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Lying Next to Me
No matter what you see, no matter what you’ve heard, assume nothing.
Adam and Sophie Warner and their three-year-old daughter are vacationing in Washington State’s Hood Canal for Memorial Day weekend. It’s the perfect getaway to unplug—and to calm an uneasy marriage. But on Adam’s first day out on the water, he sees Sophie abducted by a stranger. A hundred yards from shore, Adam can’t save her. And Sophie disappears.
In a nearby cabin is another couple, Kristen and Connor Moss. Unfortunately, beyond what they’ve heard in the news, they’re in the dark when it comes to Sophie’s disappearance. For Adam, at least there’s comfort in knowing that Mason County detective Lee Husemann is an old friend of his. She’ll do everything she can to help. She must.
But as Adam’s paranoia about his missing wife escalates, Lee puts together the pieces of a puzzle. The lives of the two couples are converging in unpredictable ways, and the picture is unsettling. Lee suspects that not everyone is telling the truth about what they know—or they have yet to reveal all the lies they’ve hidden from the strangers they married.
Adam and Sophie Warner and their three-year-old daughter are vacationing in Washington State’s Hood Canal for Memorial Day weekend. It’s the perfect getaway to unplug—and to calm an uneasy marriage. But on Adam’s first day out on the water, he sees Sophie abducted by a stranger. A hundred yards from shore, Adam can’t save her. And Sophie disappears.
In a nearby cabin is another couple, Kristen and Connor Moss. Unfortunately, beyond what they’ve heard in the news, they’re in the dark when it comes to Sophie’s disappearance. For Adam, at least there’s comfort in knowing that Mason County detective Lee Husemann is an old friend of his. She’ll do everything she can to help. She must.
But as Adam’s paranoia about his missing wife escalates, Lee puts together the pieces of a puzzle. The lives of the two couples are converging in unpredictable ways, and the picture is unsettling. Lee suspects that not everyone is telling the truth about what they know—or they have yet to reveal all the lies they’ve hidden from the strangers they married.
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2019
29149 people are currently reading
31785 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Olsen
115 books7,062 followersThroughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,352 reviews
June 9, 2019
3.5 Stars for Gregg Olsen's Lying to Next to Me - a twisty mystery filled with deceitful, self-absorbed characters!
Adam and Sophie Warner take their 3 year old daughter on a weekend getaway at the lake. It all looks and sounds idyllic until Sophie is kidnapped a mere hundred yards from Adam, who is helpless to save her.
Detective Lee Husemann is called in to find Sophie. What she uncovers is a tangled web of deceit that she must battle to sort through to get to the truth. Olsen definitely kept me turning the pages with unreliable characters that I loved to hate. They were self indulgent, narcissistic, morally repugnant and I quite honestly couldn't get enough. I love a good sociopath and boy did these characters fit the bill! 😉
Thank you to Gregg Olsen, Thomas & Mercer Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Adam and Sophie Warner take their 3 year old daughter on a weekend getaway at the lake. It all looks and sounds idyllic until Sophie is kidnapped a mere hundred yards from Adam, who is helpless to save her.
Detective Lee Husemann is called in to find Sophie. What she uncovers is a tangled web of deceit that she must battle to sort through to get to the truth. Olsen definitely kept me turning the pages with unreliable characters that I loved to hate. They were self indulgent, narcissistic, morally repugnant and I quite honestly couldn't get enough. I love a good sociopath and boy did these characters fit the bill! 😉
Thank you to Gregg Olsen, Thomas & Mercer Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 8, 2019
Revenge is a tricky proposition, especially when you are enraged.
We meet characters who were “wronged” and could possibly go so far as to murder. But who to believe? Fingers point in many directions.
This was an average “suspenseful” read for me. I wasn’t invested in any of the characters, because frankly, I highly disliked most of them.
This was my first Gregg Olsen book and was also a ‘listen.’ The plot line was a bit weak and not cohesive.
Luckily, the storyline is told with four POV’s, which is always a big plus for my own personal enjoyment.
June 25, 2019
OH, WHAT TANGLED WEBS WE WEAVE!
Adam and Sophie and their three-year old little girl have set out on a long weekend for some alone time and family bonding. They are staying at a secluded beach area with small cabins and all the amenities that would be needed for a real getaway. They plan to go out on a small boat in the lake and also do some digging for clams and barbecuing, swimming and getting lots of sun. This time is just what is needed for a break from their busy work lives and getting back to basics.
There are two cottages next to them, one has a woman with her two grandchildren, and the other cabin has a young couple staying there. Adam is on the boat with his daughter while Sophie us reading a book on the deck, when suddenly Adam sees her fighting with someone who carries her off. There is another witness but when the detectives arrive, they seem to be suspicious of Adam (naturally) even though Adam is distraught over witnessing what appears to have been an abduction of his beautiful wife.
What has happened to Sophie? Who and why would someone abduct Adam's wife. There will be more questions than answers as the story rapidly progresses, but all questions will be answered by the end of this very suspenseful and compelling book.
"Lying Next To Me" was a wonderful read for me. There were so many twists and turns that my head was spinning. At one point, I thought I had the ending figured out, but I was happily wrong. Sometimes I really enjoy being wrong. Gregg Olsen is an exceptional writer and I have picked up several more of his books for future reading. I can't say enough good things about this book except hurry and make sure this on your reading list!
I want to thank the author Gregg Olsen and the publisher Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this outstanding novel!
I highly recommend this terrific book and have given 5 Outstanding 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
Adam and Sophie and their three-year old little girl have set out on a long weekend for some alone time and family bonding. They are staying at a secluded beach area with small cabins and all the amenities that would be needed for a real getaway. They plan to go out on a small boat in the lake and also do some digging for clams and barbecuing, swimming and getting lots of sun. This time is just what is needed for a break from their busy work lives and getting back to basics.
There are two cottages next to them, one has a woman with her two grandchildren, and the other cabin has a young couple staying there. Adam is on the boat with his daughter while Sophie us reading a book on the deck, when suddenly Adam sees her fighting with someone who carries her off. There is another witness but when the detectives arrive, they seem to be suspicious of Adam (naturally) even though Adam is distraught over witnessing what appears to have been an abduction of his beautiful wife.
What has happened to Sophie? Who and why would someone abduct Adam's wife. There will be more questions than answers as the story rapidly progresses, but all questions will be answered by the end of this very suspenseful and compelling book.
"Lying Next To Me" was a wonderful read for me. There were so many twists and turns that my head was spinning. At one point, I thought I had the ending figured out, but I was happily wrong. Sometimes I really enjoy being wrong. Gregg Olsen is an exceptional writer and I have picked up several more of his books for future reading. I can't say enough good things about this book except hurry and make sure this on your reading list!
I want to thank the author Gregg Olsen and the publisher Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this outstanding novel!
I highly recommend this terrific book and have given 5 Outstanding 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
April 29, 2019
One of my favorite quotes is "believe nothing that you hear or see, even salt looks like sugar." I thought of that quote often while reading Gregg Olsen's latest thriller, Lying Next to Me. Absolutely nothing was what it appeared to be - nothing.
Adam and his wife Sophie, along with their 3 year old daughter, have rented a cabin on a lake. Next to them is another couple, Kristin and Connor Moss and on the other side, a grandmother with her grandkids. On the second day of the trip, Adam takes his daughter out in a row boat to go crabbing. While on the water, he sees someone abduct Sophie who is sitting on the shore. An elderly walker also sees Sophie being abducted. The grandmother and her grandkids arrive home to see Adam and his daughter frantically rowing toward shore and calls 9-1-1. The Moss' couple. sees and hears nothing. But what really happened that morning. What did anyone truly see or hear? They all experienced the same thing, right? Right!?
Admittedly, I adore Gregg Olsen. I've read everything he has written, including his true crime novels. When it comes to crime - real or fiction - I think no one does it better. Lying in Wait is a tense, stay-awake-to-finish thriller that had me hooked from the very first line. While I suspected who might have done it - but wait - there's no way they could have done it - it was a locked room mystery and too many variables and too many unsolved questions as to why. Until the answers were there before us in the end and then … just WOW. This is a suspense novel that makes you really hate everyone while at the same time hoping that at least one of the bad guys isn't as awful as you think they might be. There is a child involved, surely someone is good. They have to be! In the end, I sat staring at my Kindle and wondering about what I had just read while knowing that is exactly how I like my thrillers! Leave me in awe. Leave me in wonder. Leave me speechless and Lying in Wait absolutely did just that!
Obviously I highly recommend #LyinginWait to anyone who enjoys a great crime novel. I also encourage you read Olsen's other work. It's all fantastic.
Thank you to #Netgalley, #Thomas&MercerPublishing and #GreggOlsen for my copy of Lying in Wait.
Adam and his wife Sophie, along with their 3 year old daughter, have rented a cabin on a lake. Next to them is another couple, Kristin and Connor Moss and on the other side, a grandmother with her grandkids. On the second day of the trip, Adam takes his daughter out in a row boat to go crabbing. While on the water, he sees someone abduct Sophie who is sitting on the shore. An elderly walker also sees Sophie being abducted. The grandmother and her grandkids arrive home to see Adam and his daughter frantically rowing toward shore and calls 9-1-1. The Moss' couple. sees and hears nothing. But what really happened that morning. What did anyone truly see or hear? They all experienced the same thing, right? Right!?
Admittedly, I adore Gregg Olsen. I've read everything he has written, including his true crime novels. When it comes to crime - real or fiction - I think no one does it better. Lying in Wait is a tense, stay-awake-to-finish thriller that had me hooked from the very first line. While I suspected who might have done it - but wait - there's no way they could have done it - it was a locked room mystery and too many variables and too many unsolved questions as to why. Until the answers were there before us in the end and then … just WOW. This is a suspense novel that makes you really hate everyone while at the same time hoping that at least one of the bad guys isn't as awful as you think they might be. There is a child involved, surely someone is good. They have to be! In the end, I sat staring at my Kindle and wondering about what I had just read while knowing that is exactly how I like my thrillers! Leave me in awe. Leave me in wonder. Leave me speechless and Lying in Wait absolutely did just that!
Obviously I highly recommend #LyinginWait to anyone who enjoys a great crime novel. I also encourage you read Olsen's other work. It's all fantastic.
Thank you to #Netgalley, #Thomas&MercerPublishing and #GreggOlsen for my copy of Lying in Wait.
May 2, 2024
With
Lying Next to Me,
Gregg Olsen has penned a dark and character-based mystery. Three historic cabins are rented for Memorial Day weekend at Hood Canal in Mason County, Washington. Adam and Sophie Warner and their three-year-old daughter Aubrey have arrived to unplug and to work on their marriage. In a nearby cabin is Teresa Dibley and her two grandchildren. The third cabin has another couple, Kristen and Connor Moss. While Adam and Aubrey are out on the water, he sees Sophie abducted by a stranger. The only comforting thing about the situation for Adam is that one of the detectives is Lee Husemann, an old friend of his. However, things aren’t what they seem and lies abound.
Many, but not all, of the characters are unlikeable in this story. Adam puts his work ahead of his family. He doesn’t usually show his feelings to others, and he likes to be in control. Sophie is confident, but keeps things insides and has mood swings. Detective Lee Husemann likes to be right, likes to solve puzzles, and usually does things by the books. Can she put her history with Adam aside and be unbiased in the investigation? Lee’s partner, Detective Zach Montrose, seems quick to jump to conclusions. Kristen is smart, in line for a partnership at her Seattle law firm, desperately wants a child, and is intense. Connor has an alcohol problem and tends to be malleable. Teresa is concentrating on her grandchildren and trying to get custody of them.
The characterization and atmosphere in this novel are great. Readers get a good feeling for them and the intensity of the situation. However, the story alternates points of view between four different characters. While the chapters are labeled with the characters’ names, this back and forth adversely affected the flow. My second quibble is that the book also includes flashbacks without any warning. Despite this, the story is a quick read that has several puzzles that need to be put together. Can Lee and Zach solve the case?
The plot is somewhat dark and twisty with a few surprises along the way. The clues are there, but it took me a while to put them together. Several threads are woven throughout the story including, but not limited to, lies, secrets, trust, friendship, betrayal, marriage, and desire for a child.
Overall, this novel was intriguing and compelling with unreliable narrators and a somewhat slow place. I prefer the author’s Detective Megan Carpenter series, but am looking forward to my next book by Olsen.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Mass Market Paperback edition. Publication date was April 25, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------
My 3.39 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
Many, but not all, of the characters are unlikeable in this story. Adam puts his work ahead of his family. He doesn’t usually show his feelings to others, and he likes to be in control. Sophie is confident, but keeps things insides and has mood swings. Detective Lee Husemann likes to be right, likes to solve puzzles, and usually does things by the books. Can she put her history with Adam aside and be unbiased in the investigation? Lee’s partner, Detective Zach Montrose, seems quick to jump to conclusions. Kristen is smart, in line for a partnership at her Seattle law firm, desperately wants a child, and is intense. Connor has an alcohol problem and tends to be malleable. Teresa is concentrating on her grandchildren and trying to get custody of them.
The characterization and atmosphere in this novel are great. Readers get a good feeling for them and the intensity of the situation. However, the story alternates points of view between four different characters. While the chapters are labeled with the characters’ names, this back and forth adversely affected the flow. My second quibble is that the book also includes flashbacks without any warning. Despite this, the story is a quick read that has several puzzles that need to be put together. Can Lee and Zach solve the case?
The plot is somewhat dark and twisty with a few surprises along the way. The clues are there, but it took me a while to put them together. Several threads are woven throughout the story including, but not limited to, lies, secrets, trust, friendship, betrayal, marriage, and desire for a child.
Overall, this novel was intriguing and compelling with unreliable narrators and a somewhat slow place. I prefer the author’s Detective Megan Carpenter series, but am looking forward to my next book by Olsen.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Mass Market Paperback edition. Publication date was April 25, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------
My 3.39 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
August 22, 2022
OH, WHAT TANGLED WEBS WE WEAVE!
Adam and Sophie and their three-year old little girl have set out for a long weekend for some alone time and family bonding. They are staying at a secluded beach area with small cabins and all the amenities that would be needed for a real getaway. They plan to go out on a small boat in the lake and also do some digging for clams and barbecuing, swimming and getting lots of sun. This time is just what is needed for a break from their busy work lives and getting back to basics. There are two cottages next to them, one has a woman with her two grandchildren, and the other cabin has a young couple staying there. Adam is on the boat with his daughter while Sophie us reading a book on the deck, when suddenly Adam sees her fighting with someone who carries her off. There is another witness but when the detectives arrive, they seem to be suspicious of Adam (naturally) even though Adam is distraught over witnessing what appears to have been an abduction of his beautiful wife. What has happened to Sophie? Who and why would someone abduct Adam's wife. There will be more questions than answers as the story rapidly progresses, but all questions will be answered by the end of this very suspenseful and compelling book.
"Lying Next To Me" was a wonderful read for me. There were so many twists and turns that my head was spinning. At one point, I thought I had the ending figured out, but I was happily wrong. Sometimes I really enjoy being wrong. Gregg Olsen is an exceptional writer and I have picked up several more of his books for future reading. I can't say enough good things about this book except hurry and make sure this on your reading list!
I want to thank the author Gregg Olsen and the publisher Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this outstanding novel and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I highly recommend this terrific book and have given 5 Outstanding 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
Adam and Sophie and their three-year old little girl have set out for a long weekend for some alone time and family bonding. They are staying at a secluded beach area with small cabins and all the amenities that would be needed for a real getaway. They plan to go out on a small boat in the lake and also do some digging for clams and barbecuing, swimming and getting lots of sun. This time is just what is needed for a break from their busy work lives and getting back to basics. There are two cottages next to them, one has a woman with her two grandchildren, and the other cabin has a young couple staying there. Adam is on the boat with his daughter while Sophie us reading a book on the deck, when suddenly Adam sees her fighting with someone who carries her off. There is another witness but when the detectives arrive, they seem to be suspicious of Adam (naturally) even though Adam is distraught over witnessing what appears to have been an abduction of his beautiful wife. What has happened to Sophie? Who and why would someone abduct Adam's wife. There will be more questions than answers as the story rapidly progresses, but all questions will be answered by the end of this very suspenseful and compelling book.
"Lying Next To Me" was a wonderful read for me. There were so many twists and turns that my head was spinning. At one point, I thought I had the ending figured out, but I was happily wrong. Sometimes I really enjoy being wrong. Gregg Olsen is an exceptional writer and I have picked up several more of his books for future reading. I can't say enough good things about this book except hurry and make sure this on your reading list!
I want to thank the author Gregg Olsen and the publisher Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this outstanding novel and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I highly recommend this terrific book and have given 5 Outstanding 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
April 6, 2019
I generally enjoy Gregg Olsen's books but this one just didn't work for me.
Lee is pretty much the only likable character in the entire cast. I kept hoping Frank would have a heart attack. Adam is a narcissistic prig. Kristen is a loon. You can't even feel bad for Sophie.
The "twists" weren't even surprising. I'm also disappointed at the ending. Adam's final words do nothing but add more confusion to what was, in my opinion, a hard to follow tale with too many stories at once. The flashbacks do little to help since many conflict each other.
I'm sorry to say that I would not recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me in on this prerelease copy.
Lee is pretty much the only likable character in the entire cast. I kept hoping Frank would have a heart attack. Adam is a narcissistic prig. Kristen is a loon. You can't even feel bad for Sophie.
The "twists" weren't even surprising. I'm also disappointed at the ending. Adam's final words do nothing but add more confusion to what was, in my opinion, a hard to follow tale with too many stories at once. The flashbacks do little to help since many conflict each other.
I'm sorry to say that I would not recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me in on this prerelease copy.
September 10, 2019
“Trust and stupidity are close friends. Of course, no one really knows that until it’s too late.”
― Gregg Olsen, Lying Next to Me
Rating and review to follow.
I just have to give this one a five. It's fantastic.
You know with mysteries and thrillers it is virtually impossible not to read some bad ones along the way to finding good ones. As a result, I go into this genre not expecting much.
But lately things have been turning around. Books like "Jane Doe" and "The arrangement" certainly show there are five star thrillers out there. This is one of them.
Lying next to me gets the reader involved by the first page. Literally..you cannot stop reading. Yet the pace is not unduly fast nor does it meander along. It's perfect. And you will figure out the reason for the title as you read.
And the premise is terrifying. Adam and Sophie are your every day average married couple. They have been bogged down with work and their marriage has suffered. So they decide to go on vacation. Together with their daughter, that is exactly what they do. They stay in a nice cabin by the water. There are other cabins there with other people.
Yet tragedy follows immediately. While Adam is out in the water with his daughter he sees a stranger fighting with his wife Sophie. Adam screams at the stranger to leave his wife alone but to Adam's horror, the stranger punches Sophie , knocking her out and then scoops her up and runs away with her. Adam cannot make it to her in time to save her and she literally vanishes.
Enter Lee..the detective on the case. Lee is a tough cop with a heart of gold..but she and Adam have a history. Can she keep herself impartial enough to be involved in this investigation?
Lee gets right to work interviewing the people staying in the other cabins. Two of them are Conner and Kristin..another married couple. They are important to the story line for reasons I shall not get into.
That is all I will say . I really dislike doing a plot synopsis because I am always afraid of giving something important away. I knew little going in and that is what everyone who reads this should understand. The less you know, the better in this case. Because absolutely nothing is as it seems.
Bored with the usual thrillers? Check this one out. Another thing. This book is NOT Gone Girl. Not at all. But there are a few faint aspects that remind me of GG. You know how with all the new mysteries it almost always says "fans of Gone Girl will like this one"? Well THAT IS TRUE with this book. And I do not say that often.
Put this on your TBR list if you are seeking an addicting well paced super fascinating mystery with an ending that just fits perfectly. This was a five star read.
― Gregg Olsen, Lying Next to Me
Rating and review to follow.
I just have to give this one a five. It's fantastic.
You know with mysteries and thrillers it is virtually impossible not to read some bad ones along the way to finding good ones. As a result, I go into this genre not expecting much.
But lately things have been turning around. Books like "Jane Doe" and "The arrangement" certainly show there are five star thrillers out there. This is one of them.
Lying next to me gets the reader involved by the first page. Literally..you cannot stop reading. Yet the pace is not unduly fast nor does it meander along. It's perfect. And you will figure out the reason for the title as you read.
And the premise is terrifying. Adam and Sophie are your every day average married couple. They have been bogged down with work and their marriage has suffered. So they decide to go on vacation. Together with their daughter, that is exactly what they do. They stay in a nice cabin by the water. There are other cabins there with other people.
Yet tragedy follows immediately. While Adam is out in the water with his daughter he sees a stranger fighting with his wife Sophie. Adam screams at the stranger to leave his wife alone but to Adam's horror, the stranger punches Sophie , knocking her out and then scoops her up and runs away with her. Adam cannot make it to her in time to save her and she literally vanishes.
Enter Lee..the detective on the case. Lee is a tough cop with a heart of gold..but she and Adam have a history. Can she keep herself impartial enough to be involved in this investigation?
Lee gets right to work interviewing the people staying in the other cabins. Two of them are Conner and Kristin..another married couple. They are important to the story line for reasons I shall not get into.
That is all I will say . I really dislike doing a plot synopsis because I am always afraid of giving something important away. I knew little going in and that is what everyone who reads this should understand. The less you know, the better in this case. Because absolutely nothing is as it seems.
Bored with the usual thrillers? Check this one out. Another thing. This book is NOT Gone Girl. Not at all. But there are a few faint aspects that remind me of GG. You know how with all the new mysteries it almost always says "fans of Gone Girl will like this one"? Well THAT IS TRUE with this book. And I do not say that often.
Put this on your TBR list if you are seeking an addicting well paced super fascinating mystery with an ending that just fits perfectly. This was a five star read.
May 29, 2019
The truth is far more complicated than that. I love my wife. I hate her too. I loved the idea of us. But— and this is hard to admit to myself— that was a while ago.📖 BUY THIS BOOK : Amazon ⏺ Barnes & Noble ⏺ Book Depository 📖
Much thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Mercer for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own.
📚 Series: No
📚 Genre: Mystery/Thriller
📚 POV: Multiple First Person
📚 Cliffhanger: No
⚠ Content Warnings: Abduction, Murder, Infidelity, Sexual Assault, Alcoholism, Drug Use, Infertility Issues, Mental Health Issues
⚠ Read if: you are a domestic violence thriller fan.
Lying Next To Me is my first read from this author but I am thankful to have found a new favorite psychothriller writer! Gregg Olsen had me hooked from the start. His writing is very character emotion based that will really draw you in and make you so involved.
Adam Warner was a first hand witness of his wife, Sophie's abduction. What was supposed to be a Memorial Day weekend cabin vacation with their little girl Aubrey turned his whole life around. Narrated through Adam, two lead detectives on the case and the other people who were checked in on the other two cabins, this reads like a crime movie or documentary that will really make you keep guessing and eager to find out who did it.
I am amazed with how Gregg Olsen molded his characters. I felt empathy for Adam and was really rooting for him. Then, I was doubting him. Then, I was believing him. It was insane. I was, of course, mad at Adam's father-in-law, Frank, who was the rudest of them all. Also was mad at Helen, the perfect doormat of a wife.
This was such an emotional rollercoaster but I am 100% happy and satisfied.
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌻 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Hero:⭐⭐⭐⭐ Assumed as Adam.
🌻 Heroine:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Assumed as Lee.
🌻 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Thrill/Suspense:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Pacing:⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Ending:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Page Turner:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌻 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐
☁FINAL VERDICT: 4.54/5 ☁
This review is also posted on my Not Again, Nicole blog.
September 18, 2020
Audio 5 Stars
Story....4.25 Stars
Story....4.25 Stars
January 31, 2020
Wow! That was one wild story.
The abduction of a young mother is told from multiple points of view by several damaged people, each with something to hide. It’s almost impossible to further describe the plot without spoilers so I won't even try - just encourage you to READ THIS!
You won't be bored. You'll never know who's telling the truth. In fact, when you're finished, you probably won't even be completely sure what happened. I know I'm not.
[One thing did bother me about this, it contained a Trope That Needs to Die. If you're curious, don't click until you've finished the novel because it WILL contain a spoiler. ]
The abduction of a young mother is told from multiple points of view by several damaged people, each with something to hide. It’s almost impossible to further describe the plot without spoilers so I won't even try - just encourage you to READ THIS!
You won't be bored. You'll never know who's telling the truth. In fact, when you're finished, you probably won't even be completely sure what happened. I know I'm not.
[One thing did bother me about this, it contained a Trope That Needs to Die. If you're curious, don't click until you've finished the novel because it WILL contain a spoiler. ]
October 6, 2019
This book is terrible. Poorly written. Inconsistent character development. Slow. Poorly edited. Did Kristen and Adam first meet in her office or on Adam’s doorstep? Apparently both, and I’m not sure if that’s an editing mistake or a part of the storyline that is never explained. I still can’t figure out why Adam finding Lee would be a mistake as alluded in the final chapters. Did he have something to do with that incident, or is this just the author writing words for the sake of it?
I was so glad to be done with this book. Wish it were in me to have quit part way.
I was so glad to be done with this book. Wish it were in me to have quit part way.
April 27, 2019
Genre: Thriller
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Multiple
Rating:
Adam and Sophie Warner planned to spend a relaxing time with their toddler at a cozy lake cabin on Memorial Day weekend. What supposed to be a break from the daily grind and hopefully reawaken their marriage quickly turned into horror when Sophie was abducted in plain sight. His only hope was his childhood friend and now detective Lee Husemann to help find his wife and the perpetrator, but things got complicated when nothing appeared as it seemed.
As a reader, I love books that made me question and doubt everything, and this book is one of them. The story hooked me from the beginning with the desperation of a family that turned more devious as the story progressed.
I loved the multiple POVs and the short chapters because it “forced” me to pay attention. I enjoyed forming my own theories which were a challenge in this book due to unreliable narrators. I had a favorite character right from the beginning and satisfied with the ending.
Lying Next to Me is a story of ambition and deception that reminds us we never truly know the person beside us. The story would appeal to readers who enjoy an engrossing thriller with unlikable characters.
💧 🌿 💧. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . .💧 🌿 💧
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Multiple
Rating:
Adam and Sophie Warner planned to spend a relaxing time with their toddler at a cozy lake cabin on Memorial Day weekend. What supposed to be a break from the daily grind and hopefully reawaken their marriage quickly turned into horror when Sophie was abducted in plain sight. His only hope was his childhood friend and now detective Lee Husemann to help find his wife and the perpetrator, but things got complicated when nothing appeared as it seemed.
I didn’t know that when I married her. I saw her as she showed herself to the world: fun, smart, sexy. Funny how those things are often a smoke screen from one’s true self.
As a reader, I love books that made me question and doubt everything, and this book is one of them. The story hooked me from the beginning with the desperation of a family that turned more devious as the story progressed.
Personal connections are strong and powerful motivators, not distractions. That’s what this is about.
I loved the multiple POVs and the short chapters because it “forced” me to pay attention. I enjoyed forming my own theories which were a challenge in this book due to unreliable narrators. I had a favorite character right from the beginning and satisfied with the ending.
It is always easier to sleep at night if the monsters outside your house only knock when you give them cause.
Lying Next to Me is a story of ambition and deception that reminds us we never truly know the person beside us. The story would appeal to readers who enjoy an engrossing thriller with unlikable characters.
💧 🌿 💧. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . .💧 🌿 💧
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
April 30, 2019
4.5 Stars
During a holiday weekend, Adam and Sophie Warner venture to a quaint waterfront cabin in an effort to relax and recharge their strained marriage. While Adam and his three year-old daughter are boating offshore, they witness Sophie being attacked then abducted in broad daylight. Despite other vacationers in nearby cabins, the only two eyewitnesses point to one direction. As the investigation into Sophie’s disappearance commences, Adam is comforted by the fact his childhood friend, Detective Lee Husemann, is leading the case. However, Lee soon discovers all the clues beget more questions.
Told from multiple POVs, each character has a unique role as the plot develops and it becomes clear that many of these characters act differently with others and when alone. As the investigation continues, probing into these characters humanizes them, as we see their darker sides, but also points to possible motivations.
Between the first and last page, there were multiple times when I believed I solved the case, yet there were always a couple details outstanding. By the end, the plot points are fully reconciled - and with a slant that I quite enjoyed. Gregg Olsen is a new author to me and I definitely plan to read more of his books in the future.
Lying Next to Me is a thriller that will cause the reader to continually question every character’s motives. This book will appeal to those who enjoy investigative thrillers that also delve into the dark psyche of its complicated characters.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
During a holiday weekend, Adam and Sophie Warner venture to a quaint waterfront cabin in an effort to relax and recharge their strained marriage. While Adam and his three year-old daughter are boating offshore, they witness Sophie being attacked then abducted in broad daylight. Despite other vacationers in nearby cabins, the only two eyewitnesses point to one direction. As the investigation into Sophie’s disappearance commences, Adam is comforted by the fact his childhood friend, Detective Lee Husemann, is leading the case. However, Lee soon discovers all the clues beget more questions.
“It is always easier to sleep at night if the monsters outside your house only knock when you give them cause.”
Told from multiple POVs, each character has a unique role as the plot develops and it becomes clear that many of these characters act differently with others and when alone. As the investigation continues, probing into these characters humanizes them, as we see their darker sides, but also points to possible motivations.
“Everyone makes a choice on what they want to do with what was done to them.”
Between the first and last page, there were multiple times when I believed I solved the case, yet there were always a couple details outstanding. By the end, the plot points are fully reconciled - and with a slant that I quite enjoyed. Gregg Olsen is a new author to me and I definitely plan to read more of his books in the future.
Lying Next to Me is a thriller that will cause the reader to continually question every character’s motives. This book will appeal to those who enjoy investigative thrillers that also delve into the dark psyche of its complicated characters.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
June 9, 2019
Interesting 3.5 rounded up to 4★'s.
I hold my daughter tightly to keep her from the jagged shards of my wife’s broken wineglass. It’s the only tangible indication that something terrible has happened. I gulp for air. The salmonberry thorns that clawed me as I ran up from the beach to the highway have shredded my bare arms. The striations of oozing blood leak slowly and don’t require a bandage, though one’s offered to me. Someone puts a blanket over my shoulders as I sit on the five-foot-high bulkhead that separates the crescent beach from the three cabins behind me. It’s a kind gesture, and I don’t resist it— even though I know it won’t help calm my trembling. I don’t look up. Instead, I sit there, wondering if I’ve done everything I can.
********
Lying Next to Me by Gregg Olsen is an interesting novel but it wasn't what I was hoping for.
If I'm honest, there were several characters in this book who made it hard to enjoy it fully. I am sure that the author meant them to be abhorrent but it made it difficult to hold my attention. Having said that, I'm glad I stuck with it as it was worth it for the surprising conclusion.
With thanks and appreciation to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Gregg Olsen for this advanced digital copy for me to read and review.
I hold my daughter tightly to keep her from the jagged shards of my wife’s broken wineglass. It’s the only tangible indication that something terrible has happened. I gulp for air. The salmonberry thorns that clawed me as I ran up from the beach to the highway have shredded my bare arms. The striations of oozing blood leak slowly and don’t require a bandage, though one’s offered to me. Someone puts a blanket over my shoulders as I sit on the five-foot-high bulkhead that separates the crescent beach from the three cabins behind me. It’s a kind gesture, and I don’t resist it— even though I know it won’t help calm my trembling. I don’t look up. Instead, I sit there, wondering if I’ve done everything I can.
********
Lying Next to Me by Gregg Olsen is an interesting novel but it wasn't what I was hoping for.
If I'm honest, there were several characters in this book who made it hard to enjoy it fully. I am sure that the author meant them to be abhorrent but it made it difficult to hold my attention. Having said that, I'm glad I stuck with it as it was worth it for the surprising conclusion.
With thanks and appreciation to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Gregg Olsen for this advanced digital copy for me to read and review.
May 20, 2019
Lying Next To Me by Gregg Olsen is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
It’s Memorial Day weekend, and the three flower-named cabins on Hood Canal are rented.
In one cabin is Teresa Dibley with her two grand-children that she is raising. Her daughter prefers drugs to looking after her children.
In the second cabin are Kristen and Connor Moss. He is slowly working his way into becoming an alcoholic, and she is determined to have a child.
In the third cabin are Adam and Sophie Warner, who are enjoying a mini vacation with their three-year old daughter Aubrey, until the unthinkable happens. While Adam and Aubrey are rowing back to the cottage they rented, he spies his wife fighting with a man near their cabin. The man hits Sophie, slings her over his shoulder and takes off. Adam doesn’t get back to shore in time to see where they went.
As the police start to investigate, a number of troubling things come to light.
One of the police officers is Lee Husemann, an old friend of Adam’s. Adam had saved her life many years ago, and Lee is convinced that Adam cannot be the one who abducted his wife. The Adam she knew had no violence in him. He is not the Adam that everyone else is talking about. He can’t be.
My Opinions:
This one is hard for me to describe. First, no matter what I say below….I loved it.
At times I actually hated reading it. I hated the turns that the characters took, even while their actions pulled me in. I wanted to like one of them! I couldn’t…because I didn’t trust any of them. The writing was brilliant…it just sucked me in to a story I am not really sure I wanted to read. I kept thinking about Aubrey. With every turn, I was thinking about Aubrey.
This book is full of lies, and affairs, and nothing was as it seemed. It is filled with suspense, and twists and more twists. It is told in multiple points of view, and short chapters, and it’s hard to tell who is telling the truth. Everyone lies, and motives abound….so do suspects.
Gregg Olsen is an amazing author, and I have been reading his books for a long time. I know I have missed a few of them, and when I get a minute, I’ll be delving into those. I would recommend his books sight unseen (or unread).
This one is worth the read. It is a fast read, an easy read, if not always a pleasant read.
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
March 25, 2019
This is one of those books that starts with a huge intrigue (kudos to the author!) and has you staying up late swiping your screen until you realize you're swimming in such literary waters you did NOT expect to dip your toes that day.
Oh boy what a twister this story was, talk about unexpected... I feel like when you're done, you think the actual story is sooooo far from what the initial synopsis described - in a good way.
It's one story of who-knows-who's-the-good-who's-the-bad-guy-here where you won't be able to predict the ending.
This book is action filled and rather grotesque at times, at least in my opinion. I think some people might appreciate warnings about violence and sociopathic behavior, as they are quite vividly described.
I highly recommend this book for action seekers. It might not be a good beach read, though, as you might get burned fast forgetting to swim amidst your furious flipping of the pages to get to the end.
Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.
Oh boy what a twister this story was, talk about unexpected... I feel like when you're done, you think the actual story is sooooo far from what the initial synopsis described - in a good way.
It's one story of who-knows-who's-the-good-who's-the-bad-guy-here where you won't be able to predict the ending.
This book is action filled and rather grotesque at times, at least in my opinion. I think some people might appreciate warnings about violence and sociopathic behavior, as they are quite vividly described.
I highly recommend this book for action seekers. It might not be a good beach read, though, as you might get burned fast forgetting to swim amidst your furious flipping of the pages to get to the end.
Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.
April 15, 2019
Adam and Sophie are on holiday to rest and also to mend the few fractures that have appeared in their marriage.
One morning while fishing with his 3 year old daughter, Adam witnesses his wife’s abduction by a stranger. By the time he reaches the shore, they are gone. Police are called but their investigations lead to nowhere. Sophie is gone without a trace, her husband has a solid alibi and there is a witness who saw the whole incident.
Who took Sophie? Why?
Whom can we trust?
Who is the liar in this intricate game of cat and mouse?
Lying Next to Me is a well-written book with an engaging story-line.
It would have been a 5 star read for me if the characters weren’t extremely hateful and irritating. The first chapter gets you hooked, but as the story continues, it gets long-winded with too many inner dialogues that become repetitive and boring. Different points of view, all of them in first person also do little to lessen the annoyance and the confusion.
Thanks to the author, Thomas & Mercer and the NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.
One morning while fishing with his 3 year old daughter, Adam witnesses his wife’s abduction by a stranger. By the time he reaches the shore, they are gone. Police are called but their investigations lead to nowhere. Sophie is gone without a trace, her husband has a solid alibi and there is a witness who saw the whole incident.
Who took Sophie? Why?
Whom can we trust?
Who is the liar in this intricate game of cat and mouse?
Lying Next to Me is a well-written book with an engaging story-line.
It would have been a 5 star read for me if the characters weren’t extremely hateful and irritating. The first chapter gets you hooked, but as the story continues, it gets long-winded with too many inner dialogues that become repetitive and boring. Different points of view, all of them in first person also do little to lessen the annoyance and the confusion.
Thanks to the author, Thomas & Mercer and the NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.
March 27, 2022
Kaip taikliai parašyta ant knygos viršelio - kad ir kas ką sakytų netikėk niekuo. Skaičiau įdėmiai, ir tikrai iki pat galo man nepavyko atspėti kas kaltas. Labai patiko autoriaus rašymo stilius. Istorija/situacija pagauna ir įsuka. Ir pats tampi tuo detektyvu, kuris narplioja įkalčius.
🖋️ Nepalenkiamas jos pasitikėjimas savimi yra ir privalumas ir trūkumas. Kai dėl ko nors abu sutariam, esam nesustabdomi. Bet kai mūsų planai ar mintys išsiskiria, laukia arši, sekinanti kova, kurios niekada nelaimėsiu.
🖋️ Žmones traukia prie pavojų ir dramos - taip jie nori parodyti susirūpinimą, tačiau kartu tyliai džiaugiasi, kad ko nors panašaus nenutiko jiems. Įsivaizduoja, kad būdami šalia žmonių, kuriems nutiko kas nors blogo, bus išbraukti iš kokio nors Dievo ir likimo vedamo sąrašo.
🖋️ ..sunku nuoširdžiai džiaugtis, jei negali turėti to, ką matai tiesiai sau po nosim, - to, ką kiti pasiekia taip lengvai.
🖋️ Motinystė suryja visą santuoką iki paskutinio kąsnelio. Iki paskutinio trupinio.
🖋️ Žinau, kad taupiau savo gyvenimą.
🖋️ Būti laimingam reikia daug pastangų.
🖋️ Didvyriais gali tapti visi, kuriems nusišypsojo sėkmė ar kuriuos likimas apdovanojo aštriu protu.
🖋️ Neklausykite, jei kas jums sakys, kad pasaulis teisingas. Jis toks nėra.
🖋️ Norint išties atsisveikinti su praeitimi, būtina susitaikyti su tuo, kas įvyko.
🖋️ Nepalenkiamas jos pasitikėjimas savimi yra ir privalumas ir trūkumas. Kai dėl ko nors abu sutariam, esam nesustabdomi. Bet kai mūsų planai ar mintys išsiskiria, laukia arši, sekinanti kova, kurios niekada nelaimėsiu.
🖋️ Žmones traukia prie pavojų ir dramos - taip jie nori parodyti susirūpinimą, tačiau kartu tyliai džiaugiasi, kad ko nors panašaus nenutiko jiems. Įsivaizduoja, kad būdami šalia žmonių, kuriems nutiko kas nors blogo, bus išbraukti iš kokio nors Dievo ir likimo vedamo sąrašo.
🖋️ ..sunku nuoširdžiai džiaugtis, jei negali turėti to, ką matai tiesiai sau po nosim, - to, ką kiti pasiekia taip lengvai.
🖋️ Motinystė suryja visą santuoką iki paskutinio kąsnelio. Iki paskutinio trupinio.
🖋️ Žinau, kad taupiau savo gyvenimą.
🖋️ Būti laimingam reikia daug pastangų.
🖋️ Didvyriais gali tapti visi, kuriems nusišypsojo sėkmė ar kuriuos likimas apdovanojo aštriu protu.
🖋️ Neklausykite, jei kas jums sakys, kad pasaulis teisingas. Jis toks nėra.
🖋️ Norint išties atsisveikinti su praeitimi, būtina susitaikyti su tuo, kas įvyko.
August 16, 2019
The synopsis of this book had me intrigued from the get go but as soon as i had read even just a couple of chapters i knew it wasn't going to be the type of mystery thriller that would keep me guessing until the very end.
I think the thing about this book that stopped me from enjoying it was there was no character that I liked, and maybe that was meant to be but rather than make the story even better, it nearly made me put the book down from the beginning. Even Lee who was meant to be the 'good' detective was on the morally grey side and made choices which annoyed me every time. Especially her choices when it came to Connor. Their shared backstory didnt really bring anything to the story and I get they it was meant to be part of the whole character reveal but instead they just felt like filler chapters.
The whole ending and the big mystery reveal was not really a shock to me, as someone who has watched many crime tv shows and read a fair share of thrillers I feel like this plot has been used and overly done to the point where it was quite easy to guess what was going to happen from the halfway mark.
The whole focus around both of the wives and whether or not they could have children really irked me. Every chapter seemed to focus on how much their relationship mattered in relation to children and what other people thought of them. The whole mystery also seemed to use this as the motive for murder and it just didn't work for me.
I think the only positive I can give this was it was definitely a quick read and it was just what I needed to keep my mind off other things.
I think the thing about this book that stopped me from enjoying it was there was no character that I liked, and maybe that was meant to be but rather than make the story even better, it nearly made me put the book down from the beginning. Even Lee who was meant to be the 'good' detective was on the morally grey side and made choices which annoyed me every time. Especially her choices when it came to Connor. Their shared backstory didnt really bring anything to the story and I get they it was meant to be part of the whole character reveal but instead they just felt like filler chapters.
The whole ending and the big mystery reveal was not really a shock to me, as someone who has watched many crime tv shows and read a fair share of thrillers I feel like this plot has been used and overly done to the point where it was quite easy to guess what was going to happen from the halfway mark.
The whole focus around both of the wives and whether or not they could have children really irked me. Every chapter seemed to focus on how much their relationship mattered in relation to children and what other people thought of them. The whole mystery also seemed to use this as the motive for murder and it just didn't work for me.
I think the only positive I can give this was it was definitely a quick read and it was just what I needed to keep my mind off other things.
May 5, 2020
A twisty book full of lies and VERY unlikable, unrealistic characters. It's kind of slow to start, but once it gets going the plot is interesting enough to keep you engaged and breaking out your detective hat. I wasn't the biggest fan of the ending where they're with Lee since that kind of scene is a bit overdone in the mystery/crime genre, but it was satisfying enough.
A true 3-star-er.
A true 3-star-er.
October 13, 2020
I enjoyed this book. I kind of just went with the flow not trying to guess the end. Great interesting characters. The author gives great visuals as well without over doing it in a boring way. I was annoyed with the ending a little at first. You have to figure out who to believe but that just makes you go over all the clues to come to your own conclusion.
October 29, 2020
3.5/5
Kartais greito ir paveikaus trilerio reikia beveik profilaktiškai – į tarpus tarp visokių klasikų ir gyvenimo sunkumų. Nes kaip geriau pasimiršt, jei ne skaitant apie žudomas žmonas ir neištikimus sutuoktinius? Ir nors atrodo, kad šia tema pasakyti ką nors naujo praktiškai neįmanoma, o ir iš pirmo žvilgnio „Lovoje su melagiu“ gali pasirodyti tik kaip labai jau pavargęs klišių rinkinukas, visgi džiaugiuosi, kad nepaskubėjau šio nurašyti – gal nes tiesiog tingėjau ieškoti ko nors kito, o gal nes puslapiai taip greitai vertėsi, kad pagalvojau, jog laiko, su tuo melagiu praleisto, gaila nebus. Ir tikrai – knyga, nors ir tokia amerikietiškai paprastutė, primytivutė visais literatūriniais aspektais, tampa greitu maistu, po kurio lieki toks truputį apsunkęs, bet nesusinervinęs – nu gi kartais galima. O ir tinkamai nusiteikus, net neradau nieko, kas mane čia būtų sunervinę – būna, kliūna ar tai dialogai, ar siužeto vingiai, ar veikėjai, bet čia nebandyta šokti aukščiau bambos, autorius savo pažadus skaitytojams prieš akis išdėlioja jau pirmaisiais skyriais, o besitikintiems skandinaviškų detektyvų atmosferos ar gilių psichologinių veikėjų pjūvių, belieka kaltinti tik patiems save. O tiems, kurie su žanru menkiau susipažinę, čia iš viso gali pasirodyti bombų bomba.
Prasikasus pro visus žanro įprastumus, tokius kaip neįsimintini detektyvai su tamsiomis paslaptimis ir santykiai, kurie yra ne tokie, kokiais atrodo, o ir šeimos, kurios labai labai nori vaikų, bet pastoti negali, o tai paverčia seksą mechanišku ir tokiu nebedžiuginančiu (jei kažkuris iš šių dedamųjų erzina, siūlyčiau Melagio į lovą neįsileisti ir sau nervų netampyti), turėjau pripažinti, kad pagrindinę mįslę narpliojau pasibaisėtinai ilgai. Tiesa, paskutiniuosius 50 puslapių skaičiau jau beveik neabejodama savo teorijų teisingumu, bet malonumo tai nesugadino – labiausiai todėl, kad laikais, kada beveik ant visų rašytojų rėkiu, kad jie – grafomanai, nebežinantys, kada sustoti rašyti, „Lovoje su melagiu“ yra kaip tik tokio ilgio, kokio ir reikia, todėl susivartoja greitai ir neskausmingai. Vienkartinis reikalas, neabejotinai, tačiau pagirtinas ir dėl VLKK nevergaujančių redaktorių ir vertėjų, nebijančių normalių keiksmažodžių ir žmogiškų išsireiškimų, ir dėl kelių siužetinių niuansų, kurių naujumas ir šviežumas pajėgė nustebinti net tokią ilgametę sofos detektyvę kaip kad aš.
Kartais greito ir paveikaus trilerio reikia beveik profilaktiškai – į tarpus tarp visokių klasikų ir gyvenimo sunkumų. Nes kaip geriau pasimiršt, jei ne skaitant apie žudomas žmonas ir neištikimus sutuoktinius? Ir nors atrodo, kad šia tema pasakyti ką nors naujo praktiškai neįmanoma, o ir iš pirmo žvilgnio „Lovoje su melagiu“ gali pasirodyti tik kaip labai jau pavargęs klišių rinkinukas, visgi džiaugiuosi, kad nepaskubėjau šio nurašyti – gal nes tiesiog tingėjau ieškoti ko nors kito, o gal nes puslapiai taip greitai vertėsi, kad pagalvojau, jog laiko, su tuo melagiu praleisto, gaila nebus. Ir tikrai – knyga, nors ir tokia amerikietiškai paprastutė, primytivutė visais literatūriniais aspektais, tampa greitu maistu, po kurio lieki toks truputį apsunkęs, bet nesusinervinęs – nu gi kartais galima. O ir tinkamai nusiteikus, net neradau nieko, kas mane čia būtų sunervinę – būna, kliūna ar tai dialogai, ar siužeto vingiai, ar veikėjai, bet čia nebandyta šokti aukščiau bambos, autorius savo pažadus skaitytojams prieš akis išdėlioja jau pirmaisiais skyriais, o besitikintiems skandinaviškų detektyvų atmosferos ar gilių psichologinių veikėjų pjūvių, belieka kaltinti tik patiems save. O tiems, kurie su žanru menkiau susipažinę, čia iš viso gali pasirodyti bombų bomba.
Prasikasus pro visus žanro įprastumus, tokius kaip neįsimintini detektyvai su tamsiomis paslaptimis ir santykiai, kurie yra ne tokie, kokiais atrodo, o ir šeimos, kurios labai labai nori vaikų, bet pastoti negali, o tai paverčia seksą mechanišku ir tokiu nebedžiuginančiu (jei kažkuris iš šių dedamųjų erzina, siūlyčiau Melagio į lovą neįsileisti ir sau nervų netampyti), turėjau pripažinti, kad pagrindinę mįslę narpliojau pasibaisėtinai ilgai. Tiesa, paskutiniuosius 50 puslapių skaičiau jau beveik neabejodama savo teorijų teisingumu, bet malonumo tai nesugadino – labiausiai todėl, kad laikais, kada beveik ant visų rašytojų rėkiu, kad jie – grafomanai, nebežinantys, kada sustoti rašyti, „Lovoje su melagiu“ yra kaip tik tokio ilgio, kokio ir reikia, todėl susivartoja greitai ir neskausmingai. Vienkartinis reikalas, neabejotinai, tačiau pagirtinas ir dėl VLKK nevergaujančių redaktorių ir vertėjų, nebijančių normalių keiksmažodžių ir žmogiškų išsireiškimų, ir dėl kelių siužetinių niuansų, kurių naujumas ir šviežumas pajėgė nustebinti net tokią ilgametę sofos detektyvę kaip kad aš.
June 18, 2019
It definitely kept me on my toes.
Lying Next to Me was kind of filled with so much betrayal. In it, you will get four POV's - Adam, Lee, Connor, and Kristen. Of course they aren't random POV's because they are all connected somehow. Whether they were all friends in the past/present or if they all somehow knew the same person. Enter Sophie, the victim - who also is Adam's wife and Connor's lover. It was interesting to hear about the wife being "kidnapped" or at least gone missing but I always felt like something was off. I was either five hundred steps behind the real murderer or I just wasn't getting all the information to fit the puzzle. Ya know?
Now I'm a terrible detective.. so terrible that I work in government contracting - which has nothing to do with detective work. So when a little murder mystery comes my way - I'm invested from start to finish. I wanted to know what exactly happened to Sophie.. but I also wanted to know what the heck was going on in the background. With each POV, you start to see the picture a little clearer but it wasn't until the very end when I got the wow factor.
So much came out at that point. It was super shocking and I had no idea what to expect - well it wasn't what I actually got so there. I honestly felt bad for the murderer because of what they went through throughout this book. Without spoiling anything, I feel like that's all I can say.
Overall, definitely was invested and I can't wait for my next murder mystery book.
Lying Next to Me was kind of filled with so much betrayal. In it, you will get four POV's - Adam, Lee, Connor, and Kristen. Of course they aren't random POV's because they are all connected somehow. Whether they were all friends in the past/present or if they all somehow knew the same person. Enter Sophie, the victim - who also is Adam's wife and Connor's lover. It was interesting to hear about the wife being "kidnapped" or at least gone missing but I always felt like something was off. I was either five hundred steps behind the real murderer or I just wasn't getting all the information to fit the puzzle. Ya know?
Now I'm a terrible detective.. so terrible that I work in government contracting - which has nothing to do with detective work. So when a little murder mystery comes my way - I'm invested from start to finish. I wanted to know what exactly happened to Sophie.. but I also wanted to know what the heck was going on in the background. With each POV, you start to see the picture a little clearer but it wasn't until the very end when I got the wow factor.
So much came out at that point. It was super shocking and I had no idea what to expect - well it wasn't what I actually got so there. I honestly felt bad for the murderer because of what they went through throughout this book. Without spoiling anything, I feel like that's all I can say.
Overall, definitely was invested and I can't wait for my next murder mystery book.
September 2, 2019
This was a good idea for a book. If the book wasn’t written in such a juvenile and annoying way, I would have enjoyed it even though I figured out the killer the moment the person was introduced. It felt so obvious that any red herrings that were attempting to confuse the reader didn’t. The male detective. Annoying. Father-in-law. Annoying. Adam. Annoying. The LAWYER Kristen. Annoying. Connor. Annoying. Lee. Annoying and stupid.
August 11, 2019
I have read a couple of books by Gregg Olsen and enjoyed. Whilst this book was very enjoyable and kept me turning the pages, i would say that i still prefer 'The Sound of Rain'. I shall look forward to reading more books by this author. Recommended.
April 9, 2019
A dark, claustrophobic thriller, a brilliant read.
September 23, 2020
5 stars audio
3 took too long to get to the good part stars story.
3 took too long to get to the good part stars story.
March 4, 2019
"No matter what you see, no matter what you’ve heard, assume nothing." What an ominous statement! With that thought rolling through my mind, I began
Lying Next to Me.
The story is about the disappearance of Sophie Warner. Sophie, husband Adam and their three-year-old daughter, Aubrey, were spending Memorial Day weekend together. Sophie and Adam were experiencing a rough patch, but it was hoped a few days together would make things better. They barely got a chance to begin patching things up, however, because while Adam was on the water the first day with Aubrey and was away from shore, they were close enough for Adam to see Sophie abducted. There was absolutely nothing that Adam could do.
There are only three cabins where they are staying, and in one cabin, a woman with her small grandchildren doesn't see anything. There is a couple in the other cabin, Kristen and Connor Moss, but they, too, are of no help. Adam is very hopeful that his friend, Lee Husemann, happens to be the detective on the case. At the very least, Adam is comforted by the fact that Lee will pull out all of the stops to try and determine what has happened to Sophie.
There is one eyewitness, and with his help, Lee begins putting together the pieces of the puzzle. Of course, Adam claims innocence. However, the story is delivered in more than one point of view, and one of those is Connor. His dialogue is quite interesting and slowly things begin to fall into place. While Lee knows at least one person is lying, she is die-hard determined that Adam is innocent all across the board.
After all, nothing you believe to be true actually is, so by far, most readers will be left guessing. I literally could not work it out and was shocked, to say the least, when the killer was revealed. All the while, not only is Adam and Lee's past revealed, but Connor's involvement is pivotal. Lastly, the phrase "unreliable narrator" with the various characters could never be more apropos than in this book. With quick dialogue, great intrigue, terrific pacing, more than one red herring and a stunning conclusion, this book by Gregg Olsen is an excellent read.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
There are only three cabins where they are staying, and in one cabin, a woman with her small grandchildren doesn't see anything. There is a couple in the other cabin, Kristen and Connor Moss, but they, too, are of no help. Adam is very hopeful that his friend, Lee Husemann, happens to be the detective on the case. At the very least, Adam is comforted by the fact that Lee will pull out all of the stops to try and determine what has happened to Sophie.
There is one eyewitness, and with his help, Lee begins putting together the pieces of the puzzle. Of course, Adam claims innocence. However, the story is delivered in more than one point of view, and one of those is Connor. His dialogue is quite interesting and slowly things begin to fall into place. While Lee knows at least one person is lying, she is die-hard determined that Adam is innocent all across the board.
After all, nothing you believe to be true actually is, so by far, most readers will be left guessing. I literally could not work it out and was shocked, to say the least, when the killer was revealed. All the while, not only is Adam and Lee's past revealed, but Connor's involvement is pivotal. Lastly, the phrase "unreliable narrator" with the various characters could never be more apropos than in this book. With quick dialogue, great intrigue, terrific pacing, more than one red herring and a stunning conclusion, this book by Gregg Olsen is an excellent read.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 7, 2022
Very disappointed
My fault. I went into this book with high expectations because I like the author. I really wanted to give 2 stars just put of spite.
There are multiple players in this book told by multiple points of view.
Adam who's wife Sophia is dead. Kidnapped and murdered while he was boating with their daughter Aubrey. The book is a "who dun it" trying to solve the murder.
Frank and Helen Flynn who are Sophia's parents. They drop themselves in the investigation. Accuse Adam. Then about a third of the way into the book they disappear. Very frustrating and felt like the author could have done more with them.
Lee is the detective in charge. A great deal of her point of view story could have been left out. Ok she had a bad thing happen to her as a child and Adam helped her back then, but it really has nothing to do with the story line and felt mostly unessarry. Maybe a quick chapter on it, but it is brought up again and again.
Kristin and Connor who were staying next door when Sophia disappeared. It isn't until more then half way through the book that they even have a point. Meaning I spent more then half the book bord wondering why they even mattered and had a narrative.
I found this book hard to keep the players straight and got the feeling the author did to. Certain plot points were made, then later forgotten, then later tried to back peddle over. Example it is stated early on that Adam NEVER had an affair. Then a few chapters later it turns out he did had an affair. Then later stated that since it was "just sex" it didn't count as an affair. All of this was told to us through Adam's character. Very confusing like the plot kept changing as the author wrote it.
Not sure what happened but this was not the kind of story flow I expected from Olsen.
My fault. I went into this book with high expectations because I like the author. I really wanted to give 2 stars just put of spite.
There are multiple players in this book told by multiple points of view.
Adam who's wife Sophia is dead. Kidnapped and murdered while he was boating with their daughter Aubrey. The book is a "who dun it" trying to solve the murder.
Frank and Helen Flynn who are Sophia's parents. They drop themselves in the investigation. Accuse Adam. Then about a third of the way into the book they disappear. Very frustrating and felt like the author could have done more with them.
Lee is the detective in charge. A great deal of her point of view story could have been left out. Ok she had a bad thing happen to her as a child and Adam helped her back then, but it really has nothing to do with the story line and felt mostly unessarry. Maybe a quick chapter on it, but it is brought up again and again.
Kristin and Connor who were staying next door when Sophia disappeared. It isn't until more then half way through the book that they even have a point. Meaning I spent more then half the book bord wondering why they even mattered and had a narrative.
I found this book hard to keep the players straight and got the feeling the author did to. Certain plot points were made, then later forgotten, then later tried to back peddle over. Example it is stated early on that Adam NEVER had an affair. Then a few chapters later it turns out he did had an affair. Then later stated that since it was "just sex" it didn't count as an affair. All of this was told to us through Adam's character. Very confusing like the plot kept changing as the author wrote it.
Not sure what happened but this was not the kind of story flow I expected from Olsen.
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