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The Family Lie
A scream cut through the night as they watched flames engulf the woodland. Fire ripped through the trees, leaving only charred branches behind. And then they saw it… on the ashen forest floor… was a body.
Police officer, Mitchel Prescott answered the phone with a shaking hand. It was the one call he had been dreading. It was the hospital at Green Acres… his father Thomas, had died in the night.
Returning to the small town he had been avoiding since he was a child, Mitch must lay his father to rest.
When he arrives, the close-knit residents refuse to speak about Thomas’ death, other to explain he was found burnt to death in the woods and his dementia was the likely cause.
But when Mitch discovers traces of accelerant on his father’s body, he’s certain it wasn’t an accident. Then his childhood home is broken into, his father’s study ransacked, and a rock thrown through the window warning him to leave.
Mitch is convinced Thomas had discovered something that had got him into trouble… something that would threaten his entire family.
But what secret is worth killing for?
An utterly gripping thriller that will have you reading long into the night. Fans of Shari Lapena and Helen Phifer will love The Family Lie!
Police officer, Mitchel Prescott answered the phone with a shaking hand. It was the one call he had been dreading. It was the hospital at Green Acres… his father Thomas, had died in the night.
Returning to the small town he had been avoiding since he was a child, Mitch must lay his father to rest.
When he arrives, the close-knit residents refuse to speak about Thomas’ death, other to explain he was found burnt to death in the woods and his dementia was the likely cause.
But when Mitch discovers traces of accelerant on his father’s body, he’s certain it wasn’t an accident. Then his childhood home is broken into, his father’s study ransacked, and a rock thrown through the window warning him to leave.
Mitch is convinced Thomas had discovered something that had got him into trouble… something that would threaten his entire family.
But what secret is worth killing for?
An utterly gripping thriller that will have you reading long into the night. Fans of Shari Lapena and Helen Phifer will love The Family Lie!
- GenresThriller
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2021
35 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 7, 2022
First of all I was attracted to the cover on this book and the plot. I think my high expectations were too much. I felt that this was supposed to be a police procedural but they hardly get a mention. It involves a family breakdown, Michael and his sister Bella must try to come together to solve who murdered their father. I felt that it started off well but fell a bit flat in the middle . The ending was great .
September 14, 2021
Omg omg omg I am struggling to get through this book. It has been four days now and I am depressed that supposedly a crime thriller has no thrills and I am 54%.
What do I do? Read more or DNF
What do I do? Read more or DNF
October 13, 2021
PC Mitch Prescott has resigned from the police force after his involvement in a riot goes horribly wrong. He returns to his childhood town with great reluctance after receiving a phone call from the hospital at Green Acres about his father who has died. His marriage to Lucy has hit a rocky patch and he promises her they will try to get back on an even keel. Mitch has a sister, Bella and Lucy can't understand why Bella isn't volunteering to sort things at Green Acres, as the elder child.
Told via chapters flitting between Mitch and Bella's perspectives this was a creepy read with an undertone of menace. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-told tale finding it unpredictable and intriguing. The Family Lie, my second novel from P.L. Kane was very worthy and I expect I'll be picking up his next read. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Told via chapters flitting between Mitch and Bella's perspectives this was a creepy read with an undertone of menace. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-told tale finding it unpredictable and intriguing. The Family Lie, my second novel from P.L. Kane was very worthy and I expect I'll be picking up his next read. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 5, 2023
Okay. So this book wasn't exactly what I was expecting but I really rather enjoyed it. I like a book that tilts things on somewhat of an angle, where the root cause of a problem isn't just about the everyday criminal fraternity. Don't get me wrong - love those too - but variety is the spice of life, right. This is the first book I've read by this author, and perhaps if I'd read his previous title, Her Husband's Grave, I'd have maybe had an inkling as to some of the less traditional aspects of this story, but if anyone follows my blog, knows who one of my favourite authors is, and the kind of stories I love, then you will understand why having a character, Bella, with an unusual gift, was right up my street.
The book opens in a very intriguing, if somewhat disturbing way. None of it is gratuitous, but how can you start a story with a man literally on fire, without making readers sit up and wonder just what the heck is going on? It certainly worked for me and I was immediately in need of finding out the whys and wherefores of the situation, something which the author slowly reveals to both us, the reader, and Mitch, the son of the all too recently deceased. A (very recently) former, copper, Mitch knows that he needs to get to the bottom of his father's death, particularly when it seems that the local police are far from interested, even though everything points towards foul play. As Mitch soon learns, things in his home town are both the same and yet very, very different, and that leaves us with a whole host of suspects.
I liked the way the author has slowly built up this story. Yes, after the shocking opener, it takes a bit of a pedestrian turn, with Mitch trying to build up a picture of his father's last days. This actually works for this story - he's in a small town in the middle of nowhere with a very traditional approach to life, not a bustling city centre after all. If you are looking for that none stop action, then you won't find it here. The author allows us time to build a real picture of the residents of Green Acres, and the vibe of the place. The town, especially by the end, put me in mind of a particularly unusual community from a 2007 Somerset based action comedy movie, but a little less comedic and perhaps a touch more rural. if I am more explicit than that, I fear I'll be giving too much away about the plot and the potential conclusion. If you know, you know. We'll leave it at that.
Interspersed with the chapters from Mitch's point of view are those of his older sister Bella. Now, I believe that if you have read Her Husband's Grave you may be familiar with Bella and her particular talent, one that takes a very sinister turn this time around, creating a kind of foreboding about Mitch's safety. I liked the way the author has played this, and actually really enjoy that kind of twist(?) in a story, the foreshadowing and atmosphere that it creates. It was edgy but not overly so, making this a very accessible novel for even the most timid of reader. It does add an element of jeopardy, although by the time Bella figures out what her intuition is telling her, we as readers are pretty well clued in as to what size of a mess Mitch is in.
I really quite enjoyed this book, especially in the second half where the tension, and the action, started to pick up. With a local commune, some very suspect behaviour and another, rather unsavoury, murder, it's clear that there is something very dark around Green Acres, and as we race towards a pretty dramatic conclusion, the author still manages to spring a few surprises and catch readers unaware. The ending? Well all I can say is that there is a reason I really like cats. A great weekend's reading distraction and I'm going to go and check out some more of the author's books now, see what I've been missing.
The book opens in a very intriguing, if somewhat disturbing way. None of it is gratuitous, but how can you start a story with a man literally on fire, without making readers sit up and wonder just what the heck is going on? It certainly worked for me and I was immediately in need of finding out the whys and wherefores of the situation, something which the author slowly reveals to both us, the reader, and Mitch, the son of the all too recently deceased. A (very recently) former, copper, Mitch knows that he needs to get to the bottom of his father's death, particularly when it seems that the local police are far from interested, even though everything points towards foul play. As Mitch soon learns, things in his home town are both the same and yet very, very different, and that leaves us with a whole host of suspects.
I liked the way the author has slowly built up this story. Yes, after the shocking opener, it takes a bit of a pedestrian turn, with Mitch trying to build up a picture of his father's last days. This actually works for this story - he's in a small town in the middle of nowhere with a very traditional approach to life, not a bustling city centre after all. If you are looking for that none stop action, then you won't find it here. The author allows us time to build a real picture of the residents of Green Acres, and the vibe of the place. The town, especially by the end, put me in mind of a particularly unusual community from a 2007 Somerset based action comedy movie, but a little less comedic and perhaps a touch more rural. if I am more explicit than that, I fear I'll be giving too much away about the plot and the potential conclusion. If you know, you know. We'll leave it at that.
Interspersed with the chapters from Mitch's point of view are those of his older sister Bella. Now, I believe that if you have read Her Husband's Grave you may be familiar with Bella and her particular talent, one that takes a very sinister turn this time around, creating a kind of foreboding about Mitch's safety. I liked the way the author has played this, and actually really enjoy that kind of twist(?) in a story, the foreshadowing and atmosphere that it creates. It was edgy but not overly so, making this a very accessible novel for even the most timid of reader. It does add an element of jeopardy, although by the time Bella figures out what her intuition is telling her, we as readers are pretty well clued in as to what size of a mess Mitch is in.
I really quite enjoyed this book, especially in the second half where the tension, and the action, started to pick up. With a local commune, some very suspect behaviour and another, rather unsavoury, murder, it's clear that there is something very dark around Green Acres, and as we race towards a pretty dramatic conclusion, the author still manages to spring a few surprises and catch readers unaware. The ending? Well all I can say is that there is a reason I really like cats. A great weekend's reading distraction and I'm going to go and check out some more of the author's books now, see what I've been missing.
September 29, 2021
There were so many times I nearly gave up on this book but I promised #NetGalley that I’d give my honest review of #TheFamilyLie in exchange for an e-copy.
I tried to enjoy/ like this book I really did.
The Family Lie had such a strong and promising start. I mean a man on fire. I had questions I needed answering, I had to find out who this ‘walking flame’ was and how and why this had happened.
However gripping the start was this did not continue.
Unfortunately it became very slow paced and those answers I had just weren’t getting answered. About halfway through and I still didn’t know who this ‘walking flame’ was or why he was on fire ? And I nearly ended up giving up on this novel; I didn’t but it took me approximately the whole of September to finish.
I found it a very arduous read which is shown in my one star review. I was very disappointed in this book.
I tried to enjoy/ like this book I really did.
The Family Lie had such a strong and promising start. I mean a man on fire. I had questions I needed answering, I had to find out who this ‘walking flame’ was and how and why this had happened.
However gripping the start was this did not continue.
Unfortunately it became very slow paced and those answers I had just weren’t getting answered. About halfway through and I still didn’t know who this ‘walking flame’ was or why he was on fire ? And I nearly ended up giving up on this novel; I didn’t but it took me approximately the whole of September to finish.
I found it a very arduous read which is shown in my one star review. I was very disappointed in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2021
❌DNF❌
#TheFamilyLie by #PLKane
⏩for synopsis
Ahh so I really tried hard with this one as I just felt like there was a good story bubbling away about to get going any moment… but I got to around 40% of the way through and well by now we really should have been getting into the nitty gritty by now right?
So it starts out strong with a good hook; your desperate for more information - how does that happen? What’s going on etc? With all the hints of witchcraft and cults made it all very interesting reading and then you meet Mitch and it goes a bit pants.
So Mitch is the main character and he a police officer and he is going to investigate his dads death, lovely you think, except Mitch comes across as a bit of a knob tbh and I found it very hard to gel with him. His attitude stinks, his sarcasm inappropriate and just his whole getting off his face drunk / acceptance of things just didn’t ring true for me. But I persevered as some things do take time but I’m sad to say at 40% of the way in my feeling haven’t changed, he was plain doing my head in and his investigation was at zero points.
Now, Mitch’s sister Bella parts of the story, I loved - being in touch with the spirts etc I really enjoyed, found it refreshing and felt it was definitely leading up to something good but as I say there just wasn’t enough overall to make me carry on to find out what, which is a shame.
I found overall the writing to a bit haphazard with inserts of information not really having any context and felt it was trying really hard to be something but I’m not sure what. It had promise, but just didn’t work out for me unfortunately.
As always this is just my opinion guys…
With thanks to #HQStories and #Netgalley for allowing us to read this one early!
-Emily @the_book_girls_1
#TheFamilyLie by #PLKane
⏩for synopsis
Ahh so I really tried hard with this one as I just felt like there was a good story bubbling away about to get going any moment… but I got to around 40% of the way through and well by now we really should have been getting into the nitty gritty by now right?
So it starts out strong with a good hook; your desperate for more information - how does that happen? What’s going on etc? With all the hints of witchcraft and cults made it all very interesting reading and then you meet Mitch and it goes a bit pants.
So Mitch is the main character and he a police officer and he is going to investigate his dads death, lovely you think, except Mitch comes across as a bit of a knob tbh and I found it very hard to gel with him. His attitude stinks, his sarcasm inappropriate and just his whole getting off his face drunk / acceptance of things just didn’t ring true for me. But I persevered as some things do take time but I’m sad to say at 40% of the way in my feeling haven’t changed, he was plain doing my head in and his investigation was at zero points.
Now, Mitch’s sister Bella parts of the story, I loved - being in touch with the spirts etc I really enjoyed, found it refreshing and felt it was definitely leading up to something good but as I say there just wasn’t enough overall to make me carry on to find out what, which is a shame.
I found overall the writing to a bit haphazard with inserts of information not really having any context and felt it was trying really hard to be something but I’m not sure what. It had promise, but just didn’t work out for me unfortunately.
As always this is just my opinion guys…
With thanks to #HQStories and #Netgalley for allowing us to read this one early!
-Emily @the_book_girls_1
October 1, 2021
A scream cut through the night as they watched flames engulf the woodland. Fire ripped through the trees, leaving only charred branches behind. And then they saw it… on the ashen forest floor… was a body.
Police officer, Mitchel Prescott answered the phone with a shaking hand. It was the one call he had been dreading. It was the hospital at Green Acres… his father Thomas, had died in the night.
Returning to the small town he had been avoiding since he was a child, Mitch must lay his father to rest.
When he arrives, the close-knit residents refuse to speak about Thomas’ death, other to explain he was found burnt to death in the woods and his dementia was the likely cause.
But when Mitch discovers traces of accelerant on his father’s body, he’s certain it wasn’t an accident. Then his childhood home is broken into, his father’s study ransacked, and a rock thrown through the window warning him to leave.
Mitch is convinced Thomas had discovered something that had got him into trouble… something that would threaten his entire family.
But what secret is worth killing for?
Wow this book certainly starts with a bang, instantly sinking its proverbial claws into you and dragging you in.
The family lie is a story about family, loss and the damage that one big secret can cause. After a stressful few days, Mitch arrives in his hometown to deal with his deceased father’s affairs and prepare the house to sell. But as more details emerge about his father’s demise he can’t help but don his police hat and investigate the matter further. He has no idea what he is getting himself into, and just how deep this secret really runs.
The switch of chapters between Mitch and his sister, Bella gave us an idea of both characters who are vital to the story. It’s really intriguing to see the contrast of the two siblings and how both deal with emotion and stress. Their strained relationship is stretched to its limit upon their father’s death and we see both react in different ways.
I did feel that the pace was quite slow at times. The beginning chapters started with such exciting, surprising events that it was expected that this would continue. I will admit that at times it was difficult to read due to the pace and lack of action.
Nevertheless I enjoyed the story line and the twists in the story which were not all expected. I especially liked Bella and her personality, however I felt that Mitch was lacking in the same depth which Bella was given. The ending was dramatic and tensions rose in the last few chapters but I feel like the tension wasn’t there all the time in the main body of the story. But, I liked where the story went in the end, it was a twist which we haven’t seen as much in thrillers and was a refreshing change from the norm.
– a good, intriguing thriller. Not the most action packed or tension filled but still a unique story line and not one we have seen as much.
Police officer, Mitchel Prescott answered the phone with a shaking hand. It was the one call he had been dreading. It was the hospital at Green Acres… his father Thomas, had died in the night.
Returning to the small town he had been avoiding since he was a child, Mitch must lay his father to rest.
When he arrives, the close-knit residents refuse to speak about Thomas’ death, other to explain he was found burnt to death in the woods and his dementia was the likely cause.
But when Mitch discovers traces of accelerant on his father’s body, he’s certain it wasn’t an accident. Then his childhood home is broken into, his father’s study ransacked, and a rock thrown through the window warning him to leave.
Mitch is convinced Thomas had discovered something that had got him into trouble… something that would threaten his entire family.
But what secret is worth killing for?
Wow this book certainly starts with a bang, instantly sinking its proverbial claws into you and dragging you in.
The family lie is a story about family, loss and the damage that one big secret can cause. After a stressful few days, Mitch arrives in his hometown to deal with his deceased father’s affairs and prepare the house to sell. But as more details emerge about his father’s demise he can’t help but don his police hat and investigate the matter further. He has no idea what he is getting himself into, and just how deep this secret really runs.
The switch of chapters between Mitch and his sister, Bella gave us an idea of both characters who are vital to the story. It’s really intriguing to see the contrast of the two siblings and how both deal with emotion and stress. Their strained relationship is stretched to its limit upon their father’s death and we see both react in different ways.
I did feel that the pace was quite slow at times. The beginning chapters started with such exciting, surprising events that it was expected that this would continue. I will admit that at times it was difficult to read due to the pace and lack of action.
Nevertheless I enjoyed the story line and the twists in the story which were not all expected. I especially liked Bella and her personality, however I felt that Mitch was lacking in the same depth which Bella was given. The ending was dramatic and tensions rose in the last few chapters but I feel like the tension wasn’t there all the time in the main body of the story. But, I liked where the story went in the end, it was a twist which we haven’t seen as much in thrillers and was a refreshing change from the norm.
– a good, intriguing thriller. Not the most action packed or tension filled but still a unique story line and not one we have seen as much.
September 20, 2021
Mitch Prescott finds himself all at sea after resigning from the police force in the wake of a riot that went horribly wrong, for which he lays the blame entirely at the feet of his incompetent superiors. It doesn't help that this calamity happens on the same day he finds out that his estranged father has died and he is expected to return home to the small town he has been avoiding for years in order to organise a funeral, rather than his sister who seems to be conspicuous in her absence.
The strain of his current predicament is weighing heavily on Mitch as he heads back to Green Acres, leaving his girlfriend Lucy behind with no idea if their relationship will survive recent events, and he can only hope that he will be able to tie up his father's affairs in double quick time and find a way to get his life back on track. But what he finds in his boyhood hometown has him bemused.
Things in Green Acres seem decidedly off. No one wants to talk to him about what happened to his father, a prospective property development is causing waves with the locals, and a strange commune that looks all too much like a cult in Mitch's eyes has established itself in the neighbourhood in his long absence. Things only get weirder when Mitch discovers that the circumstances of his father's death are highly unusual - how on earth did he come to be wandering around the woods late at night, let alone catch fire in the process? What was his father up to? And where the hell is his sister?
As Mitch uses is investigative skills, and his uncanny sixth sense, to try to uncover what is going on in Green Acres, attracting some very unwelcome attention in the process, he becomes convinced that something is afoot in this small community, and he is going to to his best to find out what it is.
The Family Lie is a slow burn tale of secrets. lies and conspiracy that builds its tension nicely as Mitch goes about finding out exactly what is going on in both his home town and at the dark heart of his fractured family. It starts its life as a police procedural that goes way left of field into the delicious realms a mystery that draws heavily on folklore, witchcraft and weird small community dynamics to ham up The Wicker Man vibes to the max, throwing in some nice horror scenes along the way.
I must admit that I wasn't too sure whether this story would hook me at the start, but the supernatural vibes ended up dragging me right into the eerie goings on in Green Acres. It's a quick, easy read that makes for an entertaining, cross-genre tale, and it has a rather splendid cat in it too, who ended up being my favourite character. There is some scope here for a sequel that could team up Mitch and his sister in a supernatural investigative venture, which would be quite intriguing. Lots of fun, especially in the run up to spooky season.
The strain of his current predicament is weighing heavily on Mitch as he heads back to Green Acres, leaving his girlfriend Lucy behind with no idea if their relationship will survive recent events, and he can only hope that he will be able to tie up his father's affairs in double quick time and find a way to get his life back on track. But what he finds in his boyhood hometown has him bemused.
Things in Green Acres seem decidedly off. No one wants to talk to him about what happened to his father, a prospective property development is causing waves with the locals, and a strange commune that looks all too much like a cult in Mitch's eyes has established itself in the neighbourhood in his long absence. Things only get weirder when Mitch discovers that the circumstances of his father's death are highly unusual - how on earth did he come to be wandering around the woods late at night, let alone catch fire in the process? What was his father up to? And where the hell is his sister?
As Mitch uses is investigative skills, and his uncanny sixth sense, to try to uncover what is going on in Green Acres, attracting some very unwelcome attention in the process, he becomes convinced that something is afoot in this small community, and he is going to to his best to find out what it is.
The Family Lie is a slow burn tale of secrets. lies and conspiracy that builds its tension nicely as Mitch goes about finding out exactly what is going on in both his home town and at the dark heart of his fractured family. It starts its life as a police procedural that goes way left of field into the delicious realms a mystery that draws heavily on folklore, witchcraft and weird small community dynamics to ham up The Wicker Man vibes to the max, throwing in some nice horror scenes along the way.
I must admit that I wasn't too sure whether this story would hook me at the start, but the supernatural vibes ended up dragging me right into the eerie goings on in Green Acres. It's a quick, easy read that makes for an entertaining, cross-genre tale, and it has a rather splendid cat in it too, who ended up being my favourite character. There is some scope here for a sequel that could team up Mitch and his sister in a supernatural investigative venture, which would be quite intriguing. Lots of fun, especially in the run up to spooky season.
December 4, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ, HQ Digital, for the electronic copy.
Now this is a chillingly atmospheric thriller. What it reminded me of immediately was the cult folk horror movie "The Wicker Man" (1976) (British Lion Films).
PC Michael Prescott resigns from his force following his involvement in an avoidable riot. At the same time he receives a message from Green Acres' hospital to say his father Thomas had died; he'd been involved in a fire. Michael's older sister Bella (a psychic who's only goal is to help people) refuses to go back to their childhood village. She has a fairly simple life living in her caravan in a seaside town. Michael and partner Lucy have a shaky relationship but he promises they will talk about their future when he returns as he heads off hundreds of miles away on his motorbike to Green Acres to make arrangements for his father and try to discover what exactly happened to him. His aunt and uncle still live there and make him welcome - he settles into his father's house (which is still standing) and tries to discover what happened. His father didn't die IN a fire - he was ON fire - but no one seems worried about investigating any further, except to say that he had been suffering from dementia.
There's a new commune in situ just outside the village; the phone lines are always unreliable; he's told of local break-ins and the blame rests solely on outsiders.
Green Acres has a rich history involving witchcraft (some of the narrative covering this is, I thought, too lengthy).
Then weird things start to happen. Once she'd learned of her father's death Bella cannot shake her blinding headaches and experiences terrifying hallucinations. Michael starts to experience similar things - including a break-in and his mobile phone being taken.
When a property developer is found smouldering in the village square - well, what next?
Despite the set-backs Michael continues to try to solve the mystery of his father's death, whilst Bella's waking nightmares lead her to engage the help of her friend Ashley to take her to Green Acres - she's sure her brother is in danger.
Can they get there in time to save him?
There are lots of tense and creepy moments in this, although I didn't much care for Michael's character - a bit of a wimp one would say - until the twists come and you start to understand what's going on.
An horrific ending - but look out for the final twist!
Now this is a chillingly atmospheric thriller. What it reminded me of immediately was the cult folk horror movie "The Wicker Man" (1976) (British Lion Films).
PC Michael Prescott resigns from his force following his involvement in an avoidable riot. At the same time he receives a message from Green Acres' hospital to say his father Thomas had died; he'd been involved in a fire. Michael's older sister Bella (a psychic who's only goal is to help people) refuses to go back to their childhood village. She has a fairly simple life living in her caravan in a seaside town. Michael and partner Lucy have a shaky relationship but he promises they will talk about their future when he returns as he heads off hundreds of miles away on his motorbike to Green Acres to make arrangements for his father and try to discover what exactly happened to him. His aunt and uncle still live there and make him welcome - he settles into his father's house (which is still standing) and tries to discover what happened. His father didn't die IN a fire - he was ON fire - but no one seems worried about investigating any further, except to say that he had been suffering from dementia.
There's a new commune in situ just outside the village; the phone lines are always unreliable; he's told of local break-ins and the blame rests solely on outsiders.
Green Acres has a rich history involving witchcraft (some of the narrative covering this is, I thought, too lengthy).
Then weird things start to happen. Once she'd learned of her father's death Bella cannot shake her blinding headaches and experiences terrifying hallucinations. Michael starts to experience similar things - including a break-in and his mobile phone being taken.
When a property developer is found smouldering in the village square - well, what next?
Despite the set-backs Michael continues to try to solve the mystery of his father's death, whilst Bella's waking nightmares lead her to engage the help of her friend Ashley to take her to Green Acres - she's sure her brother is in danger.
Can they get there in time to save him?
There are lots of tense and creepy moments in this, although I didn't much care for Michael's character - a bit of a wimp one would say - until the twists come and you start to understand what's going on.
An horrific ending - but look out for the final twist!
September 13, 2021
Oh I soooo wanted to enjoy this book. The book started really well and really strongly, it was one of the best opening scenes I’ve ever read. A man on fire how on earth did this happen I was really hooked after the first chapter and couldn’t wait to read more and discover what on earth was going on here but sadly I found the book lost its way and there went from everything going on to a lot of nothing going on and although I kept reading I found I lost track of what was going on and where this book was going.
I also really disliked the main character Mitch he didn’t seem to have a lot going for him, he’s just lost his job, he came across quite arrogant and I couldn’t warm to him. When Mitch visits his home town to investigate his fathers death I was hoping the book pace would pick up and I’d begin to enjoy this book again however I gave up with this book half way through as unfortunately it just wasn’t for me which is such a shame.
There was also chapters from Mitch’s sister Bellas point of view which had references to cults and witch craft mentioned which may appeal to other readers but sadly this isn’t my thing however others may really enjoy this and I really hope they do. I did find though that Bellas chapters were much more exciting than Mitches and she seemed more of an interesting character who people may be able to warm to more so than to Mitch.
Thank you HQStories and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review of this book. Sadly this book wasn’t for me but I really hope other readers enjoy it and have more luck with it than I did.
I also really disliked the main character Mitch he didn’t seem to have a lot going for him, he’s just lost his job, he came across quite arrogant and I couldn’t warm to him. When Mitch visits his home town to investigate his fathers death I was hoping the book pace would pick up and I’d begin to enjoy this book again however I gave up with this book half way through as unfortunately it just wasn’t for me which is such a shame.
There was also chapters from Mitch’s sister Bellas point of view which had references to cults and witch craft mentioned which may appeal to other readers but sadly this isn’t my thing however others may really enjoy this and I really hope they do. I did find though that Bellas chapters were much more exciting than Mitches and she seemed more of an interesting character who people may be able to warm to more so than to Mitch.
Thank you HQStories and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review of this book. Sadly this book wasn’t for me but I really hope other readers enjoy it and have more luck with it than I did.
September 19, 2021
I rather enjoyed that! The Family Lie is pretty creepy with an underlying hint of menace and the town of Green Acres is definitely somewhere I would not want to visit! Its oddness reminded me of the setting of Royston Vasey from The League of Gentlemen but the characters in The Family Lie are more threatening in a duplicitous kind of way.
Although it has quite a gruesome and intriguing beginning, it took me a little while to get into the story as it flicks back and forth between Mitch and his sister Bella. When their father dies, Bella refuses to return to Green Acres so Mitch is the one who goes back home to arrange his father's funeral. Mitch has just quit his job in the police force but he sniffs out something sinister about his father's death and begins to investigate, but someone seems intent to stop him.
I loved the character of Bella and her psychic ability which added a supernatural air of mystery to the whole proceedings. There is so much more to Bella's story than meets the eye and I loved discovering everything about her. It's odd but I didn't really take to Mitch as much as Bella, although I loved Mitch's interactions with the cat, but I think perhaps I just found Bella to be a more interesting character.
Chilling and intriguing with a hint of the supernatural, anything could happen in The Family Lie which makes it impossible to predict and difficult to put down. I enjoyed it; it's an entertaining, disturbing and imaginative crime thriller.
I chose to read a digital ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Although it has quite a gruesome and intriguing beginning, it took me a little while to get into the story as it flicks back and forth between Mitch and his sister Bella. When their father dies, Bella refuses to return to Green Acres so Mitch is the one who goes back home to arrange his father's funeral. Mitch has just quit his job in the police force but he sniffs out something sinister about his father's death and begins to investigate, but someone seems intent to stop him.
I loved the character of Bella and her psychic ability which added a supernatural air of mystery to the whole proceedings. There is so much more to Bella's story than meets the eye and I loved discovering everything about her. It's odd but I didn't really take to Mitch as much as Bella, although I loved Mitch's interactions with the cat, but I think perhaps I just found Bella to be a more interesting character.
Chilling and intriguing with a hint of the supernatural, anything could happen in The Family Lie which makes it impossible to predict and difficult to put down. I enjoyed it; it's an entertaining, disturbing and imaginative crime thriller.
I chose to read a digital ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
September 19, 2021
A scream cut through the night as they watched flames engulf the woodland. Fire ripped through the trees, leaving only charred branches behind. And then they saw it… on the ashen forest floor… was a body.
Police officer, Mitchel Prescott answered the phone with a shaking hand. It was the one call he had been dreading. It was the hospital at Green Acres… his father Thomas, had died in the night.
Returning to the small town he had been avoiding since he was a child, Mitch must lay his father to rest.
When he arrives, the close-knit residents refuse to speak about Thomas’ death, other to explain he was found burnt to death in the woods and his dementia was the likely cause.
But when Mitch discovers traces of accelerant on his father’s body, he’s certain it wasn’t an accident. Then his childhood home is broken into, his father’s study ransacked, and a rock thrown through the window warning him to leave.
Mitch is convinced Thomas had discovered something that had got him into trouble… something that would threaten his entire family.
But what secret is worth killing for?
What a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and suspense with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
Police officer, Mitchel Prescott answered the phone with a shaking hand. It was the one call he had been dreading. It was the hospital at Green Acres… his father Thomas, had died in the night.
Returning to the small town he had been avoiding since he was a child, Mitch must lay his father to rest.
When he arrives, the close-knit residents refuse to speak about Thomas’ death, other to explain he was found burnt to death in the woods and his dementia was the likely cause.
But when Mitch discovers traces of accelerant on his father’s body, he’s certain it wasn’t an accident. Then his childhood home is broken into, his father’s study ransacked, and a rock thrown through the window warning him to leave.
Mitch is convinced Thomas had discovered something that had got him into trouble… something that would threaten his entire family.
But what secret is worth killing for?
What a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and suspense with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
December 4, 2021
The way this book starts?! I grabbed me by the wrists and didn’t let go, I couldn’t put the book down, I just had to KNOW! Anyway, we meet Mitchel, his father passed away, he had to run home and handle his estate, there is so much going on, but it’s slowly burning, and I’m not going to lie I am not a huge fan of slow burns but the way this author wrote this book she was prepping us for the Family DRAMA that was about unfold, and the mystery about this town he grew up in. CREEPY STUFF GOING ON IN HERE! There are characters that you lesser expect also there is Cult-ish things going on, urban legends, witchy things. It’s a great mix of things, but don’t give up on this book, give a chance, I was left with my mouth open still in shock on what I was reading. I think because I’m into all of this stuff that I enjoyed it so much.
Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
October 14, 2021
I absolutely loved this book, and didn't want to put it down.
I very much expected it to be your run-of-the-mill true crime story, but actually it took a bit of a turn and started going down the more 'supernatural' cult type story. Now I'm trying not to give any of the story and twists and turns away, but if you are purely looking for a true crime story, then this might not be the one for you.
I absolutely loved the direction the book took, it added a whole new level of interest to the story line and really helped me speed through the last quarter of the book because I just needed to know what happened next!
Definitely a must read for me!
I very much expected it to be your run-of-the-mill true crime story, but actually it took a bit of a turn and started going down the more 'supernatural' cult type story. Now I'm trying not to give any of the story and twists and turns away, but if you are purely looking for a true crime story, then this might not be the one for you.
I absolutely loved the direction the book took, it added a whole new level of interest to the story line and really helped me speed through the last quarter of the book because I just needed to know what happened next!
Definitely a must read for me!
September 23, 2021
This book was really addictive once I got stuck in! Lots of mystery and intrigue, I'd like to think it's far fetched but I guess this kind of atuff does happen somewhere in this crazy world!! It gave me some Hot Fuzz vibes in places - I hope that's not offensive?! Great characters, interesting story and total surprise ending!! Was not expecting that 😂 Looking forward to reading more from this author ❤
October 20, 2021
Reading this was like reading the sterling abridged children's version of The Wicker Man. Further, instead of being creepy or atmospheric or making me feel the dread the character was experiencing, this author went with exclamation points- hundreds and hundreds of exclamation points. I wondered, initially, if it had been edited by a fifteen year old girl whose only experience with written language was texting.
September 1, 2021
I don't think I've ever known such a powerful start to a book, and when Mitch discovers how his father died has some shocking and hard hitting moments. Bella is a great character and I enjoyed her moments. This definitely has some unique moments, and I don't think I've read a book involving cults before. If you fancy reading something very unusual, and quite different, this is the book for you.
December 4, 2021
When will I ever learn that just because Amazon gives it a glowing review and several readers mark it a 4 or 5 star book, doesn’t mean it’s a good book. To me, this was one of the worst books I’d ever read. It droned on and on. Opening scene was a come on and went downhill from there. The bones for a good book was there but it just didn’t happen. Cannot recommend this book at all.
August 30, 2021
This was an interesting read, but the plottwist might be a bit farfetched for some. I must admit I didn’t really care much for Mitch and found his sister Bella much more interesting. But nevertheless an entertaining story.
December 10, 2021
I had high expectations after reading the blurb and the first scene was excellent, promising a gripping story.
Unfortunately it didn't keep my attention as I felt it was dragging.
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Unfortunately it didn't keep my attention as I felt it was dragging.
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 1, 2022
This is such a hard book to rate. Whilst I enjoyed the story overall and characters, I didn't love the writing style. It didn't feel like I was reading a thriller up until part three and then the story really started to pick up. I wouldn't just recommend this book to anyone as it is quite slow paced and could be quite misleading after reading the synopsis (thinking it's a fast paced thriller mystery). However, I loved the plot twists as I didn't predict them and it was worth pushing through the book to see them unfold.
Trigger Warnings: significant alcohol use, cult, death of a parent, fire use.
Trigger Warnings: significant alcohol use, cult, death of a parent, fire use.
September 10, 2022
I just was consumed by this book! The plot just had me hooked from the start, this is exactly the type of story that I love. A bit dark and creepy, the wee hint that something just isn't right hut you can't put your finger on what exactly. It's very well written and was a delight to read.
September 19, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Review to follow.
Review to follow.
October 2, 2021
DNF. Other reviews were not wrong
May 11, 2022
One of the not so good books that I have read in a long, long time. There was hardly any suspense and none of the characters propelled me along down the book. A complete waste of my time.
September 12, 2022
A different genre to what I normally read. A few twists.
November 1, 2021
The Family Lie is a dark thriller from P. L. Kane, following Police Officer Mitchel Prescott, who returns to his hometown following the death of his father. When Mitchel learns his father died in mysterious circumstances he tries to uncover the truth behind his death. The townspeople are reluctant to get involved and the local police force are no help. As Mitchel delves deeper into the goings-on in Green Arces, he uncovers something even more deadly.
This book had such an intriguing premise and the first chapter completely hooked me. I thought this was going to be a fast-paced thriller, but unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. Some of the twists I guessed quite early on and some of the story felt just a little bit too far-fetched for me. I also felt the first half of the book was a lot slower than the second half, which made the pacing of the story feel quite off.
The other thing that I struggled with in this book was the characters. Mitchel is quite an unlikeable main character. As I didn't really like him I found it difficult to care about what was happening to him and this meant I wasn't as intrigued by the mystery as I thought I would be. I'm sure there are thriller fans who will really enjoy this one, but ultimately it just wasn't for me.
This book had such an intriguing premise and the first chapter completely hooked me. I thought this was going to be a fast-paced thriller, but unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. Some of the twists I guessed quite early on and some of the story felt just a little bit too far-fetched for me. I also felt the first half of the book was a lot slower than the second half, which made the pacing of the story feel quite off.
The other thing that I struggled with in this book was the characters. Mitchel is quite an unlikeable main character. As I didn't really like him I found it difficult to care about what was happening to him and this meant I wasn't as intrigued by the mystery as I thought I would be. I'm sure there are thriller fans who will really enjoy this one, but ultimately it just wasn't for me.
December 31, 2022
Well I had no clue what to anticipate from this story and it didn’t disappoint. I was completely gripped by the prologue especially when it involves someone getting burned alive. Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t wish that on anyone but what a great way to start this book. I also thought this would be a police detective thriller thanks to Mitch but it went down a completely different road which involves cults. I’m not going to say anymore on that as it will give it away but honestly you all need to read this book.
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