It was okay. Twisty. Terrible ending. I thought The Kind Worth Killing was so masterful that I might have liked these better if I weren’t comparing them to that one.

3.5 stars. Some parts of this were really intriguing but the last third of the book seemed to rush to a conclusion and while I can see how it was headed there for awhile, it would’ve been better with more nuance. I also didn’t like the very end - a little too neat of a way to tie things up.

Twisty and delightful. Things I have come to appreciate about Peter Swanson novels. I definitely will read more of his work.

All the Beautiful Lies was a fast-paced thriller I couldn't put down. Many of the characters, particularly Alice and Jake were cringey, awful people, but it was intriguing to read their points of view. The only complaint I have is I felt I never really got to know the characters on an intimate level, particularly the ones that were redeeming, such as Harry. Still, I appreciated finding a book that I wanted to pick up and read at every possible opportunity!

3.5

This is a messed up set of two stories. I was sucked in by how insane the plots were. I was frustrated at first thinking the stories weren’t connected. Eventually I figured things out. Then wish I had looked for connections sooner. This type of book isn’t for everyone. However, I enjoy reading twisted stories.

Harry gets a call from his (very young and attractive) Stepmother that his father has passed away in a tragic accident.
After suspicions arise and another another mystery woman shows up at the funeral Harry has no clue who to trust or what the truth really is.
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Anyone who has seen my posts knows I love Peter Swanson so much and this book was no exception.
Swanson really set up such a twisted story.
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The book is told from alternating perspectives, Harry in the current day dealing with his fathers passing and Alice (the step mother) in the past setting up her life.
You will feel sad for, angry at, and disturbed with all these characters in the corse of this story.
Which I was here for!
If a thriller can give me a case of emotional whiplash you know I love it.
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And I won’t spoil but THE ENDING!
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Fast read but didn’t live up to expectations. A lot of character issues for me. I wish the book focused more on Alice’s point of view and not Harry who was so boring and a weak. There was way too much going on for me and a lot seemed unsupported but just to be twisty or dark. Not my favorite by Peter Swanson.

Dark and twisty. And not in a page turning way, but in a twisted and disturbing way.

I found this book fell flat. The writing was choppy and the characters were so one dimensional and under developed. Add that to the utter, um, shall we say, strange relationships, that they all seemed to be having and it just wasn't enjoyable.

A dark psychological thriller which had me gripped from the start. An interesting take on a very difficult to talk about subject, interspersed with mystery and murder. It stirs up a lot of emotions and will not be an easy read for anyone who has been a victim of child abuse of a sexual nature.