I had such high hopes for this novel...I mean, characters trying to take down Big Pharma? Yes, please! Unfortunately, it just never quite reached the point of cohesiveness I need to feel truly excited about a story.

The First to Lie had so many things I love...an interesting plot, intrigue, endless mystery and suspense, and twists galore. What it didn't have was believable characters...or believability, in general.

Characters impersonating other characters; and characters who were hired to spy, spying on characters who were spying for their own reasons, made up a huge portion of the story. Confusing, right? Oh, and I figured out one of the earlier twists within the first two chapters. Further, I'm sorry, but dressing up like a doctor (no spoilers) to spy on an organization might work in a hospital, where it's easy to blend in...but it would NEVER fly in a doctor's office, where the staff is small and typically closely knit.

The novel felt clunky in the way it was structured, which made for a somewhat confusing read. It also suffered from that unfortunate syndrome of having one too many twists. Another thing that annoyed me? Characters changing their appearances so they wouldn't be recognized. I can't say much more than that for fear of spoilers, but a wig is not going to make your skeletal structure, or features, appear any different.

I read another review for this book which described it as "breathlessly energetic." I'd say that's true. Probably not in the way the reviewer intended though. This isn't the delightful, endorphin-filled breathlessness one might get after a particularly productive roll in the hay...this was more like the, "I think I'm having a heart attack, call 911," kind. In other words, not delightful at all.

The story used multiple narrators, both in the past and present, but was primarily told from journalist, Ellie's perspective. It focuses on themes like corruption/lack of ethics in big business, journalistic integrity, and revenge.

Overall, it all fell a little flat for me. I do think it's worth reading, and I'd probably even read other selections from Hank Phillippi Ryan's extensive library, but this one, unfortunately, missed the mark.

Available for purchase August 4, 2020.

**My sincere, heartfelt appreciate to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for my review copy.

What would you do if you lost everything you cared about? And you knew exactly who was responsible? And what was responsible? And why? How far would you go for revenge? And would you be alone?

I know to expect heart-stopping suspense from Hank Phillippi Ryan. I was excited to receive an ARC of this thriller and it is most definitely a 5 star read! Here’s the thing: I can’t write a descriptive review without spoilers. Ryan has packaged this story in a convoluted mystery that you’ll just have to figure out for yourself. And you will love every exciting minute of it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Hank Phillippi for this ARC.

A smorgasbord of subterfuge throughout. You don’t know who is telling the truth, nor do you know what they are hiding. It is what made this psychological thriller dramatically consuming as the narrative propelled me towards the frenetic ending that I could not put down until all was said and done. What took this riveting and grippingly intoxicating thriller to a higher level is how cleverly the author led us on a chase and once the truth was revealed, I relished it in all its worthiness.

WOW!! This book will leave your head spinning. The twists, suspense, surprise in this book and the characters?! Some of them will blow your mind. The lies and the deception will leave you questioning right and wrong for sure. It is definitely a riveting book, kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages.

This is a must read for suspense fans. Families who control with power. Secrets in the past and present. How far would you go and what lies would you tell to take down a corrupt company. Wash page will have you asking who is who and who was the first to lie.

I really enjoyed this twisty turny book of suspense. An action packed book centered on infertility. The suspense is definitely here. I absolutely love this Author and she knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy for a fair an honest review.
THE FIRST TO LIE is my first Hank Phillippi Ryan novel and I enjoyed it a lot. It had my attention right away and kept it the whole time, the ending was a bit unbelievable but that's ok I enjoyed the journey. A little obvious in parts but I didn't mind. Will definitely read more from Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Ryan did it again! This was a action packed book that keeps you guessing. We have multiple POV. It also go from past to present. I loved the action and suspense. Its a given if Hank Phillippi Ryan writes a book then I am reading it!

Let me first say that I have read and enjoyed almost every book that Ms. Ryan has written, but I could not recommend this one. I tried over and over again to start and make sense of the story, but the characters are not who you think they are as they are using other names and have a very convoluted reason for doing so. The women are trying to take down a pharmaceutical company who developed a drug to help women become pregnant, but it has the opposite effect. There was so much confusion that even at the very end I still wasn’t sure who was who. I give it 2 stars as this is not a story that I look forward to from Ms. Ryan. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Wow, just wow! Another twisty and fun suspense from Hank Phillippi Ryan, that I raced through on my first vacation day. A book in which no-one is who they seem or claim to be, and every twisty turn is delicious to read.

The book has a strong sense of place – almost mesmerizing. I read this hanging in a hammock overlooking the ocean and felt transported into her scene-making. Hank's language and descriptions are so strong that Boston almost becomes a character.

Such a fun read, where no-one is who they seem at first to be. If you’re a lover of domestic thrillers you can’t go wrong with this one.

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave. When first we practise to deceive!" -Sir Walter Scott-

Aliases, conflicting stories and grand deception - this book has it all. There's Ellie, the eager investigative reporter who steps up her game as she assumes a position at a new Boston news agency. She's certain that digging into a Big Pharma company's secrets will be the big break she needs to make a name for herself. Then there's Nora who goes undercover at that same pharmaceutical firm to break this same news story, to reveal the company for its charlatan practices and bring the company down. Don't forget Meg, who may be even more eager than Ellie to break that earth shattering news story. Although much to Meg's frustration, she's been assigned as Ellie's assistant and steps over the line on way too many occasions. There's also that really cute lawyer who wants to help Ellie get the goods on this family held company. "So what's his motive?", Ellie wonders. Alternating chapters are presented with various characters' narratives across two time periods - current day and before "the accident".

Author Hank Philippi Ryan does a spectacular job of keeping the reader just a touch off balance as characters and their motivations are introduced. Her writing style flows smoothly as she deftly interweaves the various narratives. The tension is well maintained throughout the course of the book with heightened increase at the penultimate moment. It's a twisty tale where the differing narratives all come together in a spectacular climax. I just could not put this book down.

Trigger warning: Infertility stress and depression therefrom play strong roles.

I am grateful to author Hank Phillipi Ryan and her publisher MacMillan Publishing Group, LLC for having provided a free uncorrected digital galley through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Amazing author Hank Phillipi Ryan‘s new book is The First to Lie and you will want to read it!

SUCH A GREAT BOOK! She is a fantastic author.

If you are into the themes of deceit, revenge, justice, ethics, and into pharmaceutical companies, secrets, and lies combined with twists and turns, then this is the book for you. Honestly, go into this not knowing much so it can surprise you and you can be fully engaged.

Here’s a little synopsis:

After a devastating betrayal, a young woman sets off on an obsessive path to justice, no matter what dark family secrets are revealed. What she doesn’t know—she isn’t the only one plotting her revenge.

Everything about this story was perfect. I love a book that takes hold of me and refuses to let go.

This comes out on August 4 and you can pre-order it here!

The story centers on an investigation into the operations of Pharminex, a company promoting miracle drug Monifan, to help women get pregnant. Point of view alternates between Nora Quinn and Ellie Berensen. The former is investigative reporter Ellie's undercover identity as a pharmaceutical salesperson.

Ellie seeks evidence that Monifan can cause women to be unable to ever have children, and justice for the women harmed. After multiple murders, all is eventually revealed and justice served. The First to Lie is another absorbing puzzler from Hank Phillippi Ryan.

This is a thrilling read from beginning to end, and just as soon as you think you have things figured out, the author sideswipes you from the left, knocking you for a six! Entertaining, gripping and thrilling until the very end.

I tried. I really tried to love this book, but I just couldn’t do it. The plot just wasn’t interesting and the characters ... there just wasn’t much there to love either. I really enjoyed The Murder List, but this book was nothing like that in my opinion. I won’t be posting my review on Amazon or Goodreads, but since I was given the opportunity to read this one, I thought I would be honest with NetGalley. I feel bad writing this, cause I really love the author, but I just didn’t love it,

The First to Lie is the story of a family torn apart by lies, manipulation, and self-centeredness. The characters are fully fleshed, three-dimensional, and relatable. There is plenty of action, suspense, twists and turns, and drama.

Because I read The Murder List I was a bit disappointed in The First to Lie. I started out rather confused with the chapters constantly swapping back and forth between characters without any explanation of how they related to each other and then the past was brought in to play and it became more confusing. However, it didn't take too long for me to gather what was going on, and instead of the ending completely taking me by surprise (as The Murder List did) I had figured it out for the most part. It was still very enjoyable and there were parts that I didn't figure out, so I would recommend it.

Big Pharma has always been scary but in this story it is evil and women who hope to have children are doomed when a miracle drug closes the door on their hopes! Interesting characters with numerous identities will keep you guessing until the end. Another winner for Ryan!!

Ok my head is spinning so many lies can anyone figure them all out? A pharmaceutical company is hiding side effects and the results are completely horrific and heartbreaking. Told in multiple points of views, a daughter of a wealthy and elite family who is betrayed by her own family, a widow whose betrayed in the same way, and a reporter determined to take down a pharmaceutical company that keeps pushing a drug that should never be taken by anyone. What do they all have in common? The story is told in past and present and each character has a secret their keeping, the lies are thrown around about their past and even their own identity. It’s hard to decipher whose lying and who they really are, but each one has the same motive they want to take down a billion dollar pharmaceutical company and reveal the secrets and pure evil the company is trying to cover up. I truly enjoyed this book once I could keep the characters apart, what this company kept hidden made me so angry at times, the story flowed and when the secret identities and lies came to surface my jaw dropped. I give this four stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and Hank Phillippi Ryan for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, where to start. I’ve always enjoyed Ryan’s books and this is no exception. However, keeping all the characters straight is somewhat difficult at times. Because, really, who is who? The storyline about big pharma is realistic along with the use of drugs for other than the intended purpose with possible detrimental side effects.

The story is fast-paced with lots of twists and turns. I finally realized that I needed to pay attention to the chapter titles to figure out the time frame and the point of view of that particular chapter.

There were parts that were somewhat implausible and I was asking myself why that character acted in a certain way. But, then, telling lies, does result in some weird behaviors.

There are so many lies by so many characters. Is anyone telling the truth? Is anyone who they say they are? The enjoyment comes from devouring the book to find out how all the twists and turns will be resolved.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of The First to Lie, I had been really excited to read this novel, but to be honest I just could not engage with the characters or the story line
Two main characters are developed at the beginning, then more characters are added, I just got so confused.
The basis of the story is a big bad pharmaceutical company that is prescribing a drug to help women get pregnant when in fact it does the opposite
The story took so many twists and character changes that I could just not keep track who was who anymore