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One Little Lie
‘I’m Alice. And my son is a murderer.’
Deborah’s son was killed four years ago.
Alice’s son is in prison for committing that crime.
Deborah would give anything to have her boy back, and Alice would do anything to right her son’s wrongs.
Driven by guilt and the need for redemption, Alice has started a support group for parents with troubled children. But as the network begins to grow, she soon finds out just how easy it is for one little lie to spiral out of control…
They call it mother’s intuition, but can you ever really know your own child?
AUDIO LENGTH: 10hrs. and 23mins.
©2018 Sam Carrington (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
A twisty and unnerving thriller about the price of motherhood and the unthinkable things we do to protect our children. Perfect for fans of B A Paris and Clare Mackintosh.
Deborah’s son was killed four years ago.
Alice’s son is in prison for committing that crime.
Deborah would give anything to have her boy back, and Alice would do anything to right her son’s wrongs.
Driven by guilt and the need for redemption, Alice has started a support group for parents with troubled children. But as the network begins to grow, she soon finds out just how easy it is for one little lie to spiral out of control…
They call it mother’s intuition, but can you ever really know your own child?
AUDIO LENGTH: 10hrs. and 23mins.
©2018 Sam Carrington (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
A twisty and unnerving thriller about the price of motherhood and the unthinkable things we do to protect our children. Perfect for fans of B A Paris and Clare Mackintosh.
Audible Audio
First published September 6, 2018
570 people are currently reading
1713 people want to read
About the author
Sam Carrington
11 books475 followersSam Carrington lives in Devon with her husband, two border terriers and a cat. She has three adult children and a new grandson! She worked for the NHS for fifteen years, during which time she qualified as a nurse. Following the completion of a psychology degree she went to work for the prison service as an Offending Behaviour Programme Facilitator. Her experiences within this field inspired her writing. She left the service to spend time with her family and to follow her dream of being a novelist. SAVING SOPHIE, her debut psychological thriller, published in September 2016. It became a Kindle eBook bestseller, with the paperback hitting The Bookseller Heatseeker chart at #8. Sam was named an Amazon Rising Star of 2016.
Her 6th book - The Open House - publishes in December 2020.
Her 6th book - The Open House - publishes in December 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
May 6, 2020
3 ⭐️
Ok, so I didn’t have huge expectations going in, I’ve never read this author before so had no idea what to expect.
The plot was good, it is told from numerous POVs. Deborah’s son Sean was murdered 4 years ago by Alice’s son Kyle who is now serving time in prison for the crime.
Alice begins seeing a psychologist to tackle her feelings of guilt at her son’s terrible crime and how she didn’t spot any signs. The psychologist Connie is a third POV.
There are a couple of good twists, but I was annoyed with Connie’s behaviour throughout - she should have been a lot smarter than she was. She often acted like an idiot.
I saw one reviewer put not One Little Lie, more like an avalanche of lies. They aren’t wrong - I’m still not certain which lie is supposed to be the “one little lie.”
There were a few grammatical/spelling mistakes which bugged me as I feel they should have been picked up by editors. Main ones being “looking forwards to it.” “Automatic pilot” and “gardening leave.”
The book makes frequent references to previous events which I didn’t understand until I worked out that Connie was a character from a previous book by this author. I didn’t know this and I didn’t like it - it’s like a load of inside jokes that you don’t understand. If I’d have known I’d have read the other book first.
Finally the ending pissed me off.
It was an ok enough read but not up to the standard I like in my thrillers.
Ok, so I didn’t have huge expectations going in, I’ve never read this author before so had no idea what to expect.
The plot was good, it is told from numerous POVs. Deborah’s son Sean was murdered 4 years ago by Alice’s son Kyle who is now serving time in prison for the crime.
Alice begins seeing a psychologist to tackle her feelings of guilt at her son’s terrible crime and how she didn’t spot any signs. The psychologist Connie is a third POV.
There are a couple of good twists, but I was annoyed with Connie’s behaviour throughout - she should have been a lot smarter than she was. She often acted like an idiot.
I saw one reviewer put not One Little Lie, more like an avalanche of lies. They aren’t wrong - I’m still not certain which lie is supposed to be the “one little lie.”
There were a few grammatical/spelling mistakes which bugged me as I feel they should have been picked up by editors. Main ones being “looking forwards to it.” “Automatic pilot” and “gardening leave.”
The book makes frequent references to previous events which I didn’t understand until I worked out that Connie was a character from a previous book by this author. I didn’t know this and I didn’t like it - it’s like a load of inside jokes that you don’t understand. If I’d have known I’d have read the other book first.
Finally the ending pissed me off.
It was an ok enough read but not up to the standard I like in my thrillers.
August 6, 2018
EXCERPT: 'It took approximately eight hours for Sean Taylor to die.'
She listened as the man spoke, her heart beating a little faster, her eyes blinking a little more than necessary. She shifted in her seat. Her bottom was numb, her legs heavy. She didn’t want to hear the details. She needed to. Her gaze fixed on the coroner; she couldn't move her limbs and escape the courtroom, couldn't close her ears to the words. She had to know.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: ‘I’m Alice. And my son is a murderer.’
Deborah’s son was killed four years ago.
Alice’s son is in prison for committing that crime.
Deborah would give anything to have her boy back, and Alice would do anything to right her son’s wrongs.
Driven by guilt and the need for redemption, Alice has started a support group for parents with troubled children. But as the network begins to grow, she soon finds out just how easy it is for one little lie to spiral out of control…
They call it mother’s intuition, but can you ever really know your own child?
A twisty and unnerving thriller about the price of motherhood and the unthinkable things we do to protect our children. (Goodreads.com)
MY THOUGHTS: Oh dear, where do I start? The title? An Avalanche of Lies would be more apt.
The characters tell the story from multiple points of view. Connie is a psychologist. Deborah is the murdered boy's mother. Alice is the mother of the boy who murdered him. And Tom, the gamer.
All good so far, right? Wrong. It all gets terribly muddled and confusing. I kept having to check whose point of view I was reading, then having to remind myself who they were. The characters were almost interchangeable, definitely almost indistinguishable. They were all whiny, whinging, introspective, angst ridden, dare I say it, idiots. Especially the one who should have known better.
The plot dragged. There was zero tension, zero suspense. It was messy and the twist was so obvious that it was a total anticlimax.
I almost dnf'd this book several times during the read, and on reflection, I wish I had. There was just far too much unlikely and unbelievable plot to make this a worthwhile read for me.
I understand that reading is an entirely subjective experience and that, while this book wasn't one I enjoyed, you may well love it. So if the excerpt piques your interest and you like the sound of the plot synopsis, please get a copy and read it.
THE AUTHOR: Sam Carrington lives in Devon with her husband and three children. She worked for the NHS for 15 years, during which time she qualified as a nurse. Following the completion of a Psychology degree she went to work for the prison service as an Offending Behaviour Programme Facilitator. Her experiences within this field inspired her writing. She left the service to spend time with her family and to follow her dream of being a novelist. SAVING SOPHIE was her debut psychological thriller novel and became a #1 ebook bestseller. (Goodreads.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of One Little Lie by Sam Carrington for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
She listened as the man spoke, her heart beating a little faster, her eyes blinking a little more than necessary. She shifted in her seat. Her bottom was numb, her legs heavy. She didn’t want to hear the details. She needed to. Her gaze fixed on the coroner; she couldn't move her limbs and escape the courtroom, couldn't close her ears to the words. She had to know.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: ‘I’m Alice. And my son is a murderer.’
Deborah’s son was killed four years ago.
Alice’s son is in prison for committing that crime.
Deborah would give anything to have her boy back, and Alice would do anything to right her son’s wrongs.
Driven by guilt and the need for redemption, Alice has started a support group for parents with troubled children. But as the network begins to grow, she soon finds out just how easy it is for one little lie to spiral out of control…
They call it mother’s intuition, but can you ever really know your own child?
A twisty and unnerving thriller about the price of motherhood and the unthinkable things we do to protect our children. (Goodreads.com)
MY THOUGHTS: Oh dear, where do I start? The title? An Avalanche of Lies would be more apt.
The characters tell the story from multiple points of view. Connie is a psychologist. Deborah is the murdered boy's mother. Alice is the mother of the boy who murdered him. And Tom, the gamer.
All good so far, right? Wrong. It all gets terribly muddled and confusing. I kept having to check whose point of view I was reading, then having to remind myself who they were. The characters were almost interchangeable, definitely almost indistinguishable. They were all whiny, whinging, introspective, angst ridden, dare I say it, idiots. Especially the one who should have known better.
The plot dragged. There was zero tension, zero suspense. It was messy and the twist was so obvious that it was a total anticlimax.
I almost dnf'd this book several times during the read, and on reflection, I wish I had. There was just far too much unlikely and unbelievable plot to make this a worthwhile read for me.
I understand that reading is an entirely subjective experience and that, while this book wasn't one I enjoyed, you may well love it. So if the excerpt piques your interest and you like the sound of the plot synopsis, please get a copy and read it.
THE AUTHOR: Sam Carrington lives in Devon with her husband and three children. She worked for the NHS for 15 years, during which time she qualified as a nurse. Following the completion of a Psychology degree she went to work for the prison service as an Offending Behaviour Programme Facilitator. Her experiences within this field inspired her writing. She left the service to spend time with her family and to follow her dream of being a novelist. SAVING SOPHIE was her debut psychological thriller novel and became a #1 ebook bestseller. (Goodreads.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of One Little Lie by Sam Carrington for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 22, 2018
Deborah and Nathan’s son Sean is murdered by Kyle in a viscous stabbing, he is in prison refusing to talk. Sean’s mother is Alice who is seeing a psychologist called Connie. At first it is confusing to keep up with who is who,but this book is worth being patient with, as it all clicks into place and it is definitely worth reading!!
Loved this twisty story, at one point the story changes direction and for me just got better!!
Will be looking forward to the next book to find out what happens about Luke!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Loved this twisty story, at one point the story changes direction and for me just got better!!
Will be looking forward to the next book to find out what happens about Luke!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
July 22, 2018
This intricately plotted thriller is the story of three women,two sons and the psychologist who finds herself caught up in their twisted web of lies and deceit.The story is voiced by a multitude of vivid characters but is easy to follow because each chapter is titled with the name of the character whose actions and interactions that chapter is about.Although DI Lindsay Wade and Mack do appear in this story they are only essentially secondary characters.I was a bit disappointed about this,I like the interactions between Lindsay and Mack and I personally would have liked there to have been some chapters covering their investigation into the disappearance of Isabella Bond.The main protagonist in this story is psychologist Connie Summers who we were introduced to in Sam Carrington`s previous book Bad Sister.I really liked Connie`s character in the previous book but in this one she was very irritating at times especially during some of her interactions with Lindsay Wade.I had mixed feelings about some of the other characters,although their actions were morally wrong,once you learnt their back stories,it was hard not to feel just a tiny little bit of sympathy for them. I don't know how I would react if I found myself in the same situations that some of the characters found themselves in.
You definitely have to give this tale of manipulation,lies,secrets,obsession and seeking redemption and forgiveness your full attention.Although it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone,throughout the story there is quite a number of references to events that happened in Bad Sister.So if you haven't read Bad Sister yet,it might be advisable to read that one before reading One Little Lie. This book would cause some interesting discussions if it was read by a book group due to some of the issues that are raised throughout the story.
Many thanks to Avon Books Uk for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
You definitely have to give this tale of manipulation,lies,secrets,obsession and seeking redemption and forgiveness your full attention.Although it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone,throughout the story there is quite a number of references to events that happened in Bad Sister.So if you haven't read Bad Sister yet,it might be advisable to read that one before reading One Little Lie. This book would cause some interesting discussions if it was read by a book group due to some of the issues that are raised throughout the story.
Many thanks to Avon Books Uk for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
July 18, 2018
One Little Liar sees the return of Connie Summers and other characters from Bad Sister, although this can be read as a stand alone book. It is great read, fast paced with a lot going on. Really enjoyed it.
It is the story of 2 mothers, both suffering because of their sons. One because her son has been murdered and the other because her son is in prison for that murder. Therapist Connie Summes gets caught up in their grief and desires. It seems that trouble just finds her. Can she help these women make peace with themselves and each other?
Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and and are in no way biased
It is the story of 2 mothers, both suffering because of their sons. One because her son has been murdered and the other because her son is in prison for that murder. Therapist Connie Summes gets caught up in their grief and desires. It seems that trouble just finds her. Can she help these women make peace with themselves and each other?
Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and and are in no way biased
July 16, 2018
I was really looking forward to reading this as I have loved previous books by Sam Carrington but unfortunately this was a bit of a let down. The cover was the first thing to draw me in but the synopsis also got my attention and I thought it sounded intriguing and entertaining - exactly my sort of thing. The premise is a sound one, the writing style is excellent too.
The book centres around two mother's and how their lives collide after a tragedy occurs affecting both families. Deborah's son was killed four years ago by Alice's son who is now in imprisoned and paying for committing the murder. In a bid to find redemption, Alice starts a support group for parents with troubled children. But as the group grows, she discovers just how easy one little lie can spiral out of control. They call it mother’s intuition, but can you ever really know your own child?
My issue with "One Little Lie" was that there were far too many characters to keep straight and too many details to the plot that it makes it kinda hard going and as I read to relax this isn't ideal. To say I am gutted would be an understatement - I have been eagerly awaiting this title for months so I am disappointed I didn't enjoy it as much as I predicted I would. I will still read any future books from Ms Carrington as I loved "Bad Sister". I really hate writing a less than complimentary review as I know how much work goes into writing a book but I have to be honest.
Many thanks to Avon for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The book centres around two mother's and how their lives collide after a tragedy occurs affecting both families. Deborah's son was killed four years ago by Alice's son who is now in imprisoned and paying for committing the murder. In a bid to find redemption, Alice starts a support group for parents with troubled children. But as the group grows, she discovers just how easy one little lie can spiral out of control. They call it mother’s intuition, but can you ever really know your own child?
My issue with "One Little Lie" was that there were far too many characters to keep straight and too many details to the plot that it makes it kinda hard going and as I read to relax this isn't ideal. To say I am gutted would be an understatement - I have been eagerly awaiting this title for months so I am disappointed I didn't enjoy it as much as I predicted I would. I will still read any future books from Ms Carrington as I loved "Bad Sister". I really hate writing a less than complimentary review as I know how much work goes into writing a book but I have to be honest.
Many thanks to Avon for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
May 22, 2018
Check out my review, which can also be found on my blog here: www.booksonthebookshelf.wordpress.com
Once I began to read this book I was initially confused with how the story jumped around from one character to the next and it took a bit of time to figure out who was who and how they were all connected. It got a bit confusing until you got familiar with the characters, and there were quite a few main characters in the story. I struggled to get into this book, and I think the main reason was how it seemed to jump around from points of views of different characters. It was hard to keep them all straight and initially remember who each character was, and keep their story straight and separate from each other. Once I finished reading the book it was clear why it was written in this way, which makes sense at the end, but I felt it took away from the enjoyment of the book (for me).
There were several twists and turns in the book, which I really liked, and a few shocking revelations that I did not expect. It was an ok book overall, I just found myself struggling to get through it and make it to the end. A lot of parts I found were dragged out and took away from the enjoyment of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher Avon Books UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Once I began to read this book I was initially confused with how the story jumped around from one character to the next and it took a bit of time to figure out who was who and how they were all connected. It got a bit confusing until you got familiar with the characters, and there were quite a few main characters in the story. I struggled to get into this book, and I think the main reason was how it seemed to jump around from points of views of different characters. It was hard to keep them all straight and initially remember who each character was, and keep their story straight and separate from each other. Once I finished reading the book it was clear why it was written in this way, which makes sense at the end, but I felt it took away from the enjoyment of the book (for me).
There were several twists and turns in the book, which I really liked, and a few shocking revelations that I did not expect. It was an ok book overall, I just found myself struggling to get through it and make it to the end. A lot of parts I found were dragged out and took away from the enjoyment of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher Avon Books UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2018
I found this to be a rather confusing story concerning a teenage murderer, his mum, the victims mum and a psychologist. The synopsis sounded really interesting, but there was just too much minute detail included that lengthened the story but added nothing significant to the plot. There was no tension to the writing either, so unfortunately it made for a rather flat read.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2018
This is the second book I’ve read recently that explores the relationship between mother and child when that offspring has committed a heinous crime. And I love that Sam Carrington has taken her characters and weaved a gripping, twisty story around them and the circumstances that they find themselves in. I’ve been a big fan of Sam’s writing in the past and I’m pleased to say that One Little Lie maintains the high level of stylish and cleverly crafted plots that I have come to enjoy. But I do think that she has excelled herself this time with a great twist that I didn’t see coming, one that immediately had me flicking back through the pages of my kindle to work out how and why I had missed the clues!
I always feel that the parents of children who kill probably blame themselves more than they should, wondering how they could have missed any signs of unusual behaviour. But I don’t think any of us really know what goes on in our children’s minds and we just parent as best as we possibly can so that when outside influences strike, they are properly equipped to deal with them. Alice’s son is in prison for murder and four years later still isn’t talking about his crime or anything else to anyone. Deborah is the woman no longer with her child in her life and as she rightly says, when children lose their parents they are orphans but there is no word for a parent who has lost that role when their child dies. I found myself drawn to both women as they were both struggling with their losses but handling their emotions in different ways. Alice was trying to atone for her son’s crime by trying to help others but I found it unsettling that there also seemed to be an undercurrent of deceit, as if I were missing something. And although Deborah had the more permanent loss, I found myself less sympathetic towards her for some reason. But the twists and turns in the plot really did flip some of my opinions and that’s when I began to realise just how very clever Sam Carrington had been in manipulating my responses to the narrative I had been expecting to read and not the one I was actually reading!
I love how One Little Lie featured characters from Sam Carrington’s previous novels and I came to appreciate their involvement within the storyline in a way I hadn’t before. I really enjoyed the relationship between Connie and DI Lindsey Wade especially and think that the tv drama producers are really missing a great female buddy act by not signing this up for tv! I think Sam’s books would make a perfect crime drama series and would translate really well to work for a television audience.
This is will be a big hit with crime thriller fans this summer and rightly so! I’m already impatient to see what Sam Carrington has up her sleeve for us next! She’s definitely an author I would recommend reading of you haven’t already discovered her books. Enjoy!
I always feel that the parents of children who kill probably blame themselves more than they should, wondering how they could have missed any signs of unusual behaviour. But I don’t think any of us really know what goes on in our children’s minds and we just parent as best as we possibly can so that when outside influences strike, they are properly equipped to deal with them. Alice’s son is in prison for murder and four years later still isn’t talking about his crime or anything else to anyone. Deborah is the woman no longer with her child in her life and as she rightly says, when children lose their parents they are orphans but there is no word for a parent who has lost that role when their child dies. I found myself drawn to both women as they were both struggling with their losses but handling their emotions in different ways. Alice was trying to atone for her son’s crime by trying to help others but I found it unsettling that there also seemed to be an undercurrent of deceit, as if I were missing something. And although Deborah had the more permanent loss, I found myself less sympathetic towards her for some reason. But the twists and turns in the plot really did flip some of my opinions and that’s when I began to realise just how very clever Sam Carrington had been in manipulating my responses to the narrative I had been expecting to read and not the one I was actually reading!
I love how One Little Lie featured characters from Sam Carrington’s previous novels and I came to appreciate their involvement within the storyline in a way I hadn’t before. I really enjoyed the relationship between Connie and DI Lindsey Wade especially and think that the tv drama producers are really missing a great female buddy act by not signing this up for tv! I think Sam’s books would make a perfect crime drama series and would translate really well to work for a television audience.
This is will be a big hit with crime thriller fans this summer and rightly so! I’m already impatient to see what Sam Carrington has up her sleeve for us next! She’s definitely an author I would recommend reading of you haven’t already discovered her books. Enjoy!
September 4, 2018
It's taken me a long time to write this review ... because I just didn't care about this book.
This book is meant to be a stand alone book, even though Sam Carrington has written about Connie, a psychologist, in previous books. However, I do think that having read a book about her prior to this one might make her a more likable character. She was so annoying. Seriously. She was self-centered, cared more about her own career, being supported, etc. and I think that had I read the trauma she had suffered prior to this book, I might have had more patience for her. Because I didn't - I honestly didn't care about her at all. Which made this a hard book to get through, because she is one of the main characters.
I really can't be bothered to go into too much detail as to what I didn't like about the book - perhaps the characters, or the plot, or the fact that I was able to figure out what was happening, but it was taking forever to get there ... my patience was thin by the end, and I have to admit that I skimmed the last 40% of the book. I just didn't care.
I'm really sorry this is 1. not a super helpful review or 2. a positive one. I usually try a little harder, but this book just sucked it right out of me.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an advance copy in return for a review.
This book is meant to be a stand alone book, even though Sam Carrington has written about Connie, a psychologist, in previous books. However, I do think that having read a book about her prior to this one might make her a more likable character. She was so annoying. Seriously. She was self-centered, cared more about her own career, being supported, etc. and I think that had I read the trauma she had suffered prior to this book, I might have had more patience for her. Because I didn't - I honestly didn't care about her at all. Which made this a hard book to get through, because she is one of the main characters.
I really can't be bothered to go into too much detail as to what I didn't like about the book - perhaps the characters, or the plot, or the fact that I was able to figure out what was happening, but it was taking forever to get there ... my patience was thin by the end, and I have to admit that I skimmed the last 40% of the book. I just didn't care.
I'm really sorry this is 1. not a super helpful review or 2. a positive one. I usually try a little harder, but this book just sucked it right out of me.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an advance copy in return for a review.
August 21, 2022
I loved this book, what a really good psychological thriller. It starts off slow, draws you in then WHAM you are well and truly hooked. It is beautifully written with some wonderful characters. Being a mother myself this story really got to me. What would you do as a mother to protect your child? It delves into love, commitment, grooming and on line gaming. Do you really know what your child is doing when they are on line? Gripping and terrifying.
Another new author for me and I need to find more of this very talented author's work. A very happy reader.
Another new author for me and I need to find more of this very talented author's work. A very happy reader.
July 15, 2018
Disclaimer: I am not very fond of books which do not keep me in suspense or allow me to play Detective.
My first book by author Sam Carrington, it was an okay read. I already knew all the characters, it was just a matter of placing them in their respective slots in the correct order.
Sounds like a game? Actually it wasn't..
Deborah's son was murdered by Alice's son, and Alice wants forgiveness for her son's crime. So far so good. The suspense in the plot was from another woman and her son which should have made the story twisted. But since the identity and reasons were told to me at nearly the mid half of the book, I didn't feel the excitement. It was just a matter of seeing if some kind of justice was done at the end.
There were a lot of characters and a lot of names. Once the first few chapters are read, the brain picks up the key players and reads only their parts. The rest which are not so important fall away.
A good read on a Sunday morning, I was wondering how the story would have gone if I wasn't told the plot or identity right at the beginning. Sighhhh. Well this book is done, so onwards and forwards.
My first book by author Sam Carrington, it was an okay read. I already knew all the characters, it was just a matter of placing them in their respective slots in the correct order.
Sounds like a game? Actually it wasn't..
Deborah's son was murdered by Alice's son, and Alice wants forgiveness for her son's crime. So far so good. The suspense in the plot was from another woman and her son which should have made the story twisted. But since the identity and reasons were told to me at nearly the mid half of the book, I didn't feel the excitement. It was just a matter of seeing if some kind of justice was done at the end.
There were a lot of characters and a lot of names. Once the first few chapters are read, the brain picks up the key players and reads only their parts. The rest which are not so important fall away.
A good read on a Sunday morning, I was wondering how the story would have gone if I wasn't told the plot or identity right at the beginning. Sighhhh. Well this book is done, so onwards and forwards.
August 15, 2022
I read about nine chapters and I just don't care about the story. In addition to that, the book also follows multiple point of views, which could have been a great element when it's done right. However, in this case it only affected the story's quality in a negative way.
As I was reading the story from the different characters' point of view, particularly the first three, I feel like the story failed to have that factor which would make interested in reading the story from beginning to the end.
As I was reading the story from the different characters' point of view, particularly the first three, I feel like the story failed to have that factor which would make interested in reading the story from beginning to the end.
July 10, 2018
One Little Lie by Sam Carrington is a mystery/thriller. Although this book has the same characters as Carrington’s last book (Bad Sister), this is a stand-alone novel. I checked with the author, and she does not consider these books to be parts of a series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Avon Books UK, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Background:
Connie Summers is a psychologist who has started her own practice after working in a prison setting for many years. After a bad assessment of an in-mate which led to him committing another horrific crime, it was time for Connie to get out. She shares her home with DI Lindsay Wade, a police officer who stood by her during the above-mentioned crime. Lindsay’s partner, DS Charlie Mack is also front and center.
Synopsis:
Connie is called back to the prison to do a few evaluations since they are short-staffed. She reluctantly agrees, and finds herself in a difficult situation when she is assessing the son of a woman who is presently her own patient – Alice.
Alice’s son, Kyle, is in prison for murder, and she tells Connie that she has now lost her husband. She is having problems coping. However, she has started a support group for people who have troubled children, in hopes for redemption. She feels so much guilt for her son’s troubles. She would do anything to correct the problem. Even tell a little lie….one that blossoms out of control.
Deborah’s son, Sean, was murdered by Kyle. Deborah and her husband area having issues as well. Deborah, who thinks she has moved on, still has so much anger. She would do anything to have her son back…or to have someone else suffer as she is suffering.
Then there is Angela….another mother with a troubled child.
Meanwhile, a girl is missing, and her father, Bill, joins Alice’s support group.
My Opinions:
Told from the perspectives of Connie, Alice, Deborah, and Tom, and then Angela….the story gets a little confusing. It took a while to get into the characters, and remember who was who. I often had to stop and really think – I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing. Then there were the twists. WOW! I am starting to like Connie – even though she makes some stupid decisions, and her taste in men suck.
Overall, the book took you on a rollercoaster ride, and you had to pay attention, but if you could, it was really good.
Again, although Sam Carrington insists these are stand-alone novels, and I agree that you don’t have to read her last book to enjoy this one….I would.
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog:
http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Avon Books UK, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Background:
Connie Summers is a psychologist who has started her own practice after working in a prison setting for many years. After a bad assessment of an in-mate which led to him committing another horrific crime, it was time for Connie to get out. She shares her home with DI Lindsay Wade, a police officer who stood by her during the above-mentioned crime. Lindsay’s partner, DS Charlie Mack is also front and center.
Synopsis:
Connie is called back to the prison to do a few evaluations since they are short-staffed. She reluctantly agrees, and finds herself in a difficult situation when she is assessing the son of a woman who is presently her own patient – Alice.
Alice’s son, Kyle, is in prison for murder, and she tells Connie that she has now lost her husband. She is having problems coping. However, she has started a support group for people who have troubled children, in hopes for redemption. She feels so much guilt for her son’s troubles. She would do anything to correct the problem. Even tell a little lie….one that blossoms out of control.
Deborah’s son, Sean, was murdered by Kyle. Deborah and her husband area having issues as well. Deborah, who thinks she has moved on, still has so much anger. She would do anything to have her son back…or to have someone else suffer as she is suffering.
Then there is Angela….another mother with a troubled child.
Meanwhile, a girl is missing, and her father, Bill, joins Alice’s support group.
My Opinions:
Told from the perspectives of Connie, Alice, Deborah, and Tom, and then Angela….the story gets a little confusing. It took a while to get into the characters, and remember who was who. I often had to stop and really think – I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing. Then there were the twists. WOW! I am starting to like Connie – even though she makes some stupid decisions, and her taste in men suck.
Overall, the book took you on a rollercoaster ride, and you had to pay attention, but if you could, it was really good.
Again, although Sam Carrington insists these are stand-alone novels, and I agree that you don’t have to read her last book to enjoy this one….I would.
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog:
http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
May 28, 2018
Sometimes a book can try too hard to be clever that it actually becomes befuddled. I found this story of grieving moms,troubled children and a shamed psychologist to be jumbled and painfully awkward. The shifting stories and timelines with ambiguous hints really left me perplexed and disappointed.
I've only learned through another review that this is book two in a series which actually makes sense, given the background and history of some characters. Perhaps, the publisher should note that although this is labeled as a stand alone, it does not read that way. This was a miss for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the chance to review this book prior to publication.
I've only learned through another review that this is book two in a series which actually makes sense, given the background and history of some characters. Perhaps, the publisher should note that although this is labeled as a stand alone, it does not read that way. This was a miss for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the chance to review this book prior to publication.
Read
October 3, 2018Oh dear. I nearly gave up with this one. It took quite a time for me to get my head around who was who. This is always an issue when I book has a lot of points of view. I liked the basis of the story but the characters were all too similar. There wasn't enough differentiating them. Plus having so many viewpoints meant the pace was slow. Very slow. It just wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped it would be -but the premise? Yes, that was great. Mothers, dead sons, live sons and lies!
July 8, 2018
What would you do to protect you children? How far would you go? Can you ever really know you child and what they are capable of? As a mother of three sons I was intrigued by the questions this book explored.
This book is a follow up to Bad Sister which I throughly enjoyed so I was excited to continue reading about more of Connie’s life. It can be enjoyed as a stand alone book although I feel I understood the main characters better having read the previous book.
I did find the book difficult to get into at first. The story jumped from one character to another quite quickly and sometimes I struggled to remember who each new character was which took away from my enjoyment initially.
Once I got a hold of the characters I was whizzing through the pages. The book has a twisty plot which definitely had me on the age of my seat, especially towards the end as all the peices came together . I was reading the last few chapters alone and found myself listening for footsteps (glad it was my imagination!!)
Sam is a very talented writer who has experience in the field which clearly shone out. Her characters were complex and well written . I’m glad I preserved (senior memory didn’t help ) as this was a fantastic read which definitely left me thinking long after I’d finished the book .
This book is a follow up to Bad Sister which I throughly enjoyed so I was excited to continue reading about more of Connie’s life. It can be enjoyed as a stand alone book although I feel I understood the main characters better having read the previous book.
I did find the book difficult to get into at first. The story jumped from one character to another quite quickly and sometimes I struggled to remember who each new character was which took away from my enjoyment initially.
Once I got a hold of the characters I was whizzing through the pages. The book has a twisty plot which definitely had me on the age of my seat, especially towards the end as all the peices came together . I was reading the last few chapters alone and found myself listening for footsteps (glad it was my imagination!!)
Sam is a very talented writer who has experience in the field which clearly shone out. Her characters were complex and well written . I’m glad I preserved (senior memory didn’t help ) as this was a fantastic read which definitely left me thinking long after I’d finished the book .
July 18, 2018
Thank you Avon Books & NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
This book has a delightfully sinister plot - Alice's son killed another boy. Deborah's son was the one who was murdered. Alice wants for nothing more than Deborah's forgiveness, and is trying everything to find a way to redeem herself, including starting a support group. Except that Alice has told one little lie, which is about to spiral well out of her control.
It took me a few chapters to really get into this book - the plot does jump ahead in chunks chapter to chapter, and therefore demands your attention as a reader. I enjoyed the way the story moved from character to character, as it kept the plot flying along, but I also had to be sure I was on top of whose perspective I was reading at any given moment, as there were alot of details to keep track of.
The twists absolutely made it all the more absorbing, as I didn't see them coming at all. I love a book that can surprise me, and this one certainly did.
A great summer mystery read!
This book has a delightfully sinister plot - Alice's son killed another boy. Deborah's son was the one who was murdered. Alice wants for nothing more than Deborah's forgiveness, and is trying everything to find a way to redeem herself, including starting a support group. Except that Alice has told one little lie, which is about to spiral well out of her control.
It took me a few chapters to really get into this book - the plot does jump ahead in chunks chapter to chapter, and therefore demands your attention as a reader. I enjoyed the way the story moved from character to character, as it kept the plot flying along, but I also had to be sure I was on top of whose perspective I was reading at any given moment, as there were alot of details to keep track of.
The twists absolutely made it all the more absorbing, as I didn't see them coming at all. I love a book that can surprise me, and this one certainly did.
A great summer mystery read!
April 29, 2018
*Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsfor providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* First of all, this novel, whilst it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story, is a follow up book to Sam Carrington's previous work, 'Bad Sister.' Therapist Connie Summers, as well as police officers Mack and Lindsay appear in both books. This novel centres around the murder of one young man and the disappearance of another young woman. Are the two crimes connected? I found the book an enjoyable read and liked witnessing the threads of the different storylines come together. There are a lot of characters of whom to keep track, so I was glad that I had read 'Bad Sister' so had some prior knowledge about some of the characters. Overall, an enjoyable mystery novel with lots of twists and turns. I look forward to reading more of Carrington's work.
July 5, 2018
One Little Lie is so compelling, written by an author with experience in the field. Expertly written, this is a dark and at times shocking read which was right up my street. I loved the different perspectives. As you follow each character, they come together nicely to provide a satisfying ending that will stay with you long after you've closed the book. With plentiful twists and unforgettable characters, it's an insightful and unnerving read.
May 16, 2020
I found this story very tiresome, confusing and the characters annoying. I disliked multiple POVs, several in 1st person. The story jumped around too much with constant changing between characters. Sorry I'm not a fan of this kind of writing and plotting.
April 18, 2019
Absolutely stunning
August 8, 2023
It kinda got boring and dragged on a bit...
also the ending was a bit bleh
lots of filler info
also the ending was a bit bleh
lots of filler info
July 11, 2018
Thank you NetGalley, Sam Carrington and Avon Books UK for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Alice is a mother trying to get over that fact that her son is a murderer. Deborah’s son was killed and Alice’s son is in prison for the crime. Alice has started a support group for parents with troubled children to try to help others as a way to assuage her guilt. As the group grows, Alice finds out how easy it is for one small lie to get out of control. A tale of motherhood, how well do we ever really know our children?
This book starts out by alternating between Alice and Connie and for the first few chapters I found I had to make sure I knew how I was reading, but as you get past the first few chapters, it’s easier to know which chapter is by which woman just by reading the first few lines. I loved the short chapters and I actually enjoyed that chapters went back and forth between others to keep the story line from becoming too boring.
I did find towards the end, the novel dragged on a bit and you just wanted to know what was going on. But overall, the short chapters make even the long novel feel shorter and I enjoyed the end of the first part of the novel when we get our first big twist. I enjoyed the writing and how the author makes you groan at the amount of things that each woman does in this novel. I enjoyed the idea behind the novel too, the difference from all the other detective sort of novels because this book follows the backlash for the mothers from what happens with their sons. I did enjoy the novel and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a little something different.
Pick it up July 23!
Alice is a mother trying to get over that fact that her son is a murderer. Deborah’s son was killed and Alice’s son is in prison for the crime. Alice has started a support group for parents with troubled children to try to help others as a way to assuage her guilt. As the group grows, Alice finds out how easy it is for one small lie to get out of control. A tale of motherhood, how well do we ever really know our children?
This book starts out by alternating between Alice and Connie and for the first few chapters I found I had to make sure I knew how I was reading, but as you get past the first few chapters, it’s easier to know which chapter is by which woman just by reading the first few lines. I loved the short chapters and I actually enjoyed that chapters went back and forth between others to keep the story line from becoming too boring.
I did find towards the end, the novel dragged on a bit and you just wanted to know what was going on. But overall, the short chapters make even the long novel feel shorter and I enjoyed the end of the first part of the novel when we get our first big twist. I enjoyed the writing and how the author makes you groan at the amount of things that each woman does in this novel. I enjoyed the idea behind the novel too, the difference from all the other detective sort of novels because this book follows the backlash for the mothers from what happens with their sons. I did enjoy the novel and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a little something different.
Pick it up July 23!
June 6, 2018
They say one lie leads to another, well it certainly does in this case!
I must say there were times in this cleverly written tale where I had to really think, and work out who was who, but rather than detract from my enjoyment, it just kept my interest.
Along with the new characters in the story, we are also graced with Connie, lyndsey and Mack, who are tasked with finding a killer and a missing girl. It's not long before Connie is drawn into the investigation, when she is called to go back into the prison to complete a couple of assessments. This soon becomes more complicated when she gains a new client in her private practice who turns out to me the mother of a young man who has been convicted of murder.
Sam Carrington has really shown the depths of her talent with this. It's beautifully written with great characters but it's the way they all interlink that grabs me. Towards the end I found myself sitting on the edge of my bed just to make sure I didn't fall asleep before I finished the book.
I must say there were times in this cleverly written tale where I had to really think, and work out who was who, but rather than detract from my enjoyment, it just kept my interest.
Along with the new characters in the story, we are also graced with Connie, lyndsey and Mack, who are tasked with finding a killer and a missing girl. It's not long before Connie is drawn into the investigation, when she is called to go back into the prison to complete a couple of assessments. This soon becomes more complicated when she gains a new client in her private practice who turns out to me the mother of a young man who has been convicted of murder.
Sam Carrington has really shown the depths of her talent with this. It's beautifully written with great characters but it's the way they all interlink that grabs me. Towards the end I found myself sitting on the edge of my bed just to make sure I didn't fall asleep before I finished the book.
April 14, 2018
I really liked the bio of this book and went in reading with high hopes.
Now don’t get me wrong I felt that the plot was intriguing and I sort of enjoyed reading it. But I was just missing some drama. It just felt a little bit odd to me. There were bests that I felt should have read as a shock. But because of the way it was written it just felt a little lacklustre. Which faltered my enjoyability of the book a little bit. I think all it needs is a little bit of a tweak and it would be a great book.
All in all not a bad read. But I was just hoping for a little bit more.
Now don’t get me wrong I felt that the plot was intriguing and I sort of enjoyed reading it. But I was just missing some drama. It just felt a little bit odd to me. There were bests that I felt should have read as a shock. But because of the way it was written it just felt a little lacklustre. Which faltered my enjoyability of the book a little bit. I think all it needs is a little bit of a tweak and it would be a great book.
All in all not a bad read. But I was just hoping for a little bit more.
September 7, 2018
Deborah's son was murdered 4 years ago. Alice's son is in prison for the crime and driven by a need for redemption she has started a support group for parents with troubled children. She is also convinced that meeting Deborah will help both of them come to terms with what has happened.
The story is told from the point of view of Deborah whose grief is threatening her work and marriage; Alice who feels strong guilt for her son's actions and Connie, a psychologist.
Alice is one of Connie's clients and talks about the factors that caused her son to commit murder - a troubled home life, am obsession with online gaming. Then Connie is asked to go to the prison to do some freelance work and finds herself face to face with Alice's son.
This is a book that you need to be able to concentrate on as it twists and turns all over the place. I found it easy to keep track of who each character was and really felt for Deborah on the loss of her son but it also made me wonder how I would feel if one of my children committed such a terrible act. It's no great surprise, given the title that there are plenty of lies told in this book and a fair few read herrings but the chapters are short and snappy and it is an entertaining read.
Thank you to Avon Books for sending me a copy.
The story is told from the point of view of Deborah whose grief is threatening her work and marriage; Alice who feels strong guilt for her son's actions and Connie, a psychologist.
Alice is one of Connie's clients and talks about the factors that caused her son to commit murder - a troubled home life, am obsession with online gaming. Then Connie is asked to go to the prison to do some freelance work and finds herself face to face with Alice's son.
This is a book that you need to be able to concentrate on as it twists and turns all over the place. I found it easy to keep track of who each character was and really felt for Deborah on the loss of her son but it also made me wonder how I would feel if one of my children committed such a terrible act. It's no great surprise, given the title that there are plenty of lies told in this book and a fair few read herrings but the chapters are short and snappy and it is an entertaining read.
Thank you to Avon Books for sending me a copy.
August 4, 2018
I found this book to be a bit confusing, there are many characters and different timelines.
It took me a few chapters to really get into this book.
It is the story of 2 mothers, both suffering because of their sons. One because her son has been murdered and the other because her son is in prison for that murder.
Although it can be read as a stand-alone I think it does help to have read Sam’s previous book Bad Sister.
Many Thanks to Sam Carrington, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced review copy of One Little Lie in return for an honest review.
It took me a few chapters to really get into this book.
It is the story of 2 mothers, both suffering because of their sons. One because her son has been murdered and the other because her son is in prison for that murder.
Although it can be read as a stand-alone I think it does help to have read Sam’s previous book Bad Sister.
Many Thanks to Sam Carrington, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced review copy of One Little Lie in return for an honest review.
July 23, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.
This is a tale of two mothers, one whose child is murdered and the other whose son is a murderer.
I found this book to be very confusing, there are many characters and different timelines. It is also stated by the publisher that it is a standalone novel but there are constant referrals to previous events from book one. I think it would have been beneficial to read the first as I felt I missed out on part of the back story.
This is a tale of two mothers, one whose child is murdered and the other whose son is a murderer.
I found this book to be very confusing, there are many characters and different timelines. It is also stated by the publisher that it is a standalone novel but there are constant referrals to previous events from book one. I think it would have been beneficial to read the first as I felt I missed out on part of the back story.
July 3, 2018
While the storyline had me hooked I still felt like I fell into the middle of the plot not quite knowing enough to keep up with each the characters. Also, im not a fan knowing so soon into the story “who done it”. I guess I love suspense up until the very end. But still left me wondering “”””what would you do””””.
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