Where Truth Lies

by Heather Dawn Gray

In this sequel to The Lie, Jahana's half-brother Omar discovers their father needs a life-saving procedure. Out of desperation he posts his DNA results to a public website. A match uncovers a tangled nest of truths and lies. Omar's perceptions of judgement, forgiveness, and loyalty are put to the test as he seeks to determine Where Truth Lies.

Genres: Fiction

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2019

About the author

There are two different sides to Heather Dawn Gray's writing. Some might call it an inability to focus, she calls it the need to explore creativity from different angles.

On one hand she fashions genealogical fiction out of the real stories behind genetic testing. Her crime fiction novels offer a new perspective on how a DNA test changes lives. A career in medical laboratory medicine and her own results from a genetic test, inspired Heather to write three novels exploring the current phenomenon of DNA testing. And there just may be at least one more genealogical crime fiction novel percolating behind the scenes.

On the other hand, Heather also writes children's books based on the real life of her grand-dog Maddie, who suddenly went blind at four years old. Despite her challenges, Maddie approaches each day with a smile in her heart and a belief that anything is possible. Through these children's books, Maddie continues to remind adults and children alike, that even the darkest day can be the best day ever. The first book in the series has been recently published on Amazon.

Currently residing in Canada, Heather writes and explores wherever her heart and budget take her.

Reviews

[Nancy Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Kindle version immediately following completion of The Lie: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret. Where Truth Lies is a sequel but it largely stands alone and introduces many new characters. The MC is Omar, who is the newly discovered half-brother of Jahana, the MC of The Lie.

In Where Truth Lies, the shared biological father of Omar and Jakana is in need of a kidney transplant and is put on trial for assaulting a young woman many years ago.

The page-turning, plot-twisting power of this novel even exceeds that of The Lie. However, Omar and his father are less interesting and less sympathetic characters than Jakana and her family in The Lie. Also missing from this second novel is exploration of cultural and religious issues for Muslim immigrants. Omar and his parents did not seem to be observant Muslims or part of a close Muslim community.

This novel lacked the warmth of The Lie, but it was perhaps more exciting in a "who done it“ vein. I do recommend that readers begin with The Lie to provide context for Where Truth Lies. Since both books are short, one could polish them both off in a weekend.

[Kalyan Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending has me questioning what I thought I understood...it's a bit unclear but leaves me to believe that it was purposefully written this way so the reader can make the final decision themselves.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled thru the first book. This one I couldn’t put down. It had such a sad message of destroyed lives by a selfish man. It was a great story of what DNA can do.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If The Lie swept you away, Where Truth Lies will grab a hold of you, and take you into its magnificent depths, and blow your mind. Long after you’ve finished with its captivating pages, the story will haunt you, leaving you to ask yourself what you would do in the situation of any of its realistic characters. An utterly spellbinding read!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Truth Lies: Sequel to The Lie

Wonderful! Read The Lie first and you will really enjoy this novel. Heather Gray can spin a tale! I will be following her so I won’t miss future novels.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

As another reviewer mentioned, this book is “haunting.”

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed in this one

Well that was a disappointing ending. There was no closure, the story just ended. 😕
Is there going to be another book?

[Sue townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed

Well written. I just kept reading wanting to see what happened next. I highly recommend this book. Please put this on your TBR list