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The Good Lie
Alternate cover edition for ASIN B00GMUOGSO
A Day on the Water. A Moment of Panic. Lives Changed Forever.
As Paul Wakefield paddles his kayak across Mouat Channel off Vancouver Island, he hears the engine of a yacht cutting through the fog toward him. In an instant, the cruiser swamps Paul and the young girl beside him and disappears into the fog, never to be seen again. Dumped into the winter ocean, the terrified girl thrashes in the ice-cold water, submerging Paul in her frenzy to survive. In a desperate attempt to save them both, Paul makes a fateful decision.
The Child Must be Revenged. Who will Survive?
The Good Lie goes deep into the hearts and souls of characters who struggle to adapt to an utterly senseless incident. Faced with grieving parents demanding retribution, Paul and his wife Valerie find their relationship pressured by a series of events that threaten to consume them.
What is Good? What is False? The Good Lie.
“In this profession you see everything. The thieves, the cokeheads, the pimps and prostitutes — of course they lie. Everybody expects them to lie. But sometimes, the good lie, too.”
A Day on the Water. A Moment of Panic. Lives Changed Forever.
As Paul Wakefield paddles his kayak across Mouat Channel off Vancouver Island, he hears the engine of a yacht cutting through the fog toward him. In an instant, the cruiser swamps Paul and the young girl beside him and disappears into the fog, never to be seen again. Dumped into the winter ocean, the terrified girl thrashes in the ice-cold water, submerging Paul in her frenzy to survive. In a desperate attempt to save them both, Paul makes a fateful decision.
The Child Must be Revenged. Who will Survive?
The Good Lie goes deep into the hearts and souls of characters who struggle to adapt to an utterly senseless incident. Faced with grieving parents demanding retribution, Paul and his wife Valerie find their relationship pressured by a series of events that threaten to consume them.
What is Good? What is False? The Good Lie.
“In this profession you see everything. The thieves, the cokeheads, the pimps and prostitutes — of course they lie. Everybody expects them to lie. But sometimes, the good lie, too.”
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2007
231 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
D.F. Bailey
23 books117 followersD.F. Bailey is a W.H. Smith First Novel Award and a Whistler Independent Book Award finalist.
His first novel, Fire Eyes was optioned for film. His second novel, Healing the Dead, was translated into German as Todliche Ahnungen. The Good Lie, another psychological thriller, was recorded as a talking book. A fourth novel, Exit from America, made its debut as an e-book in 2013.
In 2015 D.F. Bailey published The Finch Trilogy — Bone Maker, Stone Eater, and Lone Hunter — novels narrated from the point-of-view of a crime reporter in San Francisco. He is now extending the trilogy in a series of stand-alone novels.
Following his birth in Montreal, D.F. Bailey's family moved around North America from rural Ontario to New York City to McComb, Mississippi to Cape May, New Jersey. He finally "landed on his feet" on Vancouver Island — where he lives next to the Salish Sea in the city of Victoria.
For twenty-two years D.F. Bailey worked at the University of Victoria where he taught creative writing and journalism and coordinated the Professional Writing Cooperative Education Program — which he co-founded. From time to time he also freelanced as a business writer and journalist. In the fall of 2010 he left the university so that he could turn "his pre-occupation with writing into a full-blown obsession."
For more information about D.F. Bailey's books and his free newsletter visit: www.dfbailey.com
His first novel, Fire Eyes was optioned for film. His second novel, Healing the Dead, was translated into German as Todliche Ahnungen. The Good Lie, another psychological thriller, was recorded as a talking book. A fourth novel, Exit from America, made its debut as an e-book in 2013.
In 2015 D.F. Bailey published The Finch Trilogy — Bone Maker, Stone Eater, and Lone Hunter — novels narrated from the point-of-view of a crime reporter in San Francisco. He is now extending the trilogy in a series of stand-alone novels.
Following his birth in Montreal, D.F. Bailey's family moved around North America from rural Ontario to New York City to McComb, Mississippi to Cape May, New Jersey. He finally "landed on his feet" on Vancouver Island — where he lives next to the Salish Sea in the city of Victoria.
For twenty-two years D.F. Bailey worked at the University of Victoria where he taught creative writing and journalism and coordinated the Professional Writing Cooperative Education Program — which he co-founded. From time to time he also freelanced as a business writer and journalist. In the fall of 2010 he left the university so that he could turn "his pre-occupation with writing into a full-blown obsession."
For more information about D.F. Bailey's books and his free newsletter visit: www.dfbailey.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 24, 2020
AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING STORY!!
Reading this book, was almost like being there. A boating accident, involving a 13 year old girl, Jenny and Paul, are the main characters of the story. A mist unfolds upon the kayak group and separates Paul and Jenny, from the rest of the group. A mystery boat plows into them and in trying to save themselves, Jenny almost drowns Paul. In a frantic move to get away from Jenny, Paul hits her with his paddle and she winds up in a coma. Everything seems to go down hill from there. Jenny's father blames Paul and sues him and the kayak company owner.
An EPIC ENDING!!
Reading this book, was almost like being there. A boating accident, involving a 13 year old girl, Jenny and Paul, are the main characters of the story. A mist unfolds upon the kayak group and separates Paul and Jenny, from the rest of the group. A mystery boat plows into them and in trying to save themselves, Jenny almost drowns Paul. In a frantic move to get away from Jenny, Paul hits her with his paddle and she winds up in a coma. Everything seems to go down hill from there. Jenny's father blames Paul and sues him and the kayak company owner.
An EPIC ENDING!!
April 13, 2019
A challenging and different read
I began reading this book because I have really enjoyed Bailey other work. Continue to read for the same reason. It is thought provoking, and a good story but long.
I began reading this book because I have really enjoyed Bailey other work. Continue to read for the same reason. It is thought provoking, and a good story but long.
January 26, 2026
I admit to reading the first 180 pages and skimming the rest.
I received this book in Christmas book club exchange and was intrigued by the local setting (I live in Victoria, BC, where this book is set) and psychological drama/thriller promised by the back cover.
Unfortunately… this fails as a thriller because there is no mystery. The reader knows everything right from the start. There’s no unsolved questions to keep those pages turning!
Now, if there is no unsolved mystery, perhaps what keeps the pages turning is character development and insights into human existence? Alas, not. Our main character, Paul, is a dull fellow who relates his story with little urgency and limited complexity. We meander through this man’s mind, sometimes his ordinary thoughts and sometimes his medically distorted ones, but they are all incredibly boring. We are forced to remember with him, often at length, encounters with friends or family that have no bearing on the plot. In particular, we endure many intrusive anecdotes about his artist friend and Buddhist philosophy which do not connect to the character’s major conflict: to tell the truth or continue his lie to protect his life as he knows it. This conflict is an interesting premise and relatable! What would any of us do in Paul’s situation?
I can tell you what I would not do. I would not be pondering my dear departed friend and his thoughts on Buddhism at length. I would not be confronting the father of the victim of the accident (Reg Jensen) or accusing him of stalking my family. I would not be taking medication with serious psychiatric side effects without supervision from family members. I would not be obsessing my spouse’s prior partner and whether there may still be something between them. I would not be recalling fond details about my in-laws, including, gratuitously, how they once “enjoyed a rewarding sex life.” I would not mention offhandedly the dramatic death of my parents in a car crash and how I had to break up with my prior partner at that time because, weirdly, my partner took it harder than I did. Nope, none of that.
This book has the nugget of a good story, but something got lost in the process here. A good (but ruthless) editor would have removed the unnecessary digressions and honed in on the core of the story: will Paul tell the truth or will he lie forevermore? And if he does lie, what implications will there be for the rest of his life? I think the book was trying to go there, but it didn’t. Instead, the narrative forcibly drove me down some windy, dusty backroads until I flung myself out of the car.
I will say I enjoyed the Victoria scenery, though at times this also seemed gratuitous, like an ad for tourists or for locals the “hey, I know that place” enjoyment of recognition. This was particularly true for me because Paul lives in the same neighbour as my in-laws. Probably only a few blocks over. So I did get the delight of “I know that place!” Unfortunately, I could not stomach the thought of ever meeting Paul there!
I received this book in Christmas book club exchange and was intrigued by the local setting (I live in Victoria, BC, where this book is set) and psychological drama/thriller promised by the back cover.
Unfortunately… this fails as a thriller because there is no mystery. The reader knows everything right from the start. There’s no unsolved questions to keep those pages turning!
Now, if there is no unsolved mystery, perhaps what keeps the pages turning is character development and insights into human existence? Alas, not. Our main character, Paul, is a dull fellow who relates his story with little urgency and limited complexity. We meander through this man’s mind, sometimes his ordinary thoughts and sometimes his medically distorted ones, but they are all incredibly boring. We are forced to remember with him, often at length, encounters with friends or family that have no bearing on the plot. In particular, we endure many intrusive anecdotes about his artist friend and Buddhist philosophy which do not connect to the character’s major conflict: to tell the truth or continue his lie to protect his life as he knows it. This conflict is an interesting premise and relatable! What would any of us do in Paul’s situation?
I can tell you what I would not do. I would not be pondering my dear departed friend and his thoughts on Buddhism at length. I would not be confronting the father of the victim of the accident (Reg Jensen) or accusing him of stalking my family. I would not be taking medication with serious psychiatric side effects without supervision from family members. I would not be obsessing my spouse’s prior partner and whether there may still be something between them. I would not be recalling fond details about my in-laws, including, gratuitously, how they once “enjoyed a rewarding sex life.” I would not mention offhandedly the dramatic death of my parents in a car crash and how I had to break up with my prior partner at that time because, weirdly, my partner took it harder than I did. Nope, none of that.
This book has the nugget of a good story, but something got lost in the process here. A good (but ruthless) editor would have removed the unnecessary digressions and honed in on the core of the story: will Paul tell the truth or will he lie forevermore? And if he does lie, what implications will there be for the rest of his life? I think the book was trying to go there, but it didn’t. Instead, the narrative forcibly drove me down some windy, dusty backroads until I flung myself out of the car.
I will say I enjoyed the Victoria scenery, though at times this also seemed gratuitous, like an ad for tourists or for locals the “hey, I know that place” enjoyment of recognition. This was particularly true for me because Paul lives in the same neighbour as my in-laws. Probably only a few blocks over. So I did get the delight of “I know that place!” Unfortunately, I could not stomach the thought of ever meeting Paul there!
December 19, 2020
From the moment the group heads for Discovery Island in their kayaks, we know something is going to go terribly wrong. Yet we’re not prepared for the violence of the event that does take place, and certainly not for the entire aftermath.
Bailey takes his readers on a journey through the mind of Paul Wakefield, one of the kayakers involved in the accident, and the moral dilemma he faces as the young victim lies in a coma for weeks. At first, Wakefield simply seeks to protect himself and his perfect, privileged life. But as he works through his depression and the guilt he harbours over his part in the girl’s injuries, and as he deals with the increasingly insane actions of the girl’s grieving father, he convinces himself that his lie about what really happened on that trip is a “good lie,” a lie that is in the best interests of all parties concerned. His reasonings have us convinced he is right... or do they?
Bailey adds a good deal of suspense to balance the protagonist’s lengthy inner musings, with twists and turns in the action—scenes that lead the readers to dread the direction the story is taking, only to be relieved when the plot takes a different turn. A number of times, Bailey takes us to the edge like this, surprising us with the unclichéd outcomes.
The book leaves its readers with the uncomfortable feeling that, faced with the same moral dilemma, we would probably do the same, convincing ourselves that it will do no one any good to reveal the truth. In the end, Paul Wakefield seems to find peace within himself and the strength to put the incident behind him and resume his perfect life. Could any of us do the same?
Bailey takes his readers on a journey through the mind of Paul Wakefield, one of the kayakers involved in the accident, and the moral dilemma he faces as the young victim lies in a coma for weeks. At first, Wakefield simply seeks to protect himself and his perfect, privileged life. But as he works through his depression and the guilt he harbours over his part in the girl’s injuries, and as he deals with the increasingly insane actions of the girl’s grieving father, he convinces himself that his lie about what really happened on that trip is a “good lie,” a lie that is in the best interests of all parties concerned. His reasonings have us convinced he is right... or do they?
Bailey adds a good deal of suspense to balance the protagonist’s lengthy inner musings, with twists and turns in the action—scenes that lead the readers to dread the direction the story is taking, only to be relieved when the plot takes a different turn. A number of times, Bailey takes us to the edge like this, surprising us with the unclichéd outcomes.
The book leaves its readers with the uncomfortable feeling that, faced with the same moral dilemma, we would probably do the same, convincing ourselves that it will do no one any good to reveal the truth. In the end, Paul Wakefield seems to find peace within himself and the strength to put the incident behind him and resume his perfect life. Could any of us do the same?
October 25, 2021
A great read.
A group of people go out on a kayak trip with an instructor and then an accident occurs. This becomes the story of the husband, Paul, and his involvement in causing a young girl to be in a coma.
We get Paul with the warts and all as he has to find his way with his family beside him. Not an easy task but well scripted by the author. And it is The Good Lie that saves the day but at what cost?
A group of people go out on a kayak trip with an instructor and then an accident occurs. This becomes the story of the husband, Paul, and his involvement in causing a young girl to be in a coma.
We get Paul with the warts and all as he has to find his way with his family beside him. Not an easy task but well scripted by the author. And it is The Good Lie that saves the day but at what cost?
April 10, 2019
Conscience versus self preservation with the look of insanity knocking on the door
I almost did not want to read this book at the the 1st couple of chapters with all the self examination and depression kind of made me Depressed at first. What kept me readind is I wantrf to see what Paul would do eith this dillema
I almost did not want to read this book at the the 1st couple of chapters with all the self examination and depression kind of made me Depressed at first. What kept me readind is I wantrf to see what Paul would do eith this dillema
April 15, 2021
A very enjoyable book
Yet, was it? A trqgic accident which left a comotose 13-year old. A spiritually questioning man who unintentionally was the cause of her coma. His wonderfully happy marriage and son he adored, threatened by a madman. Poor Chester! My heart broke for him. I did enjoy this story very much despite the tragedies it portrayed. I think other readers will too.
Yet, was it? A trqgic accident which left a comotose 13-year old. A spiritually questioning man who unintentionally was the cause of her coma. His wonderfully happy marriage and son he adored, threatened by a madman. Poor Chester! My heart broke for him. I did enjoy this story very much despite the tragedies it portrayed. I think other readers will too.
April 19, 2020
While I received an ARC of this book, I have made an independent decision to post this review. Author D.F. Bailey has penned a gripping & emotional story in a masterful way. Don't even get me started on the subject matter!
November 18, 2020
A well written thought provoking narrative.
Another good read from Don, thoroughly enjoyed it as all his work I have read. Definitely recommend his work especially his Will Finch series.
Another good read from Don, thoroughly enjoyed it as all his work I have read. Definitely recommend his work especially his Will Finch series.
April 11, 2022
I found this book dark. He has developed his character and follows what happens when guilt consumes you. The first part of the book was very interesting as they did their lessons in kayaking on open water. Suspense, yes lots of it.
April 8, 2019
Very suspenseful with a surprise ending
April 7, 2019
Good from the start
This well written book grabs your attention from the start until the end. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves a great book.
This well written book grabs your attention from the start until the end. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves a great book.
April 18, 2019
Secrets
This it's a well written story, it it's also a hard pill to swallow. This author has truly done a great s job in penning this story. Is there such a thing as a "Good Lie"?
This it's a well written story, it it's also a hard pill to swallow. This author has truly done a great s job in penning this story. Is there such a thing as a "Good Lie"?
April 22, 2019
A suspenseful story as always that has you gripped. A day of peace in a kayak turns into more. Superb
August 5, 2014
I gave this book 4 stars bc it keeps the moral question and legal system in the background of a good story of real people. Paul wanted to live. Jenny did too, but she was taking him (and potentially both of them) down in the process. His health reflected his mental state as he agonized over being found out about how he survived. Not because he outright questioned what he'd done but because he didn't trust the rest of the world to accept his decision. Accept it by leaving his family and lifestyle intact. He is lucky, and knows he his blessed to have his wife by his side. If Fran stuck by her husband it could have changed everything. Together could they have pushed Paul to an edge he'd never been to? Even Reg's crazed behavior at the end fits his character and for me, didn't mitigate Paul's lie. He stuck by his own (sick) truth.
What is the truth of a situation? Just the events you witness or also the motivating factors you didn't see? Can you separate the two? How do you know what you would have or would not have done in such a situation when your reasons for living are completely different from everyone else's? Or even different from your own at different times of your life. Is your whole character defined in just one moment or in how you react later? Can you separate the two?
If no one saw it, then you could only know it as told to you by the parties involved. If they only want you to believe them, is that a lie...manipulation...faulty advertising...or just the truth as that person knew it? What if that person begins to question their truth? What are the right questions?
I don't believe there are as many accidents in life as other people tend to say there are. That doesn't mean being judgmental about the outcomes bc I don't think you can live and make decisions if you constantly, possibly obsessively, consider every single outcome. But I wouldn't have let my kid be by herself in a kayak in freezing water while I was in a dual. I wouldn't have trusted a 13 yr old to remain in contact with a group in the fog while I followed semi-blindly behind. Is that the parents' or instructor's fault or the other thinking adult? Luckily those questions were posed by someone I was telling about the book. I didn't question it as I read bc I could see someone else doing exactly what happened. But that's what I wouldn't have done.
Paul's lawyer told him to remember his outrage. Could Paul have told the truth with love? He didn't trust our "spiritually empty culture" ( p.314) to hear it with love. As Reg asks on p. 248, "Why does the truth never taste this sweet?"
What is the truth of a situation? Just the events you witness or also the motivating factors you didn't see? Can you separate the two? How do you know what you would have or would not have done in such a situation when your reasons for living are completely different from everyone else's? Or even different from your own at different times of your life. Is your whole character defined in just one moment or in how you react later? Can you separate the two?
If no one saw it, then you could only know it as told to you by the parties involved. If they only want you to believe them, is that a lie...manipulation...faulty advertising...or just the truth as that person knew it? What if that person begins to question their truth? What are the right questions?
I don't believe there are as many accidents in life as other people tend to say there are. That doesn't mean being judgmental about the outcomes bc I don't think you can live and make decisions if you constantly, possibly obsessively, consider every single outcome. But I wouldn't have let my kid be by herself in a kayak in freezing water while I was in a dual. I wouldn't have trusted a 13 yr old to remain in contact with a group in the fog while I followed semi-blindly behind. Is that the parents' or instructor's fault or the other thinking adult? Luckily those questions were posed by someone I was telling about the book. I didn't question it as I read bc I could see someone else doing exactly what happened. But that's what I wouldn't have done.
Paul's lawyer told him to remember his outrage. Could Paul have told the truth with love? He didn't trust our "spiritually empty culture" ( p.314) to hear it with love. As Reg asks on p. 248, "Why does the truth never taste this sweet?"
December 6, 2014
Given To Me For An Honest Review
The Good Lie by D.F. Bailey is a must read. Although is starts slow it will grab you and hold you on the edge of your seat as you see the pages turn, and turn, and turn then turn some more. All of a sudden you are taken away and you feel like you're part of the story. It is about a horrible kayaking accident. Paul wanted to live, so did Jenny. Paul agonized about being found out about what he had done to survive. He had a moral dilemma. You will be experiencing that moral dilemma even after you finish reading the book. This is an intriguing story. I really enjoyed reading it. I had a hard time putting it down even for a little while, it's that good. I gave this book 5 stars but it really deserves many, many more. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I look for more from D.F. Bailey.
The Good Lie by D.F. Bailey is a must read. Although is starts slow it will grab you and hold you on the edge of your seat as you see the pages turn, and turn, and turn then turn some more. All of a sudden you are taken away and you feel like you're part of the story. It is about a horrible kayaking accident. Paul wanted to live, so did Jenny. Paul agonized about being found out about what he had done to survive. He had a moral dilemma. You will be experiencing that moral dilemma even after you finish reading the book. This is an intriguing story. I really enjoyed reading it. I had a hard time putting it down even for a little while, it's that good. I gave this book 5 stars but it really deserves many, many more. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I look for more from D.F. Bailey.
January 31, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book started a little bit slow for me, but once it picks up, the suspense does as well. The premise in a nutshell is, would you tell a lie in order to alleviate someone's personal pain, and what are the repercussions for doing so? Very well written, making me feel as if I were part of the story itself. Will definitely read more from this author.
The book started a little bit slow for me, but once it picks up, the suspense does as well. The premise in a nutshell is, would you tell a lie in order to alleviate someone's personal pain, and what are the repercussions for doing so? Very well written, making me feel as if I were part of the story itself. Will definitely read more from this author.
July 8, 2008
This book is set in Victoria with lots of places we know. It has an interesting moral thread starting with whether "good" is a noun or an adjective...
December 6, 2014
awesome..very good to be spoken.. highly recomended for you all
July 22, 2019
I did not finish this one. Too sad and horrifying for me.
*Further thoughts: the protagonist is self-absorbed and commits horrific acts against everyone around him. Not my kind of story.
*Further thoughts: the protagonist is self-absorbed and commits horrific acts against everyone around him. Not my kind of story.
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