The good lie had me captivated from page one. The intricate detail in every page leaves you begging for more and completely consumed with the story line, and characters. A violent impulse shrink & high profile lawyer are a perfect match. The wit and banter between the two intertwine for the perfect story. The secretive teen, with clear untruths leave you turning page after page to find clues hidden for the whole truth. The entire novel is like two mysteries rolled into one final chilling twist that you won't see coming. A.R TORRE pulled together a wonderfully written story that keeps you longing for answers the entire way through, you should have seen it all coming but you are so wrapped up in the hope and story that you don't until it is literally right there. Fantastic .

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

I loved this one. Very fast paced, had me turning pages as I tore through it – I had to see how it would end. The characters were well rounded and the narrative felt believable. Gave me chills. Solid five

The Good Lie is suspenseful and spine-chilling, and a perfect epitome of what a mystery-thriller ought to be. It keeps the reader at the edge of their seat, giving little away from the brilliant mystery that builds up piece by piece, and unveils it in the end, through an intelligent plot and writing by A.R. Torre.

For me, as a reader, a perfect mystery-thriller must have the following aspects: early foreshadowing that doesn’t give away any secrets, unpredictability, complexity of the ‘main plot mystery’ and a unique way to deliver the climax. This thriller fulfilled all those requirements, along with having complex and morally grey main characters who are still easy to vouch for and a perfect length, which means that it will be easy for readers to finish it in one sitting.

Synopsis:
Dr. Gwen Moore, a psychiatrist and an expert on killers, is hired by defence attorney Robert Kavin to draw the profile of the Bloody Hearts Killer, a notorious murderer of six teens in the state of California. However, he is representing the suspect and the alleged killer of his own son, also a victim of the Bloody Hearts Killer, who he claims is innocent. But, for Gwen, the lies have only just begun, and there is a deep sea of secrets to uncover.

Characters:
Gwen’s career as a psychiatrist and the stresses and risks that come along with it are explored. Her relationship with Robert has a catch, and both of them are visibly distrustful of each other. More individual character-depth could have helped the story, but it all worked out at the end.

Plot:
Again, the author has intelligently constructed the plot of the story. The foreshadowing is perfect. The sub-plots, such as Gwen and Robert’s relationship, Gwen’s struggles with her own clients and Robert’s grief, are sufficiently explored. A wider plot range could have helped the story a bit more.

Final thoughts:
It is mysterious, steamy, unpredictable and enjoyable. There is almost nothing more one can ask for in a book.

Thanks Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

I immediately related to this book as I am therapist named Gwen, just like the main character in the book. However, I do not specialize in people with personality disorders and violent tendencies. And for good reason apparently based on this story...yikes...it was a wild psychological thriller, perfectly paced, and just a lot of fun! I thought it was even better than Every Last Secret...looking forward to more of this author’s books!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was amazing! Gwen was such an incredible character who felt so real and flawed. I had no issues rooting for her. None of the characters in this were one dimensional - every single one of them jumped off the page and I could see as real people, making realistic choices. The mystery was excellent! This was the first book I've read in a while where I didn't see the end coming. I can usually predict it within the first 100 pages, but I was surprised with this one. Gripping, suspenseful, REAL. I loved The Good Lie. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it!!

Six teens murdered. A suspect behind bars. A desperate father. In a case this shadowy, the truth is easy to hide.
This was such a wild ride! I love A.R. Torre books! The writing is amazing! The characters are great to follow along with! This was a good story.

I cannot tell you how excited I was when I received an ARC for A.R. (Alessandra) Torre’s latest thriller. I became a HUGE fan of her writing in 2020, having read 5 of her books. She’s still got it in 2021!

Gwen Moore is a psychiatrist who specializes in treating those with violent fantasies, some of which come to fruition. While dealing with a particularly stressful situation regarding a client, the state of California is unrest due to a serial killer. The Bloody Heart Killer targets male teenagers, tortures them, and leaves them for dead in a very gruesome fashion.

The latest victim is able to escape, and identifies the killer as Randall Thompson, a teacher at his high school. With Randall in prison, all should be good...except Defense attorney Robert Kavin doesn’t believe Randall is guilty. Robert decides to represent him pro bono, but what makes things more complex is that Robert’s son, Gabe, was a victim of the Bloody Heart Killer.

Robert hires Gwen to create a profile of the killer, in the hopes that it will help clear Randall’s name...but it soon becomes apparent that more than one person is keeping dangerous secrets.

I was hooked onto this one from the get-go. It’s compelling and riveting, with fully fleshed-out characters who have intriguing secrets. I’ve said this before, but Torre has got to be one of the most versatile authors I’ve ever read. Her books range from steamy erotic thrillers (The Deanna Madden series...which I need more of!!),heartbreaking dramas (The Ghostwriter), juicy and devious thrillers (Every Last Secret), to this one...which is more of a straight up thriller (with a dollop of steam).

Despite my attempts to predict the ending, I was left bamboozled! I definitely didn’t see THAT coming. Everything, including the multiple POVs, comes together successfully. I was left feeling satisfied and thrilled, with the exception of a few minor aspects in the conclusion that seemed a little too far fetched to me.

4.5 stars.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on 7/20/21.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

The Good Lie is 95% suspense and 5% romance. That's exactly how I like my books!

This story is told from multiple points of view and that only evaluates the suspense.

Gwen, the physchiatrist, gets caught in the middle of it all. Her patients are known for having thoughts of killing and its her job to help them. One mistake on her part, changes everything for her and everyone.

Robert, a defense attorney whose son was a victim of the BH Killer needs Gwen's expertise when The BH Killer is finally caught. But are his intentions pure?

Scott, a teenage survivor who escaped the killer and is secluding himself from his family and friends has a story to tell but what is the truth?

This book had me questioning every single thing! There are so many twists! Who do you trust? Why did this happen? I can honestly say that I didnt know where this book was going. I did not seeing it playing out the way it did but while I was reading it, I was chanting "Holy Shit!!! Holy Shit!!! No freaking way!!" Epic ending to an awesome book!!!

As I said in the beginning, we get a little romance and sexy times but did it last?! Was it real?! Was there a hidden meaning?! What is fate?! Im telling you....questions upon questions will be swimming through your mind as you read this book.

Get it!! I highly recommend it and I am already telling my friends its a must read!

Wow what a read! I completed this book with 3 days. From the first page I was hooked. Gwen is a Psychiatrist specialising in clients who have violent thoughts. There is a killer who is taking young men around the age of 17, one of his captures Scott escapes and we see him get home and his family are, of course, relieved. One of Gwen's clients has died in what appears to be a murder/suicide and thrusts Gwen to question her actions as a psychiatrist - could she have done more to save her client and his wife. Gwen meets Robert Kavin and there is an intense attraction between the two of them. He is also a father of one of the BH Killer's victims. I do not want to give too much away but I thoroughly enjoyed this book to the point of saying A.R. Torre could be my new favourite author and I can not wait to read other books by this writer. The story was easy to read, not complicated and kept me gripped throughout.

Thanks for letting me have a copy of this book for an honest review.

really enjoy A.R. Torre’s novels, and The Good Lie is a fast paced murder/mystery that kept me guessing. A quick and exciting read that did not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

In THE GOOD LIE, A.R. Torre gives us a great mystery, slickly written, with a wonderful female protagonist. Gwen Moore is a therapist who specializes in people who have violent desires. When she suspects that one of her patients has failed to curb his appetites and kills his wife before killing himself, she feels responsible. How could she not have realized how close to the edge he was. Therefore when defense attorney Robert Kavin asks her to compile a profile of the serial killer who killed his son, she seeks to redeem herself. But there is so much more Gwen missed, and so much more she is going to discover... This definitely one that will keep you up late and the ending is truly stunning.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this advanced copy.

I started this and finished in the same day. Could not put it down. I devour all of A.R. Torres books and this was no exception.

There are many different story lines going on at one time. Characters that are unreliable. I spent so much of this trying to figure out who did what. Once everything merges and starts to come together it is pretty mind blowing.

I think I need to read this again and see if I missed anything.

I highly recommend!!

Loved this book!

I was drawn into the story right from the start. I loved the characters, and was engrossed in their world. The writing was excellent - I felt like I was watching a movie in my head, not reading a book.

The main character is successful, and intelligent and strong.. and flawed, which I love. She makes mistakes like all of us. The lawyer who hires her gives me all the feels. There is something wonderful about him, but something mysterious. Then we add in a serial killer, and a young boy who escapes the killer. He also had something he is hiding.

For anyone who has read my reviews, bonus points go to stories told from multiple points of view. Especially when the author gives each of them a different voice, which she does.

I am not sure how it would go, but I really would love to see the story continue for these characters. I want more.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and to #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

Gwen is a psychiatrist who specializes in dealing with people who struggle with more unseemly desires, specifically, the kind of desire that makes you daydream about killing one (or more) of your loved ones. When she meets Robert, the lawyer who is defending the local serial killer and he wants to use her as an expert witness, Gwen gets access to all of the files, with all of the bloody details (literally) left behind from the Bloody Heart Killer, and she gets to work on “profiling” the killer. When the killer not only doesn’t match the defendant, but raises some extremely concerning questions instead, Gwen starts to wonder how this person is able to pull all of these murders off…as well as what is he planning next? This was a super-fast-paced book with some great character descriptions. I’ve read other books by this author---some I liked and some that were just okay. I’m happy to say, this one definitely falls into the pile of ones I liked!

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The verdict is in - this is a dangerously riveting story.

I honestly was not expecting this to be so good. I haven't read anything by AT before, but I know she was predominately a romance author, so I was intrigued to see how she would handle mystery/crime. And she does it well - it's a good look for her.

This story is also my exact cup of tea. I would kill for a good crime fiction story, especially ones that deal with serial killers, so this ticked all the boxes for me. The characters are complex, all woven together in covert ways, within good pacing and information unfolding at perfect moments.

I rarely give 5 stars to mystery/thrillers because it takes so much to impress me with the genre, but it honestly doesn't get any better than this book.

First, let me start by saying that I loved Every Last Secret so being approved for an ARC of The Good Lie was a dream come true for me. At first I wasn't sure how all the "little stories" would be tied up but by 3/4 of the book I thought 🤔 I had figured it out but... I was wrong! I love books like this, totally captivating and full of characters you can relate to. Highly recommend reading this gem!! 💎💎💎💎

Dr. Gwen Moore is a psychiatrist studies the worst of humanity, those who kill without conscience or remorse. She’s convinced that local high school teacher Randall Thompson is the man the press has dubbed the Bloody Heart Killer. He was caught after one of his potential victims, a teenager, escaped and identified him. But defense attorney Robert Kavin, a man who lost his son to the BH killer, doesn’t believe Thompson is the murderer and sets out to defend him. He wants Gwen to take a closer look at the accused man, to probe that he’s innocent. Gwen and Robert soon develop a close friendship, but Gwen is certain that Robert is holding something back, something that could prove very, very dangerous. An exciting, fast paced read

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Good Lie.

As a fan of the author's The Girl in 6E series, I was excited when my request was approved.

The Good Lie possesses all the trademarks of a typical A.R. Torre novel; a smart and beautiful female protagonist, a twisty narrative and a twist you think you saw ahead of time but you're proven wrong.

I was proven wrong, and I love it when that happens since it rarely does.

I did make one correct guess but everything else was a great surprise.

The Good Lie has it all; a serial killer, numerous suspects, interesting psychoanalytical theories and sexual tension.

There are the standard cliches you find in thrillers like this; Gwen is a beauty and Robert is a hottie McHottie and both of them have incredible chemistry; what a coincidence that he's a high powered defense attorney and she's a psychiatrist....I mean, this could only happen in a book, right?

It's easy to become invested in the story. You sympathize with Robert, who is a grieving father, you're suspicious of the man in custody and what his transgressions are and you wonder if Gwen has profiled the killer accurately and if she could be in danger, considering her clients.

The writing flows, and all the character arcs come together in a satisfying way.

I finished this in two days because I wanted to get to the end and see how it all turned out!

I can't wait for the next book!

I’m game when Alessandra Torre decides to turn dark side, bringing out A. R. Torre identity to blow my mind with twisty, brain cell destroyer, nail chopper, heart pounder stories! Bring it out girl! I love to devour them at one sit!

I’m still missing her Deanne Madden character from Girl in 6E! I’m crossing my fingers and wishing she can decide to write a new book of hers in near future!

And let’s talk about this book: the story starts with a young 17 years old Scott Harden’s escape from his captivity. He reaches to his home, injured, but he was the first boy who got away from BH Killer who has already kidnapped, tortured, killed brutally six young boys! Scott tells the authorities the killer is Randall Thompson, a high school science teacher.

And the interesting fact: one of the victim’s father, defense attorney Robert Kavin accepts to take Randall’s case because he thinks the guy is innocent.

The same Robert Kavin who has one steamy stand with our heroine Gwen Moore, an aspiring, successful, smart psychiatrist specialized on patients who have extremely violent tendencies.

And now Robert wants to work with her professionally to create a profile for BH killer case.

Gwen was so intrigued because as a clever puzzler she wants to learn more about the dysfunctional working of criminal minds. But she realizes both Randall and Robert keep secrets from her and Scott’s mother Nita stalks her son’s each move, getting worried about incompetencies about his testimony. Could he lie about the identity of his kidnapper? What is it he’s not sharing with his family?

It seems like the story looks complex: there are too many backstories including the investigation of Gwen’s patient John Abbott and his wife’s Brooke’s death!

But don’t worry, all those storylines complete the whole picture with a smart signature of dark Torre style!

I was always ready to expect unexpected when I read her books and the final twist was good not breathtakingly I didn’t see it coming good but it was still satisfying and the semi open end made me think we will see Gwen and Robert again near future because of their unfinished business!

Overall: the psychoanalysis parts of the book was interesting and detailed which picked my interest! I guessed one of the twists but I didn’t foresee the biggest one!

The pacing was remarkably keeping you focused and excited. I love the dark sense of humor of the author.

There are still some hmmm okay it was way too much coincidental facts about the entire revelation which made me cut some points but I still enjoy my wild ride and I love both white side of Alessandra who writes pant melting, emotional, smart romances and dark side of A. R. Torre who tricks us with her manipulative thrilling skills.

I’m giving 3.5 stars to 4 puzzling, tempting, exciting, sexy, smart, mind games stars!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Thomas&Mercer for sharing this intriguing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I'm such a wimp, but I can't resist a really good crime novel. So I jumped at the chance to receive an ARC of The Good Lie. The description intrigued me.

Within minutes of starting, I was gripped. I was also slightly confused, as immediately it becomes clear that there are several threads that are woven together here, and it was hard to figure out who was who and how everything connected. If, like me, you struggle at first, please persevere. It's absolutely worth it and everything will become clear. The novel does switch between the first and third person, which may be confusing for some readers, but once I was used to it I found it didn't bother me at all.

The characters fascinated me from the start. A psychiatrist who seems to be keeping a secret. A boy, who seems to have escaped from a killer. A man, who has possibly murdered his wife. A lawyer, who may or may not be keeping secrets of his own. And I had no idea how these things would connect but I had the awful, sinking feeling that it would all come crashing down. I love crime novels like this. Where you have the dreadful sense that all is not as it seems but you can't quite place where the missing pieces should go.

I thought when I was about a quarter of the way through that I'd guessed who the killer was, but there were still a few pieces that didn't fit together. For good reason. Then by the half-way point I'd decided I was wrong, but I still couldn't quite figure out how all of these people were connected. This is what makes this book so brilliant. You know everyone and everything is connected, and you keep trying to make it all fit, but it doesn't. And so you keep reading because you have to know what you're missing. I had an awful sick feeling that I knew who the killer might be as I kept on reading, but there were still things that didn't make sense.

I really liked the dynamic between Gwen and her co-worker, Meredith. It's so awesome to see women in a book who actually like each other and who support one another in their careers. Because in life, I know loads of amazing and supportive women, but in literature normally we're set up to hate one another. So I was glad the author didn't use that trope at all.

The ending hit me. Suddenly all of the pieces fit together. I could understand how everyone connected, in ways I hadn't seen before. The clues were all there, as they are in any good book, and I'd found many of them. But more often than not, the way I'd put them together didn't quite work.

This was such a good book and I'm so glad that I read it.