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One of Us Is Lying
Tia never harmed anyone. So why does someone want to destroy her?
Tia is walking home with her children, along the lakeside of their quiet, safe town, when she realises something is wrong with her five-year-old daughter, Rosie. She seems troubled, not at all her usual happy self.
But when Tia finally coaxes Rosie to open up, she wishes she hadn’t. Because her sweet daughter asks a question Tia never thought she’d hear.
‘Mummy, why did you kill someone?’
Tia knows how rumours spread around her small town. She just can’t understand who would have shared such a horrible story. Or why.
It can’t have anything to do with what happened. Only her two best friends really remember that…
Tia thought she could trust Fiona and Kelly with her life. They’ve been through so much together. But when she’s sent photos of herself that could tear her whole world apart, she starts to wonder. Someone is determined to punish her. But who? And will her friends stand by her, or will the past destroy all of their lives?
From the million-copy-bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Perfect Family, this absolutely addictive psychological thriller is guaranteed to make you gasp. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and Big Little Lies this book is for you.
Tia is walking home with her children, along the lakeside of their quiet, safe town, when she realises something is wrong with her five-year-old daughter, Rosie. She seems troubled, not at all her usual happy self.
But when Tia finally coaxes Rosie to open up, she wishes she hadn’t. Because her sweet daughter asks a question Tia never thought she’d hear.
‘Mummy, why did you kill someone?’
Tia knows how rumours spread around her small town. She just can’t understand who would have shared such a horrible story. Or why.
It can’t have anything to do with what happened. Only her two best friends really remember that…
Tia thought she could trust Fiona and Kelly with her life. They’ve been through so much together. But when she’s sent photos of herself that could tear her whole world apart, she starts to wonder. Someone is determined to punish her. But who? And will her friends stand by her, or will the past destroy all of their lives?
From the million-copy-bestselling author of The Secret Mother and The Perfect Family, this absolutely addictive psychological thriller is guaranteed to make you gasp. If you loved Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train and Big Little Lies this book is for you.
268 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2020
3302 people are currently reading
4785 people want to read
About the author
Shalini Boland
41 books3,442 followersShalini Boland is the USA-Today bestselling author of twenty psychological thrillers. With three million copies sold, her titles are published by Amazon Publishing, Audible, Bookouture, and Grand Central Publishing.
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
Shalini lives by the sea in Dorset, England with her family and their increasingly demanding dog, Queen Jess. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer/songwriter, but now she spends her days writing (in between re-stocking the fridge and dealing with endless baskets of laundry).
She is also the author of two bestselling SFF series.
www.shaliniboland.com
Now available:
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE HONEYMOON
THE SCHOOL REUNION
THE SILENT BRIDE
THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
A PERFECT STRANGER
THE FAMILY HOLIDAY
THE COUPLE UPSTAIRS
MY LITTLE GIRL
THE WIFE
ONE OF US IS LYING
THE OTHER DAUGHTER
THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL
THE PERFECT FAMILY
THE SILENT SISTER
THE CHILD NEXT DOOR
THE SECRET MOTHER
THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE
THE BEST FRIEND
THE GIRL FROM THE SEA
The OUTSIDE SERIES - a thrilling dystopian adventure
The VAMPIRES OF MARCHWOOD series - a romantic fantasy adventure
A SHIRTFUL OF FROGS - an evacuee timeslip adventure
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews
April 7, 2020
EXCERPT: First there was the thing itself. Then there was the retelling. And now there's yet another iteration. Another layer of the truth being laid down as the birds outside sing and the warm wind sighs through the trees.
She listens to them tell of how (he) kissed her. How he touched her, and he wouldn't stop. How his hands were everywhere, all over her body, beneath her clothes. How she had to fight him off and run away.
But the thing she hadn't told them is that she thought she liked him. She thought she wanted him to kiss her. Only, the thing is, as soon as he had bent to kiss her, she realized that this wasn't what she wanted at all. The fantasy in her head was different to the reality of here and now. This grown-up man wasn't what she wanted. She got scared and told him to stop. She'd tried to pull away. She had told him 'no'.
But he hadn't listened. He hadn't listened at all.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Tia never harmed anyone. So why does someone want to destroy her?
Tia is walking home with her children, along the lakeside of their quiet, safe town, when she realises something is wrong with her five-year-old daughter, Rosie. She seems troubled, not at all her usual happy self.
But when Tia finally coaxes Rosie to open up, she wishes she hadn’t. Because her sweet daughter asks a question Tia never thought she’d hear.
‘Mummy, why did you kill someone?’
Tia knows how rumours spread around her small town. She just can’t understand who would have shared such a horrible story. Or why.
It can’t have anything to do with what happened. Only her two best friends really remember that…
Tia thought she could trust Fiona and Kelly with her life. They’ve been through so much together. But when she’s sent photos of herself that could tear her whole world apart, she starts to wonder. Someone is determined to punish her. But who? And will her friends stand by her, or will the past destroy all of their lives?
MY THOUGHTS: While One of Us is Lying by Shalini Boland is a good read, it's not as good as other books I have read by this author. It didn't have me breathlessly turning pages or quivering in anticipation.
I didn't feel at all connected with any of the characters, and although this should have been a suspenseful read, it just wasn't. I figured out the 'why' early on, the who took me a bit longer.
There was something else that didn't really make much sense to me either. This discrepancy/omission somewhat spoiled the read for me. It just kept niggling away at me. An okay read, nothing more.
The title of this book has been changed prepublication from The Woman Who Lied to One of Us Is Lying.
🚑🚔.5
#TheWomanWhoLied #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Hello :) I write suspense thrillers and dark adventures, and I live in Dorset, England with my husband, two children and our dog.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of One of Us is Lying by Shalini Boland for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
She listens to them tell of how (he) kissed her. How he touched her, and he wouldn't stop. How his hands were everywhere, all over her body, beneath her clothes. How she had to fight him off and run away.
But the thing she hadn't told them is that she thought she liked him. She thought she wanted him to kiss her. Only, the thing is, as soon as he had bent to kiss her, she realized that this wasn't what she wanted at all. The fantasy in her head was different to the reality of here and now. This grown-up man wasn't what she wanted. She got scared and told him to stop. She'd tried to pull away. She had told him 'no'.
But he hadn't listened. He hadn't listened at all.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Tia never harmed anyone. So why does someone want to destroy her?
Tia is walking home with her children, along the lakeside of their quiet, safe town, when she realises something is wrong with her five-year-old daughter, Rosie. She seems troubled, not at all her usual happy self.
But when Tia finally coaxes Rosie to open up, she wishes she hadn’t. Because her sweet daughter asks a question Tia never thought she’d hear.
‘Mummy, why did you kill someone?’
Tia knows how rumours spread around her small town. She just can’t understand who would have shared such a horrible story. Or why.
It can’t have anything to do with what happened. Only her two best friends really remember that…
Tia thought she could trust Fiona and Kelly with her life. They’ve been through so much together. But when she’s sent photos of herself that could tear her whole world apart, she starts to wonder. Someone is determined to punish her. But who? And will her friends stand by her, or will the past destroy all of their lives?
MY THOUGHTS: While One of Us is Lying by Shalini Boland is a good read, it's not as good as other books I have read by this author. It didn't have me breathlessly turning pages or quivering in anticipation.
I didn't feel at all connected with any of the characters, and although this should have been a suspenseful read, it just wasn't. I figured out the 'why' early on, the who took me a bit longer.
There was something else that didn't really make much sense to me either. This discrepancy/omission somewhat spoiled the read for me. It just kept niggling away at me. An okay read, nothing more.
The title of this book has been changed prepublication from The Woman Who Lied to One of Us Is Lying.
🚑🚔.5
#TheWomanWhoLied #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Hello :) I write suspense thrillers and dark adventures, and I live in Dorset, England with my husband, two children and our dog.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of One of Us is Lying by Shalini Boland for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
April 8, 2020
Dark and twisted full of secrets and deceit. Shalini Boland Has once again crafted a tense tale packed with complex unreliable characters. Tia, Kelly, and Fiona have been friends ever since high school. Even though their lives have taken different directions they are still close. When Tia finds out that there are vicious rumors being spread about her around her daughters playground and receives some compromising pictures she doesn’t know what to think. Does this have something to do with what happened all those years ago? But how can it when the only people that know are her Besties Kelly and Fiona? But she’s not the only one who’s having rumors spread about them. Kelly and Fiona also appear to have someone trying to stir things up in their lives. So who knows their secrets? And what is their agenda?
The story is told from the perspectives of all three women. I sympathize with each of these women for different reasons and found their stories compelling. This book started tightly wound and then kept unraveling and unraveling and unraveling and unraveling. I could not figure out who was behind everything going on and I was very surprised at the outcome. Another addictive page turner from Shalini Boland.
This book in emojis 🚪 🤳🏼 ⛵️ 🍷 🔒
***Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
The story is told from the perspectives of all three women. I sympathize with each of these women for different reasons and found their stories compelling. This book started tightly wound and then kept unraveling and unraveling and unraveling and unraveling. I could not figure out who was behind everything going on and I was very surprised at the outcome. Another addictive page turner from Shalini Boland.
This book in emojis 🚪 🤳🏼 ⛵️ 🍷 🔒
***Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
April 15, 2020
I’m sure I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again anyway, Shalini Boland is always one of those authors I can count on to really enjoy. This time picking up One Of Us Is Lying was no exception when I immediately became engrossed in this latest psychological thriller.
One Of Us Is Lying features three good friends and changes the point of view between them as they all begin to have their own issues happening in their lives. Tia’s young daughter comes home from school upset and seemingly somewhat scared when she finally admits to Tia someone at school accused her of being a killer.
On top of the vicious rumor her daughter heard at school Tia then finds some suspicious photos and wants to turn to her two good friends, Fiona and Kelly, for help. Fiona and Kelly however have had their own secrets coming into their lives with Kelly taking in a troubled woman and Fiona has troubles going on at work. Little do the women know they need each other more than ever now.
As always I probably broke a few records in how fast I can fly through one of this author’s thrillers when it becomes impossible to put down until I know the end. What begins as seemingly random all comes together nicely and gives another wild ride along the way that of course kept the pages turning. Definitely an author I will always pick up to see what she comes up with next.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
One Of Us Is Lying features three good friends and changes the point of view between them as they all begin to have their own issues happening in their lives. Tia’s young daughter comes home from school upset and seemingly somewhat scared when she finally admits to Tia someone at school accused her of being a killer.
On top of the vicious rumor her daughter heard at school Tia then finds some suspicious photos and wants to turn to her two good friends, Fiona and Kelly, for help. Fiona and Kelly however have had their own secrets coming into their lives with Kelly taking in a troubled woman and Fiona has troubles going on at work. Little do the women know they need each other more than ever now.
As always I probably broke a few records in how fast I can fly through one of this author’s thrillers when it becomes impossible to put down until I know the end. What begins as seemingly random all comes together nicely and gives another wild ride along the way that of course kept the pages turning. Definitely an author I will always pick up to see what she comes up with next.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 26, 2020
Shalini Boland is a writer that always delivers. her twisty, psychological thrillers are addictive, quick reads and One Of Us Is Lying ticks all those boxes and more.
3 women - Kelly, Fiona .and Kelly - all friends from school. All have the perfect lives - or do they? Each of these women is hiding a secret and somebody knows. Strange things start happening and they start receiving threatening messages. Whoever it is is determined to make them pay for what they did, to destroy their lives. But who is it?
Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for mt advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
3 women - Kelly, Fiona .and Kelly - all friends from school. All have the perfect lives - or do they? Each of these women is hiding a secret and somebody knows. Strange things start happening and they start receiving threatening messages. Whoever it is is determined to make them pay for what they did, to destroy their lives. But who is it?
Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for mt advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
March 31, 2020
Whatever is happening in life ( and surely none of us imagined this! ) you can guarantee that a new book by this author ( the 10th I have read )will be able to take your mind off it and immerse you in a good, solid, exciting, thrilling read
It didnt disappoint
The book follows 3 friends and their perfect ( and not so perfect! ) lives and what happens when someone in their community decides to take revenge for something they perceive the 3 lied about many years ago
Tia, Fiona and Kelly’s life start to unravel and they have no idea why......... or what is to come.....and as rumours fly, letters and texts are received and a seemingly innocent and in danger girl asks for help it all ends up in one big, nasty showdown where they literally need to fight to stay alive
All the elements are in perfect measure to make this a real psychological thrill, I liked most of the characters except the ones you weren’t meant to like and the story kept me engaged and flicking the kindle to find out what happened next
The ending was tense and scary and made me sit up as we got to the crux of the matter and the truth was outed
Honestly I cant be fairer than to say this author delivers every single time
10/10
5 Stars
March 5, 2020
Another excellent stand alone novel by author Shalini Boland. This author always hooks me very early with her novels and this one was no different. Full of suspense and thrills, this is an excellent read.
The novel switches between three friends, Tia, Kelly and Fiona, women who though are all different are all experiencing difficulties. They are all struggling to deal with their issues and their friendship is put to the test.
The book is full of interesting characters and is typical of Shalini Boland's style with it's fast pace and suspense. This is definitely a page turner and a must for all lovers of psychological thrillers.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The novel switches between three friends, Tia, Kelly and Fiona, women who though are all different are all experiencing difficulties. They are all struggling to deal with their issues and their friendship is put to the test.
The book is full of interesting characters and is typical of Shalini Boland's style with it's fast pace and suspense. This is definitely a page turner and a must for all lovers of psychological thrillers.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2020
I always enjoy reading Shalini Boland’s books and I was delighted to receive a copy of her new book One Of Us Is Lying.
Three women who have been friends from school are having problems.
Anonymous messages and threats sent to their phones. Someone is out to make their lives a misery. Each of the women have something to hide so don’t confined in their friends about what is happening to them.
A psychological thriller that I didn’t want to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e- copy in exchange for an honest review.
Three women who have been friends from school are having problems.
Anonymous messages and threats sent to their phones. Someone is out to make their lives a misery. Each of the women have something to hide so don’t confined in their friends about what is happening to them.
A psychological thriller that I didn’t want to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e- copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2020
One of Us is Lying is bestselling and prolific crime writer Shalini Boland’s latest standalone psychological thriller, and although I have had a love-hate relationship with her books I found this to be one of her most captivating and compulsive to date. It revolves around three women who have enjoyed each other's friendship since they were young girls attending Ashridge Falls high school back in the day. Tia, who resides with her husband Ed and two children, seemingly in domestic bliss, is taken aback by the cruel rumours that have begun circulating with them apparently starting up at her daughters’ school. Shortly after an unwelcome present arrives in the mail addressed to her. Widowed mother of two Kelly is still mourning the loss of her husband and trying her utmost to provide everything she can for her children. She is also the victim of gossip and rumour at the school. Fiona and Nathan are wedded and apparently another case of blissful union to outsiders. They are rolling in money and want for nothing. Then one day Fiona receives a couple of unexpected visitors whilst at work.
This is a compulsive read full of secrets, lies, betrayal and suspicion with an interesting focus on the nature of small-town gossip and how insidiously it can creep under a persons skin. It's a gripping and easy read to get into and is fast-paced as well as the three different perspectives making it into a well-rounded story. A tense and exciting thriller, it is a book filled with an engaging and interesting cast of characters and I found myself flying through it rapidly. It really is the perfect relaxing read. If you look at Ms Boland’s bibliography then you quickly come to the realisation that literally every book has a similar title, cover and synopsis and that often lets them down. But when you come to pick them up the difference is apparent with some more captivating than others. This is definitely my favourite for a long time. There is a strong aspect of women’s fiction/chick-lit so this is a perfect fit if you enjoy both genres. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
This is a compulsive read full of secrets, lies, betrayal and suspicion with an interesting focus on the nature of small-town gossip and how insidiously it can creep under a persons skin. It's a gripping and easy read to get into and is fast-paced as well as the three different perspectives making it into a well-rounded story. A tense and exciting thriller, it is a book filled with an engaging and interesting cast of characters and I found myself flying through it rapidly. It really is the perfect relaxing read. If you look at Ms Boland’s bibliography then you quickly come to the realisation that literally every book has a similar title, cover and synopsis and that often lets them down. But when you come to pick them up the difference is apparent with some more captivating than others. This is definitely my favourite for a long time. There is a strong aspect of women’s fiction/chick-lit so this is a perfect fit if you enjoy both genres. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
April 3, 2020
Three women, Tia, Fiona and Kelly have been friends since high school. They also share a secret. The women are all going through a difficult period in their lives. Someone is out to get them. Events they have no control over start happening to the three women. But they don't confide in each other. So who is out to ruin their lives.
The chapters alternate between the three women and it's told from their perspectives. Rumours are being spread across the village where they all live and sinister text messages are being sent. I did guess who was behind it all and 5he reason why became evident before it was revealed. This does not stop my enjoyment of a story. The loose ends were tied up neatly. Not a thrilling read but it's still a page turner.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Shalini Boland for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The chapters alternate between the three women and it's told from their perspectives. Rumours are being spread across the village where they all live and sinister text messages are being sent. I did guess who was behind it all and 5he reason why became evident before it was revealed. This does not stop my enjoyment of a story. The loose ends were tied up neatly. Not a thrilling read but it's still a page turner.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Shalini Boland for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2020
I've said before and I'll say again that there is no such thing as a bad book by Shalini. Even an average book is still a good book. She just has that knack or drawing you in from the very start and drip feeding you tidbits to keep you turning the pages in intrigue until the big reveal at the end. It goes without saying that Shalini always delivers.
ONE OF US IS LYING (previously titled "The Woman Who Lied" ) opens with a prologue with a woman returning home to find her husband had gassed himself in his car in the garage. I thought her somewhat clueless to wonder why the car was running in a closed garage to begin with...of course it was to kill himself! How could she not see that? But where that piece of the puzzle fits in would come to us later.
Tia, Kelly and Fiona are three women who have been best friends since school, having grown up and lived in Ashridge Falls their whole lives. But each woman is hiding a secret from the past and somebody knows, determined to bring their lives to a crashing end and make them pay for what they did.
Tia is a wife and mother to Rosie and Leo while her husband Ed is a chef at a local pub. They have a seemingly happy and perfect life together and while not rich, they are comfortable living month to month. One afternoon when picking the children up from school, Rosie fails to thunder out with the rest of the kids. Tia goes in to find her sitting quietly in a corner with her teachers. Neither of them could get out of Rosie what was wrong and she refuses to utter a word to anyone. Tia manages to coax her outside and she takes her hand for the walk home where close to tears, Rosie suddenly asks:
"Mummy, why did you kill someone?"
Shocked, Tia learns that older kids have been teasing her and saying her mother is a murderer. She endeavours to take it up with the school the following day but then she receives something far more troubling. An anonymous envelope arrives addressed to her containing photos of her, kissing another man and then in bed with him. This can't be happening. This never happened. Or did it? The night in question was Fiona's birthday party and she did get somewhat sloshed, she recalls...but enough to go home with a stranger? She would never do that to Ed. They have a great marriage and neither would do anything to jeopardise that. Tia pushed the photos into the bottom of the kitchen drawer, hoping to forget about them. Then Ed receives a puzzling text:
"Ask Tia about the photos."
Kelly is a single mother of two, having lost her beloved husband Michael the year before. Her children, Ryan (11) and Sonny (8), attend the same school in Ashridge as Tia's children although they are older. One morning she sets about baking cakes for the upcoming regatta on the weekend when she spots a young woman in her backyard. The woman, Sophie, is quiet and withdrawn and obviously running scared from something...or someone. She has come to Kelly for help, aware of her kindness and tendency to help others. But she won't let her call the police. Instead, Kelly asks her in to help her bake and then invites her to stay for a day or two. The two women hit it off, despite Sophie's fearful disposition. Kelly gives her the attic room to stay in and rest.
When the boys return home, they meet Sophie and take to her almost immediately. She even helps them with their homework. But when someone comes knocking late one night, Sophie scrambles to her attic room and hides while Kelly sees who it is. The man claims to be going door to door looking for his wife, Sophie, who has disappeared. He shows her a photo which clearly is Sophie and asks her to call him should she see her. Kelly begins to wonder if she has invited trouble by letting Sophie stay with her, but dismisses the thought knowing that she is doing the right thing in helping the young woman.
Then on the way home from the regatta, Kelly arrives to find police cars and an ambulance outside her house...and her front door kicked in. What has happened? Has Sophie's husband found her? Then she catches a glimpse of Sophie in the back of the ambulance who suddenly goes pale and points at her yelling: "That's her! That's the woman who tied me up and locked me in her attic!" What the...? The next thing, Kelly finds herself under arrest for false imprisonment.
Fiona is, to the world, the successful owner of her own interior design business "Salingers", has the perfect marriage with husband Nathan and the most stunning three story mansion overlooking the lake. She has the perfect life. Or does she? Fiona is not like her friends. She has no family to speak of and no desire to have children. One morning, two tax agents arrive at her place of business claiming to have sent her numerous letters to which she has never responded. Fiona has vague recollections of something but set them aside to look at later. However, "later" has arrived and the two agents have come to go through her business records with a fine tooth comb as Fiona now finds herself the subject of a tax audit. She knows what she has done and hope the tax agents won't...but she knows they will before long. When she tells Nathan, he is less than sympathetic and begins to treat her as if she were a disobedient child. Then when Kelly calls on her to look after Ryan and Sonny while she has been taken in for questioning, Nathan is less than happy and tells Fiona to do something about it.
All three women are hiding a secret. All three women are being taunted. All three women are linked to something from their past for which they are now being punished. But who is doing this? And why? The three friends need each other more than ever now, but all three continue to keep their troubles secret. Will the past destroy all their lives?
As the three women's lives begin to unravel none of them have any idea why. As rumours fly, letters and texts are received and seemingly innocent act ends up in a nasty showdown for all three women who will need all their wits and each other to stay alive.
As each of the women's stories unfold in each of their alternating narratives, readers are also privy to the anonymous voice of a schoolgirl peppered in between the current timeline. But how did her story fit into the current one?
I enjoyed how the picture of each women's story was painted and how they slowly unravelled. My favourite character of the three women was Kelly. She was someone I connected with in a way that she was a bit like me, I guess. More so than the outspoken and wild Tia or the aloof and standoffish Fiona. I loved the setting with the lake that was so vast you couldn't see the other side.
ONE OF US IS LYING is a quick fast-paced read that draws the reader in from the beginning. As the story evolves we watch as the women's lives systematically fall apart whilst at the same time wondering who could be behind it.
I love the flow of Shalini's books and am always quickly absorbed within the storyline. However...ONE OF US IS LYING, I felt, lacked her usual flair and killer twist at the end. This time, I guessed who it was and why...and I hardly ever do in a Shalini thriller. There is usually a killer twist right at the very end that leaves you open-mouthed and thinking "What the f*** just happened?" This book lacked that. But even so, as I stated at the beginning there is no such thing as a bad book by Shalini.
In the end, the reasoning behind why all three women were targeted doesn't make a whole lot of sense in my opinion. I can understand why one of them but not the three of them...unless they were the other two mentioned in the past (which they weren't). So it doesn't make sense to me. And it kind of spoilt it a little for me.
Despite not being up to her usual thrilling par, ONE OF US IS LYING is still an enjoyable quick read by one of my favourite go-to authors. And as always, I look forward to her next one.
I would like to thank #ShaliniBoland, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #OneOfUsIsLying aka #TheWomanWhoLied in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
ONE OF US IS LYING (previously titled "The Woman Who Lied" ) opens with a prologue with a woman returning home to find her husband had gassed himself in his car in the garage. I thought her somewhat clueless to wonder why the car was running in a closed garage to begin with...of course it was to kill himself! How could she not see that? But where that piece of the puzzle fits in would come to us later.
Tia, Kelly and Fiona are three women who have been best friends since school, having grown up and lived in Ashridge Falls their whole lives. But each woman is hiding a secret from the past and somebody knows, determined to bring their lives to a crashing end and make them pay for what they did.
Tia is a wife and mother to Rosie and Leo while her husband Ed is a chef at a local pub. They have a seemingly happy and perfect life together and while not rich, they are comfortable living month to month. One afternoon when picking the children up from school, Rosie fails to thunder out with the rest of the kids. Tia goes in to find her sitting quietly in a corner with her teachers. Neither of them could get out of Rosie what was wrong and she refuses to utter a word to anyone. Tia manages to coax her outside and she takes her hand for the walk home where close to tears, Rosie suddenly asks:
"Mummy, why did you kill someone?"
Shocked, Tia learns that older kids have been teasing her and saying her mother is a murderer. She endeavours to take it up with the school the following day but then she receives something far more troubling. An anonymous envelope arrives addressed to her containing photos of her, kissing another man and then in bed with him. This can't be happening. This never happened. Or did it? The night in question was Fiona's birthday party and she did get somewhat sloshed, she recalls...but enough to go home with a stranger? She would never do that to Ed. They have a great marriage and neither would do anything to jeopardise that. Tia pushed the photos into the bottom of the kitchen drawer, hoping to forget about them. Then Ed receives a puzzling text:
"Ask Tia about the photos."
Kelly is a single mother of two, having lost her beloved husband Michael the year before. Her children, Ryan (11) and Sonny (8), attend the same school in Ashridge as Tia's children although they are older. One morning she sets about baking cakes for the upcoming regatta on the weekend when she spots a young woman in her backyard. The woman, Sophie, is quiet and withdrawn and obviously running scared from something...or someone. She has come to Kelly for help, aware of her kindness and tendency to help others. But she won't let her call the police. Instead, Kelly asks her in to help her bake and then invites her to stay for a day or two. The two women hit it off, despite Sophie's fearful disposition. Kelly gives her the attic room to stay in and rest.
When the boys return home, they meet Sophie and take to her almost immediately. She even helps them with their homework. But when someone comes knocking late one night, Sophie scrambles to her attic room and hides while Kelly sees who it is. The man claims to be going door to door looking for his wife, Sophie, who has disappeared. He shows her a photo which clearly is Sophie and asks her to call him should she see her. Kelly begins to wonder if she has invited trouble by letting Sophie stay with her, but dismisses the thought knowing that she is doing the right thing in helping the young woman.
Then on the way home from the regatta, Kelly arrives to find police cars and an ambulance outside her house...and her front door kicked in. What has happened? Has Sophie's husband found her? Then she catches a glimpse of Sophie in the back of the ambulance who suddenly goes pale and points at her yelling: "That's her! That's the woman who tied me up and locked me in her attic!" What the...? The next thing, Kelly finds herself under arrest for false imprisonment.
Fiona is, to the world, the successful owner of her own interior design business "Salingers", has the perfect marriage with husband Nathan and the most stunning three story mansion overlooking the lake. She has the perfect life. Or does she? Fiona is not like her friends. She has no family to speak of and no desire to have children. One morning, two tax agents arrive at her place of business claiming to have sent her numerous letters to which she has never responded. Fiona has vague recollections of something but set them aside to look at later. However, "later" has arrived and the two agents have come to go through her business records with a fine tooth comb as Fiona now finds herself the subject of a tax audit. She knows what she has done and hope the tax agents won't...but she knows they will before long. When she tells Nathan, he is less than sympathetic and begins to treat her as if she were a disobedient child. Then when Kelly calls on her to look after Ryan and Sonny while she has been taken in for questioning, Nathan is less than happy and tells Fiona to do something about it.
All three women are hiding a secret. All three women are being taunted. All three women are linked to something from their past for which they are now being punished. But who is doing this? And why? The three friends need each other more than ever now, but all three continue to keep their troubles secret. Will the past destroy all their lives?
As the three women's lives begin to unravel none of them have any idea why. As rumours fly, letters and texts are received and seemingly innocent act ends up in a nasty showdown for all three women who will need all their wits and each other to stay alive.
As each of the women's stories unfold in each of their alternating narratives, readers are also privy to the anonymous voice of a schoolgirl peppered in between the current timeline. But how did her story fit into the current one?
I enjoyed how the picture of each women's story was painted and how they slowly unravelled. My favourite character of the three women was Kelly. She was someone I connected with in a way that she was a bit like me, I guess. More so than the outspoken and wild Tia or the aloof and standoffish Fiona. I loved the setting with the lake that was so vast you couldn't see the other side.
ONE OF US IS LYING is a quick fast-paced read that draws the reader in from the beginning. As the story evolves we watch as the women's lives systematically fall apart whilst at the same time wondering who could be behind it.
I love the flow of Shalini's books and am always quickly absorbed within the storyline. However...ONE OF US IS LYING, I felt, lacked her usual flair and killer twist at the end. This time, I guessed who it was and why...and I hardly ever do in a Shalini thriller. There is usually a killer twist right at the very end that leaves you open-mouthed and thinking "What the f*** just happened?" This book lacked that. But even so, as I stated at the beginning there is no such thing as a bad book by Shalini.
In the end, the reasoning behind why all three women were targeted doesn't make a whole lot of sense in my opinion. I can understand why one of them but not the three of them...unless they were the other two mentioned in the past (which they weren't). So it doesn't make sense to me. And it kind of spoilt it a little for me.
Despite not being up to her usual thrilling par, ONE OF US IS LYING is still an enjoyable quick read by one of my favourite go-to authors. And as always, I look forward to her next one.
I would like to thank #ShaliniBoland, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #OneOfUsIsLying aka #TheWomanWhoLied in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
April 6, 2020
Shalini Boland returns with her latest captivating thriller, a twist packed tale of three friends who's relationships, livelihood, freedom and lives are threatened when an event from their pasts comes back to haunt them.
Tia,Kelly and Fiona were really close when they were at school but life and circumstances have resulted in a bit of distance developing between them, especially Tia and Fiona. But there is one thing that they all have in common, they would never hurt anyone. So why is someone trying to destroy their lives? What happened in the past? Who's version was the truth and who was lying?
The chapters of this gripping story flip between the perspectives of the three friends,each of whom was a relatable character with their own unique personalities. One of them was struggling to cope as a single parent after the death of her husband fifteen months ago. One was married to a outwardly charming control freak and spent each day living in fear that he would learn her secret. And the third was married to a really lovely man and had had her cosy world shattered into a million pieces when one of her two children had asked her if she had killed someone. My favourite character out of the three women was Kelly, I really liked her and felt more of a connection with her than I did with either Tia or Fiona. Scattered throughout the book was chapters that were written in italics and were voiced from the perspective of a schoolgirl but who was she and how did her pieces fit into the bigger picture that the author was painting in our minds?
I loved the setting for this book Ashridge Falls that was named after the waterfall that was set up in the hillside of Ashfield forest. The lake that was so vast,you couldn't see the other side. It sounded so idyllic and a lovely place to live if you have broad shoulders and can ignore the gossip and small minded judgement of some of the residents.
Shalini Boland's thrillers are always mesmerising page turners and One Of Us Is Lying definitely lives up to her usual brilliant standards. It's a twist packed roller coaster ride that hooks the reader in and holds you captive as the tension builds and you are hurtled towards the intense conclusion. I really love this very talented author's books,worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended
March 27, 2020
Tia. Kelly, Fiona .. three women who have been friends for years. They've all their ups and downs, but nothing like what's going on now.
Tia ... her children have heard rumors at her children's school. They want to know if their mother has killed someone. And then she's sent pictures of herself in bed with a man she has never seen before. How did this picture get taken? If she tells her husband, will he believe her?
Fiona ... has a successful interior design business. So why is she being audited? And why is she so nervous? Her husband will have a fit and he's not the most agreeable person around. He's more into looks and perceptions and will keep Fi in line so as to not be embarrassed.
Kelly ... widowed with 2 young children. A young woman appears on her doorstop begging for help. She is running from someone, but won't say who. Kelly has a soft heart and allows her to stay in their attic room for a day or two while she tries to figure what to do. Imagine Kelly's surprise when she comes home only to find police surrounding her house. Seems like the house guest is accusing Kelly of keeping her prisoner in her attic.
Who is manipulating these womens' lives? Who wants them destroyed? More importantly .... why?
This is well-written with twists and turns that will have your head spinning. The characters are deftly drawn and remain memorable long after reaching the unexpected conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Psychological Thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily. opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 30, 2020
When one of Shalini Boland's books comes up for review, I must admit that I accept it even without reading the blurb. She is an exceptional writer and always manages to deliver. This is certainly the case with
One of Us is Lying.
Tia always enjoyed picking up her children up from school. One day, however, she only sees her son leave the school. She discovers that her daughter Rosie is still in the classroom and is quite upset. It takes more than a little prodding but Tia finally discovers what is wrong with her daughter. Rosie wants to know why her mummy would kill someone. Where did her five-year-old hear such a thing? Why, in fact, does Tia feel more than a bit of guilt about the question?
Tia has a past, one hidden from everyone but her two best friends. Has someone discovered her past? and how could it have filtered down to her daughter? Her friendship with Fiona and Kelly was solid. However, hearing her daughter's question proves to be just the beginning of problems that go back to her past. Who is suddenly causing her problems? And Tia is concerned that her friendship bond will be shredded.
One of Us is Lying was a rather quick read, with the story alternating with first person perspectives of each woman, Tia, Kelly and Fiona. Their hidden past is quickly unraveling and everything they've accomplished could fall completely apart. Things take a bit of time to evolve, but eventually everything is bared. I loved the flow of the book and felt like I was right there as I was waiting for the knowledge behind their secret pasts. As I have already stated, I will always grab one of Ms. Boland's books. I love being entertained while reading a book. In addition, solving jigsaw puzzles is one of my hobbies and I loved the feel of doing something similar while captivated by this book.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Tia always enjoyed picking up her children up from school. One day, however, she only sees her son leave the school. She discovers that her daughter Rosie is still in the classroom and is quite upset. It takes more than a little prodding but Tia finally discovers what is wrong with her daughter. Rosie wants to know why her mummy would kill someone. Where did her five-year-old hear such a thing? Why, in fact, does Tia feel more than a bit of guilt about the question?
Tia has a past, one hidden from everyone but her two best friends. Has someone discovered her past? and how could it have filtered down to her daughter? Her friendship with Fiona and Kelly was solid. However, hearing her daughter's question proves to be just the beginning of problems that go back to her past. Who is suddenly causing her problems? And Tia is concerned that her friendship bond will be shredded.
One of Us is Lying was a rather quick read, with the story alternating with first person perspectives of each woman, Tia, Kelly and Fiona. Their hidden past is quickly unraveling and everything they've accomplished could fall completely apart. Things take a bit of time to evolve, but eventually everything is bared. I loved the flow of the book and felt like I was right there as I was waiting for the knowledge behind their secret pasts. As I have already stated, I will always grab one of Ms. Boland's books. I love being entertained while reading a book. In addition, solving jigsaw puzzles is one of my hobbies and I loved the feel of doing something similar while captivated by this book.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 11, 2020
Oooh the master player was back, and the way she spun the game had me chuckling in delight. A slow burn suspense that just pulled me in from the first word, and I think I breathed well only after I finished the book.
3 women, best friends Kelly, Fiona, and Tia were being harassed by an unknown caller, either with incriminating photographs or incidents or tax evasion, until the truth came gushing out with a clean sweep.
Having read many of the book by author Shalini Boland, I knew I was in for a twisted read. And this book was so different. There was a camaraderie initially where I got sucked into the lives of these women. The suspense was slowly built up as the strange incidents notched up in pace. There was something mesmerizing about it.
The author threw me the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that were these chapters, challenging me to solve it. Crazy that I was, I went about looking at each between midnight to 3 am, until at exactly 75%, the light bulb switched on and I realized what was happening in the book. From then on, it was a ride that I was eagerly waiting for, crossing my fingers, hoping to be proved right.
Was I right? Nooooo, not completely. The author could still sideswipe me with a few strokes of her pen.
3 women, best friends Kelly, Fiona, and Tia were being harassed by an unknown caller, either with incriminating photographs or incidents or tax evasion, until the truth came gushing out with a clean sweep.
Having read many of the book by author Shalini Boland, I knew I was in for a twisted read. And this book was so different. There was a camaraderie initially where I got sucked into the lives of these women. The suspense was slowly built up as the strange incidents notched up in pace. There was something mesmerizing about it.
The author threw me the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that were these chapters, challenging me to solve it. Crazy that I was, I went about looking at each between midnight to 3 am, until at exactly 75%, the light bulb switched on and I realized what was happening in the book. From then on, it was a ride that I was eagerly waiting for, crossing my fingers, hoping to be proved right.
Was I right? Nooooo, not completely. The author could still sideswipe me with a few strokes of her pen.
April 1, 2020
This is a story of 3 women , who have been friends for many years, Something happens to each of them. Neither one tells the other one what is going on and they suspect each other. How they handle things is not right since they are such close friends, they should have confided in each other.
I love this author's books so when I was asked to review it, I said yes please. The chapters alternate between the 3 women's POV of what is going on with them. I thoroughly enjoyed how it flowed into each chapter. I was starting to figure out what was going on before I got to the end.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the review.
I love this author's books so when I was asked to review it, I said yes please. The chapters alternate between the 3 women's POV of what is going on with them. I thoroughly enjoyed how it flowed into each chapter. I was starting to figure out what was going on before I got to the end.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the review.
April 19, 2020
Shalini Boland sure knows how to turn up the suspense in her books & One of Us is Lying is a prime example of it. Centered around 3 ordinary families grappling when an old truth resurfaces, this story is gripping & comes with many twists! Another reason I love her books because of the locations & the idyllic place it transports me to when reading her books.
Tia, Kelly & Fiona have been friends since childhood. Tia & Kelly, both happy moms have built a wonderful life for themselves. Fiona is a uber-successful businesswoman married to the love of her life. So when Tia's daughter returns home one day asking if Tia is a murderer, Tia is shocked beyond comprehension. Soon Fiona's business is visited by tax inspectors she suspects based on a tip-off. Kelly too gets tangled up in a mess that's too close to home. Soon the town starts whispering & rumors are spread about the three women. Who started these rumors, & who would threaten them and why would they target them?
I loved all characters in this book, especially the main characters - Tia & Fiona. Kelly seems a bit irresponsible & naive. The plot was great & compelling. It was a page-turner with a few good twists. The end was just a little bit predictable. I was expecting a big shocking twist at the end that never came, but the journey was just as great so I'm not complaining. I look forward to the next thriller by Shalini Boland!
Thank you, NetGalley, Bookouture & Shalini Boland for an arc!
Tia, Kelly & Fiona have been friends since childhood. Tia & Kelly, both happy moms have built a wonderful life for themselves. Fiona is a uber-successful businesswoman married to the love of her life. So when Tia's daughter returns home one day asking if Tia is a murderer, Tia is shocked beyond comprehension. Soon Fiona's business is visited by tax inspectors she suspects based on a tip-off. Kelly too gets tangled up in a mess that's too close to home. Soon the town starts whispering & rumors are spread about the three women. Who started these rumors, & who would threaten them and why would they target them?
I loved all characters in this book, especially the main characters - Tia & Fiona. Kelly seems a bit irresponsible & naive. The plot was great & compelling. It was a page-turner with a few good twists. The end was just a little bit predictable. I was expecting a big shocking twist at the end that never came, but the journey was just as great so I'm not complaining. I look forward to the next thriller by Shalini Boland!
Thank you, NetGalley, Bookouture & Shalini Boland for an arc!
March 9, 2020
The title reminds me so much of the famous ABBA song 'One of us.'
ABBA were such a great band, you could spot an ABBA tune on the radio, even if you've never heard it before, melodramatic, haunting harmonies, the clear nigh on innocent voices of the two female vocalists, angelic incantations that almost always made it into the top ten. You could associate so much with what the lyrics were about, on a sad day you'd be crying away joining in with 'Fernando', or joyfully tapping the steering wheel of your Volvo to 'Take a chance on me.'
Even though it was the same but different every time, it never got boring, even after forty years they still sound great, even though all their songs can sound rather the same, just a different backstory in the lyrics.
Well, you know what I am going to say next? Yes, just like the last two Shalini Boland novels I read. They were very similar in structure, each chapter has a narration from a number of different female characters (in the two I have read anyway) in an onion type of fashion, it is rather bold and provocative in what it is saying, but gradually peeling away bit by bit, until you reach the core, you can kind of get a gist of what it's going to end up like, but then it's probably a number of possible endings while you're reading through the book. coming to a dramatic climax, where you are happy you read it.
The story itself follows the misfortunes of three middle-class ladies who went to school together somewhere in England and the misfortunes that seem to be happening to the three of them. The people around them, their struggles, their children. It is quickly realised that it is all a growing storm which will end in a crescendo that brings them together.
Shalini has a great quality of keeping the reader interested in what's on the page, she spoke to me anyway. My partner also read the other book that I read; 'Perfect Family.' and was suitably impressed too.
I did feel as I read into 'One of us is lying.' That I would get bored very quickly when I realised that it was using the same formulaic structure as 'Perfect family.' But no, I was kept right there, riveted to my Kindle, which just shows what a great writer Shalini is. Highly recommended, I'm definitely going to delve into a few more volumes for my holidays, hopefully somewhere warm, but with this virus in the news lately, it looks rather doubtful, so rainy beach in Ireland maybe? Doesn't matter, Shalini will be telling me a story, so it doesn't really matter, does it? Nothing like a good book etc!
Well done Shalini, ***** from Dublin, and just like ABBA on that fateful Eurovision night, Shalini you get an 'Irlande douze points!'
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutre for letting take a sneak peek for an honest review.
ABBA were such a great band, you could spot an ABBA tune on the radio, even if you've never heard it before, melodramatic, haunting harmonies, the clear nigh on innocent voices of the two female vocalists, angelic incantations that almost always made it into the top ten. You could associate so much with what the lyrics were about, on a sad day you'd be crying away joining in with 'Fernando', or joyfully tapping the steering wheel of your Volvo to 'Take a chance on me.'
Even though it was the same but different every time, it never got boring, even after forty years they still sound great, even though all their songs can sound rather the same, just a different backstory in the lyrics.
Well, you know what I am going to say next? Yes, just like the last two Shalini Boland novels I read. They were very similar in structure, each chapter has a narration from a number of different female characters (in the two I have read anyway) in an onion type of fashion, it is rather bold and provocative in what it is saying, but gradually peeling away bit by bit, until you reach the core, you can kind of get a gist of what it's going to end up like, but then it's probably a number of possible endings while you're reading through the book. coming to a dramatic climax, where you are happy you read it.
The story itself follows the misfortunes of three middle-class ladies who went to school together somewhere in England and the misfortunes that seem to be happening to the three of them. The people around them, their struggles, their children. It is quickly realised that it is all a growing storm which will end in a crescendo that brings them together.
Shalini has a great quality of keeping the reader interested in what's on the page, she spoke to me anyway. My partner also read the other book that I read; 'Perfect Family.' and was suitably impressed too.
I did feel as I read into 'One of us is lying.' That I would get bored very quickly when I realised that it was using the same formulaic structure as 'Perfect family.' But no, I was kept right there, riveted to my Kindle, which just shows what a great writer Shalini is. Highly recommended, I'm definitely going to delve into a few more volumes for my holidays, hopefully somewhere warm, but with this virus in the news lately, it looks rather doubtful, so rainy beach in Ireland maybe? Doesn't matter, Shalini will be telling me a story, so it doesn't really matter, does it? Nothing like a good book etc!
Well done Shalini, ***** from Dublin, and just like ABBA on that fateful Eurovision night, Shalini you get an 'Irlande douze points!'
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutre for letting take a sneak peek for an honest review.
March 13, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This is another fantastic and fast paced, page Turner by Shalini Boland that yet again I couldn't put down.
This stand alone is about three friends who all have a very recent dilemma in their lives that tests them to the limit along with their friendships between each other.
I didn't connect the dots until I was near the end of the book.
This is another fantastic and fast paced, page Turner by Shalini Boland that yet again I couldn't put down.
This stand alone is about three friends who all have a very recent dilemma in their lives that tests them to the limit along with their friendships between each other.
I didn't connect the dots until I was near the end of the book.
January 20, 2021
1.5
I highly regret having bought this because if I hadn't owned it, I would have definitely not finished. The main problem with the book was the suspense part was very predictable. Maybe the author should have given less obvious clues? So I was bored as the characters were trying to figure out why these bad things were happening to them. Then one of them was really so TSTL that I skimmed through her chapters. I was going to give this a 2, but now that I've written this out, I realize it doesn't deserve a two.
I highly regret having bought this because if I hadn't owned it, I would have definitely not finished. The main problem with the book was the suspense part was very predictable. Maybe the author should have given less obvious clues? So I was bored as the characters were trying to figure out why these bad things were happening to them. Then one of them was really so TSTL that I skimmed through her chapters. I was going to give this a 2, but now that I've written this out, I realize it doesn't deserve a two.
June 22, 2020
Kelly, Fiona and Tia are best friends from school who seem to have perfect lives but each of these women is hiding a secret . Soon they start receiving threatening messages as someone is determined to make them pay for what they did.
One Of Us Is Lying is another twisty read by Shalini Boland. A well written slow burner suspense with great characters makes it an entertaining read
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
One Of Us Is Lying is another twisty read by Shalini Boland. A well written slow burner suspense with great characters makes it an entertaining read
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
March 2, 2021
This is a story of three friends who share a secret of an event that happened when they were teenagers. Fiona is married to Nathan and has her own interior design business. She is really worried when two tax inspectors turn up unexpectedly to audit her business as she knows that they will find discrepancies. Tia is married to Ed but she is worried when she receives some revealing photos of herself in the post and she cannot remember the event. Then her young daughter Rosie comes home from school very upset. On questioning her Rosie tells her that someone had told her that her mum had killed someone. Kelly, the third friend, has recently been widowed and has two sons. A young woman turns up on her doorstep, seemingly in trouble and asks for her help and Kelly takes her in. But things turn wrong when the woman goes to the police and accuses Kelly of abducting her. Suddenly all the three friends have their lives turned upside down. Is their past coming back to haunt them and who knows about it? The story is told from their points of view and is full of secrets, lies, small town gossip and is full of drama and suspense,
April 4, 2020
3 friends Fiona, Tia and Kelly have suspense, secrets and lots of twists and turns throughout. It’s a pretty fast psychological thriller of a book and it grabbed me from the very first page. I would’ve finished it 2 days sooner if I didn’t stop to take a break to sew a few masks. Another great book by this great author!!! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. I loved it!
March 7, 2020
Tia, Kelly, and Fiona have been best friends since childhood. Now, they have families of their own and everything seems to be going well for them...until one day when Tia’s young daughter, emotional and crying, asks her why she killed someone. Tia has never done that, and from here things in each woman’s life take a turn for the worst.
I love author Shalini Boland so much, and am always a huge fan of her books. She manages to write fast-paced reads with wicked twists and interesting characters. This was a good read too, but not as much of a page-turner as her previous books have been. It’s not a problem though because I think what she succeeded at is delving into the lives of her characters and making you care for them and their stories, so the build up to the end was more subtle. I’m looking forward to her next great read.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC.
I love author Shalini Boland so much, and am always a huge fan of her books. She manages to write fast-paced reads with wicked twists and interesting characters. This was a good read too, but not as much of a page-turner as her previous books have been. It’s not a problem though because I think what she succeeded at is delving into the lives of her characters and making you care for them and their stories, so the build up to the end was more subtle. I’m looking forward to her next great read.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC.
April 2, 2020
"Mummy, why did you kill someone?"
Tia, Kelly & Fiona. Friends since childhood, each with a different secret. Can they trust one another? Who will they confide in?
Told in alternating chapters from the perspective of each friend, One Of Us Is Lying is a fast paced read that will keep you guessing from one chapter to the next. An interesting storyline packed full of secrets, lies and betrayal. An overall enjoyable read.
This was my first by Shalini Boland. I'm looking forward to reading her previous work.
Huge thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy!
Tia, Kelly & Fiona. Friends since childhood, each with a different secret. Can they trust one another? Who will they confide in?
Told in alternating chapters from the perspective of each friend, One Of Us Is Lying is a fast paced read that will keep you guessing from one chapter to the next. An interesting storyline packed full of secrets, lies and betrayal. An overall enjoyable read.
This was my first by Shalini Boland. I'm looking forward to reading her previous work.
Huge thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy!
April 8, 2020
I am still something of a Shalini Boland novice having only read two of her other books - The Marriage Betrayal and The Other Daughter. I was so impressed with this outstanding psychological thriller! The premise of the book beckoned to me and I knew that I had to read this novel!
In One Of Us Is Lying, Tia, Kelly and Fiona are schoolmates who all outwardly at least, have perfect lives, but underneath, are all experiencing their own difficulties. Someone is manipulating all three of the women, but who... and why?
With her particular brand of style and flair, Shalini Boland wowed me with this classy psychological thriller. The plot execution was tremendous, as was the characterisation, and pacing. There were no disappointments and I was completely gripped from the outset, loving the shock factor and twists.
The story was told in alternating chapters from the perspective of each friend, jammed full of secrets, lies and betrayal. Although it has a tried and tested story-line, the novel stood out among others for me as the clever narrative brought with it a unique view of each character’s frame of mind at their respective times. The fabulous formula of Shalini Boland kept me on the edge of my seat as I attempted to second guess everything. One Of Us Is Lying was everything I wanted in what was a pretty special psychological thriller, and I enjoyed how things played out in the culmination.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
In One Of Us Is Lying, Tia, Kelly and Fiona are schoolmates who all outwardly at least, have perfect lives, but underneath, are all experiencing their own difficulties. Someone is manipulating all three of the women, but who... and why?
With her particular brand of style and flair, Shalini Boland wowed me with this classy psychological thriller. The plot execution was tremendous, as was the characterisation, and pacing. There were no disappointments and I was completely gripped from the outset, loving the shock factor and twists.
The story was told in alternating chapters from the perspective of each friend, jammed full of secrets, lies and betrayal. Although it has a tried and tested story-line, the novel stood out among others for me as the clever narrative brought with it a unique view of each character’s frame of mind at their respective times. The fabulous formula of Shalini Boland kept me on the edge of my seat as I attempted to second guess everything. One Of Us Is Lying was everything I wanted in what was a pretty special psychological thriller, and I enjoyed how things played out in the culmination.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
September 9, 2020
5 stars! OMG OMG! Theres the twist that makes a book go BOOM! This was one of the best books I read this summer!! AMAZING!
In classic Shalini Boland way, she gave us flawless, chilling writing with characters to love and hate.
LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
In classic Shalini Boland way, she gave us flawless, chilling writing with characters to love and hate.
LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
April 2, 2020
Another five star read from Shalini Boland. I love her books as you can always rely on them to draw you in to the story.
Three friends who have known each other since school all seem happy but each of them have been sent messages from someone out to get them.
At first, Tia, Kelly and Fiona don’t share their fears with each other but as the reader, looking on, we get to know what’s happening in each of their lives and see how it’s affecting them.
When it starts to filter down to their children they realise something needs to change, but as they don’t know who has it in for them, what can they do?
This is a gripping read that had me hooked from the first few pages and didn’t let go.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Three friends who have known each other since school all seem happy but each of them have been sent messages from someone out to get them.
At first, Tia, Kelly and Fiona don’t share their fears with each other but as the reader, looking on, we get to know what’s happening in each of their lives and see how it’s affecting them.
When it starts to filter down to their children they realise something needs to change, but as they don’t know who has it in for them, what can they do?
This is a gripping read that had me hooked from the first few pages and didn’t let go.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
March 14, 2020
4 stars
Just like the last time, my mind is full of static, now that I’ve finished this Shalini Boland novel.
Boland’s hit upon a fantastic formula that keeps you at the edge of your seat, second guessing everything every character speaks or thinks — unreliable narration, some “unknown” POV chapters, a prologue which absolutely piques your curiosity, and of course, the fast paced plot, full of twists and turns.
One Of Us Is Lying is Pretty Little Liars (the TV show) meets real world scenarios. I really can’t say much about the book for the fear of giving away spoilers, but damn, is it a gripping read! There’s blackmail, photos, arrests, secrets, and of course, texts from an unknown number.
It’s a page turner, and the fact that it’s 5:41 am and I still haven’t gone to sleep proves beyond doubt that a) this book is a quick and fun thriller, and b) I’ve had too much coffee.
While The Other Daughter was 4.5 stars for me, this was a solid 4 star read. I’m pretty much hooked to Shalini Boland’s plotting skills for life!
I recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a quick thriller for their 3 hour flight.
I can’t wait to see what Boland comes up with next. Thanks to Bookoutre and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this thrilling ARC!
//Read my review of The Other Daughter here .
Just like the last time, my mind is full of static, now that I’ve finished this Shalini Boland novel.
Boland’s hit upon a fantastic formula that keeps you at the edge of your seat, second guessing everything every character speaks or thinks — unreliable narration, some “unknown” POV chapters, a prologue which absolutely piques your curiosity, and of course, the fast paced plot, full of twists and turns.
One Of Us Is Lying is Pretty Little Liars (the TV show) meets real world scenarios. I really can’t say much about the book for the fear of giving away spoilers, but damn, is it a gripping read! There’s blackmail, photos, arrests, secrets, and of course, texts from an unknown number.
It’s a page turner, and the fact that it’s 5:41 am and I still haven’t gone to sleep proves beyond doubt that a) this book is a quick and fun thriller, and b) I’ve had too much coffee.
While The Other Daughter was 4.5 stars for me, this was a solid 4 star read. I’m pretty much hooked to Shalini Boland’s plotting skills for life!
I recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a quick thriller for their 3 hour flight.
I can’t wait to see what Boland comes up with next. Thanks to Bookoutre and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this thrilling ARC!
//Read my review of The Other Daughter here .
February 23, 2020
This is a story that flicks between three friends, Tia, Fiona and Kelly. All three women are quite different in personalities. Whilst their lives may not be exactly perfect, I am sure others would be quite envious. It doesn’t take long before their friendship is put to the test.
Kelly was the one that I felt most connected to. I felt a certain amount of empathy for her and her character appealed to me the most. It was good to get to know the women better and to see that the lives of people that we can be envious of, isn’t as gold tinted as we think they are.
The story line had me hooked, just as I would expect from this author. There is always something going on, making sure it gets my full attention. I can never read her books quick enough, waiting for the shocking revelations to hit me. Those moments have me re-reading and taking delight in the excitement it brings.
The Woman Who Lied is an enthralling story that leaves you gasping for air. It will consume you until you know just who is behind all the strange going on’s. If you haven’t read anything by this author, then you really should. Be warned though as her books are highly addictive and when you start one, you won’t be going anywhere until you get to the last word.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Kelly was the one that I felt most connected to. I felt a certain amount of empathy for her and her character appealed to me the most. It was good to get to know the women better and to see that the lives of people that we can be envious of, isn’t as gold tinted as we think they are.
The story line had me hooked, just as I would expect from this author. There is always something going on, making sure it gets my full attention. I can never read her books quick enough, waiting for the shocking revelations to hit me. Those moments have me re-reading and taking delight in the excitement it brings.
The Woman Who Lied is an enthralling story that leaves you gasping for air. It will consume you until you know just who is behind all the strange going on’s. If you haven’t read anything by this author, then you really should. Be warned though as her books are highly addictive and when you start one, you won’t be going anywhere until you get to the last word.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
March 20, 2020
This book was so frustrating...and I mean that in the very best way! Tia, Fiona, and Kelly have been friends since high school and each chapter alternates with first person point of view from each of them. And each chapter ends with a cliff hanger that pushes you to read faster to discover what is happening. All of a sudden there are rumors being spread at their kids' school, anonymous, incriminating photos, a tax audit, and a strange young woman seeking asylum from her abusive husband. How do all of these things connect? Well, read this novel and prepare to be blown away!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
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