A special thank you goes out to Matt Pechey and Reedsy Discovery for reviewing and featuring Flat Out Lies!
New to the world of Karen Grose, I was interested to get my hands on her latest ARC. Grose is able to offer up a keen mystery that helps the reader see that there are many sides to a story, as well as multiple ways a lie can flavour it. When a neighbour is gunned down, Ría and her family must come to terms with this, as well as try to determine what happened. Are they in danger as well? What secrets do various members of the household possess that could help the police, or explain this violent situation? All this is revealed in a slow-paced thriller. Grose keeps things on point and provides the reader with an entertaining experience.
Ria Stiles has long been called one of the great photographers to those who know her. Work that shines above all others is a keen aspect of her reputation, but she is more than this. She is a loving wife to Jim and a mother who loves her two boys. However, she has secrets and uses a well-honed ability to lie to keep those things hidden away. One of Ria’s lies is her new identity when she arrived in town. But how will this all come to light and what can Ria do about it?
When gunfire erupts up the street, Ria and her family are sent into a tailspin. While no one knew the victim, a new neighbour, the violent act shakes them all. Jim is certainly no stellar individual, with issues of his own, but he would never have brought any of this to their bucolic community, right? Ria’s eldest son has issues of his own, having found a way into the world of gambling as a teen, but even his betting and losing could not have brought someone to send them a lesson. Yet no one is willing to admit anything, covering lies up with more falsehoods.
With the authorities sniffing around, both Ria and Jim pull themselves into their respective shells, only to realise that their lies have a connection, and it’s nothing innocent. Ria discovers something that Jim has been desperate to keep hidden, while he discovers a new side to his wife. They both come to see that their eldest is anything but simply a teenager pushing the limits. Lies have a way of distorting the truth, though there are times that they could be better than what actually happened. In this story, the truth is a weapon and someone could ie to protect their lies. But who and how will it all come to pass? Grose takes the reader on an adventure, leaving the truth dangling at the end.
I enjoy reading thrillers when I cannot predict where things are headed, since it adds something to the story’s allure. Karen Gorse does just that with this piece, teasing the reader with partial truths throughout. A narrative that builds from the opening pages keeps the reader in check, while refusing to offer anyone a clear picture of what is taking place. When the reader finds themselves in a position to know something, the narrative turns and builds in new directions. This is further helped by a cast of characters whose lives are in disarray The reader wants t know about them all, though cannot fully understand what they are seeing. Mysteries build upon half-truths and deceptions, all with a lie woven into the middle. Grose creates a world where the lie is the new truth and when someone discovers what really happened, they will wish they had not bothered. There is much in this book to enjoy and I can only hope readers will be patient so they can reach the climactic ending.
Plot points fuel a thriller like nothing else. Karen Grose does well with her delivery, offering up twists and turns throughout the reading experience. The surprises that await the reader (and characters, to a degree) prove effective in developing a story that is top-notch and a thriller that pulls no punches. While a tad slow at times, the plot points push things forward and ofer up something for the determined reader, though nothing can prepare them for the final reveal, where truth and lies collide, leaving but one survivor. The question is whom and how will it reach this point?
Kudos, Madam Grose, for piquing my interest with this quick thriller.