All Your Lies

by O.C.S. Francis

Amber has tried to live a good life – she’s a successful photographer, she’s in a happy relationship, and she’s expecting her first child.

But Amber has a secret.

Eighteen years ago, she had an affair which ended on the worst night of her life. Even now she can’t escape the memories - the secluded cottage, a figure in the distance on a deserted beach, and the face that will always haunt her.

She’s tried hard to forget what happened and now feels sure her terrible secret is buried forever.

Until the messages start…

Someone is watching. Someone is waiting. Someone has the power to expose the truth, and to destroy everything that Amber loves.

Genres: Thriller

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2021

About the author

O.C.S. Francis was born in Bristol in the UK and studied Human Sciences at Oxford. He has worked in academia, healthcare, television research, feature film development and as a telephone mystery shopper. He lives in Cambridge with his wife and son, and relaxes by playing the piano and taking photographs. www.ocsfrancis.com

Reviews

[Kay Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Booksprout, and Author OCS Francis for this ARC.

" . . . the one other human who knows the truth about what she did all those years ago is now dead."

Benedict "Benny" Raine, awarded photographer, has died at age 62. Amber, an old, long-time colleague, is relieved. That is, until creeping thoughts reveal a haunting fear that comes with the man's passing: Did he confess what happened all those years ago? And if so, to whom? When his widow asks her to archive the unpublished work that was left behind, things turn upside down.

"We act in the moment, and we can’t go back. We can’t create that moment again, and we can’t erase it. All its consequences are permanent."

This story is told from two perspectives: Benny in the past--eighteen years ago, on the night their affair ended in flames, in fact--and Amber in the present. Once she gets to work, she uses the opportunity to make sure no shred of evidence of their affair has been left behind. But it seems someone already knows when she starts receiving threatening messages.

The cast of characters included several strong women which I loved and very much appreciated. The mystery had me hooked, even despite seeing some of the twists ahead of time. I also figured out the culprit fairly early on, but so Manu delicious tidbits were revealed that it was hard to be too disappointed. Francis is both a smart and poetic writer and I'm sure this won't be my last read theirs.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amber has just found out that her old mentor, famed photographer Benedict Raine, has passed away. She hasn't spoken to him in years, as they had an affair two decades ago that ended terribly. She's invited to his funeral, where his widow Genevieve offers her a job sorting and digitally uploading his vast archive of photos and negatives. Amber is hesitant to take the position at first, but she soon realizes that there may be crucial evidence from their affair somewhere in Benedict's collection. Evidence she needs to locate before someone else gets to it first. Because if it falls into the wrong hands, her life as she knows it will be over.

Shortly after starting her work, Amber receives the first of many threatening messages. She can't figure out who would know the secret she and Benedict had kept for almost twenty years. Did he tell his wife or teenage daughter? What about his newly hired young assistant - had he uncovered something in Benedict's studio? If someone did stumble upon evidence, why didn't they go to the police? What are they planning to do to Amber?

The story is told through Amber's perspective now & Benedict's perspective 18 years ago on the fateful weekend when their affair ended. Of course, whenever something's about to happen in one timeframe, we're left with a cliffhanger as the story shifts back to the other timeframe. It keeps the plot moving swiftly, though I could do with less introspection on Amber's part. There are some tasty revelations near the end which may or not surprise you, but I think you'll be pleased with the conclusion either way.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Your Lies follows Amber who 18 years ago had an affair with a married older man. News of his recent and unexpected death leave her on edge. At least the secret they shared dies with him, or does it? Someone else knows and is not afraid to tell all.

The story is fast paced, tense and the mystery gripping and kept me turning page after page. It was well written and flowed. The only negative I can say about the writing is the mixed narrative of having Amber's parts in third person. This felt confusing and clunky and pulled me out of the story. It almost felt like Amber was talking about herself to someone else in the third person. I much more enjoyed Benny's chapters and felt that you got inside his head and connected with the character more.

There were several twists in the story that I didn't see coming. I thought I knew where things were heading and then blindsided me. The ending and way things wrapped up felt satisfying and complete.

Overall this was a fun, exciting book that gave me several hours of escapism and enjoyment. Id definitely read other books released by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Bookishdays · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this psychological thriller. I was so curious and invested to know the truth, that I almost read this book in one sitting.

This is a story about Amber, a photographer, who receives the news that her former mentor, a worldwide famous photographer, is dead. She is in shock, but also relieved because they share a terrible secret over the last twenty years. At his funeral, his widow asks Amber to help organise the vast portfolio of her husband. This is the perfect opportunity for Amber to find out if the secret died with him. Unfortunately, Amber starts to receive strange messages and she fears that there is someone who knows what really happened twenty years ago.

The plot is smart and addictive, because the story is told in two different timelines, which makes a very fast and enjoyable read. All the main characters are very strong women, which I also appreciated. In the end, there is a big twist in the story that I was not expecting, which was a bonus for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[claire martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Benedict Raine is dead'
Wow, what an opening line to chapter 1!

It grabs you by the throat and leaves you gasping for more. I found this a real page turner, building the suspense, wanting to know more about the web of lies that was woven in the past and how they would play out in the future.

I thought the chapters set in the past worked well narrated by Benny and interspersed between the present. It made you want to read on to find out more .

The ending I did find a little predictable and tied up loose ends a little too quickly.

Overall a thoroughly enjoyable book which I would recommend.

I received a copy from net galley for an honest review.

[Janaya Kabamba · Rating 4 out of 5]

So other turns out that sometimes you can dislike the main character but still love the book about them! This is so well crafted and the twists are things you do not see coming. Any thriller fan will be more than familiar with the usual, predictable trail these type of stories take but this one goes in a very different direction and goes places that noone would have expected. You'll race through it in a day and have absolutely no regrets about abandoning the housework for this

[Leighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

All Your Lies by OCS Francis is a thriller with plenty fo twists. The story revolves around Amber, who had an affair with a famous photographer years named Benedict Raine ago. But recently, Benedict died. Amber is relieved that the past has died with him. But when she's invited to go through his photo archive, she finds a strip of negatives that threatens to tell a different story - one that she can't afford to get out.

Here is a gripping excerpt from Chapter 1:

"Benedict Raine is dead.
Amber feels a lurch in her stomach. It dips and dives. It's a sensation full of colour and contrast.
Benny is dead.
She raises her head from her phone, looking out across the low, flat sweep of Port Meadow. It is a perfect carpet of faded green beneath the thin blue of the evening sky. She looks back at the headline.
Photographer Benedict Raine dies aged 62."

Overall, All Your Lies is a thriller that will have you frantically turning the pages to see what happens next. One highlight of this book is that it is a fast, easy read. Unfortunately, when I got to the end of the book, when the villain is revealing their motive, I found it largely unrealistic. The ending felt unsatisfying. That's why I took off 2 stars. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, you can check out this book, which is available now!

[Laurie Tell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a dark novel of suspense. I liked the book and read it in a day. I thought there were some interesting twists and I really enjoyed the flashbacks to the past and the way that the book went back and forth. The last twist was one I did NOT see coming, which made the book more fun.

I didn't like the main character - I felt like she took no true responsibility for her actions. This is a minor spoiler, which you will find out early in the book. She has an affair with a married man. But - she is also in her own relationship AND she stays friends with the wife during and after the affair. I mean - how can you like this person? It just kind of set the tone for me.

I truly did enjoy this book, and if you are looking for a quick easy dark mystery this could be a good choice. On the other hand, in a week or two I will forget what this book was about. And next year when someone asks me if I read it, I won't remember. There was nothing truly stand out about this book.

I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

[Darla Barar · Rating 5 out of 5]

OCS Francis is a wonderful story spinner! I was drawn in from page one, and I was kept guessing right up until the big reveal. Dialogue and exposition rarely felt clumsy or forced. All Your Lies was a thrilling ride that didn’t feel contrived. Covid was sewn into the plot in a way that didn’t feel heavy-handed, political, or doomsday. It was just a fact of life in this story set in 2020, which for me was good to see instead of pretending it was some alternate universe where this wasn’t happening. Amber was a believable and compelling protagonist who took the readers with her down her anxious spirals, and I was left feeling a bit raw when we all finally clawed our way up and out. I can’t wait to read more from Francis! Thanks to #netgalley and #inkubatorbooks for the copy!

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this an engrossing read. Amber has an old secret involving Benedict Raine but after his death, it looks like someone else knows and is intent on making Amber pay.

The story is told from the side of Amber and Benedict. I found this well-written and I wasn't sure exactly what was going on and what the secret was. I had lots of questions so I had to keep reading to find out the answers. I'm not sure what to make of Amber. I don't think I liked her. I found myself viewing everyone with suspicion and the tension builds up nicely to an excellent climax.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story got my attention from the beginning, I really wanted to know what had happened and why so many lies were told. The way the plot is told, small parts of the mystery keep on being told, and the reader can make assumptions on who the culprit is but never the why. When the truth is unveiled it is the most unexpected one, and for sure it's breathtaking and shocking! Broken relationships that keep on nurturing themselves with false expectations or satisfactions only tend to hurt in the end. This is the first book that I read by OCS Francis and I really enjoyed it and found it entertaining!
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amber is going through her old mentor's photo archive per his widow's request. No one knows of the affair they had over twenty years ago, at least that is what Amber is hoping for. But soon, she starts to receive threatening messages. Who knows of her affair? What do they want? This is a good story, but I did guess the who early on in the story. Still a good read for those who like psychological thrillers. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling read where you're guessing what happens until the end. It's well written, captivating, and has you sitting on the edge of your seat at times. Strong and well developed characters are easy to get to know and bring intrigue to the story. Mystery, suspense, thrills along with twists and turns fill the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Scott Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! This is a new author for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were true, the dialog believable, the suspense exhilarating. I wondered about the daughter, Yvey, and what her true role was in this caper. My only disappointment was whether Johnny stayed with Amber, or figured out what she did\what she was capable of. I will find another book by this author to see if I can be fooled again.

[Roshini Balakrishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good one time read

The story was engrossing. It was really predictable but I liked it. At some points I felt they were too many descriptions that were not really necessary but it happens all the time. So minus one star just for that reason.

[Retha Heavener · Rating 5 out of 5]

all your lies

This is a very good read and it keeps you guessing clear until the very end. I strongly recommend this book to others who live to read and love the thrill of trying to figure out how it’s going to end .

[Vicky Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for the advanced ebook to review.
I enjoyed it being written in the two different characters perspectives. I felt it kept you guessing. But the ending felt a little abrupt.

[jean buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Problems with lying

This was a different book. More exciting towards the end. The beginning dragged a little. A lot of twist and turns.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This book has kept me guessing from page one. I loved the fact that I didn't figure out who the killer was before it was presented in the book.

[Richard Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a thriller to escape into, this does the job perfectly - its complex, fast paced and keeps you guessing with a few artfully placed red herrings along the way. Took me two days to read (that's fast for me). It's well written and uses the familiar structures of the genre in a clever way, with a well drawn female protagonist and supporting characters including a pleasingly odious "man of his time" at the centre of the plot. The final act does not disappoint.

Where it gets more interesting is that this is a story which is both modern, but in some ways is a period piece due to the frighteningly fast advance of technology. Without getting into spoilers, the plot revolves around a recently deceased photographer and what may or may not be revealed in his undeveloped film archive. I'm old enough to remember when you had mysterious film cannisters and had to wait for them to be developed (it was in some ways a better time and I think the author agrees) but these days the YappApp drone and Instagram have somewhat removed the potential for mystery.

The celebrity photographer himself also belongs to a vanished/vanishing era - with the democratisation of photography via digital cameras and the internet, the key images capturing a moment aren't taken by e.g. Don McCullin but more anonymous people on the ground. The author also constructs an interesting parallel history of photojournalism, which is fun to spot - the green eyed Afghan girl photo being referenced as a blue eyed boy for example (this may or may not be significant...you'll have to read it to find out...).

His relationship/tryst with the main character also gets an interesting treatment - in that both parties have woken up to the element of exploitation involved as time has passed and society has become more mindful of it.

It would be fascinating to know what post-digital readers make of it all. To them its possibly the equivalent of an ancient inscription or a crumpled treasure map (both also great maguffins). Overall it feels like a story being told at the right time. It's very much a standalone novel but looking forward to seeing what comes next.

[Augenette Botha · Rating 5 out of 5]

OCS Francis delivers with "All your lies" a stunning thriller that will keep you guessing page after page!!

Photographer Amber Ridley has carried a horrible secret and guilt with her for two decades. A weekend in Norfolk with her married lover BenedictRaine had gone terribly wrong. Now 20 years later Benedict Raine is dead - will this mean that Amber will finally be able to move on, and put that horrible weekend behind her, or is this just the beginning of a new nightmare threatening to completely destroy her life, marriage and everything that she holds dear...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amber is both shocked and relieved when she hears that her mentor/lover has died. But has the secret died with him? Told from two points of view, Benny’s from 18 years ago and Amber present day. There were some twists but nothing that couldn’t be worked out pretty easily. Neither of them were particularly nice but then again, no one in the book was. I did like the photographic elements of the book and descriptions of the area around the cottage. A decent story to while away a few hours! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.