I really liked the premise of this book (unreliable narrator etc) but it really could not decide what it wanted to be. Straight up mystery? Gaslight fiction? Psychological thriller? It ended up just being a big confused pile of nothing much at all. I only fInished it because I wanted to see if something (anything) would happen

Dead Girls Can’t Lie is an intriguing story about friendship and secrets.

The author develops the characters as the novel goes on and you feel like you really get to know North as her desperate search to find out what happened to Kelly continues – and both she and Kelly do not always come across too well, I have to say,as they both have their faults! The flashbacks reveal a lot of problems between the two characters (I liked the element of mystery that this brought to the story – what DID happen between them?) and it makes you question their supposedly ‘amazing’ friendship. What went wrong?

Though it took a little while for me to get into it it, there are some surprises along the way and I thought I had the ‘whodunnit’ element figured out but I was definitely wrong! I felt the story was different from other novels in this genre as it doesn’t, to me, really fit into the fast-paced ‘thriller’ category that it seems to be often put in – to me it felt like more of a considered and character-driven story which may not have been quite as dark in terms of plot as I expected it to be – I would have liked a bit more grit. However I really enjoyed Carys Jones’s writing; it’s an enjoyable and fun (as well as an easy) read which kept me turning the pages.

Carys Jones tells the tale of best friends, North Stone and Kelly Orton who have been best friends since the age of two. Therefore why was Kelly found hanging from a tree on a well-known jogging route? Why would she leave North all alone in the world?

As you can imagine the police treat the incident as a simple suicide but was it suicide or murder? Therefore North decides to investigate and goes on her own personal quest to discover the truth at whatever the cost.

The storyline fluctuates between the past and presents so we learn that both North and Kelly have had to deal with extreme hardships in their family backgrounds. I think that this could be why they may have developed such a close friendship. Well...at least North, in particular, relied upon Kelly. Their personalities were rather like chalk and cheese.

I felt that 'Dead Girls Can't Lie' would certainly appeal to me as I love psychological thrillers. However, I felt that there could have been more depth and layers in the plot. Nonetheless, it was an easy read and would make a great holiday read.

By Galadriel.

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.

This novel is described as a thriller, but it's more of an exploration into the mind of a girl whose past has skewed her sense of truth. c. Not so much a whodunnit as a howdunnit - how does North distinguish her fertile imagination from reality and prove what she has always been convinced is true. More difficult, is can she expose the culprit to everyone's satisfaction when all those around her - but one - believes she is wrong and her mind is twisted by grief?

In this well written novel the author made me feel North's frustration, and enjoyed the flashbacks of her friendship with Kelly which illustrated their mutual dependence, or was it North's need for Kelly which made their bond so strong?

Really enjoyed this. Would recommend as a holiday read as it's easy but well written. Give it a go!

Jones has once again brought us a wonderfully written thriller.
When North Stone's best friend, Kelly, is found hanged in the local woods, North is adamant that she was murdered, unfortunately, she's the only one who feels this way.
North has a history of heartache following the disappearance of her parents at sea when she was younger so when she tries to voice her opinion that there has been foul play, no one thinks much of it and stick with the
A tightly paced novel that takes place over a short period of time in the present, but delicately takes us back to the building of the relationship between North and Kelly through a series of flashbacks.
For me, this book was about the friendships that define us. They can be all consuming as we grow up and the lasting effects of these relationships are so deeply felt that you can never really get over them if they end for any reason.
North and Kelly had known each other forever, they were true soul mates, closer than some sisters, or so North thought.
I absolutely love it when an author lets us know the culprit fairly early on, it makes for such an intriguing read as to whether they will be brought to justice and Jones pulls this off really well. As North starts to tries to prove that she isn't just a heartbroken, sleep deprived crazy lady, the tension starts to mount and the flashbacks show that perhaps all isn't as it seemed at the start.
North made me quite emotional, she is quite a deep character with such a lot going on and with no support, I had a few moments with a lump in my throat.
Kelly was a little harder to like, but perhaps that's because I liked North so much and Kelly seemed to take advantage of her as they were growing up.
All in all, Dead Girls Can't Lie is a taut and emotional thriller that will keep you hooked and turning the pages.

BROOKE’S REVIEW

Carys Jones’ thriller Dead Girls Can’t Lie explores the binds of friendship and the lengths to which friends will go for each other. When Kelly’s death by hanging is ruled a suicide, her best friend North will not believe it. While police officers have given up the case, North is determine to ensure that justice is served.

While this book has a somewhat predictable plot, the strength of the relationships between characters makes for an engaging read.

AUTHOR

Carys Jones loves nothing more than to write and create stories which ignite the reader's imagination. Based in Shropshire, England, Carys lives with her husband, two guinea pigs and her adored canine companion Rollo.

As a final note, I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

If you like stories that use the past/present format, this may be the book for you. Kelly is found hanging from a tree. Her friend North sets out to find out how she really may have died as she does not believe Kelly committed suicide. Thus begins the story. North seems to be immature for her age (30's) and was just not likable From the past/present flashbacks, it is easy to see that Kelly was a better friend to North than North was to Kelly. This was an ok read but predictable. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

An intriguing mystery surrounding the supposed suicide of Kelly Orton and her best friend's quest for truth and justice. I enjoyed the back story of these two best friends who fiercely and loyally loved one another.

I always get so excited when an author I have read before comes out with a new work. I was thrilled to find out that Carys Jones, the author of Wrong Number and Last Witness was coming out with a new book this month. T

This one had K.A Tucker, He Will Be My Ruin, vibes (which was a book I had BINGE read a few months ago) written all over it. Now that I have finished Dead Girls Can’t Lie, my feelings are a bit mixed.

WHAT I LIKED:

The Writing: What can I say? I am a sucker for the writing style of Carys Jones. I find her work easily digestible and captivating. I never have a problem losing myself in the story. Her transitions are effortless and her narrative voice is strong. Regardless of any issues, I would have with the actual plot or with the characters, her writing style would have me coming back for more.
The Plot: I am always a sucker for anything that comes down to a betrayal or a double life. Watching North desperately try to get to the bottom of what happened to her friend had me entertained.

WHAT I STRUGGLED WITH:

Although I really liked the general concept of the book, I found that the book lacked any sort of “edge”. It felt like a lighter version of a thriller and, for me, I think my thrillers to be very dark and gritty.

Overall, if you are looking for something very dark and twisted, then this will leave you disappointed. However, if you like a lighter, well-written mystery, then I believe you have found your next read!

North Stone is devastated when her best friend, Kelly Orton, is found hanging from a tree in an area which is a well-known route for joggers. Police are quick to close the case, declaring it a suicide but North is adamant that they have drawn the wrong conclusion – Kelly has been murdered. With the police refusing to take North seriously, she has no option but to investigate the death herself. Putting herself in the line of danger, she soon begins to question how much she actually knew her friend.

Dead Girls Can’t Lie explores the relationship between two life-long friends, their story being told in a series of flashbacks detailing their schooldays through to adulthood. I felt a lot of sympathy for North who, despite experiencing so much sadness and loss in her early life, had gone on to work in a profession she truly loved. Losing her best friend had, once again, stirred up memories of the tragic loss of her parents and we see her slowly unravelling, doubting her own sanity as she tried to convince everyone that Kelly would not have taken her own life. Kelly, on the other hand, I found it difficult to like, as she was incredibly domineering, using North’s grief for her own ends. Despite this, I could see how North was totally dependent on her friend and her quest for justice made perfect sense.

As North undertakes her investigation and finds herself in a different world than the one she is used to, there are several points where the events are slightly convenient but, like in most books, you have to suspend reality in order for the plot to move on. It was interesting to see how the normally reserved North started to undertake some of Kelly’s character traits in order to help her achieve her aim.

Although there aren’t too many characters in the book, the author has still managed to cast doubt on who the guilty party could be. I had an idea throughout the book as to who it would be and, at one point, thought I’d got it right. Thankfully, though, the plot wasn’t that obvious and I was pleased that I was wrong!

Dead Girls Can’t Lie is another great book from Carys Jones and one that is definitely worth a read.

Dead Girls Can't Lie

When you're best friends, you tell each other everything. You know each other inside out and don't have any secrets...or do you?

When North's best friend Kelly is found hanging in the woods, North refuses to believe that Kelly committed suicide and chose to die. When no one listens to her concerns, North investigates things herself and starts to discover things are not what she thought they were.

I really enjoyed this book, I would highly recommend that you give Dead Girls Can't Lie a go. I really liked the storyline and the depth of the characters, there are also some deep emotions running through this book. It's edgy, emotional, and even if the storyline isn't for you, the characters will more than make up for that. For me, it was a genuine page turner that I highly recommend. 4 solid stars from purplebookstand!

Dead Girls Can't Lie, nor can they tell the truth.

North has known Kelly most all her life, and she is certain there's been a mistake in the investigation of Kelly's death. This is a good little mystery read about a young woman trying to prove that her best friend, Kelly, did not commit suicide.

I found the story to be well paced and balanced with just the right amount of time in the past and present. As with all friendships between young women, there have been some ups and downs, but for the most part North and Kelly have had a solid relationship. What North discovers, much to her chagrin, is that she didn't know everything about Kelly but she's certain something is just not right. Kelly's demise is tainted and what is uncovered is disturbing and sad. As North reflects on their friendship we learn a lot about North herself. She gets pretty wrapped up in her quest but it brings about some good changes to her life. It's a solid 4 star read and if you enjoy mysteries set in Britain, this is a booked I recommend.

North refuses to believe her best friend committed suicide. It just doesn't seem possible. But North is the only one who thinks it was murder. So she sets out to discover the truth, navigating her way through emotional and physical dangers.

This book did start out slow for me, but it picked up, and I was definitely invested in North and her search for the truth. I also really appreciated how Jones created a realistic portrayal of anxiety, something I feel is very important, and how she highlighted the power and bond of female friendships.

I’m going to be honest with you, I have not yet finished this book. But not because I do not wish to but because life has a habit of getting in the way of my treasured reading time. So this review will be short and I’ll write a full one later on!

The first thing you should know about this book is that it is addictive. I was almost late leaving the house because I simply could not put the book down. The reason for this is that Carys Jones has created a very interesting and compelling protagonist who pulls you along the story with ease. She opens up the curiosity of your mind until you are as obssessed about knowing what happened as she is.

Honestly – I need to know how this book ends.

Moreover, Carys Jones has created a very complex protagonist who is very human. She has flaws like the rest of us and has made her share of mistakes. But you can also feel her grief rising off the page. It makes you want to help her as much as you can without knowing how.

But she is also an unreliable narrator which makes this book even more of an intense read. What is truth and what is lies?

Carys Jones has created a very addictive, compelling and intriguing thriller that will capture your mind and keep you wanting more – which is all we want from books. I cannot wait to see where the story leads me.

I was very excited to read this book because I love thrillers. It may be because I've read so many good ones recently, but this one didn't live up to my expectations.

The concept for the story was very good. North suspects that Kelly didn't kill herself. But at the same time, North has a history of mental problems due to insomnia, so she isn't taken seriously. Some of the things she did in her past are explained logically, demonstrating that she wasn't actually crazy, such as the car accident she got in as a teen. But some parts are forgotten and not explained, so her suspicions remain suspect.

There were so many red herrings as to who actually Kelly. There were a lot of possible suspects, but they weren't really explored or given a justified solution. Also, Elijah was constantly asking North if she was okay. I wanted to shout at him "Of course she's not okay! She just lost her last loved one!" It made me very suspicious of him and I became frustrated when he wouldn't leave it alone.

I also don't think there was a purpose in North's parents being lost at sea. I'm not sure why they were just presumed dead, rather than actually killed off in the story. I think their death just kept North hanging in this in-between of wondering if they were still alive, which gave her even more pain.

While I was disappointed in the outcome of the story, I did have an emotional response to many parts which connected me to the story. I was frustrated with Elijah and I felt sorry for North. The premise for the story was good, but I wish it was executed better.

3.5 Stars

Kelly Orton is found hanging from a large tree in the woods surrounding their small town. But this isn't a murder mystery ... or is it?

Kelly's best friend, North Stone, is adamant that there is no way Kelly would take her own life. Kelly and North had been best friends since they were young children. North's parents had taken a trip and never returned. Her grandparents, who raised her, have also passed. Kelly knew how much North felt abandoned ... would Kelly really have left North without saying anything?

Police refuse to believe this is anything other than a suicide, so North takes it upon herself to investigate. And what North finds is that maybe she didn't know Kelly as well as she thought. Kelly was keeping secrets....

*Determined to find the truth, she soon wishes that dead girls could lie, because the truth is too painful to believe... *

The book bounces back and forth from today to when the girls were growing up. They say opposites attract and they certainly did here. Kelly is the risk taker, always pushing North into doing things outside her comfort zone. There's no doubt the girls loved each other, but was there a touch of obsession there as well?

Even now, as North looks for something, anything that could have happened, her first thought is always ... what would Kelly have done? Throw in severe insomnia, night terrors, and hallucinations, North is a basket case. Why can't North grieve and try to get past Kelly's death?

This is a character driven book filled with every emotion one can imagine.

Many thanks to the author / Aria / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I received an ARC of this book from Aria at Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I didn't care for this this book . The plot wasn't too bad . Didn't care for all the flashbacks , kept going back and forth .. Wasn't enough mystery for me either . . Just not enough depth .

North, 32, just lost her best friend, Kelly. Everyone keeps telling her it was a suicide but she cannot believe that and want to get to the bottom of it, at all cost.

From the synopsis alone, I thought I would love it. I was greatly disappointed. The writing style was simple and easy to follow. My problem was the characters, which were very very very annoying.
North was supposed to be smart, I found her aggravating in so many ways, especially when she kept talking about Kelly as if she was a perfect, flawless snowflake, the queen of the universe who everybody loved. She says it constantly and it drove me mad.
See, the story includes North’s flashbacks where she thinks back to her life with Kelly. I hated Kelly. I wanted to slap the shit out of her. She was selfish, pushy, judgemental and so much more.
The flashbacks were also super boring, but honestly, I found the entire story to be pretty boring. I had a LOT of trouble concentrating...
All in all, it wasn’t for me, but I’m betting many people would really like it.

Thanks Publisher, Netgalley and the Author. I quite enjoyed this book although would not set the world alight it was an ok read.