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The Lies I Tell
SHE'S WATCHING YOU
BUT WHO’S WATCHING HER?
From the bestselling author of Dead North, a tense, claustrophobic psychological thriller perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Claire McGowan and Clare Mackintosh.
Meet Polly. Meet Emily. Meet Belinda.
They're all me. My name is Lisa and I'm an identity thief. If I'm not inside your system stealing your money, I've probably already stolen it. I'm your friend. I'm a thief. I'm gone.
I'm in control.
Only now, the tables have been turned. I'm in danger. My son is in danger. And I don't know where that danger's coming from.
Any friend.
Any enemy.
Any stranger.
Anyone from the past I've been trying to outrun for years.
NOBODY CAN BE TRUSTED.
What readers are saying:
“Breathless, clever, with twists I didn't see coming.”
“Properly tense. I couldn't get to sleep!“
“Five stars hands down. Just LOVE Lisa - and hate her a little bit too!!!”
BUT WHO’S WATCHING HER?
From the bestselling author of Dead North, a tense, claustrophobic psychological thriller perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Claire McGowan and Clare Mackintosh.
Meet Polly. Meet Emily. Meet Belinda.
They're all me. My name is Lisa and I'm an identity thief. If I'm not inside your system stealing your money, I've probably already stolen it. I'm your friend. I'm a thief. I'm gone.
I'm in control.
Only now, the tables have been turned. I'm in danger. My son is in danger. And I don't know where that danger's coming from.
Any friend.
Any enemy.
Any stranger.
Anyone from the past I've been trying to outrun for years.
NOBODY CAN BE TRUSTED.
What readers are saying:
“Breathless, clever, with twists I didn't see coming.”
“Properly tense. I couldn't get to sleep!“
“Five stars hands down. Just LOVE Lisa - and hate her a little bit too!!!”
- GenresMystery Thriller
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
306 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
May 24, 2020
Lisa is a character, in fact Lisa is many characters
She successfully creates many online personas and via these she basically robs people, ( she is an identity thief ) Lisa is in it for the long game and can spend months cultivating an identity for her gain, she also creates ‘Belinda’ who goes to AA to further try to con people out of money, she has few if any morals....I disliked her at first but via ‘look back’ chapters in the book you begin to understand her life as a child ( horrendous ) and why she is like she is....however the tables are turning and someone is now ‘onto her’ and playing her at her own game ( I didnt guess who ) the Police become involved amd Lisa’s paranoia is getting worse with each text and message as the hunter becomes the hunted ( and not only hers I checked my security settings on Facebook part way through 😎 )
This is a complex and fiddly to begin (so many characters of Lisa to get straight in your mind) with story and is a word rich thriller that is worth the effort of a concentrated read and I think will pop up in my mind every time I get a friend request on Facebook from now on!
8/10
4 Stars
She successfully creates many online personas and via these she basically robs people, ( she is an identity thief ) Lisa is in it for the long game and can spend months cultivating an identity for her gain, she also creates ‘Belinda’ who goes to AA to further try to con people out of money, she has few if any morals....I disliked her at first but via ‘look back’ chapters in the book you begin to understand her life as a child ( horrendous ) and why she is like she is....however the tables are turning and someone is now ‘onto her’ and playing her at her own game ( I didnt guess who ) the Police become involved amd Lisa’s paranoia is getting worse with each text and message as the hunter becomes the hunted ( and not only hers I checked my security settings on Facebook part way through 😎 )
This is a complex and fiddly to begin (so many characters of Lisa to get straight in your mind) with story and is a word rich thriller that is worth the effort of a concentrated read and I think will pop up in my mind every time I get a friend request on Facebook from now on!
8/10
4 Stars
June 9, 2020
THE LIES I TELL is a standalone psychological thriller by Joel Hames. I suggest you pay close attention and focus solely on this amazing novel, in order to follow the story, and appreciate the message.
Will the REAL LISA please step forward! Lisa has many identities such as Polly, Belinda or Emily. Her birth name is Penny Haslam. She is an identity thief, a computer expert and spends most of her adult life scamming people online, by creating a network of false identities on Facebook looking for her targets to con out of money, as long as her and her four-year old son, Simon are safe.
Her primary source of income is invoice scam.
She calls the characters she made up “Orphans”, here today…gone tomorrow.
She’s in control…but not for long…The tables have now changed, and someone has hacked into her Facebook accounts and interfering with her scams. She and her son are now in danger!
A stranger, an enemy, a friend or someone from her past? Nobody can be trusted!
The novel is narrated in two different timelines - the present, where Lisa as an identity thief and the past of her abusive childhood. We see how her past has affected her ability to provide a good loving relationship for her son.
The Lies I tell is a fast-paced psychological thriller that will appeal to a wide audience. Lots of twists and turns and suspects to keep you guessing till the end. I have now checked my security settings on Facebook to put my mind at rest.
“Humans are prone to lie, and the digital world has granted us the ability to lie without consequences.”
Many thanks to the author and The Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Will the REAL LISA please step forward! Lisa has many identities such as Polly, Belinda or Emily. Her birth name is Penny Haslam. She is an identity thief, a computer expert and spends most of her adult life scamming people online, by creating a network of false identities on Facebook looking for her targets to con out of money, as long as her and her four-year old son, Simon are safe.
Her primary source of income is invoice scam.
She calls the characters she made up “Orphans”, here today…gone tomorrow.
She’s in control…but not for long…The tables have now changed, and someone has hacked into her Facebook accounts and interfering with her scams. She and her son are now in danger!
A stranger, an enemy, a friend or someone from her past? Nobody can be trusted!
The novel is narrated in two different timelines - the present, where Lisa as an identity thief and the past of her abusive childhood. We see how her past has affected her ability to provide a good loving relationship for her son.
The Lies I tell is a fast-paced psychological thriller that will appeal to a wide audience. Lots of twists and turns and suspects to keep you guessing till the end. I have now checked my security settings on Facebook to put my mind at rest.
“Humans are prone to lie, and the digital world has granted us the ability to lie without consequences.”
Many thanks to the author and The Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
June 9, 2020
Meet Polly, Emily, Belinda. They are all the same person... Lisa. Of course, that also is not her real name. She is an identity thief. She stalks, she finds your bank accounts, she finds your social media profiles. She defrauds you of not only your identity, but also takes as much money as she can before being found out. She's your friend ... your neighbor.
But good as she is, someone knows her secret.
Someone is meddling with her scams, even going so far as to have her set up to take the fall for a robbery. Someone has hacked her Facebook accounts.
So who is a suspect? Any friend? Any Enemy? Anyone she's stolen from? Any stranger? Anyone from the past she's been trying to outrun for years?
This is an action-packed page turning Technothriller with twist and turns along the way. There are plenty of suspects to watch for and the ending is quite surprising.
Many thanks to the author for this digital copy of THE LIES I TELL. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 9, 2020
OOOH, fancy a twisty, twisted twister of a tale? Then I would definitely recommend The Lies I Tell - the latest standalone psychological thriller by Joel Hames - published on 9th June.
Lisa is our main narrator, although she is also know as Polly, Belinda, Emily or Penny. She's a devoted mother to 4 year old Simon, regularly attends AA meetings although she doesn't drink, is an expert on computers, spends hours scrolling through Facebook and can spot a potential target a mile away. Lisa has spent most of her adult life scamming people online, she's built up a network of false identities and personalities to con the innocent out of money and doesn't seem to care who she tricks as long as her and her son are safe.
The story is narrated in two different timelines - the present in which Lisa suddenly finds her life being turned upside down as someone appears to be stalking her and knows who she really is and the past in which Lisa slowly and painfully recounts her horrific and abusive childhood.
I was absolutely hooked by the end of the first chapter and was glued to my kindle. I was torn between feeling sympathy towards Lisa/Penny and appalled at her attitude towards scamming innocent people. There was absolutely no doubt about her devotion and love towards her little boy and it was heartbreaking to see how her past had affected her ability to mother her child without guilt. The two timelines were equally as engaging and although her early life was heartbreaking to read it was also beautifully written.
The Lies I Tell is a really clever, twisty tale that is guaranteed to entertain readers and keep them guessing throughout. 5 stars from me.
Lisa is our main narrator, although she is also know as Polly, Belinda, Emily or Penny. She's a devoted mother to 4 year old Simon, regularly attends AA meetings although she doesn't drink, is an expert on computers, spends hours scrolling through Facebook and can spot a potential target a mile away. Lisa has spent most of her adult life scamming people online, she's built up a network of false identities and personalities to con the innocent out of money and doesn't seem to care who she tricks as long as her and her son are safe.
The story is narrated in two different timelines - the present in which Lisa suddenly finds her life being turned upside down as someone appears to be stalking her and knows who she really is and the past in which Lisa slowly and painfully recounts her horrific and abusive childhood.
I was absolutely hooked by the end of the first chapter and was glued to my kindle. I was torn between feeling sympathy towards Lisa/Penny and appalled at her attitude towards scamming innocent people. There was absolutely no doubt about her devotion and love towards her little boy and it was heartbreaking to see how her past had affected her ability to mother her child without guilt. The two timelines were equally as engaging and although her early life was heartbreaking to read it was also beautifully written.
The Lies I Tell is a really clever, twisty tale that is guaranteed to entertain readers and keep them guessing throughout. 5 stars from me.
June 1, 2020
Lisa makes a living as an identity thief but now the tables have turned and someone is stalking her . When the police land at her door she needs to find her stalker quickly before she puts herself and her son in any more danger.
The Lies I tell is a fast paced psychological thriller. Told in alternating chapters this is a dark twisty tale with lots of suspects to keep you guessing till the end .
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers request group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
The Lies I tell is a fast paced psychological thriller. Told in alternating chapters this is a dark twisty tale with lots of suspects to keep you guessing till the end .
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers request group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
June 7, 2020
Keep your wits about you for the first few chapters and your concentration will pay off massively as the story gets a hold of you and doesn't let go. This is a complex and clever thriller built around identity theft, told from the point(s) of view of a damaged and dangerous heroine whose awful childhood did much to erase her own real identity in the first place. She is ruthless but never beyond redemption and, due to the flashbacks, at no point did I do anything other than root for her - both in terms of her getting away with it and for her personal journey towards finding a better way to live. Throughout, I was hooked into the tension of whether or not she was going to scam or be scammed, whether she would get caught, and wondering where, where on earth, the story could lead. Highly recommend.
May 18, 2020
Lisa / Polly / Emily / Belinda makes a living stealing online identities and defrauding her marks. When somebody turns the tables and starts interfering with her scams, what started as a way to make easy money transitions into a deadly game of cat and mouse as she tries to work out who among her many acquaintances and victims is looking for payback.
During the story the spotlight focuses on several figures from Lisa’s past, and we learn why she has fallen into a life of crime. Making a criminal into the victim is an interesting premise, and the author does a good job of persuading the reader to identify with a morally dubious main character. The tension builds nicely as Lisa tries to protect her son while her carefully constructed world crumbles around her.
With a large cast and a wide range of suspects, the book is more thriller than whodunit. It’s unlikely you would guess the culprit from any clues.
Overall, this was an entertaining but cautionary tale about the perils of social media.
During the story the spotlight focuses on several figures from Lisa’s past, and we learn why she has fallen into a life of crime. Making a criminal into the victim is an interesting premise, and the author does a good job of persuading the reader to identify with a morally dubious main character. The tension builds nicely as Lisa tries to protect her son while her carefully constructed world crumbles around her.
With a large cast and a wide range of suspects, the book is more thriller than whodunit. It’s unlikely you would guess the culprit from any clues.
Overall, this was an entertaining but cautionary tale about the perils of social media.
June 3, 2020
I have read and enjoyed a lot of Joel's books but this one...this one blew me away! Like one of Lisa's victims I was hooked in and absolutely invested in her story. As an identity thief she has a LOT of stories and I was fascinated by how she made the transition between them all and had to shift her mindset into being a totally different person.
The chapters dedicated to her childhood really pulled at my heartstrings and definitely gave me an understanding of how those events had shaped her as an adult. I don't think I ever actually disliked her as a character although I probably should..? I wanted to find out who was trying to get her caught and I was desperate for her to get off scot free!
The author has done an excellent job of writing from a woman's perspective and I applaud him for this. More please!
The chapters dedicated to her childhood really pulled at my heartstrings and definitely gave me an understanding of how those events had shaped her as an adult. I don't think I ever actually disliked her as a character although I probably should..? I wanted to find out who was trying to get her caught and I was desperate for her to get off scot free!
The author has done an excellent job of writing from a woman's perspective and I applaud him for this. More please!
June 2, 2020
This was a compelling read. It really makes you think about social media, and perhaps more importantly, who you can trust. IT doesn't take much for things to go wrong, and once, paranoia sets in, your life is never the same again!
An enjoyable read with multi-layered characters and a few cracking twists.
An enjoyable read with multi-layered characters and a few cracking twists.
May 25, 2020
I was given this book by a Facebook group if which I am a member. A novel very much set in the present. Makes you think about the truth - or otherwise- of social media. Also more traditional themes such as the effect of childhood neglect on self esteem, the ease with which we can present different faces to the world and a mother’s love for a child. Without giving away the plot, this is a thriller about who you can - and whether you should - trust those around you. It also educated me in the ways of social media - something I thought I knew about it. The writing is tight and fast moving - switching between 2 time periods. I found this an enjoyable and compelling read.
May 13, 2020
Lisa spends her time online creating fake profiles so she can fraud people for their money. She has had a terrible childhood, so over everything she takes care and protects her son as best she can. Suddenly, she finds herself being stalked and set up for things that she hasn’t done which send the police round to her door. She needs to find out who is after her and why quickly before she puts herself and her son in more danger.
I started off not liking Lisa’s character but then as I read on about her childhood, I found myself feeling sorry for her and understanding her way of life. I enjoyed reading about her past and found myself looking forward to these chapters more. I liked the way the book was set around Suffolk too, I live there so it was nice to have places that I live near or have been to mentioned.
Thank you to the Author and TBC Reviewer group for an copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I started off not liking Lisa’s character but then as I read on about her childhood, I found myself feeling sorry for her and understanding her way of life. I enjoyed reading about her past and found myself looking forward to these chapters more. I liked the way the book was set around Suffolk too, I live there so it was nice to have places that I live near or have been to mentioned.
Thank you to the Author and TBC Reviewer group for an copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 9, 2020
I always enjoy Joel Hames’ books and this one, a stand-alone psychological thriller, is the best yet. The protagonist, Lisa, is a con artist with multiple identities, which she uses to defraud people online. Scarred by a troubled past, she has no compunction in using her social media savvy to fleece her victims. All is running smoothly, until the tables are turned and someone is out to ruin Lisa’s life. Given Lisa’s history, there is no shortage of suspects, but disturbingly Lisa’s tormentor seems to know her innermost secrets, even those she can barely acknowledge herself.
The plot zips along, cataloguing Lisa’s crumbling psychological state as she endeavours in vain to track down her persecutor. And while she is not an entirely likeable character, the flashbacks to Lisa’ childhood give such a chilling insight into the traumas which have shaped her that it’s hard not to cut her some slack. The ending was satisfying and came as a genuine surprise after all the red herrings cleverly planted along the way.
In summary, a gripping read with a cleverly constructed plot and an authentic lead character with psychological depth. After reading this, I shall be very careful about accepting friend requests on social media…
The plot zips along, cataloguing Lisa’s crumbling psychological state as she endeavours in vain to track down her persecutor. And while she is not an entirely likeable character, the flashbacks to Lisa’ childhood give such a chilling insight into the traumas which have shaped her that it’s hard not to cut her some slack. The ending was satisfying and came as a genuine surprise after all the red herrings cleverly planted along the way.
In summary, a gripping read with a cleverly constructed plot and an authentic lead character with psychological depth. After reading this, I shall be very careful about accepting friend requests on social media…
October 11, 2020
This story was suspenseful and kept me on my toes while trying to figure out who was the scammer. The characters were all well written and fit into the roles created for them perfectly. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book thanks to The Book Club Reviewer Group on Facebook and the author and publisher.
June 9, 2020
Plot/Narrative
The Lies I Tell is an intelligent current day compelling and suspenseful thriller.
The plot is captivating exciting and chilling while also being frighteningly relevant today. How tangible and vast the internet is, how straightforward and effortless it is to have many identities and how to defraud people amongst other things.
This tells the story of Lisa, a single mother who has miscellaneous personalities and how she uses those to her advantage to lead an unlawful life making money to care and provide for her son, Simon, as well as keeping him safe. The reasons become apparent throughout the book as her past emerges trickling into the present day.
Characters
Lisa is a very untrusting and apprehensive character who is so very easy to loathe at first but as you delve deeper into this book you begin to learn about her childhood and how she became who she is and what she does. Joel has done a brilliant job of cultivating her character while being realistic and profound.
There were many other various immersing characters who all fit into this little box we call The Lies She Tell.
Writing/Pacing
A thought-provoking educational novel full to the brim of twists and turns. Joel has stitched this dark, suspenseful and complicated story together satisfactorily. It is a fast-moving book that keeps you flipping the pages as your anxiety and paranoia heightens while you are thinking about your own internet and social media security and safety.
Themes
The themes are online safety and security, deception, childhood abuse, hacking, distrust and much more.
Joel makes the setting come alive.
Overall thoughts.
'The Lies I Tell is a thought-provoking, captivating, exciting and chilling educational novel full to the brim of twists and turns. A fast-moving book that keeps you flipping the pages as your anxiety and paranoia heightens. Joel has done a brilliant job of cultivating the MC, Lisa while being realistic, deep and profound'
https://www.readingthroughthepain.blo...
The Lies I Tell is an intelligent current day compelling and suspenseful thriller.
The plot is captivating exciting and chilling while also being frighteningly relevant today. How tangible and vast the internet is, how straightforward and effortless it is to have many identities and how to defraud people amongst other things.
This tells the story of Lisa, a single mother who has miscellaneous personalities and how she uses those to her advantage to lead an unlawful life making money to care and provide for her son, Simon, as well as keeping him safe. The reasons become apparent throughout the book as her past emerges trickling into the present day.
Characters
Lisa is a very untrusting and apprehensive character who is so very easy to loathe at first but as you delve deeper into this book you begin to learn about her childhood and how she became who she is and what she does. Joel has done a brilliant job of cultivating her character while being realistic and profound.
There were many other various immersing characters who all fit into this little box we call The Lies She Tell.
Writing/Pacing
A thought-provoking educational novel full to the brim of twists and turns. Joel has stitched this dark, suspenseful and complicated story together satisfactorily. It is a fast-moving book that keeps you flipping the pages as your anxiety and paranoia heightens while you are thinking about your own internet and social media security and safety.
Themes
The themes are online safety and security, deception, childhood abuse, hacking, distrust and much more.
Joel makes the setting come alive.
Overall thoughts.
'The Lies I Tell is a thought-provoking, captivating, exciting and chilling educational novel full to the brim of twists and turns. A fast-moving book that keeps you flipping the pages as your anxiety and paranoia heightens. Joel has done a brilliant job of cultivating the MC, Lisa while being realistic, deep and profound'
https://www.readingthroughthepain.blo...
May 18, 2020
In this book we meet Lisa, who may be Penny or Anna or any number of other personalities she has created, and she has created them to defraud other, unsuspecting people, from their hard-earned money. She is a loving mother who had a tough upbringing but aside from that there isn’t a lot you can be sure about of her.
The story provides a number of twists and turns and when it takes a sinister turn, Lisa finds herself in hot water with the police but who is doing this to her and why? There is some great insight into the characters paranoia and the efforts she makes to find out who is causing her problems, how and why but can she work it all out in time?
While she hasn’t made the best choices in life you come to see why she has made them. Interestingly told and in a different format to many other books, I found this hard to get into at first, but I am glad that I persevered, it got much better throughout and by the end I felt sorry for ‘Lisa’, while rooting for her I was on the edge of my seat and didn’t see how it played out at all.
A gripping book with some dark twists and turns, I would definitely recommend it!
The story provides a number of twists and turns and when it takes a sinister turn, Lisa finds herself in hot water with the police but who is doing this to her and why? There is some great insight into the characters paranoia and the efforts she makes to find out who is causing her problems, how and why but can she work it all out in time?
While she hasn’t made the best choices in life you come to see why she has made them. Interestingly told and in a different format to many other books, I found this hard to get into at first, but I am glad that I persevered, it got much better throughout and by the end I felt sorry for ‘Lisa’, while rooting for her I was on the edge of my seat and didn’t see how it played out at all.
A gripping book with some dark twists and turns, I would definitely recommend it!
May 30, 2020
A gripping, well-written story, which gets you guessing from the beginning and, in my case, until the end. And then, once you discover the "who", you want to know the "why". And when you do, I couldn't get over precisely that: "But, whyyyy??!"
The author does a very good job moving from past to present, providing us with glimpses into the main character's early years that are relevant to the way she acts and the current events in her life. At some points, I wondered whether I was developing some kind of reader-Stockholm syndrome, or if it was just understanding the things that affected a person and their doing of incorrect things, which in turn doesn't justify their actions, but provides us with a deeper, more human perspective into them. And then again, when you discover what really happened... but I'll let you find that out for yourselves 😉
Oh, and don't forget the fact I was considering completely shutting down my social media presence after reading all of that 😋
Suspense and thriller fans will enjoy this story very much 😊 Definitely recommend
The author does a very good job moving from past to present, providing us with glimpses into the main character's early years that are relevant to the way she acts and the current events in her life. At some points, I wondered whether I was developing some kind of reader-Stockholm syndrome, or if it was just understanding the things that affected a person and their doing of incorrect things, which in turn doesn't justify their actions, but provides us with a deeper, more human perspective into them. And then again, when you discover what really happened... but I'll let you find that out for yourselves 😉
Oh, and don't forget the fact I was considering completely shutting down my social media presence after reading all of that 😋
Suspense and thriller fans will enjoy this story very much 😊 Definitely recommend
May 17, 2020
Lisa is an identity thief who uses her false identities to steal people's money. Not nice, not nice at all. Until you understand Lisa's backstory, which was very well done and believable. Then you get why she grew into his woman who scams people and has terrible trust issues. I loved the human touch given to Lisa through Simon, her son, that was very relatable. I did want to scream at her at times though, about the decisions she made and was about to make, about the help she refused to get but obviously so badly needed. By the middle of the book I found that every time Lisa began to doubt and suspect a person, so did I! I also liked the characters of Mark, Ida and Billy and I had my fingers crossed that she wouldn't push any of them away. Did I guess the ending? Not at all, like Lisa I suspected everybody.
May 9, 2020
Wow! This book has blown me away. I have never read anything by Joel Hames before but I will be searching out more books now. In this story we meet Lisa, or is it Anna or maybe Penny. Who knows the true woman as she spends her time creating fake profiles on line to fraud unsuspecting strangers of their money. One thing that is true she loves and protects her son over everything else and as it looks like she may be being stalked by one of her targets and things take a sinister turn the police are knocking at her door. Can she work it out before it’s too late. This book is dark, twisted and exciting and a perfect book to read as this lockdown continues.
June 8, 2020
The Lies I Tell
‘She’s watching you, but who’s watching her?’
The Lies I Tell was a fantastic read. I was drawn in immediately and was gripped until the last page. Lisa makes a living as an identity thief, or is it Molly, or Emily, or Belinda? But now someone is stalking her and not only is her life in danger, so is her son’s.
This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions, you’ll want to scream and shout at Lisa but you’ll also empathise with her more human side. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump recently but this five star read has given me my mojo back again!
‘She’s watching you, but who’s watching her?’
The Lies I Tell was a fantastic read. I was drawn in immediately and was gripped until the last page. Lisa makes a living as an identity thief, or is it Molly, or Emily, or Belinda? But now someone is stalking her and not only is her life in danger, so is her son’s.
This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions, you’ll want to scream and shout at Lisa but you’ll also empathise with her more human side. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump recently but this five star read has given me my mojo back again!
May 19, 2020
"Meet Polly. Meet Emily. Meet Belinda.
They're all me. My name is Lisa and I'm an identity thief. If I'm not inside your system stealing your money, I've probably already stolen it. I'm your friend. I'm a thief. I'm gone. I'm in control."
So who is Lisa really? What has brought her to this place where she is now the hunted? Who is chasing her and setting her up? She realises it's someone from her past, but who exactly? Could it be one of her victims fighting back?
This story makes you doubt everyone's motives and you feel suspicious of every person you come in contact with. In fact it even made me check my own internet security.
They're all me. My name is Lisa and I'm an identity thief. If I'm not inside your system stealing your money, I've probably already stolen it. I'm your friend. I'm a thief. I'm gone. I'm in control."
So who is Lisa really? What has brought her to this place where she is now the hunted? Who is chasing her and setting her up? She realises it's someone from her past, but who exactly? Could it be one of her victims fighting back?
This story makes you doubt everyone's motives and you feel suspicious of every person you come in contact with. In fact it even made me check my own internet security.
May 22, 2020
I received a copy of this book from The Book Club Reviewers Request Group- Thank you
What a twisted read, love the premise that the story was told from the POV of the identity thief. I worried that I wouldn't keep the characters/stolen identities straight but Joel managed to write the book so clearly I always knew who it was.
A brilliant read
Looking forward to reading some more of Joel's work
What a twisted read, love the premise that the story was told from the POV of the identity thief. I worried that I wouldn't keep the characters/stolen identities straight but Joel managed to write the book so clearly I always knew who it was.
A brilliant read
Looking forward to reading some more of Joel's work
May 9, 2020
This book had me gripped from the start and I demolished it within a day. It starts off that you have quite the dislike to Lisa with the way she runs her life, her “career” path she chose, but as time goes on and you learn about her past things change, when she starts to become in danger you really feel for her. I really enjoyed Joel’s writing style and found the book a brilliant read.
May 12, 2020
When I read the prefacing page with all of the list of the identities the main character took on I wondered how I would ever keep them straight but the author did a great job of ensuring that I did. The story twists and turns, sometimes very believably and sometimes, I think, not so believably but as an insight into the paranoia facing the main character. She's had to make some pretty serious choices in her young life and this makes her an interesting lead: you can see why she's done what she's done, even if it isn't within the boundaries of the law, and I began to feel sorry for her despite all of what she has done. This kept me wanting more from beginning to end. Recommended.
June 15, 2020
Kept me guessing from beginning to end as penny /lisa and all her characters inbetween try to find out who she is being framed by and why . Another great read from this author
May 31, 2020
Having read other books by Joel Hames I was really looking forward to reading The Lies I Tell and I wasn’t disappointed.
Lisa has spent her life, since her tragic childhood, inventing new identities for herself whilst scamming others then moving on again. Now as Lisa she has a son Simon and more to lose than ever so what will happen when she ends up the one being watched, hacked and tracked?
With so many characters along the twists and turns I had no idea until the reveal who it was. And what a surprise. The back and forth writing between childhood and now is really touching as it lets the reader under ‘Lisa’s’ skin and find out why she is how she is. I really felt for her.
Fab read. Massive 5 stars.
Lisa has spent her life, since her tragic childhood, inventing new identities for herself whilst scamming others then moving on again. Now as Lisa she has a son Simon and more to lose than ever so what will happen when she ends up the one being watched, hacked and tracked?
With so many characters along the twists and turns I had no idea until the reveal who it was. And what a surprise. The back and forth writing between childhood and now is really touching as it lets the reader under ‘Lisa’s’ skin and find out why she is how she is. I really felt for her.
Fab read. Massive 5 stars.
May 10, 2020
I didn’t know anything about this book just went straight in and enjoyed it. Didn’t guess the end which was perfect. Great read for a self isolating Sunday.
June 10, 2020
This book kept me intrigued. It had a nice twist that i did not see coming. I enjoyed the switching between the present time and past.
October 16, 2020
This book came highly recommend, and I have to say the author did a great job. But....
It's not only about the writing style. It's mainly about the story, and I found it a bit over the top in every aspect. The parents, the character herself, the "I do everything for my child except give it the father it deserved", the cyber stuff, and all the secondary characters. I never rooted for anyone, not even for the main character who makes a living by stealing from others.
But it kept me reading until the end, because I had no idea who's after Lisa/Polly/Emily/Belinda etc.. Well done, Joel.
It's not only about the writing style. It's mainly about the story, and I found it a bit over the top in every aspect. The parents, the character herself, the "I do everything for my child except give it the father it deserved", the cyber stuff, and all the secondary characters. I never rooted for anyone, not even for the main character who makes a living by stealing from others.
But it kept me reading until the end, because I had no idea who's after Lisa/Polly/Emily/Belinda etc.. Well done, Joel.
September 6, 2021
The Lies I tell by Joel Hames is a techno thriller blended with a psychological thriller. Joel Hames is a new author to me so I had no expectations whatsoever as i sat down to read. I have to say, he is a gem that needs shouting about.
Lisa is a modern day con artist, she uses multiple identities to scam people online. She has no consience about doing it either, it only takes her to befriend you online thrn she discovers everything and would even steal your identity if she was in the mood. Hacking is an everyday thing for her just as lying and thieving is. Then comes the day when she is the victim and they know everything about her and how she works. There are multiple choices of who it could be but she has no idea who it is either. Lisa is also mum to her son Simon and all ahe wants to do is keep him from harm...but that is becoming harder as she doesn't know why she is being targeted. Then the police come knocking and she realises she has to do something...and fast.
We are given the story through Lisa's eyes and as everything begins to unfold, the layers of Lisa's life slowly start peeling away and we learn of her childhood and how she became who and what she is in the present day. As the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together we see that not everything is as it seems.
This book held me in it's grasp from the start. The skill Joel Hames has clearly got in crafting a tale that is a little like smoke and mirrors is excellent. I thought Lisa a cleverly created character, who is a thief, con merchant and someone who will steal your identity. On the other hand as we peek into her past we are privy to her traumatic life and from there I could begin to understand this woman and her motivations. Even the conclusion was a surprise after all the misdirections and intrigue of the story. A complex and skillfully crafted story that gives us characters that we can empathise with and make us even more paranoid about our social media and internet security. Definitely a thought provoking read.
With thanks to ZooLoo's Book Tours and Spellbound for the copy of the book.
Lisa is a modern day con artist, she uses multiple identities to scam people online. She has no consience about doing it either, it only takes her to befriend you online thrn she discovers everything and would even steal your identity if she was in the mood. Hacking is an everyday thing for her just as lying and thieving is. Then comes the day when she is the victim and they know everything about her and how she works. There are multiple choices of who it could be but she has no idea who it is either. Lisa is also mum to her son Simon and all ahe wants to do is keep him from harm...but that is becoming harder as she doesn't know why she is being targeted. Then the police come knocking and she realises she has to do something...and fast.
We are given the story through Lisa's eyes and as everything begins to unfold, the layers of Lisa's life slowly start peeling away and we learn of her childhood and how she became who and what she is in the present day. As the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together we see that not everything is as it seems.
This book held me in it's grasp from the start. The skill Joel Hames has clearly got in crafting a tale that is a little like smoke and mirrors is excellent. I thought Lisa a cleverly created character, who is a thief, con merchant and someone who will steal your identity. On the other hand as we peek into her past we are privy to her traumatic life and from there I could begin to understand this woman and her motivations. Even the conclusion was a surprise after all the misdirections and intrigue of the story. A complex and skillfully crafted story that gives us characters that we can empathise with and make us even more paranoid about our social media and internet security. Definitely a thought provoking read.
With thanks to ZooLoo's Book Tours and Spellbound for the copy of the book.
August 1, 2021
As soon as I read the blurb I just knew that I had to read this book. I was definitely intrigued by the premise of the novel and loved the uniqueness of it.
Although she goes by many names and different personalities, Lisa is ultimately a single mum and a scammer. She spends her time researching people on the internet and committing acts of fraud. As you delve deeper into the novel you get to see snippets of her early childhood and realise the horror, abuse and trauma she has been through. Her main mission in life is to protect her only son and provide for him. I loved how these flashbacks into Lisa's life ran alongside the main storyline, making her appear more likeable by unearthing a much more vulnerable side to her personality.
However, the tables are soon turned when Lisa is facing her own intentity fraud. Someone is clearly out to get her by placing her at the scene of a murder. With the police knocking on her door, Lisa fears that it is only a matter of time until her arrest. She needs to find the evidence that she is being targeted for this crime and is an innocent bystander. As the time ticks away, Lisa finds herself in a cat and mouse chase to clear her name.
This book was quite the page-turner I was hoping it would be. Like Lisa, I doubted the integrity of all of the characters not knowing who to believe or who Lisa could trust. I had no idea what the outcome would be which kept me hooked and turning the pages with increased speed. I have to say I loved the ending and was both surprised and relieved all at the same time. Although this was a complex plot it was easy to follow and a very compelling read. A modern day intelligent thriller which kept me guessing till the very end.
Although she goes by many names and different personalities, Lisa is ultimately a single mum and a scammer. She spends her time researching people on the internet and committing acts of fraud. As you delve deeper into the novel you get to see snippets of her early childhood and realise the horror, abuse and trauma she has been through. Her main mission in life is to protect her only son and provide for him. I loved how these flashbacks into Lisa's life ran alongside the main storyline, making her appear more likeable by unearthing a much more vulnerable side to her personality.
However, the tables are soon turned when Lisa is facing her own intentity fraud. Someone is clearly out to get her by placing her at the scene of a murder. With the police knocking on her door, Lisa fears that it is only a matter of time until her arrest. She needs to find the evidence that she is being targeted for this crime and is an innocent bystander. As the time ticks away, Lisa finds herself in a cat and mouse chase to clear her name.
This book was quite the page-turner I was hoping it would be. Like Lisa, I doubted the integrity of all of the characters not knowing who to believe or who Lisa could trust. I had no idea what the outcome would be which kept me hooked and turning the pages with increased speed. I have to say I loved the ending and was both surprised and relieved all at the same time. Although this was a complex plot it was easy to follow and a very compelling read. A modern day intelligent thriller which kept me guessing till the very end.
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