A twisted thriller following Marisa who has been struggling with grief and alcoholism for 14 years since her twin sister was murdered. This novel contained so many of my favourite thriller tropes. I was very skeptical of Marisa being a twin, especially since she was and still is continuously mistaken for her sister Clare. I did not trust a single male character in this story. Marisa’s own general paranoia felt very accurate for a 30 year old woman out in the world, let alone with all of her past trauma. We learn that Marisa is recovering from a recent car accident and is missing about 10 days of time around the accident, including what or who may have caused it. Marisa’s alcoholic past also lends to her not always being a reliable narrator and instilling some doubt in the reader. The multiple POVs really helped get the whole story, as well as a glimpse at some of the other character’s secrets. This novel had just the right amount of suspense, secrets, and red herrings, but also legitimate clues. If you’re paying attention and wanting to play detective, I think it is very possible to get some good clues about the whodunnit aspect of this book, as well as who “He” is. I was satisfied by the ending, as well as surprised by some of the details - my ideal thriller cocktail.

Marisa's identical twin Clare was murdered 14 years ago when they were teenagers. The detective assigned to the case is about to retire, and Marisa is sober for the first time since Clare's death and ready to find out the truth. This was good but not great. I read another of this author's books and loved it, and this didn't live up to how good that one was. This was typical of this type of book, a little predictable but not too obvious, pretty farfetched. 3 stars.

When Marisa is 16 her twin sister Clare is murdered, her body found by the James River in Virginia. The murder has haunted her and her older sister Brit ever since and worsened by the fact that Clare's killer is never caught. Now it's Marisa's 30th birthday and the hurt is felt even more keenly, her nightmare intensified by a near fatal car accident two months earlier which erased several days of her memories. Has the accident been exactly that or a deliberate act? Is it connected to Clare's death or a random act? Marisa tries to put the pieces together. The story is told from several perspectives.

Isn't it truly amazing that the truth doesn't come out at the time but does so fourteen years later? Pardon the cynicism but this element along with the ending strikes an unbelievable chord with me. In addition, the start feels clunky until the author gets into her stride.

There are however, a number of areas that are done well. Clare feels ever present and I like how the author achieves this and you do see her clearly. Although she makes mistakes, after all she's human, Marisa is likeable and her characterisation is good. Several narratives SEEM revealing but you constantly question their veracity as after all, they have a vested interest in lying. It is easy to read and it flows well.

However, I can't get past the believability element and in places it feels very one dimensional. Some of the dialogue is not exactly riveting either. So, in essence, an ok read for me and nothing more but do check out other reviews as I seem to be the outlier on this one.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Montlake for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, nice mystery. Revolving around the murder of her sister Claire, her twin sister is determined to find her killer. Marissa with the help of the detective who is still on the case. Trying to recover from a accident that leaves her with vague memories of that night, she starts questioning the friends that were questioned 14 years ago. If you like a very interesting mystery read Mary Burton's new book. She never lets me down on a very intriguing mystery.

Complex and thrilling story combining past and present. Marisa struggles with the death of her twin which remains unresolved. Lots of twists,good characters and intriguing story.

The Lies I Told by Mary Burton is a psychological thriller involving a woman Marisa, who suffered a 10 day period of amnesia after a near fatal car accident. Marisa also wants to solve the murder of her twin sister from 14 years prior while simultaneously dealing with her newly found sobriety & her complicated & tragic history:
Mary Burton has become one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors & this book did not disappoint. This is the 17th book I’ve read by this author, which should demonstrate how fondly I am of their writing & the quality of their mysteries.
First of all, this book starts with a quote from Ice Cube, which I thought was an interesting place to start.
The alternating points of views & timeline gives you a glimpse into Marisa’s life now & back around the time her sister was murdered. It spookily & slowly gives you information to the mysteries of Marisa’s life.
I felt like the escalating tension leading up to the book’s climax started to drag a bit. But as always, I adore Mary Burton’s writing & I constantly get lost in the thrilling stories with just enough romance to be extra entertaining.
The Lies I Told by Mary Burton comes out August 2, 2022!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Montlake for giving me the opportunity to read an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: This book mentions &/or contains a car accident, addiction, suicide, overdose, stalking, death, sex, dog death, murder, abuse, violence, harassment & gore.

I picked up this book at 1:30 in the morning thinking that I would just read a couple chapters before bed.
That didn't happen! The Lies I Told is a fast-paced thriller. Before I knew it a couple hours had passed and I had to make myself stop reading to get some sleep.

This book is not written in Mary Burton's usual style, but it is a compelling read with interesting, dysfunctional characters that will keep you guessing until the end. I look forward to reading more Mary Burton books like this one. She is a great storyteller.

Twin sisters Marisa and Clare Stockton were sixteen when Clare’s body was found in Virginia’s James River. No arrests were made. Fourteen years later, Marisa’s friends and dedicated career as a photographer help her to cope with the open wound of the past. But Marisa still feels the hurt—and the unsolved murder isn’t the only thing haunting her.

A recent car crash has erased ten days of Marisa’s memories—a black hole leading up to the accident that’s left her disoriented. Every text and phone call from that crucial missing time has vanished, along with her phone. A photograph she took of the river has disappeared. A new neighbor Marisa believes she knows introduces himself as if he were a stranger. And there’s the growing fear that her near-fatal accident was no accident at all. As dreams of Clare and nightmares of the crash begin to converge, so do two disturbing puzzles fourteen years apart.

Putting the pieces together could be fatal. As she struggles to remember everything, Marisa closes in on a killer—without realizing that he’s already closed in on her.

It’s a page turner, for sure! I loved this novel and every single one of its characters

I did not want to stop reading. This book is awesome! I always try to figure out who the bad person is, but there are so many suggestions and twists and turns I wasn't truly sure until the end and then there was a surprise that I did not see coming. If you can't trust family and friends then who can you trust.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I found it a quick and easy read. Even though the chapters were from different perspectives it story still flowed really well. I really enjoyed this book and found it fast paced, well developed characters some more likable then others. The only let down was the end of the book which I guessed and thought could have been better. Would look for more from this author
Thank you netgallery for this advanced copy of this book.

I couldn't put this down, but I have to admit that the premise and the story itself really bummed me out. The dysfunction, sadness, grief, and a whole myriad of psychological issues that this family had did not make for light reading.

That being said, the story was compellingly told. I wish that there was no romance aspect at all especially (view spoiler). There is also almost no information given on the heroine's love interest either. The romance is never convincing in Mary Burton books. I think that department is better off left to Mary Ellen Taylor who writes some of the sweetest couples.

Ultimately, the ending felt rushed and I wish that there was more resolution to the plot. The epilogue was nice but one that was a little further into the future would've really made the sadness worth it. I wouldn't say I didn't enjoy this at all but it definitely wasn't my favourite.

Loved this! Story was a riveting look at the murder of one twin 14 years prior that the other is still not willing to let go of. This one had me guessing even when I thought I figured it out--I was wrong! Quick read and super entertaining!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Marisa is feeling sad at turning 30. She misses her twin sister who was murdered years ago. Marisa trying to figure out who killed her twin sister. Her older sister tries to help, this book kept me interested from the start. Can't wait to read Mary Burton's next book.

Everyone lies.

that’s what Detective Richards told her as he searched for her twin sister’s killer.

Now, 14 years later, recently sober and needing answers, she is about to find out just how right he is.

Even though I figured out who the killer was about a third of the way through, I still couldn’t help savouring every chapter of this page turner. Told from multiple characters’ perspectives, we get insight from each of them as they cover up and sort out lies, some of them that have been told for 14 years.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for me erc copy in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t put into words why this book was just ok. I love this author and normally I can’t stop gushing. But for me this book was just ok.

I finished because I needed to know the conclusion, but I’m a wee bit disappointed. But that’s ok because I’m already looking forward to the next book by Mary Burton. She is a great writer and just because this was not my cup of tea is no big deal because that’s the beauty of a book. We all take something different away from it.

Twists and turns oh my. I read this book in one sitting as I could not turn the pages fast enough.
I enjoyed it !

I love Mary Burton and have read all her books so far. Mary always delivers a beautifully written murder mystery with a little romance story to "soften the blow" and reminding the reader that even though there are bad people out there doing bad things, most of us are good and simply want to be loved.
Well Mary, this is another winner indeed.
In this book, Mary invites you on a journey through the loss of Marisa whose twin dies in tragic circumstances. The book is written in the characters’ POV, slowly but surely the crime is revealed and it all makes sense.
I simply loved that book, the mystery is solid and keeps you guessing until the end. The characters are very likable (or dislikable) and the whole book is simply striking by how believable and realistic the whole story line is, just because everyone decided to keep a few facts to themselves (lying by omission) or simply out rightly lied at the time of the murder. The implications are plain to see: murder still remaining unresolved after many years of investigating.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book from Mary Burton and can’t wait for her next story.
Thank you Mary for such a wonderful experience.

I found this book to be a page turner. I just wanted to keep reading;. The title of the book, does say it all. I have read all of Mary’s book and she continues to write her best each time.

3.5* If the author was going for the 'reader is in Claire's head', then she achieved that. If she wasn't, then I was a bit confused.

This makes for slightly confusing reading, as Claire was confused for much of the tale and was 'in her head', too, for most of it, so I found this a little hard to read. On top, the characters aren't nice - full stop. They also don't feel like they want to be in each other's lives, but just happen to be, for very differing reasons.

It's not a book that is likable, but it is worth a read.

Marisa and Brit are the last two survivors in the Stockton family. Sisters who look after each other and take care of each other. When Brit was fifteen her mother died leaving her to take on the role of mother hen. Marisa’s the sister who invited trouble into their family since the day she was born. Drugs and alcohol have been her crutch since her mothers death and then again after Clare died. Brit’s been there every step of the way caring for Marisa. Marisa knew it was hard for Brit to take on adult responsibilities at fifteen, but she appreciated her.

Fourteen years ago Clare was killed. Her death has haunted Marisa. Now that she’s sober she has a clear head. Although, two months ago an accident has caused gaps in her memories. She’s never given up on finding out the truth about her sister Clare. Marisa works with the detective who kept Clare’s case semi open. As a photographer Marisa photographed photos of the scene where Clare’s body was found. Using junior detective skills Marisa pieces together the past with the present.
Mary Burton used multiple points of views to voice this character driven story where everyone lies. It takes Marisa digging into the past to unbury the truth. It’s a fast pace story with interesting characters. The secrets and lies seem inconsequential but when compounded with truths the unveiling is most rewarding. I found it to be a quick and easy read. Took me two days to complete. The chapters transition smoothly from one point of view to the next.