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The Lies We Tell
Can we ever escape our past?
The last time Katy saw Jude was on a school trip, when Jude was attacked by a stranger and Katy ran away. Twenty years later, Jude is back, and her reappearance coincides with a series of unsettling incidents: a stranger appears in the downstairs flat; one night Katy’s house is vandalised; her mother is mugged and her home ransacked. And Jude seems to know an uncomfortable amount about Katy’s current life...
For fans of Gone Girl and Girl on the Train, THE LIES WE TELL is an addictive, complex and completely gripping psychological thriller in which present and past intertwine to devastating effect. Forced to revisit the same rocky waters of friendship and power they inhabited when they were fifteen, as the story reaches its explosive climax, Jude and Katy realise that when it comes to memory, truth and family – nothing and no-one are what they seem.
The last time Katy saw Jude was on a school trip, when Jude was attacked by a stranger and Katy ran away. Twenty years later, Jude is back, and her reappearance coincides with a series of unsettling incidents: a stranger appears in the downstairs flat; one night Katy’s house is vandalised; her mother is mugged and her home ransacked. And Jude seems to know an uncomfortable amount about Katy’s current life...
For fans of Gone Girl and Girl on the Train, THE LIES WE TELL is an addictive, complex and completely gripping psychological thriller in which present and past intertwine to devastating effect. Forced to revisit the same rocky waters of friendship and power they inhabited when they were fifteen, as the story reaches its explosive climax, Jude and Katy realise that when it comes to memory, truth and family – nothing and no-one are what they seem.
295 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 2015
116 people are currently reading
2218 people want to read
About the author
Meg Carter
8 books28 followersAfter graduating from the University of London with a degree in English, I worked directly for CEO Michael Green at Carlton Communications. I then joined Televisual magazine, published by Centaur Media, where I worked for four years eventually becoming Assistant Editor.
A brief stint on Centaur sister title Design Week followed before I joined Marketing Week writing news, features and editing various sections including the international pages.
Four years later, I was approached by EMAP to edit its then recently-acquired title Commercials magazine - a position I held until going freelance.
During more than two decades working as a freelance features writer, I have contributed to a wide range of titles. Newspapers include: The Financial Times; Wall Street Journal; The Guardian; The Independent; The Times and The Telegraph. Magazines include: The Radio Times; The Mail on Sunday's You Magazine; Personnel Today; Director; Campaign; The Marketer and Wired.
I am an advisory board member for Women in Journalism and co-ordinated and wrote the WiJ report Real Women: The Hidden Sex.
A brief stint on Centaur sister title Design Week followed before I joined Marketing Week writing news, features and editing various sections including the international pages.
Four years later, I was approached by EMAP to edit its then recently-acquired title Commercials magazine - a position I held until going freelance.
During more than two decades working as a freelance features writer, I have contributed to a wide range of titles. Newspapers include: The Financial Times; Wall Street Journal; The Guardian; The Independent; The Times and The Telegraph. Magazines include: The Radio Times; The Mail on Sunday's You Magazine; Personnel Today; Director; Campaign; The Marketer and Wired.
I am an advisory board member for Women in Journalism and co-ordinated and wrote the WiJ report Real Women: The Hidden Sex.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
December 7, 2015
THE LIES WE TELL, by Meg Carter is a psychological thriller, a story that is full of lies and deceit.
This book was recommended to me by another Goodreads member, and I am so glad I jumped at the chance to read it. I really didn’t know what to expect, but after reading the blurb, I was totally intrigued. I can’t believe this is a debut novel, as it was so good! Right from the beginning, I knew I was reading a winner. This book was so good, I left my husband to decorate the Christmas tree, while I was so engrossed in this book. Let me tell you that once you start this book, you will resent any interruptions that take you away from the book.
They met on a playground, and soon they were soul mates for life. Jude had stood out, she was an outsider, but a bully, a leader that was used to getting their own way. Everyone lived a short distance out of town, while Jude lived in a poor area alone with her mum…Kat lived with her mum and dad, in a respectable middle class area, but her dad had emotionally left the picture a while ago.
The story alternates chapters between present day in 2013 London and over 20 years ago in 1980s Guildford.
One summer two teenage girls’ lives are changed forever.
Kat and Jude go off together to summer camp and walk through a wooded copse. Then in an instant… Jude is kidnapped in front of Kat, and terrified Kat runs away, leaving her friend behind.
“Battling now to blot out what had just happened. Jude’s body, crumpling as she was dragged into the bushes. An image that re-played in a distorted loop again and again in her mind’s eye.”
Katy recovered in the County Hospital and was told that Jude and her mum had moved away.
Now the book switches to the present day, and Kat (now Katy), a designer, is engaged with a baby on the way. And then Jude makes contact.
“Because we’ve unfinished business, you and I. Because I know what you did. Because you owe me.”
The book switches rapidly between past and present, tracing the lives of the two girls and their paths that cross. This is a novel about who knew what and when. The characters are well-written, engaging and very real. Mid way through the novel, there is The Big Reveal and the pace speeds up, not allowing the reader to put it down, until you reach the end. I will definitely read more by this author!
“The lies we tell are nothing compared to the lies we tell ourselves.”
This book was recommended to me by another Goodreads member, and I am so glad I jumped at the chance to read it. I really didn’t know what to expect, but after reading the blurb, I was totally intrigued. I can’t believe this is a debut novel, as it was so good! Right from the beginning, I knew I was reading a winner. This book was so good, I left my husband to decorate the Christmas tree, while I was so engrossed in this book. Let me tell you that once you start this book, you will resent any interruptions that take you away from the book.
They met on a playground, and soon they were soul mates for life. Jude had stood out, she was an outsider, but a bully, a leader that was used to getting their own way. Everyone lived a short distance out of town, while Jude lived in a poor area alone with her mum…Kat lived with her mum and dad, in a respectable middle class area, but her dad had emotionally left the picture a while ago.
The story alternates chapters between present day in 2013 London and over 20 years ago in 1980s Guildford.
One summer two teenage girls’ lives are changed forever.
Kat and Jude go off together to summer camp and walk through a wooded copse. Then in an instant… Jude is kidnapped in front of Kat, and terrified Kat runs away, leaving her friend behind.
“Battling now to blot out what had just happened. Jude’s body, crumpling as she was dragged into the bushes. An image that re-played in a distorted loop again and again in her mind’s eye.”
Katy recovered in the County Hospital and was told that Jude and her mum had moved away.
Now the book switches to the present day, and Kat (now Katy), a designer, is engaged with a baby on the way. And then Jude makes contact.
“Because we’ve unfinished business, you and I. Because I know what you did. Because you owe me.”
The book switches rapidly between past and present, tracing the lives of the two girls and their paths that cross. This is a novel about who knew what and when. The characters are well-written, engaging and very real. Mid way through the novel, there is The Big Reveal and the pace speeds up, not allowing the reader to put it down, until you reach the end. I will definitely read more by this author!
“The lies we tell are nothing compared to the lies we tell ourselves.”
November 30, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, another great thriller where you are just not quite sure what is going on. This book moves back from past to present throughout and is full of suspence and intrigue, I wanted to know what was really happening. Katy and Jude were friends over 20 years ago, but an event happened at that time that changed their relationship for ever. There are so many twists and turns in this story, not just in the plot but also in the depth of the characters. Each person has their own agenda and I found many of these characters personalities quite fascinating. I am pleased to say that the book maintained my interest all the way through and I was disappointed when I finished as I had enjoyed it so much. For a first time author, this is excellent work, I highly recommend this book. Thank you to the author Meg Carter, Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
August 24, 2015
The cover and blurb for this book really grabbed my attention and I was very keen to slip between its pages. This book promised to be gripping thriller. The reality was somewhat different for me.
One of the things I really like about this book is the way the story unfolds, the story is told from two points in time, the here and now and back in Katy and Jude's teenage years when they first meet and become friends. However, with the way some of these chapters were laid it, made the story feels very disjointed. At one point Katy answers the phone and I assumed I knew who it was, but 2 chapters later we find it was actually someone else..
This book is heavily descriptive. very heavily descriptive. At certain points there was so much descriptive text that I actually forgot what the conversation was about and would have to skip back many, many pages to the last piece of dialogue just to jog my memory of what was being said.
The story itself was certainly intriguing, there's no way I could have walked away from this book without finding out the full story... but overall I felt the story took too long to unfold and some parts were so obvious I wondered why Carter took so long to reveal them.
One of the things I really like about this book is the way the story unfolds, the story is told from two points in time, the here and now and back in Katy and Jude's teenage years when they first meet and become friends. However, with the way some of these chapters were laid it, made the story feels very disjointed. At one point Katy answers the phone and I assumed I knew who it was, but 2 chapters later we find it was actually someone else..
This book is heavily descriptive. very heavily descriptive. At certain points there was so much descriptive text that I actually forgot what the conversation was about and would have to skip back many, many pages to the last piece of dialogue just to jog my memory of what was being said.
The story itself was certainly intriguing, there's no way I could have walked away from this book without finding out the full story... but overall I felt the story took too long to unfold and some parts were so obvious I wondered why Carter took so long to reveal them.
October 9, 2015
I'm giving this 4 stars because it kept me reading throughout the day and made me forget that I had things that needed to be done around the house! It felt very sinister and kind of creepy, which makes this a good thriller for me. I liked the way the author slowly built the revelations up; going from present to past, getting the two main characters pov's, and doing it effortlessly--in my opinion. I'm curious to see if in the future there will be a sequel....? I will definitely keep an eye out for it.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2021
So badly edited and proofread that it was virtually unreadable (although often unintentionally hilarious). I think that, for me, the highlight of this unholy mess was on page 266. A character has found a temporary job at the local Co-op. Further down the page: "She was wearing her staff uniform FOR WHERE?, a navy long-sleeved dress ...".
I also laughed at "... joking loudly with a friends", "... without a protective hand hovering to shelf the metal framework ...", "... her heart starts to thresh like a hooked fish ...", "... fine-tuned the volume on the stereo before then leaned back against the bed ...", "A sudden through which makes her want to bury her head in shame.", "... leaving the frame is empty.", and countless other howlers. She can't decide whether she is writing in the present tense or the past tense, so tries to do both, sometimes in the same sentence. The story is passably interesting, but with a protagonist this pathetic, it's hard to care. And a 'much-loved' cat is killed, which is bad enough, but its owner doesn't ask after its whereabouts when she returns from hospital and it is never mentioned again. The whole book is a shocking waste of paper!
I also laughed at "... joking loudly with a friends", "... without a protective hand hovering to shelf the metal framework ...", "... her heart starts to thresh like a hooked fish ...", "... fine-tuned the volume on the stereo before then leaned back against the bed ...", "A sudden through which makes her want to bury her head in shame.", "... leaving the frame is empty.", and countless other howlers. She can't decide whether she is writing in the present tense or the past tense, so tries to do both, sometimes in the same sentence. The story is passably interesting, but with a protagonist this pathetic, it's hard to care. And a 'much-loved' cat is killed, which is bad enough, but its owner doesn't ask after its whereabouts when she returns from hospital and it is never mentioned again. The whole book is a shocking waste of paper!
April 13, 2023
The Lies We Tell is a quick and intense read a little predicable at times but still a enjoyable read 📚
January 13, 2016
I didn't care much for this book. There was no flow in the writing. Jude's character seemed like an over-acted Lifetime actress. When I read the description of the book, I really thought this was something I could get lost in. None of the characters were like able. It's a shame.
And please, stop comparing every thriller to Gone Girl or Girl on the Train. Please! I beg you!!
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.
And please, stop comparing every thriller to Gone Girl or Girl on the Train. Please! I beg you!!
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.
August 2, 2015
This book had more twists and turns than a roller coaster ride with a surprise thrown in for good measure. "Kat" as she was called by her friend "Jude" as a child is abducted in front of her and she runs away to get help only to wake up in the hospital and her friend be fine. Then Jude and her mother move away now all these years later Jude comes back into her life and things are not as they seem. Jude wants something from her but Katy has a life she is not prepared to have Jude turn upside down with her bullying as she did with Katy as her childhood friend. Especially now as she is trying to commit to the father of her unborn child, work out their relationship and make a career for herself. Strange things start happening. Her mother is mugged, her apartment ransacked and her beloved pet cat is stolen and returned to her doorstep dead, and then she finds out she knows Jude but by another name. Katy is being also being confronted by a stranger on a park bench and targeted in her home and then the father of her child, Mike, is acting strange. Can the reappearance of Jude be the cause of all these things. She will need to find out what Jude has been doing all these years since she and her mother moved away and maybe that will tell her if Jude is the cause or these are just random coincidences.
September 17, 2019
Disappointed.
I barely managed to finish this one. Katy was the weakest, dumbest character I have read about in a long time. Jude was bad but was at least likable as a bad character. I have never checked any book I was reading as many times as I did this one to see how much was left to read. There was no twists in the story and the characters were bland and uninteresting. I’m not sure how anyone could be surprised by the plot or the ending.
As if the storyline wasn’t bad enough, the editing was terrible. There are missing words, extra words, and lots of incomplete sentences making it annoying to read. I would never recommend this book.
I barely managed to finish this one. Katy was the weakest, dumbest character I have read about in a long time. Jude was bad but was at least likable as a bad character. I have never checked any book I was reading as many times as I did this one to see how much was left to read. There was no twists in the story and the characters were bland and uninteresting. I’m not sure how anyone could be surprised by the plot or the ending.
As if the storyline wasn’t bad enough, the editing was terrible. There are missing words, extra words, and lots of incomplete sentences making it annoying to read. I would never recommend this book.
August 15, 2015
A solid 4 stars for this tense psychological thriller - especially good from a debut novel.
I kept thinking that I knew exactly what was going on, and what had happened to Kat & Jude back in the 80s - and I was pleasantly surprised to be put off track little by little, until I really wasn't sure at all what the outcome was going to be.
And THAT is exactly what you want from a thriller!
I kept thinking that I knew exactly what was going on, and what had happened to Kat & Jude back in the 80s - and I was pleasantly surprised to be put off track little by little, until I really wasn't sure at all what the outcome was going to be.
And THAT is exactly what you want from a thriller!
September 27, 2019
Ridiculous
October 29, 2015
It is pretty rare for me to put down a book, even if I don't care for it. This was one case where I was plugging away questioning why I didn't walk away.
I also hate to rip a book apart, just because I may not care for something does not mean it won't be a favorite to another reader.
What I can do is give my personal opinion on why a novel just didn't work for me.
The Characters felt very flat and predictable. Well written characters can salvage even the most sluggish and flat story lines. However, dull and lifeless characters will certainly sink even a potentially great novel.
The plot seemed to drag on and on. This may have worked better as a novella or short rather than a full length novel. I just kept thinking the author was dragging on and on rather than just hit plot points to move the story along.
From the first chapter until the very end the reader is teased at a hidden, bad, past but it's the proverbial carrot on the stick. We want the big reveal, we keep reading on and on to put the story together and we are totally let down when we finally get the last scraps.
I really wanted so much more from this novel. Sadly, it just didn't deliver. I would read something else by this author in the future in the hopes another would delight rather than disappoint.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read/review.
I also hate to rip a book apart, just because I may not care for something does not mean it won't be a favorite to another reader.
What I can do is give my personal opinion on why a novel just didn't work for me.
The Characters felt very flat and predictable. Well written characters can salvage even the most sluggish and flat story lines. However, dull and lifeless characters will certainly sink even a potentially great novel.
The plot seemed to drag on and on. This may have worked better as a novella or short rather than a full length novel. I just kept thinking the author was dragging on and on rather than just hit plot points to move the story along.
From the first chapter until the very end the reader is teased at a hidden, bad, past but it's the proverbial carrot on the stick. We want the big reveal, we keep reading on and on to put the story together and we are totally let down when we finally get the last scraps.
I really wanted so much more from this novel. Sadly, it just didn't deliver. I would read something else by this author in the future in the hopes another would delight rather than disappoint.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read/review.
September 28, 2020
I wanted to like this book. In fact I wanted to really like this book. Instead I found it frustrating to read, but I did, all the way to the end. I found the writing full of strange errors, missing words, sentences that made no sense causing me to go back and read them again in case it was me. Nope, actual missing words or added words that shouldn't have been there. The characters are lukewarm causing you to not really care about what happens to them or far too developed in one area but not enough in others. I think the author was trying to build a web of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. For me it just created this pot full of red herrings, random character walk-ons, plot lines that don't connect to anything that left me wondering just how much those pregnancy hormones affected the brain of the main character. How else could she keep missing the same guy...covered with the same tattoos, doing multiple bad things to her and her family but hey he is wearing a hat this time instead of a hoodie.
The ending of the book was the worst for me. It was far too disjointed, far too unbelievable, far too fast and in no way did it address the suspicions thrown at the boyfriend. But I guess about three lines of inner monologue is enough to fix everything for the main character - whose name btw, I can not even remember!
The ending of the book was the worst for me. It was far too disjointed, far too unbelievable, far too fast and in no way did it address the suspicions thrown at the boyfriend. But I guess about three lines of inner monologue is enough to fix everything for the main character - whose name btw, I can not even remember!
August 9, 2015
The Lies we Tall is a Psychological thriller.
The story goes between past and Present.
Jude and Kat was school girl friends Jude was a bit of a bully to Kat though but when Jude is attacked in the woods Kat runs away only to fall and Hurt herself badley, when she gets out of the hospital JUde and her Mother have moved away without a word.
20 Years later Jude is back and has a son as well, strange things start to happen Kats mother is mugged and her flat is broken into her cat is also taken. Kats partner who she is pregnant by seems to be acting strange as well.Kat feels like all the things that are happening are because of Jude but what does she want and what happened all them years ago that Kat has buried deep down in her memory.
As Kat tries to sort out what is going on you are drawn into the story this book is great a must read for people who like a good/mystery thriller.I was sad when the book finished i enjoyed it so much.
Thank you to the Author and Netgalley for a chance to read this book.
The story goes between past and Present.
Jude and Kat was school girl friends Jude was a bit of a bully to Kat though but when Jude is attacked in the woods Kat runs away only to fall and Hurt herself badley, when she gets out of the hospital JUde and her Mother have moved away without a word.
20 Years later Jude is back and has a son as well, strange things start to happen Kats mother is mugged and her flat is broken into her cat is also taken. Kats partner who she is pregnant by seems to be acting strange as well.Kat feels like all the things that are happening are because of Jude but what does she want and what happened all them years ago that Kat has buried deep down in her memory.
As Kat tries to sort out what is going on you are drawn into the story this book is great a must read for people who like a good/mystery thriller.I was sad when the book finished i enjoyed it so much.
Thank you to the Author and Netgalley for a chance to read this book.
December 3, 2015
"Because the lies we tell are nothing compared to the lies we tell ourselves".
Meg Carter's debut was a thoroughly spine-chilling and tense novel that I found hard to put down from page one. Switching between 1989 and 2013, this is the story of Katy or Kat and Jude who were kind of "pseudo"-friends at school until an incident during a school trip leaves one injured and the other suddenly moves away. Now, all these years later, Jude suddenly gets back in touch with Katy just as eerie and unsettling things start happening in Katy's life. A really suspenseful plot full of secrets and lies that keeps you guessing and turning the pages.
I am usually not a great fan of books that keep going back and forth in time, but as the layers were revealed bit by bit and Katy was dealing with her repressed memories, it worked well here.
My only minor point of frustration, I couldn't buy into the weird relationship between Katy and her partner Michael. There was something seriously wrong there, but I suppose it fits the "the lies we tell ourselves"-theme.
But that aside, this is definitely a fantastic psychological thriller that will keep your attention throughout. 4.5 stars
Thanks to the publisher Canelo and to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Meg Carter's debut was a thoroughly spine-chilling and tense novel that I found hard to put down from page one. Switching between 1989 and 2013, this is the story of Katy or Kat and Jude who were kind of "pseudo"-friends at school until an incident during a school trip leaves one injured and the other suddenly moves away. Now, all these years later, Jude suddenly gets back in touch with Katy just as eerie and unsettling things start happening in Katy's life. A really suspenseful plot full of secrets and lies that keeps you guessing and turning the pages.
I am usually not a great fan of books that keep going back and forth in time, but as the layers were revealed bit by bit and Katy was dealing with her repressed memories, it worked well here.
My only minor point of frustration, I couldn't buy into the weird relationship between Katy and her partner Michael. There was something seriously wrong there, but I suppose it fits the "the lies we tell ourselves"-theme.
But that aside, this is definitely a fantastic psychological thriller that will keep your attention throughout. 4.5 stars
Thanks to the publisher Canelo and to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2015
I received this book from NetGalley and Canelo publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I am not sure how this book got such good reviews.
I got about 100 pages in and was bored and confused. I didn't even finish. There was no rhythm or flow to the writing and story telling, I honestly had no idea that Jude was attacked on a school trip until I read the other reviews that stated this fact.
The book blurb states that this is a good book for fans of Gone Girl or Girl on the Train. I loved Gone Girl and there is no way I would ever put this in the same category. I hated Girl on the Train, so I would put this in the same category.
If you were disappointed in Girl on the Train, Luckiest Girl Alive, Into the Darkest Corner, then I believe that you will be disappointed with this book as well.
I am not sure how this book got such good reviews.
I got about 100 pages in and was bored and confused. I didn't even finish. There was no rhythm or flow to the writing and story telling, I honestly had no idea that Jude was attacked on a school trip until I read the other reviews that stated this fact.
The book blurb states that this is a good book for fans of Gone Girl or Girl on the Train. I loved Gone Girl and there is no way I would ever put this in the same category. I hated Girl on the Train, so I would put this in the same category.
If you were disappointed in Girl on the Train, Luckiest Girl Alive, Into the Darkest Corner, then I believe that you will be disappointed with this book as well.
August 21, 2015
An entertaining psychological thriller.
The premise is strong - suppressed memories and a weird school friend you haven’t seen in years.
The delivery works well, but with some concentration it’s quite easy to work out where this is going.
Not the best psychological thriller I’ve read , but an entertaining read nonetheless.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The premise is strong - suppressed memories and a weird school friend you haven’t seen in years.
The delivery works well, but with some concentration it’s quite easy to work out where this is going.
Not the best psychological thriller I’ve read , but an entertaining read nonetheless.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
June 12, 2017
Actual rating 3.5*
“The Lies We Tell are nothing compared to the lies we tell ourselves”
We all loose touch with friends particularly school friends who move away. Back in the late 80s when part of this tale is set, there was no Facebook, Twitter, mobile phones or even email available like there is today. No, it was all snail mail and landlines so it was much harder to stay in touch, more of an effort than today’s ease of sending a quick text or posting a message on Facebook. But in Kat’s case, Jude her best friend at school, her only friend vanished after one fateful day on the Surrey Hills. As to why, only reading The Lies We Tell will tell you the whole story.
This book wasn’t as dark and twisted as some of the psychological thrillers that I’ve read in past however it was packed with atmosphere and intrigue. What did happen up on the heath? Why did Jude vanish?
This is a well written debut from Meg Carter. My attention was grabbed, I wanted to know the whole truth and what caused the demise of these two girls’ friendship.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for my ecopy of The Lies We Tell.
“The Lies We Tell are nothing compared to the lies we tell ourselves”
We all loose touch with friends particularly school friends who move away. Back in the late 80s when part of this tale is set, there was no Facebook, Twitter, mobile phones or even email available like there is today. No, it was all snail mail and landlines so it was much harder to stay in touch, more of an effort than today’s ease of sending a quick text or posting a message on Facebook. But in Kat’s case, Jude her best friend at school, her only friend vanished after one fateful day on the Surrey Hills. As to why, only reading The Lies We Tell will tell you the whole story.
This book wasn’t as dark and twisted as some of the psychological thrillers that I’ve read in past however it was packed with atmosphere and intrigue. What did happen up on the heath? Why did Jude vanish?
This is a well written debut from Meg Carter. My attention was grabbed, I wanted to know the whole truth and what caused the demise of these two girls’ friendship.
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for my ecopy of The Lies We Tell.
November 29, 2021
The cover drew me in to start with, it certainly looked like my kind of book! I do enjoy a domestic style thriller/mystery.
As soon as I started I thought either I’m not concentrating or this isn’t written very well. As I got through the book I questioned myself even more and now after reading other reviews I found out it was the writing style and not me! I hadn’t noticed the amount of grammatical errors others did as I started to skim after a while but thinking back, I did wonder on a few sentences at a time ‘what does the author mean?’
The book was written as a mix of past and present tense and I do like this. I enjoyed the separate chapters when Jude was narrating the past, these were the best bits. What I didn’t like, was how the author went back to the main characters past in seemingly random places in the present tense. I didn’t know if it was happening now or the past in some places and was really confused.
I also noticed some of the book was quite Americanised. Nothing wrong with that but it was a story set in the UK by a British writer so that threw me at times.
The story reminded me of ‘Watching Edie’ which I read a few weeks ago (and didn’t hugely enjoy). The plot was really drawn out, confusing and unenjoyable. I also couldn’t stand when surnames were constantly used and first names when it should have been ‘mum’, for example.
A lot of description in this book, much of it repetitive. By the end I was sick of hearing ‘pale grey eyes’ and ‘milky/creamy breasts’.
I wish I could say positive things but the only good things were Jude’s flashbacks so it’s an overall negative review which matches with many I have seen on here and others I have spoken to.
As soon as I started I thought either I’m not concentrating or this isn’t written very well. As I got through the book I questioned myself even more and now after reading other reviews I found out it was the writing style and not me! I hadn’t noticed the amount of grammatical errors others did as I started to skim after a while but thinking back, I did wonder on a few sentences at a time ‘what does the author mean?’
The book was written as a mix of past and present tense and I do like this. I enjoyed the separate chapters when Jude was narrating the past, these were the best bits. What I didn’t like, was how the author went back to the main characters past in seemingly random places in the present tense. I didn’t know if it was happening now or the past in some places and was really confused.
I also noticed some of the book was quite Americanised. Nothing wrong with that but it was a story set in the UK by a British writer so that threw me at times.
The story reminded me of ‘Watching Edie’ which I read a few weeks ago (and didn’t hugely enjoy). The plot was really drawn out, confusing and unenjoyable. I also couldn’t stand when surnames were constantly used and first names when it should have been ‘mum’, for example.
A lot of description in this book, much of it repetitive. By the end I was sick of hearing ‘pale grey eyes’ and ‘milky/creamy breasts’.
I wish I could say positive things but the only good things were Jude’s flashbacks so it’s an overall negative review which matches with many I have seen on here and others I have spoken to.
August 22, 2016
I can never resist a new psychological thriller so this caught my eye immediately! The premise of the book is very intriguing; two teenage girls, Jude and Kat, become best friends as teenagers and then one day, on a school trip, something happens and Kat never saw Jude again. Until, that is, twenty years later when Jude suddenly gets in touch, and her reappearance coincides with a series of increasingly strange and unsettling things that start happening to Kat and the people closest to her.
This was a very good debut novel; it had quite a few twists and turns, and moments that were very unsettling and made me feel very on edge, which all good thrillers should do. I did work out quite early on who was involved with the mystery in the present day but I was left gobsmacked by one of the twists, which totally made up for me working out the other elements.
The parts of the story set when Kat and Jude were teenagers was the most unsettling part of the book for me. There was just a real sense of something sinister lurking beneath their friendship, the tension hanging between them was radiating off the page and making me feel like I couldn’t breathe at times. There is often an unspoken rivalry between teenage friendships and Meg Carter got this perfect and heightened it further. The scenes set on the heath were really creepy, and it was written in such a great way that I couldn't work out what had happened that day or how it had led up to the present day. It was so good!
This was a very good debut novel; it had quite a few twists and turns, and moments that were very unsettling and made me feel very on edge, which all good thrillers should do. I did work out quite early on who was involved with the mystery in the present day but I was left gobsmacked by one of the twists, which totally made up for me working out the other elements.
The parts of the story set when Kat and Jude were teenagers was the most unsettling part of the book for me. There was just a real sense of something sinister lurking beneath their friendship, the tension hanging between them was radiating off the page and making me feel like I couldn’t breathe at times. There is often an unspoken rivalry between teenage friendships and Meg Carter got this perfect and heightened it further. The scenes set on the heath were really creepy, and it was written in such a great way that I couldn't work out what had happened that day or how it had led up to the present day. It was so good!
August 30, 2015
Right in it's description this book aspires to be among great books like gone girl and girl on the train. I will credit it that there are some similarities to gone girl in the basic premise of the plot and disturbingly vengeful characters. However, I didn't find this book to be as captivating, unpredictable, nor as memorable. I found the writing to be cumbersome, for example: "Yet she is desperate, too, to regain control of herself and that means putting on fresh clothes and a light dusting of make-up; combing her hair." I often found myself having to pause in reading because of how sentences were phrased. I'll also admit that the lingo/locations from the UK also tripped me up some. I struggled through a lot of this book because there are times it feels the characters get tangential into memories that are unimportant, however, the story does pick up towards the end. While this is a "psychological thriller" this book might have been better off not comparing itself to gone girl as that set the bar high as far as expectations. Overall, I'm left feeling this book was just ok.
I received a copy of this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2015
I could not get enough of this book. From the first page to the last, I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was happening and who was behind each event. The main character, Katy, is haunted by her childhood friendship with Jude, the crazy events of one afternoon, and the sudden departure of Jude and her mother. Until...one day she receives a phone call from Jude and all kinds of outrageous events begin to take place. This book will leave you guessing right up until the end.
June 7, 2021
Shocking writing
Meg Carter has quite obviously just used a spellchecker for this book. There are so many errors it completely spoils the story. The services of a proof reader for the second book is advised.
Meg Carter has quite obviously just used a spellchecker for this book. There are so many errors it completely spoils the story. The services of a proof reader for the second book is advised.
January 4, 2019
This was a very interesting and intriguing story. I didn't necessarily find myself particularly surprised by anything. Honestly, there were just some details that were patently obvious. Some were ridiculously irksome. One relationship, in particular, which I won't go into to avoid spoilers. I listened to this one, and it was a good audio. I found myself a bit annoyed with the main character. Her obsession with Jude almost destroyed her life. Sometimes I just wish she would have opened up to her fiance about everything that was happening and everything that happened when she was a kid. I didn't really see a very valid reason for her not doing so. Anyway, pretty standard thriller that keeps you sort of guessing and comes to a fairly satisfying conclusion.
August 15, 2022
An easy book to read on the buses of North Norfolk… story of two girls as teenagers then twenty years later as adults . Tells of the impact of the past - buried in lies and its consequences. Fast moving if not scintillating and a bit far fetched . After saying that- it served its purpose and was enjoyable.
March 31, 2024
A difficult beginning, with overly descriptive and lengthy sentences. This caused issues with the pace. After a few chapters, the plot began to take shape and it was more interesting, right through to the end.
June 15, 2024
Main character suffered from withhold information for tension sake syndrome, the twists were predictable and it lost a whole star for killing the cat. Also so many grammatical errors. Did no one edit this book before publishing it?
February 26, 2024
it started off awfully slow and almost made me stop reading. but it picked up its pace at the end which made me finish this. the ending did it for me. 2.75 stars
August 9, 2015
3.5 stars
The Lies We Tell is the authors debut novel.
I was very intrigued by this book after reading the title as well as the blurb. The author has written a story that is full of lies and deceit.
To be honest it did take me slightly longer than usual to get into the story but overall it is a steady read which certainly picks up pace towards the end.
The story flicks between present day and to the past when Katy and Jude were at school and still friends. It is very obvious from the start that what happened one night changed the girls friendship forever and as the story goes a long I have to admit that I had already worked out parts of what had happened but will admit there was one twist that I really didn't see coming which was a bit of a jaw dropping moment.
Katy in present day seems to pretty much have her life together, she has a good job and has Michael in her life and everything is going great. Then Jude turns up who all I can say is think Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction and you won't be far wrong.
Again, straight from the start, Jude in present day you can tell there is something really not right with her. She seems hell bent on ruining Katy and her families life and it is certainly intriguing trying to find out why.
Overall The Lies We Tell is an enjoyable read, it didn't grip me as much as I hoped it would but as a debut novel it is still good and I would certainly read more books in the future by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Lies We Tell is the authors debut novel.
I was very intrigued by this book after reading the title as well as the blurb. The author has written a story that is full of lies and deceit.
To be honest it did take me slightly longer than usual to get into the story but overall it is a steady read which certainly picks up pace towards the end.
The story flicks between present day and to the past when Katy and Jude were at school and still friends. It is very obvious from the start that what happened one night changed the girls friendship forever and as the story goes a long I have to admit that I had already worked out parts of what had happened but will admit there was one twist that I really didn't see coming which was a bit of a jaw dropping moment.
Katy in present day seems to pretty much have her life together, she has a good job and has Michael in her life and everything is going great. Then Jude turns up who all I can say is think Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction and you won't be far wrong.
Again, straight from the start, Jude in present day you can tell there is something really not right with her. She seems hell bent on ruining Katy and her families life and it is certainly intriguing trying to find out why.
Overall The Lies We Tell is an enjoyable read, it didn't grip me as much as I hoped it would but as a debut novel it is still good and I would certainly read more books in the future by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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