In 2017, Clara wakes up to the realization that her partner Luke failed to come home. Unable to get in touch with him because he had forgotten his cell phone, Clara knows he would never willingly abandon the job interview scheduled for that day.
Although police are initially reluctant to get involved since Luke is a grown man and has not been missing long, they realize this disappearance may be serious when messages from a stalker are revealed. Luke had laughed them off, now, however, the messaged threats take on an even more menacing aspect.
As it becomes increasingly obvious that Luke is in danger, Clara tries to find out why Luke has been taken. Some of what she turns up is not to Luke's credit, but Clara is persistent in her attempts to find out who may have been behind Luke's disappearance.
Moving back and forth in time from 1986 to the present, the story unfolds in both expected and unexpected ways. The prologue gives a convenient prediction, but making things fit together is difficult because the author withholds enough information to keep the reader from fully understanding the overall situation. The picture is there, but not all of the pieces are available.
There is resolution, but the conclusion is ambiguous...almost as if leaving an opening for a sequel? Although "bad seed" characters are interesting, I don't know that I'd follow up on this one.
Read in July; blog post scheduled for Sept. 24.
NetGalley/Berkley Publishing
Psychological/Mystery. Oct. 9, 2018. Print length: 385 pages.
"Covering a wide variety of topics—everything from war, peace, and politics to love, marriage, religion, and popular culture—these columns reveal Eleanor Roosevelt’s warmth, humanity, and timeless relevance."
NetGalley/Atria Books
History/Advice. Oct. 9, 2018. Print length: 272 pages.
Just read this article: In the Time You Spend on Social Media Each Year, You Could Read 200 Books.
I think The Lies We Told would just end up frustrating me, especially the withholding of information and the ambiguous ending.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting, and I didn't mind trying to fit the pieces together, but I do prefer to have more likable characters.
DeleteThe premise of The Lies We Told sounds interesting, but I think I'd be frustrated too with the ambiguous ending; unless there's a sequel to it. I think there're more unlikeable characters than likeable ones in psychological thrillers nowadays and I don't know if it's good or bad, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe conclusion leaves an opening for another book, not a guarantee, but a possibility. Although I found the book interesting, I'm not especially curious about a second book, if there is one.
DeleteI have been wondering The Lies We Told -- it sounds sooo interesting, and I am want to see how the past and present tie together.
ReplyDeleteMost people on Goodreads loved it, and there were plenty of twists, but ultimately, I was disappointed. And maybe a bit annoyed. :)
DeleteAmbiguity is so tricky in books. What is perfect for on reader is insufficient for another.
ReplyDeleteLove the Eleanor Roosevelt book! I will have to look in to that. She was such a remarkable woman.
There are many times when ambiguity makes you ponder the book for a long time after finishing. This was not the case for The Lies We Told; it was more an open-ended suggestion for another book in the series.
DeleteEleanor Roosevelt was a remarkable woman. I enjoyed reading the thoughtful comments she made on such a variety of subjects. :)
The Lies We Told sounds like something I might like. Whenever asked which historical figures I admire most, Eleanor Roosevelt is always on that list. I don't generally read books like that, but I may have to just because it's got so many of her writings in it.
ReplyDeleteWe have become so accustomed to the loud and argumentative that it was a genuine pleasure to read Eleanor Roosevelt's considered replies to questions and comments. :)
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