I really enjoyed most parts of this book, but did some feel dry. I wasn’t super interested in the extreme detail of the wines, but I realized afterwards most of it was important to the story. The ending had me in the edge of my seat and had several jaw dropping moments.

Thank You Netgalley Sourcebooks Landmark and Benjamin Stevenson for the chance to review this book

Thank You to #Paromjit whose review of She Lies in the Vines made me seek out this author and after checking the blurb of both books I understand they are the same with different titles. Aussie crime fiction is definitely on a high these days and Trust Me When I Lie is a well written crime thriller with the focus of the story on the ever increasing interest of the real crime podcasts and the effects of such broadcasts in the minds of people.

Jack Quick is the producer with the guilty conscience. Fighting bulimia everyday of his life and living with the effect of seeing his vegetative brother, his choices and decisions are not easy. Having the accused Curtis released from prison and facing the inevitable question of, if it was the right thing to do has destroyed his peace and he sets about finding the truth of the actual events that takes place on the night of the murder.

The small town claustrophobia is conveyed brilliantly but the writing didn't flow smoothly for me at some places. But this author is someone to watch out for as the slow burning reveal of each and every twist was outstanding.

TV and docudrama producer Jack is an expert at casting those he meets and knows into their appropriate roles, even if it means reframing actual events. During his time making a "true time" series for TV, he has type-cast some of the real life players (bumbling cop, for instance) by carefully cutting and editing reality. However, when Curtis, the until now assumed guilty murderer of a young woman named Eliza, is released from prison, Jack has to re-examine all the evidence. Haunted by both his personal history and his moral obligation in making sure the right person is behind bars, Jack goes on a mission to find Eliza's killer. Putting himself at great personal risk, the reader gets a realistic view into Jack's obsession with the crime (and not just for the sake of being able to give a good finale show for his series).
As other reviewers have mentioned, there is a lull in the middle of the book that drags. I found myself spacing out around this part as the exposition went a tad overboard (how many personal crises does one character need?) and it didn't always lend well to the overall storyline. However, the final reveal is well worth it in the end. At one point, I thought I had it all figured out, only to find that I was pretty off, especially when it came to the details. The author does a great job of filling the book with red herrings while still writing an ending that made sense. Although I wasn't gasping in shock, it was a pleasant read and one I'd recommend if someone was looking for an easily engaging book. 3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance review copy. This did not influence my review.

This book kept me up reading late into the night. I found that I just couldn't put it down. The premise was quite interesting. A different plot then the normal murder mysteries. I would recommend this to someone looking for a mystery/thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I thought that this was a great debut novel-it was original, interesting and suspenseful.
I look forward to reading the author’s next novel.

This was a great debut novel and a satisfying thriller. I loved the seminaries to Making a Murder and particularly the exploration of true crime as entertainment. Stevenson did a great job weaving together the different plots and characters, keeping you guessing throughout the novel. I look forward to reading his next book!

Thanks to #Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.

I very good thriller, in my opinion. I loved the fact that there was a certain character development throughout the book, which is a very nice concept when met in thrillers. The book has great potential and I would love to see it as a series also! Nice read indeed.

Thank you for the Digital Advance Read Copy from #NetGalley.

I'm a huge fan of suspense novels. This was was a good one. I liked the fact that this book talks about the revisiting of a murder from a few years back, that was the subject of a show. It almost reminds me of the situation of Netflix's Making a Murderer. (I think that was the name, I'm still reeling from Abucted in Plain Sight)

This was a great debut novel filled with enjoyable characters. All I can say is pay attention to everything Stevenson writes. Nothing is random in this book!

I liked the concept of the story and hoped I'd enjoy the journey.

Sadly, it wasn't meant to be.

It didn't hold my attention. I often found my mind wandering...to the point I'd have to reread a paragraph or page several times.

The middle section is especially tough and the ending doesn't make up for it.

I'm always pleased when a debut novel amazes me. I was a little complacent going in as I read so many murder mysteries and this one started out slowly...a dead girl's body found, an investigative reporter's podcast attempting to exonerate the killer in prison, a small town excluding newcomers...not something entirely new to crime fiction. But wait! At some point early on Stevenson gripped me by the throat and thrashed me around like a rag doll (fortunately only figuratively) with the many layers that are slowly revealed through Jack Quick's lovable, yet flawed character! A second murder and Quick's personal involvement and duplicity complicate the case. Is it a copycat murder or has the man who has been released from prison just very good at covering his tracks? Don't even think you will figure this out! Stevenson is a brilliant writer who will wow you with dialogue and plot techniques that will have you believing are just conversations and random events, when in actuality they hold all they keys to this intricate and bizarre mystery. I was seriously blown away by this multi-faceted and incredible storyline. Stevenson speaks to themes of childhood trauma, secrets, shame, regrets, revenge, community, and redemption. And I dare you to get to the end and not gasp in...well, just buy it and see! I'm still reeling from this amazing debut! Out in August (don't wait until then)!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy. I enjoyed this story alot, it seems relevant to the world we live in today. Producer Jack Quick made a docudrama about a man, ( possibly innocent) in prison when its clear he was railroaded in. Shoddy police work and clear cut prejudices make for great T.V. Although actually truth was not the goal. Having succeeded in getting the convict out or jail Jack decides he now wants to know the truth of what happened. He begins to realize how his shading and shaping the story hurt many people and possible freed a murderer.
Great story, The cuts from present to past are a bit hard to follow but as this is an advanced copy it might get cleared up. The story only gets better as it goes along, dribbling out facts and information as it progresses.

Producer Jack Quick knows how to frame a story -- it's his job. Jack starts a true crime podcast about Curtis Wade, a man convicted of a young woman's murder, which garners so much attention that Jack lands a docuseries that captivates all of Australia. Through Jack's strategic tailoring of interviews, the world sees the flimsy evidence and police bias that influenced the final verdict -- and lo and behold Curtis Wade is granted a retrial and walks free. But is Curtis really innocent or was it all part of Jack's master editing skills? After he walks, Jack questions himself. Did he get a guilty man out of prison?

Shortly after Curtis is released, another victim winds up dead. Was it Curtis or a copycat? Is the real killer still out there? To set things right, Jack goes back to the sleepy vineyard town where it all began, bent on discovering what really happened.

I am an avid reader of murder mystery/true crime thrillers, but Trust Me When I Lie had the most unique premise. Benjamin Stevenson did a fantastic job developing his characters, especially Jack, who has been telling his version of events for his entire life. But a television show and reality are two very different things, especially when lives hang in the balance. There were some excellent plot twists -- things that were plausible but unexpected -- that kept me hooked until the very last page.

I thought this book was written very well, the plot was fast and smooth. This story kept me guessing but the way it ended was not my favorite. I will definitely give the authors book another chance though because the characters were great. thank you NetGalley.

Producer Jack Quick knows how to frame a story. So says Curtis Wade, the subject of Jack’s new true crime docuseries, convicted of a young woman’s murder four years prior. In the eyes of Jack’s viewers, flimsy evidence and police bias influenced the final verdict…even though, off screen, Jack himself has his doubts.
But when the series finale is wildly successful, a retrial sees Curtis walk free. And then another victim turns up dead.

To set things right, Jack goes back to the sleepy vineyard town where it all began, bent on discovering what really happened. Because behind the many stories he tells, the truth is Jack’s last chance. He may have sprung a killer from jail, but he’s also the one that can send him back.

This was an interesting, intense, original story. I really liked it and could actually see it becoming a TV series or a movie.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of Trust Me When I Lie by Benjamin Stevenson
Pub Date: 13 Aug 2019

This was a decent read. the characters were OK and the plot moved along swiftly, it just didn't have that wow factor for me. If you are looking for a fast read then this book is for you.

Rich, well-developed characters and a really creepy plot line. I love true crime podcasts and if you do too, you'll love this book. It gives the behind the scenes glimpse of what happens when you shape a story for entertainment and the unintended consequences (which can lead to murder). Excellent writing and while the plot was far-fetched, I completely believed it every moment I was reading it. I look forward to reading more by Stevenson.

What an amazing thriller! I loved the character development and stayed up way past my bedtime to find out what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this author.

What price would you pay for fame? That’s the question produce Jack Quick has to ask himself when he creates a docuseries about a convicted killer. Curtis Wade was convicted of killing Eliza Dacey, but Jack creates a TV series that casts doubt on the verdict. The series is a smash hit and even gets Wade a new trial, where he ends up walking free. Jack was never quite sure that Wade really was innocent, but it’s hard to argue with success. Then, shortly after Wade is freed another person is murdered. Now haunted by his own demons, Jack returns to the little town where the story began to learn whether his actions let a killer walk free. In the world of mystery/thrillers, there aren’t a lot of fresh ideas or unusual plot lines, but Stevenson has captured one with this book and it’s a true nail biter

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This book was far too dudely for a book about violence against women in my opinion now