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Cat Carlisle #3
House of Lies
In a time of war, nowhere is safe…
While World War Two rages, Cat Carlisle runs a women’s refuge to protect beaten wives. But when one of the women is found dead in the woods behind the house, Cat’s world shatters.
Was the killer a violent husband seeking revenge? A secret lover? Or is something more dangerous at play? Because Cat and her fiancé Thomas have a secret: they’re hiding a precious golden chalice, keeping it locked safely away from the plundering Nazis until the war is over. But someone wants that treasure, and no one will be safe until they get it…
While World War Two rages, Cat Carlisle runs a women’s refuge to protect beaten wives. But when one of the women is found dead in the woods behind the house, Cat’s world shatters.
Was the killer a violent husband seeking revenge? A secret lover? Or is something more dangerous at play? Because Cat and her fiancé Thomas have a secret: they’re hiding a precious golden chalice, keeping it locked safely away from the plundering Nazis until the war is over. But someone wants that treasure, and no one will be safe until they get it…
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2020
489 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Terry Lynn Thomas
11 books300 followersTerry Lynn Thomas is a USA Today bestselling author writing cozy Christmas romances filled with mountain-town charm, found family, and second chances. Her new novel, An Apple Butter Christmas, brings readers to Hartstone, where love and legacy bloom under the glow of Christmas lights.
When she isn't writing, Terry Lynn likes to watch British mysteries, read books about found family and friendship, paint, garden, and take long walks with her husband and dogs.
When she isn't writing, Terry Lynn likes to watch British mysteries, read books about found family and friendship, paint, garden, and take long walks with her husband and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 6, 2020
4☆ Full of Intrigue, Danger and Mystery.
House of Lies is a gripping Mystery with so many tangled webs of secrets it was thoroughly intriguing.
Thomas is looking after a rare and very valuable artefact only a few people know about.
His partner Cat runs a shelter called Saint Monica’s for abused women running from their husbands. Offering them safety and a place to gain a job and start a new life.
But Cat doesn't realise not all the women she takes in are quiet what the make out to be and could put Cat in danger!
Then there is Hugh and Margaret, stuck in a loveless marriage. Margaret an adulterer having numerous affairs and lavish spending lifestyle, means Hugh is in trouble. He has been given an ultimatum from his Mother the pair decide to part but what is Margaret up to! Why did his best friend kill himself and why is Margaret in the middle!
There are so many characters to this book, yet don't let that put you off as all of their stories just weave together seamlessly.
As I said earlier this story is a tangled web of lies, secrets and deceit. It's thoroughly intriguing and the air of mystery and danger just spices the plot even more.
I can't recommend reading this Gorgeous Book Enough.
This is my first encounter with Terry Lynn Thomas and I can't wait to read more!
Thank you to HQ DIGITAL for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
House of Lies is a gripping Mystery with so many tangled webs of secrets it was thoroughly intriguing.
Thomas is looking after a rare and very valuable artefact only a few people know about.
His partner Cat runs a shelter called Saint Monica’s for abused women running from their husbands. Offering them safety and a place to gain a job and start a new life.
But Cat doesn't realise not all the women she takes in are quiet what the make out to be and could put Cat in danger!
Then there is Hugh and Margaret, stuck in a loveless marriage. Margaret an adulterer having numerous affairs and lavish spending lifestyle, means Hugh is in trouble. He has been given an ultimatum from his Mother the pair decide to part but what is Margaret up to! Why did his best friend kill himself and why is Margaret in the middle!
There are so many characters to this book, yet don't let that put you off as all of their stories just weave together seamlessly.
As I said earlier this story is a tangled web of lies, secrets and deceit. It's thoroughly intriguing and the air of mystery and danger just spices the plot even more.
I can't recommend reading this Gorgeous Book Enough.
This is my first encounter with Terry Lynn Thomas and I can't wait to read more!
Thank you to HQ DIGITAL for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
March 17, 2020
In “House of Lies" @terrylynnthomasbooks has written a captivating and intriguing historical fiction suspenseful mystery set during WWII. A third in the series, that read great as a stand-alone and I really enjoyed this one! Fantastic!
Our main character, Catherine ‘Cat’ Carlisle, a wealthy widow who uses her inheritance running a safe house for abused women, and who is also engaged to Thomas Charles, a local detective. Cat is in a very dangerous situation harboring these women from their abusive relationship. So dangerous that one of the ladies was found dead behind the house.
Thomas was also in a precarious situation where he was hiding a valuable and precious golden chalice until after the war to prevent the Nazis from stealing it.
Was the killer a violent husband seeking revenge? A secret lover? Or is something more dangerous at play?
Overall I found this read highly entertaining with lots of guessing on whodunnit with complex characters full of intrigue, danger, murder and betrayal - a real high drama for historical fiction thriller fans! Well done Terry Lynn Thomas! Everyone get this it’s such an amazing read!
Our main character, Catherine ‘Cat’ Carlisle, a wealthy widow who uses her inheritance running a safe house for abused women, and who is also engaged to Thomas Charles, a local detective. Cat is in a very dangerous situation harboring these women from their abusive relationship. So dangerous that one of the ladies was found dead behind the house.
Thomas was also in a precarious situation where he was hiding a valuable and precious golden chalice until after the war to prevent the Nazis from stealing it.
Was the killer a violent husband seeking revenge? A secret lover? Or is something more dangerous at play?
Overall I found this read highly entertaining with lots of guessing on whodunnit with complex characters full of intrigue, danger, murder and betrayal - a real high drama for historical fiction thriller fans! Well done Terry Lynn Thomas! Everyone get this it’s such an amazing read!
March 14, 2020
At the center of this story is a chalice from the Middle Ages being smuggled out of France to avoid it ending up in the hands of the Nazis. It gets hidden in a police detective’s house, while criminals are trying to get to it. Adding a psychiatric patient into the plot and we have an exciting, unpredictable story where an abuse victim is found dead.
House of Lies is book #3 in Cat Carlisle Series and is about local detective Thomas Charles who has agreed to keep the valuable chalice safe in his house until the war is over. That seems to not go well as the thieves discover where it is hidden. The plot seems to start out as several independent looking stories. I enjoyed realizing that these were elements which enriched the plot and they all tied nicely together a few chapters in. The plot kept me gripped and entertained throughout. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I felt nervous about what would happen. Perhaps I am a bit of a thriller novice, but for me there were some nail biting parts.
Main character Catherine-Cat Carlisle is wealthy widow running a safe house for abused women and is engaged to Thomas Charles. While I find her gullible, bordering on irresponsible, not taking danger seriously enough, I can relate to the do-gooder side of her which seems to take over. Fortunately her fiancé worries for her safety. He seems a really good man with a kind heart. I really like his caring and responsible demeanor and fortunately he seems a level headed person not easily scared. Best of all, for a man of the 1940s, he is conscious not to limit Cat’s activities in any way even if it should lead to danger. Easily my favorite character of this story.
There were plenty of other interesting characters in this book, of which I particularly enjoyed mentally unstable and dangerous Margaret Bettencourt. She turned up at Cat Carlisle’s women’s shelter claiming to have been abused by her husband. She added some serious drama to the plot. To read about her, I found a hair-rising-in-my-neck kind of thrilling. In all her madness I found her as interesting as she was scary.
I loved the setting of 1940s British countryside, mixed with danger and drama that seemed to follow the two main characters. I love the descriptions of 1940s English environments and sceneries as well as all the tea breaks. I also found the parts describing how the war affected the way people lived on every level of society very interesting.
House of Lies (Cat Carlisle #3) by Terry Lynn Thomas is the first I have read by this author. I found it exciting and thrilling with a bit of romance. No problem reading it as a standalone, but I prefer to start series with installment #1 to pick up on reoccurring characters and story lines throughout. House of Lies is recommended for fans of Terry Lynn Thomas and readers of historical fiction.
Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for this eARC which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
House of Lies is book #3 in Cat Carlisle Series and is about local detective Thomas Charles who has agreed to keep the valuable chalice safe in his house until the war is over. That seems to not go well as the thieves discover where it is hidden. The plot seems to start out as several independent looking stories. I enjoyed realizing that these were elements which enriched the plot and they all tied nicely together a few chapters in. The plot kept me gripped and entertained throughout. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I felt nervous about what would happen. Perhaps I am a bit of a thriller novice, but for me there were some nail biting parts.
Main character Catherine-Cat Carlisle is wealthy widow running a safe house for abused women and is engaged to Thomas Charles. While I find her gullible, bordering on irresponsible, not taking danger seriously enough, I can relate to the do-gooder side of her which seems to take over. Fortunately her fiancé worries for her safety. He seems a really good man with a kind heart. I really like his caring and responsible demeanor and fortunately he seems a level headed person not easily scared. Best of all, for a man of the 1940s, he is conscious not to limit Cat’s activities in any way even if it should lead to danger. Easily my favorite character of this story.
There were plenty of other interesting characters in this book, of which I particularly enjoyed mentally unstable and dangerous Margaret Bettencourt. She turned up at Cat Carlisle’s women’s shelter claiming to have been abused by her husband. She added some serious drama to the plot. To read about her, I found a hair-rising-in-my-neck kind of thrilling. In all her madness I found her as interesting as she was scary.
I loved the setting of 1940s British countryside, mixed with danger and drama that seemed to follow the two main characters. I love the descriptions of 1940s English environments and sceneries as well as all the tea breaks. I also found the parts describing how the war affected the way people lived on every level of society very interesting.
House of Lies (Cat Carlisle #3) by Terry Lynn Thomas is the first I have read by this author. I found it exciting and thrilling with a bit of romance. No problem reading it as a standalone, but I prefer to start series with installment #1 to pick up on reoccurring characters and story lines throughout. House of Lies is recommended for fans of Terry Lynn Thomas and readers of historical fiction.
Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for this eARC which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
May 9, 2020
3.5 / 5.0 stars
This third installment in Terry Lynn Thomas', "Cat Carlisle" series is a combination of mystery, historic fiction and thriller with a small touch of romance thrown in for good measure.
The time frame is October through December, 1941. The place - a village far away from London's frequent bombings. Catherine Carlisle, "Cat" to her friends, is a widow looking toward her future and making plans for her life. She uses her inheritance to assist battered woman by providing a safe home and facilitating office skill training to develop their own means of support. As noble as this is, her fiancé, detective Thomas Charles, is not comfortable that Cat refuses any male guards from being on the premises at St. Monica and thus exposing its residents to great risk. Who's to say that any one of the ladies' bully husbands might not come looking for their wifely property and drag them home, only to beat them into submission.
Meanwhile, Thomas has been asked to become the guardian of a fine church relic in the form of a gold, bejeweled chalice. It was smuggled out of France for safekeeping, away from the acquisitive occupying Nazis. Arrive on scene a blackmailed master safecracker with designs on the chalice for delivery to his boss. That boss is even more interested in the goings on at St. Monica's.
To this add a long married aristocratic couple whose marriage is on the skids. He's been cuckolded and she's extremely manipulative and becoming increasingly unstable. They have traveled into this village to claim her inheritance and then part ways.
Then a dead body surfaces on the edge of the woods. Who was the murderer? Was it a scorned husband? Perhaps a jealous lover or even a paranoid thief?
What appears to be four disparate threads are carefully woven together to provide quite the thrilling tale.Amazingly, there are no fewer than thirty-one characters in this relatively modest book. The writing is good, the plot twisty and engaging and the frisson of excitement draws the reader in and through to the last.
The mystery is not the usual set up with clues scattered throughout the story, brought to a tidy solution and tied with a pretty bow. The historic framework is just that. There are very few historic details and hopefully one of the glaringly incorrect ones found in my advance reader copy, was corrected prior to publication. A light thriller might be the best classification of this story as there were no grizzly details of crime scenes encountered.
All in all, this was an enjoyable diversion during these uncertain COVID-19 days.
I am grateful to author Terry Lynn Thomas and her publisher, Harper Collins Publisher, Ltd. for having provided a free advance reader e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
This third installment in Terry Lynn Thomas', "Cat Carlisle" series is a combination of mystery, historic fiction and thriller with a small touch of romance thrown in for good measure.
The time frame is October through December, 1941. The place - a village far away from London's frequent bombings. Catherine Carlisle, "Cat" to her friends, is a widow looking toward her future and making plans for her life. She uses her inheritance to assist battered woman by providing a safe home and facilitating office skill training to develop their own means of support. As noble as this is, her fiancé, detective Thomas Charles, is not comfortable that Cat refuses any male guards from being on the premises at St. Monica and thus exposing its residents to great risk. Who's to say that any one of the ladies' bully husbands might not come looking for their wifely property and drag them home, only to beat them into submission.
Meanwhile, Thomas has been asked to become the guardian of a fine church relic in the form of a gold, bejeweled chalice. It was smuggled out of France for safekeeping, away from the acquisitive occupying Nazis. Arrive on scene a blackmailed master safecracker with designs on the chalice for delivery to his boss. That boss is even more interested in the goings on at St. Monica's.
To this add a long married aristocratic couple whose marriage is on the skids. He's been cuckolded and she's extremely manipulative and becoming increasingly unstable. They have traveled into this village to claim her inheritance and then part ways.
Then a dead body surfaces on the edge of the woods. Who was the murderer? Was it a scorned husband? Perhaps a jealous lover or even a paranoid thief?
What appears to be four disparate threads are carefully woven together to provide quite the thrilling tale.Amazingly, there are no fewer than thirty-one characters in this relatively modest book. The writing is good, the plot twisty and engaging and the frisson of excitement draws the reader in and through to the last.
The mystery is not the usual set up with clues scattered throughout the story, brought to a tidy solution and tied with a pretty bow. The historic framework is just that. There are very few historic details and hopefully one of the glaringly incorrect ones found in my advance reader copy, was corrected prior to publication. A light thriller might be the best classification of this story as there were no grizzly details of crime scenes encountered.
All in all, this was an enjoyable diversion during these uncertain COVID-19 days.
I am grateful to author Terry Lynn Thomas and her publisher, Harper Collins Publisher, Ltd. for having provided a free advance reader e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
February 11, 2020
I have to say that I quite enjoyed reading this book. I’m a fan of historical fiction novels, mainly the ones that are set in the WWI and WWII, so I’m a bit picky about them, and that’s why I can say that this has been a really good choice. Cat Carlisle is a very likeable character, smart and kind. She's very well depicted, as well as the other characters. The story is quite interesting, and it makes you want to know what's going to happen next. Therefore, I’m quite thankful to HQ Digital (a division of Harper Collins) and NetGalley for providing me with this digital copy which I’ve received in exchange for an honest review.
Cat Carlisle has settled a house for mistreated women. Along with her friend and housekeeper Bede, they give those women a safe place to stay, as well as the opportunity to study at a secretarial school, and find a job in order to start a new life.
Thomas Charles, Cat’s fiancé, is worried about her security. He thinks that what Cat does for those women is a noble cause but also risky. He’s afraid that one of the husbands may do something to Cat in revenge. Thomas isn’t the only one who thinks like that, Bede is quite worried too. And they are right; one of the women’s husband, Michael Grenville, a dangerous criminal, has arrived in Rivenby in search of his wife, and won’t leave Cat alone until he knows where she is. But he's not the only one making trouble.
There are several characters, which may be a bit confusing at first, at least for me, because I didn't know where this all was going, but then, as you go forward in the story, you will realise they are all connected.
I must confess that I didn’t notice at first that it was book number 3 of a series, but I was so interested in the story that I didn’t mind. In fact, I think it can be read quite well without having read the previous two. Now, I will definitely read the previous two books, because I want to know more of Cat's story.
Cat Carlisle has settled a house for mistreated women. Along with her friend and housekeeper Bede, they give those women a safe place to stay, as well as the opportunity to study at a secretarial school, and find a job in order to start a new life.
Thomas Charles, Cat’s fiancé, is worried about her security. He thinks that what Cat does for those women is a noble cause but also risky. He’s afraid that one of the husbands may do something to Cat in revenge. Thomas isn’t the only one who thinks like that, Bede is quite worried too. And they are right; one of the women’s husband, Michael Grenville, a dangerous criminal, has arrived in Rivenby in search of his wife, and won’t leave Cat alone until he knows where she is. But he's not the only one making trouble.
There are several characters, which may be a bit confusing at first, at least for me, because I didn't know where this all was going, but then, as you go forward in the story, you will realise they are all connected.
I must confess that I didn’t notice at first that it was book number 3 of a series, but I was so interested in the story that I didn’t mind. In fact, I think it can be read quite well without having read the previous two. Now, I will definitely read the previous two books, because I want to know more of Cat's story.
March 4, 2020
My Review: This is a solid 3.75 for me. The only historical fiction I've ever tried is WW2 and this for me ticked all the boxes bar one. It's a solid, well written murder mystery with a decent sub plot. I loved and was intrigued by the characters, and finished the book in one day. The only box it didn't tick? There wasn't enough history for me. I want something steeped in more references and nods to the era. I am not saying this would detract from the book for anyone else, as I would highly reccomend this book. Just where it fell short for me. .
This is a comfortable and easy read, and would have never guessed it was part of a series. The twist was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable.
.
Thank you to @hqstories for providing me with a copy on return for a review
This is a comfortable and easy read, and would have never guessed it was part of a series. The twist was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable.
.
Thank you to @hqstories for providing me with a copy on return for a review
March 6, 2020
“House of Lies” is a third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Just like with the first two books in the series, this third installment was full of intrigue and good old English mystery with Agatha Christie's quality to it. However, it wasn’t just the mystery itself, but social issues raised that made the story even more compelling. Domestic violence, mental health, rigid society rules that can easily ruin one’s life - all of these aspects made “House of Lies” a truly riveting read. And of course, in the thick of all this, is Cat Carlisle - a character you will absolutely love for her strong personality, selflessness, and desire to help the ones in need. Meticulously researched and well-written, this third book in the series is a perfect happy ending to the trilogy I actually didn’t want to end. Highly recommended to all fans of the genre.
March 28, 2020
This is the third book in the Cat Carlisle mystery series. This is a stand alone. I recommend all three books. In this latest mystery, Cat runs a safe house for abused women during World War Two. One of the women are found dead in the woods. Leading to a who done it. Cat and Thomas are also protecting a golden chalice hidden away from the Nazis. And some are on the hunt to find it. This is historical fiction with mystery, murder and intrigue. With topics of the war, domestic violence and mental illness. This is a multi layered slow burn, that builds to a suspenseful, compelling plot that kept me up late reading. Thomas is a gifted writer that knows how to tell a story. How she weaved all this together amazes me. This is by far, my favorite historical fiction series. I highly recommend it.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
March 6, 2020
3.5!
Firstly, I love me a bit of historical fiction so I was so excited to read this and I wasn’t put off by the fact that it is number 3 in a series. It read perfectly well as a stand-alone.
I do have to admit that to me this didn’t feel like historical fiction, I was imagining everything that happened with a modern day view and I couldn’t seem to stop doing that.
However, I do think this is a well written book, it explores the characters and their relationships well whilst keeping you guessing on who is involved in what. I loved the dynamics between the characters and how the links between them were revealed.
A surprising twist and a good ending. Will be keeping my eyes peeled for others from this series.
Firstly, I love me a bit of historical fiction so I was so excited to read this and I wasn’t put off by the fact that it is number 3 in a series. It read perfectly well as a stand-alone.
I do have to admit that to me this didn’t feel like historical fiction, I was imagining everything that happened with a modern day view and I couldn’t seem to stop doing that.
However, I do think this is a well written book, it explores the characters and their relationships well whilst keeping you guessing on who is involved in what. I loved the dynamics between the characters and how the links between them were revealed.
A surprising twist and a good ending. Will be keeping my eyes peeled for others from this series.
April 1, 2020
Good story. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series
February 26, 2020
5 Stars
This is the third book in the Cat Carlisle series by Terry Lynn Thomas.
Wow, what an intense and great historical cozy mystery!
This is my first foray into the world of Cat Carlisle. Set in the 1940’s in refuge for suffering women, Cat accepts wayward women into her home. One such woman has a husband who is a very bad man who figures prominently in the case her boyfriend and officer of the constabulary is working concerning a jeweled chalice.
We are also introduced to Hugh and his wife Margaret. The book starts off with their story and since this was my first venture into this world, I originally thought they were the stars of the show. I discovered later that this was Cat’s book. Hugh has been separated from his partying wife and has just found out she swindled him out of much of his inheritance. Thanks to his mother’s interference, she didn’t get all his money but his mother put him on a stipend that would reign in their spending, During this time there is food rationing and some people are going without a lot of the necessities. This was a interesting side step into the couple’s life and I am not sure it had a ton to do with the mystery of the book. But it did play a slight part giving us a great amount of background.
The mystery started with a death of one of the girl’s at Cat’s woman’s refuge. They learn this woman was taking advantage of Cat’s kindness and using her. This story took the long way home so to speak. We learn all sorts of things about these people. The setting and cast is amazing, I loved the entire atmosphere.
I hope there are more books after this one but it almost felt like an ending of sorts.
If you love a good historic cozy mystery, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the third book in the Cat Carlisle series by Terry Lynn Thomas.
Wow, what an intense and great historical cozy mystery!
This is my first foray into the world of Cat Carlisle. Set in the 1940’s in refuge for suffering women, Cat accepts wayward women into her home. One such woman has a husband who is a very bad man who figures prominently in the case her boyfriend and officer of the constabulary is working concerning a jeweled chalice.
We are also introduced to Hugh and his wife Margaret. The book starts off with their story and since this was my first venture into this world, I originally thought they were the stars of the show. I discovered later that this was Cat’s book. Hugh has been separated from his partying wife and has just found out she swindled him out of much of his inheritance. Thanks to his mother’s interference, she didn’t get all his money but his mother put him on a stipend that would reign in their spending, During this time there is food rationing and some people are going without a lot of the necessities. This was a interesting side step into the couple’s life and I am not sure it had a ton to do with the mystery of the book. But it did play a slight part giving us a great amount of background.
The mystery started with a death of one of the girl’s at Cat’s woman’s refuge. They learn this woman was taking advantage of Cat’s kindness and using her. This story took the long way home so to speak. We learn all sorts of things about these people. The setting and cast is amazing, I loved the entire atmosphere.
I hope there are more books after this one but it almost felt like an ending of sorts.
If you love a good historic cozy mystery, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
February 28, 2020
In this book, we follow Cat and Charles as they are now living in Rivenby and are presently engaged.
Cat is running a shelter for battered women, giving them a place to live and getting them back on their feet, providing them with an education to eventually get a job and a place to stay so they become independent strong women away from their abusive husbands.
Charles is working for the constabulary while also lending his home to important artifacts so they are out of reach of the Nazi’s. One of these being a chalice covered in precious gems that belonged to a church.
When one of the women at Cat’s refuge turns up murdered, Cat and Thomas suspect it may be the work of one of the husbands of the women who took refuge with Cat. This man is a known criminal with a large network.
We are also introduced to new characters in this book who have become intermingled in this crime at times. Thomas gets an unexpected visitor from his past. A married man and woman, both stuck in loveless marriages reconnect and rekindle their young love.
While the mystery in this is wonderful as always, very intricate and at times has you guessing who done it- I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that Cat didn’t do more investigating of her own as she has done in previous novels. While she’s still very much independent, I feel now that she’s ‘tied down’ she isn’t as spontaneous and full of curious zest as she used to be.
I do enjoy the romance between Cat and Charles, it was great to see the storyline with them play out more now that they are together. The ending as always was great, very suspenseful.
Although it is a good story, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed in this one especially compared to the other book in the series.
3 stars.
**ARC provided by HQ Digital and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cat is running a shelter for battered women, giving them a place to live and getting them back on their feet, providing them with an education to eventually get a job and a place to stay so they become independent strong women away from their abusive husbands.
Charles is working for the constabulary while also lending his home to important artifacts so they are out of reach of the Nazi’s. One of these being a chalice covered in precious gems that belonged to a church.
When one of the women at Cat’s refuge turns up murdered, Cat and Thomas suspect it may be the work of one of the husbands of the women who took refuge with Cat. This man is a known criminal with a large network.
We are also introduced to new characters in this book who have become intermingled in this crime at times. Thomas gets an unexpected visitor from his past. A married man and woman, both stuck in loveless marriages reconnect and rekindle their young love.
While the mystery in this is wonderful as always, very intricate and at times has you guessing who done it- I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that Cat didn’t do more investigating of her own as she has done in previous novels. While she’s still very much independent, I feel now that she’s ‘tied down’ she isn’t as spontaneous and full of curious zest as she used to be.
I do enjoy the romance between Cat and Charles, it was great to see the storyline with them play out more now that they are together. The ending as always was great, very suspenseful.
Although it is a good story, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed in this one especially compared to the other book in the series.
3 stars.
**ARC provided by HQ Digital and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2020
I received a copy of this book from TBC Reviewers request- Thank you
Cat is running a shelter for battered women, giving them a place to live and getting them back on their feet, providing them with an education to eventually get a job and a place to stay so they become independent strong women away from their abusive husbands.
Charles is working for the constabulary while also lending his home to important artifacts so they are out of reach of the Nazi’s. One of these being a chalice covered in precious gems that belonged to a church.
When one of the women at Cat’s refuge turns up murdered, Cat and Thomas suspect it may be the work of one of the husbands of the women who took refuge with Cat. This man is a known criminal with a large network.
We are also introduced to new characters in this book who have become intermingled in this crime at times. Thomas gets an unexpected visitor from his past. A married man and woman, both stuck in loveless marriages reconnect and rekindle their young love.
This is the third book in Cat’s series and although it would work as a standalone I’d recommend reading the first two books before this one- to get the most out of the series and because it really supports setting the scene for the book.
Another well written and highly engaging novel from Terry she has created fictional characters that compel the reader to become invested in them and their outcomes
A lovely read
Cat is running a shelter for battered women, giving them a place to live and getting them back on their feet, providing them with an education to eventually get a job and a place to stay so they become independent strong women away from their abusive husbands.
Charles is working for the constabulary while also lending his home to important artifacts so they are out of reach of the Nazi’s. One of these being a chalice covered in precious gems that belonged to a church.
When one of the women at Cat’s refuge turns up murdered, Cat and Thomas suspect it may be the work of one of the husbands of the women who took refuge with Cat. This man is a known criminal with a large network.
We are also introduced to new characters in this book who have become intermingled in this crime at times. Thomas gets an unexpected visitor from his past. A married man and woman, both stuck in loveless marriages reconnect and rekindle their young love.
This is the third book in Cat’s series and although it would work as a standalone I’d recommend reading the first two books before this one- to get the most out of the series and because it really supports setting the scene for the book.
Another well written and highly engaging novel from Terry she has created fictional characters that compel the reader to become invested in them and their outcomes
A lovely read
March 2, 2020
Although this is book 3 in the series, it reads well as a standalone as there are enough allusions to the previous two for the reader to get the gist of the story so far. There is a lot going on in the novel from a stolen chalice, a murdered young woman, a battered wives home being threatened and long lost loves, just to name a few, however this doesn't detract from the story and makes it a well paced novel which I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next! It is a good historical fiction read and I will now go back and read the first two books in the series and look forward to the next one too.
I read this book as an ARC for my book club.
I read this book as an ARC for my book club.
June 21, 2020
Not what I was expecting. Felt like I was reading a soap opera instead of historical fiction. This book is part three of a series that I did not read first two and it didn’t matter- I won’t revisit these characters.
February 5, 2021
Glaring historical errors
While this book’s plot is much better than the previous two, I cannot let the errors pass. Set during the reign of George VI, twice the author states that men are fighting for “queen and country.” George VI was not a queen.
While this book’s plot is much better than the previous two, I cannot let the errors pass. Set during the reign of George VI, twice the author states that men are fighting for “queen and country.” George VI was not a queen.
February 12, 2020
Loved this book it has a great plot and characters that that make it so enjoyable and i look forward to more from Terry Lynn Thomas 5*
March 9, 2020
This is one of my favorite historical fiction mystery series and book 3 did not disappoint. I highly recommend for all historical fiction readers that enjoy a touch of mystery.
April 14, 2020
I absolutely love the Cat Carlisle series! I was so excited to hear about The House of Lies. Full of intrigue & mystery. A real page turner that had me gripped from the very first pages.
April 22, 2020
I took a chance for $.99 and was pleasantly surprised. This was good brain candy. A well-written mystery that didn't require too much thinking.
April 27, 2020
A great mystery filled with compelling characters.
August 29, 2020
Let me say that the author, Terry Lynn Thomas did not disappoint! Her book “House of Lies,” the third book in her series, the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, was another fine, enjoyable read. It could be read as a stand-alone, too. I'm a big fan of anything historical fiction. The author set the scene perfectly: 1941, during WWII. I was on an exciting, scary journey with the main character, Cat, as she strives to find a better life for herself.
Cat is a strong, lovable character; running a women's refuge. She is giving women protection from abusive relationships; but things take a turn when one turns up dead. Is Cat risking her own life by helping them? To make things even more dangerous and tense, Cat and her fiancé, Thomas, have a secret. They are protecting a golden chalice from the Nazis.
I am so glad I discovered Terry's books. Terry is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading her other mystery series (The Sarah Bennett Mysteries) and any other book by her. I have no doubt I will enjoy those, too! So, if you are a historical fiction fan, I recommend the Cat Carlisle Mystery Series to take you back to 1941.
~This book was given to me by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.~
Cat is a strong, lovable character; running a women's refuge. She is giving women protection from abusive relationships; but things take a turn when one turns up dead. Is Cat risking her own life by helping them? To make things even more dangerous and tense, Cat and her fiancé, Thomas, have a secret. They are protecting a golden chalice from the Nazis.
I am so glad I discovered Terry's books. Terry is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading her other mystery series (The Sarah Bennett Mysteries) and any other book by her. I have no doubt I will enjoy those, too! So, if you are a historical fiction fan, I recommend the Cat Carlisle Mystery Series to take you back to 1941.
~This book was given to me by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.~
May 29, 2021
I wasn't sure what to expect since I don't usually read books that take place during WWII. This captured my attention immediately. I couldn't wait to find out who survived all the action. There were very kind and generous people and a few not so well-intentioned people in the book.
Plenty of colorful characters showed up in the plot. At times, it was complicated to keep the relationships straight. This was a very satisfying read with bravery, honesty, espionage, marriage and family concerns and the way war changes everything in society. This would make a terrific book club discussion title!
Plenty of colorful characters showed up in the plot. At times, it was complicated to keep the relationships straight. This was a very satisfying read with bravery, honesty, espionage, marriage and family concerns and the way war changes everything in society. This would make a terrific book club discussion title!
April 30, 2020
Is this the book I read? I thought it was called "The Silent WOMAN." It was interesting enough that I bought the next two books and read them with enjoyment. I concluded that Reginald's assessment of Cat (I really have trouble with that nickname) was more accurate than I would like. Again we have a heroine who "goes off" emotionally rather than giving others a chance to give her the information she needs. Perhaps I would do the same, but it seems to be that this is another way of deprecating most women I have known and liked.
The stories are pretty well crafted, although they reflect much less of the period they allegedly portray than most of this genre.
The stories are pretty well crafted, although they reflect much less of the period they allegedly portray than most of this genre.
May 15, 2020
This is a nice WWII historical novel set in Britain. The characters and plot are deftly crafted and the story moves along at a brisk pace, with a few detours along the way. Some of the story line was a little hard to follow, and parts a little unbelievable. I won't give anything away. It was a worthwhile read, but not the best of this genre, thus only 4 stars.
March 22, 2021
Perfect for a weekend read
Cat Carlisle is the widow of an abusive relationship. She puts her inherited money to good use providing room, board and education for batteries women. However, she underestimates the danger to herself and loved ones.
This book is the third of a series of three which stand alone but are better read in series.
Cat Carlisle is the widow of an abusive relationship. She puts her inherited money to good use providing room, board and education for batteries women. However, she underestimates the danger to herself and loved ones.
This book is the third of a series of three which stand alone but are better read in series.
January 5, 2025
Fast moving, complex plot and a wide range of characters, but this is again melodrama. Everything would be fine except the hero and heroine, who are supposed to be magnificent specimens of everything good, demonstrate they are emotionally unstable. Unrealistic turns of plot. One loose thread not tied up I see. A couple of anachronisms too no less. A potboiler I think.
April 19, 2020
Interesting
A story set in the North of England during WW2 which is different from other stories during this period which are mostly about London. Lots of intrigue during most of the book and several surprises toward the end. Definitely an interesting read.
A story set in the North of England during WW2 which is different from other stories during this period which are mostly about London. Lots of intrigue during most of the book and several surprises toward the end. Definitely an interesting read.
March 8, 2021
This is a page turner right from the get go! It can be a bit intense at times but sometimes that’s what makes it a good read. It is the third in a series but can be read as a stand alone! Pick it up and start turning those pages!
May 11, 2021
Fast moving and keeps you guessing
Great movement with the character and building the storyline. Was surprised to the very end and the pages kept turning. Best of the three Cat stories.
Great movement with the character and building the storyline. Was surprised to the very end and the pages kept turning. Best of the three Cat stories.
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