For over a year, a woman's home is entered by strangers, but nothing of value is stolen, except her sense of security. She receives crank calls where no one speaks then hangs up. She is followed around the mall during a shopping trip. And the police tell her they can do nothing.
Amidst these distractions, Devin Marques must compete in a horse show the only time her groom, Wendy Hilliard – who hasn't taken a single day off since she was hired – goes missing, under strange circumstances. She receives "cut-and-paste" notes from her unknown assailant, accusing her of "not seeing" some person she realizes must be part of her social circle. Someone close to her, who has the ability to harm anything and anyone special to her. But who? And why?
In Margaret Podmore Emery's Faces & Lies suspense takes centre stage as Devin Marques contends with a year-long intrusion into her home by strangers, eroding her sense of security. The narrative unfolds with a series of unsettling incidents, from crank calls to being followed in the mall, leaving Devin in a state of unease. The stakes escalate when her dedicated groom, Wendy Hilliard, mysteriously disappears during a crucial horse show. The tension intensifies as Devin receives ominous "cut-and-paste" notes from an unidentified assailant, accusing her of overlooking someone within her social circle. The novel masterfully weaves mystery and suspense, keeping readers on the edge as Devin races to unveil the identity of her stalker.
Faces & Lies is a captivating mystery that immerses readers in Devin's quest to unravel this enigma. The narrative unfolds with twists and turns, creating a thrilling atmosphere that holds the reader's attention until the final pages. Emery skillfully introduces cryptic messages at the start of chapters, adding an intriguing layer to the storytelling. While the romantic subplot may not resonate with every reader, the core mystery and the unique backdrop of a horse show contribute to the novel's distinctive appeal. Emery's ability to blend suspense, romance, and a touch of mystery makes the novel a compelling read for those seeking a riveting mystery with unexpected twists.
Despite initial reservations, the narrative gains momentum with a well-crafted puzzle that unfolds against the backdrop of a horse show. While aspects of the plot may not appeal universally, the novel stands out as a distinctive and engaging mystery that offers suspense, romance, and an exploration of unconventional settings, making it a worthwhile read for genre enthusiasts.
Faces & Lies by Margaret Podmore Emery is a suspense mystery following the life of Devin. Strange things start to happen around Devin, and she doesn't know who to trust. So she starts trying to figure out what is going on.
Now I must admit that what made me want to read this novel was the summary. It had me hooked, and I wanted to know more. One of the things that I liked about this novel was that Margaret Podmore wasted no time letting readers know what was going on. Most novels tend to drag the plot along or have chapters that don't bring us closer to what is going on in the novel. However, with this one, it's the opposite. I also liked that the overall pacing of the story wasn't bad.
There were also a few things that I didn't like about this novel, one of them being the fact that Margaret Podmore Emery didn't put up a trigger warning. There were racial slurs and gruesome things happening that included animals. Some readers might not want to read that, so it's best to give them a disclaimer, just to be on the safe side. Another thing would be that there was a lot going on. Something would happen, and then another thing would happen as well. I wished that she would give us time to get over one thing instead of bringing in another so quickly. Lastly, I didn't like the way it ended. I would have rather something more put together than what we actually got.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspenseful or mystery novels. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Mysterious with a hint of romance, Faces & Lies turned out to be something of a unique mystery read for me.
Devin Marques isn't having an easy time of it. She's had her home broken into, she's being followed, but supposedly there's nothing that can be done about these things. She ignores it the best she can as she prepares for a horse show. However, when her groom goes missing, she starts taking this all a bit more seriously.
It took me a little while to get into this one, mostly because I don't do well when harm to animals is shown/involved. I wasn't super into the romance part of the plot, either, but the mystery was good. I liked the cryptic messages at the start of several chapters. It was a good touch. It was also interesting reading a book involving a horse show. I can't say I've ever read a book with this as a backdrop before, at least not in my adult life.
A huge thanks to the publisher for sending me a free digital copy to read and review!
"Faces & Lies" by Margaret Podmore Emery is a compelling mystery that weaves suspense with a touch of romance. The plot follows Devin Marques, facing a year-long invasion of her home and disturbing incidents, yet the police offer no help. The disappearance of her groom, Wendy Hilliard, adds urgency to Devin's quest for answers. The cryptic notes from her mysterious assailant heighten the tension, pushing her to scrutinize her social circle.
The story captivates with its twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the end. The unique backdrop of a horse show adds an intriguing element. While the mystery is engaging, the romantic subplot may not resonate equally with all readers. Some may find the slow start challenging, but as the plot thickens, the novel becomes an enthralling page-turner. Overall, "Faces & Lies" is a well-crafted mystery with strong character development and an absorbing storyline that mystery enthusiasts will appreciate. I love this and encourage everyone to read this, if you are interested in a mystery oriented thriller.