Lie Kill Walk Away

by Matt Dickinson

Lie.
I check the Range Rover dash. The keys are in there. The sirens are closing in. There's a police helicopter coming over the hospital.
Kill.
I have to decide. Decide right now. I can keep out of trouble. Not get involved. Just run away through the park and go home and pretend none of this happened.
Or I can help Becca.
Walk Away
I stare into her eyes. Those deep blue eyes. Just for a split second. I tell her, 'get in the car'.

Joe and Becca uncover a deadly secret. A lethal bioweapon is about to be unleashed. Millions will suffer a terrible death.
Now they are being hunted down.
And their problems have only just begun...

314 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2016

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe and Becca uncover a deadly secret. A lethal bioweapon is about to be unleashed.

The story is told through the two main characters in short sharp alternating chapters, pretty much a page at a time. This really brings a sense of pace to the action.
I constantly wanted to know what was about to happen next, as the narrative switches between the male and female protagonists it constantly keeps the story exciting.

[Elva · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐
I had zero expectations for this book and I had no idea what to expect. But this book isn't like anything I could've imagined. It's SUPER fast paced. I literally could not put it down! There were so many secrets, mysteries and plot twists I had not seen coming. The writing style was very uniqe and different. It switched pov's on almost every page. There were over 240 chapters. I really liked both Becca and Joe. They're a really dynamic duo. I had no idea what would happen on the next page and that kept me hooked. It was a very intertaining and speciel read and i had not expected to like it ad much as i did.

[17smitho135 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel, aimed for teenagers, is certainly a page turner. I wasn't that keen on the writing style. Alternating between the two characters after almost every page was an interesting idea, but it got pretty confusing at times. However, the plot was great and it kept me gripped until the end.

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Lie, Kill, Walk Away’ is an enthralling read. It’s a bold story about the importance of family and the pain of absent mothers, about unthinkable decisions and the difficulties of loyalty when your choice will inevitably lead to someone getting hurt.

It shocks from the opening: Becca finds her dad mid-suicide attempt in a haunting opening scene, and Joe’s graffiti for some quick cash inevitably backfires. Tension builds and events for both of them spiral rapidly out of control. Joe in particular is from a difficult background and trapped in a series of bad circumstances; you can see him making the wrong choices but escape from this way of life seems unfeasible.

The narrative is split between Joe and Becca’s voices in short, sharp chapters, flying at a rapid pace from one crisis straight into another. As events unravel and they discover a horrific plan, Becca and Joe act with integrity and honesty, owning their mistakes and making brave choices. There are several chilling scenes and one or two slightly inconceivable escapes along the way but overall it’s a convincing story.

This book stands out in its boldness in throwing impossible questions at its readers: how far would you – should you – go to protect your family? Who do you trust when the people you are told to trust are lying to you?  Is it ever okay to betray your friends?

Some of the characterisation is a bit stilted, but regardless this is a gripping and challenging read, impossible to put down. Short chapters (mostly one page) make it a particularly good read for any reluctant readers. 

[Julie Fielding · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel, aimed at teens, is certainly a page turner. The text structure (mainly one page chapters) makes it easy to read and you will soon reach the end. The only challenging part is the inclusion of technical vocabulary but this is kept to a minimum so it does not disrupt the flow once you are used to the subject matter.
The two main characters come from contrasting backgrounds, complimenting each other extremely well. Their characters and personalities are cleverly described through their own words in alternate chapters. This keeps it real and will certainly appeal to a teenage audience. Both Joe and Becca have experienced challenging upbringings leaving the reader rooting for both characters.
Now to the plot - it’s believable, highly charged and includes elements of a topical nature (e.g. the Ebola outbreak). There are twists and turns to keep you hooked and the tension is evident throughout.
Just one word of warning - I would like to comment on one aspect (at the beginning of the novel) which covers a sensitive theme. Describing an orchestrated hanging may disturb some, especially those who have experienced suicides within their own family. Perhaps a warning note at the start of the book would have given the reader some insight into the content.
I would certainly recommend this book to a teen audience, even as a whole class reader for secondary schools. It would certainly generate interesting discussion and keep the reader engaged with its clever storyline.

[Lexie Conyngham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a teen novel (is that YA?) with alternating narratives by Becca and Joe, and inspired by the death of government scientist David Kelly some years ago. Joe is a graffiti artist with a youth offending record, while Becca already has an offer from Cambridge based on her A levels aged fifteen. When Becca’s father, a government scientist, is found in an apparent suicide attempt, Becca’s life becomes more complicated. The style is immediate and urgent and the two main characters are very likeable straightaway: both have suffered tragedies in their young lives and are coping as best they can. And they’re bright – bright enough to do that sensible thing that so many characters fail to do in books when they discover some momentous secret: they keep it to themselves and don’t rush up and tell the bad guys what they’ve discovered. Hooray! Some good questions asked here, what killing and radicalisation really does to you, and under what circumstances might radicalisation be more likely to work. And a very exciting story.

[Annie Venters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book and I found it really engaging, especially as you saw the plot unfold in the last few parts, and I liked how it was engaging straight away, and started right where the drama begins. I prefered it more to other books I’ve read because it isn’t slow paced. I did, however find some parts a bit less interesting, like the part with the “dog poisoner”. I don’t know why but I felt that that part was kind of unnessarcary, despite how it lead to most of the plot being unravelled. Overall though, it’s a really good book.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't overly keen on the writing style. Alternating between the two characters after almost every page was an interesting idea, but it got pretty confusing at times. There wasn't enough time to get used to Becca's perspective before you were reading Joe's. Nevertheless, the plot was great and it kept me gripped until the end, but I would have definitely preferred it if it was just told from one person's perspective. Again, it was an interesting idea, but I don't think it was necessary.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
This book surprised me by how much I enjoyed it - I took it on holiday and couldn't put it down!
I love the fact the chapters are short and switch between the two main characters. I felt like I really got to know Joe & Becca.
Also, the whole government cover-up fascinated me - I will definitely be looking more closely into Dr Kelly's story!

[Shamima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good quick read for me and it was full of fast paced action. The writing style was mainly focused on the two main characters; Becca and Joe which I liked. They were both very likeable characters. Overall, it was a good read.

[Xinxia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this book was a really interesting book filled with suspense, mystery and fun.
I like some of the cliffhangers inside each chapter and how the characters are fulled with tons of details. It took me a few weeks to finish this book and it was super fun and wonderful.

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was good, I enjoyed reading it but I think its for more 12-14 year olds)) I only read it cuz it was signed by the author w my name #ifeelspecial but it wasnt a bad book just wasnt my type of age book and the writing seemed a bit childish, like something I would write if I wrote a book...

[GMT Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great easy read.

Brilliant. Full of energy and movement helped by the interweaving single chapters. Great for fans of adventure with some well imagined not so futuristic ideas.

[Malak Ansari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book (read it in grade 7). Was the book that got my younger sister into reading. Characters are likeable and I liked the mystery aspect of the novel.

[shauna · Rating 1 out of 5]

It wasn't bad.. But it had me seriously stressed out at parts tbh..

[Lucy Jennifer Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't get what y'all are talking about. this book felt like the kind of book a 12 year old would write for the YAFF competition.
The plot was intertaining but the writing was 'meh'.

[Emma Shield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this book for my daughter knowing full well I'd read it aswell lol! It's actually a really good story and loved the characters. Would recommend for sure

[Gu¢¢i™ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was a bit messy. But I've learnt A LOT. Good read!

[Dusted Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, one of the best books I ever read, I hope to read more of Matt Dickinson.

[Ashby Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME BOOK!!

[16RoweD]

This was a very interesting book with interesting character dynamics. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would definitely recommend to anybody else thinking of reading this book.