This book’s twists and turns kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
About the Book
In this gripping psychological thriller, a spinoff to Right Across the Bay, the discovery of unimaginable family secrets leads to chilling signs of a serial killer…
After failing to solve the most complex homicides of her career, Detective Josephine Kelly retreats to her hometown in Iowa to tend to her ailing father. However, upon her arrival, she soon discovers that her childhood was even less idyllic than she remembers. In fact, her past was riddled with unthinkable violence, and someone seems intent on erasing it.
As Josephine becomes more immersed in her old memories and familiar faces, she will realize not everything she knew as a little girl was as it seemed. Murder and mayhem defined her in a way she’ll struggle to understand. Desperate for answers, she confides in her adolescent crush, and together they attempt to make sense of the puzzling facts.
Despite the risks, Josephine is determined to uncover the truth. With time, she’ll slowly unravel the dangerously twisted secrets everyone she trusted attempted to bury. By the time she grasps the profound truth, it may be too late to save herself.
My Thoughts
I usually let the quotes I pick out from a book speak for themselves. It’s almost always hard – sometimes because there are way too many I loved, and sometimes because while the book was amazing, the words didn’t necessarily stand out to me. This time, as I was looking back, I had to go back and make sure I read the genre right. I was pretty sure the book was a thriller. It certainly felt like a thriller when I was reading it. It was action-packed from start to finish, though it might have slowed down a little in some of the flash backs. But even then, it slowed down in that distinctly ominous way that thriller and horror movies do, where you know that it’s just telling you something that’s going to turn out to be really creepy or sinister later.
But, if you look at the quotes I picked out, it reads like a romance. And, maybe the reason I like thrillers so much, is that like cozies, they frequently have a romance tucked within the pages. The grizzled detective is learning to love again or starting to see they ARE worth loving, actually. I read Across the Bay last year, and forgot that Det. Josephine Kelley was the lead. I’ve slept a few times since then. It was nice to see her again. Both are listed on the author’s website as standalones, and the only thing the two books share is Jo. But this one does leave itself open to the possibility of a sequel. I enjoyed Jo and her charming leading man and would love to see them again.
This case was deeply personal for Jo and her new/old beau Rocco, and it was full of surprising turns that I did not expect.
I’m so grateful to the author and LBT for including me in this tour. This is my third book by the author, and I can’t wait to read more. I see a big backlog I can dive into, and I’d love to see what else comes from her amazing brain!
Who’s It For?
If you love a good thriller, especially with domestic leanings, you will probably love this one. However, this features several major triggers, especially surrounding the harm of children. So be sure to check in with yourself before reading. If you can handle those, this is a great, fast-paced read with some surprising twists and turns.
Content Warnings: Child Abuse and Neglect, Child and Parent Death, Serial Unaliving, Attempted Self-Unaliving, Domestic Abuse, S3xual Assault/Abuse, PTSD, S3xual Shaming, Betrayal, Adult Situations and Language
Question of the Day
Do you know any homeschoolers?
Answer of the Day
Yes! Both when I was younger and now. One of my high school boyfriends was even homeschooled. And, we homeschooled my daughter up until January. Then we enrolled her in a microschool. She is still considered homeschooled, but someone else does it.
About the Author:
With over 40 captivating titles spanning various genres, Quinn Avery first honed her talent for crafting intricate puzzles through her smart and quirky Bexley Squires mystery series. Her contemporary suspense thrillers, often set in her beloved locales such as Mankato and Lake Shetek, are nothing short of addictive, leaving readers spellbound with their mind-spinning twists. When Quinn and her husband aren’t off on adventures, they enjoy the tranquility of their Minnesota acreage and lake home in their newfound empty-nest phase.
Links
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Their-Little-Lies-Detective-Josephine-ebook/dp/B0D92T3N9L
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Their-Little-Lies-Detective-Josephine-ebook/dp/B0D92T3N9L
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9798990669703
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216547942-their-little-lies
Author’s Website: https://www.quinnavery.com/
As a Bookshop.org (US) Affiliate, I may earn on qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org purchases support local, independent bookshops. My chosen affiliate bookshop is Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Bookshop, a local, queer-owned bookshop in New Orleans.
Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.