I finished to see how Gina's story would unfold.
June 15, 2018
A rather complicated story. Some nice characters. Especially the little girl, Isobel. And some very good depictions of fights and pain. But the overall plot was rather overdone, I thought.
August 1, 2018
A solud thriller with genuine characters.
February 2, 2020
It's my first book where I can't give it a corner of a star.
Offensive language, a female detective with MS swearing like a cheap whore, subject with nothing in it.
Offensive language, a female detective with MS swearing like a cheap whore, subject with nothing in it.
March 8, 2020
Meh, it was fine
October 4, 2020
I loved Gina! I read the book in a couple of days. Great escape from the fraught world we’re in!
October 22, 2020
Good characters and very interesting plot but the ending did not sum things up for me. I was waiting for a good cry, emotional release -- something more than Schwegel offered up.
November 17, 2020
filth procedural
read in three days
read in three days
February 3, 2023
Had hard time getting into it
July 13, 2024
Loved this book. Especially that it was based in Chicago.
January 18, 2025
A crime novel set in and around Chicago. What I liked most was it being set in Chicago! The story was just ok.
July 14, 2017
Thank you to Theresa Schwegel and Goodreads.com I won this book in a Giveaway.
An amazing story about a snipet in time of the main characters life, how one huge decision can affect the rest of her life and those around her. She keeps her diagnosed a secret, a little too long, and then embraces it in the end and decides to fight. Along the way, her relationships with her family and her co-workers that confuse and complicate the situation.
I will say that the book while very well written had a dry and monotone to me until the last 15 chapters. It was hard to get into but once you got the tone of the book it went fast.
An amazing story about a snipet in time of the main characters life, how one huge decision can affect the rest of her life and those around her. She keeps her diagnosed a secret, a little too long, and then embraces it in the end and decides to fight. Along the way, her relationships with her family and her co-workers that confuse and complicate the situation.
I will say that the book while very well written had a dry and monotone to me until the last 15 chapters. It was hard to get into but once you got the tone of the book it went fast.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews