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Lies #2
Fatal Lies
Daisy Leduc was forgotten and alone. That was just how she wanted it. But when she is discovered stabbed to death in a dusty little Texas town, it plunges Del Honeycutt and bestselling mystery author Sabrina Spencer into a 30-year-old mystery involving murder, hidden identities, dangerous family secrets, political intrigue, and a long-forgotten serial killer.
Daisy's estranged daughter, who hasn't seen her mother in years, receives a package sent shortly before her mother's death. A note instructs her to immediately contact Sabrina and give her the package if Daisy is killed. But why Sabrina? The temptation to uncover the answer leads Del and Sabrina on a dangerous quest to find Daisy's killer. When they discover that Daisy, under a different name, supposedly died 30 years earlier, they find themselves squarely in the crosshairs of killers whose deadly secrets lie in Daisy's mysterious past.
Daisy's estranged daughter, who hasn't seen her mother in years, receives a package sent shortly before her mother's death. A note instructs her to immediately contact Sabrina and give her the package if Daisy is killed. But why Sabrina? The temptation to uncover the answer leads Del and Sabrina on a dangerous quest to find Daisy's killer. When they discover that Daisy, under a different name, supposedly died 30 years earlier, they find themselves squarely in the crosshairs of killers whose deadly secrets lie in Daisy's mysterious past.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2016
2816 people are currently reading
1152 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Cunningham
33 books217 followersAndrew Cunningham is an Amazon bestselling author of 22 novels, including The Alaska Thrillers (Wisdom Spring, Nowhere Alone, The 7th Passenger, and Lost Passage); the "Lies" Mystery Series (All Lies, Fatal Lies, Vegas Lies, Secrets & Lies, Blood Lies, Buried Lies, Sea of Lies, and Maui Lies); the terrorist/disaster thriller Deadly Shore; the Yestertime Time Travel Series (Yestertime, The Yestertime Effect, The Yestertime Warning, and The Yestertime Shift); and the post-apocalyptic Eden Rising Series (Eden Rising, Eden Lost, Eden's Legacy, Eden’s Survival, and Eden's Fury). As A.R. Cunningham, he has written a series of 5 humorous children's mysteries in the Arthur MacArthur series for middle-readers. Formerly an interpreter for the deaf, an independent bookseller, and a freelance writer and copy editor, Andrew was a long-time resident of Cape Cod. He and his wife now live in Florida. Visit his website at www.arcnovels.com, and his Facebook Page (Author Andrew Cunningham).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
December 9, 2019
Audio Book Review: Author Andrew Cunningham starts FATAL LIES with a prologue that places readers in a richly described scene. We’re introduced to a character, easily imagined, and provided her somewhat heavy back-story -- and there's good reason we’re uncomfortable: BAM! A horrible crime is committed, and we’re off to the races as a series of mysteries reveal themselves.
As with the first book in this series, ALL LIES, in FATAL LIES, I enjoy the literary angle to the story with main character Sabrina being a famous mystery writer. Reading about her encounters with her fans (authors are rock stars, after all) is amusing, and especially appealing is that Sabrina is benevolent and shares her earnings freely for good causes. In FATAL LIES, readers get better acquainted with Sabrina as more of her past is revealed. She’s really growing on me as a smart, tough, quick-thinking woman who gets things done in a take-no-prisoners way.
Main character Del, Sabrina’s boyfriend and our primary narrator, is taking a stab at writing, too, and silently corrects people’s grammar mistakes. He is smitten with Sabrina, and hearing his thoughts and feelings when he sees/smells/touches her is sweet. Sabrina clearly wears the pants in this relationship, which is a good thing since Del frequently refers to wetting his when they get in tight and deadly situations. His inner monologue is great.
The author sprinkles information so that readers get a good bring-to-date about the prior book, making FATAL LIES work well as a stand-alone. While characterization is well-done (oh, the bad guys that Cunningham writes! Loathe them so!), a few things caught my ear this time that took away from the story. There are some unnecessary repeated details (lots of back to the hotel and taking showers), unnecessary F-bombs (though other profanity is scene appropriate), and some awkward sentences (“It would soon begin showing signs of dusk.”). I suspect there are some punctuation errors given how the narrator read some sentences – more on that coming – but it’s impossible to tell. Either way, some additional editing is probably in order.
“We just prayed that Lubbock would make it all worth it. It wouldn’t. It was a dusty town -- maybe all towns in Texas are dusty... I had a feeling though that for my first foray into Texas, I hadn’t picked the garden spot of the state.”
A bit of the story takes place in Lubbock and in “a little town in Texas called Spur. I looked it up. It’s in the middle of nowhere.” These are two places with which I am well acquainted and have a fondness for, so I am a little defensive and cry foul. However, I give the author credit for mentioning why Spur has character “of sorts” with its tiny house population and giant sculpture. The Texas characters are mostly cast as uneducated country-bumpkins, but alas, I must admit we have our share.
Sabrina and Del travel beyond Texas and go all over the country to try to get pieces of what they think is one puzzle to complete. In reality, they are working several puzzles to solve some mysteries and uncover truths they don’t even know are buried. FATAL LIES yanks you back and forth: crisis, crisis averted, crisis, crisis resolved. Repeat. You’ll think you can catch your breath but then WHAM, something new comes into the picture. At times, the story gets quite convoluted, but the tangles get worked out, and readers have lots of ah-ha moments as a satisfying conclusion is reached. I’ll absolutely be reading book three, VEGAS LIES.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: Greg Hernandez returns to narrate this second book in the series, and he has his rhythm with these characters. He is more consistent in delivering emotion with his narration, and happily, Hernandez doesn’t attempt a Texas accent or falsetto female voices. His even pacing and delivery allowed me to listen at regular speed. My only criticism is that at times, it sounds like punctuation is being ignored and appropriate pauses aren’t taken, which creates listening run-ons. Without seeing the text of the book, I don’t know if this happens because the punctuation is missing, but it sounds unnatural.
Thank you to Audiobookworm Promotions and Mr. Hernandez for providing me an audio download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
As with the first book in this series, ALL LIES, in FATAL LIES, I enjoy the literary angle to the story with main character Sabrina being a famous mystery writer. Reading about her encounters with her fans (authors are rock stars, after all) is amusing, and especially appealing is that Sabrina is benevolent and shares her earnings freely for good causes. In FATAL LIES, readers get better acquainted with Sabrina as more of her past is revealed. She’s really growing on me as a smart, tough, quick-thinking woman who gets things done in a take-no-prisoners way.
Main character Del, Sabrina’s boyfriend and our primary narrator, is taking a stab at writing, too, and silently corrects people’s grammar mistakes. He is smitten with Sabrina, and hearing his thoughts and feelings when he sees/smells/touches her is sweet. Sabrina clearly wears the pants in this relationship, which is a good thing since Del frequently refers to wetting his when they get in tight and deadly situations. His inner monologue is great.
The author sprinkles information so that readers get a good bring-to-date about the prior book, making FATAL LIES work well as a stand-alone. While characterization is well-done (oh, the bad guys that Cunningham writes! Loathe them so!), a few things caught my ear this time that took away from the story. There are some unnecessary repeated details (lots of back to the hotel and taking showers), unnecessary F-bombs (though other profanity is scene appropriate), and some awkward sentences (“It would soon begin showing signs of dusk.”). I suspect there are some punctuation errors given how the narrator read some sentences – more on that coming – but it’s impossible to tell. Either way, some additional editing is probably in order.
“We just prayed that Lubbock would make it all worth it. It wouldn’t. It was a dusty town -- maybe all towns in Texas are dusty... I had a feeling though that for my first foray into Texas, I hadn’t picked the garden spot of the state.”
A bit of the story takes place in Lubbock and in “a little town in Texas called Spur. I looked it up. It’s in the middle of nowhere.” These are two places with which I am well acquainted and have a fondness for, so I am a little defensive and cry foul. However, I give the author credit for mentioning why Spur has character “of sorts” with its tiny house population and giant sculpture. The Texas characters are mostly cast as uneducated country-bumpkins, but alas, I must admit we have our share.
Sabrina and Del travel beyond Texas and go all over the country to try to get pieces of what they think is one puzzle to complete. In reality, they are working several puzzles to solve some mysteries and uncover truths they don’t even know are buried. FATAL LIES yanks you back and forth: crisis, crisis averted, crisis, crisis resolved. Repeat. You’ll think you can catch your breath but then WHAM, something new comes into the picture. At times, the story gets quite convoluted, but the tangles get worked out, and readers have lots of ah-ha moments as a satisfying conclusion is reached. I’ll absolutely be reading book three, VEGAS LIES.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: Greg Hernandez returns to narrate this second book in the series, and he has his rhythm with these characters. He is more consistent in delivering emotion with his narration, and happily, Hernandez doesn’t attempt a Texas accent or falsetto female voices. His even pacing and delivery allowed me to listen at regular speed. My only criticism is that at times, it sounds like punctuation is being ignored and appropriate pauses aren’t taken, which creates listening run-ons. Without seeing the text of the book, I don’t know if this happens because the punctuation is missing, but it sounds unnatural.
Thank you to Audiobookworm Promotions and Mr. Hernandez for providing me an audio download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog.
October 20, 2021
Not as slow paced as the first in the series. Plenty of twists to the story. Yet again, how many times can the 2 main characters almost get killed and yet manage to get away???? Decent plot and characters. Interested enough to listen to the next one in the series.
December 11, 2019
This second book in Andrew Cunningham’s Lies series brings us back to Del and Sabrina, who are now firmly seated in coupledom, and what a pair they make. The dynamic between these two is one of my favorite things about this series. Sabrina is certainly the tougher of the two, and Del knows it and is completely okay with it. The story is told from Del’s perspective and is a mix of sarcasm, realism, and a bit of self-deprecation.
Fatal Lies starts out with a gripping scene that puts you on the edge of your seat with a rising tension, right up to the murder. Once Del and Sabrina get involved, it’s a wild ride to the finish. This one does get a bit convoluted with the story branching this way and that. However, no matter how busy things get, Andrew Cunningham writes in a way that it’s all easy to keep straight, and he does an excellent job of bringing it all together in the end.
Greg Hernandez is back for the voice of Del, and by this second book, I can’t imagine Del sounding any other way. Hernandez has the voice and tone of a storyteller, and he does an excellent job with this one. He keeps each character’s voice distinct without falling into a high-pitched falsetto, and I’m certainly thankful for that. I will say that there were a number of glitches in the audio that sounded a bit like a CD skipping, but that’s an audio quality issue and not anything to do with Hernandez’s reading. On that note, I will say that Greg Hernandez doesn’t exactly give a performance. It’s more like being read to, which is basically what it is. As I said, he voices Del quite well, and I liked sitting back and just enjoying the listen.
All in all, Fatal Lies is a good addition to the series, and at this point, I’ve become invested in these characters. I can’t wait to see what new kinds of messes they can get into next.
Fatal Lies starts out with a gripping scene that puts you on the edge of your seat with a rising tension, right up to the murder. Once Del and Sabrina get involved, it’s a wild ride to the finish. This one does get a bit convoluted with the story branching this way and that. However, no matter how busy things get, Andrew Cunningham writes in a way that it’s all easy to keep straight, and he does an excellent job of bringing it all together in the end.
Greg Hernandez is back for the voice of Del, and by this second book, I can’t imagine Del sounding any other way. Hernandez has the voice and tone of a storyteller, and he does an excellent job with this one. He keeps each character’s voice distinct without falling into a high-pitched falsetto, and I’m certainly thankful for that. I will say that there were a number of glitches in the audio that sounded a bit like a CD skipping, but that’s an audio quality issue and not anything to do with Hernandez’s reading. On that note, I will say that Greg Hernandez doesn’t exactly give a performance. It’s more like being read to, which is basically what it is. As I said, he voices Del quite well, and I liked sitting back and just enjoying the listen.
All in all, Fatal Lies is a good addition to the series, and at this point, I’ve become invested in these characters. I can’t wait to see what new kinds of messes they can get into next.
February 21, 2025
I suppose this is rather far-fetched but somehow the author pulls it off and it seems almost reasonable. There was a lot going on here but it was all tied together in the end. I find this series quite entertaining and I will be reading the next for sure.
March 2, 2024
KU
I received a complimentary electronic copy of this excellent mystery novel from TheFussyLibrarian and the author, Andrew Cunningham. The second of the series 'Lies", Fatal Lies is an excellent mystery, with honest, personable folk and a special moral to the story. Fatal Lies would be sand alone, but as with most series, you are more personally involved with all the characters when reading the series. Cunningham doesn't have so MANY characters in his series as do some writers, but by book two or three they feel like personal friends before you open the book and add an enticing touch to the action. This is a series I am pleased to recommend to friends and family. I adore Sabrina and Del, Mo and Seymour. I think you will, as well.
REVIEWED on February 29, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for reviews on Kobo.
I received a complimentary electronic copy of this excellent mystery novel from TheFussyLibrarian and the author, Andrew Cunningham. The second of the series 'Lies", Fatal Lies is an excellent mystery, with honest, personable folk and a special moral to the story. Fatal Lies would be sand alone, but as with most series, you are more personally involved with all the characters when reading the series. Cunningham doesn't have so MANY characters in his series as do some writers, but by book two or three they feel like personal friends before you open the book and add an enticing touch to the action. This is a series I am pleased to recommend to friends and family. I adore Sabrina and Del, Mo and Seymour. I think you will, as well.
REVIEWED on February 29, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for reviews on Kobo.
January 28, 2020
5 CROWNS (5 for the story & 4 for the narration)
FATAL LIES is the second book in the Lies series. Though each mystery will stand on its own, the series is a continuing relationship between Sabrina and Del. I strongly recommend reading the series in the order of release.
Sabrina spent six years in prison for a murder she did not commit. Of course, we readers are curious about that time spent there. Most authors would gloss over that as the past and isn’t she so happy and well-adjusted now. Instead, Andrew Cunningham has brought out the spiders and the boogeymen. No, this book isn’t really about Sabrina’s past, but it does spend a lot of focus on her time and the women in the prison with her. Some belong there; some don’t; all are still people.
I enjoyed listening to this second book in the series and delighted that I committed myself to the series. This is turning out to be a fun week of suspense and suspended reality.
I was disappointed that there were no reader notes regarding historical facts for this story. I guess I was spoiled by the first book in the series.
Narration: Greg Hernandez’s narration style continues to remind me of the old film noire announcers and is appropriate for the story. I don’t know if he has gotten better or I’ve become accustomed to his presentation, but I liked him better in this second book. I’m looking forward to the next few days and the next few books.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy via Audiobookworm Promotions Adopt-an-Audiobook, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: FATAL LIES
Series: Lies #2
Category /Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Listenability: NSFW
Received from: Andrew Cunningham (as an Audible gifted copy)
FATAL LIES is the second book in the Lies series. Though each mystery will stand on its own, the series is a continuing relationship between Sabrina and Del. I strongly recommend reading the series in the order of release.
Sabrina spent six years in prison for a murder she did not commit. Of course, we readers are curious about that time spent there. Most authors would gloss over that as the past and isn’t she so happy and well-adjusted now. Instead, Andrew Cunningham has brought out the spiders and the boogeymen. No, this book isn’t really about Sabrina’s past, but it does spend a lot of focus on her time and the women in the prison with her. Some belong there; some don’t; all are still people.
I enjoyed listening to this second book in the series and delighted that I committed myself to the series. This is turning out to be a fun week of suspense and suspended reality.
I was disappointed that there were no reader notes regarding historical facts for this story. I guess I was spoiled by the first book in the series.
Narration: Greg Hernandez’s narration style continues to remind me of the old film noire announcers and is appropriate for the story. I don’t know if he has gotten better or I’ve become accustomed to his presentation, but I liked him better in this second book. I’m looking forward to the next few days and the next few books.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy via Audiobookworm Promotions Adopt-an-Audiobook, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: FATAL LIES
Series: Lies #2
Category /Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Listenability: NSFW
Received from: Andrew Cunningham (as an Audible gifted copy)
October 8, 2020
The story was good and does not keeps you not on the edge of your seat as other books in this series. The storyline was good but the details was was rushed and lacking and the flow of the story was I will say to me dead on arrival. The characters were flat and boring and you almost was able to tell the story without reading the book.
Basically Sabrina comes to the aid of a former prison mate who has been murdered and her daughter wants to know why.
This the best I can do on a review wish Andrew had put more effort into the story it would have been awesome but he seems to loose the characters and just pushed the story thru!
Basically Sabrina comes to the aid of a former prison mate who has been murdered and her daughter wants to know why.
This the best I can do on a review wish Andrew had put more effort into the story it would have been awesome but he seems to loose the characters and just pushed the story thru!
February 8, 2020
This is the second book in the Lies series. The main characters (Del and Sabina) have now found each other and living in domestic bliss. However, their lives continue to be shook up by the contacts Sabina made in prison. This book, like the first, is a little slow paced - but there are a lot of twist and turns as they search for Daisy's murderer. Andrew Cunningham presents a solid murder mystery experience.
January 12, 2025
When Sabrina gets a call telling her a woman she knew in prison had been murdered and has left her a package her and Del set off on another adventure to solve another mystery. Will they get out alive this time?
I enjoyed this. Sabrina and Del are growing on me and it’s fun to see what trouble they get themselves into. Can’t wait to see what’s next for them.
I enjoyed this. Sabrina and Del are growing on me and it’s fun to see what trouble they get themselves into. Can’t wait to see what’s next for them.
January 12, 2020
intriguing
really loved seeing the story from a male point of view and a heroine who was the kick ass, body slamming, very sexy protector. but she really knew how to look for clues, it gave a real look into a writers mind. loved the story and if you like a mystery that keeps you guessing. you will love this book!
really loved seeing the story from a male point of view and a heroine who was the kick ass, body slamming, very sexy protector. but she really knew how to look for clues, it gave a real look into a writers mind. loved the story and if you like a mystery that keeps you guessing. you will love this book!
December 2, 2019
Audiobook: another excellent, action-packed mystery with Del and Sabrina.
As the second book in the series it was easy to get into the swing of things as the story picked up after Del and Sabrina's "adventures" in Brazil. Being a mystery author, it was not unrealistic to believe that Sabrina might write about that experience, but it was good to see Del having a hand in it too.
This book involved looking back at Sabrina's time in prison when a fellow prisoner - Daisy - was killed, and left a package for Sabrina. Collecting the package kicked off a series of events in which Del and Sabrina were in constant danger, being followed, arrested, and ultimately lured into a mine by Daisy's killer.
Running alongside that mystery was the case of the Taunting Man, a serial killer whose murderous ways seemed connected to Daisy's family. (Daisy was Lucinda Holt, whose wealthy family owned a mining enterprise, and from whom Daisy ran away as a teenager some 30 years ago, never to be reunited with them again)
There were twists and turns in the story that held me rapt, even if sometimes these were a little far-fetched. The romance between Del and Sabrina developed and blossomed throughout and I learnt lots about them as people, more about Sabrina to be honest. Del, through whom the story was told, insisted he was uninteresting in his true self-deprecating style from start to finish.
Greg Hernandez was once again the narrator for the audio version, and as before he delivered a fabulous story. I particularly loved Del's mini inner outbursts and the sarcasm dripped beautifully.
I received the audio version of this book from the AudioBookWorm as part of a blog tout. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
As the second book in the series it was easy to get into the swing of things as the story picked up after Del and Sabrina's "adventures" in Brazil. Being a mystery author, it was not unrealistic to believe that Sabrina might write about that experience, but it was good to see Del having a hand in it too.
This book involved looking back at Sabrina's time in prison when a fellow prisoner - Daisy - was killed, and left a package for Sabrina. Collecting the package kicked off a series of events in which Del and Sabrina were in constant danger, being followed, arrested, and ultimately lured into a mine by Daisy's killer.
Running alongside that mystery was the case of the Taunting Man, a serial killer whose murderous ways seemed connected to Daisy's family. (Daisy was Lucinda Holt, whose wealthy family owned a mining enterprise, and from whom Daisy ran away as a teenager some 30 years ago, never to be reunited with them again)
There were twists and turns in the story that held me rapt, even if sometimes these were a little far-fetched. The romance between Del and Sabrina developed and blossomed throughout and I learnt lots about them as people, more about Sabrina to be honest. Del, through whom the story was told, insisted he was uninteresting in his true self-deprecating style from start to finish.
Greg Hernandez was once again the narrator for the audio version, and as before he delivered a fabulous story. I particularly loved Del's mini inner outbursts and the sarcasm dripped beautifully.
I received the audio version of this book from the AudioBookWorm as part of a blog tout. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
April 22, 2019
Although I now wish to read the first book in this story to get the backstory on the relationship between Del Honeycutt and Sabrina Spencer, the author gave me enough information to move ahead with this mystery.
Spencer is a bit of a Mary Sue but not in an obnoxious way. Her status as a best selling author allows the two of them to travel all over the country (often first class) which greatly aids in their ability to process clues. I had a couple of nitpicks: Spencer constantly getting recognized and swarmed for autographs and the propensity for the wealthy men under investigation to always answer the front door. If your trying to avoid amateur detectives, don't answer the door when they come calling.
I felt a little like a viewer of a schlocky horror movie. I kept asking the protagonists, "Why are you being so trusting and gullible?" I still found the book to be a page turner and will probably read the other books in this series.
Spencer is a bit of a Mary Sue but not in an obnoxious way. Her status as a best selling author allows the two of them to travel all over the country (often first class) which greatly aids in their ability to process clues. I had a couple of nitpicks: Spencer constantly getting recognized and swarmed for autographs and the propensity for the wealthy men under investigation to always answer the front door. If your trying to avoid amateur detectives, don't answer the door when they come calling.
I felt a little like a viewer of a schlocky horror movie. I kept asking the protagonists, "Why are you being so trusting and gullible?" I still found the book to be a page turner and will probably read the other books in this series.
October 29, 2016
Loved this book! Andrew Cunningham weaves a tale around a successful mystery writer and her writing partner after a friend is murdered. Upon further investigation, we learn this person was murdered years before. Not satisfied that these are two different people, the pair set off to unravel the mystery and find out who her friend really was and who killed her.
This is an action packed whodunit with lots of twists, movement and cliffhangers, leading up to the discovery of the murderer. It was a quick read and definitely one to add to your to reads!!
May 10, 2019
Another
Another great story! I have read a lot of books. Most of them in this genre. But this author has to be the king of original storylines with a huge number of twists and turns. He must have had an amazing imagination as a child. This is the second of four books in this series. I'm moving on to book three as soon as finish this review. Andrew Cunningham I am a great admirer of your writing skills. I would love to see these books made into movies. They would be action packed.
Another great story! I have read a lot of books. Most of them in this genre. But this author has to be the king of original storylines with a huge number of twists and turns. He must have had an amazing imagination as a child. This is the second of four books in this series. I'm moving on to book three as soon as finish this review. Andrew Cunningham I am a great admirer of your writing skills. I would love to see these books made into movies. They would be action packed.
April 28, 2019
The Crooked People
This book represents mystery and thriller all in one. Sabrina a famous writer meets a woman named Daisy who is in trouble but is murdered before she can be helped.
It turns out her parents and brother who is the one who killed Daisy and others wanted Sabrina her other out of the way.
This book represents mystery and thriller all in one. Sabrina a famous writer meets a woman named Daisy who is in trouble but is murdered before she can be helped.
It turns out her parents and brother who is the one who killed Daisy and others wanted Sabrina her other out of the way.
October 10, 2019
Wow! Just wow! I read the first book and thought I hope there is a second! To my delight I am about to read the third in this story of Sabrina and what's his name (LOL)!! If you enjoy mystery along with a little romance you will really enjoy Andrew Cunningham and his writing. I highly recommend this series to any and all!
July 11, 2017
Some books offer a surprise ending...others have characters that surprise you Fatal Lies has a surprise every chapter.
Just a thoroughly engrossing, thoroughly exciting read. Great cast of absolutely authentic small characters that bring the book to life. Well worth your time.
Just a thoroughly engrossing, thoroughly exciting read. Great cast of absolutely authentic small characters that bring the book to life. Well worth your time.
July 1, 2018
What a great adventure this was
This book has it all. From the first page to the last it has humor and fear. Well written with believable characters and intriguing plots. Everything is totally well thought out and just flows. Would recommend this for anyone who loves a great book.
This book has it all. From the first page to the last it has humor and fear. Well written with believable characters and intriguing plots. Everything is totally well thought out and just flows. Would recommend this for anyone who loves a great book.
January 21, 2019
Audible:Full of twists and turns,some you never quite figure out!A really good read! I look forward to more in this series. Greg Hernandez was a very good narrator.
I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
January 30, 2020
Note: This is book 2 in the series but works fine as a stand alone.
I liked this better than Book 1. I can see how the author’s skill has grown a bit. The plot was certainly interesting. I really enjoyed the mystery of Daisy Leduc who once upon a time went by a different name. As Sabrina and Del dig into Daisy’s murder they uncover a series of unsolved murders from 30 years ago. That had me hooked.
The tale does have a lot of lucky breaks in the case. They are written a little clunky, and with there being so many lucky breaks and so little investigation, the story sometimes felt forced. Definitely room for more polishing.
Sabrina’s reaction to fans of her mystery novels was interesting. She appreciated real fans who had read and enjoyed her works. She felt that potentially future fans who approached her for an autograph were not fans at all. I can see her point and it made me think about my own interactions with authors (although those have all happened at book events).
Anyhoo, our hero duo stumble from one lucky break to another, one confession to another to break this case. I did like how things turned out. Sabrina has more power in this book, more say-so in the plot. So that made the team (Sabrina and Del) more balanced. 3.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Greg Hernandez has a solid voice for Del (who is the character we experience everything through). However, he didn’t have a wide range of character voices. His female voices were non-existent. I had to pay close attention to which character was talking or doing something in order to keep up with the story. The pacing was good. There were no technical issues with the recording. 3.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Greg Hernandez. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
I liked this better than Book 1. I can see how the author’s skill has grown a bit. The plot was certainly interesting. I really enjoyed the mystery of Daisy Leduc who once upon a time went by a different name. As Sabrina and Del dig into Daisy’s murder they uncover a series of unsolved murders from 30 years ago. That had me hooked.
The tale does have a lot of lucky breaks in the case. They are written a little clunky, and with there being so many lucky breaks and so little investigation, the story sometimes felt forced. Definitely room for more polishing.
Sabrina’s reaction to fans of her mystery novels was interesting. She appreciated real fans who had read and enjoyed her works. She felt that potentially future fans who approached her for an autograph were not fans at all. I can see her point and it made me think about my own interactions with authors (although those have all happened at book events).
Anyhoo, our hero duo stumble from one lucky break to another, one confession to another to break this case. I did like how things turned out. Sabrina has more power in this book, more say-so in the plot. So that made the team (Sabrina and Del) more balanced. 3.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Greg Hernandez has a solid voice for Del (who is the character we experience everything through). However, he didn’t have a wide range of character voices. His female voices were non-existent. I had to pay close attention to which character was talking or doing something in order to keep up with the story. The pacing was good. There were no technical issues with the recording. 3.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Greg Hernandez. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
January 8, 2020
I was not far into this book before I realized i had read anotjher book in the series a few mon ths ago and had not enjoyed it. I took little pleasure from this book for the same reasons (it turns out I had earlier read #3 in the series).
The narrator is a wimp for the tirst two thirds of the novel. I really suspected a woman wrote this, as he seems to be a fantasy lackey there to serve the celebrity wife internationally known author, and he revels in it. The premise that he got a million dollar advance to help her on her next book, so they now have no money concerns and he feels like he is contributing his part is unbelievable for both real world practical and personal self-worth reasons.
This is a novel for some woman who wants a husband to wait on her and follow her lead, but then wants him to transform to a wild sex car for brief spells as needed. In thuis dream she is a celebrity who spends half her time enjoying the adultation of the masses and all the perks here celeb stays brings, \and the other half wanting privacy, Dunkin Donuts, and Waffle House meals with servant narrator dude. They travel a lot and we get all the transit details, and they shower together at the hotels where they stay.
Oh, there is also a serial killer plot, the mysterious note from a murdered friend from the celeb author's sordid prison past (she killed an abusive husband, which I guess helps explain the fantasy wimp partner now in the series). I read this one by mistake. I will not spend time reading a third book in this series.
The narrator is a wimp for the tirst two thirds of the novel. I really suspected a woman wrote this, as he seems to be a fantasy lackey there to serve the celebrity wife internationally known author, and he revels in it. The premise that he got a million dollar advance to help her on her next book, so they now have no money concerns and he feels like he is contributing his part is unbelievable for both real world practical and personal self-worth reasons.
This is a novel for some woman who wants a husband to wait on her and follow her lead, but then wants him to transform to a wild sex car for brief spells as needed. In thuis dream she is a celebrity who spends half her time enjoying the adultation of the masses and all the perks here celeb stays brings, \and the other half wanting privacy, Dunkin Donuts, and Waffle House meals with servant narrator dude. They travel a lot and we get all the transit details, and they shower together at the hotels where they stay.
Oh, there is also a serial killer plot, the mysterious note from a murdered friend from the celeb author's sordid prison past (she killed an abusive husband, which I guess helps explain the fantasy wimp partner now in the series). I read this one by mistake. I will not spend time reading a third book in this series.
February 6, 2020
Fatal Lies (Lies Mystery Thriller Series Book 2) - Review by Martha A. Cheves
Sabrina, if you are reading this, I am dead, and it means they killed me. I've spent my life having nothing to do with them, but if they finally put an end to this miserable existence they caused, then I want them to pay. Maybe my last act in life will help provide Veronica with the life I was never able to have. The key is for a safe deposit box in your name and mine. The address of the bank is on the pouch the key is in. The contents of the box will explain everything. I'm sorry this is so cryptic. I just want it far away from Veronica and her children.
Sabrina Spencer spent six years of her life in prison for killing her abusive husband. After being released, she, with help from the love of her life Del, has become one of the nation's hottest mystery writers. Her life in prison is the past and a life she no longer wants to relive nor deal with, but when the daughter of a woman from her prison days contacts her with a message that was to be delivered should she die, a whole world of deception and mistrust opens up for Sabrina and Del.
I have to admit that I read this book several years ago and loved it so much that I've just finished reading it again. It keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to determine who is out to kill Sabrina and Del only to find the plot twist like a winding road. I loved it and am looking forward to reading Book 3 in this series Vegas Lies. Author Andrew Cunningham has become one of my favorite authors!
Sabrina, if you are reading this, I am dead, and it means they killed me. I've spent my life having nothing to do with them, but if they finally put an end to this miserable existence they caused, then I want them to pay. Maybe my last act in life will help provide Veronica with the life I was never able to have. The key is for a safe deposit box in your name and mine. The address of the bank is on the pouch the key is in. The contents of the box will explain everything. I'm sorry this is so cryptic. I just want it far away from Veronica and her children.
Sabrina Spencer spent six years of her life in prison for killing her abusive husband. After being released, she, with help from the love of her life Del, has become one of the nation's hottest mystery writers. Her life in prison is the past and a life she no longer wants to relive nor deal with, but when the daughter of a woman from her prison days contacts her with a message that was to be delivered should she die, a whole world of deception and mistrust opens up for Sabrina and Del.
I have to admit that I read this book several years ago and loved it so much that I've just finished reading it again. It keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to determine who is out to kill Sabrina and Del only to find the plot twist like a winding road. I loved it and am looking forward to reading Book 3 in this series Vegas Lies. Author Andrew Cunningham has become one of my favorite authors!
October 19, 2021
The second book in the series is another fast moving, thoroughly entertaining and exciting investigation. Del and Sabrina travel the length and breadth of the USA when they become embroiled in another complex murder mystery.
The brutal murder of Daisy Leduc sparks off another investigation when her estranged daughter is asked to contact Sabrina. The only link is the time they spent together in gaol. It soon becomes clear Del and Sabrina are not the only ones interested in what Daisy has left behind, especially when they discover she didn’t die at the hands of a serial killer when she was 17.
Who exactly is trying to kill them and preserve Daisy’s secrets? As Del and Sabrina uncover the clues, the list of suspects grows, leading to a thrilling climax.
I love the self-deprecating humour, the light touch that propels this entertaining caper, and the spirit of adventure that’s on every page. Del and Sabrina are great creations, ably supported by some quirky and likeable characters. The story is also lifted by some sly comments about being a murder mystery writer, which had me chuckling as I read.
Terrific stuff!
The brutal murder of Daisy Leduc sparks off another investigation when her estranged daughter is asked to contact Sabrina. The only link is the time they spent together in gaol. It soon becomes clear Del and Sabrina are not the only ones interested in what Daisy has left behind, especially when they discover she didn’t die at the hands of a serial killer when she was 17.
Who exactly is trying to kill them and preserve Daisy’s secrets? As Del and Sabrina uncover the clues, the list of suspects grows, leading to a thrilling climax.
I love the self-deprecating humour, the light touch that propels this entertaining caper, and the spirit of adventure that’s on every page. Del and Sabrina are great creations, ably supported by some quirky and likeable characters. The story is also lifted by some sly comments about being a murder mystery writer, which had me chuckling as I read.
Terrific stuff!
March 26, 2025
Who's the real you?
Rich mine owners, corrupted by money and power and greed, caused heartbreak and devastation to all around them, even their own family. As heartless parents, they covered the horrible actions of their depraved son, and by doing that ,they destroyed the very promising future of their brilliant daughter. After a mine collapse, the corrupt senator and the parents blackmailed each other to hide their involvement and avoid scandal. Meanwhile, the parents, knowing that their son was a serial killer, did nothing to end his killings. Their daughter ran away and changed her identity to escape from her own family. But her life was eventually destroyed because she posed a potential threat to the family. Prison brought a connection to a future famous author. The author and her researcher were plunged into a cross-country adventure to uncover clues that might clear the daughter's name and right the scandal the coal mine collapse in western Pennsylvania. Hit men, secrets, and deception are integral parts of this story.
Rich mine owners, corrupted by money and power and greed, caused heartbreak and devastation to all around them, even their own family. As heartless parents, they covered the horrible actions of their depraved son, and by doing that ,they destroyed the very promising future of their brilliant daughter. After a mine collapse, the corrupt senator and the parents blackmailed each other to hide their involvement and avoid scandal. Meanwhile, the parents, knowing that their son was a serial killer, did nothing to end his killings. Their daughter ran away and changed her identity to escape from her own family. But her life was eventually destroyed because she posed a potential threat to the family. Prison brought a connection to a future famous author. The author and her researcher were plunged into a cross-country adventure to uncover clues that might clear the daughter's name and right the scandal the coal mine collapse in western Pennsylvania. Hit men, secrets, and deception are integral parts of this story.
July 20, 2020
Del and Sabrina are living together in his father's house and writing a book about their adventures in solving the 85 year old mystery in Book 1 All Lies. They are once again drawn into an old mystery when an inmate Sabrina knew in prison left her a key to a safe deposit box. This has them flying back and forth from Massachusetts to Wisconsin to Texas and back east. All the while they are being followed and shot at. This books has lots of action and another complicated mystery with lots of twist. I love Mr Cunningham's characters. They seem so alive. Sabrina is a strong woman and Del worships her. You can feel his love for her. The bad guys are great too. They sure had me confused. Again there is some of the author's signature humor. I look forward to listening to the rest of this series.
October 19, 2020
Well Written But Not Suspenseful
A woman once imprisoned for murdering her abusive husband is now a successful mystery writer. After the murder of a woman who served time with her is murdered the writer and her boyfriend are drawn into investigate. Their quest leads them to an appalling tale of greed, betrayal , corruption and murder and their lives are threatened multiple times. Will they survive to reveal the truth.
Although nicely written this book is a tad too relaxed for my tastes. The underlying cause of the mine disaster was far fetched. The constant attempts on the dynamic duo got tiring. The tone is light and conversational and it feels like a cozy mystery. Everything is wrapped up and tied with a bow at the end. It's an okay read especially if you do not like explicit sex or violence.
A woman once imprisoned for murdering her abusive husband is now a successful mystery writer. After the murder of a woman who served time with her is murdered the writer and her boyfriend are drawn into investigate. Their quest leads them to an appalling tale of greed, betrayal , corruption and murder and their lives are threatened multiple times. Will they survive to reveal the truth.
Although nicely written this book is a tad too relaxed for my tastes. The underlying cause of the mine disaster was far fetched. The constant attempts on the dynamic duo got tiring. The tone is light and conversational and it feels like a cozy mystery. Everything is wrapped up and tied with a bow at the end. It's an okay read especially if you do not like explicit sex or violence.
May 17, 2024
I have so enjoyed the first two of Andrew Cunningham's "Lies" series I've read so far - the phrase "roller coaster ride" seems a bit over used but it really does fit these stories! Sabrina Spencer, (formerly Party Worth) mystery writer and Delmore Honeycutt, who met in book 1 thanks to an 80 year old crime committed by their grandfathers, are now on the hunt for who killed Daisy Leduc, who was in prison with Sabrina. Daisy made it her mission to make sure the truth about her conviction for murder and the reasons for it before she herself was murdered. For Sabrina and Del the trail to find what she wanted them to becomes non stop driving and flying - whilst being pursued - and shot at - by two separate groups. The writing is so good, I felt as though I'd been through an ordeal by the time I'd finished the book! I can't wait to read the next one!
November 26, 2024
Many Twists
This is the second in a series and, while it stands on its own, there are enough references to the first book that I definitely thought I was missing something by not having read them in order. The many references to a previous adventure were understandable and didn't detract from this book, but I found the hints at a backstory with no blanks filled in annoying.
The plot was well thought out and well paced and the denouement was handled nicely. The book was light on characterization, particularly for Sabrina and Del. I have to assume that Cunningham dealt with their backgrounds in the first book. I thought he did a better job with Daisy, although the rest of the characters involved in the mystery itself were rather one dimensional. I don't know whether I'll go back and read book one or go forward and read book three.
This is the second in a series and, while it stands on its own, there are enough references to the first book that I definitely thought I was missing something by not having read them in order. The many references to a previous adventure were understandable and didn't detract from this book, but I found the hints at a backstory with no blanks filled in annoying.
The plot was well thought out and well paced and the denouement was handled nicely. The book was light on characterization, particularly for Sabrina and Del. I have to assume that Cunningham dealt with their backgrounds in the first book. I thought he did a better job with Daisy, although the rest of the characters involved in the mystery itself were rather one dimensional. I don't know whether I'll go back and read book one or go forward and read book three.
March 6, 2020
Fast read. Somewhat entertaining because of the attempt at humor.
Standard fair in most respects.
Beautiful, brilliant lead characters with witty courageous side kick.
The plot is somewhat tangled but the characters working against our hero’s become borderline unbelievable
The serial killer is easy to guess early in the book and the lead hero’s lack of deciphering the clues defy the genius that she is described to be.
The death defying escapes become routine and predictable.
The ultimate betrayal while a twist is not very surprising when uncovered.
All in all it stretches and pulls plots from other books to weave through the plot line.
That said wasn’t a bad way to spend a few hours.
Standard fair in most respects.
Beautiful, brilliant lead characters with witty courageous side kick.
The plot is somewhat tangled but the characters working against our hero’s become borderline unbelievable
The serial killer is easy to guess early in the book and the lead hero’s lack of deciphering the clues defy the genius that she is described to be.
The death defying escapes become routine and predictable.
The ultimate betrayal while a twist is not very surprising when uncovered.
All in all it stretches and pulls plots from other books to weave through the plot line.
That said wasn’t a bad way to spend a few hours.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2020
This was a great mystery . One with an ending that I did not expect.
From the get go this was a great book. It starts with Daisy being murdered. Sabrina had been in prison with Daisy for six years. She had been charged with a murder that she did not commit, the same as Daisy.
From there she and Del search for the person that killed Daisy.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book. Just as I thought I knew who done what, the book would take another turn and I would realize that I was wrong.
I gave this book a five star rating, because of the twists and turns. I wanted to know how it ended. It was hard for me to lay the book down.
My first read by Andrew Cunningham, but it won't be my last.
From the get go this was a great book. It starts with Daisy being murdered. Sabrina had been in prison with Daisy for six years. She had been charged with a murder that she did not commit, the same as Daisy.
From there she and Del search for the person that killed Daisy.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book. Just as I thought I knew who done what, the book would take another turn and I would realize that I was wrong.
I gave this book a five star rating, because of the twists and turns. I wanted to know how it ended. It was hard for me to lay the book down.
My first read by Andrew Cunningham, but it won't be my last.
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