Overall an ok book.
Almost gave up but pushed through. Finally got some action and leeway and then it slowed again, then picked up then slowed. It was really up and down a lot throughout.
The writing style was a hit hard on me too.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

This book follows a reporter who starts investigating the supposed return of a serial killer, and gets help from the actual killer. Pretty propulsive plot, although the solution to the mystery isn't particularly mysterious. I liked that they didn't make the real serial killer some sort of glamorous mastermind, but the kind of seedy creep who might actual do these kind of killings. I thought the last twist was a bit superfluous, but overall a pretty good time.

Wow! I loved this! I couldn’t put it down and read during every free second I could spare. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a book about a reformed serial killer, but wow—No Lie Lasts Forever took that premise and ran with it in all the best (and most unsettling) ways. Think Zodiac meets Mindhunter, with a morally gray twist I didn’t know I needed.

Harry Kugel is the former PDQ Killer—emphasis on former. He’s been off the radar for 15 years, trying to stay clean, stay invisible… until someone starts killing in his signature style. Now, he’s not just a man with a dark past—he’s a man being impersonated by a killer who doesn't understand the “art” (Harry’s words, not mine). His solution? Find the imposter before the cops come knocking. Or worse, before the old Harry wakes up.

Enter Flynn Martin, a disgraced journalist looking for redemption. Their dynamic is tense, unpredictable, and honestly electric. Watching her grapple with the ethics of teaming up with someone like Harry—while still being pulled in by the story of a lifetime—made for some great psychological depth.

The pacing is taut, the dialogue sharp, and the moral ambiguity had me questioning everything. Is Harry really reformed? Is Flynn in over her head? Is the truth worth exposing if it means unleashing a bigger nightmare?

My only minor gripe: a few twists felt a little too cinematic near the end, but by that point I was fully invested and happy to go along for the ride.

Clever, chilling, and totally absorbing. If you like your thrillers with flawed protagonists, ethical gray zones, and a touch of existential dread, this one’s for you.

No Lie Last Forever by Mark Stevens presents a gripping setup: a reporter is killed in a manner eerily reminiscent of the PDQ Killer, except the original killer, Harry Kugel, insists he’s no longer active. With the city on edge and his past threatening to resurface, Harry sets out to stop a copycat without incriminating himself. Alongside him is Flynn Martin, a disgraced journalist desperate for redemption and a second shot at relevance.

The concept is what kept me reading. The idea of a reformed serial killer being forced out of hiding to stop someone mimicking his crimes is compelling, and the moral tension at the heart of Harry’s journey had real potential. Flynn’s involvement added another layer, as her pursuit of truth intersects with Harry’s need for secrecy.

That said, the writing style wasn’t to my taste. It felt uneven at times, and I noticed a few narrative gaps that made parts of the story feel underdeveloped or rushed. Some character motivations weren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked, and the pacing occasionally dragged where it should have built momentum.

Still, the book had its moments and may work better for readers who enjoy darker thrillers with morally complex protagonists. For me, it was a decent read but not one I’d revisit.

I loved the premise of this one. Two characters on the opposite end of a spectrum coming together is always a ride.

A serial killer, whose perspective is very well written. His life now and his thoughts are well brought out. The journalist on the other hand is having her lows after an incident. While a slowburn it is an interesting read on the heels of a copycat killer.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

A reformed serial killer steps out of the shadows to insist he didn’t commit the latest murder he’s being blamed for, and he enlists a disgraced journalist to help him prove it. Definitely an intriguing premise

Harry’s chapters offer a disturbingly calm insight into the mind of a man who admits to his past crimes but insists he’s changed. His voice is compelling, and the moral ambiguity of his character is a definite strength. Flynn, the journalist, adds a layer of tension and emotional weight, though I didn’t always find her actions believable. Her ethical compass wavers in a way that occasionally made her hard to root for.

The story builds well early on, and the eventual convergence of the two leads is where the book feels strongest. Some of the shorter chapters near the end pick up the pace and make for an intense finish.

Stylistically, the writing is direct and fast-moving, which fits the tone, but I did notice some repetitiveness and a few moments where characters behaved more like plot devices than real people. The present-tense narration worked in places but felt clunky in others.

Overall, No Lie Lasts Forever has moments of real tension and thoughtful exploration of redemption and identity. It’s a unique take on a thriller, but it wasn’t a must-read.

The story was decent but the true reason for the 2 star rating is the writing, It is sloppy and written poorly likea 7th trader wrote the book which it makes it hard to focus on the actual story because I'm spending too much time trying to understand the awkwardly written entrances and put them together in my head to make it make sense. it distracted me so badly I had to DNF half way through cause I just couldn't handle it anymore it was hurting my brain.

I couldn't get into this story or the writing style. For so long after the first page nothing at all happened. I was bored and didn't connect with any of the characters.

I really hate to DNF a book. I really do. But sometimes you have to. This one may get better as you go, but it just wasn’t for me. I was a few chapters in and nothing really happened yet, and I couldn’t seem to care about the characters. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for this style of writing right now.

I may try again someday in the future, but for now, it’s not for me.

I didn't click with this one. I love procedural, crime, cat and mouse thriller books but, the story is a bit over the top, but it was fun. The writing was okay, but I thought the characters needed some more development. I liked the way the ended and this led me to rounding up to 3 star.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.

The premise of No Lie Lasts Forever drew me in almost immediately. A serial killer slinks off into the night for 15 years without getting caught. Convinced he has somehow cured his urges that led to the killings in the first place, he’s reasonably incensed when a new murder is added to his tally. Determined to set the story straight, he leashes an infamous reporter into proving another killer is at play. The novel does ultimately deliver on this premise, but it stumbles a bit on the way there.

Only after sitting down to write this review did I really catch the musical notes filling each of the letters on the cover. It’s a very nice touch considering how important classical music is to one of the main characters and to the plot. I wonder if the sheet music shown even matches one of the often mentioned artists this character enjoys so much.

The first chapter of No Lie Lasts Forever is fast-paced, and sets the reporter looped into helping the serial killer on a distinct arc. That swiftness makes the next bit drag more by comparison. I am used to novels written in the present tense moving a little more. Part of this is because of scope. Many of the characters are nuanced and multi-layered, but the cast feels too large to really enjoy them. Juggling all the names and institutions they belong to gets even harder considering how many also have nicknames.

The writing style felt—jumbled—for lack of a better word. Description mostly matches the sparseness of a noir mystery/thriller then delves into randomly elongated character attributes. This strange mix is further enhanced by how crassness that feels out of place to the larger work. I might have made a face at “upright wink” alone. The premise of the novel needed cemented character motivations to truly work. I think some of the meandering in plot happens because the purpose of some characters does the same thing.

If you can get through a few of the more mired down sections, No Lie Lasts Forever becomes worth the read. I recommend the novel to fans of twisty thrillers and morally gray to dark point of view characters.

This was a quick and entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
The characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

This book kept me thinking from beginning to end. Sometimes you're best attempts at being helpful can lead to disastrous results. Flynn Martin experiences this in the worst way and ends up getting pulled into crimes and mysteries that are a lot bigger than she expected. The chapters shorter which helped with the pacing of the story. At the beginning there were a lot of character names to remember, but it got easier as the book went on. I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys mysteries, crime dramas, and thrillers.

Because Mark Stevens.....No wonder he is one of my favorite authors! This book was just more proof. I finished it in 1 weekend and it was just added to another favorite of mine! It kept me on the edge of my seat and waiting for answers! Slammed packed with secrets, lies, and many shocks! Thank you Mark Stevens!

This is a well-written thriller with a dark, twisty premise. One main character is a reformed serial killer hiding in plain sight. The other is a disgraced journalist looking for redemption. When a new murder hints at the return of the infamous PDQ killer, their paths collide in a tense, dangerous dance.

Harry, the killer, is erudite, vain, and disturbingly brilliant. He’s not about to let someone else take credit for his past crimes. Flynn, the journalist, is tough, sharp, and driven—especially by her son, Wyatt, who keeps her grounded amid the chaos.

Their unlikely partnership, full of mind games and power shifts, is gripping. I’d love to see more of this duo solving cold (or hot) cases in future books.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

i like this book. the premise was original. a killer is out there but not quite as you think. because this one thinks he is rehabilitated. and the writer is very clever at almost but never quite questioning your views on this killer. it adds a layer to it.
our other main character is an investigative journalist who needs a win in her life right now.
Harry isnt happy though. someone is killing people and its making him feel like they are copying all his "work". how dare someone else take the credit for all his hard work. hes also worked too hard to get back into society and therefore covering all tracks.
Flynn has more in this game than most. yes, she needs it professionally but also one of her own has been killed by the "harry killer". so everything already very tense at work.
and that where Harry recruited Flynn. shes going to do all he wants at this point. He needs her,she needs him. but is this a cat and mouse with the killer or cat and mouse between the pair?
but is Flynn ready or should she be taking the orders shes given?
and is Harry as finished with the killing as he thought?

"No Lie Lasts Forever" by Mark Stevens is a thrilling tale of mystery, murder, and treachery set in Denver. The story follows Flynn Martin, a renowned TV reporter and daughter of a legendary newspaper journalist. With her keen instincts and journalistic background, Flynn navigates a complex web of secrets and lies. As the plot unfolds, Stevens masterfully weaves together suspense and intrigue, keeping readers engaged. With its intricate storyline and strong protagonist, "No Lie Lasts Forever" is a gripping thriller that explores the darker side of human nature, making it a compelling read

“No Lie Lasts Forever” by Mark Stevens is a 378-page fiction book released this year. It was published by Thomas & Mercer in Seattle, and its cover design was created by Caroline Teagle Johnson. The paperback costs $16.99 and has ISBN 978-1-66252-959-7, while the ebook costs $4.99 and has ISBN 978-1-66252-960-3. Mark Stevens, a former national TV news reporter, and producer with a penchant for writing and podcasting, currently lives in Mancos, Colorado.


This story is based on criminal events in Denver and begins with the disgrace of Flynn Martin, a TV news reporter, who, against her father Michael’s wishes, persists in her career and ends up in a chaotic, gory reporting scene, becoming the source of public controversy. Not long after, the mysterious death of her colleague McGrath occurs, and Flynn is assigned to investigate it to save her career. One of Flynn’s suspects is Harry Kugel, a melomaniac ex-convict, alias PDQ Killer. Harry is worried, so he tries to convince Flynn of his innocence by indirectly siding with her on the investigation. Someone is trying to get him in jail again by impersonating him, and Harry will stop at nothing to make his innocence certain.

Will the unlikely duo work side-by-side in the investigation? Will the perpetrator be caught? What happens next? Find out in this epic thriller!

An interesting aspect of this novel is how far Harry will go to prove that he is a good guy and not what Flynn and the rest of the authorities think of him. Harry has several notable traits. He is clever and meticulous, even to the level of a detective. A relevant example is his researched knowledge of who Flynn hangs out with; people like Michael and Tamica. He is also aware of the importance of self-control and willingly does not give in to his old dark killer urges on the boy Wyatt. He is very persevering; his determination sees him through thick and thin as he tracks Flynn from Denver to Vaughn, New Mexico. Just like Flynn, Harry is a very skeptical man and will not let go of an issue until the truth is revealed. If Harry had a better past, he would have made a brilliant reporter himself. As Rick Goodman stated, “Born skeptics make the best reporters.”

I admire the author’s efforts in creating a very intricate and wide-ranging narrative. The storytelling is well-crafted, the characters are well-developed, and the scenes are very well-plotted to create an almost realistic feel. There is nothing to dislike about this book.

I did not find any typographical mistakes or grammatical errors because this book is excellently and thoroughly edited. I, Michael Lartey, the reviewer, find this book to be thoroughly entertaining and well-detailed, as well as being among my favorite genres. Its context and style possess power, conviction, and self-reflection. Because of this, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

I recommend this book to lovers of fiction and psychological thrillers. The book teaches about the dual nature of humanity, that we have the willpower to choose between good, redemption, and tranquility or give in to evil, condemnation, and violence.

It is, however, preferred for adults only, because it contains profane words and mild sexual content.

Sinopsis en español:



Cuando un reportero muere de una manera sorprendentemente familiar, los medios de comunicación se apresuran a anunciar el regreso del asesino PDQ. La ciudad de Denver se tambalea, pero nadie más que Harry Kugel. Después de todo, él es el asesino de PDQ, o lo fue hace quince años. Y él no hizo esto.

Todavía trabajando para reformar sus costumbres, Harry no dejará que algún asesino aficionado monte sus retorcidos colas y se arriesgue a atraer a la policía hacia atrás. Para proteger su legado y su nueva vida tranquila, tendrá que exponer al imitador. Sin exponerse.

El periodista de televisión desgraciado Flynn Martin tiene la llave. Después de una situación de rehenes fallida, ella hará cualquier cosa para revivir su carrera moribunda, incluso para cazar a un monstruo que ejecutó a uno de los suyos.

Harry debe convencer a Flynn de que lo siga al mundo embohiador de un asesino. Pero con la ley acercándose y un rival en general, comienza a sentir la atracción familiar de los viejos impulsos...





Reseña:

Por momentos me pareció monótono.