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The First Lie
'A.J. Park is a master of suspense who knows how to keep readers hovering tensely over the edges of their seats' - Sophie Hannah
A freak accident. An impossible choice. But what was...
THE FIRST LIE
When Paul Reeve comes home to find his wife in the bathroom, bloodied and shaking, his survival instinct kicks in.
Alice never meant to kill the intruder. She was at home, alone, and terrified. She doesn't deserve to be blamed for it. Covering up the murder is their only option.
But the crime eats away at the couple and soon they can't trust anyone - even one another...
A freak accident. An impossible choice. But what was...
THE FIRST LIE
When Paul Reeve comes home to find his wife in the bathroom, bloodied and shaking, his survival instinct kicks in.
Alice never meant to kill the intruder. She was at home, alone, and terrified. She doesn't deserve to be blamed for it. Covering up the murder is their only option.
But the crime eats away at the couple and soon they can't trust anyone - even one another...
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2019
137 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Park
3 books27 followersPseudonym for author Karl Vadaszffy.
After studying literature, linguistics and Spanish at university, AJ Park trained as an English teacher and actor. He has edited magazines and taught English, Media Studies and Drama in secondary schools in England.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
After studying literature, linguistics and Spanish at university, AJ Park trained as an English teacher and actor. He has edited magazines and taught English, Media Studies and Drama in secondary schools in England.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
February 2, 2020
There’s a fair bit of eye rolling with this one and I’m sorry to say not always in a good way. Take a job, one female complete and utter fruitcake, one brainless judge, a hitman, a rising body count, a spurned secretary, two dozy police officers and a lot of superfluous detail and you’ve got The First Lie. Paul Reeve is very ambitious and is the youngest Circuit Court Judge in the UK. He arrives home late one night to find his wife Alice covered in blood and a dead man in his bathroom. From here on in, Paul’s catastrophic decision and first lie implodes both his and Alice’s life and those of others. The story is told by Paul and Alice and via the police investigation by DS Katherine Wright and DC Ryan Hillier.
My biggest issue with the book is the way it is written as I feel that tension is lost in over explanation. The start should have been dramatic and to a certain extent it is but the impact is lost by the mundane description of Paul’s day. I’m sure it is meant to contrast with what Paul finds but it doesn’t work for me. The decisions he makes following his shocking discovery just make me think ‘call the police you dozy pair’ and ‘you’re a judge? Really?’ So, I suppose the book lost me to a large extent and although there are sections that are good but then are followed by descriptions that add little to the unfolding storyline.
Overall, I can see that there are elements that are good - there’s huge ambition, guilt, revenge, threats and manipulation from the characters and I can see that the premise is interesting. I’m sure there will be people who love this book but it doesn’t hit the mark for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Books
My biggest issue with the book is the way it is written as I feel that tension is lost in over explanation. The start should have been dramatic and to a certain extent it is but the impact is lost by the mundane description of Paul’s day. I’m sure it is meant to contrast with what Paul finds but it doesn’t work for me. The decisions he makes following his shocking discovery just make me think ‘call the police you dozy pair’ and ‘you’re a judge? Really?’ So, I suppose the book lost me to a large extent and although there are sections that are good but then are followed by descriptions that add little to the unfolding storyline.
Overall, I can see that there are elements that are good - there’s huge ambition, guilt, revenge, threats and manipulation from the characters and I can see that the premise is interesting. I’m sure there will be people who love this book but it doesn’t hit the mark for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Books
January 12, 2020
When criminal Barrister Paul returns home, he discovers that his wife Alice has murdered an intruder with his letter opener!! Paul in on track to become the youngest circuit judge at 37.
Knowing that he is a Barrister you would presume he would call the police as his wife was acting in self defence but no he decides to bury the body. Who knows what you would do in that split second decision that either way will affect you’re life.
Their decision affects them both in different ways and starts to tear their marriage apart. Their lives will never be the same again now they have blood on their hands and start to look at each other suspiciously.
I did find it slow to begin with but like to think it was laying the foundations for a great book, as the tension slowly builds to boiling point taking you on a twisty, bumpy ride!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Knowing that he is a Barrister you would presume he would call the police as his wife was acting in self defence but no he decides to bury the body. Who knows what you would do in that split second decision that either way will affect you’re life.
Their decision affects them both in different ways and starts to tear their marriage apart. Their lives will never be the same again now they have blood on their hands and start to look at each other suspiciously.
I did find it slow to begin with but like to think it was laying the foundations for a great book, as the tension slowly builds to boiling point taking you on a twisty, bumpy ride!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
June 6, 2020
This book started off so well, I was completely hooked for the first 25% or so. I struggled to believe the actions of the 2 main characters and they just got wilder and crazier as the book went along. In saying that, I did try to go with it and it was a fun read and I ended up enjoying.
Paul was the youngest circuit court judge in the UK. That made it hard for me to believe that he would not have just called the police when he arrived home to find a dead body in the bathroom and his wife cover in blood. A judge is meant to believe in the judicial system. That First lie was just the start of the lives of Paul and his wife Alice unravelling.
If you take this book for what it is you will enjoy it. It wasn't what I was hoping for but I did enjoy it.
Thank you to the TBC reviewers group and the author for my advanced copy of this book to read
Paul was the youngest circuit court judge in the UK. That made it hard for me to believe that he would not have just called the police when he arrived home to find a dead body in the bathroom and his wife cover in blood. A judge is meant to believe in the judicial system. That First lie was just the start of the lives of Paul and his wife Alice unravelling.
If you take this book for what it is you will enjoy it. It wasn't what I was hoping for but I did enjoy it.
Thank you to the TBC reviewers group and the author for my advanced copy of this book to read
June 27, 2020
The First Lie is a domestic thriller by A.J.Park. The first half of the book went well for me but the second half seemed far-fetched . Overall a fun read with unbelievable characters.
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers request group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers request group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review
June 17, 2020
You're home alone. Someone breaks in. In defending yourself, you end up killing the intruder. This is what criminal barrister Paul Reeve finds when he arrives home. His wife, Alice is in the bathroom, clutching a bloodied letter opener.
In a split second Paul decides to bury the body instead of calling the police. He worried that If it came out what Alice had done, it would ruin his career, he was up for promotion. He's also worried that Alice will loose her freedom. Thenstory is a bit far fetched. The pace is steady. There's a few twists but imdid guess where the story was headed. This is an easy book to read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author A. J. Park for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
In a split second Paul decides to bury the body instead of calling the police. He worried that If it came out what Alice had done, it would ruin his career, he was up for promotion. He's also worried that Alice will loose her freedom. Thenstory is a bit far fetched. The pace is steady. There's a few twists but imdid guess where the story was headed. This is an easy book to read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author A. J. Park for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 28, 2020
The First Lie is a compelling and engaging domestic thriller and gripping début.
Paul Reeve arrives home to find his wife Alice sitting alone in the dark with blood on her hands, and a dead intruder in the bathroom. With his promotion to judgeship hanging in the balance, the couple decide to conceal the crime instead of calling the police, afraid for Paul's career as well as Alice's freedom. So why did an intruder enter the Reeve's house and what or who were they after? As a marriage is exposed with secrets, lies and duplicity, everything is thrown into a tailspin. That dreadful October night transforms Paul's and Alice's life from the moment their decision is made, and makes for a unsettling and dark read that chilled me to the bone.
A.J. Park's immersive description combined with the intense feelings leaching from the characters made me think I was part of the story. It is told in alternating chapters by Alice and by Paul with glimpses into the police investigation of DS Katherine Wright and DC Ryan Hillier.
For the Reeves, after this first lie that no one knows, life doesn’t return to normality. Paul does his best to pretend everything is all right and appears to be coping. Alice though, falls into a great chasm of depression, guilt, resentfulness and constant neediness. As they pay the price for telling such a big lie, they cover it up with further lies and soon a gulf opens between Paul and Alice as they become ensnared in their web of dishonesty.
The First Lie is a well-told psychological crime thriller which perfectly depicts the toxicity of a mammoth lie, and the intervention of fate.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
Paul Reeve arrives home to find his wife Alice sitting alone in the dark with blood on her hands, and a dead intruder in the bathroom. With his promotion to judgeship hanging in the balance, the couple decide to conceal the crime instead of calling the police, afraid for Paul's career as well as Alice's freedom. So why did an intruder enter the Reeve's house and what or who were they after? As a marriage is exposed with secrets, lies and duplicity, everything is thrown into a tailspin. That dreadful October night transforms Paul's and Alice's life from the moment their decision is made, and makes for a unsettling and dark read that chilled me to the bone.
A.J. Park's immersive description combined with the intense feelings leaching from the characters made me think I was part of the story. It is told in alternating chapters by Alice and by Paul with glimpses into the police investigation of DS Katherine Wright and DC Ryan Hillier.
For the Reeves, after this first lie that no one knows, life doesn’t return to normality. Paul does his best to pretend everything is all right and appears to be coping. Alice though, falls into a great chasm of depression, guilt, resentfulness and constant neediness. As they pay the price for telling such a big lie, they cover it up with further lies and soon a gulf opens between Paul and Alice as they become ensnared in their web of dishonesty.
The First Lie is a well-told psychological crime thriller which perfectly depicts the toxicity of a mammoth lie, and the intervention of fate.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
October 13, 2020
Als ich die Kurzbeschreibung gelesen habe, war ich aufgeregt und hatte mich auf eine spannende Geschichte gefreut. Der Anfang war vielversprechend: Paul und Alice sind anscheinend glücklich verheiratet in perfekter Harmonie. Doch das Unglück nimmt seinen Lauf als Paul von der Arbeit nach Hause kommt und einen toten Mann entdeckt, den Alice in Notwehr getötet hat.
An sich war es ein unterhaltsames und spannendes Buch, aber ich hatte sehr große Probleme mit Alice und wie plötzlich sie sich zu einem Psycho entwickelt hat. Etwas von ihr hat mich an „Gone Girl“ erinnert, aber von Alice war ich leider nicht überzeugt; eher gelangweilt und genervt, und fand sie auch nicht überzeugend in ihrer Handlung.
Da die Geschichte aus der Sicht von Alice, Paul und des Detectives erzählt wird, hätte man Alice von Anfang an besser präsentieren können. So hatte ich das Gefühl, dass Alice in den ersten Seiten eine ganz andere Frau war als im Rest des Buches.
Wenn man Thriller und spannende Bücher mag, wird man an diesem Buch definitiv Spaß haben. Die Handlung wird geschickt erzählt und kommt auch zu einem Ende, was ich so nicht erwartet hätte. Trotzdem gibt es nur 3 Sterne, weil die Charaktere zum Teil große Schwächen gezeigt haben und nicht nachvollziehbar waren.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
An sich war es ein unterhaltsames und spannendes Buch, aber ich hatte sehr große Probleme mit Alice und wie plötzlich sie sich zu einem Psycho entwickelt hat. Etwas von ihr hat mich an „Gone Girl“ erinnert, aber von Alice war ich leider nicht überzeugt; eher gelangweilt und genervt, und fand sie auch nicht überzeugend in ihrer Handlung.
Da die Geschichte aus der Sicht von Alice, Paul und des Detectives erzählt wird, hätte man Alice von Anfang an besser präsentieren können. So hatte ich das Gefühl, dass Alice in den ersten Seiten eine ganz andere Frau war als im Rest des Buches.
Wenn man Thriller und spannende Bücher mag, wird man an diesem Buch definitiv Spaß haben. Die Handlung wird geschickt erzählt und kommt auch zu einem Ende, was ich so nicht erwartet hätte. Trotzdem gibt es nur 3 Sterne, weil die Charaktere zum Teil große Schwächen gezeigt haben und nicht nachvollziehbar waren.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
June 17, 2020
You're home alone. Someone breaks in. In defending yourself, younend upmkilling the intruder. This is what criminal barrister Paul Reeve finds out when he arrives home. His wife is in the bathroom, clutching a bloodied letter opener.
In a split second Paul decides to bury the body instead of calling the police. He's worried that if it came out what Alice had done it would ruin his career, he was up for promotion. He also worried that Alice would loose his freedom. The story is a bit far fetched. Thenpace is steady. There's a fee twists ut I did guess where the story was headed. This is an easy book to read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author A. J. Park for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In a split second Paul decides to bury the body instead of calling the police. He's worried that if it came out what Alice had done it would ruin his career, he was up for promotion. He also worried that Alice would loose his freedom. The story is a bit far fetched. Thenpace is steady. There's a fee twists ut I did guess where the story was headed. This is an easy book to read.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author A. J. Park for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2020
A chilling premise which pulled me in and compelled me to read the book. The author A. J. Park made the first few pages come alive.
Paul, a new circuit Judge, found his wife with blood on her and dead man in the bathroom. What was he to do? He didn’t think, just acted. That was The First Lie which dismembered their lives.
My first experience with this author was quite a ride with some unbelievable characters. It soon became an adventure with raised body count. The characters sure didn’t use their brains in their decisions. And I read on, hoping they would.
Told in multiple POVs from the main characters and cops, I was given the entire investigation in detail. The story line meandered at times, but the characters soon brought it in line. Emotions were built up as the pages turned.
Overall, it was an interesting read with rash decisions taken in fear and far fetched plot lines written in fun, though I did find myself rolling my eyes at their antics
Paul, a new circuit Judge, found his wife with blood on her and dead man in the bathroom. What was he to do? He didn’t think, just acted. That was The First Lie which dismembered their lives.
My first experience with this author was quite a ride with some unbelievable characters. It soon became an adventure with raised body count. The characters sure didn’t use their brains in their decisions. And I read on, hoping they would.
Told in multiple POVs from the main characters and cops, I was given the entire investigation in detail. The story line meandered at times, but the characters soon brought it in line. Emotions were built up as the pages turned.
Overall, it was an interesting read with rash decisions taken in fear and far fetched plot lines written in fun, though I did find myself rolling my eyes at their antics
May 25, 2020
When Paul Reeve arrives home from work late one night, he finds his wife, Alice, sitting in the bedroom ...covered in blood .... and obviously scared to death. Almost unable to speak, she point to the bathroom. Paul doesn't believe what he's seeing. There is a man hanging over the side of the tub with a letter opener stuck in his neck. He is obviously dead.
Paul's first thought .. his career is over, even though this was clearly self - defense. His second thought ... hide the body and pretend it never happened. Covering up a killing is not ideal, but seems to be the only option available.
And once they have accomplished what they chose to do, the actual crime eats at them both. Alice becomes clingy and doesn't want to be left alone. Paul is worried about Alice, and trying to get back to what once was a normal life. Each are finding it harder and harder not tell someone --anyone about what happened. And the trust between them is eroding.
And then Paul makes a huge mistake.
And Alice disappears.
This psychological thriller showcases the erosion of two lives caught up in something that should never have happened. Alice and Paul are unique characters ... Paul controlling and Alice too needy. The story takes us to the present and back to the past. There are twists and turns which lead to a totally unexpected ending.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this psychological suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 1, 2021
An exciting premise, a promising story and a tale of two people caught up in a life-altering situation from which they can see no way out. That is the basis of this fast paced psychological domestic thriller debut from A.J. Park.
It's something we've all thought about. You're home alone...and then suddenly you're not. Someone breaks in and you're faced with a choice. To kill or be killed. And in defending yourself you end up killing the intruder.
This is what criminal barrister Paul Reeve faces when returning home late one night to find his wife Alice in the bedroom covered in blood...a dead man in the bathroom with a letter opener in the back of his head.
"What have you done, Alice?"
A thousand thoughts race through his mind. He is up for promotion shortly and if he is successful he will make history by being the youngest ever circuit judge in the UK. It's all he ever wanted...all he ever dreamed of. But if he were to report this then he could kiss that opportunity goodbye. There was no way he would even be considered for the position should it become known that his wife had killed a man...even if it was in self defence. And Paul knew the legal system. He knew how hard it was to prove self defence.
With Alice trembling and sobbing in the corner, he makes a snap decision. They will get rid of the body. Bury it where no one will find it. And even if they do, he will ensure that there is no trace of DNA evidence that will link back to them. He's not only doing this for him but for Alice. She doesn't deserve this.
If only he knew what that snap decision meant for them. Where it would lead them. And how it would end... The first lie was just the beginning.
Meanwhile, someone has been killing seemingly random men throughout London. The deaths have been particularly gruesome using the age old method of garroting, seemingly with piano wire - minutely thin, razor sharp and highly effective. There appears to be no entry or exit point for the villain - so how did he get in? And what connects these men to be killed in such a way? This is what DS Katherine Wright and DC Ryan Hillier are faced with as they investigate the deaths of these rising stars.
Four months later and successful in his promotion, Paul now sits on the bench of the Old Bailey overseeing trials upon which he must judge. But how can pass judgement on others when he himself is not blameless? Although he has managed to put that night aside and move on his wife Alice has not. Since then she has had nightmares and loathes being in the house alone, often begging Paul when he would return home. But as each trial continues, his days get longer and he gets home later...often when Alice has already taken herself off to bed.
As the gap widens between them, life becomes unbearable for the couple in the wake of what they have done, leading to further bad choices and stupid decisions. One such decision will then culminate in a series of events leading to a penultimate head which will threaten to unravel everything Paul has worked so hard to keep together.
"I didn't have a choice..."
The first lie was just the beginning. And now, this is the end...
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, especially after reading the average reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the fact that it is somewhat far-fetched in places, it remained addictive and engaging throughout. You just wanted to find out how it all ended for Paul and Alice and where the murders fit in. And that kept me reading...
The writing is fairly simplistic and easy to read, with those short snappy chapters I love to keep the pace moving. The story unfolds through the multiple narratives of Paul and Alice in the first person, and the police detectives in the third giving us the highlights of their investigation in detail. Paul and Alice's narrative was incredibly emotional, and not always in a good way. Alice particularly was living on a knife edge and got on almost every nerve I had left. Her behaviour was erratic and paranoid bordering on psychotic at times. Paul became careless which lead him into making some rash decisions. Which in turn made Alice even more unstable.
Once the murders were linked, it didn't take me long to work out who orchestrated it and the motive. But it did leave me with the question why. I can't elaborate without revealing spoilers but while it made perfect sense, it also didn't make any sense because of a particular...shall I say...specific. But in any case, I pieced that part of the puzzle together nicely.
Overall, THE FIRST LIE is a fun and addictive read that, while not entirely beliveable, is highly entertaining that had me racing through the pages right up to the surprising end.
I would like to thank #AJPark, #NetGalley and #OrionPublishing for an ARC of #TheFirstLie in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
It's something we've all thought about. You're home alone...and then suddenly you're not. Someone breaks in and you're faced with a choice. To kill or be killed. And in defending yourself you end up killing the intruder.
This is what criminal barrister Paul Reeve faces when returning home late one night to find his wife Alice in the bedroom covered in blood...a dead man in the bathroom with a letter opener in the back of his head.
"What have you done, Alice?"
A thousand thoughts race through his mind. He is up for promotion shortly and if he is successful he will make history by being the youngest ever circuit judge in the UK. It's all he ever wanted...all he ever dreamed of. But if he were to report this then he could kiss that opportunity goodbye. There was no way he would even be considered for the position should it become known that his wife had killed a man...even if it was in self defence. And Paul knew the legal system. He knew how hard it was to prove self defence.
With Alice trembling and sobbing in the corner, he makes a snap decision. They will get rid of the body. Bury it where no one will find it. And even if they do, he will ensure that there is no trace of DNA evidence that will link back to them. He's not only doing this for him but for Alice. She doesn't deserve this.
If only he knew what that snap decision meant for them. Where it would lead them. And how it would end... The first lie was just the beginning.
Meanwhile, someone has been killing seemingly random men throughout London. The deaths have been particularly gruesome using the age old method of garroting, seemingly with piano wire - minutely thin, razor sharp and highly effective. There appears to be no entry or exit point for the villain - so how did he get in? And what connects these men to be killed in such a way? This is what DS Katherine Wright and DC Ryan Hillier are faced with as they investigate the deaths of these rising stars.
Four months later and successful in his promotion, Paul now sits on the bench of the Old Bailey overseeing trials upon which he must judge. But how can pass judgement on others when he himself is not blameless? Although he has managed to put that night aside and move on his wife Alice has not. Since then she has had nightmares and loathes being in the house alone, often begging Paul when he would return home. But as each trial continues, his days get longer and he gets home later...often when Alice has already taken herself off to bed.
As the gap widens between them, life becomes unbearable for the couple in the wake of what they have done, leading to further bad choices and stupid decisions. One such decision will then culminate in a series of events leading to a penultimate head which will threaten to unravel everything Paul has worked so hard to keep together.
"I didn't have a choice..."
The first lie was just the beginning. And now, this is the end...
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, especially after reading the average reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the fact that it is somewhat far-fetched in places, it remained addictive and engaging throughout. You just wanted to find out how it all ended for Paul and Alice and where the murders fit in. And that kept me reading...
The writing is fairly simplistic and easy to read, with those short snappy chapters I love to keep the pace moving. The story unfolds through the multiple narratives of Paul and Alice in the first person, and the police detectives in the third giving us the highlights of their investigation in detail. Paul and Alice's narrative was incredibly emotional, and not always in a good way. Alice particularly was living on a knife edge and got on almost every nerve I had left. Her behaviour was erratic and paranoid bordering on psychotic at times. Paul became careless which lead him into making some rash decisions. Which in turn made Alice even more unstable.
Once the murders were linked, it didn't take me long to work out who orchestrated it and the motive. But it did leave me with the question why. I can't elaborate without revealing spoilers but while it made perfect sense, it also didn't make any sense because of a particular...shall I say...specific. But in any case, I pieced that part of the puzzle together nicely.
Overall, THE FIRST LIE is a fun and addictive read that, while not entirely beliveable, is highly entertaining that had me racing through the pages right up to the surprising end.
I would like to thank #AJPark, #NetGalley and #OrionPublishing for an ARC of #TheFirstLie in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
May 21, 2020
If you were a Barrister and came home to discover your wife had murdered someone in your home, the intruder is lying clearly very dead with your letter opener covered in blood you'd ring 999 and tell the truth wouldn't you?
Because we all were told as children "tell one lie and it will lead to many more"
Well thats why we have such a gripping start to a story because as A J Park reveals, Paul the protective husband doesn't ring the police but goes into the lets get rid of the body mode and the first lie is cast.
With pages turning initially so quickly in my hands I enjoyed this and I can imagine many reading this over the summer and enjoying the fairly lightweight plot.
Lots of great character building, paced but totally unbelievable. As Paul and Alice are totally consumed by the self defence/murder we see a story running in conjunction to all this as Paul's university friends seem to keep being killed off. Could the mystery intruder and the untimely murders be connected?
I was disappointed in the ending I wanted to see it all brought together more tightly.
Overall a good easy read, but lacking depth and reality. For me 2.5 stars.
Because we all were told as children "tell one lie and it will lead to many more"
Well thats why we have such a gripping start to a story because as A J Park reveals, Paul the protective husband doesn't ring the police but goes into the lets get rid of the body mode and the first lie is cast.
With pages turning initially so quickly in my hands I enjoyed this and I can imagine many reading this over the summer and enjoying the fairly lightweight plot.
Lots of great character building, paced but totally unbelievable. As Paul and Alice are totally consumed by the self defence/murder we see a story running in conjunction to all this as Paul's university friends seem to keep being killed off. Could the mystery intruder and the untimely murders be connected?
I was disappointed in the ending I wanted to see it all brought together more tightly.
Overall a good easy read, but lacking depth and reality. For me 2.5 stars.
December 11, 2021
"Paul Reeve ist auf dem Sprung zu einer großen Karriere als Anwalt, doch als er eines Tages nach Hause kommt, findet er seine Frau blutüberströmt vor. Sie hat mit einem Brieföffner in ihrem Bad einen Einbrecher getötet – aus Notwehr, wie sie behauptet. Paul sieht seine Karriere in höchster Gefahr und beschließt, zu handeln: Die Leiche muss aus dem Haus. Doch das ist nur die erste Lüge, auf die er und seine Frau Alice sich einlassen, und dann steht plötzlich die Polizei vor der Tür …"
Ich habe direkt am Anfang gedacht: ach nö das wird nichts, das kann einfach nichts werden.
Aber wollen wir mal schauen wie sich das Ganze weiterentwickelt hat.
Wie schon erwähnt war der Anfang nicht so toll, die Charaktere Paul und Alice fand ich eher unsympathisch. Die Geschichte wird abwechselnd von der Polizei, Paul und Alice erzählt, sodass der Leser sich einen guten Eindruck über die Geschehnisse machen kann.
Als die Erzählung dann nach ein paar Monaten nach der Tat spielt, wurde es dann doch richtig interessant. Denn es geht nicht um die eigentliche Tat, sondern um die seelischen Auswirkungen, den psychischen Folgen sowie die Beziehung zwischen Paul und Alice, die immer mehr zerbricht.
Auch stellt sich die Frage in der Geschichte:
Wie weit würdest du für deinen Partner gehen? Was würdest du opfern? Wie weit hält man die Lügen aufrecht?
Interessant war auch das Gerüst der Lügen dargestellt. Es fängt mit einer Lügen an, doch es kommen immer mehr Lügen hinzu und irgendwann bricht es in sich zusammen. Ich fand das richtig interessant.
Die Charaktere, obwohl ich sie durchweg unsympathisch fand, haben sich in der Geschichte erschreckend weiterentwickelt, was echt gut gelungen ist.
Tja das Ende war dann etwas zu viel des Guten, auch wenn es schlüssig gewesen ist.
Insgesamt ein gutes und spannendes Buch gewesen, was wirklich interessante Aspekte hatte. Empfehlenswert.
Ich habe direkt am Anfang gedacht: ach nö das wird nichts, das kann einfach nichts werden.
Aber wollen wir mal schauen wie sich das Ganze weiterentwickelt hat.
Wie schon erwähnt war der Anfang nicht so toll, die Charaktere Paul und Alice fand ich eher unsympathisch. Die Geschichte wird abwechselnd von der Polizei, Paul und Alice erzählt, sodass der Leser sich einen guten Eindruck über die Geschehnisse machen kann.
Als die Erzählung dann nach ein paar Monaten nach der Tat spielt, wurde es dann doch richtig interessant. Denn es geht nicht um die eigentliche Tat, sondern um die seelischen Auswirkungen, den psychischen Folgen sowie die Beziehung zwischen Paul und Alice, die immer mehr zerbricht.
Auch stellt sich die Frage in der Geschichte:
Wie weit würdest du für deinen Partner gehen? Was würdest du opfern? Wie weit hält man die Lügen aufrecht?
Interessant war auch das Gerüst der Lügen dargestellt. Es fängt mit einer Lügen an, doch es kommen immer mehr Lügen hinzu und irgendwann bricht es in sich zusammen. Ich fand das richtig interessant.
Die Charaktere, obwohl ich sie durchweg unsympathisch fand, haben sich in der Geschichte erschreckend weiterentwickelt, was echt gut gelungen ist.
Tja das Ende war dann etwas zu viel des Guten, auch wenn es schlüssig gewesen ist.
Insgesamt ein gutes und spannendes Buch gewesen, was wirklich interessante Aspekte hatte. Empfehlenswert.
October 31, 2020
Leider hat mir das Buch nicht so gefallen.
Es hat ganz gut angefangen mit dem Mord. Aber dann fängt die Frau an sich total dämlich und ängstlich zu benehmen. Dann macht der Mann laut falsche Sachen. Und er ist Jurist, dh ganz dumm kann er eigentlich nicht sein, aber genauso verhält er sich. Ich konnte daher leider keinen Zugang zu den beiden finden, was die Sache erschwert hat. Auch die Frau dreht am Ende einfach nur noch durch. Ich hab nur noch die Augen gerollt. 🙄
An für sich eine interessante Fragestellung: was würdest du tun, wenn du aus Versehen jemanden umgebracht hättest? Mein Mann meinte gleich: die Polizei anrufen. 🤣
Es hat ganz gut angefangen mit dem Mord. Aber dann fängt die Frau an sich total dämlich und ängstlich zu benehmen. Dann macht der Mann laut falsche Sachen. Und er ist Jurist, dh ganz dumm kann er eigentlich nicht sein, aber genauso verhält er sich. Ich konnte daher leider keinen Zugang zu den beiden finden, was die Sache erschwert hat. Auch die Frau dreht am Ende einfach nur noch durch. Ich hab nur noch die Augen gerollt. 🙄
An für sich eine interessante Fragestellung: was würdest du tun, wenn du aus Versehen jemanden umgebracht hättest? Mein Mann meinte gleich: die Polizei anrufen. 🤣
June 25, 2020
A good psychological thriller that you really can’t second guess what will happen next.
Paul arrives home to find his wife Alice covered in blood and a dead man in their bathroom.
The man tried to attack her but she got to him first with a letter opener and killed him.
What happens next is a bit hard to believe but there may be some people who would react this way.
Alice is left traumatised that she’s killed someone and struggles to cope with everyday life.
Paul has a new job in London and can’t spend as much time as he wants at home so their relationship suffers.
How this book concludes is also a little surprising but as I’ve said, some people may cope on this way.
A good psychological thriller that had me racing through the pages.
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Paul arrives home to find his wife Alice covered in blood and a dead man in their bathroom.
The man tried to attack her but she got to him first with a letter opener and killed him.
What happens next is a bit hard to believe but there may be some people who would react this way.
Alice is left traumatised that she’s killed someone and struggles to cope with everyday life.
Paul has a new job in London and can’t spend as much time as he wants at home so their relationship suffers.
How this book concludes is also a little surprising but as I’ve said, some people may cope on this way.
A good psychological thriller that had me racing through the pages.
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
December 8, 2023
Average thriller with a twist
May 27, 2022
Paul returns home to find a dead body in the bath and his wife covered in blood so, obviously, they bundle the body up and bury it in the woods. They don't call the police as having a wife who is a killer would ruin his chances of becoming the youngest circuit judge (and burying a body wouldn't!). From then on it just becomes more and more far fetched. There was so much potential in the idea but it rapidly descended into farce.
June 12, 2020
This is a really fun and engaging domestic thriller, which gave me her lovely wife by Samantha Downing vibes
I love thrillers which are fast paced and have short chapters. This book definitely ticks both of those boxes
This book is definitely far fetched and isn't particularly believable in places. However, I personally don't mind that as I perfer more engaging than realistic thrillers
The writing was pretty simple and basic. But it was easy to read and kept me hooked.
I thought the characters were good. Although I didn't really like the police detectives. The author chose to write on 'detective constable' everytime the characters were mentioned instead of 'DC' which disrupted the flow of the book at times
I definitely was hooked from the start. I could kind of see where the story was going but I did not see the ending coming.
Overall, I really enjoyed this fast paced and engaging thriller
TW: suicide, murder and violence
I love thrillers which are fast paced and have short chapters. This book definitely ticks both of those boxes
This book is definitely far fetched and isn't particularly believable in places. However, I personally don't mind that as I perfer more engaging than realistic thrillers
The writing was pretty simple and basic. But it was easy to read and kept me hooked.
I thought the characters were good. Although I didn't really like the police detectives. The author chose to write on 'detective constable' everytime the characters were mentioned instead of 'DC' which disrupted the flow of the book at times
I definitely was hooked from the start. I could kind of see where the story was going but I did not see the ending coming.
Overall, I really enjoyed this fast paced and engaging thriller
TW: suicide, murder and violence
September 25, 2020
The premise sounded good.. An attack, a spontaneous retaliation and a couple are left with a body in their bathroom!
What do they do?
What I didn't get was why a judge, and a very good man of the law at that, considering he was the youngest to get to the position, would not think even for a minute to take the help of the law. Not a very good indictment of the legal system, was my first thought!
Even allowing for panic taking over sense, some of the actions were not really understandable..
It's a good attempt at a different story though
What do they do?
What I didn't get was why a judge, and a very good man of the law at that, considering he was the youngest to get to the position, would not think even for a minute to take the help of the law. Not a very good indictment of the legal system, was my first thought!
Even allowing for panic taking over sense, some of the actions were not really understandable..
It's a good attempt at a different story though
May 24, 2020
Wow, a gripping novel that I just couldn’t stop reading in fact I finished this in a day. What would you do if you came home a discovered your wife had murdered a man that had entered the house? This is the question that Paul has to answer when he arrives home from work. What happens next is a rollercoaster of a ride for Paul his wife Alice and for you the reader. Loved this book lots of twists and turns.
January 27, 2020
Wow what an opening few pages, drew me into the story line straight away and it just got better and better and I couldn't put it down.
Well developed characters, well written and brilliantly addictive.
I will definitely be looking for more from this author in the future and thank you to Netgalley and Orion Fiction for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.
Well developed characters, well written and brilliantly addictive.
I will definitely be looking for more from this author in the future and thank you to Netgalley and Orion Fiction for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.
October 2, 2020
Pri debutujúcich autoroch sa snažím ponoriť do príbehu s otvorenou mysľou, no, bohužiaľ, pri tomto som ju už viac otvoriť nedokázala.
Recenzia čoskoro...
Recenzia čoskoro...
April 8, 2020
"The First Lie" by A.J. Park is a psychological thriller about two people caught in a life-altering situation they can't see their way out of.
Paul Reeve is up for promotion to judgeship when he arrives home to find his wife Alice sitting alone in the dark - a dead intruder in the bathroom, Alice with blood on her hands.
With everything at risk, the two do the unthinkable - they decide to bury the body instead of calling the police, afraid both for Paul's career and Alice's freedom.
But that's just the beginning of what is going on. Someone entered that house, but it might not have been random. And if it wasn't, who were they after? Paul? Alice?
With each lie forward, what's exposed is a marriage that's on the edge, a psychological break from one of the pair that might throw everything into a tailspin, two detectives whose unsolved murder cases lead right to their door, and poor decisions that make everything threatening to break apart even more razor thin.
If you liked "Something in the Water" by Catherine Steadman, this book is one you'll likely want to read. The suspense is really chaotic and at every turn, like a scary movie, you'll be yelling at the characters out of frustration and omnipotence which makes it all the more interesting.
With an ending that will leave you with questions - and if everything is really as it seems.
A good suspense novel, some thriller moments, and lots of mystery.
Scheduled for a paperback release August 18th, 2020. On digital now.
Paul Reeve is up for promotion to judgeship when he arrives home to find his wife Alice sitting alone in the dark - a dead intruder in the bathroom, Alice with blood on her hands.
With everything at risk, the two do the unthinkable - they decide to bury the body instead of calling the police, afraid both for Paul's career and Alice's freedom.
But that's just the beginning of what is going on. Someone entered that house, but it might not have been random. And if it wasn't, who were they after? Paul? Alice?
With each lie forward, what's exposed is a marriage that's on the edge, a psychological break from one of the pair that might throw everything into a tailspin, two detectives whose unsolved murder cases lead right to their door, and poor decisions that make everything threatening to break apart even more razor thin.
If you liked "Something in the Water" by Catherine Steadman, this book is one you'll likely want to read. The suspense is really chaotic and at every turn, like a scary movie, you'll be yelling at the characters out of frustration and omnipotence which makes it all the more interesting.
With an ending that will leave you with questions - and if everything is really as it seems.
A good suspense novel, some thriller moments, and lots of mystery.
Scheduled for a paperback release August 18th, 2020. On digital now.
July 1, 2020
The First Lie by A. J. Park is a fast paced thriller from the start. Paul arrives home to find his front door lying open and his home in silence. From then on it could only be described as anyone's worse nightmare. Paul and his wife, Alice, are forced to make a decision which changes their lives irrevocable, leaving them no choice but to lie, and lie, and lie again.
The incident at the start of the book is something a lot of us are scared could happen, but it's how they deal with it that makes the story here and everything that comes afterward just escalates out of control.
Park has created a group of characters who are wholly believable and I found myself screaming in my head at the beginning when Paul decided to react the way he did, telling him no, but he didn't listen to me. We watch Alice descend into mental illness unable to cope with life and the decisions they made. Under the circumstances, how she's reacting is completely understandable.
I really enjoyed reading this and loved the style of writing and the depth given to the characters.
I'd highly recommend this book if you enjoy a cracking psychological thriller.
The incident at the start of the book is something a lot of us are scared could happen, but it's how they deal with it that makes the story here and everything that comes afterward just escalates out of control.
Park has created a group of characters who are wholly believable and I found myself screaming in my head at the beginning when Paul decided to react the way he did, telling him no, but he didn't listen to me. We watch Alice descend into mental illness unable to cope with life and the decisions they made. Under the circumstances, how she's reacting is completely understandable.
I really enjoyed reading this and loved the style of writing and the depth given to the characters.
I'd highly recommend this book if you enjoy a cracking psychological thriller.
June 16, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the arc The First Lie by A.J Park.
Thank you to A.J Park for writing this book which was gripping.
This follows Paul who is up for promotion to the role of judgeship. He then goes home to find his wife Alice who has blood covering her hands, on the bathroom floor with a intruder dead upon the floor. With all the risks like Paul's career and Alice's freedom on the line they decide to hide the body instead of phoning the police. So they bury the body.
But that's just isn't the beginning of what is happening.... Someone entered their house, But was it random or not??? . And if it wasn't, who were they after.... Paul or Alice?
Two detectives whose unsolved murder cases lead right to their door, and poor decisions that make everything threatening to break apart even more than before.
I really liked the way it was written and structured, I love the progression of the characters and the mystery and the secrets and revelations.
Definitely recommend
4 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to A.J Park for writing this book which was gripping.
This follows Paul who is up for promotion to the role of judgeship. He then goes home to find his wife Alice who has blood covering her hands, on the bathroom floor with a intruder dead upon the floor. With all the risks like Paul's career and Alice's freedom on the line they decide to hide the body instead of phoning the police. So they bury the body.
But that's just isn't the beginning of what is happening.... Someone entered their house, But was it random or not??? . And if it wasn't, who were they after.... Paul or Alice?
Two detectives whose unsolved murder cases lead right to their door, and poor decisions that make everything threatening to break apart even more than before.
I really liked the way it was written and structured, I love the progression of the characters and the mystery and the secrets and revelations.
Definitely recommend
4 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 28, 2020
Paul arrives home one October night to an open door and a dark house. He finds his wife Alice upstairs and covered in blood, a dead body in the bath. What do you do?
I had great expectations of this book as I’d seen so much about it in the media but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
Alice became obsessive and paranoid and Paul turned to drink and the story of his three friends who were murdered seemed to be in the background even though it was an important part of the novel.
I liked the way in which the two main characters spiralled out of control in their own way and how they came together finally in the end but would have liked a bit more from the detective story.
I would definitely read a book by AJ Park again but found this left me feeling a little flat, even though the premise was good and it was well written and easy to read
I had great expectations of this book as I’d seen so much about it in the media but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
Alice became obsessive and paranoid and Paul turned to drink and the story of his three friends who were murdered seemed to be in the background even though it was an important part of the novel.
I liked the way in which the two main characters spiralled out of control in their own way and how they came together finally in the end but would have liked a bit more from the detective story.
I would definitely read a book by AJ Park again but found this left me feeling a little flat, even though the premise was good and it was well written and easy to read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2020
When I read the blurb for this book I wasn't convinced it would make for a convincing story - a circuit court judge disposing of a body? But as unrealistic as it sounded the story was Ok and moved along at a fair pace. Can't say I particularly liked either of the main characters but that didn't put me off reading. Thank you to TBC and to the author for the chance to read this title in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2019
We've all had sleepless nights thinking about it.
You're home alone. Someone breaks in.
In defending yourself, you end up killing the intruder.
Now you're the one the police want.
That is the situation that criminal barrister Paul Reeve arrives home to find.
His wife Alice stands in the bathroom, clutching a bloodied letter opener in her shaking hand.
"What have you done, Alice?"
"I didn't have a choice..."
We would all believe the person we love most.
But would we all make the same choice Paul and Alice make next...?
What would you do? Would you call the police and turn your wife in, or would you hide the body?
Paul decides in that split second to hide the body and protect Alice from the consequences. The subsequent lies and fall out start to tear them apart. Can they survive the situation they've built for themselves?
I really enjoyed this thriller, watching the web of lies build and unfold, and the impact they have. Great book.
You're home alone. Someone breaks in.
In defending yourself, you end up killing the intruder.
Now you're the one the police want.
That is the situation that criminal barrister Paul Reeve arrives home to find.
His wife Alice stands in the bathroom, clutching a bloodied letter opener in her shaking hand.
"What have you done, Alice?"
"I didn't have a choice..."
We would all believe the person we love most.
But would we all make the same choice Paul and Alice make next...?
What would you do? Would you call the police and turn your wife in, or would you hide the body?
Paul decides in that split second to hide the body and protect Alice from the consequences. The subsequent lies and fall out start to tear them apart. Can they survive the situation they've built for themselves?
I really enjoyed this thriller, watching the web of lies build and unfold, and the impact they have. Great book.
January 3, 2025
I didn't completely feel I related to the characters. The plot was good, & for a thriller, I liked the ending. I just feel for a book to be absolutely fanominal, the characters have to do something in your heart. You should feel you right there in the story with them. I didn't completely feel this with this book even though It was still pretty good.
May 26, 2020
The First Lie is a thrilling, twisty, edge of your seat read.
One of those books which you’ll lose track of time when reading into the night,
The ending for me was guessed but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the tension within.
A good 4.5 star read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
One of those books which you’ll lose track of time when reading into the night,
The ending for me was guessed but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the tension within.
A good 4.5 star read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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