I LOVED this thriller! I was hooked from the start and loved watching the plot unfold. I was suspicious of everything and even when I thought I had an understanding of what was going on, I was then surprised all over again.

This was a compelling read even if it was all a little obvious. I definitely enjoyed this more than the previous book by this author. Would recommend.

This was one of those books that I couldn't read fast enough,,,,to find out who killed Rose. Excellent author. I did not expect the final twist, as to who murdered her. Looking to read more by Kathryn Croft!

"He said he walked her home but now she is missing..."


Synopsis: 16 year old Rose has the seemingly perfect life. She is an aspiring musician and songwriter, she has a close relationship with her mother and she has a wonderful boyfriend named Jacob. The morning after a neighborhood barbecue, Rose is discovered missing. Everyone close to Rose is devastated, shocked and confused. As tension arises, her boyfriend Jacob becomes the lead suspect but Jacob's mother, Lucy, will fight for her son's innocence no matter what. What really happened to Rose and who is responsible? How much do you trust the people that you love?

First, I'd like to thank amazing Kathryn Croft and Bookouture publishing for allowing me to read this early copy of The Lie. This was the 4th book of Croft's that I've read and it did not disappoint. Croft is one of my favorite psychological thriller authors.
This story is told from many different perspectives, which I love. I love knowing what more than one person is thinking. By the end of the book, there were no gaps left open or strings left untied. The Lie had me sitting in the same spot for hours burning pages. I couldn't put it down! Be on the lookout for The Lie by Kathryn Croft in April 2023. In the mean time, grab some more of Croft's other thrillers. You can thank me later!

When her son Jacob's girlfriend Rose goes missing, Lucy struggles to maintain her belief in his innocence when no one, not even the rest of their family, does. Meanwhile, Rose's mother Carrie is certain that Jacob is the culprit. It doesn't help that it comes to light Jacob lied to the police about how things were between him and Rose when he walked her home, among other things.

Although not impressed by the writing itself and though the story dragged on in the middle (though, to be fair, this is very standard for page-turners), the story was genuinely both unpredictable and believable. The Lie touches on the ramifications of a horrible crime from varying angles, such as how it affects minors/young persons and a small community, focusing on the way it eats into even the family of the suspect.

What stood out to me was the relationship between Lucy and Carrie. They're different in socioeconomic status and how their neighbors perceive them, but the fact that they're both mothers who love their children with unshakeable determination bonds them in the truest sense -- they understand each other even if their children are each on the other side of a murder case. Even after the truth is revealed, the two women become friends, and in some sense the only true friends they have. This, to me, was a pleasant surprise and a refreshing note to end on.

Great read with lots to make you flip the page. So many people are saying different things, it really comes down to who you believe and who may be lying. The riddle doesn't get any easier to solve when it seems everyone had something to hide. I'm pleased to say that I figured out the who but not the why. Not that the author made it easy. Recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced reading copy.

Thank you Bookouture and Net Galley for an early copy of The Lie. This one had me guessing who did it but when it was revealed, it was an obvious character. I liked this because there was a lot of guessing about what was going on. A quick, good read. The twist at 80% was WHOAAAAAAAAA!!!!! Thank you Kathryn Croft.

Everyone is hiding something.
After a neighborhood barbecue, Rose -- a sixteen year old, smart, lovable teenager-- is walked home by her boyfriend, Jacob. But when Rose's mother discovers that her daughter has never returned home after the party, suspicions grow-- and Jacob is the main suspect.

Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me. The ending "twist" was good in theory but predictable from about halfway through the book. The entire premise of the book was good, but the execution was poorly done. None of the characters are ones you want to "root for" (not even Rose). They are all frustrating in their own way. Additionally, one of the characters was said to be a pre-teen in the book, but while reading it she almost seemed like a very young girl (6 or 7?). It was strange and confusing. Additionally, *slight spoiler alert* at the beginning of the novel, the main married couple seems happy with no rocky roads in sight, and then all of a sudden things are described as tumultuous "for a while". This part just didn't flow.

There was also a lot of "fluff" in this book, think: "what are they lying about now!", "how can we trust them?", "just tell the truth!","they must have had something to do with this!" over and over again about many of the characters. While the idea of the "lies" sounds thrilling, in execution it made all the characters unreliable, unlikable, and frustrating to read.

Ultimately, I found this book confusing at times. It had multiple red herrings that would arouse suspicions, but that didn't end up wrapped in a bow at the end. This book had multiple POV's, which I usually find nice in a thriller, but it was still confusing and choppy. This book received 2/5 stars from me.

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this book was so good it was hard to put down. Kept me guessing right to the end, but omg what an ending, .I can highly recommend this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the captivating and intriguing psychological thriller, with the narrative providing hints of a sinister truth. Despite the gripping build-up, the revelation felt like a satisfying payoff. However, the unlikeable main characters and tangential side stories detracted from the plot's overall appeal.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

For more detailed book reviews, visit my website: www.thejayword.com

A thrilling book that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns and shocks. Brilliant!’ I rate this book five out of five stars.

I loved this book, I actually couldn’t put it down. I must finished it and it’s past midnight.
It’s full of twist you won’y see coming, i highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this book, I loved that it was written from 3 diffrent prospectives. I did think that focusing on only it being Jacob when obviously knowing it wasn't going to be him in the end kept me guessing and trying to figure out who it really was.

Whenever Lucy attempts to question Jacob about that night, whether they’d had an argument, or if Rose had any problems she might be running away from, she gets the distinct feeling that he’s uncomfortable and anxious. Could he be withholding a vital piece of information? A few days later, Rose’s body is discovered in a wooded area - she’d been murdered.

Even the investigating team suspect that Jacob isn’t being entirely honest with them, and so begins a long drawn out enquiry with Jacob as the main suspect.

Each chapter is given over to a different character, providing a great insight into what’s going on in their minds,what makes them tick, but we don’t know everything, because everyone has secrets, and some of them are truly shocking!

A terrific read that had me gripped, and whilst I thought I knew exactly what was going on, I clearly didn’t

Firstly, thank you to Netgallery, Bookature and Kathryn Croft for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Kathryn Croft has done it again she is the queen of thrillers! I’ve read all her books so I was ecstatic about getting my hands on her latest one! Wow what can I say this book was amazing, it was a fast paced and kept me guessing throughout a perfect book for psychological thrillers fans alike! The ending wow I did not see it coming!

Overall I throughly enjoyed this book and all the plot twists that it presented! Kathryn Croft definitely should be on everyones shelf!

Wow it’s got to be one of her best Lucy and Tom host a bbq for all their friends and family including her son Jacob’s girlfriend Rose, everyone is having a wonderful time but the following morning Rose never made it home and Jacob is the last one to see her they did have an argument so Rose’s mum Carrie thinks Jacob knows where she is. Excellent book a real page turner definitely recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC

Kathryn Croft is a classy writer and this is no different to what I would expect from her; interesting and twisty tale thank you

I love this authors books and this one was as addictive you think you worked it but I got it so wrong. Lucy and Tom move out of London for there daughter Ava and move to Surrey they have a son to Jacob who did have a girlfriend but she moved away. and then Jacob meets Rose at his new school and they become inspirable Tom and Lucy decide to have a barbecue for their neighbours and new friends. but the next day things will change their lives. as Rose is missing Jacob swears he seen her going in the house this book is about secrets lies and betrayal. I so recommend this authors books

Thank you netgalley for the arc copy of this ebook. I give it 4 stars only because i guessed who it was half way through the book. I enjoyed it this book kept me interested the whole time . i enjoy this authors wrighting ive read another one of her books and enjoyed that one as well. I would definitely ead another one of her books

An excellent read. I did have my suspicions throughout and was right, but there were lots of twists and turns along the way.