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The Accomplice (Center Point Platinum Mystery
Everyone has the same questions about best friends Owen and What binds them together so tightly? Why weren’t they ever a couple? And why do people around them keep turning up dead? In this riveting novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Passenger , every answer raises a new, more chilling question.
488 pages, Library Binding
First published January 25, 2022
480 people are currently reading
28702 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Lutz
27 books3,974 followersLisa Lutz is the New York Times bestselling author of the six books in the Spellman series, How to Start a Fire, Heads you Lose (with David Hayward), and the children's book, How to Negotiate Everything (illustrated by Jaime Temairik). Her latest book, The Passenger, a psychological thriller, will be published March 2016 by Simon and Schuster. Lutz has won the Alex award and has been nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel.
Although she attended UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, the University of Leeds in England, and San Francisco State University, she still does not have a bachelor's degree. Lisa spent most of the 1990s hopping through a string of low-paying odd jobs while writing and rewriting the screenplay Plan B, a mob comedy. After the film was made in 2000, she vowed she would never write another screenplay. Lisa lives in the Hudson Valley, NY.
Although she attended UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, the University of Leeds in England, and San Francisco State University, she still does not have a bachelor's degree. Lisa spent most of the 1990s hopping through a string of low-paying odd jobs while writing and rewriting the screenplay Plan B, a mob comedy. After the film was made in 2000, she vowed she would never write another screenplay. Lisa lives in the Hudson Valley, NY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,323 reviews
October 25, 2021
“I think whatever those two are, it’s not normal.”
3.5 stars
The Accomplice is a highly addictive, tension-filled read about two friends who happen to be suspects in two murder investigations.
Luna and Owen. Owen and Luna. They meet in college and develop an intense, strange friendship. Their lives become entangled, so much so that they care more for one another than significant others and spouses. When one friend is accused of murder, the other friend will stop at nothing to make sure their friend is found innocent. Where there is Owen, there will be Luna, and where there is Luna, there will be Owen. But will they stand by each other when their deep and darkest secrets are revealed?
The Accomplice sucked me in from the very first pages. Owen and Luna's friendship was intriguing, and I couldn't figure out who were the murderers. I loved reading between the lines and trying to discern what drew these two together. But in the end, I was a little disappointed.
There are two timelines and two murders. Narration switches perspective in the blink of an eye. I could have lived without the perspectives of all of the cops and been more satisfied with just Luna and Owen as the sole narrators.
The events unfold slowly, but my fascination behind the friendship of Luna and Owen kept me captivated for the most part. However, my enjoyment of this book waned towards the last quarter. Owen and Luna’s secrets were not all that exciting. I was expecting some surprises and twists, but when all was revealed what I realized was that I didn't really care or like Luna and Owen anymore! The ending was also a bit of a letdown for me. There were some red herrings mixed in and many pointless storylines.
In the end, I enjoyed The Accomplice, but I was hoping for something darker and more sinister.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
The Accomplice is a highly addictive, tension-filled read about two friends who happen to be suspects in two murder investigations.
Luna and Owen. Owen and Luna. They meet in college and develop an intense, strange friendship. Their lives become entangled, so much so that they care more for one another than significant others and spouses. When one friend is accused of murder, the other friend will stop at nothing to make sure their friend is found innocent. Where there is Owen, there will be Luna, and where there is Luna, there will be Owen. But will they stand by each other when their deep and darkest secrets are revealed?
The Accomplice sucked me in from the very first pages. Owen and Luna's friendship was intriguing, and I couldn't figure out who were the murderers. I loved reading between the lines and trying to discern what drew these two together. But in the end, I was a little disappointed.
There are two timelines and two murders. Narration switches perspective in the blink of an eye. I could have lived without the perspectives of all of the cops and been more satisfied with just Luna and Owen as the sole narrators.
The events unfold slowly, but my fascination behind the friendship of Luna and Owen kept me captivated for the most part. However, my enjoyment of this book waned towards the last quarter. Owen and Luna’s secrets were not all that exciting. I was expecting some surprises and twists, but when all was revealed what I realized was that I didn't really care or like Luna and Owen anymore! The ending was also a bit of a letdown for me. There were some red herrings mixed in and many pointless storylines.
In the end, I enjoyed The Accomplice, but I was hoping for something darker and more sinister.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2022
Lisa Lutz is one talented and versatile writer. First you’ve got her signature Spellman Files series, which is full of wink-and-a-nudge humor. Then you’ve got a thriller like her 2016 novel The Passenger, which is a total ride on a can’t-look-away crazytrainwreck.
But now she gives us something a little more pedestrian, and I don’t mean that in a negative way. The Accomplice is just a pretty straightforward suspense story that could have been written by any number of other authors cluttering up the genre. There are murders. There are lies. There are reveals.
The Accomplice focuses on the platonic friendship of Luna and Owen, which is honestly pretty refreshing. This ain’t no friends-to-lovers romance, no sir! Chapters flash back and forth between their days in college, when one of Owen’s paramours ends up dead, and now, when Owen’s current wife meets the same fate. Coincidence? Curse? Collusion?
Readers are essentially treated to two mysteries in one then. It’s a Murder BOGO!
While I felt the story started to lose a little steam and burn a bit too slowly, The Accomplice is still thriller I can easily recommend. I didn’t guess the outcome of either of the two mysteries, which is a huge plus. Then there’s the whole uniqueness of the male/female friendship aspect. And despite my belief that the writing is pretty standard, it does feature a novel characteristic - that of a truly omniscient narrator. Written in the third person, the perspective shifts almost constantly. In the course of one paragraph, you’ll know what all the characters are thinking. Kinda cool! If even just for these reasons, The Accomplice is an accomplished book that has me looking forward to whatever Lutz will do next.
My thanks to the author and Ballantine Books for the gifted copy to review via NetGalley.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
But now she gives us something a little more pedestrian, and I don’t mean that in a negative way. The Accomplice is just a pretty straightforward suspense story that could have been written by any number of other authors cluttering up the genre. There are murders. There are lies. There are reveals.
The Accomplice focuses on the platonic friendship of Luna and Owen, which is honestly pretty refreshing. This ain’t no friends-to-lovers romance, no sir! Chapters flash back and forth between their days in college, when one of Owen’s paramours ends up dead, and now, when Owen’s current wife meets the same fate. Coincidence? Curse? Collusion?
Readers are essentially treated to two mysteries in one then. It’s a Murder BOGO!
While I felt the story started to lose a little steam and burn a bit too slowly, The Accomplice is still thriller I can easily recommend. I didn’t guess the outcome of either of the two mysteries, which is a huge plus. Then there’s the whole uniqueness of the male/female friendship aspect. And despite my belief that the writing is pretty standard, it does feature a novel characteristic - that of a truly omniscient narrator. Written in the third person, the perspective shifts almost constantly. In the course of one paragraph, you’ll know what all the characters are thinking. Kinda cool! If even just for these reasons, The Accomplice is an accomplished book that has me looking forward to whatever Lutz will do next.
My thanks to the author and Ballantine Books for the gifted copy to review via NetGalley.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
September 18, 2022
I think so far this is the best book the author has written. I liked the character driven, intense, mind numbing, twisty, intriguing plot! I loved devoted- obsessed- peculiar relationship between Owen and Luna!
I don’t know the main reason why they are drawn to each other like magnets. They never date. They never have sexual desire for each other which contradicts with “When Harry met Sally” theory. But interestingly, they never have fulfilled relationships with other people. Owen always keen on keeping things open as Luna has asocial, introvert, weird tendencies but when you find out the reasons behind it, you understand her actions completely. They’re each other’s person like Christina Yang and Meredith Grey :)
We’re moving back and forth between 2003 - the time: Luna met Owen at college and October 2019- when Owen’s wife Iris found that by Luna and chaotic investigation completely starts to ruin their lives.
In 2003 after a few minutes later, Luna and Owen met in the library, Luna collapses on the floor, having a seizure. Owen helps her not to bite her tongue, calling the ambulance but as soon as Luna recovers, she literally gets scared from the involvement of the authorities, beginning to run. As their friendship blossoms, Owen realizes Luna always keeps to herself and looks behind her shoulder, getting threat letters.
What’s this horrifying secret Luna hiding from everyone? Not actually everyone: their mutual friend-pot provider Mason already knows who she is but he keeps his mouth shut. What happens if someone learns and tells the people?
When the danger of revealing her identity occurs, something really bad happens. Does this incident in the past and Owen’s wife death connected? Are they unlucky people who bring bad luck to people around them? Or one of them is cold blooded killer?
The writing style is impeccably fascinating. Each chapter from different timelines end with semi-cliffhangers. You cannot decide which one you should read first!
So exciting, so smart, so riveting and absolutely unputdownable!
I highly recommend it to psychological thriller lovers like me! I couldn’t put it down till the end!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine’s for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I don’t know the main reason why they are drawn to each other like magnets. They never date. They never have sexual desire for each other which contradicts with “When Harry met Sally” theory. But interestingly, they never have fulfilled relationships with other people. Owen always keen on keeping things open as Luna has asocial, introvert, weird tendencies but when you find out the reasons behind it, you understand her actions completely. They’re each other’s person like Christina Yang and Meredith Grey :)
We’re moving back and forth between 2003 - the time: Luna met Owen at college and October 2019- when Owen’s wife Iris found that by Luna and chaotic investigation completely starts to ruin their lives.
In 2003 after a few minutes later, Luna and Owen met in the library, Luna collapses on the floor, having a seizure. Owen helps her not to bite her tongue, calling the ambulance but as soon as Luna recovers, she literally gets scared from the involvement of the authorities, beginning to run. As their friendship blossoms, Owen realizes Luna always keeps to herself and looks behind her shoulder, getting threat letters.
What’s this horrifying secret Luna hiding from everyone? Not actually everyone: their mutual friend-pot provider Mason already knows who she is but he keeps his mouth shut. What happens if someone learns and tells the people?
When the danger of revealing her identity occurs, something really bad happens. Does this incident in the past and Owen’s wife death connected? Are they unlucky people who bring bad luck to people around them? Or one of them is cold blooded killer?
The writing style is impeccably fascinating. Each chapter from different timelines end with semi-cliffhangers. You cannot decide which one you should read first!
So exciting, so smart, so riveting and absolutely unputdownable!
I highly recommend it to psychological thriller lovers like me! I couldn’t put it down till the end!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine’s for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
January 10, 2022
According to Urban Dictionary, the term
ride or die
used as a verb means “you are willing to do anything for someone you love or someone you really appreciate in your life” or used as a noun, it’s “the person who you stand by in any problem and vice versa.”
My friend and fellow reviewer, Jen, used this term and it perfectly encapsulates Luna and Owen, who’ve been strictly platonic best friends since their college days. They’ve spent years keeping each other’s secrets, running interference if someone is bothering the other, lying if necessary - even to each other, if they think it will help, and generally having each other’s backs whatever the scenario. It’s the ultimate stew of loving support and complete co-dependency.
Still friends and now neighbors long after their student days, they find themselves being questioned when Owen’s wife is murdered. The only problem is, they’ve been under a cloud of suspicion before while students at Markham University, when a female acquaintance of theirs mysteriously died, not to mention the trouble caused by Luna’s dark and secret past she was trying to keep hidden.
Is there a connection between these events? Why do Luna and Owen seem to attract death and drama like moths to a flame? They both have secrets, so … do they really know each other? Just how far will they go to protect the other?
I loved this book, and despite their mutual dysfunction and unlikable moments, I loved Luna and Owen! Lutz did a great job keeping me guessing at how all the pieces fit together through past and present chapters, and every character was well-written and interesting, so I always felt invested in the outcome. The resolution was satisfying, though I was just a tiny bit disappointed with the lack of a clear conclusion for Luna’s relational situation at the end. Nonetheless, I could live with it and be happy.
An outstanding first read for 2022 and a new-to-me author to watch!
★★★★ ½ (rounded to 5)
Thanks to Random House Publishing - Ballantine, Netgalley and author Lisa Lutz for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. It’s due for publication on January 25, 2022.
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Please bear with me if I'm slow to reply to comments. I'm still on semi-hiatus for the next month or two, but I'll try to squeeze in reviews and replies when I can, as well as visiting your reviews! :)
My friend and fellow reviewer, Jen, used this term and it perfectly encapsulates Luna and Owen, who’ve been strictly platonic best friends since their college days. They’ve spent years keeping each other’s secrets, running interference if someone is bothering the other, lying if necessary - even to each other, if they think it will help, and generally having each other’s backs whatever the scenario. It’s the ultimate stew of loving support and complete co-dependency.
Still friends and now neighbors long after their student days, they find themselves being questioned when Owen’s wife is murdered. The only problem is, they’ve been under a cloud of suspicion before while students at Markham University, when a female acquaintance of theirs mysteriously died, not to mention the trouble caused by Luna’s dark and secret past she was trying to keep hidden.
Is there a connection between these events? Why do Luna and Owen seem to attract death and drama like moths to a flame? They both have secrets, so … do they really know each other? Just how far will they go to protect the other?
I loved this book, and despite their mutual dysfunction and unlikable moments, I loved Luna and Owen! Lutz did a great job keeping me guessing at how all the pieces fit together through past and present chapters, and every character was well-written and interesting, so I always felt invested in the outcome. The resolution was satisfying, though I was just a tiny bit disappointed with the lack of a clear conclusion for Luna’s relational situation at the end. Nonetheless, I could live with it and be happy.
An outstanding first read for 2022 and a new-to-me author to watch!
★★★★ ½ (rounded to 5)
Thanks to Random House Publishing - Ballantine, Netgalley and author Lisa Lutz for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. It’s due for publication on January 25, 2022.
*****************************************
Please bear with me if I'm slow to reply to comments. I'm still on semi-hiatus for the next month or two, but I'll try to squeeze in reviews and replies when I can, as well as visiting your reviews! :)
January 5, 2025
**4.5-stars**
Luna and Owen have been best friends for over a decade. Their bond runs incredibly deep, sometimes to the detriment of others in their lives.
From the outside looking in, people are often curious about how close the two are. Maybe it's because people have a hard time gauging platonic relationships between a man and woman. It makes them suspicious.
Luna's husband, Sam, and Owen's wife, Irene, have learned to live with their bestie status. As neighbors, Luna and Owen are frequently getting together and sharing secrets, while their spouses are left behind.
They tell themselves they have an understanding; it's just how their relationships are, but still, it doesn't necessarily feel good.
Luna and Irene have established a friendship of their own, however, frequently visiting and even going for runs together.
One morning, Luna heads out to meet Irene for a run at their regular spot, she gets there only to find Irene dead. She's been murdered!
Luna is shocked. Who would kill Irene? She immediately calls Owen. Yeah, before she calls the police, she calls Owen and he rushes to the scene.
As it turns out, Irene's isn't the first mysterious death Luna and Owen have been close to. A girl they knew in college once died under mysterious circumstances. They stood firmly together then as well.
Alternating between 2004/2005 and 2019, the Reader is introduced to the historical complexity of Luna and Owen's relationship. The amount of drama they have been through together, as well as the depths they would go to in order to protect one another.
I found this book to be extremely interesting. Luna and Owen were both complex characters. While they seemed a bit aloof with most people, with one another, they were completely different.
They were so attached and enmeshed in each other's lives. It was fascinating. They came from completely different worlds, but somehow it worked. They found something in each other that they both needed to come out of their shells; drop their walls.
Additionally, the narrative was such a twisted web. My word! Every single person was keeping secrets on some level.
I really enjoyed getting the investigator's perspectives as well, who were looking into Irene's death. That gave an extra look into Luna and Owen's relationship from the outside. I thought that was a nice addition.
I was so happy with how this concluded. It left me with an evil little grin on my face and we all know, I love that!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I had a lot of fun with this one. It will stick with me for a long time to come!
Luna and Owen have been best friends for over a decade. Their bond runs incredibly deep, sometimes to the detriment of others in their lives.
From the outside looking in, people are often curious about how close the two are. Maybe it's because people have a hard time gauging platonic relationships between a man and woman. It makes them suspicious.
Luna's husband, Sam, and Owen's wife, Irene, have learned to live with their bestie status. As neighbors, Luna and Owen are frequently getting together and sharing secrets, while their spouses are left behind.
They tell themselves they have an understanding; it's just how their relationships are, but still, it doesn't necessarily feel good.
Luna and Irene have established a friendship of their own, however, frequently visiting and even going for runs together.
One morning, Luna heads out to meet Irene for a run at their regular spot, she gets there only to find Irene dead. She's been murdered!
Luna is shocked. Who would kill Irene? She immediately calls Owen. Yeah, before she calls the police, she calls Owen and he rushes to the scene.
As it turns out, Irene's isn't the first mysterious death Luna and Owen have been close to. A girl they knew in college once died under mysterious circumstances. They stood firmly together then as well.
Alternating between 2004/2005 and 2019, the Reader is introduced to the historical complexity of Luna and Owen's relationship. The amount of drama they have been through together, as well as the depths they would go to in order to protect one another.
I found this book to be extremely interesting. Luna and Owen were both complex characters. While they seemed a bit aloof with most people, with one another, they were completely different.
They were so attached and enmeshed in each other's lives. It was fascinating. They came from completely different worlds, but somehow it worked. They found something in each other that they both needed to come out of their shells; drop their walls.
Additionally, the narrative was such a twisted web. My word! Every single person was keeping secrets on some level.
I really enjoyed getting the investigator's perspectives as well, who were looking into Irene's death. That gave an extra look into Luna and Owen's relationship from the outside. I thought that was a nice addition.
I was so happy with how this concluded. It left me with an evil little grin on my face and we all know, I love that!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I had a lot of fun with this one. It will stick with me for a long time to come!
January 25, 2022
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
How much is too much when friends rely on each other through thick and thin?
Luna Grey and Owen Mann have an unbreakable bond and have been best friends since their college days. Complete opposites, they became known as Owen and Luna, Luna and Owen. Can’t have one without the other. Not everyone understands their relationship and how it never turned into romance.
Their friendship survives secrets, scandal, and a mysterious death back in their college days.
Years later, both Luna and Owen are married to their respective partners. One day, Luna finds Owen’s wife, Irene, shot dead in a cemetery. Who would do such a thing? Luna is absolutely sure Owen wouldn’t do something like that.
Long-held secrets come to light, and these two friends realize they might not know each other as well as they thought they did.
I was so looking forward to this book after reading and loving The Passenger by author Lisa Lutz years ago, and I’m glad to say it was really enjoyable. The writing is atmospheric, and I loved the technique of switching between two timelines (college years and 2019). I found the story gripping, and couldn’t wait to see how everything tied together.
I went into this expecting a pulse pounding thriller. It’s more of a slow burn suspense story. While I was fine with it, other readers may have to adjust expectations. The ending, though enjoyable and well plotted, felt a bit anticlimactic. Again, for some reason, I wasn’t bothered by that...maybe because the execution from start to finish was really strong. I guess it was the right read at the right time.
Overall, this is a hard-to-put-down and compelling tale with mysterious undertones, suspenseful chapters that keep you hooked, and brilliant/biting dialogue (which I really love).
P.S. The POVs sometimes switch in the same chapter, from one paragraph to the next. I got used to it quickly and didn’t have issues following the story, but want to point it out for potential readers.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 1/25/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
How much is too much when friends rely on each other through thick and thin?
Luna Grey and Owen Mann have an unbreakable bond and have been best friends since their college days. Complete opposites, they became known as Owen and Luna, Luna and Owen. Can’t have one without the other. Not everyone understands their relationship and how it never turned into romance.
Their friendship survives secrets, scandal, and a mysterious death back in their college days.
Years later, both Luna and Owen are married to their respective partners. One day, Luna finds Owen’s wife, Irene, shot dead in a cemetery. Who would do such a thing? Luna is absolutely sure Owen wouldn’t do something like that.
Long-held secrets come to light, and these two friends realize they might not know each other as well as they thought they did.
I was so looking forward to this book after reading and loving The Passenger by author Lisa Lutz years ago, and I’m glad to say it was really enjoyable. The writing is atmospheric, and I loved the technique of switching between two timelines (college years and 2019). I found the story gripping, and couldn’t wait to see how everything tied together.
I went into this expecting a pulse pounding thriller. It’s more of a slow burn suspense story. While I was fine with it, other readers may have to adjust expectations. The ending, though enjoyable and well plotted, felt a bit anticlimactic. Again, for some reason, I wasn’t bothered by that...maybe because the execution from start to finish was really strong. I guess it was the right read at the right time.
Overall, this is a hard-to-put-down and compelling tale with mysterious undertones, suspenseful chapters that keep you hooked, and brilliant/biting dialogue (which I really love).
P.S. The POVs sometimes switch in the same chapter, from one paragraph to the next. I got used to it quickly and didn’t have issues following the story, but want to point it out for potential readers.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 1/25/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
February 1, 2022
I'm definitely an outlier among my reviewer friends with this rating, so go read their reviews and take mine with a grain of salt.
I'm a huge fan of this author's books, but this one just fell a bit short for me. It kept me interested throughout, but the ultimate resolution of the mysteries was disappointing. One of the issues I had was with the jumpy timeline. I had difficulty following what was going on, especially through about the first third of the story. There is also a LOT of head hopping. We are in the head of every character from one paragraph to the next. I don't care for that writing style, I don't need that many points of view.
I liked that everything was resolved and wrapped up in the end. There was nothing ambiguous or left to guess, you find out exactly what happened to both of the women and who was responsible. I was impressed and found it refreshing that Owen and Luna's friendship was always platonic. That's something you don't see very often portrayed in books, there's always one of the two having more feelings than the other, etc. That's not to say that their relationship was healthy because it was borderline obsessive and toxic, but it was very different from most books.
What was missing from this novel was Lutz's dry sense of humor. I think I would have liked the book much more had there been more snark. And what was with all of the characters being SO thirsty all the time and "guzzling" and "gulping" water? That was so weird and mentioned so often I thought there might be a purpose behind it but alas, no.
Not a terrible book, just not the book for me. I'll still keep reading her books because I do enjoy her storytelling.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
January 30, 2022
Luna and Owen are the best of friends…but can two people of the opposite sex really be just friends? And, can this bond survive MORE than one person in their social circle, dying under suspicious circumstances?
They are about to find out, especially when secrets from the past come out, especially one of Luna’s which not even Owen knew about.
In 2016, long before I started reviewing books, I read “The Passenger”. Apparently, I found the story to be a 3 ⭐️ read, but I liked the ending enough to add an extra half star, for a 3.5 rating.
I was never compelled to try the author’s work again, until all of the rave reviews started coming in for this one. Intrigued by them, and by Luna and Owen’s supposedly extraordinary friendship, I decided to give the author another go!
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work any better for me.
I didn’t find their friendship or the stories surrounding either death particularly riveting and have now confirmed that this author is not a fit for me! 🥱
Next time, I won’t have FOMO.
Thank You to my local library for the loan!
They are about to find out, especially when secrets from the past come out, especially one of Luna’s which not even Owen knew about.
In 2016, long before I started reviewing books, I read “The Passenger”. Apparently, I found the story to be a 3 ⭐️ read, but I liked the ending enough to add an extra half star, for a 3.5 rating.
I was never compelled to try the author’s work again, until all of the rave reviews started coming in for this one. Intrigued by them, and by Luna and Owen’s supposedly extraordinary friendship, I decided to give the author another go!
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work any better for me.
I didn’t find their friendship or the stories surrounding either death particularly riveting and have now confirmed that this author is not a fit for me! 🥱
Next time, I won’t have FOMO.
Thank You to my local library for the loan!
November 15, 2021
4.5 stars, rounded up
Lisa Lutz has always been able to create quirky, interesting characters. And Luna and Owen are no exceptions. The Accomplice tells the story of their strange friendship, moving back and forth between their college days and 2019, when Owen’s wife turns up murdered. Both of them hold secrets which they don’t share with the other. I loved that the two main characters were always best friends and never romantic partners.
There’s a lovely suspense to this novel. Not just who killed Irene, but why are Owen and Luna both so secretive? Not just with each other but also their spouses. These two are so strange that I can’t say I related to either of them, but they definitely intrigued me. Readers hear from a variety of POVs which worked well to advance the story.
I loved that I had no idea how this story would play out. I tore through this, wanting desperately to see how it would wrap up. It touches on some deeper themes than I expected - how much you can know anyone, betrayal, and what we’re willing to do to protect our loved ones.
Others have commented that the ending was a let down. I thought it was spot on perfect.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
Lisa Lutz has always been able to create quirky, interesting characters. And Luna and Owen are no exceptions. The Accomplice tells the story of their strange friendship, moving back and forth between their college days and 2019, when Owen’s wife turns up murdered. Both of them hold secrets which they don’t share with the other. I loved that the two main characters were always best friends and never romantic partners.
There’s a lovely suspense to this novel. Not just who killed Irene, but why are Owen and Luna both so secretive? Not just with each other but also their spouses. These two are so strange that I can’t say I related to either of them, but they definitely intrigued me. Readers hear from a variety of POVs which worked well to advance the story.
I loved that I had no idea how this story would play out. I tore through this, wanting desperately to see how it would wrap up. It touches on some deeper themes than I expected - how much you can know anyone, betrayal, and what we’re willing to do to protect our loved ones.
Others have commented that the ending was a let down. I thought it was spot on perfect.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
December 10, 2021
3.5*
Can I tell you something? Can you keep a secret?🤫
Owen and Luna have been best friends since college. Now as adults, even while both married (to other people), their friendship remains rock-solid.
But it is about to be severely tested!
While out for a jog Luna comes across the impossible. It’s Owen’s wife. She’s been shot dead. Luna sprints to Owen’s house to give him the news before calling 911. Who would want Owen’s wife killed…and why?
By the way, this isn’t the first murder surrounding these two friends. But like they always say…if you can’t trust your best friend, who can you trust?
Friends forever…right? No matter what? Through thick and thin. Think hard about that before you give an answer.
Told in two timelines, the past when the two first met in college and present, when trying to piece together this latest murder.
This is my first thriller by Lisa Lutz. I loved her previous hilarious, Spellman Series, and I just had a bit of difficulty switching gears to a more serious writing style.
The characters and their relationships through the years were entertaining. The mystery behind the murder kept me guessing. (albeit totally wrong!)
I do want to go back and read her previous thriller The Passenger while I’m waiting for her next release.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine.
Can I tell you something? Can you keep a secret?🤫
Owen and Luna have been best friends since college. Now as adults, even while both married (to other people), their friendship remains rock-solid.
But it is about to be severely tested!
While out for a jog Luna comes across the impossible. It’s Owen’s wife. She’s been shot dead. Luna sprints to Owen’s house to give him the news before calling 911. Who would want Owen’s wife killed…and why?
By the way, this isn’t the first murder surrounding these two friends. But like they always say…if you can’t trust your best friend, who can you trust?
Friends forever…right? No matter what? Through thick and thin. Think hard about that before you give an answer.
Told in two timelines, the past when the two first met in college and present, when trying to piece together this latest murder.
This is my first thriller by Lisa Lutz. I loved her previous hilarious, Spellman Series, and I just had a bit of difficulty switching gears to a more serious writing style.
The characters and their relationships through the years were entertaining. The mystery behind the murder kept me guessing. (albeit totally wrong!)
I do want to go back and read her previous thriller The Passenger while I’m waiting for her next release.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine.
January 25, 2022
Update 1/25/22: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!
Structurally, The Accomplice is laid out like so many other mystery/thriller novels. The story unfolds in two timelines. In the past, we see cautious, secretive Luna Grey immediately bond with the charming, gregarious Owen Mann. Eventually, there will be a dead body. Meanwhile, in the present (2019, for not entirely clear reasons), Luna and Owen are both married—to other people—but are as close as ever. But once again, there’s a dead body. We see both investigations unfold, as we slowly learn what happened both then and now.
Where The Accomplice exceeds the standard mystery/thriller novel is in the execution. The plot is well-paced, so that reveals come regularly without feeling forced. Owen and Luna are both well-developed characters, and their relationship is both interesting and unusual. The perspective shifts back and forth between characters quickly, so that you know who is thinking what as scenes play out.
Finally, there is the ending. I expect it will be somewhat divisive. I can’t say why without spoiling the ending, but for the record I liked it. I thought it was rather original, realistic, and true to the characters. The Accomplice is another successful novel from Ms. Lutz. Recommended.
That was the day it all began. Luna and Owen. Owen and Luna. Their names would be inextricably linked for years to come. The one steady thing in their unsteady lives. Before long, neither would be able to imagine a life without the other. It would be hard not to admire the strength of their bond. However, if you were in their orbit, you might come to realize that it was a dangerous place to be. Not everyone there made it out alive.Thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of The Accomplice in exchange for an honest review. I am a huge fan of Ms. Lutz’s last novel, the criminally underrated The Swallows, so I could not wait to dig into her newest book.
Structurally, The Accomplice is laid out like so many other mystery/thriller novels. The story unfolds in two timelines. In the past, we see cautious, secretive Luna Grey immediately bond with the charming, gregarious Owen Mann. Eventually, there will be a dead body. Meanwhile, in the present (2019, for not entirely clear reasons), Luna and Owen are both married—to other people—but are as close as ever. But once again, there’s a dead body. We see both investigations unfold, as we slowly learn what happened both then and now.
Where The Accomplice exceeds the standard mystery/thriller novel is in the execution. The plot is well-paced, so that reveals come regularly without feeling forced. Owen and Luna are both well-developed characters, and their relationship is both interesting and unusual. The perspective shifts back and forth between characters quickly, so that you know who is thinking what as scenes play out.
Finally, there is the ending. I expect it will be somewhat divisive. I can’t say why without spoiling the ending, but for the record I liked it. I thought it was rather original, realistic, and true to the characters. The Accomplice is another successful novel from Ms. Lutz. Recommended.
October 5, 2021
Luna and Owen have been ride-or-die friends since their college days. They immediately clicked, but what really cemented their lifelong bond were the events and aftermath of the mysterious (and maybe criminal) death of one of their classmates. The thing is, even the best of friends have some things they keep to themselves. Luna had a particularly dark childhood, and hasn’t always been open with Owen about it. She was always the mysterious, more shy one compared to the charming and gregarious Owen. But when another person ends up dead near the pair, this time Owen’s wife and Luna’s good friend, Luna begins to wonder if she isn’t the only one with a secret.
Wow, where did this come from? It’s been a minute since I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by a mystery/suspense book. The Accomplice (clever title by the way) is told mostly in two timelines: the present day as the death of Owen’s wife is investigated, and in flashback chapters starting from when Owen and Luna met in college 17 years prior. This is one of those rare cases where not only did both timelines feel equally strong and compelling, but so too did both main characters. More minor characters including friends, family, and the police were also well developed, and the actions and motivations of pretty much everyone in the book actually made sense and were consistent with their previous characterization.
I personally love slow burn, character driven books. If you’re looking for something face paced and full of thrills and shocking twists, you won’t find it here. This is a mystery in the same way Tana French books are: it’s present and the reason for the book, but really the chief appeal is the well drawn characters and the exploration of their relationships and inner turmoil. You will find deep dark buried secrets, flawed yet realistic characters, and a well constructed plot that contains suspense and surprises but still stays squarely within the realm of plausibility. I’d guess that this as a whole, and perhaps particularly the ending, will be a bit subdued for some readers, but it was really just such a winner for me.
One of my very few criticisms was that the author often switched back and forth between first and last names for the investigating officers, even within the same paragraph. It was confusing and somewhat hard to follow at the beginning, and continued to wrankle as I read. The perspective also shifts midway through chapters which may bother other readers, but worked for me, and I did not find it confusing in the same way I did the name issue.
4.5 rounded up. Expected publication date: January 25, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this title for review.
Wow, where did this come from? It’s been a minute since I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by a mystery/suspense book. The Accomplice (clever title by the way) is told mostly in two timelines: the present day as the death of Owen’s wife is investigated, and in flashback chapters starting from when Owen and Luna met in college 17 years prior. This is one of those rare cases where not only did both timelines feel equally strong and compelling, but so too did both main characters. More minor characters including friends, family, and the police were also well developed, and the actions and motivations of pretty much everyone in the book actually made sense and were consistent with their previous characterization.
I personally love slow burn, character driven books. If you’re looking for something face paced and full of thrills and shocking twists, you won’t find it here. This is a mystery in the same way Tana French books are: it’s present and the reason for the book, but really the chief appeal is the well drawn characters and the exploration of their relationships and inner turmoil. You will find deep dark buried secrets, flawed yet realistic characters, and a well constructed plot that contains suspense and surprises but still stays squarely within the realm of plausibility. I’d guess that this as a whole, and perhaps particularly the ending, will be a bit subdued for some readers, but it was really just such a winner for me.
One of my very few criticisms was that the author often switched back and forth between first and last names for the investigating officers, even within the same paragraph. It was confusing and somewhat hard to follow at the beginning, and continued to wrankle as I read. The perspective also shifts midway through chapters which may bother other readers, but worked for me, and I did not find it confusing in the same way I did the name issue.
4.5 rounded up. Expected publication date: January 25, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this title for review.
September 28, 2021
2005:
Owen and Luna. Luna and Owen.
And a dead body make three.
2019:
Luna and Owen. Owen and Luna.
And another dead body can't be a coincidence.
Luna and Owen meet at Markham University and instantly hit it off. He's a golden boy that everyone loves but the only problem is he doesn't really like other people. Luna is aloof and indifferent with very few friends which Owen finds incredibly appealing. The two form a fast and lifelong friendship.
Of course every one assumes there is more to their situation. It can't be completely platonic can it?
Honestly, they couldn't care less what anyone thinks. Until, you know, people start dropping dead around them. That's a sure fire way to get the rumor mill turning.
I really enjoyed this one. I liked both Owen and Luna. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their friendship grow. And I loved, loved, loved that the author didn't turn this into some sort of romance between the two. I don't often read about male / female friendships in the books that I read. To clarify, I mean best of friends where loyalty to one another knows no bounds. It was really refreshing and came across incredibly genuine. Lutz seamlessly interwove the past and present timelines. A lot of times I will find one of the timelines more compelling than the other but that wasn't the case here. I very much enjoyed going back and forth in time with this dynamic duo. I'll admit that the end was a tiny bit lackluster (I was expecting a shocking twist of some sorts) but it was also completely plausible.
I had fun, I couldn't put it down, and I loved the main characters: Lutz for the WIN!!! 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my complimentary copy.
Owen and Luna. Luna and Owen.
And a dead body make three.
2019:
Luna and Owen. Owen and Luna.
And another dead body can't be a coincidence.
Luna and Owen meet at Markham University and instantly hit it off. He's a golden boy that everyone loves but the only problem is he doesn't really like other people. Luna is aloof and indifferent with very few friends which Owen finds incredibly appealing. The two form a fast and lifelong friendship.
Of course every one assumes there is more to their situation. It can't be completely platonic can it?
Honestly, they couldn't care less what anyone thinks. Until, you know, people start dropping dead around them. That's a sure fire way to get the rumor mill turning.
I really enjoyed this one. I liked both Owen and Luna. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their friendship grow. And I loved, loved, loved that the author didn't turn this into some sort of romance between the two. I don't often read about male / female friendships in the books that I read. To clarify, I mean best of friends where loyalty to one another knows no bounds. It was really refreshing and came across incredibly genuine. Lutz seamlessly interwove the past and present timelines. A lot of times I will find one of the timelines more compelling than the other but that wasn't the case here. I very much enjoyed going back and forth in time with this dynamic duo. I'll admit that the end was a tiny bit lackluster (I was expecting a shocking twist of some sorts) but it was also completely plausible.
I had fun, I couldn't put it down, and I loved the main characters: Lutz for the WIN!!! 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my complimentary copy.
March 9, 2022
The Accomplice is a good thriller from the very beginning.
Luna Grey and Owen Mann have been friends since college. The friendship was an unexpected one. The popular guy and the secretive girl. Yes, Luna's secret is a big one. One that not even Owen knows.
Then Owen's ex-girlfriend is found dead in a hiking path and suspicion lies on Owen alone.
In the present, Owen and Luna are still best buddies. Owen is married to Irene and Luna lives just a few houses from him. Luna is also married although she doesn't seem to be happy. When Luna finds out Owen is cheating and she learns this from Irene herself, she meets Owen to make sure he knows his wife knows.
The next day, Irene is found dead, shot in the cemetery, and guess who finds her? Luna. What does Luna do? She runs to tell Owen instead of calling the cops.
Did Owen kill Irene and if yes, does this mean he killed his ex-girlfriend in college too? Has Luna been wrong about Owen all this time? Can she live with herself if this is true?
The Accomplice was an entertaining novel that kept me guessing until the end. Up to the last part, it was a four for me but the ending let me down. After all the build-up, it was missing the "awe" conclusion it needed.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Luna Grey and Owen Mann have been friends since college. The friendship was an unexpected one. The popular guy and the secretive girl. Yes, Luna's secret is a big one. One that not even Owen knows.
Then Owen's ex-girlfriend is found dead in a hiking path and suspicion lies on Owen alone.
In the present, Owen and Luna are still best buddies. Owen is married to Irene and Luna lives just a few houses from him. Luna is also married although she doesn't seem to be happy. When Luna finds out Owen is cheating and she learns this from Irene herself, she meets Owen to make sure he knows his wife knows.
The next day, Irene is found dead, shot in the cemetery, and guess who finds her? Luna. What does Luna do? She runs to tell Owen instead of calling the cops.
Did Owen kill Irene and if yes, does this mean he killed his ex-girlfriend in college too? Has Luna been wrong about Owen all this time? Can she live with herself if this is true?
The Accomplice was an entertaining novel that kept me guessing until the end. Up to the last part, it was a four for me but the ending let me down. After all the build-up, it was missing the "awe" conclusion it needed.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
April 5, 2022
4.5 rounded up
Wealthy and privileged Owen Mann meets mysterious and secretive Luna Grey at Markham University in 2002. Soon the pair are inextricably linked and it seems that being in their orbit might be a dangerous place to be. Whilst at university there is an unexplained death of an ex-girlfriend of Owen’s and despite the disturbing fallout of that, nothing rocks their friendship. Years later in 2019 Owen’s wife Irene is murdered. The subsequent police investigation begins to uncover buried secrets both at the heart of their relationship and deeply submerged within Luna. The Accomplice examines the bonds of their relationship with its changing but very complex dynamics. It’s told in duel timelines and from several points of view.
This is just my kind of book as it’s compelling and immersive and I find I’m glued to the pages. I love the way the tasty little titbits especially about the past are revealed a little morsel at a time and some are doozies. Your perspective constantly changes as you learn a little more, you reconfigure the characters and your viewpoint of them right from the start. Luna is a conundrum from the get go, you can’t work out what lies at the heart of her but you know it’s something dark from the behaviour of those in the know. Is she full of pretence and lies or is it just self preservation?
Similarly a puzzle emerges of the seemingly golden Owen whose reputation begins to tarnish in 2002. Along the twisty route to understand their unbreakable bond they encounter betrayals and lies, they experience guilt and there are coverups of dark secrets.
There is one very surreal moment when Luna visits her mother one Christmas. Wow, that makes your jaw drop for sure as you try to compute the meaning.
Overall, this is a terrific and fascinating character driven study and the very definition of a psychological thriller in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Titan Books for that much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Wealthy and privileged Owen Mann meets mysterious and secretive Luna Grey at Markham University in 2002. Soon the pair are inextricably linked and it seems that being in their orbit might be a dangerous place to be. Whilst at university there is an unexplained death of an ex-girlfriend of Owen’s and despite the disturbing fallout of that, nothing rocks their friendship. Years later in 2019 Owen’s wife Irene is murdered. The subsequent police investigation begins to uncover buried secrets both at the heart of their relationship and deeply submerged within Luna. The Accomplice examines the bonds of their relationship with its changing but very complex dynamics. It’s told in duel timelines and from several points of view.
This is just my kind of book as it’s compelling and immersive and I find I’m glued to the pages. I love the way the tasty little titbits especially about the past are revealed a little morsel at a time and some are doozies. Your perspective constantly changes as you learn a little more, you reconfigure the characters and your viewpoint of them right from the start. Luna is a conundrum from the get go, you can’t work out what lies at the heart of her but you know it’s something dark from the behaviour of those in the know. Is she full of pretence and lies or is it just self preservation?
Similarly a puzzle emerges of the seemingly golden Owen whose reputation begins to tarnish in 2002. Along the twisty route to understand their unbreakable bond they encounter betrayals and lies, they experience guilt and there are coverups of dark secrets.
There is one very surreal moment when Luna visits her mother one Christmas. Wow, that makes your jaw drop for sure as you try to compute the meaning.
Overall, this is a terrific and fascinating character driven study and the very definition of a psychological thriller in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Titan Books for that much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
February 22, 2022
THE PLOT
Owen and Luna are BFFs—even murder can't break up their friendship. But how about a second murder? Owen's wife is found shot to death and the ensuing police investigation unearths decade-old secrets that could threaten their inseparable bond.
MY OPINION
............That's it? Literally my reaction when I finished this book. Before I get into it, I'm giving this 3 stars because writing style was on point but when I really stepped back and thought about the execution of the storyline I was like nah... that's a generous 2/5.
When I picked this up, I expected the bond between Owen and Luna to be like a dark ass version of the friendship in the French movie "Love Me If You Dare" (2 friends who are lowkey in love dare each other to do stupid shit). But nah, they were just regular, degular friends following each other via tracking app (NOT normal btw!!!!!)
At the crux of it, Owen is just a hoe and Luna is weighed down by insurmountable guilty over giving her serial killer half bro an alibi that lead to more deaths (not a spoiler).
The ending was unsatisfactory. Too coincidental. I desperately wanted one of the close friends to be a psycho just to add some spice to the whole ordeal. But nah. Everyone was pretty standard. 368 pages to basically say: "tough luck." BYE!!!
For anyone who's read the book, I want to hear your opinion on this. If you haven't read the book, this is your cue to scroll quickly to the bottom.
How did Gregory Wells NOT know what Luna looked like? Bro knew her whole address (multiple of them since he was a dedicated hate mailer) but never ran a lil Google image search or stalked her IRL? This didn't make sense to me so I couldn't really buy into the fact he mistook Irene for Luna. ALSO... what was the age difference between Luna and Griff? She was still a teenager when they went to Niagara Falls right (it is really not that spectacular btw) but he was a practicing lawyer, so 25 minimum? Dating teens? Super nah.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Loved the writing style. Straightforward, no floofy floof
Cons: When you really think about it... Nothing happened. Ya ok, two people died, but the cause of deaths were whatever. Just a lot of whoring about.
Owen and Luna are BFFs—even murder can't break up their friendship. But how about a second murder? Owen's wife is found shot to death and the ensuing police investigation unearths decade-old secrets that could threaten their inseparable bond.
MY OPINION
............That's it? Literally my reaction when I finished this book. Before I get into it, I'm giving this 3 stars because writing style was on point but when I really stepped back and thought about the execution of the storyline I was like nah... that's a generous 2/5.
When I picked this up, I expected the bond between Owen and Luna to be like a dark ass version of the friendship in the French movie "Love Me If You Dare" (2 friends who are lowkey in love dare each other to do stupid shit). But nah, they were just regular, degular friends following each other via tracking app (NOT normal btw!!!!!)
At the crux of it, Owen is just a hoe and Luna is weighed down by insurmountable guilty over giving her serial killer half bro an alibi that lead to more deaths (not a spoiler).
The ending was unsatisfactory. Too coincidental. I desperately wanted one of the close friends to be a psycho just to add some spice to the whole ordeal. But nah. Everyone was pretty standard. 368 pages to basically say: "tough luck." BYE!!!
For anyone who's read the book, I want to hear your opinion on this. If you haven't read the book, this is your cue to scroll quickly to the bottom.
How did Gregory Wells NOT know what Luna looked like? Bro knew her whole address (multiple of them since he was a dedicated hate mailer) but never ran a lil Google image search or stalked her IRL? This didn't make sense to me so I couldn't really buy into the fact he mistook Irene for Luna. ALSO... what was the age difference between Luna and Griff? She was still a teenager when they went to Niagara Falls right (it is really not that spectacular btw) but he was a practicing lawyer, so 25 minimum? Dating teens? Super nah.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Loved the writing style. Straightforward, no floofy floof
Cons: When you really think about it... Nothing happened. Ya ok, two people died, but the cause of deaths were whatever. Just a lot of whoring about.
February 1, 2022
Owen and Luna. Luna and Owen.
These two best friends have been inseparable since the day they met in college in 2002. When their friend Scarlet is unexpectedly found dead on campus, both are likely suspects. Luna is hiding a secret from her past and does not want it revealed. Owen is her onetime boyfriend. Or could someone else have done it?
In 2019, Owen and Luna are neighbors and married to other people. When Owen’s wife Irene is murdered, both are once again in the spotlight.
Are the two deaths connected? Who killed Irene and Scarlet?
Told in multiple timelines alternating from past to present, Lutz documents the sometimes-turbulent friendship between Owen and Luna.
I read The Passenger a while back and enjoyed it, so I was excited to read Lutz’s latest thriller. She wrote a few YA books in between, so I hoped that this one would be more sophisticated. However, I found myself enjoying the present timeline more than that of the past. I believe it is mostly because the past action takes place on a college campus and the plot leans more YA in content. Sigh…The present timeline held my interest more, but still did not fully engage me.
Why? This book is a story about FRIENDSHIP. That’s it.
I was really hoping that it was going to be a thriller and I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. The couple of twists were not exciting and the path to get there was very SLOW.
If you enjoy slow burns, maybe this book is for you.
2.5/5 stars rounded up
These two best friends have been inseparable since the day they met in college in 2002. When their friend Scarlet is unexpectedly found dead on campus, both are likely suspects. Luna is hiding a secret from her past and does not want it revealed. Owen is her onetime boyfriend. Or could someone else have done it?
In 2019, Owen and Luna are neighbors and married to other people. When Owen’s wife Irene is murdered, both are once again in the spotlight.
Are the two deaths connected? Who killed Irene and Scarlet?
Told in multiple timelines alternating from past to present, Lutz documents the sometimes-turbulent friendship between Owen and Luna.
I read The Passenger a while back and enjoyed it, so I was excited to read Lutz’s latest thriller. She wrote a few YA books in between, so I hoped that this one would be more sophisticated. However, I found myself enjoying the present timeline more than that of the past. I believe it is mostly because the past action takes place on a college campus and the plot leans more YA in content. Sigh…The present timeline held my interest more, but still did not fully engage me.
Why? This book is a story about FRIENDSHIP. That’s it.
I was really hoping that it was going to be a thriller and I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. The couple of twists were not exciting and the path to get there was very SLOW.
If you enjoy slow burns, maybe this book is for you.
2.5/5 stars rounded up
November 14, 2021
You gotta stop watering dead plants......
Some relationships are just not meant to be. Friendships are like that, too. We put so much into them, and yet, we don't always get back the same return.
Owen Mann and Luna Grey met under some unexpected circumstances. Both college students, they were hunkering down in the library. Owen, handsome and a smooth talker, tried to engage Luna. She wasn't buyin' what he was sellin'. But all of a sudden, Luna collapses to the floor in an epileptic seizure. Owen never left her side.....ever.
A solid friendship was born. Lisa Lutz will flip back and forth from those past college days to the present in alternating chapters. Prepare yourself to be bathed in alcohol throughout. These characters can't function without a secretly hidden bottle stashed somewhere on the premises. (You'll even feel the need for the hair-of-the-dog after many pages.) But then, what transpires throughout these pages needs a bit of liquid bravado.
Owen is married to Irene now. He teaches Art at a local college. Irene is the opposite of Luna and wears workout clothes like straight out of The Sopranos. Luna is married to a highly successful surgeon named Sam. They still maintain friendships from college. A bevy of very unusual people. But Owen's dysfunctional family seeps into this circus as well. Caution: They don't play well with others.
And here it comes. Luna texts Irene to meet with her for a run near their homes. Owen finds that Irene didn't come home the night before. They have a weirdly open marriage. But where is the missing Irene? Oh, we'll find her alright. Propped up against a headstone in the cemetery along the running trail. Luna stops dead in her tracks. Only it's Irene who's dead. Shot. But why and by whom?
Lisa Lutz will take us through some tight fitting passageways throughout this one. We'll be switching back and forth on whom we will hang the "Guilty" tag on. None of these individuals are likeable to begin with. That's her intention. Lutz likes to manipulate emotions as she did in The Passenger. We're glued in savoring the thought that someone is going to be served with a heavy box lunch here. Whose name is on the tag? And there's an incident from those rah rah college days, too.
I received a copy of The Accomplice through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Random House (Ballantine Books) and to Lisa Lutz for the opportunity.
Some relationships are just not meant to be. Friendships are like that, too. We put so much into them, and yet, we don't always get back the same return.
Owen Mann and Luna Grey met under some unexpected circumstances. Both college students, they were hunkering down in the library. Owen, handsome and a smooth talker, tried to engage Luna. She wasn't buyin' what he was sellin'. But all of a sudden, Luna collapses to the floor in an epileptic seizure. Owen never left her side.....ever.
A solid friendship was born. Lisa Lutz will flip back and forth from those past college days to the present in alternating chapters. Prepare yourself to be bathed in alcohol throughout. These characters can't function without a secretly hidden bottle stashed somewhere on the premises. (You'll even feel the need for the hair-of-the-dog after many pages.) But then, what transpires throughout these pages needs a bit of liquid bravado.
Owen is married to Irene now. He teaches Art at a local college. Irene is the opposite of Luna and wears workout clothes like straight out of The Sopranos. Luna is married to a highly successful surgeon named Sam. They still maintain friendships from college. A bevy of very unusual people. But Owen's dysfunctional family seeps into this circus as well. Caution: They don't play well with others.
And here it comes. Luna texts Irene to meet with her for a run near their homes. Owen finds that Irene didn't come home the night before. They have a weirdly open marriage. But where is the missing Irene? Oh, we'll find her alright. Propped up against a headstone in the cemetery along the running trail. Luna stops dead in her tracks. Only it's Irene who's dead. Shot. But why and by whom?
Lisa Lutz will take us through some tight fitting passageways throughout this one. We'll be switching back and forth on whom we will hang the "Guilty" tag on. None of these individuals are likeable to begin with. That's her intention. Lutz likes to manipulate emotions as she did in The Passenger. We're glued in savoring the thought that someone is going to be served with a heavy box lunch here. Whose name is on the tag? And there's an incident from those rah rah college days, too.
I received a copy of The Accomplice through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Random House (Ballantine Books) and to Lisa Lutz for the opportunity.
February 7, 2022
"Owen, however, saw past Luna's ordinary armor. He recognized a feral quality in her. He saw a girl roiling with secrets. And he would have paid good money to know a few of them."
I've been a big fan of Lisa Lutz since reading her first Spellman novel way back yonder; it was my first experience with dry, humorous mysteries and the series kept me hooked until the very end. Her more recent thrillers have been hit or miss for me; I really enjoyed The Passenger, was not a fan of The Swallows, and felt a bit middle of the road here with The Accomplice. The toxicity of the characters and the past and present day drama area appealing, but I found the ending to be a bit underwhelming in the reveal, although I will give the author props for at least making it make sense, rather than some outlandish, unreliable twist for the sake of shock value. If you enjoy a quick, easy read, definitely give this one a try for yourself.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
I've been a big fan of Lisa Lutz since reading her first Spellman novel way back yonder; it was my first experience with dry, humorous mysteries and the series kept me hooked until the very end. Her more recent thrillers have been hit or miss for me; I really enjoyed The Passenger, was not a fan of The Swallows, and felt a bit middle of the road here with The Accomplice. The toxicity of the characters and the past and present day drama area appealing, but I found the ending to be a bit underwhelming in the reveal, although I will give the author props for at least making it make sense, rather than some outlandish, unreliable twist for the sake of shock value. If you enjoy a quick, easy read, definitely give this one a try for yourself.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
May 7, 2022
Where to start? Well I read this in one day and my eyes hurt from not being able to put this down
Synopsis: Owen and Luna were BFF’s at first sight in college and have stayed that way 10+ years later….even living within a block of each other with their respective spouses. One day Owen’s wife is found murdered which brings to light a ton of secrets along with navigating how Owen’s and Luna’s friendship developed through the years and how that may or may not impact Owen’s wife’s death.
What I liked: sometimes it is hard to pinpoint it. This just captivated me….sucked me in and couldn’t put down. Just was immersed in the story
What I didn’t like: it seemed a bit long. oh and did I mention my eyes hurt?! In all honesty though it may have seemed long because I couldn’t put it down! As reference was to have a nice day out but still basically in Jammie’s and this took precedence over everything else!
I do believe I have this authors other book squirreled away in book shelf and will have to hunt it down..
Highly recommend
Synopsis: Owen and Luna were BFF’s at first sight in college and have stayed that way 10+ years later….even living within a block of each other with their respective spouses. One day Owen’s wife is found murdered which brings to light a ton of secrets along with navigating how Owen’s and Luna’s friendship developed through the years and how that may or may not impact Owen’s wife’s death.
What I liked: sometimes it is hard to pinpoint it. This just captivated me….sucked me in and couldn’t put down. Just was immersed in the story
What I didn’t like: it seemed a bit long. oh and did I mention my eyes hurt?! In all honesty though it may have seemed long because I couldn’t put it down! As reference was to have a nice day out but still basically in Jammie’s and this took precedence over everything else!
I do believe I have this authors other book squirreled away in book shelf and will have to hunt it down..
Highly recommend
January 23, 2022
The Accomplice by Lisa Lutz is a mystery/thriller standalone novel. The story in this one is one that has multiple points of view and takes place in two different timelines, one in the past and a ‘current’ timeline in 2019.
Luna Grey and Owen Mann are the best of friends and have been since they met in college. People have always questioned if Luna and Owen are a couple but that is one line they have never crossed always being there for one another through thick and then.
Things take a horrible turn for Luna and Owen though when Luna stumbles across the dead body of Owen’s wife. Owen’s wife has been brutally murdered and left for dead and with all eyes on Owen and Luna during the investigation will their past come back to haunt them?
The whole time I’m reading The Accomplice by Lisa Lutz I can’t get the thought out of my head….
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What in the heck did these two do? What secrets would we unbury in the past, what about the present? As the pages flew by I couldn’t help but become completely invested in the characters and the story. The story flowed well between the timelines and with the changes in the point of view as I devoured it to get to the truth.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
Luna Grey and Owen Mann are the best of friends and have been since they met in college. People have always questioned if Luna and Owen are a couple but that is one line they have never crossed always being there for one another through thick and then.
Things take a horrible turn for Luna and Owen though when Luna stumbles across the dead body of Owen’s wife. Owen’s wife has been brutally murdered and left for dead and with all eyes on Owen and Luna during the investigation will their past come back to haunt them?
The whole time I’m reading The Accomplice by Lisa Lutz I can’t get the thought out of my head….
[image error]
What in the heck did these two do? What secrets would we unbury in the past, what about the present? As the pages flew by I couldn’t help but become completely invested in the characters and the story. The story flowed well between the timelines and with the changes in the point of view as I devoured it to get to the truth.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
May 12, 2022
"I think that whatever those two are, it's not normal" Luna and Owen. Owen and Luna. They have a bond that is unbreakable. Their frienship is littered with lies, jealousy, and betrayal. Is one of them a murderer? Did one of the kill for the other? Their relationship is complicated to everyone that is pulled in their orbit. The past comes back with a vengence, as the truth threatens to come out Will history repeat itself? This is a fast paced psychological thriller that had me racing to the end. Compelling, suspenseful and highly entertaining describe this character driven story of the power of friendship. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my copy.
February 19, 2022
I read the first half, then skimmed the second. While this book had an intriguing start, the constant timeline jumps, abrupt POV changes (even within the same paragraph), and numerous unappealing characters made me lose interest. I remember reading The Passenger six years ago and enjoying it, but I found The Accomplice to be underwhelming.
February 20, 2022
Two timelines with two murders and two different mysteries to solve. That's a lot to juggle but it's plenty to keep the reader intrigued. But that's not even the best part of the story- it's the characters that make this charming.
BFFs Luna and Owen are the quintessential examples of "ride or die" besties. It was refreshing to see an author build a strong friendship between two straight people of different sexes without it leading to... well, sex. These friendships are more common in reality than fiction would have us believe.
Luna was a well-written, unique and memorable character. Fun fact - my dog's name is Luna 😊
Both mysteries conclude in plausible ways I didn't predict. Achieving that for two timelines is an accomplishment in itself. I would definitely say this was expertly plotted with a satisfying ending.
Be aware that the author uses third-person omniscient, so you'll be jumping around POVs mid-paragraph. It's jarring initially but I got used to it. Not my narration of choice but it mostly works here.
4.5 stars, rounding up.
BFFs Luna and Owen are the quintessential examples of "ride or die" besties. It was refreshing to see an author build a strong friendship between two straight people of different sexes without it leading to... well, sex. These friendships are more common in reality than fiction would have us believe.
Luna was a well-written, unique and memorable character. Fun fact - my dog's name is Luna 😊
Both mysteries conclude in plausible ways I didn't predict. Achieving that for two timelines is an accomplishment in itself. I would definitely say this was expertly plotted with a satisfying ending.
Be aware that the author uses third-person omniscient, so you'll be jumping around POVs mid-paragraph. It's jarring initially but I got used to it. Not my narration of choice but it mostly works here.
4.5 stars, rounding up.
November 25, 2021
Owen and Luna have been friends since college. Luna has always been secretive, but when she finds the body of her friend and Owen’s wife shot dead while on a jog through the cemetery, the cops of course turn to the spouse first.
The narrative goes back and forth from their college years, where tragedy struck an acquaintance of theirs, to 2019 when Owen’s wife’s murder is being investigated. This is a fun mystery because even though Owen and Luna aren’t perfect, you also don’t want them to be murderers, and it’s unclear until the end who the bad guy(s) are.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES JANUARY 25, 2022.
The narrative goes back and forth from their college years, where tragedy struck an acquaintance of theirs, to 2019 when Owen’s wife’s murder is being investigated. This is a fun mystery because even though Owen and Luna aren’t perfect, you also don’t want them to be murderers, and it’s unclear until the end who the bad guy(s) are.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES JANUARY 25, 2022.
January 16, 2022
This is a charming and well-written mystery that centers on a lifelong friendship between Luna and Owen, a boy and a girl who have had a close-knit but (mostly) non-romantic love for each other since college. Told in two alternating timelines, one in college and one in 2019, we learn that the two have been the subjects of not one but two murder investigations. What are the chances — unless at least one of them is a murderer?
This is a cozier mystery than I usually read, but I was captivated by the unique and funny friendship between Luna and Owen. I was extremely impressed with Lisa Lutz’s writing style and skill. The witty banter between Luna and Owen is what made this story for me. A quirky pair with an even quirkier friendship who you will want to root for, even as your suspicions shift from one to the other for both the recent and the older murder. The plot is equally well-written with a satisfying amount of twists and interesting links between the present and the past.
A unique and satisfying read from a talented writer — this book definitely makes me want to read more of Lisa Lutz’s thrillers. 4 solid stars! Thanks to Random House, NetGalley and the author for the fun foray into the quirky world of this duo’s friendship.
This is a cozier mystery than I usually read, but I was captivated by the unique and funny friendship between Luna and Owen. I was extremely impressed with Lisa Lutz’s writing style and skill. The witty banter between Luna and Owen is what made this story for me. A quirky pair with an even quirkier friendship who you will want to root for, even as your suspicions shift from one to the other for both the recent and the older murder. The plot is equally well-written with a satisfying amount of twists and interesting links between the present and the past.
A unique and satisfying read from a talented writer — this book definitely makes me want to read more of Lisa Lutz’s thrillers. 4 solid stars! Thanks to Random House, NetGalley and the author for the fun foray into the quirky world of this duo’s friendship.
July 23, 2022
YESSSSSS🤩🤩🤩🤩 5 million stars. I’m obsessed. I had no choice but to read this in one sitting and accept that I would be very tired the next day!!!!!!! Lisa Lutz, you are a wonder. What a ride this was. Definitely in my top 5 favorite books!
February 22, 2022
This appears to be my first introduction to Lisa Lutz (although her book The Passenger sounds very familiar and it came out long before I was reviewing books, so it's entirely possible that I read it and just don't remember. 🤷♀️), but I must say, I was impressed! This is one of those books where I kept changing my mind on "whodunnit" and every single character's extent of involvement - my favorite kind of read!
Luna and Owen have been inseparable since college when Owen helped Luna through an epileptic seizure. Most people assume that they are a couple, but in reality, they are just best friends and one thing that is crystal clear to everyone that knows them - they have each other's backs, no matter what. Owen has a magnetic personality while Luna keeps everyone at arm's length always seems to be looking over her shoulder. You know early on that Luna has a secret that she has been keeping from nearly everyone, including Owen. Their story goes back and forth between their college days and 2019, where you learn that they are still BFFs and living in the same neighborhood, although (unhappily) married to other people. When Luna finds Owen's wife dead, Owen is the immediate suspect and a devoted friend like Luna makes for the perfect accomplice. Past secrets from both Owen and Luna's come to light, which make the duo appear even more guilty. Just how far would each of them go to protect their secrets and each other?
What I loved the most about this one was that there were soooo many secrets, lies, and partial truths involving every single character. Every few chapters I changed my mind about both Luna and Owen. One minute I was sure that one or both of them had to be guilty of something, and the next minute I would completely change my mind. I was also equally compelled by the stories in both timelines, which is unusual. Lutz used an interesting technique with the POVs in that multiple POVs are used in the same chapter. It was unique, but at times I thought it was a bit clunky. My other gripes: I could have done with a few less references to puking - after the first couple of descriptions, we get the point! ugh. Also, for two people so close to each other, there seemed to be a lot of secrets that other people knew, but that they hadn't told each other - weird. I am also still a bit on the fence about the ending - for me it just didn't quite live up to the dynamics of the rest of the plot.
Overall though, there was something very compelling about this book. I flew through it and never found myself skimming pages or with my eyes glazed over. For those reasons alone, this couldn't be anything less than a 4-star read!
Luna and Owen have been inseparable since college when Owen helped Luna through an epileptic seizure. Most people assume that they are a couple, but in reality, they are just best friends and one thing that is crystal clear to everyone that knows them - they have each other's backs, no matter what. Owen has a magnetic personality while Luna keeps everyone at arm's length always seems to be looking over her shoulder. You know early on that Luna has a secret that she has been keeping from nearly everyone, including Owen. Their story goes back and forth between their college days and 2019, where you learn that they are still BFFs and living in the same neighborhood, although (unhappily) married to other people. When Luna finds Owen's wife dead, Owen is the immediate suspect and a devoted friend like Luna makes for the perfect accomplice. Past secrets from both Owen and Luna's come to light, which make the duo appear even more guilty. Just how far would each of them go to protect their secrets and each other?
What I loved the most about this one was that there were soooo many secrets, lies, and partial truths involving every single character. Every few chapters I changed my mind about both Luna and Owen. One minute I was sure that one or both of them had to be guilty of something, and the next minute I would completely change my mind. I was also equally compelled by the stories in both timelines, which is unusual. Lutz used an interesting technique with the POVs in that multiple POVs are used in the same chapter. It was unique, but at times I thought it was a bit clunky. My other gripes: I could have done with a few less references to puking - after the first couple of descriptions, we get the point! ugh. Also, for two people so close to each other, there seemed to be a lot of secrets that other people knew, but that they hadn't told each other - weird. I am also still a bit on the fence about the ending - for me it just didn't quite live up to the dynamics of the rest of the plot.
Overall though, there was something very compelling about this book. I flew through it and never found myself skimming pages or with my eyes glazed over. For those reasons alone, this couldn't be anything less than a 4-star read!
March 15, 2022
The Accomplice is a contemporary mystery-thriller novel about two long-time platonic friends, Owen, and Luna, and all their past and present baggage. It was fast, fun, and kept my interest from the beginning to the end.
It is set in the Northeast US over about a month’s time in 2019. It has been fifteen plus years since Luna and Owen met during college, and they have been friends ever since. Now, they are neighbors, living close by with their spouses. Luna & Sam and Owen & Irene are having trouble in their marriages. But Luna and Owen can still count on the other for support and friendship. When Luna discovers Irene’s body, dead from foul play, it brings back negative memories from when she and Owen attended Markham and another death of a person associate with Owen.
The flashback chapters –college from 2002-2005 – jumps around and alternates with the present chronological narrative. It slowly gave me information in pieces and not all it the right order. This may sound confusing, but I didn’t think so. This cleaver arrangement of the story kept me engaged and curious. It all about shedding new light on past misconceptions. The way in which the story is told is the strong point of the book. The plot is solid and interesting, yet not overly imaginative.
Detectives Margot Burns and Noah Goldman head the 2019 police investigation. Their viewpoints have a police procedural feel to them. I enjoyed the interviews and clues discussed as they worked out the angle for the case.
As Luna and Owen face the investigation regarding Irene’s murder, you find out about their marriage issues with its lies and deception. These two are no stranger to baggage though, they both had secrets back in college. And as the flashback timeline continues, it reveals Luna's and Owen's past dysfunctional family secrets. I enjoyed the many small intrigues going on both in the past and the present (and how the two periods were connected by fresh understanding). It takes the entire book before everything is known, so it kept me curious even after the main plot climaxed. I was happy with the conclusion of all the threads.
Although there is talk of sex and murder in both timelines, I didn’t find the book violent or graphic. Don’t expect more than a mention of sexy times. And the story isn’t scary but does have periods of suspense. Call it a light thriller.
Overall, it was an entertaining story that is best read in quick succession, so you keep the momentum going and the puzzle pieces sharp in your mind. With this being my first book by this author, I am looking forward to checking out more, particularly The Passenger (light thriller).
It is set in the Northeast US over about a month’s time in 2019. It has been fifteen plus years since Luna and Owen met during college, and they have been friends ever since. Now, they are neighbors, living close by with their spouses. Luna & Sam and Owen & Irene are having trouble in their marriages. But Luna and Owen can still count on the other for support and friendship. When Luna discovers Irene’s body, dead from foul play, it brings back negative memories from when she and Owen attended Markham and another death of a person associate with Owen.
The flashback chapters –college from 2002-2005 – jumps around and alternates with the present chronological narrative. It slowly gave me information in pieces and not all it the right order. This may sound confusing, but I didn’t think so. This cleaver arrangement of the story kept me engaged and curious. It all about shedding new light on past misconceptions. The way in which the story is told is the strong point of the book. The plot is solid and interesting, yet not overly imaginative.
Detectives Margot Burns and Noah Goldman head the 2019 police investigation. Their viewpoints have a police procedural feel to them. I enjoyed the interviews and clues discussed as they worked out the angle for the case.
As Luna and Owen face the investigation regarding Irene’s murder, you find out about their marriage issues with its lies and deception. These two are no stranger to baggage though, they both had secrets back in college. And as the flashback timeline continues, it reveals Luna's and Owen's past dysfunctional family secrets. I enjoyed the many small intrigues going on both in the past and the present (and how the two periods were connected by fresh understanding). It takes the entire book before everything is known, so it kept me curious even after the main plot climaxed. I was happy with the conclusion of all the threads.
Although there is talk of sex and murder in both timelines, I didn’t find the book violent or graphic. Don’t expect more than a mention of sexy times. And the story isn’t scary but does have periods of suspense. Call it a light thriller.
Overall, it was an entertaining story that is best read in quick succession, so you keep the momentum going and the puzzle pieces sharp in your mind. With this being my first book by this author, I am looking forward to checking out more, particularly The Passenger (light thriller).
February 6, 2022
Lisa Lutz is one of my favorite authors. I'm convinced she could turn a shopping list into an interesting and entertaining read. Once again, her creativity shines through with her latest novel. I was hooked from start to finish.
Owen and Luna met in college and were practically inseparable. A mysterious death rocks their peer group. Years later, Owen and Luna are still close friends when Owen's wife is murdered. Police are investigating the death and perhaps digging into the past will give them the answers needed to solve the case.
Mystery is a huge element of the story but for me the dynamic between Owen and Luna was what defined the book. My advice is to not go into this book expecting some spectacular Agatha Christie style mystery. That's not to say figuring out what happened with both cases wasn't fun, it's just there's a lot more going on in the story to appreciate as well. It's worth sticking around until the end to get the full picture.
If you have never read a Lisa Lutz book you are missing out. As much as I enjoyed this one, for first timers I'd recommend checking out her Spellman series or The Passenger to get a better introduction to her writing style.
Owen and Luna met in college and were practically inseparable. A mysterious death rocks their peer group. Years later, Owen and Luna are still close friends when Owen's wife is murdered. Police are investigating the death and perhaps digging into the past will give them the answers needed to solve the case.
Mystery is a huge element of the story but for me the dynamic between Owen and Luna was what defined the book. My advice is to not go into this book expecting some spectacular Agatha Christie style mystery. That's not to say figuring out what happened with both cases wasn't fun, it's just there's a lot more going on in the story to appreciate as well. It's worth sticking around until the end to get the full picture.
If you have never read a Lisa Lutz book you are missing out. As much as I enjoyed this one, for first timers I'd recommend checking out her Spellman series or The Passenger to get a better introduction to her writing style.
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