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Depth of Lies
When Shea Walker, a sunny, easygoing mom, is found dead in a bathtub with a stomach full of booze and pills, the shocking discovery shatters the complacency of her comfortable suburban community.
Kat Burrows, Shea’s longtime friend and former neighbor, is hit hardest. How could a woman she thought she knew so well come to such a sordid end? What could lead happy, well-adjusted, responsible Shea to accidentally overdose on alcohol and narcotics? Or, worse, drive her to suicide?
Compelled to uncover the truth of Shea’s final months, Kat delves beneath the orderly surface of her familiar world to discover a web of thwarted desire, shameful secrets, and shocking betrayal that suggests a scarier explanation for what happened to Shea. As her carefully constructed reality begins to crumble, Kat must question every reassuring assumption her life is built upon to solve the mystery…and summon the courage and resourcefulness to survive it.
Kat Burrows, Shea’s longtime friend and former neighbor, is hit hardest. How could a woman she thought she knew so well come to such a sordid end? What could lead happy, well-adjusted, responsible Shea to accidentally overdose on alcohol and narcotics? Or, worse, drive her to suicide?
Compelled to uncover the truth of Shea’s final months, Kat delves beneath the orderly surface of her familiar world to discover a web of thwarted desire, shameful secrets, and shocking betrayal that suggests a scarier explanation for what happened to Shea. As her carefully constructed reality begins to crumble, Kat must question every reassuring assumption her life is built upon to solve the mystery…and summon the courage and resourcefulness to survive it.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2017
1163 people are currently reading
2496 people want to read
About the author
E.C. Diskin
4 books314 followersE.C. Diskin studied Radio/TV/Film and English in Texas (TCU), moved to New York to dance with a tap dance company in Soho, and finally became "an adult" when she moved to Chicago for law school. But after several years behind a desk, a drawer full of story ideas, and two little ones at home, she took a break from the law and began writing fiction. Fortunately, the fantasy of living a creative life became reality with the success of her debut legal thriller, The Green Line. Her second, Broken Grace, ventured into psych thrillers. Her third, Depth of Lies, dove into the veneers and secrets behind the closed doors of suburbia, and her latest, Desperate Paths, centers on one small town’s unraveling as secrets, lies, sex, guns, and extremists collide.
When she's not writing, designing spaces, or building furniture, she practices a little law on the side.
For more information, check out www.ecdiskin.com
Connect with Diskin at www.facebook.com/ECDiskin
When she's not writing, designing spaces, or building furniture, she practices a little law on the side.
For more information, check out www.ecdiskin.com
Connect with Diskin at www.facebook.com/ECDiskin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
August 29, 2017
*4.5 stars*
Last year, after having failed miserably with a few audiobooks, I’m talking complete duds, I stumbled across Broken Grace, this author's previous book, and was hooked instantly. Compelling storyline, interesting characters, great narrator and a deliciously dark twist—need I say more? So, you can imagine my level of excitement when I caught a glimpse of the gorgeous Depth of Lies cover and realized it was the very same author that delivered one of my favorite thrillers last year.
The piles upon piles of books that I’ve labeled ‘must read NOW’ and the numerous review copies demanding my attention be damned, nothing was stopping me from diving into this book immediately. Well, let me just tell you, so worth it. What I initially intended to be a few quick chapters before bed, just enough to satisfy my curiosity of what was to come, turned into the “one more chapter” game. You know the one I'm talking about. Most of us have found ourselves caught up in that craziness a time or two, I'm sure. At the end of the day, what’s a few precious hours of sleep sacrificed for an utterly addicting experience though, right? Like I said earlier, totally worth it.
“How well do any of us really know each other?”
Regardless of what we all tell ourselves, we never truly know everything about anyone—be it our confidantes, best friends or even family. Think about it. Chances are, there’s something you’re holding close. Something you wouldn’t dare tell another soul. Something about your life that might shock others if they actually found out about it. That’s the very thing this story explores, the secrets we keep from one another—out of fear, shame or even just pride. Who wants to admit things aren’t as perfect as they might appear to be?
What initially drew me into the story was the sad realization that this seemingly happy 52-year-old woman with friends and family that adored her could end up the victim of such a horrible accident. Wait, was it an accident? What landed Shea in that hotel room alone, in that bathtub, drunk out of her mind, with an empty bottle of pills? The unraveling of the truth is masterful—the guilt eating away at Shea's friends, the festering resentments and the layers of lies and deceit underscoring it all—and compelling beyond belief, all while managing to feel authentic. Believable. Real. This cast feels real.
This is definitely a character driven novel at its very core. The majority of the story is told from Kat’s perspective, Shea’s closest friend and neighbor for over 20 years, but we also get to see the last few months of Shea's life through her own eyes. The author successfully strings the reader along with Kat’s amateur detective skills—creating a tense situation and casting doubt in every direction. What’s clear all along, this is a group of friends that anyone would be lucky to have.
*THANK YOU to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. For all of my fellow NetGalley junkies, this is a ‘Read Now’ title! *wink*
Last year, after having failed miserably with a few audiobooks, I’m talking complete duds, I stumbled across Broken Grace, this author's previous book, and was hooked instantly. Compelling storyline, interesting characters, great narrator and a deliciously dark twist—need I say more? So, you can imagine my level of excitement when I caught a glimpse of the gorgeous Depth of Lies cover and realized it was the very same author that delivered one of my favorite thrillers last year.
The piles upon piles of books that I’ve labeled ‘must read NOW’ and the numerous review copies demanding my attention be damned, nothing was stopping me from diving into this book immediately. Well, let me just tell you, so worth it. What I initially intended to be a few quick chapters before bed, just enough to satisfy my curiosity of what was to come, turned into the “one more chapter” game. You know the one I'm talking about. Most of us have found ourselves caught up in that craziness a time or two, I'm sure. At the end of the day, what’s a few precious hours of sleep sacrificed for an utterly addicting experience though, right? Like I said earlier, totally worth it.
“How well do any of us really know each other?”
Regardless of what we all tell ourselves, we never truly know everything about anyone—be it our confidantes, best friends or even family. Think about it. Chances are, there’s something you’re holding close. Something you wouldn’t dare tell another soul. Something about your life that might shock others if they actually found out about it. That’s the very thing this story explores, the secrets we keep from one another—out of fear, shame or even just pride. Who wants to admit things aren’t as perfect as they might appear to be?
What initially drew me into the story was the sad realization that this seemingly happy 52-year-old woman with friends and family that adored her could end up the victim of such a horrible accident. Wait, was it an accident? What landed Shea in that hotel room alone, in that bathtub, drunk out of her mind, with an empty bottle of pills? The unraveling of the truth is masterful—the guilt eating away at Shea's friends, the festering resentments and the layers of lies and deceit underscoring it all—and compelling beyond belief, all while managing to feel authentic. Believable. Real. This cast feels real.
This is definitely a character driven novel at its very core. The majority of the story is told from Kat’s perspective, Shea’s closest friend and neighbor for over 20 years, but we also get to see the last few months of Shea's life through her own eyes. The author successfully strings the reader along with Kat’s amateur detective skills—creating a tense situation and casting doubt in every direction. What’s clear all along, this is a group of friends that anyone would be lucky to have.
*THANK YOU to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. For all of my fellow NetGalley junkies, this is a ‘Read Now’ title! *wink*
September 17, 2017
Absolutely loved it!
A Traveling Sister Read with Brenda, Norma and Lindsay!
The girlfriends are back together again. Sadly, this time it’s to mourn and celebrate the life of one of their own. Their beautiful friend Shea was found dead, alone at their favorite vacation island. How could this have happened? Is it even conceivable that she may have killed herself? An accident? Or could someone else have been responsible?
Katherine, known to all as Kat, is determined to find out what happened to her best friend. Even if it means digging into the lives of all her friends. After all, friends don't keep secrets from each other…right?
Even though there were so many players to keep track of, amazingly I had no problem. The character development was so vivid. Everyone had a distinct voice. Very well done!!
What sets this book apart from others with similar themes (groups of girlfriends), was that these women were a bit older. In their early fifties, facing an empty nest. They were still portrayed as vibrant, young and sexy. (Fifty is the new thirty!) Very refreshing!!
An absolute edge of your seat thriller. Kept me engaged and guessing throughout! Has everything you'd want in a suspenseful read. Highly recommend!
4.5*
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and E.C. Diskin for a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
For this review and our Full Traveling Sister review please visit The Traveling Sister section of Norma and Brenda’s fabulous book blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
A Traveling Sister Read with Brenda, Norma and Lindsay!
The girlfriends are back together again. Sadly, this time it’s to mourn and celebrate the life of one of their own. Their beautiful friend Shea was found dead, alone at their favorite vacation island. How could this have happened? Is it even conceivable that she may have killed herself? An accident? Or could someone else have been responsible?
Katherine, known to all as Kat, is determined to find out what happened to her best friend. Even if it means digging into the lives of all her friends. After all, friends don't keep secrets from each other…right?
Even though there were so many players to keep track of, amazingly I had no problem. The character development was so vivid. Everyone had a distinct voice. Very well done!!
What sets this book apart from others with similar themes (groups of girlfriends), was that these women were a bit older. In their early fifties, facing an empty nest. They were still portrayed as vibrant, young and sexy. (Fifty is the new thirty!) Very refreshing!!
An absolute edge of your seat thriller. Kept me engaged and guessing throughout! Has everything you'd want in a suspenseful read. Highly recommend!
4.5*
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and E.C. Diskin for a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
For this review and our Full Traveling Sister review please visit The Traveling Sister section of Norma and Brenda’s fabulous book blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
September 23, 2017
EXCERPT: 'It was the perfect opportunity to mention Shea's call, but Kat's guilt was like a gag. She hadn't even told Mack about it. Every time Kat thought about how she had ignored that call, tossing the phone aside as if Shea were a nuisance, her heart ached. She had died the next day. Alone in a bathtub. Far from home. Leaving a husband and kids and an entire community baffled and heartbroken. She'd obviously needed her friend. She'd reached out to Kat and Kat had tossed her aside. '
THE BLURB: “A brilliant examination of the shadows lurking in every relationship and what happens when you step into the darkness.” —Mindy Mejia, author of Everything You Want Me to Be
When Shea Walker, a sunny, easygoing mom, is found dead in a bathtub with a stomach full of booze and pills, the shocking discovery shatters the complacency of her comfortable suburban community.
Kat Burrows, Shea’s longtime friend and former neighbor, is hit hardest. How could a woman she thought she knew so well come to such a sordid end? What could lead happy, well-adjusted, responsible Shea to accidentally overdose on alcohol and narcotics? Or, worse, drive her to suicide?
Compelled to uncover the truth of Shea’s final months, Kat delves beneath the orderly surface of her familiar world to discover a web of thwarted desire, shameful secrets, and shocking betrayal that suggests a scarier explanation for what happened to Shea. As her carefully constructed reality begins to crumble, Kat must question every reassuring assumption her life is built upon to solve the mystery…and summon the courage and resourcefulness to survive it.
MY COMMENTS: Secrets, lies and friends. An intoxicating combination in the hands of author E. C. Diskin. We all lie, to our friends, for our friends and sometimes about our friends. We all have secrets, with our friends, and from our friends. But ultimately the secrets Shae kept and the lies she told are what killed her.
Depth of Lies by E. C. Diskin is told in two timelines, 'now', when Shae is dead and Kat is trying to find out why, and 'then', as we follow Shae to her death. Did she kill herself, was it a terrible accident, or was she killed?
Diskin ratchets up the tension and suspense as the book progresses. We see behind the facades that each of the women present to each other, to their husbands, to the world at large. They might think that they know everything about each other, but they only know what their friends want them to know.
Depth of Lies is compelling reading. It is a deftly written, unpredictable journey through the emotional entanglements of a group of women in their early 50s, women who have raised their families together, who have been there for each other in sickness and in health. Will Shae's death bind them even closer together, or will it be the catalyst that rips them apart?
A very enthusiastic 4☆.
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Depth of Lies by E. C. Diskin for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page for an explanation of my ratings. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
THE BLURB: “A brilliant examination of the shadows lurking in every relationship and what happens when you step into the darkness.” —Mindy Mejia, author of Everything You Want Me to Be
When Shea Walker, a sunny, easygoing mom, is found dead in a bathtub with a stomach full of booze and pills, the shocking discovery shatters the complacency of her comfortable suburban community.
Kat Burrows, Shea’s longtime friend and former neighbor, is hit hardest. How could a woman she thought she knew so well come to such a sordid end? What could lead happy, well-adjusted, responsible Shea to accidentally overdose on alcohol and narcotics? Or, worse, drive her to suicide?
Compelled to uncover the truth of Shea’s final months, Kat delves beneath the orderly surface of her familiar world to discover a web of thwarted desire, shameful secrets, and shocking betrayal that suggests a scarier explanation for what happened to Shea. As her carefully constructed reality begins to crumble, Kat must question every reassuring assumption her life is built upon to solve the mystery…and summon the courage and resourcefulness to survive it.
MY COMMENTS: Secrets, lies and friends. An intoxicating combination in the hands of author E. C. Diskin. We all lie, to our friends, for our friends and sometimes about our friends. We all have secrets, with our friends, and from our friends. But ultimately the secrets Shae kept and the lies she told are what killed her.
Depth of Lies by E. C. Diskin is told in two timelines, 'now', when Shae is dead and Kat is trying to find out why, and 'then', as we follow Shae to her death. Did she kill herself, was it a terrible accident, or was she killed?
Diskin ratchets up the tension and suspense as the book progresses. We see behind the facades that each of the women present to each other, to their husbands, to the world at large. They might think that they know everything about each other, but they only know what their friends want them to know.
Depth of Lies is compelling reading. It is a deftly written, unpredictable journey through the emotional entanglements of a group of women in their early 50s, women who have raised their families together, who have been there for each other in sickness and in health. Will Shae's death bind them even closer together, or will it be the catalyst that rips them apart?
A very enthusiastic 4☆.
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Depth of Lies by E. C. Diskin for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page for an explanation of my ratings. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
August 31, 2017
Wow, what a ride!! My first read by E.C. Diskin and it definitely will not be my last.
Depth of Lies... where do I start?! How well do you really think you know your friends and loved ones?
The first chapter starts off with a bullet to your gun. We are introduced to Shea.. who is dead...very dead. Is it suicide? Is it an accident? Was she murdered?
This is a character driven novel at ITS BEST. Kat, one of Shea's many friends is trying to understand what happened to this beautiful woman and her life? Can I just say, I LOVED the dynamic of every friend in Shea's life. The author did an amazing job on the character development! AND damn... it was like I had whiplash. Going back and forth trying to figure out what truly happened to Shea.
The drama and mystery felt like I was stepping on a red carpet. I could NOT put this book down!! If you are looking for a mystery that keeps you on your toes this is definitely for you! I am excited to see more from this author. I will be looking at other books that the author has published.
Overall 4.5 stars for me. Thank you to Netgalley for read now opportunity on this one.
Depth of Lies... where do I start?! How well do you really think you know your friends and loved ones?
The first chapter starts off with a bullet to your gun. We are introduced to Shea.. who is dead...very dead. Is it suicide? Is it an accident? Was she murdered?
This is a character driven novel at ITS BEST. Kat, one of Shea's many friends is trying to understand what happened to this beautiful woman and her life? Can I just say, I LOVED the dynamic of every friend in Shea's life. The author did an amazing job on the character development! AND damn... it was like I had whiplash. Going back and forth trying to figure out what truly happened to Shea.
The drama and mystery felt like I was stepping on a red carpet. I could NOT put this book down!! If you are looking for a mystery that keeps you on your toes this is definitely for you! I am excited to see more from this author. I will be looking at other books that the author has published.
Overall 4.5 stars for me. Thank you to Netgalley for read now opportunity on this one.
September 17, 2017
Depth of Lies is an engaging, slightly different take on a whodunit plot surrounding a large group of empty-nesters of suburban women.
The story is told from Kat’s point of view as she is determined to find the truth to her friend Shea’s death and through flashbacks from Shea’s point of view leading up to her death. Through confessions from the group of friends and from Shea’s flashbacks secrets, lies and betrayals are revealed.
E.C. Diskin does a fantastic job at pacing this story. The story starts off slow as we get to know each character and a bit of their back stories and as Kat searches for answers things start to get a bit gritty and the tension and suspense increases till the explosive satisfying ending. I highly recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and E.C. Diskin for a copy to read and review.
All of our Traveling Sisters Read Reviews can be found on Norma’s and my sister blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
The story is told from Kat’s point of view as she is determined to find the truth to her friend Shea’s death and through flashbacks from Shea’s point of view leading up to her death. Through confessions from the group of friends and from Shea’s flashbacks secrets, lies and betrayals are revealed.
E.C. Diskin does a fantastic job at pacing this story. The story starts off slow as we get to know each character and a bit of their back stories and as Kat searches for answers things start to get a bit gritty and the tension and suspense increases till the explosive satisfying ending. I highly recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and E.C. Diskin for a copy to read and review.
All of our Traveling Sisters Read Reviews can be found on Norma’s and my sister blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
September 3, 2017
This one sucked me in!
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
September 17, 2017
DEPTH OF LIES (extremely fitting and the perfect title) by E.C. DISKIN is a tense, suspenseful, and a fast-paced whodunit mystery with unique characters and an engaging storyline that I really enjoyed. What I found to be quite different and enjoyable about this book was the cast of characters, as the group of girlfriends were in their early 50’s and empty nesters.
E.C. DISKIN delivers a character driven and well-written read here with lots of drama, betrayals, secrets, and lies within the storyline that kept me guessing and trying to figure out what actually happened to Kat’s best friend Shea. The story is told in the present from Kat’s point of view as she plays detective to find out the truth about the death of her best friend Shea and through flashbacks from Shea’s viewpoint leading up to her death.
To sum it all up it was an entertaining, interesting, thrilling, suspenseful, and a perfectly paced read with an ending that I found to be completely satisfying and well thought out. Would recommend!!!
Publishing Date: September 26, 2017
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and E.C. Diskin for the opportunity to read and review a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
All of Brenda's and my reviews can be found on our sister blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
E.C. DISKIN delivers a character driven and well-written read here with lots of drama, betrayals, secrets, and lies within the storyline that kept me guessing and trying to figure out what actually happened to Kat’s best friend Shea. The story is told in the present from Kat’s point of view as she plays detective to find out the truth about the death of her best friend Shea and through flashbacks from Shea’s viewpoint leading up to her death.
To sum it all up it was an entertaining, interesting, thrilling, suspenseful, and a perfectly paced read with an ending that I found to be completely satisfying and well thought out. Would recommend!!!
Publishing Date: September 26, 2017
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and E.C. Diskin for the opportunity to read and review a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
All of Brenda's and my reviews can be found on our sister blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
September 17, 2017
4 stars! This was an addictive and suspenseful thriller that had me racing to the end to solve the mystery.
This story starts with the drowning death of Shea, a 52-year-old stay at home mother and housewife. The question is: Was it suicide? Was it an accident? What happened? The novel flips between ‘Then’ and ‘Now’ where pieces of the story are revealed through interactions between Shea’s rather large group of close friends. Even though there was such a large cast of characters, the author, E. C. Diskin, did a fantastic job keeping me right on track with getting to know each and every one of them. The character development was excellent and kept the storyline flowing smoothly.
There were a few things within the plot that I found a tad on the unrealistic side, but I was able to push them aside and just go with the story. I got caught up in the fast-paced plot and found myself flipping through the pages as quickly as possible to figure the mystery out.
This was my first book by Diskin and I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of her previous novel “Broken Grace”.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and E.C. Diskin for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!!
To find this review, along with the Traveling Sister reviews, please visit Brenda and Norma’s fabulous blog at:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
This story starts with the drowning death of Shea, a 52-year-old stay at home mother and housewife. The question is: Was it suicide? Was it an accident? What happened? The novel flips between ‘Then’ and ‘Now’ where pieces of the story are revealed through interactions between Shea’s rather large group of close friends. Even though there was such a large cast of characters, the author, E. C. Diskin, did a fantastic job keeping me right on track with getting to know each and every one of them. The character development was excellent and kept the storyline flowing smoothly.
There were a few things within the plot that I found a tad on the unrealistic side, but I was able to push them aside and just go with the story. I got caught up in the fast-paced plot and found myself flipping through the pages as quickly as possible to figure the mystery out.
This was my first book by Diskin and I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of her previous novel “Broken Grace”.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and E.C. Diskin for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!!
To find this review, along with the Traveling Sister reviews, please visit Brenda and Norma’s fabulous blog at:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....
September 1, 2017
4.5 stars
Depth of Lies is perfectly titled! It is the perfect suspense mystery who-dunnit! My favorite type of book! Thank you to Melissa for recommending it!
A group of women who have been best friends for years! I felt like they could have all been in my own circle of girlfriends. Housewives meets Angela from Murder She Wrote with Kat playing the role of leading detective!
Shea is the loving friend and mom who is found dead in a hotel bathroom under suspicious circumstances. Kat is her BFF with detective instincts and is determined to get to the bottom of Shea's demise! It was ruled a suicide, but Kat is not buying it! The other women in the circle are also not convinced Shea would take her own life.
Written in past/present with a few different viewpoints from some of the characters. I was changing my mind alongside Kat as she ponders and digs to reveal what happened to her beloved friend!
Who is lying? Who has a motive? Who can be trusted? Who is having an affair? Why was Shea calling? So many questions, so many lies...
I'll be picking up the Author's first book, Broken Grace (thank you again Melissa)!
Thank you to NETGALLEY and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC
Publication date is expected to be Sept 26, 2017
Depth of Lies is perfectly titled! It is the perfect suspense mystery who-dunnit! My favorite type of book! Thank you to Melissa for recommending it!
A group of women who have been best friends for years! I felt like they could have all been in my own circle of girlfriends. Housewives meets Angela from Murder She Wrote with Kat playing the role of leading detective!
Shea is the loving friend and mom who is found dead in a hotel bathroom under suspicious circumstances. Kat is her BFF with detective instincts and is determined to get to the bottom of Shea's demise! It was ruled a suicide, but Kat is not buying it! The other women in the circle are also not convinced Shea would take her own life.
Written in past/present with a few different viewpoints from some of the characters. I was changing my mind alongside Kat as she ponders and digs to reveal what happened to her beloved friend!
Who is lying? Who has a motive? Who can be trusted? Who is having an affair? Why was Shea calling? So many questions, so many lies...
I'll be picking up the Author's first book, Broken Grace (thank you again Melissa)!
Thank you to NETGALLEY and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC
Publication date is expected to be Sept 26, 2017
July 9, 2018
Every coin has two sides, just like most people have two faces.
A group of friends are gathering at the funeral service for one of their own. Their faces are filled with deep sorrow and lined with elements of shock. From all appearances, Shea Walker took her own life. She was found submerged in a bathtub at a bed and breakfast inn five hours away from home. An empty Vicodin bottle and the tell-tale sign of too much liquor were at the scene.
Kat Burrows, Shea's best friend, had moved to Texas from Chicago over the past year. As she stood with the others, Kat held the secret that Shea had tried to call her. Kat ignored the call. If only she had picked up, perhaps Shea would still be alive. Guilt is going to be a grand motivator as Kat will wrestle with it constantly. Shea would never have taken her own life.
E.C. Diskin presents quite the tale. It appears that there is a bottomless pit of lies surrounding all these friends......some more than others. She packs in a bounty of characters which had a tendency to require the reader to double check the who is who. There was also layer upon layer of backstories with chapters shifting back and forth from the present to a series of actions leading up to Shea's death. Expect this one to be ladened with tons of repetitious dialogue and trips back and forth to another mysterious thread in the storyline. Pack an energy bar as you are confronted again and again about who is the he-liar or the she-liar here.
Having read Broken Grace by this author and really enjoying that one, I rated this one at 3.5 and kicked it up to 4-stars. I know I pretty much stand alone with others rating it much higher. "More" is just too much "more" sometimes in the disguise of intensity.
Depth of Lies is still a nice Summer read nevertheless. It may conjure up fond memories of girlfriend packs. Just be aware of which face is the true face either way......
A group of friends are gathering at the funeral service for one of their own. Their faces are filled with deep sorrow and lined with elements of shock. From all appearances, Shea Walker took her own life. She was found submerged in a bathtub at a bed and breakfast inn five hours away from home. An empty Vicodin bottle and the tell-tale sign of too much liquor were at the scene.
Kat Burrows, Shea's best friend, had moved to Texas from Chicago over the past year. As she stood with the others, Kat held the secret that Shea had tried to call her. Kat ignored the call. If only she had picked up, perhaps Shea would still be alive. Guilt is going to be a grand motivator as Kat will wrestle with it constantly. Shea would never have taken her own life.
E.C. Diskin presents quite the tale. It appears that there is a bottomless pit of lies surrounding all these friends......some more than others. She packs in a bounty of characters which had a tendency to require the reader to double check the who is who. There was also layer upon layer of backstories with chapters shifting back and forth from the present to a series of actions leading up to Shea's death. Expect this one to be ladened with tons of repetitious dialogue and trips back and forth to another mysterious thread in the storyline. Pack an energy bar as you are confronted again and again about who is the he-liar or the she-liar here.
Having read Broken Grace by this author and really enjoying that one, I rated this one at 3.5 and kicked it up to 4-stars. I know I pretty much stand alone with others rating it much higher. "More" is just too much "more" sometimes in the disguise of intensity.
Depth of Lies is still a nice Summer read nevertheless. It may conjure up fond memories of girlfriend packs. Just be aware of which face is the true face either way......
September 17, 2017
Shea Walker is a happy, bubbly personality, part of a close knit group of friends who seemingly tell each other everything. But when she is found dead in a hotel bathtub, full of pills and alcohol no one knows what she was doing there or suspected that she was suicidal. Hers friends get together to mourn her, including Kat Burrows her lifelong best friend who had recently moved away. All the women feel guilty that they weren't there for Shea but can't believe that she would take her own life. Kat decides to find out what was happening to Shea in her last weeks and days and starts to put together the events leading up to Shea's death.
Told mostly from Kat's perspective, the novel moves from the events before Shea's death to Kat's investigations afterwords. The suspense builds slowly in this novel as Kat discovers she doesn't know her friends as well as she thought and wonders who she can trust. Uncovering lies and secrets, Kat is eventually able to discover the devastating truth.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Thomas and Mercer for a copy to read and review.
Told mostly from Kat's perspective, the novel moves from the events before Shea's death to Kat's investigations afterwords. The suspense builds slowly in this novel as Kat discovers she doesn't know her friends as well as she thought and wonders who she can trust. Uncovering lies and secrets, Kat is eventually able to discover the devastating truth.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Thomas and Mercer for a copy to read and review.
October 6, 2017
3.5 Stars
Well, this story is about a woman, Shea, who died in her bathtub in an Inn. Police says it was a suicide but her best friend, Kat, couldn’t accept it. So she takes it upon herself to find out if it was really a suicide or someone killed her. And let’s don’t forget that she felt a bit guilty for ignoring Shea’s phone call a day before she died.
I think I’m in the minority here! First of all, I was really struggling at the first 40% but it got better after that. Second, I had a problem with Shea and Dee’s characters. Every couples have their own problems but being blind or pretend not seeing your husband’s betrayal or seeing it, confront it and then forgive him for several times is not acceptable for me!
But I liked that the author wrote the story in such a way that with those issues I couldn’t stop reading it and with entering each character, she gives you some reasons that you think yes, she/he is the guilty one. And I should confess, I couldn’t guess the right person till the end.
The story alternates between the past and the present almost chapter to chapter. Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s a stand-alone novel. Overall, I enjoyed it but not as much as I liked but hope you like it more!
Thanks to E.C. Diskin, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced digital copy in exchange an honest review.
Well, this story is about a woman, Shea, who died in her bathtub in an Inn. Police says it was a suicide but her best friend, Kat, couldn’t accept it. So she takes it upon herself to find out if it was really a suicide or someone killed her. And let’s don’t forget that she felt a bit guilty for ignoring Shea’s phone call a day before she died.
I think I’m in the minority here! First of all, I was really struggling at the first 40% but it got better after that. Second, I had a problem with Shea and Dee’s characters. Every couples have their own problems but being blind or pretend not seeing your husband’s betrayal or seeing it, confront it and then forgive him for several times is not acceptable for me!
But I liked that the author wrote the story in such a way that with those issues I couldn’t stop reading it and with entering each character, she gives you some reasons that you think yes, she/he is the guilty one. And I should confess, I couldn’t guess the right person till the end.
The story alternates between the past and the present almost chapter to chapter. Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s a stand-alone novel. Overall, I enjoyed it but not as much as I liked but hope you like it more!
Thanks to E.C. Diskin, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced digital copy in exchange an honest review.
September 26, 2017
Well this was a nice little surprise. Intruiging from the start and a cracking read. 4.5 stars from me.
When Shea Walker is found drowned in a bath with a stomach full of pills and booze, her friends are shocked and in a state of disbelief. Shea, a middle aged woman, was always the life and sole of the party, happily married with grown up kids, she seemingly loved her life and had no reason to take her own life, as it appears.
The community and her group of friends are shook to the core, no more so than Kat Burrows, her longtime friend and neighbor who had moved away from their suburban neighborhood in Chicago to Texas a few months previously. She comes back for Shea’s funeral and as she meets up with all her old girlfriends and their husbands, she can’t believe that her friend Shea would have taken her own life and decides to find out as much as she can about Shea’s final hours and the circumstances leading to her death.
As she delves into the circumstances she slowly and surely finds out that all was not what it seemed with her friends and community that she lived with for over 20 years. She finds an underworld below the surface of suburban bliss filled with lies and deceit.
Shocked by how little she really knew about her friends and neighborhood, as her head is spinning as it’s filled with revelation upon revelation, can she put them all together and figure out what really happened to her best friend Shea, a woman who also has plenty of secrets, secrets that she never shared with Kat in all the years she knew her?
Well this was a cracking read. A tale at its core of a mystery that needs to be solved but is so much more. The female group of characters are very vividly written and each given plenty of air time to develope. It’s a bit like the onion scenario as our main character Kat returns and delves into what may have happened, later upon layer of secret and deceit is peeled away.
The thing I really liked(apart from the excellent cast of characters)was there weren’t any red herrings per say but plenty of secrets and plenty of characters with secrets that you were left wondering if they were somehow involved in Shea’s death or the circumstances that lead to it. Very clever as you aren’t being led or misled by the author but rather things are hinted at ever so subtly and it’s up to you to decide if it’s relevant.
The story is quite intricate in its telling but every story arc added to the story and didn’t feel like it was added in for mis direction or anything like that. It feels a very lean book with every chapter having a place in the story.
The story is told in both the present, from mostly Kats point of view and in the past from Shea’s point of view. This works excellently and the Shea passages are especially well told as we slowly unravel what may be happening but the cards are cleverly and subtlety kept close enough to the chest that crucial pieces of information aren’t revealed until absolutely necessary.
The book zips along at a great pace and is eminently readable. It didn’t seem to sag at all. The authors writing style reads extremely well off the page and you feel her editor had the tightest of reigns on this one, which makes the book all that much leaner and better.
My first read by this author, I am mightily impressed and will seek out her other work on the back of this book. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and E.C. Diskin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When Shea Walker is found drowned in a bath with a stomach full of pills and booze, her friends are shocked and in a state of disbelief. Shea, a middle aged woman, was always the life and sole of the party, happily married with grown up kids, she seemingly loved her life and had no reason to take her own life, as it appears.
The community and her group of friends are shook to the core, no more so than Kat Burrows, her longtime friend and neighbor who had moved away from their suburban neighborhood in Chicago to Texas a few months previously. She comes back for Shea’s funeral and as she meets up with all her old girlfriends and their husbands, she can’t believe that her friend Shea would have taken her own life and decides to find out as much as she can about Shea’s final hours and the circumstances leading to her death.
As she delves into the circumstances she slowly and surely finds out that all was not what it seemed with her friends and community that she lived with for over 20 years. She finds an underworld below the surface of suburban bliss filled with lies and deceit.
Shocked by how little she really knew about her friends and neighborhood, as her head is spinning as it’s filled with revelation upon revelation, can she put them all together and figure out what really happened to her best friend Shea, a woman who also has plenty of secrets, secrets that she never shared with Kat in all the years she knew her?
Well this was a cracking read. A tale at its core of a mystery that needs to be solved but is so much more. The female group of characters are very vividly written and each given plenty of air time to develope. It’s a bit like the onion scenario as our main character Kat returns and delves into what may have happened, later upon layer of secret and deceit is peeled away.
The thing I really liked(apart from the excellent cast of characters)was there weren’t any red herrings per say but plenty of secrets and plenty of characters with secrets that you were left wondering if they were somehow involved in Shea’s death or the circumstances that lead to it. Very clever as you aren’t being led or misled by the author but rather things are hinted at ever so subtly and it’s up to you to decide if it’s relevant.
The story is quite intricate in its telling but every story arc added to the story and didn’t feel like it was added in for mis direction or anything like that. It feels a very lean book with every chapter having a place in the story.
The story is told in both the present, from mostly Kats point of view and in the past from Shea’s point of view. This works excellently and the Shea passages are especially well told as we slowly unravel what may be happening but the cards are cleverly and subtlety kept close enough to the chest that crucial pieces of information aren’t revealed until absolutely necessary.
The book zips along at a great pace and is eminently readable. It didn’t seem to sag at all. The authors writing style reads extremely well off the page and you feel her editor had the tightest of reigns on this one, which makes the book all that much leaner and better.
My first read by this author, I am mightily impressed and will seek out her other work on the back of this book. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and E.C. Diskin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2025
Depth of Lies was a solid, entertaining read very much your classic whodunnit set in the midst of a tight-knit group of married friends… who some may or may not be low-key swingers 👀 or just cheaters lmao
The mystery kept me curious, and I appreciated the twists and layers of drama. It definitely had its juicy moments, and the whole suburban secrets unraveling vibe gave it a nice binge-worthy edge.
That said, some of the reveals felt a bit predictable, and the pacing dragged in a few spots. Still, if you’re into domestic thrillers with a dash of scandal, it’s worth a weekend read.
The mystery kept me curious, and I appreciated the twists and layers of drama. It definitely had its juicy moments, and the whole suburban secrets unraveling vibe gave it a nice binge-worthy edge.
That said, some of the reveals felt a bit predictable, and the pacing dragged in a few spots. Still, if you’re into domestic thrillers with a dash of scandal, it’s worth a weekend read.
August 6, 2019
The Blurb
When Shea Walker, a sunny, easygoing mom, is found dead in a bathtub with a stomach full of booze and pills, the shocking discovery shatters the complacency of her comfortable suburban community.
Kat Burrows, Shea’s longtime friend and former neighbor, is hit hardest. How could a woman she thought she knew so well come to such a sordid end? What could lead happy, well-adjusted, responsible Shea to accidentally overdose on alcohol and narcotics? Or, worse, drive her to suicide?
Compelled to uncover the truth of Shea’s final months, Kat delves beneath the orderly surface of her familiar world to discover a web of thwarted desire, shameful secrets, and shocking betrayal that suggests a scarier explanation for what happened to Shea. As her carefully constructed reality begins to crumble, Kat must question every reassuring assumption her life is built upon to solve the mystery…and summon the courage and resourcefulness to survive it.
This is an audiobook that I really enjoyed. Narrators Coleen Marlo and Emily Sutton-Smith gave the story added elements of tension, drama, and realism.
Depth of Lies is a spellbinding storyline that was completely plausible, starting with a bang and never letting up. How well do you know your friends? Everyone has secrets but are they worth killing for? Someone thinks so.
There were some exceptional twists and developments that had me reeling! In the end, I could not have guessed how it played out. Lovely characters with interesting and well rounded with lots of personality flaws. I will most certainly be reading more works by E. C. Diskin.
When Shea Walker, a sunny, easygoing mom, is found dead in a bathtub with a stomach full of booze and pills, the shocking discovery shatters the complacency of her comfortable suburban community.
Kat Burrows, Shea’s longtime friend and former neighbor, is hit hardest. How could a woman she thought she knew so well come to such a sordid end? What could lead happy, well-adjusted, responsible Shea to accidentally overdose on alcohol and narcotics? Or, worse, drive her to suicide?
Compelled to uncover the truth of Shea’s final months, Kat delves beneath the orderly surface of her familiar world to discover a web of thwarted desire, shameful secrets, and shocking betrayal that suggests a scarier explanation for what happened to Shea. As her carefully constructed reality begins to crumble, Kat must question every reassuring assumption her life is built upon to solve the mystery…and summon the courage and resourcefulness to survive it.
This is an audiobook that I really enjoyed. Narrators Coleen Marlo and Emily Sutton-Smith gave the story added elements of tension, drama, and realism.
Depth of Lies is a spellbinding storyline that was completely plausible, starting with a bang and never letting up. How well do you know your friends? Everyone has secrets but are they worth killing for? Someone thinks so.
There were some exceptional twists and developments that had me reeling! In the end, I could not have guessed how it played out. Lovely characters with interesting and well rounded with lots of personality flaws. I will most certainly be reading more works by E. C. Diskin.
October 19, 2017
Kat has come back to Maple Park to attend her best friend, Shea’s funeral. She’s shocked and broken hearted over her friend’s death, which from initial impressions sounds a little like suicide. Kat can’t believe her friend would take her own life and is frightened that she perhaps missed the signs if Shea did. As she learns more of Shea’s last days, Kat’s determined to get to the bottom of what happened, and is stunned by some of the secrets she uncovers in the process. It makes her question how well did she even really know Shea or her friends of Maple Park?
I was sucked into this mystery. The surprising twists made me wonder with every chapter ‘what happened here?’ I really liked Kat even though I don’t know if I could’ve been as bold as she was in her mission to get the truth. She didn’t let uncomfortable situations stop her from asking difficult and embarrassing questions. I was disturbed by several selfish characters, Shea’s husband Ryan was one of them, although I can’t say that things were completely black and white with him. Much like real life, no one is all bad or all good, and the characters in Depth of Lies underscored that basic fact of life.
Kat is going through her own issues with her marriage, stemming from a move and job changes. I appreciated the more she found out about her friend’s actual lives, the more Kat appreciated her husband and the comparatively minor problems they had.
I will say I felt a little melancholy finishing the story, because I grew to like Shea (we get chapters from her perspective), faults and all. Even though I knew she ends up dead, I still wished a happy ending for her. In the beginning Shea’s death was a tragedy for sure, but I didn’t feel the sadness and anger at the loss until I got to know her.
Depth of Lies is the kind of story best read in one sitting. I was anxious to get answers in the mystery of Shea’s death once I dived in, and resented every time I had to set the book aside because of real life. I finally put it away until I had a chunk of time to read straight through. I’m definitely looking forward to E.C. Diskin’s next tale!
A copy was kindly provided by Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
I was sucked into this mystery. The surprising twists made me wonder with every chapter ‘what happened here?’ I really liked Kat even though I don’t know if I could’ve been as bold as she was in her mission to get the truth. She didn’t let uncomfortable situations stop her from asking difficult and embarrassing questions. I was disturbed by several selfish characters, Shea’s husband Ryan was one of them, although I can’t say that things were completely black and white with him. Much like real life, no one is all bad or all good, and the characters in Depth of Lies underscored that basic fact of life.
Kat is going through her own issues with her marriage, stemming from a move and job changes. I appreciated the more she found out about her friend’s actual lives, the more Kat appreciated her husband and the comparatively minor problems they had.
I will say I felt a little melancholy finishing the story, because I grew to like Shea (we get chapters from her perspective), faults and all. Even though I knew she ends up dead, I still wished a happy ending for her. In the beginning Shea’s death was a tragedy for sure, but I didn’t feel the sadness and anger at the loss until I got to know her.
Depth of Lies is the kind of story best read in one sitting. I was anxious to get answers in the mystery of Shea’s death once I dived in, and resented every time I had to set the book aside because of real life. I finally put it away until I had a chunk of time to read straight through. I’m definitely looking forward to E.C. Diskin’s next tale!
A copy was kindly provided by Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
October 8, 2017
3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
The book covers the friendships of 7 women and the secrets they have kept from one another over the years that have affected their relationships. These women come together after one of them, Shea, is tragically found dead from an apparent suicide. This does not sit well with one of her friends, Kat, and she starts her own investigation to try and uncover what really happened to Shea in the months leading up to, and on the day of her death.
The author did a really great job of keeping you on your toes throughout the story. As you are trying to figure out who might have been involved in Shea's death, each chapter shifts the spotlight on a different character and you find yourself questioning who may have done something and why.
I didn't fully believe that Kat could have done a better investigation than what the police could have done, but it made for a suspenseful story nonetheless. It was more to show how Kat did not want to give up on Shea, and would stop at nothing at uncovering the truth - even if that was at the detriment to her other relationships.
It was a quick read, and if you enjoy suspense books you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
The book covers the friendships of 7 women and the secrets they have kept from one another over the years that have affected their relationships. These women come together after one of them, Shea, is tragically found dead from an apparent suicide. This does not sit well with one of her friends, Kat, and she starts her own investigation to try and uncover what really happened to Shea in the months leading up to, and on the day of her death.
The author did a really great job of keeping you on your toes throughout the story. As you are trying to figure out who might have been involved in Shea's death, each chapter shifts the spotlight on a different character and you find yourself questioning who may have done something and why.
I didn't fully believe that Kat could have done a better investigation than what the police could have done, but it made for a suspenseful story nonetheless. It was more to show how Kat did not want to give up on Shea, and would stop at nothing at uncovering the truth - even if that was at the detriment to her other relationships.
It was a quick read, and if you enjoy suspense books you will not be disappointed.
August 18, 2017
3.75⭐️
Thank you so much to Thomas and Mercer via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of Depth of Lie by E. C. Diski . will be released on September 26, 2017.
Chapter one... woah. Pulled me instantly with its descriptive writing and tension you could cut with a knife.
Shea is dead... but what happened? Was it a suicide, Murder, Or just an accident?
We follow sheas friends after her death and what they think happened and before, leading up to sheas death.
How the author flipped back and forth between past and present was done very well. We get snip bits of the mystery, theories, and drama lots of drama.
After Sheas death the conversations and interactions between her friends seemed like a combination of pretty little liars and big little lies and its not that everyone is telling lies but the suspense and drama was done so well they it made the mystery and the story better.
Thank you so much to Thomas and Mercer via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of Depth of Lie by E. C. Diski . will be released on September 26, 2017.
Chapter one... woah. Pulled me instantly with its descriptive writing and tension you could cut with a knife.
Shea is dead... but what happened? Was it a suicide, Murder, Or just an accident?
We follow sheas friends after her death and what they think happened and before, leading up to sheas death.
How the author flipped back and forth between past and present was done very well. We get snip bits of the mystery, theories, and drama lots of drama.
After Sheas death the conversations and interactions between her friends seemed like a combination of pretty little liars and big little lies and its not that everyone is telling lies but the suspense and drama was done so well they it made the mystery and the story better.
July 26, 2017
Excellent read.The whole time you are wondering exactly what happened to Shea...did she commit suicide, did she get murdered or was it an accident. The book covers long time friends who lived near each other, raised their children together....until the day one of them dies. They all seem to blame themselves until Kat decides she is going to find out exactly what happened to Shea.
But in doing so she finds out all the lies and secrets between friends she thought she knew. I would have given it 5 stars but the story reads as a before and after and switches back and forth every chapter. For me that is hard to follow, although I did so and was surprised at the final outcome.
Planning to read other books by this author.
But in doing so she finds out all the lies and secrets between friends she thought she knew. I would have given it 5 stars but the story reads as a before and after and switches back and forth every chapter. For me that is hard to follow, although I did so and was surprised at the final outcome.
Planning to read other books by this author.
July 12, 2017
Fans looking for a twist on classic mysteries and thrillers will find Depth of Lies to be an unexpected favorite. Readers hungry for a different perspective on whodunits will find plenty to love.
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com.
Check out the rest of my review at BestThrillers.com.
December 22, 2017
A good mystery and a great example to NEVER abuse alcohol...maybe we shouldn't get TOO close to our friends.
November 2, 2017
It is really a 3.5 for me. I loved the beginning and the end of the book. The middle seemed to drag for me but it is getting a lot of great reviews so it must just be my impatience.
October 9, 2017
How well do we really know our friends? When Shea Walker, a sunny, easygoing mom, is found dead in a bathtub with a stomach full of booze and pills, the shocking discovery shatters the complacency of her comfortable suburban community. It sends her friend, Kat, into a full blown investigation on what happened to her friend, Shea. Driven to find the truth on what happened to Shea, Kat uncovers a web of deeply buried secrets.
I did not want to put down this book. It keep me on my toes. Every time I put it down, I was thinking of the next time I can get back to reading it. This is a character driven novel as you will see it takes you through the complicated relationships of Shea, Kat and a few others. The story is told from Kat's perspective and switches to Shea's perspective from the last few months of her life. Those two perspectives give you, as the reader, great insight to the foundation of the story. At the end, there are twists and turns you will not see coming. This is my first novel read by E.C. Diskin and it will not be my last. Highly recommend!
I did not want to put down this book. It keep me on my toes. Every time I put it down, I was thinking of the next time I can get back to reading it. This is a character driven novel as you will see it takes you through the complicated relationships of Shea, Kat and a few others. The story is told from Kat's perspective and switches to Shea's perspective from the last few months of her life. Those two perspectives give you, as the reader, great insight to the foundation of the story. At the end, there are twists and turns you will not see coming. This is my first novel read by E.C. Diskin and it will not be my last. Highly recommend!
September 24, 2017
Depth of Lies by E.C. Diskin was a solid 4 star book for me. I didn't want to put it down pretty much the entire time, and once I got over halfway, I really couldn't stop reading.
This book focuses on the death of Shea. Was it an accident? Did she kill herself? Was she murdered? How well do you really know people that you're friends with?
The strange thing about this one for me, was that it felt like pieces of books I have read before all put together in a new book. What I'm trying to say, is that it felt like I have read a similar tale before. This book was crafted incredibly well though and while I got a bit of Déjà vu, it wasn't anything that took away from the plot for me and I was still very interested in the "tangled web" I was reading.
The author has a few red herrings throughout the book, and I was incredibly confused for quite some time. Once I got towards the end I pretty much had it figured out. Although, there was one pretty big surprise that I wasn't really expecting.
I really enjoyed the dual timelines (I really love when authors do that), and that it switched between Kat and Shea. This is a super solid read, and anyone that enjoys a good mystery is probably going to like this one. I definitely want to read more by this author!
*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for sending me an ARC of this book. My review is completely honest and unbiased.
This book focuses on the death of Shea. Was it an accident? Did she kill herself? Was she murdered? How well do you really know people that you're friends with?
The strange thing about this one for me, was that it felt like pieces of books I have read before all put together in a new book. What I'm trying to say, is that it felt like I have read a similar tale before. This book was crafted incredibly well though and while I got a bit of Déjà vu, it wasn't anything that took away from the plot for me and I was still very interested in the "tangled web" I was reading.
The author has a few red herrings throughout the book, and I was incredibly confused for quite some time. Once I got towards the end I pretty much had it figured out. Although, there was one pretty big surprise that I wasn't really expecting.
I really enjoyed the dual timelines (I really love when authors do that), and that it switched between Kat and Shea. This is a super solid read, and anyone that enjoys a good mystery is probably going to like this one. I definitely want to read more by this author!
*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for sending me an ARC of this book. My review is completely honest and unbiased.
May 29, 2018
Review to follow...
July 4, 2018
Depth of Lies was a captivating thrill ride! Buckle up and prepare for the twists and turns!
The girls are back in town. Unfortunately it is for their dear friend, Shea's funeral. All of Shea's girlfriends are shocked and devastated but none more than Kat, Shea's closest friend, Kat cannot accept the idea from their mutual friends that Shea took her own life. Shea lit up a room and had a beautiful family and loving husband, didn't she? Kat takes it upon herself to try to retrace Shea's last days in order to find out exactly what happened to her best friend. She WAS her best friend, wasn't she? This is what Kat wonders when, throughout her personal investigation, she is shocked to find what secrets that, not only Shea held close to her but also those of their dearest friends.
E.C. Diskin does a magical job of of writing in such a way that you can see every person, place and situation with such clarity that it is so easy to lose yourself in the words and become a part of this satisfyingly dysfunctional group of friends!
Simply put, Depth of Lies unwraps deliciously like the engrossing, shocking thriller of a gift that it is and gives you the mouth-drop-OMG moment you are looking for!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers Thomas and Mercer and E.C. Diskin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
The girls are back in town. Unfortunately it is for their dear friend, Shea's funeral. All of Shea's girlfriends are shocked and devastated but none more than Kat, Shea's closest friend, Kat cannot accept the idea from their mutual friends that Shea took her own life. Shea lit up a room and had a beautiful family and loving husband, didn't she? Kat takes it upon herself to try to retrace Shea's last days in order to find out exactly what happened to her best friend. She WAS her best friend, wasn't she? This is what Kat wonders when, throughout her personal investigation, she is shocked to find what secrets that, not only Shea held close to her but also those of their dearest friends.
E.C. Diskin does a magical job of of writing in such a way that you can see every person, place and situation with such clarity that it is so easy to lose yourself in the words and become a part of this satisfyingly dysfunctional group of friends!
Simply put, Depth of Lies unwraps deliciously like the engrossing, shocking thriller of a gift that it is and gives you the mouth-drop-OMG moment you are looking for!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers Thomas and Mercer and E.C. Diskin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 25, 2017
Genre - Mystery Suspense
Pages - 290
I was provided a copy of “Depth of Lies” by E.C. Diskin via NetGalley from the author. This is her third novel and my first read by this author. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this read considering it’s not usually the type of book I would read. While I felt this book was geared more toward a female audience, (that's just my opinion) it held my attention and I was finding myself changing my mind about who, why or what was the cause of Shea’s demize from the first mention of her death to the last chapters which ends with an exciting and surprising conclusion. The story is written in the past and the present, so we get a few different stories and different viewpoints from the various characters in the story line. So, depending on who you believe or trust in the narrative you will find that you will change your mind and opinion from one chapter to the next. For some reason while reading this book I had the feeling of Housewives of Ohio gone crazy...and it get even crazier when they get to Lake Erie. As one reviewer wrote about a book they were reviewing “ the words, the story, and the characters need to sing in harmony with a clear melody”, and by that standard this book was on the money. The character were well developed and interesting. The story had an interesting and well thought out twist to the usual murder mystery format. A very entertaining and riveting read.
Synopsis (from back cover): “When Shea Walker, a sunny, easygoing mom, is found dead in a bathtub with a stomach full of booze and pills, the shocking discovery shatters the complacency of her comfortable suburban community.
Kat Burrows, Shea’s longtime friend and former neighbor, is hit hardest. How could a woman she thought she knew so well come to such a sordid end? What could lead happy, well-adjusted, responsible Shea to accidentally overdose on alcohol and narcotics? Or, worse, drive her to suicide?
Compelled to uncover the truth of Shea’s final months, Kat delves beneath the orderly surface of her familiar world to discover a web of thwarted desire, shameful secrets, and shocking betrayal that suggests a scarier explanation for what happened to Shea. As her carefully constructed reality begins to crumble, Kat must question every reassuring assumption her life is built upon to solve the mystery…and summon the courage and resourcefulness to survive it.”
Pages - 290
I was provided a copy of “Depth of Lies” by E.C. Diskin via NetGalley from the author. This is her third novel and my first read by this author. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this read considering it’s not usually the type of book I would read. While I felt this book was geared more toward a female audience, (that's just my opinion) it held my attention and I was finding myself changing my mind about who, why or what was the cause of Shea’s demize from the first mention of her death to the last chapters which ends with an exciting and surprising conclusion. The story is written in the past and the present, so we get a few different stories and different viewpoints from the various characters in the story line. So, depending on who you believe or trust in the narrative you will find that you will change your mind and opinion from one chapter to the next. For some reason while reading this book I had the feeling of Housewives of Ohio gone crazy...and it get even crazier when they get to Lake Erie. As one reviewer wrote about a book they were reviewing “ the words, the story, and the characters need to sing in harmony with a clear melody”, and by that standard this book was on the money. The character were well developed and interesting. The story had an interesting and well thought out twist to the usual murder mystery format. A very entertaining and riveting read.
Synopsis (from back cover): “When Shea Walker, a sunny, easygoing mom, is found dead in a bathtub with a stomach full of booze and pills, the shocking discovery shatters the complacency of her comfortable suburban community.
Kat Burrows, Shea’s longtime friend and former neighbor, is hit hardest. How could a woman she thought she knew so well come to such a sordid end? What could lead happy, well-adjusted, responsible Shea to accidentally overdose on alcohol and narcotics? Or, worse, drive her to suicide?
Compelled to uncover the truth of Shea’s final months, Kat delves beneath the orderly surface of her familiar world to discover a web of thwarted desire, shameful secrets, and shocking betrayal that suggests a scarier explanation for what happened to Shea. As her carefully constructed reality begins to crumble, Kat must question every reassuring assumption her life is built upon to solve the mystery…and summon the courage and resourcefulness to survive it.”
August 31, 2017
Six friends, several marriages, one death. How are these all connected? The novel opens with Shea's drowning death in a bathtub. Was it suicide or murder? Kat and her other closest female friends are convinced she was not depressed and set out to find out the truth. Alternating between present and past, the book explores the friendships, secret alliances, and cracks in marriages that reveal the discrepancies between appearance and reality. When the truth is finally discovered at the end, it is a surprise to everyone. Do we ever really know the people we are closest to or do we all have secrets?
August 16, 2017
This is one of those books that grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go! I can usually figure out how a book is going to go, but this thriller had me second guessing and triple guessing myself!
October 4, 2017
The first 40 pages and the last 40 pages were better than 3. All of the rest was a 2.5 star read at the most. It was not written with balance of progression either. Too many characters, with their names repeating in sequences continually. Honestly, for the number of words in this book I would be interested (if I were an actuary)to how many of the actual words (out of the total whole) were first names in repeated action. (Tori got the door, Kat poured Charlie his drink, while Evelyn and Georgia partnered Shea who was sharing Ryan's favorite wine.) That kind of sentences reigned. I'm not kidding. Mack, Kat, Tori, Georgia, Ryan, Evelyn, Shea, Ted, Charlie- those are far from all of the "prime" characters. It's a group of 6 or 7 woman friends, their spouses, at times their children, and neighbor associates of work or past connection. Plus all the people at the bars, hotels, B&B's etc. that they frequent. Too many characters in high term melodrama each and every one to some extent. So it's difficult to seriously context the whole piece of the death, or of the locations which they traipse. More than 3 states and also all moving like chess pieces. WAY TOO MUCH!
Does that tend to diminish a modern for me in the first place? Yes. But add to that the revolving "eyes" of narrator in two switching times (and some of those are in flashback memory tale)? It's multiplied for confusion of "he said, she said" strange sentence structures. Or for vast areas of void for telling any real facts, just hearing conversations. For me, I only caught the tail of the plot animal at certain spots.
When I started this book, at first it seemed to be about the women. Very much like "The Group". And I liked it too. The banter and the connection between them, regardless that they sounded as if they were 22 to 32 and absolutely not 52. That beginning did not give me much clue to where this book's tale cored a story in the latter three quarters of the copy. Not at all. That was majority about duplicity, lying, drama in hysterics, and other aspects that I can't see would be EVER expressed in the ways that they were within 30 year marriages OR between friendships of that length either. Not even within dire circumstances. In the first place, they know each other and the flaws of all too much. The ire would not be expressed as this copy expressed it. It would be FAR more passive-aggressive in nature.
Too long, this book. And also not easy to discern the guilty party. I didn't have a clue.
I rounded it to 3 star because of the good beginning and for the conclusive and "all at once" fast moving ending.
Does that tend to diminish a modern for me in the first place? Yes. But add to that the revolving "eyes" of narrator in two switching times (and some of those are in flashback memory tale)? It's multiplied for confusion of "he said, she said" strange sentence structures. Or for vast areas of void for telling any real facts, just hearing conversations. For me, I only caught the tail of the plot animal at certain spots.
When I started this book, at first it seemed to be about the women. Very much like "The Group". And I liked it too. The banter and the connection between them, regardless that they sounded as if they were 22 to 32 and absolutely not 52. That beginning did not give me much clue to where this book's tale cored a story in the latter three quarters of the copy. Not at all. That was majority about duplicity, lying, drama in hysterics, and other aspects that I can't see would be EVER expressed in the ways that they were within 30 year marriages OR between friendships of that length either. Not even within dire circumstances. In the first place, they know each other and the flaws of all too much. The ire would not be expressed as this copy expressed it. It would be FAR more passive-aggressive in nature.
Too long, this book. And also not easy to discern the guilty party. I didn't have a clue.
I rounded it to 3 star because of the good beginning and for the conclusive and "all at once" fast moving ending.
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