Hard Lies

by Steve Rush

He will stop at nothing to keep his secrets hidden.

Denise Tyler’s future in New Jersey with fiancé Jeremy Guerdon unravels when she stumbles upon a kill list, with her name on it. A chilling directive, “Leave the family memories of her, nothing else,” exposes a nightmare she never imagined.

When Jeremy sees the engagement ring and his hit list on the dresser, vengeance takes an insidious turn. A master at manipulation and unpredictability, he finds, terrorizes, and vows to kill Denise and anyone who gets in his way.

Then a mysterious gift from her best friend offers a chance at survival in her final encounter with Jeremy.

Will it be enough?

This gripping psychological thriller delves into themes of trust, survival, and the darkest depths of the human heart. Fans of Engaged to a Serial Killer and The Girl on the Train will devour this chilling novel, filled with twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

321 pages, ebook

Published March 15, 2022

About the author

Steve’s book Kill Your Characters; Crime Scene Tips for Writers was named finalist in the 2023 Silver Falchion Award for Best Nonfiction and Honorable Mention in the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Awards.

Steve won joint first prize in the 2020 Chillzee KiMo T-E-N Contest and longlisted in the 2022 Page Turner Awards. 2022 Public Safety Writing Association Writing Competition first and third place award for two unpublished manuscripts, and first-place tie for Kill Your Characters.

Steve's experience includes tenure as homicide detective and chief forensic investigator for a national consulting firm. He was once hailed as “The best forensic investigator in the United States” by the late Joseph L. Burton, M.D, under whom he mastered his skills, and investigated many deaths alongside Dr. Jan Garavaglia of Dr. G: Medical Examiner fame. Steve has investigated 900+ death scenes and taught classes related to death investigation. His specialties include injury causation, blood spatter analysis, occupant kinematics, and recovery of human skeletal remains.

He lives in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Sharon.

Reviews

[Rachael Maag · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of a woman that is fleeing from one man that wants to kill her, and finds love with another man who protects her.

Overall, I found this story to be a little silly. While the antagonist should never be one that the reader sympathizes with, I also found him to be pretty unbelievable-even for a story line. He is portrayed as having many people that are working for him, while also being a ruthless killer himself that objectifies women. I felt like the author was pulling many different traits from potentially evil characters without fully fleshing out what makes this particular character "bad." Is he motivated by abusing women? By having people worship him? By killing others? It was too much to focus on all three and I couldn't develop strong feelings one way or another for him since I felt he was too unbelievable.

The love story between the woman and the man that was her protector was predictable. Even parts of the story line I could see coming from a mile away. About a third of the way through the novel I wondered if this was a story that I wanted to finish. Ultimately, I did, but even the ending could not convince me that I made a good choice.

[Robert J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Lies by Steve Rush is a psychological thriller that wastes no time plunging readers into fear and betrayal. Denise Tyler’s world collapses the moment she discovers a kill list with her own name on it, created by the man she planned to marry. This horrifying discovery sets the tone for a novel filled with tension, manipulation, and relentless suspense. Rush masterfully explores how trust can be weaponized, especially when the threat comes from someone who knows you intimately. As a Books & Brunch Book Club pick, this novel sparked intense discussion about relationships, control, and the terrifying idea that danger can hide behind love. Every chapter escalates the stakes, making Hard Lies a gripping and unforgettable read.

[Mable S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From its chilling premise to its pulse-pounding conclusion, Hard Lies is a thriller that keeps readers constantly on edge. Steve Rush crafts a deeply unsettling story about Denise Tyler, whose engagement becomes a nightmare when she uncovers her fiancé’s hit list. Jeremy Guerdon is not just a villain, he is calculated, manipulative, and frighteningly believable. The book shines in its portrayal of psychological terror, showing how control and obsession can spiral into violence. As part of the Books & Brunch Book Club, we were captivated by the twists, the emotional weight of Denise’s survival journey, and the haunting question of how well we ever truly know the people we love.

[Richard J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Rush’s Hard Lies delivers a chilling exploration of betrayal wrapped in a fast-paced psychological thriller. Denise Tyler’s discovery of her fiancé’s kill list is one of the most shocking openings we’ve read, instantly setting the stage for a terrifying game of cat and mouse. Jeremy Guerdon is disturbingly unpredictable, making every encounter pulse with danger. The novel’s themes of trust, manipulation, and survival led to rich discussion at our Books & Brunch Book Club, especially around how easily warning signs can be overlooked. This book is gripping, unsettling, and impossible to put down.

[Frank C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Lies pulled me in from the very first page and never let go. The idea of discovering a kill list with your own name on it is terrifying, and Steve Rush explores that fear with chilling precision. Denise’s unraveling world feels heartbreakingly real, especially as trust turns into dread. Jeremy is one of the most unsettling antagonists I’ve read in a long time, calculated, manipulative, and unpredictable. The pacing is relentless, and the psychological tension builds beautifully. This is a thriller that stays with you long after the final page.

[Carlos C.]

As a Books & Brunch Book Club selection, Hard Lies proved to be a powerful conversation starter. Steve Rush crafts a story that feels both intimate and horrifying, as Denise Tyler realizes her future is built on deadly lies. The psychological tension is expertly layered, and Jeremy’s character is chilling in how calm and methodical he is. The mystery surrounding the gift from Denise’s best friend adds another compelling element, offering a glimmer of hope amid the darkness. This novel is a haunting reminder that danger doesn’t always announce itself, it sometimes whispers.

[Manson Bricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Lies is the kind of psychological thriller that crawls under your skin and refuses to leave. Denise Tyler’s discovery of her own name on a kill list is chilling enough but what truly devastates is realizing the danger comes from the man she loves. Steve Rush masterfully explores betrayal, fear, and survival, creating a story that is both heart-pounding and emotionally raw. Every chapter tightens the tension, making it impossible to put down. This is a dark, gripping read that stays with you long after the final page.

[Jules · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst kind of book. You stick with it hoping it will improve and when you get to the end, you wish you hadn't wasted your time. One character changed from athlete to doctor and another from nurse to FBI agent, both inside one sentence and with no explanation. The romantic dialogue was nauseous drivel that went on for far too long. If I'd paid for it, I'd want a refund and an apology from the author. Seriously, don't bother.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Lies is a thriller that thrives on emotional intensity and constant suspense. Steve Rush places readers directly into Denise Tyler’s fear as her engagement turns into a fight for survival. The novel does an excellent job of examining the psychological impact of betrayal and the terror of being hunted by someone who knows your every move. Our Books & Brunch Book Club found the twists unpredictable and the pacing relentless, making this a book that demands to be read in one sitting.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes Hard Lies so effective is its realism. Steve Rush doesn’t rely solely on shocking moments, he builds dread slowly and methodically. Denise Tyler’s realization that her fiancé plans to kill her is horrifying, but it’s the emotional fallout that truly hits hard. Jeremy’s manipulation and obsession are disturbingly believable. As a Books & Brunch Book Club read, this novel kept us engaged and eager to unpack its themes of trust, denial, and survival long after we finished reading.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Rush’s Hard Lies is a chilling reminder that the most dangerous lies are the ones told by people we love. Denise Tyler’s story unfolds with relentless tension, drawing readers deeper into a nightmare fueled by manipulation and control. Jeremy Guerdon is a masterfully written antagonist whose calm demeanor makes him all the more terrifying. Our Books & Brunch Book Club appreciated the novel’s sharp pacing, emotional depth, and constant twists that kept us guessing until the very end.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Lies is a psychological thriller that excels in building dread. Steve Rush slowly peels back layers of deception, revealing a terrifying truth beneath Denise Tyler’s seemingly perfect life. Jeremy Guerdon is a frighteningly calculated villain, and his obsession drives the story forward with relentless momentum. Our Books & Brunch Book Club found this novel to be both thrilling and thought-provoking, sparking meaningful conversations about trust and survival.

[Eden Trouette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Rush’s Hard Lies is a gripping thriller that examines how quickly love can turn into terror. Denise Tyler’s discovery of the kill list instantly changes the course of the novel, setting off a high-stakes chase filled with suspense and fear. The emotional weight of Denise’s journey stood out in our Books & Brunch Book Club discussions, as did the chilling realism of Jeremy’s manipulation. This is a story that keeps readers questioning appearances and motives until the final page.

[Brooke Simons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Lies hooked our Books & Brunch Book Club from the very first chapter. Steve Rush delivers a psychological thriller that explores the fragility of trust and the strength it takes to survive betrayal. Denise Tyler’s fight for her life is both heartbreaking and empowering, while Jeremy’s unpredictable cruelty keeps the tension razor-sharp. This book is dark, intense, and impossible to forget.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like action and romance then this is a book for you

[Sonja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started as a fun quick read but turned into a slow burn and stuggled to go back to it. At the end I skimmed over a lot just to finish it.

[RHESA JOAN MODISETTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

My honest opinion... this was a good story. I would have liked to know why he wanted to kill her.
I couldn't put it down, in fact I read the whole thing in one day!
thanks Goodreads for the copy.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Books & Brunch Club feature was intense. The idea of discovering your own name on a kill list is terrifying, and Steve Rush executes it brilliantly.

[James S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Lies grabbed me from the first chapter and never let go. The psychological tension was intense and the twists were genuinely shocking.