The Lie She Told

by Catherine Skeet-Yaffe

A single lie. A split-second decision.
The life of a desperate mother and her son will never be the same.

Arriving in the Scottish Highlands, Kate begins to build a safe, loving new life for herself and her son.

But when a shady character from Kate’s past turns up and starts to systematically and violently rip everything apart, she is forced to make a choice.

The lie she told is now working against her, but will she confess or risk the life of her son?

Join the hundreds of reviewers who were blown away by this massive, twisty crime thriller from hugely popular Yorkshire author, Catherine Yaffe. Find out why readers consistently describe her books as ‘compulsively readable crime thrillers’.

“A complex, suspenseful plot with tension so thick that it felt palpable.”

“If you like your thrillers to read like true crime stories, then this book is for you.”
“You’ll think you know what the lie is, trust me – you don’t.”
“The end of this book will literally take your breath away.”
“This book reads like an episode of Law and Order.”
“Catherine has crafted characters who are so realistic, you’ll think you’re reading a true story. “

Perfect for fans of JD Kirk, Neil Lancaster, Caro Ramsey, Stuart MacBride.

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Crime

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

Catherine Yaffe is a bestselling British crime author whose gripping thrillers have topped the Amazon charts multiple times. Her work is known for its psychological depth, twisty plots, and unforgettable characters—particularly strong, complex women like Dr Evelyn Shaw.

When she's not plotting fictional murders, she’s passionate about supporting new writers. She runs a local writing group dedicated to helping unpublished authors develop their stories, and delivers workshops on crime writing, storytelling, and overcoming creative blocks.

A regular speaker at festivals including CrimeFest, Bay Tales, and Bloody Scotland, she also gives talks to libraries and community groups like the Women’s Institute, where she shares her journey through writing, illness, and resilience. Each year, she co-hosts Murder in the Rhubarb Triangle in partnership with Wakefield Library, a lively crime event that attracts over 200 visitors.

Her stories often draw on her own experiences bringing authenticity and emotional grit to her work. When she’s not writing or speaking, she can usually be found with a strong cup of tea, plotting her next murder.

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ An Engrossing, Gripping and Edgy, Suspenseful Thriller!

Kate and her son Joe are relocating, it's paramount, now her dangerous husband Darren has just been sent down for 4years.
So they have no option but to run away with the help of DI Thornes.

Two years have passed and now Kate works in a local Cafe in the Scottish Highlands, and elderly owner Jack Bruce took them both under his wing offering her a safe place to work and live above the cafe.

But someone is watching Kate and Joe, someone who knows Kate pretty well.
He has enough information over Kate to ruin her new life, and he is about to blow her whole world apart!
But why? Who is he? How does he know Kate? How far is he willing to go, to get what he wants!?

This is Catherine Yaffe debut novel and you wouldn't know it.
I loved how she slowly builds premise, slipping the story between past and present, bringing the suspense and background to the characters. Which is seamlessly weaved together.
The characters certainly are an intriguing bunch, and I have to say Joe and Jack melted my heart!

The Lie She Told is an Engrossing, Gripping and Edgy Thriller, that at times is Unnerving, full of Intrigue, and the more the Plot Thickens, the more you don't know who to Trust!
I wouldn't necessarily class this as a psychological thriller, but it definitely is a suspenseful thriller.
As I said previously this is Catherine Yaffe debut novel and I'm really excited to discover more!


Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.




You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/1...

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh well, you can’t win them all. The blurb of this book looked really exciting but I don’t think it was exceptionally delivered. Predictable and obvious, I was hoping the writer would throw in more surprises to create a thrilling read.

Set in Scotland, I enjoyed the description of Kate’s new town. It felt very remote and I found the writer’s setting was quite vivid. Kate’s life of running the coffee shop and looking after her young son, Joe, seems very idyllic. Until Ryan turns up…

From this moment, it is clear that Kate’s life is going to take a turn for the worse. Ryan is instantly unlikable; he is slimy, manipulative and viscous. It was obvious how this character fit into Kate’s past, even down to his secret phone-calls to Daz. In this manner, I wish the writer had created more suspense by adding ambiguity to Ryan or even Daz’s character. It was pretty clear, pretty soon, what Ryan’s intentions were and, to be honest, I just wanted the narrative to reach that stage sooner rather than later.

Some of Kate’s actions were just foolish and idiotic. It felt like she was setting herself up for a massive downfall. In my opinion, she is too trusting of Ryan, especially considering their shared background. Furthermore, I found Ryan’s behaviour also quite stupid and did not believe he was covering his tracks enough. He deserved his punishment at the end and, lucky for the police, not much leg-work was required to capture him!

That being said, I did enjoy the story. Despite a seemingly basic narrative, there are a few surprising twists. Ryan’s treatment of his father, and then Jack’s involvement added some mystery to the story. In addition, the final revelation about Kate’s past was most unexpected. I did not foresee the writer’s treatment of Kate, anticipating her to be the wounded heroine. This helped to redeem the story for me.

Overall, I would describe this a too “showy” for a story with not enough thrills and suspense. There are some areas that didn’t read too smoothly either, which frustrated me. I appreciate that this is the writer’s debut novel so I think there is much more to come from Skeet-Yaffe. However, this time, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jazz Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lie she told is centred around mother Kate who has moved and settled in Scotland with her son Joe. We know there was a court case we just have no idea what it was or why it meant she had to leave Leeds. Settled two years later an old fling of hers Ryan comes to town to care for his sickly dad. But it seems Ryan has altery motives which everyone seems to see expect Kate.

I really enjoyed this book not your obvious psychological thriller as alot of the plot is set out for us however it was interesting to find out what the motivation was behind both Kate and Ryan.

Kate as the lead protagonist was good. I loved her relationship with Jack the old man she runs the cafè with. They have an amazing father daughter relationship even though they aren't related. It is clear that they have love for each other and it reads so well. Plus the relationship they both have with little Joe is just amazing!

The narrative is in third person and normally not my preferred narration but it worked so well for this book. Esp when it came to side characters like the local gossip the narration added a bit of humour. The one downfall is we jump from person to person and sometimes it feels like we have missed something major, however it all gets tied together at the end.

Kate has a secret and that is clear from the beginning. However we do not find out what exactly it is until the end of the book. It's not what I was expecting but I enjoyed it and it made complete sense.

Ryan on the other hand is a strange character and one that I could read a whole book about. His mind is wired and he doesn't seem to have control over anything he is trying to achieve but he adds the drama that is required.

Jack is my favourite character! I will say no more about him other than he's the old man we all wish would adopt us and be our grampa's!

All in all I enjoyed this book it was very easy to read and I got through it in a day. I found i wanted to get to the end and find out what happened and why. It's not a mega psychological thriller but it's a great mystery book and that was enough to keep me hooked. I enjoyed the way it all tied together and I am happy to give it 4 stars.

[Aly Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lie she told
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is the first book by this author that I have read. I will add her other one to my tbr pile.
Was a really enjoyable read. A certain character seriously made my blood boil! I did really enjoy the story. The only think thing I wasn't to keen on was the ending. Even so, still I recommend reading it!

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book from Voracious Readers Only and the author. The first part of the story describes the characters, the scenery and sets up for the action and got me hooked on the story. I loved the characters of Kate, Joe and even Jack right away. I also loved reading about Scotland and it made me want to visit. Once the action begins, there's only one thing to do, finish the book. Definitely going to read more by this author.

[Sandra Mathieu]

I did not finish it because I did not like it. Maybe it was just me, but it did not hold my interest. I felt it was too predictable. Maybe I am too picky and missed a great read.

[Bill Chee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually the title of a book gives a hint or clue for the plot or story line. I kept wondering about it and how it related to the plot while I continued to read through the chapters. Although engrossed and captivated with the trials and tribulations that Kate went through was interesting, the title kept my mind perplexed. Everything was finally revealed towered the end and fully explained. It was a unique way to spin a tale and I heartily recommend this reading.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary thriller set in the Scottish Highlands. The writing is tight yet descriptive and it places you firmly in the location. The main characters are likable and believable and you grew to care for them. The villains are deliciously villainous! This was a fast read but immersed me completely in the story. This debut novel by Catherine Yaffe feels anything but and I can’t wait to read more by this talented author!
Full disclosure: I received this ebook ARC of #thelieshetold from the author in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

[K.S. Marsden]

Kate is finally living a peaceful life, until someone from her past threatens everything.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

When her ex-husband is locked up for armed robbery, Kate has a chance for a new life. She takes her young son Joe, to a remote village in the Scottish Highlands, with plans on making the most of it.
She manages to get a job at a cafe, and becomes like family for old Jack, the owner - the daughter he never had.
Nothing lasts forever, and two years later, her ex-husband is due to be out on parole, their mutual friend Ryan appears. He is supposedly looking after his father's pub, but it soons becomes clear he had more sinister plans.

I really wanted to love his book, as a fellow-Yorkshire-person with Scottish ties, I was sold on the premise.
The writing is good, and easy to follow. I liked some of the scenes involving the little Scottish village, where everyone knows everyone.

If you intend to read the book, don't read this review any further, as there are some spoilers.
Well, I say spoilers, the plot was so friggin' transparent.

The main problem was the characters. Aside from cafe-owner/surrogate-dad Jack, none of them were likeable.

Ryan is a complete one-dimensional-villain. I can imagine him coming on stage at a panto and everyone hissing.
I would have loved for him to become conflicted about hurting Kate, or taking sick pleasure in causing her as much pain as possible; but unfortunately he's a fucking dumb shit, who violently lashes out at everyone and is clearly a dangerous person. He makes no effort at being subtle, and he can't hide how much he hates being back in the little nowhere village. Yet Kate is convinced he's a fucking saint.

There's flashbacks where we get to see when Ryan and Kate knew each other in Leeds.

RYAN WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF HER ABUSIVE HUSBAND - how can she not be suspicious when he turns up in the village she was sent to in Witness Protection.

RYAN GAVE A GUN TO KATE AFTER A FAILED BANK ROBBERY - yet Kate defends him to Jack, saying he's grown up and become a different person.

Kate is too fucking stupid to live.
She escaped an abusive marriage, but she never comes across as a victim of domestic abuse. She trusts everyone, and refuses to see the faults in Ryan. She never comes across as vulnerable, just ignorant and fucking stupid. There is nothing to her character beyond this, she's generic good-girl-with-a-secret.
Ryan and Kate deserve each other.

Secondly, I wasn't impressed by the plot.
It's fine if you are interested in a light mystery read, where everything is spelled out for you.
Within 15 pages, I knew what was going to happen in the end. I kept waiting for twists and surprises, but nothing came.
Even Ryan going psycho and locking up his dad, which could have been a very effective plot twist - it was spelled out in the story beforehand, and there was zero surprise when Ryan decided to remove his dad from the picture.

I was also very disappointed with the "Witness Protection". Wouldn't someone have checked on Kate at least once that summer, especially when they know her ex-husband is getting out of jail?

Overall, this book was not for me.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there’s one thing I like doing it’s discovering new authors. Catherine Yaffe is certainly a new author for me. Catherine’s debut novel is ‘The Lie She Told’ which was released on 27th September 2020. May I just say ‘The Lie She Told’ is a fantastic debut novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed but more about that in a bit.
I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the characters of this story. I can’t really say that I warmed much to the lead character of Kate. There was something about her that set off little alarm bells for me. Kate also seems quite gullible. I mean we have a woman in witness protection, so it’s obvious that she has upset some nasty people, although we don’t find out exactly what she did at first. Kate and her son did a flit, moved somewhere else and then created a new life for them. She tries to keep herself to herself but then all of a sudden, an old acquaintance turns up purely by ‘accident’ and ‘unintentionally’ or at least that is what he says. She seems to swallow everything that he tells her. I would say that in her situation, I would be highly suspicious of him and his motives. It soon emerges that all is not as it seemed at first. Is Kate telling the truth about what happened? Are Kate and her son in danger? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It didn’t take me long to get into this story. In fact, by the time I got to the end of the synopsis, I knew that this was one book that I would find extremely hard to put down. To say that reading ‘The Lie She Told’ became addictive seems a bit of an understatement. I was desperate to learn why Kate had gone into Witness Protection, if Kate was telling the truth and whether or not there was a twist to the tale. This wasn’t a particularly long read and I soon got to the end of the story. I had mixed feelings about getting to the end. I don’t mean that I was disappointed with how the story ended but I was enjoying the storylines, the characters and the author’s writing style so much that I just wanted the story to carry on for quite a bit longer.
‘The Lie She Told’ is brilliantly written. In fact I couldn’t believe that this was a debut novel as the writing style seems so polished, experienced and so confident. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draw you into the story from the start. For me, ‘The Lie She Told’ is perfectly paced. The story hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. I felt as though I was part of the story myself, which is all down to Catherine’s very vivid, realistic and descriptive storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Lie She Told’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will be reading more of Catherine’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

It All Began With A Little White Lie

At the end of January 2023, Ryan Green a true crime author whose many books I've read and thoroughly enjoyed, introduced me to a crime fiction author I had never come across. He said he'd recently discovered the wonderful Catherine Yaffee and he wanted his readers to have "a nice opportunity to read about some crime that isn't true and doesn't have you despairing over the state of humanity!"

What a great introduction from another "trusted" author. Even though I had a chance to read it for free, I purchased my first Catherine Yaffee book which I was happy to note was part of a series, downloaded a couple free works of short fiction, and pre-ordered the third book in the series. I love British police procedurals and psychological thrillers and Catherine's books combine two of my favorite genre. I'd had several books on my to be read next list so I didn't get to her book until the last weekend in February. Now I'm upset that postponed reading it.

I was not expecting the book to be as great as it turned out to be. This was an amazing "first born" piece of writing by Catherine Yaffee. Her book pulls the reader in immediately. I can't believe how quickly I ended up finishing it. Its compelling storyline held my attention throughout. The picturesque Scottish village made for a beautiful visualization only dampened by the terrible violence that was an intricate part of the plot.
An intermingling of the past and present was not confusing the way the author handled it. The characters were well written and easily distinguishable from each other. Their individual personalities and quirks made for an entertaining book. The foreshadowing kept me on pins and needles wondering what was going to happen next.

One character got me so angry with their stubbornness and the rose colored glasses they were looking out of. While another kept me tense never knowing what heinous act they were going to commit next. Lies were an important part of the plot. I really enjoyed the range of ages of the main characters and how they viewed the world as they interacted with one another. The feelings of menace and unease was often brushed aside or scoffed at. But as this book barreled towards its climax I couldn't help but wonder why were the police not called sooner and why they were going methodically by the book while lives were in danger. The my emotions were stretched so taunt believing any moment something horrific would happen.

For a debut novel Catherine Yaffee you knocked the ball right out of the park (for my British readers this baseball reference means she hit a homerun on her first time at the plate - sorry I had a couple preseason games playing in the background as I finished the book🙂). Thanks for the recommendation Ryan Green and to those of you who also enjoy true crime his books are excellent!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. A fast paced story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Kate will take you on a roller coaster of emotions I hated to put it down. Kate and her son, Joe, moved to Scotland after her husband was sent to jail. For two years everything went well until people from her past come calling and the truth is at her heels. I would highly recommend this book. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1998 family liaison officer DI Andrew “Ziggy” Thornes helps Kate relocate to the Scottish highlands village of Gairloch with her young son Joe. The further the better away from her violent criminal husband Darren who threatens her as he is sent to prison in Leeds. 2000 finds Kate setting nicely into her new life. She has found work at the Harbour Cafe and made a good friend in Jack Bruce the owner. She has the flat over the shop and will soon be taking over the running from the aging owner. Joe has made friends and life is looking good, although maybe a little lonely at times. Which is the perfect “in " for Ryan Albright with whom she once had a fling. He can’t believe his luck in spotting her after he has run home to his father's pub The Kingfisher when dangerous rumours have been spread about him in Leeds. For Ryan is Darren’s best friend. And as he worms his way into her life and affections, it soon becomes clear to the reader Ryan has an ulterior motive. Jack has a bad feeling about Ryan, even before Ryan's father disappears and Jack has some misfortune of his own. When Kate's sister Fiona comes to stay, she and Jack get their heads together and make some very disturbing discoveries. As events escalate Kate has no option but to contact Ziggy and watch as the whole truth about what she did is revealed. But will it be too late for all those concerned?
I had already read book 2 previously and was very keen to see how the series started and the introduction of Ziggy, so jumped at the chance to read and review this story. It is clear throughout what the completely odious and hateful Ryan is up to and why, and the suspense lies in what the outcome will be and the revelations about what Kate did. It was easy to guess the secret that Kate was keeping and to empathise with her in this well written story which sets the scene and gradually builds the tension to a very satisfying conclusion all round. This would translate very well into a tv drama with its very likeable lead characters and beautiful setting. 4.5*

[Kath Middleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started out hoping for a good, tense read, but have to confess, I saw much of it coming. Even the title gives something away. The main character, Kate, and her son, Joe, are befriended by someone from her past, now returned to the village he grew up in. It held my interest to the end (although the last 7% was an excerpt from the next book, which I never read). I felt it hadn’t had a final professional proofread, which would have improved the experience for me. There was also a massive amount of head-hopping, which is disconcerting to the reader. It was okay.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lies she told by Catherine Yaffe.
All Kate Wanted Was A Peaceful life.
All Ryan Wanted Was To Destroy It.
Living in the remote Scottish Highlands under Witness Protection, life is finally happy for Kate Ward and her young son Joe, until someone from Kate’s past appears. Ryan Albright is the only person that knows all of Kate’s secrets, and what she had to do to escape her previous abusive relationship.
Ryan is determined to complete the mission set for him by Kate’s ex-husband. Systematically and violently, he pulls Kate’s new world apart with devasting consequences for everyone around him, including Kate who must face up to the lie she told.
I really enjoyed this book. Great story and characters apart from Ryan. I didn't trust him. Read in one sitting. 5*.

[Nicola Stoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I was into this book I couldn’t put it down!! It kept getting better.
I felt like I knew the characters and was willing them to find out the truth.
I cannot wait for Catherine’s second book I will definitely be reading.

[Rajiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

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This was a very nice read! The author did a great job in setting up the suspense from the first page. The story starts off with a bang where you see Kate and Joe leave their lives to start a new one.

Also, there is a lot of back story with these characters that makes you glued to the story. How does Kate know Ryan? Is Ryan in touch with Darren? The story is pretty gripping as we see how Ryan manipulates himself into Kate, Jack and Joe’s lives. At the same time, Joe is adorable, and Jack is very nice in the lead. Kate is ok, but I did not like how she let Ryan enter her life easily. Although she is Jack’s close friend, she takes Ryan’s word over his initially, which was frustrating. Moreover, one character that really surprised me was Fiona. Although she appears only in the second half, I really liked how involved she became in the storyline.

Additionally, Ryan is a conniving cocky character who makes the story interesting. As the story progresses the author increases the suspense level. I wanted to see how far Ryan would go. He is unpredictable and some of the things he did shocked me. For example, the scenes where he plots Len’s downfall in the barn was eerie.

However, there are some minor plots which felt unresolved. For instance, why did Ryan resent Len so much? We don’t get much details on their past relationship. Moreover, l wished I liked Kate as the story continued, but she was weak and selfish.

But the story is very entertaining mainly because of Ryan, Jack, Fiona and Molly. Overall, this is a very nice thriller and I hope to read more from the author!

[Jo Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book thinking I'd dip in and out of it over a few days but ended up reading it into the night as I couldn't put it down! The characters were well-developed and there were only as many as were actually needed for the plot itself. Too many minor characters is one of my pet peeves when I'm reading a novel so I really enjoyed this aspect of the author's writing.

It's not until the very end that the reader finds out what the lie Kate told actually was, although there were a couple of hints along the way. Ryan was a manipulative, vile character and at one point I found myself telling Kate what I thought of her when she kept ignoring her gut instinct and letting him wriggle his measly way further into her life (the cats were not impressed and there was dramatic tutting from the poetry bookshelves). Jack was my favourite character, an older gentleman who helped Kate find her feet in the little Scottish village and inviting her to own part of the cafe he runs. Reading the story from both Kate and Ryan's perspectives really helped build up the tension as the reader knows what he has planned and has no way of stopping events from running their course.

I was intrigued about DI Ziggy Thorne, who has only a couple of brief appearances in the novel and I hope to see more of him in future novels (please tell me there are future novels?!). Catherine Yaffe handled the relationships between different characters skilfully and her novel serves as a reminder of how fine the line can be between trust, history, jealousy and love. I had to have a strong word with myself to hold back on judging Kate too harshly as she falls for Ryan, because her character only saw the side he presented whereas the omnipotent reader saw the true evil intent and actions when nobody was watching.

I'm giving this a 4 star rating and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thriller with truly villainous bad guys and a secret that's kept hidden inside.

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lie She Told is an entertaining, quick read with likeable characters. The book is set in Scotland and the story starts off where you see Kate and Joe go into witness protection and move to Scotland to start over. Kate meets Jack when she first moves their and he is very nice and gives Kate a job and a place to stay. She loves the town and makes friends easily.
The story is gripping as Kate meets Ryan who she has known from her past and it is amazing how quickly Ryan manipulates himself into Kate life. As their complex relationships evolves you will find that Ryan is a despicable character. Catherine Yaffe has crafted the characters who are so realistic. I loved how the characters are not quite trustworthy and I always felt like I was about to be surprised in each chapter.
The Lie She Told is a book I very much enjoyed, and I highly recommend. It is definitely worth a read and is a real page turner. I could not put it down until I finished. If you are looking for a thriller that you cannot put down, then definitely check this one out. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for fair and honest review.

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[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lie She Told is a suspenseful crime thriller that will keep readers on edge throughout. It follows a woman named Kate, and her son Joe, as they make a new life for themselves in the Scottish Highlands. Kate's ex-husband is in jail, and everything seems good now. Until Kate's past catches up to her. Ryan, a friend of her ex-husband's, has inserted himself into Kate and Joe's new life, seeming to be looking to start anew as well. But Ryan's got secrets, as does Kate, and when things come to a head near the end, ooh boy. It's crazy!
I enjoyed the story. It was engaging and easy to read. It kept me on my toes, wondering what the titular lie was that forced Kate into a new life with her son. And although I thought Kate was a bit wishy-washy and naive at times, I still wanted her to have a happy, new life.
I did like her son, Joe. He was a typical little kid, though. Too trusting of people. And I liked Jack as well. He was a great character. Probably my favorite.
If you're looking for an intriguing crime thriller, give The Lie She Told a shot.
4 stars from me!

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4✨

✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
• witness protection
• second chance at life
• dangerous past catching up
• single mother strength
• secrets & lies

✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This story follows Kate who is trying to start over with her little son in the peaceful Scottish Highlands, but the past doesn’t stay buried for long. A dangerous man from her old life returns and suddenly every lie she ever told starts to threaten the quiet world she built.
The book had me hooked with its tense atmosphere and the way the past and present keep colliding. I loved the setting and how it added to the suspense. Kate felt very real, sometimes frustrating in her choices, but that made her human and believable. The pacing was sharp and the reveals came at just the right moments.
It’s the kind of thriller that makes you feel the fear, the tension, and that constant unease of looking over your shoulder. I adored the mix of emotional stakes with fast twists, and even though some moments made me want to shake Kate, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. A gripping read full of secrets, danger, and heart. Perfect if you love domestic thrillers with dark vibes and an edge of emotional drama.
Thank you so much author for gifting me this book 🥰

[Chloe 'hichlochu' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little gem of a thriller was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It was fast, a journey of dark action that leaves you craving for more. I loved how it took you through a series of events, clearly showing you the characters true colours but never leaving you without questions.

Kate and Joe were likable, neighbourly and felt real. Ryan was basically heartless human being, I never trusted him from the start. The author has written a drama full of flashbacks, a past full of secrets and deadly deception. How many lives will be at risk when the past finally catches up to Kate.

I devoured this read, the writing style was easy, the events so fast paced. It was the perfect read for the bedtime baby feeds. I loved the use of the flashbacks but most of all loved the energy and feel of the book.

I can’t wait to check out more by this author.

[Gail Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Unsure at the beginning I was soon hooked and willing Kate not to trust Ryan. I also wanted little Joe to talk to his Mum. True to life children don't always think their parents have the right ideas. I loved the grandfatherly figure of the cafe owner, Jack. I was a bit disappointed at the ending and felt that there was room for another follow up story if it had been ended at chapter 48. It is still possible for the story to be picked up and run with by the author, Catherine Skeet-Yaffe. I hope she takes the hint.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to make this a 5* review as i really enjoyed the novel but i felt like the title gives away a bit of the plot and although i enjoyed the novel knowing what was going to happen i would have enjoyed it even more not knowing if that makes sense. All that aside this is a fascinating read and the characters are interesting and well developed, the tensions builds well throughout the plot and has a satisfying end. For a debut novel it feels like very accomplished writing and i look forward to reading more from this author

[Roxx Tarantini]

Oh my! Description, complexities, characters who engage you while you still aren't quite sure they're trustworthy . . . Yaffe has it all in this page-turner!

The Lies She Told is a debut novel that reads quickly. Perhaps even obsessively. I did not put it down till I was done, this one was an all-nighter! I think you'll be as drawn in as was I, heartily recommend!

[I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this novel, through Voracious Readers, but was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

[Louise Brighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story grabs your interest right from the start. The characters are likeable and despicable as humans are, and I am glad that the protagonist is not perfect, because it makes her more real and relatable. The ending is satisfying. Simply put, this book is a good, easy read. Thank you to the author and Voracious Readers Only for the complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

[Mrs M L Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it gripped me from page 1. I read it in 2 days, I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen.
The characters are really brought to life, you find you go through an array of emotions whilst reading. As you immerse yourself in the story, you feel empathy, anger, sadness and happiness as if you were the character you’re reading.
I highly recommend reading this book, you won’t regret it 😃

[ThrillerSeeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling debut novel

Katie Ward is living under Witness Protection in the Scottish Highlands when Ryan Albright, an individual connected to her past, appears. The unsavoury character muscles his way into Katie's life, much to the concern of those who have become attached to Katie in her new surroundings.

This is an enthralling debut novel from Catherine Yaffe. It was intriguing to track the vulnerability of Katie and the villainous Ryan, who manipulated her to his own ends. How you wanted him to get his just deserts, but does he?

I am interested to see how she develops the character of DCI Ziggy Thornes in her upcoming novel The Web They Wove. It will be on my to be read list!

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book from this author and I found it enjoyable but not thrilling! It was easy enough to understand where the story was going and there was no twist and unexpected parts in the plot. Having said that I really liked the description of the Scottish village and I could really picture it. The characters were well written and I can say that I hated Ryan from the beginning and thought of Jack as a very loving person. As for Kate I bonded more with her sister Fiona then her. This is an easy read for someone who's not looking to be challenged.

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fast paced as we move from one timeline to another and back again. It’s also a quick read. I never usually say this but it could have been a bit longer with more of Kate’s backstory such as how she met and married her ex-husband Darren.

Kate is like two different people – quiet and reserved living with her son Joe in the remote Scottish Highlands. I loved the idea of relocating to this wind-swept location, where she runs the local cafe, along with the elderly owner Jack Bruce, who has taken them both under his wing. But when we see her in the past, she is mixing with a group of undesirables, drawing her into their criminal lifestyle.

But back to the ‘now’ and Kate is muddling along quite happily, safe in her own little world. Then one day, she picks up a hitchhiker during a storm and it turns out to be Ryan Albright, a blast from the past, a man with whom she had a dalliance while her husband was up to no good. But Ryan is horrible, even worse than she remembers. He’s one of those lovable rogue types, handsome but shady (and a bit thick), except he’s not remotely lovable and gets less so by the day. Some of the things he does are beyond belief. But Kate is taken in by his charm.

The book follows Ryan’s devious plans which threaten to destroy Kate’s new life, but we also jump back in time to Kate’s marriage to Darren, her abusive ex-husband, an armed robbery and Darren going to prison.

Many thanks to @zooloo2008 for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.