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Lies We Bury
I was born in captivity…
Two decades ago Marissa Mo escaped a basement prison—the only home she’d ever known. At twenty-seven, Marissa’s moved beyond the trauma and is working under a new name as a freelance photographer. But when she accepts a job covering a string of macabre murders in Portland, it’s impossible for Marissa not to remember.
Everything is eerily familiar. The same underground lairs. Sad trinkets and toys left behind, identical to those Marissa had as a child. And then there is the note meant just for her that freezes Marissa’s blood: See you soon, Missy.
To determine the killer’s next move, Marissa must retrieve her long-forgotten memories and return to a past she’s hidden away. But she won’t be facing her fears alone. Someone is waiting for her in the dark.
Two decades ago Marissa Mo escaped a basement prison—the only home she’d ever known. At twenty-seven, Marissa’s moved beyond the trauma and is working under a new name as a freelance photographer. But when she accepts a job covering a string of macabre murders in Portland, it’s impossible for Marissa not to remember.
Everything is eerily familiar. The same underground lairs. Sad trinkets and toys left behind, identical to those Marissa had as a child. And then there is the note meant just for her that freezes Marissa’s blood: See you soon, Missy.
To determine the killer’s next move, Marissa must retrieve her long-forgotten memories and return to a past she’s hidden away. But she won’t be facing her fears alone. Someone is waiting for her in the dark.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2021
3615 people are currently reading
7599 people want to read
About the author
Elle Marr
9 books801 followersElle Marr is a #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of seven thrillers. Her work has been featured in PopSugar, Woman’s World Magazine, Goodreads, Audible, and TV affiliates for CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC. Originally from Sacramento, Elle graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. She now lives and writes in Oregon with her family.
Last year's THE ALONE TIME was named a Silver Falchion Award Judges' Pick among 2024 Suspense titles. Her following book YOUR DARK SECRETS was her first thriller romance, from Disney Publishing and Hyperion Avenue.
Now, THE LIE SHE WEARS publishes on November 18, and contains one of Elle's favorite twists that she's written. Signed copies are available via indie bookstore, Annie Bloom's Books (and make great gifts!).
For more info, check out ellemarr.com or follow her on social media.
Last year's THE ALONE TIME was named a Silver Falchion Award Judges' Pick among 2024 Suspense titles. Her following book YOUR DARK SECRETS was her first thriller romance, from Disney Publishing and Hyperion Avenue.
Now, THE LIE SHE WEARS publishes on November 18, and contains one of Elle's favorite twists that she's written. Signed copies are available via indie bookstore, Annie Bloom's Books (and make great gifts!).
For more info, check out ellemarr.com or follow her on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 500 reviews
April 1, 2021
Lies We Bury by Elle Marr is an intense and suspenseful thriller about a woman that’s past is coming back to haunt her. Marissa was born as a basement prisoner. She escaped with her mother and sisters twenty years ago. She left her past behind and now goes by Claire. Claire starts a new photography assignment and starts photographing murders. She receives notes with clues leading her to crime scenes before the cops. Claire looks guilty but is trying to figure out who is behind the murders. The murders seem personal to Claire with similarities to her past. Her father is being released from prison after twenty years. Is he related to what is happening now? Lies We Bury switches off between present day Claire trying to find the murderer and past day where she is living in the basement. There are complicated family dynamics in Lies We Bury. There was suspense throughout the book which held my attention. I really enjoyed Claire’s character even though she made questionable decisions, and there were many times I wished I could yell at her to stop. I recommend Lies We Bury for anyone that finds a story about two woman and thriller daughters that lived in a basement for years before escaping interesting.
Thank you Megan Beatie Communications and Amazon Publishing for Lies We Bury.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
Thank you Megan Beatie Communications and Amazon Publishing for Lies We Bury.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
March 15, 2021
The premise for this sounded so good and, while I did enjoy the book, I thought it could have been even better. Marissa (Missy) Mo who, now goes by the name of Claire Lou, was one of three children born in captivity to three different women who were abducted and held captive by a guy called Chet. Twenty years ago, when the two older girls were 7 years old, the remaining woman captive and the three girls escaped. Naturally none of them escaped unscathed as PTSD and other issues have plagued their lives. Claire is the only one who seems to be able to live a somewhat normal life.
When she accepts a job as a photographer for the Portland Post however, her troubled past starts leaking into the present. A series of murders in central’s Portland basements, linked by what is known as the Shanghai tunnels, all have eerie reminders of her past. A favourite toy placed strategically, a braided friendship band, a scratchy old blanket - these things mean nothing to investigators but to Claire they mean someone knows knows who she is and that someone is targeting her personally. Claire has been at great pains to hide who she is. Too much of her life already has been public property and she is suspicious of even those who mean her no harm.
A journalist, Shia Tua, is writing a book about “where are they now” as the 20th anniversary of their escape, and Chet’s conviction, approaches. Claire alternately trusts him and suspects him of setting her up. She has serious trust issues, but you would wouldn’t you? She is also getting notes with cryptic clues about future victims. What with trying to stop any more deaths, fending off rabid media attention and dealing with all the memories bubbling to the surface, Claire can’t see what has been in front of her the whole time.
As the book races to its chilling conclusion Claire is unsure whether she she will become the next victim or the major suspect for all the murders. One thing is clear - the answer lies in her past, if only she can unearth it.
This book had a steady, if not fast, pace throughout. I thought the characters were very well portrayed and their thoughts, reactions and mannerisms all seemed very realistic (although I have no experience with such things). The story itself, while not creepy, had some eerie undertones. While you are aware that triggering events were happening to the women, these were never described and there was no gratuitous violence or abuse. In fact, if anything, I think all this careful drawing a veil over the worst of the abuses turned the story a little “vanilla”. The premise was good, everything was well done but, for me, it lacked just a little oomph and the ending... the ending didn’t quite work for me. Nevertheless a well written book that I enjoyed reading. Thanks to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Elle Marr for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
When she accepts a job as a photographer for the Portland Post however, her troubled past starts leaking into the present. A series of murders in central’s Portland basements, linked by what is known as the Shanghai tunnels, all have eerie reminders of her past. A favourite toy placed strategically, a braided friendship band, a scratchy old blanket - these things mean nothing to investigators but to Claire they mean someone knows knows who she is and that someone is targeting her personally. Claire has been at great pains to hide who she is. Too much of her life already has been public property and she is suspicious of even those who mean her no harm.
A journalist, Shia Tua, is writing a book about “where are they now” as the 20th anniversary of their escape, and Chet’s conviction, approaches. Claire alternately trusts him and suspects him of setting her up. She has serious trust issues, but you would wouldn’t you? She is also getting notes with cryptic clues about future victims. What with trying to stop any more deaths, fending off rabid media attention and dealing with all the memories bubbling to the surface, Claire can’t see what has been in front of her the whole time.
As the book races to its chilling conclusion Claire is unsure whether she she will become the next victim or the major suspect for all the murders. One thing is clear - the answer lies in her past, if only she can unearth it.
This book had a steady, if not fast, pace throughout. I thought the characters were very well portrayed and their thoughts, reactions and mannerisms all seemed very realistic (although I have no experience with such things). The story itself, while not creepy, had some eerie undertones. While you are aware that triggering events were happening to the women, these were never described and there was no gratuitous violence or abuse. In fact, if anything, I think all this careful drawing a veil over the worst of the abuses turned the story a little “vanilla”. The premise was good, everything was well done but, for me, it lacked just a little oomph and the ending... the ending didn’t quite work for me. Nevertheless a well written book that I enjoyed reading. Thanks to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Elle Marr for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
April 2, 2021
This thriller wowed me. Marissa, now Claire, was kept in a basement prison as a child, along with her two sisters. Claire’s captor is about to be freed from prison after serving over twenty years. At the same time, things begin to happen that force Claire to take a hard look at her past she’s kept buried.
Claire is a fabulous narrator, with then and now chapters. This is tough and especially dark because it involves children. It helped knowing that Claire and her sisters survived this horrible ordeal, though they bear scars.
Elle Marr’s writing kept the story moving at a brisk pace, and I was immersed in this powerful, emotional, chilling story, while it also broke my heart at times. Now I have to read Marr's first book!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Claire is a fabulous narrator, with then and now chapters. This is tough and especially dark because it involves children. It helped knowing that Claire and her sisters survived this horrible ordeal, though they bear scars.
Elle Marr’s writing kept the story moving at a brisk pace, and I was immersed in this powerful, emotional, chilling story, while it also broke my heart at times. Now I have to read Marr's first book!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
October 28, 2020
A twisted mashup of Room and a murder mystery, Marr’s Lies We Bury is a story that creeps into your bones, a sneaky tale about the danger of secrets and the power the past holds to lead us into a deliciously devious present. Say goodbye to sleep and read it like I did, in one breathless sitting.
March 9, 2021
Fiction that has happened in real life
I received a copy from the author for my honest review. Even though this is a work of fiction, there are known cases similar and I thought of those throughout this book. Reading about how the imprisoned women and children adjusting to normal life after being freed is engrossing in itself. Marissa was certainly an off the wall emotional wreck. I liked the authors method of incorporating the past and present of their lives. There certainly is a lot of mystery and excitement and nothing is as it appears to be until the end.
I received a copy from the author for my honest review. Even though this is a work of fiction, there are known cases similar and I thought of those throughout this book. Reading about how the imprisoned women and children adjusting to normal life after being freed is engrossing in itself. Marissa was certainly an off the wall emotional wreck. I liked the authors method of incorporating the past and present of their lives. There certainly is a lot of mystery and excitement and nothing is as it appears to be until the end.
February 8, 2021
Special thanks to the author and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
(Can also be seen on www.mysteryandsuspensemagazine.com)
Marissa Mo was born in captivity, raised by three different women over the course of her early life, until she was finally able to escape with her three sisters. Now, Marissa (who has changed her name to Claire) is twenty-seven and trying to overcome the demons of her past, living in Portland and working as a crime reporter for a local newspaper. On the twentieth anniversary of her escape (which also coincides with the release of her captor, a.k.a her father, from jail), Claire begins to be taunted by a perceived stranger; notes left on her car and on her shower mirror at home taunting her with memories of her past and pieces of her childhood showing up in places she never expected. Claire begins to wonder if she will ever be able to escape her past, and when she quickly becomes a suspect in a string of murders, she knows she has to deal with her family skeletons if she wants to clear her name.
“Lies We Bury” is the second novel by author Elle Marr. Her previous thriller, “The Missing Sister”, topped the Amazon charts when it was released, and I have no doubt that her sophomore novel will do the same. Fraught with tension and insurmountable suspense, “Lies” is gripping and addictive.
The novel is told from Claire’s perspective, in alternating timelines (present day and twenty years ago when she was held captive) , with Claire narrating both as an adult, and as a child. Claire’s childhood description of the underground lair and her psychopathic, sadistic father/captor, Chet, is deeply disturbing, and the innocent way in which it is told resembles Emma Donoghue’s smash hit, “Room”. The tragic and heartbreaking events experienced by Claire and her sisters are painted with a child’s brush- and it instantly pulls as the heartstrings.
As an adult, Claire is likable and endearing and she immediately garners sympathy from the reader. Her adult relationship with her sisters is honest, too, broken and dysfunctional and yet full of love and devotion.
When Claire is targeted, many promising suspects instantly jump to mind, and it is through the creativity of Marr’s writing that so many tantalizing possibilities exist. Not only is the ending believable and satisfying, but, even better, you won’t see it coming.
“Lies We Bury” is dark and compelling, and it will pull you into its web right from page one. Marr’s writing is addictive and page-turning, and I was so invested in the outcome, that I did not want to put this one down.
(Can also be seen on www.mysteryandsuspensemagazine.com)
Marissa Mo was born in captivity, raised by three different women over the course of her early life, until she was finally able to escape with her three sisters. Now, Marissa (who has changed her name to Claire) is twenty-seven and trying to overcome the demons of her past, living in Portland and working as a crime reporter for a local newspaper. On the twentieth anniversary of her escape (which also coincides with the release of her captor, a.k.a her father, from jail), Claire begins to be taunted by a perceived stranger; notes left on her car and on her shower mirror at home taunting her with memories of her past and pieces of her childhood showing up in places she never expected. Claire begins to wonder if she will ever be able to escape her past, and when she quickly becomes a suspect in a string of murders, she knows she has to deal with her family skeletons if she wants to clear her name.
“Lies We Bury” is the second novel by author Elle Marr. Her previous thriller, “The Missing Sister”, topped the Amazon charts when it was released, and I have no doubt that her sophomore novel will do the same. Fraught with tension and insurmountable suspense, “Lies” is gripping and addictive.
The novel is told from Claire’s perspective, in alternating timelines (present day and twenty years ago when she was held captive) , with Claire narrating both as an adult, and as a child. Claire’s childhood description of the underground lair and her psychopathic, sadistic father/captor, Chet, is deeply disturbing, and the innocent way in which it is told resembles Emma Donoghue’s smash hit, “Room”. The tragic and heartbreaking events experienced by Claire and her sisters are painted with a child’s brush- and it instantly pulls as the heartstrings.
As an adult, Claire is likable and endearing and she immediately garners sympathy from the reader. Her adult relationship with her sisters is honest, too, broken and dysfunctional and yet full of love and devotion.
When Claire is targeted, many promising suspects instantly jump to mind, and it is through the creativity of Marr’s writing that so many tantalizing possibilities exist. Not only is the ending believable and satisfying, but, even better, you won’t see it coming.
“Lies We Bury” is dark and compelling, and it will pull you into its web right from page one. Marr’s writing is addictive and page-turning, and I was so invested in the outcome, that I did not want to put this one down.
April 1, 2021
Elle Marr is a good writer, and I can see how her other books have been popular. She is very easy to read, and her characters are interesting and sympathetic. This book follows a woman, Marissa, who was raised in Room-style captivity and rescued in a media firestorm. Years later, it appears her captor (or someone related to her captor) has returned, as a series of murders have a similar setting to her captivity, and she begins to receive sinister notes.
This was a really intriguing premise, but the story moved too slowly for me and had some puzzling plot choices. Ultimately, for me, the author was not able to build the same sense of fear and claustrophobia that made other books like Room so chilling and scary. It was almost a little too UNscary, particularly the callbacks to her captivity. I understand the idea that for a child born this way, there’s no knowledge of any other way life can be, so I get why the author did this, but ultimately it didn’t make for a scary read.. I’d try this author again in more of a traditional mystery, as I like the way she writes, but this thriller didn’t really have the thrills for me.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
This was a really intriguing premise, but the story moved too slowly for me and had some puzzling plot choices. Ultimately, for me, the author was not able to build the same sense of fear and claustrophobia that made other books like Room so chilling and scary. It was almost a little too UNscary, particularly the callbacks to her captivity. I understand the idea that for a child born this way, there’s no knowledge of any other way life can be, so I get why the author did this, but ultimately it didn’t make for a scary read.. I’d try this author again in more of a traditional mystery, as I like the way she writes, but this thriller didn’t really have the thrills for me.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
March 18, 2021
Well friends ... here I am once again with an unpopular opinion. Maybe it's time for me to take a break from thrillers? 🤔
Last year I read The Missing Sister and it just wasn't for me at all. When Lies We Bury arrived from the publisher I was hopeful for some redemption. Unfortunately here I am posting the same outcome. This one didn't work for me either.
The first 100 or so pages of the story are slow. I didn't connect with any of the characters. And while the synopsis sounded interesting I wasn't really invested in the story until the last 60ish pages.
On to the next one....
Many thanks to MBC Books and Thomas & Mercer for my review copy!
Last year I read The Missing Sister and it just wasn't for me at all. When Lies We Bury arrived from the publisher I was hopeful for some redemption. Unfortunately here I am posting the same outcome. This one didn't work for me either.
The first 100 or so pages of the story are slow. I didn't connect with any of the characters. And while the synopsis sounded interesting I wasn't really invested in the story until the last 60ish pages.
On to the next one....
Many thanks to MBC Books and Thomas & Mercer for my review copy!
December 8, 2020
I read the blurb about this book and was instantly hooked. I thought it sounded like a really promising thriller, but I’m not sure it lived up to my expectations. That being sad it wasn’t a bad book, I did enjoy it but I just hoped for a little more. The premise was great - the narrator was born in captivity as her father kidnapped women and impregnated each of the three. This led to interesting family dynamics that continued when they escaped when Marisa (who goes by Claire through most of the novel) was 7. Claire has moved back to the Portland area and gets a job as a freelance photographer, but she soon finds herself getting creepy notes from someone leaving bodies in the underground tunnels of Portland. The twists weren’t that surprising I had figured out the killer pretty early on in the book. I think part of what disappointed me as the character narrator was not developed as fully as it could be and she was not a very likeable character. It was hard to feel engaged in the story because of this.
November 24, 2020
The cover drew me in and the content kept me reading.
Lies We Bury follows (Marissa) Claire Lou as she attempts to navigate adulthood while ignoring the complexity of her past. That past being that she was born to a captive woman in a basement and spent the first seven years of her life hidden from the world. As a protagonist Claire isn’t exactly likeable but that’s what makes her a little bit more relatable/believable. She’s guarded, she has a lot of walls and the girl needs therapy (don’t we all?). My main annoyance with Claire was how little she thought things through and how quick she was to make assumptions, especially when she was so clearly wrong.
The main aspect that I loved of Lies We Bury was the structure of the ‘dual mystery’. We not only follow Claire in her present as she tries to uncover the murder who seems hellbent on framing her and tormenting her but also her past and those years she spent in the basement with her family. There was enough intrigue in each storyline that I was never slowed down or bored in either one.
While I did catch on to the ending a little early on, the way it all played out was still exciting and ‘gasp enducing’, if you will. I wasn’t prepared for it to go down quite like that (iykyk).
Really well written and thought out, definitely a thriller/mystery to add to the reading list!
*ARC provided by Net Galley for an honest review*
Lies We Bury follows (Marissa) Claire Lou as she attempts to navigate adulthood while ignoring the complexity of her past. That past being that she was born to a captive woman in a basement and spent the first seven years of her life hidden from the world. As a protagonist Claire isn’t exactly likeable but that’s what makes her a little bit more relatable/believable. She’s guarded, she has a lot of walls and the girl needs therapy (don’t we all?). My main annoyance with Claire was how little she thought things through and how quick she was to make assumptions, especially when she was so clearly wrong.
The main aspect that I loved of Lies We Bury was the structure of the ‘dual mystery’. We not only follow Claire in her present as she tries to uncover the murder who seems hellbent on framing her and tormenting her but also her past and those years she spent in the basement with her family. There was enough intrigue in each storyline that I was never slowed down or bored in either one.
While I did catch on to the ending a little early on, the way it all played out was still exciting and ‘gasp enducing’, if you will. I wasn’t prepared for it to go down quite like that (iykyk).
Really well written and thought out, definitely a thriller/mystery to add to the reading list!
*ARC provided by Net Galley for an honest review*
July 14, 2020
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of Lies we Bury by Elle Marr. I absolutely adored this book and my heart broke for these characters. The story is told before/after style. There was a great balance to the story telling that kept you guessing about how both timelines would play out. The character development was great, and as a photographer myself, I loved the photography elements of the book.
This book would be a great fit for anyone who enjoyed Room by Emma Donoghue.
This book would be a great fit for anyone who enjoyed Room by Emma Donoghue.
November 29, 2020
Whoa! Hold on to your seats, readers. This book will grip you and hold you in a vice and you won't want to put it down until you're finished. Part ROOM, part murder/mystery/thriller, Marr deftly weaves the past and the present together, creating a spectacular story filled with tension and chills and so much emotion...well, I was "captured" and holed up in my room until I finished it.
February 10, 2025
dnf at 25% ↠ for a book that’s about a woman who was born and raised in captivity and eventually escapes, and now has to face her past to help find a killer, it’s incredibly boring.
October 1, 2020
I can see already that I’m in the minority with my rating of this book. As soon as I read the description of this book I was absolutely hooked and was dying to get my hands on an arc from NetGalley.
Overall, it’s a good idea for a story but I just found myself really struggling to like the main character and also understand who she is. Throughout the whole I was grasping for detail, any detail really that would allow me to picture these women/girls, the city of Portland and get a feel for their personalities. I was surprised to learn a quite far into the book that the girls weren’t American, all the characters had unusual names and this I felt didn’t help me imagine Portland or its culture.
Claire is an interesting character but even she wasn’t willing to sit still and explain who she was or what made her who she was today. I understood her self-harm and frosty nature to be her way of dealing with her upbringing but I couldn’t find anything I liked about her personality. I think she just came across too cold and too closed off for me to warm to her. I understand her trust issues but using these for plot twists was a bit unconvincing and lack lustre.
I’m just a bit disappointed as I really really wanted to enjoy this book but just couldn’t get ‘into it’. The ending was not what I imagined and was in my opinion a bit extreme.
As always these are my opinions and my review of what I feel towards this book and there will be some who agree with me and some (hopefully more) that don’t. Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Overall, it’s a good idea for a story but I just found myself really struggling to like the main character and also understand who she is. Throughout the whole I was grasping for detail, any detail really that would allow me to picture these women/girls, the city of Portland and get a feel for their personalities. I was surprised to learn a quite far into the book that the girls weren’t American, all the characters had unusual names and this I felt didn’t help me imagine Portland or its culture.
Claire is an interesting character but even she wasn’t willing to sit still and explain who she was or what made her who she was today. I understood her self-harm and frosty nature to be her way of dealing with her upbringing but I couldn’t find anything I liked about her personality. I think she just came across too cold and too closed off for me to warm to her. I understand her trust issues but using these for plot twists was a bit unconvincing and lack lustre.
I’m just a bit disappointed as I really really wanted to enjoy this book but just couldn’t get ‘into it’. The ending was not what I imagined and was in my opinion a bit extreme.
As always these are my opinions and my review of what I feel towards this book and there will be some who agree with me and some (hopefully more) that don’t. Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 19, 2021
This was just an OK read for me. It centers on Claire (formerly known as Marissa), who was born and raised in imprisonment until she was 7 years old, and 20 years later is awaiting the release of her captor while trying to escape her past. She takes a job as a photographer for a local paper when strange murders start occurring that look like they have something to do with her past.
The storyline of this book was really interesting to me, but I had difficulty connecting with the characters. Claire's decisions felt inconsistent to me, vacillating between trying to escape detection to freely admitting who she really was. This juxtaposition made it difficult for me to understand who she really was. There was also a lot of talk about how she was doing so much better than everyone else, but she didn't seem all that healthy to me, nor did the rest of her family seem that bad off. Maybe it was just a lack of detail into each character that made me feel this way.
This story did have some twists, but I figured out almost immediately who the villain was, and it never wavered and ended up being correct, which was a little disappointing. That being said, the story was extremely fast-paced and even though I held onto what I thought was really happening, the various red herrings did hold my interest.
All in all, OK read but I just didn't fully connect with the characters, and wish I would have been more surprised as the story unfolded.
The storyline of this book was really interesting to me, but I had difficulty connecting with the characters. Claire's decisions felt inconsistent to me, vacillating between trying to escape detection to freely admitting who she really was. This juxtaposition made it difficult for me to understand who she really was. There was also a lot of talk about how she was doing so much better than everyone else, but she didn't seem all that healthy to me, nor did the rest of her family seem that bad off. Maybe it was just a lack of detail into each character that made me feel this way.
This story did have some twists, but I figured out almost immediately who the villain was, and it never wavered and ended up being correct, which was a little disappointing. That being said, the story was extremely fast-paced and even though I held onto what I thought was really happening, the various red herrings did hold my interest.
All in all, OK read but I just didn't fully connect with the characters, and wish I would have been more surprised as the story unfolded.
December 1, 2020
Holy cow, wow! What an emotional, thrilling read! Completely heartbreaking, but also darkly thrilling! Well written, with development of characters done in a manner that really lets you get involved with them! I found it to be a bit dark, and possibly triggering for some, so if you are one that has triggers, you may want to see if this one will cause problems! Lots of suspense, lots of emotions, and of course thrills and shocks! Highly, highly addictive and unputdownable, grab your copy ASAP, it’s not one to miss!
Will use low amazon reviewer number on release date and spread around platforms!
Will use low amazon reviewer number on release date and spread around platforms!
October 11, 2020
A twisty and heartbreaking thriller, LIES WE BURY is one of my favourite reads of the year. There is so much depth, emotion and mystery rolled into this story about facing our pasts and refusing to let them define who we are.
After escaping the basement prison where she lived until she was seven, Marissa has spent the past twenty years trying to reinvent herself and move on from the trauma. When she secures a job as a freelance crime scene photographer for a Portland newspaper, her past comes back to haunt her as she covers a series of macabre murders that all feature dark underground locations just like the one she was born into.
LIES WE BURY takes readers on a fast-paced, heart pounding journey where everything, and everyone, can be questioned and nothing is what it seems. This book is ROOM with a mysterious and murderous twist that doesn’t let up until the “I never saw that coming” conclusion.
Marr’s writing is atmospheric and crisp, with characters that get under your skin. I was hooked from page one and didn’t want to put it down. This is a must add thriller to your shelves.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
After escaping the basement prison where she lived until she was seven, Marissa has spent the past twenty years trying to reinvent herself and move on from the trauma. When she secures a job as a freelance crime scene photographer for a Portland newspaper, her past comes back to haunt her as she covers a series of macabre murders that all feature dark underground locations just like the one she was born into.
LIES WE BURY takes readers on a fast-paced, heart pounding journey where everything, and everyone, can be questioned and nothing is what it seems. This book is ROOM with a mysterious and murderous twist that doesn’t let up until the “I never saw that coming” conclusion.
Marr’s writing is atmospheric and crisp, with characters that get under your skin. I was hooked from page one and didn’t want to put it down. This is a must add thriller to your shelves.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance reading copy.
November 30, 2020
This book drew me in right away, a smart, damaged, spunky and determined heroine. she with her family escape from a nightmare situation and as an adult, keeps getting clues to murder that are related to her. As she tries to figure out the murderer and prevent more deaths. And not get herself set up as the killer. I did guess it part way through and there was one section that was confusing for awhile, as to who was speaking. It did become clear, IOverall a very good read and will read more by her
dnf
December 24, 2020Thank you Netgalley for this eARC.
I started this book but put it down, twice.
I gave it another chance and tried to read it for 3 days but ended up Dnfing it at 49%.
I was interested in the past story but as the book progress I lost all of the interest so maybe it was writing and pace which made it hard for me.
I started this book but put it down, twice.
I gave it another chance and tried to read it for 3 days but ended up Dnfing it at 49%.
I was interested in the past story but as the book progress I lost all of the interest so maybe it was writing and pace which made it hard for me.
August 19, 2022
Thank you for finding my sophomore thriller! If you're about to read, keep an eye out for references to Portland icons, themes inspired by true crime headlines, and deeply loving, conflicted family relationships.
If you're looking for more, my latest thriller STRANGERS WE KNOW follows an adoptee who takes a DNA test searching for answers to her medical history, only to discover she is related to a serial killer.
I hope you enjoy LIES WE BURY!
If you're looking for more, my latest thriller STRANGERS WE KNOW follows an adoptee who takes a DNA test searching for answers to her medical history, only to discover she is related to a serial killer.
I hope you enjoy LIES WE BURY!
March 12, 2021
gotta lean towards the low end here..
it took me far longer to finish this book than normal, because i couldn't stay focused, or interested..
i thought the premise was incredibly interesting, tho it failed me a bit in that i guess i wanted darker.. more intense.. perhaps i'm odd, but i wanted something a little more disturbing..
the main character, Marissa [Claire] isn't a likeable character.. to me.. in the beginning, i found her meek, paranoid, trying to tug on the readers heartstrings with pity, but without any emotional intensity.. i never got a feel for her.. then her knee-jerk reactions to everyone and everything became annoying.. she goes from trying to hide from everyone, to throwing tantrums and putting herself in the public eye..
anyway, there was just too much filler in the book.. a lot [and i mean a LOT] of repeating.. seemed like the reader was trying to make the book longer, which is a pet peeve of mine.. i skim as a result..
one thing confused me.. who stayed behind to make more rope and tie Chet up? first it's Marissa, then it's Janessa.. if Missy's recollection is warped and someone else's memories became her own.. that isn't explained. or i missed it.. but there were too many details on both versions.. wouldn't one version be vague on account of it being a borrowed memory?
anyway
i do give it 2 stars, because it had so much potential.. i think it could make a good movie if made a little darker and with a more likeable Marissa..
it took me far longer to finish this book than normal, because i couldn't stay focused, or interested..
i thought the premise was incredibly interesting, tho it failed me a bit in that i guess i wanted darker.. more intense.. perhaps i'm odd, but i wanted something a little more disturbing..
the main character, Marissa [Claire] isn't a likeable character.. to me.. in the beginning, i found her meek, paranoid, trying to tug on the readers heartstrings with pity, but without any emotional intensity.. i never got a feel for her.. then her knee-jerk reactions to everyone and everything became annoying.. she goes from trying to hide from everyone, to throwing tantrums and putting herself in the public eye..
anyway, there was just too much filler in the book.. a lot [and i mean a LOT] of repeating.. seemed like the reader was trying to make the book longer, which is a pet peeve of mine.. i skim as a result..
one thing confused me.. who stayed behind to make more rope and tie Chet up? first it's Marissa, then it's Janessa.. if Missy's recollection is warped and someone else's memories became her own.. that isn't explained. or i missed it.. but there were too many details on both versions.. wouldn't one version be vague on account of it being a borrowed memory?
anyway
i do give it 2 stars, because it had so much potential.. i think it could make a good movie if made a little darker and with a more likeable Marissa..
December 21, 2020
Since I loved the author’s previous novel, THE MISSING SISTER, I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of LIES WE BURY, and could not put it down. Both dark and heartbreaking, it is a story about facing the haunting pain of our past and not letting it define us.
Marissa Mo spent the first seven years of her life as a captive in a basement prison. Now twenty-seven, she is smart, damaged, and working under a new name as a freelance photographer. When she takes a job with a Portland newspaper, she finds herself covering a series of bizarre murders that are all nightmarishly familiar to her, and her past comes back to haunt her.
The story is terrifying and atmospheric. Deftly, the author weaves the past and present together, creating a fast, heart pounding thriller where everyone is suspect, and nothing is what is seems. The characters and writing are wonderful, as is seeing how this courageous character faces the fears of her past and learns to reinvent herself. It’s a fabulous read – well done and five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this early release in exchange for an honest review.
Marissa Mo spent the first seven years of her life as a captive in a basement prison. Now twenty-seven, she is smart, damaged, and working under a new name as a freelance photographer. When she takes a job with a Portland newspaper, she finds herself covering a series of bizarre murders that are all nightmarishly familiar to her, and her past comes back to haunt her.
The story is terrifying and atmospheric. Deftly, the author weaves the past and present together, creating a fast, heart pounding thriller where everyone is suspect, and nothing is what is seems. The characters and writing are wonderful, as is seeing how this courageous character faces the fears of her past and learns to reinvent herself. It’s a fabulous read – well done and five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this early release in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2025
The premise is very intriguing, but the execution is too slow-going. I like to figure out mystery and twists and use my imagination when reading thrillers; unfortunately, the author’s writing style is too descriptive to my liking. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.
June 7, 2021
Lies We Bury showed up in my mailbox unannounced twice and I gifted my extra copy to my best friend… who read it and sent me a bunch of text messages about how good it was. So naturally, I had to read for myself — what a suspenseful, twisty, and dark story.
Talk about a page-turning and well-plotted thriller! Fast-paced and instantly engaging, I read this in one afternoon because I just needed to know and really enjoyed this one. I didn't know who to trust and found myself surprised with the reveal at the end.
ARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This has not affected my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
Talk about a page-turning and well-plotted thriller! Fast-paced and instantly engaging, I read this in one afternoon because I just needed to know and really enjoyed this one. I didn't know who to trust and found myself surprised with the reveal at the end.
ARC provided by the publisher for my honest review. This has not affected my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.
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February 23, 2021
Lies We Bury is Elle Marr's second psychological thriller. I was eager to read it because it is situated in my home town of Portland, Oregon. The narrative included our very own Shanghai Tunnels. The book started very slow for me but the lure of Portland kept me reading. I was glad I did. It grew into a great novel.
Marissa Mo spent her childhood in captivity. Twenty years later, she is living with the scars of that dark childhood. She has changed her name to Claire and taken a job with a local newspaper. Her first major assignment is to investigate a series of murders in the Shanghai Tunnels, a piece of Portland's history still alive in both fact and fiction.
Claire is excited about the job. Until she realizes she is being followed. Someone is leaving her notes on her car and in her house. She has no idea who nor has she seen anyone suspicious.
Lies We Bury is told in two story lines. Marissa is the child in captivity and Claire as a young woman.. Her story from a child's point-of-view are both horrific and heartbreaking. It is so real. Verging on adulthood, Claire is a composed, articulate 27-year-old doing the best she can. She finds balance between her dysfunctional past and a day-to-day normal life. The reader clearly understands her desire to ignore her childhood and ∫the frustrating realization that she can't. Her own ghosts have found her, again. She has to deal with them and do her job as a reporter.
The deeper Claire gets into the newspaper's assignment to the serial killer story, the more she becomes a suspect in those very same murders. This is where the novel finally starts to stand out and it was hard to put down. Marr's skills as a writer and novelist begin to shine. The wrap up is so credible, the reader will not see it coming.
I live in Portland and can attest to the fact that Elle Marr has the city right. The Tunnels were originally built by Chinese workers when Chinatown was the center of the business trade. Eventually it was used by sea captains who needed workers for long voyages and men were “shanghaied” as replacement sailors. Today, they are open for guided tours and of interest to both locals and visitors. Marr does a beautiful job describing my city with the eye of a photographer.
With all the right things Marr does in this novel, Marr has not reached her peak as a writer. All the elements are there to make a five-star book but she didn't make me care enough about Claire. I didn't like her....she was the narrator but she was almost a third person storyteller. The fact that this is only Marr's second novel is encouraging but her characters need more depth. There is a big difference in having a great story with characters who make it happen and characters who are great in themselves. And, I am eagerly waiting for her next novel to see if this happens.
Marissa Mo spent her childhood in captivity. Twenty years later, she is living with the scars of that dark childhood. She has changed her name to Claire and taken a job with a local newspaper. Her first major assignment is to investigate a series of murders in the Shanghai Tunnels, a piece of Portland's history still alive in both fact and fiction.
Claire is excited about the job. Until she realizes she is being followed. Someone is leaving her notes on her car and in her house. She has no idea who nor has she seen anyone suspicious.
Lies We Bury is told in two story lines. Marissa is the child in captivity and Claire as a young woman.. Her story from a child's point-of-view are both horrific and heartbreaking. It is so real. Verging on adulthood, Claire is a composed, articulate 27-year-old doing the best she can. She finds balance between her dysfunctional past and a day-to-day normal life. The reader clearly understands her desire to ignore her childhood and ∫the frustrating realization that she can't. Her own ghosts have found her, again. She has to deal with them and do her job as a reporter.
The deeper Claire gets into the newspaper's assignment to the serial killer story, the more she becomes a suspect in those very same murders. This is where the novel finally starts to stand out and it was hard to put down. Marr's skills as a writer and novelist begin to shine. The wrap up is so credible, the reader will not see it coming.
I live in Portland and can attest to the fact that Elle Marr has the city right. The Tunnels were originally built by Chinese workers when Chinatown was the center of the business trade. Eventually it was used by sea captains who needed workers for long voyages and men were “shanghaied” as replacement sailors. Today, they are open for guided tours and of interest to both locals and visitors. Marr does a beautiful job describing my city with the eye of a photographer.
With all the right things Marr does in this novel, Marr has not reached her peak as a writer. All the elements are there to make a five-star book but she didn't make me care enough about Claire. I didn't like her....she was the narrator but she was almost a third person storyteller. The fact that this is only Marr's second novel is encouraging but her characters need more depth. There is a big difference in having a great story with characters who make it happen and characters who are great in themselves. And, I am eagerly waiting for her next novel to see if this happens.
March 27, 2021
This book was well written but feel a little flat for me. I thought the idea of a woman trying to constantly outrun her horrible childhood of being born in captivity to a man who kidnapped her mother was a great set up. I wanted Room vibes and I wanted Claire (AKA Missy Mo as the press kept calling her) to be kind of a badass survivor but it didn’t turn out that way. There was creepy stalker vibes but I found myself confused a lot by the motivations of the characters. The flashbacks to the captivity years are meant to be in the style of the unreliable narrator that is sooo prevalent in thrillers now days, but it didn’t deliver for me. I had it down to who it could be pretty quickly. It fast paced but the execution wasn’t 💯 for me.
Thank you to MBC books for a free review copy of this book.
Thank you to MBC books for a free review copy of this book.
March 2, 2021
Why??????? Why do I expect Amazon Prime First Reads are going to be well written books I’ll enjoy?
I slogged through LIES WE BURY, hoping it would get better because the premise was so good. Instead, I read a story void of emotion and tension.
The plot was decent enough and the writing wasn’t terrible which is why I’m giving 2 stars. LIES WE BURY should have evoked a lot of emotion for me, I enjoy released captive stories.
Other people seem to have enjoyed the story, so maybe you’ll like it more than me, if you choose to read.
I slogged through LIES WE BURY, hoping it would get better because the premise was so good. Instead, I read a story void of emotion and tension.
The plot was decent enough and the writing wasn’t terrible which is why I’m giving 2 stars. LIES WE BURY should have evoked a lot of emotion for me, I enjoy released captive stories.
Other people seem to have enjoyed the story, so maybe you’ll like it more than me, if you choose to read.
September 27, 2020
This was well-written and did a decent job of transitioning between the past and present. I liked the ending and that it ended on a hopeful note.
Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2021
This story kept me up. Full of action and twists and turns, I could barely keep up. I was totally pulled in from the beginning, and I'll try to tell you how without giving anything away. The story goes back and forth between Marissa's past, and what she remembers of it, and the present, where she's trying to start fresh as some murders pop up. And she has people harassing her. Also, her relationship with her family is strained and she doesn't trust anyone really.
What I loved about Lies We Bury is how it maintained that creeped out, amped up feeling you can get from a really good suspense story. And every time a bit more was unravelled, I was surprised. The end was great and intense, and I would totally read more by this author.
What I loved about Lies We Bury is how it maintained that creeped out, amped up feeling you can get from a really good suspense story. And every time a bit more was unravelled, I was surprised. The end was great and intense, and I would totally read more by this author.
June 17, 2021
What happens to us after we experience life altering trauma? This book takes readers on a journey of four women after having been victimized and held captive for years. Part mystery and part family drama; highly recommended
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