I loved this book! Will provide a more thoughtful view after I read it a second time, but Lisa Lutz continues to prove that she's a stunning original who subverts your expectations at every turn and never takes things as seriously as her characters do. Or don't. They're so deadpan that it's sometimes hard to tell. Masterfully done.

Thanks to NetGalley and all for an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end! It sucked me in from the start and kept the ride going the whole way through. I loved how thoroughly developed the characters were without ever feeling slow in the plot. The change in timelines tells two (or three) different stories but also each storyline builds the current plotline.
There were a couple times in which the wording felt funny, the text would include multiple perspectives in one sentence, "she thought... but he thought..." This just felt a little awkward to me but it only happened a few times.
The chapters changed perspective but the character development was so well done that it was quickly obvious who's perspective you were reading from.
Just an all-around great read for me!

I went back and forth on picking this up for a while, and now that I've read it, I don't understand why. The story is utterly dysfunctional and bizarre, but totally gripping at the same time. I love the exploration of the various friend dynamics even more than I expected to. This was super well done, and ended up with a completely out of the blue resolution that worked perfectly for the story. This was my first Lisa Lutz novel, but I doubt it will be my last.

The Accomplice is about friendship. Oh, and death. People die around Luna and Owen. But is it really their fault? It is an interesting and flawed relationship that is far more important than any other relationship either of them ever have. What both Owen and Luna fail to notice is that there are others who have just as much to do with all of this than just them. Because of their focus on each other, they often miss what is right there. Luna and Owen are not, and should, never be a couple. Not that friends can’t be lovers. Just that these two should not be.

The Accomplice managed to avoid some of the pitfalls a book like this sometimes have. Luna and Owen are never romantic. There is no will-they/won’t-they. There is only friendship and loyalty. No one acts ridiculous with their spouse. My number one pet peeve is people who are wronged who are then apologetic for their anger. I hate it. Then the one who really did the bad thing acts superior. None of that here. Everyone knows what they have done. They just aren’t always sure what the other has done.

Well done. I did already get this ARC after I purchased the hard cover, but I’m still thankful for the opportunity to review here.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the copy of this book. It started out great, but the different timelines were confusing, and so many stories were introduced! They all came together at the end, but it made for a slow read. About halfway through, the book got really interesting, but by then I was pretty unengaged. I loved the relationship between Owen and Luna, but felt it got lost with everything else going on.

Owen Mann and Luna Grey are best friends. Their relationship is platonic, but people can't believe that, and why they are so close. When Owen's college "girlfriend" ends up dead, Owen is the natural suspect, but Luna defends him, swearing he couldn't have done it. However, Owen is ostracized and accused of the murder.
Years later, Owen's wife, and Luna's friend, Irene, ends up dead. Again, Owen is suspected. Luna is afraid, and knows that she has to reflect upon her life and secrets to find out why people around them continue to end up dead. Many things happen for Luna to doubt Owen. Will the bonds of friendship be strong enough to hold when so many things point to his guilt?
Secrets abound and history of past deeds play a big part in this thriller. Very well done!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are freely given.
#TheAccomplice #NetGalley

The Accomplice has some of my favorite things - multiple points of view, dual timelines, and some twists along the way. This cozy thriller (if that's even a thing) was unique and a neat glimpse of the relationship between Luna and Owen.

The Accomplice is a fast moving book that is a psychological thriller, but is really more than that. It fits into a number of genres. Luna and Owen are best friends who meet in college, and the timeline alternates between that (early 2000s) to 2019 when both are married to others but very much still in each other's lives. Everyone is keeping secrets from each other, and the reader doesn't learn everything until the end. The characters are really likable, even when you don't know if you should trust them. I basically suspected everyone in the book of the crimes at some point. I've enjoyed everything I've read by Lisa Lutz, and this did not disappoint. I love the title too, it was never explicitly mentioned in the book but I think fit perfectly.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I really liked this book. I think I finished it in just a few days. It's a pretty standard thriller, but it's well written, the characters are well developed and I enjoyed reading it.

Owen and Luna are the best of friends. Always have been, always will be. What drew them together and what holds them in place? This is the story of friendship, love...and murder. When Owen's wife is brutally murdered, long hidden secrets are stirred up that may be best left hidden.

This book was oddly...charming. I thought that Owen and Luna's relationship was fascinating and actually really enjoyed it. It's not like anything else I've read recently. 4 stars.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I liked that The Accomplice was more focused on friendship and relationships rather than just being a straight thriller. I liked hearing different motivation characters had to do certain things. I was intrigued to hear how everything came together and was surprised by it. I thought Luna's secret from her past was really interesting to explore as I don't often think about how the crimes of of family members can weight on someone.

Lisa Lutz's The Accomplice examines the bonds of shared history, what it costs to break them, and what happens when you start wondering how well you know the one person who truly knows you. This book is Lisa Lutz’s return to more classic suspense, like her novel The Passenger. This story starts in 2002, ends in 2019, with several stops in-between. Owen Mann is charming, privileged, and chronically dissatisfied. Luna Grey is secretive thanks to her childhood, cautious, and pragmatic.

Despite their differences, they begin forming a bond the moment they meet in college. Their names soon become indivisible--Owen and Luna, Luna and Owen--and stay that way even after an unexplained death rocks their social circle. If you've ever heard the term "trouble magnet" you could legitimately say that the term fits Owen and Luna perfect. The story begins at Markham University in Hudson Valley, New York where both Luna and Owen are attending college.

Per the description of the University, it is apparent that this is where troubled kids go for a second chance after not getting into Ivy League schools. Luna has a dark past that seems to haunt her. She also tends to have seizures. Luna and Owen, as well as their friends Mason and Casey, are heavily into pot and alcohol. As the author unravels who these characters are, you slowly come to realize that they could have both used major psychiatric help early in their formative years.

Luna had a really messed up childhood thanks to her own brother being a murderer, Owen's family is as dysfunction as they come, but at least has an older brother. When someone learns about Luna's past, it leads to the unfortunate death of a fellow student who was intimate with Owen. In 2019, it's Owen's wife who was friends with Luna who is shot and killed as she is out for a run. The more you try to avoid it, the more you realize that people die around these two, and someone should have intervened years ago to break them apart.

But Luna and Owen are drawn to danger and to each other not out of any romantic inclination, but a friendship that goes beyond what's considered normal. No, there's no kinkiness between the two. But their spouse are driven to be with each other, instead of working on their own marriages. Even the Detectives involved in catching Owen's wife's murder have questions as to how anyone could be friends with either of them.

One of the things that I thought was unnecessary, was the quick change of narrations that seem to happen at the blink of an eye. From Luna, and Owen, to Irene, and the cops who are investigating Irene's murder. Have you heard of the term "A ride or die friend?" It’s that person you can always count on through thick and thin – during breakups, sudden loss, and all of life’s struggles. Extreme loyalty to someone or something. . They’ve spent years keeping each other’s secrets, running interference if someone is bothering the other, lying if necessary - even to each other, if they think it will help, and generally having each other’s backs whatever the scenario.

Give me a megaphone and sound the alarm: Everyone must read this immediately. Don’t contemplate it. Just do it.

The Basics: Owen and Luna are BFFs and have been forever. They’ve been through a lot together, and they’re about to go through even more. Owen’s wife, Irene, is found murdered. The husband is always the first suspect, right? Sure. That’s true here as well.

But if you think that this is a simple story of murder and the police procedural that is sure to follow, you have another think coming.

Yes, Owen has secrets, but so does Irene, and Irene’s will blow your mind. Then again, Owen’s will, too. But what about Luna? Does she have secrets? People, you don’t even know! Wow!

Honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve read book with this many secrets, twists, and turns. I don’t even know which end is up right now. This book has given me vertigo!

This sucker is expertly plotted and paced, and the writing style is out of this world. Lutz doesn’t waste a word, but she still manages to say so much and to craft such real characters. You will believe in these people—well, believe *in* them as characters. Don’t believe them. Secrets!! Have I mentioned the secrets?!?! None of these people are trustworthy!

Seriously, I can’t recommend it enough. It was such a good time.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book for an honest review in exchange!
Synopsis: Owen Mann is charming, privileged, and chronically dissatisfied. Luna Grey is secretive, cautious, and pragmatic. Despite their differences, they form a bond the moment they meet in college. Their names soon become indivisible—Owen and Luna, Luna and Owen—and stay that way even after an unexplained death rocks their social circle.
They’re still best friends years later, when Luna finds Owen’s wife brutally murdered. The police investigation sheds light on some long-hidden secrets, but it can’t penetrate the wall of mystery that surrounds Owen. To get to the heart of what happened and why, Luna has to dig up the one secret she’s spent her whole life burying.
The Accomplice brilliantly examines the bonds of shared history, what it costs to break them, and what happens when you start wondering how well you know the one person who truly knows you.
I enjoyed the switching of timelines, the pacing, and it held my interest! A must read if you like suspense novels!
Lisa Lutz was a new author to me, and one I will look forward to reading her other books!

*Thank you to Random House Ballantine Books, Lisa Lutz, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/the-accomplice/

“I think we’re going to be friends,” Owen said.” “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Luna replied… that was the day it all began.” –The Accomplice, Lisa Lutz

Lisa Lutz’s The Accomplice is the story of a friendship between Luna and Owen. It is 2003 and Luna and Owen meet in the library for the first time. When Luna collapses on the floor and has a seizure, Owen calls an ambulance. We are first aware that she is hiding a big secret when she evades the ambulance and goes the opposite way. As their friendship strengthens, Owen realizes Luna has a lot of secrets and is always looking over her shoulder. When Owen’s ex-girlfriend is found dead, Luna stands by Owen, insisting he is innocent.

The Accomplice is not laid out like so many other mystery/thriller novels as there are two murders and two separate investigations. There are dual timelines; In 2003, we see Luna and Owen immediately bond with each other. In 2019, we see Luna and Owen both married to other people but living quite close to each other and still the best of friends. When another dead body surfaces, we learn it is Owen’s wife Irene who is the victim. We see both investigations unfold, as we learn what happens with Owen as the prime suspect in both deaths.

There are so many nuances to this book that it is hard to focus on one particular story line. While Owen and Luna are never drawn to each other as more than friends, they also seem to have unfulfilled relationships with others, also, such as Luna’s relationship with Griff, Owen’s brother. Once Luna’s secret reveals itself halfway through the book, we understand why she is the way she is; introverted and antisocial. His background can also explain Owen’s lackadaisical and non-committal attitude towards his life and his parents’ odd tendencies.

Another instance where The Accomplice is unusual from other mystery novels is in the execution; with dual timelines and dual point-of-views. The book moves quickly and doesn’t lag at all. All the characters are well-developed, even the extraneous ones such as their friends from college. Owen and Luna’s perspective voices shift back and forth quickly, so that you know who is thinking what as scenes play out.

This is not a “pulse-pounding thriller” as one reviewer put it. I thought it was well-paced and kept my interest but I kept expecting a major twist at the end and it just never came. I liked the ending and found it apropos but I was not blown away as I expected to be. While I was fine with it, other readers may have to adjust expectations.

The Accomplice is the story of Luna and Owen, two friends since they started college. They are resolutely friends, not lovers, and have always been. Both of them are married to other people but remain close confidantes. Their relationship is strained, though, when Owen’s wife is murdered. You see, this is not the first time a woman who loved Owen has died in suspicious circumstances. A young woman who was obsessed with Owen died while they were in college and Owen was the primary, the only, suspect. But there was no evidence and Luna was certain he was innocent. Owen wouldn’t kill anyone.

The story is told in alternating timelines, so you follow the development of their friendship in college, including their difficulties after Scarlet, the young woman obsessed with Owen died. The current story begins the day before Owen’s wife is murdered when she confides in Luna that Owen is cheating. The next day, Luna is supposed to meet up with her to jog and she finds her body. The police, during the investigation, discover Owen was a suspect in the past and the investigation quickly hones in on him. And now Luna is wondering, not just about his wife, but about the past.

I enjoyed The Accomplice, but then I have enjoyed every one of Lisa Lutz’ books. Lutz is a talented writer who knows how to tighten the tension nearly to the breaking point. She also understands how good we are at scaring ourselves. However, while technically complying with the “Rules of Detective Fiction“, I am not convinced this is a “fair” solution. I am also someone who really dislikes complications that could have been avoided with one honest conversation. So while the book was well-written, tense, and kept me reading past bedtime, I was disappointed in the resolution which felt in one case, unfair, and in the other, unnecessary. In other words, I liked everything but the ending

I received an e-galley of The Accomplice from the publisher through NetGalley.
The Accomplice at Ballantine Books | Penguin Random House
Lisa Lutz author site
The Swallows also by Lisa Lutz

Book Review: The Accomplice by Lisa Lutz

The Accomplice is an adult contemporary mystery novel about a pair of best friends and the secrets that surround them. When one of their spouses ends up murdered they will look back on seventeen years of shared history to figure out why.
Luna and Owen met in college and were instant friends. Luna was hiding from a dark secret in her childhood that could ruin her new life in college and Owen was instantly intrigued by her unapproachable demeanor. When Owen finds himself under the microscope for murder (not once but twice) their bond will be tested and the secrets that surround them and the people they love will come to light.
The Accomplice is well paced and has a lot of intriguing storylines without feeling over the top or bogged down. Luna and Owen are neither unlikable nor likable but feel like normal authentic characters who aren’t always perfect or make the best choices. There are bits of humor that balance out the story and keep it from being too dark or sad.
I recommend The Accomplice to readers that enjoy mysteries that also examine our complicated human relationships.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Accomplice by Lisa Lutz.

I like Lisa Lutz, she has a fun take on relationships, and adds just the right amount of quirky spark in her writing.

One fateful day in college Owen met Luna, and that was that. They were destined to be lifelong friends, but never lovers. And even though the two remained friends throughout their own romances and marriages, one thing keeps happening between them, people keep dying. What is it about their friendship and past that is so deadly to the people around them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I loved the long game to get to the end. I loved the intricate history and split timeline. I loved how complex and even unlikable the characters could be at times. This was enjoyable from beginning to end.

Thrilling edge of your seat mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Best friends with dark secrets. This novel was captivating, riveting, spine tingling goodness from start to finish.

This rolls back and forth between life at college and adult married life for Owen and Luna and their little group of friends. Luna and Owen meet by chance at college to the point that Owens fingers end in Luna's mouth, these two end up being very close, so close that many think they are in a boyfriend -girlfriend relationship. Everyone in this little group seems to have something to hide or something they are trying to run from. There are two murders that bring present and pass together and the author does a masterful job of weaving these stories together. There are many suspects and many twist in the plot just when you think you have it figured the next page brings a twist in the story up to the very end. This is a wild ride from start to finish. Read this book you will not be disappointed.