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Martina Monroe #4

Why She Lied

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In the thick of the current cold case investigation, PI Martina Monroe receives a hand-written letter from a desperate mother pleading for Martina and Hirsch to reopen the cold case of the woman’s missing daughter and five-year-old grandson. Feeling a deep connection to the request, Martina knows that Hirsch and she have found their next case.

As the two investigators dig into the life of Ana and her son, Ryder, they quickly find Ana has the life many would be envious of. With a loving group of family and friends, a devoted husband, and a successful career, Ana’s perfect life seems a bit too perfect for Martina and Hirsch.

Searching even further into Ana’s past, they find a startling secret that leads Martina and Hirsch into the dark world of organized crime. Hot on the trail, the two investigators head to New York City, hoping to find the answer to what happened to Ana and Ryder. However, soon after they touch down, they learn they aren’t the only ones on the hunt.

Will Martina and Hirsch discover the truth before they become victims themselves?

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2022

1790 people are currently reading
1635 people want to read

About the author

H.K. Christie

54 books472 followers
H. K. Christie watched horror films far too early in life. Inspired by the likes of Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, true crime podcasts, and a vivid imagination she now writes suspenseful thrillers. When not working on her latest novel, she can be found eating & drinking with friends, walking around the lakes, or playing with her favorite furry pal. 
She is a native and current resident of the San Francisco Bay Area. 


The MARTINA MONROE series featuring Private Investigator Martina Monroe and her unofficial partner, Detective August Hirsch of the Cold Case Squad, is a nail-bing crime thriller series full of suspense. If you like high-stakes games, jaw-dropping twists, and embattled seekers struggling to do right, then you’ll love the thrilling Martina Monroe series.

The SELENA BAILEY series is a collection of suspenseful stories detailing one young woman's turbulent path to becoming a top-notch, kick-ass private investigator. If you like thrilling twists, dark tension, and smart and driven women, then you’ll love this new dark thriller series. A Permanent Mark is a suspenseful murder mystery featuring a grown-up Selena Bailey.

www.authorhkchristie.com

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5 stars
1,208 (55%)
4 stars
738 (33%)
3 stars
209 (9%)
2 stars
24 (1%)
1 star
11 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for Emmyreads444.
316 reviews1,491 followers
October 1, 2024
okay I need to read the rest of this series now… I’m obsessed
Profile Image for karin whitehead.
1,021 reviews9 followers
March 27, 2022
A woman contacts Martina Monroe imploring her to find her daughter Anastasia and her young son that have been missing for ten years after seeing her and Hirsch on the news after they had found another lost soul's case. Down the rabbit hole trying to solve the impossible cold cases, the worst kind. Martina is working the case as she always does with determination, heart and soul. In the mean time, her personal life is falling apart, and she is finding her partner is becoming more than a partner at work more attractive to her heart.
I received this novel as an ARC for an honest review. I've quickly become a fan of Christie's books Write with knowledge and a firm style, Always plenty of twist and plots within the plots. A fun, good read!
Profile Image for Anne G. Kasaba.
1,923 reviews9 followers
April 8, 2022
I love this series and this book just proves why. Dynamic characters that you wish you could meet and chat with are just one of the things that keep the reader coming back for more. The storyline was engaging and the mystery so well plotted that it kept me guessing until the end of this story. If you like page turners and books that are hard to put down don't miss reading this latest Martina McBride story!

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
Profile Image for Marie Wikle.
376 reviews8 followers
February 7, 2024
Another excellent book in the Martina Monroe series! Absolutely in love
Profile Image for tei hurst.
326 reviews6 followers
January 5, 2024
main takeaways from this book:

- hirsch is delicious but SUCH A GODDAMN IDIOT
- martina might FINALLY be coming to her senses but it feels like it’s too late ffs
- betty is at the top of my “i’m tired of this grandpa!” “well that’s too damn bad!” list
- zoe can do no wrong

- second favourite case so far
Profile Image for Tayler Bell.
83 reviews3 followers
January 5, 2024
august hirsch you may be on my last nerve but i can’t not give this five stars
Profile Image for Julia.
162 reviews16 followers
Read
November 20, 2024
Idk what to rate it. I'm closer to 2 than 3 but only because I've read the previous books and I'm not realising that the series gets a bit repetitive.
Profile Image for Raegan Reid.
13 reviews
February 11, 2025
I just felt the story line was not as compelling as her first two, which made it really hard to get through. It was also extremely predictable.
Profile Image for Toni H .
891 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2025
Book#4 - Martina Monroe receives a mysterious letter from a woman asking for help with finding her daughter and grandson who disappeared 10 years ago. She accepts the task and this becomes the new case for her and her partner, Detective Hirsch. They talk to the family and realize they have to dig deeper into the missing daughter’s past. They talk to her old college roommate and discover that she was engaged when she lived in New York. The engaged couple broke up and the missing daughter moved back to California. But they did uncover information about her former fiancé and his connection to organized crime. This bit of information leads them to believe that someone killed the missing woman and the son. However, to find out the reason why and uncover the person responsible, they will put their lives in jeopardy. But they refuse to give up because they need to bring closure and justice to the family.
Profile Image for Stacy.
382 reviews9 followers
January 11, 2023
This is the fourth book in the series. It was a good read, although I pieced together the mystery easily enough. I look forward to the next book.

Martina Monroe is a private investigator and recovering alcoholic, just over a year sober. She recently teamed up with Detective Hirsch from the CoCo County Sheriffs Dept. to help solve cold cases.

Martina just received a letter at the station from a woman who is desperate to find her missing daughter, Anastasia and grandson, Ryder. They have been gone for 10 years with no leads. Will the team have any luck finding out what happened to them?

The investigation leads to some shocking discoveries. It seems that Anastasia kept some secrets from her loved ones. Martina and Hirsch will head to New York to piece together the her past. Will it lead them to the truth?
480 reviews5 followers
March 25, 2022
An unputdownable book full of thrills and suspense. Martina Monroe and Detective August Hirsh work the Cold Case Files. The Cold Case Files are cases that were never solved by previous law enforcement officials. In this case, 10 years ago a young woman, Ana Hall and her 5 year old son, Ryder, mysteriously disappeared from the park. This story grabs you by the heart knowing that not only is the mother but a child could be dead. If you like nail biting, edge of your seat, a story that could be true, then pick up this book and start reading when you have plenty of time to read because once you start, your not going to want to put the book down until you finish.

I volunteered a honest review in exchange for an ARC copy of this book.
Profile Image for Lisa VK.
40 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2023
I’ve been reading this series and had been quite enjoying it…the plots, characters, etc. Then I read the 4th in the series, Why She Lied.

First, I didn’t find this story as compelling as the previous ones. The mystery was easy to predict. Most importantly, however, I was distracted by the poor editing. Occasional typos or misspellings I can overlook, but using exacerbated instead of exasperated? TWICE?! The first time this occurred I thought it was strange, and annoying. But when the author used the wrong word AGAIN a few chapters later I was, well, exasperated.

I will probably try one more in the series but if the lack of basic understanding of vocabulary and grammar continues- I’m out.
Profile Image for Claudete Takahashi.
2,640 reviews37 followers
May 4, 2022
Martina is back at the Cold Cases Unit and receives a pleading letter from a mother requesting that she investigates what happened to her daughter Anastasia and her son Ryder, who disappeared while visiting a park ten years ago. Why She Lied has a strong plot that involves the mob, crimes, love, deceit, and as the story progressed I felt like the mystery was deepening and it was becoming more and more difficult for the truth to come to light. This book is one of those you must read if you like mystery thrillers!
I received a free copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest opinion.
93 reviews
February 24, 2023
She's done it again.

H.K. has yet again produced a book full of twists and turns that just keeps you turning the pages.
I really like the way We get different perspectives, as Martina and Hirsch tell their own parts,as does Ana,in this book, adding extra depth.
As usual the characters are well drawn and we get to see more of the life/personalities of some of the team.
The plotlines are strong and solid and,although it might be easy to see where they are going, there are still surprises to be sprung.
I love the series so much I am off to start the next book, keep them coming H. K.
Profile Image for Teresa.
1,908 reviews34 followers
August 18, 2023
This was an enjoyable book, but only worthy of 3 stars, maybe less.
The story was a good idea, the thugs were cliched and “yous guys” was horrid. I figured out what had happened long before flashbacks started telling you what happened.
I found the romances ( all of them) to be silly. Meet fall in love immediately, next person, does the same, and the same. Meet someone fall-in love, leave, meet the next person, fall in love and forget all about the guy you were in love with last month.

Plus the mafia thing was ludicrous, bugs everywhere, but they dont know. Im sure they an do sweeps just like the FBI.
1,789 reviews15 followers
August 3, 2025
The author writes a very compelling story of Martina and Hirsch. These partners would go to the end of the earth for each other and for the families that they try to unite with their loved ones. Cold Cases are a tough investigation but they pull the team together and inspire them to greater efforts.

Through this story the author reveals the heart and soul of these two. Life is ordinary but it isn't. This is a mystery which is wrapped around some incredible events. But for the two of them it is dig in and follow the clues.

If you love and good mystery and plenty of good detective action you will certainly enjoy this read.
199 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2022
Ebook Review: WHY SHE LIED by H. K. Christie

(W) ondering
(H) ow
(Y) ielded

(S) hadows
(H) aunt
(E) veryone

(L) iving
( I ) s
(E ) scaping
(D) eath

WHY SHE LIED.
Is not the only question.

Time has passed.
Cold case has been re-opened.

What a journey.
Following clues old and new.

I keep guessing.
Where's it going to lead?

No dull moments.
Time to see for yourself!

*************************************************
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
*************************************************
Profile Image for Linda.
1,370 reviews13 followers
April 9, 2022
Martina and Hirsch are trying to solve another cold case of a mother and son who disappeared ten years ago. Each Book in this series tugs at the heart strings. The story is so realistic and could happen to anyone. Martina and Hirsch handle each case with sensitivity and determination to find answers for the families. The characters are realistic and and the story is gripping. Christie has done it again. I would highly recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
964 reviews6 followers
October 17, 2022
I enjoy these books although in "Why She Lied" things were transparent almost from the beginning. I enjoy the way the characters of Hirsch and Martina work together as well as the way the author develops secondary characters (like Vincent, Sarge, and Martina's mother). I was glad to see they reduced the role of Zoey. She was not very likable in Book 1. Perhaps we were to make exceptions for her behavior because she had lost her father at a young. But the author just painted her as a bit too precocious. It's nice to see her behaving more like a child.
Profile Image for Don.
1,029 reviews5 followers
September 30, 2022
What an excellent book, boy can Christie write. I can not grasped how writers figure out how to put the twists and turns into writing a story, but Ms. Christie does a masterful job at it! I am now hooked on her as an author I’d love to read. Martina & Hirsch we’re some great characters in this book, well developed and believable. I also enjoyed how she allowed Hirsch to find some joy in his life, bravo Christie. 5
Profile Image for mary arnold.
438 reviews
March 28, 2022
A heart grabbing story. A mom and son disappeared 10 years ago. Martina, Hirsch and the team manage to find clues to unravel the case that takes them from California to New York and back again.
I love to see the team maturing as a group and individually. I could not put it down until I knew the outcome!
263 reviews3 followers
June 9, 2023
Great book

Another fast moving crime story with plenty of twists and turns to keep me glued. I couldn't put this book down. I loved tagging along with Monroe and Hirsch. Well thought out and equally well executed, I would recommend these books to all crime thriller geeks. I love them.
15 reviews
December 10, 2024
Not what you expect! Bring the tissues!

I highly suspenseful heart wrenching book that will leave you in tears in such a good way. I have every intent on reading the entire series. Book 4 was definitely a selling point for me in this series. You must read from book one all the way through. I plan on continuing all of the books through this series. Love Hirsh and Martina.
878 reviews5 followers
April 11, 2025
Wow

This one is a wow factor , one minute your reading it with no emotion then its like time stand still while yoh try figure out is she dead or alive. One minute am smiling then I'm crying so you wan to have tissues near you with this book. Its really good and I recommend it with q 5stars review
850 reviews10 followers
April 1, 2022
Martina Munroe and Detective Hirsch are off on another case. As with the other Martina Munroe books, the story is well written. The author takes us through the case with twists and turns, keeping you hooked until the end. Lots of suspense!

I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Profile Image for Nan Christine  Borton-Smith.
558 reviews12 followers
June 22, 2022
Great Series

Monroe & Hirsch may be the main characters but the story lines are what have kept one com in my back. The storylines are fresh and new so you feel like you are listening to old friends around the kitchen table.
32 reviews
July 22, 2022
Suspensful

This entire series through Book 5 has me not wanting to put the books down. It does give you an insight to what these cold case investigators have to do, as much as several decades, to break these cases. Anxiously waiting for Book 6.
1,994 reviews23 followers
September 13, 2022
Cold cases

How interesting to sit down years later, putting pieces together to solve a puzzle that has evaded being solved for years. A satisfying job when it all comes together, but this one really doesn't have a true resolution. A sad ending.
Profile Image for ruby.
79 reviews
October 13, 2022
True

Amazingly well written about a few very strong women. Women true to their vowels no matter what things throw out to them.
One an investigator who helps find the lost who has been through it. One a lady who was in the worse place in time to see the murder of a person.
25 reviews
October 15, 2022
Childs writing

This was not a very good read by the 5th chapter out of god knowns how many, i had all ready come up with the theory that they were not dead and were being hidden by Jay, so no so good a read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews

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